Z is for Zombies

'm super excited to be testing my blogging stamina by taking part in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. Started by the awesome Arlee Bird, the challenge is to write a post every day of the month (except Sundays) based on the appropriate letter for the day. Sound confusing? Stick with me throughout April and you'll get it. My theme is: Things that inspire me.

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I can’t believe it’s already the last day of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. I’ve had a lot of fun writing about things that inspire me. But it’s a lot of work. I’m so tired I just want to sleep, it’s like I’m a….zombie.

Ha ha. Just kidding. It’s not that bad, especially when you love writing like I do. But I also love zombies. I’m not allowed to watch The Walking Dead yet (Mom says I have to be 14), but I’ve read a lot of Zombie books. My favourite is Stink and the Midnight Zombie Walk. Never read it? You just have to – it’s hilarious!

If you’re looking for a few parent-approved zombie books, here’s a great list.

Do you have a favourite zombie book not on this list?

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

Y is for Yellow

I'm super excited to be testing my blogging stamina by taking part in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. Started by the awesome Arlee Bird, the challenge is to write a post every day of the month (except Sundays) based on the appropriate letter for the day. Sound confusing? Stick with me throughout April and you'll get it. My theme is: Things that inspire me.

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Yellow is my favourite colour – and not just because my grandparents have a canola farm. I love running alongside the canola fields because in mid summer, when the canola is in full bloom, it can take your breath away.

But yellow is my favourite colour because to me, it represents happiness. It’s so bright, sunny, and uplifting! Some people believe the colour yellow is great for brainstorming because it clears your mind – no wonder some of my best ideas come when I’m hanging out in Grandpa’s fields.

For others, though, yellow isn’t quite such a happy colour. It’s been associated with feelings of criticism, impatience and even cowardice. Interesting, right?

Yellow is also pretty useful. Because it’s the most visible colour, it’s often used for pedestrian signs. And that’s not all! For a really cool psychological breakdown of the colour yellow, check out this link: http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-yellow.html

Neat, huh?

So, what does the colour yellow mean to you?

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

X is for X-Men

I'm super excited to be testing my blogging stamina by taking part in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. Started by the awesome Arlee Bird, the challenge is to write a post every day of the month (except Sundays) based on the appropriate letter for the day. Sound confusing? Stick with me throughout April and you'll get it. My theme is: Things that inspire me.

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Okay, I know I said Superman is my favourite super hero, but I really, really love the movie X-Men. The characters have such interesting powers.

Like Cyclops, who can shoot "force" from his eyes. Or Iceman, who has the ability to manipulate ice. He can even change his body into ice! Angel can give himself wings for flight. Phoenix is telepathic. Storm can control the weather – plus, she’s super cute.

And then there’s Wolverine. I’m not really into werewolves (zombies are my paranorm of choice), but Hugh Jackman is an awesome wolf. And those claws! Can you imagine going palm to paw (ha ha!) with Wolverine. * shudder * It gives me chills just thinking about it.

X-Men is one of those movies I play in the background when I’m doing chores, or researching a new story idea. I think I’ve seen it about ten times, it’s so great.

Have you seen X-Men? Which is your favourite character?

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

W is for Words

I'm super excited to be testing my blogging stamina by taking part in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. Started by the awesome Arlee Bird, the challenge is to write a post every day of the month (except Sundays) based on the appropriate letter for the day. Sound confusing? Stick with me throughout April and you'll get it. My theme is: Things that inspire me.

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I LOVE words.

I love stringing them together into sentences, paragraphs, poems…stories. I really love stories.

I’ve spent a lot of time reading up on writing to learn how to get better. Here’s the top 10 most important things I have learned about writing (and words) so far:

1. Look for story ideas in real life, such as funny quotes, interesting people, or stuff that happens at school.
2. Stories must have: A sympathetic (someone your reader can relate to) character, who faces a problem that he/she must solve.
3. Each scene in your story must have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
4. Conflict is the most important aspect of a story.
5.  Don’t be nice to your characters. Create obstacles. The story is more exciting that way.
6. Dialogue is important but it shouldn’t substitute action.
7. Setting is vital – know some details about it. In this case, the Internet is your friend.
8. Start your story with a bang. Your first word, first sentence, first paragraph is important.
9. Stop procrastinating. Just write.
10. Save revisions until the end of the story – but know that you will need to revise. Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect.

Okay, those are my 10 top writing tips. Anything you would add?

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

V is for Vacation

I'm super excited to be testing my blogging stamina by taking part in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. Started by the awesome Arlee Bird, the challenge is to write a post every day of the month (except Sundays) based on the appropriate letter for the day. Sound confusing? Stick with me throughout April and you'll get it. My theme is: Things that inspire me.

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This has been the coldest Spring I can remember. As late as April 21, snow was falling outside my house. It’s windy, icy, and in areas where the snow banks have started melting, it’s wet. Gross.

I’m not usually a complainer, but this icky weather has me thinking about leaving Alberta – at least for a couple of weeks. A long vacation to somewhere the snow isn’t, because I’d really like to train outside. I’m getting bored with the treadmill at the gym.

Nothing too exotic, like Mexico or Hawaii. Running in countries that are too hot isn’t fun, either. But maybe something like Phoenix, or Florida, or even California. Yeah, California – I could visit Disneyland at the same time. Wouldn’t that be great? All of those rides!

We haven’t gone on too many family vacations, but maybe it’s about time. Now to convince my parents…

Where is your favourite vacation destination?

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy