NaNoWriMo Questionnaire: Naji's Story

I decided to join in and attempt to answer this, as well...though I don't know how I'm going to answer some of the questions. (I got this off my friend Megan's blog, and she got it off another.)


1. Sum up your novel in five words, or less.  Faerie princess learns about love. (That was almost impossible to do!)

2. Novel title? Faerie's Love: Naji's Story

3. Sum up your main character(s) in one word. Naji- Compassionate, Lady Henafubi- Loyal, Aqualia- Curious

4. Advice for newbies in three words? A steady pace.

5. Tell us about your secondary characters, how do they affect the story? Well, whether these secondary characters remain secondary and not become main characters is yet to be seen, but they are Sir John and Gavin. Sir John is betrothed to Naji, so that has a major impact on the story,  and Gavin is Aqualia's brother and is very protective of her which causes some interesting situations.

6. Do you plan on staying up till midnight on the 31st? Yes and no. Yes, I'll be staying up until midnight, but only because I don't go to bed until 12:30/1:00 anyway. Will I start writing at that time, instead of waiting until later in the day? No.

7. How many years have you done NaNo? This is my third year. :-)

8. What came first, characters, or plot idea? I guess you could say the characters, as almost all of the ones in this book (second of my Faerie's Virtues series) are also in the first book of the series. However, in general I'd say my characters and plot ideas tend to come at the same time- usually by inspiration of a picture or song, etc.

9. How much prep do you do before November? Not much. I'm more of a "jazz" person- a little basic pre-planning, but mostly fly by the seat of my pants....especially this year. ;-P

10. Now be honest, how do you really feel about NaNo? I dread it the day before, but I'm perfectly fine with it during the rest of the year. Since I like to keep a steady and realistic daily goal, I don't find it too bad.

The Little Things Make It All Worth While

Recently, my friend Megan wrote a post listing all the little things in her life that she loves and tends to take for granted. So wonderful an idea was this that, with her prompting, I have agreed to do so, as well.

THOSE WONDERFUL LITTLE THINGS

The relaxing aroma of Mint Magic tea

The heartening taste of Irish Breakfast tea

Mornings where I sleep in and the sun comes shining through my window gentely waking me

Hugs from my nieces and nephew

"I miss you!"

Crisp, refreshing Autumn days

Slightly cool Spring days

Classical music playing during the midday hours

Snuggling under a soft, fleecy blanket

A warm, soft, cuddly kitty

Christmas decorations

Fresh apple cider

Nutella on honey crunchy oat bread

New stump socks

A new empty notebook for my purse

Compfy sweaters

Finding movies and shows I loved as a child, and haven't seen since

The smell of cut cilantro

The smell of lilacs

The first bite into a big, sweet strawberry

Getting things in the mail

My old teddy bear

Jazz music on long summer drives

The feel of a books pages

Rereading books I love

Photos turning out well

The moment something inspires a story, graphics set, or photo

Mornings and afternoons with the tv off

Good days at work

Sunshine through windows

Gloomy, rainy days with a blanket and a book

"Charlie Brown Christmas" snowfalls

Traveling by plane or road trip

Large sweet blueberries bursting in my mouth

Hugs

NaNoWriMo Approacheth!

That's right! That month of  literary insanity- and insanity in general. Caffiene highs, paper cuts, carpal tunnel... You get the idea.
Think about it! Less than two weeks until NaNo begins! Let the panic ensue! (I really need to cut down on those exclaimation points...)

This year, I shall be working on the second book of my Faerie's Virtues series, entitled Faerie's Love: Naji's Story. The only thing  is, I still don't have a definite plot, yet. Well, NaNo's motto is, after all, "No plot? No problem!" I just never thought I'd actually be approaching from that stand point. :-P
I have a bit of a general idea of some things I want to happen, I suppose, and I do know the basic theme of the story. I even have the very beginning written, and one of the scenes toward the end. What  goes in the middle? No clue.

To top that off, my parents and I are traveling down to Texas to spend Thanksgiving week at my brother and his wife's house. I've never traveled during November in the last two years I've done NaNo...I have no idea how this will affect my ability to finish. Usually, I like to stay ahead a bit so I can finish before Thanksgiving- makes less stress during the holiday weekend. That's especially important to me, since I work in a restaurant, and things get busy starting that weekend, what with the holiday shoppers and all. I know I won't be able to work on my novel during the travel days...they'll be too busy and full of travel. But since we are flying, thankfully the travel days are just one down and one back up. Hopefully, I'll get to work some each day while I'm down there...probably in the evening after we've returned to my brother's house. I usually work on my novel in the evening, anyway, so I guess that won't be any different- it's just the different location/atmosphere and the possibility that I won't be able to shut myself away for hours. Not to mention new distractions. One distraction that I'm the most concerned about- the dog. Will she leave me alone? Or will she be bugging me? We shall see.

I figure, if I make sure I get my usual 2k each day (not including the travel days, and Thanksgiving Day), and try to push myself to get closer to 3k, if possible, I should be okay. Here's to it!

Now, to some important information about my new book. I have two new characters to introduce!

Lady Aqualia is a Sea Lady (a Sea Woman of the Nobility). She befriends Princess Naji and Lady Henafubi while they are on holiday at the "Pearl Palace"- the royal seaside palace. She has a pendant she wears that holds a blue moonstone, showing that she is the highest born Sea Lady, after her mother.

Sir Gavin is Lady Aqualia's older brother. He is very protective of his only sister, and is very brave.

I'm afraid that's all I know about these two, for now. They shall have to develope further as I write.
And, no, that is not Arthur Darville in that picture. (Rory, for all you Whovians who don't know actor names) But doesn't it knind of look like him???

And, finally, since the NaNo site has not yet put up the ability to upload covers for our novels, I shall show the beautiful cover that our dearest Tooky made for me!

That's Aqualia's necklace! :-D
I'm also working on an alt cover, myself. Whenever I can find the time to work on it, that is. Once it's finished, I'll post it, too. :-)

If you don't know what NaNoWriMo is, it is National Novel Writing Month. The goal? Writing a 50k word novel in the 30 days of November. Crazy, isn't it? ;-)

Longing For England

So I decided to post the poem I wrote for the writing contest I spoke of in my last post. (No, I did not win.)
The theme had to be about England, and I decided to take a literary twist. :-)



Enjoy! :-)

Longing for England

By Wrosie

　

I once strolled the streets of Paris,

Dazzled by the romance it gave,

But deep down my heart yearned for England

In the longest heartbreaking wave.

Had I been there? No, indeed!

Not in physical form.

But my heart had been carried there many days

From night to many a morn.

I strolled the countryside with Elizabeth and Jane.

And visited Bath with Kathy.

In London I saw the Marshalsea Prison,

Under the guidance of Amy.

Faerie worlds came vividly alive

Through wardrobes and great palaces.

Seen in the eyes of the young and old

Through its Lucys and its Alices.

Now, I am home.

Through America I roam,

Still having never been there,

But its sights I shall see.

Oh, England, I’ll visit thee!

And I’ll get there when I get there.

Writing Contest!

Rachel at The Inkpen Authoress is hosting a writing contest with the theme of Merry Auld England!
It sounds absolutely fun, and there are great prizes to be won!
You can enter with a short story, a poem, or a play! (you must follow her blog to be able to enter)

See here for more details! :-D

They Die!!!!

There's just no other way to work it out....

Alas, poor Aqualia. Your story isn't even written, yet your death is certain.

What most of you may need to be informed of here is that Aqualia is a new character that is in the book I am currently working on writing- Faerie's Love: Naji's Story.
Aqualia is a Sea Person (Sea Girl) who befriends Princess Naji and Lady Henafubi while they are at the Pearl Palace (the royal palace at the sea side) for the summer.
I'm afraid I can't tell you much more than that, as I don't even know a whole lot more than that, yet. All I know is that the thought struck me the other day how Aqualia must die in order to properly connect Naji's story to Hwinny's story.

How do you kill a Sea Person, though?
They can't drown...they can breat in both water and air...this shall have to take some creativity.
There is also the problem that I was hoping not to be one of those people who are constantly killing off their characters (never mind the fact that this whole series starts off with one dying). However, it is inevitable...it is the only thing that can be done.

They die!!!!!



The Rest of The Challenge

Considering there were a couple more days comming up that I had no answer for, I figured I should be able to finish up the entire rest of the Challenge in one post.

Day 11- Favorite Femail Author

Now that one is easier to answer!
I read a lot of works by femail authors. In fact, I didn't even realize how many male authors I do actually read until that was one of the challenge questions!
I don't have just one favorite, though. I have several that I love for different reasons. Since there is no way that I could choose only one, I shall name the ones I love most enough to read over and over consistantly:

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Robin Jones Gunn

Jane Austen

Gail Carson Levine

Noel Streatfeild

Patricia H. Rushford

Many of the authoresses I just listed write for younger people as their main audiance, but I don't care. I love their books. And several of them do have books for adults, too. ;-)

Days 12 & 13- Song and Book About Writing

I'm afraid I can't answer these, as I don't really know any. I've never read any books about writing, and the only song I could possibly think of would take me forever to dig up, plus,  if I remember correctly, had a tiny bit of language in it...so I wouldn't want to post that on here. However, if you ever look up the NaNoWriMo song, it's worth a listen.

Day 14- Favorite Quote

My favorite quote about books I actually got off the 1994 movie version of Little Women. Whether it is actually from the book or not, it's been so long I can't remember. So, I'm not sure if it is an actuall Alcott quote, or not, but I love it anyway.

"Some books are so familiar that reading them is like being home."

My second favorite would have to be the Lewis book and tea quote. ;-)

Day 15- Music You Write To

I'm afraid I don't have a favorite song to write to, because I don't like writing while listening to music if I can help it. I absolutely love music, and I've come across many songs that inspire some thing or other in my stories. In fact, the book that I eventually plan to write So She Dances was inspired by the Josh Groban song of that title. But I just seem to be one of those people who, usually, cannot write with music on because it distracts me too much. That said, most of the time, I also can't write unless there is some sorce of background noise to drown out. Silence distracts me just as much as music, it seems.

On those rare instances where I can or do write with music on, it has to be instrumental- no lyrics, or I will be distracted by singing along. The style, however, could vary between classical, celtic, jazz, movie scores, worship, or miscellaneous instrumentals....even soundscapes! I'm very ecclectic.

And that concludes my forray into this writing challenge!

If you would like to try your hand at it, just go to Lerowen's blog to get the details!

Writing Challenge Pick Up- Days 9 and 10

Yep, I'm finally picking back up on the writing challenge, and plan on doubling up the days so I can finish by the end of my extended weekend.

You can find the writing challeng at Lerowen's blog Eat...Sleep...Write.

Day 9- What is your current writing project?

Wait? Whatever happend to day eight? Well, I don't really know any videos about writing and books, except one that some of my friends posted while doing this challenge, but I didn't care for it all that much and I didn't want to over repeat it, so I am skipping that one and moving on.

So, my writing projects can be seen by the little section on your right. Currently I'm still trying to get up the courage to face that beast of a project called editing, and the story waiting to combat that beast is Hwinny's Story. In the mean time, and as November is comming up quite faster than we realize, I have already started a little on Naji's Story as you may have seen in one of my past posts, and this is what I shall probably choose to work on during NaNoWriMo this year. Though, I admit, this story does not seem to want to come out as easily, so far, as the other did. :-P

Day 10- The Most Important Thing To Know About Writing

Oh, dear. I'm afraid I may not be the best at giving this sort of advice, as I am quite the ameteur at it, myself. However, I would warn anyone trying their hand at writing that it is not as easy as it tends to look. But if you are determined to get a story out, don't let anything stop you. Even if you take years to write one book, don't give up writing it until it is completely at its end. Even, as they tell you at NaNo, it ends up as nothing but junk, get it out! You can learn from it, and editing does wonders. And that's another point- editing while writing can make your ideas die. Best not do it until completely finished writing.

Read a lot of good quality (well written and moral) books- both classic and modern. Pay attention to the nuances of history and its everyday life for people shown in those pages. Let your imagination soar! Don't be afraid to venture into the unknown, but always keep the familiar close at hand.

You may be the only one to read your story, but keep writing- never give up!

Do it for yourself- for fun, love, pleasure, and challenge- and don't let frustration and negativity from others or yourself stop you!

Of Birthday/Holiday Weekends and To Do Lists and Being Home Alone

It's Labor Day weekend, and so many people are heading out for the last camping weekend of the year...the last Summer hurrah...the last few days before school starts again for all the children. *all the children groan and all the parents rejoice*
So what am I doing this weekend? Staying home by myself. Yep, I've got nothing! My parents have gone up North to visit an old teacher and friend of my mom's, and I am here...with nowhere to go, and no way to get anywhere even if I did. Ok...I do have a Starbucks free birthday drink card I've got to use, but it'll have to wait until my parents get back on Wednesday.
But Monday is Labor Day here in the US, and also my birthday. What shall I do? Well, unless I am surprised by any local friends and family members with some sort of outing, I shall stay home and watch movies (especially North and South) and eat Starbucks Signature Hot Chocolate ice cream! :-D
Tuesday shall probably be my most productive day- a.k.a. cleaning. The rest of the days shall be somewhat productive with plenty of movie breaks in there. ;-)

My 'To Do' list for the weekend (in no particular order):

Photography

Edit and List Photography

Clean Washer and Dryer

Do Dishes and Laundry

Screen Cap and Song Cap DVDs

Watch Movies on My Netflix free trial

Watch 'North&South', 'A Little Princess', 'Pride&Predjudice' (BBC version), and 1983 BBC 'Jane Eyre'

Read

Take the socket liners out of my prostetics and wear them like that so my stumps fit in the sockets better

Possible Sewing Project

Record my own audio books

Finish my Writing Challenge blog posts!!!

Vaccuum (sp?)

Busy weekend....Wouldn't you say? ;-)

Day Seven- Favorites Again

This time I am supposed to tell you what my favorite genre to write would be.

I have a few genres that I like to read, and a couple that seem to come naturally into my imagination with their prodding little pickets trying to get me to write them.

The first, if you will have noticed, is Fantasy. It is probably the genre I enjoy reading the most, and is where my mind naturally goes the most. But my mind does not neccessarily wander into the area of strict high fantasy, such as Lord of The Rings, but more into the area of expanded fairy tales, with a few of the sort of elements one might find in the higher tales. One only has to read the parts of my book that take place in Faerie to understand that.

The second would be Historical Fiction...however, I have yet to really, seriously try my hand at that as the amount of research often required scares me. Too much in school, I'd say. But if you notice my list at the side of my works in progress, you will notice two selections that will be historical. Thankfully they are of places I know and have access to for research. ;-)

I also love writing poetry, and that often has the tendancy to sneak its way into my other writings. In Faerie's Grace, the first part of Hwinny's quest is partially spurred by a nursery poem, and I've even ended a bit of Narnian fan fiction with a poem before. (I think more people enjoyed the poem than the story)

I also plan at least one venture into the realm of Contmeporary writing...and, perhaps, revising a project I started as a teenager- making it, not really fantasy....more alternate universe. We'll see. ;-)



Join in!

Challenge Day Six- Writer's Bucket List

Well, I don't even have a bucket list, so to answer what is on mine that is writing related is an impossibility.

However, I suppose it is the hope of every writer to get at least one of their works published. And I know it is a goal of mine to eventually get all my current story ideas fully down and written...maybe I could use that?
There are lots of things that I would like to do and places I would like to go some time in my life, and lots of those things are second or third times, but I just don't make lists for that kind of thing. I dream, and I remember those dreams that are the most important to me. If it's important enough for me to remember, I know God is putting it on my heart, and I will do it...even if it isn't until I'm 90 years old.

But, yes, I would like to get all my story ideas out, and I would like to have something eventually published. I'll leave it at that.



Still want to follow along? Visit here.

Writing Challenge Day Five- Least Favorites

Well, it certainly is hard to choose a character you don't like at all, since, as Anna at Insanity Comes Naturally mentioned, every character has a purpose to fulfill. Even if that purpose is along the lines of the villian, you still can't completely dislike them, because they are doing their job. It is their job to not be likeable, and you must like them for that.

However, if I must choose, so be it, and I must, therefore, choose the first set of villians we meet in my book.

Firstly, I don't, in general, care for Hwinny's guardians. What kind of people stalk and run off the road the girl they raised? If you can call what they did raising her. They really didn't have much of a part in Hwinny's life. They were like absentee parents. Providing, but leaving the care and raising to the nanny.

Secondly, Nurse Ippy...after all, she was the one who kidnapped the princess. I have also found, now that I'm writing more of her due to Naji's story, that I find her a bit annoying. I can't place my finger on just what makes me feel that toward her, but I know it's there- ready to show itself in the book I'm working on.

Follow the challenge at Eat...Sleep...Write!

Writing Challenge Day Four- Inspiration

Today's instruction is to tell about a novel or author who has influenced your writing style in some way.
I am going to interpret this in two ways.

Story Content-

This may not actually be what was meant, but I felt it should be mentioned as it seems to go hand in hand, to me.
The authors who have influenced the creating of the world in my book are C.S. Lewis and Frewin Jones.
Lewis for his creativity which inspired my own for being able to create a fantasyworld, plus his way of putting in the Christian themes without it being overbearing. He also inspired Frewin Jones, who in turn, inspired me to writ my book because I knew there should be a Christian alternative to his Faerie Path series for all those young (or even not so young) people out there who would love the stories but not the type of magic used, etc.


Writing Style

This I feel was strongly influenced, again by Lewis for his simplicity, but also Robin Jones Gunn (who is also a Lewis fan) for her straight forword but engaging way she presented the teenage/college age world and mind. The way Mrs. Gunn writes her books makes it easy to understand her characters, both what they are saying and what they are going through. I like to strive for that, myself. Plus she presents the Bible and Biblical morals in a way that is right on.

I'm so thankful to have these authors be my influences. :-)


Follow the challenge here: http://thethoughtsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-4-inspiration.html

Writing Challenge Day Three- Your First Attempt At Writing

Uhg! This could be mortifying!

Ok...I'll actually tell of my first two, as both were school assignments, and the second, I think, gives me better credit. ;-P

The first attempt was in fourth grade. Everyone in the class had to write a book, and they were indiviually bound with wallpaper covered cardboard covers. (Honestly, I would have completely forgotten about this thing if my sister-in-law hadn't found it in the attic a few months ago.)
My book was titled The Princess and The Dragon. Can you guess what it was about? :-P
And who knew the oldest, though smallest, roots for my last book started way back then?
It was your typical princess captured by dragon story, and I cringe at my ending: "Then they saw it was time to go home. The End." But, hey, this is out of the mind of a nine year old! :-P

My second real attempt at writing wasn't until eighth grade. My English class was supposed to read Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart and then each student write a short one or two page story based off of it. However, my mom would not let me read the story (for good reason), so my teacher selected another story from which I was to do the assignment. I don't remember the name of the story or the author, but I remember it was set in the future in a space port on the moon. Two men were discussing an art burglary that had happened on Earth.
I put my character in as a young girl traveling to visit her grandmother when her father had an urgent business matter to attend to. This girl is sitting in the port listening to the two men's conversation when she realizes all the circumstances match to why her dad was shipping her off, and that- I think it was a vase- was in her suitcase.
My teacher gave me an excellent grade, saying I did very well. :-)
Though I don't remember all the details of it, I still like to think of that story now and then....

http://thethoughtsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-3-first-times.html <---- To see what this challenge is about!

Fifteen Day Challenge Days One and Two

I'll admit, this is another one of those things that it seems all my friends are doing, and I end up getting sucked into. Not a bad thing, though. And I did promise more posts soon, so this counts! Right? ;-)
This challenge comes from Lerowen's blog and can be found here:
http://thethoughtsofabookworm.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-2-male-author.html

Day One- Favorite Character You've Written

Well, what can I say? There is only one work that I've really written enough to actually get to know the characters. My choices are wide enough, even in that one work...Would it be Caleb? Would it be Naji? Perhaps Karen or Holly or Purity? Or would it be the more obvious Hwinny...







Honestly, I think my favorite would actually be Lady Henafubi.
She may be a bit of a silent presence in the story, but she's a strong silent presence. She's also based off of a friend of mine by the same (English) name, so I can't help liking her. Thankfully we'll get to know her more in the next book. ;-)



Day Two- Favorite Male Author

It seems my friends have taken most of those I would pick.
I love C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, J.R.R. Tolkien...a whole slew of those most beloved by my friends.
However, and I hope this counts as they more compiled than authored, my absolute favorite other than those would be the Grimm Borthers. Fairy tale freak that I am. ;-)
How can anyone not at least appreciate, if not love, the original classic tales that have inspired the imaginations of millions- including our favorite authors!
To me, these are the best, and I think Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm are to be honored, for where would we be without fairy tales?
I, for one, would be truely lost.


And if they don't count, then I say Hans Christian Andersen! ;-P

Quick giveaway blurb!

Just a note to let anyone who sees this know that my friend Abigail, who is a great authoress, is having a giveaway for her book The Soldier's Cross!
Interested?
Just follow this link to her blog for further details!
http://scribblesandinkstains.blogspot.com/2011/08/giveaway-soldiers-cross.html

The Heart of The Prayer

I know it's been a few months, and I promise I'll write a real post sometime somewhat soon (if I can ever think of something I want to say that will stick in my head from when I'm getting dressed for work all the way until I'm home again and can get on the computer. :-P ). For now, I just wanted to share a poem I wrote several years ago that I was afraid I had lost! But, lo and behold, when I was cleaning out my email inbox today (106 pages down to 76), I found it in an email to a friend! :-D And there was much rejoicing! Now it is safely saved on my computer....I just need to make sure I take other precautionary saving measures, as well. ;-P

The Heart of The Prayer

by Rebekah Porter



What's in the heart
Of those who pray?
What secrets lie in there
That never see the light of day,
And still their souls do bare.

What do they keep?
What do they give?
And does it fade away?
Or do they hold
Until it comes
And haunts them
Day to day.

"Cast all your cares!"
They seem to hear,
But never take to heart.
Those burdens,
Which had seemed so dear,
To close with which to part.

"Let me heal you!"
Makes them cry
As this is all they know.
Yet gentle hands lift the weight,
And leave them room to grow.

So dance now, prayers!
Sing and shout!
With all your heart, rejoice!
For light of Son
And light of day
Now fill that burden's void.

What's in the heart
Of those who pray?
What secrets lie in there?
None they do not give away
To the One they know
Does care.

I hope this touches lives, and if you are dealing with fear and/or burdens, remember the victory is already yours because it is already Christ's and if He is your Savior then you are in Him. Let Him take your loads, remove your fears with His perfect love, and heal your heart.

*hugs to all*

@-->-------

I Believe

As it is Easter weekend (specifically, as I write this, Good Friday), I thought it would be a perfect time to write out what I believe, both spiritually and morally (as morals tie in with faith).

I believe that there is only one God, that he is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit- three seperate but equal parts creating the whole of God. I believe that God created the entire universe in six litteral 24 hour periods, and on the seventh he rested. I believe that all things were created by God in those six days, including man, and that Adam and Eve were the perfect representations for humans. I believe that Satan took the form of a serpent and decieved Eve into eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and that Adam, who was not decieved and could have stopped Eve, sinned by not stopping her and by eating of the fruit himself. I believe that man fell away from God that day, but that God was not at a loss as He sees the end from the beginning, and had already set into motion His plans for our redemption and reconciliation with Him, because He loves us.

I believe that God sent His one and only begotten Son, known to us as Jesus Christ (the second Adam), to earth to be that plan. That Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and walked the earth doing miracles- healing the sick, raising the dead, delivering people, etc. That Christ was betrayed and brought before Pilot, and condemned to death, though He had committed no crime. That Christ was bruised and beaten and scourged beyond recognition and until the flesh was falling off His back, that by those wounds- that massive stripe-we have received our healing from all sickness, disease, and hurt. That Christ was crowned with a crown of thorns that we could have Shalom; and nailed to a cross, His hands and feet nailed and his side was pierced, in atonement for our sins- past, present, and future. That He gave up His spirit once He knew that the work He had come to do was finished. That He was laid in a borrowed grave, and laid there for three days. That on the third day He rose, body and spirit, from the grave, having passed through Hell- defeating Satan and taking back the keys to the Kingdom. I believe that after some time (ok, I can't remember the exact lenght) He ascended into Heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father, where He sits today waiting to come back for His bride. That He did not leave us alone after His ascention, but sent the Holy Spirit- who is the spirit of grace- to guide us and comfort us, and to further empower us to live our lives in Him.

I believe that Christ is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life- that there is NO other way to the Father but by Him. That no other religion leads to Heaven, nor that any other way leads to true peace- that the world has nothing to offer that can satisfy. I believe that a person will receive salvation if they only ask. That salvation is by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. That if you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and ask Him to come into your life as your personal Lord and Savior, that you will be saved and spend eternity in Heaven with the Father. That when you recieve Christ as Lord, His grace comes into your life, and that when you are in Christ, you are no longer under the law, but under grace. That grace is NOT a license to sin, but what keeps us from sinning, and that anyone who is still living in sin is not living their lives in the true knowledge of that grace, but still living their lives under the law.
I believe in baptism in water by full submersion AFTER salvation, which is the burrying of the old man and the resurrection of the new. I also believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which gives us the further empowerment to not only live according to Christ but to also recive the gifts of the Spirit, including the ability to speak in tounges (the heavenly prayer language), and to do works even greater than Christ, as He said we would do- the healing of the sick, the raising of the dead, the deliverence of the oppressed, depressed, and possessed- all through His power.
That Christ will return again, one day, as King, to take back the world. In that day, those who are in Him, including the dead, will be taken up body and spirit to reign forever with Him. And should anyone who is in Christ should die before that day, that their spirit will remain in Heaven with God until that day. But those who are not in Christ, who have not recieved Him as thier Lord and Savior, will spend eternity seperated from God in Hell (which is very real, and God does not want anyone to have to go there, but that all would come to know Christ so they can be reconciled to Him- but that decision is ultimately yours. If you go to Hell, it was your own decision.)

I believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God. That " All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16&17)

I believe that sex is to be saved for marriage only. That romantic relationships are to be between a man and a woman only. That marriage is between one man and one woman for life. That children are a blessing from God, not a burden. That life begins at conception. That we are to train up children in the way of The Lord. That life and death is in the power of the tounge, and that drunkeness is wrong.

To the best of my ability to describe, that is what I believe, and NOTHING, no lies of the devil, no schemes of man, NOTHING will ever change that...and NOTHING can ever take me from God's hand. :-)

In Christ Alone

Yes, there are several songs out there with such amazing truth and that the power of God flows mightily through, such songs as "Word of God Speak" by Mercyme or "You Are I Am" by Darrell Evans or "Mighty To Save", "The Stand", "From The Inside Out", and "To The Ends Of The Earth" all by Hillsong. However, there is one song that is so basic and powerful that, no matter how often the afore mentioned songs make me tear up, this one I can never get through without it touching my heart so much I practically start balling my eyes out. So foundationally basic and true, and very, VERY powerful. The first and last verses, especially hit right to my heart, because of things I have gone through in my life.

"In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease!
My Comforter my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone! - who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This Gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid:
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till he returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!

This is the song I am going to place at the end of this post (where I normally put a song), and I just want to invite all my friends, and any others who view this page, to not only listen to it but to sing it out in worship straight from your heart. Let's spend some time worshiping God together, right now, praising Him for all His power and great love for us. As He gave His life for us, let us worship Him with ours. Let us lavish our love on Him.

"In Christ Alone/Solid Rock"
sung by Travis Cottrell

Faerie's Virtues Series- Character Meet 'n Greet

So many of my friends have done this, I figured I might as well. :-P
Before I begin introducing my characters I would like to point out a few things:
1. Only the first story (Faerie's Grace: Hwinny's Story) is written, and it is still in its rough draft stage, so do not expect perfection.
B...no...2. I have only matched characters to photos in accordance with close matching looks, not close matching personalities or lives. So any of my friends who find their pictures here, don't worry- you're not really in the story. :-P
3 or C. All of the pictures I used I have tweaked, but all but two are not my own. About half of the pictures are stock photos I found on deviantArt and the rest are of people I actually know (some from The Lion's Call and some from real life), so I will be placing photo credits at the end of each character blurb.

Enjoy! (and kudos to anyone who reconizes the listing system.) :-D

Hwinny, raised by her strange guardians, grew up thinking she was merely Cherry Meinui. It wasn't until she met Caleb that she found out she was actually the long lost Princess Hwinny of Faerie who was kidnapped as a baby. Once she returned to The Realm of Faerie and was reunited with her family, she found out she was more important to the country than she realized.

(photo by MandeeMayhem Stock on deviantArt)

Caleb Cnubhi, also known as Prince Caleb, is betrothed to the Princess Hwinny and has vowed to find the lost princess and protect her. When he is successful in keeping his vow he is overjoyed, and even more grateful to find that he has come to truly love her, but will he be able to convince her of his love? And will he be able to keep his vow of protection with all that will come against the princess and himself?

(photo by Tigg Stock on deviantArt)

Princess Naji of Faerie is the twin sister of Princess Hwinny, but she has grown up in the Royal Court of Faerie knowing all the ins and outs of such a life. When her sister is returned to her she isn't quite sure about the girl, but they soon become friends. However, her sister's more adventerous spirit seems to be bound to get them in trouble and that's something Naji doesn't like. Still, she's willing to help her sister in every way she can, including on her quests.

(photo by IntergalacticStock on deviantArt)

Queen Afudue of Faerie was devistated when she found her daughter had been kidnapped. It broke her heart so much that she never recovered. Five years after the incident, she died, leaving behind a grieving husband and remaining child and a realm to mourn the loss of a most beloved queen.

(photo[s] of my friend Olivia at her wedding)

King Eznueb of Faerie is the greatest king the people of the Realm have ever known, but he is also the one with the most heartbreaking past. First the kidnapping of his daughter, then the death of his queen, and now the possible uprising of the Mountain Keepers race and the fabled Goblins. Things start to look up for him when his daughter comes back, but will he be able to let her go enough as soon as he's found her to let her fulfill her obvious destiny?

(photo of Curt Coffield)

Nurse Ippy was the Royal Nurse to the Princesses Hwinny and Naji, and supposedly had no idea how Hwinny disappeared from her crib. She later became Naji's governess, but her secrets soon land her in trouble.

(photo by Kathy Ophelia on deviantArt)

Sarah Gable is one of Hwinny's best friends since junior high school, and is now one of her roommates at college. Sarah is a fashionista and loves to tease and joke around with people, but she is very tenderhearted to those she cares about- unless she is deeply hurt by one of them.

(photo by Kuoma Stock on deviantArt)

Holly Berhgwall is the other one of Hwinny's best friends since junior high, and is the other college roommate. She's rather realistic and can be slightly pessimistic, but she's a faithful friend and has many a surprise up her own sleeves.

(photo by Fox Stock on deviantArt)

Will Clowe grew up being friends with Caleb, and is one of the youth helpers at Hwinny's church. Unfortunately, for Hwinny, he's also had a crush on her for many years, which wouldn't be so intolerable if he wasn't so clingy.

(photo of my friend Adrian)

Mr. Cnubhi (Aaron to his friends) is Caleb's father and is an Earl of Faerie. He also owns a hotel and restaurant in the mortal world, but his most important job is that of guardian of the last portal between the faerie and the mortal worlds. He is very kind and generous and very loyal to the royal house of Faerie.

(photo of Pastor Lee Cummings)

Mrs. Cnubhi (Tania) is Caleb's mother and a cousin to the late Queen Afudue. She is gentle and loving, and loves to help her son in whatever way she can. She also takes her role as portal guardian, with her husband, very seriously.

(photo of Jen Coffield)

Karen is a housemaid at the Cnubhi's house in the mortal world, but acts as Hwinny's personal maid whenever the princess is there. The two girls have become very good friends inspite of their difference in station, and it's relationship that Hwinny never forgets.

(photo by Chamberstock on deviantArt)

Duke Pellwiv is the king's most trusted advisor, and is also his oldest friend. He may seem stuffy and strict to those who are younger than him, but he is very loyal to his king and the royal house.

(photo of my dad)

Lady Nory was the Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Afudue and then to Princess Naji. Once Princess Hwinny returned, Lady Nory was reassigned to her as Instructress in the Ways of the Court as well as Lady-in-Waiting. She is very strict in her lesson regime and is all about proper ettiquette, so much so it drives Hwinny up the wall, but she means well. She takes great pride in being able to server her beloved late queen by training her lost daughter.

(photo by auroradreams on deviantArt)

Sir John is a Knight of the Realm, and is betrothed to Princess Naji. He is also Prince Caleb's closest friend in Faerie, and he loves an adventure now and then.

(photo by Goblin Stock on deviantArt)

Lady Henafubi is Sir John's sister, and is Princess Naji's new Lady-in-Waiting. She is also a good friend of Naji's. She is very patient and very sweet and loves to learn about things beyond her knowlege and experiences of her life at Court.

(photo of my friend Lady Rosebud of TLC)

Purity is a young Wood Woman who befriends the princesses and Caleb on their first journey, and joins them in the rest of their mission. She is very wise, as many in her race are, and is great help and friend.

(photo by Chamberstock on deviantArt)

The Keeper is a figure of legend talked of in an old Faerie nursery rhyme. She sailed eastward from Faerie 1500 years ago, never to return. It is said she resides on Fufeh- the island of lilacs- in her ship the Petraverd and can be seen with her constant companion, Dear One.

(photo by Elandria on deviantArt)

Dear One, also called Dearie, is a talking fox kit and companion to her "Misstress", The Keeper. She is very cute, and has a personality all her own.

(photo from a google search)

Eli is a Wood Man, and is Purity's neighbor and betrothed. He is a brave soul, and joins the young people in their second journey.

(photo of my friend Chris Lepsch)

Joel is Eli's brother, whome he also lives with. He also joins in on the second journey.

(photo of my friend Sir Arieh of TLC)

That's all for now! :-)

Currently stuck in my head:

All The Earth by Parachute Band

Days Without Television

Yep, that's right. We are without t.v. right now, due to lack of payment. :-P
Not that we don't have any channels at all- which is really weird- we do still receive some of the news and Christian channels. Also, it's not that I actually watch t.v. a lot. Quite honestly, I don't very much at all. It's more a matter of my mom watches it most of the day, and I'm always in the livingroom, so I always see it.
I do have my shows that I enjoy (as you can see from one of the lists on the side of this page), but I don't have any shows right now that are absolute must sees. However, my mom is currently mourning the loss of being able to watch The Biggest Loser and American Idol tonight. :-P

So, where have I been and what have I been doing since Valentine's Day? Mostly reading and watching DVDs. You see, all the wonderful goodies I bought with part of my tax return came during the past week, and I have been going through and getting to know them and letting them get to know me.
What all did I get? Well, for starters, I got a new set of season 4 Doctor Who DVDs, as my old set didn't work pretty much since I got them, but  I didn't realize that until it was too late to return them. My bad.
I also got the DVD of the Classic Who episode "The Sontaran Experiment" with the Fourth Doctor played by Tom Baker.
Most squeeably I got the first season DVDs of the BBC's show Merlin! ^.^ There is much squeeage and smiles among my life just with that! (and might I highly recommend the episode ten commentary- absolutely hilarious!) Still, that wasn't all! I finally got, after years of wanting, and down right needing, a NOOK!!!! :-D ^.^ :-D ^.^
Let's face it, with how much I love to read and travel, and how I always try to have a book with me, a NOOK really was a neccessity. My purse is only so big, you know.
All that I was able to get, plus a nice cover for my NOOK plus a bunch of NOOKbooks (including the full CoN), and still be able to put some money toward bills, and a new pair of pants for work, and for three pairs of some much needed new stump socks. Now with the money I got from my taxes, plus whatever I get from the fund raiser at work, I hope to be able to get as close as possible to a whole week's worth of socks.
God has given me great blessings. :-)

And I just finished reading The Hobbit. Yes, it is the first time I've read it all the way through- so sue me. The first time I tried, years ago, I couldn't even get into the first chapter. Now, I got through the whole book, and I liked it, though I think I still prefer the storyline of LotR, better. (though I haven't finished the actual books for that, either...just "Fellowship")

I'm afraid I haven't written anything new, yet. Still, the ideas for the main part of the story are starting to swarm around in my head. We'll see what happens in the near future.
*snugs*



Song stuck in my head right now:
"Inspiration" by Ken Blount

Second Book and Valentine's Day

Yep, today was Valentine's Day, but I tend to be one who calls it "Singles Awareness Day". Not that I really mind the day, or that it all gets to me, but it's kind of fun. Plus, being single as long as I have, it does get more noticeable every year around this day. :-P
I'm not at total loss for the day, however. My parents always get me a little something, and everyone at TLC sends greetings to each other. It's all fun.

Another point up for this post is that I've started writing my next book, already. I really didn't expect to start on it yet, but I guess my brain decided my post NaNo break had been long enough. Last night, after reading a bit of The Hobbit, I went to start on my laundry and the words for the prologue of the book started entering into my brain and wouldn't leave me alone until I had "written" it out into my computer. I haven't even begun editing my first book, and this one has decided it wants to come out! My, books are stubborn things.

This book is not a continuation off the first book, but it is in the same series. Most, if not all, of the books after the first will be highlighting the lives of different characters within the stories before the events in the first.
There is a list on the side of the books I've got right now, and what step of progress they are at in the present. -->
As I said, I only got the prologue out, so far, and I'm not going to share the whole thing here, but here is a bit of an excerpt from Faerie's Love: Naji's Story :

Naji’s reverie was broken as she was prompted by her father to respond to the courtiers’ condolences as they passed by them in single file. It seemed to Naji that the whole kingdom wanted to say they were sorry for them. She lifted her large gray eyes to each one, and whispered a small “Thank you” as they stopped in front of her. She really wished she could be somewhere else at the moment. Her feet were starting to ache, she felt fidgety and restless, and she wanted to find out why mother was empty now. Naji had overheard a few courtiers mention that the queen would be placed into one of the royal family crypts the next day- Naji guessed it was because her mother was empty. Did empty people get put into crypts? Why? Her five year old mind was very inquisitive. When there was a bit of a gap in the line, Naji ventured to ask her question to her nurse, but the only response she received was a frown and a reproving “Hush, little mistress. Have some proper respect for your mother.”

“I want to have respect for Mama, Ippy, but wouldn’t it be disrespectful to put her in such a thing as a crypt?” Naji pressed.

“No, Your Highness,” Nurse Ippy said, shaking her head and frowning further, “Not when she’s dead. A crypt, then, is the most respectful place you can put her.”

A second small excerpt:

When Naji awoke the next morning she found it was a beautifully sunny late spring day. She wanted nothing more than to put on her yellow dress and go outside and collect all the daisies she saw growing upon the hills in the castle’s parklands. Her dream was short lived, however, when Nurse Ippy told her no, and pulled out another lovely but rather simple black dress. Naji hated wearing black, and, as Ippy was tying her long golden hair back into a black ribbon, she made her feelings known.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but black is what you must wear, and will be wearing for the next month, so I suggest you reconcile yourself to it,” was the nurse’s firm response.

“But why?” Naji questioned, “Why must it be black? I don’t like black. It is the one color I do not understand.”

“Because black is the appropriate color for mourning, and you and your father the King are mourning your mother the Queen,” Ippy answered, “And you don’t have to understand it, you just have to wear it.” She gave a firm tug on the hair ribbon she had tied into a bow as she said this last statement.

What do you think, so far? :-)



Songs stuck in my head:
"All the Earth" by Parachute Band-

"Made Me Glad" by Hillsong

Mystery Solved?

So, the mystery of the shattered glass may be solved. One of my dad's cousins offered this explaination:

It may have been tempered glass. It shatters in small pieces, no large fragments to be found or cut on. That type of glass will shatter into very small pieces as if it exploded, if it has a chip, hairline crack, or any type of trauma. Funny thing about it. It doesn't always break right away.

Anything as simple as a change in pressure in a room can cause it to explode if it has any cracks, even those too small to see. Although rare, it does happen.

This does seem the most plausible explaination I've received, yet. So, mystery solved?
What do you think?

Oh, word of advice....


Don't eat bad apples!!!! :-P

Song stuck in my head:
"Hands In The Air" by The Waiting

Shattered Glass, Like Tears

I must say, today has been very interesting. Some of it good, some of it not, but all interesting.
It started out like a normal day off of work, kind of boring, but while my parents were at the store, and I was in the bathroom, I suddenly heard the sound of glass shattering and falling to the floor. There had been nothing before that- no house shaking, no extremely loud noises, no major temperature changes, nothing projectiled toward the glass...nothing! It just shattered! And shattered all over my decorations on the shelves below it, not to mention on my coat and some of my clothes. I spent a good part of the morning picking up glass. My mom and I consider it a mystery, what in the world made it break. And it really did shatter and explode, too. You can tell by the pieces of glass. They have that webbed look within most of the pieces...and those pieces were the thick part of the bottom of the glass. Definitely not a case of falling and breaking.
It was almost like the Doctor had come in and held his Sonic Screwdriver to the glass, a la Torchwood glass door illustration. :-P
At least the incident has forced me to finally vaccuum my room, like I've been meaning to get around to for months, now. And I'm saving the glass in a bag, for now. I plan on dumping it all into a glass bowl and taking some cool photos. ;-)

The worst part of the day was one of those times where I just let things get to me, and make me a bit depressed. Having delt with depression in the past, I'm careful not to let myself fall into those lies that try to trap me back into those mindsets, but every now and then I have a moment of weakness. This is when I need to make sure I keep my focus on God's love and grace, and not look at the world around me. But I did look at the world around me, today. I felt ignored and left out and let down by my friends. I would say things, and no one would respond. I put my self worth for the day into the hands of my friends, just like I used to do when I was a teenager, when I dealt with the worst of the depression. But I know that's not where my worth lies, no matter how my friends interact with me or don't interact with me, my worth is in Christ. He's always listening to me, and tells me what He thinks. I'm know that I'm the most important thing in the world to Him, and His love covers me, always. It will never end, and nothing can change how big that love is. Nothing can seperate that love from me. It's important to have earthly friends, of course. They help keep you strong, and show you a part of that love via their love, but His love is the biggest and most important. He proved that love 2,000 years ago, and he continues to prove it every day. I am His beloved, and He is mine. This is what makes me happy. The very love that comes from His never ending, never failing grace. This is what keeps me from fear and depression and all those things of the past that He has removed from my life. This is what has brought my freedom from such bondage- a freedom that allows me to dance and sing and write and worship Him without the fear of what others may think or of what I may have done or not done in the past. His grace covers everything, and I rest in it. My resting in it keeps me strong, and keeps me on the right path of my life, not letting me go back to how I was. His love is overwhealming, and this makes me smile. :-)

The song I have stuck in my head right now:
"Kindle" by Between Thieves

New page!

In case you didn't notice yet, I added a second page to this little blog today. It's for the various graphics I make...at least, those not made for specific people and I don't mind showing. There are only a few sets of old ones, right now, but when I add new ones, they shall always be on the top. ;-)

Maybe I'll soon add a page for my book?

The Waiting, Smalltown Poets, Butterfly, Superman, and My Crazy Life

That's a lot for one post title, I know, but that's all the different things I wanted to feature this time, as well as the usual rambles.

First off, I wanted to post sooner, but life has a way of going crazy...even when it's not being crazy crazy, it can still be crazy enough to keep you from doing stuff you want to do. As usual, there's work, and we just sent off our general manager into retirement...I'm super curious to know who the new GM will be. Then there is babysitting, and let me tell you, as much as I absolutely love my neices and nephew, they can be a handfull...especially when you're babysitting them for five or more hours straight. I get exhausted just thinking about it. Then there's forum stuff...yah, you get the picture. After all that, I feel a little more blah than I did the other day...and things were looking up just after that...*sigh*
Don't worry, I'll be fine...some snugs and I'll be right as rain. Oh, and I had the ice cream, but I didn't have it until the next day.

Sooo....The Waiting!
One of those bands who came out in the late '90's and didn't really make it past 1999. However, they were popular enough to make three (or was it four) albums. I have several songs of theirs that I like, but I have five songs that I especially love: "Never Dim", "How Do You Do That?", "Hands In The Air", "Unfazed", and, most especially, "Speak". You can find videos of all five of those on Youtube, if you're interested in hearing them, but, I'll warn you, most of them are live performances which can usually sound a bit different in the way they sing the songs than what you would hear on their albums.
Here is a vid of "Speak":

I especially love the last verse: "From the burning of the bush that refuse to be consumed,/ To the Spirit on a shepard boy who ran through every tune./ The terror of the King who carries vengence in His had,/ The love of the Messiah dying quiet as a lamb!"  The last phrase makes me tear up every time. It's such a beautiful picture.

Then there's Smalltown Poets. Another band who did quite well in the late 90's (maybe the very early 2000's, too), that I still love, who did a mix of quirky deep and beautiful deep and simple all at the same time. Interesting mix, huh? Well, that's how I describe it, anyway. From the interesting presentation of "Prophet, Priest, and King":

to "Anything Genuine" and the beautiful "Hold It Up To The Light". More I highly recommend checking out.

A couple more great songs are Seven Day Jesus's "Butterfly":

And Luna Halo's "Superman":

All great, and I hope, if you haven't heard them before, that you'll check them all out. ;-)
That's all for now! See you later! *SUPERSNUGS*