Songs from the Dead

I ran into a really neat article today about whistles found buried with Aztec remains. They have named them "Whistles of Death" and have a few theories as to what they were used for. They originally thought they were toys, or some ceremonial symbol or decoration, but then, someone blew into one, and it made a very chilling sound. They now believe that human sacrifices would blow into them before their deaths, that they were used to aid the deceased along their journey to the underworld, or perhaps they were used to warn off enemies. Some even believe that certain ones were used to lull people into a dream state to aid in healing certain illnesses. Apparently the Aztecs are known to have used conch shell horns at the start of ceremonies and in war to communicate strategies, and they are also believed to have used a type of horn as a deer-lore (like a bird-call for deer, I would imagine).

I think it's all really cool, the way they used sound (maybe even a good thing to file away for future creative use in my writings), but the COOLEST thing is this: A researcher named Roberto Velazquez has been working to re-create these whistles so we might know what they sound like. I found a video on YouTube of some of the whistles and their corresponding sounds. Some are very bird-like, others are soothings, and others...well, you be the judge:



And, while I'm at it, I found the article here, for those who may want to read it.

The Truth is Out There

So, I am totally excited for the new X Files movie that's coming out. It's called The X Files: I Want to Believe. AWESOME, right?! Maybe it's because I was a huge X Files nut when I was a kid, but I'm so very excited! Since it's not coming out until July 25th, I've decided to watch the television series online. I found a website called Sidereel, where all of the seasons and episodes that are posted in 5000 different places across the 'net are gathered in one place for all to see. I'm on number four at the moment (literally. The site this episode is on is slow at buffereing, so I'm typing between segments). It's been great fun. Like looking back to when I would sit on the couch with all the lights off, because you CAN'T watch the X Files with the lights on. I still remember bits and pieces of some of the episodes, and am very tempted to pick up at least one of the X Files books that are at B&N. The crazy thing, though, is that two out of the three episodes I've watched so far have had moments that made me pause...

In Season 1, Episode 2: Deepthroat, Mulder and Scully go to Idaho to investigate the disappearance of a test pilot that no one else in the bureau will pay a mind to. Mulder is sure that the military is testing planes with UFO-based technology, so, basically, the U.S. Military has UFOs. When he talks to a pair of teenagers who like to sneak into the airbase and watch the light show (and get stoned), Mulder asks the boy what he thinks these things are. The kid replies that, while he doesn't think that it's really a UFO, he's pretty sure that it's some top-secret new airplane that they're going to use in "Gulf War II" in order to "drop bombs on Sadam's house." Now, I don't know about UFOs, but "Gulf War II?" This war that's going on now isn't quite that, but we went after Sadam's house, too. I wouldn't call it foresight, just irony, I guess, watching this now during a war that could almost be "Gulf War II."

The pause I had in Season 1, Episode 3: Squeeze wasn't as long, because the incident itself was only mentioned briefly, but Scully is talking to one of her colleagues, someone she graduated from the academy with, over coffee, and comments on his work at catching the guy behind the World Trade Center bombing (which occurred on February 26, 1993).

I wonder what kind of things we take for granted now that people will look back on one day and think "Wow."

Thoughts on Writing

I've been hesitant with my writing of late. Worried that I'll never really succeed. Not so sure that people will want to read it. It's had me out of sorts. Wanting so badly to just bleed the words onto plain white paper, but afraid that no one will appreciate the part of myself that I pour into it. It's frightening, when all you really want to do is write, and you start to think that maybe you can't. Truth be told, I've never finished a piece. Well, not a novel, anyway. I have a small handful of short stories that I've done, but the goal is to finish a novel. The dream is to find my books at B&N between Elizabeth Haydon and Robin Hobb, or, even better, to NOT find them there because they're sold out again. Somewhere along the line, however, a splinter of doubt worked its way under my skin, and now I'm afraid it's in too deep to pull it out. I need literary Ichthammol, something that will draw the doubt back out. It's really starting to irritate.

I read a very useful article in Writer's Digest today. It's in the August 2008 edition.The "Writer's Workbook" section on fiction talks about how much information to reveal when. The guy has a point. I tend to want to hold things back in hopes that it will add a little intrigue and keep people reading. Also, as he points out in the article as one of the reasons writers withhold info: I don't really know what's going on right away. I write until it falls into place. I don't follow an outline. the words really do just come to me and I write them down. The bleeding onto paper is an appropriate analogy, because it really does work that way. I get a spark of inspiration (a "cut"), I write until it is expended, and then the ideas kind of...clot. It's not really something I have control over. I can't even imagine writing to fit an outline. It would be too limiting. Like putting a band aid on my inspiration. But, anyway I'm getting off topic. The idea is the fact that I tend to hold things back without even thinking about it. The article suggests that the reader should know/be aware of the things the MC knows/is aware of. I've heard whispers of this in the past, but no one has ever put it right out there and said: "HELLO! You don't want to hold too much back, or you'll confuse or in some other way lose your readers!"

They also suggest summarizing the entire story into one sentence. WOW! I've heard of this, too, but it's HARD! One sentence, no big deal, right? Take your favorite book, and summarize it. One sentence. "A frustrated character does not want to try green eggs and ham because they seem strange, but when convinced, realizes it is better than expected." Well, I'm not very good at it, and that's not my favorite book It's just the first one that came to mind. Try it on a novel. Try it on one you've written. Summarize a piece of your soul into one sentence. Not easy at all!

I've never had a problem with providing background. In fact, my main issue with it is the fact that I tend to want to do a prequel, because I've come up with so much background that I can't work into the original story. I do, however, like to add a bit of mystery to my MC by holding some things back. While I realize that this CAN be done (most of my favorite books actually do this), you have to give a little taste to keep people coming back for more. In Wizard's First Rule, Goodkind doesn't tell us certain information about Kahlan Amnell until Richard finds out about it himself, but we know there's SOMETHING that she isn't telling us about herself. In the Wayfarer Redemption trilogy by Sara Douglass, we learn about Axis's past with him. I guess the idea should be to withhold information not to keep the readers guessing, but to keep the MC guessing.

I'll have to make a note of that to myself. Add it to my collection of things I've learned. I've also read (probably in Writer's Digest), that a good writer keeps learning and evolving as he or she goes. He or she shouldn't stay in one place because it worked the first time. Think outside the box, learn, and move constantly forward. Writers who don't do this end up stagnating, and so do their books. There is a ton of books on the shelves at B&N that were awesome best sellers, but turn into the only books a writer ever is successful with because he or she thinks the same thing will work again the second time. For me, this is good in a way, since my style is constantly evolving. The only problem: I evolve too fast, so by the time I draw near the end, the beginning seems...less. There in lies the larges bit of doubt.

I feel as though I need my own Inklings, like Lewis and Tolkien and their little group. A soundboard of other writers who relate to my frustrations and concerns. People who will listen to my writing and give me honest, useful feedback. I don't know too many writers, and they're all either too far away, or they write a different genre and don't really appreciate mine. Still, it would be great. To get together with a group of close friends once a week or so, read our manuscripts to one another, and learn together to improve our craft. I just can't bring myself to do it with people I don't know. Perhaps I'll see if there's a way to read my own writing to my Mac and play it back to at least have myself as a soundboard. I just don't usually pay attention to people speaking/reading aloud. Maybe I should sing my novels to myself...

What to Put in Your Carry-on (Advise for the paranoid traveller)

After watching movies like Cast Away and Swiss Family Robinson, or television shows such as Lost, or even Survivor to a degree, some may be thinking to themselves: "What would be handy to have along in situations such as this?" The paranoid may be trying to find a way to bring four-years' worth of emergency supplies with them in their carry-on luggage. I can't say as I'd blame you! After all, with all this talk of stripping down airplanes to make them as light as possible and save expensive fuel, it may be possible that you are taking an increased risk by flying overseas. Well, since you can't very well pack 1,460 days worth of breakfast, lunch and dinner in your carry-on luggage, I've come up with a list of items that will come in handy when you are stranded on an island in the Pacific with no apparent hope of rescue. Mind, this may be an incomplete list, but I will try to cover all the bases. Also, please not that there may be some items on this list that are not permitted in carry-on luggage. You may want to check with airline security laws before packing.

1. Magnifying Glass: This, of course, is for use in starting fires. If you have never done this before, you will want some dry tinder (coconut husk would do nicely, if you have any). Catch the sun with the magnifying glass, and you will see a little dot of light, which you should concentrate on your tinder. It should only take a few seconds, and you will have some smoke and spark. Puff on this with your breath and add a little bit more tinder as the flames grow. You should be able to have a good fire going in a rather short amount of time. I would suggest lighting said fire on the beach, and making it rather large, especially if your island home is close to the crash site, because people will be out looking for you, and a signal fire would be a great aid. You may also want to keep green branches handy for creating smoke, if you spot your rescue ship in daylight hours. Now, why the magnifying glass instead of matches or a lighter? Simple! Matches may get wet and be ruined, and there's always the possibility that the lighter will crack and the fluid will spill out. Also, you have no way of knowing how long you'll be stranded, and you can run out of matches and lighter fluid. If the sun burns out while you're stranded on an island, I'm afraid you'll have bigger things to worry about than lighting a fire. Also, a magnifying glass will come in handy for aiding in the removal of splinters (see below).
2. First Aid Supplies: These items include gauze, medical tape, rubbing alcohol, Tylenol, tweezers (for those splinters), and other useful items. A standard First Aid Kit should fit in your carry-on without any difficulties. Of course, you can't expect all of there items to last for four years, but at least you will be able to treat injuries from the initial crash, and maybe some others later on, if you're lucky and careful.
   
3. Bottled Water: One or two bottles should to. It's just to help you get by until you can find a source of fresh water (which, naturally, is the third thing you should do after first lighting a signal fire and second finding some sort of temporary shelter, though you may want to do this second if you forget your bottled water). Saving the bottles to reuse once you find that fresh water will save you from having to trek back and fourth every time you're thirsty.
   
4. Box of Granola bars (or other similar snack): Like the water, this is only intended to last you until you are able to figure out how to catch and or gather your own food.
   
5. Survival Guide: Go to your local Barnes and Noble and check out the camping section. There are a lot of handy survival guides. Look for one that has pictures of edible and poisonous plants along with how to build a shelter, gather and sterilize water, etc. The Dangerous Book For Boys may work, if you can't find something more suitable for this situation (and for the women out there, while The Daring Book For Girls contains useful information, such as how to do a cartwheel, you will want to get The Dangerous Book For Boys, instead, since it contains survival tips. I think of it as the Boyscout Handbook on steroids...). It has some information that you won't need if stranded on an island, but at least it has the survival tips that will come in handy. It is a bit large, however...
6. A Length of Rope: Because, as Samwise Gamgee says: You never know when rope will come in handy.
7. Spool of Fishing Line: To catch fish with. May also come in handy for tyeing things together.
   
8. Change of Clothes and Toiletries: Because you'll want at least a spare shirt, if you become stranded. Aside from that, in the off chance that your plane does not crash, your luggage may still become lost, and you'll be glad to have these items along.

Please note that, while a knife would be extremely handy, I have not put it on this list because packing such a thing in your carry-on may get you strip-searched, arrested, and/or fined. I'm sure nobody wants that.

Now, allow me to make a quick list of things that you should do if stranded on an island:

1. Create a Signal Fire: As mentioned above, people will be out looking for you. A signal fire will help them in their search. You'll want bright flames at night, and green branches to make smoke during the day.
2. Write "SOS" in the Sand: Put it on the beach next to your signal fire, and try to use large rocks that contrast with the color of the sand so it will be easy to see from above.
   
3. Find or Make a Shelter: Don't enter a cave without checking around it for tracks first, and carry a torch along if you decide to go inside. Making a shelter near the signal fire may be preferable to moving inland, especially for the first week or so, since you'll want to keep it lit. If you decide it's been long enough for the search and rescue team to give up, you can move inland to get out of the weather, but check your signal fire and "SOS" sign daily, just in case.
4. Find a Fresh Water Source: If your island is small, walking all the way around it may help you find where a stream lets out into the ocean. Follow this back a ways, and gather fresh water here. it is best to gather it from a running stream, as opposed to a lake or pond, because the water running over the rocks is more likely to be free of impurities. Still, it wouldn't hurt to boil it before drinking. You may also want to set out containers to catch rainwater. I might suggest emptying those if you don't use them within a day of collecting them, but I could be wrong. Better to be safe than sorry, though.
5. Gather Food: Consult your Survivor's Guide to make sure those berries are safe to eat, and see if you can find some coconuts. They're high in nutrients, and trying to crack them open will give you something to do with your time. Feel free to try your hand at fishing, but be careful if you decide to go hunting. You don't want to catch a boar and not be able to kill it in one try, because it won't think twice about killing you. Since you have a signal fire going, you can use it as a cook fire, too. You don't want to get sick on raw meat or seafood. Unless you're a professional sushi chef, you're better off cooking it.
6. Go Through the Wreckage: If it's close enough to your island to rummage through safely, check to see if you can salvage anything useful. Just don't go near the airplane engines if they're still running. You could get sucked up like that guy on Lost!
7. Don't Panic!: Easier said than done, but try to keep in mind that people are out looking for you, and you have what you'll need to survive until they do.
   
8. Never Give Up Hope: Don't let that signal fire go out, and keep on plugging. You'll make it through. Someone will find you, or you'll find a way to get away. Things aren't as bad as they seem...

I think that's about it. I've probably missed a few things, of course, but, honestly! If you are worried enough about having your airplane crash in the middle of the ocean, keep in mind that more people die in car accidents than in plane crashes. You're more likely to get hit by a semi on the highway than to have your airplane fall from the sky. If it does, however, keep an eye out for pirates (such as the ones in Swiss Family Robinson), the others (like in Lost), seek out a friend like Wilson (Cast Away) so you'll have someone to talk to, and whatever you do, don't let Jeff Probst (Survivor) make you dinner!

Gremlins in My Bedroom

The gremlins have gotten into my bedroom. Of course, when I say "gremlins," I don't mean the ugly creatures from the movies that were created back in the 1980s. Those were fictional monsters that someone called gremlins, probably because they liked the word. No, I'm talking about the faerie creatures that John and Caitlin Matthews's The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures define as "new-wave Boggarts who can inflitrate technology of all sorts and who are blamed for problems with electrical transmissions of any kind" (Matthews 252). I've managed to find a depiction of a female gremlin (Fifinella from a Disney film based on Roald Dahl book The Gremlins) from World War II on this website. Much cuter than the ugly monsters, non? Of course, not much less mischievous than the green things from the movies. I guess they caused a lot of problems during WWII, especially with the airplanes, and have now resorted to bothering the general population to keep themselves occupied.

We've had a gremlin or two in the bathroom upstairs for quite some time. They like to mess with the water temperature, especially in the shower. You get it just right, then, as soon as there's soap on your face, or shampoo in your hair, they make it go almost cold. It's an annoyance more than anything. Easily counter able by turning the knob. I think that they find it funny. I usually don't. Still, it's tolerable. Now, though, I think at least one of them has made his or her way into my bedroom. That fact may prove less bearable.

This morning, my alarm went off, as usual, at 10am. Well, alright, I'll admit it, 10:30, but that's beside the point! Instead of an actual alarm clock, which would make me jump about 10 feet in the air when it when off, I use my stereo set to play a CD on volume 4. It went off as set, and, of course, I was up until 3:30 last night, and have nothing important to worry about today (I just set it so I'll be awake before noon, really), so I stayed in bed listening to Regina Spektor sing her little heart out. It was on the fifth song of the album ("Field Below," Begin to Hope) when I realized the gremlins' infiltration. It seems that they could no longer resist playing with the radio, which, of course, is what they were first known for. Regina was singing a lovely crescendo, but it grew far louder than it normally does on volume 4. As she was crescendoing, one of the little buggers turned the volume up to around 8 (listening volume for me)! Naturally, it hid itself as soon as I looked up to see what was messing with my volume, and it took me a few minutes, after grabbing the remote from my desk and putting the volume back where it belonged, to realize what must have happened. I hope they don't cause me much more trouble than that. I don't want to have to eradicate them, but I will do what i must if they start doing worse...i wonder if I have some stones that will keep them out...?

Because I am a dork:

Work Cited

Matthews, John and Caitlin Matthews. "Gremlins." The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures. Germany: Barnes & Noble Publishing, Inc., 2006. 252.

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I feel, for this first post, that I should introduce myself. My Name is Lorelle Hannila...okay, not really, but pseudonyms are fun. Every writer should have at least one, right? I am a writer, of sorts. An unpublished but amazingly talented fantasy writer whose imagination and style will blow you mind! Someday...when I finish a book. At least, that's what I'd like to think. I'm not really an egotistic maniac...just a regular maniac who likes to PRETEND to be a bit immodest from time to time...It gives an illusion of false confidence. That being said, I really am pretty damn awesome!

Aside from a writer, I am a photographer of wildlife. For example, I have included a picture I took just the other day of a red fox in the woods behind my house. Well, I do admit that I am much better at taking photos of nature things that don't run away. So, yeah, it's a really cool looking tree, but I DID take the pic myself. ..

What else about me? Me, me, me. In reality I'm shy. I have a B.S. in animal science, and don't know where to go from here. I love to write, enjoy taking pictures, and have developed sleeping habits a normal person might call semi-nocturnal (To bed by 4am, up around 11). My friends tell me I have eclectic tastes in music, and I hate chick-flicks...most of them, anyway. I'm not exactly sure what you will see on this blog, and I can't promise I'll update it often. I tend to do things like this in random bursts. My sister was going on about reading knitting blogs earlier today, and I decided it might be fun to do a public blog of my own. See if I can generate an audience. We'll call this a "tester," but t may become less random in the future. Maybe I'll review books, movies, music, etc. Rant about life. You know: The typical blog with an untypical twist...

DISCLAIMER: Writings in this blog may or may not be based in reality!