Killer Blogfest - Favorite Antagonist

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I wanted to pick Darth Vadar but he’s a cinema villain, not a literary one.

Instead I picked the Grinch. (Some might argue that he’s not an antagonist, that he’s a villain protagonist, but I like to think that little Cindy Lou Who is the protagonist.)

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I’m a sucker for villains that can carry the weight of the story on their shoulders, that are fully formed and multi-dimensional, and that change over the course of the story.

The Grinch tries to ruin Christmas. Seriously, who does that? Who doesn’t like Christmas?

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"It could be because his head wasn't screwed on just right, or his shoes were too tight, or perhaps, the best reason of all was that because his heart was two sizes too small."

So he steals from the good people of Whoville, taking their presents and decorations and feast.

How the do the Whos react on Christmas morning? "They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do! 

Their mouths will hang open a minute or two then the Whos down in Who-ville will all cry Boo-Hoo!"

Nope. They sing. Their hearts are still full with Christmas joy.

Their love dramatically transforms the Grinch. His heart grows three times larger, and he grows to love the Whos. He even carves the roast beast.

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The best villains are the ones that touch us and change us. The Grinch is one of the first villains we are introduced to and has a lasting effect on us through the years.

Creature (Feng Huang) and Question of the Week

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This week's creature is Feng Huang, the Chinese version of the Phoenix.

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Next to the dragon, Feng Huang is the most respected mythical creature in China. It is the king of the birds.Feng Huang has fiery and colorful tail feathers, like a peacock, with the head and body like a pheasant.

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Feng Huang is immortal and embodies the virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and sincerity.

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Originally, Feng Huang was two birds: Feng was male / yang and the symbol of the solar cycle while Huang was female / ying and the cycle of the lunar cycle. Pictures of the two birds together symbolized undying love.

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 There's a Chinese saying: "When the Dragon soars and the Phoenix dances, the people will enjoy happiness for years, bringing peace and tranquility to all under heaven." The Dragon is the symbol of the Chinese emperor and the Phoenix of the Chinese empress.

Next week, I'll feature the Vetala, a nasty vampire-like creature just perfect to feature on Halloween.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

This week's question:What's your favorite part about Halloween? Your favorite candy? Are you dressing up this year? What are your Halloween plans for this year?

Me? I love watching kids as they get all excited about Halloween. I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, especially the pumpkin shaped ones. I don't know if I'm gonna dress up this year or what my plans are. Unfortunately, hubby has to work during our town's trick or treat, and we haven't taken the kiddies trick or treating yet so I don't know if I want to take them myself and have hubby miss out. :/

Killer Blogfest - Favorite Protagonist

If you're looking for my Spooktacular Giveaway, click here.

And in case you missed my Killer Blogfest Supporting Character post about Artax, click here.
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I had a hard time picking my favorite protagonist. I thought about Anne from Green Gables since that book was the first one I reread and reread and reread countless times.

Instead, I picked the MC from one of my favorite stories of all times.

Jean Valjean from Les Miserables.

Why is Valjean a hero in my eyes?

For starters, he stole bread to feed his sister's children. Family is hugely important to me.

Prison for his theft makes Valjean bitter and cynical, and he resorts to stealing again from a kind bishop. When he is caught by the police, the bishop tells them that the silver had been a gift, that Valjean hadn’t stolen them.

And just like that, Valjean is given a second chance at life and he spares no time turning it around.

When he unknowingly wrongs a woman, he goes about setting things right and adopts her child when she dies. Valjean loves Cosette as if she were his own flesh and blood. He is the best father he can be to her.

And when Cosette fell in love, Valjean did not stand in the way despite not liking Marius. He just wanted her to be happy. Happiness wishes everyone happy.

Although Valjean is a convict, he becomes a virtuous man of great moral character. His honor and loyalty had no limit. He possesses the best traits of humanity.

The world would be a much better place if there were more Jean Valjean’s living in it.

Internet Book Fair Blogfest and Weekly Progress Report

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M.A. Leslie is hosting an Internet Book Fair today! So today I'm highlighting WOMAN OF HONOR, the first book in my Kingdom of Arnhem fantasy romance series.

WOMAN OF HONOR is the story of Aislinn, a young girl who wants to become a knight.

Currently it is only available in ebook format, but sometime next year, WOMAN OF HONOR will be available in print!

Some reviews:

"Woman of Honor has all the best elements of an epic adventure – danger, self-discovery, unrequited love, true romance, and noble expectations....Woman of Honor provides a refreshing escape from the standard, making it a novel worth enjoying more than once." Becca Dale - Got Romance! Reviews

"Nicole Zoltack provides a well crafted story that focuses on emotion and anticipation. Not only a book that a young adult would enjoy, but a woman of any age who wants to enjoy romance and a strong heroine and how she gained her strength."  Em Epe - Dark Diva Reviews

"This was such a interesting read to watch the characters mature from children to young adults. This book kept be interested from the very beginning ... I kept urging Aislinn on to make her dream come true." Lynn - Books Books and More Books

"...I found Woman of Honor an enjoyable, fast-paced read and look forward to more in the series..." Classic Romance Revival

"This is a very wonderful story about a girl's dream and her chance to achieve it" CoffeeTime Romance

With sword fights, passionate love, mythical creatures, and courtly games, Woman of Honor is my kind of book...In conclusion, I thoroughly recommend this book for everyone that enjoys fantasy, romance and adventure! I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel, Knight of Glory. Book Reviews by Aubrie

"This novel was so emotionally moving my heart literally ached... Bottom line...Woman of Honor is a well-told, emotionally gripping story. I was literally swept away into the battle scenes, the romance, the fierce loyalty and honor even if it went against matters of the heart. I nearly cried several times while reading this story and was so engrossed a bomb could have gone off outside and I would've kept reading...And talk about an ending that leaves you begging for more. Sheesh! But it was more than satisfying." Michelle Sutton - Author of Danger at the Door and First Impressions (Posted at Goodreads)

"Nicole Zoltack's Woman of Honor weaves the tale of the first lady knight of Arnhem. Sprinkled with historical facts, bullies, and a good dose of love and honor, Woman of Honor is a coming of age novel set in the fantastical medieval world of Arnhem Kingdom...By the end, I craved more from this fantastical world, and I'm glad Ms. Zoltack supplied it in her next book." Raven and the Writing Desk Blog

"Full of action and adventure, Ms Zoltak has created a wonderful tale which keeps the pages turning right up until the heart stopping conclusion and leaves the reader wanting more." Happily Ever After Reviews

"In this captivating medieval fantasy romance, Aislinn dreams of becoming a lady knight to honor the death of her fallen brother, and King Patrick grants her wish. Despite the mockery of the other pages, Aislinn commits herself to her dreams and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, and falls in love with Prince Caelan. Aislinn is willing to give up her childhood, her life, and even her heart for her kingdom." Renaissance Magazine - November 2009

Purchase links:

From Amazon (4.99)
From Desert Breeze Publishing (5.99)
From Barnes and Noble (5.99)
From Sony (5.69)
From All Romance eBooks (5.99)

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Weekly Progress Report:

 Well, we're back home from Erie and I manged to finish the editing job that I had started last week. I now have another one that I'm hoping to turn in by the end of the month.

I'm planning on working hard to finish my MG fantasy story before November. I'm hoping to have this story and my Nano story done (well, rough drafts anyways) before the new year. Am I crazy? Yes I am. Especially since I'm also taking part in PiBo (30 PB ideas in 30 days also in November)

I'm also reading DEAD OF NIGHT by Jonathan Maberry. I'll be posting a review as soon as I finish it.

Since Halloween is coming, there are a couple of chances to win my short paranormal YA story, Seeing for the First Time. One is here, the other is here.

Also, Laura had me on her blog as a Savvy Sensation! I would love for you to check it out!

So what have you been up to this past week? Anything fun or new or exciting?

Check out some other great progress report this week:

http://www.writersally.blogspot.com/
http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter/
http://waibelworld.blogspot.com
http://susanfieldswriter.blogspot.com
http://skmayhew.blogspot.com/p/tuesday-wip-status.html
http://margoberendsen.blogspot.com
http://www.sherryauger.blogspot.com
http://www.susanoloier.blogspot.com--in/
http://carrieannebrownian.wordpress.com/
http://lynneawest.blogspot.com

Killer Characters - Supporting Character

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It was hard picking my favorite literary supporting character because there are so many awesome ones out there. I thought about Sam. Frodo wouldn't have gotten far without Sam. I thought about Hermonie, my favorite character from the Harry Potter series. And Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

But I didn't pick any of those.

I didn't even pick a human character.

My favorite supporting character is Artax.

I've always loved horses so when I first saw The Neverending Story, Artax was my favorite character. His friendship with Atreyu was beautiful. They had so many adventures together that led them to the Swamp of Sadness.I was devastated the first time I watched Artax die. I could not stop crying.

It's the characters that we feel for, that we love, that leave lasting impressions on us, and Artax did for me.

When I started a story in the 6th grade, I needed a name for a boy that wasn't from Earth. I immediately thought of Artax. Unfortunately, I had loaned my copy of The Neverending Story to a friend, so I misspelled his name as Artex.

I tried to make Artex as strong of a character as Artax, as brave, as loyal, as true. We all need friends like Artax in our lives, someone who will be there for us, through thick and thin, who will be willing to die for us so we can achieve our goals.

May all of our friends be like Artax.