My Return! Also, a New Book

My goodness -- I haven't posted in two years. But I want to announce a new project I'm working on!

For my senior project in high school, I put together a collection of short stories, with original artwork to go along with each story. I want to make a professionally printed version of the same thing, minus the artwork. It will all be fiction, of the fantasy/magical realism genre and meant for all ages to enjoy but with most of the main characters aged 11 to 18. I will be using pieces that I wrote back in high school, and I'll be adding some new material! I'm hoping to be done with it before I leave for university in August. I am so excited for this project and hope to share it with many people.

My review of the new (ish) book 'Splintered'

"A modern-day adventure in Wonderland." It's not quite a retelling of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It's a really fun read, and I wrote a spoiler-free summary here: http://www.examiner.com/review/splintered-a-modern-day-adventure-wonderland

Another young adult book review

I don't know if I've posted this before, but I wrote this review about The Opposite of Music by Janet Ruth Young some time ago. It's a good read, and I published my full review of it on Examiner.com here.

This is not about writing, but crafts.

I happen to be a crafty person as well as a writer, and I am selling some of the things I make on a website called Etsy.com. So far I only have two things in my "shop," but I am working on making more stuff, which will be mostly jewelry. Currently available are decorated bottle caps and an iPhone case I added a design to. Check it out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftyFingersZC

Review of "The Graveyard Book"

Neil Gaiman is easily my favorite author. His writing is sophisticated and captivating, and his books can be enjoyed by anyone, no matter what their age is. Here is one of my (short) Goodreads reviews, on his book The Graveyard Book.

Another well written book by Neil Gaiman. I enjoyed reading the story of Nobody Owens, raised by ghosts and trying to stay out of the world of the living to hide from the man who has killed his original family and is looking for him. I love the way the author nonchalantly describes extraordinary events, and the straightforwardness of his descriptions is unique and enjoyable to read.

New Short Story

I hope this is one that I finish. Here is the first sentence:

"Just as the sun sleepily blinked and disappeared under the hill, when black birds circled lazily in the air, the scarecrow opened his eyes and saw for the first time."

Sweet Summer Child

I don't write much poetry, but I think this is the best poem I've written so far:
 http://teenink.com/poetry/free_verse/article/535597/Sweet-Summer-Child/