Pray without Ceasing.
Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Simple yet powerful. If we can do nothing else, the least we can do is pray. When you wake in the morning before you begin your day, offer it up to God in prayer. Before you say those harsh words, say a prayer. While you rock the baby to sleep, say a prayer. Every moment of every day offer up in prayers of thanksgiving and praise for our Lord Jesus Christ. Link your soul, mind and heart to God. Be secure in your faith and know that He is there and He hears.
Thank you to all the people who have died to secure and maintain the freedom that we have in America. May God watch over them and take them into His loving embrace.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Myrria's Legacy Chapter 1 Darby's Tale
I decided I would post the chapters here and see what you all think. So here is the first chapter. A heads up this is middle-grade Christian Fantasy. The final word count is 34634, so not a lot of wiggle room for stuff. Let me know what you all think.
Chapter 1
Darby’s Tale
My name is Darby, and I guess we’re related somehow. I live in the state of Washington in America. I’m in fourth grade. My best friend is Emily. I call her Emmie. She lives in a cabin behind our house with her mom. She doesn’t have a dad like I do and sometimes other kids tease her and call her names. Then there is Bobby. He lives on the other side of the street. He has two big brothers and a mom and a dad and of course, I have a mamma and a daddy and one baby sister.
The three of us play together at recess. Sometimes Bobby and I ride our bikes, but Emmie can’t because she doesn’t have a bike.
We go to the same school and are in the same class. There’s also a boy named Rocky in our class. He’s supposed to be a fifth grader, but they didn’t let him out of fourth grade. He’s a bully. He picks on Emmie and me and Bobby, especially Emmie. He and his big brother, Tank, live with their grandparents on the other side of town.
A few weeks ago my mom and dad took Emmie, Bobby and me to Mt. Rainier for a day of hiking and picnicking. Mt. Rainier is a long way from our house. Mamma says it’s not so far, but it felt like we were in the car all day.
We had a real fun time that day. Us kids managed to sneak away from Mamma and Daddy for a little while. We found some old ice caves and played hide and seek. I found some really cool rocks in the cave. Bobby thought they were just dumb rocks, but Emmie and I put them in our backpacks anyway. For a couple of minutes when I thought I was lost the rocks glowed and got really warm. I didn’t feel so lost anymore and then Bobby found me and I forgot about the rocks in my bag. I heard growling.
Bobby said, “It’s just a bear.”
Emmie nodded in agreement. “I think we should get out of here.”
Bobby waved his hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. I’m a Cub Scout after all.”
“I don’t think so, you always run away when Rocky comes around.”
We heard the growl again and ran out of the cave.
Then Daddy found us. He was mad, but he bent down and hugged me. “You kids shouldn’t hide like that; Mamma and I were so scared that something had happened to you. I could never live with myself.” I don’t know what the big deal was, nothing happened. We went home after that.
Later that night, Mamma read a Bible story to me, we said our prayers, and I was lying in my bed reading about dragons. I remembered the stones in my backpack and how they had made me feel in the cave. I got them out and curled up under the covers. Maybe these were magic stones that belonged to a dragon living in the caves under Mt. Rainier. I’ll talk to Emmie tomorrow; she took some of the stones. Maybe they made her feel the same. I fell asleep thinking about dragons and Jesus.
All night I dreamed about dragons guarding Emmie, Bobby and me, while Rocky, Tank and a gang of fifth graders chased us around the playground. The stones were warm and comforting, and they felt as if Jesus was standing right beside us the whole time in case Rocky got past the dragons. I woke up when my alarm went off at 6:00, but the last thing I wanted to do was go to school. I told Mamma about the dreams. She said it was just a silly dream and I had to go anyway, because in case I forgot we had a religion test that afternoon.
When I got to school, the first thing I did was look for Emmie and Bobby. When I found them I told them about my dreams. Emmie said she had the same kind of dreams. Bobby said he didn’t dream anything. It must be a girl thing. Then he went off to find some boys to play with. Emmie and I lined up and said our opening prayers then followed Mrs. Smith into the classroom. Rocky was at the back of the line fighting with some other boys and Mrs. Smith had to take him to the principal’s office. He would be in big trouble at least for now. Maybe he wouldn’t bother us at recess. The rest of the morning was quiet, but Rocky was back with the class for lunch then recess and boy was he mad.
The first thing he did was find Emmie, Bobby and me and start teasing Emmie. I stepped between Emmie and Rocky. Bobby by this time had run off to hide. I yelled at Rocky, “Quit teasing her.” This made Rocky even madder. He pushed me and I fell down. Emmie tried to hit him, but he just laughed and pushed her down beside me. “What a bunch of sissies and where is your little protector, chicken Bobby? (Bobby’s dad is a chicken farmer). Guess he ran away to hide behind his mommy.” Bobby’s mom was the eighth grade teacher, although he didn’t like to admit it.
Rocky started to walk away. I got up and ran after him. He reached his arm back and knocked me down again. He didn’t even look or anything, just pushed me, laughed and ran off with the fifth graders.
I got up and brushed the dirt off my knees then went to see if Emmie was okay. Her hands and knees were scraped and bleeding, and she had a big hole in her tights. I helped her get up and we went to find Mrs. Smith. She took us to the nurse and bandaged our scratches and then left us with Nurse Nancy while she went to get the rest of the class from recess. We hugged and I felt something warm in her sweater pocket. “What’s that?”
Emmie reached in her pocket and pulled out her stones from yesterday. They were glowing. “Wow, I didn’t know you had them. Mine did that yesterday when I was lost in the cave. I wonder what it means.”
“I don’t know, but it’s kind of weird don’t you think, glowing stones.”
“Do you feel anything else, like you’re getting a warm, fuzzy hug from someone?”
“Yes, kind of like that, but no one else is here. Where do you think it’s coming from?”
“I don’t know, but I sure liked it yesterday when it happened to me. I felt like everything would be okay.”
“Yeah, me too. I guess we should get back to class, before we get in trouble.”
I couldn’t stop thinking about the stones or the dreams. Even during my religion test, they were on my mind.
After school Emmie and I walked home. I’m not sure where Bobby was, but that wasn’t weird or anything since his mom worked at the school. Emmie pulled her stones out of her pocket again. They looked like normal stones, nothing out of the ordinary. I wished I had remembered to bring mine, but I was so upset about my dreams this morning that I left them on my pillow.
“What do you think is going on with these?” Emmie asked.
I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know, seems pretty weird to me. Maybe we should ask someone, like your mom.”
Emmie shook her head. “No way, Mamma’s to busy at work. What about your mom?”
I shook my head. “My mom already said my dreams were nothing, she’d think I was nuts or something.” I stopped.
Emmie looked at me. “What’s wrong?”
I looked back as I took off for my house. “I left my stones on my pillow. What if Mamma finds them or Baby Jane? What if she tries to eat them? I have to get them.” I ran to my house with Emmie behind me trying to catch up and wheezing all the way.
When we reached the house she had trouble breathing. I called Mama to help us. Mamma sat Emmie on the swing and asked her if she had her inhaler. Emmie shook her head and whispered she had run out and her mom hadn’t gotten a refill yet.
Mamma grabbed a cell phone from her pocket and called an ambulance while I tried to calm Emmie down. When the ambulance got there they put a mask thing over her mouth. Soon she was breathing okay. After she left, Mamma and I went in the house and she reassured me that everything was alright while we made dinner. We ate and I did my homework, and then went to my room. My stones were on my pillow right where I had left them. Mamma did our Bible reading and left. I got the stones from under my pillow and held them in my hand. I was still upset about what happened today. The stones began to glow and as I fell asleep I saw a purple dragon standing by my bed. She spoke to me in a smooth gentle voice, “Don’t fear child, I won’t hurt you. I’m here to help. You, Bobby and Emmie are special and God loves you. He won’t let anyone hurt you, but you must be brave. He has something special in mind for you.”
I looked at the dragon and pulled the blankets over my head. I never had a dragon in my room and everything I heard about them told me they were bad and liked to hurt people. Why was there one in my room? “Don’t hurt me. I didn’t do anything to you.”
“Don’t worry I won’t hurt you. I’m here to let you know you’re loved. My name is Myrria and I come from God. He has a mission for you and I’m here to get you ready for it.”
“I’m just a kid, what can I do for God?”
“You aren’t ready, but when you are it will be revealed to you. For now though you must sleep and don’t worry about Emmie or Bobby, I’ll visit them when the time is right.”
“But Emmie went to the hospital today, will she be okay?”
“Yes don’t worry; she’s already home in bed. Her stones are under her pillow and healing her as she sleeps. Now you must sleep, close your eyes my dear. I’ll be back soon and we’ll talk more.”
Myrria faded into the darkness. I jumped out of my bed and ran to where she had stood. There was nothing there except a small stone. I picked it up and took it back to the bed and put it under the pillow with the others. I wondered, “What did the stones have to do with her and what kind of mission would God want me, Darby a nine year old to do?”
I fell asleep dreaming of flying to heaven on Myrria’s back.
Chapter 1
Darby’s Tale
My name is Darby, and I guess we’re related somehow. I live in the state of Washington in America. I’m in fourth grade. My best friend is Emily. I call her Emmie. She lives in a cabin behind our house with her mom. She doesn’t have a dad like I do and sometimes other kids tease her and call her names. Then there is Bobby. He lives on the other side of the street. He has two big brothers and a mom and a dad and of course, I have a mamma and a daddy and one baby sister.
The three of us play together at recess. Sometimes Bobby and I ride our bikes, but Emmie can’t because she doesn’t have a bike.
We go to the same school and are in the same class. There’s also a boy named Rocky in our class. He’s supposed to be a fifth grader, but they didn’t let him out of fourth grade. He’s a bully. He picks on Emmie and me and Bobby, especially Emmie. He and his big brother, Tank, live with their grandparents on the other side of town.
A few weeks ago my mom and dad took Emmie, Bobby and me to Mt. Rainier for a day of hiking and picnicking. Mt. Rainier is a long way from our house. Mamma says it’s not so far, but it felt like we were in the car all day.
We had a real fun time that day. Us kids managed to sneak away from Mamma and Daddy for a little while. We found some old ice caves and played hide and seek. I found some really cool rocks in the cave. Bobby thought they were just dumb rocks, but Emmie and I put them in our backpacks anyway. For a couple of minutes when I thought I was lost the rocks glowed and got really warm. I didn’t feel so lost anymore and then Bobby found me and I forgot about the rocks in my bag. I heard growling.
Bobby said, “It’s just a bear.”
Emmie nodded in agreement. “I think we should get out of here.”
Bobby waved his hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. I’m a Cub Scout after all.”
“I don’t think so, you always run away when Rocky comes around.”
We heard the growl again and ran out of the cave.
Then Daddy found us. He was mad, but he bent down and hugged me. “You kids shouldn’t hide like that; Mamma and I were so scared that something had happened to you. I could never live with myself.” I don’t know what the big deal was, nothing happened. We went home after that.
Later that night, Mamma read a Bible story to me, we said our prayers, and I was lying in my bed reading about dragons. I remembered the stones in my backpack and how they had made me feel in the cave. I got them out and curled up under the covers. Maybe these were magic stones that belonged to a dragon living in the caves under Mt. Rainier. I’ll talk to Emmie tomorrow; she took some of the stones. Maybe they made her feel the same. I fell asleep thinking about dragons and Jesus.
All night I dreamed about dragons guarding Emmie, Bobby and me, while Rocky, Tank and a gang of fifth graders chased us around the playground. The stones were warm and comforting, and they felt as if Jesus was standing right beside us the whole time in case Rocky got past the dragons. I woke up when my alarm went off at 6:00, but the last thing I wanted to do was go to school. I told Mamma about the dreams. She said it was just a silly dream and I had to go anyway, because in case I forgot we had a religion test that afternoon.
When I got to school, the first thing I did was look for Emmie and Bobby. When I found them I told them about my dreams. Emmie said she had the same kind of dreams. Bobby said he didn’t dream anything. It must be a girl thing. Then he went off to find some boys to play with. Emmie and I lined up and said our opening prayers then followed Mrs. Smith into the classroom. Rocky was at the back of the line fighting with some other boys and Mrs. Smith had to take him to the principal’s office. He would be in big trouble at least for now. Maybe he wouldn’t bother us at recess. The rest of the morning was quiet, but Rocky was back with the class for lunch then recess and boy was he mad.
The first thing he did was find Emmie, Bobby and me and start teasing Emmie. I stepped between Emmie and Rocky. Bobby by this time had run off to hide. I yelled at Rocky, “Quit teasing her.” This made Rocky even madder. He pushed me and I fell down. Emmie tried to hit him, but he just laughed and pushed her down beside me. “What a bunch of sissies and where is your little protector, chicken Bobby? (Bobby’s dad is a chicken farmer). Guess he ran away to hide behind his mommy.” Bobby’s mom was the eighth grade teacher, although he didn’t like to admit it.
Rocky started to walk away. I got up and ran after him. He reached his arm back and knocked me down again. He didn’t even look or anything, just pushed me, laughed and ran off with the fifth graders.
I got up and brushed the dirt off my knees then went to see if Emmie was okay. Her hands and knees were scraped and bleeding, and she had a big hole in her tights. I helped her get up and we went to find Mrs. Smith. She took us to the nurse and bandaged our scratches and then left us with Nurse Nancy while she went to get the rest of the class from recess. We hugged and I felt something warm in her sweater pocket. “What’s that?”
Emmie reached in her pocket and pulled out her stones from yesterday. They were glowing. “Wow, I didn’t know you had them. Mine did that yesterday when I was lost in the cave. I wonder what it means.”
“I don’t know, but it’s kind of weird don’t you think, glowing stones.”
“Do you feel anything else, like you’re getting a warm, fuzzy hug from someone?”
“Yes, kind of like that, but no one else is here. Where do you think it’s coming from?”
“I don’t know, but I sure liked it yesterday when it happened to me. I felt like everything would be okay.”
“Yeah, me too. I guess we should get back to class, before we get in trouble.”
I couldn’t stop thinking about the stones or the dreams. Even during my religion test, they were on my mind.
After school Emmie and I walked home. I’m not sure where Bobby was, but that wasn’t weird or anything since his mom worked at the school. Emmie pulled her stones out of her pocket again. They looked like normal stones, nothing out of the ordinary. I wished I had remembered to bring mine, but I was so upset about my dreams this morning that I left them on my pillow.
“What do you think is going on with these?” Emmie asked.
I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know, seems pretty weird to me. Maybe we should ask someone, like your mom.”
Emmie shook her head. “No way, Mamma’s to busy at work. What about your mom?”
I shook my head. “My mom already said my dreams were nothing, she’d think I was nuts or something.” I stopped.
Emmie looked at me. “What’s wrong?”
I looked back as I took off for my house. “I left my stones on my pillow. What if Mamma finds them or Baby Jane? What if she tries to eat them? I have to get them.” I ran to my house with Emmie behind me trying to catch up and wheezing all the way.
When we reached the house she had trouble breathing. I called Mama to help us. Mamma sat Emmie on the swing and asked her if she had her inhaler. Emmie shook her head and whispered she had run out and her mom hadn’t gotten a refill yet.
Mamma grabbed a cell phone from her pocket and called an ambulance while I tried to calm Emmie down. When the ambulance got there they put a mask thing over her mouth. Soon she was breathing okay. After she left, Mamma and I went in the house and she reassured me that everything was alright while we made dinner. We ate and I did my homework, and then went to my room. My stones were on my pillow right where I had left them. Mamma did our Bible reading and left. I got the stones from under my pillow and held them in my hand. I was still upset about what happened today. The stones began to glow and as I fell asleep I saw a purple dragon standing by my bed. She spoke to me in a smooth gentle voice, “Don’t fear child, I won’t hurt you. I’m here to help. You, Bobby and Emmie are special and God loves you. He won’t let anyone hurt you, but you must be brave. He has something special in mind for you.”
I looked at the dragon and pulled the blankets over my head. I never had a dragon in my room and everything I heard about them told me they were bad and liked to hurt people. Why was there one in my room? “Don’t hurt me. I didn’t do anything to you.”
“Don’t worry I won’t hurt you. I’m here to let you know you’re loved. My name is Myrria and I come from God. He has a mission for you and I’m here to get you ready for it.”
“I’m just a kid, what can I do for God?”
“You aren’t ready, but when you are it will be revealed to you. For now though you must sleep and don’t worry about Emmie or Bobby, I’ll visit them when the time is right.”
“But Emmie went to the hospital today, will she be okay?”
“Yes don’t worry; she’s already home in bed. Her stones are under her pillow and healing her as she sleeps. Now you must sleep, close your eyes my dear. I’ll be back soon and we’ll talk more.”
Myrria faded into the darkness. I jumped out of my bed and ran to where she had stood. There was nothing there except a small stone. I picked it up and took it back to the bed and put it under the pillow with the others. I wondered, “What did the stones have to do with her and what kind of mission would God want me, Darby a nine year old to do?”
I fell asleep dreaming of flying to heaven on Myrria’s back.
Updates
Finally some updates on Myrria's Legacy. First it made it through its first round of critiques. The story and characters went over well with no major changes. I read the first chapter to the third graders who inspired the story and they seemed to like it. A few even commented as they were walking out the door to go home. So what's next, I go through and incorporate suggestions from the critiques. I'll keep you apprised of how that goes and what I plan on doing next. Stay tuned.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
My Blogs
My Blogs
Hi To All my Loyal Followers,
I wanted to share a little update with you. My second blog Dragons Muse @ http://christina-weigand.blogspot.com/ was originally purposed to be for my children's writing and I talked a little about my middle grade wip along with my YA wip. And that worked really well for a while until my YA novel began the publication journey and I started revising the prequel to that same novel. I realized that maybe it was time for the baby to leave it's mother so I started another blog Palace of Twelve Pillars @ http://chrisweigand.wordpress.com/ In this blog I will follow the progress of the Twelve Pillars trilogy, did I say trilogy? Yes it is a trilogy with the first book Palace of Twelve Pillars written and being revised. The second Palace of Three Crosses, just barely started and the third Aaron's Revenge on the publication trail, currently being self published with XLibris, but still looking for a traditional publisher or agent. More can be seen about the trilogy on the blog.
So where does that leave Dragons Muse. That sight still has a purpose of it's own. It is home to my middle grade trilogy beginning with Myrria's Legacy. The other two are barely started and yet to be named. The third one currently titled (but sure to be changed) Ellie's Origami I have been writing for a challenge with another group of bloggers @ http://lovingbooksandmore.blogspot.com/ where we are supposed to write a page a day and post our word counts and the story progress. Myrria's Legacy is now being edited and revised having just finished its first round of critiques, the hardest being the third graders in my daughters class at school who get some of the credit for parts of the story as well as serving as the inspiration and muse. The second book only has about 1000 words at this point but I am hoping to increase that number by 50,000 in November when I participate in NANOWRIMO.
And what about Angels Muse, my first blog child. She will remain in pretty much the same way she has already done. I may shake things up a little by adding excerpts from my ebook Women of the Bible: A Study. I also may make the ebook available for sale on my blog as well as running a Bible Study using it. But I will let you know if and when that will happen. In the meantime you can continue to look for my devotions as frequently as I can get them posted. She can be seen @ http://angelsmuse.blogspot.com/
Anyway be sure and check out my other blogs: http://angelsmuse.blogsopot.com/ and http://chrisweigand.wordpress.com/
All for the Glory of God
Chris
Chris Weigand
Palace of Twelve Pillars
Hi To All my Loyal Followers,
I wanted to share a little update with you. My second blog Dragons Muse @ http://christina-weigand.blogspot.com/ was originally purposed to be for my children's writing and I talked a little about my middle grade wip along with my YA wip. And that worked really well for a while until my YA novel began the publication journey and I started revising the prequel to that same novel. I realized that maybe it was time for the baby to leave it's mother so I started another blog Palace of Twelve Pillars @ http://chrisweigand.wordpress.com/ In this blog I will follow the progress of the Twelve Pillars trilogy, did I say trilogy? Yes it is a trilogy with the first book Palace of Twelve Pillars written and being revised. The second Palace of Three Crosses, just barely started and the third Aaron's Revenge on the publication trail, currently being self published with XLibris, but still looking for a traditional publisher or agent. More can be seen about the trilogy on the blog.
So where does that leave Dragons Muse. That sight still has a purpose of it's own. It is home to my middle grade trilogy beginning with Myrria's Legacy. The other two are barely started and yet to be named. The third one currently titled (but sure to be changed) Ellie's Origami I have been writing for a challenge with another group of bloggers @ http://lovingbooksandmore.blogspot.com/ where we are supposed to write a page a day and post our word counts and the story progress. Myrria's Legacy is now being edited and revised having just finished its first round of critiques, the hardest being the third graders in my daughters class at school who get some of the credit for parts of the story as well as serving as the inspiration and muse. The second book only has about 1000 words at this point but I am hoping to increase that number by 50,000 in November when I participate in NANOWRIMO.
And what about Angels Muse, my first blog child. She will remain in pretty much the same way she has already done. I may shake things up a little by adding excerpts from my ebook Women of the Bible: A Study. I also may make the ebook available for sale on my blog as well as running a Bible Study using it. But I will let you know if and when that will happen. In the meantime you can continue to look for my devotions as frequently as I can get them posted. She can be seen @ http://angelsmuse.blogspot.com/
Anyway be sure and check out my other blogs: http://angelsmuse.blogsopot.com/ and http://chrisweigand.wordpress.com/
All for the Glory of God
Chris
Chris Weigand
Palace of Twelve Pillars
Monday, May 24, 2010
Word Count Update
Hi All,
Sorry I haven't been doing a good job on updating my wip, but life keeps on happening whether I want to write or not. Anyway I did some writing today and here are my new counts.
Old wc 5145
New wc 6155
If you remember our mc had just come across a pirate after escaping from the demons and dragons. She does a little more voodoo and spiders attack him and he runs away screaming she is a witch. Not knowing where else to go she follows him and finds a village. The people in the village are acting strangely, their clothes and speech are different from anything she has encountered. When the villagers see her, they accuse her of being a witch, because of what they percieve as her state of undress, then when she speaks they are even more convinced.
Ellie is thouroughly confused and while she dresses in a dress supplied by one of the villagers she realizes that she must have time travelled to colonial Pennsylvania. Before she can decide what to do a band of pirates attacks the village and takes everyone prisoner on their pirate ship. They put the men to work, put the women in the hold and lock Ellie in the captains quarters because they still think she is a witch.
Check out others progress on http://lovingbooksandmore.blogspot.com/ and check out my son's work at http://caltonsdecent.blogspot.com/
Sorry I haven't been doing a good job on updating my wip, but life keeps on happening whether I want to write or not. Anyway I did some writing today and here are my new counts.
Old wc 5145
New wc 6155
If you remember our mc had just come across a pirate after escaping from the demons and dragons. She does a little more voodoo and spiders attack him and he runs away screaming she is a witch. Not knowing where else to go she follows him and finds a village. The people in the village are acting strangely, their clothes and speech are different from anything she has encountered. When the villagers see her, they accuse her of being a witch, because of what they percieve as her state of undress, then when she speaks they are even more convinced.
Ellie is thouroughly confused and while she dresses in a dress supplied by one of the villagers she realizes that she must have time travelled to colonial Pennsylvania. Before she can decide what to do a band of pirates attacks the village and takes everyone prisoner on their pirate ship. They put the men to work, put the women in the hold and lock Ellie in the captains quarters because they still think she is a witch.
Check out others progress on http://lovingbooksandmore.blogspot.com/ and check out my son's work at http://caltonsdecent.blogspot.com/
Monday, May 17, 2010
Word Count Update
Hi All,
I finally got back to wip today, so I have new word counts.
Old word count 3949
Today's word count 5145
In the last update our mc is tied and staked to the ground. Her boyfriend is staked in a fire which doesn't seem to be burning him and he is either unconcious or asleep. There are four full sized demons cavorting around the captors, when the biggest notices our mc and picks her up pulling her stake out of the ground. He then walks through the fire and ties her to the stake that the sleeping boyfriend is tied too. She throws up all over her captors and they become upset. While the female is trying to calm down the male three dragons emerge from the trees, setting them on fire as they pass. The demons are at first excited to add the dragons to their play, but when the dragons don't want to play the demons run away and the dragons chase them.
Our mc wakes the boyfriend up and begins to realize how dumb he is because he can't think of a way to escape. After pulling a knife out of his boot and dropping it twice they are able to undo their ropes just as the dragons return to the circle. The mc runs while the boyfriend stays and talks to the dragons. While running she comes across a pirate walking through the woods and tries to ask him for directions to the nearest gas station.
Hmm what will happen next, where is she and how will she get out of this mess. Stay tuned for the next installment tomorrow or Wednesday.
Check out other's progress at http://lovingbooksandmore.blogspot.com/
I finally got back to wip today, so I have new word counts.
Old word count 3949
Today's word count 5145
In the last update our mc is tied and staked to the ground. Her boyfriend is staked in a fire which doesn't seem to be burning him and he is either unconcious or asleep. There are four full sized demons cavorting around the captors, when the biggest notices our mc and picks her up pulling her stake out of the ground. He then walks through the fire and ties her to the stake that the sleeping boyfriend is tied too. She throws up all over her captors and they become upset. While the female is trying to calm down the male three dragons emerge from the trees, setting them on fire as they pass. The demons are at first excited to add the dragons to their play, but when the dragons don't want to play the demons run away and the dragons chase them.
Our mc wakes the boyfriend up and begins to realize how dumb he is because he can't think of a way to escape. After pulling a knife out of his boot and dropping it twice they are able to undo their ropes just as the dragons return to the circle. The mc runs while the boyfriend stays and talks to the dragons. While running she comes across a pirate walking through the woods and tries to ask him for directions to the nearest gas station.
Hmm what will happen next, where is she and how will she get out of this mess. Stay tuned for the next installment tomorrow or Wednesday.
Check out other's progress at http://lovingbooksandmore.blogspot.com/
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Word count update
Last word count 3131
Today's word count 3949
The mc was last seen in the cabin of the voodoo queen sipping chicken soup. She watches Hattie set up some kind of circle and chant some words she doesn't recognize. Her eyes close and her body doesn't feel like her own any more. Suddenly her eyes open and she is back in the fairy circle. Brad is there but he is tied to a stake in the middle of a fire although he is not on fire. Dancing around him are a bunch of little red creatures and amidst their dance four full sized creatures step out of the smoke. They are exactly the same as the dancing creatures except for their size. The largest male approaches our mc and begins to fiddle with the ropes that are holding her to the ground.
Stay tuned for future updates and check out others progress at
http://lovingbooksandmore.blogspot.com/
Today's word count 3949
The mc was last seen in the cabin of the voodoo queen sipping chicken soup. She watches Hattie set up some kind of circle and chant some words she doesn't recognize. Her eyes close and her body doesn't feel like her own any more. Suddenly her eyes open and she is back in the fairy circle. Brad is there but he is tied to a stake in the middle of a fire although he is not on fire. Dancing around him are a bunch of little red creatures and amidst their dance four full sized creatures step out of the smoke. They are exactly the same as the dancing creatures except for their size. The largest male approaches our mc and begins to fiddle with the ropes that are holding her to the ground.
Stay tuned for future updates and check out others progress at
http://lovingbooksandmore.blogspot.com/
Sponge Bob Square Pants
This is a show if the I have never, ever figured out. What is the appeal of a sponge in pants running around with a bunch of sea creatures. I might be able to get it if they imitated a true sea sponge, but using a typical kitchen sponge, no I just don't get it. When it first came out my kids were a little to old to feel the kids appeal for the program although they did find it appealing from a teenager point of view, but our lives were to full for them to develop an attatchment to the program. Then I had my fourth child. I was able to keep her away form the inanity of the show for a while, but then she really got into tv and found the sponge. I was forced to observe the insanity for a short time, but then I heard and saw things that I didn't approve of as a parent for my child to be watching. She was doing things that I didn't approve of. I banned the show. Whew saved from the silly sponge. If he continues in popularity, I'm sure someday I will have to face him again, but for now as long as I have ultimate control of the remote, he will not influence my daughter in ways that I don't approve of. And hopefully in that time she will come to appreciate my dislike and develop her own dislike or at least a better judgement system.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Word coun update
WIP: Ellie's Origami
Yesterday's Word Count-2202
Today's word count-3131
So Ellie and Eddie are at the voodoo queens cabin. Ellie tries to leave but Eddie won't let her. She discovers the voodoo queen, Hattie is blind and very tall.
Ellie decides at least for the moment she can't get away and takes a seat on the couch, a tiger colored cat sits beside her and Hattie gives her a bowl of chicken soup.
Yesterday's Word Count-2202
Today's word count-3131
So Ellie and Eddie are at the voodoo queens cabin. Ellie tries to leave but Eddie won't let her. She discovers the voodoo queen, Hattie is blind and very tall.
Ellie decides at least for the moment she can't get away and takes a seat on the couch, a tiger colored cat sits beside her and Hattie gives her a bowl of chicken soup.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Word count update
Okay I didn't write yesterday because of Mothers Day and I didn't write today because of getting my computer back where I wanted it to be. However I did write on Saturday and worked on Ellie's Origami.
Word count before Saturday 808
Current word count 2202
So the ghost whispering bus driver shows up after the boyfriend disappears and the dragon appears. He tries to capture the dragon but the dragon disappears. Ellie and the bus driver Eddie go to the house of an old camp counselor who is into voodoo. I left them entering her very spooky house to see how they bring the boyfriend back.
I don't have to work at my daughter's school tomorrow so barring any unseen complications with my pc I should be able to do some more writing along with getting my other wip ready for my critique group. I'll be back with a new word count tomorrow see you then.
Word count before Saturday 808
Current word count 2202
So the ghost whispering bus driver shows up after the boyfriend disappears and the dragon appears. He tries to capture the dragon but the dragon disappears. Ellie and the bus driver Eddie go to the house of an old camp counselor who is into voodoo. I left them entering her very spooky house to see how they bring the boyfriend back.
I don't have to work at my daughter's school tomorrow so barring any unseen complications with my pc I should be able to do some more writing along with getting my other wip ready for my critique group. I'll be back with a new word count tomorrow see you then.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
6WS
Thank You God, Archdiocese of Chicago
This week I got word the Archdiocese of Chicago is going to use an article I submitted in their July edition of a marriage newsletter. I'm not foolish enough to think that I did this on my own. So thank you God.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Rough Seas
Tides of God
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
We always hear the advice; Go with the flow, go with the tide and when you are trying to traverse a river that seems like good advice. However when we trust God we go against the flow, against the tide. Once we have embraced Jesus, even in the most difficult times, the wildest tides, the swirling eddies, we will overcome and it will be with our strength and doing through Jesus that we will win the day and share the joy.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
We always hear the advice; Go with the flow, go with the tide and when you are trying to traverse a river that seems like good advice. However when we trust God we go against the flow, against the tide. Once we have embraced Jesus, even in the most difficult times, the wildest tides, the swirling eddies, we will overcome and it will be with our strength and doing through Jesus that we will win the day and share the joy.
Updates
I haven't posted much here since the end of April, but not because I had nothing going on in my life. On the contrary there have been quite a few things happening personally and professionally. For the sake of brevity I will just fill you in on the professional stuff.
First and biggest at least in my mind: I am in the process of working with Xlibris to self publish Aaron's Revenge. I have already edited the first galleys and am praying not to have to do any corrections on the second galleys. Xlibris is putting together and email campaign for me. I will update you as the publication date gets closer. I haven't given up on traditional publishing though and still plan to pursue agents and publishers until I find one that is interested in taking on Aaron's Revenge. Stay tuned for a synopsis of the story in future posts.
Second: About a month ago I sent a query to the Archdiocese of Chicago and their First Years and Forever online newsletter for marriages in their early years. After some email exchanges I finally got word from the editor that they are going to publish my article Who's in First in their July issue of the newsletter.
Other than those two things I have been doing a lot of editing and rewriting on my WIP's and actually made an initial start on a new middle grade or YA novel. I'm not sure we'll see where the characters take me.
First and biggest at least in my mind: I am in the process of working with Xlibris to self publish Aaron's Revenge. I have already edited the first galleys and am praying not to have to do any corrections on the second galleys. Xlibris is putting together and email campaign for me. I will update you as the publication date gets closer. I haven't given up on traditional publishing though and still plan to pursue agents and publishers until I find one that is interested in taking on Aaron's Revenge. Stay tuned for a synopsis of the story in future posts.
Second: About a month ago I sent a query to the Archdiocese of Chicago and their First Years and Forever online newsletter for marriages in their early years. After some email exchanges I finally got word from the editor that they are going to publish my article Who's in First in their July issue of the newsletter.
Other than those two things I have been doing a lot of editing and rewriting on my WIP's and actually made an initial start on a new middle grade or YA novel. I'm not sure we'll see where the characters take me.
Page a Day Writing challenge
Hi all,
I know it seems like I am a bit late, but I actually was early. In truth I didn't write yesterday, not that I forgot but life kind of got in the way. The reason I said I was early is that I participate in a writing group (kind of a carry over from NANO) and we met on Monday were our illustrious leader challenged us to write 1000 words in 30 minutes. Well I didn't make the 1000 words but I did get 808 words, so I figured I would take that story and run with it for this challenge.
This one temporarily entitled Ellie's Origami is the third in the series that I started in NANO 09 (which I did get 50000 words and have been working to cut it to 35000 ever since). You may be asking why the third, why not the second. The answer is easy some of the words I cut out of the Myrria's Legacy (title for NANO 09) were the beginning of the second, so it is already started. I had several things to include in the writing for Monday and already had the seeds for a new novel, since I was getting tired of only working on rewrites, revisions and edits. Any way I hadn't done anything with the seeds so this presented a perfect opportunity to start something new. So I did.
The story is about a teenage girl named Ellie and while at summer camp she meets a boy, encounters a haunted cabin and a fairy ring along with a ghost whispering bus driver. After taking an origami class and reading some books on voodoo, she makes an origami dragon whom she intends to torture, because she blames him for her mother's death. (her mother is the 9 year old mc in Myrria's Legacy). When Ellie and her boyfriend try to initiate the voodoo in the fairy ring, they end up actually calling the dragon and the boyfriend disappears. That's where the 808 words ends. Who knows where my characters will take me tomorrow when I go to my writers group and write again. (or later today, depending on how the day unfolds).
So that's my story and I'm sticking too it. Good luck to all the writers and I can't wait to see what progress we all make.
I know it seems like I am a bit late, but I actually was early. In truth I didn't write yesterday, not that I forgot but life kind of got in the way. The reason I said I was early is that I participate in a writing group (kind of a carry over from NANO) and we met on Monday were our illustrious leader challenged us to write 1000 words in 30 minutes. Well I didn't make the 1000 words but I did get 808 words, so I figured I would take that story and run with it for this challenge.
This one temporarily entitled Ellie's Origami is the third in the series that I started in NANO 09 (which I did get 50000 words and have been working to cut it to 35000 ever since). You may be asking why the third, why not the second. The answer is easy some of the words I cut out of the Myrria's Legacy (title for NANO 09) were the beginning of the second, so it is already started. I had several things to include in the writing for Monday and already had the seeds for a new novel, since I was getting tired of only working on rewrites, revisions and edits. Any way I hadn't done anything with the seeds so this presented a perfect opportunity to start something new. So I did.
The story is about a teenage girl named Ellie and while at summer camp she meets a boy, encounters a haunted cabin and a fairy ring along with a ghost whispering bus driver. After taking an origami class and reading some books on voodoo, she makes an origami dragon whom she intends to torture, because she blames him for her mother's death. (her mother is the 9 year old mc in Myrria's Legacy). When Ellie and her boyfriend try to initiate the voodoo in the fairy ring, they end up actually calling the dragon and the boyfriend disappears. That's where the 808 words ends. Who knows where my characters will take me tomorrow when I go to my writers group and write again. (or later today, depending on how the day unfolds).
So that's my story and I'm sticking too it. Good luck to all the writers and I can't wait to see what progress we all make.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Random Dozen
1. What was the last thing about which you procrastinated?
Committing to Xlibris for publication of my book
2. How long does it take you to fall asleep, and do you sleep through the night?
half an hour to an hour, I usually wake up around 4 to take of the breathing mask I have for sleep apnea
3. Which decade would you choose to exemplify your favorite fashion styles?
late 1800's I love the long dresses of post Civil War women
4. What is your personal best dish to feed a crowd?
bbq pulled pork
5. Are you an impulse shopper? What was the last thing you bought on impulse?
not usually, yesterday I bought make-up and a flat iron to straighten my hair so I could get head shot taken to submit for accompaniement with my article
6. What is one wish you have for your own funeral?
hmm I guess the music selections, there is one song "Gather Us In" that was sung for my sister's funeral that I love
7. If it's true that joy is in found in the simple things in life, what does your joy look like today?
white lilacs in my side garden that I didn't even realize were there until yesterday
8. What is your favorite type of bread?
focacia (sp)
9. What trait do you fear developing the most? (Laziness, greediness, grumpiness, etc.)
letting my anxiety control my life
10. What trait would you like most to develop?
continue to develop my writing for God
11. Which room in your house best reflects your personality? Why?
living room. Even though I didn't decorate it or chose the colors and I don't spend much time in there, but I do love to sit in there when I have a chance. The next would be my bedroom because my bed is in there.
12. How do you maintain balance in your life regarding, work, family, church, other organizations and activities, and blogging?
I'm not sure I figured that one out yet.
I'm it, but you may be next.
I'm It but You May Be Next
One of my blogger friends, Wanda, tagged me to participate in the 5 for 5 meme. I'm suppose to answer 5 questions 5 times.
Where were you five years ago?
1. Living in Pennsylvania
2. Running my daughter and granddaughter back and fourth to preschool.
3. Trying to jumpstart a writing career.
4. Slightly involved in Church.
5. A little bit further on Jesus's path for my life.
Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
1. Still married and even more happily
2. Walking more freely & closely to God
3. Writing more and seeing it affect someone's life
4. Living, loving, and laughing more than ever
5. Traveling
What is on your to do list today?
1. Answering these question and posting to my blog (guess I can check that off)
2. Read my Bible
3. Email my first set of galleys to the publisher
4. Take a headshot to email to the publisher and the Archdiocese of Seattle
5. Help my daughter make a salt map of Pennsylvania
What 5 snacks do you enjoy?
1. Chocolate Chip cookies
2. Peanut M&Ms
3. Yoplait yogurt
4. Harvest cheddar sun chips
5. Chex mix
What would you do if you were a billionaire?
1. Give tithe and offerings first
2. Invest in retirement
3. Invest in my youngest daughter's education
4. Travel
5. Pay off debts and sell my house
Finally, I'm suppose to tag 5 other people to participate. If you've already been tagged, I send my apologies. I missed your post. For anyone who would rather not participate, I promise not to be offended and will still be visiting your place. :0)
People I tagged:
Alex J, Patricia Stoltey, Jessica, Miss Ali, Swimmer97
One of my blogger friends, Wanda, tagged me to participate in the 5 for 5 meme. I'm suppose to answer 5 questions 5 times.
Where were you five years ago?
1. Living in Pennsylvania
2. Running my daughter and granddaughter back and fourth to preschool.
3. Trying to jumpstart a writing career.
4. Slightly involved in Church.
5. A little bit further on Jesus's path for my life.
Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
1. Still married and even more happily
2. Walking more freely & closely to God
3. Writing more and seeing it affect someone's life
4. Living, loving, and laughing more than ever
5. Traveling
What is on your to do list today?
1. Answering these question and posting to my blog (guess I can check that off)
2. Read my Bible
3. Email my first set of galleys to the publisher
4. Take a headshot to email to the publisher and the Archdiocese of Seattle
5. Help my daughter make a salt map of Pennsylvania
What 5 snacks do you enjoy?
1. Chocolate Chip cookies
2. Peanut M&Ms
3. Yoplait yogurt
4. Harvest cheddar sun chips
5. Chex mix
What would you do if you were a billionaire?
1. Give tithe and offerings first
2. Invest in retirement
3. Invest in my youngest daughter's education
4. Travel
5. Pay off debts and sell my house
Finally, I'm suppose to tag 5 other people to participate. If you've already been tagged, I send my apologies. I missed your post. For anyone who would rather not participate, I promise not to be offended and will still be visiting your place. :0)
People I tagged:
Alex J, Patricia Stoltey, Jessica, Miss Ali, Swimmer97
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Children of God
Be a Child of God
Behold as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God. (Psalm 123:2)
As children we rely on our parents for everything, we expect them to make decisions that are in our best interest even when we don't really want to follow through. As we get older most of us move away from our reliance on our parents, and begin to make decisions on our own. God doesn't want us to grow out of our reliance on Him. He wants us to be like children and turn to Him for everything, embrace the decisions He makes on our behalf. God knows the path we journey and if we leave the choices to Him we will have no regrets.
Behold as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God. (Psalm 123:2)
As children we rely on our parents for everything, we expect them to make decisions that are in our best interest even when we don't really want to follow through. As we get older most of us move away from our reliance on our parents, and begin to make decisions on our own. God doesn't want us to grow out of our reliance on Him. He wants us to be like children and turn to Him for everything, embrace the decisions He makes on our behalf. God knows the path we journey and if we leave the choices to Him we will have no regrets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
