Opening Night!

Tonight was opening night for Willy Wonka! It was stressful as can be. But still good. Everyone did great, we had a few mess ups but thats expected. Everyone looked great in costume, and helped the audience have a magical time.

It was so nice hearing laughter from the audience. Being in it you forget that what you are saying is actually funny, but the audiences reaction is so nice to have and really makes it worth it.

It seems like so much work for only 7 performances, and yet I am so glad we aren't doing more :)

 

-Anna Lynn

Families and Mission Quotes

I thought I would post these because they are nice simply quotes, and I love the water color backgrounds :)



Its very important for us to remember what is said in these quotes. We have families for a reason. We are here to help and support each other.
Our personal missions are all different, and God has us all in his mind. Remember this as you go through your week.

-Anna Lynn

Writing Prompt: Jail

A few weeks ago I filled up my random writing book (It always feeling like such a big accomplishment.) Anyway I made a new one today (look above.) So even though I posted something I wrote in yesterdays post. I'm going to post another today. This is the first random story in my book...

I based it off of this prompt:



"Well this is a nice change of scenery."
"It's a prison cell."
"I was being sarcastic." Well sort of sarcastic. It was nice to be out of that jungle, even if that meant being caught by some crazy bounty hunters and thrown in jail. Personally I would have preferred being caught by some bell hops and thrown in a five star hotel. All in all I was getting quite sick of this ruff treatment. So what if we had stolen a million dollars worth of magical merchandise and then lost it all in quicksand. We could always work off the cost and it was highly unlikely the potion bottles and strange relics would do anything bad to the jungle. Though there was that one incident with the dragon getting loose at the North Pole, but this was nothing like that. No real harm done.

"I'm going to kill you." Roxane, my older sister, said. I could see the murderous rage rising up inside her. It was the same thing every time. Her eyes would lock onto me like some wild animal about to leap onto its prey. Her eyebrows would twitch. Back and forth, left then right. It was impossible to take her seriously with them twitching to rhythmically.
"Don't worry." I said, "Nan will get us out of this. She always does." Roxane stood sharply and pointed hard at me.
"That, that right there is what's wrong." She started to laugh maniacally. I sighed we were just going through the steps. Same old, same old. "Don't you see Jul?" I rolled my eyes. She slumped back down with a loud drawn out sigh. "Why do I always let you rope me into this sort of thing. I have a future to think about. I can't be involved in petty crimes like this."

"Are you saying we should aim higher? Because I though grand theft was pretty high on the scale?"
"No, no. I'm saying that its time we stop this all together. You're still pretty young so maybe it won't stay on your record. But me, I could get kept out of colleges for stuff like this."
I wanted to say 'Roxane, chill. You're 12' but our cell was opened before I could speak.
"Looks like you're free to go."
"Thanks Louis." I said and waved to the burly security guard. Roxane didn't say anything.
I jumped off of my coot and skipped down the hall. Roxane came trudging behind.

Nan was waiting for us. Nan was a large plump lady, and much taller than most of the men in our city. She could incase you in a hug, or paddle your backside with as much force and veracity as a gryphon that got woken to early from its nap. At the moment I wasn't sure which side of her to expect. She did nothing. Simply stood there towering over us with her hands on her hips. I shuffled my feet nervously.
"We're sorry aunt Nancy." Roxane said.
"Three weeks!" She finally spoke, her voice squeaky with tears. "You were missing for three weeks! Wanted posters everywhere. And the interviews, so many interviews 'are you aware that your nieces are wanted criminals? what do you think drove them to this desperate act?'" I could see the Roxane in her seeping through, "I worried about you, its never been this long, and all for what I might ask? Petty theft?" We looked sullen down at our feet.
"would it help if I told you it was grand theft?"

-Anna Lynn

Writing Prompt: Song Lyrics

I wrote is a while ago from this prompt: use the lyrics of a song as the basis for your story.

I picked I Don't Even Know Your Name by Shawn Mendes.

(I went in a kind of different direction with this song so... its really weird...)

The Club was loud with people laughing and glasses clinking. The air was dusty and dark. I sat

all alone hunched over the bar feeling out of place. It hadn’t been a good day. I sat head in hands as I waited for my drink. The loud music made my already throbbing headache worse. People danced through the room, they seemed without a are in the world.

My drink had still not come and the music began to slow. People paired off and began to sway. as the swarm of people parted I caught a glimpse of glowing green eyes from across the room. I looked behind and all around me in an awkward manner to be sure her attentive eyes were actually fixed on me.

She was still staring at me, her eyes piercing mine. I rung my hands then uncomfortable stood to leave. She stood as well. Not diverting from her eyes we walked across the floor straight together. I don’t know how it had happened, I had meant to go to the door.

“Shall we dance?” she said as she guided my hand to her hip. She smiled softly. it was a beautiful smile. Childlike, yet sad in a way a child could never know. We started to dance. “I was watching you.” She said bluntly.

“I noticed” It was the only way I could think to respond.

“Please don’t think me rude, it’s just…” She looked away and we her lips with her tongue. “You’re the only one who can help me.”

“Help you?”

“Yes, I’m in grave danger.” Her eyes widened and darted around the room. “I’m being followed, please don’t look.” She said as I began to look around as well.

The slow music had stopped, but we still stood there holding each other in position in the middle of the floor.

“I just don’t understand. How am I supposed to help? Don’t get me wrong I want to help.” I quickly corrected my mistake.

“I can’t give you all the details in present company, but I can tell you this. There is more to you then you know.” She smiled at me as if what she was saying was common knowledge to all but me. As if I were a child in need of reassurance.

“Who are you? I don’t understand anything you are saying!” I was hunched over holding her but her wrists now. My headache, and patience had reached its max. Yet her eyes kept drawing me back in.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know where else to turn.” her voice was so business casual but her eyes filling with tears told a different story. “Promise me you will help.” She whispered into my ear. I nodded. She looked around again, then snapped back to face me. Her breathing quickened. “We don’t have much time. Listen closely.”

“It’s about time you go home, don’t you think?” a gruff voice said from behind me as thick heavy hands landed on my shoulders. before another man had clasped hands on the girl's shoulders. she leaned in close and whispered to me desperation in her voice. “Its with Bolivia” He started to pull her away. She struggled, I yelled, but the crowd engulfed her.

“Don’t you think you should go home as well?” my anger snapped.

“Don’t you touch her!” I shouted as I worked my way from his grip and tried to run after her. But with one swift punch to the face I was out cold.

In a few hours I woke in the back, even more dusty room of the club. Completely disoriented I breathed slowly trying to remember what had happened. There was a girl. We had danced. She was taken from me. She was in trouble. I knew I had to act, and act fast, but I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t know anything about her. I didn’t even know her name. But I did know I would never forget her eyes. I would look forever, I would never stop searching for her. To help her, I was bound to her promise.

-Anna Lynn

Books are Cruel!

I have been in morning all day. I finished the third (and last published) Lockwood and Co. book last night and now I don't know what to do. Fan art is not enough to last me until september! Reading is cruel torture.



Comment the book/tv/game/anything that has given you the biggest hangover...


Oh oh EXTRA for the people out there who actually know Lockwood and Co.
I'd heard this song before but hadn't really paid attention to it. But I listened to it right after finishing and it fits so well with the book characters. I love it! Stand By You

-Anna Lynn

Logic Puzzle Videos

Sometimes when its really late at night you just have the need to watch videos about logic puzzles... If you ever have that urge here are some fun ones to try to figure out. Even if you don't pause it (because you are dead tired) to figure it out yourself its still fun to watch how they do it.

1. Bridge Riddle
2. Hat Riddle
3. Eye Color Logic Puzzle
4. Temple Riddle
5. Einstein's Riddle

If you did figure any of them out without help comment which one. Let us know that you are smarter than me :P

-Anna Lynn

Pixar's Rules for Storytelling

Here are Pixar's Rules for Storytelling...

(Now just because they are called rules does NOT mean you have to use them or agree with them at all. They are simply opinions and tips to get you started. Try them out, if they help you GREAT! if they don't then just ignore them.)

#1: You admire a character for trying more than for their successes.

#2: You gotta keep in mind what's interesting to you as an audience, not what's fun to do as a writer. They can be v. different.

#3: Trying for theme is important, but you won't see what the story is actually about til you're at the end of it. Now rewrite.

#4: Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___.

#5: Simplify. Focus. Combine characters. Hop over detours. You'll feel like you're losing valuable stuff but it sets you free.

#6: What is your character good at, comfortable with? Throw the polar opposite at them. Challenge them. How do they deal?

#7: Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle. Seriously. Endings are hard, get yours working up front.

#8: Finish your story, let go even if it's not perfect. In an ideal world you have both, but move on. Do better next time.

#9: When you're stuck, make a list of what WOULDN'T happen next. Lots of times the material to get you unstuck will show up.

#10: Pull apart the stories you like. What you like in them is a part of you; you've got to recognize it before you can use it.

#11: Putting it on paper lets you start fixing it. If it stays in your head, a perfect idea, you'll never share it with anyone.

#12: Discount the 1st thing that comes to mind. And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th – get the obvious out of the way. Surprise yourself.

#13: Give your characters opinions. Passive/malleable might seem likable to you as you write, but it's poison to the audience.

#14: Why must you tell THIS story? What's the belief burning within you that your story feeds off of? That's the heart of it.

#15: If you were your character, in this situation, how would you feel? Honesty lends credibility to unbelievable situations.

#16: What are the stakes? Give us reason to root for the character. What happens if they don't succeed? Stack the odds against.

#17: No work is ever wasted. If it's not working, let go and move on - it'll come back around to be useful later.

#18: You have to know yourself: the difference between doing your best & fussing. Story is testing, not refining.

#19: Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating.

#20: Exercise: take the building blocks of a movie you dislike. How d'you rearrange them into what you DO like?

#21: You gotta identify with your situation/characters, can't just write ‘cool'. What would make YOU act that way?

#22: What's the essence of your story? Most economical telling of it? If you know that, you can build out from there.


-Anna Lynn

Willy Wonka Tech Week

Today was our first tech rehearsal of Willy Wonka. It was insanity. I don't know how i'm going to do it every weekday for the rest of this week, and then preform every weekday next week! So in honor of tech week this post is going to be about the most important thing at a time like this... How to keep your sanity.

Step one: always have water with you. 

If you get dehydrated you are going to pass out or murder someone. So to stop you from doing either just drink up!

Step two: don't forget to breath. 


This is a good tip for everyone at any time of life. Because if you stop breathing... you're dead.

Step three: Its ok to maniacally laugh.



Better out then in. If you feel the urge to cry or scream or laugh. Go with laugh, it gives the best impression.


I hope these tips help you. I personally have used them many times and believe me lives have been spared, I mean blessed, because of them.

-Anna Lynn

Don't Compare, Just be Happy!

Everyone is different, everyone is special, and everyone has there own path in life. If you try to compare your life with any one else you will never be content. 

"The grass is always greener on the other side." For all you know they could be looking at you wishing they had your life. 

God has a plan for everyone and not one is the same. Love yourself and love your life. We were sent to earth to be happy, so don't spoil it for yourself by comparing yourself to others. 

-Anna Lynn

Library mess up!

Sometimes you have to make decisions based on the higher propriety. Like last night I had two options post on my blog or finish a book (The book won). But tonight its the blogs turn.

So like I said I finished my book last night and immediately needed the next one. Thankfully the library had one copy left! So this morning very first thing my sister (she finished her book as well) and I were off to the library. We were the first ones in when it opened. We got there at exactly 9:59. (And I'm pretty sure the librarians thought we were crazy.)

We swiftly located our books and were ready to check out. I swiped my card and the lady at the checkout desk tells me that I have an over due books with a late fee of 15 dollars! She won't let us check out the books until we bring it back. So we walk home without the books and grab the over due book. 

All this time we were under time pressure because we were going to the Provo City Center Temple open house at 11. So we change and our grandpa (who is visiting from California) generously drives us back up to the library. I give her the over due book and then she asks for my library card. I FORGOT MY WALET AT HOME!! 

Soooo we go back home and get my wallet and drive back to the library (its 10:57 by the time we get there again). We finally get our books for the ride down to provo. Well at least I had my book... We went in separate cars and I took my sisters book with me as well. HEHE. 

It was a pretty mixed up morning! But the rest of the day was great. We waited in line for what seemed like hours (it was really just an hour) to get into the temple, but it was worth it.  So beautiful! 

-Anna Lynn

Wonka Stress

Tonight at our Wonka play practice I felt like I was going to explode! Everything was so chaotic. It was also super overwhelming because of the fact that Monday we start tech rehearsal!

After we had run the whole play and practice was over I stayed late to organize everything in a quiet calm way (It was so nice just to be alone in that theater).



Everything felt so much nicer after. I'm just glad I could get it done tonight.
I even learned how to make paper hats ;)

-Anna Lynn

Need Sleep!

Ok is it bad that I have these symptoms even with sleep?

Watch this...
Your Body on No Sleep Video

-Anna Lynn

Cats... need I say more?

Cats are defiantly the better pet (before you get super offended let me add) for my house. They are mostly self reliant, can play and snuggle with you at times, but also require their personal space and time alone. Lets just say I highly relate to cats, they are the introvert of pets.

They are also very weird, another way I can relate...



-Anna Lynn

blaming my laziness on holidays

Don't you hate when you really need a book but its a holiday so the library is closed so you just have to spend the rest of the day doing nothing? Curse you random holiday! Here is something funny I found while being lazy.

Look at the second from last...

WOWWW JUST WOWWW...

Thats all for tonight folks my brain isn't working right today.

-Anna Lynn

Enduring Adversity

Trials and adversity happen to everyone. Most likely your experiencing one right now. The most important thing to remember is that it will pass, and that God is in control. So no matter how hard life may feel at the moment just remember that this moment is just a small second from an eternal perspective.

Your Heavenly Father knows what you are going through and he will always be there for you. If you are feeling alone or lost, or whatever you are struggling with remember that you can always go to him in prayer for comfort and help. He will help you.

Your family is also there for you, don't forget how important family is when going through hardships. They will be your constant support if only you go to them. And don't forget that you can reach out and support others too. Sometimes all you need to do is get outside yourself and focus on serving the people around you.

Whatever your trial may be don't look at it as a trial look at it as an opportunity for growth. Don't just endure, endure it well. With a good attitude looking towards a brighter future.




Oh and happy valentines day :)

-Anna Lynn

Book Recommendation: Lockwood & Co.

Book recommendation! Lockwood & Co. The Screaming Staircase, by Jonathan Stroud

This book was recommended to me by a friend and I really enjoyed it. Its about quirky child british detective ghost hunters. It may sound strange but its actually really fun, I think the british part is what first hooked me ;) I finished it this afternoon and immediately wanted to run to the library for the next (which is weird because I never want to leave the house). So if this sounds like something you would like, or even if it doesn't, I strongly suggest checking it out.



-Anna Lynn

Much Ado

So excited to see how the Much Ado casting turns out! Everyone who auditioned did so great!
Just thought I would post some pictures of inspiration and to get everyone all hyped up while we wait ;)


The Andrews Sisters preforming at the Hollywood Canteen


The Lovable yet stupid local police Dogberry and Verges (or Barney Fife and Andy Griffith)


This poor solider getting week in the knees after being asked to dance by a movie star ;)


do they not look like they should be Hero and Beatrice to you?


The Lovely Carmen Miranda


Swinging at the Hollywood Canteen!

And here are three extra pictures just for fun :)
 


-Anna Lynn