deviantART: by:BlackwingRose

deviantART: by:BlackwingRose http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:BlackwingRose&section=today deviantART RSS for by:BlackwingRose en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:12:27 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png Birthday Buzz! http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/28202216/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/28202216/ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:31:46 PST

Oh my . . .

I just had the best surprise party you have ever seen!

My mum and stepdad said they were taking me to a restaurant tonight (November 7th), and they drove me all the way out to this really grotty-looking place in the next town. Needless to say I was a bit put out, but they insisted we go somewhere else and have a 'nice drink' before we went. Anyway, they drove me to the place where I work - a big, expensive health and sports club, lol - and all my friends and family were there to surprise me! We had such a fantastic time, and I got so many great presents - including a personalised number plate for my car when I get one (SAM BV, BV for Bon Voyage), a photography and makeover session, a Links of London silver bracelet and a pair of Dr. Marten boots with roses stitched on them. I was totally speechless (my stepdad said I looked like I'd been slapped when I arrived). Plus my birthday is technically today - November 8th only just started at midnight here!

Thank you so much to the people who have given me gifts so far - Marina especially, both for the premium dA membership and my gift picture, and also to Keira, Lala, Laura, Kia, Erin, Morgan and Evelyn for the lovely artwork - you're awesome!

For my tattoo today, I initially wanted a rose as most of you guys suggested, but it's so intricate ;-; I'm not so great with pain, so I've decided to go for a shooting star on the back of my right shoulder. Let's hope it looks okay! I'll post a picture of it when it's done, though it'll probably be all red and icky at first. :/ Thank you so much for all your suggestions! I might get the rose later if it doesn't hurt too much. I think the shooting star will be nice to represent my having finished Aurora this year, too. Look out for a photo of it later, and thank you again for all your lovely comments and gifts so far!

Journal Skin by =http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/27918418/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:47:47 PDT Life Updates

I looked at the calendar today and, lo and behold, 'tis my birthday quite soon! Yes, on November 8th, I'll finally be hitting the big 18. The year's gone so quickly ;-; Anyway, turns out my mum's booked a nice Chinese restaurant for my big day, and I'm getting my first tattoo. :] Anyone got any ideas what I should get? I'm thinking either the base of my neck or the small of my back, but if anyone has any design ideas, do say so ;]

Aurora Updates

I'm getting on with doing a self-edit of Aurora - at the moment I'm debating as to whether or not to rewrite Chapter 4 or leave it as it is, but once that tricky decision's made, the rest of it should be done quite quickly. I wrote most of Part One (Europe) when I was sixteen, so my style's changed a lot since then! Parts Two and Three were written more recently, so they should be considerably easier to edit. My critic, Fran Tracey (click [link] to read some of her work) has recommended that I talk to another writer, Jackie Marchant, who she thinks will be able to help me find an agent. Turns out I need one of those first, and the publishing house do the editing. Eek, I'm getting nervous ;-; I need to write a synopsis of the novel and apparently most agents want to see the first few chapters, so I need to work on Chapters 1-4 with Fran to make them awesome.

On the other hand, I also wrote to J. K. Rowling (my mum's idea, not mine o.O) to ask if she's ever sponsored young writers . . . I highly doubt I'll get a reply from that sector, knowing how much mail she must get, but there's no harm in trying. Don't ask, don't get.

Other Updates

I've got the first chapter of Evelyn's prize oneshot about 75% done - should be up on dA sometime this week. The title is Encircling the Sun. :]

Have a good week, everyone!

]]> *BlackwingRose AURORA - Complete! http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/27847865/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/27847865/ Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:30:35 PDT

Yes, I'm very proud to say that yesterday, 18th October 2009 (Kia's birthday, lol), I finished a complete full first draft of Aurora. Don't get too excited yet, as I have a lot of editing to do and a professional editor to find, but still, damn, it's written! I wrote a novel! *beams*

Here are final stats on the complete draft:

* Title: Corona Borealis: Aurora
* Started: August 2008
* Completed: 18th October 2009
* Chapters: 45 [inc. prologue/epilogue]
* Word Count: 164,669
* Page Count: 723 [in Bookman Old Style, size 12]

Phew. *wipes brow* As my stepdad said, "Thus ends a long, long struggle."

I've thoroughly enjoyed writing this novel and I very much hope I can now hone it to perfection. Thank you very much to all of you for your support so far -- you guys have been such a huge encouragement! *-* I think I could be able to do a full self-edit within the next two weeks, so expect more news soon . . .

]]> *BlackwingRose Tagged http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/27683054/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/27683054/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:26:40 PDT
----

Here are the rules:
[1] Post these rules.
[2] Each tagged person must post eight things about themselves on their journal.
[3] At the end you have to choose eight people to tag, and post their icons on the same journal.
[4] Go to their page and send a message saying you tagged them.
[5] No tagbacks.

*

- My middle name is "Jo-Anne", separated into two names (I think my mum wanted to be 'different'

. :/
- I have been a passionate writer since before I can remember. Writing is something I need to do like breathing. I get withdrawal symptoms if I can't write for any reason.
- I'm allergic to anchovies.
- I adore travelling because I'm so fascinated by other people's cultures. I'm always eager to try local cuisine and go on excursions when I visit another country.
- I'm not religious, but I'm intrigued by the ideas behind religion and have a religious debate underlying the novel I'm writing, Aurora.
- My hair has been black, purple, red, blonde, orange, blue and brown. I was born white-blonde and am now naturally dark, ash brown.
- I value loyalty above all things in my friends.
- I went across the ocean alone to meet two people I'd never met in my life. Does that prove my stupidity or bravery? You decide. ;]

Tags

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Life is a Movie Quiz
Okay, imagine your life is a movie - what songs would be in it? To find out, here's how it works:
[1] Open your library (iTunes, Media Player, iPod, etc).
[2] Put it on shuffle.
[3] Press play.
[4] For every question, type the song that's playing.
[5] When you go to a new question, press the next button.
[6] Don't lie (it's more interesting).

*

- Movie Trailer
Serenata Immortale - Immediate Music
[Lol, always thought of this as the Aurora theme tune.]

- Opening Credits
Never Say Never - The Fray
[My favourite song, so I guess it fits.]

- Waking Up
Somebody's Watching Me - Raunchy
[Okay, wut?!]

- First Day of School
Ignorance - Paramore
[Lol, sounds about right . . .]

- First Love
Raver's Fantasy - Tune Up!
[I must go to a rave to find my love?! Whoo!]

- First Heartbreak
Cry - Kelly Clarkson
[Ooh. iTunes, you're psychic!]

- Fight Song
Transformers - Black Lab
[YES!]

- Prom
I Don't Think I Love You - Hoobastank
[This is completely appropriate, actually.]

- Life
Forest Battle - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
[Um. Cool. Will I get to see Optimus Prime?!]

- Mental Breakdown
Not Meant to Be - Theory of a Deadman
[I was not meant to be mad? 'Kay.]

- Driving
Toy Soldier<... ]]> *BlackwingRose Closer to the Dream http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/27446808/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/27446808/ Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:14:54 PDT

I'm not dead, but schoolwork has been killing me. ;-;

Hi, everyone! I thought it was high time I posted a journal, after a period of prolonged dA silence . . .

Original Fiction

The most exciting thing about life at the moment is that I've only got eight chapters left of Aurora. Eight. That's it. Eight. *bounces with glee* Needless to say I'm practically exploding with enthusiasm! :] I need to start looking for an editor and agent soon, but I want to get a full first draft done first. I threw together a 'soundtrack' for it earlier, where songs have inspired me, so I thought I'd post that for you guys to see. Maybe you can get an idea of some of the story elements from the lyrics . . . ;D I just wrote the first battle sequence of the book, which I think went quite well, though I ended up scaring the crap out of myself writing about the villains for the first time, and now I get to write about an explosion (like, omg). Squee, I'm so excited . . .

Anyway, I'll stop ranting. Here's the soundtrack; I think most of the songs are available on YouTube. Good luck guessing where they fit. ;] Keep your eyes out for more updates soon . . .

[to be added]

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Fanfiction

As you've probably noticed, my fanfiction is slowly dwindling into hiatus. I'm desperate to finish Deux Claret, but whether or not I will is debatable at the moment. Renewal of the Lotus has now been placed on (possibly permanent) hiatus due to my lack of time to work on it -- sorry to those of you that were following it ;-; Keep an eye out for When We Dared the Dawn, but I definitely won't be returning to regular updates. I'm so sorry to those of you that have been faithful DC followers since How We Seared the Sky, but those of you who have known me for a long time will know how desperate I am to publish Aurora and become an author. It's my life's dream, and I do genuinely think that you'll enjoy Aurora just as much as DC, and will see some similarities. Thank you so much for your continued support; I don't know where I'd be without you guys! :3

Also . . . there is very good news for the series.

~DXIII has posted a prequel to the entirety of Deux Claret, entitled Deux Claret: How We Came to Be. Needless to say I'm squeeing with excitement over this, and I really hope you guys will follow it! It already looks fantastic *-* Please drop ~DXIII some reviews -- I'm extremely grateful to him for keeping the series alive whilst I take time off it, and I can't wait to see how the prequel develops. ^^

- Deux Claret: How We Came to Be --> [link]

- Journal by ~DXIII --> [link]

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In other news . . . um, just school. Work. School. No wonder I write. -_-;

Hope you guys are all doing okay!

----

Things to Do

[] Chapter 1 of ~Evelynism's threeshot - Prowl/Corona (in-progress)
[] Chapter 2 of ~Evelynism's threeshot - Prowl/Corona
[] Chapter 3 of ~Evelynism's threeshot - Prowl/Corona
[] Get story information from =Lecidre and ~The Jaxter
[] Finish Aurora
[] Seek agent/editor
[] Buy an Internet domain
[] GiftArt for Morgan - Kalli Smith
[] Finish GiftArt for *BySesshomarusGrace - Zaru Kiys
[] Upload PSCS3 onto laptop so I can do the above two . . .
[] Send Twilight's Last Gleaming: Episode III to requestees

Journal Skin by =Thewinator and =keepwalking07
]]> *BlackwingRose Aurora Results http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/27067976/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/27067976/ Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:40:52 PDT
You'll be pleased to know that my judges and I have finally come to a decision about the three winners of the Aurora contest. It's been so incredibly hard for me to judge . . . Every single entry is fantastic, and I can't thank you all enough for participating. I took a total of 35 entries, and I believe there are still a few more coming after the deadline (unfortunately I had to get the judging done before school tomorrow, so I can't include entries submitted after the 4th of September, but I'd still love to see them). I'm thrilled with how many of you took part -- thank you so much! It's given me a huge boost of inspiration over the summer, and I hope you'll be as pleased as I am that I'm now on Chapter 35 out of 49 . . . so only 14 chapters left to go. ;] Anyway, I'll shut up now and reveal the winners.

First Prize

The first prize goes to the wonderful ~Evelynism for not one, not two, but eight contributions to the contest. I think she thoroughly deserves first place for so much effort, and each of the drawings she's done are absolutely wonderful! The winning entry is this one --> [link] I think the pencil effect is beautiful, and the character expressions are all spot-on. Evelyn wins a three-chapter story totalling 15,000+ words. Please check out and comment on her entries. :]

Second Prize

Second prize goes to =Lecidre, for yet another piece of absolutely breathtaking art. Her rendition of Warden and Rose is absolutely stunning -- she's managed to capture the sense of adventure in the story, and the colours and fonts are perfect for a book cover. Please check out her gorgeous entry: [link] This definitely gives you the best idea of what the characters look like. Tanya, you win a 10,000+ twoshot about whatever you like. Thanks so much for participating!

Third Prize

~TheJaxter wins third prize for two simple but incredibly effective covers: [link] and [link] They're beautiful and mysterious, and would definitely make me want to grab a copy of the book in a store. I thought her use of the prompts was great. A 5,000+ oneshot for you, m'dear. :]

I'd like to thank everyone else again for participating. I'm going to get my arse in gear with art once I get Photoshop back (alas, my computer failed and took PSCS3 with it), but from November onwards, I will be putting up gift art for everyone who participated in the contest. Just send me a note of what you'd like to see, and I promise I'll get you a small, but coloured picture done during the coming academic year. You guys have really helped Aurora along, so thank you again. *hugs you all* Please take a look through the full gallery of entries and comment on as many of them as you can, as everyone really deserves some dA love. :] Thanks one more time to all of you, and don't forget to send me an art request note. Could the three winners also please send me a note detailing what they would like to see in their prize stories, too?

Full Gallery of Entries --> [link]

Blackwing x

]]> *BlackwingRose Deadline Extension http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/26951399/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/26951399/ Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:07:30 PDT Aurora contest deadline has been extended after some requests for more time from the last few people. I want to get as many entries in as possible, so the deadline is now Friday, September 4th 2009. It's going to be a very hard one to judge, so I've asked a few non-participants to help me decide on the three winners. However, everyone will receive a small prize of some sort. :] Results should be posted on September 7th, with a full gallery of entries.

]]> *BlackwingRose The British Return to Britain http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/26774816/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/26774816/ Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:36:05 PDT

Psh, not that I want to be back in England . . . I love my country, but I had such a wonderful time in America -- I could easily have stayed another week. Now thereÂs the looming threat of the last year of high school, and my impending struggle to write my book between homework and studying. I need to push my grade up a little more in Spanish, so thatÂs going to suck. ;-; However, now IÂve been to the place in which Aurora is set, I feel ten times more inspired and should hopefully get it done faster. I think Deux Claret and Renewal of the Lotus are going to seriously suffer in this period, but IÂll try my best to update once a month, if I can.

Anyway, the United States was certainly an experience! Coming through the infamous CBP (US Customs and Border Protection) was fun . . .

Me: Um, hello.
CBP Officer: How you doinÂ?
*scans passport and papers, then raises his eyebrow, reclines in his seat, and gives me a long, hard look.*
CBP Officer: So what are you doing here in the United States all by yourself, Miss Shannon?
Me: Um. Meeting some . . . friends . . .
CBP Officer: WhereÂd you meet Âem?
Me: *small voice* Internet . . .
CBP Officer: . . . You donÂt think thatÂs kinda dumb?
Me: ;-;

So I got through (after one more such interrogation, only much longer and with an extremely inquisitive officer), only to find Jade wasnÂt there -- stuck in the Boston traffic, bless her heart. I kind of slumped against a pillar and giggled/cried to myself for ten minutes, thinking the entire thing had been a horrible trick and Jade was actually some kind of madman whoÂd disguised himself as a woman and conned the poor Brit into flying all the way to America alone, but I got in contact with her and she told me she was on her way. Phew! When she got there, she told me Lala had missed her flight and wasnÂt getting to the airport until 11.45pm, so we went back to her house, dumped my suitcase, and went back again. When we all met up it was lots of hugs and shrieking! :} We didnÂt end up getting to sleep until about 3am, and jet lag didnÂt hit me until the next day, thank God.

Jade really went out of her way to make sure Lala and I had the most fun we could in Massachusetts, so a huge shoutout to her -- everyone should rain love and praises down upon this girl! :} She spent a lot of money and time on us, and I know Lala's as grateful as I am for giving us a great week. We went to all the places in my book (I'll post a photo of Long Pond, where one of the key events happens omgspoiler), as well as loads of restaurants so I could get a taste for American food (which I have, to the point where English food seems incredibly boring). *TaintedTamer was with us sometimes, too, and took most of the photos of the three of us. I was introduced to the joys of Wal-Mart, Taco Bell, Dunkin' Donuts, and all sorts of other things that we lack here in the United Kingdom. I didn't get to try corn, so I might have to pay a visit to Alie and Shannon in Indiana at some point to try it! ;] Still, I feel fat . . . too much good food . . . but hell, I'll just eat lettuce for a while. It was worth the damn calories! ;D Unfortunately, we didn't go to Six Flags -- we all found ourselves very low on money towards the end of the trip, especially after I got my Gothic mitts on Hot Topic -- but we went to the aquarium in Boston and plenty of other places. All in all, that was one of the best weeks of my life. Thank you so much again for having us, Jade!

Contest Updates

Ladies and gentlemen, there are now a mere nine days until the Aurora contest ends. I've had loads of wonderful entries, so thank you so much to the people who've already participated! However, there are still several people who haven't posted their entries yet, so I look forward to seeing them when they do. :} The creative juices are flowing with your help, so thanks in advance!

Fanfiction Updates

As stated above, my fanfiction's going to be on a back burner in the foreseeable future. However, although updates will be slow, I'm not abandoning When We Dared the Dawn or Renewal of the Lotus. I fully intend to finish Deux Claret, so please don't doubt me when I don't post for a while! I promise I'll work on the chapters when I can. I refuse to let DC die, dammit! *<... ]]> *BlackwingRose The British Have Landed http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/26605370/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/26605370/ Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:35:57 PDT
I'm in Massachusetts.

This is my first time visiting the United States of America, and I must say, I'm very impressed with it! I had a long seven-hour flight (during which I finally got to watch Star Trek and have now fallen in love with McCoy the doctor guy), but as soon as the plane went over the state, I was squealing. I sensed it would be a perfect setting for Aurora, and I was right. It's beautiful, all green with lots of water and trees and crickets at night. And then I met Jade at the airport and we went kinda crazy . . . and people looked . . . but who cares?! Lala missed her flight, so we drove to Wal-Mart whilst she took another one. Damn, Wal-Mart is cooool. There's a lot of good food in America. o.o

Anyway, we're heading over to Freetown now so I can make some notes for my novel and we can go swimming and so on; check you later!

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose The British Are Coming http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/26518192/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/26518192/ Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:30:44 PDT Blackwing's News

Well, after two years of waiting, I'm finally off to the United States of America to see my friends ~JadeDolphin22 and *NINJALALA!

It's been a long time coming, I'll tell you that . . . Lala and I have both been to the Pit and back trying to organise and book this trip, worried/hysterical parents being the least of our problems. For the last two weeks, I've had a bit of a struggle with my health -- first being overtired, then developing acute tonsillitis (in spite of having had my tonsils removed thirteen years ago), then coughing up blood and having my second shot for cervical cancer. I've been to the doctor's three times in a week. ;-; I'm not generally a 'healthy' person, as I'm a self-confessed workaholic and addicted to either studying or writing outside work, but I've never been quite so run down as I've been this week. My mum said I should 'listen to my body' more often, whatever in the hippy heck that means. Anyway, the doctor's given me some antibiotics with the hilarious name of phenoxymethylpenicillin, which I have to take four times a day in groups of two. My throat's cleared up a lot, and hopefully the blood coughing issue should have gone away by Friday. :}

Anyway, I'll be staying with Jade in Massachusetts for a week, which should give me some nice fresh air outside of London's polluted streets and a break from going to work. I need some damn fun! It's really exciting for me -- as most of you will know, my novel-in-progress Aurora is partially set in Massachusetts, so I'll be able to see and experience the place I'm writing about. Hopefully, this will give me another big boost of inspiration! Jade's been really generous and promised to take us to Six Flags, Boston and loads of other places, too. I must say, I can't wait to experience America. It's always been on my list of places to go. I'll be taking lots of pictures whilst there, and I'll try and post an entry using Jade's laptop about halfway through the week, just to tell you guys what we've been doing in MA. ;]

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Contest Updates

Thank you so much to all of you that have entered the Aurora contest so far -- you guys have given me so many new ideas with your entries! You've really picked up on the feel of the novel, even though I provided you with such limited information. You rock! It's going to be so hard choosing the three winners; I've employed a few of my friends as judges to help me. Remember that the contest deadline is September 1st, although I'm happy to extend it if you note me with a reason beforehand. Also, if anyone else would like to enter, it's not too late! Just drop a comment or note. I will try and comment entries whilst I'm in the US, but if not, I will take a look as soon as I return to the UK.

Contest information: [link]
Entries so far: [link]

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Offer

I hear from my friend *Cafcow that one of the Transformers alternate universe comics, Twilight's Last Gleaming, is not available in the US (or at least parts of it). If anyone would like a copy, I'm in the process of scanning it into my computer from the Transformers UK magazine, so it's no trouble for me to send it to you. Just drop me a note with your email address.

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Finally, a big birthday shoutout to *Cafcow! Hope you had a great day, love :} And welcome back to =Lecidre, who has been in Italy seeing the sights. Great to have you back, Tanya!

Keep writing and drawing while I'm gone, everyone! I hope to see lots of deviations in my inbox when I get back :}

Blackwing

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Things to Do

[] Scan Part II of Twilight's Last Gleaming
[] Entry for ~weapon13WhiteFang's "Group Photo" contest
[x] Buy crumpets
[x] See doctor for final checkup before trip
[] Review The Heroes Amongst the Stars, Operation Jaguar, Illusions of Love, The Adventures of Mikaela and Wheelie, Air Force One and a large number of other neglected stories . . .... ]]> *BlackwingRose Contest Entries http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/26142739/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/26142739/ Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:31:46 PDT Aurora contest entries so far :] I'm so thrilled with the number of people that have joined in! Thanks so much, everyone -- I'm really looking forward to seeing all the artwork! If you want to join, it's not too late; read about it here: [link]

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Entries:

- [link]

- [link] [link]

- [link]

- [link] [link] [link] [link]

- [link]

- [link] [link] [link] [link] [link]

*BlackwingRose Contest http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25942355/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25942355/ Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:40:38 PDT

IÂm in a state of extreme excitement at the moment, as IÂve just finished Part One of my novel, Aurora. At long bloody last, I hear you say. *sheepish grin* After working on this since August 2008, IÂm thrilled beyond words to have finally finished half the book (God knows what IÂll be like when the entire thing is complete, lol). I also have a professional critic/author working on it with me now, so I can really hone the plotline to perfection. Now I just have to write Part Two, and then itÂs off to prospective publishers in an envelope . . . *bites lip*

Anyway, lacking a means by which to celebrate this in real life, IÂve decided to launch a two-month contest so that you guys can help me out a bit in finishing the whole book. I love visual aids to help me write and get me inspired, and I was wondering if any of you could design me a really good cover for the novel. It can be with colour of without (with would be great if you want to really make it dramatic and hard-hitting, but the contest wonÂt be judged on the use of colour. Black and white entries are absolutely fine and welcomed). The majority of you have very little information on what the novel is about, so if you wish to enter, please comment here and I will send you a note* containing:

A ÂblurbÂ for the novel;

A description of the main characters;

A list of the genre(s) and elements the plotline involves.

If you really feel like you suck at designing covers, some kind of art based on what I give you will be counted as an entry, but book cover would be great if you can manage it. ^^

* If you receive this note, you MUST enter the contest. I'll be chasing you up with the almighty chasing-up pan of ultimate destruction if it's a no-show in September. *waves it threateningly* All information in the note is Â© Samantha Shannon. :3

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Task: Design a cover for Aurora.

Prizes:

Seeing as art isnÂt my forte, I thought IÂd offer written prizes for the contest.

First Prize: A three-chapter story, totalling at least 15,000 words. This can be about virtually anything you like Â your original character, your favourite pairing, canon characters, any canon pairing you like, a friendship fiction, or anything else -- although I would prefer it to be in the TF universe if possible, as IÂm most familiar with that fandom and will write something of better quality if I know my stuff. :]

Second Prize: Twoshot totalling at least 10,000 words (description as above).

Third Prize: Oneshot totalling at least 5,000 words (description as above).

ALL participants will receive a prize of some sort (my best attempt at some art or some drabbles of their choice). :3

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Contest Deadline:

September 1st, 2009

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Comment here if youÂd like to participate and IÂll send you the description note ASAP. Hopefully this will give me a massive inspiration boost and I can finish a good half of Part Two this summer Â so thanks in advance if you enter!

Blackwing

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Things to Do

[] Review Illusions of Love
[] Review Air Force One
[x] Chapter 14 of When We Dared the Dawn
[] Chapter 2 of Renewal of the Lotus
[] Entry for ~Strawberrytop007's contest (1/6 done)
[x] Return library books
[] Chapter 19 of Aurora
[] First proofread of Aurora - Part One
[x] Reply to critic's email(s)
[] Proofread Gender-Bending: Decepticon Style

]]> *BlackwingRose General News http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25645855/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25645855/ Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:55:29 PDT

Quite a lot's been happening to me recently, so I thought I'd post a journal about it.

Travel Update

My mum and stepdad got engaged the other day (after nine years of being together), which was really exciting for the whole family . . . and guess where they're getting married? On a white and sandy beach in JAMAICA, that's where! *screams joyously like some sort of deranged fangirl* It'll just be me and my little brother going with them, but omg, Jamaica! I've always loved the idea of going to the Caribbean, as I think the Jamaican culture is amazing and I love the Caribbean Sea, so this is really exciting for me. I'll be heading there in April, to a five-star honeymoon hotel with whirlpool baths and a spa and everything. You can even watch movies on the big screen in the swimming pool. If that's not out-of-this-world luxury, I don't know what is . . . I love travelling . . . :]

Not only am I heading to Jamaica, but finally - after God-knows-how long - I'm going to be heading to AMERICA in August! *waves flag* At last, I'm going to Massachusetts to meet my lovely online sisters and best friends, ~JadeDolphin22 and *Ninjalala. I'll be flying alone from England, which will be pretty nerve-wracking, but I believe I can manage. :] The United States is the other place I've wanted to visit all my life (Egypt being the other), and I'm really thrilled about going. Prepare for craziness as the authors of Deux Claret, Immortal Soul-Spark and An Adventure to Remember meet up for real . . . I'll also be meeting *TaintedTamer, who's staying with Jade, and possibly =BySesshomarusGrace. This is going to be the best summer!

-

Fanfiction Updates

When We Dared the Dawn - July 12th
Renewal of the Lotus - July 19th

-

Novel News

I'm very pleased to announce that I'm now only one chapter away from completing the first section of my original fiction novel, Aurora. It's been a gruelling task, but I've had great fun, and - as a teaser - I'll be posting a tiny bit of the novel, plus letting *Ninjalala post one of her many sketches for it, as a sort of celebration for my getting a big section done. I now need to write Part Two, which is the longest part and set in Massachusetts . . . so I'll be taking a lot of notes when I meet up with the girls in Freetown . . . Anyway, more on that when I finish my final chapter of Part One.

Teaser Sketches

Character - Jade Waters - [link]
Character - Rosa Flynn - [link]
Characters - Leiana RodrÃguez - [link]

Enjoy them!

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And that's it from me. Hope everyone's doing okay!

Blackwing

Things to Do

[] Practice for Photoshop CS3 - Ratchet/Rose
[x] Chapter 18 of Aurora
[] Chapter 14 of When We Dared the Dawn - "New Divide"
[] Chapter 2 of Renewal of the Lotus - "Fugitive"
[] Oneshot for Lecidre
[x] English Literature essay
[] Finish The File on the Tsar
[] Finish War of the Worlds and The Time Traveller

]]> *BlackwingRose New Fanfiction http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25535992/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25535992/ Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:57:56 PDT [link]

]]> *BlackwingRose Revenge of the Fallen: Full Review http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25517656/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25517656/ Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:03:25 PDT SPOILERS

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Ladies and Gentlemen: It is June 24th, 2009. This means that after three days of waiting, I can finally post my review on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen without spoiling it for too many of my American buddies! ;]

I'll give the positive points about it first, and there are many positive points indeed. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the sequel to the hands-down best movie in the world. It was well worth sitting there in the cinema for two and a half hours, even with my ex-boyfriend wolf-whistling in all the Sam/Mikaela scenes. The special effects were beyond mind-blowing, like in the last one Â I mean, God, each and every battle scene was so flawlessly constructed that it makes my mind boggle to think of how Bay does it all Â and I was thrilled by the fact that the Decepticons got so much screen time. There was lots of Starscream and Megatron squabbling that was absent from the first film, and Starscream is much more like his G1 self, gutless and sycophantic. It had me grinning no end, especially when Megatron bellowed ÂStarscream!Â when he got beaten by Optimus. Ahaha. *grins* And for once, ÂScreamer didnÂt die! The Twins were a fun new addition (if somewhat annoying, and they had far too much screen time), even though they can never beat the Lambo Twins, and many of the new characters, like Alice and Leo, were very interesting . . . and freakish, in AliceÂs case . . . *thinks of the tongue scene and shudders* The human and Autobot collaboration at the beginning, in Shanghai, was great - the entire opening sequence was fantastic, and it gripped my attention from beginning to end. The music was great Â Steve Jablonsky strikes again Â and the visuals to go with it were pure magic. I found it to be a real sensory overload; you feel breathless just watching it, as youÂre being carried all over the world and back again every minute, and it got such an emotional reaction from me at one point that I cried Â you know, when Mikaela tells Sam she loves him . . . *goes gooey-eyed*

There were several scenes that I could watch over and over again, especially the Autobot arrest scene Â damn, no-one pulls a gun on Ironhide! I loved RatchetÂs little Âthis fool is misinformedÂ remark in that scene, too. Hehe. Simmons coming back was great, and I thought the way they portrayed Jetfire was quirky and interesting, if a bit unorthodox compared to his G1 form (from which he differs massively, to the point where he isnÂt the same character at all and isnÂt really worthy of the name Jetfire). Looks like IÂll have to pair poor Jade off with Jolt in my Revenge of the Fallen fanfiction instead, but as a character in his own right, he was fantastic. Loved his Scottish accent to death.

However, I do have some criticisms of the film, the major one being that there simply isn't enough Autobot interaction. Characters like Jolt, Arcee and Sideswipe would have been really great Â their weapons were unbelievable, electric stingers and blades and so on Â but they werenÂt developed at all. Those three in particular barely spoke (Jolt and Arcee had one line each, I believe). Ironhide got quite a bit of dialogue, and Ratchet got about four lines. That disappointed me, IÂll admit Â as you all know, IÂm a rabid fangirl of movie Ratchet, and was hoping for a bit of wrench-throwing in there somewhere . . . but IÂll be grateful that he at least got that, rather than not speaking at all. I shall record and treasure his lines. He also had the chance to show himself as the teamÂs medic, when he instructed Jolt in how to salvage JetfireÂs parts. In general, however, I felt as if I was having to comb through the scenes with a microscope just to find some decent Autobot interaction and dialogue, which isnÂt the way it should be at all. They felt like minor additions. The focus, as with the first Transformers, was on Sam, Mikaela and Optimus (though I found that Bumblebee, who received a tonne of media attention for TF2, was overshadowed by the Twins). I will also confess to being bitterly disappointed by the lack of close-up shots of the majority of the Âbots, with the exception of good olÂ Ironhide, who got . . . like . . . one. I think it had less of a charm than the first film, and it didnÂt give me shivers in too many places, whereas the first one had me in rapt awe from beginning to end.

In general, IÂd give it a commendable 8 out of 10, and I think it come up to scratch as a decent sequel. I look forward to the third instalment, and hopefully, Michael Bay will decide to give us some more screen time for the Autobots . . . and not add a mute character purely to promote the Chevy Volt . . . and possibly give Ratchet one, tiny close-up . . . *invisible hand moves over BlackwingÂs mouth to shut her up*

Go see it!

http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25450521/ Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:10:13 PDT
*bites lip

SQUEE!!!

]]> *BlackwingRose Tagged II http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25391639/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25391639/ Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:20:26 PDT

But just before I start, a massive birthday shoutout to JadeDolphin22, who turned 25 today! Much love to you, big sister!

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RULES:
1. Answer the following questions and post it in your journal.
2. Tag all your watchers. (Add a comment to all of your watchers)
3. Post "You've been tagged. Read the rules in my journal entry."
in the comment.

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P E R S O N A L

Real Name: Samantha Shannon
Nickname: Sami, Rose, Sam, Shammy (and many variations thereof), Oi Lanky!, "Sweet, Simple, Fragile Little Creature You", Scribble, Tam-Tam
Deviantart Name: BlackwingRose
Country:

Gender: Femme â

F A V O R I T E S

Color: Black
Food: The Chinese or Thai variety :]
Drinks: Tea and Dr Pepper
Movie at the moment(1 only): Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (and haven't even seen it yet)
Song at the moment (1 only): Never Say Never by The Fray
TV Program(1 only): -
TV Channel(1 only): -
Book: The File on the Tsar by Anthony Summers and John Mangold
Ice Cream flavour: Cookie dough :]

V E R S U S

What do you like most?

Sweet or spicy: Sweet
White chocolate or dark chocolate: White
School or Mall: Psh, mall!
Desktop Computer or Laptop: Desktop
Ice Cream or Cake: CAKE.
Anime or Cartoons: Don't really like either, but I prefer the anime style.
PSP or PS2: PS2
Sony or Panasonic: Sony
R'n'B or Pop: Pop

D E V I A N T A R T

What is your favorite deviation in your gallery? [link]

Who is your first watcher?

How many watchers do you have right now? 64
How many deviations do you have? 26
At the moment, how many page views do you have? 13,610
Whom of your watchers do you talk the most?

Are you a subscriber? I was once . . .
When did you start using Deviantart? About 1 year ago.

T A G S

http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/25193577/ Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:29:00 PDT

Exams are over! I did my last one, History, this morning. They didn't seem as difficult as I had anticipated, and it feels wonderful not to have to go home and study all night. This means, of course, that I can return to full-time writing in my spare time (until next year, but we won't worry about that yet). Unfortunately, my school have decided to keep us imprisoned until mid-July - "to help us get ahead on next year's course", apparently - but we shouldn't be doing anything too heavy, so I'm good to go again. Deux Claret has now been updated, and although my novel now takes priority over my fanfiction, I think I should be able to get updates back to a fortnightly basis, if not weekly. Thanks for being so patient in my absence.

Of course, the entire "end-of-exam" vibe was completely thrown within a few hours - as soon as I got home, I was told my 71-year-old grandmother had been mugged by two women and had Â£700 stolen from her. The scary thing was that they tracked her all the way from the bank to the cafÃ©, all round the shops and all the way home. They pretended to be in need of help, and given the fact that my grandmother is a very diligent and giving woman, she was all too happy to help them. Of course, whilst she's giving directions to the hospital to one of them, the other one's pickpocketing. It's absolutely pathetic, that people pick on the elderly to get some money . . . *disgusted expression*

Anyway, I'll move on before I explode with indignation over that. Hmm, summer . . . Well, my summer isn't exactly going to be brimming over with fun and games this year, as I'm going to be at work four out of seven days per week (as a receptionist and nursery assistant at a health club), and I'm getting down to writing my novel very seriously now. I'm hoping to get it at least halfway done by the time the holidays are over, so it could be finished next year. Fingers crossed. I guess the work I'm doing will be quite fun - it's just running around outside, playing baseball with the kids and so on - and I want to get my fitness levels up again through swimming. Looks like the next school year will be fun, too, as we're learning about the Russian Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte, which is a good deal more interesting than what we learnt about this year (British Empire 1856-1902, bleh).

In other news, I went to see Nickelback live recently, and OMG, they were amazing. If you get a chance to see them, go! I've been to a lot of concerts, but they were the best act I've ever seen.

Also, turns out the UK get Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on the 19th June, before the US. Hehe. Well, come on, the US get every other movie first, right . . . ? I promise not to give spoilets, though. *seals lips*

I might do some more artwork during the summer, if I have time - I've owed Strawberrytop007 her Starscream/Erin fanart for far too long, and that will be done soon - and I now have a Bamboo tablet and figure mannequin, so I should improve a little. Hope to see lots more art and fanfiction updates from everyone soon!

Things to Do: June/July

[x] Send bereavement card to friend
[x] Call Grandma to berate her for walking around with Â£700
[] Finish Part One of Aurora
[x] Finish and post Chapter 13 of When We Dared the Dawn
[x] ArtTrade for Strawberrytop007
[] Set up a PayPal account
[x] Review When Time is Free
[x] Review A Hearty Lyric
[x] Review Illusions of Love
[x] Review Chapters 18-22 of The Heroes Amongst the Stars
[] Review Air Force One
[x] Send new employment contract to the Club
[] Attempt some Aurora character sketches for practice
[] Decide between Media and Spanish for next year
[] Other stuff to be added later . . .

Blackwing
:butterflytwo:

]]> *BlackwingRose Sorry . . . http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/24460313/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/24460313/ Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:09:33 PDT Deux Claret updates or art until the last exam is over -- sorry! ;-;

All ArtTrades and writing requests will be done this summer, hopefully along with at least the half-completion of my novel. I might be able to hit a 2010 target instead of 2011, so that's the good news . . . Once I've almost reached the end, I shall post a small written preview for you ;] I'm also hoping to get Deux Claret finished or almost finished this summer, then there will be a short Revenge of the Fallen fanfiction of about fifteen chapters -- Renewal of the Lotus.

So, a summary . . .

Exams end --> early June 2009

Deux Claret update --> June 2009

Aurora completion --> 2010/2011

Renewal of the Lotus --> July 2009

ArtTrades and more art --> June-August 2009

I won't be completely gone until then, just not online quite as much, so see you all around!

Oh, before I forget:

FANFICTION RECOMMENDATION: [link]

It's amazing. Read!

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Enlightened in Egypt http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/24232314/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/24232314/ Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:53:52 PDT

And ohmygod, I'm . . . enlightened.

I did so many interesting things in Egypt that I hardly know where to start, to be honest. I've just been so inspired by the culture over there. The Egyptian people have really found a place in my heart; I learnt tonnes more about Ancient Egypt and Islamic society, and all because of the wonderful, warm people that live there. Western countries should learn a lesson from them.

The hotel my family and I stayed in was called the Laguna Vista Beach Resort, and it was gorgeous. It had about six pools, and the food was all-inclusive, so you could just eat as much as you want and pay nothing. *laughs maniacally* However, I ended up sick in bed for two days, and ate only soup for the rest of the holiday, which was about a week's worth. So where I thought I was going to gain weight, I've now lost weight. And I couldn't eat any of the cakes. ;-; But I still had a great time, though I am glad to be back ;]

Okay, well, I did all the tourist things -- I saw the Pyramids of Giza with my family, which I've been desperate to see since I was five years old. At first, I was sitting there crying (yes, I cried on King Khufu's Great Pyramid) . . . The city of Giza has been so built up around them that they looked horrendous at first, with all these salespeople, cars and tourists . . . God, I hated it. However, when we ventured past the main entrance and got into the desert, I was a very happy bunny. I got a snapshot almost exactly the same as the glimpse you see in the trailer for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (score!), and the pyramids are just amazing in general. I cannot work out how they built them in that heat, though -- it was absolutely sweltering! It got up to over one hundred degrees on several days, although it was mainly in the nineties.

As my family aren't all that on Ancient Egyptian history -- and I'm completely the opposite -- I was faced, on one day, with the terrifying task of going alone to another part of Egypt, Luxor, by aeroplane. My parents let me go reluctantly after seeing how desperate I was to go (come on, Luxor is the centre of the history there!), and so I set off at 3.30am and got a plane there (I went on six planes altogether on this holiday). Anyway, once there, I was thrilled. I went to the Valley of the Kings --I was gutted that you had to pay to go into Tutankhamen's tomb, and I didn't have enough money with me, but I saw the tombs of Rameses IV, Rameses IX and Siptah. Then I went on to see Hatshepsut's temple, Al-Deir Al-Bahari (Hatshepsut is my heroine, lol), Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. When I went home I was exhausted, and I had to get up at 3.30am again the next day to go to Cairo. Dear God, I was absolutely drained, but it was worth it.

Aside from the big trips, I also went quad biking through the Sinai Mountains, which was just amazing; I spent a lot of time in the Red Sea with the coral and all these amazing tropical fish; I got myself a nice tan (well, as nice as tan as a girl with Irish skin can ever get); I put up with my little brother's incessant yapping about his favourite thing in the world, Nando the Camel . . . God, that camel drove me mental after a week.

Alfie: Look!
Me: What?
Alfie: Look a' my book!
Me: *squinting at his strange version of the alphabet* . . . Alfie's Book All About Nando. Oh, God! What is with you and that bloody camel?!
Alfie: I love him! He my friend!
Me: -_-

Indeed, even when we returned to England, Nando still held a special place in Alfie's heart.

On the plane:

Me: Alfie, what's up with you? Aren't you happy to be in London again?
Alfie: *looks as if someone has died*
Me: Do you have a worry, my little ray of sunshine?
Alfie: *nods*
Me: Tell big sister?
Alfie: *gazes out of the window tragically* Nando . . .
Me: *face/palm*

Anyway, camels and pyramids and temples aside, it looks like you guys have been busy since I went . . . I have 144 deviations and 404 messages to sort through . . . I'd better go and have a look ;] Hope to catch up with you all soon!

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Things to Do

[] Chapter 13 of When We Dared the Dawn [Good Morning Wisconsin]
[x] Sort through messages and deviations
[] Oneshot for Repo! The Genetic Opera - Shilo/Graverobber
[x] Sort out and distribute gifts
[x] Put up a selection of photos
[] Chapter 6 of Aurora
[x] Type up Aurora scenes written on... ]]> *BlackwingRose Jet-Setting http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/23987979/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/23987979/ Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:12:13 PDT
Well, the time has finally come . . . I'm finally going to achieve one my childhood dreams and go to Egypt. :] I'm leaving tomorrow at some ridiculous hour of the morning, but I may not be able to come online beforehand, so I thought I would post my leaving journal now.

I'm going to stay in the tourist region of Sharm el Sheikh, in a nice hotel next to the Red Sea. However, much to my delight, my mum's been kind enough to pay for us all to take a trip to Cairo the see the pyramids at Giza -- where Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was filmed recently . . . *grins* I want to stand on the same pyramid that Shia LaBeouf does, dammit! Or find a random chunk of neon yellow metal that some careless But even if I don't, it's just going to be wonderful to get out of this rainy little country for a while. The Brits among you will appreciate that in spite of our random bouts of weak sunlight, our weather's been pretty pathetic of late. I need some sun on my skin, and some time to work on my novel.

I'll try and update Deux Claret soon after I return, but my exams are going to be looming up in May and June months, so updates may slow down considerably. Sorry for that, but I promise I'm not abandoning it. ;] As to how my novel's going -- very well! I finally finished Chapter 5, which was a long and gruelling chapter to write, but now I've got the plot rolling, I think I should write much faster. I may just hit that 2011 target. :]

Anyway, see you all when I get back! Keep drawing!

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If you want to check out some really amazing Deux Claret art when I'm gone, have a look at these wonderful 'covers' by *blackdragon21 -- thanks so much, blackdragon! :]

- Starscream and Alexis --> [link]
- Skyfire and Jade --> [link]
- Ratchet, Rose and Barricade --> [link]
- Leiana and Sunstreaker --> [link]
- Kia and Ironhide --> [link]
- Ratchet and Mikaela --> [link]
- Alie and Sideswipe --> [link]

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Things to Do

[] Chapter 13 of When We Dared the Dawn [Good Morning Wisconsin]
[] Post oneshot for Repo! The Genetic Opera - Shilo/Graverobber
[] Chapter 6 of Aurora
[] Finish oneshot for Lecidre - Starscream/Alexis [Red in the Holly]
[] ArtTrade: Starscream and Erin
[] Start studying for exams
[] Remaining three essays before school
[x] Email beta contacts to tell them I'm leaving
[x] Feed the tarantula

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Tagged http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/23461746/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/23461746/ Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:25:40 PST JadeDolphin22, again! I'm going to crown you the Tag Queen in a minute!

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Rules

1. Answer the questions about yourself.

2. Tag at least three more people if not more.

3. No tagbacks!

4. Post these rules in your journal entries.

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What do you like most about yourself?
Physically, my legs. Thirty-six inches, baby. *beams* I quite like my eyes and figure, too. I also like the fact that I'm very committed to the things that I do - if I want something done, I will work hard to get it done - and am very selfless.

What do you hate most about yourself?
If we're talking physically, I think my boobs could do with a boost, but I can live with them the way they are. My split ends are a bit bleh, too. In terms of personality, I can be extremely irritable if you catch me at the wrong time (usually in the morning if I haven't had a blast of caffeine), and I'm more than a little disillusioned with the tedium of everyday life, which makes me a bit down all the time.

What one thing would you change about yourself if you could?
Hmm... I'd give myself naturally curly hair. Not really tight curls, but long, loose curls. And I'd make my hair naturally red. Or again, if we're talking about personality, I'd like to be more patient with people.

What's your favourite movie?
Transformers (2007)

What's your favorite book?
"Demon Seed" by Dean Koontz

If you could have any job in the world what would it be?
Professional novelist.

If you could be any anime character who would you be?
Anezaki Mamori from Eyeshield 21. Then I could be in the same physical space as Hiruma. *dreamy look*

What do you enjoy doing the most every day?
Writing. A lot. And writing some more. :]

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?
I would say Egypt, but I'm going there in a few weeks *grins* Now my dream destinations are New York City and Freetown, Massachusetts. Oh, and I'd love to go and see the Aurora Borealis... so badly... and Tokyo... and various other places.

If you could be with one celebrity romantically who would it be?
Chace Crawford. <3

Favourite candy?
Almond pocky.

If you could have three super powers what would they be?
Invisibility, telekinesis and flight.

Favourite sport?
Swimming.

Favourite meal?
Oh, damn, so many... umm... sushi is a new addiction of mine, but I think Chinese will always be my absolute favourite. Sesame prawn on toast, chow mein, egg fried rice... food from the Far East is just love.

Do you have any weaknesses?
Touch the inside of my wrist and I will kill you. I don't know why, I just have this weird thing about it... makes me feel weird. :/

Worst fear?
Being trapped in an extremely small space.

Place you feel safest?
My bed. ;3

Favourite song?
Oh, no! This is so unfair - I have loads! I'll choose... my top ten, okay? I can't just pick one... ;-;

My Immortal - Evanescence
Frozen - Girls Under Glass
Autumnal - Nox Arcana
Haunted (Remix) - Evanescence
Just Say It - Sleepthief
Oh, Star - Paramore
One Day, Robots Will Cry - Cobra Starship
It's the Fear - Within Temptation
Diem Ex Dei - Immediate
The Light is Blinding - Nire

Nickname?
Rose, Rosie, Sami, Sam, Legs. Or Dolly Bloody Daydream, as my mum calls me. *sighs*

If you could be with anyone fictional, who would it be?
Ratchet from Transformers (2007). Pleeeease.

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Tags:

http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/23233836/ Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:37:52 PST

Finally, a week off school... and you have no idea how much I need it. (wipes brow and collapses on her chair) Not that the slave drivers actually expect us to rest, seeing as they've given me no less than six essays to do over the holiday, but I think I may leave some of them for a while.

So, how's my life been going... well, my family situation could definitely be better at the moment, admittedly, but I guess very few people's couldn't be. And I did get to help name the twins that my Dad's wife is expecting in May :] It's a boy and a girl - so not the identical Sunstreaker and Sideswipe I was anticipating, lol - and their names will be Billie Rose and Jack. God, I would kill for a name like Billie Rose, the lucky kid. Aside from that, I'm having a great time in terms of my writing - I seem to have found a way to balance schoolwork with my favourite hobby, and I just completed Chapter 4 of my original fiction, Aurora (title finally revealed to you :3). I'm also swiftly working on the next chapter of When We Dared the Dawn, so those of you that follow Deux Claret shouldn't have to wait too much longer for an update. ^^

On another good point, I've finally come into possession of Photoshop CS3! Not, of course, that I have the faintest clue how to use it. For those of you who have it, do you recommend I buy a tablet? If so, what make/type? I hope to be able to use it as well as the other artists on this website, all of whom have much greater talent than me, but I would love to be able to put some decent art up for a change. :] If anyone can give me any advice, please do - it would be much appreciated.

And omg - forgot to mention - the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailers! Is anyone else screaming with joy?! *grins* It looks so wonderfully dark this time around! Oh, I can't wait. For those of you who haven't seen any ROTF videos yet, watch them now!

[link] - Superbowl Teaser Trailer
[link] - Full-Length Teaser Trailer
[link] - Autobots from ROTF

For the last one, Ratchet is visible... you just have to look really closely at the end behind the blue Volt. I'm guessing he's going to be the guy that ends up staying behind all the time to fix everyone and take care of the base... he'd better have a good amount of dialogue and at least two instances of getting his rotary saw out, or I will personally kill Michael Bay... *eyes turn red as she transforms into a Decepticon and looms over Michael Bay's house threateningly*

Anyway, check you later!

Things to Do:

[] Second gift oneshot: Red in the Holly for Lecidre
[x] Chapter 4 of Aurora
[] Chapter 5 of Aurora
[] Chapter 12 of When We Dared the Dawn (Strike of Midnight)
[] Review The Heroes Amongst the Stars
[] Plan an Eyeshield 21 oneshot - Hiruma/Mamori
[] Next request for Capricious (In Denial)
[] Art trade: Erin and Starscream for Strawberrytop007
[] Purchase Shirley Valentine for English Literature
[] Complete half-term homework
[] Try and work out how to use Photoshop CS3

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Tagged http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/22557956/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/22557956/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:54:04 PST JadeDolphin22 :]

[1] Post these rules.
[2] Each person tagged must put eight random facts about themselves.
[3] Tagged ones should write a journal about these facts.
[4] At the end of the post tag eight more Deviants.
[5] Go to their page telling them they're tagged.
[6] No tagging back.

Facts About Blackwing

- Born and bred in London, but has an Irish surname.
- Connects more with her Internet friends than she does with people she knows for real.
- Has been writing since the age of four.
- Thinks that Ratchet from Transformers is the most awesome character in the entire history of film, and is quite close to having a heart attack at the thought of seeing him in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
- Is working on a romance/science fiction novel.
- Has written a three-part Transformers fanfiction series, entitled Deux Claret.
- Is currently studying at Advanced Level in: English Literature, Spanish, History and Media.
- Wears a beret or knitted cap every day.

Tags:

Things to Do:

[] Second Christmas oneshot: Red in the Holly for Lecidre
[] Chapter 4 of Untitled
[] Chapter 34 of Untitled
[x] Chapter 11 of When We Dared the Dawn (On the Wings of Love)
[x] Wrap presents for extended family
[] Request from tlcoopi7 - Shane and Alexis
[x] Book up driving lessons
[] Next request for Capricious (In Denial)
[] Art trade: Erin and Starscream for Strawberrytop007
[] Read Needing Me
[x] First reading of Top Girls for English Lit.
[x] Return camera to school

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Finally... http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/22356726/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/22356726/ Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:09:43 PST The Day We Hailed the Heavens! :] It's been lying there dormant for months, but now I've finally revamped it... not that much of an achievement, really, but I thought I'd share. I've got tonnes of inspiration from these songs and they really fit the mood of each scene - if you're ever reading or re-reading, give them a listen. The soundtracks for How We Seared the Sky and When We Dared the Dawn (spoilers available if you check the latter out), plus this one, are ready to listen to on [link] (p/w: starscreamer)

Enjoy!

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"The Day We Hailed the Heavens"

1. Gothic Power Â X-Ray Dog
Trailer Theme

2. Here With Me Â Dido
Starscream and Alexis's Theme

3. Time is Running Out Â Muse
Played on the radio after Alexis's first experience with the All Spark

4. Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya) Â Ashlee Simpson
Rose's Theme

5. Ready Set Don't Go Â Billy Ray Cyrus
Mikaela says goodbye

6. Desert Rose Â Cheb Mami and Sting
The journey to Virginia

7. Evening Falls Â Enya
Theme for "Pax Deorum"

8. Snow White Queen Â Evanescence
Barricade and Rose's Theme

9. The Way You Wear Your Head Â Tobymac
Ratchet and Rose's Theme/played by Ratchet en route to Virginia

10. Fight on the Beaches Â Winston Churchill
Speech used as a basis by the President for his international announcement

11. Ignition Â Tobymac
Rad approaches Mission City/Rad's Theme

12. The Howling Â Within Temptation
The ground battle for Earth commences

13. A Reason For Broken Wings Â A Skylit Drive
The sky battle rages

14. Lies Â McFly
Sam and Bumblebee's battle theme/"DUCK, MILES!"

15. The Chase Â Steve Jablonsky
Blitzwing vs. Skyfire and Jade

17. I Hate You Â Slayer
Ratchet vs. Sideways

18. The Theme of Eva Â Masami Ueda
Ratchet and Mikaela grieve over Rose's body

19. Lucius Dei Â Immediate
"You're all mine, Unicron!"

20. Amaranth Â Nightwish
Starscream and Optimus transform and escape

21. Hero - Nickelback
"Tell her, you idiot!"/the kids' theme

22. Country Roads - John Denver
The journey home

23. Closer - Joshua Radin
Sung by Rad and Jade at Carlos's funeral

----

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Happy New Year! http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/22333945/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/22333945/ Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:58:53 PST Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas until 7am. Still not sure of my opinion on the night, but no matter - it's the year of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen!

Anyway, I've been tagged by

...

----

Note: Okay, so the rules of this were actually to put your iPod on 'random shuffle' and write whatever comes up for each one, but I think I'll get more entertainment out of it if I actually pick and appropriate song for each point. Also, I'm only going to half of them, 'cause my eyes are killing me - sorry! ;-;

----

How are you feeling today?
An Epic Age (Epicon) - Immediate
Comment: Hopeful that the new year will be a good one.

Will you get far in life?
Escapist - Nightwish
Comment: If I can escape my cage, then I hope so...

How do your friends see you?
Confide in Me - Kylie Minogue
Comment: I'm the group's confidante. :]

Will you get married?
Only Time - Enya
Comment: Only time will tell, I guess!

What is your best friend's theme song?
She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
Comment: Because she said so.

What is the story of your life?
Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
Comment: I've spent my whole life working towards publishing a book, but it's not all written yet. Within a year and a half, though, I hope. :]

What was high school like?
Still Waiting - Sum 41
Comment: It's not over yet!

How can you get ahead in life?
Paint the Sky With Stars - Enya
Comment: I need to control my own destiny.

What is the best thing about your friends?
There For You - Flyleaf
Comment: They always are there for me, so I'll return the favour.

What is in store for this weekend?
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Comment: Nah, I'm being ironic. I'm just going to be studying and tutoring, and possibly doing a little writing. If I'm lucky, I might be able to breathe at some point.

To Describe your Grandparents?
Simple and Clean - Utada Hikaru
Comment: They are. *shrug*

How is your life going?
Prelude to Paradise - Immediate
Comment: Okay so far, but I'm hoping it will get even better with time.

What song will they play at your funeral?
My Immortal - Evanescence
Comment: I've always loved it, and I think it would be fitting for a funeral. As in, it would make everyone cry... (guilty look) Maybe I should go with my neighbour's idea - he had the Darth Vader theme tune played...

Will you have a happy life?
All That I'm Living For - Evanescence
Comment: Well, I live life with the wish that it will be happy one.

What do your friends really think about you?
Imaginary - Evanescence
Comment: They know I've always got my head up in the clouds, unleashing my imagination onto paper, and they understand that I live on a totally different level to them.

Do people secretly lust after you?
Heartbreaker - Pat Benatar
Comment: If they do, they know what's going to come to them. Seriously... secretly 'love', fine, but secretly 'lust'? Stalker much?

How can I make myself happy?
Arrival to Earth - Steve Jablonsky
Comment: I need a group of alien robots called the Autobots to land on Earth. That would make me incredibly happy.

What should you do with your life?
She Watched the Sky - A Skylit Drive
Comment: Keep my head right where it is - in the clouds - and write my books. That's what I want to do, so I'll keep my eyes on my goal.

Will you ever have children?
Miracles Happen - Myra
Comment: The idea doesn't exactly call to me, but it's possible. I'm not sure yet.

Tags:

http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/22194422/ Thu, 25 Dec 2008 15:57:17 PST
Anyway, presents received thus far...

Blackwing's Present List

- New iPod Nano, 8GB
- Pyjamas with 36' leg
- Starscream/Alexis picture from Lecidre [link]
- 'Xtra Leggy' t-shirt from [link]
- Green beret
- Portable BlackBox USB speaker
- Reading lights
- Ratchet/Rose video from Strawberrytop007 [link]
- Enya and Maria Mena albums
- Twilight necklace, bracelet and t-shirt
- Hot water bottle :3
- Assorted American foods from Ninjalala
- Ghost: Deep Night eau de toilette
- Â£20 of vouchers
- Â£30 extra cash

Not a bad haul at all this year, I don't think!

Hope everyone's had a great Christmas... and eek, I can't believe it's 2009 soon! We've almost reached the year of TF2! (shrieks fangirlishly) Check you all later!

----

Things to Do

[] Christmas oneshots - [link]
[] Chapter 3 of Untitled
[] Begin intensive studying for mock A-Levels
[] Chapter 11 of WWDTD (On the Wings of Love)
[x] Call Dad
[] Request from tlcoopi7 - Shane and Alexis
[] Next request for Capricious (In Denial) - on hold for Christmas oneshots
[] Read Needing Me
[] Review The Heroes Amongst the Stars

-----

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose 'Tis the Season... http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/22050675/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/22050675/ Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:23:11 PST tagged by Strawberrytop007! :]

-----

Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Gift bags are more convenient - I'm appalling at wrapping presents - but I think wrapping paper looks prettier, so I'll make the effort where possible, especially for kids like my brother. They seem to get a real kick out of tearing off wrapping paper. Destructive little beasts...

Real or artificial tree?
Artificial. Seriously, my dad had a real one at his house, and there were pine needles everywhere; it annoyed the crap out of me. Plus I don't exactly cheer for trees to be cut down just so that we can stick them in our houses and embellish them with shiny objects when they could be soaking up carbon dioxide for us.

When do you put up the tree?
Way too early.

When do you take the tree down?
Way too late.

Do you like eggnog?
I've never tried it, though I've always wanted to. I can't seem to get hold of the damned stuff! I love mulled wine, though; that's my favourite festive drink.

Favorite gift received as a child?
My Star Wars lightsabre. I've always been into boy films, lol.

Hardest person to buy for?
My mother, for sure. She hates ornaments; she doesn't want me spending all my hard-earned money on perfume; she hates clutter and mess; all she ever wants is black bands for her hair, and I can't just get her that...

Easiest person to buy for?
My friends. I ask them what they want and they tell me. :]

Do you have a nativity scene?
My family isn't religious, so no. My grandparents have about three, if that makes up for it.

Mail or email Christmas cards?
Email for sure. Why waste trees?

Outside decorations?
We have outside decorations all year round, so it doesn't really make much of a difference. My mum and I are both obsessed with sparkly, glittery things, so we always have fairy lights up - I've got tonnes in my room - and carnival lights around the garden.

Favorite Christmas Movie?
The Nightmare Before Christmas

When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Start of December.

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes; anything from my aunts that I don't know. I hate to say it, but some of the stuff they buy me... (shudders) Oh, and anything from my paternal grandmother.

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Yule log... (drools)

Lights on the tree? What color?
We have bright blue lights on ours.

Favorite Christmas song?
Okay, I have a lot.

- What's This? - Jack Skellington
- Adeste Fideles - Enya
- O Come O Come Emmanuel - Enya
- Christmas Secret - Enya
- Last Christmas - Cascada
- Walking in the Air - Nightwish

Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I spent Christmas in Spain twice when I was younger, which was fun, but generally I prefer to stay at home.

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Cupid... Comet... (frown) Nope, it's gone.

Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star :]

Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
In the morning.

Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
It's not really this time of the year, per se... it's the number on my bank statement when it comes in January...

Favorite ornament theme or color?
Silver, crystal and black.

Favorite Christmas dinner?
Just the traditional kind, I guess. Although I'd rather have chicken than turkey... I can't stand turkey...

What do you want for Christmas this year?
New iPod. Pleeeeease, Santa...

Tags

-----

Things to Do

[] Christmas oneshots
[x] Sort out folders
[] Chapter 3 of Untitled
[] Chapter 4 of Unt... ]]> *BlackwingRose Christmas is Coming... http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/21879837/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/21879837/ Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:53:03 PST

God, Christmas really takes it out of me these days... (exhausted sigh) - I've been doing so much shopping and planning and general preparation that I've given myself flu! ;.; I feel hot, cold, shivery and generally wretched... but still, I know it will all be worth it to see my friends happy with their Christmas presents. :] School's been keeping me down recently, so I apologise for my lack of story updates - I've been caught up by my original fiction, too - but I promise that I fully intend to finish Deux Claret, and you'll see the next chapter of When We Dared the Dawn very soon. :3

Things to Do: Christmas

[] Secret Santa oneshot exchange with SDG - Ratchet/Rose
[] Gift oneshot for Ninjalala - Leiana/Sunstreaker
[] Gift oneshot for JadeDolphin22 - Skyfire/Jade
[] Gift oneshot for Lecidre - Starscream/Alexis
[] Gift oneshot for SonicShadowlover - Alie/Sideswipe
[] Gift oneshot for Gryphonia - Starscream/Alexis
[] Gift oneshot for Dayari - Starscream/Alexis
[] Surprise gifts for others... :]

Wow, I've got some writing to do...

Things to Do

[x] Essay: Obama's Presidential Speech
[x] Chapter 2 of Untitled
[x] Chapter 9 of WWDTD (Truth)
[] Request from tlcoopi7 - Shane and Alexis
[] Next request for Capricious (In Denial) - on hold for Christmas oneshots
[x] Start revising for mocks
[x] Review all chapters of "A Long Road"
[] Read "Needing Me"
[] Review "The Heroes Amongst the Stars"

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Double Trouble http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/21420321/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/21420321/ Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:16:22 PST believe it - my dad's wife is pregnant - with TWINS!!!

Dear God... I was an only child 5 years ago... now I'm one of five... I have a half-brother from my mum and her boyfriend, and I already had a half-sister from my dad, and now I'm getting two more half-brothers-or-sisters... I'm so excited!

Eek!

Well, on another note, it looks like I'm seventeen now! :] I can't work out where exactly the last seventeen years have gone... God, I'm going to be eighteen next year *shudders* Then I'll have to pay bills... and taxes...

Anyway, I had an absolutely wonderful birthday on Saturday. My mother decided to be generous and give me Â£100 to spend in the absolutely amazing Camden Market (if any of you ever visit London, go there), all of which I spent on various clothes and jewellery. And then later on I went to an amazing fireworks show at my workplace, and my friends and I had a great time.

I'd also like to thank Lecidre, DocMcQueen, SonicShadowlover and Strawberrytop007 for the wonderful Ratchet/Rose birthday pictures! They were all absolutely beautiful, and thank you very much for making my day all the more special! Also thanks so much to my sister JadeDolphin22 for buying me a three-month dA subscription, and Ninjalala for her upcoming birthday sketch for me :] You all rock!

Things to Do

[] Next request for Capricious (In Denial)
[] Gift art for weapon13WhiteFang's birthday
[] Secret Santa oneshot exchange with SDG
[x] Essay: How does Guterson present women or the isolated male in 'Snow Falling on Cedars?'
[x] Chapter 1 of ? ;]
[x] Chapter 8 of WWDTD (Voco in Dubium)
[] Deux Claret: Props
[] Request from tlcoopi7 - Shane and Alexis
[x] Finish The Country Ahead of Us for English Lit.
[] JadeDolphin22's mythical creature challenge

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose ¡He Vuelto a Inglaterra! :) http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/21265360/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/21265360/ Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:59:33 PDT glomps for everyone* And England may have a four-mile cloud cover right now, but it still feels good to be home. :] I missed all my dA friends!

Now for a step-by-step guide to Rose's holiday.

Saturday
Board the plane on time and arrive at Alicante airport. Picked up by a taxi driver, who takes us to our apartment. Thundering rain. The guy doesn't have a clue whereabouts our apartment is, and drives off before we can ask him further questions, leaving us ankle-deep in water. We wade through it for half an hour before finally finding our apartment. Horrendous rain continues, so we watch Transformers. :3

Sunday
Wake up to merciful sunshine - no trace of rain. Spend the day at the beach, and find the most amazing chocolate milkshake place. Speaking Spanish a lot. Did homework at the apartment before we have a huge Japanese meal and eat way too much sushi.

Monday
Beach again, swimming in the sea this time.

Tuesday
Spent the day at the market in central Altea. Buy three things for myself, and the rest of the money goes on presents - too many pretty gifts to resist! *grins* Go to the beach for a bit and then eat at the most amazing Greek restaurant in the universe. Greek yoghurt with honey is goooood.

Wednesday
Shopping in the town, then sunbathing. Getting a nice tan by now. However, evening meal is disastrous - never order spaghetti in front of a hot Spanish waiter. My friend and I spend the entire night blushing and trying not to humiliate ourselves. We fail.

Thursday
Day trip to Terra Mitica theme park - Halloween theme. We go on a tonne of rides before we grab some tortilla for lunch and go and sit on the wall. Unsuspecting tourists that we are, we promptly get jumped by a Spanish dude dressed as a mummy. We flee the scene, with mummy in hot pursuit, and are chased halfway around the theme park before we hide in a waffle hut. Go back to the apartment thoroughly traumatised and have a Chinese to make ourselves feel better. Walk into three lamposts on the way home and trip over my own shoelaces twice.

Friday
Raining, so we watch some films. Meal in the evening at a French restaurant - totally gorgeous little place, with fairy lights and an outdoor heater. Friend's parents order some rose champagne - friend has a little too much and practically falls down the stairs on the way back to the apartment.

And today I came home.

I hope everyone's had fun in my absence! I missed my computer a lot. *clings to it protectively* I'm going to go and work on Chapter 7 of When We Dared the Dawn now... I seriously need to update... but I'm so glad to be back! Catch you all later :3

Things to Do

[x] The Time of Our Lives fanart piece for SonicShadowlover's birthday (will be posted November 4th)
[x] Next request for Capricious for SDG (My Never)
[] Gift art for weapon13WhiteFang's birthday
[x] Chapter 7 of WWDTD (Concerning Criminals)
[] Deux Claret: Props
[] Request from tlcoopi7 - Shane and Alexis
[x] Finish Small Island for English Lit.
[] JadeDolphin22's mythical creature challenge
[x] Review Quantum of Solace for Media
[x] Presentation on Juana la Loca for Spanish

Blackwing

Today's Fanfiction Recommendation:
[link]
If you've ever wanted to see the Transformers go worldwide... read this. Plus you'll bust a gut laughing.

]]> *BlackwingRose Announcements http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/21092606/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/21092606/ Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:52:35 PDT
God, I am so glad that it's the mid-term break next week - I feel like I've been drowning in schoolwork - but I'm off to Spain on Friday! :] Just for a week, but I still can't wait to get an October tan and buy my dear sisters some nice gifts. =3 My friend and I are going to a theme park on Halloween night, too; apparently a load of Spanish people dress up and chase you round something called The Pyramid of Terror there, which sounds... fun... o.o Anyway, there won't be any updates on my art or writing for a week, but (if I survive the Pyramid of Terror) I will be back in full swing by November 1st.

The other important upcoming event in my life, on November 8th, is my birthday! =3 I can't believe I'm going to be seventeen... I can finally drive! Not that I have a car, of course (anyone want to send me a neon-yellow Hummer named Ratchet? Pretty please, Mr. Bay?), but it still feels good that I'll be allowed to drive. I'm going to go and hit Camden with my birthday money on that day, and then go and see some fireworks in the evening with my friends, so it should be pretty fun. (:

I hope I can get access to an Internet cafÃ© in Spain; otherwise, I'll see you all when I get back!

Things to Do

[x] The Time of Our Lives fanart piece for SonicShadowlover's birthday (will be posted November 4th)
[x] Pack for Spain
[x] Review Shane and Alexis and The Heroes Amongst the Stars
[] Next request for Capricious for SDG (Sniffles)
[] Gift art for weapon13WhiteFang's birthday
[] Chapter 7 of WWDTD (Concerning Criminals)
[] Request from tlcoopi7 - Shane and Alexis
[x] Finish all mid-term break homework before I leave
[] Finish Small Island for English Lit.

Blackwing

Today's Fanfiction Recommendation:
[link]
Winter fluff, anyone?

]]> *BlackwingRose It's Like a Transformers Sitcom... http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20756340/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20756340/ Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:08:54 PDT

's journal.

----

PICK 12 CHARACTERS:
Transformers

1. Ratchet
2. Barricade
3. Skyfire
4. Soundwave
5. Sunstreaker
6. Starscream
7. Sideswipe
8. Megatron
9. Ironhide
10. Bumblebee
11. Frenzy
12. Thundercracker

Who would make a better college professor, 6 (Starscream) or 11 (Frenzy)?

Bloody hell. I couldn't think of anything worse than being taught by one of those two if I actually wanted to learn something. But it would be pretty funny. (grins) Umm... I guess it depends whether I want a screeching, bitching professor, or a hyper little caffeine-fuelled one. I'd probably end up choosing Frenzy, seeing as he's more likely to be able to fit into the classroom without crushing it. :]

Do you think 4 (Soundwave) is hot? How hot?

Hmm. Soundwave... I guess he could be... (ponders) Okay, I'll tell you what. I'll judge it against SDG's version of his holoform, which is very hot. Check it out on her website: [link]

12 (Thundercracker) sends 8 (Megatron) on a mission. What is it, and does he/she succeed?

Thundercracker trying to send Megatron on a mission? I wouldn't want to be in his place at that particular moment in time... I think Megs would probably crush him where he stood, excellent flyer or not...

What is or would be 9 (Ironhide)Âs favorite book?

If he had need for one - which he wouldn't, due to his ability to just surf the Internet - then I imagine Ironhide's favourite books would probably be the Andy McNab SAS ones. Or hell, he might write his own - How to Make Sure That Those Slagging Twins Don't Get You Down.

Would it make more sense for 2 (Barricade) to swear fealty to 6 (Starscream), or the other way around?

I don't see why Barricade wouldn't swear fealty to Starscream, seeing as he's second-in-command of the Decepticons. I doubt he'd be happy about it, but he's a good soldier, and would probably do it if it helped get Megatron back. I can't really see it working the other way round, though.

For some reason, 5 (Sunstreaker) is looking for a roommate. Should he share a studio apartment with 9 (Ironhide) or with 10 (Bumblebee)?

I would recommend to Sunstreaker that he choose Bumblebee, who might be able to cope with him a little better. I think living with Ironhide would result in him having his gorgeous face blown right off if he got on the weapon specialist's bad side... which, knowing Sunstreaker, he most certainly would!

2 (Barricade), 7 (Sideswipe) and 12 (Thundercracker) have dinner together. Where do they go, and what do they discuss?

Lol, Sideswipe. Bad luck. (grins) Well, I imagine that Sideswipe would take them to a McDonald's or something and tell them that Ronald McDonald was an Autobot commander in another life, which would cause the two of them to attack the clown and leave Sideswipe in hysterics at the genius of his prank.

3 (Skyfire) challenges 10 (Bumblebee) to a duel. What happens?

Skyfire wouldn't do that, but if - for some ludicrous reason - the two of them did duel, I think Skyfire would probably just stomp Bumblebee in one fell swoop.

If 1 (Ratchet) stole 8 (Megatron)Âs most precious possession, how would he/she get it back?

Argh, Ratchet! What are you doing?! (screams) Okay... well, I hate to say this, seeing as I love Ratchet beyond reason, but I think Megs would probably just kill him to get whatever it was back. He's a medic more than a soldier - and, no matter how kickass the Gyro saw is, Megatron would pone him. (cries)

Suggest a title for a story in which 7 (Sideswipe) and 12 (Thundercracker) both attain what they most desire.

The Deaths of Sideswipe and Thundercracker.

What kind of plot device would you use if you wanted 4 (Soundwave) and 1 (Ratchet) to work together?

Right. Time to bring in some Deux Claret elements, as I can't see how else I w... ]]> *BlackwingRose Weekend at Last http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20474734/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20474734/ Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:45:06 PDT
That had to have been one of the most crazy weeks of my entire life, beginning my A-Levels. I haven't been so far out of my comfort zone since I started high school. It's just a rollercoaster of reading classic novels, analysing radio programmes and movies, trying to understand what the Spanish teacher from Spain is talking about, and trying to work out what happened between 1854 and 1914 in regards to foreign policy in the United Kingdom. And our school really isn't helping by treating us as if we're three years old and giving us detentions for missing one, solitary piece of homework. Good thing is that I've managed to get a position as an art assistant for my community service that all students have to do, which should be fairly easy, and I've got another job as a tutor on top of that. So I've got money, just not a lot of time. :/ Where for art thou, peaceful summer days? (weeps) On the plus side, if I get all my work done on a Friday, then I have the weekend to update my story and chill out a little. And today I finally managed to update When We Dared the Dawn! (triumphant look) I can manage my time appropriately!

Anyway,

just tagged me, so I thought I would give it a shot, so I proudly present to you:

----

8 Facts about BlackwingRose

1. I'm from a far-out region of Western London, and I'm a real city girl by nature. I can't stand being in the country, and I love the noise and bustle of big cities, especially the heart of London.

2. I'm absolutely desperate to go to America and Egypt - I have been since I was very young. I'd love to meet my close Internet friends Lala and Jade, who both live in America :] Next year I'm going to Egypt in April, and I'm hoping to stay with Jade in Massachussetts for a week next summer. So I may actually realise both of those dreams in the coming year!

3. I am absolutely and totally in love with Ratchet from the Michael Bay Transformers movie. I went through a stage for all of them, and then landed on Ratchet and have been going strong ever since. I still have no idea why. (grins)

4. I was born on the same day (I say day, not date) as Bram Stoker, author of the classic novel Dracula.

5. I'm still not one hundred percent sure what I want to do with my life, but my one true ambition is to write books and get them published. Writing is my passion. I discovered how much I loved it around 2004, and since then I've never been able to stop. Deux Claret has been the most amazing insight into the world of a writer, and I will be forever grateful to Michael Bay for making Transformers and inspiring me to write the series.

6. I have a thing for seafood. I went to Spain with my friend, and we must have eaten out the entire harbour in a week. I will eat anything that originates from the sea - squid, octopus, crab, sushi, swordfish - you name it, I'll eat it. Mussels are my all-time favourite, though. :]

7. I'm gagging for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen to come out next year, and I'm hoping to see Ratchet as Mikaela's guardian. Bring on June 26th, 2009!

8. I'm very much a stereotypical Brit. I have a very strong, uppity English accent, but then I randomly launch into East End-style Cockney if I get angry or upset about anything. I'm obsessed with tea, and I drink ridiculous amounts of it - I think my body has become dependent on it. I like fish and chips on a Friday. I say 'bloody hell' and 'bugger' a lot. I support the Queen of England, and I think crumpets are awesome. Therefore, I am probably the embodiment of everything British that you can think of.

----

... yeah, that's me.

Anyway, I hope you're all doing okay, and that the pressures of life aren't getting you down as much as they're getting me down... (sighs) We can do this! We can get through this year and live to see TF2! :] Catch you all next weekend!

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose A New Beginning http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20351176/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20351176/ Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:45:21 PDT long sigh). It's going good so far, but it's certainly a big jump from GCSE to A-Level. For example, we're not allowed to speak English in our Spanish class - which I can just about handle, but it's very challenging to cope with - and we have to do lots of extra work at home off our own backs. I didn't get the History teacher I wanted, either, because my Spanish class clashed with her class; I hope my new teachers are good, as it's what I want to do a degree in. In general, though, I'm happy with my schedule. :]

On the plus side, When We Dared the Dawn is now up on Fanfiction.net! :] Here's hoping everyone likes it... updates will be slower than they were in summer due to schoolwork, but I already have many scenes written out, and each chapter has been planned. I will finish Deux Claret if it's the last thing I do! :3

I've also put up a Deux Claret oneshots/ deleted scenes/request fic called Capricious, if you'd like to see anything extra from the storyline.

When We Dared the Dawn [link]
Capricious [link]

Hope everyone's doing okay, and I'd like to add a big get well soon to my dear friend and TF sister Lala, who's not been feeling very well recently. Hope you feel better soon, m'dear! ]:

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Now We Dare the Dawn :) http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20303452/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20303452/ Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:30:21 PDT The Day We Hailed the Heavens. :]

I have to admit that I got teary-eyed when I posted the epilogue this morning; I did the same when I finished How We Seared the Sky. Even though I'm doing a sequel, it's still been a fantastic writing experience, and I'd like to thank each and every one of you that has been so kind to review, do wonderful fanart, or even if you've just read the story. You're all amazing, and it's made my summer truly worthwhile - I feel like I've made great friends out of many of you, too, so thank you! (hugs you all)

I'm returning to school tomorrow to begin my A-Level courses, so When We Dared the Dawn updates might be a little more spaced out - however, in my opinion, this will make Deux Claret last longer :] Chapter One will be out on Saturday, but I thought I'd give you a little preview anyway ;]

----

(Major spoiler alert)
From Chapter 1, 'Cross into the Blue'
[Warning: mild sex references]

ÂIÂm pregnant.Â

Ratchet was absolutely certain, for a fair amount of time, that he had misheard his chargeÂs brutally honest confession.

She had come to him as usual at precisely eleven oÂclock in the morning with Rose, once they had consumed their breakfasts and made the ÂnecessaryÂ cosmetic adjustments to their appearances; she had unpacked her tools from their red metal box, and tied her dark hair back, as usual, to keep it out of her face as she worked; there had been nothing out of the ordinary, and no changes to their daily routine that the they had kept to, now, for a total of four years.

And thenÂ that had come out.

There was a short, sharp gasp from his knee level, followed by the painful clatter of a spanner and a screwdriver being dropped. ÂWhat Â Mikaela?!Â a flabbergasted, thickly accented British voice interrupted his state of complete shock, and he glanced down to see RoseÂs oil-smeared features contorting into a look of opposing horror and joy. ÂYouÂre Â oh my bloody God, youÂre what?Â

ÂYes,Â the medical officer managed faintly, still staring at Mikaela. ÂIÂ think you ought to repeat that, Mikaela.Â

His slim, suntanned young assistant put a hand to the bridge of her nose and pinched it tiredly Â a motion Ratchet recognised from his own repertoire of exhausted gestures, which he cycled through on a near-hourly basis every day and night Â before she took a deep, seemingly calming breath and smoothed a few strands of hair that had strayed from its messy ponytail out of her face.

ÂI said IÂm pregnant,Â she huffed impatiently. ÂExpecting. Knocked-up; bun in the oven; in the family way Â do I need to keep elaborating?Â

Vector Sigma.

A wave of horrendous, overwhelming alarm threatened to engulf RatchetÂs central processing unit as he stared at her Â willing her to grin, laugh, and berate them for falling so easily for her hilarious gag. But there was no hint of mischief in her blue-green eyes; not so much as a trace of humour touched her face as she folded her arms and gave him a flat stare, her mouth twisting into an aggravated grimace as she glanced at Rose, shrugging her slender shoulders as if it was nothing.

Nothing!

Primus, this was dreadful!

When MikaelaÂs father had entrusted his only daughter to him and given him full, legal guardianship of her, he hadnÂt meant for her to be impregnated in his care! He had vowed that nothing would happen to her Â that she would be absolutely safe and untouched under his watchful optic Â this was not ÂuntouchedÂ!

She could obviously read his horror on his face, if her eye-roll and heavy sigh were anything to go by. ÂYouÂre gonna kill me, right?Â

ÂBloody hell, woman, didnÂt you use birth control of some sort?Â Rose cut across her friend, her mouth hanging open and herÂ beautifulÂ eyes wide in astonishment. Ratchet could empathise with that entirely. ÂOh my God, I canÂt believe youÂre up the spoutÂ are you sure? You double-checked the test, right?Â She paused and shook her head. ÂWait Â did you do a test?Â

ÂOf course I did!Â Mikaela exclaimed, looking quite affronted and jamming her hands onto her hips indignantly. ÂJeez, IÂm not that stupid. And yes, we did use birth control Â it just didnÂt, like, work.Â

Her paternal unit was going to be insane with wrath when they next met.

Insane.

ÂYour father is going to have me melted down for spare parts,Â Ratchet muttered in a disillusioned undertone, shuttering his optics as if to make it all go away. He wished it would go away. ÂI swore to him that I would mind your antics with SamÂ and this happens.Â

Mikaela tossed her ponytail, her face reddening... ]]> *BlackwingRose I'm Back! :D http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20233007/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20233007/ Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:26:32 PDT
And I've got 62 deviations, 238 messages and 1 note... if you've messaged me or anything and are waiting for a reply, please be assured that I will get back to you as soon as I've finished typing this journal out...

Oh my goodness, what a holiday. If one can call it a 'holiday', in those overcast conditions. You know you live in the United Kingdom when you go all the way down to Cornwall to get some sun, and it bloody rains for a week. And when I get back to London (oh, God, how I've missed my London and my computer), I find that it's so hot I can barely breathe. I mean... what are the odds?

My family and I stayed in a place called Lamorna Cove, in a tiny (and, needless to say, Internet-less) town called Penzance in the south. I spent most of it reading and drawing (yes - I did some drawing!), seeing as the sea actually hurt to go in, it was so cold. When it wasn't raining, I went rock climbing. That ended when I dropped my walkie-talkie and it smashed... cue ban on rock climbing. So it was back to reading Villette and sketching out some art. Total pieces of art finished: three. Alie, look out for two pieces for you; Jade and Lala (ah, my dears, I've missed you!), the other's for you. :]

I'm not going to harp on about it - it was an okay holiday, but the weather was just so crap that I could have cried. But I'm thrilled to be back, to have my Internet... and there are too many updated fanfictions and deviations to ignore any longer.

Things to Do

[x] Sort through and comment deviations
[x] Answer note
[x] Respond to messages
[x] Read updates on fanfiction.net
[x] Beta To Protect and Serve by Zachana16
[x] Chapter 31 of TDWHTH
[x] Spanish prep work
[x] Finish Dracula
[x] Epilogue of TDWHTH (Burn to Shine) (up on Wednesday)

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Oh... m-my... God... http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20071961/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20071961/ Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:44:09 PDT GCSE Results

Art - A*
Citizenship - A*
English Language - A*
English Literature - A*
History - A*
Mathematics - A
Religious Ed. - A*
Science (Core) - A*
Science (Additional - A*

Just... omg. Overwhelmed. Crying.

FUCKINGHELLIAMSOFUCKINGHAPPPPYYYYYY!!!!!

Edit: Okay, I'm finally calm enough to write something else now. But I was absolutely stunned and totally thrilled by that collection of grades! I felt certain of a handful of good ones - maybe one or two A* grades, some A and B here and there - but not top of my entire school. No way. They sent a bloody reporter to take photos of me and the two other girls that got the same scores.(shakes head in wonder) I guess it just shows that all that tedious revision paid off! I hope all the other English students that took their GCSE exams did well, too. :]

Anyway, aside from that, I'm happy to say that I finally have a working form of Photoshop (or at least a version of it) - it's called Photoshop Elements 6. I borrowed it from a friend of mine and it's already proving itself to be a far cry from my current programme, Photoimpression. The only problem is... well, I'm having a bit of trouble figuring all the technical controls out... does anybody else have it so that you might advise me on how I could get the best out of it? :/

I was also thrilled to see SDG's new fiction up - check out the Transformers Alphabet [link] It's already fantastic! :]

I'm also very much looking forward to chatting to my dear TF sister Lala, who returns home from her second school trip today :3 Hope you had a good time, hon!

Things to Do

[x] Deliver sixth form enrolment form to school
[] Chapter 31 of TDWHTH (Boadicea)
[x] Renew Villette
[x] Pick up new library books for holiday
[] Work out Photoshop Elements 6
[x] Pack for holiday
[] Redo The Time of Our Lives fanart; also redo the Rose sketches during the trip

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Exam Results Cometh http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20006934/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/20006934/ Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:19:45 PDT killing me. Sometimes being 5"11' is a serious disadvantage, especially when your heels make you 6"2' and you're having to lean over a computer screen all day. Oh, and deal with people gaping at your legs and looking you up and down because of your lankiness instead of speaking to your face, like polite people. *mutters* They should see the size of my bloody Dad...

But I can ignore the spinal agony! Because I came home and saw that Lecidre had done the most hilarious comic-style illustration for Chapter 14 of The Day We Hailed the Heavens! ... Have you ever wondered what Bayformer Starscream would look like with a pink paintjob? Find out here --> [link] Lol, thanks so much, Tanya! :]

Anyway, exam results on Thursday. *grimaces* I'm absolutely terrified. Do me a favour and send good luck in my direction? *crosses fingers* I'll let you all know my grades when I get them.

Also, I will be going away to the south of England for a week on this coming Saturday *cries* I'm going to beg my mum to let me take her laptop, but I'm not totally sure if there's even Internet access in that place. It's the most ridiculously remote little cove... but if, indeed, I can't get online, I will spend time writing out the end of The Day We Hailed the Heavens (if it's not already up) or the beginning of When We Dared the Dawn :] As well as working on my fanart list, of course, and climbing cliffs/swimming in ice-cold water/walking around hills to actually get fit.

Anyway, I'll post another journal soon with my results... in the meantime, I'd love it if you took a look at my website --> [link] My TF sister Ninjalala has worked hard to produce some amazing sketches of all the Deux Claret humans for their pages - check out her fantastic gallery here. [link]

I hope everyone's doing okay - keep on with your art!

Things to Do

[x] Chapter 30 of TDWHTH (The Crystal Line)
[] Finish Villette
[] Read Breaking Dawn
[] Fanart List
[] Pack for holiday
[] Obtain GCSE results from school on Thursday
[] Buy Top Girls, Snow Falling On Cedars and The World's Wife for English Literature course
[] Finish The Time of Our Lives fanart piece before I leave

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose The End is Near... http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/19872316/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/19872316/ Sun, 10 Aug 2008 02:05:14 PDT cries* Not only that, but I'm getting very close indeed to finishing The Day We Hailed the Heavens... four chapters to go and Deux Claret: Part II will be complete! I can't believe it... but there's still When We Dared the Dawn to come, so it's not quite over yet. ;]

Anyway, I was at work last night and was so mind-numbingly bored that I decided to make a list of fanart pieces for various people's stories that I have planned. I was very bored - all I'd done for three hours was roll towels up into neat cylinders and doodle on scraps of paper - so the list is pretty long... but I hope to get all of them done one day.

Planned Fanart

[] Field of Innocence (Roads to Neverending Light)
[x] "Sunstreaker's Predicament" (Roads to Neverending Light)
[] "What The...?" (An Adventure to Remember)
[] Fragility (Who Knew)
[] The Cast (The Time of Our Lives) (colouring)
[] Collide (Roads to Neverending Light)
[] "Just Say It!" (Deux Claret)
[] Fireworks (Fix You)
[x] Stolen (Deux Claret)
[] "If You Dare... (Deux Claret)
[] "Negative" (Just Dealing With It)
[x] Roll Up... (Rose study)
[] Your Star (Seeds of Oblivion)
[] "He's Holding Me!" (Dwelling in Dreams)
[] Speechless (Glass Starlight)
[] Untitled - Prom (An Adventure to Remember)
[] Bayformer Headshots (OH GOD.)
[] From Dawn Until Dusk (Deux Claret)

Hmm. That will probably take me the duration of my natural life, knowing how slow I am with drawings, but I should be driven to do more once I get Photoshop from Jade. Plus there will definitely be more added to the list once the fanfictions start progressing.

Aside from my irresistable art urges, life's going okay :] I'm missing my dear friend and TF sister Jade, who's gone to Japan (lucky girl), but I still have my other TF sister Lala to chat to, and plenty of writing and drawing to do. I'll be going on holiday very soon... and my GCSE results day is creeping closer... but we'll cross those bridges when we come to them *pained look*

Right, I'm going to stop going on and actually get started... :]

Hope everyone's doing okay!

Things to Do

[] Fanart List
[x] Finish Sense and Sensibility
[] Read Villette and Breaking Dawn
[x] Go shopping for sixth form clothes
[x] Chapter 29 of TDWHTH (Pyrocumulus)

Blackwing

PS: Omg, my friend SonicShadowlover made a trailer for Deux Claret! Check it out here --> [link]

]]> *BlackwingRose Work, Work, Work... http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/19736119/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/19736119/ Sat, 02 Aug 2008 13:16:42 PDT lot of pissed-off people...

On the plus side - I may be achieving my life's dream and going to Egypt next year! I'm thrilled beyond all reasonable belief - I'm such a history geek, and seeing the Pyramids at Cairo... wow... *drools*

I'm working hard on the next chapter of The Day We Hailed the Heavens, containing the first of the two character deaths; I've never written an emotional death scene before, but I've had plenty of encouragement from my good friends Jade and Lala. I'm very close to finishing it, now, so it should be up in a day or two, for those who follow the Deux Claret storyline. :3

Speaking of which, check out and comment this fantastic picture that Lecidre did for How We Seared the Sky - it's absolutely beautiful. --> [link]

I hope to see lots of art and fiction updates from everybody soon! :3

Things to Do:

[x] Chapter 28 (Nature's Law) for TDWHTH
[x] Kia Hawkins for weapon13WhiteFang
[] Deux Claret: Skyfire and Jade
[] Deux Claret: Starscream and Alexis
[] Go to Cyberdog to buy Lala something :]
[x] Order food for my tarantula
[] Field of Innocence (fanart for Roads to Neverending Light by JadeDolphin22)
[] "He's Holding Me!" (fanart for Dwelling in Dreams by JadeDolphin22)
[x] Renew library books for English Lit.
[] Learn to use Photoshop (when it arrives)
[] Bayformer art... *gulp*
[x] Upload a chapter from both of my fanfictions to dA as examples of my writing

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Home at Last :) http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/19538844/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/19538844/ Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:23:13 PDT

Boy, did I miss my computer when I was camping. However, it was great fun, and I think I needed the break from my room for a little while. I missed you guys, though! I was so pleased to see so many new deviations when I got back, especially Leiana Lopez by Lecidre and Ratchet and Rose by Ninjalala. You two are so talented!

Well, what did I get up to when I was camping... well, I stayed near the southern coast of Britain with five of my friends, in a remote farmland area called Ashley Heath. We stayed in a tent, and the weather ended up being quite nice for a change... so nice, in fact, that my back is absolutely raw with sunburn. We had great fun staying up late, stuffing our faces with sweets, and trying to get the disposable barbeques to work every night. We failed repeatedly at that, but it was okay... even though pretty much every sausage we ate was burnt, and we melted marshmallows all over the grill by accident.

Oh, and there was that incident with the bird getting into our tent at four in the morning. That was an interesting experience.

Anyway, I'm back after a four-hour coach-and-bus journey back to London, and am now working hard on The Day We Hailed the Heavens, which has been sorely neglected for four days. I hope to have it up by tomorrow, once I've finished all my unpacking and laundry, and to catch up with my lovely friends Jade and Lala, who I've missed immensely during my absence!

Things to Do:

[x] Chapter 25 (Wrath of Pandora) for TDWHTH
[x] Kia Hawkins for weapon13WhiteFang
[x] Deux Claret: Leiana and Sunstreaker
[] Deux Claret: Skyfire and Jade
[] Deux Claret: Starscream and Alexis
[x] Buy Dad's birthday presents
[] Go to Cyberdog to buy Lala something :]
[] Gift art
[] Field of Innocence (fanart for Roads to Neverending Light by JadeDolphin22)

Hope to see more art from everyone soon!

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Life Goes On... http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/19348698/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/19348698/ Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:57:33 PDT
So, what's been going on with Blackwing? Well, I've been very busy... working overtime to earn money for a car (oh, for a Topkick or Search and Rescue Hummer...), going out with friends and running errands for my stepfather, but I'm still working on lots of things in the Transformers fandom :] I'm slaving over Chapter 24 of The Day We Hailed the Heavens... hopefully, I can get it up today, so keep an eye out if you follow the story. ^-^

To Do...

[x] Chapter 24 ('Sidewinder') of The Day We Hailed the Heavens
[] Go to Cyberdog
[x] Spoiler fanart for When We Dared the Dawn - Skyfire and Jade
[x] Kia Hawkins for weapon13WhiteFang
[] Deux Claret sketches of the characters aging throughout the storyline
[] Transformers art meme
[x] Survive sixth-form induction day

Hmm. I need to get drawing if I'm going to get all of this done before I die of old age...

I'm looking forward to lots of things, too - particularly for the day when Ninjalala's hand finally heals and she can go back to doing her wonderful fanart! Hope you feel better soon, Lala :[ I'm also really excited about the drawings that Lecidre is doing for Deux Claret - check out her fantastic gallery here [link] :3

And, of course, I'm eager for updates on all of my favourite fanfictions :] That includes Tough Luck, SDG! *pokes insistently*

Hope you're all doing okay!

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Transformers Sequel! http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/18932524/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/18932524/ Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:58:50 PDT GOOSSSSH! Sorry, I just had to post a blog... I was just so excited when I went onto the Internet Movie Database and saw the title for the Transformers sequel... Revenge of the Fallen! Seriously, I was practically crying, I was so excited. I still am.

Here's the plot sypnosis (although Bay says he tends to leak false information so people won't know the exact plotline until the movie is released)...

"The battle for Earth has ended, but the battle for the universe has just begun. After returning to Cybertron, Starscream assumes command of the Decepticons, and has decided to return to Earth with force. The Autobots, believing that peace was possible, find out that Megatron's dead body has been stolen from the US Military by Scorponok, and revives him using his own spark. Now Megatron is back seeking revenge and with Starscream and more Decepticon reinforcements on the way, the Autobots - with reinforcements of their own - may have more to deal with then meets the eye."

I doubt that's completely true... how the heck would a little guy like Scorponok steal Megatron's body from the military (especially as it's at the bottom of the Laurentian Abyss)? But the whole Starscream thing is making me squeal with fangirlish joy. <3

What I'm interested in is that they've cast another blonde Australian girl who looks exactly like Maggie to play the role of a girl called 'Alice'. Maybe she's meant to be Maggie's sister, or something... And then there's the role of 'College Professor', so we must assume that Sam and Mikaela are at college.

And it would make my life if Ratchet could be Mikaela's guardian. I always thought that would be cute.

Oh my gosh... wow. *fans self* It's really happening!

Anyway, other notes. At the moment, I'm working on the following...

[x] Chapter 23 of The Day We Hailed the Heavens
[x] Kia Hawkins for ~weapon13WhiteFang
[x] More Ratchet/Rose for JadeDolphin22
[x] More Skyfire/Jade for JadeDolphin22

And, you know... spazzing over TF2.

Hope you guys are all doing okay!

Blackwing

]]> *BlackwingRose Exams are OVER! http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/18782727/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/18782727/ Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:16:34 PDT

Oh my goodness, I could sing. In fact, I will sing! *click to iTunes and sings loudly* My very last exams were today - Physics and my second History paper. Physics sucked... I'm sure our teacher never taught us half the stuff... but oh well! I'm really too happy to care. I can actually go on the computer without feeling bad because I'm not revising. Summer begins here! That's a summer where I actually have time to update my fiction and draw and enjoy myself in general!

Phew. Okay... I needed to let my joy out.

I hope everyone else's exams are going/have gone well, and that those who are still in the midst of them don't have very much longer. Good luck!

And whoo! Lala's done tomorrow!

Right. I'm off to post Chapter 20 of The Day We Hailed the Heavens, after not updating since 24th May.

Blackwing

PS: Go check out these amazing sketches that ~shadowdemon-gengar did for the Deux Claret series:
[link]
[link]

]]> *BlackwingRose Original Character Quiz http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/18251758/ http://BlackwingRose.deviantart.com/journal/18251758/ Sat, 10 May 2008 04:08:28 PDT This is the first time I've been able to get on the computer in ages, as I kind of self-confiscated mine so I would revise without being distracted by fanfiction/fanart/etc. But I decided to sneak onto my mum's so I could update a couple of things and see if there's been any updates - and I was pleased to see that Lala had updated her story!

I really hope Jade updates hers soon, as well as "To the Rats" (hint hint, SDG) and "Inherit the Future".

Anyway, I went onto Lala's profile and discovered this quiz for original characters in fanfiction... so I thought I'd do it for two of my Transformers girls, Rose and Alexis. Those of you who have read my story The Day We Hailed the Heavens [link] or Seeds of Oblivion by Icarian Angel Wings [link], for Rose, will know who they are. I'm doing this quiz for my continuity, Transformers: Deux Claret.

----

First... introducing Rose Connelly.
"Oh, for God's sake - you're interrupting my bloody tea."

How old are you?
"Nearly twenty. Not, of course, that it's any of your business, but I'm feeling generous."

Height?
"5'11. Yes, I am lanky."

You got any bad habits?
"I find it very hard not to be sarcastic towards the rat - ehem, Starscream, I mean. Oh, and I drink tea so much that I think I may drown in it one day."

You a virgin?
"Ask me that again and you'll get a slap."

Who's your mate/spouse?
"Well, it's all very complicated. I'm 'spark partner' or something to both Ratchet and Barricade, but I think I may be falling wildly in love with Ratchet... but why am I telling you this again? Who are you?"

Have any kids?
"Oh, dear God no. And anyway, it wouldn't really work with my situation.

Favorite food?
"Does tea count as a food...?"

Favorite ice cream?
"Cookie dough. The stuff makes me swoon."

Killed anyone?
"So far? Nay."

Hate anyone?
"Starscream. I swear to God, if that stupid, rat-faced jet makes out with my stepsister in front of me at any point in my life, I will beat the crap out of him. And I don't care about his huge, bulging muscles or the fact that his holoform is the most gorgeous man alive - doesn't impress me one bit."

Any secrets?
"Many. But if I told you... well, they wouldn't be secrets, would they?"

Love anyone?
"Ratchet. Like, a lot. And I love Barricade, too, but I think it's different... aside from that I love all the Autobots, Sam, Jade and basically everyone else that hangs out with the giant alien robots. Even Alexis and possibly Starscream, when they're not making out."

Tacos?
"Yes, please."

Ever slept in all day?
"Yep. I was tired, shockingly."

Eye color:
"Sort of grey-blue."

Hair?
"Oh dear. Well, it's kind of longish, with annoying not-quite waves and a massive amount of frizzalicious volume. Due to the fact that I can't be arsed to re-dye my hair, it's half ginger-brown and half normal brown. Attractive, right?"

Fat/Average/Slim?
"Slim-ish. I kind of wish I was bigger, as I lack cleavage."

Rain or, Sunshine?
"I'm currently quite into the Californian sunshine. Britain has a LOT of rain... it got kind of boring after nineteen years of it."

Pool or, beach?
"Pool. Put me near sand and I run away screaming - horrible stuff."

Camping or, staying home?
"Staying home... I can't stand camping. Unless it's camping out in an Autobot, of course. Hummers are surprisingly comfortable; same with Topkicks, Lambos and police Mustangs."

Dog or, cat?
"I'm not too keen on either. Dogs, if I had to make a choice."

Believe in aliens?
"Haha. Well, I think I'll have to give that one a yes."

What do you do to relax?
"Hang out in the workshop with Ratchet and Mikaela... drink tea... take Sideswipe for a spin... drink tea... take a ride with Jade and Skyfire... and drink tea. I sometimes go around trying to piss Starscream off, too. I find that highly relaxing."

Car or ship?
"Hey, who needs either? I've got a Hummer, a Topkick, a Vespa, a motorbik... ]]> *BlackwingRose