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All the texts and some pictures are Copyright by Maria L. Castejon 2007-2010.



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Farewell

June 19th, 2010 by Cornflakegirl

english spanish 


After the storm,
we hug the thaw.

R.I.P. 1941-2010

Picture from suckatlife.com

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Self Publishing

June 6th, 2010 by Cornflakegirl

english spanish 




The topic of the hour is, because of the e-books, the self publishing. People in favour of self publishing talk about that it’s the only way to get your writing published, you have more freedom and control of your work otherwise you couldn´t get. People who is against it, they argue that it would mean a decrease of writing quality. My question is, if you admire the musician who record or self publish their own music to show it to Discography Industry, gigs venues owners and magazines, why do we think that poets and writers’ work is so different?

My personal view about self publishing is like internet’s blogs: there are many out there, some of them are impressive but many other are just a waste of time. But I do believe is to stand out, you should offer a high quality item (not only good writing quality but a good design, publishing, etc) it should be unique and easily linked to its author.

What do you think about it?

Image source: desktop.self-publishing.com

Posted in High places, Inner places, the place where I belong | 5 Comments »

April and Poetry

May 8th, 2010 by Cornflakegirl

english spanish 

During April, I’ve taken part of two poetry challenge: NaPoWriMo and PAD Challenge. In both cases, we should write poems from the provided prompts. At the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I could end it but I was finding it more interesting every day. Below you can read what I´ve learnt from this experience.

1. Poetry is a dying animal´s cry out.

2. It doesn’t matter how hard we try different forms, different subjects, we have a personal voice and it commands us.

3. The animal always comes backs to its place, it doesn’t matter how hard we try to change it.

4. Everybody has its own imagery although we were following the same prompt.

5. Deadlines are the perfect catalyst for inspiration.

6. The Quality comes out from Quality and Hard Working.

7. Perseverance is a doubled-edge weapon; commitment ties us and hard working tortures us, but it´s worth.

8. Like for narrative, reading is a must for learning to write.

9. If our experiences mark our character, they mark us as poets, as voices.

10. Writing poetry is open the eyes to a world that although it’s been with us for long time, always seems pretty new and surprising.

The challenge has been hard, tiring, difficult but highly rewarding. In November this challenge will start again but I don’t know if I will do it again or take part of NaNoWriMo (to write a novel in 30 days). However, after my exams in June, I’d like to enrol a poetry course or find a mentor. I have so much to learn and this challenge really encourage me to keep on working on my own voice.

Picture by Wordle.

Posted in Inner places, the place where I belong | 1 Comment »

Just married

February 20th, 2010 by Cornflakegirl

english spanish 

Nothing else matters” by Apocalyptica was the soundtrack of our “I will” last week in Belfast.

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Posted in High places, Inner places, the place where I belong | 9 Comments »

Yes, I do and always will

February 14th, 2010 by Cornflakegirl

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You make me feel like I´m home.

Whatever words I say, you know I’ll always love you.

Posted in High places, Inner places, the place where I belong | 3 Comments »

Summary & Resolutions

December 30th, 2009 by Cornflakegirl

english spanish 

This year is about to end but we still have plenty of time for a summary. 2009 has brought many things, some of them, very good and some others, not so good. If it started with the chance to move to Sweden, and now, in its end, I’m certain that we won’t move to any Scandinavian country or at least, not by now. But you never know, maybe this 2010 could bring new places to be discovered.

If I should explain this year in short, I would say that I spent it studying, working and taking exams. I took the following exams: CAE, Trinity 12th grade and TCF in French. I got two out three so it ain’t bad. For that, one of them will be one of my new year resolutions. In a nutshell, it was a good year, with some improvements, some surprises and of course, many changes going on.

My 2010 resolutions are the following: start preparing for taking these two exams CPE and Trinity 12th grade. So, I’ll work hard to improve my English because it’s time to do it after four years in Dublin, isn’t it? I’d like to enrol a creative writing course as well in English. Shortly after, there are some resolutions like to have my novel done, get my haikus published and keep on writing my short stories and poems. I’m not going to include any resolution about take care of myself and love me because from now on, they should be habits. It’s said and done!

Anyway, there are few subjects that I don’t want to talk in this post because they are not resolutions anymore, they are projects that will be done soon (soon is a time unit defined by goverment and burocracy workers).

I leave you with Tori Amos and her precious things because this year, finally I saw her live.

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The soundtrack of writing

December 6th, 2009 by Cornflakegirl

english spanish 

How I already commented in formats, the way of telling a story is changing to be more adapted to the new reader and it’s very interesting for me how music is getting more important in the literature. I’m not talking about to tell a story with music like songwriters or the minstrels and jesters; no, I’m talking about the stories with a soundtrack. We have plenty of examples such as Stephen King and his pasion for Ramones (like he confessed after Pet Sematary’s publication) but this time, I mean when the writing work is supported by music like when Poe and her album Haunted toured with her brother, Mark Z. Danielewski after his House of Leaves were published or when John Connolly shortly after the publication of The black Angel, he launched an anthology of songs entitled Voices from the dark. Other recently example is when Neil Gaiman was signing his last work, The book of the graveyard, he came with the singer Amanda Palmer.

Everytime all the arts are closer between them, so close that it’s impossible to realise when one ends and when the other one starts. For me, when I write, I always do it listening to music and the style depends on the kind of writing I’m working on; and even more, sometimes because of the music I could find the right tone for my work or unblock an idea.

And what about you? What do you think about it? Do you think that music is a big part of writing and vice versa? I leave you with Poe’s video “Hey Pretty” with her brother is reading some parts of House of Leaves. I hope you like it.

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Just a loaded gun

November 15th, 2009 by Cornflakegirl

english spanish 

Last Saturday, I attended the seminar Getting Published in CFC and it was very interesting. Some writer, publishers and agents came to talk about their “side” of the story and of course, gave some advised and opinions. They strongly indicated how important is the quality of the works but the remarked as well that writing is a craft but publishing is a business.

I went out with thounsand ideas in my head; wishing I could have the time to write them down but I was wondering why I was writing. If I put all the common anwers and the coolest ones on one side; I hardly know why. As Bukowski said once, if I stop writing, the rats would eat me from inside.

I´m scared of the silence and the void, I´m afraid I might lose my life noise and I wouldn´t get it back. In this nonsense waiting, I need the warmth of company of my fictions or should I say my own voice? I spent a lot of time searching until I found it and now, I just can´t lose it. I would be alone, surrounded by the rats.

Picture from suckatlife.com

Posted in Inner places | 4 Comments »

Praga – Prague

September 23rd, 2009 by Cornflakegirl

english spanish 

Kafka´s Prague is waiting for us. Maybe we never won´t reach there, maybe it´s hidden in an attic or maybe it´s just a rumor about whose people talks but nobody hasn´t seen it.

Maybe Tori may tell us about it…

*The first picture is a film named Kafka and the second is a digital composition made by me.

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Miscelánea – Miscellany

September 19th, 2009 by Cornflakegirl

english spanish 

A few months ago, I included a new section in my links sidebar: Tips & Tools. There, I´m adding all the links which I find interesting and I don´t want to lose them. You can find site with English books for preparing official exams, blogs by expats in Canada and from now on, there is a French free online radio site. This one, with french newspaper Le Figaro, are very helpful for preparing TCF exam.

For le cinéma section: this week we have watched L´empire des loups and Peur(s) de noir. Regarding to the first movie, I liked its complex plot. Although its development was a little bit slow, I like the end. About the second movie, it was some short animation stories. I liked the last one because it reminded me of Poe´s ones.

And talking about other things, I´ve just received the confirmation from the copyright office. So now my haikus are copyrighted and it´s time to search a Publishing Company interested in publishing them.

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