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Aug 27, 2010

So, this is it.

The 4 Power’s is finally out in New Zealand and Australia! Depending on its success it may appear in other countries. Who knows? But it deserves the chance for the world to know it. It’s such a great book. But as the author’s sister, I have to argue why it’s such a good book.

So I will!

Please bear in mind that it has been 7 years in the making, and this is the first time I am allowed to say anything about the story to the public. Which is weird!

REASONS WHY THE 4 POWERS DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION

The plot is original—Someone tell me a story of an advanced race of people stuck on a starship with no destination and no idea where they are from, and a boy who manages to travel back in time because of a strange jewel to an age where their race is still on their planet and have elemental powers? No?
The entire story is intriguing—the above comment was about the first book. (No more comment about that!) Nah, I like the world better than Harry Potter (which seems really unoriginal in comparison to be honest. Despite it being such an addictive series itself)
The characters are loveable—all stories should have this quality, and the 4 Powers nails it. You have to be able to want to be the main character, despite their failures and also you have to ‘love to hate’ the bad guy, not just hate him.
The back story is extensive—Michael has actually created this entire race of people, the world, the language and stories behind all the characters. It’s not a piece of fluff. He takes this story very seriously and most of it hasn’t even been shown … yet
It’s addictive—It actually is. I’m 20 years old and despite the level of reading, I love it.
It’s a smart and funny book—if the extensive amount of work behind the creation of the story’s world wasn’t enough for you, and least I can argue that the Robot Toy Superia the Magnificent is a hoot. And I suppose Sir Asutab in brain form too ha ha
The writing—I thought I should throw this in, despite my lack of knowledge on the subject. I think it’s well written. It has twists, unpredictable outcomes and a way of really making you wish you were from that world instead of Earth
Boron Delaxid—there I’ve said it. I love Boron Delaxid. Now the world knows. (Yes this counts as a point. You know it’s great when you have sad fangirls crushing on a ficticious character [the difference however, between me and say, a Twilight fangirl? I love the character platonically]).

I know I shouldn’t have been hinting about a sequel when there is no chance yet of it being published. But I just really want this series to run through (because Michael has barely told me 5% of what happens and I am dying to know!)

Oh yeah, and that thing called Semi-Permanent I went to? Amazing. I haven’t enough photos for a blog update yet, but one day! I particularly want to mention how I was in a STORM THORGERSON photo [called F*** Avatar]. For those who don’t know, Storm is a famous graphic designer known for the album cover design The Darker Side of the Moon (and other Pink Floyd album covers), Muse’s album designs and many more. It was an honourable experience.

Buuut…my bro’s book takes priority now anyway.
For those interested in buying a copy but don’t have it at their local book dealer, visit Michael’s website.

HAPPY READING

Samantha

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Aug 16, 2010

Big events!

A quick note on where I am….

I’m very busy getting into my final degree project [sneak peeks will be coming in over the next 10-12 weeks] and sorting out my 21^st but this coming weekend is going to be pretty epic for me. Here’s why…

August 20 + 21^st Aotea Center, Auckland

Semi-Permanent Design Conference 2010!

August 22^nd, Aotea Center, Auckland (same location as above)

My brother’s first book launch at Storylines Festival!

Talk about coincidence. And I only found out this week that the design conference and book launch were on same weekend and same location! Bonus, because I could BE THERE for my brother, instead of being stuck 6 hours drive south, in a town that nobody cares about.

Anyway, it’s all very exciting—Semi Permanent is going to be AMAZING and if any NZ readers are going to be going, let me know! I’m also very very very excited for the release of The 4 Powers of Daren Saner, which is creeping up fast! It’s all still so surreal. I mean, I didn’t write the story, that’s all my brothers creation (although I like to claim that I helped in some small ways) but it’s been such a big part of my life and I’m so happy for him. He’s going to go far (not that he hasn’t already!).

I’ll be back soon!

Samantha

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Jul 23, 2010

You’re invited…

My twenty-first birthday party is rapidly approaching!

And the planning couldn’t be going any worse at the moment.

I do not intend this blog entry to be a rant, although the stress is mounting. With my Dad superbusy back in Hamilton, my Mum overseas, and The Twin being anything but helpful or diligent, all the planning is resting on my shoulders. And this week, seven weeks prior to the event and subsequent to the invites being sent out, I am told that my venue hosts double booked, and having not paid and handing in my contract yet (I have been out of town for 4 weeks) the other people get the venue. Luckily I found a new one—more expensive but at least more trustworthy than the original. What a pain. And this is not the first headache I’ve been getting from this whole party.

This is not my wedding, just a 21^st. My friends know how tough it’s going for me and for what reasons. It’s not nice to share why on this blog. I can’t call it off now either. Besides, I want to do this. I just wish it was more perfect. More me. If I had it my way, it’d be the most happy and pretty event ever. Unfortunately when a creative, but naive and girly weakling (as I like to call myself) has an arrogant and academic, booze-loving boy for a twin….

Anyway, I would however, like some ideas from people out there for decorating a hall. It’s green and black theme on a budget. Any cool ideas? Particularly for wall decorating!

Have to go now—Semester B is getting warmed up and this being my graduating year it’s going to be a big one. Not a fine time to have a 21^st that is making me suicidal. (Just kidding.. bad sense of humour, I know)

Love,

Samantha

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Jul 3, 2010

Auckland!

This update is dedicated to Iona!

My mid year holidays are half way through, and yet I find that I have nothing very significant to share with you… unless you count watching Pride and Prejudice (1995) as significant. Which you could, it’s AMAZING… Colin Firth or Matthew McFadyen as Mr. Darcy? I’d choose brooding Matthew, but no woman on earth can not love Colin, so they’re equal.

Anyway, perhaps my trip to Auckland the other day with my bestie, Shahana, was worthwhile to share? I spent a lot of money for a poor student, but I got some great finds! Let me share with you a snippet of our trip:

We decided we’d have an overnight trip – booked a cheap hotel (not the highlight, but yet it’s still somewhat exciting at our age to be staying in a hotel) to insure more time for splurging.

Number one priority in Auckland? TOPSHOP.
Going there was a bit of a disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, the clothes are great and the interior design was lovely (of course, I would notice) but the range was rather small and we were unfortunate enough to miss the new arrivals (weekly, straight from London) that afternoon. Nevertheless, I bagged myself a cute cropped tee, with abstract angles and a rough texture for NZ$70:

I almost bought an $25 belt too – I should have got it, it was dirt cheap for topshop!

My other finds included:

A knit dress (reminded me of Sergeant Pepper’s) from a small boutique I cannot remember the name of (NZ$65 – probably a rip off, but it was discounted from 85). May I add it looks HOT when worn.

A cropped blazer and rip off Chanel-esque shirt from Valleygirl (I never like that store, but this particular shop had some good finds) (NZ$45 in total!)

Plus some cute underwear and jewellery from other particular chain stores. No photos of the underwear goodies, but here’s some of the jewellery – I’m especially loving the puff lace earrings:

Shahana and I planned to go out to the town, but didn’t really get there. Auckland’s road system and parking is shocking, so once we managed to get an overnight park we simply walked everywhere. We went up to the Sky Tower (didn’t go up it, way too expensive for us. I’ve gone up before but never at night—one day!) but had a looksee and walked over town before heading to the harbour. It was beautiful at night time!

The pair of us agreed that we had to do one naughty thing that night. I decided I was going to write Shahana’s number on a sugar sachet (it said something along the lines of – “call me sweet” on it – I couldn’t resist) and give it to some hot stranger. Then she agreed to do the same for me (unfortunately). Fortunately(?) we didn’t see anyone worthy for the rest of the night (we’re picky, but even in Auckland it was a strange occurance not to bump into at least one hottie*). So while I was relieved, both of us were crestfallen not to have been able to do our lil naughty task. And perhaps, meet the love of our lives.
*—I lie, there were a few men I had my eye on but they were a lot older. Shahana did not approve.

Auckland is great, but too expensive for us at the moment. When we can afford it, we’re going to go back and actually live Auckland properly. And by properly, I mean stay in at LEAST a four star hotel, sightsee, go up the Sky tower and have dessert on the rotating level, and shop till we drop without worrying about our bank balances.

For now, no more shopping till December. I’m saving up for NY! (U-S-A! U-S-A!)

PS: My brother received the very first copy of his book. It looks beautiful printed out. Can’t wait for my own!

Samantha

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Jun 1, 2010

Michael’s Website!

My brother’s official website is up!

Check it out!…
It features some of my artwork

Cover for the 4 Powers of Daren Saner

Two worlds, thousands of years apart in time, are in crisis. The Starship Sūperia’s Master Computer is gone rogue, and young Daren Sāner is all that stands in the way of total destruction.

Flames and riots are devastating the ancient city of Periapōlī. Thrown back in time, Daren learns he has four strange powers and two destinies—to save the worlds of his future and past…

- Blurb for The 4 Powers

It’s funny, but I haven’t read this book for about 2 years now. I’m double the age of the target market, but I still love it. Despite it’s reading level, the story (the series, not just this book) is absolutely fantastic. I’d really be surprised if this isn’t a success. But at the end of the day, it’s the luck of the draw. There are so many great books out there that don’t get the credit they deserve. And even some that get credit they don’t deserve.

I’m so excited for the release of this book though. I’ve read the draft of the second novel and it is so good!

September! Hurry up! I want to FINALLY hold the book not the manuscript!

Credit is due to : Black Sheep Creative for the header of Michael’s website and Scholastic NZ for the cover of the book.

Yours in excitement,

Samantha

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May 16, 2010

Portraiture Sunday—the 1910s

My favourite decade, as most people know, is the 1960s. But I think I’m also a 1910s girl at heart. The 1910s didn’t offer anything spectacular—WW1, the sinking of the Titanic, Silent films. Nothing great, obviously. BUT one of my all time favourite books comes from that decade—Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster. It is just such a sweet book, and the way they talk and think just makes me wish I could live in that day and be a real lady and write letters, have “suitors” and get excited about tea and theatre and bizarre fashions! Today, everyone’s so crude and unladylike/ungentlemanly. A lot of people today wouldn’t like Daddy-long-legs, but I wish I had a rich older man sweep me off my feet and treat me like a real gentleman would. Jervis Pendleton (from the book) is like, the ideal man for me. Anyway, here are some pictures from that decade.

I have an evening dress, pink mull over silk (I’m perfectly beautiful in that), and a blue church dress, and a dinner dress of red veiling with Oriental trimming (makes me look like a Gipsy), and another of rose-coloured challis, and a grey street suit, and an every-day dress for classes. That wouldn’t be an awfully big wardrobe for Julia Rutledge Pendleton, perhaps, but for Jerusha Abbott—Oh, my!

- Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster (1912)

That quote is a pretty shallow one—the book is more than just about a girl who gets excited about clothes. But it was a perfect example of how they write and think. So girly!

One thing I do know? Women from that decade are ..plain.. (asides from most of the actresses—as you can tell from my picture choices). Now I know you must think that’s a horrible thing to say and that I must be superficial and vain, but it’s true. It’s funny what people considered beautiful 100 years ago and how much difference a little makeup, smiling, and a good haircut does!

Samantha

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Apr 28, 2010

Knighting Ceremony—Loish

In the midst of Bieber Fever hitting New Zealand I was so caught up on watching TV to catch a glimpse of him and follow him on twitter that I forgot that today I was supposed to post an entry. (But that’s ok, it’s still wednesday—and even tuesday in some parts of the world!)

What’s weird is that I didn’t really care about this kid until a few weeks ago—I don’t know why. He’s got the angelic face and voice, but he’s still what, 16 and not that much different from other hip hop/pop singers out there. He’s captivating. You either love him or hate him.

Frankly, I think I like him because he looks like my favourite character from my brother’s book (which he did confirm—”yes, justin bieber is boron”—not that anyone has read it yet and knows who the hell Boron is.
127 days until The 4 Powers of Daren Saner is released in NZ and Australia!! (international orders CAN be made online!) The world doesn’t even know what’s hit it yet!

Anyway.

LOISH!. I love this girls work, seriously. It’s not particularly my style anymore—I used to get inspiration from her (see my old illustration work)—but it still deserves a mention.

What I particularly like about Loish’s work is the colours and the textures and forms. Everything is just so soft and pleasant. Her work is very Disney-esque but she’s made the style her own.

Lois Van Baarle is an illustrator from the Netherlands, who has done some animation work aswell. Her trichrome blue short was beautiful. I thoroughly suggest everyone goes and checks out her work. It’s nothing short of wonderful. Check out her website here.

Samantha

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Apr 25, 2010

Portraiture Sunday—Lest we Forget

Dear readers, forgive my lack of posting—I have been away at the beach this past week. It was fabulously warm for the Autumn season!

April 25^th marks ANZAC day, a national day of rememberance for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I, so I thought it appropriate to post a PS theme on Rememberance, as it is an important day for all New Zealanders and Australians.

Images Via [x]

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place: and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

WE SHALL NOT SLEEP,

THOUGH POPPIES GROW

IN FLANDERS FIELDS.

- In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

In 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of an Allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula, under a plan by Winston Churchill to open the way to the Black Sea for the Allied navies. The objective was to capture Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany. The ANZAC force landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish Army. What had been planned as a bold strike to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stale-mate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915, the Allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian and 2,700 New Zealand soldiers died, around 23,000 in total were wounded. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians and New Zealanders at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which they remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

Poppies are a symbol of rememberance.

Anzac biscuits—a popular biscuit here in NZ and Aus, that is long associated with the ANZACs, as it has been claimed the biscuits were sent by wives to soldiers abroad because the ingredients do not spoil easily and the biscuits kept well during naval transportation. Image Via [x]

A view of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, Turkey.

Lest we forget

Samantha

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Apr 18, 2010

Portraiture Sunday—Nostalgia

Images via Weheartit

Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.

- Doug Larson

Nostalgia is such a beautiful word. Do you sometimes feel nostalgic? Like, do you miss the life you had when you were younger? Do you wish you’d be able to get up ridiculously early on a saturday morning just to watch cartoons? Be able to spend hours outdoors imagining another world and never getting bored of the sights, the smells and the adventures? Have one particular friend you’d share anything and everything with? I miss that life. Being a kid was awesome.