If helping the poor is a crime and to fight for their rights is rebellion, then I plead guilty as charged.
-Church People
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Thursday, May 31, 2012
Guest Post: Jess Scott, Author of Literary Heroin
Commercial Romance and Self-Esteem
by Jess C Scott
My name is Jess and I’m a 25-year-old independent author/artist/non-conformist.
I write in many different genres, one of them being relationship fiction. I like to combat gender stereotypes with the stories I write. While most stereotypes are somehow based on fact, stereotypes become a negative thing when they limit self-development (i.e. when “identifying with a stereotype” becomes more important than being one’s true self).
The girls/females/women in my books tend to not be afraid to think, and/or have an opinion (which does not necessarily mean they’re self-righteous bitches—thinking clearly has nothing to do with how malicious one is, as a person). Having “a man” in their life is not their one and only aim in life. I’m not against marriage per se, though I’ve never defined my self-worth according to my boyfriend/other half/the relationships I’m in.
I have a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey, which was originally written as Twilight fan fiction. I’ve gotten a headache from the amount of times Holy shit! has appeared in the text of FSoG, but that’s another story for another day…
One of the passages caught my eye the other day, where Ana, the female protagonist, is talking with her mom over the phone:
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Book Review and Giveaway: Literary Heroin: A Twilight parody by Jess C. Scott
Literary Heroin
by Jess C. Scott
Publisher: jessINK
Publication Date: 4/13/2012
ISBN: 978-1-4349-0998-5
Format: eBook
Genre: Fiction, Satire, Parody, Humor
Ms. Isobel Swann, the English teacher, looked at her star pupil.
"So, what did you think of Twue Wuv?" Isobel asked with a sweet smile.
"I learned that it's okay to feel the way I do: that my life has no meaning unless I have a boyfriend," gushed Stephenie, Renesmee's BFF.
Stephenie was overweight but enjoyed dressing provocatively. She thought the guys couldn't handle her. Most of them were scared off by her seductive ways and non-stop approaches towards anyone in class who owned a pair of testicles.
"A real man is like the perfect vampire-boy and all the perfect guys in Twue Wuv."
by Jess C. Scott
Publisher: jessINK
Publication Date: 4/13/2012
ISBN: 978-1-4349-0998-5
Format: eBook
Genre: Fiction, Satire, Parody, Humor
Isobel's fanfiction dream comes true when Edwin and Jacobus materialize out of thin air. But the two hunks secretly have the hots for each other...
Excerpt:
Ms. Isobel Swann, the English teacher, looked at her star pupil.
"So, what did you think of Twue Wuv?" Isobel asked with a sweet smile.
"I learned that it's okay to feel the way I do: that my life has no meaning unless I have a boyfriend," gushed Stephenie, Renesmee's BFF.
Stephenie was overweight but enjoyed dressing provocatively. She thought the guys couldn't handle her. Most of them were scared off by her seductive ways and non-stop approaches towards anyone in class who owned a pair of testicles.
"A real man is like the perfect vampire-boy and all the perfect guys in Twue Wuv."
RATING
 |
| WONDERFUL! |
REVIEW
A very entertaining piece of work by Jess Scott, where every detail of the Twilight Saga, and in YA in general, was sliced out letting the "true meat" be exposed for public viewing. This is the best parody I've ever read. High five!
I never left where I started and without interruption, I've read this half a day. Honestly! It leaves me struck. Jess Scott smartly chooses her words to really give an electrifying effect to readers when read. Literary Heroin is not only criticizing Twilight (and HG) but there's something more to it. This is a work that will instigate revolution against literary mediocrity and mundane novels, including disgusting fan fictions too. A movement against greedy publishers who are much more interested in making money than that of instilling true art to every book they publish. Jess Scott perfectly relayed his sentiments against poorly made books and mundane fan fictions.
I never left where I started and without interruption, I've read this half a day. Honestly! It leaves me struck. Jess Scott smartly chooses her words to really give an electrifying effect to readers when read. Literary Heroin is not only criticizing Twilight (and HG) but there's something more to it. This is a work that will instigate revolution against literary mediocrity and mundane novels, including disgusting fan fictions too. A movement against greedy publishers who are much more interested in making money than that of instilling true art to every book they publish. Jess Scott perfectly relayed his sentiments against poorly made books and mundane fan fictions.
I highly recommend this to all people who love books and who hate bad literature!
Available at...
Home Sweet Home!
I had just came home from an environment seminar held at Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental. No worries, I'll try to share to you what happened in the said 5-day seminar. :D It was really fun.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Poll | Is Pacquiao's statement against gays rational?
It is very unethical to attack a certain race, country, culture, or society and embarrass them in media. However, did Pacquiao really embarrassed the LGBT (Lesbain, Gays, Bisexual, and Transgender) community because of a statement that was only link to him and not really uttered from his own mouth? What I think is that, our LGBT friends had misinterpreted the news about Pacquiao condemning them. In the first place, it wasn't Pacquiao who recited or quoted a verse from Leviticus. It was a foreign columnist/writer who quoted such and not Pacquiao. So, there's no need for you, LGBTs, to hate the great Pacman. Alright? Chill bro! (bro? hmmm.^^) Sorry, there's a sort of confusion down here. Hehe. Anyways, let's check the last week's poll about this issue (see pic above).
Out of 19 respondents, 17 of which are in favor that Pacquiao is in his rational state of mind when he was misinterpreted about his statement against gays (LGBT sector as a whole). I can't say if this 17 people were molested (sorry for the word) or had a bad experience with our gay friends or they're just rational about their stand. But this was how the poll goes.
To clear the issue, it is not Pacquiao that our LGBT friends should hate.
For this week's poll question:
What do you want for PH to do to CHINA?
( ) Boycot CHINA goods
( ) Ban Chinese and everything from CHINA
( ) Force ASEAN members to teach CHINA a lesson
( ) Force UN to not allow CHINA "invade" Philippines
( ) Do massive diplomatic meetings and encounters
To vote, check the right pane of this blog (below the ANNOUNCEMENT section).
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Quote of the day 05/24/12
One stumble is enough to deface the character of an honorable life.
-L. Estrange
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Review: Secret Feelings by Abdulla Kazim
Secret Feelings
by Abdulla Kazim
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc.
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4349-0998-5
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fiction, Romance,
by Abdulla Kazim
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc.
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4349-0998-5
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fiction, Romance,
Where do you go to find purpose and the inspiration to continue meeting life’s daily challenges? From his youth, Noordin Ahmed was filled with turbulent sorrow and self-pity. As a result of his cold past, he felt his life was not worth living, and he asked God to grant him death on his twenty-fifth birthday. But, God did not fulfill his request. Instead, Noordin came across a certain book, The Alchemist, which spoke to his heart about the brightness of life and the need to make it worth living. He decided that only one thing could bring about light and happiness to his cold, dark existence: the love of a woman.
So, Noordin set out on his quest to find love. A naïve, noble man who had never known the touch of a woman, Noordin first approached a co-worker in innocence, and she quickly rebuked his proposal of marriage. Next, he set his sights on a beautiful stranger, whose life was also lacking in love. Will Noordin be able to find what his heart seeks in the stranger Angeline? Will he find the courage to continue on his quest for love, even when his secrets and those of others are finally revealed? Read Secret Feelings, by Abdulla Kazim, to find out. (Dorrance Book Description)
So, Noordin set out on his quest to find love. A naïve, noble man who had never known the touch of a woman, Noordin first approached a co-worker in innocence, and she quickly rebuked his proposal of marriage. Next, he set his sights on a beautiful stranger, whose life was also lacking in love. Will Noordin be able to find what his heart seeks in the stranger Angeline? Will he find the courage to continue on his quest for love, even when his secrets and those of others are finally revealed? Read Secret Feelings, by Abdulla Kazim, to find out. (Dorrance Book Description)
RATING
 |
| Good. |
REVIEW
Secret Feelings by Abdulla Kazim is one of the romance novels that tinges every nerve in my body. It makes me hate and love and laugh. Every character really grips in myself and like a coffee stain, it is very hard to get it away till now.
Noordin, one of the main characters, reminds me of a friend who is so desperate to have a love affair. He reminds me of a friend that I laugh about because he tries to court every girl he knew and I pity him for that. Really! He is so desperate that I fear him, for he also tries to get my love. So bad right? Like Noordin, a creation of Mr. Kazim, he makes me pity and hate him too. He is desperate to have a love affair but he is so slow in getting the girl he wanted. He won't speak up to the girl! Noordin makes me irritated. Honestly. If I will be asked, this is a good sign, for Kazim really got the emotion and the feeling of the reader. Other characters, Liv, Angeline and Sarah, also got my emotions. Good job there by Mr. Kazim.
But what makes the rating a little low is due to the fact that I, personally, was bothered as to how the words were arranged. True! It doesn't affect the story but it seems so awkward to me. However, everything is fine.
Noordin, one of the main characters, reminds me of a friend who is so desperate to have a love affair. He reminds me of a friend that I laugh about because he tries to court every girl he knew and I pity him for that. Really! He is so desperate that I fear him, for he also tries to get my love. So bad right? Like Noordin, a creation of Mr. Kazim, he makes me pity and hate him too. He is desperate to have a love affair but he is so slow in getting the girl he wanted. He won't speak up to the girl! Noordin makes me irritated. Honestly. If I will be asked, this is a good sign, for Kazim really got the emotion and the feeling of the reader. Other characters, Liv, Angeline and Sarah, also got my emotions. Good job there by Mr. Kazim.
But what makes the rating a little low is due to the fact that I, personally, was bothered as to how the words were arranged. True! It doesn't affect the story but it seems so awkward to me. However, everything is fine.
Available at:
Monday, May 21, 2012
Quote of the Day 05/22/12
“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”
― Marilyn Monroe
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Guest Post: Saving Mary by Deidre Havrelock
Writing to me is … what I was created to do.
By Deidre Havrelock
When I look back on my life, to the first book I wrote in grade three: The Bloody Dagger, I see how I was made to be a writer. Later, in tenth grade, my English teacher pulled me aside and told me I should be a writer because I had a strong imagination—but I didn’t take anything she said seriously. So when she sent me to a writing retreat, I skipped it in order to go shopping. After my exorcism, I immediately wanted to be a writer. I became consumed with the idea. I remember thinking, This is it…this is what I’m meant to do! When I wrote my first chapter for what’s now called Saving Mary and showed it to my husband, he was concerned because it was rather dark. I’m a gothic writer, that’s just the way I roll.
Why do I like writing? I like being alone with my thoughts. I like the creativity of finding a new metaphor or description. I like how it’s difficult…so very difficult to get the words right! I like how it takes mounds of figuring in order to get a book organized. Most of all, I like to encourage people to think about things that they may not want to think about.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deidre Havrelock is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. She is a member of Christians for Biblical Equality International and is currently working on a non-fiction book called, The Mother Heart of God: Biblical Evidence for the Femininity of the Holy Spirit. Find her on her website: www.deidrehavrelock.com
By Deidre Havrelock
When I look back on my life, to the first book I wrote in grade three: The Bloody Dagger, I see how I was made to be a writer. Later, in tenth grade, my English teacher pulled me aside and told me I should be a writer because I had a strong imagination—but I didn’t take anything she said seriously. So when she sent me to a writing retreat, I skipped it in order to go shopping. After my exorcism, I immediately wanted to be a writer. I became consumed with the idea. I remember thinking, This is it…this is what I’m meant to do! When I wrote my first chapter for what’s now called Saving Mary and showed it to my husband, he was concerned because it was rather dark. I’m a gothic writer, that’s just the way I roll.
Why do I like writing? I like being alone with my thoughts. I like the creativity of finding a new metaphor or description. I like how it’s difficult…so very difficult to get the words right! I like how it takes mounds of figuring in order to get a book organized. Most of all, I like to encourage people to think about things that they may not want to think about.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deidre Havrelock is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. She is a member of Christians for Biblical Equality International and is currently working on a non-fiction book called, The Mother Heart of God: Biblical Evidence for the Femininity of the Holy Spirit. Find her on her website: www.deidrehavrelock.comABOUT THE BOOK
Saving Mary
by Deidre Havrelock
Publisher: Etcetera Press
Publication Date: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-936824-15-1
Format: eBook
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Spiritual
by Deidre Havrelock
Publisher: Etcetera Press
Publication Date: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-936824-15-1
Format: eBook
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Spiritual
“God spoke to me,” she said. “He said to tell you that you remind Him of Mary … Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons.” My breath caught … . Bible studies, from then on, definitely became an ominous thing to be avoided at all costs.
Deidre’s fascinating memoir tells the story of her childhood and adolescent life: the feeling of invisible eyes watching her from the corner of her bedroom, her horrible nightmares and her desperate attempt to find God—only to end up possessed. This dark memoir brings to light an intricate world of deceitful spirits hell-bent on manipulating and damaging a young girl’s life.
Deidre’s fascinating memoir tells the story of her childhood and adolescent life: the feeling of invisible eyes watching her from the corner of her bedroom, her horrible nightmares and her desperate attempt to find God—only to end up possessed. This dark memoir brings to light an intricate world of deceitful spirits hell-bent on manipulating and damaging a young girl’s life.
Available at
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Quote of the Day 05/19/12
“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you.”
-C.S. Lewis
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Monday, May 14, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Quote of the Day 05/12/12
"...fiction is the obvious medium through which to astonish or improve the world."
-Hubert Crackanthrope
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Books and Everything: A New Face
Dear Readers,
Starting this 14th of May 2012, Hail Gil will be catering another "branch" of interest which is BOOKS! I'll attempt to have this blog not just an Opinion and News blog but also a Book blog. This, then, will undergo a one-month phase experimentation whether or not I can sustain Hail Gil as both an Opinion and Book blog. Your feedback are appreciated the most and will be considered in the assessment.
Yours Truly,
Gil
Starting this 14th of May 2012, Hail Gil will be catering another "branch" of interest which is BOOKS! I'll attempt to have this blog not just an Opinion and News blog but also a Book blog. This, then, will undergo a one-month phase experimentation whether or not I can sustain Hail Gil as both an Opinion and Book blog. Your feedback are appreciated the most and will be considered in the assessment.
Yours Truly,
Gil
2012 Gil Reads
BEST of 2012 GIL READS
1. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
2. Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel
3. Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto
4. Art of War by Sun Tzu, Edited by James Clavell
5. Literary Heroin: A Twilight Parody by Jess Scott
6. Catching Fire by Suzzane Collins
7. Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin by Bob Ong
8. Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me by Eros Atalia
9. The Best of Crazy Planets by Lourd de Veyra
10. Hunger Games by Suzzane Collins
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1. Angels Fall by Nora Roberts (owned, paperback, March 06)
2. Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin by Bob Ong (owned, paperback, March 13)
3. Message in the Bottle by Nicholas Sparks (owned, paperback)
4. The Best of This Crazy Planets by Lourd de Veyra (owned, paperback, March 24)
5. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (owned, hardcover, April 23)
6. Ethan Frome by Edith Warton (owned, paperback, April 29)
7. Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto (owned, paperback, May 8)
8. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (owned, eBook, May 12)
9. The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Edited by James Clavell (borrowed, paperback, May 17)
10. Secret Feelings by Abdulla Kazim (obtained by ARC, ebook, May 22)
11. Literary Heroin: A Twilight Parody by Jess C. Scott ((obtained by ARC, ebook, May 28)
12. Storylandia Issue 1: A Wappshot Press Journal of Fiction by Wappshot Press (obtained through ARC, ebook, June 04)
13. Storylandia Issue 2: A Wappshot Press Journal of Fiction by Wappshot Press (obtained through ARC, ebook, June 04)
14. Storylandia Issue 3: A Wappshot Press Journal of Fiction by Wappshot Press (obtained through ARC, ebook, June 04)
15. Storylandia Issue 4: A Wappshot Press Journal of Fiction by Wappshot Press (obtained through ARC, ebook, June 04)
16. Storylandia Issue 5: A Wappshot Press Journal of Fiction by Wappshot Press (obtained through ARC, ebook, June 04)
17. Storylandia Issue 6: A Wappshot Press Journal of Fiction by Wappshot Press (obtained through ARC, ebook, June 04)
18. Ligo na U, Lapit na Me by Eros Atalia (owned, paperback, June 07)
19. The Bridge of Deaths by M.C.V. Egan (obtained through ARC, paperback, June 11)
20. Desert Harvest by Wando Wande (obtained through ARC, eBook, July 08)
21. Catching Fire by Suzzane Collins (owned, audio book, July 09)
22. The Boy Who Played Fire by Jess Scott (obtained through ARC, eBook, July 23)
23. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (owned, pocketbook, July 30)
24. Point Deception by Jim Gilliam (obtained through ARC, paperback, August 1)
25. Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (owned, pocketbook, August 11)
26. The Power and The Glory by Graham Greene (owned, paperback, August 25)
27. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (owned, paperback)
28. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (owned, paperback)
29. Envy by Sandra Brown (owned, hard cover)
30. The Generosity When War Came to Forenelli by Thomas A. Antonaccio (obtained through ARC, ebook, October 30)
31. Flesh and Blood by Jonathan Kellerman (owned, hardcover, November 03)
32. Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel (owned, hardcover, November 07)
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Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Quote for the day May 10, 2012
"Dying is not the real tragedy... Forgetting is."
-Max "Before Ever After (2011)"
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