I am constantly thinking of new story ideas. If you can't tell from my earlier posts about writing habits, new story ideas aren't necessarily a good thing, as fun as they are. Most of my ideas come in the form of a basic plot (very basic) or a snippet of conversation. Rarely do I think of characters first. I think that's part of the problem I had (have) with my current novel--I thought of Bryllen before I came up with the main conflict of the story.
I've heard there are two different types of writers: plot-first and character-first. I wasn't sure what I was until this novel. Usually my characters and plots are mixed together so it's hard to tell which comes first. With this one, I realized that I am most certainly a plot-first writer. But that doesn't mean I can't work with a character idea (I have a synopsis to prove it, right?). My ideas just usually revolve around plots, not characters.
But I try not to let my new ideas get in the way of my other projects. I'm a horrible 'finisher'. Yesterday I spent... well, I didn't time it, but several minutes working on my novel. I hope to do more today! I've also been thinking about my other novel (from last year). It's rather torn up (I think I've told you that) but I want to piece it back together a little. I'm just not sure where to start, I guess. But I may possibly have a start on the song that I was agonizing over (Captain Zavier's song, for those of you who know what I'm talking about.) I like songs in books, but after deciding to put one in and really liking the whole idea, I realized how hard it is to write a song. There was just no spark in my imagination for a song. However, last night we somehow got to talking about it and Mom suggested I have Avery write the song. Avery said she'd need a tune, which I don't have (that's even harder than words!) Mom said she'd write a tune, though, and Avery said she might be able to write words if she had a tune. So we'll see how far it goes.
Ok, one more thing. There's this website out there called 750 Words, which is basically a place you write 750 words a day and meet goals and stuff. I haven't tried it, but I like the concept and I think having fun goals (even if they're kinda pointless) would be really helpful in building a writing habit. Anyway, I was thinking it would be cool if I could start something kind of like 750 words, except with a slightly smaller daily goal (400-500 words?). Just something my friends and I could do together. Unfortunately I don't know how. If you have suggestions, please share! I'll keep thinking about it.
Closing question: Are your ideas plot-first or character-first, for the most part?
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
For those of you who are bugged that I didn't tell you about my story before I posted a scene
I was actually working on my novel for a little bit yesterday, and I wrote this synopsis. Since I was rather mean and didn't tell you anything about the plot when I gave you the scene, I thought I would share it with you. Once again, it hasn't been edited or anything (at least not much). And like before, parentheses mean I don't have a name yet. If you have any good ideas for names of countries, evil princes, slightly odd allies, old kings, or just good names in general, please share them! Now, my synopsis:
( country ) is a peaceful, thriving country with great opportunities for inventors and explorers. Bryllen Tate is one of the explorers. Chosen specifically by Prince ( name ) to chart new lands, she resigns herself to her quest. After spending most of her 17 years sailing with her father, Bryllen loves the sea, but disturbing memories of what happened on her last expedition keep her from looking forward to this one.
Then, just as Bryllen is becoming more confident, an unexpected encounter with the last person in the world she wants to see again brings a new side to this quest. More is at stake than anyone thought, and Bryllen must choose between exploring new lands for ( country ) or endeavoring to save what land it already has.
Like it? If you feel like critiquing, please email me (since long comments might be a pain) ;). Oh, just a note, in case you were wondering, Bryllen is pronounced BRILL-en. If that makes sense. Hopefully this synopsis makes it easier to understand! (not harder...) And judging from the last novel I wrote, don't depend on this synopsis to be accurately descriptive of what the story will actually turn out as. But I am trying to do better at having the plot be somewhat more realistic from the beginning instead of finally deciding there's no way it'll work AFTER I start writing it.
( country ) is a peaceful, thriving country with great opportunities for inventors and explorers. Bryllen Tate is one of the explorers. Chosen specifically by Prince ( name ) to chart new lands, she resigns herself to her quest. After spending most of her 17 years sailing with her father, Bryllen loves the sea, but disturbing memories of what happened on her last expedition keep her from looking forward to this one.
Then, just as Bryllen is becoming more confident, an unexpected encounter with the last person in the world she wants to see again brings a new side to this quest. More is at stake than anyone thought, and Bryllen must choose between exploring new lands for ( country ) or endeavoring to save what land it already has.
Like it? If you feel like critiquing, please email me (since long comments might be a pain) ;). Oh, just a note, in case you were wondering, Bryllen is pronounced BRILL-en. If that makes sense. Hopefully this synopsis makes it easier to understand! (not harder...) And judging from the last novel I wrote, don't depend on this synopsis to be accurately descriptive of what the story will actually turn out as. But I am trying to do better at having the plot be somewhat more realistic from the beginning instead of finally deciding there's no way it'll work AFTER I start writing it.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Hi! *waves*
I feel like blogging. Or maybe just writing in general. I need to leave for youth group in 40 minutes, but that's plenty of time. Not that I have anything specific to write about. I'm just happy and I wanna share it! :D Ooh, I know! What if all you guys comment on this post and give me ideas about what to post in the future!? Well, I guess I don't have much more to say. I mean, I could probably think of something, but I really just wanted to write something and now I have, so finding more of a topic isn't really necessary.
Ok, I found this thing on pinterest that I really like :) --
Ok, I found this thing on pinterest that I really like :) --
Heehee! It's so true! Anyway, this really has no point. I just wanted to show you. Avery and I also found a picture of storm troopers wearing kilts. (I'm sorry, that was random, but it is a funny picture!) Alrighty...
Ok, I'm done. You can go back to your lives. I'm sorry for taking up your time. Well, actually, it was your choice to read it, so I'm not sorry. My time was relatively well-spent and I probably won't look at this again for like 2 years so... nevermind. I'm seriously done now.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Ok, here goes...
Ok. I'm going to try something new. I'm kind of nervous. I've never done this before (hence my use of the word 'new'...). Partially because of Mrs. Mann's suggestion and partially from lack of time to think of something new, I'm going to post part of a scene from my new novel that I've been sporadically working on! (You should be excited--I don't usually do this!) I'm ok with sharing my un-edited writing in person with people I know well, but it's kind of... different to post it somewhere so open and... permanent. Anyway, like I said, I haven't edited this or anything, and I'm not going to take the time now to explain my entire plot, so the scene might not make much sense. But I'd be happy to try to explain it some other time if you'd like me to! Although it's kind of in a bunch of random pieces in my head right now... actually, the last two thirds are, the first part I know... relatively well.
Now, the scene. (For those of you who are well acquainted with OYAN, this is from the lesson where we're supposed to write a scene about a normal day going wrong.) A couple notes before I begin: it's in 1st person, my hero's name is Bryllen, and any time I use parentheses around something like this-(city)-it's because I don't have a name for it yet. Name suggestions are welcome.
I walked along the docks behind Papa and (the first mate) as they discussed the final details os supplies needed for the voyage. Although (capitol city) was a port city, the salty smell of the sea increased here, os close to it. I glanced to the side, out over the wide horizon of water, How I ached to be out there again, the noise from all these people gone, the rock of the ship beneath my feet. Only a few more days! I thought. We stopped and looked at the Amaranth before boarding her, and I smiled at the thrill the sight of her strong hull and towering masts gave me once again. I could tell Papa was grinning even standing behind him. He turned to me and proved so.
"She's a beauty," he said.
"Most beautiful ship in the harbor," I agreed. (The first mate) grunted quietly. I didn't care. Amaranth may not have been the largest or most ornate ship, but she was ours, and seeing her seaworthy again was enough to convince me she was the most beautiful. We climbed up on deck, and I walked around the perimeter while Papa and (the first mate) inspected the supplies. I watched the crew perform their duties around the deck, and I gazed out over the sea. I glanced up at the rigging, remembering the cool, sea breezes blowing in my face and toying with my hair. But I also had bad memories about the rigging, memories of desperation and of falling. Memories that made my injury ache and made me look back to solid ground. It would be some time before I again dared to brave what had formerly been my favorite part of sailing.
I continued my stroll, subduing the memories and the fear that accompanied them. I stopped again to look out at the docks, breathing in the scents of salt, fish, and sweat. Sailors and dock-workers shouted to each other as they performed their tasks, moving crates and barrels, coiling rope. A small stack of crates and a few barrels waited to be loaded onto the Amaranth. I placed both my hands on the solid railing and leaned against it, scanning the docks to take in all the activity. Out of curiosity, I tried to see if I recognized any of the men. I knew the Amaranth's sailors, of course, and a few dock workers looked familiar, but I didn't know many by name. A pair of rich-looking men clomped onto a nearby ship, joking with one another. I smiled at how strange their tall hats and fine coats looked among the less-than-fashionable sailors and the muted colors they wore. Something bright red caught my eye. I looked closer and found it to be a man's red vest. Like the rich men, its wearer stood out amid the sea of brown and tan. His back was turned to me, but his dark hair and proud stance seemed familiar. I stiffened. Ferris. A wave of memories flooded my mind. Friendship. Betrayal. Falling. He turned around and I dropped down behind the railing, my heart pounding. Did he see me? I wondered frantically. Does he recognize the ship? Does he know I'm here? I leaned back against the railing and pulled my knees up to my chest, shaking.
Yes, that is where the scene ends, at least for now. I hope you're intrigued. ;) Like I said, if you want to know more, please just ask!
Now, the scene. (For those of you who are well acquainted with OYAN, this is from the lesson where we're supposed to write a scene about a normal day going wrong.) A couple notes before I begin: it's in 1st person, my hero's name is Bryllen, and any time I use parentheses around something like this-(city)-it's because I don't have a name for it yet. Name suggestions are welcome.
I walked along the docks behind Papa and (the first mate) as they discussed the final details os supplies needed for the voyage. Although (capitol city) was a port city, the salty smell of the sea increased here, os close to it. I glanced to the side, out over the wide horizon of water, How I ached to be out there again, the noise from all these people gone, the rock of the ship beneath my feet. Only a few more days! I thought. We stopped and looked at the Amaranth before boarding her, and I smiled at the thrill the sight of her strong hull and towering masts gave me once again. I could tell Papa was grinning even standing behind him. He turned to me and proved so.
"She's a beauty," he said.
"Most beautiful ship in the harbor," I agreed. (The first mate) grunted quietly. I didn't care. Amaranth may not have been the largest or most ornate ship, but she was ours, and seeing her seaworthy again was enough to convince me she was the most beautiful. We climbed up on deck, and I walked around the perimeter while Papa and (the first mate) inspected the supplies. I watched the crew perform their duties around the deck, and I gazed out over the sea. I glanced up at the rigging, remembering the cool, sea breezes blowing in my face and toying with my hair. But I also had bad memories about the rigging, memories of desperation and of falling. Memories that made my injury ache and made me look back to solid ground. It would be some time before I again dared to brave what had formerly been my favorite part of sailing.
I continued my stroll, subduing the memories and the fear that accompanied them. I stopped again to look out at the docks, breathing in the scents of salt, fish, and sweat. Sailors and dock-workers shouted to each other as they performed their tasks, moving crates and barrels, coiling rope. A small stack of crates and a few barrels waited to be loaded onto the Amaranth. I placed both my hands on the solid railing and leaned against it, scanning the docks to take in all the activity. Out of curiosity, I tried to see if I recognized any of the men. I knew the Amaranth's sailors, of course, and a few dock workers looked familiar, but I didn't know many by name. A pair of rich-looking men clomped onto a nearby ship, joking with one another. I smiled at how strange their tall hats and fine coats looked among the less-than-fashionable sailors and the muted colors they wore. Something bright red caught my eye. I looked closer and found it to be a man's red vest. Like the rich men, its wearer stood out amid the sea of brown and tan. His back was turned to me, but his dark hair and proud stance seemed familiar. I stiffened. Ferris. A wave of memories flooded my mind. Friendship. Betrayal. Falling. He turned around and I dropped down behind the railing, my heart pounding. Did he see me? I wondered frantically. Does he recognize the ship? Does he know I'm here? I leaned back against the railing and pulled my knees up to my chest, shaking.
Yes, that is where the scene ends, at least for now. I hope you're intrigued. ;) Like I said, if you want to know more, please just ask!
Friday, February 1, 2013
To Share a Few Ideas
And so we come again to that point in the week where I must write a blog post, and yet I have nothing on my mind to write about. Well, I guess I have stuff on my mind, but it's not necessarily right (or ready) for a blog post... at least not now. Maybe after I've processed it a little more. ;)
Now, to think of something to actually write about. (I'm sorry you have to go through my mind-wanderings every time...) HA! Ok.
So I've been thinking it would be fun to write some 'revised and expanded' versions of a few lesser-known Grimm's fairytales. Yes, I know I'm not really getting anywhere with the story I'm already working on, but I'm always coming up with new ideas anyway, so why not at least develop them a little, right?
Anyway, I've been reading a few Grimm's tales, trying to find some good ones. Most of them have very under-developed characters and only slightly developed plots, so they make good 'springboards', where I can take the basic plot/characters and spend a little more time on them, making them 'fuller', I guess. I've mostly been looking for the ones that are decent stories as they are, ones that I can think, 'I'd like to read more in that story' or 'I would love to read that story with more details' or something to that effect. Yes, I've found a few so far, but I really haven't done much more than pick out some of the ones I like. So I'll keep you updated. The next steps are narrowing down and then imagining (the best part ^_^). Hopefully I won't abandon my other novel, since I need to have something written in time for Summer Workshop (which I am officially signed up for now!! YES! :D).
And that's all I have for you. Sorry, no deep thoughts or main points. I gave shared some of my ideas, you'll have to wait for anything more. :)
Now, to think of something to actually write about. (I'm sorry you have to go through my mind-wanderings every time...) HA! Ok.
So I've been thinking it would be fun to write some 'revised and expanded' versions of a few lesser-known Grimm's fairytales. Yes, I know I'm not really getting anywhere with the story I'm already working on, but I'm always coming up with new ideas anyway, so why not at least develop them a little, right?
Anyway, I've been reading a few Grimm's tales, trying to find some good ones. Most of them have very under-developed characters and only slightly developed plots, so they make good 'springboards', where I can take the basic plot/characters and spend a little more time on them, making them 'fuller', I guess. I've mostly been looking for the ones that are decent stories as they are, ones that I can think, 'I'd like to read more in that story' or 'I would love to read that story with more details' or something to that effect. Yes, I've found a few so far, but I really haven't done much more than pick out some of the ones I like. So I'll keep you updated. The next steps are narrowing down and then imagining (the best part ^_^). Hopefully I won't abandon my other novel, since I need to have something written in time for Summer Workshop (which I am officially signed up for now!! YES! :D).
And that's all I have for you. Sorry, no deep thoughts or main points. I gave shared some of my ideas, you'll have to wait for anything more. :)
Friday, January 25, 2013
Dragon Treasure
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be. Oh boy.
I know this verse well. I've heard it my entire life. But when Mom read it to us yesterday morning, she brought up a new connection. Dragons.
Now, I love fantasy stories, and especially fantasy allegories, so I love finding ways to express Scriptural ideas in a way more easily understood, specifically through fantasy. Like dragons.
Mom pointed out that dragons typically have a hoard of treasure. And they guard it. Sleep on it. Fight for it. A dragon's heart is with its treasure. Think Smaug. (Or for you poor people who have no acquaintance with The Hobbit, think about The Voyage of the Dawn Treader--Eustace turned into a dragon because of his desire for the dragon's treasure. If you haven't read that book, I'm sorry I ruined it, but you'll have to come up with your own example.)
A good way to find out where your heart is, is to look at what you're fighting for. In other words, what turns you into a dragon? I know for me, it's often not what it should be. I can tend to pile up earthly treasure instead of heavenly treasure. But that's not how it should be.
Now, how do we store up treasure in heaven? If that's what we're supposed to do, we should find out how, right?
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' " Matthew 25:34-40
Do you understand what I'm trying to say?
I think there is certainly more than one way to store up treasure in heaven, but the one I thought of first is giving up our earthly treasure. Of course, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy our privilege of having plenty, but we definitely shouldn't hoard stuff like a dragon! The treasure we gather here has no value outside of this life, and though it doesn't always feel like it, time is such a small part of eternity! If we're willing to let go of our treasure, will God not bless us with even more? Even if we don't see a direct compensation, we will be rewarded with treasure in heaven. It is our inheritance.
When we give of ourselves and our resources to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, tend the sick, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. He gave up everything to give us life. He associated with us when, in an eternal view, such association would be shameful. He is holy; we are far from it! Our goal in life should be to be like Jesus. How can we do that if we're acting like dragons, hoarding our treasure and fighting to protect it from everyone else? It doesn't work. To receive treasure in heaven, we must give up our treasure here.
I was reading a book called Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court, the second in The Knights of Arrethtrae series. It's about a knight who gave up his wealth and standing to live as a peasant and help people in need. The village he's living in is led by a nobleman completely consumed with greed and love of stuff. It's his downfall. He's so busy guarding his treasure that he never recognizes the desperate need of people around him. I don't want to be like that. Ever. But at the same time, it's so much easier to take care of yourself than to help others. To guard your treasure instead of using it for good.
Another thing I've been thinking about is making habits. I've seen and heard it all over the place recently, and judging from my own failure in setting a writing habit, I know any good habit will take time and hard work to establish (unfortunately, the bad ones seem to just fall into place). I want to make a habit of giving my heart to Jesus, and letting my treasure be with Him. It's not going to be easy. I'll probably fail at different times along the way. But I think it's an adventure worth pursuing. I'd love company, if you want to come along.
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be. Oh boy.
I know this verse well. I've heard it my entire life. But when Mom read it to us yesterday morning, she brought up a new connection. Dragons.
Now, I love fantasy stories, and especially fantasy allegories, so I love finding ways to express Scriptural ideas in a way more easily understood, specifically through fantasy. Like dragons.
Mom pointed out that dragons typically have a hoard of treasure. And they guard it. Sleep on it. Fight for it. A dragon's heart is with its treasure. Think Smaug. (Or for you poor people who have no acquaintance with The Hobbit, think about The Voyage of the Dawn Treader--Eustace turned into a dragon because of his desire for the dragon's treasure. If you haven't read that book, I'm sorry I ruined it, but you'll have to come up with your own example.)
A good way to find out where your heart is, is to look at what you're fighting for. In other words, what turns you into a dragon? I know for me, it's often not what it should be. I can tend to pile up earthly treasure instead of heavenly treasure. But that's not how it should be.
Now, how do we store up treasure in heaven? If that's what we're supposed to do, we should find out how, right?
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' " Matthew 25:34-40
Do you understand what I'm trying to say?
I think there is certainly more than one way to store up treasure in heaven, but the one I thought of first is giving up our earthly treasure. Of course, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy our privilege of having plenty, but we definitely shouldn't hoard stuff like a dragon! The treasure we gather here has no value outside of this life, and though it doesn't always feel like it, time is such a small part of eternity! If we're willing to let go of our treasure, will God not bless us with even more? Even if we don't see a direct compensation, we will be rewarded with treasure in heaven. It is our inheritance.
When we give of ourselves and our resources to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, tend the sick, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. He gave up everything to give us life. He associated with us when, in an eternal view, such association would be shameful. He is holy; we are far from it! Our goal in life should be to be like Jesus. How can we do that if we're acting like dragons, hoarding our treasure and fighting to protect it from everyone else? It doesn't work. To receive treasure in heaven, we must give up our treasure here.
I was reading a book called Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court, the second in The Knights of Arrethtrae series. It's about a knight who gave up his wealth and standing to live as a peasant and help people in need. The village he's living in is led by a nobleman completely consumed with greed and love of stuff. It's his downfall. He's so busy guarding his treasure that he never recognizes the desperate need of people around him. I don't want to be like that. Ever. But at the same time, it's so much easier to take care of yourself than to help others. To guard your treasure instead of using it for good.
Another thing I've been thinking about is making habits. I've seen and heard it all over the place recently, and judging from my own failure in setting a writing habit, I know any good habit will take time and hard work to establish (unfortunately, the bad ones seem to just fall into place). I want to make a habit of giving my heart to Jesus, and letting my treasure be with Him. It's not going to be easy. I'll probably fail at different times along the way. But I think it's an adventure worth pursuing. I'd love company, if you want to come along.
Where's your treasure?
Or
With the King of Kings?
Monday, January 21, 2013
Randomness and The Hobbit
I feel like posting something fun. I haven't done that in a while. Unfortunately, most of what I can think of to post is more on the serious side. I'd thought about doing a review on The Hobbit (yes, I went to see it! Saturday! :D) but all I really have to say is "I loved it, I certainly recommend it, it's not exactly like the book, but I don't care and I can't wait for the next one to come out!" So, yeah. That wouldn't make much of a review. I could rant about all the parts I loved though, if anyone wanted to hear it.
Umm... that's pretty much the exciting thing of the week. I have a really awesome piano song that makes practicing slightly more enjoyable (it's from the Kingdom Series & Knights of Arrethtrae song book-- I love it!) but The Hobbit is still the highlight of the past week. I think. I don't really remember everything that happened. Avery and I watched Iron Man 2 last night, it was OK, The Hobbit is way better :). And we did some fun things with friends this week. That was nice :).
Sooo... I suppose I should collect my thoughts a little and post something slightly comprehensible.
Gah, forget it, it's been five minutes and nothing better has come to mind, so I'm just going to tell you all about what I liked in The Hobbit :D. Before I start, I apologize to all you poor people who have never experienced the awesomeness of the book, because I'm not going to explain the entire plot, I'm just going to talk about what I liked. But if after this you consider watching the movie (for those who haven't) READ THE BOOK FIRST!!!
Umm... that's pretty much the exciting thing of the week. I have a really awesome piano song that makes practicing slightly more enjoyable (it's from the Kingdom Series & Knights of Arrethtrae song book-- I love it!) but The Hobbit is still the highlight of the past week. I think. I don't really remember everything that happened. Avery and I watched Iron Man 2 last night, it was OK, The Hobbit is way better :). And we did some fun things with friends this week. That was nice :).
Sooo... I suppose I should collect my thoughts a little and post something slightly comprehensible.
Gah, forget it, it's been five minutes and nothing better has come to mind, so I'm just going to tell you all about what I liked in The Hobbit :D. Before I start, I apologize to all you poor people who have never experienced the awesomeness of the book, because I'm not going to explain the entire plot, I'm just going to talk about what I liked. But if after this you consider watching the movie (for those who haven't) READ THE BOOK FIRST!!!
:D Anyway, there were some parts that were almost exactly like the book (up to the lines and everything--it made me very happy ^_^) Namely, the beginning up until the trolls and 'riddles in the dark'. The troll scene wasn't exactly like the book, but it was SO hilarious and it really helped build Bilbo's character. I also liked some of the history they added at the beginning, but what made it really awesome was that they never showed the whole Smaug! Now whenever Bilbo first sees him in the next one (I think) it's going to be so cool! :D
Before I get carried away, I'll tell you about some of my favorite characters. I liked Bilbo, of course, and Gandalf and Thorin (who is an awesome character, by the way-- I like complicated characters). My favorite dwarves (besides Thorin) were Fili, Kili, Bofur, and Balin. The first three had great senses of humor :) and Balin is just really wise and he knows all about the history and stuff. And he's nice.
I've heard a lot of people complaining about how they added stuff and changed stuff (mostly from The Silmarillion or the appendices of LOTR). I personally like having an idea of what else is going on at the same time (actually I went and read it in the Silmarillion when we were reading The Hobbit). No, it's not exactly like the book. Yes, the Pale Orc is supposed to be dead (he's Thorin's main enemy in the movie). But I don't really care. I'm not expecting any movie made off of a good book to be anywhere as good as the book (although The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe came close). There's just so much stuff in a book (especially a Tolkien book) that you just can't put in a movie. So to me, the added stuff was kind of like how it was for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I like the movie, I like the book better, but I don't think the added/changed stuff took away from the story (and you know me, the story is the important part :) ) even if it did make it different. Basically, it didn't bother me that much.
Ok, one last thing, I LOVED the scene where the dwarves are all singing (at Bag End, before they leave)!!!! It was incredible! I had chills all over! SO cool!
So, like I said before, I highly recommend it. Some of the action might be a little scary, but it's not too bad. If for some reason you watch it and hate it, I don't want to hear about it, because you won't be able to make me agree with you. I can't wait for part 2! :D
Oh, and here's a link to the trailers. Just 'cause :).
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