Who are you?

Do you feel like an outcast? Like everyone is following the beat of a different drum? Like you're trying to keep up with the rest of the world, but you keep spiraling out of control?
It's difficult to try and figure out who you are when everyone is telling you to be someone else. The media constantly bombards us with our faults and insufficiencies, telling us what we need in order to live up to someone else's social standards. Can we ever fill that void they continue to reaffirm through the encouragement of more self-disdain? The answer of course is "no." There is no amount of products that will fill something that is within.
One of the most empowering statements I've discovered is the Invictus "I am the captain of my fate, I am the master of my soul," by William Earnest Henley. This powerful statement reminds me when everything becomes overwhelming, that the outside world is only temporary. To me, these words affirm that there is no need to try and control our physical self or the outer world. All our power lies within. Trying to change others or the outside world, is a futile effort and will only leave us frustrated and discouraged.
When I wrote Oriana's Eyes I was 15-years-old and felt the weight of life's routine. Did anything I was being taught have any substance? What was the greater truth that everyone seemed to ignore?
It's easy to get caught up in life's various institutions. We get used to our day to day routine and forget the bigger picture. I think the bigger picture, is also the smallest. It is the entire universe, and your singular mind.
Oriana realizes this lies within herself. She can't ignore what everyone tells her is insignificant. In her world, she is told to trust blindly in Odon, but also to treat certain students as less because of their heritage. Oriana doesn't know why she struggles to fit in, she just feels it.
Do you feel that maybe something greater lies within you? Something just waiting to take root and grow? Only you can flourish it into the Great tree that it wishes to become. The people that help you along the way will not discourage you or tell you what your are or are not capable of.
The first greatest step is to ask the question. Any philosopher will tell you that you must keep questioning the world around you in order to keep growing. You decide who you will become. Oriana couldn't keep herself from asking that great question, the one that led her to a greater truth.
If you haven't checked out my previous posts on the Missing Letters from Odon's University, you might want to take a peek! It describes this idea much better than just an explanation.

Starting Off Right

It's hard to wake up on Monday mornings, knowing I didn't get anything done over the weekend, and try to find the motivation to get started. This morning I woke up -- a few times -- and didn't feel like I could face the day.
When this happens I decide to take it one step at a time. That's how everything seems to resolve itself. I know that I'm not sure how everything will come together when I start out, but somehow I get there.
Today I sent out two books to my giveaway winners. I'm so excited for them to receive the autographed copies! I had originally sent out one that was torn out of the package! An empty envelope ended up reaching my winner. I felt so bad that her book was delayed another week as I waited to see if my book could be recovered, no such luck. But I gave up the search and sent out another. I can't wait to hear that they made it safely. I definitely had the post office clerk put a few more pieces of thick tape on those things!
This past weekend I had a great time with my mom. She has always given me the self-assurance to go for what I believe in. It's hard to maintain that confidence in myself, when I'm going for a dream that still seems so far away. I guess if I don't at least try my best then I'll always regret not trying. "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you'll land amongst the stars."
When all else fails, I have Gatsby and Zelda, my two cats. They're always there to offer some needed love.

Printed in the Equine Journal!

I was really excited to see my book mentioned in Natalee Robert's "Notes from Natalee" for the May issue of the Equine Journal. Natalee was kind enough to mention my book and wish me luck! I currently work as associate editor of the Equine Journal and it really meant a lot. You can read her letter by May 1st at www.equinejournal.com in the digital flipbook.
In the mean time an article is being written on my book in the Coos County Democrat newspaper in Lancaster, NH. I interned with the Democrat for a summer while a student in college so it was nice to get back in touch.
If you're not a member of Goodreads.com you should join because it is a great way to connect with other devoted readers. There are tons of groups and discussions going on -- all about books! What could be better?
My book is currently in the running for being chosen in the Fantasy Book Club in a thread devoted to less known authors. I'm also giving away a book via Goodreads for free! And I'm having another contest on my website www.celestesimone.com!

Website Up!

I'm so happy I finally pulled my website together! Basically I designed it using iWeb and then went with FatCow mainly because the use wind energy. That was the deciding factor. My plan now is to create bookmarks now that I finally have a CelesteSimone.com domain name and then begin my book signing!
First things first: enter the self-published book contest with Writer's Digest. (Wish me luck) But I think I deserve a little basking in my website accomplishments. What was really nice about FatCow is I was able to just call them and ask them how to do it and they sent me a step-by-step guide. I really have no idea how it worked, but luckily there are people who are much smarter at computers and can make easy programs to help the rest of us out. Plus it was free! I basically loaded my design onto their ftp site.
So feel free to let me know what you think, and of course if there are any glitches!

Character Bios

Oriana - Pureblood Winglet at Odon's University where students are separated by race and then ranked by the pureness of their blood. Oriana finds it difficult to fit in with the others. She is told that only pureblood Winglets and Finlets are worthy of praise, but she somehow can't justify it.

Dorian - Half-blood. He is equally Winglet and Finlet, but neither. Half-bloods are the lowest of all the students. Dorian locks eyes with Oriana in the hallway. Somehow he knows that she is different than the others of her kind. Maybe he knows what lies beyond the University walls?

Lenora- Oriana's roommate and also a pureblood Winglet. Lenora seems to be jealous of Oriana, but will she act on it? Oriana isn't sure she can trust Lenora eventhough they are best friends. Lenora has her own troubled past, it seems to be common in the University, but nobody shares stories.

Aurek - A pureblood Winglet who seems to make it everybody's business that he's upperclass. He tries to impress Oriana, maybe because she's the only girl who would refuse his advances.

Fisk - Aurek's part-blood follower, always backing up Aurek's pompous musings. Fisk is a part-blood Winglet, meaning he is mostly Winglet in appearance.

Odon - Everyone worships him, but no one has seen him. He is an invisible yet omniscient force that is always watching the students and making sure they are following his teachings. Odon oversees the University via the "Odon's Eyes," large oval mirrors. Window-like in appearance, these aren't for students to see out of, but for Odon to see in. Students who defy his teachings are likely to end up forever changed or worse, disappear.

Winglets - This race is very fair. A pureblood Winglet will have very light golden hair and fair skin with blue eyes.

Finlets - This race is much darker. They have black hair and eyes with tanned skin. Although kept separate in Odon's University, the Winglets and Finlets are equally ranked.

Half-Bloods - They can be recognized for their black hair that is very much like the Finlets and medium skin tone. They also have blue eyes from their Winglet heritage.

Part-blood Winglets - Part-blood Winglets will have varying skin and hair tones that tend to be light brown and fairly natural in color. Their eyes are usually blue, but can be hazel or greenish.

Part-blood Finlets - Never as dark as the Finlets, these part-bloods will still have black to dark brown hair and eyes with a skin tone that is still tanner than a part-blood Winglet will ever be.

The Rebirth - Known to all the purebloods as a time of renewal, the Rebirth is both an honor and a mystery. While they are often prepared and informed of it at a young age, the purebloods are never sure what exactly takes place on this day.

Finally!

I've always dreamed of holding a bound copy of one of my books in my hand, but you can never really imagine how great it feels until it actually happens! I finally received both a hardcover and paperback copy of Oriana's Eyes and it looks great!
I know this is just the beginning of a very long and tedious process, but I'm willing to work at it. I've read the book more times than I can count, and I really look forward to sharing the world of Oriana and the Great Oak with everyone.
I started writing the book during a time in my life when I really felt the walls of school and routine closing in on me. I think all young girls can relate to Oriana's struggle to believe in herself and overcome what everyone around her is telling her to be.
Oriana's Eyes is not just a fantasy adventure, it's really about finding yourself when the world is trying to make you like everyone else. I hope that others will find their own meaning in Oriana's story and share it with me. Everyone's interpretation is both unique and valuable. Like the Great Oak teaches, we are strongest when we work together.
Share a fantasy novel that gave you a new perspective or even just had a profound effect on you.
Also, feel free to check out some of my earlier posts. I wrote a few character studies from the University.
-Celeste

BOOK COVER REVEALED!

After much trial and error and a lot of help from friends, I have completed the cover design. I was so impressed with this photo that a close friend uncovered. The Great Oak is not just any tree, it is a giant among men! I couldn't have asked for a better photo to depict this and the sun rising behind it is perfect!