Officially Old (a.k.a. I had a Birthday Today)

Hi. I'm Eighteen.

I know, not much of an introduction. In fact *squints* IS that even an introduction? Nope. Not really.

And, if you couldn't tell from those first few sentences...

I AM ACTUALLY REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS DAY AND AM HAVING A VEEEEEEEEEEERY HARD TIME HOLDING IT ALL IN!!!!!!!!!!

Pink...just for the guy bloggers out there. ;)

So please excuse me while I run around screaming at the top of my lungs. Outside, per my family's request.

Thank goodness you can't hear me. XD

After looking back...WAAAAAAAAAAAAY back to my seventeen-year-old birthday post, I realized that now...I am officially old. *cries* WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE TO GROW UP? (Age wise. I'm all for maturity. :P)

Here are some goals for my eighteenth year:

1: Grow closer to my Lord and Savior
2: Self-publish "The Princess & I" as well as "Alice & Alyssa" and possibly a volume of poetry(?)
3: Make new friends
4: Make a ton of awesome blog posts ;)
5: Start college (gulp)

For fun, I thought I'd give you some of our family quirks when it comes to birthdays:
1: The birthday child does NOT get out of work or school on their special day. (Except if you are lucky enough to have a summer birthday, then you don't have to do school. ;)
2: Those who have a birthday are given a special gift from their parents in the morning.
3: Often, we have a small competition to see who can say "Happy Birthday" to the growing child first.
4: NO special breakfasts or lunches...although sometimes we are able to choose a dinner.
5: The sibling closest to you in age (that's older than you) usually says something along the lines of "Ahhhh, yes I remember that year..."
6: SOMETIMES we get to sleep in.

And here are a few things I've discovered about getting a year older:
-I don't ever FEEL a year older
-Time really DOES seem to go by faster
-I will continue calling myself "seventeen" until about three months before turning nineteen. ;)
-It's more startling to realize one of your siblings had a birthday than to have one myself
-Characters I create get older as I do
-Life only gets busier
-God only gets more wonderful
-It gets tempting to become cynical about life, BUT I WILL PREVAIL


Any questions you want to ply me with? I may have stolen this idea from Mary, my almost-birthday-buddy... Ask me anything...within reason (I will not answer unless I think your question is appropriate, so do me a favor and ask awesome ones) and I will answer! Sometime after the wedding I'll write all my answers, along with the questions and who gave them...so HAVE FUN!!

Before I go, here's a verse that has become my theme verse for life:

Another Writing Tag!

Faith tagged me for this one! :) And, as with all writing/book related tags, I could hardly pass it up. So without further ado, I proudly present...

*dramatic music*

I know the actual title for this tag is "The Rising Author's Tag", but isn't this title so much more cool?? Copyrights to the "new and improved" version, go to my older sister Sarah. ;)

Da Rules:
>>Write a post thanking the person who tagged you; include the tag, the 11 questions asked, your answers, and in reply to the request of a small piece of poetry or writing, write a brief 150-word story.

>>At the end of the post, provide 11 new questions.

>>Request a brief 150-word story from the people you tagged.

>>Tag at least one person, and include a link to their blog.

Da Answers:
What's your favorite writing style? 

Good styles? Are those a thing? If not, it totally should be. Good writing is hard to find sometimes, but its worth it when you read books with it.
But other than that, I enjoy humor in books. As long as it's not overdone or rude.
 

Where do you usually sit to write? 

At the computer. Or on my laptop. Or in my journal (preferably propped up on my knees in bed for those last two).

If you write for long periods of time, does it bother your fingers/wrists/hands?

If I'm typing, I can pretty much write forever...but with an actual pencil (or pen) and paper, I can only write for about half an hour to forty-five minutes before my wrists' complaints become to unbearable. :(

Do you snack while you write? If so, what's your favorite snack?

I like to focus on my writing...so no. Unless there's chocolate or ice-cream available. Then ABSOLUTELY.

Are you published? If so, best publishing advice you've received? If not, do you want to be? 

I'm self-published, so I guess that doesn't really count. :P And yes, I would love to have a publishing company take my books and publish them to the waiting public. That would be awesome! :)

Writing/publishing wise, where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? 

Oh goodness. *cough* Not to offend, but I really hate this question. ;) Why? Honestly, I'd love to be writing in heaven in five years because the Lord came back. But...if that doesn't happen, I would like my books to all be written and published, selling millions across the world while bringing glory to God, and be able to meet all you fantastic friends.

Do you listen to music while you write? 

Most of the time. Sometimes, if I'm writing a particularly difficult part of the story, or fighting writer's block, I won't. But if I'm just happily typing away, then yes.

What's your opinion of editing? 

Worst Enemy. Best Friend. It's a love/hate relationship. ;)

Do you enjoy research? 

When the mood occurs, yes. Sometimes it's just too much work. >.<

Do you fiddle with the font style and size of your works? 

ALL. THE. TIME. It's an addiction guys.
 

And lastly, what's your thoughts on writerly tags? B-) 

I love them!!! *gives all writerly tags a giant hug* But, you probably already gathered that from what I wrote at the beginning. ;)
 

150-word story-snippet request: Can I see a piece of your writing?

“You have got to be kidding me…” Jacob hissed to his friend in a barely audible whisper, cocking his gun. The click sounded deafening in the still air.

“Nope,” Jason replied grimly, cocking his own gun and trying to sound more hopeful about his plan than he really was. “Come on, buddy, where’s your sense of adventure?”

“Where is always is… but I would hardly call this an adventure. This is suicide! Robbing a well-known bank isn’t exactly what I would call smart.”

“Well, then, how come you’re helping me?”

“Because you’re my friend and we both need the money.”

“Right. So let’s get this done!”

The two boys slipped into the darkness of the bank after Jason picked the lock open. Both of them walked silently across the shadowed interior to where they both knew the safe was located. Jason had assured his friend that he had figured out the combination, but when they got there, he tried the code…several times…but it didn’t work.

Desperate now, Jason worked on the safe frantically while Jacob kept watch. Beads of perspiration appeared on their foreheads as time slipped by. Still, no luck.

“Let’s give up on it!” Jacob hissed. “I saw a shadow and I think it’s time to make ourselves invisible.”

“Right.” Jason sighed, trying to mask his obvious relief. “Come on!”

They both went over to the nearest window, but as Jacob worked on opening it, another gun cocked, but this one was behind them.

Slowly, the boys turned around to face the three police officers.

They were caught.

*********************************

I know that wasn't exactly 150 words...but y'all should know by now that it's well nigh impossible for me to write a story any shorter than that...especially one on short notice. :)

 

DA QUESTIONS:

How long have you been writing?

What made you decide to become an author?

Where do you find inspiration?

What's a favorite quote from a book/story you've written?

What's the title of the favorite story you've written?

Do you prefer writing in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person?

Who's an author you tend to write like?

Do you write in short bursts fairly often, or several thousand words in one sitting but with larger breaks between sittings?

Have you ever had scenes (usually written late at night and discovered the next morning) when something happens in your story that you weren't expecting? If so, could you tell us what it was?

What's an odd writing quirk you have?

What's the weirdest thing you've researched for a story?

 

And...one last thing: Give us a peek into how you write by sharing either a 150 word story/poem or a snippet from one of your longer stories.

 

Da people I tag!:

Amanda @ Scattered Journal Pages

Hannah @ Ink Blots and Coffee Stains

Jonathan @ Fishing for Ideas

Abigayle @ The Left-handed Typist

Mary @ Sunshine and Scribblings

A Novel Idea: Facts & Figures

Hello all! I'm here to give you another ANI post! I know, I have not been as regular with these as I wanted too, but please forgive me because I'm trying to edit two books and get one of them off to alpha/beta-readers by tonight. *takes deep breath*

So, blog posts may be a bit scarcer. :) Still working on my book reviews people. *hides* I know, I know, it's baaaaaaaaaaad.

Check out Ashley or Sky's blogs if you're interested in joining this fabulous link-up...for any writer out there!! ^_^

The Prompt:

This week, make a list of 20 things about your character. They can be as simple or unique as you want, but hopefully it will help you learn at least something new about your character and their backstory.

Again, I have a hard time picking one character when something like this comes up, so I'm going to do something a little different and give you all six "main" characters (I say main...but they aren't really ALL main characters. Don't have a heart attack) from "Ocean Mist". Which SOME of you may have been reading recently. *coughs emphatically* However, since I'm doing six characters in one post, I'm only going to give you ten facts on each, instead of twenty. Just so you don't get too bored. ;)

Facts on Nicole Daniels:
1: Pastor's daughter/twin (duh!)
2: Hates anything with more than four legs (although there are a few things she dislikes that have four legs or less)
3: Redhead *cue cheering*
4: Loves drawing anything, and is pretty good at it all things considered
5: Shameless coffee fanatic
6: Mostly quiet, but can speak her mind
7: Loves accessorizing (jewelry, scarves, sunglasses, etc.)
8: Has a remarkable memory of people she's met and places she's been
9: Dislikes being hugged, but will hug other people...if they're people she loves/trusts
10: An ice cream connoisseur (yes, that's TOTALLY a thing...and don't ask me how many times I misspelled it before giving up and looking it up in the dictionary. >.<)

Facts on Shawn Daniels:
1: Pastor's son/twin
2: Wears glasses
3: Dislikes uncleanliness (so, in other words, he's a Neat Freak)
4: Fastidious about his appearance (points for cool word ;)
5: Book nerd of the highest caliber
6: Reclusive and sarcastic
7: Easily irritable when stressed
8: Likes clothes shopping
9: Chews only mint gum
10: Stores the strangest assortment of facts in his brain and pulls them out to impress people

Facts on Ray Daniels:
1: Pastor's son
2: Naturally athletic
3: Obsesses over learning about and playing any and all sports
4: Appreciates music of all kinds (except of course the bad stuff)
5: Hates dancing (with a vengeance)
6: Fascinated by God's creation
7: Plays the guitar...sort of
8: Makes friends easily
9: Thinks karate is the coolest thing EVER
10: Major outdoorsy person

Facts on Dillon Blake:
1: Only child
2: Easy going, relaxed, rarely stresses out (these are all words that describe the same thing... sorry, just had to put in that Studio C quote)
3: Loves surprises
4: Fascinated by cars and how they're put together
5: Hopes to become a mechanic after college
6: Enjoys meeting new people
7: Plays mindless video games when bored
8: Wants to own a Ford Mustang someday
9: Tends to say whatever first comes to his mind without thinking about it first
10: Spontaneous, cheerful, and did I mention friendly?

Facts on Mark Darrel:
1: Youngest son in a family of five (he has two brothers ages 34 and 29)
2: 6'4" tall
3: Tends to be both careless and carefree
4: Very good at basketball and hopes to continue getting even better
5: Will stick his nose in other people's business
6: Hates being left out of anything, especially social events
7: Avid football fan, even though he doesn't play it himself
8: Confident, enthusiastic, and friendly to the point of creepiness
9: Has a high opinion of himself, but also the people around him
10: Jokes around a lot and loves to tease

Facts on Steven Brown:
1: Has one sister whom he affectionately calls "Bossy Bridget"
2: The owner of flaming red hair and a very hyper pug
3: An African American
4: Very shy, but does open up some to those closest to him
5: Secretly writes poetry, but would die before admitting it to his friends
6: Plays the guitar, banjo, and ukulele surprisingly well
7: Loves country music and rap
8: Dislikes being the center of attention
9: Despises crocodiles and alligators
10: Fascinated by sharks

Are you similar to any of my characters? If so, which one(s)? I'm probably closest to Nicole, although I'm far more outgoing than her. :) So more of a mixture between her and Ray.

I look forward to hearing your feedback! Comments thrill the socks off my feet.

When I'm wearing them.

Which is like...never.

Rephrase: Comments make me V. E. R. Y.  H. A. P. P. Y. So do me a favor and leave one below! ^_^

As an Aspiring Author...

As an aspiring author, I am an...

 

 

>>Author<<

(of Course)

 

>>Writer<<

(of Stories)

 

>>Inventor<<

(of Unknown Worlds)

 

>>Murderer<<

(of Favorite Characters)

 

>>Researcher<<

(of Strange Things)

 

>>Explorer <<

(of Various Computer Document Programs)

>>Dreamer<<

(of...Dreams? And Also Story Ideas)

>>Thinker<<

(of a Lot of Things)

>>Hoarder<<
(of AT LEAST Ten Journals...Probably More)

>>Creator<<

(of My Own Languages)

>>Believer<<

(of In the Moment Inspiration)

>>Sleeper<<

(of Catch it When You Can)

>>Reader<<

(of Other People's Books)

>>Deliverer<<

(of Too Many Characters to Count)

>>Collector<<

(of Odd Facts)

>>Helper<<

(of Myself and Anyone Else Who Needs Help)

>>Judger<<

(of My Writing and Other People's)

>>Editor<<

(of...Also My Writing and Other People's)

>>Reviver<<

(of Old Stories)

>>Giver<<

 (of Time, Sweat, and Tears)

>>Receiver<<

(of Critical and Encouraging comments...both Appreciated)

>>Feeler<<

(of Hope, Despair, Joy, Discouragement, Excitement,

and Pretty much Every Other Feeling You Can Think Up)

>>Keeper<<

(of Thousands of Lives in My Stories)

>>Defeater<<

(of Depression)

>>Destroyer<<

(of Terrible First Drafts)

>>Finder<<

(of Reusable Story Lines)

>>Survivor<<

(of Multiple Cliffhangers)

>>Completer<<

(of Several Stories)

 

 

Are you?

Purposeful Pages: August

 

Hello all! How are you doing on this fine... *checks calendar* Wednesday afternoon? I'm doing exceptionally well, actually I'm bouncing off walls while doing an insane amount of editing, thank you for asking! ;)

 

I'm here with a fun, educational, and inspiring link-up hosted by Amanda and Hannah! Be sure to check out their wonderful blogs! Especially if you want to get the details in how YOU can join along with the rest of us semi-crazy who am I kidding? We're crazy...but crazy AWESOME people. ;)

 

Here's the link-up questions for this month:

1:What book of the Bible has taught you the most this month?

I would have to say Romans. I've been reading it recently, and it's always brought certain aspects of Christianity to my mind that I've never thought of before. Every time I read it. Without fail. It's an amazing book. :)  

2: How would you react if you were in the positions of either Esther, if you’re a girl, or Daniel, if you’re a guy?

I feel like I should say the same thing she does...but I really don't know if I could be that brave. I certainly HOPE I would trust God like Ester did. But I honestly don't know how I would react.

3: If you could have a book character for a sibling, who would it be, and what makes you two alike?

Oo...that's a really tough question. How can I choose ONE book character? There's a lot of good ones! Probably Anne (from Anne of Green Gables) although we would get into SO MUCH TROUBLE TOGETHER IT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY. Or Beth (from Little Women) because she'd be such a calming influence on my crazy personality. ;) (She'd probably be my parents/siblings choice :P) I'm going to stop now before my answer gets out of hand and you end up with an entire blog post just on different characters I'd want as siblings. ;) 

4: If you’re a novelist, answer: How would your main character most likely spend his or her Friday night? If you’re not a novelist, answer: How would you most likely spend your Friday night?

Hmm...I'm working on a couple books right now, so I chose the main character of the book I'm currently editing: "The Princess & I".
How would Megan spend her Friday night? Probably either reading to her nephews, practicing with her sword, or visiting with friends.

5: What are the top three books you’re just dying to read?

Oh my. THREE? Only THREE? Umm...
Deliver by Tricia Mingerink
All the books my friends have been working on recently. (Yes that counts as only one of the three)
Les Misrables by Victor Hugo
I could name many more...but I will refrain.

6: Can you briefly share the story behind your blog’s name?

So originally, I had NO IDEA what I was going to write about on this blog. I knew I would write...but what I was going to write was still undecided. We had a family pow-wow in the living room and my older sisters and Dad helped me come up with a title. At first we were going to have it be "Rebekah's Random Remarks", but that was a little long-winded...not that I have anything against longwinded...but for the sake of snappiness I shortened it to just "Rebekah's Remarks". Because, my name is Rebekah (and no, I didn't misspell it this time...inside joke with those of you who were in my Camp NaNo cabin. B-)  and because I knew that whatever I wrote could easily be put under the "Remarks" category.

Not sure how brief that was...but whatever.

7: What do you consider to be your blog’s “branding,” or signature? What sets your blog or social media platform apart from others?

Oh goodness. I have no idea! However, I'm the only me...(which is good because I don't think the world could handle another one). I like to use "Cutest blog on the block" templates...but I may change that eventually. That's a really unsatisfactory answer...but there you have it.
Hey all you who are reading this: help me out! What makes my blog different??

8: Who are a few of your favorite bloggers?

All the ones I follow. :)

9: If you could go on a road trip of your dreams, where would you go and who would you spend time with?

First, I would go around and meet all my blogging friends across the United States...then I would drive across the Atlantic ocean to the British Isles and tour Ireland, Scotland and England. I'd bring anyone who wanted to come! The more the merrier in my opinion! :D

10: Using five words or less, tell a story.

Strange things happened to me.


There you have it! Hope you all have a fantastic day, week, month, year etc. :) Pardon me while I return to editing! ;)

A Camp NaNo Overview & BIG NEWS!!!!

Last month, folks, I participated FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER in Camp NaNo!!!! *cue cheering*
 

It was an awesome experience to say the least! I loved each and every one of my cabin mates. To say they were awesome would be a HUGE understatement. Not only did they understand my late night comments that made little (if no) sense, but they stood by me and encouraged me throughout the WHOLE MONTH. I could always count on them when I was feeling depressed, and in need of a pick-me-up. A few I knew already from the blogosphere, and a few soon became new friends! I couldn't have picked a better cabin or cabin mates if I had been the one picking!

Writing wise, I was really pleased with the results. I'm not one to work well under pressure, but I work well if I have a goal to reach. Word Wars drove my fingers to the bone...and I don't think I won any of them. However, I was able to reach above and beyond my monthly goal (30,000) and the final count on July 31st at almost midnight was 39,904. Yeah I know, I could have bumped it up to 40,000...but guys, my brain was DEAD.

No only did I reach my goal, but I almost completed "The Princess & I"! I only had three chapter left to write, and that included the epilogue! Talk about progress!

All that to say, I was so happy to do Camp NaNo during July, and hope to join in again in October after my sister is safely married. ;) Knowing how summer + wedding preparations = very little time to write, I'm keeping my goals to a minimum and mostly focusing on editing this month.

Which brings me to a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!

My dear, faithful blog followers...

*drum roll*

I HAVE COMPLETED WRITING THE LONGEST BOOK I'VE EVER WRITTEN IN MY LIFE:

"The Princess & I"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I know, it's a bit of an overdose of exclamation marks. BUT I REFUSE TO APOLOGIZE!

Final word count

(this will change inevitably after it's gone through the trials of editing):

 

70,578
 

People, I cannot believe it's DONE!! I finished it last night at 9:13 (pm). That's right folks, I actually got it done and myself to bed ON TIME. Double points, right?? :P

That said, I now have both "Alice & Alyssa" & "The Princess & I" to edit this month. It's a lot to swallow in one month, but I'm going to DO THIS.

Also, if any of you are interested in being alpha/beta-readers, please comment below or contact me in the handy dandy "My Contact" page and I will get a copy of "The Princess & I" to you asap.

And finally, before I let you all go back to your normal lives after giving you this heart attack with all the CAPS, here's an excerpt taken from the very end of the story. Tell me how you like it!!:

With a contented sigh, I sank into the warm bed after changing into my nightgown. I let my sore muscles relax and my body melt into the comforting softness of the mattress beneath me. My old life had been a wonderful thing, but my new one was also wonderful...if in different ways.

As I drifted off to sleep, I heard Princess Christine singing Greensleeves to little baby Megan, and I smiled serenely. Here was where God had put me. Here was where I belonged. Just like Christine. Even though she had hated the idea of ruling the kingdom while her father was away at war, she was able to realize that this was where she was needed. We both belonged where God intended us to be.

The princess and I.



Under Wings

I'm writing a post about the blessings of a sheltered childhood.

Why?

Don't ask. Just don't. I'm working off of very little sleep and high energy levels due to my book "The Princess & I" being over 60,000 words long...and still going strong! (Excuse me while I run around my house screaming)

Oh, you're curious now and must have an answer?

Fine.

I'M WRITING IT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IT.

I told you not to ask. You were warned and may therefore NOT sue me for yelling at you over the internet.


*clears throat*


Do you ever get mildly irritated when a conversation like the following happens?:

Person: Hey, do you want to come with me and some friends from church to watch this really popular movie in the theaters?

Me: Thanks for the offer, but I think I'm going to have to skip.

Person: How come?

Me: Well...a couple reasons. First, Mom and Dad don't like me watching movies they haven't watched, and second I'm not allowed to go to an event like that without a parent. Nothing against you, it's just that I need to follow our family rules.

Person: Boy, you have really strict parents.

Or maybe one like this?:

Person: Do you want to come and hang out at my house tomorrow?

Me: No thanks.

Person: Why not?

Me: I don't think my parents would want me too.

Person (knowingly): Afraid you might be grounded?

Me: No, actually, I just want to obey them...although, now that you mention it, I would get in trouble if I disobeyed them.

Person: Your parents must be really protective.

Me (waits until they walk away before muttering): At least I know they love me enough to protect me.

Well, if you do, never fear. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I feel the same. Over the years, especially as I get into my upper teens and nearing adulthood, people have begun to wonder what on earth keeps me from rebelling against my parents.
I'm not perfect by any stretch of the imagination...and that's saying something, considering how active my imagination is. I've disobeyed my parents before, I've rebelled against their decisions before...
But, after all was said and done, they were ALWAYS right. Granted, my parents aren't perfect either...I know, don't die from the shock. Seriously, there's only been one human to ever NOT make a mistake...and He was also God. So.

Our family has some rules (spoken and unspoken) that confuse people, as do most families. My parents' make it a point to monitor our access to the internet, movies, books, and music selections. My dad prefers his girls to wear skirts...except when it's obviously more modest to be wearing jeans. We are never allowed on outings with friends by ourselves, and usually take a sibling or parent with us when its something we really can't miss like a special birthday party. 
Of course, as we get older, our parents allow more liberties in those things. We aren't doomed to be stuck watching The Jungle Book or Finding Nemo forever. (Not that I have anything against those two movies...I only used them as an example. I actually like both of them a lot :) At a certain age, we older ones were allowed to watch movies like Star Wars or LOTR. 
As you can see, I've been allowed to blog for over three years, and I had an e-mail for about a year before that. I sometimes watch YouTube videos.
However, I haven't watched Harry Potter, Captain America, Doctor Who, Pirates of the Caribbean or The Hobbit. Why? Mom and Dad don't think I'm ready for them yet.
Nor do I do Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pintrist. Why? Mom and Dad don't think I should be spending so much time on the internet.
We have certain books in our house that we're not allowed to read until we reach a certain age. Books like the LOTR trilogy and Red House Mystery, a murder mystery by A. A. Milne both of which I wasn't allowed to read until I was thirteen. I didn't read any of the Sherlock Holmes stories until I was fourteen. I can't read Les Misrables until I'm eighteen.
The music we are allowed to download on our iPods is parent approved. (Our Dad is a bit of a music nerd, so this isn't as terrible as it might sound to some. Yep, now you know where I got it. ;)

Do I mind? Do I think my parents are being overly protective?

My answer to those questions is a resounding NO. I am happy my parents have done this for our family. I don't think I'm missing out on much to be honest. ;)

Ok, so our family is more strict than most Christian families...more so than a lot of homeschooling families too. But. I AM SO GLAD. Relieved actually. I have enjoyed my sheltered life quite a lot. :) Being protected isn't as bad as some people try to make it out as.

It really rubs me the wrong way when people sound so sorry for me when they hear about our quirky family rules. I get a little sick when they go on and on about how mad I must be to have such overly protective parents. Really, I've been sorely tempted on a couple occasions to yell "I'M GLAD THEY PROTECT ME, OK??? GLAD!!!!"

I love that Mom and Dad will preview movies before announcing the age limit and letting us kids watch it...if its ok for kids to watch it.

I love that Mom and Dad make sure we aren't reading complete junk. I can attribute much of my love of reading to Dad's enthusiasm for good books. I've been surrounded by one of the best picked libraries ever since I was born.

I love that Dad enjoys a variety of music, just like me. He and I both could listen to music 24/7 if possible. Whether its classical, soundtrack, sacred, pop, or something completely random like rhythmic clapping or classical whistling (I'm not kidding about those two) he will share it with me if he likes it and thinks I will.

I love that they monitor my internet access and make sure all the people I know online are actually real people who would make me good friends and encourage me in my walk with God. Not to mention pull me away when I'm spending WAAAY too much time on there. *sheepish grin*

They have always been there for me. Whenever I have a question about whether something is appropriate or not, I may ask my friends and listen to their answers, but I will always hold my parents' opinions over theirs. (No offense you guys ;) They may not always be right, but they have been most of the time so far.

Eventually, I'll have to leave our cozy nest and help my husband build one of our own.
Eventually, my family rules will merge with his family rules and our own family rules will be the result.
Eventually, our world is going to change so much that some of our rules may have to change also.

But for now, I love being protected.

I love living under their wings.

And I wouldn't trade my life for yours...even if you were to offer me a million dollars, a horse, and the chance to publish my books and have them sell copies all over the world.

Yep. I love it that much.

Be jealous. ;)

Reflections on the Month of July

Ah, the time has come for my overview of this past month. *shakes head* Time has really been going fast. I can hardly believe that it's gone already. Summer is halfway over. *cries*


But, enough of that. Here's what's been going on for me this month:

Life:

Well, obviously Independence Day happened. S'mores, friends, and fireworks. We've been having a lovely summer here, some rain (typical Western Washington *rolls eyes*) but enough sunshine to keep even me happy.

My younger siblings and I had some swimming lessons, which was nice because I can now say that probably I could swim to save my life now. That fact was uncertain before. It was fun to brush up on some of the strokes and dives, and relearn how to breathe under water. (Namely, don't do it.)

As I write this, my parents, Sarah, and David are enjoying the company of Sarah's husband-to-be in Georgia for a week, and Margaret and I have been having a blast watching all the kids at home. Our schedule so far looks like this:

 

Day one:

Wake up very tired since the travelers left to catch a plane flight at 2 in the morning.

Drink coffee and eat breakfast while still half asleep.

Go to store and buy ice cream, toppings, and candy.

Write.

Clean house.

Watch movie.

Have lunch.

Drink coffee again.

Make pizza.

Write.

Invite company to share it with.

Watch movie.

Go to bed *cough* a little on the late side.

 

Day two:

Wake up at eight thirty.

Drink coffee
Pray for Grandpa Eddy who went to the emergency room because of severe chest pain.

Eat pop tarts for breakfast.

Write.

Have water balloon fight.

Make French bread for future meal.

Write.

Eat leftover pizza for lunch.

Write.

Go to park and library.

Eat dinner.
Visit Eddy grandparents
Watch movie

Go to bed. (On time this once because I'm so exhausted)

 

Day three:

Wake up.

Drink coffee.

Eat breakfast.

Write.

Clean house.

Go to a birthday party of my flute teacher's twin girl toddlers.

Have fun.

Come home.

Realize your blog post was scheduled for today and go check for comments.

Write.

Have dinner.

Watch movie.

Go to bed. (Possibly late again.)

 

We'll see when Mom and Dad decide to leave us in charge again. ;)

Besides THAT, my month has been pretty normal.

 



Reading:

Guys, I got my goal accomplished! *cue multiple gasps of astonishment* Yeah, I read over ten books this month!! However, since I was thrown off on my monthly book review schedule, I will be doing two in August. One for "The Tinkerer's Daughter" and one from the books I read this month.

For Sarah's wedding, she's having old books tied in ribbon as the centerpieces during her reception, so we got a whole box of old books. And I've made my way through a few this month, and hope to do more next month.
The Loser (by Elizabeth Allen)
The Black Symbol (by Annabe & Edgar Johnson)
Pursuit in the French Alps (by Paul-Jacues Bonzon)
Wu, the Gatekeeper's Son (by Eleanor Frances Lattimore)
Dragon Prows Westward (by William H. Bunce)
The Sword in the Tree (by William Goldman)
Prince Rabbit/The Princess who Could Not Laugh (by A. A. Milne)
Watership Down (by Richard Adams)

Besides those, I read Dare, Deny, and Defy by Tricia Mingerink. Three books I've been wanting to read for quite awhile. :)

 

Writing:

Because I was invited to join a cabin in Camp NaNo this month, I've gotten a lot, a LOT, of writing in. Ready for the word count?

38,049. And that's only counting what I wrote in "The Princess & I". So, over all, counting blog posts and comments, and random typing in other stories, I've probably written over 40,000 words this month!! :D

In other news, I'm excited to report that my book "The Princess & I" is now over 60,000 words long and I'm hoping to complete it next week! *hyperventilates*

Then, of course, comes all the editing *sigh* and sending it off to alpha/beta-readers and more editing.

I'm hoping to have both "The Princess & I" and "Alice & Alyssa" published by the time I enter college. Which is January of next year. Pray for me...and my fellow editors, bless them. ;)

 



Favorite Quotes in July:

 

 

 

                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Blog Posts:

 Failproof Responses To The Question: "What's Your Book About?"
The Silent Blade Blog Tour--Day 3--PUBLICATION DAY!!!!!
  Terror By Night...Or Aichear: Part One (and the other parts too. ;)
Why You Should Follow Blogs
 

Goals Reached:

1: Keep writing 100 words a day
3: Write five chapters in "The Princess & I"
8: Read at least ten books

As you can see *hides face in embarrassment* I only managed to accomplish three of the eight goals I set for myself last month. Obviously I did end up biting off more than I could chew. *sigh* Better luck this next month, I hope. :)

Goals for August:

1. Finish writing "The Princess & I"

2. Edit both "Alice & Alyssa" and "The Princess & I"

3. Write two poems

4. Read at least ten books this month.

5. Write two book reviews

 

And, that about wraps it up! How was your month? Anything exciting happen? Did any of you do Camp NaNo? If so, what was your word count? The list of books I read should be up there now, so go vote or forever hold your peace. :)

The Wisteria Writer Tag

Hey all! *waves excitedly* Guess what?

 

*pause for effect*

 

That's right! Today, ladies and gentlemen, I am bringing you a TAG. And, as is one of my goals for this month, I'm posting it WITHIN the month that I was tagged! *cue applause* A shout out to Eve Estelle for tagging me! Thanks Eve!

As expected, here are the rules:

 

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

2. Answer the ten questions asked.

3. Add ten (writing or book related) questions of your own.

4. Nominate ten people.

 

And here are her questions!

 

1. What current story or book are you working on?

Mostly, I'm working on "The Princess & I" since I'm doing Camp NaNo this month (Which has proved to be both challenging and hilariously awesome!) And since that book has the best planning behind it. I'm hoping (but don't get your hopes up too much) that with the added push from Camp NaNo, that I'll finish writing "The Princess & I" this month...but we'll have to see.

 

2. What is your favorite genre to write in?

I mostly write fantasy, so I suppose that's my favorite.  After all, your imagination is the only limit when it comes to fantasy. I really wish I could get better at writing historical fiction, because I really love reading that genre. I'm working on it... :)

 

3. Have you been published? If not, do you plan to be?

Yes! I've self-published my book "The Silver Flower" and I'm working on self-publishing another book by the end of this year! After that, hopefully more will soon follow and I'll become a famous author and win all sorts of medals and honors and...ok, so none of that will probably happen, but one can dream, right? Come on.

 

4. Which aspect of writing are you best at (mood, theme, plot, etc.)?

I can do mood. Usually. And themes are good. I'm horrible at good plots though. We're working on that. Hard. ;)

 

5. Which part could you improve upon most in your writing?

As I mentioned above ^^^ I'd like to improve my plot structure.

 

6. Do you prefer to write fiction or nonfiction?

Fiction. Although I love poetry and blogging which is all nonfiction. So I like both I guess. ;)

 

7. Do you remember the title of your very first work?

"The Adventures of Dan & Kathryn". Basically a story about two homeschooling siblings about my age at the time (which was seven/eight) that had all sorts of crazy adventures including getting kidnapped and lost in a forest.

 

8. Are you typically a planner or a pantser (a.k.a NOT a planner)?

Definitely a pantser. I'm TERRIBLE at planning out my books. Everything I write from the title to the plot twists are completely on the fly. "Alice & Alyssa" had a completely different ending "planned" but I changed it half-way through writing it. Just because I could. *cue evil laughter* You know, why not have your character end up breaking his leg? Why not have a character end up being evil when he's/she's thought to be good by everyone around them (including yourself)?

 

9. What is your definition of a "successful" writer?

A writer who can bring characters, plot, and setting into beautiful harmony to create a story that will keep their audience captive and help their readers grow and mature through reading. 

 

10. What would you say to someone wanting to be an author?

 Write. Just write. And read. A TON!!! Particularly the great classics of literature like the Bible, "Moby Dick", "Uncle Tom's Cabin", "The Chronicles of Narnia", "The Hobbit" & "The Lord of the Rings", "Anne of Green Gables" (the whole series preferably :), "Little Women", "Ben Hur", "The Scarlett Pimpernel", "Tom Sawyer" (& "Huckleberry Finn") etc..
And, you know what, don't give up when you realize your first story is terrible...because all authors (at least the ones I'VE read about) start out with horrible stories that don't make sense as a whole or where all the characters act the same why or are total clichés.
So write, read, and above all else...DON'T GIVE UP!!

And here are my questions: I may have stolen borrowed a few from Eve. Don't judge.

1. What was the title and basic plot of the first story you ever wrote?
2. Which of your characters would you say is the most like you?
3. Which of your villains is your favorite?
4. What first inspired you to write?
5. How many stories (short or long) have you actually COMPLETED?
6. Have you ever had a book keep you up all night (like past midnight...not literally ALL NIGHT)? If so, what was it's title?
7. Any top favorite book(s) you would like to share with your beloved followers?
8. Any words of wisdom from your experiences in writing? Please. We need to hear it. :)
9. Planner or panster (a.k.a NOT a planner) when it comes to writing?
10. What current story or book are you working on and what is it about?


And here is who I tag:

Emily from The Imaginary World of Emily McConnell
Jonathan from Fishing for Ideas
Abigayle from The Left-Handed Typist
Faith  from Stories by Firefly
Bethany from A Great God and Good Cocoa
Aiden from Story Forger
Amanda from Scattered Journal Pages
Hannah from Furious Ever Afters
Ellie from The Other Side of Reality
 

The Silent Blade Blog Tour

I am thrilled to present you with a review of this FABULOUS book written by a dear friend of mine, as well as an interview with her! I was so blessed to be able to make the acquaintance of this wonderful, godly young lady last summer, and we have become even better friends over the months that followed.

When I first heard about this story I was so excited! As you probably all know by now, I have a weakness towards anything that has to do with the British Isles, and Ireland has always held a special place in my heart. Not only is their accent AWESOME (do I hear an Amen?) but they have beautiful music, and live in the midst of beautiful scenery. And this was where Jesseca Wheaton chose to have the setting of her medieval novel "The Silent Blade".

>>The Review:<<

Obviously, I may be a bit bias since she is a friend of mine. :)
But, I will endeavor to keep it as unbiased as possible. Bare with me. (Oh, and watch out for spoilers...I may or may not warn you ;)

The Cover:

( I LOVE THE COVER!! I mean, really? Isn't it AMAZING?!?!)

The Summery:

Eira has no greater desire than to see her life returned to what it once was—before her older brother Kevin’s sudden disappearance four years earlier. But the simple life she hoped for seems unattainable; on the contrary, her life is about to get all the more complicated.
When she suddenly finds herself and Willem, her twin brother, taken captive by someone who claims to be Kevin’s enemy, things go from bad to worse. It soon becomes clear that she and Willem are to become bait in a trap set for Kevin, and Eira knows she must try to warn him. But how, when she herself is a captive?
As mysteries of the past are unveiled, and loyalties are revealed, Eira realizes how precious her friends truly are. And when mortal danger threatens those nearest to her, will she be able to trust God with the lives of her friends and family?

The Characters:

For me, characters always play a big part in how much a given story is liked by me. :) And in "The Silent Blade", Jesseca does a fabulous job creating loveable (while still believably human) characters...and her villains...*shudders*. A few of my favorites include her main character Eira (after all, who doesn't love a girl who can't dance to save her life but can swordfight along with the best of 'em?), Eira's brother Willem (funny, loveable, and kind to all whether enemy or friend), and their friend Casmir (well...more than a friend to some...*coughcough*). Oh, and the hero of the story, namely Eira's oldest brother Kevin is basically someone that everyone wishes was THEIR older brother. He's so kind and protective and *hugs self* Ah! I love them all!

The Setting:

Ireland, as I mentioned above, has always held a special place in my heart...I love their rich history, and their beautiful music and scenery. Really, sometimes I wonder why I haven't written a book about characters who live in Ireland yet...well, I know what's next for me after finishing "The Princess & I" and "Beyond the Galaxy"! :)
Jesseca does an excellent job describing her various settings, and I love the way she paints the village where her main characters live as well as the woods they frequent *cough* for a large chunk of the story. (See? Aren't I doing so well not giving spoilers?? ;P)

The Plot:

Jealousy. Revenge. Trickery. Love. War. Peace. And the holy law: to "bless them that hate thee and love them that spitefully use thee and persecute thee". I admired Jesseca's ability to weave all those things throughout her story to create a beautiful picture of Christ-like love Kevin gains towards those who would do anything to hurt the people he holds so dear. The journey is a hard one for him, and one where he often has to struggle inwardly between his desire to have his own revenge towards those who hurt his family, and his equally strong desire to do what is right and forgive his enemy. It's a journey you'll take yourself as you submerge yourself in Jesseca's story: Kevin's struggles will become yours, Eira's frustration will cause you to frown, Willem's jokes and Casmir's teasing will bring a smile (and a laugh more often then not) to your lips.
It's amazing. :)

My rating:

Definitely five stars over all. :) Sure, her writing might not be as good quality-wise as C. S. Lewis's, J. R. R. Tolkien's, or Jane Austin...but really, who wants to be an exact copy of one of those authors? Everyone has to start somewhere, and she has certainly started off on the right foot. Her writing holds a lot of potential, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future!! :D

>>The Interview:<<

 

Me: What was the title and basic plot of the first story you ever wrote?
Jesseca: I believe it was called "My special Pony." I wrote it when was 11, and it was about a girl who had dreamed about having a horse for her entire life, and her wish came true when they moved to the country. 

 

Me: Which of your characters would you say is the most like you?
Jesseca: In The Silent Blade or just overall? In TSB it'd be Kevin. We're both the oldest, and we both tend to struggle with being over-protective of our family and letting others down. 

If you mean in any of my stories, then I'd have to say Micah from A Question of Honor, my current WIP. He's probably the character I have written that is the most like me. We both enjoy helping others, making sure their needs are met and making sure everything runs smoothly, but we don't like talking about ourselves or letting anyone know what we're thinking. 

Me: Which of your villains is your favorite?
Jesseca: Oh, Erich Essler from the same WIP as Micah! He's really, really, bad and creepy and all that, but at the same time, there's such a sad story behind it all. He's one villain who has literally hurt me as I'm writing more then any other. He is so awful, but his story is just.. yeah. I'll stop talking about it. ;P 

Me: What first inspired you to write?
Jesseca: When my dad was first diagnosed with cancer a few years back, I kinda turned to writing as a way to get away from everything. That was when I realized just how much I loved it!

Me: It is pretty awesome, huh? ;)

Me: How many stories (short or long) have you actually COMPLETED?
Jesseca: Oh, goodness! Umm, let me think. I'm pretty sure I've completed 30+ on my own, and then quite a few others I wrote with friends and completed. :) 

Me: *applauds* That's better than me! I think I may have only completed around fifteen or so. It's hard for me to keep focused on one story long enough to complete it. Don't ask me how many stories I've started and never finished...I think it's probably more than a hundred at this point. XD

Me: Have you ever had a book keep you up all night (like past midnight...not literally ALL NIGHT)? If so, what was it's title?
Jesseca: Oh, so many! I'll only give you a few of the most recent ones...

Remembrance by Theresa Breslin

A couple of Sarah Sundin's books

The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson 

The Rescuer by Dee Henderson

Where Shadows Lie by Talia Rising

Echoes of Titanic by Mindy Starnes Clark

A Night Divided by Jenifer Nielson

Songbird Under a German Moon by Tricia Goyer

Defy by Tricia Mingerink

With Ever Letter by Sarah Sundin

And... yeah. I shall stop now. Don't even ask how many nights I stay up with a book past midnight. ;P 

Me: Tsk, tsk. Really Jesseca, you know, we authors need our sleep! ;) Just kidding. I'm guilty of staying up past midnight myself. :) Aren't we all?

Me: Any top favorite book(s) you would like to share that have inspired you (and might inspire others)?
Jesseca: Right now I'd have to say Remembrance by Theresa Breslin. It's not a Christian book., but it's very clean, and written in a style similar to Anne of Green Gables. Just the raw reality and the emotions she showed made me see WWI through very different eyes. It wasn't a sweet, light book. It was heavy, and some of the themes it dealt with were really thought-provoking. So yes, if you can get your hands on a copy then read it, and be prepared to never look at war in quite the same way.
Me: Hmm...I'm going to have to check that one out. Thanks for the recommendation! Always on the lookout for more good reads!

Me: Any words of wisdom from your experiences in writing? Please. We need to hear it. :)
Jesseca: Share your work! Let someone you trust read through it and critique it, and then when you feel it's ready, find some people you don't directly know to read through it.  Not only will it improve your writing, you'll be able to get go know other fellow readers/writers. And of course, since they don't know you too well and aren't personally connected with you, they'll be more honest in their feedback. 

Me: Ooo...good advice! (Take heed all ye authors!)

Me: Planner or panster (a.k.a NOT a planner) when it comes to writing?
Jesseca: I'm more of a plotter. I like to have an idea of where I'm going, what Biblical principal will be woven in through the story (and what verses I'll use), what the characters will go through, etc. Of course, a lot changes as I'm writing, but I like to have at least a small idea of where I'm heading! 

Me: What current story or book are you working on and what is it about?
Jesseca: I'm getting to realize that this is a popular question. ;)  Currently I'm working on a historical-fiction novel set in WWII during the Battle of Britain. It’s currently in the 2nd re-writing/editing stage. It's my "special" novel, and I've learned a lot through writing it, both in ahistorical context and through my writing it, it's brought me closer to the Lord.

At times I feel like the book and characters have become a part of me...sometimes I'm not sure how good that is. ;)

 

Me: If you had to be stuck for a whole day with one of your characters...which one (or two or three) would you choose?
Jesseca: Thank you for adding that "two or three" in there!!!!! Otherwise.. I would have just ignored the "one" in the sentence and listed two or three anyway. ;P 

Me: I know the pain of having to narrow it down...you know, "do unto others as you would have done unto you" and all that. ;)

Either David, Micah and Gil from A Question of Honor,  or Kevin, Eira and Casimir from The Silent Blade. 

The first three just because they're so funny and thoughtful and then they could take me flying and then I could go spend the rest of the day at the hospital with Micah. Flying and medicine--now THAT is a perfect day!

The 2nd three..well, because they're all so awesome. And I could learn sword-fighting. Or at least make all three of them laugh with all my clumsy attempts with the sword. ;) 

Me: Which villain would you be able to tolerate for a whole day?
Jesseca: Erich Essler. Because while he is super cruel and mean and all that, he does still have a  conscience. And...well, I can't say much more without giving away the plot of the story. ;P 


Me:  What's the longest book (word-wise) that you've written?

Jesseca: A Question of Honor. It's finished, and around 65,000 words. But.. once it's edited, it may end up becoming quite  a bit longer. ;) 

Thanks so much for having me, Rebekah! :) 

Me: You're very welcome! You know how much I love asking questions. B-)

 

 >>About the Author:<<

 

Jesseca is an 18-year old daughter, sister, and a child of God. Her days are spent reading, cooking, spending time with siblings, or playing piano.  And writing, of course! At an early age words fascinated her, and her love for the printed page has only grown. She lives with her parents and seven siblings in the sunny state of Kansas, and she’s convinced there’s no place like home.

 

Now you all need to go over to her blog and check out her book!

If you want to win free stuff, enter this giveaway!

Also, if you're interested in hearing less bias persons give THEIR reviews of this book, you'll find their posts throughout the blog tour:

Wednesday, July 20th

Mikayla H.at The Bubblegum Ballerina --Review

Blessings Counter at Counting your Blessings One by One --Author Interview

Ivy Rose at  Lakeside Publications --Review, Spotlight

Mallory Beth at Renewed by Grace --Review

Thursday, July 21st

Lydia Dyslin at Through the Wardrobe --Review

Rebekah Eddy at Rebekah’s Remarks --Review, Interview

Abigayle Allison at The Left-Handed Typist --Review, Spotlight

Friday, July 22nd (Publication Day!!)

Blessings Counter at Counting your Blessings One by One --Review

Rebekah Ashleigh at Rebekah Ashleigh --Spotlight

Amanda Tero at  With a Joyful Noise --Review, Interview, Spotlight

Deborah O’Carroll at The Road of a Writer –Review, Spotlight

Kaitlyn K. at Prairie Gal Cookin’ --Review, Spotlight

Bethany R. at A Great God and Good Cocoa --Review, Spotlight

Deborah C. at Reading in June --Spotlight, Review

Emily at A Purpose and a Promise --Spotlight, Review

Saturday, July 23rd

Kellyn Roth at Reveries--Review, Interview

Jason McIntire at Elisha Press--Interview

Natasha H. at Looking Through my Lens --Review

Faith P. at Stories by Firefly --Review, Interview

Monday, July 25th

Jesseca Wheaton at Whimsical Writings --Blog Tour wrap-up post