tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68709781279042460462024-03-13T02:25:28.620-04:00Abby Elissa's WritingsAbby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811271542742232005noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-43031321927532524442021-04-26T22:34:00.001-04:002021-04-26T22:34:01.753-04:00Goodbye for Now<p>First off, I'm sorry I didn't get a post out last week!</p><p>It's been a crazy few weeks - or, rather, months. And it's not gonna get any better. I'm finishing up high school in the next two weeks, leaving for college in a few months, trying to balance a sometimes-frustrating job, and working to get <i>Like a Warrior</i> ready to go into the world. (a few months later than intended, sadly. But I want to do this right, so I'm willing to wait a little longer)</p><p>And, so, for right now, I'm going to have to step back from blogging.</p><p>This isn't permanent. This is just me trying to focus on my priorities and do what God wants me to do.</p><p>Goodbye for now, y'all. Without worrying about publishing posts myself, hopefully I can be more active with reading and commenting on other blogs. And, if all goes as planned, I'll be back later ready to go full-steam-ahead with launch plans for LAW.</p><p>Thank everyone one of you so much - for reading, commenting, encouraging me. I love you all, and God bless.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Love,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Abby Elissa</p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-859278601198439012021-04-15T21:26:00.003-04:002021-04-15T21:26:57.158-04:00Ramblings<p>Well, I've been busy and distracted lately and forgot to write a blog post earlier. *hides*</p><p>But - here I am now!</p><p>Mind if I ramble for a bit? Thanks.</p><p>Let me warn you - this post may seem . . . different. And I have a reason for that. See, I know I haven't been very . . . honest with y'all. I tried to make my blogging style what was expected and normal.</p><p>But I'm not expected or normal.</p><p>And so I'm going to try to be more honest. Maybe that means stating things bluntly. Maybe that means not getting excited like I "should." Maybe that means being sporadic or over-organized.</p><p>But I'm trying to be me, not who I thought I should be.</p><p>(And, heads up, that means I probably won't be using exclamation marks or emojis like I used to . . . I can explain that later. But call it an INTJ thing.)</p><p>As several of you probably know, the email delivery service on Blogger will be discontinuing - I haven't looked into it yet and don't know how big of a deal it is. But - it was the push I needed to get serious about some big-scale blog changes I've been planning to make. So stay tuned for that.</p><p>I love Instagram. Majorly. So, yes, I'm a lot more active on there than I am on blogging. I'm trying to make sure I don't spend toooo much time there, though.</p><p>Progress for <i>Like a Warrior</i> is going well! I'm diving into my big-scale edits after I publish this post.</p><p>I've also been trying to make more time for reading lately - which is awesome, considering that I'm enjoying a really, really good book (<i>Raptor 6</i> by Ronie Kendig).</p><p>I've been brainstorming the books that come after <i>Like a Warrior</i> - and I'm really excited for them! My characters make me so happy. I love 'em. I've been working on a Pinterest board for a certain fellow lately . . . and he's gonna be a fun character, I already know. I'm excited, because, in the next two stories (at least), I have two POVs. </p><p>The King's Daughters' Writing Camp is in full-swing now, and it's awesome, as usual! I haven't been as active this time as I have before - but that's okay. When I do get on, I'm motivated by the amazing people there.</p><p>I've also started a newer, more concise style for Goodreads book reviews. It keeps things simpler for me, and the bullet point lists and strict organization make my heart happy (INTJ thing).</p><p>Well, that's it for now! Very rambley, I know. But it's late (for me) and I still have lots of editing to do. And chocolate to eat.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Love,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-AVHsltICWJvARBZ_CzBAu9Pb0PwvK_-MldPU2GvW-MQdanOukZAJfRo2BfFItYfLu1ZIkuxLx_g6gugl667-Kvyem5NcrwKIdaQeNEPXoW7LLU36whMvk16AbLo8JV1AYNWy3z_wQg6/s1300/Signature_Long_Hi+Res.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-AVHsltICWJvARBZ_CzBAu9Pb0PwvK_-MldPU2GvW-MQdanOukZAJfRo2BfFItYfLu1ZIkuxLx_g6gugl667-Kvyem5NcrwKIdaQeNEPXoW7LLU36whMvk16AbLo8JV1AYNWy3z_wQg6/s320/Signature_Long_Hi+Res.png" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How about you? How are things going for you? </h3><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-78096393482520760752021-04-11T15:00:00.000-04:002021-04-11T15:00:36.355-04:007 Days of Hope: Giveaway Winner!<p> Hello, y'all! Thank each and every one of you for your part in making this 7 Days of Hope Blog Tour so amazing. <3 Y'all are awesome.</p><p>Now, it's time to reveal the winners of the giveaway!</p><p>First pick goes to . . .</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p><b>Abigail Harris!!!!</b></p><p>Congratulations, Abi!! We'll be emailing you soon!</p><p>Second place goes to . . .</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p>*</p><p><b>Sarah!! </b></p><p>We'll be getting in touch with you soon, as well!</p><p>Congratulations!!</p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-52883344674455848042021-04-11T10:00:00.003-04:002021-04-11T10:59:12.470-04:007 Days of Hope: Day 7!<p>Welcome to one of the last stops on the 7 Days of Hope Blog Tour! I hope you've enjoyed this tour and that it's been an encouragement to you. <3 </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI966uEUqZ40NrzjoO1US542_aRqazCvp0HAhU6_QawcmQW5yx0cVCu_FJkadiA_JYIbW8i-1PvBfvGk1d7ifxQ1dSKvwpVYJvliDHK6b6Mix64M2v5mJOdiIJamXoVpQ0fmdCjbBhMRLh/s1920/7+Days+of+Hope+Tour+Graphic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI966uEUqZ40NrzjoO1US542_aRqazCvp0HAhU6_QawcmQW5yx0cVCu_FJkadiA_JYIbW8i-1PvBfvGk1d7ifxQ1dSKvwpVYJvliDHK6b6Mix64M2v5mJOdiIJamXoVpQ0fmdCjbBhMRLh/w640-h360/7+Days+of+Hope+Tour+Graphic.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) says, "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise."</p><p>When I was trying to find a verse and a translation to use for today, I came across something interesting - some versions used the word "hope" here, as the NLT does. And some didn't. So, curious, I traced it back to the Greek using the built-in Strong's Concordance in one of my Bible apps.</p><p>The word used here for "hope" is "elpis" (pronounced, "elle-PEACE"). It doesn't mean just, plainly, "hope" or "faith," as it's translated. One definition is, more directly, "hope." But the word, in two of three definitions and by its root word, means "expectation." Oddly enough, the word itself doesn't even say if the expectation is good or bad.</p><p>It's just that we expect something.</p><p>That's what "hope" really is, isn't it? It's not just that we believe something good <i>could </i>come out of a situation. It's not just that we believe things <i>could</i> get better.</p><p>It's that we expect it.</p><p>We expect that God <i>will</i> keep His promise, that He <i>will</i> bring good out of our difficult situations, that He <i>will</i> see us over the mountains we climb.</p><p>And it's the expectation, the hope, that lets us stare at our mountains and smile.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k1YWv5FKrKc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>Good God Almighty</div><div>I hope You'll find me</div><div>Praising Your name no matter what comes</div><div>'Cause I know where I'd be without Your mercy</div><div>So I keep praising Your name at the top of my lungs</div></blockquote><div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This song is, honestly, fun. But it's deeper than that. It's full of the hope and expectation that, no matter where we are right now, God is going to pull us through. And that's why we're still praising Him, even when we feel hopeless. Because we know, deep down, that we're never hopeless.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Giveaway</h2><div><br /></div><div class="typeform-widget" data-url="https://form.typeform.com/to/kBwjR6Km?typeform-medium=embed-snippet" style="height: 500px; width: 100%;"></div> <script> (function() { var qs,js,q,s,d=document, gi=d.getElementById, ce=d.createElement, gt=d.getElementsByTagName, id="typef_orm", b="https://embed.typeform.com/"; if(!gi.call(d,id)) { js=ce.call(d,"script"); js.id=id; js.src=b+"embed.js"; q=gt.call(d,"script")[0]; q.parentNode.insertBefore(js,q) } })() </script><h2 style="text-align: left;">Links to Other Blogs on the Tour</h2><div><div>(April 5) Day 1, Monday:</div><div><span> </span><span> </span>SawyerMarie <a href="https://sundropgirls.wordpress.com/">https://sundropgirls.wordpress.com/</a></div><div><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Clarissa Choo <a href="https://clarissachoo.com">https://clarissachoo.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div>(April 6) Day 2, Tuesday:</div><div><span> </span><span> </span>Hannah K <a href="https://mylifegodspath.wordpress.com/">https://mylifegodspath.wordpress.com/</a></div><div><span> </span><span> </span>Lilly W <a href="https://adaughterservingtheking.wordpress.com/blog/">https://adaughterservingtheking.wordpress.com/blog/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>(April 7) Day 3, Wednesday:</div><div><span> </span><span> </span>Katja <a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/">https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/</a></div><div><span> </span><span> </span>B <a href="https://singingintherain157252239.wordpress.com/">https://singingintherain157252239.wordpress.com/</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>(April 8) Day 4, Thursday: </div><div><span> </span><span> </span>Brooklyn <a href="http://fiveshekels.wordpress.com/">http://fiveshekels.wordpress.com/</a> </div><div><span> </span><span> </span>Abigail Harris <a href="https://abigailkayharris.wordpress.com/">https://abigailkayharris.wordpress.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>(April 9) Day 5, Friday:</div><div><span> </span><span> </span>Anna Grace <a href="https://ideasofanna.blogspot.com/">https://ideasofanna.blogspot.com/</a></div><div><span> </span><span> </span>Lauren Compton <a href="http://novelsthatencourage.com.au/">http://novelsthatencourage.com.au/</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>(April 10) Day 6, Saturday:</div><div><span> </span><span> </span> Tara <a href="https://towerintheplains.wordpress.com/">https://towerintheplains.wordpress.com/</a></div><div><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Chelsea Burden <a href="https://lightinthetunnel476000978.wordpress.com/">https://lightinthetunnel476000978.wordpress.com/</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>(April 11) Day 7, Sunday:</div><div><span> </span><span> </span>Abby Elissa HERE!</div><div><span> </span><span> </span>Jenavieve Rose <a href="https://livingoutsidethelinesfindingthewritelife.wordpress.com/">https://livingoutsidethelinesfindingthewritelife.wordpress.com/</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What verses remind you of hope? Have you been encouraged by the tour?</h3>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-33886706063296122522021-04-10T10:30:00.005-04:002021-04-10T10:30:45.816-04:007 Days of Hope Blog Tour: Day 6 Posts<p> We're nearly finished with this blog tour - can you believe it? Click the images below to read the beautiful posts Tara and Chelsea wrote for us today! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://towerintheplains.wordpress.com/2021/04/10/7-days-of-hope-blog-tour-day-6/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9kPMVGpKBUwlmtxVnQpl3jGgF7EuiMEgFHEDswuTshb3Kk8GtcpeEm_DyFL0e7zZw8b2d8arLjNbPW6p_3-ouW8sWbVhZelCdWIWOXS7ZAj35KkOPhEAv5tNrlm2GWYn11_k-LazN4IW/w400-h400/Tara+day+6-+April+10+.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lightinthetunnel476000978.wordpress.com/2021/04/10/7-days-of-hope-blog-tour/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxdfs42Pl-tVqHew1ULW8bxS-6gieUqfvsjVqbw6RWBVZG3EqFSgzrlDStZsh24TevhXd2HQcRD08YHBDAIpMLL6xfYNHWeIHqWty9JCsS2BLNzXZZqIJF9-rbgZcDfdN8Ug4rnXKLLEn/w400-h400/Chelsea+day+6-+April+10.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-84912810752689736272021-04-09T10:00:00.000-04:002021-04-09T10:00:00.243-04:007 Days of Hope Blog Tour: Day 5 Posts<p> Today, we have Anna Grace and Lauren Compton as our wonderful hosts! Click the images below to read their posts!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt199Yr2t8tOp8CKizyHjRX4FxBYwNw8SoJouIIVfK1AagTrJzUlvCRKGuDvo8xzHpQhJ7OhKEQy7FkooxroPrswwaMn3gMgqf0jAmpvYI8Xem9LNXD3MvOKOdBZgBOjjqi3AL_wUQrrk/s1080/Anna+Grace+day+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt199Yr2t8tOp8CKizyHjRX4FxBYwNw8SoJouIIVfK1AagTrJzUlvCRKGuDvo8xzHpQhJ7OhKEQy7FkooxroPrswwaMn3gMgqf0jAmpvYI8Xem9LNXD3MvOKOdBZgBOjjqi3AL_wUQrrk/w400-h400/Anna+Grace+day+5.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://novelsthatencourage.com.au/?p=2056" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizurAcOkPZYmu8GSprwNcmdyRNbWfiXNyIVIizUo7okkR6ZBFka9eS-VMd-tfPUb3jv4WYKVha39s2BgXk0RXRjMqpj4xGqDevLBq434Jbb9l7VHUL6ah7W9zK6p-rwsPlcqP3yYc8dQZQ/w400-h400/Lauren+day+5-+April+9.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-74563400271380733322021-04-08T16:09:00.007-04:002021-04-08T16:09:56.568-04:007 Days of Hope Blog Tour: Day 4 PostsClick on the images below to read the wonderful posts Brooklyn and Abigail have written today!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fiveshekels.wordpress.com/2021/04/08/7-days-of-hope-blog-tour/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WGxDfRPdTnGL8Ih3pl8MMlAnveDC0h99sgiJUXQSQsjSwhisDMnWUC6K6DBzgdZynfqHXREEhdx_W70Sk08eegMV8WP-OaUgbbbf01GBjjLH6_HaGeqNaBmskfTB3aTC6JK0rd9LPwpF/w400-h400/Brooklyn+day+4.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://abigailkayharris.wordpress.com/2021/04/08/blog-tour-7-days-of-hope/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFA3glIrkSpQbHuns_8fy3O_YzT5NUynMv34MA5RhkMp-VyZFnIL43vZDgSnLEx1eHGW0OiTRlNf0xDxi4qgQuUzL3KfXnOE3Zxl1b-uHBRSHzC2Qou1oJ0YjIJ4eawQ6SP-H4qvE01yq/w400-h400/Abi+day+4.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-6837770113306945942021-04-07T10:15:00.003-04:002021-04-07T10:17:11.431-04:007 Days of Hope Blog Tour: Day 3 Posts<p> Click on the images to read today's wonderful posts!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2021/04/07/its-darkest-just-before-dawn-7-days-of-hope-blog-tour/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF6ZGKAf-QF3o6NUNkgvrZjNaWBlXjWxN11xEVUABo52LI7vTH2yw2D_4cJv7semlmpqp1wPVsFuDv0QO5sOfLjQRWtCCoRLZamiiBlBICclL69UUs5GRHTMDHoN0gr8ogaSf_urpUDiN/w400-h400/katja-day-3.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://singingintherain157252239.wordpress.com/2021/04/07/7-days-of-hope-blog-tour-day-3/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwVwyM5gNo9RrIz_zaGHl2e6MnRFx46RacKO4WuOcOacb8QamrBG9yPviQ1vfMx6p6osMOXnBnK1e-caHZdPfm7pzb8yNJhDCB6BgAtyezWNTWtXx2Kj8ukIWavuuPKK1VOAg_PpZ22Hh/w400-h400/b-day-3-1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-38108774929663211362021-04-06T10:16:00.005-04:002021-04-06T10:16:59.170-04:00 7 Days of Hope Blog Tour: Day 2 Posts<p> Click on the images below to read Day 2's posts! <3</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mylifegodspath.wordpress.com/2021/04/06/7-days-of-hope-blog-tour/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRJaZJRTaXhaYOzh06lUJnFUD-ZbjNIVgsLOcfwGaftncejVq5xDzfbkeFS_Myh6Rl3p1pLhqT__c7vCoZo-aPRsXx7ixel3nkZ9ej3uocpVI4u2eql_FnBZqirlwlFRWBxTsj7RioegT/w400-h400/Hannah+day+2.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://adaughterservingtheking.wordpress.com/2021/04/06/seven-days-of-hope-day-two/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9YVLhg9eY6iCkMnnXNjUrvU6KkKcQt0-Q5fRgYF5D9JgQplrnznNMmdOOSsITBbRrsZY7dhJejnrrfXzrZwa5uzGdWnkZYiEBc6EqAkZvz0TCZVztomwE-VVjnlWSiJn4P78lLe0ypp2/w400-h400/7DOH+.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-74543253416673177942021-04-05T10:54:00.004-04:002021-04-05T10:54:40.349-04:007 Days of Hope Blog Tour: Day 1 Posts<p> The 7 Days of Hope Blog Tour starts today!!! This year, we had enough bloggers to schedule two posts every day!</p><p>The images below are hyperlinked to each post!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://sundropgirls.wordpress.com/?p=1784" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTm8JsAJyC5aaV2yA6a-jgbNxFAcuQtpz9584t8aZrzB1I3F5fSWYlrN7tVmoZR_SHe9Ag1xoxIJMkQ5VWJij4uhJdmhnsTQddyoCxzZYgTMsFfMtGEk_ex6cNCG5SbdwZy0lDV1g9V4HQ/w400-h400/Sawyer+day+1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://clarissachoo.com/2021/04/05/7-days-of-hope-tour/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTKnJBg7xp-ok0_8aZhCov9c0d0WA7PtvE0O33yQK2Ew2jd9szyoeyT5l_R0iQ5Zb0o9biik72eqg86eCk0Al9wBMpL8x7atTb48jowlTmlXd12qhFSB852lx59CAZKuLVEXx148gw_D6/w400-h400/Clarissa+day+1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-79953788040088391052021-03-29T07:24:00.004-04:002021-03-29T07:24:29.749-04:00The King's Daughters' Writing Camp<p> Hello, people!</p><p>Well, if you're following a lot of the blogosphere, you may have already been spammed by info about The King's Daughters' Writing Camp. Allow me to add to that spam, and give a different view of it. :D</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfZsvXQob1E4MEgwFE964Mz6YcOEu1vDFb04Ck19wEiJ0uaUjixEknWS8ZEZnCX_cPt6Itaq4J3GZKSTwP-w1ygL1Yyh7fD-YFWELpUmNYMlTa_cCvMKinXNUpil9oqFxBQVgpB6DMql2/s500/KDWC+Writer+April+2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfZsvXQob1E4MEgwFE964Mz6YcOEu1vDFb04Ck19wEiJ0uaUjixEknWS8ZEZnCX_cPt6Itaq4J3GZKSTwP-w1ygL1Yyh7fD-YFWELpUmNYMlTa_cCvMKinXNUpil9oqFxBQVgpB6DMql2/s320/KDWC+Writer+April+2021.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Quick facts: It's already open! But it doesn't officially start (with goals) until April 1st. So there's plenty of time (three days is plenty of time :P) for you to still sign up. </span></p><p>Now, I've done both Camp NaNoWriMo and KDWC. And I like KDWC a lot better. It doesn't have the cool stats tracking page like NaNo does, but that's the biggest downside. And we have a cool spreadsheet to make up for it. (Which I still need to tweak my copy of, because I always like to make things more complex.)</p><p>Aside from that, though - KDWC is so much better than NaNo. It's completely different, so comparing the two isn't even the best way to go about things. KDWC is hosted on Slack, a free workspace platform that gives you the ability to make all kinds of channels, react to messages, and comment in threads.</p><p>And we have Mary Poppins.</p><p>Maybe I should explain. Mary Poppins is our name for the mysterious user (one of the women who runs the Camp, but she won't reveal her exact identity) who comes through and "cleans" the channels.</p><p><br /></p><p>But, really - why should you join KDWC?</p><p>For the community. When I started writing years ago, I didn't share about my stories with anyone. My family knew I was writing, but that was it. Finally I started telling a few friends a little about my stories, and they would help me brainstorm sometimes. But it still wasn't much.</p><p>Then, I joined a small teens' writers group at my library. I was only in it for a few months before we moved to a different town, but I loved it.</p><p>About a year ago, I started a writing group on NaNoWriMo. And things have just taken off from there.</p><p>Now, I don't know what I would have done without online writing groups. Through them, I met my two closest friends, connected with a bunch of indie authors, and was able to get as close as I am to publication (only a few more months!!!).</p><p>In short, I've learned how important community is for writers. The act of writing in itself is a "solitary venture." But everything about writing isn't. </p><p>And so, I'm so grateful to KDWC for all the support, encouragement, and connections I wouldn't have known I was missing.</p><p>If I've convinced you to at least look into this a little more, here's the link to the website! The sign-up form is at the bottom of this page.</p><p><a href="https://kingsdaughterswritingcamp.blogspot.com/p/welcome-center.html">https://kingsdaughterswritingcamp.blogspot.com/p/welcome-center.html</a></p><p>I hope to see you there!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Love,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0EyuYFB737E8V1R4EIOS5W_1JFe2SAAVUlQUoXxzahyOSeI9efaC1SVdXPt7VFoIpYqGzbDgWYRrpYTT0y7dfQQAIi1sXjdbE-4fTB8eJVqNVQrjysPDtcqfFKj1bosj1KIZWzGYdZ7D/s1300/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0EyuYFB737E8V1R4EIOS5W_1JFe2SAAVUlQUoXxzahyOSeI9efaC1SVdXPt7VFoIpYqGzbDgWYRrpYTT0y7dfQQAIi1sXjdbE-4fTB8eJVqNVQrjysPDtcqfFKj1bosj1KIZWzGYdZ7D/s320/Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Have you ever been part of an online writers' group, KDWC or otherwise? If so, what were the best parts?</h3>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-74968531949288684852021-03-16T07:00:00.001-04:002021-03-16T07:00:03.581-04:00Announcing . . . 7 Days of Hope Blog Tour<p> Hi, y'all! I'm back for a special announcement today:</p><p><a href="https://sundropgirls.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">SawyerMarie</a> and I are hosting the 7 Days of Hope Blog Tour again!</p><p>You might remember about this tour from when we did it last year. Then, it was spur of the moment. This time, we've been planning it for a while, and we're giving ourselves and everyone else some extra time to get ready. And we're doing things a little differently (but in a good way). For one thing, we're adding an exciting giveaway with two winners!</p><p>If you'd like to host a day, you can sign up <a href="https://forms.gle/9fVkzVTheZo1g6Jt9" target="_blank">here</a>! We might not be able to accept all applications (due to the space we have available), but we'll sort through and consider all responses.</p><p>If you don't have a blog (or just don't want to host a day), but still want to share about this blog tour, you can fill out <a href="https://forms.gle/KhBus1SBASfPD3937" target="_blank">this form</a>! After you do, we'll send you a media kit with images ready to share on your blog, Instagram, etc.</p><p>I'm so excited for this blog tour, and I hope you'll join us in sharing the hope of Jesus during these difficult times!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Love,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Abby Elissa</p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-90437503175895727582021-03-11T11:07:00.001-05:002021-03-11T11:07:05.675-05:00Short Blogging Break<p> Hi, y'all!</p><p>With everything going on in my life lately, I've prayed about it and decided that a (very short) blogging break is something I need to do. I'm planning to be back in a little over two weeks, on March 29th. Until then, though, I won't be posting much if any and I might not be very active on commenting on others' blogs.</p><p>When I come back, I'll have some exciting news!</p><p>In the meantime, I have started an Instagram account! I'll plan to be more active there, since it takes less time than blogging. You can find me here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/a_thousand_words_431/">https://www.instagram.com/a_thousand_words_431/</a>.</p><p>Thank you all so much for your support, and I'll see you again soon!</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Love,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Abby Elissa</p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-15600548708517586452021-03-04T07:34:00.002-05:002021-03-04T07:34:41.253-05:00Songs that Got Me Through<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnnC75iBq-VT_8e1xp2YB8guTH5QmEEnL4eZy69ZsglsbwHHkUTR6VMYGE15PLZPgGC7NlLS9f_7voym8EjwK-ZpKvgY3l0O4F-cl_fBgd0GV2kfv3acn0xfjTXmosYfeE3SP_FuU83r4/s1080/Square+Blog+Headers+%252811%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnnC75iBq-VT_8e1xp2YB8guTH5QmEEnL4eZy69ZsglsbwHHkUTR6VMYGE15PLZPgGC7NlLS9f_7voym8EjwK-ZpKvgY3l0O4F-cl_fBgd0GV2kfv3acn0xfjTXmosYfeE3SP_FuU83r4/w400-h400/Square+Blog+Headers+%252811%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Well, here I am with the music post that I'd mentioned!</span></p><p>These are songs that have helped me through tough times. I usually don't "keep" songs like this for more than a few months, just because circumstances change, and thus what I look for in a "survival song" changes. So I've developed quite a collection over this years, and this isn't a full list. :D</p><p>(Now, don't think that this, by any means, represents my full spectrum of unique musical tastes. But this is a little sampling. XD Proceed with caution. All songs are perfectly clean and nearly all could be classified as Christian. But that leaves a lot of room for my love of multiple genres. XD)</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">All This Time - Britt Nicole</h2><p>I don't even know how old I was when I fell in love with this song. I also don't know why I fell in love with it. XD But it's beautiful, and I still listen to it once in a while today. <3</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HmTGLdSW5Sw" width="320" youtube-src-id="HmTGLdSW5Sw"></iframe></div><blockquote><div>All this time, from the first tear cry,</div><div>To today's sunrise, and every single moment between,</div><div>You were there, You were always there.</div><div>It was You and I.</div><div>You've been walking with me all this time.<br /></div></blockquote><p> </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">My Own Little World - Matthew West</h2><div>Another one of those that I was so young, I honestly don't know why I picked it. I just started listening to this one again a few days ago . . . and I realized how much the meaning of this song is one of my passions. <3</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8ydR2XnqJko" width="320" youtube-src-id="8ydR2XnqJko"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What if there's a bigger picture?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What if I'm missing out?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What if there's a greater purpose</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That I could be living right now?</div></div></blockquote><p> </p><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Through Your Eyes - Britt Nicole</h2><div>I feel like nearly every teenage girl might go through this stage of wanting to believe that you're something beautiful, but what you see in the mirror and what you hear in your own head are constantly telling you differently. And that's why I latched onto this song so much when I was maybe thirteen - that, and the fact the music/beat is awesome. :D I know this is song that might have become "too popular" - but, to me, when I really listen to the words, it still has a lot of meaning. <3</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lFCzotS62Dg" width="320" youtube-src-id="lFCzotS62Dg"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">'Get it together,'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That's what I say to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I put on the pressure,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">'You could do better,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Be who you're supposed to be.'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But that's when You came in,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Right when I needed You.</div></div></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Broken Prayers - Riley Clemmons</h2><div>I "randomly" discovered this song several years ago, only to have it resonate so deeply with me that I couldn't stop listening to it. It's still so beautiful, I don't care that it's become so popular it might have lost its meaning for some people.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iQqz2ckCT3s" width="320" youtube-src-id="iQqz2ckCT3s"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been taught how to talk to You.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hold it together, make the bad look better,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Say all the words that I'm supposed to.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bow my head, say, 'Amen,'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yeah, that'll do.</div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Tremble - Mosaic MSC</h2><div>This is honestly the only worship song I enjoy listening to like this. I like a lot of worship songs, but I prefer to hear them live, not recorded. But this one is so good, I take it either way I can get it. <3</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SzZZb6RbLJs" width="320" youtube-src-id="SzZZb6RbLJs"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Peace, bring it all to peace,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The storm surrounding me,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Let it break at Your name.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Still, call the sea to still,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The rage in me to still,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Every wave at Your name.</div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How Could I Be Silent [Remix] - Caitie Hurst</h2><div>This one . . . I've heard that people tend to like the original versions of songs better, not because they're better than the remix, but because they heard the original first. Well, I heard the remix of this first, so that's the only one I'll listen to. XD But, seriously - this song is fun and deep and powerful all at the same time. Not to mention that I absolutely love finding songs by lesser-known Christian artists (like Caitie Hurst). I haven't listened to this one much recently, but I would play/sing it on repeat when I was going through a certain phase in my life maybe a year and a half ago.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TrPudXiXwXE" width="320" youtube-src-id="TrPudXiXwXE"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How could I be silent, when there's all this joy inside my heart?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How could I be quiet, when You gave me light to pierce the dark?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How could I be silent? I will not be silent.</div></div></blockquote><p> </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Symphony - Switch</h2><div>I can't say enough about what this song did for me. I can't think of any single song that's impacted me and helped through a tough time more. <3 I was in a really difficult teenage stage, and this seemed to put my thoughts into lyrics in a way that made me sing them over and over again just to survive.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C_90_NAbv3k" width="320" youtube-src-id="C_90_NAbv3k"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even in the madness, there is peace,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Drowning out the voices all around me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Through all of this chaos,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You are writing a symphony, a symphony.</div><div><br /></div></div></blockquote><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Only Ever - Alive City</h2><div>This one . . . I discovered this one after Symphony, but while I was still listening to Symphony on repeat. This one was like moving onto the next stage - out of survival mode, into something more. (And, as a bonus, this is another less-known artist. :D)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4oVkPrJDzv4" width="320" youtube-src-id="4oVkPrJDzv4"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tried to find something to chase,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Waited for my heart to change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now I can never be the same,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">'Cause I'll only ever need You, only ever.</div></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">God of Always - HillaryJane</h2><div>Another less-known artist. :D But - this song is profound, yet really simple. It's amazing. <3 (This one came from about the same time in my life as Only Ever.)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BKdN4CjfH6k" width="320" youtube-src-id="BKdN4CjfH6k"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This heart that's in my chest</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Don't match up what's in my head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm scared I'm trying to do this without You. </div></div></blockquote><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></h2><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be the Change - Britt Nicole</h2><div>In case you haven't noticed, I really love Britt Nicole music. XD My all-time favorite artist. This song . . . it hit me at a pivotal point in my life. COVID was hitting, but, at the same time, I was starting to truly realize that I'd been made for so much more than to live like a "normal Christian." And this song was able to say the feelings and dreams I was discovering. I'll still list this as one of my favorite songs. <3</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mHguyidMS50" width="320" youtube-src-id="mHguyidMS50"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So go on, let your heart burn bright,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And watch it catch like a wild fire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I believe in you and I.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Together we can be the change!</div></div></blockquote><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></h2><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Armies - KB</h2><div>This song . . . when I was going through a particularly difficult time late last year, this song was a lifeline for me. I still completely claim it. <3</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LC4Td0j3h-U" width="320" youtube-src-id="LC4Td0j3h-U"></iframe></div><blockquote><div><div>Danger, giants,</div><div>Battle is my story.</div><div>But alone, I won't know,</div><div>That's my glory.</div><div>Shadows you cannot hide me,</div><div>My King will fight.</div><div>The God of angel armies</div><div>Is always by my side.</div></div></blockquote><p> </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Replay [Remix] - HillaryJane</h2><div>Another repeat artist! Her songs are hit or miss for me - either they end up on my "survival" playlists, or I don't listen to them. (Also, this is another case of "I heard the remix first so that's all I'm gonna listen to.") This one is a ton of fun (my little sister and I love to turn it up loud and sing along to it), but it was also so true during a really tough time in my life (this is from the same time as Armies). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/skfeNCx5aLQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="skfeNCx5aLQ"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You've never left me, You never will.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When I'm believing everything I feel,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You pull me back to Your perfect will.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You got me.</div></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can You Hold Me - NF (ft. Britt Nicole)</h2><div>This song . . . </3 Imagine taking depression, turning it into a prayer, and then making it a song with music that builds in intensity so much it feels like a story. And that doesn't even adequately describe this song. Towards the end of last year, there were times when all I knew to do was turn this song on and sing it, because every word hit me so deeply. It didn't magically make me happy. Bu it turned my desperation into a prayer, and that gave me strength to keep going. <3</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_q6GJ-MkFsg" width="320" youtube-src-id="_q6GJ-MkFsg"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just wrap me in Your arms, in Your arms,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't wanna be nowhere else.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Take me from the dark, from the dark,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I ain't gonna make it myself.</div></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stand - Rascal Flatts</h2><div>This is the only country song I have here, but that's just because most country songs (though I love them) don't quite make it onto this playlist. But this one - this one is special. <3</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N72AxdSyKOg" width="320" youtube-src-id="N72AxdSyKOg"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On your knees, you look up,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Decide you've had enough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You get mad, you get strong,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wipe your hands, shake it off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then you stand, then you stand.</div></div></blockquote><p> </p><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Acrobat - Plumb</h2><div>This is an older song, but I just recently discovered how much it means to me. I couldn't tell you how many times in the past few weeks I've listened it. It actually took me awhile to learn the tune/lyrics (unusual for me - I tend to learn songs quickly), because the tune fits the theme amazingly. XD Trying to keep this odd tune straight is kinda like "a balancing act."</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sNfUPjpizy4" width="320" youtube-src-id="sNfUPjpizy4"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I feel like an acrobat, I've gotta be strong, I've gotta be fast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's a balancing act, I've gotta be this, I've gotta be that.</div></div></blockquote><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Breathe - Jonny Diaz</h2><div>I was late to this train. XD This song was extremely popular years ago, and I thought the music was cool, but that was about it. Now it feels like my anthem, and I usually end up listening to it at least once a day.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hnjeMwxFuBA" width="320" youtube-src-id="hnjeMwxFuBA"></iframe></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm hanging on tight to another wild day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When it starts to fall apart, in my heart I hear you say,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just breathe, just breathe.</div></div></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Well, that's all I'll list here. But, if you're interested - here's a longer Spotify playlist with these songs and more!</p><p><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Q4o6oGqJ4cvHQGQY8oAN5?si=G76USdE1QmKmZMasZZlGbw">https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Q4o6oGqJ4cvHQGQY8oAN5?si=G76USdE1QmKmZMasZZlGbw</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Love,</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGxcvBdvhyphenhyphenTPORZWNSGgDprR-kzhR0ltAEGJyeVrpnTEHcfdDskinhvBzM1fhKw8o_IeouNtZNTHxhAxIlOYSsuvEREERo1FzbZXhBDqq4_1YxXHncBl8ZDw7usbjrh3LcJ_kvM69AM0w/s1300/Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGxcvBdvhyphenhyphenTPORZWNSGgDprR-kzhR0ltAEGJyeVrpnTEHcfdDskinhvBzM1fhKw8o_IeouNtZNTHxhAxIlOYSsuvEREERo1FzbZXhBDqq4_1YxXHncBl8ZDw7usbjrh3LcJ_kvM69AM0w/s320/Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Which of these songs is your favorite? What are some of your songs that got you through tough times?</h3><p></p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-1749650311360279482021-03-01T07:00:00.001-05:002021-03-01T07:00:00.789-05:00February 2021: Wrap Up//Writing Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BGIXZe8poQi_rb1Gt1vHBySBzFksXrFYpvYhLHZTpH427vejjjqHQ_BFjX-DTdvWAeora2BzEcjB8RlromE0PXGhCo7GN2UTimmmS8PxOwYWWEVAgBWwo-suNOBmy6bNDQPw1shcP6E/s1080/Square+Blog+Headers+%252810%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BGIXZe8poQi_rb1Gt1vHBySBzFksXrFYpvYhLHZTpH427vejjjqHQ_BFjX-DTdvWAeora2BzEcjB8RlromE0PXGhCo7GN2UTimmmS8PxOwYWWEVAgBWwo-suNOBmy6bNDQPw1shcP6E/w400-h400/Square+Blog+Headers+%252810%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Is it just me, or did February slip right by us? Like - shouldn't it still be January? 🤨</span></p><p>Anyway, I did get a lot of stuff done in February, short as it seemed.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Started back my old routine of getting up before 6am to go sit on the porch and drink my cup of coffee.</li><li><a href="https://abbyelissa.blogspot.com/2021/01/nothing-rant.html">Did my first "rant-y" blog post.</a></li><li><a href="https://abbyelissa.blogspot.com/2021/02/guest-post-by-kellyn-roth-themes-of.html">Had an amazing guest post by author Kellyn Roth.</a></li><li><a href="https://abbyelissa.blogspot.com/2021/02/indie-author-spotlight-ellen-senechal.html">Got to do an interview with my friend Ellen Senechal - and she even shared an excerpt from her devotional!</a></li><li>Made good progress on finding a routine for life, now that I'm balancing college, work, writing, and my personal life.</li><li>Pushed harder on running, and got my fastest time in a while.</li><li>Had an amazing surprise Barnes & Noble trip (supposedly me, my mama, and my sister were going clothes shopping - but the bookstore was only a few doors down from the clothes store, so I left them to clothes shop while I hunted for book bargains 😆).</li><li>Discovered a new classic author that I already love - Agatha Christie. 🤩 (Not that Hercule Poroit is better than Sherlock Holmes, by any stretch of the imagination. But Agatha Christie is an amazing mystery writer.)</li><li>Got really distracted for a few days while one of my closest friends and I found Pinterest pics of our characters' future kids. We now have several dozen new characters, complete with personalities and names. Oh, and we have a system for how to identify whose kids are whose. But it looks like some kind of secret code that we attach to their Pinterest board sections. 😂</li><li>Discovered some amazing songs - you might get a music post sometime soon. </li></ul><div>Well, I honestly didn't get much reading done in February. Work, school, and revisions were my main focus. But here are the (very few) books that I finished in February:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3776977487" target="_blank">Shadowed by Dani Pettrey (4 stars)</a></li><li>Blackout by Lynette Eason</li></ul><div>(Okay, that was a very pathetic list - two novellas. Sorry. But, I did make some progress in a few beta and review reads.)</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Life lesson learned: Just because my way works for me but not you, and your way works for you and not me - that doesn't necessarily make either of our ways wrong or even better than the other's. (I know this sounds basic, but I'm trying to really, really understand that and live like I understand it.)</div><div><br /></div><div>And, now for writing progress - except, since I have a lot to say, I'm just gonna stop with the monthly wrap-up and give you a full-blown writing update.</div><div><br /></div><div>For exciting news . . . </div><div>I SENT <i>LIKE A WARRIOR</i> TO BETA READERS!!!!! It's so wonderful to have a story I can be proud of, and now other people are reading it. (Or have already read it . . . one of my readers had it finished about 24 hours after I sent it.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Since I've already been through this process with alpha readers (good grief, that was nerve-wracking), I'm not nearly as nervous this time. I'm mostly just excited, and really, really looking forward to getting feedback. I have some amazing people as beta readers, and I'll put a lot of stock in what they say about my story. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now that I'm not actively working on <i>Like a Warrior </i>(except for replying to beta comments), I need something else writing-related to work on. I need to finish the cover for LAW (the official nickname for <i>Like a Warrior</i>, unless you happen to know the name I've been calling it for nearly two years), but that's not the same as actual writing. So - I'll plan on focusing on my secret WIP, which is a novella that's very close to my heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not ready to tell y'all much about this novella - only my two closest friends know much about it. But I can tell you that it's a lotttttt different from LAW, or, really, almost anything else that I've written. And, to be completely honest, I tried to get out of writing this story, but God said no. Yes, God and I actually argued about a story. He won. 😂 So, now I'm writing a novella (well, the idea is to keep it at novella length, but we'll see what happens) with messed-up characters, heavy messages, a tough topic, and possibly my deepest redemption arc. Also an ESFJ and an ENFJ character. I'm really excited about them. 😁</div><div><br /></div><div>For right now, this story will stay in my small, fangirl-y circle (y'all are amazing) - but I definitely plan to share it with the world. I just need some more time with it first.</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of that - I think I'll go take some time with it right now. I haven't written in it in a while, and my small circle (okay, so it's more like a triangle, since there're only three of us) has been asking for snippets. </div><div><br /></div><div>See y'all later!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmzODfyD5iVfLLHpAWTtF0r_ACHDVTJBKiNG9LlnpCRlfDXHPYuEGZv1KcA9BU38oKeMqF5179lDThKNduHVZ2Q9v0UPvXjEKMQcKY4zQ2hkODxpJXbBD1m_9adGtxZX1Il9_w5dlUMY/s1300/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmzODfyD5iVfLLHpAWTtF0r_ACHDVTJBKiNG9LlnpCRlfDXHPYuEGZv1KcA9BU38oKeMqF5179lDThKNduHVZ2Q9v0UPvXjEKMQcKY4zQ2hkODxpJXbBD1m_9adGtxZX1Il9_w5dlUMY/s320/Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your February? Do you have any secret writing projects?</h3><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811271542742232005noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-50801471134135836762021-02-25T07:54:00.000-05:002021-02-25T07:54:22.679-05:00Indie Author Review: Ellen Senechal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL3oU9SK7CFSaBHvy2Fhz_VIBQRffynR7vmIEi8BGh0kIKca9C2meb93Np6hCIPRRblmLGS6FtdU5CKd3Ui9-ZJl0NNTKH3SYjbSyXSyRhcXEhjfHlHvUQv3uV4c1hGFYogD5fhfGNLwy/s1080/Square+Blog+Headers+%25289%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL3oU9SK7CFSaBHvy2Fhz_VIBQRffynR7vmIEi8BGh0kIKca9C2meb93Np6hCIPRRblmLGS6FtdU5CKd3Ui9-ZJl0NNTKH3SYjbSyXSyRhcXEhjfHlHvUQv3uV4c1hGFYogD5fhfGNLwy/w400-h400/Square+Blog+Headers+%25289%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>Welcome to part two of the Indie Author Spotlight!</p><p>Today, I'll be reviewing Ellen Senechal's 30-day devotional, <i>The Whispers God Gives</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF4bX8vtOWfoW8XX7W5Z38LW5daudkwmWpak_qWjPC0feu0UX_CYHogoKNpzs0luq8GXRy635VIwmwH8skKAvBrIi3E4VpLsODHNVWtuiD3-zjbLklaQFYwfbCvupVkhKmMgSzGjvqSmE/s2048/20210225_072525-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF4bX8vtOWfoW8XX7W5Z38LW5daudkwmWpak_qWjPC0feu0UX_CYHogoKNpzs0luq8GXRy635VIwmwH8skKAvBrIi3E4VpLsODHNVWtuiD3-zjbLklaQFYwfbCvupVkhKmMgSzGjvqSmE/w400-h400/20210225_072525-01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Genre:</b> Tween/Teen Devotional</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Length:</b> 79 pages </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Back-Cover Blurb: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Hear God whisper as you read!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Have you ever found yourself questioning God’s will for your life? Are you battling things nobody else seems to relate to? What about bitterness after losing a friend? Perhaps you’ve scoured the Internet and came up dry because you couldn’t find anything that spoke directly to your teen or pre-teen heart.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this book is for you.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>In The Whispers God Gives, teenaged author Ellen Senechal speaks from her heart and from God’s Word. She longs to share what she couldn’t find no matter how hard she looked – a clean, wholesome Christian devotional that’s short, sweet, and to the point. A book centered around strengthening your relationship with God your Savior, Counselor, and Friend in thirty days.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Let God’s whispers begin! </i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My rating: </b>5 Stars</div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My review:</b> <span style="text-align: center;">Wow. This book was incredible. TBH, I rarely finish a devotional book (actually, I can't think of one that I've finished while reading it at a good pace). The devotions are great, but then they get old and they just become meaningless habit to read (I have a very short attention span, sometimes). This one? Not so. Not reading it pretty much every single day wasn't an option for me. Thirty days of real-life problems/solutions told from the perspective of a teenage girl? Yes, please! Some of the devotions spoke right to my heart at the time, while others are ones that I will probably find myself turning back to when I need them. Number two - "Whom Am I Striving to Please" - is probably my all-time favorite. Yes, I struggle with being too much of a people-pleaser. No, it hasn't gotten me anything but more pain. Now let's compare that to ancient Roman emperors and traditions. :D I think of that often, and I probably won't forget it for years and years to come. Number 17 - "I Want That Kind of Faith" - addresses a problem I have a lot. The day I read it, it helped to take away some of the guilt because I wasn't the kind of Christian that I thought I was "supposed" to be. Number 22 - "When You Want Control" - might rank as my second favorite. It spoke directly to my control-freak heart :)</span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, onto the more general review.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pros:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1) Honest and raw. Ellen went full-steam-ahead, nothing-held-back when it came to being honest with me. I'm not sure I could have been that honest - without disguising it in a fiction story :D - and published it. But I'm so glad she did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2) Different. This isn't your run-of-the-mill devotional, quoting the same Bible verses and talking about the same problems and giving the same solutions as everyone else. She uses funny stories and examples to show you truth. Honestly, I'm about 237 times more likely (yep, just made up a random number) to remember a story than a sermon. I remember visiting another church about a year and a half ago: Do I remember any Bible verses from the preacher's sermon? Nope. Do I remember a catchy title? Nope. Do I remember any prayers he prayed? Nope. Do I remember the powerful story that he told near the start? Absolutely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's the beauty of this devotional: stories. Stories are how I learn, stories are how I remember, and stories are how I change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3) Teenage POV. A lot of devotionals you find for teen girls are written by women that might already have teenage kids. There's nothing wrong with that - but it can be a lot easier for a teenage girl to relate to someone like her. Maybe Ellen doesn't have thirty-five years of life experience, but she has an advantage that a grown woman will never have - she's a teen. I believe what she says about her problems because she's a teen. I hang on to her words because she's a teen. I make the decision to trust her because she's a teen. As a teen, this fact is very, very important to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4) Well-done indie book. There are too many indie books with amateur cover/design and typos/poor grammar. This book? Naw! Beautiful cover, professional formatting, and all-together well-done. Great job, Ellen!!! You make the indie book industry look good! :D</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cons:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1) It's over :D That's pretty much it. I need more of this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Note: The writing style was sometimes not quite to my taste, but I'm not going to call that a con. A lot of times it was spot on!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Content: Clean, as I would hope a devotional book would be :D Some devotions geared towards teen girls mention things that some might consider "inappropriate." In general, I don't have a problem with this - but if you do, then don't worry about reading Ellen's book! It's clean enough to hand to a six-year-old (not that they would understand everything, but it's that clean).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><b>Links:</b> </div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086PY875S" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53112085-the-whispers-god-gives" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">And that's all for today! See you next time!</p><p style="text-align: left;">If you would like to sign up to be featured for an Indie Author Spotlight, you can find more information and the sign-up form <a href="https://forms.gle/rUZaHCeGANmtvdXa6" target="_blank">here</a>!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Love,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX9-jgrKWAiJ-QD_vYE3wHr65cOQO6cecdah6nF1RANFr1B_8qpXPvX9OREHD7qF8PPK0mgpSIt_aIB-YTrec6PvwiInB8SPMn4usNK0vGlx2CPok_-houRWmP64QuewkVv7Uoge7mdBZ/s1300/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX9-jgrKWAiJ-QD_vYE3wHr65cOQO6cecdah6nF1RANFr1B_8qpXPvX9OREHD7qF8PPK0mgpSIt_aIB-YTrec6PvwiInB8SPMn4usNK0vGlx2CPok_-houRWmP64QuewkVv7Uoge7mdBZ/s320/Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Have you read Ellen's book yet? If so, what did you think?</h3>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-60499833140902298502021-02-23T12:58:00.003-05:002021-02-23T12:58:45.522-05:00Cover Reveal: At Her Fingertips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAaZPUaJWPIkaVONVsNIw41CL63sp4fZh8X5OTcSqtlg_J-ZHGcoi75TV-Xs0J1CijyVc2Se8rGheNbcq8D4ffSpHh4jEcwReDQta6mUnMM-bnfr15mQpJPnqy-L2s4qJnb8HzflKCt3z/s1080/Square+Blog+Headers+%25288%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAaZPUaJWPIkaVONVsNIw41CL63sp4fZh8X5OTcSqtlg_J-ZHGcoi75TV-Xs0J1CijyVc2Se8rGheNbcq8D4ffSpHh4jEcwReDQta6mUnMM-bnfr15mQpJPnqy-L2s4qJnb8HzflKCt3z/w400-h400/Square+Blog+Headers+%25288%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Time for another cover reveal!! Today, take a look at the beautiful cover for Kellyn Roth's new book, </span><i style="text-align: left;">At Her Fingertips</i><span style="text-align: left;">, which releases July 17th!</span></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i>She’s willing to do anything to follow her plan.</i></b></h3><p><i>Debutante Alice Knight is ready for her first social season in London. She’s determined to impress society and her mother with an affluent match, at last escaping her past and embracing a future of her own making.</i></p><p><i>Peter Strauss, an American reporter visiting England, isn’t exactly what Alice had in mind. However, his friendship proves invaluable as Alice faces the challenges of her debut. Almost immediately, she attracts the attention of a well-born gentleman—perfect save for the simple fact that he’s not a Christian.</i></p><p><i>The life she longs for is finally at her fingertips, but between her own heart and the convictions of her faith, she isn’t sure she ought to grasp it.</i></p><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i>About the Author</i></h3><div><div style="font-style: italic;">Kellyn Roth is a Christian historical women’s fiction & romance author from North-Eastern Oregon who has independently published multiple novels, the most notable being The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series. You should definitely call her Kell.</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Kell lives on family-owned property outside an unmemorable but historical town with her parents, two little brothers, arbitrary cat, precious border collies, a dozen cows, and lots of chickens. She also possesses a classic, vintage aesthetic which does not at all speak to her country girl side, but such is life.</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;">When not writing, Kell likes to blog, teach writing to her various students, have day jobs which allow her to keep her car properly insured, and spend lavish amounts of money on Dairy Queen french fries. She also likes to talk about Keira Knightley and her own books way too much.</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div>You can connect with Kell on her <a href="https://kellynrothauthor.com/blog/" target="_blank">blog</a> and find more info on her <a href="https://kellynrothauthor.com/" target="_blank">website</a>!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsWXAvYWj_CWEY5kijRt0hek46k6QbZgkktZt9eo5BFhRrEHoA30wuSAiA-Z4ldjGcUzvcBzMB6PN6psLTiyCDC_BvWcAvOx3jxltk4Fe4uOJ6jy76rrKeYc2xTy0wjubAsojamrbqNPy/s2048/Image+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsWXAvYWj_CWEY5kijRt0hek46k6QbZgkktZt9eo5BFhRrEHoA30wuSAiA-Z4ldjGcUzvcBzMB6PN6psLTiyCDC_BvWcAvOx3jxltk4Fe4uOJ6jy76rrKeYc2xTy0wjubAsojamrbqNPy/w400-h400/Image+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, for the cover!!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnvnWYMqzJZC4-7BotHIj0VjmiYqjyaarKpoDoThUUpJ17ao5e5z8hgzNx2sI73SGInYcUQ-Wu2cQKRfS_Smky2DQfj0JYceBxEkyplKhRscOlMbJqXLkNkeO28E-KVE73IeTCV2nQLw2/s2048/At+Her+Fingertips+-+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnvnWYMqzJZC4-7BotHIj0VjmiYqjyaarKpoDoThUUpJ17ao5e5z8hgzNx2sI73SGInYcUQ-Wu2cQKRfS_Smky2DQfj0JYceBxEkyplKhRscOlMbJqXLkNkeO28E-KVE73IeTCV2nQLw2/w426-h640/At+Her+Fingertips+-+cover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ain't it so pretty??? I'm excited for it's release!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can preorder here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WPCM9NY">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WPCM9NY</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iHXruYxfzwvzLByXF9zvxB1GUMuQ2mYQ29OjRV2ZrICCtU7cCZufT5SIAOSNBnkO9TX2i3pedFwDbqKOXPJZy5dVcBRi4Z8jx6_Ory7L3NQ6pKk36M1eVHr9KwSXlJVHoTf2KpqhgIfr/s2048/Image+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iHXruYxfzwvzLByXF9zvxB1GUMuQ2mYQ29OjRV2ZrICCtU7cCZufT5SIAOSNBnkO9TX2i3pedFwDbqKOXPJZy5dVcBRi4Z8jx6_Ory7L3NQ6pKk36M1eVHr9KwSXlJVHoTf2KpqhgIfr/w269-h269/Image+4.jpg" width="269" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BysKYRqHMOkf-Ar10CrYsmmebiMF4b7gSJHh2JnKN2zKhDeEdpvQBpqZDIFgV7BFU-J_MuTmw97esAGCLquSyQyPb6v4pKDCjYyXOWIAnFBW9NFfiVh8cE6yowApAzt_XA_OegLXcEKa/s1080/Graphic+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BysKYRqHMOkf-Ar10CrYsmmebiMF4b7gSJHh2JnKN2zKhDeEdpvQBpqZDIFgV7BFU-J_MuTmw97esAGCLquSyQyPb6v4pKDCjYyXOWIAnFBW9NFfiVh8cE6yowApAzt_XA_OegLXcEKa/w267-h267/Graphic+7.png" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPR_g1oOH_vT0b2BhlPwrBQtmHD-aq30ju2NUfxr_vzDx5Kl3LIL-xUBbiXA2nLLdhYIRafxePev23TFMAUzl1TiSDKiOLqx-z-JL876XUzgqZoJY8NO6IRsvgwITtkxtGqnnCadXKQEu/s2048/Image++2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPR_g1oOH_vT0b2BhlPwrBQtmHD-aq30ju2NUfxr_vzDx5Kl3LIL-xUBbiXA2nLLdhYIRafxePev23TFMAUzl1TiSDKiOLqx-z-JL876XUzgqZoJY8NO6IRsvgwITtkxtGqnnCadXKQEu/w320-h320/Image++2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-60913896851946518242021-02-22T07:08:00.002-05:002021-02-22T07:08:30.282-05:00Indie Author Spotlight: Ellen Senechal<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVbsAhmk7X8-yaiKp7BhszNc6pMeuTcKDUjh8v5p5Z6DtCVpanzhEd6nVxgzdjmjIbOSk7ZO0FE-pzI-TFUke3NAz_qZREu7nr5QceWWJMmSB3edldGC_IBqgGkpVKtpEF8t1d1tl33VL/s1080/Square+Blog+Headers+%25287%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVbsAhmk7X8-yaiKp7BhszNc6pMeuTcKDUjh8v5p5Z6DtCVpanzhEd6nVxgzdjmjIbOSk7ZO0FE-pzI-TFUke3NAz_qZREu7nr5QceWWJMmSB3edldGC_IBqgGkpVKtpEF8t1d1tl33VL/w400-h400/Square+Blog+Headers+%25287%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">Welcome to another Indie Author Spotlight! Today, we'll have a Q&A with my blogger friend Ellen Senechal, followed by an excerpt from her devotional.</span></div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></h1><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">Ellen is the author of <i>The Whispers God Gives</i>, a beautiful 30-day devotional for tween and teen girls! Here's her official author bio. :D</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">Ellen Senechal is a teenaged extrovert who enjoys writing, reading, cuddling with babies, spending time outdoors, and eating tacos. She is a big sister in a family of eleven and a follower of Jesus.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">To say Ellen is slightly obsessed with music is an understatement. You'll rarely find her writing or reading without something or other playing on the radio.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">Pink and green are her favorite colors, new books are her weakness, and JESUS IS HER JOY. <3</div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">You can connect with Ellen on her blog, <a href="http://musingsbyellen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ellen's Musings</a>.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">Now, ready for a Q&A?</div><h1 style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">Q&A</h1><h4 style="text-align: left;">What first inspired you to start writing?</h4><div><div>Oh, my. I’m not sure if there was any one thing that inspired me. I’ve loved to write for as long as I can remember—ever since the day I learned to spell my first word. And before that, I simply went around coming up with stories in my head. When I transferred over to typing at the age of eleven years or so, I filled the computer up with soooooo many files, Dad had to get me a new user. xD Now, however, I’ll find inspiration through music, real-life occurences, family, food (yes, food), chats with friends, old TV shows, reading Scripture, and prayer.</div></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">When did you know that you wanted to be a published author?</h4><div><div>Again, that had always been a lifelong ambition of mine. :) I attempted it a couple times by entering contests when I was younger, but my stories never seemed to place (for understandable reasons, of course). Then one stormy night many years ago, when my siblings, dad, and I were up late playing video games and talking, I clutched my precious, crinkled stack of notebook paper and turned to Dad. “This story is going really, really good, and I just know I’m gonna finish it,” I remember telling him confidently. “Do you think I can publish it?” He answered, “We’ll see.” Good ol’ Dad, not squashing my dreams by giving a flat-out “no,” even though he knew my writing at the time was far from perfect. It’s only because of his and Mom’s encouragement and God’s grace that I finally did finish something and publish it for the world to see. :)</div></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">What is your favorite thing about indie publishing?</h4><div><div>Hmm, probably that I have complete freedom with my project, whether I want to send out PDF files for review or simply as gifts, or change anything about my book without going through the long, drawn-out process of contacting a traditional publisher for permission.</div></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Do you plan to keep writing and publishing books? </h4><div>If the Lord wills, absolutely!! Writing is my happy place. :) I was once playfully teased that I “write better than I talk,” which I think is a true statement. There are definitely times I feel more confident with a pen than I do my tongue, LOL.</div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><h4 style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">What is your current work-in-progress?</h4><div style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">A book chronicling my years with <span style="font-family: inherit;">belly problems and how God has used the journey to grow me. :)</span></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">What is the most important thing that indie publishing has taught you?</h4><div>The marketing depends completely on God—especially with COVID and lockdown happening. I need to pray and trust my book will get into the right hands in His timing and in His way, as many of my original marketing plans (i.e., attending author fairs and book signings) crumbled at my feet when so many places shut down during the pandemic. And you know what? He’s already answered those prayers so significantly . . . like having sweet blogger friends (like you) take the time to write a review for The Whispers God Gives. I’ve learned that until I was an author myself, I wasn’t fully aware of just what it meant to hear from readers about how God used my book in their lives. But now I know, and it really touches my heart. <33</div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">What advice would you give an author looking to indie publish a book for the first time? </h4><div>HAVE PATIENCE. That’s key to everything. Take the time to pray for wisdom, edit your work, pray again, find the right self-publishing place, and keep on praying as you walk through the remaining steps, some exciting (like hitting that last “Publish my book” button), and some painful (as the chance of having your work stolen and distributed across the web, like mine was). Also, don’t be discouraged if your book doesn’t become a bestseller overnight. My thirty-day devotional has been out for almost a year, and I only just recently got my tenth review on Amazon. That’s okay, though—I know God has (and will) make sure my book reaches the people who need it the most. <3</div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">What theme(s) are the most important to you in books? </h4><div>Ooh, good one! Christianity for sure, or essentially anything that would glorify my Creator, which to me means themes that support families, purity among young people, friendships, and/or one’s walk with God. :)</div></div></div></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Write Your Own Story</span></h1><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">An excerpt from <i>The Whispers God Gives</i></span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="color: #222222; text-indent: 3.95pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace . . . in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. </span></i><i style="color: #222222; text-indent: 3.95pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~<span>1 Peter 4:10-11</span></span></i></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 13.91px; margin: 0in 0in 1.8pt 18.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you have someone you look up to in life? Your mom? A friend? Your teacher? Maybe you stare at them and think how nice it would be if you grew up to be just like one of them.<br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That’s understandable. My mom (who’s also my teacher and best friend) is reliable, trustworthy, kind, sweet, godly, and—might I mention—a great chef. From her example, I’ve grown closer to my Savior, and I’ve learned the special feeling of giving . . . as well as a wonderful recipe for chicken and pumpkin chili. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I look up to others in life, as well. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s easy to become influenced by them. Becoming influenced by others is like reading a book written back in the 1800s then writing a little story of your own. Your story will no doubt read much like the book you just finished, with big words expressed in true 1800s style.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With people, the process goes like this: we’re with them, we see what they do, and then we go out and copy their actions, maybe even unconsciously.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is there anything wrong with that?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0.25in 0.15pt 2.6pt; text-indent: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No, there isn’t . . . unless we’re influenced <i>too </i>much in this area. Then suddenly, everything we do is because of these people. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why? We may do this because we’re scared to do something on our own. Or maybe because we want the attention our role models are getting. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, God gave <i>each</i> of us a gift and told us to use it. He didn’t say, “Stash your gift in the corner while you go chase after someone else and copy them.” Nor did He say, “Your gift is determined by his or her gift.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No. Each one of us was given a gift <i>before we were even born</i> (see Ephesians 2:10). We are each equipped to do our part in Christ’s body, the church. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I learned my gift early. Ever since I was very young, I’ve loved to write. I would sit down and scribble the day away. With big, blocky letters that come from the hand of a beginning writer who has just learned how to spell, I wrote story after story. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="text-indent: 17.1pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you know what your gift is? We each have one. Maybe you haven’t discovered yours yet.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If so, don’t stop searching! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0.25in 0.15pt 2.6pt; text-indent: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When you stumble upon this precious gift, pursue it. It may take time to develop. Your gift may seem small and insignificant to you compared to someone else’s gift, but this is <i>your</i> gift, the one God chose especially for you. He has big plans in mind for you. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Plans that no one else, no matter how smart, pretty, or old they are, could ever accomplish.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, God can’t reveal His plans to you until you’re ready to go along with Him and let other people just be “other people.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t get me wrong. It’s fine to become influenced by others, but don’t get sucked into their lives. Their life is their life. Your life is your life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead, write your own story. Make up new plot lines, and it’s okay if you misspell a word here and there.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.6pt;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because no one else can write a story like you can.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0.25in 0.15pt 2.6pt; text-indent: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0in;"></p><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">© <i>2019 </i></span><i style="text-indent: 0in;">The Whispers God Gives </i><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Ellen Senechal</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">I hope you enjoyed this spotlight! Come back Thursday for my review of Ellen's book! </span></span></h3>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-18687606169713025212021-02-18T07:00:00.004-05:002021-02-18T07:00:03.641-05:00The Writerly Sibling Tag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC5Vgn03PA5r9qi4PS8lN-M9uinlnnD3MlXcmbRRSjTZsDfhRWe1OymFe2hxmYJYr08Si0zTTdcMMB42sKm5x2ymvZrKJyrlLCLQMVOogJ0hUEi2hzN9EvwG08sGYS7I0694mO9BBEfQW/s1080/7_20210217_122654_0006.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC5Vgn03PA5r9qi4PS8lN-M9uinlnnD3MlXcmbRRSjTZsDfhRWe1OymFe2hxmYJYr08Si0zTTdcMMB42sKm5x2ymvZrKJyrlLCLQMVOogJ0hUEi2hzN9EvwG08sGYS7I0694mO9BBEfQW/w400-h400/7_20210217_122654_0006.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>Welcome back for another tag!! Tags are so fun, aren't they? :D</p><p><b>Rule One: Thank the blogger who tagged you & provide a link to their post.</b> <i>So, uh, </i><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Katja</a><i> stole this post from someone who stole this post from someone who stole this post. So I'm just keeping the tradition going! :D But you can read </i><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2021/02/15/the-writerly-sibling-tag/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Katja's post here.</a><i> Thanks, girl!</i></p><p><b>Rule Two: Answer the inquires, including any ones added by means of rule six.</b></p><p><b>Rule Three: Always use your own characters. No exception, unless you don’t actually have sibling characters (in which case you need to go write up some) or you don’t write (in which case you need to start ASAP).</b></p><p><b>Rule Four: Tag three other bloggers.</b></p><p><b>Rule Five: If you happen to have any siblings who blog, they are automatically tagged & cannot count towards your three.</b></p><p><b>Rule Six: Add one question or prompt to the list of questions the person before you answered relating to siblings &/or characters. Answer the question, and provide a list of all the questions of that you answered so far.</b></p><p><b>Rule Seven: Close out the post making some statement or other glorifying the King of kings.</b></p><p>Here we go! Just a warning - I'm notorious for having really complicated sibling relationships in my stories. Step-siblings, half-siblings, adopted siblings, foster siblings, siblings that aren't related by blood, siblings that are actually cousins, etc. So, good luck. XD And, with any of my sibling sets that I reference here - they may not be "official" siblings. But they count, because family ain't just blood.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Questions</h2><p><b>Name the most annoying sibling character in any of your stories (either annoying to you as the author or to any other characters).</b></p><p>Hmmm . . . well, it's just life that siblings are gonna drive each other crazy. But, if we're going for something deeper - probably Haiden Emery from my dystopian story (<i>Edge of the Shadows</i>). Certain characters think he should go down in history as world's worst brother. He's not annoying in the normal annoying way - he's just extremely distant and unfeeling toward his sister. And he doesn't even have any contact with his brother.</p><p>But - if we're talking about normal annoying, Jesse Conrad (from my Western story) takes the cake. Immature, annoying, stubborn, and reckless are just a start. But he's still awesome. XD Even if he does get into trouble all.the.time.</p><p>And . . . I have to add Luca. He's from the same story world as <i>Like a Warrior</i>, but several years later. He and his barely-younger sister are best friends, and he can drive her crazy like nobody else can. 1) He's a teenage boy, and teenage boys (generally) have a high capability to be jerks. 2) He hates his sister's boyfriend (who is one of my favorite characters); but he probably dislikes this guy so much because 3) When in a new, dangerous situation (like the entire book :P), Luca is overprotective of his sister to the point that he kinda smothers her - not a good idea, with her independent, bossy, fierce nature. So, basically, Luca is an awesome character who can turn into an overprotective jerk. XD</p><p><b>Name the most caring sibling character in any of your stories.</b></p><p>I'd say this would be a tie between Indie (<i>Like a Warrior</i>) and Peiter (<i>Edge of the Shadows</i>). Indie is fiercely loyal and will <i>always</i> be there to take care of you. While Peiter isn't as loyal (there are reasons that his brother Haiden won't talk to him), he's extremely caring. Indie cares for her family, but, if she doesn't consider you part of her family, you might be on your own. Peiter will take care of anybody, though - that's kinda his thing, since he's a doctor.</p><p><b>Name the most entertaining sibling character in any of your stories.</b></p><p>Ooooohhhh . . . pick just one??? Maybe Jordan from my secret modern-day WIP. She's quirky and sarcastic and strong and bossy and Southern and not ashamed of any of that.</p><p><b>Name a sibling character who was inspired in some way by an actual sibling.</b></p><p>Well . . . I can't say that I have one, and my choices are limited since I only have one sibling. But - I have a cousin that's like a sister to me, and she very much inspired a cousin-who-is-like-a-sister character (not gonna tell her name, because I don't want to have to explain later why she's like my cousin XD). So . . . close enough?</p><p>And, fun fact - Hawke (<i>Like a Warrior</i>) is a lot different from my sister, but they share a personality type (ESTP).</p><p><b>Name the largest character family (talking family, not family tree) in any of your stories.</b></p><p>Easiest question yet. Definitely the Caidens (one of them is in the story with Jordan and Savannah). They're a blended family who, I'm not gonna lie, were sparked by my love for the old TV show <i>The Brady Bunch</i>. Just with more kids. At the time their parents married, these were the kids' approximate (I can't remember them all now) ages (M is one family, C is the other - though they're all Caidens now):</p><p>Alec (M) - 19</p><p>Blythe (M) & Tanner (C) - 17</p><p>Vicki (M) - 16</p><p>Logan (C) - 15.5</p><p>Derrick (M) & Jenna (C) - 14</p><p>Heath (C) - 13</p><p>Eden (M) - 11</p><p><b>Provide one to three excerpts from your sibling characters’ dialog from any of your stories.</b></p><p>Oooohhh, yay! I'll start off with Hawke and Briannon from <i>Like a Warrior</i>. (They're not technically siblings - technically, Bree is more like Hawke's foster sister. But don't try to tell them that they aren't brother and sister. <3) Indie is their sister (Hawke's by blood, Bree's by choice). This is first-person from Briannon.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“How are you . . . handling this?” Hawke asked.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I smiled a little at his faked tone. “Did Indie put you up to this?”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He chuckled. “She wanted to check on you herself, but obviously she trusts me with your emotions more than she trusts me with cooking eggs.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Understandable.”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He shoved me away. “Is that an insult to my cooking or a compliment to my emotional skills?”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“Insult to your cooking. Definitely.”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He punched my arm, and I looked up at his face for the first time. His rare, lopsided, boyish grin was enough to make me smile.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“Thanks for trying,” I said.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He crossed his arms. “You didn’t answer my question.”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“I’ll be fine.” Why did that have to come out more like a question?</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I want you to stay right around the house today. No going to the market or a neighbor’s house. Not even out to the fields.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I--”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“You’re not going anywhere alone. Not until we can be sure you’re safe. And don’t argue, because I’ll win.”</i></span></p><p>And - now, the not-so-pleasant Haiden Emery from <i>Edge of the Shadows</i>. (this snippet is unedited - you've been warned :P) Haiden is Raelyn's older brother. This snippet is from the first-person POV of Jarrett, Raelyn's friend (it's complicated, so I'll just leave it at saying he's a friend that isn't romantically involved).</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>We get outside, shut the door behind us. The sun is just now creeping up, and, combined with the porch light, I can see Haiden better than before.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>When I release my hold on Raelyn, I expect her to hobble towards Haiden. I expect him to wrap her in an embrace and tell her how glad he is to see her.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>But they don’t.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Haiden gives her a quick smile, then starts speaking.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“The guard is searching for you,” he says. “You need to get somewhere safe. Somewhere they can’t find you.”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>She isn’t fazed by the coolness of their reunion. She just motions to the braces on her legs. “How am I supposed to go anywhere like this? I can’t.”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Haiden shoves his hands in his pockets. “What happened? When will they be normal again?”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“I don’t know,” Raelyn says. She drops her eyes to the ground. “And never.”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He stiffens. “Never?”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>She nods.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Haiden draws in a loud breath. “You can’t stay here. If I can find you here, so can they.”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Raelyn closes her eyes, leans hard against the brick wall.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Then she says, softly, “I can’t leave. Not now. There’s no logical way.”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“You could die,” Haiden snaps. “Or worse.”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Haiden’s tone makes me step closer to Raelyn.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He hasn’t seen his sister in a week, she was injured so badly she can’t feel part of her legs, and he’s snapping at her.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Everything is wrong here, but neither of them know it.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“I can’t leave, Haiden,” she says. She opens her eyes now. “I want to run, but I can’t. I’ll never be able to run again. Are you so blind? Can you not see that?”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I reach my hand toward her, but she swats me away. Instinctively. Her gaze never leaving her brother’s.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The sun is rising higher now, and soon the neighbors will be stirring.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Haiden is talking again, half spitting out his words.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span id="docs-internal-guid-77306e4b-7fff-1482-fff9-3e833d55b7b1" style="font-family: georgia;"></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“Raelyn,” I interrupt. “We need to go back inside. Now.”</i></span></p><p>Next up is Jarrett (again) and Kinzie. Kinzie isn't his sister by blood, but this scene is when he claims her. <3 (One of the most important things to know about Jarrett is that he claims hurting people and determines to be there for them no matter what. <3) Once again, this is unedited, so beware.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">She looks so tiny, in her ash-stained white hoodie. But her eyes, against the darkness around us, are larger-than-life.</span></i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You two live here?” a gruff voice asks.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We did,” I say, turning away from Kinzie. Her fingers drop from my wrist.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The McKeeps’ kids?” he asks.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am,” Kinzie whispers.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He fastens his beady stare on me. “You?”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m tired of lying, but I don’t need anyone being able to trace me. Not after tonight. “I’m her brother,” I say.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He nods. “You have somewhere to go? The neighbors are offering.”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kinzie needs somewhere to stay. But I can’t go with them. Surely the neighbors know that the McKeeps only had one kid.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No,” Kinzie says. “We’ll be fine.”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sure?” He seems to prefer talking to Kinzie than me. His voice is bordering on soft.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She flashes a smile that, even to me, looks real. “I’m sure.”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He turns back to me, nods, and then walks away.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kinzie faces me. “Why are you lying? Again?”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“To keep us both safe.”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Both?”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So no one knows who I am. And so whoever did this won’t come back to finish you off.”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New tears spring up in her eyes. But she nods. “Thank you.”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then she leans into me, wrapping her arms around me and hiding her face in my shirt. Like a real sister would have. Like Lexi would have.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hug her back. She’s so tense, even now.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then she pulls back, wipes the tears from the corners of her eyes. “So, what now?”</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I look back at the fire. He said they were both dead.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t know how much to believe him. But I know that Kinzie and I can’t stay here. I have to find Raelyn, and Kinzie needs to be far away from the people who did this.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now we head for the woods,” I say. “I know how to keep us alive there. And we’ll track Raelyn.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She nods.</span></span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And one more thing,” I say. “Wherever we go, you’re my sister. Clear?”</span></span></i></p><p><b>Name three published books which have an amazing portrayal of siblings or family.</b></p><p><i>The Colour Red</i> by Katja L. (This one is definitely at the top of my list!! <3333) (But it's not published yet so I guess it doesn't count? Oh well, just means I can pick four. :P)</p><p><i>Stop the Rain</i> by Kassie Angle (I don't care that Harley and Nigel aren't siblings by blood. <3)</p><p><i>A Threat and a Promise</i> by Angie Thompson. (Jae and Loe . . . <33333)</p><p><i>Hidden Agenda</i> by Lisa Harris (Both MCs have family that play a big role in the story - just, completely different roles. </3)</p><p><b>Name another author’s character family that you wouldn’t mind jumping into.</b></p><p>One of the easiest questions yet! Lynette Eason's Blue Justice series - the St. John family. <3 I mean, I'd fit right in a bunch of crazy siblings who are all (minus the one rebel surgeon who I love XD) in law enforcement. They're AWESOME! <3</p><p><b>Provide an excerpt of sibling drama or camaraderie from any title (though be sure to credit it)</b></p><p>Okay, so I have to choose something from the Blue Justice series. XD The family camaraderie at the end of every book is amazing. But - since I only have Derek St. John's novella in print (planning on getting the rest for my own soon!), I'll pull from it. Possible minor spoilers for the who-marries-who (but it's kinda obvious if you read the backs of the books anyway) and who-survives part of the series. Claire and Derek (who we know will eventually get married :P) are the two talking at the start, Ruthie is Derek's older sister, Isaac is Ruthie's husband. So - the conversation isn't between actual siblings, but, if you marry into the St. John family, you're one of them. XD <3 (Brackets added so you can know who's taking)</p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span>"So, you're going to stick around?" [Derek asked.]<br /><span> </span>[Claire said,] "Absolutely. I've just been schooled in the rules of Phase Ten."<br /><span> </span>He stilled. "Bye who?"<br /><span> </span>"I think it was Ruthie and Isaac."<br /><span> </span>"Oh. And that's it? They just told you the rules?"<br /><span> </span>"Hmm."<br /><span> </span>He narrowed his eyes. "What else?"<br /><span> </span>"Just to keep an eye on you because you cheat."<br /><span> </span>"I knew it!" He let go of her and turned to face the room. "Hey, Isaac! Detective Isaac Martinez!"<br /><span> </span>The man looked up, startled in the middle of wiping a child's nose. Claire didn't think it was his kid. "What?"<br /><span> </span>"I'm calling you out, man."<br /><span> </span>Derek's meaning dawned on Isaac and a huge grin slid across his face. "You're on!"<br /><span> </span>"Get the cards! Get the cards!"<br /></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>~ From </i>Lethal Agenda<i> (in the collection </i>Protecting Tanner Hollow<i>) by Lynette Eason, pp. 354-355.</i></span></p><p><b>Name two characters from two unrelated books that you feel would make for great literary siblings (whether in terms of getting along, or being a constant head-to-head combat).</b></p><p>Ooohhh . . . maybe Indie (<i>Like a Warrior</i>) and Jay (from Katja's <i>The Colour Red</i>). Totally different worlds, but I feel like those two could understand each other. <3</p><p><b>What sibling trope would you like to write in the future?</b></p><p>Ummmm . . . maybe a family where all of the siblings were biological siblings and there wasn't much dysfunction. XD I have only one of those so far (it's pretty new), and I like it! It's like a brand new experience. XD</p><p>Also - a relationship between a character and their special needs sibling. <3</p><p><b>Which of your own sibling groups would you love to join?</b></p><p>Ohhhhhh . . . I'd be overwhelmed with the Caiden family, and most of the other families aren't quite where'd I want to be. Maybe Lane Conrad's family from my Western story? They're amaing, even though I don't know them well yet. And possibly Willow and Aspen (from <i>Edge of the Shadows</i>). They're way too close-knit for another sibling, but I love how much they mean to each other. <3</p><p><b>If you could adopt only one of your fictional siblings as your own sibling, who would it be?</b></p><p>Jordan Kerry! We'd probably be really good friends! Even when we argued, we think enough alike that maybe we could understand each other (aka, have a good argument). And we could be sarcastic and quirky together.</p><p><b>What fictional character most reminds you of yourself as a sibling?</b></p><p>Definitely Lane Conrad! He's the oldest sibling, and the only one of my sibling characters that shares my personality type. We think a lot alike.</p><p></p><p><b>Have you written any sibling dialogue based on a dialogue you had with your own siblings? If so, share it! </b></p><p>Actually, I haven't. But it does sound like a fun thing to do! </p><p><b>Time to pick favorites; which of your sibling families is your favorite?</b></p><p>I love 'em all (in their own way), but I'm gonna have to say the Kerries, because I love their camaraderie and loyalty and fierce love and Southernness. But - I also really like the Lucases (MacKenley and Trent from <i>Edge of the Shadows</i>). Even though most people might not see why, I love them. Mac might be stubborn and rebellious, and she might not have made the right choice when she was young. And, even though most people might think she didn't, she really did (and still does) love Trent. <3 And Trent's awesome (but very much in his own unique way XD). </p><h2>And I Tag . . .</h2><p><a href="https://shaysscribbles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Allyson</a></p><p><a href="https://beyondtheliteraryhorizon.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Martha</a></p><p>Anyone who wants to carry on our tradition and steal it!</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">List of Questions:</h2><div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Name the most annoying sibling character in any of your stories (either annoying to you as the author or to any other characters).</b></li><li><b>Name the most caring sibling character in any of your stories.</b></li><li><b>Name the most entertaining sibling character in any of your stories.</b></li><li><b>Name a sibling character who was inspired in some way by an actual sibling.</b></li><li><b>Name the largest character family (talking family, not family tree) in any of your stories.</b></li><li><b>Provide one to three excerpts from your sibling characters’ dialog from any of your stories.</b></li><li><b>Name three published books which have an amazing portrayal of siblings or family.</b></li><li><b>Name another author’s character family that you wouldn’t mind jumping into.</b></li><li><b>Provide an excerpt of sibling drama or camaraderie from any title (though be sure to credit it)</b></li><li><b>Name two characters from two unrelated books that you feel would make for great literary siblings (whether in terms of getting along, or being a constant head-to-head combat).</b></li><li><b>What sibling trope would you like to write in the future?</b></li><li><b>Which of your own sibling groups would you love to join?</b></li><li><b>If you could adopt only one of your fictional siblings as your own sibling, who would it be?</b></li><li><b>What fictional character most reminds you of yourself as a sibling?</b></li><li><b>Have you written any sibling dialogue based on a dialogue you had with your own siblings? If so, share it! </b></li><li><b><b>Time to pick favorites; which of your sibling families is your favorite?</b></b></li></ol></div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">In Keeping with Rule Seven</h2><p>I'm so grateful that God made me a writer, and gave me a family (including a little sister who fangirls amazingly) that supports me. And God's gift of writing is something beautiful, not to be taken for granted. Through my crazy, loving, messed up families, I hope that God can show something beautiful that touches even just one person. <3</p><p style="text-align: center;">Yours truly,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMkr4thaQITjG2tR_c5t752uyHQ_Fenmo6R3ylFTiFJW2ke5YHKynf4PEx4XEuPFFPSkISN3MkJxwq7HS81lJc44fYAeni9HS2uao7yUFYl7zaRlHRA98MqfSxs-EWlOuEjyhfP8Gt-Z7/s1300/3_20210217_122752_0002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMkr4thaQITjG2tR_c5t752uyHQ_Fenmo6R3ylFTiFJW2ke5YHKynf4PEx4XEuPFFPSkISN3MkJxwq7HS81lJc44fYAeni9HS2uao7yUFYl7zaRlHRA98MqfSxs-EWlOuEjyhfP8Gt-Z7/s320/3_20210217_122752_0002.png" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What's your favorite "book family"? Have you ever written a story that has siblings?</h3><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-31009530288450268672021-02-15T07:00:00.010-05:002021-02-15T07:00:01.487-05:00Guest Post by Kellyn Roth: The Themes of the Chronicles of Alice and Ivy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNtE6_Knhv1N4w4qOn4NPyl61REgE_PNKgP4bk4SETtbZyl3UE2lT3qEBhiOJcrxt0I-tBfcl2dNwYjttko2okwq_xAdtQUyisJMp-gbMw7a63Adt6mrfZtmsJ0ClcbUNT_5eKDPt_5cI/s1080/Square+Blog+Headers+%25286%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNtE6_Knhv1N4w4qOn4NPyl61REgE_PNKgP4bk4SETtbZyl3UE2lT3qEBhiOJcrxt0I-tBfcl2dNwYjttko2okwq_xAdtQUyisJMp-gbMw7a63Adt6mrfZtmsJ0ClcbUNT_5eKDPt_5cI/w400-h400/Square+Blog+Headers+%25286%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>In celebration of the launch of her novella <i>Becoming Miss Knight</i>, Kellyn Roth has written a wonderful post about the themes of her stories! Welcome, Kell, and thank you!</p><p style="text-align: center;">* * *</p><p>Hello everyone! I’m Kellyn Roth, author of <a href="https://kellynrothauthor.com/books/alice-and-ivy/" target="_blank">The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy</a>, and I was given permission to guest post on this lovely blog. I recently published a novella, <i>Becoming Miss Knight</i>, and book 3 in my series will join it in July on Amazon!</p><p>Today I’m here to talk about the themes in my novels — specifically, in The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy. How I develop them, what they’re inspired by, and most importantly, why I feel like it’s important to include Christian themes in my books.</p><p>Since book 3 in my series, <i>At Her Fingertips,</i> will be coming out in July of this year, and because I just finished another draft of that book (!!), I’ll be focusing on those themes.</p><p>When I set out to rewrite <i>At Her Fingertips</i>, I knew one of the things I really wanted to improve was my handling of the themes. It’s a romance novel, but I didn’t want it to be just another silly love story.</p><p>I wanted to portray a romantic relationship (that develops out of a very close friend/confidante relationship) in a healthy way—and I also wanted to show some unhealthy relationships!</p><p>So I’m going to dive into three different themes I’m tackling in this novel. Let’s start with the obvious: what is love? What is marriage? How should we meld the two?</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Marriage, Love, & Other Commitments</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><i>“Marriage will demand you deliberately choose the action of love, but the feelings of being in love can make us willing, eager, to commit to that sacrifice even if one should be able to, with God’s help, make it without involving the original emotion. If you look at a man, and you know that you would lay your life down for him, in whatever way it was required of you—that, that is the type of spark you need. It’s only a spark. That’s all being in love is—the beginning, the moment that ignites, the feeling. Everything else is hard work.”</i></p><p>This theme was an obvious one—I knew I was going to talk about love and marriage in my book about love and marriage!</p><p>However, how? I’ve never officially been in love, though I’ve been smitten, had crushes, and even dated. I’ve had a deep friendship with a boy & talked about marrying him, but that hardly qualifies me to write a romance!</p><p>Now, I’ve read enough romance novels, talked to enough married women, and studied marriage & love both enough to have a vague idea of where I was going with it. And, after all, this was the rewrite of <i>At Her Fingertips</i>—not the first draft.</p><p>But since I have dated now, and I have planned for a future marriage (now I’m single, but for a while, I wasn’t), and since friends of mine have dated, too … Well, overall, my thoughts on the subject had changed.</p><p>I turned to writers like C.S. Lewis for a lot of my thoughts on romance, and I also relied on years of observation. I could never sell romance as the end-all/be-all but neither could I say, less of a cynic now than I was at sixteen, that it is nothing.</p><p>To quote Lewis, “Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. There are many things below it, but there are also things above it.” (<i>Mere Christianity</i>) Yet later this author also notes (in <i>The Four Loves</i>): “The event of falling in love is of such a nature that we are right to reject as intolerable the idea that it should be transitory. In one high bound it has overleaped the massive of our selfhood; […] Spontaneously and without effort we have fulfilled the law (toward one person) by loving our neighbour as ourselves.”</p><p>These two seemingly contradictory ideas must exist together. Romantic love is something special—there is a denial of selfhood and therefore a purity to it—but it is not the only thing there is, and it certainly cannot last forever (as the quote from <i>Mere Christianity</i> notes—look up the whole thing if you want to read it in full!).</p><p>All this said, I wasn’t quite prepared to put my thoughts into the feelings writing a novel must require.</p><p>What gave me the final push? Talking to my best friend about her serious boyfriend who she is very much in love with at present. It gave me the last couple chapters of my novel.</p><p>That more obvious theme spoken about, let’s talk about Alice.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Relying on God—and allowing vulnerability</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><i>"Sh</i><i>e was doing it again—letting pride and stubbornness pull her away from those she loved. She’d rather appear strong and reject vulnerability than have a close relationship with her family. But she wasn’t strong; she was weak, and every time she failed to show her weakness, she became weaker."</i></p><p>This is something I personally struggle with. I hate showing weakness! I hate being weak. And yet I am weak because I’m human. I sin, I fail, I can’t do everything.</p><p>I’m not like Alice in every way (she’s a natural phenomenon, and I never will be quite that—I’m a lot more laid-back than she is), but in some ways, I am. In some ways, I hate showing weakness …</p><p>And boy, do I need control! I long for it. I fight for it. But will I ever have it? No, never. Only God has control, and all of us mortals flailing for it cannot do anything but fail.</p><p>Alice’s entire character arc took me a lot less research than the element of love, but it did take some suavity. I’m not entirely sure I’ve learned the lessons she has, and therefore, it was challenging for me to write them.</p><p>I get her completely immaturity—I get her reaching for what she cannot have. In many ways, on this rewrite, I’d experienced a bit more of what she had … and had my hand slapped in a similar manner.</p><p>So I was ready to write it—and at the same time not ready! However, I’m quite happy about how it turned out, and I think I grew as a person while writing it.</p><p>The final theme I want to talk about today is one that’s also very close to my heart. I want to talk about taking risks—in this case, in romance, but it applies to every situation in life!</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">God requires risk-takers</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><i>“You’re not just humble at this point. You are a coward. So is any man who doesn’t come out and tell his intentions to a woman he’s interested in—and hang all this ‘I’m not ready.’ God doesn’t work with ready people, people who refuse to take a risk, people who wait for the perfect circumstances to align before every forward step—you’re the one who taught me that.”</i></p><p>I didn’t originally intend this when I began writing the book—but Peter’s character arc needed to experience this call to risk. He’s a lovely character who I can’t wait for y’all to meet, but simply put … he’s a man of God who struggles with fear of rejection.</p><p>He doesn’t want to take a risk. He doesn’t want to open his heart, even though his personality practically requires him to—he refuses to confess his feelings, to approach a woman and ask to court her.</p><p>This wasn’t a common problem back in the day, so I’d always considered Peter a special case. However, in the modern day world? I can’t count the number of young men I’ve known—who have approached me, even!—who were unwilling to take a risk.</p><p>So, as I wove Peter’s theme into the novel, I began to think not so much about the historical side (in which Peter was probably an outlier; men were braver back then; they weren’t given an easy way out)—but about the message I was leaving with my readers.</p><p>Honestly, I’m close to arguing that the most romantic thing a man in the modern day world can do it step outside his comfort zone, stop waiting until he’s perfectly prepared for a wife, and relentlessly pursue the woman God guides him to.</p><p>But all that aside, this was an awesome theme to explore! I know so many people who struggle with taking the next step forward (I am sadly not one of them—I could use a lot more self-restraint at times!), and I want them to know that God will take care of the rest … if you’ll just step forward into Him.</p><p>Which brings me to my wrapup:</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Why all the themes?</h2><p>I write Christian fiction, so obviously I had to write Christian themes. ;-)</p><p>But seriously, I can’t help myself. I enjoy talking about all these subjects, and writing novels gives me an outlet to explore the reality of Biblical truths.</p><p>I don’t have any grand illusions of influencing people for good, though I do hope that people will be able to take something away from my novels, even if that is just a cool way of stating truths they already knew.</p><p>Christian fiction has certainly been encouraging to me, so I must believe that, potentially, my novels could have a positive effect on people. I’ll certainly do all I can to make sure they don’t have a negative effect!</p><p>However, that is God’s responsibility, not mine! All I do is write the books.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">* * *</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">About the Author</h4><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcM8VuIkndkpBHRYV0m9eXAdcE0Gs8KhIyjV1HYpoW7jaiyNcgDUI0mrgK3rhU5n4p6oTtTyyFDeKDHT4HQLySqmOVci5qp5hyphenhyphenJ2R8R5hP-dvL3EPtJ8NGVSqgRXz6e6Cesdlbu2RPXcB/s700/kell-profile-flipped.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcM8VuIkndkpBHRYV0m9eXAdcE0Gs8KhIyjV1HYpoW7jaiyNcgDUI0mrgK3rhU5n4p6oTtTyyFDeKDHT4HQLySqmOVci5qp5hyphenhyphenJ2R8R5hP-dvL3EPtJ8NGVSqgRXz6e6Cesdlbu2RPXcB/s320/kell-profile-flipped.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kellyn Roth is a Christian historical women’s fiction & romance author from North-Eastern Oregon who has independently published multiple novels, the most notable being The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series. You should definitely call her Kell.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kell lives on family-owned property outside an unmemorable but historical town with her parents, two little brothers, arbitrary cat, precious border collies, a dozen cows, and lots of chickens. She also possesses a classic, vintage aesthetic which does not at all speak to her country girl side, but such is life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When not writing, Kell likes to blog, teach writing to her various students, have day jobs which allow her to keep her car properly insured, and spend lavish amounts of money on Dairy Queen french fries. She also likes to talk about Keira Knightley and her own books just … way too much.</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Website:</b> <a href="https://kellynrothauthor.com/">https://kellynrothauthor.com/</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Blog:</b> <a href="https://kellynroth.blog/">https://kellynroth.blog/</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What are some of the most important themes in the stories you're writing, or in some of your favorite stories? Have you read any of Kell's books? </h3>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-62963471184564888652021-02-11T07:00:00.002-05:002021-02-11T07:00:03.444-05:00Nothing: A Rant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71qd9TRzhPb-9fNPE96MGJ2-16zAbG-5dx5wfV7Ql-XAW9ZJ-_c1IWs5quctuzjc6AbovRUsee8zQ5xCQ21FWi_semgfQhRVXxKlgOJIFE1ebXRLZVuXXpDvoCHSfVjq_P6pbVhstcxYN/s1080/Square+Blog+Headers+%25283%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71qd9TRzhPb-9fNPE96MGJ2-16zAbG-5dx5wfV7Ql-XAW9ZJ-_c1IWs5quctuzjc6AbovRUsee8zQ5xCQ21FWi_semgfQhRVXxKlgOJIFE1ebXRLZVuXXpDvoCHSfVjq_P6pbVhstcxYN/w400-h400/Square+Blog+Headers+%25283%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This post started when I was driving down the road, music blaring. (Okay, it started in my head there, I wasn't typing it up there. Promise.) At the time, I wanted to type it up but didn't think I would have time to - as I told one person, I had a to-do list the size of Texas.<div><br /><div>But that to-do list kept shrinking, faster than I thought it would. And here I am at 2:30, near the end of it. (This might get weird because I know I'm typing this a full week and a half, at least, before I'll publish it. But ride with me here.)</div><div><br /></div><div>The song was called "Nuthin'" by Lecrae. Now, I'm sure you probably have your own opinions on Christian rap, and I'm not here to discuss that. This isn't even anything about the artist (who I don't know a lot about), just a few lyrics from one of his songs. Whether or not you like the genre doesn't affect the fact that these lyrics are powerful to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>The song starts out with these words:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Here we go again in circles</i></div><div><i>I think I've heard it all</i></div><div><i>We've been here before</i></div><div><i>But we need something more</i></div><div><i>Something more, something more</i></div><div><i>What you say?</i></div><div><i>I can't hear 'cause you ain't talking about nuthin'</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>If you listen to the whole song, it's about Lecrae's frustration with the lyrics that a lot of artists are putting out there. He's heard it all already, and it doesn't mean anything. Not really, not anymore.</div><div>Now, before I go on, I'm going to give you his "disclaimer" - and I claim it, too, for what I'm about to say.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>I know they gonna label me a hater</i></div><div><i>But, inside, you are greater than the songs you created</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Now, I'm going to turn these lyrics - written about songs - into a rant about books. And, like the "disclaimer" above, this isn't anything personal against any author. As Christian authors, I <b>know</b> we have it in us to be greater. To write greater stories.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've been reading adult Christian fiction since I was maybe ten or so. I really don't remember how old I was when Mama took me to the adult section of the library and pulled out Janette Oke's <i>A Bride for Donnigan</i>. But I know that, since that day, I've been venturing into the adult section of the library and pulling out books with the "Inspire" or "Christian" label that our libraries put on the spines. And I've read a lottttt of books.</div><div><br /></div><div>And you know what one of the saddest things is? Almost none of them have impacted me more than a good secular novel could.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know that people say stories are written to entertain. But not <i>just</i> to entertain. We both know that Christians and non-Christians both push their agendas and beliefs in their stories. And that's not wrong! Matter of fact, Jesus did it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah. Jesus believed in the power of stories to change lives. He called 'em parables.</div><div><br /></div><div>How many of you grew up thinking that The Prodigal Son was a Bible story with real people, not a made-up parable? Please tell me it wasn't just me. But - point is, I thought that story was real. (We can totally blame those animated Bible story VHS tapes (yes, VHS - I'm not that old, I'm just the weird girl who actually still used those in 2011 or whenever) for this - why dedicate a whole episode to The Prodigal Son if he wasn't real??? 😱)</div><div><br /></div><div>The story was powerful enough I assumed it was real, but it was just fiction. Can't we do the same thing with our stories? I mean, we're supposed to imitate Jesus. And Jesus made up some pretty good stories. I don't think you want to look me in the eye and say that Jesus' parables don't matter because they were made-up stories about made-up characters. Because, yeah, they were fiction. But, to paraphrase Kassie Angle in one of her blog posts, it's somebody's story.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's what we're all writing, aren't we? Somebody's story? When McCall Hoyle wrote <i>The Thing with Feathers</i> (one of my favorite books), she didn't know that Emilie (the MC) would be so much like me that her story was my story and her hope was my hope. Hoyle didn't know that I would smile because the ending of that book was so real to me that it filled my heart was hope.</div><div><br /></div><div>McCall Hoyle was writing the story of Emilie, a made-up character. But she was also writing the story of Abby, a real person.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, let's do a quick sum-up, since I'm totally rambling. (Y'all asked for rambly posts and I have proof, okay?)</div><div>•Jesus told fictional stories.</div><div>•Your fictional story can really be the story of a real person.</div><div><br /></div><div>With those two things in mind, it makes sense that we should pour ourselves into any story we write, right? (Side note: "write, right" sounds a lot funnier when you say it out loud than when you read it in your head.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Right.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, let's go back to what started this whole post - the lyrics to that song. Basically, Lecrae is saying that these rappers are repeating the same things, and their songs don't mean a thing anymore. Now, you might not like what I'm about to say - but I think this fits Christian fiction pretty well.</div><div><br /></div><div>We say the same thing over and over again. It's not that what we're saying is inherently empty. As Christian fiction, the themes can't actually be empty. </div><div><br /></div><div>But what if we've used the themes the wrong way so much that, now, they <i>seem</i> empty?</div><div><br /></div><div>What if we've preached (when I say preached, I want you to have the right image in your head - think of that really loud evangelist who yells and spits; if you don't know one of those preachers, just wait and you'll probably meet him sometime. (This doesn't mean that I think these preachers are awful, this is just to illustrate a point.)) - aaaaand, by all those parentheses, you've probably lost my original train of thought for this sentence. Let me try again. What if we've preached through our stories for so long that no one wants to listen when we whisper a truth?</div><div><br /></div><div>In the olden days, people had attention spans carved in stone. I don't get it. There are days I have half the attention span of a hungry squirrel. You should see me on a Zoom call or during a Spanish class. But, back then, maybe no one minded when you (literally) gave five sermons in a novel. Maybe they actually paid attention to those written sermons and got something out of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not me. Sorry, but - no. I'm gonna need a nice one-liner if I'm supposed to glean something from the exact words. I might say I'm the extreme - but I'm not. At least, when I find a boring, preachy part in a book, I skim read. I'm pretty sure there are people who will just flat out skip it. A lot of people.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay. *deep breath* I didn't come here to start an argument with you or to make you mad. I came here to make you think.</div><div><br /></div><div>What if, instead of focusing just on pushing some message, we write the story God has given us?</div><div><br /></div><div>I've had deep conversations with one of my friends about this. (And even deeper conversations with myself. Don't even act like you haven't had conversations with yourself, too.) And we've asked - "What if your story doesn't have a Christian theme? Is there anything wrong with that?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Let me take you back to about a year ago, when I read a mainstream trilogy (by mainstream, I mean I won't even mention the title because I don't want to start any arguments about whether or not Christians should be reading them - trust me, that's a big argument). And those books had such a <b>huge </b>positive impact on my life. Including my . . . spiritual life. I'm not kidding.</div><div><br /></div><div>But it should scare us that those secular books impacted my spiritual life more than forty Christian fiction novels would.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm gonna quote another song now - "Be the Change" by Britt Nicole.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Too much light to be living in the dark.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>That line hits the nail on the head. I'm gonna say it again.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Too much light to be living in the dark.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>We have Jesus, who <i>is</i> light. We have wayyyyyy too much Jesus in us to be living in the shadows, y'all. To be tip-toeing in the shallow end. To be scratching the surface. To be (being blunt here) stuffing our books full of sermons and lecturers instead of beautiful stories.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not necessarily saying you should stop writing sermons and lectures in your stories. I'm not saying you need to get rid of the grandma character who spouts off life advice like a fountain. I'm just saying - well, show don't tell.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's one of the most important rules in writing, right? I mean, that's why you're writing a story and not a non-fiction book.</div><div><br /></div><div>God gave you a story. Write the story He gave you, not part of it and some lectures thrown in for good measure. Write the story He gave you. If He wants you to write it, He knows how to work in people's hearts to let the theme shine through.</div><div><br /></div><div>So let's stop talking about "nothing," and let's go shine our lights through the stories we've been given.</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkJjSrohnyGvMOunKSU_Dy79f5XpmEkD2WMOklio7qiJMbiEdYMV-nLCG7E60ray6H6DriXNNArJ7uyfqkyd6EwV5SlJYly7DXlixUY6FUGgON9gOCNnk1iSlHBKZHEcr4yzBAoaiR-Y/s1300/Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkJjSrohnyGvMOunKSU_Dy79f5XpmEkD2WMOklio7qiJMbiEdYMV-nLCG7E60ray6H6DriXNNArJ7uyfqkyd6EwV5SlJYly7DXlixUY6FUGgON9gOCNnk1iSlHBKZHEcr4yzBAoaiR-Y/s320/Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What do you think? What are some Christian fiction books you've read that do a really good job of "show don't tell" for their theme? Also, if you made it this far, thank you (and congrats!) for lasting through one of my longest - and definitely my most rambly - blog posts! 😃</h3><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811271542742232005noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-17039918296221742962021-02-04T12:00:00.000-05:002021-02-04T12:00:07.623-05:00January 2021: Wrap Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-NpBeLQ-v8nKXr93oIhfGYCVLEfKAMUG41rADgKg0GH2O_gCeDu2ygwtSS0W5SeeRoVilrqJU01-fvaQQ48mWuB84RmUXSgAWYLEeVxrxuoX7ZbnWeEfeAJP4byWA6RIR8BwEvq1n4qJ/s1080/Square+Blog+Headers+%25284%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-NpBeLQ-v8nKXr93oIhfGYCVLEfKAMUG41rADgKg0GH2O_gCeDu2ygwtSS0W5SeeRoVilrqJU01-fvaQQ48mWuB84RmUXSgAWYLEeVxrxuoX7ZbnWeEfeAJP4byWA6RIR8BwEvq1n4qJ/w400-h400/Square+Blog+Headers+%25284%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>And . . . the first month of 2021 is already over! Can you believe it? 😮</p><p>Already this year, some big things have happened in my life!</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I got my first job!</li><li><a href="https://abbyelissa.blogspot.com/2021/01/like-warrior-update.html" target="_blank">I decided on a timeline for publishing <i>Like a Warrior</i>.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3753598146" target="_blank">I read one of the rare books that actually blows my mind.</a></li><li>I made a drastic change in career plans that I'm really excited about!</li><li>I found yet another scheduling/to-do list method for my days that helps me! (I have to switch between different kinds of schedules and lists so I don't burn out.)</li><li>I managed to stay consistent at blogging!</li><li><a href="https://abbyelissa.blogspot.com/2021/01/indie-author-spotlight-hannah-foster.html" target="_blank">I started a new blog series (Indie Author Spotlights).</a></li><li><a href="https://abbyelissa.blogspot.com/2021/01/becoming-miss-knight-cover-reveal.html" target="_blank">I participated in my first cover reveal!</a></li><li><a href="http://readanotherpage.com/the-reading-challenge/" target="_blank">I joined Rebekah Morris's 2021 Reading Challenge!</a></li><li><a href="https://kingsdaughterswritingcamp.blogspot.com/p/welcome-center.html" target="_blank">I had a lot of fun at The King's Daughters' Writing Camp!</a></li><li>I wrote a short story in 21 words, as part of a challenge at Camp. That's the shortest story I ever remember writing!</li></ul><div>Writing progress in January:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Worked on revising <i>Like a Warrior</i>, including majorly polishing the first chapter. </li><li>Planned about half of a novella and drafted the first 1,000 words.</li><li>Started Pinterest boards for a ton of characters. (Yes, I totally count this as writing progress. 😂 It's actually super helpful for character development!)</li><li>Journalled (in some form) several days.</li></ul><div>Books read (and reviewed - click the title to see my review) in January:</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3417921987" target="_blank"><i>Called to Protect </i>by Lynette Eason (5 stars)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3725407436" target="_blank"><i>Perfect Scoundrels</i> by Ally Carter (4 stars)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3778481648" target="_blank"><i>Love Needs No Words</i> by Faith Potts</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/375106264" target="_blank"><i>Hidden Agenda</i> by Lisa Harris (4 stars)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3753598146" target="_blank"><i>Thr3e</i> by Ted Dekker (5 stars)</a></li><li>Two short psychology audiobooks (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3775893282" target="_blank">3 stars</a> & <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3776274631" target="_blank">4 stars</a>)</li><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3720966174" target="_blank"><i>Baby Mine</i> by Kellyn Roth (4.5 stars)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3788849479" target="_blank"><i>Vow of Justice</i> by Lynette Eason (4.5 stars)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3776977599" target="_blank"><i>Missing</i> by Dee Henderson (4 stars)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3758108953" target="_blank"><i>Fatal Exchange</i> by Lisa Harris (4 stars)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3798708400" target="_blank"><i>The Austen Escape</i> by Katherine Reay (5 stars)</a></li></ul><div>Life lesson learned: Do things that scare you. Big things, little things. Just do something that scares you. (from Sadie Robertson's <i>Live</i> and <i>Live Fearless</i> books)</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Love,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7tkvSFhec3AMgOfknG7hEEWVvlIxX5cBuXAaA6dPdXzLTAqAO1Q6pPdpmsEoWKpZnJvd7PX-cA69AzH7N3mR39zdLqLzC0OGCMUrddxb3g7uEwv8ktek9c0xkJDvmwUD3omnSd7iNG6I/s1300/Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7tkvSFhec3AMgOfknG7hEEWVvlIxX5cBuXAaA6dPdXzLTAqAO1Q6pPdpmsEoWKpZnJvd7PX-cA69AzH7N3mR39zdLqLzC0OGCMUrddxb3g7uEwv8ktek9c0xkJDvmwUD3omnSd7iNG6I/s320/Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your January? Did you read any books that stand out?</h3><br /><i><br /></i></div><p></p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-64634100026818982482021-01-28T07:00:00.001-05:002021-01-28T07:00:05.812-05:00Indie Author Reviews: Hannah Foster<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MDWAwJn1mtsrBXiIvnRBNjTE00LWjJ2f8Y3AgZR8zMrYNi_iTJnbQbHc9XBTeUiRBTGNo5YuRXsXgZoukMkqdU-2nF87bgdnNSIg-0LwyLPtMemgYVtzGG85eWiT4WGT2xnoIAU2fSH_/s1080/Square+Blog+Headers+%25285%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MDWAwJn1mtsrBXiIvnRBNjTE00LWjJ2f8Y3AgZR8zMrYNi_iTJnbQbHc9XBTeUiRBTGNo5YuRXsXgZoukMkqdU-2nF87bgdnNSIg-0LwyLPtMemgYVtzGG85eWiT4WGT2xnoIAU2fSH_/w400-h400/Square+Blog+Headers+%25285%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Welcome to the second part of my first Indie Author Spotlight!</p><p>Today, I'll be reviewing Hannah Foster's two adorable short stories, "Ella Pursued" and "A Family for Christmas."</p><p><i>Note: I received a free e-copy of each story in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required. All cover images are from Goodreads.</i></p><h1 style="text-align: left;">Ella Pursued</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC38DJ6TfFvYWP_Hg8K57iQ9Z8iQepxRPHtaOqljZPBthu2LoMEsJZx6vgWBu2p4ofQZdDFbs-k6EraRHn63RX_1XLtOHSFdB_4qx0bFbMWEvg67wZU4hS4HTN6As9cqyslTcpUeNwBdaz/s475/Ella+Pursued+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC38DJ6TfFvYWP_Hg8K57iQ9Z8iQepxRPHtaOqljZPBthu2LoMEsJZx6vgWBu2p4ofQZdDFbs-k6EraRHn63RX_1XLtOHSFdB_4qx0bFbMWEvg67wZU4hS4HTN6As9cqyslTcpUeNwBdaz/w250-h400/Ella+Pursued+Cover.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Christian Romance</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Length:</b> Short Story</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Back-Cover Blurb: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ella has narrowly escaped a fatal marriage once, but she plans to never be caught in that web again. It’s been easy to evade the young men of her church so far, but Joe is different.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Can Ella keep avoiding the ever-persistent Joe, especially when she knows her own heart is pulled toward him? Can she trust Joe and, more importantly, can she trust God? Is she willing to face her fears or will she continue to run, breaking more hearts than one?</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>My rating: </b>4 Stars</div><b><div><b><br /></b></div>My review: </b>Such a powerful story! It's a great length, too! Short enough to be read in one sitting, long enough to hold great characters, plot, and theme. <3<div><div>But, to be perfectly honest, Hannah didn't even need all of this length to develop her characters. *heart eyes* That's not something I remember ever saying about a short story. <3333 Her characters are just that good, and they shine through so early on in the story. Amazing!!!</div><div>The themes . . . they're so powerful. And I needed to hear that the first time I read this story - now, reading it again, I realize that I've grown in that respect a lot. Maybe this story even helped me personally. <333 This story is so far from shallow, like a lot of other stories.</div><div>I loved the way it was broken up into four chapters, too!</div><div>My only complaint is the writing style - it wasn't the best. While it definitely isn't horrible (and I happen to know that Hannah's other stories are written better!), it's not professional enough for me to give the story five stars.</div><div>But, honestly, other than that . . . I don't have any complaints!!! It's a beautiful, sweet, powerful, clean story that I definitely recommend!!!</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Links:</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NCZQ9H3" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55885836-ella-pursued" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">A Family for Christmas</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCRrrQxhC3xm57EAZczC0pavKC5H3PxuDaMFtdfK5I_6GXtLIlfbuC3BJjzMUwVf6RnQGKVs3LY3LviNQdYPsdxVDRj2jQCGvedXlGR69qs27wh9-zQ9whRGJzmuFCJLV2rIe1kNs1-yK/s475/Family+Christmas+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="298" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCRrrQxhC3xm57EAZczC0pavKC5H3PxuDaMFtdfK5I_6GXtLIlfbuC3BJjzMUwVf6RnQGKVs3LY3LviNQdYPsdxVDRj2jQCGvedXlGR69qs27wh9-zQ9whRGJzmuFCJLV2rIe1kNs1-yK/w251-h400/Family+Christmas+Cover.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Genre:</b> Christmas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Length:</b> Short Story</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Back-Cover Blurb: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Eleven-year-old Lori finds herself all alone just before Christmas, longing for a home, a family, and maybe a real Christmas, too. But is Christmas even real, or is it just another fairy tale? When a stranger turns up on her doorstep offering to help her, can she trust his kindness?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>This is a heart-warming story about family, a first Christmas, and how God’s plan is always perfect in the end.</i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My rating: </b>4 Stars</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My review: </b>A super-duper sweet story! Hannah's stories are always a little spot of sunshine in my life, and this was no exception. <3</div><div style="text-align: left;">Squeaky clean as always, with beautiful characters! And it's just soooooooo sweet. *heart eyes*</div><div style="text-align: left;">While it's not necessarily the kind of story I'd usually pick out, I'm so glad I was able to read it!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Highly recommended for a short, sweet Christmas story!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Links:</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R3RDZNP" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56356912-a-family-for-christmas" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, that wraps up our first Indie Author Spotlight! What did you think?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you've written and published (even just on your blog) anything, and would like to be featured, you can find more info and sign up <a href="https://forms.gle/zsS2o67esPszNmnbA" target="_blank">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">See you again next time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Love,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSX141brlT6M5PiI8KH0aGK5Xh4WOysaOU6jSaahwduG0hLJGYHG-Sclx_RY7Lq7HAwzMWsEuC2L82LHEM-Jek2dUGHyt554nF1ew8rR0q_Xmg03AEEWwRJWyzYRNgrfLKV3oTE_GDQ6Gc/s1300/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSX141brlT6M5PiI8KH0aGK5Xh4WOysaOU6jSaahwduG0hLJGYHG-Sclx_RY7Lq7HAwzMWsEuC2L82LHEM-Jek2dUGHyt554nF1ew8rR0q_Xmg03AEEWwRJWyzYRNgrfLKV3oTE_GDQ6Gc/s320/Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have you read any of Hannah's short stories? Do either of these sound interesting to you?</h3><br /><i><br /></i></div></div>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-8966512267892828352021-01-25T00:30:00.007-05:002021-01-25T12:37:19.330-05:00Indie Author Spotlight: Hannah Foster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVjRKQMZljPVSGQj6lgvJXzshzAdqoEdmG2H0lm8zekXtSMTTEugyRtrOqieC0ZnrtIDN6rGHRZ3EbdzgTWliCHPOE7dkjCubwhAJAUo12y1hxQ_JZDt-oixYYSyYfgF5i5Gdw4Grde3u/s1080/Square+Blog+Headers+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVjRKQMZljPVSGQj6lgvJXzshzAdqoEdmG2H0lm8zekXtSMTTEugyRtrOqieC0ZnrtIDN6rGHRZ3EbdzgTWliCHPOE7dkjCubwhAJAUo12y1hxQ_JZDt-oixYYSyYfgF5i5Gdw4Grde3u/w400-h400/Square+Blog+Headers+%25282%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Welcome to our first Indie Author Spotlight! Today, please welcome my friend and fellow writer, Hannah Foster!</p><h1 style="text-align: left;">About the Author</h1><p>Hannah has authored two sweet short stories, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NCZQ9H3/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1" target="_blank">Ella Pursued</a>" and "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R3RDZNP/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0" target="_blank">A Family for Christmas</a>". My reviews of these stories will come out Thursday!</p><p>For now, though, let me introduce Hannah!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Hannah Foster was born and raised in North Carolina where she was homeschooled with her eight siblings. She attended college in Minnesota where she got her bachelor's degree in literature, learned to survive temperatures of below zero, and became Mrs. Foster. From a young age, Hannah has loved reading. Throughout her teen years, she also enjoyed journaling and blogging, but it wasn't till her mid-twenties that she discovered her love for penning her own stories. Hannah's desire is that the words she writes would bring hope and light in a dark world. Besides reading and writing, she also enjoys baking, watercolor painting, and all things vintage.</i></p><p>You can connect with Hannah at her blog, <a href="https://hannahfosterwrites.wordpress.com/">https://hannahfosterwrites.wordpress.com/</a>, or on Instagram, @coffeebooksandteatime.</p><p>Now, time for a short Q&A and a guest post!</p><h1 style="text-align: left;">Q&A</h1><h4 style="text-align: left;">What first inspired you to start writing?</h4><p>I’ve often had a hard time expressing my feelings or thoughts aloud to people, but when I was younger I found that I could work through my emotions much better if I wrote it down. My love for journaling eventually led me to blogging and a little bit of poetry. But while I have dabbled with stories in the past, I didn’t really start writing fiction till I was 25. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Do you plan to keep writing and publishing books?</h4><p>I definitely plan to keep writing while I have the time and I have at least one more short story that I hope to publish in the next month or two, but I have no real definite plans after that. I have lots of stories in progress, some further along than others and some full length novels, but I just don’t know if I will actually get around to publishing them or not. I would like to, but at the same time my life will probably be changing drastically in six months, so I might not be able to put so much focus on writing then.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">What is your current work-in-progress?</h4><p>Oh dear! I honestly have lots! I have a novel that is with a few beta readers right now. <i>Let’s Fly a Kite</i> is Christian contemporary romance and has a small town feel with a dash of mystery. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">What is your favorite thing about writing?</h4><p>I love seeing my stories come alive. So probably writing the first draft is my favorite part although I hate it when I get a tiny spark of inspiration, but then it dwindles after the first few pages. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">What theme(s) are the most important to you in books?</h4><p>When I first started writing fiction, I really wanted to write about hope in the midst of grief. But the more I’ve written, the more I realized a lot of my stories also had a theme of facing fear, not running from it or letting it control you. So while a theme of grief and hope is still very dear to my heart I also want to encourage others to live fearlessly.</p><h1 style="text-align: left;">Writing Journey: Guest Post</h1><div><div>I’ve already shared just a bit about how I got into writing. It mostly started with journaling. Much of my early years of journaling was pretty simple, like the things I did that day with my siblings. But as I got older, writing also became a way for me to work through emotions and scrambled up thoughts. Sometimes my head would get so full of thoughts, emotions, and ideas, but it was always such a mess inside my head, so writing became a way to organize the confusion and work through my problems. When I was sixteen I started my first blog, which I kept up with for ten years. </div><div><br /></div><div>As much as I enjoyed writing at this point, I really had no plans to ever publish a book. I’ve had passing ideas of publishing, but never fiction. When I was younger, my family used to visit an older lady who lived alone near us. She would tell us stories about when she was little and grew up on a farm. It was so interesting to hear her stories and it inspired me to want to write down the real stories from the ordinary people of today. While there are lots of biographies about famous people, there are ordinary people who also have beautiful extraordinary lives. It is not just the famous people who have a story worth sharing, but really every individual. </div><div><br /></div><div>While I have never pursued publishing a book like that, I have always enjoyed listening to the stories people have to share or turning my own life into stories. Some of my earlier blog posts were of adventures with my siblings. I also had several pen pals that I wrote to and would often enhance the things that happened so I could have fun stories to write to my friends. I suppose some of my friends have my first stories I ever wrote. </div><div><br /></div><div>In college, I kind of lost some of the zeal for writing because I had to write so many research papers and I hated that kind of writing. But after I graduated, I was in my first year of marriage and I was working at a Christian ministry thrift store. On the morning shifts, my boss would have a little devotional with us before we started our day. One day, he asked us what we would talk about if we were ever on a thirty-minute podcast? That got me thinking about what I am most passionate about and how I would want to use my voice to make a difference in the world. </div><div><br /></div><div>While I hate the idea of talking on a podcast, I realized I could use my voice through writing and one thing I am passionate about is the topic of grief and hope. Finding joy even when life throws us really hard things and encouraging others to cling to Christ no matter how tough the road gets. This is something I am passionate about because my whole family has walked through this together. I lost a brother when I was only twelve years old and consequently have watched each family member face suffering and grief differently. Some ways are good and some are not so good. Some of my siblings pushed God away from their life and some have drawn closer to God through it. That is why this topic of grief and hope are so precious to me. No matter how dark the road, God is still there and he still cares. So when I started writing fiction that was my main focus. I wanted to write about grief, hope, and joy in the midst of suffering. </div><div><br /></div><div>While my journey with fiction is almost another story that I don’t have time to write, it has been about a year and a half since I really started writing fiction in earnest. I have written a lot of stories and books in that time (only two short stories are published so far), but as I would edit and look back over the things I had written, I realized so many of my stories had a theme of battling fears. Fear is a huge theme in my own life. Some people say I am like Piglet from Winnie the Pooh because I can get really fearful about things, but I also end up facing it and pushing through. Most of the things are super silly or irrational, but it’s still a fear, yet God has grown me so much in learning to trust him and not be afraid. So I want to encourage others to face their fears too and not run away from them.</div></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Thank you so much for reading today's spotlight! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!</h3>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6870978127904246046.post-7330489615229575192021-01-21T07:00:00.025-05:002021-01-21T07:00:05.623-05:00Like a Warrior: Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIRiZHrdMSh91ZzyPCZQojytj-4jKFH9pI8PCnstas9MX8MniU8w0z-L0-3xNvsmIJixQJQovbcRH7PZmUD60grUfNlsbNdoRyB9yVuCE66NwFdXCPr7p-kgqeAZLQxw095gQLZPg8uTB/s1080/Square+Blog+Headers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIRiZHrdMSh91ZzyPCZQojytj-4jKFH9pI8PCnstas9MX8MniU8w0z-L0-3xNvsmIJixQJQovbcRH7PZmUD60grUfNlsbNdoRyB9yVuCE66NwFdXCPr7p-kgqeAZLQxw095gQLZPg8uTB/w400-h400/Square+Blog+Headers.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>I promised an update for my novel, <i>Like a Warrior</i> - and here it is!!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">*</p><p style="text-align: center;">*</p><p style="text-align: center;">*</p><p><b>I finally have a timeline and roadmap for publication!!!!!!</b></p><p>To all of my beta readers, who signed up months ago and have put up with all of my shifting timelines and long messages - thank you!!! You can expect your e-copy of LAW on or before February 19th!</p><p>After that, I'll sort through beta feedback, make my revisions, send it off to an editor, and then . . . </p><p>It'll be time for a cover reveal! I'm aiming to do the cover reveal in early May, and I'll put more information about that out closer to time. After that - blog tour! I'm planning to run the blog tour from June 11th-18th. </p><p>And then, on June 18th - Publish my novel!!!! 💙</p><p>I know that's nearly five months from now, but, trust me, I have a LOT of work to do. 😂 Not only on revisions, but with publicity and marketing and such. And putting a hard date out there for the world to see . . . scares me. But it also gives me a <i>lot</i> more accountability, because now I have more than one or two people to answer to if I try to push the date back. 😁</p><p>Trust me, y'all will hear a lot more about this in the next several months. I'll have cover reveal sign-ups, blog tour sign-ups, progress updates, possibly some excerpts, more about the story itself . . .</p><p>I'm super excited about this!!!! Are y'all??</p><p style="text-align: center;">Love,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfy-QmjXVKuRWt0SQd-2EejaJdCc3LC9awuqEvTe0HIwZOYXnj9ZG-MuwpdGkQ8jiuyPi9yiRsXOgNOn5wo3IaUxOqLMW2EWRQSNGFzoOHq8jr3_cNLiYpwDgfAtiMF5PyMBOis4-DUgr/s1300/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1300" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfy-QmjXVKuRWt0SQd-2EejaJdCc3LC9awuqEvTe0HIwZOYXnj9ZG-MuwpdGkQ8jiuyPi9yiRsXOgNOn5wo3IaUxOqLMW2EWRQSNGFzoOHq8jr3_cNLiYpwDgfAtiMF5PyMBOis4-DUgr/w400-h154/Signature.png" width="400" /></a></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What do you think???</h3><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Abby Elissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16487864512130012956noreply@blogger.com20