I have been trying to write in a more…inspired manner, if you get my meaning.For the past few months I have been dragging my muse through the mud, and my muse hasn’t liked that.But now I have been trying to get my muse used to a new idea: letting her pull me around, instead of me having to pull her around.
I think she liked the idea.
As a result of giving my muse freedom, she has leapt off at a gallop and plunged into a half-dozen different stories besides The Prophet of Einehrowaye.I have barely gotten a week’s worth of writing on POE in a two-week time span.It’s embarrassing.
Now, since my muse is knocking me on the head telling me that I need to tell you all about her fabulous stories, here are a few summaries:
The Meadow of Moss – A freak weather occurrence leaves a group of campers stranded in the mountains.When a stranger comes and says that he knows a way out, everyone follows him.But as the paths they take become more and more strange, the campers begin to wonder if the man is really who he says he is.Only a brave few will take the final step and follow him into a paradise none of them could have imagined.
Seh-Ryal – Wyreya and Lloyden are two ordinary teenagers who live alone on a farm far removed from any village.When inhuman creatures break in and destroy their peaceful life, the two are forced to discover their dangerous heritage.
Shorn: The Second Dawn – Laezwyn was merely an orphan before the armies of Lornathix came and burned her village.But now she has lost everything to the fire, including her long auburn hair.She is not ready for the discovery that she is the only heir of the Firedancer Queen.How will she be able to continue her family’s legacy as Fire Dancers if she cannot get past her fear of the element that destroyed her life?
Forgive me for being overdramatic: I couldn’t help myself.Please tell me which one you think sounds more interesting!I will be posting bits of these stories on my story blog sometime soon, so keep checking back!I also encourage you to read Part 4 of the 2nd Chapter of The Prophet of Einehrowaye, which I recently posted.I hope you have a blessed day!
Ze Poetess
Copyright 2008 by Cherise A. You must ask me before using any of my stuff, and my name must appear along with the poem or post if you reproduce it.
I would like to highlight some new blogs on HSB, all of which belong to people I know in person.
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First of all is the new mom blogger on the block, WordLady! I actually helped her get up and running! She has been one of my best adult friends for many years, and has helped me tremendously with my story. Please stop by her blog and say hello!
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Next is WordLady's lovely daughter, Equestrienne21! Laurie has been like a second sister to me, and she, my sister, and I have spent much time together over the years. Please visit her horsy blog and welcome her!
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Then there is my dear Meggy, also known as Ariana Evenstar. We have only known each other a few months, but we have so much in common that we decided to write a book together! She has had a blogspot.com blog for a while, but recently decided to start up a blog on HSB as OutlawedPrincess! All you fantasy-author people will find a kindred spirit in her, so go visit her blog and read the introduction to her fabulous story!
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And last, but not least, is Riley! Riley is my dear, helpful gnome, and I decided to let him get a blog under my extra username, CherrytheXIV. He has been so exited to get a blog! Please stop by his blog and say hi to him!
Copyright 2008 by Cherise A. You must ask me before using any of my stuff, and my name must appear along with the poem or post if you reproduce it.
Outside My Window... the emerald leaves of the great ash tree sway lazily in the gently august breeze.The sun shines golden, but its rays are not hot and oppressive as they usually are at this time of day.Small puffs of cumulus clouds drift without care in the western sky.By afternoon they will probably have grown into large, dark thunderclouds, but for now they are sweetly serene.
I am thinking... I need to try to write more of The Prophet of Einehrowaye today. I also need to try to finish the book Taliesin.
I am thankful for... the fact that today is mostly open, with only one thing to do in the evening.This leaves room to relax and ease into the week.
From the kitchen... I had some of my mother’s fabulous home-made granola for breakfast this morning.It far surpasses any cereal.My sister and I keep encouraging her to make it more often, because when it is in the house, it doesn’t stick around for long.
I am wearing... a t-shirt that says ‘Support our Troops’, and a pair of overall-shorts.The perfect outfit for a slow day.
I am creating... a new fantasy-ish story, which is based on a dream I had last night.I have decided to do this thing I heard about from a friend where you write three pages right after you get up every morning.This morning, my three pages consisted of the middle of this story.I don’t know how long this story is going to be, and I’m not even sure what I want to do with it, but the dream was so vivid that I can’t rest until I get it down.
I am going... to be working on some school stuff today.We don’t officially start school until the last week of August, but I have some catching-up work I need to get done.It will mostly consist of reading out of my science book and one of my readers.
I am reading... Dark Force Rising, the second book in the Thrawn Trilogy.The trilogy is a sequel to the Star Wars movies, and though I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it, I actually can’t put it down.The books stay true to the characters in the movies, and there isn’t any weird extra stuff that is usually thrown in to sequels by different authors.I give the books the same rating as the movies: PG.
I am hoping... that my sister will get over her cold soon.I hate to see her so miserable.
I am hearing... my mom listening to the radio as she does her hair.
Around the house... my sister is playing Webkinz on the downstairs computer, while my mom is getting ready for the day.I need to finish getting ready as well.We all woke up late because we were up late last night, and now we are trying to salvage what remains of the day.
One of my favorite things... is the feeling you get when you are looking at a page of a story you just wrote, and you know that you did a good job.I have already experienced that feeling today with the dream story, and I am hoping that I will be able to write a little more of The Prophet of Einehrowaye so that I can experience that same feeling again.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:Wednesday our support group is having a potluck so that everyone can get re-acquainted.We usually don’t attend this function, but we will this year.Friday evening is the Bible study that my mentor runs, which is always a highlight of my month.The assignment for this meeting is to write a list of the character qualities we are looking for in a future husband, so I need to start writing that.I have set a goal for myself to write at least 1200 words of The Prophet of Einehrowaye every week, so I am hoping I will be able to get that done.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Copyright 2008 by Cherise A. M. You must ask me before using any of my stuff, and my name must appear along with the poem or post if you reproduce it.
It’s a situation most writers are faced with at some point: you’re sitting at your desk with your completed manuscript in your hand, and the latest edition of Writer’s Market sitting in front of you.As you flip through the pages of the enormous book on your desk and read the lists of publishers, you wonder if there’s any hope at all for the literary piece you have just created.Does anyone care that you’ve poured your heart and soul into this project?Does anyone even respect your originality?How on earth are you going to wade through the intricate processes of getting published without getting dumped in the slush pile, or worse?
Such was my state a few days ago.My book isn’t finished, of course, but I decided I might as well check out the 2009 edition of Writer’s Market, just to get a taste of the publishing world before I am thrust out into it.
The taste of the publishing world has been enlightening.And terrifying.And discouraging.It seems all anyone wants these days is the same old sensational junk that has been floating around for years, albeit with a different packaging.Most of the comments from the editors of these big publishing companies said something this: “We are looking for new and inventive stories with the same feel as [Insert name of bestseller].”Someone should tell them that stories that are very similar to best-selling books are not new and inventive.
Publishing experts will usually tell you that you should study the market before you start writing to see what people are looking for, so that you can fulfill that need and make lots of money.The two problems with this approach are:
a)How fast do they think you’ll be able to write?The market can change overnight, and there’s a good chance it will do so before you finish writing ‘the perfect book that all the publishers will want, and that everyone will want to read’.
b)True genius can’t be categorized.Studying the market before you come up with a story idea is the fastest way to insure that you will write unoriginal, plagiarized junk.Publishers are usually looking for stuff that is very similar to the original ‘big hits’ and that will sell a lot of copies very quickly.Most of them don’t really care if you are the next Tolkien.A book that breaks out of their little boxes usually doesn’t sell very well immediately, so they don’t want it.
Please, don’t listen to the publishing experts.Real writing isn’t about the money or the fame: it is about producing a work of art that will impact people’s lives.Write what you want to write, and write what you think is right.
As for me, I know that my book doesn’t fit into one particular category, and it is certainly not at all mainstream.I do worry about getting published.I do worry that no one will ever read what I have poured so much of my life into creating.
But worry is not from God.I have heard it said that the phrase ‘Do not fear’ is written at least 365 times in the Bible.I don’t know about you, but I think that means that God doesn’t want us to fear or worry about anything.
I believe that if God wants me to write this book (I believe He does), and if He wants other people to read it (I believe He does), then He will get my book published, and all the publishers in the world can’t stand in His way.I just have to be obedient and write, and He will do the rest.I don’t have to worry about it, because worrying is not going to help the process one bit.
Keep writing the best that you can, and do not stress about publishing.Trust God to take care of you and your book, for His plans are always the best plans possible.
Copyright 2008 by Cherise A. M. You must ask me before using any of my stuff, and my name must appear along with the poem or post if you reproduce it.
The last few days of my life (in a bulleted list!):
~ I got a new desk on Saturday!My mom was getting rid of the desk she’d been using for years, so we decided to throw out my desk (a little hand-made thing that used to belong to my dad when he was my age, which has little graffiti-like designs scratched into the wood), and replace it with my mom’s.The desk works fabulously in my room!Unlike my old desk, this one has shelves to hold books and a huge writing surface that I can actually use.Plus the fact that it isn’t cluttered with my stuff, which makes it easier to think in my room.The new desk has actually sparked a lot of creativity, and now I want to write more than I did before.I am so in love with it!
~ In the late morning on Saturday the strangest thing happened.Out of nowhere there was this amazingly powerful gust of wind that knocked over fences and made the tree branches curve in unnatural directions.I was staring out the window when it happened, and while I was watching a twig hit the window with the force of a baseball.If anything larger had hit the window, I’m sure it would have broken!The gust lasted about two minutes and then was over.We went outside to find that one of our ash trees had lost one of its largest branches.(Sad!)A few minutes later I was sitting next to another window and noticed a huge column of thick, black smoke jet into the air from somewhere in our neighborhood!My dad jumped on his bike and rode off to find out what it was.Turns out a power line came loose and landed on someone’s roof, setting the house on fire!Around that time you could here sirens going off all over the city, so I am sure the wind did a lot more damage than we even knew about.
~ My family and I went on a hike in the mountains on Sunday!We went to a trail we had never been to before, and discovered some of the most gorgeous scenery we have ever seen.It was absolutely amazing.I will probably end up writing a separate post about it, but I’ll give a few details.The trailhead was at 10,000 feet, and the trail ended at around 11,000 feet, a little ways above timberline.We were underneath large ponderosa pines for most of the hike, and through the trees we would catch glimpses of mountain meadows filled with wildflowers.There were several lakes and a lovely river running near the path.It was a hard climb going up: three miles up a steep mountain.When we started hiking it was sunny, but as we climbed higher the sun was lost behind ever-darkening clouds.We were above timberline when we heard the first bit of thunder.It was far off at first, so we didn’t worry too much about it.After a while we passed a man heading back the other way.
“Looks like a big storm heading in,” he said as he approached us.
“How far is it to the lake?” my dad asked.
“It’s not far, but I wouldn’t go any farther,” the man said urgently.“I would turn around right now and make as fast as I can for timberline.It could get real ugly real fast.”He continued his hasty climb down the mountain.
Now, we weren’t sure exactly how far it was to the lake, but we were sure it was pretty close.My parents debated what to do.
“Please,” I said.“Let’s just hike a few more minutes.If we don’t get to the lake in that time, we turn around.It would be a shame to come so far and not see the lake.”
My parents agreed, and we set out at what can only be called a jog up the mountain.We arrived at the lake just as the thunder overhead started getting pretty loud.We stared at the lake for a minute and snapped a few pictures, then turned around and started running down the mountain.
Now you must understand something about thunder and timberline.When you are above timberline, you are the tallest thing out there besides the mountain.Which means that if lightning is going to strike, it will strike you.
We went down the mountain as fast as we could without slipping on the rocks and falling to our deaths.We were forced to focus only on putting our feet in front of us, because to give in to fear could be paralyzing, and that would be the worst thing possible.
When we got to timberline (yes, we made it!None of us got struck by lightning!), the rain started falling in large drops all around us, and we pulled out our rain ponchos (thank God for those!) and continued to walk through the rain.Besides being cold, it was actually quite lovely to walk through the mountains in the rain.There was nothing to hear except the sound of the rain and the occasional thunder, and if you pulled back the hood of the poncho you could feel the rain fall on your face and hair.I’m sure that memory will inspire many poems in the future.
We made it to the car.We were tired, we were damp, but we had pictures and beautiful memories.Here is a picture of the lake we risked our lives to see:
~ I need to try and work out a decent spelling for ‘Aenywroe’ today.As most of you know, ‘Aenywroe’ is the name of the main forest in the book I am writing, and it appears in the title (The Prophet of Aenywroe).It has come to my attention recently that the current spelling is horrible and that no one would even be able to guess how to pronounce it.The correct pronunciation is [ay-en-AIR-oh-ay].My mom and I came up with a list of about ten alternate spellings for ‘Aenywroe’ that would probably work better, so now it’s only a matter of choosing the spelling that is best.I was thinking that perhaps I could narrow down the list a little bit and then post the list on my blog and have my readers vote on which spelling is best.What thinketh yea about it?
~ I started reading Ted Dekker’s book Showdown today.*shivers*The man can get into serious horror stuff when he wants to.I haven’t even finished chapter two, but I rate this book PG-13 for some very disturbing images.You need a strong gut to read this book.
~ The time has come to vote for the winner of Crandall’s story contest!See post below.
~ A case of writer’s block as high and hard as a castle wall has besieged me, and I don’t know how long it will be before I get out.I mean, I know what I want to happen; I just have no idea how to make it happen.I am trying to convince one of my characters to go along with something (I won’t give it away), but he has just given a fabulous, near foolproof argument against the idea, and now I have no idea how on earth I am ever going to convince him.It’s a strange thing: when you really bring your characters to life, a part of you loses control over them, and they can get in your way.
~ I swear, I have had an explosion of ideas for blog posts, and there is almost no way I am going to be able to post them all as soon as I want.However, if you happen to notice a lot of posts appearing on this blog in a very short period of time, you will understand why.
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Wow, this is a long post.For those of you who happened to notice: yes, I did post twice today.No, I don’t think I’m crazy.This is the effect of the new desk.It gives me so many ideas for posts that I can’t help myself.
Copyright 2008 by Cherise A. M. You must ask me before using any of my stuff, and my name must appear along with the poem or post if you reproduce it
The time has come to vote for the winner of Crandall’s story contest.Please click here and read the two stories (one of which is mine), and comment saying which story you think is the best.I am sincerely hoping you will vote for me (please?).You have until August 10th to vote.
Oh, and I should tell you that you will be able to comment only if you are logged in to your HSB account.(That could be important.)
Blessings!
~The Poetic Poetess (Oh, so you think it’s redundant.Let me tell you, you should see me on my un-poetic days…)
Copyright 2008 by Cherise A. M. You must ask me before using any of my stuff, and my name must appear along with the poem or post if you reproduce it.
I am here to give a long-overdue account of the Feelin’ Feminine Challenge, along with other stuff.Unfortunately, I am not allowed to post pictures of my outfits, for internet safety reasons.
My favorite outfit from the challenge was a jean skirt coupled with a cute black top and a stunning necklace of bright, sparkling blue beads.Plus, on that day I was wearing my hair down, and I felt that the whole combination brought out my best features: namely, my eyes.One cool thing about the challenge is that, because I was wearing skirts all week, my hair looked longer.My hair is currently almost down to my knees, but when you can’t see my knees, you may think it is down to my calves.
Throughout the whole challenge, I was amazed at how special I felt wearing skirts.I felt like I really was a young lady, and the physical restrictions of the skirts I was wearing pushed me to act more like a young lady.Now, I do not want to convey the message that skirts in general will keep you from doing things you want to do.It is just that, in my case, two of the skirts I have do not flare wide enough to allow me to sit cross-legged (which was hard when I went to a Bible study where everyone sat on the floor).Moral of the story: buy skirts that allow you to move like you want to.
I really want to do the challenge again sometime soon.I feel that I didn’t try hard enough to look my best (a constant struggle for me), and I want to see what happens if I take the absolute best care of myself for a week.
I am still working on writing up my complete story and sending it to my friends (I am so slow at doing everything) but it will be done soon.I had a lot of fun with this challenge, and I can’t wait to see if my friends do it.
Click here to see the new Feelin’ Feminine website that Jocelyn Dixon just set up.
I wanted to announce that the HSB NaNoWriMo blog has been set up!Please visit it, and add it to your friend’s list.Anyone who is doing NaNoWriMo 2008 is welcome, as well as those of you who did NaNoWriMo last year and want to share about your experiences.Writer4him made a beautiful template for the blog of her own volition, so stop by the blog to see her beautiful work, if nothing else.
I read an amazing post on the Persecution blog about extreme worship.I found it so inspiring and convicting.It will really make you think about what God calls us to do as Christians, and what worship really means.Read it here.
I have also posted Part 2 of Chapter 2 of my story on my story blog!Click here to read it.
I hope that you have a blessed day!
~Cherise
Copyright 2008 by Cherise A. M. You must ask me before using any of my stuff, and my name must appear along with the poem or post if you reproduce it.
