An Author’s Weekend

Published August 10, 2013 by Ashley Townsend

How does a young author spend her weekends? Generally, it involves a book or racking up the electrical bill on my Mac and/or iPod.

Research: “An arrowslit is a thin vertical aperture in a fortification through which an archer can launch arrows. It is alternatively referred to as an arrow loop, loop hole, or archere, and sometimes a balistraria.” How cool is that?!!!!!

I feel smarder already. ;-P Break for Pinterest:

Back to Business: Research medieval weaponry for accuracy (yeah, that’s right: THIS IS A RIGHT OFF! ;-))

My eyes! They burn from all the pinning and computer watching. Coffee and book break time! (It relaxes the rods and cones, I’m sure):

Phew! Now that the Jazz Juice is in my system, I’m ready to hit the books again. . . . And by books, I mean more Internet research (and I assure you it will inevitably end in yet another Pinterest break. “It caaaalls to me. Calls.”)

“Castles first appeared in the ninth and 10th centuries, as Charlemagne’s empire in what is now France, Germany and northern Italy collapsed.” Hmm. Fascinating.

Then when Mom inevitably says I need something called fresh air.

But eventually, I head out to do research, promotions, and my plot notes for Book III outside:

Then I top off my day with some delicious reading material, a snack, a snappy beverage that makes me feel human, and, as of late, more Pinterest. I started a One Direction board for fun–no judgies!–and got stuck on this one girl’s board for HOURS looking for pins. I thought the page would finally end, and then it just kept reloading and reloading. So I eventually glanced up and noticed that she had 14,000 pins on that board, so I gave up. Yeah, I believe that was a wise choice, because the sunlight was starting to scorch my eyeballs.

A Night with One Direction

Published August 5, 2013 by Ashley Townsend

Okay, officially BEST NIGHT EVER! My sister Liz and I went to One Direction’s Take Me Hour Tour stop in Chula Vista last night, and it was EPIC! We had so much fun and screamed for our favorite songs, though we couldn’t quite reach the pitch of the girls sitting next to us (yikes!); we’re not as young as we used to be! Traffic was insane getting there—it took us an hour and a half to get through the 1/2 mile stretch of road on the off ramp—but Liz and I agree that it was almost our favorite part of the night. One Direction fans are awesome, and we made friends with twenty or so cars. Everyone tuned their radios together while we were jammed in traffic, and we screamed the same 1D lyrics out to each other. Haha. It was such an experience! The guys were hysterical on stage, and the crowd went wild when Niall did his Irish jig. Definitely the best first official concert a girl could have. My legs are kind of burning from all the jumping and dancing, though, so I’m not quite sure how I’m going to wear heels to work . . . or answer the phones. But it was so worth it!

Here’s the song list from their Take Me Home Tour, and be sure to check out my Facebook page for the videos from the concert. And I feel I should warn you that my iPod picked up five tone deaf girls (one being myself) rather clearly, so beware! ^__^

http://www.facebook.com/ashleytownsend.author

“Up All Night”
“I Would”
“Heart Attack”
“More than This“
“Loved You First”
“One Thing“
“C”mon, C”mon”
“Change My Mind”
“One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)“
“Last First Kiss”
“Moments“
“Back for You”
“Summer Love”
“Over Again”
“Little Things“
“Teenage Dirtbag” (Wheatus cover)
“Rock Me“
“She’s Not Afraid”
“Kiss You“
“Live While We’re Young“
“What Makes You Beautiful“

Such Dazzling Excitement!

Published July 21, 2013 by Ashley Townsend

It has been a very stupendous week! Here are just a few of the things that have me grinning and gushing and going ga-ga right now (I didn’t realize until after I collected the pictures, but there are quite a few gentlemen on this list. Hmm. Odd).

I LOVED this movie! I kid you not, it was my favorite surprise “Fun Film” of the year. Who cares what the critics said? It was a blast and uproariously funny and endearing. And that Armie Hammer–Hoo-Hah!

The fact that Jeremy is played by Steve McQueen. Yes, grandson to THE Steve McQueen. Could he be any cooler?

When Liz told me that my crush Isaac from Teen Wolf (a.k.a. Daniel Sharman) was also my voice crush from the small snippet of The Clockwork Princess on CD that I listened to, I did a few giddy air-pumps. . . . . . And then dramatically dropped to my knees.

Just to split up the boy-mania on here, this is my other obsession this week. My favorite Tyler Florence cookbook ever, and it was completely Post-It riddled by the first night it was in my hands. I just made his blueberry scones, which are to die for. Oh, Tyler, fellow food addict and all things culinary aficionado, I love you. *sighs*

Just to split up the boy-mania on here, this is my other obsession this week: My favorite Tyler Florence cookbook yet. It was completely Post-It riddled by the first night it was in my hands, and I just made his blueberry scones, which are to die for. Oh, Tyler, fellow food addict and all things culinary aficionado, I love you. *sighs*

The Middle is like The Nanny: Our go-to comedy show, no matter the mood we’re in. We’ve been watching the first season all the way through, and it’s scary how much it resembles real life.

Dylan O’Brien in The Internship. I just adore him as Stiles Stilinski.

Tyler Hoechlin. I would add words, but I don’t believe they’re necessary (refer to next slide).

If I ever went to school with Tyler. . . . . Yeah, this would be me.

Liam Payne as Leeroy, the leg warmer-wearing choreographer from One Direction’s ridiculously funny countdown to the premiere of “The Best Song Ever” tonight. It’s literally twelve seconds that he’s in the clip, but the girls and I have watched it ten times minimum. Yeah, we’re staying up ’till midnight.

Speaking of One Direction, Liz and I are SUPER excited, because we finally got our tickets for their show in a couple weeks. Now if I could just find a way on stage…….

And, finally, the newest Hunger Games: Catching Fire trailer! Looks even more spectacular!!!! If the video isn’t embedded, go here: http://movies.yahoo.com/video/hunger-games-catching-fire-trailer-211105191.html

Everyday A Blessing Day

Published June 28, 2013 by Ashley Townsend

I didn’t realize I had been so busy the past few weeks, but obviously I’ve been a little preoccupied since Rising Shadows’ 1^st Birthday passed without me realizing it. I even had it on my calendar with little drawn balloons and confetti and everything! Haha. I guess I should pay more attention to my One Direction calendar, since obviously it’s hanging on my wall for a reason—well, two reasons. 😉

Anyway, thinking of the book being a year old—and writing up chapter summaries for its sequel, Chasing Shadows—reminded me of how blessed I am to be doing what I love. A year ago Wednesday, the amazing, dream-come-true opportunity that God dropped into my unexpecting lap became a reality that I am happy to live. It also made me think of how God loves to do the unexpected and give us our hearts’ desires. My family and I have been reading a lot of devotionals and listening to encouraging CD’s the past few weeks, and they all have a common theme: Expect Blessing.

So often we’re afraid to hope because we assume we’ll be let down, or we think that we can’t possibly give our dreams up to God in faith, because surely He’ll make us live as penniless missionaries in Uganda. If you have never thought this way, then good for you! I, however, am still working on giving everything up to God in faith—not just the little things that don’t matter, but the big dreams. And that’s what my writing career was: A dream that I wasn’t sure I could let Him take full control over, and I still struggle with it. Which is ridiculous, because God can do a far better job at making it a reality than I ever could, and I know it will be more magnificent than I imagine. I’ve written before about my fear of letting go of my dream, but the only time anything came of it was when I finally relinquished control.

We cling so hard to the things that are important to us, and God isn’t asking us to forget about and give them up; if it’s important to us, it’s important to Him, and I think this is something everyone needs to grasp hold of. It might not always be in the exact way we imagine it—keep in mind, God is very creative and imaginative—but if we have something that is our heart’s desire, then He wants to give it to us. We just have to have enough faith to give Him room to work, and don’t worry; He has very gentle hands. I’m still trying to grasp hold of this fully and am working on getting it from my head to my heart, but I’ve decided to start looking for the blessing in each day. Some days it’s harder than others, but there’s always a silver lining or a blessing in disguise if you’re willing to look.

On the Fifth Day….

Published December 20, 2012 by Ashley Townsend

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Fiiiiiive Golden Boys!

This present day of Christmas is in honor of my sisters, Katie and Elizabeth. And, hey! The coolest part is that it can actually be sung to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas, starting on day five. Begin!

One boy from Cheshire A moody one with glasses