All posts by Amy Caudill

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About Amy Caudill

I am a a writer and dreamer of different worlds, who dabbles in paranormal and science fiction, a fan girl at heart who loves books and movies in equal measure. Join me as I explore and sample some of the best in media available as well as some original writing.

A Gift for Life-Literary Heroes

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I was a bookworm from an early age.  I spent my childhood wandering the prairies with Laura Ingalls.  I hunted for clues with Nancy Drew, and I swam the channel to visit the wild ponies of Chincoteague. I spent my allowance at the local bookstore or at neighbors’ yard sales where I scavenged for Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes.  These adventures to places near and far with “friends” on the written page taught me a great deal about life, and fueled my aspirations to someday write stories of my own.

What young girl hasn’t read Nancy Drew? Image from Amazon.com

My children had their own set of literary heroes, chief among them Harry Potter.  We listened to cassette recordings of the series, and refereed who would read our copy of each new release first.  There were Halloween costumes, and roleplay, and bedroom decorations; but most of all there were hours spent reading.  My kids both grasped the written word eagerly, as an old friend.  From my son’s first R.L. Stine “chapter books” to my daughter’s Princess Diaries collection, books became a big part of their lives, and their academic success.

 

The most famous young wizard in the world, after Merlin?  Image from Amazon.com

I am a firm believer that one of the best gifts we can give our children is a deep, abiding love of reading.  Not only does reading for enjoyment help develop their vocabulary and comprehension, it stimulates their imaginations.  An entire new world, or many worlds, opens to children when they discover a love of literature.

Tomorrow’s scientists, doctors, teachers, police officers, and of course, writers, can be born out of the inspiration they find in books.  Give them the fuel for their dreams, and watch what they achieve.  They can explore an existing passion, or find a new one, by simply picking up a book.

I challenge all parents, grandparents, and anyone who has a special child in their life to spend some time reading with their little ones.  Take them to visit your local library, either in person or by downloading the latest release.  Visit that disappearing institution, the neighborhood bookstore, if you are lucky to have one nearby.  Introduce the children in your life to your own childhood heroes, or pick up a book about one of theirs.  You may just find a new passion yourself.  Most importantly of all, spend some quality time with your loved ones as you lose yourselves to a new world only visible through an author’s vision.

Here’s hoping you have time to enjoy a good book this evening.  (If you’re like me and live in the Midwest, it’s a much better option than venturing out amidst tornado and flood watches!)

Amy

 

The Power of Self-Worth

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via Daily Prompt: Micro

The Power of Self-Worth

Micro- a word meaning something small, something scaled down to the point where it is undistinguishable to the naked eye.  It would be easy to mistake something labelled “micro” as being insignificant, but that would be a huge mistake.  Tiny things do matter, and sometimes have the power to create a major impact on the world around them.

When I was growing up, I experienced my share of bullies and snobs, both groups of which seemed determined to prove in my adolescent mind that I was less-worthy, less-deserving, and just plain less than they were.  Why?  At the time it wasn’t obvious, but with the perspective granted by age and maturity, I realize it wasn’t my own shortcomings, but theirs that prompted their behavior.

Stop Bullying!
You should never let anyone make you feel like you are not worthy of love, acceptance, and understanding.  Photo by The Naked Ape on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-N

I was never the most popular student; I lacked any athletic prowess, but I made good grades. I garnered a certain amount of respect from my teachers for my attitude and regard for the rules.  (Yes, I proudly accept now that I was a nerd.) My detractors didn’t share my values, being more concerned with popularity or being “cool.”  Perhaps they were simply jealous of my achievements; I never felt brave enough to ask them at the time.

During my junior high years there were taunts in the line in the lunch room, laughs and whispers behind my back in the hallways.  Oh I know it could have been much worse, but for a thirteen year old who simply wanted to be accepted, life was sometimes painful.

What I had yet to realize, was that the opinions of others, especially the more negative ones, only had power over me when I granted it to them.  Eventually I gained the strength, and experience, to stand up for myself.  The bullies and the snobs in school couldn’t make me feel small or inferior unless I permitted it.

Even today, I sometimes find myself in situations where I am uncomfortable, where I am not sure of my acceptance in a group or situation.  But I recall the lessons of those early years, and acknowledge, that it is okay to be who I am; that whether or not everyone likes me really doesn’t make me less of a person, or less worthy of respect than anyone else. I can only be myself, and that’s enough.

To all my readers out there, remember you are worthy of love, of acceptance.  Never let anyone make you feel like a “micro” being.

Amy

 

Chadwick Boseman Tells You Everything You Need To Know About Why “Black Panther” Is A Must-See

Reposts

Okay, I feel so far behind.  My husband and I only got the chance to see Black Panther this past weekend.  We are big fans of the Marvel Movies, and this was definitely just as good as any have been to date.  The cast was simply stellar, and the story added new dimensions to the universe, with a mostly African-American cast full of strong, smart, independent men and women who represent the best the superhero genre has to offer.  Check out this post from Chadwick Boseman on magicbaltimore.com

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It comes as no surprise, but Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther is going to be one of the biggest Marvel films. It’s already setting records in advance sales for Fandango; it was the top seller among Mar…

Source: Chadwick Boseman Tells You Everything You Need To Know About Why “Black Panther” Is A Must-See

Amy Caudill’s Reviews > The Veil

Book Reviews
The Veil by Chloe Neill
The Veil (Devil’s Isle, #1) 
by Chloe Neill (Goodreads Author)

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Amy Caudill‘s review

Mar 13, 2018  ·  edit
really liked it


Claire Connolly’s life has been turned upside down once already by a devastating war between humanity and the paranormal, due to the tearing of the “veil” between the two worlds. She lost her father to the fighting, and much of her hometown of New Orleans and lifestyle to the aftermath. Post war NOLA is under the control of Containment, the Big-Brotheresque organization that feverishly works to contain any remnants of magic.

Unfortunately, Claire is a Sensitive, meaning that the magic leaking from the Veil affects her, gives her the ability to move objects, if she can learn to control it. If she’s discovered, she’ll be sent to the prison sector of Devil’s Isle to join all the other Sensitives and “Paras,” the magical refugees from the other side of the Veil. If she doesn’t learn to control her magic, she’ll lose her humanity and become a danger to everyone around her. But when Claire sees a young girl in danger, she has to help.

Little does she know that this event will change the course of her life again, leading straight into danger and opening a world of new possibilities. Like the fact that the world is not black and white but shades of gray, and that there’s more than two sides to the conflict. Who can Claire trust, and will she be able to help her new friends save the world?

I picked up this book because it was a selection for my local book club, and I found the premise intriguing. In this “world” Louisiana is under a type of quarantine due to the events surrounding a “break” in a dimensional barrier, with the survivors trying to pick up the pieces of their lives and rebuild in the shadow of an encroaching government agency that has hidden agendas and conflicting interests galore.

The story is told in first person, from Claire’s point of view, and I found her to be both refreshingly complex and suitably heroic in nature. Claire is a survivor in an almost-apocalyptic situation, someone who can deal with anything life throws at her, and then have a good cry once it’s all over. She is both vulnerable and incredibly strong, someone who manages to keep her head and a positive attitude no matter what happens.

This book contains plenty of action, especially towards the climax, which was frankly a relief, as I felt too much of the book was used as a setup for a series. This was my main bone of contention with the book, and why I wanted to give it a 3.5 star rating. There were so many characters, political groups, factions, and differing agendas that I nearly felt the need to draw a diagram so I could keep them straight. Still, I was interested enough that I may have to check out the next volume…

Being Fearless in a Scary World

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Fearless is a word that gets flung around far more often than I would have imagined when I began writing this post.  Merriam-Webster defines fearless as being without fear or being brave.  The truth is, we are all afraid sometimes, so perhaps a more realistic definition of the term would be to carry on despite the presence of those emotions.

Fear in itself is not a bad thing; experiencing fear is just one of the mixed blessings of being human.  And fear can be useful; it can stop us from rushing headfirst into dangerous situations.  It’s what we choose to do with our fears that truly define us.  Do you allow fear to take control of your actions, or do you strive to overcome that fear and take action in spite of it?

When you find a cause worthy of your attention, be it your own situation or something that affects others, do not let your fears prevent you from speaking out, standing up, or otherwise showing your support.  You, as an individual, are a person of value, and your opinion is worth being noticed.

 

rock sky woman
Do you stand up to your fears? Photo on Foter.com

Stand up for yourself.

It can be hard to take a stand when you are faced with harassment, peer pressure, or verbal or physical abuse.  It may feel easier to just accept the unwanted words or actions, and hope you will fade into the background.  Perhaps if you don’t draw attention to yourself, it will just go away.

Deep inside a part of you knows that’s not likely to happen.  In dealing with harassment or peer pressure, the only solution to truly free yourself is to take a stand.  By confronting your tormentors, you may earn their respect or at least convince them to back down.  In dealing with abuse, verbal or especially physical, the best solution may be to simply remove yourself completely from the situation.  You do not deserve what you are experiencing, no matter how much the abuser tries to convince you otherwise.

 

hand lifestyles missions
You don’t always have to stand alone.  Photo on Foter.com

Stand for a cause.

When you find an issue that you are passionate about, it can be difficult to openly talk about it to others, especially if you believe they will not support you or will not share your concerns.  Those feelings should not discourage you from speaking out.  Any cause that is worthy of your attention is likely to draw in others too.  Perhaps they are just as nervous about speaking out, but will happily join you if you fearlessly take the first stand.

There are numerous issues society faces today that need strong supporters.  One person alone is unlikely to achieve much, but by individuals taking a stand, and joining with others, a group can be formed that attracts attention.  Change most often comes when enough people come together to present a united front that cannot fail to be noticed by those in power.

One such movement in the media right now is the #Me Too, which is designed to fight back against sexual assault and harassment of women in the workplace.  As much as many of us fear becoming victims ourselves, it is only by standing together that we can hope to affect change.

We are only human and we all experience fear.  To live a fearless life we have to look beyond those sometimes crippling emotions and live our lives as the people we truly want to become.  Don’t let fear stop you from taking a leap, or a stand, or finding your voice.

Till next time,

Amy

The Power of Inspiring Someone Else

Reposts

A couple of weeks ago, Christy Birmingham honored me with a mention on her blog When Women Inspire in a post about inspiring others.  Like Christy, I’ve had many influences in my life, many good, some not-so-good, that have fueled my passion for writing. I’m simply going to echo her challenge here, that we each take the time to share with those who’ve so positively inspired us, exactly how much their words and actions mean to us.

Christy B's avatarWhen Women Inspire

I love the concept of one person inspiring another. D’uh, you say, that’s the name of your blog Christy. But seriously, when you think about it, it’s all pretty cool. It shows the positive impact we can have on one another.

The power of inspiring others My dad’s pretty awesome. Photo ©2018 Christy B.

But sometimes we don’t even know we’re doing it. I remember years ago, being in a bad mental space and thinking “No one would even care if I weren’t here.”

My dad set me straight on that one! And so did other people. The reality is that you are likely touching other hearts without even realizing it. So let’s make that affect on others full of good energy, rather than bad.

Recently author and blogger Amy Caudill humbled me with her review of my book Versions of the Self on Goodreads. That review had me beaming, but you know what…

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Changing Life-Goals and Ditching Plans

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I used to think that by the time I reached my mid-forties I would have the entire rest of my life mapped out.  I thought that at some predetermined point I would have a firmly set path in front of me, complete with clearly-defined goals and the steps required to get there.

The road to the hills
Each journey we take starts with one step. Photo by highlights6 on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

I started a career in the medical field, and though there were missteps and difficulties here and there, I managed to get where I wanted to go.  That vocation allowed me to support my kids while they grew up, finished school, and then began the pursuit of their own dreams.  One day, though, I realized the work no longer satisfied me, fulfilled me.  I asked myself, where do I go from here?

Life, I’ve heard, is not a destination, but a journey.  It follows then, that when one goal is reached, it’s time to set a new one.  Some people are lucky to find a career, a lifestyle they love, and are content to stay with that for the rest of their lives, and I say great for them!  However, I was not one of those people; after a while the job I held for so long became, to put it bluntly, boring.

I became aware that the aims and goals that I had when I was struggling with a young family in my twenties no longer fit my changing life now that my kids were grown and (mostly) on their own.  Eventually I decided to go back to school, and start on a new path, one that I had lacked the financial security and perhaps, the courage, to pursue as a parent of young children.  I decided to become a professional writer, something I’d dare only dream about before.

I still don’t have it all figured out, but somewhere along the way I realized that that’s okay.  Somedays it still feels like I take two steps forward and four steps backward on the path I have chosen.  I don’t expect I’ll ever become rich or famous, but I’m happy sharing my gifts with the world.

My life no longer has a completely set plan, but I’ve decided I really don’t need one.  All the changes, growth, and even succumbing to uncertainty I’ve experienced on this particular expedition, means I’m still alive, still growing, still becoming whom I’m meant to be.  I’m only forty-six after all; I ‘m optimistic that I still have quite a bit more untraveled road ahead of me, and I’m just enjoying the journey.

Here’s to hoping you all find your own path to happiness,

Amy

For My Valentine

Original Poetry

When I sat down to decide on a topic for this week’s post, I naturally considered the holiday that we in the U.S., as well as several other countries, will celebrate tomorrow, Valentine’s Day.  I considered discussing famous pairings from TV or movies, or famous lines from romantic movies, but in the end I decided to do something a little more original.

I blame the craziness surrounding me right now; I’m making plans for my daughter’s college graduation (!) and we’re getting the house in shape to receive out-of-state relatives.  On top of that, my husband’s on a business trip this week , and won’t be home until after Valentine’s.   I decided to work out my stress by putting pen to paper, and this was the result.

I don’t share original prose on this site very often, and this is the first piece of poetry I’ve written in years.  I will admit to being inspired by a book I just finished by my friend Christy Birmingham.  See a link to my review of Versions of the Self here.

This is dedicated to Steve.

Sunset seen through hands in heart shape
Photo on Foter.com

A Lack of Words

I want to write down

Exactly what you mean to me

But all the love songs I’ve

ever heard,

And all the lines from movies I’ve

ever seen,

Crowd out the voice in my head.

How do I express

exactly what I feel

when I can’t find words

to encompass

everything you are?

How I depend on you,

how I need you,

how much a part of me

you are.

Nothing I can say will ever be enough.

Nothing I write

will ever contain what I feel.

Words fail me

when it comes to

only you.

-Amy Caudill

 

 

Resident Evil:Apocalypse, American movie (2004)

Reposts

I may not be a gamer like Raistlin0903, who wrote this post, but I’m a big fan of female action heroes. In my opinion Milla Jovovich is one of the best out there today, not only for her long-running Resident Evil series, but starring roles in other films such as The Fifth Element and Ultraviolet. Milla will be next seen in her upcoming role as the lead villian in the Hellboy reboot. Whatever role she takes, this lady is known for using brains, martial arts moves, and bullets to demolish her opponents where they stand. Check her out at a theatre or RedBox near you.

raistlin0903's avatarRaistlin0903

There was a time when I was a very obsessive player of computergames. Just as with movies, I had a particular fondness for games that were set in the horrorgenre. It will probably not be a very big surprise that the infamous Resident Evil series was my favorite. For those that are not familiar with it, shame on you! But of course being the nice guy that I am, I will tell you a little bit of background on it. Resident Evil tells the story of the evil Umbrella corporation, that unknown to the public at large, secretly produces bio weapons. One of their biggest creations was the socalled T-virus, that turns normal people into terrible flesh eating zombies. And of course…at one point something goes terribly wrong, and the virus gets unleashed in the fictional town of Raccoon City. The third game in the series introduced a foe that…

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