And Now For Something Completely Different

Daisy: "Many say that when you run, you let your mind wander or you tend to concentrate on whoever's in front of you" (91).

Okay, Legend, here. Excellent point, Daisy, very true. I ran Cross Country in high school, and I did those exact things. What really helped me though was singing songs to myself. What kind of songs do you say? Well, I love writing parodies, so here's one of my favorites. It's a rap styling in the tune of "Lip Gloss" by 'Lil Mama. Hope ya'll enjoy. It may be a little long, but keep in mind I'm singing this to myself as I'm running long distance.

Say: Give me the beat

         You know, I gotta eat

            Do I like it—I think I know

            All right—here we go

(Beat Box) 

It cracklin’, it’s snappin’, it’s poppin’, it’s poppin’

(Beat box)

Whatcha like about it? What—whatcha like about it? Whatcha like about it? Whatcha whatca like?

My Rice Krispies poppin’, my Rice Krispies’s good

Delicious, somewhat nutritious, a tasty kinda food

Breakfast lunch and dinner, three meals a day

Anytime, anywhere I have ‘em my way

(Beat box)

I eat ‘em for breakfast, or an early lunch

Which is commonly referred to as a brunch

11 o’clock, 12 o’clock noon

I put it in my bowl and I add the/da milk an’ spoon

Riiiiice Krispieees…… It cracklin’, it’s snappin’, it’s poppin’, it’s poppin’ (Reapeat)

[My Rice Krispies, my, my Rice Krispies (Repeat)]

(Beat box)

Listen closely to the/da musical beat

And if you/ ya ask anyone they’ll admit it’s kinda neat

Corn flake taste or marshmallow coatin’

I take one bite an’ my taste bud explodin’

Hear it cracklin’, snappin’, and poppin’

The fun ‘lil taste that never’s stoppin’

Riiiiice Krispieees…… It cracklin’, it’s snappin’, it’s poppin’, it’s poppin’ (Reapeat)

Munchin’ and a cruchin’ an’ sometime a smackin’

Grab some t’ go for some later time snackin’

Just so hungry so I feed my face

Pilin’ and stackin’ all over my plate

 I just love Rice Krispies so what can I say

Chowin’ on down like a big buffet

 Riiiiice Krispieees…… It cracklin’, it’s snappin’, it’s poppin’, it’s poppin’ (Reapeat)

I’m lovin’ it, I’m—I’m lovin’ it (Repeat)

Oh, Oh, my Rice Krispies jus’ so tasty

I like ‘em almost better than the average pastry

Riiiice Krispieees….

No matter on the food pyramid they’re on top

Like big time celebrities: Snap, Crackle, and Pop

And ev’ry commercial—ev’ry time they advertize

I take one glance and gain weight in my thighs

And if I had to thank someone it’s my pal—my Dawg

Ev’rybody give it up for Big Daddy Kellogg

My—my—my Rice Krispies they’re so good and they’re tasty

Riiiice Krispies…. (Repeat)

Follow Your Heart (Quote of the Week!)

"Anyway, I wasn't sure if I wanted t' tell Mom what was on my mind, but I figured it might help [...] I remember cryin' an' her tellin' me she knew how I felt. Then she told me to follow my heart. I didn't understand what she meant at first."
- Ivy

CONTEST!

Hope everyone is ready to join the journey and follow DESTINY. For the first time Spillsfromthequill is hosting a contest. The first 100th follower will recieve a FREE paper back signed copy of DESTINY. This is your chance to get the latest 411 on all the inside information as well as a chance to win.
Come join the adventure now--your DESTINY awaits.
Good luck and enjoy.

WRITE ON!

- Legend

"I'll think I'll make what the humans call a salad for lunch."

Hey, Daisy, it's Legend. So I remembered in Chapter 7 Fight and Flight how you decided to make a banana sald. I actually never had that. Thus, I decided to make one myself. Oh, and yes, a salad is what the humans would call it. The salad was actually quite tasty. You can tell Sadie, Dean, and Brad that the banana salad tops a dead mouse and a few beetles any day.
Thanks for the tip.

WRITE ON!
- Legend

Your Destiny Awaits

Hey, I have a few paper back copies of DESTINY for anyone who wants one. They are $15. Just let me know A.S.A.P. If anyone wants theirs signed I will do that, too.
I only have paper back right now. If any of you want hard backs you'll have to go on my website: http://www.leighmartinauthor.com/ or off any other website online such as (Amazon, Barns and Noble, ect.) DESTINY is even on Kindle, but personally I'm against Kindle and pretty much any other form of e-book.
WRITE ON!

- Legend

DANCING in the Rain

Hey, Sadie, it's Legend. Remember how last night I gave you and the pride a play-by-play of what we humans were doing, and remember how I mentioned a dance party? Well, I guess they were doing an African Rain Dance after all because it's about to POUR down rain here.
I guess I really do need dance lessons... maybe that way I'll know what everyone else around me is doing and what I'm supposed to do.
Hey, if you can teach me that Reverse African Rain Dance of yours (found on page twenty-two in Chapter 5 Connecting the Spots) that'd be great.
There's some human redhead girl, who must be a legend herself or something with the talent of either predicting the future or controlling the weather because she keeps saying, "The sun will come out tomorrow." I know what you're thinking: how the heck does this human know this stuff!?
WRITE ON!
- Legend

In the Lion 's Den

So, Daisy, Ivy, and the whole gang are always wondering what humans do. Well, we are going to answer their questions.
(Saturday night: what to do? Answer: Hanging out with HUMAN friends in the LION'S DEN!)
Legend here. Alright so I'm with Lil, Caroline, Annie, Roommate, Warrior, The Panther, and Susanna.
Annie: Hey, Legend, let's blog.
Me: right now.
Annie: Yeah.
Me: Okay, I'll get my computer. (Leave and come back.) Okay, so this is the LION'S DEN! (Turn to Susanna) You're the lion.
Susanna: Why do I have to be the lion?
Me: It's your room.
Lil: So why is it the Lion's den.
(Mary Van and Emma just walked in--SWEET!)Me: Becasue we are suppose to be in Africa.
Caroline: How are we in Africa.
Me: (Long pause) I...don't really know.
(Friends start talking about tracking a phone. Daisy, Ivy, and the rest of you characters, that does not mean we humans hunt for phones--that'd just be weird.)
Warrior: Look at my baby toe. (Holds up wound).
Susanna: What'd you do?
Warior: Wearing heels (human form of shoes that make them taller). And look at my baby big toe.
The Panther: OMG, look at my foot--what is that! (Shows foot that appears to have some strange marking that look like ink or stripes.)
(The Panther's October 2 by the way. Sudden talk about cake hunting.) I want an Bailey's Irish Cream.
Susanna: (Turns to Roommate) Hey, did Billie call?
Annie: (Picks up my book DESTINY. Then spots my baby name book.) You have a baby?
 Me: No, no. I just like the find the meaning of names. When I name characters they have to have meaning behind it. I can't just go, "Okay, you're Bob, Jim, and Joe."
(Lilla just walks in SWEET!)
Lilla: (Calls other humans down the hall.)
Me: Hey, Abby wanna be in blog.
Abby: Yeah.
Susanna: (just brings in more humans. Peacock walks in)
legend: omg dance party? im totes crazy and wanna join
(legend runs down the hall and trips on animal fur in all the excitement.)
ME: (Sees Lilla on the floor motionless.) Ohmygoodness, is she dead. (Pokes Lilla).
Lilla: (Jumps up and exclaims with joy.) I'M ALIVE!! WOOO!!
I think Sadie is gonna like this. There's a wild dance party going on, and it's no African Rain Dance.
(The party is migrating, and it's time for all the humans to get some sleep.)
Write On!
- Legend

First Ever Nightly Quote!

Only a dream, it was only a dream. No, it was a nightmare, a horrible horrible nightmare.
- Daisy

My Bad

Sorry, everyone, it's actually Billie.

Are You Guarded From the Evil Spirit Creatures

About a week or so ago, I had some visitors come in my room. They noticed my dream catcher and imediately launch into a conversation.
"They actually help remember your dreams better," my roommate's friend Billy comments. "So what's that?" he asked, pinting at my glow-in-the-dark ball hanging from the wall.
Me: Oh, that's just a ball I think is pretty neat--it glows in the dark.
My roommate turns out the lights so everyone can see it glow.
"WHOA!"
Billy: So you are afraid of the dark.
I laugh, "No, I just think the ball is cool."
Now, if I was asked about the evil spirit creatures of the night I would have said this:
When you hear the eerie sound of sand
Run away as fast as you can
Do not be fooled by a mirage
From this evil you must dodge
They show no mercy, for they are cruel
They'll bury you alive in their pool
Like the sun they scorch and burn
Night or day, they do return
Sheild yourself, shelid your eyes
And hopefully you can survive
Some say they are only a myth
The deadly creatures we call
Heck, no am I gonna give away this!
If you're interested, and I've got you hooked
You'll find out more if you read my book.
WRITE ON!

Spread the Word

Legend here. Ah, Friday's approaching and we all know what that means... THE WEEKEND!! Ah, I remember what happened last weekend. Mostly everyone had left campus for an away game or to just go home, but I stayed behind. The place was literally a ghost town. Some people were like, "I love it." I was just like, Am I on the right campus? So, it's about 7:30... maybe eight o'clock on Saturday night, I'm having a picnic out by a foutain, when this group of kids spot me as I'm finishing up.
"Hey, you," they call.
My first thought is, I'm not littering, or putting any of my food in the fountain.
It turns out they were high school kids here for a debate and just wanted directions. I make an atempt to explain, but then we all figured it'd be easier if I jsut showed them.
So I guide them around campus, like Daisy does with Ivy.
 "So what year are you?" One of them asked me.
Me: Oh, I'm a freshman.
Debate Team: Ah, cool, so what's your major.
Me: I'm an English major. I'm an author--published actually.
Debate Team: (Normal response) Wait, what?
Me: Yeah, my book is DESTINY. It's an epic fantasy novel. You can check it out on my website: http://www.leighmartinauhtor.com/
Debate Team: Cool, so have you sold a lot of copies.
Me: Well, I'm not national yet, so no one really knows who I am.
Debate Team: I wanna read your book. We're gonna make you famous. Yeah, we're gonna spread the word.
I drop the debate team off, but a few minutes later I come out of a building and hear, "There she is!" as someone points at me, which I reconize as one of the members of the debate team.
Sweet, they're already spreading the word--wow, these kids, weren't kidding.
I meet a few new faces, and a Q and A session begins as they start pulling up my website on their phones.
Debate Member: Daisy is a lion-like creature with a pale face, yellow spots, and a green vine-like tail with a bud at the end instead of fur.
Me: Yeah, basically she's a freak of nature. I can't tell you what she is because that will give away the book.
The kids get really excited and suddenly want pictures. "We want proof we met you." I love pictures and I'm finding this pretty funny actually. Besides the kids were awesome--so friendly and sweet. Moments before they had to leave for the award ceremony, I was lucky enough to get one of the members of the group and ask if they have a Facebook, and sent a request to the moment I got back to my dorm.
There are four things I hope happens:
1) That these kids read my book.
2) That they give an honest oppinion on my book.
3) That they spread the word.
4) That they won their debate becuase these guys were just plain awesome.
WRITE ON!

"WAKA WAKA"

Hey, Legend here. I forgot to mention my sister is curently in South Africa. I actually never been despite most the book takes place there. Not necessarily South Africa, but the continent of Africa, yes. (I'm not Daisy. Daisy is my character that does not mean she is or is based off me). Anyway, I'm super jealous. She sent me an e-mail on her first day saying, she's even penguins and baboons (Shiver. Oh, sweet Lord I hope she wasn't in a mob when she saw those baboons.), riden a camel (There's your proof, Daisy, humans do ride those shaggy, humped, spit-loving creatures), played soccer, and went shopping. I told her she better not bring me back anything that says "MADE IN CHINA." After reading her e-mail all I can say is, "TAKE ME!!"
Man, my characters have it made.

WRITE ON!

"The Leap of Faith"

Hey, Legend here. Okay, so within my short time here I come across this Challenge Course poster. For any of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, it is EPIC. Basically it’s this place off campus that has high and low rope course. Now, I’m not an extreme skilled climber like some of my friends such as Nina (and, girl, if you’re reading this I miss you like crazy), but I love it. I blame my home town. Yeah, when you’re in Louisiana the only thing you can climb that isn’t man-made is a tree. Anyway, I’ve been dying to go to this adventure course, and last Friday I finally got to go.

            I remember the most challenging course was one that I liked to call “The Leap of Faith.” (I honestly have no clue what it’s really called). In this course, I’m in a helmet and strapped in a harness and hooked up to a carabineer and rope, which someone belays me on the other side. The object is to climb up this pole, which I forgot the exact measurement to how high, then you get to the top and try to keep your balance. Once you are balanced, or when you are ready, you have to leap five feet across in mid-air to try and catch this trapeze. Just me people it is not as easy as it looks. It isn’t the leaping and trying to catch the trapeze that’s difficult, it’s the keeping the balance part. Two things came to mind when I’m getting ready for my turn, or three if you count, “OMG, THIS IS SO COOL!”

1)      Whoa, it’s just like the circus.

2)      Wow, this is kinda like what Daisy does when she’s being chased by the mob of baboons.

Immediately, I’m placed in Daisy’s situation. Of course, there weren’t any angry baboons after me only friendly adrenaline junkies. Keep in mind I’m jumping five feet to a bar whereas Daisy practically flies about twenty feet to a branch that’s much larger than the bar. Daisy merely jumps up a tree with ease, whereas I go the baboon way and climb up. Before I go I wanted to break out singing “Defying Gravity;” however I can’t carry a tune even if it was place in a bucket. I get near the top, and already I’m finding it hard to keep balance. I decide I’m just going to jump where I am and believe I can still make it.

“Going to jump,” I call. “1… 2… 3…” I leap off the pole, and for about a faction of a second I’m in the air, then I drop like a rock and freefall. “Aaaahhhh!”

I am not afraid of height, but suddenly I wanted to be back on the ground. A sudden rush goes through me. I’m falling and pretty except to go splat. I flail madly, not wanting to splatter. “Where’s the ground!? How do I get back on the ground!?” I shriek in both panic and half laughter because I probably looked as ridiculous as I felt. I finally get back on the ground, the sweet merciful ground. That was definitely a rush. Now, I can’t help thinking, And… this is why Daisy and Ivy and the rest of my characters think we humans are suicidal.   

“Don’t, worry, Ivy, I’m not going to bungee jump any time soon. “Leap of Faith,” on the other hand—paw in your case, probably so. Yeah, Ivy, I don’t recommend most the challenge course for you.”

WRITE ON,

Legend