I took a drive before sunset this week. I just needed to get away from everything.

I cried when it started getting light out because it signaled one more day where things might not work out.

But the sunrise was full of fire and hope.

It was beautiful.

How can I dread something so gorgeous?

I'm terrified. But the days are going to keep passing by whether I want them to or not.

And I might as well try to enjoy each day as it comes. It does me no good to dread it.

What happens happens. 

Maybe the result will be beautiful.

I can't tell in the darkness. I need to wait for sunrise.

I've been reading a lot lately.

As you may have noticed.

And with every new story, chapter and word, I am more and more impressed with these authors who are able to create such articulate and captivating stories.

The people who sat at their computers, typewriters or notebooks through countless rewrites and edits.

These writers who persevered as they got rejected by publisher after publisher until they finally got their book in print.

And every time I think of their achievements, I look over to the manuscript that is sitting on my bedside table.

It has been almost a year and a half since I last touched it.

This work of fiction that I was so proud of, so dedicated to, just faded out of my life.

Today I picked it up and read the first chapter.

I had a pen in hand and slashed it to shreds.

I made notes in the margins.

I corrected grammar and punctuation.

I scribbled on the pages until they were full.

And I'm not stopping now.

I'm determined to see my novel on shelves someday.

I'm going to be an author.

Just you wait!

I'm reading a really fun book right now. Entwined by Heather Dixon.

It's based on the fairy tale of the Twelve Dancing Princesses by the Brothers Grimm.

When I realized this, I instantly wanted to read it.

Why do I have such a fascination with this tale, you ask?

When I was sixteen, I was in a musical production of the story.

It was a hilarious retelling of the story featuring a whole mess of goofy characters, dialogue and songs.

The princesses names for example:

January. The eldest. With a heart as cold as ice.

February. Who was dangerously in love with herself.

March. Mild one moment and raging the next.

April. She cried. A lot.

May. Innocent and ridiculously happy.

June. Always the bride.

July. Hot. Smokin' hot.

August. Or, Gus. Training for the Olympics.

September. Very studious. A total bookworm.

October. A jokester. She put the trick in trick-or-treat.

November. Had an insatiable appetite.

December. The youngest and sweetest.

I played October. Cause I'm that awesome.

The princesses go through a secret passage in their bedroom every night; through forests of silver, gold and jewels to a magical ballroom where they dance the night away. 

Leaving their shoes in tatters each morning.

The King sends out a proclamation to all eligible men. If they can solve the mystery of where the princesses go every night, he can marry the princess of his choice.

Ooh look. Earl Robin of Williams is so funny and good looking!

It's love at first laugh!

Unfortunately, none of the princes are able to solve the mystery. The girls drug them. For every princess needs a mystery.

Good night sweet prince, and pleasant dreams to you.

...and throws the princes in jail! Sad day!

But one handsome guy in an invisibility cloak does manage to figure out the secret. 

Unfortunately, the evil shoemaker overhears the revealed secret and tells the king before Hugh McManly has a chance. That scoundrel!

He then uses this advantage to pick one of the princesses as his bride.

But he is foiled! Huzzah!

And the princesses give puppy dog eyes to the king.

King Gullible is an old softy and releases the prisoners!

Princesses:

"For by dancing our sleep we would lose,

All we need now's a bit of a snooze --"

Princes:

"Now let's set things straight.

You'll be staying up late.

And believe me, you won't need your shoes!"

And they all lived happily ever after! 

This was probably the best show I've ever been a part of. Oh all the memories.
(Except maybe the one where I played an old lady. But that's a a story for a different day.)

What are some of your favorite memories from high school? 

Do you have a favorite Brothers' Grimm fairy tale?

And be sure to check out Entwined by Heather Dixon! It's really awesome! The review will be up in a few weeks!

Aren't flowers simply gorgeous? I think they might be my favorite subjects.

What is your favorite thing to photograph?

This is my entry for FTLOB's Picture Perfect Challenge! If you like this photo, I'd love it if you voted for me!

Dear book lovers,

For all of you wondering if I gave up on filming book reviews, I want to let you know that I haven't. With travel and visitors and losing my voice, it's just taking me a while to get it done. I like making book reviews! I just want them to be good. And distractions and raspy voices don't help. I have FIVE books I'm going to review at this point. But it might be more while I wait for my voice to return. Thank you for being patient!

Kate

P.S. I've started thinking about which books I want to read this fall. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Raising Cane's,

Holy cow your lemonade is good! Just thought you ought to know how utterly refreshing it is in this Vegas heat. Thanks for hydrating me!

Slurp,

A fan

Hey Cold!

Where did you come from? I was perfectly healthy last night. I woke up this morning with no voice and a throat so raw, you'd think I'd gargled with saltwater and razor blades. Go away! Don't make me sick my antibodies on you!

Fed up,

The girl whose body you've captured.

Lovely authors and publishers,

Please, please, please consider sending me Advanced Reader Copies of your books. It would make my day.You're all wonderful.

Anxiously awaiting every word!

Katie Weber