Please do not plagiarize my stuff...actually, do not plagiarize, period. That's not cool.

August 29, 2009:

Hello! So here's what I've decided to do: I want to treat Cheer for Me like it's an actual book, so I'm going to stop posting chapters, but I will keep writing them. When they're all done to my satisfaction, I will make an update on Cheer for Me to inform you where you can read it. It will most likely be on Authonomy.

I've come to this decision for these (significant) reasons:

Firstly, if I keep posting a chapter with you reading them as I go, I will have a lot less flexibility with the entire story. If I write the entire story first without showing anyone (on the Internet), I will have the freedom to go back and revise and edit as many parts as I want without confusing anybody.

Secondly, getting reviews for each chapter can be confusing sometimes. Some readers say they want one thing, and others say they want the opposite thing, while I want something completely different. While it's absolutely wonderful and helpful to hear what you like and don't like about the chapter, I think it'd be better if I finish the entire story first, and then perhaps receive reviews about the story as a whole, as opposed to just the chapter. This way, I will get criticism on the essential aspects, such as character development, plot, pace, etc. And then, once I receive constructive criticism for the story as a whole, I could write another draft of the story while keeping the reviews in mind--should I choose to go back to the story and make it better.

Thirdly, I want to post a completed story so that you won't have to keep waiting for the update.

I am aware of the disadvantages this decision may have. Sometimes it is that one review in a middle of the story that can change and improve the rest of the chapters to come--that one reviewer who makes crucial points that will help develop the story before you even finish. I won't be able to get this in the middle, but I hope I will in the end, when I post everything. Also, I realize that posting everything at one time will not help me with details. For example, some reviewers would point out little things that worked or didn't work in the most recent chapter. Or even just spelling and grammar mistakes: it's hard to catch every single one if the entire story is posted at one time.

Nevertheless, I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. I apologize if you hate this arrangement, but I do believe it'd be better this way. I will keep making updates on my profile to let you know of my progress.

And since I've been sounding really solemn so far, I will write some random (fun?) stuff:

Books

Note: These are a humble reader's opinions. I'm nowhere near an expert on literature, and I'll warn you now that you'll probably disagree with some of my opinions.

Jane Austen. One word: witty. If you've never read Pride and Prejudice, seriously, go read it now. My next favourite would be Persuasion. Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights has wicked atmoshpere. Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre has a very well-written female protagonist and a great ending (imho). If you liked Jane Eyre, you'd probably also like Villette. I don't think Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South is witty (it's actually a bit dry at times), but you can't help falling in love with John Thornton, can you? Make sure you watch the BBC version of this book. :)

If you want to read something truly epic, I recommend Dante's Divine Comedy and Alexander Pope's An Essay on Criticism.

If you like Shakespeare, I recommend reading plays written by other playwrights of the time. You can usually find these online. I only know a few, but try 'Tis a Pity She's a Whore by John Ford or The Revenger's Tragedy by Thomas Middleton (probably). I prefer the tragedies. :)

Hmmm...what else...oh if you're a Jane Austen fan, try Georgette Heyer. Her books are set in the Regency period, but she lived in the 20th century. She has written tons of books, so if you've exhausted your Jane Austen supply, you might like Heyer. Also, try Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has probably been read by almost everybody, and it should be so.

Gone with the Wind is definitely a must-read and a must-see. Spoiler: In my opinion, Scarlett will get back together with Rhett eventually. I noticed a few little things in the book that hint at this kind of conclusion. End of spoiler.

Okay, I have more I want to recommend, but let's move on to my opinions of young adult books (mostly) for now. Hmm...I only like a few, actually.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: I hate, hate, hate this. "Hate" is a strong and unfair word, I know, but...I'm dead serious (no pun intended). Didn't bother to read the other books.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead: Now this one I like. Character development, plot, action, romance--they're all there. I strongly recommend this series.

Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine: Liked the first book, couldn't get through the second one, although I will probably give it another chance someday.

Harry Potter by You-Already-Know-Who: Not the biggest fan, but a fan nonetheless. I will say that J.K. Rowling is a genius. All seven are must-reads just because it's freakin Harry Potter.

Evernight by Claudia Gray: Gave this a chance, but couldn't get through the first couple of pages. Really, I tried.

Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast: Also gave this a chance, but also couldn't get through the first couple of pages. From what I hear about what happens later on, I have a feeling that I would hate this as much as I hate Twilight.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray: Enjoyed this book overall, but not enough to continue reading the series. (I might give it another try one day.) I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters in the group--and there were four of them, for crying out loud.

Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud: Haven't gotten around to reading books two or three, but I thought book one was absolutely brilliant. Will read the other two one day.

Southern Vampire Series by Charlaine Harris: I think this is adult. Anyway, liked it at first, but as the series went on, I was put off by the same scenarios repeated over and over and over again and also by the characterization of Sookie, with her holier-than-thou vibes. I prefer the show, although the show's portrayal of women has given me some wtf moments.

Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber: Was put off by the very cliched beginning. I mean, a goth girl that goes by the name Raven? Seriously? However, I know I shouldn't judge a story just like that, so I'll probably try to give this a fifth chance... But seriously, Raven? That just reminds me of that horrible fic over at fanfic. The one that's so awful that it's most likely a joke.

Tithe by Holly Black: Again, got bored after the first couple of pages. Probably will give this another chance too.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare: Also got bored. Am I the only one who's this picky/hard to please?

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz, and Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith: Haven't gotten around to reading these. Should I try?

Thursday Next Series by Jasper Fforde: Brilliant. A must-read. Very original.

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley: Great book. Action, romance, and a strong female character.

Sunshine by Robin McKinely: A good story overall, but had to skim a couple of dull parts.

Alanna: The First Adventure and In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce: Love the concept and setting, although I wish the characters and plot could have been a bit more fleshed out.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine: A great re-telling of Cinderella. Awesome book, okay movie.

LOTR by J.R.R. Tolkien: He is also a genius. Wonderfully detailed world.

Austenland by Shannon Hale: A fun read, although I found it to be somewhat anti-climatic.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale: Predictable, but still fun.

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin: Not a fan of this book. I thought the narrative was a little dull, and the ending a huge cop-out.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman: I love the setting and how it's very tongue-in-cheek, but I really didn't like Buttercup or Westley.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini: Somewhat enjoyable, but only because I didn't take it seriously. Not very original. Not very well-written.

Eldest by Christopher Paolini: Worse than Eragon.

Sophie Kinsella's work: Very funny. If you want to read something light and fun that you can just breeze by, read her works.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi: Action-packed with a wonderful female character.

Okay, I'm going to stop raving or ranting about books for now. For those who've read the books that I stopped reading after the first several pages, do the books get better later on? I seriously tried to continue reading, but I just couldn't.

Authors with Narrative Style I Like or Admire (in alphabetical order):

Louisa May Alcott
Jane Austen
Emily Bronte
Sophie Kinsella
L.M. Montgomery
Toni Morrison
E. Nesbit
J.K. Rowling
Jonathan Stroud

Authors with Worlds that I Wish I Created (in alphabetical order):

Enid Blyton (for sure)
Jasper Fforde
Charlaine Harris (to an extent)
J.K. Rowling (of course)
Jonathan Stroud
J.R.R. Tolkien