The Language of Worlds Linkup

Hello everyone!

Today I'm going to take part in a character questionnaire link up hosted by Liv K. Fisher. It's a bi-monthly link up, and I've seen it around several times now, so I thought I'd join in.

Today I'm going to feature Brass Talan from my fantasy story, since he's fresh in my mind, and arguably the most interesting.

Artwork by Mirriam Neal

Where does your character live, and how does that impact them?

Brass lives in Bannock Town, on the coast of Khassan. More specifically, he lives in a section of town known as The Spills (since that's where several major rivers meet the ocean). Its filthy, violent, and crime ridden. I'm not really sure if that has an impact on him, or if he has that impact on the town. It's anyone's guess, at this point. The general mood of the area is to fend for yourself, so that really helps him remain anonymous and low profile.

If they could book a vacation to anywhere in the/their world, where would they go and why?

I'd say he'd book a ship to Bogs-Den, pick up a load of furs, then sail over to Dierst and sell them for a hefty profit. Because he doesn't vacation. He's always up to something.

On a scale from 1 (low) to 10 (high), how ambitious are they?

Oh, I'd say about an 11. The man never stops. He's always after something. Never a dull moment with him. He's always plotting. It's really hard for his non conniving writer to keep up.

What do they want to achieve long-term?

The complete and utter destruction of the Dukes of the coastal provinces, and the overthrow of the current king. He's got lofty goals.

Who inspires them?

Um...I guess I'm going to say his enemies. The dukes and nobles of the country. Every success they have, every slight they make at him, all spurs him to more action.

How would they handle seclusion?

He handles it fine, and prefers it actually. The only reason he interacts with people at all is to glean information. If a time ever came where he no longer needed to plot and plan he'd disappear and never be seen again.

Are they a cat person, or a dog person?

Brass Talan doesn't concern himself with pets. He does have a ring with a wolf on it, and he's particularly fond of wolves in general, so I guess that makes him a dog person.

What's their favorite type of weather?

Living in the Spills, the only type of weather he gets is foggy, or storms. Of the two, he prefers the fog. But, if he could snap his fingers and command the weather he would like a calm, sunny day.

When they're hungry, does it show? How?

I suppose so. He doesn't make a big deal out of it really, but he'll find the nearest shop and steal something to eat.

What's one Bible verse your character would identify with?

Oh boy. I can think of at least 800 that he would benefit from reading, but one that he can identify with? Probably any of the Psalms where David talks about being surrounded on every side by enemies. I think Brass gets to feeling that way sometimes. He just wont admit it.

 

The end!

 I hope you enjoyed that little glimpse into my story.

 Make sure to check out Liv's blog to read what others are posting for this linkup.

Cowgirl Up

 

Hello everyone!

Sometimes 4-Wheelers get rowdy

This week I totally threw my laptop in the ditch in favor of spurs and a saddle.

I mean, not literally. I would never throw my laptop anywhere.

But I did all but abandon it on my kitchen table.

Several years ago (seven, I think) I bought a colt and raised him, and my dad helped me break him to ride, and he was just starting to catch onto it when I got a full time job, started dating, got married, etc.

Training with him

So for the last two years my horse has been at my dad's house, eating hay and getting fat and lazy. Not a bad life, in his opinion.

 

His name is Flint, and he is absolutely named after Louis L'amour's character. I considered leaving him a stud for several years before I finally caved and gelded him, but his registered name was going to be The Kid at the Crossing until I did that. (Read the book)

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A few weeks ago I hauled Flint to a local guy who works for a feedlot and had him ride him for me for two weeks, just to get his brain back on the idea of working for a living, and then I brought him to a pasture near my house, where Jarod's aunt was nice enough to let me keep him.

My saddle has been living in the kitchen

We started preconditioning calves this week-- which is just giving them summertime medicine, and putting stuff on to keep lice and flies etc. from getting on them so bad. So I've been able to ride him several days this week and help round up the cows to bring to the corral for working.

Shawny

Scott

Tanner

Rosie

Me! And Bug.

Henry even came out for a little bit! He likes Shawny.

That's the whole crew. But no one ever wants their picture taken, so they don't look.

 

It has been so fun. I didn't realize how badly I missed riding until I got back to it.

I was a little nervous, because I hadn't rode a horse in a year, before this. I was just pregnant with Henry last time I crawled on a horse. Besides that, it had been at least two years since I'd rode Flint specifically, and I didn't know if we'd really remember each other and get along alright, but I shouldn't have worried.

He did so good, and I'm pretty sure he's my favorite horse ever. And, in my humble opinion, I didn't do so bad either. I at least didn't forget everything I've ever known about horses, which was sort of my irrational fear leading up to climbing in the saddle.

It's kind of hard to get any writing done on horseback, but I did manage to squeak out my minimum word count goals. I kind of had to, because Jarod told me I couldn't be a writer, and a rider. (Jokingly.) So, ha! to him. Proved ya wrong.

What did you guys do this week? Is there anything you haven't done in awhile that you're dying to get back at? Talk to me!

I'm a Writing Intern

 

Hi guys!

 

Yesterday was my official first day as a Story Embers intern, and I wanted to share with you how beyond excited I am.

 

First of all, a bit more about Story Embers. They are an online magazine, and community, and their mission is guiding and inspiring Christian storytellers. They put out articles on the craft of writing, and feature short stories, poems, and artwork as well.

 

I've been subscribing to them ever since Kingdom Pen shut down, and Story Embers kind of stepped up to fill the gap. I love the content they put out. The articles are all super helpful, and make so much sense, and I love that it is specifically geared toward Christian writers. If you've been around my blog for any length of time, you know there is nothing I hate more than a cheesy, overly preachy story, and that is exactly what Story Embers is about combatting. They want Christian writers to have those deep meaningful messages, but execute them in a way that isn't ridiculous and a turn off to readers.

 

Cue excited screaming from me to be a part of a team like that.

 

Yesterday I and another new addition, Faith, got to take part in a couple group chats and a video chat with the rest of the team at Story Embers. I'll admit, I was a little nervous, like, what are these people going to be like, but that fear was smashed to bits in about .23 seconds. They. Are. Awesome. Everyone is so kind and helpful. Everyone was very willing to answer any questions and offer help, and I know they're going to be super great to work with over the next six months. And did I mention, they're hilarious? Seriously. I don't think I stopped laughing at any point during the call. I loved it.

 

So now that I'm an official writer for them, my job is to turn out one article a month. I can also submit poetry or whatever else I might want to, but the article is my main priority, and what I'm most excited about. I also get to interact with people on the forums and community. Which, if you're a writer of any sort, I definitely recommend you check out the forums. They're great. If you got to the Story Embers website you'll find the link to the forums along the top right of the page.

 

My picture and bio are on their website too! If you scroll all the way down to the bottom, you'll find me. That's probably one of my most exciting parts, honestly. I'm weird that way. The last time my picture and bio was online, it was for being an optician at an eye doctor. And...it was fine and all, but my face looked really weird in the picture, and it talked a lot about glasses, which I don't actually wear. So I like this one much better.

 

So that's what's going on in my world! I'll be sure to post links once the next issue is up.

 

Also, I'm working on starting an email list, and hope to get it launched this week, so if anyone is interested in joining, you can shoot me a message with your email, or wait to sign up until I have everything set up and I'll have a sign up box on the sidebar.

Check Your Junk Mail, and Other Life Lessons

Hello everyone!

Today I’m coming to you with a very important public service announcement:
CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.

 A little over a week ago I sent back the revised version of Red as Blood, and had been anxiously waiting to hear back. Every single day I checked my email, but there was nothing there but hoards of unwanted sales by Bath and Body Works, and Menards. Has anyone ever noticed that when you actually want good mail, there never is any?

 While waiting on my feedback email, I decided it was time to clear the junk box out. I usually let it build up a bit, then mass delete so it doesn’t slow down my email app.
So, while repeatedly hitting delete on my phone, I happened to see Ann Elisabeth’s name (she’s the one who heads up the Rooglewood team).

 There is was. My email if been waiting for.
In the junk mail file.

 How did that happen? I really have no idea, as she is saved as a contact, and has been ever since I entered this thing.
I panicked and checked what date she’d sent it, but it was only a few hours old, so at least I didn’t leave her waiting.

 I am thrilled to say, she was very happy with the improvements I made, and more revisions are not necessary.

Red as Blood will now move on in the next steps of the process.

 But the story doesn’t end there. No, in fact, it gets better.
A few weeks ago, I also applied for a writing internship with the online magazine StoryEmbers, a monthly publication dedicated to turning out quality Christian material.

 I wasn’t sure if they would send an email if they didn’t accept me, but I was keeping an eye on my inbox just in case. I watched my inbox because all of the StoryEmbers, and application confirmation emails all went straight to my inbox.
So last night I was more carefully checking my junk mail before doing a mass delete, and I caught the word 'intern.'
My heart stopped.

 I am so very happy to announce that I got accepted for a six month internship writing articles for StoryEmbers.

 I haven’t stopped shrieking yet.

In other news, the physical mail has been pretty promising lately too.

 Am I the only one who still gets excited by old fashioned snail mail?
If you follow me on any social media platform you already know, but I was involved in a YA summer reads party on Facebook, and my name was drawn to win a gift pack from Taylor Bennett. The theme was Hawaii, in honor of her debut novel, Porch Swing Girl.
Cue my mommy brain kicking in, I totally forgot I won.
So I was thrilled and confused when I got this package in the mail.
As I opened it and started pulling away packing material this heavenly smell greeted me and I suddenly remembered. I won!

Here’s a picture of all the goodies. Pineapple greeting cards. How cute is that? I just downloaded the book now, and can’t wait to start reading it.

I also managed to eek out the last 500 words I needed to reach my 25k goal for Camp Nano, late last night, just before bed, so I’m pretty happy with myself there. It was hard this month, and three days ago I wasn’t sure I was going to make it at all. 

 Now I’m off to my moms house for some non writing related projects.

So the moral of the story is this:

If a book has an amazing smelling theme, buy it.

They’ve made entire movies about what can happen in just three days, so don’t give up.

And lastly, check your junk mail, very carefully.

Who knows what hidden treasures it holds.

All I Can Say is Ramblings

Hi guys!

I don't know what happened last week. I just totally spaced off writing a post.

But I'm here now!

I have a confession to make. As I'm sitting here typing this, I don't have the foggiest clue what I'm supposed to be blogging about today.

So now you know.

Do you ever get in one of those ruts where it seems like you're constantly trying to play catch up? You know what you're supposed to do, but getting it done just seems so impossible, because you're trying to do everything else also?

That's me right now.

I don't know if its just because its summer, or if I'm just overcomplicating my life, or what it is.

My farm wife life is in full throttle during summertime. Lately I've been irrigating, working on equipment, giving rides back and forth, going and getting parts, and taking lunches out to the field.

Or, lets be honest, I've just been taking pictures while Henry does all of those things with his dad.

Off the farm, I've been shopping not once, but twice in the last week. Once with one of my best friends, and again with my mom and sisters (who are also my best friends, let it be known). Both times were very fun, very exhausting, very long days.

Henry is no longer content with sitting in shopping carts while we have all the fun, so we had to find something for him to do also.

He's such a good little helper.

The county fair is going on this week, so I've made three trips there so far to see bull riding, and my mom and sisters' exhibits. Today is the horse show, which is actually where I'm at as you're reading this. I've got this lovely ramble set up to post automatically for me.

It's been pretty hot here. I say pretty hot, and not straight up hot, because--it never fails--I start to think its too hot here, and my step mother-in-law texts me to tell me its 112 degrees there.

It's not that hot here, people.

I would not live in a place where 112 degrees is a normal and acceptable temperature.

But it has been in the 90's, and the humidity is running wild, so to fend off the heat in the house, me and Henry have been grilling outside instead of using the oven.

I think at this point I've grilled everything socially acceptable to grill.

And maybe a few things non socially acceptable.

I fed my husband and his friend deer meat steaks yesterday.

google

On the writing front things are a lovely balance between "I'm losing my stinking mind" and "I love writing!" Which I think is a normal place to be, as a writer.

I'm staying on track with Camp Nano, and the 100 for 100 challenge, but basically by the skin of my teeth. I'm so looking forward to NaNo ending in August.

Red as Blood has officially been sent back to the editing team. Crossing my fingers that the second round isn't too bad.

I've also sent out my very first batch of query letters, hoping to find an agent to represent Blood and Dust. It was both a terrifying experience, and not nearly as hard as I thought. It took me some time to put together all the things I needed for a decent book proposal, but I'm happy with how it turned out I think, and excited to see if I hear back from anyone...though I'm totally prepared for rejections.

I can do this.

Oh, and guess what? I found vegetables in my garden yesterday!!

I'm not sure what it says about my gardening skills, that I get so excited about my plants growing vegetables, when that is literally their sole purpose on this planet. They're just doing their jobs.

I should also let you know that I created author accounts on Twitter and Instagram, in case you don't get enough ramblings and pictures on here.

I'm going to dial back the monologue now and shut this post down before it gets ridiculous. I haven't gone to bed before midnight in about a month now, and I shouldn't be allowed to blog when I'm in this sort of condition, but I was left unsupervised and can't be held responsible.

Google

The End is Near (for edits, that is)

Hello everyone!

I hope you enjoyed your week.

Jarod and I celebrated our second anniversary on the 9th, so we went out for supper and some bowling. It was a great time.

I can't believe we're already two weeks into July. Time is just flying by. I kid you not, I've thought it was Monday for the last four days.

With the coming of July is the deadline to turn in my edits for Red as Blood.

You guys, I am so excited. I've been working on and off on these edits for weeks. Several lovely people read it for me after I made the first round of changes, and suggested a few more things to spruce it up, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

I'm in love with the change we made from medieval fantasy to Gaslamp, and I think the Victorian theme really adds to the overall story.

I might be a little biased, but I'm very happy with the changes in the characters. The story nearly doubled in size, going from 13,000 words to 25,000, and a large portion of that was added characterization.

I added a few new scenes that were very fun to write, and I think I managed to solve the romance issues that were swirling around at the beginning.

I'm doing one final read through before clicking send, but it is done for all intents and purposes.

I'm really excited and nervous to see what the editors think of the changes I made. I really hope they like them. I think they probably will, but there's still a little bit of terror that they'll send it back to me covered in red and say "again."

A River Runs Through It- Youtube

Once that's off to the Rooglewood team, I'm ready to start work on Code White. I got the edits back from the wonderful Abigayle Claire, and I am so happy with the suggestions she made. I think when I'm done it will be a great story for Kindle.

Since I got the main batch of edits done on Red as Blood and have been waiting on beta readers, and just making small tweaks, I've been able to play around with other writing.

Bad Boy is coming along nicely, though I'm getting a little stuck with a romance thread that is not exactly certain how it is going to play out. I've been working on that one for Go Teen Writers 100 for 100 challenge, and its been going good so far. I'm almost finished with week seven, and just under halfway done with the whole challenge.

Camp NaNo is going good too. I've been working on my 1868 Story, and I'm on track to reach my 25K goal. It's going a little slower than the last few stories I've written have, but its been years since I delved into a prairie/western genre, and I've never written with adults as my target audience instead of YA. It's going good though, and I'm happy with how the story is turning out. It's fun to experiment with different story aspects than the usual, and I was able to do some really fun research in the process.

Besides scribbling away (or I should say typing, I've all but given up handwriting) I've had a summer packed with reading, crafting, cookouts with friends and family, lots of fireworks, and battling a grass invasion in my garden.

What about you? I'd love to hear about your summer.

Let Freedom Ring

 

Happy Independence Day everyone!

I love July 4th, and I'm pretty sure it is Jarod's favorite holiday. Hence, his vehicle...

I mean, not to be cliché, (or offensive. It's all in good fun, my non American pals) but we kind of go all out and get crazy....

 

 

Images from Pinterest

 

Anyway, all joking aside, I love Independence Day. We typically go to my parents' house, and Jarod tells my sisters he's going to "take out a small loan" to go buy fireworks, which is an overstatement, but in the spirit of free speech I let it slide. We do get fireworks though, and I always try to haggle a deal to get the biggest fireworks for the cheapest price. It usually works pretty well.

There's lots of food and visiting, and aside from the general family holiday fun, it's thrilling to actually stop and think about what we are really celebrating.

 

Living in America, we are so privileged. Even with all the craziness that goes on in politics, and how you just want to wring their necks sometimes, we still have the freedom to worship God the way we choose, to raise and educate our children how we want, to speak our mind, and to work hard and enjoy the fruits of our labor. It's a beautiful thing.

And this year we're blessed to have a president who is actually trying to listen to us as "we the people", and bring this country back around to the vision it started with.

 

It's our duty to remember what the founding father's risked when they made that declaration all those years ago, and what so many men and women have fought and sacrificed to protect every year since then. May we never be the generation to take their endeavors for granted, and let the freedom they passed down to us slip away. Once gone, its a hard fight to get it back, if you ever do.

 

This past weekend my hometown of Ashton hosted their town celebration Ashton Days. Original, right? Trust me, its simpler this way. At least people know where they're supposed to go. I'll readily admit I have no idea where Popcorn days, Chokecherry Days, or any of those days take place.

 

They had turtle races, so me and Henry took EEM in. He did not win, but the little guy did run, and Henry got his picture in the paper for being the youngest little racer.

 

There was also a ranch rodeo, and both the hired hands on the ranch competed, as well as some old friends. Henry went with my mom, and me and my sisters watched it.

Wild cow milking

Jarod's aunt, Rosie, also brought her visitors from Sweden who spent the week here, and they thoroughly enjoyed it. They didn't stick around for the fourth, but some people from Australia came the next day, and they had to buy some fireworks for themselves.

It's kind of been international exchange week around here, it seems like. Seriously, so much fun. Rosie picked up a Swedish accent along the way, and I'm sorely tempted to start talking like an Australian.

 

Not today, obviously. Today is about America. But you get my point.

 

Fireworks were supposed to be on Saturday, but they got rained out (as did I. I took refuge in my grandpa's driveway because I couldn't see to drive home for quite awhile) so rescheduled to Sunday night.

They. Were. Awesome.

 

So, this morning I'm gonna do a few chores, and then its off to my parents house for some relaxation and liberty.

 

I hope you all enjoy your day!