Writing Prompt 53: Who inspires you?

So many people inspire me.
My Dad. My close friends and family, and many famous or well known people throughout history and up to modern day.

Here's my current list of them in no particular order:

The entire team behind the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, especially Bernie Su, Hank Green, Jenni Powell, Margaret Dunlap, Rachel Kiley, Kate Rorick and Jay Bushman
Ashley Clemments (Actress who played Lizzie Bennet)
The entire team behind The Autobiography of Jane Eyre, especially Nessa Aref, Courtney Christensen, Christina Bialik and Shaan Rahman
Alysson Hall (Actress who play Jane and script writer for the series)
Walt Disney (The maker of Mickey Mouse and animated and live action movies)
Hayao Miazaki (Creator of many animated films from Japan, including Howl's Moving Castle)
Ridley Pearson (Author of adult mysteries, and the Disney series Kingdom Keepers)
Rick Riordan (Teacher and Author of the Percy Jackson series)
Sarah Dessen (A mother and a YA author)
Sarah Beth Durst (A fantasy and YA author)
John Green (YA author)
Neil Gaiman (Fantasy author)
Tamora Pierce (Fantasy author)
Julliet Marlier (A fantasy and YA author of Wildwood Dancing)
Peter S. Beagle (Fantasy author of The Last Unicorn)
J.R.R. Tolkein (Author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings)
J.K. Rowling (Author of the Harry Potter series)
Kate Morton (Author of Mystery/Fiction)
Gail Carson Levine (Author of Children's Lit Fantasy Stories including Ella Enchanted)
Alex Flynn (Author of Beastly)
Jane Austen (Author of seven well known novels)
Natsuki Takaya (Author and Artist for Fruits Basket)
The Hong Sisters (script writers for Korean Dramas including You're Beautiful)
Park Shin Hye (Singer and Actress)
Suzy (Singer and Actress)
Amy Adams (Singer and Actress)
Emma Thompson (Actress)
Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko (Creators of Avatar the Last Airbender)
Kazushige Nojima and Daisuke Watanabe (Writers of Final Fantasy X)
Tetsuya Nomura (Writer/Creator of Kingdom Hearts)
Mary Hoffman (Author of Fantasy/ YA series Stravaganza)

I'm sure there are more. Here's my Pinterest board dedicated to amazing people from history who inspire me:
http://www.pinterest.com/sarahbelle624/people-who-inspire-me/

Who inspires you?

Book Challenge Day 4: Favorite Book of Your Favorite Series

Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark

I love the first two books of this series, but the first one is my favorite. I loved the Stonecutter's Tale, the spooky rides after dark and the creepy rhymes of Maleficent. When I first discovered this book, I had returned from the Disney College Program, and I missed the atmosphere of the Disney Parks and all that they stood for. I picked this book up, and I was back in my second home. The epic battle of good and evil, the diseny trivia, and the endearing characters made this book a favorite on my book shelf and a reread every year or half year since. When I go back to the parks, I will look for the Kingdom Keepers quests and imagine that five kids saved the park from Malificent and saved the world with The Stonecutter's Quil. 

Book Challenge Day 3: Your favorite series

The Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson

There are so many reasons why I love this series. Not only does it put me back in my second home, The Disney Parks, but it is also an epic adventure with the most feared Disney villains. The first book introduced me to the Stonecutter's tale, which I had never heard before. The second book took place in the park where I used to work, Animal Kingdom and taught me the original story behind the scariest villain in Fantasia. With each book I learn more about the Disney parks, the Disney characters and conquering fear. The powerful themes and the clever characters will stay with me for a long time. Kingdom Keepers has the spirit of Disney, the structure of adventure and the important lessons that heroes teach us with each story we learn. 

Peter and the Starcatcher: a review

(Official still of Peter and the Starcatcher)

I had the wonderful opportunity to watch Peter and the Starcatcher this evening in Downtown Denver. Being a fan of the series written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, I knew what I remembered from the novel, and what was told during the event at the Tattered Cover: the play had a pace, and everything had to be timed perfectly. I also knew that the play was set up to help you feel like a kid again, encouraging you to use your imagination. 

I enjoyed this play very much. The plot stays true to the novel's important events, and has a balance between clever dialogue, charming presentations and the serious events of the story. 

I must admit that I felt nostalgia while watching this play. When I worked at the Disney Parks, I often went to watch their shows and noticed that balance between the story and the modern day humor. I felt like this play did a good job appealing to an audience of all ages, and the creative actors deserved the standing ovation they got after their performance. 

Peter Pan's story is timeless in itself, but the story of Molly and Peter is something special that tugs at your heart and recreates that moment when a person realizes that they must make a decision between staying a child or growing up. 

I highly recommend this play to Peter Pan lovers, Disney fans and people of all ages. There really is something in this play for everyone. Whether it's the heartwarming story, clever comedy or the imaginative tricks that create the illusions for the audience, Peter and the Starcatcher is an entertaining and charming way to spend some time in Neverland.

(Me Disneybounding as Peter Pan for the event)

Ridley Pearson & Rick Elice - Peter and the Starcatcher signing event

I had the amazing honor to meet both Ridley Pearson and Rick Elice today at the Tattered Cover at the 16th street mall in Denver. It was really neat to hear them talk about the play, and what it was like to create a script from a novel as well as the process of sharing a story and transferring it to another form of media. I was really nervous bringing my Kingdom Keeper book, but I actually talked with Ridley Pearson about the series and the Disney Parks for a while. 

Listening to successful writers is an inspiring experience, and it reminds you to never give up on your dreams. Since I have done both script writing and novel writing, it was really neat to have two people in the industry talk about the different mediums and how they work. The event itself was entertaining and rewarding, giving me a new perspective on story telling, character building and the world of both author and screenwriter. 

I also had the honor of taking a picture with Ridley Pearson after the book signing. 

All in all, it was one of the best days of my life! 

The Bridge to Never Land

Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson are at it again. Their new book is a more modern day story about finding Never Land. I haven't read the book yet, but I did see it in the store and read the first two chapters. I was unable to put it down through Sarah and Aidan's sibling fight. I will say this. All their children's books have interesting plots, great characters and exciting twists. One day I hope to write stories like that, and entertain many Disney fans and children ^_^ So, I guess the scoop of the day is: if you like Peter Pan, humor and adventure, this book is for you!