Vicky C. L.: Digital Writer Spotlight - eBookNewser

My story Absolute Contamination got featured on eBookNewser, that's a section of mediabistro.com, and
they - I quote- "feature hand-picked reading recommendations from community writing sites–introducing readers to the world of socially networked fiction."


This totally made my evening!

You can read it here:

Vicky C. L.: Digital Writer Spotlight - eBookNewser

It all starts with the first chapter

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak



I've only started this book recently. Because of the lack of time to really read lately, I'm listening to the audiobook of this story in bed at night. Perhaps this isn't the greatest idea because each time I go to bed, feeling tired, and then I start listening to this book and I don't manage to fall asleep. I listen and keep on listening - it's that good.

I'm almost halfway through the book, so I can't tell just yet how satisfied I will be with the rest of the story, but it's definitely worth mentioning that this is one of those books that suck you in right from the start. Unlike in many other books, this first chapter was far from boring. This book has one of the best first chapters I've ever read and I'm really looking forward to finding out what else will happen in the story.



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Absolute Contamination - Chapter Ten

So, this is a small excerpt of the next chapter of Absolute Contamination. This will be chapter 10 and is named "Silhouette Of A Life"

I still have to edit this part and I want to apologize for any mistakes.

This chapter should be uploaded onto Wattpad sometime tomorrow and then you'll be able to read it here: 

Absolute Contamination on Wattpad

Before I knew it, I had walked all the way back and Hunter and Emily came back into view. The sight of Hunter’s motionless body on the ground made my heart stop. Furious at myself because I hadn’t been there for him while he died, I had a hard time holding back the angry tears that threatened to spill.

As I moved closer, I noticed that Emily held his hand as she sat next to him. Not just that, she was talking to him. I still wasn’t close enough to hear what she was saying, but suddenly my hopes raised and I fastened my pace. Could it be that he wasn’t dead yet?

The moment I reached them, I dropped down on my knees next to Hunter, taking a firm hold of his other hand. Relief washed through me as he opened his eyes and an ever so faint smile tucked at the corners of his mouth.

 “He’s tired,” said Emily while looking up at me, “but he didn’t want to sleep before you were back. I told him that was a stupid idea.”

  [COPYRIGHT © 2011 Vicky Claerbout - All Rights Reserved]

My Playlist - April 2011

This is my playlist of this month, April 2011. So these are the songs I've been listening to the most, which you probably already figured out on your own. There were some older bands like Simple Plan, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Muse and Framing Hanley, all bands I've been listening to for a while now. And of course I discovered new bands as well, Hurts being one of those, just like 32 Leaves. 

As favorite band of the month I pick Boyce Avenue, for the simple reason that I went to their concert on April 22th and it was beyond amazing.

All the titles of the songs are links to youtube, so all you have to do is click on that and you'll be able to watch the video of the song on Youtube.

Typical by Tickle Me Pink
Losing Your Memory by Ryan Star
Don't Fight It by 10 Years
Life Is What You Make It by Number One Gun
Old Haunts by The Gaslight Anthem
Along the Way by Ashley Parker Angel
Morning After by Dead By Sunrise
Heaven For The Weather by The Audition (didn't find a link on youtube)
Wretches And Kings by Linkin Park
Killing The Light by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Tomorrow Starts Today by Mobile
Have Gun Will Travel by The Audition (only found a live acoustic version)
Time To Say Goodbye by Simple Plan
Swear It Like You Mean It by Go Radio
Who Cares? by Ashley Parker Angel
Fireside Wing by Number One Gun
All Falls Down by Adelitas Way
Awakening by Switchfoot
Accidents Can Happen by Sixx AM 
Tighten Up by The Black Keys
Let Go Control by Saosin
Discover (Why The Love Hurts) by Elliot Minor
Bury Your Head by Saosin
Voices by Saosin
Hear Me Now by Framing Hanley
Hell To Sell by The Audition
Illuminated by Hurts
Here's Everything I've Always Wanted To Say by Jamison Parker
Take A Bow by Muse
Sick by Adelitas Way
The Wolf by Fever Ray
The Water by Hurts
Roses And Butterflies by Making April
When The Lights Die by Boyce Avenue
Machine Gun Blues by Social Distortion
Way Beyond by 32 Leaves
Deep Breath by 32 Leaves
Briane by Boyce Avenue
Psycho by Puddle Of Mudd
Forget December by Something Corporate

Absolute Contamination - Chapter Nine

The next chapter of absolute Contamination should be up soon, only a matter of a few hours as I am now re-reading all of it and making small changes. But, in the mean time I thought I'd post a small excerpt for those who are interested.

“Hey!” Hunter suddenly shouted as he shot up. “Give that back!”

Startled I snapped my eyes open; apparently I had begun to drift off to a slumber, and now I noticed Hunter chasing some guy through the grass that led to the path. Emily was frightened by Hunter’s sudden outburst and crawled closer to me, taking a hold of my hand.

“It’s alright,” I soothed her, “there’s no need to be afraid.”

That was a big lie, because nothing was alright. Inside I worried like crazy that something would go wrong and I had no idea what I would have to do then. We waited, and waited and it felt like hours passed by, yet, still no Hunter in sight.

“Alright,” I spoke quietly to Emily. “If I tell you to wait behind that tree, do you think you could do that? I need to go check on Hunter, but I want you to stay safely hidden behind that tree over there.” I explained while pointing to the nearest tree trunk.

I didn’t wait for Emily’s response; instead I helped her get up right away, and walked her over to the tree.

“You stay here, alright?” I said while crouching down. “It is very important that you stay here, no matter what.”

 [COPYRIGHT © 2011 Vicky Claerbout - All Rights Reserved]

This chapter will be titled "Bigger Scars Make Better Stories" and you'll be able to read it here: Absolute Contamination on Wattpad

What's your current favourite song? Book? Movie? xD

Ouch.... that's a hard one. Let me think...

Favorite song: Voices by Saosin

Favorite Book: I'm not reading anything at the moment. But I will read City Of Fallen Angels soon and I have this feeling that I'll love it. So yes, I'll pick that as my future-current favorite.

Favorite Movie: The Boys Are Back, I really like that movie

BUT, to come back to the favorite song, I'm currently listening to the/an album by Hurts and I seem to be liking them quite a lot so far

Ask me anything

Escape - June Oldham

Escape by June Oldham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I recently found my copy of this book again, and I was really surprised because I didn't even know anymore that I bought it. I remember reading it several times, maybe even 8-9 times. To be able to tell what I liked the most about this book, I should read it again because by now it has been several years since I last read it. I think this was one of my favorite books when I was about 14years old. There are still scenes I remember, the part on the beach for example and the awkward situation when the party is canceled and Greg didn't know. I loved how he was there for her, even when she kept pushing him away. Yes, I definitely liked this book :)



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Absolute Contamination - Chapter Seven

The 7th chapter in Absolute Contamination will be titled "Russian Roulette". It will be uploaded onto Wattpad sometime tomorrow, April 11th, due to the wonderful weather and the unexpected need of one of the characters to go use the bathroom, this chapter will be one uploaded one day later than planned. It's funny how this one small detail ended up in a whole new scene and fitted  the story quite well - in my opinion. 

 "What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he scolded. “Are you completely out of your mind?"

 ***

In a real hurry, I ran up the stairs, taking two steps at a time. If Hunter hadn’t stepped aside, I would’ve run him over in my haste. As I passed him, he mumbled something, but I was in too much of a hurry to pay any attention to it at all.


Only a few minutes later, and feeling a whole lot better, I walked back down the stairs. To my surprise, I didn’t see Hunter. He wasn’t upstairs, nor was he waiting in the hallway at the bottom of the stairs. I walked to the front door to look outside, and even there, he was nowhere to be seen.

 [COPYRIGHT © 2011 Vicky Claerbout - All Rights Reserved]

That's it for the small excerpt of this chapter. Another one for the next chapter of this story should follow soon.  

Favorite Random Quotes - Part 1

These are some random quotes I had written down, they come from songs, books, and other random places :)

•  "You can ignore what you cannot see; you can believe in a lie, you can run away from anything, until you open your eyes." [Linkin Park – End of the world]

• "Some paths you have to walk alone" [Suzanne Collins – Mockingjay]

•  "A broken mind is no escape when there’s no one left to reason with, there’s no one to call your name" [Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Restless Sinner]

•  "The hardest ones to love are the ones who need it the most" [Papa Roach – Carry Me]

• "The truth is rarely pure and never simple." [Oscar Wilde]

• "If You Search The World For Happiness,You May Find It In The End,For The World Is Round And Will Lead You Back To Your Door" [Robert Brault]

• "No hope for the journey if no one ever sees the dawn" [Oasis]

• "The different stars tonight will somehow fade the same" [MuteMath] 

• "What You Don’t Face Can’t Crush You." [House M.D]

• "Everyone is a loser in the modern world" [The Hives - Well Alright]

• "At the end of the day, all you really own is your integrity, and once you give that up, you can never buy it back" [Julian in One Tree Hill]

Would you rather watch a movie in the theater or at home?

Depends on the movie. Those big theatrical movies are way better on the big screen, but a more emotional and in-depth movie is best at home :)

Ask me anything

5 Things I Need In My Life - Part 1

1. Post-it notes

I have no idea what I would do without them. I use them daily, and for just about anything: Ideas for my stories, things I still need to do, song titles, band names, book titles, authors, birthdays, quotes, numbers, release dates of movies, albums and books...

You can find them anywhere; in my books, on my wall, on my desk, in my pockets, just everywhere!

2. Instant soup

What would life be without instant soup? Could we get it any easier than simply emptying the sachet, pouring hot water in a cup and stirring a little?

I'm not saying that instant soup is better than fresh, home-made soup, but still, it's easier. I don't think I can imagine myself, late at night, standing in the kitchen cooking 'real' soup, when the other option is so much easier.

3. Wikipedia

I use Wikipedia all the time. Not only do I find it helpful to find out what certain things are, but I also use it to translate things.

I find it easier to look something up in one language, and then in the left bar you can change the language and there you go... you have all the info you need in another language.

4. Socks

I really hate walking barefoot and I can't stand not wearing socks in shoes. It's horrible! So yes, I'm a sock person. In Winter I sleep with socks and when it's Summer I often walk on my socks outside.

5. Anti-frizz Hair Products

I seriously need these, because when I don't use them, I resemble an electrocuted poodle. If I don't use those products, my hair frizzes like crazy and I look as though I've been caught up in a tornado or something. So yes, I don't mind when I'm at home, but whenever I have to go out, those Anti-frizz hair products are a must have. 

Absolute Contamination - Chapter Six

"I didn’t reply – I simply watched my brother as he turned around and headed back towards the driver’s side of the car. Seeing him like this, with his shoulders bent forward, as though he was carrying some heavy weight, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. It made me realize that I had been rather mean to him, taking Jason’s side and everything, but I had no control over it. It just happened to be that Jason hadn’t wanted to leave me behind, and to me, that was a big deal. "  

 [COPYRIGHT © 2011 Vicky Claerbout - All Rights Reserved]

This is a short, very short excerpt of the next chapter of Absolute Contamination. If all goes well I should be uploading it tomorrow.  This chapter will be named: Safe But Sorry

If you could chose a Name for yourself--what would it be?

I have no idea. seriously, naming people is one of the hardest things to do. I dread the day I get kids because I'll be so indecisive. But, if for some reason I had to change names, I'd pick something unique, uncommon. Luckily for me my parents got to choose my name, however, I almost got named Barbara and I wouldn't have liked that very much.

Ask me anything

Gatekeepers Contest

 

Yesterday, I finally decided to enter my story "Absolute Contamination" in the Gatekeepers Contest on Wattpad. It has taken me quite a while to make up my mind, but I finally did it. 

Of course this means I have quite some writing left to do, but this is one of my only stories of which I've figured everything out all already -  I know who'll live and who'll die, and what (unfortunate) events will take place.

If you by accident stumbled upon this blog, well, feel free to support me in this contest, you can do that by voting for the chapters of my story here: http://www.wattpad.com/996310

Anyways, if you read it: Enjoy !

Absolute Contamination - Chapter Five

Chapter 5 of Absolute Contamination, or the 6th part on Wattpad, will soon be uploaded. Until that time, I thought I'd put a small bit of it up here.It is still unedited, but at least it'll give you an idea of what's going on in "Chapter 5: Two out of three ain't bad"

When he had released me so suddenly, I lost my balance and fell backwards onto the seat. It was only when I sat back upright that I noticed that he had disappeared from view. Confused, but still freaked out, I closed the distance between the window and me.

The closer I got to where I had last seen him, the more obvious it became to me that he hadn’t let go voluntarily. Something, or rather someone, had attacked him and thrown him down in the process.

‘Contaminated,’ that was the first word that came to mind.

They had been closing in while I had been trying to fight him off and now I was trapped! Trapped like a rat in a cage, like a moth in a bath. No exit. No anything.

Similar to earlier that day, I could feel another panic attack coming up, and this time there would be no one to calm me down. No one. I would be on my own. I would die here, all alone.

 So, hopefully I'll be able to finish this chapter soon. It is now 3690 words and counting, and if all things go well, I should be able to upload it tonight, or tomorrow at last.

When inspiration strikes

Desks are associated with studying, or at least that's the case for me. So, whenever not highly necessary, I try to stay clear from them. I try to avoid mine as much as possible, because I'm already forced to spend too much time at it during my exams. This is the main reason why I do most of my writing on my bed, nice and comfy with a pillow behind my back and my headphones on. 


Now, during the past weekend, I simply couldn't write. I think I only managed to write about 300 words in over 72 hours. And trust me, that's frustrating. 


Then yesterday afternoon, I went to sit at my desk for absolutely no specific reason. Guess what? The words flowed so easily and I managed to write almost 10 times as much as I had during the weekend, and this in only a couple of hours. 


If only I had known sooner that all I really needed was a simple change of scenery...

What song is stuck in your head right now?

Crying Lightning by Arctic Monkeys

Ask me anything

Letters To Be Told

Today my short story "Letters To Be Told" reached the 3000 reads mark on Wattpad. This means that 3000 people from all over the world have read it, and that just....blows my mind. 

Up until a year ago, I had never written anything - I didn't even know I actually enjoyed writing, and now so many people have read this. It is something that makes me truly happy, even though it's still quite hard to believe :)

Blogging about blogging...why not?

Surprise, surprise... Turns out that starting a Blog isn't as easy as it seems. Then again, I've always been the one who manages to delete all the edits that were made without having saved a single thing beforehand. I'm also the person who closes the wrong tabs, files, programs, etc... This all proves how awful I am when it comes to multi-tasking.

Multi-tasking, yet another thing I love to do, but really, time has proven me many times already that I should avoid anything related to it. Time and time again, I find myself stressing about what to do first. I'll start with one thing, change to another, do something else entirely and eventually I forget what intended to do in the first place.

But to get on topic again, I'm fairly new to all of this and I really doubt that anyone will ever read any of my rambling. Nonetheless, I plan on filling this Blog with lots of random things to waste whoever is reading this their time.

Isn't that what Blogging is all about?