This is a community of teachers (certified and not) and students (young and old). We have all been brought together by one common denominator: our love for writing. And with that comes our joy for reading and our want for improving. Where would we be today without the education we received as a child? It’s a tough time right now, and we’re here hoping to help a classroom suffer just a little bit less.

With just a minimum donation of $5.00, you can help teachers and students worldwide and receive a yearbook of stories written by your fellow community members. Alternatively, you can also donate a story into the end of the summer compilation. Either way, your contribution will be greatly appreciated.

More information posted at: http://projectteambeta.com/back-to-school-fundraiser/

Events

June 30 - Pledge-a-thon with LyricalKris - Goal: $200

• Live interview and chat at 2pm PST

July 14 - Pledge-a-thon with Ooza - Goal: $250

• Live interview and chat at 2pm PST

August 11 - Special Iron Pen Challenge - 1st Prize: $25

August 18 - Pledge-a-thon with Lady Gwynedd - Goal: $200

• Trivia Game at 2pm PST where you could win an illustrated, signed hard copy of one of Lady Gwynedd's stories. 

Posted with permission by LJ Summers

Tell us what you are reading RIGHT NOW!

Books and Fanfiction alike

Please link if you are reading fanfiction or give us a nice summary if you are reading a book. We also LOVE reviews, so tell us what you think of what you are reading!

Special Assignment:

Um, anything really super good

ANY recs are GOOD recs in the WEEKLY REC!

*This is late because I was out drinking with my girlfriends. I am a little tippy. Okay. I am a lot of tippy. But I get things done. Don't ever say I don't. It may be late, but I am here. I said to myself after drink number four, I said, "Emibella, you have to get home and put up the weekly rec post. People are counting on you." I did. Honest. Only I didn't call myself Emibella, I used my name. That isn't true either, I didn't refer to myself at all. I just knew that I couldn't let you down. You know what that means? That means you have to POST A REC. DO IT FOR YOUR FELLOW CAMPERS. DO IT FOR TIPPY EMIBELLA. I am going to get some water now. Have a good evening. Rec me good fic because I need it. Last week I tried like seven things and didn't like any. Really! So yep, something good. Help me out. You know I love you. Says so on the tag. Well, it says "Esme" but that's what wolvesnvamps calls me so, yeah, I love you.

Emibella's morning after edit:  My deepest apologies. How embarrassing.

God bless the camper(s) that first posted pictures of David Gandy.  He has become practically every male protagonist/hero in every book/story I read these days.  

He can even pass as a more than adequate Jamie Fraser (with a little red hair of course) ... 

(Come inside and see what other literary heroes David embodies)

Who would you cast as the lead in your favorite book/story?

Remember this article:  The Harsh Bigotry of Twilight Haters by Erika Christakis?

Here's another thought-provoking one by the same author: Why Do Critics Hate Kristen Stewart's Snow White?

I'll post the article inside.  Let's read, then talk!

Rec: The Pilgrimage Author: Camilla10

AD1353. After the end of the Black Death a handsome but too pale monk is leading a group of pilgrims to Saint Marcus shrine, near Volterra. Not everybody in his flock is innocent, though. Will the pilgrims find love or death at the end of their journey?
Rated: Fiction M - English - Supernatural/Drama - Reviews: 56 - Updated: 06-01-12 - Published: 04-11-12

Yes, there are no canon characters (except, of course, for encounters between certain unfortunate pilgrims and members of the Volturi), Camilla's original characters and their backstories are SO rich and intriguing, and Adso is as sexy and tortured as Edward ever was.  I can't recommend it highly enough.

Post your favorite pics of this oh so handsome man here! :)

POST TODAY'S UPDATES, LINK THEM, AND DISCUSS!!

I'm glad you all are liking this new idea!

I know a lot of fics have been pulled by ff.net, and i think there is already a list (?), but what i really want to know is: Authors are pulling their stories to post in other sites, i really need their names! So many fics are missing in my favorites/alerts! Thank you.

rec: 

Simply Edward >> http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7886553/1/Simply_Edward

There is a lot to the man who stumbles into Simply Coffee where Bella works. "Hello, Coffee Girl," he says quietly, offering me a small wave as he approaches the counter. "I'm back. Is that okay?" And there goes my ability to breathe.
Twilight - Rated: M - English - Romance/Friendship - Chapters: 50 - Words: 25,197 - Bella & Edward - Complete
 

Some of us like to read fics in progress...

Some of us like to read completed fics...

Some of like to read both!

Here is a campfire dedicated to fics that have completed in the last week or so.  I will include the ones on my list, please come inside and add the ones on your list that have completed.

Thank you to the wonderful wolvesnvamps for permission!

Here are a few that have completed this week:

My Wounded Soldier by counselor

An Abridged Account by alchemilla mollis

Color of Lonliness by ExquisiteEdward

Saving Myself by 107yearoldvirgin

Celestial Countenance by mcgt

Watching Her by les16

A Change in Direction by Jayeliwood

Words With Friends by Nolebucgrl

I'm sure I missed a few, so come on in and tell us what else completed!

I just finished reading unhappy ending (bella edward) story. Ohhhh its so disturbing. Cant stop thinking how all the good love can go wrong :( whyyyyy? 

Im lil bit dissapointed why the writer didnt give warning. Do you think its a crime for not giving a warning for an unhappy ending story?

My rec for today is :

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4721948/1/Forbidden_Romance

Summary: After returning home from college, Edward embarks on a passionate affair with his father's girlfriend who just so happens to be the same age as him. AU All human EB! OOC

So what do you guys think, all that fuss about ratings was because they were updating the site? Or is it still going on?

THE SEASON FINALE WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Season two has been so much more engaging overall, in my opinion, despite the lack of Khal Drogo.

How much do you love TYRION/SHAE???  (SPOILER)

(FANGIRL'D!!!!)

This CF is to discuss the season finale of Game of Thrones. If you like, we could play Kill/F***/Marry/Serve again!

I have a specific topic in mind, however. After I watched the show, I was wiki-ing lots of book information (because I love spoilers), and I found this comment about the "White Walkers"/"Others", which are pretty much Ice Zombies.

The Others appear in the prologue to AGoT as tall and gaunt with flesh pale as milk and blue eyes, deeper and bluer than human eyes, burning like ice. The White Walker who married the Night's King******* is similarly described as having skin as pale as the moon and eyes like blue stars. Old Nan declares them to be cold dead things, hating all life, but in an email to the comic-book artist Tommy Patterson GRRM recently wrote: 'The Others are not dead. They are strange, beautiful… think, oh… the Sidhe made of ice, something like that… a different sort of life… inhuman, elegant, dangerous.'

...Their language is unknown, although it may be the Old Tongue...The wildlings believe the Others and their Wights can smell life, or rather its warmth.

******(According to legend, the Night's King, lived during the Age of Heroes, not long after the Wall was complete... he fell in love with a woman "with skin as white as the moon and eyes like blue stars", he chased her and loved her though "her skin was cold as ice", and when he gave his seed to her he gave his soul as well.)
 

Here is the EPIC ending from last night: (SPOILER)

OMG I DIED.

To clarify, there are the White Walkers, which are what George is describing, and there are their minions, called "wights", which are the zombies.

Now, can I just say, Martin's description TOTALLY REMINDS ME OF TWILIGHT VAMPS (description-wise, of course). Especially because I always had this plotbunny about a Twilight super-vamp whose eyes glowed blue because they ate the essence of other vamps, or something. I think it came from World of Warcraft... or Alexis Bledel in Sin City.

ETA: Seriously, no GoT fans that want to talk about the finale? Maybe it needs to be more interactive? QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION: What fantasy-genre images inspire you to create stories?

I'm in the mood for some blue-collared Edward! I'm not very picky, so just give me anything that fits.

Wikipedia: A blue-collar worker is a member of the working class who performs manual labor. Blue-collar work may involve skilled or unskilled, manufacturing, mining, construction, mechanical, maintenance, technical installation and many other types of physical work. Often something is physically being built or maintained.

Thanks!

My rec:

Flag Me Down

Bella is striving to succeed at her new job, but her efforts are complicated by one cocky, drop-dead gorgeous road construction worker who seems determined to make her late for work.e
Twilight - Rated: M - English - Chapters: 1 - Words: 9,177 - Reviews: 37 - Published: 10-1-10 - Edward & Bella - Complete

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6365083/1/Flag_Me_Down

(Sorry, i'm on my phone, can't make it pretty)

This campfire was approved by the lovely Ranger Jennyfly

So tomorrow, Venus is going to pass infront of the sun, and this isn't going to happen again until December of 2117. I dunno about you, but I don't think I'll be able to catch the next showing. Of course, staring at the sun is typically not advisable but this website has a lot of info on safe ways to watch. I plan to watch with my little guy!!

NASA will be having a webcast I have been told the ustream is the way to go because audio on the normal version is not so great.

Violent Femmes for you time....

and the winner is...

I'm exhausted.  It's been quite a month for me.  I definitely need a pick-me-up.  And what could possibly be better than bizarre stuff?

Like this guy, for example.  Apparently, he died today.  I am sorry for his loved ones and the loss to Russian culture.  However, this is my favorite thing I've seen in a long time.  

He is my life now.

Bring out your random oddities!

Campfire approved by LJ Summers, who took a break from stirring her pasta to grant my request. :D

Good Evening Campers!!

I have been bad at doing my duty of getting this campfire up on the first Monday of the month the last couple of months, but its a 4 day weekend here in the UK (thank you, the Queen - altho this concert is... interesting) and I have finally got some spare time!

So, it is time to feed AND fic the trees!

Look at the top, right, and bottom of the ADF page. And feed the trees! Then come back here, tell us what you found and turn it into a fic! Whether it's a fic idea, summary, scene, or even a mini fic based on the website you were led to, we want to hear it!

It doesnt even have to be a good fic(!), you can label it as a fic you would never, ever want to read if you want! We're not asking for creative genius in here, dont feel intimidated! Just a silly game to get people feeding away, so come in here and tell us what you find!

If you need a prompt to focus it, how about long weekends? Or Royalty?? Feel free to ignore that and do your own thing tho!

What google images shows up for "tree feeding" fyt:

Good morning/afternoon/evening campers!

Happy Monday to all :)

It's free- for- all Monday as far as Sneak Peek goes

come inside and post your pics/videos/one line teasers

whatever you want that that inspired you with your latest chapter

I always love seeing what you come up with!

~Don't forget to include the link to your fic~

GOOD MORNING, CAMPERS!

WELCOME TO THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF CAMPFIRES MADE JUST FOR YOU!

SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CHANGES RECENTLY OVER AT FFN.NET, YOUR FAVORITE STORIES HAVE BEEN MOVED TO LOCATIONS NOT SO EASILY FOUND!

THIS CAMPFIRE IS FOR YOU TO POST AND DISCUSS FANFIC UPDATES OF ANY KIND, EACH DAY. TWILIGHT! HP! SUPERNATURAL! P+P! WHATEVER!

JUST MAKE SURE YOU POST THE FIC TITLE, WHERE IT HAS UPDATED, AND A LINK!

EXCITING, RIGHT?!

Thank you, Tor, for letting this happen, and VampiresHaveLaws for the wonderful banner to go along with it! and wtvoc for the tag. thank you!

I'm hoping it's FFA in ADF...

I'm buying a hand blender, and I have very little idea about what to look for when buying such a thing. Never used a hand blender before, but my mom and sis are very into cooking and shit, so I thought I'd buy them one. Now I'm a very bare basic girl about cooking, so I'm having problems deciding which blender should I buy that does the max things possible for a kitchen.
 

Also, how much power-Watts should it be? What is over the top? I don't wanna buy something that's charging a high price for something we don't even need in the kitchen, if you know what I mean?
 

Please help me. Suggest some qualities I should look for.
 

I don't need brand names, because I'm not sure I'll get some of them here. I just need bare basics about what to choose.
 

My Rec- I REMAIN, YOURS by MOMATU

A  MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH BY WhatsMyNomDePlume and Derdriu oFaolain

jennyf*ckinfly