"On the ground to the right of the gates sat a large gargoyle statue, carved out of what looked like used to be a gigantic block of solid stone. The creature’s still face was smiling with eternal joy, his blank eyes crinkled at the corners. Its body resembled that of a lion’s but slightly different. He sat on all fours; powerful wings protruded from his shoulders and muscles rippled through his limbs. The tail, a clump of fur clustered at the tip, curled gracefully around his paws, from which lengthy talons jutted."
There you go.That is from my most active novel-in-progress: (Currently unnamed but I have it called AEIINE MAIRE for now.)
NOEY GOT ME A GARGOYLE!! His name is Arod!! I LOVE HIM!!!
I'm in love with a stone gargoyle. Yes yes. Can you tell the gargoyle in the random paragraph is basically Arod?
That is all for today...any suggestions on what to blog on later?
New PLAYLIST! Basically my whole iPod, well my favorite songs, but I don't own half the KT Tunstall's and none of the Evanescences, and a few other songs I don't own, but minus those, it's my faves from my iPud (named Nanuke because I messed up saying 'NANO' one day).
1) That everyone will be mad and not talk to me again because I haven't updated in so long.
2) I STARTED REWRITING THE NOVEL!!!
Last night, actually. Only got the first chapter done - but it's a start!
Bible Verse of the Day: James 5:10 - 12 - Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Above all, my brothers, do not swear–not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned. Song of the Day: Gone by Switchfoot
What I'm doing is basically just sorting through it, getting rid of most of it, adding a couple of charries, making it deeper and possible a bit more 'scary' ... ish.
Anyway...I feel like watching Jon and Kate plus 8 now so leave a comment and I'll post later!
So sick, in fact, that I'm ready to kill it. But not as sick of it as I used to be. That is because, since a couple of weeks ago, I have not touched my novel, Reflection. It was time for a greatly-needed break.
The thought, since that couple of weeks ago, that I needed to rewrite the novel has been in the back of my mind. Steadily it has grown stronger and pushed itself to the front of my mind. A few days ago it hit me out of the blue, so I began to pray about it, and this leads to my conclusion, that Reflection needs so badly to be rewritten that it simply must be done or I will decompose into an oblivion.
Nice word usage, Squid.
Why thank you, Gwen.
Gwen is my muse. Would y'all like pictures of her?
Ahem, anywhatever (WORD COPYRIGHT TO SQUID), I have blogged on this to ask for y'all to pray for me since I am going to almost completely rewrite this whole flippin novel. Be expecting several updates.
Really, I'm going to need prayer to get STARTED. I can deal with it once I am sucked into the plot but getting started is the hard part, as any writer knows.
ALAS! Here are the CONTEST GUIDELINES!! They are FINALLY HERE, JOSH! (see Spitfires on Companions list) I hope you shall forgive me for taking so long. *Hides away in a corner and cries*
CONTEST #2 GUIDELINES:
May not be more than 5000 words
MUST be your own work, of course
Genre: Historical Fiction
Yes, it can be in another 'World' or 'Realm.' I would say 'any genre' but limiting it makes it easier to judge. If you have questions, PM me.
So this is it, the deadline shall be...September 14.
There ye go!
By the way, I have another prayer request that sounds insanely foolish. My email (I have ALWAYS had email problems, honestly) has STOPPED WORKING. Won't receive, won't send. I have to receive submissions for my magazine on there, because without them the latest issue won't be released on time (don't ask).
So really, please please please pray that a miracle happens and it starts working.
Bible Verse - 2 Thessalonians 3:3 - But the LORD is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
Song - Music Box by Regina Spektor
That's it! Here we go...to start off, let's have a 'Shelby-and-Squid-make-Nymphs-of-each-other-at-2am' gallery.
Let's move on to one boring afternoon where my inner hippie arose.
AHHH!! I found a pic of Crandall at my brother's bday party in 2007!!!
^^Uh, do I look a little thin to you?
That's all for today - do y'all want more pictures of random Squiddiness soon? Post. Plezz.
Y'all, God is really speaking to me these days and I know everything is going to be okay. He seriously is rather mysterious.
Bible Verse of the Day - Romans 10:9-10 - Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Song of the Day - Landslide by Fleetwood Mac [I WANT THAT SONG]
I have nothing to say...so...yes, I know I keep blogging about NaNo, but what are your plots for this year?
You know what? I think I'll post some pictures. They're kind of old but oh well. This is Bob the Pineapple. He lives at the beach. I love this shirt. This is my twinnie and me! At my grandparents' house. {I love this one!}
I got NO sleep last night and now have big bags under my eyes and am mentally worn out.
Sorry I haven't posted in a long time. It's been crazy.
First, I'm Stage Left manager of a play. Second, I have troubling news that I'm not going to bore y'all with.
Okay I have to vent for a second.
I just really, really need y'all to remember one of my friends in your prayers. She is going through one of the hardest times in her life she can possibly go through. She is disconnected from the rest of the world because her parents are punishing her for something that isn't even her fault. I'll elaborate in a second. I know the Bible says to honor your parents, but punishment is not the thing they should be doing. They should be HELPING my friend get over this thing that the devil has plagued on her.
They have taken all means of communication away from her. I can only talk to her through snail mail. She is so depressed, and she is not even home right now. She's coming home later this month. In ten days actually. But she needs someone to talk to and get all of her problems out. She does not have a good relationship with her mother, who is not even a good mother. This sounds sad but I was all she had to confide in. Just me, that's it. She trusted no one else because everyone else (even family) had wounded her in the past. I am the only one who knows what's going on - besides her parents, which was by accident.
That's not all of it, but that's all I'm going to say.
Please remember one of my very best friends in your prayers. I wish the prayers of everyone who prays for me to go to her.
So...here are the details...we got there and waited for a few minutes then were called back to talk with the doctor, who showed us the X-rays of my teeth and explained some things to us. So mum and I separated after a couple more minutes, and I was led into another room and sat in a chair.
A nurse came in with the doctor and put the small tube thing into my nose, you know the one with the two tiny stubs sticking out, and said it's oxygen. The doctor put an IV in my arm and started talking to me, explaining that they were hooking me up to a bunch of monitors.
Now I was starting to get delirious but fought it. From the time I was hooked up to the IV I was counting up, starting at one, like my cousin did. He hadn't even gotten to 12 when his were taken out. Every single plot in my head flashed in front of my eyes as I answered the doctor's questions, like do I like my town, the population, then he went around to the other side and all of a sudden I was staring into blackness. I was out.
So while I'm out, I'm thinking, "WHOA, when did I fall unconscious? How did that happen? What number was I up to...I think it was anywhere from 15-18...I wonder what they're doing right now?" Then I quit thinking and just had a weird dream that I can't even remember. Suddenly I woke up and frantically thought, (Mind, I'm still not in my right mind) "Where are the teeth?" I sat up and the room spun, and I couldn't see anything really clearly.
One of the nurses came in and sat down and started talking with another nurse...about something that made the doctor leave as soon as he came in or something, I don't know, I may have been hallucinating. But mum came in and was surprised at how alert I was, and I found I could barely manage an audible 'Thank you' while I staggered out due to a fully numb lower lip, tongue, and chin. Blegh.
Well, that's what happened. I couldn't talk and my mouth stopped its bit of bleeding after about 45 minutes. The drugs wore me out and I dozed off a few times. I still haven't gotten to eat solid foods yet, so I've probably lost like 5 pounds [ X-P ]. Now I'm boring you with this tale, so I shall stop now.
I was really, really nervous on the way there...but just before we left, my brother said "SQUID! LOOK! Look at this pretty feather!" And he picked up the prettiest blue and brownish feather I had ever seen. It was gorgeous. So I suppose that was SOMEONE'S sign that I'd live. :)
Now I haven't been doing a lot of writing lately...but that is soon to change as soon as I can stay awake long enough. :P
{Josh - I'll post the guidelines soon...I PROMISE!! Keep bugging me about it!!}
By the way, Nate didn't die, haha *wink*
And how many people are doing NaNoWriMo [AKA NaNo] this year? If you be a fellow NaNo-er, comment!
Aye, that is right, I am getting my wisdom teeth removed on July 29th, 2008 at 8a. Central.
I am pretty freaked.
(Josh...THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU. You made me so much calmer...for a while.)
(Also thanks to my cousin who doesn't read my blog, but he bounced back the same day.)
So my dad is not helping at all with this. He keeps telling me horror stories and exaggerating about stuff. When is he going to realise I'm not prepared for this?!
That's about all.
Psalm 116:2 Lithium by Evanescence
Bye everyone. Thanks for reading. I'll try to blog tomorrow if I feel like it and if I can stay awake.
Bible Verse of the Day - 1 Peter 1:3-5 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Song of the Day - One Trick Pony by MercyMe
I HAVE A PRAYER REQUEST.
Okay so today is Wednesday, July 23, 2008. On Monday I am going to *cough* er, somewhere {internet safety and all} to get my shoulders checked out - y'all remember my weakness and blah, so ugh, because I have no earthly idea what is WRONG with those things!
So Monday shoulders...Tuesday I'm getting my WISDOM TEETH REMOVED. They will have to PUT ME TO SLEEP. AKA SURGERY. I AM FREAKED OUT OF MY FREAKIN MIND. I have never had surgery before. And I am TOTALLY geeked out.
This is why I need an entire lot of prayer cover. Literally, I'm going insane to the point of 'I might die during the surgery.'
When mum calls it surgery I correct her and have to walk away because the word lingers in the room.
Yeah, anyway, so on the bright side, Jennifer came over today and we had a photography day, where we're photography geeks all day, and I got a few pretty good shots but it was a difficult day, you know? [Them photo-graphers {2 words} out there know what ah mean.] So I need to know, shall I post them or not?
I'm supposed to be writing but I feel like God doesn't want me to right now...so I'm waiting until further notice...
Bible verse of the Day - Proverbs 27:5 - Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Song of the Day - Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson
So yes, I got rejected [read below for details]. Soon I'm posting the guidelines to the contest #2 again thanks to the ingenious idear of Spitfires [see companions]. Thanks, dude. Hope all's well in Australia.
And I made a new friend on here! *clap* Sein namen est Nathaniel [his name is Nathaniel]. He likes photography too and we're both weirdos because we laugh at things that happened in the past. BWAHA sorry just remembered something Dad and I said during Spanish tonight.
I can't think of anything else to say besides I've been a crazy Koi-drawing, writing freak lately. Like the sea of words has me in its current and I'm powerless under its excessive pressure. *gasps for air but sucks in 20 billion wee word-zooplankton instead*
Yeah. *clears throat* Anyway. Now I forgot what I was going to say...oh yes. I've updated my 'works in progress' so make sure you check that out. Wahoo.
Speaking of 'wahoo,' where is Brenna? Has anyone seen or heard from her lately? I think she's dropped off the side of the earth.
Thank you for sharing your work with us. Unfortunately, it is not a good match for Firebrand and we will not be able to offer you representation.
I hope you excuse this form letter, but it is really only representative of our lack of time and not a lack of respect for your work. Please understand that there are many reasons why we must turn down potential clients. We look for material that immediately grabs our attention and emotions, and that we believe will do well in the current publishing and bookselling market. But sometimes we even pass on well written, marketable projects simply because it is out of our realm of expertise and would be better represented by another agent with different taste or experience.
Thank you again for sharing your submission with us and we wish you the best of luck in your search for the right agent.
Sincerely,
Firebrand Literary
BBBBWWWWWAAAAAHHHHH!!!! PRAISE THE LAWD, I GOT REJECTED!!!!!!!!
YESSSSS!!!!
I didn't like Firebrand as much as I thought I did...but I submitted a novel!! And they READ it!!!! MY NAME IS OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!
*clears throat*
Sven
[P.S.>>That is the complete and unabridged email rejection with the exception of the greeting, received today {the date above}.]
No, this doesn't have to do with the novel. {*cheers*} Honestly, I don't know what this has to do with.
Let's start from the beginning. This is not a long story, in case you were wondering.
I just started a new book. It's called Shadowbeckon. It's the first in a fantasy series. There are two languages. One, which we can understand, is the Common language. The other is Voxotian, which is an insanely weird one.
So I just let Dad read what I have so far of it. There's a passage from an ancient document on the page before chapter one. He disregarded it, making a weird confused face and said "I don't know what that means."
Well neither do I! I only know some stuff about it, and that's because of Courtney.
Anyway, so I have half a page of the first chapter. It begins with a class being taught by Armea Petruin. {ARMEA means teacher.} She is quizzing the students on the leaders of the Clans - Diamond, Aquamarine, Amethyst, Garnet, and Turquoise, in no particular order.
So Dad reads it over again and by now my arms are starting to go to sleep due to holding the laptop where he can see it easily. I can see he is putting up his little brick wall now - he says, "I can't understand a word of it. It's like a foreign language with a little English mixed in."
The 'foreign language,' with the exception of 'Armea,' were names.
My dad doesn't read fantasy. He's more of a Mainstream person.
I guess this is what is frustrating me. He always says stuff like "If you're writing all the time, how come I never read anything?" Does he think I'm lying about writing?! Like I'm doing something else on the computer?! I JUST SENT OFF A 200 PAGE NOVEL FOR PETE'S SAKE!!! AND WHO THE CATFISH IS PETE?!
*clears throat* I don't know, it's like he wants to read my stuff but disregards it if it's fantasy, giving me more criticism than praise, and I'm young. I do better with praise. I can handle some gentle criticism. So he reads it and doesn't say anything great about it. I mean, he's not telling me it stinks or anything like that. Just...nothing. When is it going to get through his head that I write FANTASY? That's nearly all I talk about.
That brings us to...Sigh.
Yep.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6
That verse popped into my head yesterday and never stopped echoing through the blonde space between my ears :)
Song of the Day - Haunted by Evanescence
I am so sorry to bore y'all with this rant, but I just needed to vent somewhere. Could y'all pray for me? I'm just feeling kind of down.
I had this whole stupid thing written out when I accidentally exited and broke out in a cold sweat.
So now my mood is crushed and I'll run through stuff.
Last night [the 9th of July] I sent off my novel to Firebrand Literary. I really need y'all to pray for it...I keep it going and thank God for giving me everything I need to complete this thing.
About 2 seconds, literally, after I clicked 'Send Query,' the Bible Verse of the Day changed.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
Freaky.
Song of the Day - Mood Rings by Relient K
I was looking at Flora's blog and saw that I had been awarded a while back but didn't know it! So here it is...thank you Flora!
I'm awarding 13 people. The lucky (*COUGH*) number.
AuthorElf - God has really blessed you in your writings! KEEP IT UP!
inkblotter - Your favorite animal is a frog! :D Sweet blog.
BrielleCostumes - Your dresses are BREATHTAKING!!
rivergirl - Your blog...is wicked...
Lyric - YOU ARE AWESOME!
MissElisabeth12 - Pirates rocks, I married Jack.
rainstar13 - Coooool.
luvdogs07 - Sweeeeeet! Dogs are sweeeeeet!
Brenna - On any of your 3 blogs, if you would ever GET ON! I miss talking to you girl! <3
DarkRose - God has gifted you in writing as well...you are great.
Crandall - WAHOO CRANDALIAN!! BWAHA!! *clears throat
NatalieMyth - Who has mysteriously disappeared. *clears throat again*
Hannah - The way you love the Lord so much blesses me! Don't stop!
All right y'all, I believe that is IT. I will go bash my head on the wall if this is ruined.
Thanks for reading...DON'T FORGET TO PRAY ABOUT ME NOVEL! BWAHA!
All right, more updates! This is NOT the end, mind.
I am so flippin' sick of this book I'm ready to murder it - although I have been told that is a good thing. :)
Today is July 8, 2008. As you may have known {I cannot remember if I already said that or not}, my Dad printed the book out on paper. I went through it and made a couple of corrections, spotting a few typos and grammatical errors (gasp!) along with some more description that needed to be put in. After all, editing is easier on paper.
So, after making the changes on the hard copy, I sat down with my laptop and leafed through the entire pile of reused trees, inserting the new version into the laptop. This took almost an hour, and converting everything to Times New Roman size 12 was no trouble, took about half a second thanks to the good old CTRL+A. :) (The chapters were Monotype Corsiva, size 14, and the text itself was Andalus size 13.) When I was done I trudged into the kitchen for a nice, refreshing glass of water to celebrate. :) Then went outside and drew for a while. Oh yeah - celebration all right.
Now the hard copy is on my mother's bed, waiting for her to read it so I can send it off tomorrow...since it will most likely miss the mail that comes around 9:30 or 10:00a, I will have to submit it to Firebrand Literary, since they have an online submission system. My parents also need to read my query letter, because it's required to have one of those when you submit to Firebrand. If I have any other online submission systems in my list, I'll use those too...
That is all I have for now! If y'all have anything to say, please comment!
Bible Verse of the Day - 1 Corinthians 2:9 - But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." Song of the Day - "Everything About You" by Sanctus Real
After boring y'all for the past who-knows-how-long with all the novel progress, after editing since the second week of April every day, and after spreading the word for people to pray for me and blah blah blah
THE NOVEL IS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mayhaps it's really not that exciting but it's such a great feeling to me! To look at the bottom of the Microsoft Word window and see Page: 7 of 228 | Words: 52,453 and know that I wrote every word of it! Every single STINKIN word!!
Bible Verse of the Day
Psalm 145:8 - The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Song of the Day - The Flame in All of Us by Thousand Foot Krutch
Okay!
Anyway, that's all for now. I'm still asking for everyone reading to remember me in their prayers because this is absolutely new to me and I am getting so excited...although not getting my hopes up. It's just...thrilling.
Oh yes, and if any of you writers want to know the publishers on my list let me know and I'll post them.
Have any of you seen the old-ish movie 'The Watcher in the Woods'?
ONE MORE THING!
...I'm on Nathan's blog listening to 'Life is a Highway' :D He's got a great playlist. Go listen - on my companions click on 'Christiananimallover.'
I LOVE this song...should I get a playlist? I'll take a vote...let me know as a comment please...
Yes, that was the best title I could come up with.
So Lizzie, my twin, ended up coming back with me and we got a whole extra week together. I was getting used to having someone my own age around, considering my closest sibling of the two is eight years younger, and now that she's gone, I find myself very very lonely, sometimes even moping around.
I need something to do. I'm going to go get a job. That would be nice. Or I could go in town and make a big sign: *squares hands in the air* FREE HUGS. I love hugs.
Anyway, so now for the 'daily' things...wow, it's been a while. Bible Verse of the Day
Matthew 24:42 - Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your LORD is coming.
Song of the Day You're to Blame by MercyMe
I feel like I'm forgetting one more, but oh well.
And now for the prayer request.
As you know by now, I am working my rear off on this novel and I am very, VERY excited for some reason, I don't know why. Should I be nervous? I'm sending it off within the next 7 days. Hopefully.
Right now I'm putting the finishing touches on it. Miss Lori read it and gave me a couple of suggestions, between screaming that there has GOT to be a sequel and her husband was sad because she wouldn't stop reading...and this...and that...and all.
SO. My prayer request basically is, in the words of me:
PLEASE, GOD, DON'T LET ME BURN OUT, AND PLEASE LET ME GET EVERYTHING IN ORDER. I'M NOT EXPECTING THIS TO BE ACCEPTED, BUT IF THAT BE YOUR WILL I AM TOTALLY OKAY WITH THAT. AND PLEASE GIVE ME WISDOM IN CHOOSING A PUBLISHER.
Before I work on this novel, I take two seconds and calm myself, whispering, "Okay God, I am doing this for You. You gave me the ability to write. You gave me this plot, you gave me an imagination, you gave me NaNoWriMo, you gave me lots of pens and lots of paper. This is YOUR novel. Not mine."
Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit your works to the LORD and your plans shall be established." Why SHOULDN'T we commit our works to Him? He gave us the ability, the equipment, and the ideas. All we have to do is trust Him that He will get us through it in one piece. He works through us. What we write, or paint, or anything is the work of GOD - just THROUGH us.
That seems pretty unreal to me. What about you?
It is now 5:30p and I have to go finish this novel, God bless my heart, I've about had it with this thing. Strange thing is, I would have - no, SHOULD HAVE - burned out on this a loooooong while back. But I haven't. Hmmm...how strange!
If I were you, I would stay away because there are dangerous, random things in this here blog!
Some Words of Wisdom :-: Do not insult a Faery. They will haunt you in your dreams. Not a good thing.
• The Ghost of Lake Eufaula [With Dad]
• Rewriting NaNoWriMo '07 novel, Reflection
• Plotting for medieval NaNo '08 novel
• Currently unnamed
• The first book in a fantasy series
• Currently unnamed, plot from friend Pippy
If I were you, I would stay away because there are dangerous, random things in this here blog!
Some Words of Wisdom :-: Do not insult a Faery. They will haunt you in your dreams. Not a good thing.
