Co-Labbing with Kelsy

Today I get to learn how to "co-lab" with my best friend.  She is also a writer (everyone be watching for her!) and we have decided to co-write a novel.  You see, we discovered that our characters, even before we knew each other, are very, VERY similar.  So, through an hour-long conversation, we decided to co-write a novel involving two of her characters and two of mine.  Only problem: I've never co-written a novel before and therefore she must teach me how to do so.
This could be a very interesting week, folks! Stay tuned for how this story goes and more updates on how to co-lab!

Randomness

I have had the weirdest day today.  First, my Barnabas friend left me.  I haven't gotten half the things done that I want to, and the computer lab is unusually busy.  But, that just means that today I am learning to live in Grace.
On a higher note, YFR #1 (or Youth Fall Retreat, for those of you who couldn't figure out the shortened version) was amazing!  I got to dance with Hip Hop Crew and I also got to pray for the most precious twelve year old on the planet!  She came to the altar crying and just needed a hug.  She also had me pray for her family.
You see, I didn't need to know what exactly was going on with her family in order to pray for her.  For some reason I seem to be the designated "give-them-God's-love" person.  Every time I have prayed for someone at a retreat thus far, they have been someone who just needed love.  This girl had such a heart for Jesus that it made my heart beat faster.  She was amazing, just going through some things that she needed prayer for.  God can use anyone, including you.  If you want to be used to give love to someone, He will use you.  Maybe you're scared to pray face to face and you just want to pray from afar.  He will still use you.  You are wanted, you are loved, and God wants to use YOU.


Quote of the Week:
What is straight? A line can be straight, or a street, but the human heart, oh no, it's curved like a road through mountains.
                                                                         - Tennessee Williams

Fun Fact of the Week:
When Astronauts returned from the moon, they had to go through customs.

Story Starter of the Week:
George was a peanut, who liked to eat Peanut butter.  Was he strange or normal?  Why?

Talking Bibles and Barnabas Friends

This week, I experienced the fact that "God's Word is alive..."

Yes, I have known all my life that God's Word can talk to you, but this week I experienced a TALKING BIBLE!!!! Okay, so it wasn't literally a "talking" Bible.  But it was still pretty cool.

You see, I have this friend.  She's my "Barnabas" friend.  (For those of you who don't know, a Barnabas friend is the best friend who you are accountable to/tell everything to/are closest to.  Long story, it's a Bible school thing)  Anyway, she's awesome and she and I are like PB&J.

But, that wasn't the point!  Her Bible talks.  Almost literally.  She can seriously ask God something, then open her Bible and the first thing she looks at will be the answer.  Hence, talking Bible.  (I might write a kids' book about this).  One of the first things I thought about when I experienced that was that most people expect it to be that easy.  They flippantly drop a book on the table and say: "God, show me something."  What they don't realize, however, is that rarely works.  I believe the only reason that my Barnabas friend can do that is that she has built her relationship with Jesus so strong that He just talks to her that way.  It's cool, but it isn't how He talks to everyone.  For example: I can't do that with my Bible.  When I ask God to answer something, He usually speaks something into my head.  Whether it be a Scripture verse or just the answer he wants to give me, it just pops into my head.

God/Jesus speaks to different people different ways.  That is why we need to build our own relationship with Him and not base our relationship off of other people's relationships.  Read your Bible.  Pray.  Talk to God on your own time and discover how He will talk to you.


Quote of the Week:
"Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls Wisdom."
                                                                                                - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Fun Fact of the Week:
The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses.

Story Starter of the Week:
Kayla was an arachnid, but she didn't have eight legs.  How was this possible and why was she called an arachnid?*

*No, this is not a brainteaser, this is a story starter.  Please don't sit and try to figure out what kind of arachnid doesn't have eight legs.

Oh Happiness!

Yesterday, I attended my first official Prayer Pocket here at TBI. The focus of this week's Prayer Pocket was the Joy of the Lord.  This whole thing made me realize how much I LOVE to be happy!  In turn, I got started thinking of everything that makes me happy.  The list is (partially) as follows.
1) Jesus - I mean, who can't smile about Jesus?  Even His name makes me smile each and every time I say it.
2) I Love chick flicks! This one is pretty much self-explanatory as well.  I mean, come on! Boy meets girl, Boy and girl fall in love, boy loses girl, boy and girl reunite, boy and girl get married.  GREATNESS!
3) Writing - I don't know, something about when I'm writing just makes me smile.  I love creating characters, places, and plots.  I love watching the story unfold before me and I love knowing "who did it" before anyone else!
4) My family - I don't know how I would get through anything without the support of my family behind me.  I also don't know how I would survive without them. They can make me mad and sad and emotional, but overall my family makes me HAPPY!
5) My friends - we're crazy and we know it. That's what makes us awesome :) Besides, I love watching my friends do weird things all the time.
So that's only a few of the things that make me smile and make me happy.  There is a trigger that everyone has that makes them happy, so discover what yours is! And determine that today will be a happy day for you!


Quote of the Week:
A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.  The man who doesn't read lives only one.

Fun Fact of the Week:
'Stewardesses' is the longest word that can be typed with only the left hand.

Story Starter of the Week:
Briana has never been happy before. What finally makes her happy and why?

The Potential for Joy

"Even the worst days have the potential for joy."

A quote in one of my favorite television shows hit me square in the face.  I knew that during the past week, I had been letting my emotions and the stress of some situations dictate whether I was in a good or bad mood.    Right then and there I decided that I will always look for joy in whatever situation arises.  

That means that even when my hormones are going crazy, I am not going to let my feelings control me.  Whether my roommates love me or hate me, I will remain in God's plan and be the happy, carefree person I am.  This statement stands true for people and for characters that I have created recently.

In one of my newest stories, a quote appeared on the page in front of me that read: "She knew that the stress of the situation and the early rising were determining her mood."  Ugh!  How I wish that wasn't true for most of the world.  I have worked for years on keeping my emotions under control.  "I rule my emotions, they don't rule me" was a year-long motto until I finally understood it.  Now I have a different problem.  When I talk to other people - especially women - that are around me, I realize that they are living by their emotions. They can be laughing and smiling one minute and biting your head off the next.  This is no way to live!  However, I am still working on how to let them know that.  Because, If they are living by their emotions, they don't want to hear that.  It's funny how no one wants to know how to fix a problem they have.  Someone I know told me that she didn't want to live on a roller coaster of emotions, but then wouldn't allow me to help her learn how to live above her feelings.  This gets so frustrating!  However, I trust that with time they will learn to listen and obey the voice of God telling them how to rule their feelings.

Quote of the Week:

"A Trap is only a trap if you don't know about it.  If you know about it, it's a challenge."

                                                                                                           -- China Mieville

Fun Fact of the Week:

 On average, 100 people choke to death on ball point pens every year, so be careful. 

Story Starter of the Week:

This week, we have a picture story starter!  Have fun with it!  (and remember to leave your stories in the comments!)

Days Go By...

I can't believe that it has only been two weeks since I arrived here at college. On the other hand, I can't believe it has been two weeks since I arrived!  If you look closely at those sentences, they are almost identical, but with a totally different thought pattern behind them.  The first sentence denotes my sorrow and frustration and how much I miss home.  The second denotes that the time is flying by so rapidly!  You know, it's weird. I feel like I have been here for so long and yet I can't believe I've already been here this long.  Time goes by in funny ways, and right now it feels like Thanksgiving is closing in way too rapidly but I'll never get home for Christmas at this rate.  Is that weird?  Have you ever counted the days until the end of school, only to find that they're going by too fast?  Or is that just me?  Sometimes I wonder if I'm normal or completely abnormal.  Someone help me out here!


Quote of the Week:
"The Impossible could not have happened. Therefore, the impossible must be possible inspite of appearances."
                                                                                    -- Agatha Christie

Fun Fact of the Week:
Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. The average adult? 15.

Story Starter of the Week:
Jenna had never seen such a beautiful forest.  It stretched on as far as she could see.  She took one step in and turned to go back out.  Suddenly, she found that there was no way out.  What happens next?


*Don't forget to post your stories in the comments!

"I Can't Like It"

Have you ever had a really bad day?  Have you ever wanted to give up on what you're doing? Or been so frustrated that you wanted to scream?  Yeah, me too.  When something like that happens to my two-year-old niece, she looks at one of us and says "I can't like it."  That is such a profound statement and she doesn't even know it.
When you find something you don't want to do, CAN you like it?  Or are you choosing not to like it when you can find it in yourself to deal with it?
The Bible says that we can do all things in Christ, so next time you think you can't do something, do yourself a favor.  Instead of saying "I can't like it", choose to do everything through Christ.  He'll help you.  You never have to be alone.
That was really short, I know.  But it's all I have for today.  So, without further ado, on to the fun stuff!


Quote of the Week:
"If you live to be one hundred, you've got it made.  Very few people die past that age."
                                                                                                              - George Burns

Fun Fact of the Week:
Madam spelled backwards is still madam.

Story Starter of the Week:
Jordan is a brand-new resident of the suburb Malaris.  Where did Jordan come from and why is he/she there?

*don't forget to post your short stories in the comments!

College: week one

So I just moved into college.  It's 20 hours away from my family and friends and I don't know anyone here.  I must admit I am a bit scared.  I haven't found that one person who I can talk to no matter what...yet. I haven't made many friends at all besides my roommates (and, yes, there are five of them).  I'm not sure what to do with my time.  Sure, there's a scheduled out block for classes and church and special events, but what about the other hours in the day? I admit I felt absolutely alone for the first two days, but today it has started getting better.  I finally put my trust in Jesus to lead the right friends to me and to lead me to the right friends.  I also requested that he hurry.  I've never liked feeling lonely, and I finally realized that I don't have to be.


Quote of the  Week:
Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.
                                                   - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Fun Fact of the Week:
Panda's are not considered bears.  It's because they have opposable thumbs.  Just so you know.

Story Starter of the Week:
Jeslyn finds herself thrown four years into the future.  How have people changed for the better/worse and what will she do to change the world's society?

I admit it.  I probably have too many stories/novels/books going at one time.  I might be addicted to writing.  And I definitely can't shut my brain off.

The story count in my folder on my computer = 25+
I can't go a single day without writing something!!!!
And it takes me a while to go to sleep at night because I keep thinking of interesting ways to spin a plot line.
HELP!!!!!!
Just for those of you out there who think I'm serious about the help part, I'm not.  I may have all those "problems", but to me they're not problems at all.  You see, I work better with a lot of stories to choose from.  If I get writer's block on one, I just move on to a different one -- usually in a different category.  Different category, you ask?  I have stories in a lot of categories, ranging from love stories set a long, long time ago to modern-day suspense novels.  They're all my babies, and if I didn't have a start on all of them, my brain would be way too cluttered with ideas for me to write clearly.
I can't go a single day without writing something because it's what I love to do.  There have been many people who have said that you should do what you love so that you never have to work a day in your life.  I'm one of those fortunate people who has found what I love and it happens to be something that can be a life career.  I think that's what work should be.  doing what you love and making revenue off of it.  That's not "work", that's pure enjoyment.
As for the last one, I admit it might be somewhat of a problem.  However, somehow the more I think about things -- the harder I think about things -- the faster I get to sleep.  If I focus in on a storyline or a problem that needs solved, I end up going to sleep faster than if I had just lain there and went "OK.  I'm going to sleep now"....etc.
So, you see, some people's problems are another persons life.  A "problem" is different for everyone because everyone is different.  Not everyone could sit down with an empty Microsoft Word document in front of them and see the wonderful things that can be spun onto it.  Not everyone can look at a crawl space and think "hey, great place to hide a body." (note: If you are not a writer and you think that, most people would call you a psycho).  On the other hand, I can't look at a page of numbers and say "the pattern is..." a math genius could.  We all have our idiosyncrasies and we all have our areas of expertise.  Some of us are just blessed enough to be able to do what we love as our "job".


Quote of the Week:
"If you would tell me the heart of a man, tell me not what he reads, but what he rereads."
                                                                                                                                     - Francois Mauriac

Fun Fact of the Week:
No matter how hard you try, you cannot lick your elbow.

Story Starter of the Week:
Put yourself in a homeschooler's point of view.  Why do you like/not like homeschooling and why?

The Reason for My Writer's Block

This past week I finally discovered what has been causing me to have SOOOO much writer's block! Those of you who have been reading this blog know that I was super busy with my sister's wedding and getting ready for college, etc. (those of you who don't usually read this blog just found that out) Well, the Monday after my sister's wedding I woke up and it dawned on me. I had been having so much writer's block because my mind was too busy.

You see, it's kind of like....traffic. Yes, I know that's a weird analogy, but hear me out.  If traffic gets too busy, like say there's hundreds of cars heading away from work or something, then what do you get? A traffic jam.  So, having so much stuff that I had to focus on caused me to have a traffic jam, per se, in the creative writing part of my brain. Now that those event(s) are over, I can finally think again. And, boy, do I have a lot to write!  I woke up this morning with five different scenarios going in my brain. Thank God, I am finally back to my crazy writer self :)

Now on the funness part of this blog!!!!


Quote of the Week:
The Only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad."
                                                                  -Salvador Dali (btw, that's what scares me about him.)

Fun Fact of the Week:
In Baltimore, it is illegal to take a lion into the movie theater. (yes, a real live lion. who does that?)

Story Starter of the Week:
Louise was an old woman who lived alone. One day a stranger knocked on her door.  who was he or she and why?

After the Wedding

My sister's wedding was this past weekend (lots of good story inspiration there) and I had a blast! However, I did pick up a few good pieces of advice for any Maid of Honor. 1 - be sure that you break in your shoes for the wedding REALLY well. I have to admit that I didn't break them in as well as I should have and now I'm overcoming a rather large blister on the back of one heel.  (The downtime with it, however, gives me more time to write).  2 - This one is pretty important as well.  Be sure to practice your squats in the weeks leading up to the wedding.  Between the dancing and bending to straighten/fix/repin my sister's bustle on the dress, my legs hurt sooooo bad! they are finally getting better today, but until this morning it hurt to walk. Just keep those things in mind.

On the brighter side of life, I finished the sequel to my first novel ("Precious Jewel") and I'm moving on to other books :) . I am so glad that my job is something I love to do.


Quote of the Week:
A Door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of.
                                                                                        - Unknown

Fun Fact of the Week:
In a very early draft of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones carried brass knuckles instead of a bullwhip.

Story Starter of the Week:
Lori needed a new set of brakes for her car, so she went down the street to the service station.  However, instead of brakes, she found something completely different. What was it?

I Have Discovered I'm Weird

Today I realized that I don't write like any writer/author/journalist that I have read.  In more ways than one.  Of course, we all know that each author has his or her own voice, so that makes them different.  However, I have discovered that I'm "weird". Why? Let me explain.

In each and every book that I have read about the craft of writing (and I've read a lot) they tell you to do certain things to build a novel.  First of all, they tell you to build an outline of your plot and characters.  I hate outlines.  I have never used them (except in school, when I had to) and I'm pretty sure that I will never use them.  Ever.  I'm just not a detailed person in that sense.  So, you may ask, how do I get through writing my novels?  It's all in my head.  I can't really explain it all that well, but usually it's just that I know where I want to start and I know where I want to end, and anything that happens in between is in the hands of my characters.  I let them lead the story.  I know my characters and their backgrounds, but I just open up my mind and let the story unfold.  God guides my thoughts and my hands as they type.  I guess it just comes easier to me than to some other people.  I never understood why anyone would think that writing a novel is all that hard, because to me it isn't.  I just sit down and let the story spill out.  Is that bad? I don't think so.  I just think that each and every writer has their own technique of developing a story.  Mine is just different.  And that, folks, is why some people would call me weird.  Are you weird too? If so, I would love to talk to you. :)

SO...

Quote of the Week:
"I never set our to be weird. It was always other people who called me weird."

                                                                                   - Frank Zappa

Fun Fact of the Week:

The King of Hearts is the only card king without a mustache.

Story Starter of the Week:

Janie has been kidnapped by a serial killer.  How does she get out of it?  Or does she get out of it at all?

Writer's Block

Writer's Block.  Yep, that's right, today I have writer's block.  It's only the most horrible thing that can ever happen to a writer, and it has happened to me.  One minute I was speeding along, well on my way toward the next chapter and the next thing you know, I could not come up with anything else to write.  I'm stuck! Have you, if you are a writer, ever felt like you needed inspiration but it wasn't coming?  If you have, then you know how I feel.

There is only so much you can do to stop writer's block, and I've tried all of it. (If you have any suggestions, I would be glad to hear them) So, now, I'm stuck on the internet, searching random pictures and books.  Not that it isn't fun, it's just that I would rather be writing!  Pray for my inspiration to come back!


Quote of the Week:
"The Olympics is a place where international spies come to meet."

                                                        - My Brother

Fun Fact of the Week:

American car horns beep in the tone of F.

Story Starter of the Week:

Logan saw the farm from a long way down the road.  Something wasn't right.  It was too quiet.  What was wrong?

Have fun with these!

Miracles Happen

Hi again to all you people out there in blog-land! I know my blogging is sporadic at best, and I'm sorry! Today, I'm on here to let you know that -- miracle of miracles (cue "Fiddler on the Roof" music) -- my first novel is finally published!  It is titled "Precious Jewel" and can be found in print here or in an Amazon Kindle format here!

I am so extremely excited that it is finally out there for you to read! I can't wait to hear your feedback on it :)

Best of all, I now know that miracles do happen.  my book is out there and I'm so excited to share it with you!

The Answers

Wow! I'm sooooo sorry I haven't written in forever! I got caught up in wedding and graduation planning.  Have you ever felt like your life is completely overwhelming you? Yeah, I know the feeling.

Thankfully, I also have the solution to the problem.  It's a five-letter word: J-E-S-U-S.  That's right, I said it.  Jesus is the answer to the craziness of life!  I've learned that whenever I feel like I need to lash out or explode, I need to turn to my Jesus and ask him to calm me down.  Guess what? It works! For example, my sister and I love each other immensely, but sometimes she gets really "snappy" when it comes to her wedding planning. (In our house, "snappy" usually means that they snap at you verbally).  So, what do I do? I take a deep breath and decide to forgive.  Then I go pray that Jesus will calm her down, too :)

So, the next time you feel SO overwhelmed by life, just lift it up in prayer to the Lord.  He knows what's bothering you and He knows how to fix it.  He did, after all, create you.  He understands everything.  I know that's hard to grasp, but you should try.  Jesus is the answer, and I will always stand by that.

Now, for our fun sections!

Quote of the Week:
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

                                                                                               -- Dr. Seuss

Fun Fact of the Week:

Those with a high school diploma statistically earn more money, have less health problems, commit fewer crimes and are less likely to be unemployed.

Story Starter of the Week:

Elisa's boyfriend proposes to her on the day of her High School Graduation.  How does he do it?

*Don't forget to post your ideas from the story starter in the comments!  Hope to see them there!

Busy Life and Government Sites

yes, I do realize that I haven't written in nearly a month.  I've been busy!  Our family is planning both a wedding and a graduation (for two separate people, for you smart-alecks out there) and I have senior pictures on Sunday. On top of that, I am the maid of honor in the wedding and therefore must write a speech! EEP!
My life is also always busy with my writing.  It is my passion, after all.  For those writers out there, I have been very busy researching for my newest novel.  Let me tell you, the Freedom of Information Act is my friend sometimes.  Also, the Border Patrol website and the CIA website.  They are all quite handy.  In case you're thinking that I'm crazy, I'm not.  I just write suspense novels.  This usually includes -- oh, I don't know -- something to do with government agencies and PIs.  Still think I'm crazy?  Try writing a suspense novel without doing research on government websites.  I'm telling you, they give you the most realistic look into the life of their agencies, agents, and protocols.  So, for all you who are even thinking of writing a mystery or suspense book.  Be prepared to go to the websites of the FBI, CIA, and Border Patrol AT LEAST!!!! 

Quote of the Week:
"Ten percent of marriages end in divorce, but 100% of ice cream sunday bars end in happiness."

-- Unknown                           

Fun Fact of the Week:

Popsicles were invented by an 11-year-old boy. He left his soda and juice outside all night.  It froze.  He decided to sell it.

Story Starter of the Week:

Imagine yourself as a foreigner in a brand new world.  You don't speak the language and you don't know how else to communicate with the "sophisticated" civilization there.  How would your first day pan out. (tip: write it in the first person)

Overwhelming Life

Sooooo, my life has gotten REALLY hectic all of a sudden! It's my senior year (which, for me, means ACTs, graduation prep and lots of cramming) and on top of it all, my sister has to go and get engaged! I'm the maid of honor, so I kind of have to be in on it with her.  I'm her support group right now.  The bad news is, this is stressing me out.  I don't need to be overwhelmed by life right now. 
I found out last week that the college I want to go to in TX has to follow a new state law.  I have to go get a vaccine for bacterial meningitis.  Try saying that one ten times fast.  Thankfully, I still qualify for a children's clinic, so the shot is only $8.00 flat.  Thank heaven for that.  I also still have to learn how to drive. Now, for those of you who are gasping for air right now and can't believe that an 18 year old doesn't have her license yet, take a deep DEEP breath.  It's actually easier to get your license in Illinois once you turn 18 because you don't have to follow so many rules and regulations.  Just the normal stuff. 
Anyway, I've felt like life is overwhelming me lately, but then I realized something.  Life can only overwhelm me if I lose my positive mental attitude.  I have no intentions of doing that, so I should be good.  God gave us joy for a reason......to get us through these times.  I'm going to need to tap into that excess of joy for the next several months.  Thankfully, God has it in storage for just that purpose.

Quote Of The Week:
"He went off the deep end.  Because no one ever goes off the shallow end."

Unknown                             

Fun Fact of the Week:
In Germany, their citizenship is still determined by blood relation, not by birth.  It goes way back to the Nazis in WWII.

Story Starter of the Week:
Lissa stared into the dark unknown of her new High School.  What would await her once she opened those doors?  She didn't know, but she was about to find out.  She pushed open the heavy glass doors and prepared for the beginning of the end.  What she really saw surprised her.

Free Publicity for Christian Writers' Site!

Yeah, I know, it's a lengthy title. I Don't have much time to write this week, but I do have a lot to say about faithwriters.com!  I love it! They are an all-christian writer website that lets you put your work out there for publishers to see as well as meet other writers and take part in their weekly challenge.  Given, I am only on the lowest level since I can't afford to pay for a membership, but it's still fun! So, to any of your who want to get connected to some like-minded people, head on over to http://www.faithwriters.com/ and sign up today! (oh, wow, I just sounded like an infomercial.  but, it's still a great site and you should check it out!)

Fun, fun, fun!

So, today is just a fun day.  As my 4 year old cousin Alex would say, "fun, fun, fun!" (he sings it).  Let's talk about the differences between modern world and one of my favorite periods...medieval times. (oooooh! aaaaah!)
Lately I have been reading (and writing) books about medieval times.  You know, Robin Hood, Camelot, all that stuff.  I find it is sooooo much fun to write about those times.  It is especially fun to write about people with British accents.  I love accents.
I am currently writing a story about two British people around the time of Robin Hood.  They are amazing.  Yes, I do refer to my characters as if they are real people.  Anyway, I noticed a lot of differences between then and now.  Like, then you could wear a floor-length dress every day and not get asked why.  Now you wear a floor length dress for no apparent reason and everyone thinks you're loopy.  Then people spoke with good grammar.  Now......not so much.  Also, back then they didn't have people wearing pants that fell off of them.  NOT condemning, just saying that it is reality.  On the other hand, if I lived back then I wouldn't have technology and this blog wouldn't exist.  So, I guess NOW wins.  You should come up with your own comparisons.  Share them with me, ok?

Quote of the Week:
"The love of books is among the choicest gifts of God."

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle        

Fun Fact of the Week:
If something has been mummified for hundreds of years, it will disintegrate on contact with fresh air.

Story Starter of the Week:
Marilin loved her castle.  It was the most beautiful place in the entire kingdom.  One day, however, all of that changed.

THROUGH not ABOUT

Hey guys! I'm so sorry I haven't written in awhile.  I had the chicken pox. (to those of you who are now sympathizing with me, thank you!) That's right, folks, after 17 years of avoiding them, I contracted chicken pox 3 weeks before my 18th birthday.  How did I handle them?  Not too well, I'm afraid.
Day 1 was fine.  They didn't itch at all and I was sure I would be able to handle them with no problem whatsoever.  Day 2 they itched a little, but it was ok.  I spent the day watching TV with my brothers (who also had chicken pox).  Day 3 is when it all began to fall apart.  It was a Sunday and my mother, father, and older sister were all at church.  The chicken pox itched soooooo bad.  So what did I do?  I did what any self-respecting 17-year-old would do.  I had an emotional breakdown and cried on my mommy's shoulder.  (please note that I am being sarcastic here.  No one should have as big of an emotional breakdown as I did) However, what stuck out to me in this wasn't that I was having an emotional breakdown.  After settling me down and assuring me that I would live through it, my mother looked at me and said: "Megan, live above your emotions." 
That did it.  I realized right there that I was letting my emotions rule me.  Herego, I was having an emotional breakdown.  From that point on, I decided to praise God through the chicken pox. 
There are 2 things to note here. 1: living above your emotions doesn't mean have no emotion at all.  It simply means that you control your life.  Don't let your emotions run away with you.  2: I said THROUGH not ABOUT.
God doesn't want you to praise him about (or for) the circumstance.  He doesn't want credit for something he didn't do. Instead, He wants you to praise Him through your circumstance.  Find the good in the world around you and praise Him for that.  (e.g. "Thank you Jesus that I won't have chicken pox on my birthday!" or "Thank you that it's such a beautiful day outside", etc) So next time you find yourself facing an "impossible" circumstance (and you do have to factor in that nothing is impossible with God) just praise THROUGH it.


Quote of the Week:
"the ending never changes.  I watched it twice, just to be sure."

Megan Fatheree                                                                        

Fun Fact of the Week:

Pandas have opposable thumbs!  (so do Koalas)

Story Starter of the Week:

Melisssa had never seen such a giant weed in her life.  In her eyes, it had to be at least six feet tall.  Whatever would she do?

Be Different!!!

This week’s thought: be different. 

That’s right, folks, I said different.  Distinctive.  Peculiar.  Weird.  How do you know what kind of “different” is good?  That’s entirely up to you.

In my life, I find that I am different from my family.  As a writer, I tend to think a bit eccentrically.  On the other hand, my family thinks in what you would call “normal” ways.  How do I know we think differently?  I talk with them.  sure, I can talk with them about shopping and parties and food (I am a girl, after all) but there are times when I can see they don’t get why I’m saying something. 

I’ve seen myself talk about the newest story/book I’m writing.  My face lights up, my hands become an extension of my mouth (hand-talking, for those of you who don’t know what that is), and a giant smile spreads across my face.  My characters are alive in my head.  My family looks at me like I’m crazy when I talk about how to kill someone in my novel or some character that got kidnapped or some relationship on the pages of my book. 

On the other hand, my older sister’s passion is media.  She’s the media director at our church.  When her face lights up, she’s usually talking about a really cool motion background or the newest video clip on the announcement video or how she melded two sound clips together and made it sound amazing.  Half of that stuff, I don’t get at all.  But it’s what makes her happy.  It’s what makes her different. 

You see, everyone is different in their own way.  so, to answer my earlier question: How do you know what kind of different is good?  It’s not by mimicking someone else that you become different.  And it’s not by remodeling yourself into some eccentric character.  Different is about being YOU.  if you stay true to yourself, to your true character, and to the light inside of you, then the world will see you as different.  It’s a personal choice.  It’s a personal obligation.  Keep yourself grounded and humble, and you will be different in a way no one else can be.  that is what being a good different is all about. 

Quote of the Week:

In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.

- Unknown                             

Fun fact of the week:

If you push your fisted hand together, knuckle interlocking with knuckle, for a full minute, you can feel the magnetic pull as you try to pull them apart. 

Story Starter of the Week:

Bob was an invisible man.  It was a tough life, being invisible.  One day, however, all of that changed.

*what to do with these?  The quote of the week and fun fact of the week are for your personal enjoyment.  The story starter of the week is usually a 1-5 line paragraph to get you started on your own story.  Be creative and don't forget to comment it so I can read them!

What do you love?

Hey, everyone.  I'm Megan, the author of this blog.  If you're reading this, thanks for taking the time out of your day.  This blog was starting primarily because I saw a need for more blogs specifically about Christian Fiction Writing.  Don't let that deter you!  This blog can be useful to anyone and everyone out there.  Just take time to enjoy it!  I don't promise to write daily, because I'm not that close to a computer or smart phone daily.  However, I will try to write weekly.  Please put up with my sporatic writing, but enjoy the days when I do get to it.  Let's get started.
The other day I was watching the 2007 movie "Nancy Drew".  At one part of the movie, she's sitting in the hospital room trying to explain to her father why she's there. 
"I mean, I tried to stop sleuthing," she says, "I really tried." 
You see, when you love something, you can't stop doing it.  She would have stopped sleuthing the day she stopped breathing, if you get my drift.  What do I love to do you ask?  I love to write.  I can't go a single day without writing.  I can't seem to shut my brain off long enough to just be, though I am learning.  I constantly have a story going in my head.  It's useless to try to stop, because I can't. 
So, the question is, what do you love to do?  Do you love to sing?  Dance?  Draw?  And better yet, what are you going to do with it?
My suggestion, if you love to dance, then dance.  If you love to sing, then sing. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do what you love.  I mean, if Leonardo da Vinci had listened to people when they said he couldn't paint, we wouldn't have the Mona Lisa.  If the pilgrims had listened when people told them they were idiots to move to the New World, we wouldn't have the United States of America.  History is made by those that don't let the rest of the world define them.  History is made when people do what they love, and do it well.  And, most of all, history is made by it's future generations.  WE are those future generations.  So go out and do what you love, and do it well.

Quote of the Week!!!!
Do act mysterious.  It always keeps them coming back for more.

-Carolyn Keene                                        

Fun Fact of the Week:

If you lay in a dark room and let your eyes adjust to the light, you will find that you can only see in black and white.  Except, of course, for the lights and well-illuminated objects such as clocks or nightlights.

Story Starter of the Week:

Lizzy stared down the wall at the strange man attempting to weasle his way into her home.

*What to do with these!

The quote of the week and fun fact of the week are purely for your enjoyment.  The story starter, however, is interactive.  It will usually be between 1 and 5 sentences long and will serve as a beginning sentence for a story of your choosing.  Be creative and please don't forget to post the story for me to read!