This Week . . .

Hello, everyone! Sorry for not posting this yesterday, but I got a bit distracted, again. Here’s an update on my life.

·        On Monday, I had to go back to the dentist’s to get braces, which I wasn’t very happy about. As it turned out, I discovered I had more to worry about from what my mouth felt after the appointment than during the appointment. The braces being put on was ok until the wire was attached, but after it was over, my mouth hurt a lot. Thankfully, the pain has died down and the only real discomfort comes when I pinch my tongue on a bracket or something. The main problem is the fact that I either can’t eat or have a hard time eating some foods, namely pizza and all cereals I’ve tried eating.

·        On Tuesday, the morning after I got my braces, something much more cheering happened: I finished my 50,000 word novel and gave it a title! The title is Gone, and I’m currently working on typing the tale into the computer. With this novel finished, I’m taking a break from more intensive writing until November, when I’m planning to do another 50,000 words in a month challenge.

·        Of course, I can never be without something to write, so I’ve started a new novel. This tale takes place in the future, and currently features a girl named Anya as the main character. Anya is the youngest in a family of people who have something similar to superpowers, though I wouldn’t exactly call her family superheroes. She, however, doesn’t have powers of her own. She’s also one of the few Christians left in a world that discourages Christianity, though it isn’t outlawed . . . yet. I think you can guess where this story is going fairly well, since it’s a “David and the Lion’s Den” type story.

Well, that’s about it. Thanks for stopping by!

-Sarah

The Escape Part Two

Hello, everyone! I hope you’re ready for more of The Escape! Not ready? Here’s part one. And now, on with the tale!

Part Two

The next morning . . .

            Erica scowled. She was about to get in trouble again. Skipping out on her family’s religious services always meant trouble. It’s not like there’s a point to them. The daughter of one of the most successful raiders in the Northlands, Erica should’ve been the happiest girl in the area. And, for a while, she had been. Then, near her thirteenth birthday, things had changed. She had learned of lands beyond the sea that were not, as her father had said, filled with hostile inhabitants, and she had learned of Lords other than the dark dragon-god of the Northlands. To be exact, she had learned of the Great King. It had really been her father’s fault that she found out about the Great King. He had brought back a book with the words “The Treasure” emblazoned across the front. When he discovered that it held none of the things he deemed treasure, he gave it to Erica. And, she had found the tale within so amazing that she knew it had to be true. If he had known the truth I’d find it that book, he would’ve destroyed it as he saw it. Now, she was a follower of the Great King, and a near-outcast from her family. She was also in big trouble.

            “Erica! What were you thinking?” Erica winced. Her father was incredibly mad, and when he got mad, it was terrifying. “You missed the ceremony again to read some idiot book! Are you trying to bring the wrath of Sirpendiss down on yourself?”

            Erica winced again at the name, but she still stood strong. When she was younger, her father had taught her to stand up for herself, and she would still do that. “Father, I do not worship Sirpendiss. Only the Great King.

            Erica’s father was enraged. “Erica, you are not to speak that way! Do you understand?”

            Erica’s eyes flashed, and she struggled to keep from lashing out disrespectfully. “I understand, Father, but I will not be quiet about the truth.” She turned to leave; knowing that to stay would be a bad idea. Say what you like, Father, but you will not turn my faith and you will not turn me. Besides, I’ll be gone very soon.

What will happen to Erica? Will she be able to leave? And how does Alanna fit into this? There’s only one way to find out: check back soon for more! In the meantime, please comment! I’d love to hear what you think!

-Sarah

Infidel Review

Author: Ted Dekker

Characters: Fairly good. The characters are just as alive and vibrant as in Chosen, but certain characters (otherwise known as Johnis) made so many mistakes that I had a strong desire to yell at them for a half hour or more.

3/5

Location: Very good. There was just the right amount of description, and it was very clear!

4/5

Plot: Very good. The plot is intense and action-packed, with so much mystery, betrayal, and subplot that you can’t put the book down!

4/5

Other: Unlike some authors, Ted Dekker does a very good job of making sure that his books fit together and don’t contradict each other, a fact I first noticed in this series when a “flashback” scene from Red was in this book. As this series and the Circle Series continue, I noticed it more and more.

Overall: 4/5

The Escape Part One

Hello, everyone! I’m back, with a new story! This tale, The Escape, is another one of my Tales of the Great King, the second one written. I hope you enjoy it!

Part One

The dark figure was there again. The man had seen it many times, and he didn’t like it. There were strange things up here in the Northlands, and he didn’t want to encounter any of them. Grasping the haft of his huge war hammer, he stood and peered into the darkness. “Who’s there?” he called nervously. No one answered. The figure had faded from view and would not return again that night.

            Alanna carefully slipped out of her spot in the crowded slave quarters. She shivered, unused to the cold of the Northlands with its long winters and springtime snowstorms. I wish I could be back at home. It would be the prettiest part of spring back there, not cold at all. Here, it’s all slush and mud and freezing cold temperatures. Alanna knew that she could be killed for leaving the slave quarters this late. However, she intended to escape, and this was necessary. The Great King will protect me. She crept along until she was close to the main house, stuffing her brown hair down the back of her ragged tunic as she did. Most of the windows were dark, staring out like dead eyes. There was only one with a light, a single lantern that shed its golden glow over the log wall of the house. Alanna smiled grimly. So, she’s ready when I am. Too bad we can’t leave right now. The sooner we get away from this land, the better I’ll like it. Alanna crept closer, until she was directly under the window. Its light glinted in her eyes, and if anyone had been watching, they would’ve seen how bright green they were.  As it was, there was no one there to see as Alanna carefully drew a star in the damp ground beneath the window.  Then, she slipped away. Just say the word, unlikely ally of mine.

What will happen next? Will Alanna be able to escape? Who is her ally? To find out, check back soon for part two! In the meantime, please comment! I’d love to hear what you think!

-Sarah

Contest Ideas

Hello, everyone! This week I'm posting several pictures instead of just one. These pictures are my ideas for what I'm going to enter in an upcoming contest. Only one of them will be entered, but I haven't decided which one, so I decided to post all my ideas.

So, what do you think? I'd love to know! Thanks for stopping by!
-Sarah

Tales and Teeth

Hello, everyone! It’s Saturday, and that means it’s time for an update on what I’ve been doing lately!

·        This week has been considerably more exciting than the past few weeks. Why? Well, about a week ago, I learned that I was going to have to get braces either this week or the next. Naturally, I freaked out. However, I was mostly calm again (when it comes to things like braces, I’m never completely calm) on Monday, just in time to find out that, guess what? In order to make room in my mouth for my teeth moving around, I had to have four teeth pulled. Needless to say, I wasn’t particularly excited about the concept. While I have no particular attachment to any of my teeth, I am quite attached to the concept of them staying in my mouth where they belong. But, despite my displeasure with the situation, which didn’t exactly matter much since I was already upset about getting braces, the teeth were pulled Monday afternoon. The pulling itself was actually easier than I expected, but the few hours after that of biting down on gauze to stop the bleeding were quite uncomfortable, though I did like the fact that I got to relax all afternoon with an excuse.

·        I’ve also been writing a lot this week, and am pleased to say that I believe I am ahead of my original schedule for my novel! I’ve been writing eleven pages a day all week, and I plan to be done by Monday, unless it turns out that extra page space is required. However, since I think I’m going to end up writing a sequel, I don’t think much extra page space will be needed.

·        With all this other activity, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I haven’t done much reading. In fact, the only book of interest that I’ve read all week was That Hideous Strength, the last book in C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy. It was rather hard to get through, partially because it seemed to move very slowly at first, partially because the two main characters annoyed me to no end, and partially because the main character of the first two books didn’t even show up until over half of this book was already passed! Still, the plot itself was fairly interesting, and what also interested me was that there were approximately three or four references to the tales told in The Silimarillion and The Book of Unfinished Tales, both of which are by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Well, that’s about it! Thanks for stopping by!

-Sarah

God Made

Hello, everyone. Sorry this is a day late, but I was a bit distracted yesterday (otherwise known as “I forgot”). This is a poem I wrote a while ago that I think you’ll enjoy. Next week, I plan to begin another one of my Tales of the Great King, this one entitled The Escape. So, without further ado, my poem.

God made the flower,

Lovely and sweet.

God made dessert,

So yummy to eat.

Go made summer,

And all its heat.

God made birds,

Like parrots and keets.

God made games,

So fun to play.

God made night,

And God made day.

God made farmers,

Growing fruit, veggies, and hay.

God made us,

Let’s follow in his way.

What did you think? I’d love to know! Please comment and tell me!

-Sarah

Chosen Review

Author: Ted Dekker

The land of the Forest Dwellers has been decimated by the Horde under the watchful eye of the vilest of all creatures, Teelah. Thomas Hunter, supreme commander of the Forest Guard, is forced to lower the recruitment age from 18 to 16. From among thousands, four new recruits are chosen to lead- and perhaps die- for the greater good.

The chosen four are sent on a quest to prove their character, but their mission takes a dramatic turn when they are intercepted, sworn to secrecy, and redirected to a different endgame. Now they must find the seven lost Books of History. Books that have power over the past, present, and future. Books whose words are alive. Books sought by the Dark One that controls not only the destiny of their world . . . but that of ours as well.
-Summary from the back of Chosen

Characters: Excellent! These characters are well-done and interesting, with the good characters good but not perfect, and the bad guys being chillingly evil, for the most part. I also enjoyed seeing some of my favorite characters from Black, including Gabil and Thomas Hunter.

4/5

Location: Very good! There’s enough description that you get a fairly clear picture of the locations, but not so much as to overwhelm you. However, I did get a little confused in one or two spots.

3/4

Plot: Excellent! The plot is exciting and action-packed, with enough twists to keep you on your toes the whole time!

4/5

Other: This book is definitely one of my favorites! Although Wayne Thomas Batson remains my favorite author, Ted Dekker is almost, if not just as, good! I would definitely recommend reading this book!

Overall Rating: 4/5

Yet Another Raptor Picture . . .

Hello, everyone! I'm back, with yet another raptor photo!

This is a picture of a Gyrofalcon, which was, as you can probably guess, taken at the same time as all the other raptor photos I've posted. What do you think of it? I'd love to know!

-Sarah

What's Up This Week?

Hello, everyone! It’s Saturday, and that means it’s time for an update on my life!

·        My novel is going ok, though not particularly well. I managed to get off track in the last few days, and my attempts to get on track aren’t going too well. Hopefully next week will be better.

·        Part of the reason why my novel probably isn’t going well is that on Tuesday or Wednesday, I caught a cold, which set me back by a whole day when I just couldn’t write. Thankfully, the cold is mostly gone by now except for a slightly stuffy nose, but the writing damage is done.

·        Another possible reason for the lack of work on my novel? The fact that I’ve had a variety of new books to read. This week I enjoyed Perelandra, the second in C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy, as well as House by Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti, and, to my great excitement, Song of the Ovulum by Bryan Davis. Song of the Ovulum, which I read just this morning, is definitely my new favorite by Bryan Davis. A book review on Song of the Ovulum, as well as ones on various other books that I have read this week, will be posted on my blog. 

·        You may have noticed the tabs along the top of my blog, just below my banner. Well, each of these tabs links you to a new page with one of my stories that I’ve posted here on it! So, you now don’t have to search through posts if you want to read one of my tales; you can just click on the name at the top of my blog to read it all in one place!

·        This past weekend, I got to see several of my relatives, including my grandpa, aunt, uncle, and cousin. I very much enjoyed this, since I don’t get to see them very often.

Well, that’s about it. Thanks for stopping bye!

-Sarah

Campfire

Hello, everyone! I decided to post a poem today! This is a free verse that I wrote the day after a campfire experience. I would’ve written it the evening of, but by the time I thought of it, it was too dark to write. So, enjoy!

A light springs up.

Small branches

And logs

Disappear.

Flames dance,

Casting

Eerie shadows

In the dark forest.

It’s a good night

For ghosts.

We sit around the campfire.

We talk.

We sing.

We tell tales

Of adventure,

Ghosts,

And legends.

I close my eyes

And then open them.

I am in a different world.

Away from the noise

And rush

Of everyday life.

As I look around,

My imagination begins to work its magic.

Perhaps

I am,

Perhaps

We are

Knights, Swordmaidens, and adventurers

On a grand quest.

Perhaps

I am,

Perhaps

We are

Elves on a journey.

Perhaps

I am,

Perhaps

We are,

In Narnia

Or Middle Earth,

And we’re going to meet a legend.

Perhaps

We’re on a search for dragons.

It’s a good night

For adventure.

I blink.

And

The world is normal.

I’m,

We’re

Ordinary people

Sitting around a campfire

And

Dreaming,

Imagining what else we could be.

What do you think of it? I’d love to know! Please comment and tell me!

-Sarah

The Treasure Part Five

Hello, everyone! Ready for more of The Treasure? I hope so, because I’m posting more right now! Need a refresher? Here’s Part Four. And now, on with the tale!

Part Five

The trial went badly just as Melody had expected. She was sentenced to death that very afternoon. Melody had four hours to contemplate her doom.

            Around the end of the noon hour, a guard showed up at her cell-a guard other than the one who was supposed to be guarding her. Melody thought it looked more like he was sleeping, but she didn’t complain. “I am to take the girl Melody away.” said the new guard. His voice sounded odd for a Wraith or an execution guard, Melody thought. It sounded too kind.

            “By whose orders?” grunted the cell guard, sleepily.

            “By my Lord’s orders!” the new guard impatiently shouted.

            “Very well, very well.” grumbled the cell guard, unlocking the cell door. “Take ‘er away.”

            The new guard led Melody away and out of the dungeons. Finally, he stopped in a copse of large pine trees. “Are you alright?” he asked, quite gently. Melody nodded. “I’m sorry if I frightened you.” he said, taking off his helmet. “I didn’t mean to scare you too much, but I suspected that a little fear on your part would be unavoidable.” By now, his helmet was all the way off, and Melody gasped. She recognized the tall, brown haired, grey eyed young man.

            “You’re one of Luke’s friends!” she exclaimed in surprise. “I’ve seen you two together!”

            “Aye.” he replied. “Luke and I are in charge of getting the Treasure out to the people at this castle, but the Great King feels that someone else needs to take over. To be exact, He says that someone’s onto us. We’re to head to his land with everyone we got the Treasure to.”

            Just then, Luke drove up in a wagon filled with hay. “There you are!” he said. “I was wondering if you’d make it out. Good to see you, Melody. I see you’ve met Benjamin.”

            “Yes, I have.” she replied. “How are we getting out?”

            “Benjamin and I will ride on the front seat of this wagon.” answered Luke.

            “You’ll be hiding in the hay.” added Benjamin.

            “I wish you didn’t have to, but this was all we could think of to get you out of here without being seen. “

            “I don’t mind.” Melody assured them. Then, she inquired “Where are we going?”

            Luke and Benjamin grinned. “We’re going to the Kingdom of Light!” said Luke.

            Melody’s mouth dropped open. “Really and truly?” she gasped in wonder.

            Luke and Benjamin nodded. “Well, we’d better get going.” Benjamin reminded them. “We need to be far away before they realize we’re gone. Hop in, Melody.”

            And so, Melody journeyed with her new friends to the Kingdom of Light, her real home.

Well? What did you think of the tale? I’d love to know! Please comment and tell me!

-Sarah

Red Tailed Hawk in Black and White

Hello, everyone! I'm back once more with another hawk picture! Yes, I probably do need to find something new to post pictures of . . .

This picture was taken at the same time as my other two hawk pictures. I guess the post title basically says it all. What do you think of it? I'd love to know!
-Sarah

This Week . . .

Hello, everyone! It’s time for another update on my life and what I’ve been doing!

·        My novel is going well. So far, not only am I on track, I’m also a day ahead! However, I’m a bit unsure of how long that is going to last, with the weekend coming up. This novel is about Kelia Ross, who was the main character of The Right Thing. In my tale, her younger sister, Audrey, disappears, and Kelia has to figure out where she’s gone and how to rescue her. It’s a different kind of plot and setting than I usually write, but I’m having fun with it.

·        Also, I’ve finally gotten some new books! I recently readOut of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia. It was rather unusual and not at all what I expected, though it was interesting. I also have two more new books lined up to read as soon as I can: House by Ted Dekker and Song of the Ovulum, the latest book in Bryan Davis’s “series of series”. I’m extremely excited about all three!

·        My Fourth of July went well. We went over to our friends’ house for a barbecue and to watch fireworks, which was fun. I enjoyed getting to see my friends and the food and fireworks were excellent. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures, since I lost track of time and didn’t realize that I still had yet to get my camera stuff ready until we were just about to leave.

Well, that’s about it. Thanks for stopping by!

-Sarah

Hello, everyone! I’m back, with more of The Treasure! Need a refresher before we begin? Here’s Part Three, the last part posted. And now, on with the tale!

Part Four

That night, Melody was awakened by cries of “Open up! Open up in the name of the lord of the land!” Melody quickly got up, stuffed her bag containing The Treasure and her mirror under her loose nightdress, and opened her door. When she did, her heart skipped a beat. Standing before her door were two Wraiths!

            “What is it, sirs?” asked Melody, frightened. “Do you need something?”

            “You’ve been accused of following the Enemy King.” said one. “You’re to come with us.”

            Before Melody knew it, she found herself in the dungeons-not the lowest level, but low enough.  She, unable to control herself, began to cry. Finally, her tears dried up. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Melody heard a voice. “You are alone!” it hisssed, menacingly. “You are alone and will die! No one cares about you! Where is your king now?” The voice trailed off into a cackling laugh. Melody knew that it was The Voice, the lord of the land.

            “No! No! No!” she cried, but to no avail. The cackling laugh continued. Fear and doubt pounded at her heart. What will happen to me? Where is the Great King anyway? Is He even real? She looked up and around, searching for and answer. Her eyes focused on the moon, for she was in a cell high enough to have a window. She felt strangely comforted by the moon . . . and by its light. Then, seemingly out of the light, there came another voice, soft and kind, like the voice of a loving father speaking gently to his child. “Do not fear,” the voice said, “for never will I leave you, and never will I forsake you. You are my child, and I love you. Call on me, and I will answer. Believe in me, for I love you more than the stars in the sky, and I will never let you go, my precious daughter.” The Voice’s cackling laugh had by now ceased, and all that was left was the second voice. Somehow, Melody knew that it was the voice of the Great King.

            “I believe you!” she whispered. “I do believe.”

What will happen to Melody? Will she get out alive? There’s only one way to find out: check back soon for more! In the meantime, please comment! I’d love to hear what you think!

-Sarah

Warrior Review

Author: Bryan Davis

Characters: Fairly good. The characters were interesting, but after a while, I got a little tired of all the good guys being incredibly noble all the time. While I like nobleness in a character, these people are being noble all the time, and after a while, it started to get on my nerves a little. Also, there’s a certain female character who drives me slightly crazy.

3/5

Location: Ok. The location was different from most, and intriguing enough, but I got confused in several places.

2/5

Plot: Very good. The plot was exciting, with plenty of action, a dash of mystery and intrigue, quite a few plot twists, and just a touch of humor. It’s definitely the best part of the book!

4/5

Other: This book is the sequel to Starlighter, so make sure you read that before you read Warrior, if you haven’t already.

Overall Rating: 3/5

The Treasure Part Three

Hello, everyone! I’m back with more of The Treasure! Ready to read? I hope so! If not, here’s Part Two for a refresher. And now, one with the tale!

Part Three

Melody spent much of the next morning hoping that Luke would find her as she did her work. When he finally did, Melody asked him if he’d meet her at the beech grove. Luke agreed, and they met that afternoon.

            “Well?” Luke asked, as soon as Melody appeared.

            “I read the book you gave me. I could see why you called it a treasure. But, is it true?” she replied.

            “Oh Melody, it’s truer than the castle and the lord of the land!” Luke exclaimed.

            “Will you tell me more?” Melody requested, hopefully.

            “Of course!” Luke continued, passionately. “Let’s sit down and I’ll tell you all I can before the next bell. Now, what do you want to know?”

            By that evening, Melody knew enough about the Great King, the Prince of Peace, and the Kingdom of Light to know that she wanted to believe. But, she couldn’t wrap her mind around the idea, not enough to really, truly believe. Melody fell asleep wondering if this was too good to me true. Her sleep that night was as fitful as the night before had been restful.

            The next few weeks continued in much the same way. Every few days, Melody and Luke would meet and talk. Every time, Melody learned more about the Great King, but she still could not quite believe.

            After three weeks, however, things took a turn for the worse. Melody and Luke met that day, and Melody asked “Am I pretty? I’ve tried asking other people, but they’re too busy to care. I know the Treasure says I’m beautiful, but I’d like to know how I really look.”

            Luke smiled. “I thought you might be asking that sometime.” He handed her a small package.

            “Is this. .  . for me?” asked Melody.

            “It is.” replied Luke.

            “From my true Father?” asked Melody. “Or from you?”

            Luke just smiled and said “Guess.”

            Melody looked at him quizzically, then opened the package. Inside was a small mirror. It wasn’t very fancy, as hand mirrors go, but it was fancy to Melody. She picked it up. Engraved across the top was “Daughter of the Great King.” As she looked in the mirror, she gasped. She had never seen herself before. What she saw was ash-blond hair framing a roundish face. Within the face were two blue-green eyes. “Is that. . . me?” she asked. Luke nodded. “Well,” said Melody, a bit nervously, “Whether this is from my true Father or from you, I should like to say thank you.” Luke just smiled.

What will happen to Melody next? Will she ever be able to believe? Check back soon to find out! In the meantime, please comment! I’d love to hear what you think!

-Sarah

My (Uneventful) Week

Hello, everyone! Saturday is here again, and that means it’s time for an update on what I’ve been doing lately.

·        The Call is finished! I have finally managed to bring the adventures of Wildflower, Sasha, and Taryn to a close, and I’m quite relieved to be done with it. Not that I don’t like it, of course, but I needed to give another tale a chance.

·        I also managed to get some work done on my novel about Destiny Lawrence, though not as much as I’d like. This is partially due to the fact that I’m not sure what happens next, and all my inspiration seems to be for other work.

·        As if I didn’t have enough to do with trying to figure out what happens to Destiny, I have decided to try a challenge I’ve heard about, in which you’re supposed to try and write a 50,000 word novel in one month. This takes place during the month of July and again in November, and I’m quite excited about it. So far it’s going well, but since it’s only day two, who knows?

·        I have had a severe lack of new books lately, which, though good for the amount of time I have to write, isn’t the most enjoyable experience in the world. Although I have two new books on the way, one on request at the library and one that I bought, neither of them is here yet. I can only hope that they get here soon.

Well, that’s about all. Thanks for stopping by!

-Sarah