Camp NaNo

Somehow, I always manage to have an excuse not to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo. This year it's because I'm still editing As Fairydust Settles.

Still, because I don't like feeling left out (who does?), and I could use the motivation, I'm joining. Sort of.

Camp NaNo is, not surprisingly, connected to NaNoWriMo. It takes place twice a year, usually in the summer, lasts a month, and is a writing challenge. Unlike NaNoWriMo, you can set your own word goal. Although it's not summer yet, April marks the first camp month.

Since I'm not actually writing, I didn't sign up on the website. (But you can!) I suppose the fact that I'm editing changes the Wri (writing) to Ed. NaNoEdMo

My goal is 30,00 words, or however many it takes to finish the book.

Since this is something I'm doing on my own, I suppose that changes the Na (national) part, too. It could be JaNoEdMo (Jansina's Novel Editing Month)...but that's just thilly.

To those actually participating: Happy writing!

The Liebster Award

The wonderful Amanda at Come Along Pond! gave me this award. I like it because the name is German. Okay, and it's just nice to get awards and answer/ask questions.

The Liebster Award is given to up-and-coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is German for "sweetest," "kindest," "nicest," "dearest," "beloved," "valued," "endearing," and "welcoming." Aww.

Rules! 

1. List 11 things about yourself.

2. Answer the questions that the nominator has posed for you.

3. Nominate 11 up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

4. Create 11 questions to ask the nominees.

5. Go to the page of each nominee and tell her about her award.

11 things about me:

1. Sometimes I like to cook...but I have to be in the mood for it. I prefer baking, regardless.
2. I'm a huge extrovert, but many assume I'm introverted since I'm quiet (at first).
3. Green is my favorite color.
4. The easiest thing in the world is getting me to laugh. (And I will love you for it.)
5. I still love stuffed animals. In fact, I asked for one for Christmas, and was thrilled (still am!) when I got him. His name is Sir Edward Bear. I didn't feel like being original.
6. To do lists make me extremely productive.
7. I write (varying amounts) every day.
8. Hugs are the best thing ever.
9. Usually, I really, really dislike phone calls. I very much prefer face-to-face, texts, emails, and chats. Still, answering the phone is one of my favorite parts of my office job. Who knew?
10. My inbox always reads "0 New". I open (or delete, if it's spam) every new email to keep it this way.
11. My closet doesn't have a door. I prefer it this way...it forces me to keep it clean.

11 questions I was asked:

1. If you could date a historical figure, who would it be? I have no idea. I know that's a cop out answer...but I honestly don't know. Probably all the good guys are taken, and I wouldn't want to mess that up. Haha!
2. In the winter, do you prefer making snow angels or building a snowman? Why? Building a snowman, because snow angels require getting your whole back snowy...and I don't like being wet.
3. What is your favorite kind of candy? Chocolate! More specifically, milk chocolate truffles. So good.
4. Which Saint/Title or apparition of the Blessed Mother is a source of inspiration for you? Not being Catholic, I'm afraid I don't have an answer for this.
5. What do you do to cope with sadness? If it's deep sadness, I sit quietly and think or pray, then do things to take my mind off it. If it's a lesser sadness, I'll probably go to my room and cry.
6. What kind of toppings do you like on your tacos? Cheese and lettuce... I'm boring when it comes to Mexican food, since I don't like tomatoes or anything spicy.
7. In another life, would you rather be an impala or an iguana? Being an iguana would be so cool!
8. Do shopping sprees help you relieve stress or are you an anti-shopper? ...Neither? I like shopping with friends, but not in general, and I rarely buy anything. I just like the time with friends, and am not picky about the activity. But I wouldn't say I'm anti-shopping.
9. What does your dream home look like? It's my home/store...the main floor has the bookstore and coffee shop, complete with at least one fireplace, several comfy chairs, and some cute seating areas. It'll be a place writers and readers can come to be comfortable and inspired--whether they buy books or coffee or not. The basement will be a place to hang out...and have the laundry, heater, &c. just because that's necessary. Finally, the upstairs will have my room/office (hopefully including a balcony...I rather love balconies) and at least two other rooms for my friends to stay in!
10. What is your favorite mystery of the Rosary? Again, not Catholic...
11. Do you think you will actually do all these questions? I answered the ones I could!

11 tagged people:

Jessica

Katherine Sophia

Emily

Overwhelming Peace

Gina

Renee
Elenatintil

Delaney

Megan

Krystal

Chrissy

If you haven't been given this already, please consider yourself tagged!

11 questions for the next round of people:

1. What language do you wish you spoke fluently?
2. Do you have a favorite term of endearment to use? To be called?
3. What does your dream vacation look like?
4. What is your most prized possession?
5. Share your passions.
6. Do you wear any special jewelry?
7. Which relatives are you closest to?
8. What do you consider your greatest success?
9. Do you believe in regret?
10. What is your plan for the next year?
11. Where would you be content living?

Fairy Tale Examinations #3: Sleeping Beauty

(Not sure what this is all about? Check out the first Fairy Tale Examination)

Sleeping Beauty
(Little Briar Rose)

This is one of my favorite Disney movies. I especially love the Biblical references within it (i.e., the armor of God). Still, as is probably the case with any fairy tale, there are some parts of Grimm's version that cause raised eyebrows.

When a frog tells the queen she'll have a daughter, she is thrilled.

Oh, right. This is the fairy tale world...frogs talk.

The princess is born, and the king throws a feast, inviting friends, family, and "wise women." There are 13 Wise Women, but he has only 12 golden plates.

So, naturally, he leaves one out. Of course Wise Women will only eat off golden plates.

The Wise Women give the princess gifts. The shunned Wise Woman shows up and, out of spite, declares that the daughter will die at 15 from a spindle prick.

I have a lot of "why?" reactions to this. Why was she so angry? Revengeful anger doesn't strike me as "wise." Why age 15? Is there significance here? Why a spindle?

Seriously...why a spindle?

Doesn't look like a weapon to me...

The remaining Wise Woman used her gift to change "death" to "100 years of sleep."

That's the best you can do? I realize that she couldn't reverse it, but...why not 1 week? 100 hours? 100 years is a long time.

Every spindle is burned, the princess is loved, and so on, until she is 15, comes across a spindle, touches it, and falls asleep on the bed. The rest of the kingdom also falls asleep.

There's a bed right by the spindle. How convenient. Also, I don't recall the entire kingdom being a part of the 100 years of sleep...thing.

A hedge of thorns grows around the kingdom. Princes come from all over to free the princess, but they get caught in the thorns and die.

Yikes! And all because they heard there was a beautiful princess. Were princesses scarce in those days?

100 years pass, and yet another prince tries to pass through--and this one succeeds.

If 100 years have passed...shouldn't everyone already be awake?

He kisses her, she and the rest of the town wake up, and it's as if no time has passed at all.

But...it has. 100 years of it. How are they not all dead? Or, at least, old and wrinkly. Oh, I forgot. Fairy tale. Suspension of disbelief and all that.

The marriage is celebrated "with all splendour." 

Depending how you want to look at it, the princess is either 15 or 115 years old at this point. I'm guessing the prince is in his twenties. So, he's either too old or too young for her. Just saying.

I'd comment about how they hardly know each other, but since that's such a common theme in fairy tales I'm afraid that would get repetitive. Still...they hardly know each other.

"They lived contented to the end of their days."

Okay, no snarky comments for this one. I actually really love this ending, and just wanted to point out that it's not (exactly) the usual "happily ever after" one. I'd rather be content than happy.

What fairy tales do you find...odd?

As Fairydust Settles

Sometimes, I feel like a broken record. I've been "working on" the sequel to Shrouded Jewels for several months now. Every time I think I'm getting close to polished, I look at it more closely and realize I'm still quite far.

As Fairydust Settles is written, and has been for about a year, but the majority of the scenes need to be reworked. I wrote it in first person originally, but in keeping with Shrouded Jewels it needs to be changed to third person. That's only one of the many differences that will take place between this draft and the next.

All that to say, this is not the final version...but I wanted to share a snippet nonetheless.

“I know your word is important to you,” Jonathan finally said. “I know that’s the only thing keeping you with Mical. She knows it, too.”

“What’s your point, Jonathan?”

“Marrying my sister was not a mistake. Don’t you see how much she’s changed? At least Mical is trying.”

“She lied. Repeatedly. She manipulated me, you—all of us. Because she wanted her happily ever after. Is it my fault I’m not what she thought? I can’t forgive her for this. Not yet.”

Jonathan’s lips drew together in frustration. “You believe marriage is for life, right?”

“That is what I signed up for when I said ‘I do.’”

“You also believe that doesn’t change, even when one or both people make a mistake.”

“Of course it doesn’t.”

“So now you feel you’re stuck with Mical, because you can’t in good faith divorce her.”

Davey shrugged. “Sure, if you want to put it that way.”

“I’m putting it that way because that’s how Mical feels. That’s how you’re making her feel.”

“You think she deserves better?”

“It doesn’t really matter what she deserves. You are called to love her in spite of anything. Because she’s your wife; because she’s a child of God; and because she’s been hurt enough without you adding to it.”

Davey said nothing. 

“You taught me that, Davey. At one point you believed it—and lived it. Don’t let the mistakes of others change who you are.” Jonathan watched him for a moment, frowning at what he saw. “Or is it too late for that already?” He shook his head and walked out of the room.

Fighting for Life by Laura Michelle

What have I been working on lately? Well, a lot, and I'll be dedicating a post to that soon... but I'm so excited to announce the publication of Rivershore Book's newest book: Fighting for Life.

Fighting for Life is a collection of poetry written by Laura Michelle. The author has dealt with abuse, drugs and alcohol, depression, and more, but always finds herself drawn back to God. This is a collection of beautifully worded, powerful poetry, with honest emotion that readers can relate to.

This insightful book is available for $15 on Amazon.

The Kreativ Blogger Award

The lovely Katherine Sophia tagged me in this (and in a couple others...which I will be doing later on).

The rules are:

1. Answer ten questions about yourself.

2. Post ten random facts about yourself.

3. Tag a person/people.

1. What is your favorite song? 

This changes all the time, but Hold Me by Jamie Grace never fails to bring a smile to my face. 

2. What is your favorite dessert?

I have a very strong sweet tooth...this is hard. I think French Silk Pie wins. Chocolate lasagna (Olive Garden used to have it, but they don't anymore, sadly) is a close second.

3. What ticks you off?

Being told what to do doesn't always go over well, nor does being pressured into something I wouldn't ordinarily have said yes to. (If it goes against my beliefs I'd still refuse, but if it's something I just didn't want to do I'll end up doing it...but I might not be happy.)

4. When you're feeling upset what do you do?

Try to avoid chocolate (it makes me feel worse). It depends what I'm upset about, but I'll either go to my room and sulk, cry, or call a friend.

5. What's your favorite pet?

I don't have her anymore, but I had the sweetest cat named Honey. She used to come up to me and nudge my hand so I'd pet her, and would wait on my bed when I wasn't home.

6. Do you prefer to wear white or black?

Black, I suppose. I don't know if it's a preference, so much as just that I almost always end up in it. My favorite two dresses, though, are both white.

7. What's your attitude?

The attitude I strive for is one of joyful gratitude. That doesn't always happen.

8. What place, object, scenario, etc. would you describe as perfection?

Being with friends, talking with and about Papa. I can't imagine anything better than that.

9. What is/are your guilty pleasure(s)?

I like ripping things apart... napkins, ticket stubs, those cardboard things meant to protect your hands from hot coffee...

10.What is your favorite pastime?

These 'favorite' questions are difficult. I love singing, dancing, writing, and acting--not necessarily in that order. Doing any of those with friends nearby makes then twenty times better. Doing anything with friends makes it twenty times better!

***

Ten Random Facts

1. Singing is one of my favorite things, but I won't do it when others can hear (unless sincerely asked to, or it's a group thing).
2. I have always loved going outside and getting dirty.
3. My hands need to be doing something, all the time. Silly putty is good. Tearing up paper (see 9 above) is also fun.
4. I am addicted to coffee. I can't even deny it anymore. Perhaps another week off coffee is due...but I'm not ready for that yet.
5. Unless I know you well, I'm quiet.
6. Reading always makes it on my list of 'favorite things to do'...but lately I haven't been doing it nearly as much as I'd like. It's taken me three months to get close to finish the book I'm currently reading!
7. When I was in elementary school, and it was summer, I would pull out my English books and do them "for fun."
8. The ellipsis is my favorite punctuation mark...
9. Multi-tasking is fun.
10. When I'm typing, and someone talks to me or I start daydreaming, I'll start writing our conversation or my thoughts instead of what I'd originally intended.

And finally...the following bloggers have officially been tagged! (As well as any bloggers who happen to read this and haven't been tagged...that means I don't know the name of your blog, I thought you had been tagged already, or I didn't think you'd be interested.)

One Little Whippoorwill

Drabbles of a Harpmouse

Songwest

Love Languages and Gifts

Love Languages

I haven't actually read the book The Five Love Languages (it's on my increasingly long "to read" list!), but I know enough to have sorted out my own, and those of the people closest to me.

Gifts may be on the lower end of what I like to receive (quality time and touch tie for first)...but when it comes to the love languages I like to give, they're near the top. I'm not sure why this is, or if it's normal for people to have two separate lists (giving/receiving). Guess I really do need to read that...

Gifts

My brother showed me a picture of this cross-stitch a while ago. After finishing one leg, I realized the pattern  would be about a foot tall, so I made a new, smaller one. It fits in a 5x7 frame.

5 points if you know what show this is from!
My brother set this in his cubicle at work, and says his coworkers chuckle as they pass by. Aww.

As a girly girl, I've always been interested in making jewelry. I just recently learned some new tricks and wanted to experiment with them, so I made necklaces for some friends, and my mom.

I picked charms and beads to match their personalities.

A closeup of the necklace I made Mom, using a charm she owned.

My grandma taught me basic crochet when I was younger. I haven't learned many difficult steps yet, but I enjoy making shawls, purses, hand warmers, and other simple pieces.

My mom and grandma each received a poncho this year.

Did you give or receive handmade presents this year?

I'd love to hear about them!