A Writer's Christmas Gifts

I had an amazing holiday, which I may have already mentioned. I'm bursting with joy and I absolutely have to share a few of the great gifts I got.

These are the gifts that made the writer in me want to sing and dance and cry all at once.

Below is a picture my little sister made for me

This is an old Word Processor that my grandfather gave me

If you can't tell, the one below is a typewriter!!! :)

This last picture is not actually a present, but it made me extremely happy. This is my brother, reading my book!

The Best of Being an Author

I don't even know where to begin! Writing is my life, my love, my passion, my...yeah...it's amazing.

I love watching stories come to life on paper, through me. It's the most amazing experience. I love watching the stories unfold too. I really have no idea where any of my stories are going until they are done, so it is a lot of fun I can assure you to write them. It's just like reading a book for the first time, only ten thousand times more amazing.

I love connecting with my characters. I am not crazy! They do have personalities of their own, and I honestly have no idea what they're up to half the time. 

I love feeling the Lord smiling on/with me as I write. That's got to be one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. I would write all day every day just for that. Forget how much I enjoy writing in general, I just need that smile and I'm satisfied for life.

Writing is just too good for words to me. I can't really explain to you what the best of being an author is because it's just too good, too overwhelming. It's beyond words. I cannot describe it.

Nicholas Nickleby Inspires Reflection

Merry Christmas, everyone! :)

And what a pleasant day it has been too, at least in my house. Besides all the usual holiday bustling, the Christmas dinner and the opening of presents, the reading of the Gospel of Luke and the general game-playing among family...I have spent a good deal of time reading Dickens, which has added greatly to my enjoyment of this day, I won't deny. (Thank you, Mckenna, for letting me borrow Nicholas Nickleby)

I came across something while reading that called out to me, though I can't explain why. I read the words and immediately my heart warmed and I was smiling insensibly. Again, I don't why. But as it happened, and I am still enjoying the afterglow of reading that sentence, I'm going to share it with you. You can love it or hate it as you will.

"I have not so many friends that I shall grow confused among the number, and forget my best one."
-Nicholas Nickleby

Now, on reading that sentence, the first thing brought to my mind were various wonderful people that I know and count among my friends. But afterward, I had a thought. My 'best one' ought to be Jesus, and of course I should never lose sight of Him among all the trivial humans on earth. (no offense to you humans, I love all dearly) I doubt Mr. Nickleby was meaning to refer to God at all at that particular time, but that's certainly what I have thought about since.

I hope, in all the craziness of this holiday season, you will remember the One who loves you like no other, and gave His life that you might live.

Two Week Anniversary

Okay, call me weird. But I couldn't help but notice that today I have been published for two weeks! Remarkable.

I still can't believe this has happened! I'm published. I am. I really, really am. I may not believe it yet, but it's true.

Don't forget to buy my book! You can do that HERE or HERE

I love all you lovely readers, I hope you know that.

The Worst of Being an Author

I have officially discovered the absolute worst aspect of being an author: Author Biographies.

I hate writing about myself! I feel like it's always really corny and stupid or it's really sappy and cheesy. And when I let other people write biographies about me I'm just embarrassed. So yes, author bios are the worst things ever invented in my humble opinion.

Maybe they don't sound like the most horrible, terrifying, shudder-inducing thing you've ever come across...but they are to me!

Notice I don't have an "About Me" page on my blog...yeah, there's a reason for that. (If you want to write one for me, I'm all for that. Of course, if I don't like what you say I just won't use it. Just don't embarrass me)

The second worst part of being an author is writing the info for the back cover of your book. Again, very shudder-inducing for me. I guess I only like to write books and nothing else.

The third on the worst list is never being truly present with the people around you. The tiniest thing I see or hear will catch my attention and suddenly I am lost in my head surrounded by a million stories. When I come back to earth I really have no idea how much time has passed but it was enough time that I have absolutely no idea what anyone in the room is talking about.

The fourth thing that's absolutely terrible is the nail-biting editing period/formatting/self-publishing work.

And the last thing (which might actually be THE worst) is finding a mistake in your book (in Chapter 1 no less) after you've done all those months of editing. Oh well...I suppose every book has to have at least one mistake. By the way, if you find that mistake in Chapter 1, please do not point it out to me. I am well aware of it's existence.

Celebrating Jesus

It's Christmas season! My favorite songs of all time (Christmas music, yes!) is filling the air...every girl in my house is wearing festive earrings...the parties have started...the tree is up...the presents are being passed around...the Christmas pageants and plays are happening...

I love this time of year. I greatly enjoy giving, and seeing that look of joy on people's faces when they receive a gift warms my heart. My heart is bursting with joy throughout this season from all the little blessings in life.

There are only two things that upset me. One, why can't people be so friendly and wonderful to each other all year round? Yes, it's great that we all love each other at Christmas. But honestly, we should be loving each other all the time. The second thing that bugs me is the superficiality of it all. This time of year is not about the gifts you get, it's not about Santa, it's not about being the center of attention, having the biggest lights, the best decorated house. It's about Jesus, people. It's all about Jesus.

We celebrate His birth, and that's wonderful. I love newborn babies...they're absolutely adorable and the most precious things you will ever come across. But it's just a baby, so why devote an entire holiday to him? Well, that's simple really. He's not just a baby. He's the Creator of the World, the Son of God, the Savior. He came to earth as a human baby, which is remarkable. But He grew up and died on a cross for our sins and then ROSE from the DEAD! Who does that? Nobody...but Jesus did! :) That's the point.

This time of the year is about Jesus' birth, but being born is not the end of the story. Being born as a human child was not the point of Jesus coming to earth. When you celebrate Jesus' birth this year, remember what follows. He died to save you. He rose again. He's alive and well and loves you and He's aching for you to run to Him for everything. That's the point.

We're not just celebrating the birth of a baby. We're celebrating the beginning of a ministry on earth that brings hope to the world and saves our souls.

Lucy's Legend-A Robin Hood Story

Okay, everyone, here's the Amazon link to my book! And you can buy it on Createspace, as I've said before. I did offer it to expanded distribution (bookstores) but I have no idea if and when anyone is going to pick it up.

I am so happy, I can't even describe it. My little sister told me yesterday people were talking to her about me and my book...it's weird and amazing and unbelievable to think that people discuss my book, the way they might discuss any number of well-known authors.

I get giddy every time I open my member dashboard and see another copy of Lucy's Legend has sold! :) My dreams have come true...

Now it's on to book two!! Actually, I have been working furiously with Always In Shadow so it shouldn't be too long. I don't know...six months to a year.

In the meantime...

“What is all that racket?” Robin asked.

“We have children.” Dusty said. “What do you expect?”

Allen sighed. “Are you saying we aren’t going to have any peace and quiet anymore?”

Mark laughed. “That’s what she’s saying.”

“I think I’d rather go to prison.”

I. am. PUBLISHED!

It's here!! I am officially a published author, my friends!! :) And I am dying of excitement!!

It will take several days for my book to show up on amazon, so I don't have a link for that yet. However, I do have a link to the CreateSpace store where you can purchase my book! Here it is! Lucy's Legend-A Robin Hood Story

I hope you all enjoy it! This has been a long, sometimes excessively frustrating and yet completely satisfying journey and I am now bouncing off the walls in my excitement!

Enjoy! And be sure to let me know what you think, I love feedback!

Survive College...Check

It is the last month of the year! Goodness, time flies. I started blogging back in January...which feels like it was only yesterday and yet at the same time feels like it was a million years ago.

For those of you who know me, or have been following my blog for a while, and know how anxious I was about college...you can rest assured that I not only survived my first semester in college but thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, there were aspects of college life I hated (namely, the constant language...some people have a very limited vocabulary and it mostly consists of unpleasant four letter words), but on the whole, college is amazing. I love learning new things, and being around people, and seeing my friends on a regular basis.

My semester is not quite over of course, because I still have four finals to go. I am just very pleased that I have made it this far and am still enjoying myself!

I am leaving this afternoon for a tournament with Academic Excellence Challenge, which for the record is one of the best parts of college for me! Hopefully we'll do well, but even if we don't we're sure to have a blast. :)