I Tell You A Story Instead

So I was going through my notebooks and found this poem that I wrote ... I'm going to say seven or eight years ago, because there's a line that indicates that it was when my dad was unemployed. I don't think I finished it ... because there's a started verse on the next page ... but I think where it ends is fine enough.

And there was a specific person that I had in mind that I was talking to when I wrote this poem, one of my sister's friends.

You hurt me the last time I told you,

The last time my true thoughts I said.

And you wonder that I never share now,

That I tell you a story instead.

You don't know the sorrow that builds up,

The tears that are so far unshed.

I don't want to tell you about it,

So I tell you a story instead.

You point out my flaws with a vengeance, 

But your critique sinks my effort like lead.

Yet, to your own flaws you never will listen,

So I tell you a story instead.

I don't tell you about all my worries

About how next month we'll be fed.

Instead, I tell you of nice things.

Yes, I tell you a story instead.

I'm told to not be a gossip,

For that is how rumors are spread.

I won't tell you the tales of another

I'll tell you my stories instead.

You say that I live in a dreamworld,

That near to the clouds is my head,

But I can't tell you what truly bugs me,

And I tell you a story instead.

We're On Our Way

Well, just one more week before Lady Dragon, Tela Du releases.

And I just thought I'd travel down memory lane and show you the lines that started it all. I, unfortunately, threw away the original draft, and I can't seem to find the oldest draft that I know I still have. But ... it was a play ... and wouldn't you know but I still have the lines memorized. And this draft that I just found isn't too far off, so it can jar my memory.

Setting - baggage car of the train because the girls' parents couldn't afford anything nicer. And this was before I took a train ride of my own and learned that baggage car wasn't a travel option. There are cobwebs. I distinctly remember cobwebs.

Four girls, ages 8-12. Lulu, the youngest, is a small girl with straight blonde hair and an innocent expression. I don't have an appearance for Edna, because we hadn't actually picked an actress for her. We'll say she's blonde, too. Susie is a tall girl with a tan, and brown hair with blonde highlights. Petra is actually a bit shorter than her younger sister, and has thick, wavy hair that's somewhere between blonde and brown. 

Lulu (excited): We're on our way!

Susie (pretty much the opposite of excited): On a very uncomfortable train.

Petra (whistful - this was long before she became an INTJ, may I point out): I can't wait 'til we get there.

Susie (rolls eyes): I sure can. I wish we didn't even have to go.

Edna (in a prim, proper "mom" voice): Oh, don't be such a bump on a log.

Susie: I'll be whatever I want.

(And in the draft I'm currently reading, I have them cutting to a song here called "Fight." I do not remember if we had actually written any lyrics for the song.)

Petra and Lulu simultaneously: Stop arguing!

And apparently the intervention works, because Susie and Edna both storm off to sulk.

Lulu: Why do they always fight?

Petra: I don't know. It's just something that they do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joke's on Petra, though, because just a few scenes later, she's the one arguing with Susie and Edna's the one who helps Lulu break it up. Summer's just argumentive. But she never fights with Lulu because Lulu's cute and sweet and you just can't fight with her.

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed that. By the way, I have a small announcement on Worth of a King that I'll be making shortly, probably after the tour is finished.

The Magical Snake

It's been a bit of a while since I last posted anything of my own work. I've been terribly busy, between work and writing. Also, cleaning my room, which is the very definition of a mess.

Or, at least it was. Now it's just messy. 

But I came across some old schoolbooks and other such notebooks, including some old stories of mine, and decided to share them with out.

Today, I'm sharing a story I wrote in second grade, so I was around six. The prompt was merely "about a snake," but I with my penchant for anything fantastic, chose to write about a magical snake.

So, without further adieu ...

There was once a magical snake that was oh so clever. He could could count to ten in people language. He had legs but he was slimy. Other snakes laughed at his legs and slime and told him he was not a real snake. But when a snake touched him with his tale, suddenly it could count to ten in people language, too. The other snakes were amazed. They stood up and jumped for joy.

Twelve Things You Didn't Know About The Rowa

There are twelve days in this party, so each day, I'm going to share twelve things about the featured book that I hadn't shared ever before.



1. At one point in Rowan worldbuilding, the girls got to move into their own houses when they were eighteen (cough, nine actually because of the way they counted their years). No, I'm not sure what my sister and I were thinking, because I'm looking at my nine-year-old cousin, and I would not give her her own house.

2. Infiltration is, to date, my only book with guns. Some of my sci-fis have phasers, and The New Division has some sort of laser, but only Infiltration has an actual gun. (This may change in later Rizkaland Legends, however.)

3. Magnol was partially based on a Chinese kid that I had a crush on at a time. He actually picked out the name.

4. I was acting out a scene with my sister and the cousin who inspired The Ankulen, which was really tense and involved Tiger's Ma not being in their village. And Tiger was panicking and wishing that her Ma was there, so Sweet Gum (the cousin) kept trying to go get her. And when I protested that she was too far away for that to be possible, he came up with a weird reason that I don't remember to say that he could.

5. V has actually written more individual stories about the Rowa, though, thanks to Infiltration, I have more words invested.

6. V had an elving costume. Granted, it was originally a hobbit costume, but it became a elving costume.

7. A story I wrote for Library thing to go with the picture above:

Tiger Lilly Grows a Tiger Lily.

Once upon a time in the Rowa there lived a girl named Tiger Lilly. Now yo may think you know all the breeds there is, but did you know about elvings? One day, her mother Dafidil, her, and her sister Mary Gold to go get some Dafidil bulbs, Tiger Lily bulbs, and Marigold seeds. On the way, they saw Spider Lilly and Snap Dragon. When they got there, she took the two bags of bulbs, and Mary Gold took the packet of seeds. When they got home, they planted them and waited till they grew and when they grew they were pretty.

8. Despite what the two pictures above would lead you to believe, it is Tiger who has hairy feet, while Mary prefers shoes.

9. Tiger at one time was a herbalist, knitter, and a baxter (female baker). I realized that having her good at everything (which is something I *cough* am) would be a bit unrealistic, so I cut back and only let her be an herbalist.

10. During the NaNo that I wrote Infiltration, I asked a fellow NaNoer to do up a cover for the book (because, apparently, that's what you do in NaNo forums.) This was the result. (And for the life of me, I can't remember who she was, or else I would give proper credit.

11. Tiger's Pa is a Scribe because I was trying to find an non-electronic occupation that "Computer Programmer" translates into. Although my dad does preach occasionally on Sunday nights (we don't have an official pastor at my church, so the men rotate), and he does have a radio show on Rapture Ready Radio, so it works.

12. One of Tiger's daughters will have the name Mem Mosa (my favorite flower) the other will have one of the rarest occupations in the Rowa - Finder. Which basically means they find things.

The Original Script!

I believe that I've mentioned that The Ankulen was originally a play that I was going to perform in my backyard with my younger  cousin. Well, the other day, I was digging around in my notebook drawers (I have two, and they're both full to the brim) and ran across the original script. And, to my surprise, I discovered that before the script, I had written some of it in book-form. So I thought I'd share with you the original openings.

Book form: 

  Fifteen-year-old Jennifer (Huh ... when did I change the spelling of her name?) sat by the side of the stream that cut through her parents twelve acres. In her lap was an open sketchbook, with an unfinished pencil drawing of a dragonfly. (Oh ... so she was originally an artist. Interesting!)
  Her attention, however, was not on the book, instead she was gazing at the rippling water with an almost black look on her face.
  Brown Stream was what her parents called it, and what she herself did now, but years before, back when she was seven, it was never Brown Stream. Some days, it hadn't been a stream at all, but a mighty, rushing river, perhaps the Nile or the Amazon.
  Those were the days, she thought to herself, back before her then-best friend and next-door neighbor, Christofer, had disappeared. (Not her brother. Her friend) Since then, Jen had never quite been able to craft those fanciful stories that the two of them were continually doing.
  She peeled off her shoes and socks and waded into the stream. Oh, the stories the two of them used to come up with! Her mom had assigned her so many story assignments since, but to no avail. Her knack for stories had disappeared with Chris, which made her wonder, had the talent all been his?
  No, she was sure it wasn't, for back then she had been able to flour (???) even Chris at times. No, her now-lack of imagination was from other cause.
  In the middle of the stream she paused, something had caught her eye. She bent down to find that it was a golden ring the size of a bracelet. On one side, her name was written, on the other, Chris's.
  "Duck!" a voice suddenly yelled, and Jen, of course, instinctively did so. A stick whizzed over her head, and disappeared into the trees.
  "It's safe now," the voice assured her, "I killed the dragon." It was the voice of a young boy, and sounded vaguely familiar.
  "What dragon?" Jen asked, turning to face her "rescuer."
  "The big, horrible, green, scaly one that was about to eat you," the boy said, as her eyes fell upon him. Jen thought there was something familiar about him.
  "Who are you?" she asked, stepping out of the stream on his side.
  "Sir Christofer," the boy said, taking off his newspaper hat and performing a bow. "And what is the name of the fair maiden I just had the honor of rescuing?"
  Jen smiled. Why not play along?
  "Princess Jenifer," (So that's where I switched!) she said with a curtsy.
  "Where did you get that!" Sir Christofer suddenly exclaimed.
  "What?" Jen asked.
  "The Ankulin," he explained. Jen realized that he was talking about the ring.
  "I found it in the stream," she said. "Why?"
  "I can use it to find my friend, Jenny," he said. "I lost her eight days ago."
  Now this was freaky. "What happened to her?" Jen asked.
  "We were arguing over how to fight a dragon," Sir Christofer explained. "And she stormed off. I haven't seen her since."

And here is where I evidently realized that, since it was supposed to be a play, I ought to write it in script form. Cast was me as Jen, my cousin as Chris, and my sister, V. Kathie, as Tisha.

  Jen: (sitting by a stream, has an open notebook in her lap, but isn't paying attention to it. Instead she is staring ahead with a frustrated look on her face.) I'ts no use! I just haven't been able to make up stories since Chris disappeared. (throws down the pencil and takes off her shoes and socks, and begins wading across the stream, the notebook under one arm, and the shoes dangling from her other hand. The pencil is now thrust into her hair. About halfway across, she stops, bends over, and picks up the Ankulin. Chris enters, she stands. Her attention is on the ring.) Christofer ... Jennifer ... that's weird.
  Chris: Duck! (Jen does so, and he shoots an arrow) It's safe now. I killed the dragon.
  Jen: (standing up) What dragon?
  Chris: The big, horrible, scaly, green one that was about to eat you!
  Jen: Who are you?
  Chris: (Takes off newspaper hat, bows) Sir Christofer. (Puts hat back on, straightens.) And who may the lovely young maiden I just had the honor of rescuing be?
  Jen: (Rolls eyes in amusement.) Princess Jenifer. You can call me Jen.
  Chris: You can call me Chris. (Jen sits down and begins putting her shoes and socks back on. He catches sight of the Ankulin.) Where'd you get that?
  Jen: What?
  Chris: The Anklin. (points)
  Jen: Oh, that. I found it in the stream just now. Why?
  Chris: I can use it to find Jenny!
  Jen: Who?
  Chris: My best friend. I lost her about a week ago.
  Jen: What happened?
  Chris: We got into a big argument over how to kill a dragon. She stormed off, and I haven't seen her since.
  Jen: (looks slightly amused.) Really? (face straightens) That's too bad. Maybe I can help you find her.
  Chris: Will you? I would like that. Could I please have the Ankulin?
  Jen: (Shrugs) Sure. (hands it to him)
  Chris: (takes it, closes eyes.) Find Jenifer. (turns around a few times, and begins walking towards Jen. Jen moves out of way, he changes direction and continues in the direction she is now in. This happens a few more times, finally he opens his eyes.) That's funny. The Ankulin can't seen to be able to decide where Jenny is.
  Jen: Maybe I'm messing it up, since my name is Jennifer.
  Chris: I don't think so. It's only set to find my Jennifer, and it's never messed up before. Unless ... (eyes brighten)
  Jen: Unless what?
  Chris: Unless you're Jenny under a spell to make you older.
  Jen: Okay, that's too far. No, I got to fifteen the normal way.
  Chris: (holds up one finger) But maybe you have a forget spell on you that rewrote your past.
  Jen: You've got some imagination, but I don't think trying to make me your friend will make me her.
  Chris: Oh, I know that! I'm just saying that you could. Anything's possible in the Land of Imagination.
  Jen: Is your friend real or imaginary.
  Chris: Oh, she's real. If she was imaginary, I wouldn't be having so much trouble finding her. All I would have to do is imagine her found, and she would be.
  Jen: And how would she be me?
  Chris: You could have imagined yourself older.
  Jen: (shakes head and rolls eyes) Okay, I told you that I would help you find Jenny, not that I would be Jenny. (suddenly drops notebook, and when she picks it back up, it is revealed that she has a picture of Chris pasted on the cover.)
  Chris: See! That proves you're her? Why else would you have a picture of me?
  Jen: (doesn't look at the pic) That is a picture of my best friend Christofer, not you. I have it on my notebook to see if it will inspire me to write, as I haven't been able to make up stories since he disappeared, which was eight years ago. (glances down at her notebook, does a double take) You do look like him!
  Chris: She! Wait - you've lost your imagination? No wonder you couldn't see the dragon. You probably also can't tell that we're on a boat in the middle of a mighty, rushing river.
  Jen: Really? Where are we going?
  Chris: Wherever the river takes us.
  Jen: And where is that?
  Chris: I really haven't decided yet. Where do you want to go?
  Jen: Where I can find the answer to all this craziness.
  Chris: I like that idea. If that isn't tied to anything in reality, that's we're going. If it is, we'll to somewhere that can lead us in the right direction.
  Jen: Sounds good. (Walks closer to the audience) I can't believe that I'm doing this! Where did this kid come from? And why does he look like, sound like, act like, even have the same name as Chris? He's funny though ... guess that's why.
  Chris: Oh, don't fall off!
  Jen: I won't. (rolls eyes)
  Tisha: (Comes on) Hey Jen, I don't think that's homework.
  Jen: Oh, sure it is! He's trying to get my imagination back so I can write my story. Oh, and there's an ugly, purple dragon behind you.
  Tisha: A what? (turns around, screams)
  Chris: (grabs bow and arrow) Duck! (Tisha ducks, he shoots, then reaches for her hand and helps her aboard the 'boat') You're lucky I was here to shoot the dragon that Jen couldn't see.
  Tisha: It was right there. How could she not see it? Who are you?
  Chris: I'm Sir Christofer, an old friend of your apparent friend, the Princess Jenifer. Who are you?
  Tisha: Letitia, but you can call me Tisha if you want. What do you mean, old friend?
  Jen: (drawing Tisha aside) Today is a very strange day. (Shows Tisha her notebook) the only evidence I have against these two being one and the same is that he, (taps picture) disappeared eight years ago. Used to live in the same house you live in now.
  Tisha: (blinks, then shudders) that is freaky.
  Jen: I know.
  Chris: You know, that dragon just now proved one good thing.
  Jen: (rolls eyes.) And what's that?
  Chris: You've only lost the part of your imagination that allows it to influence you, but you can still influence it. (Hah! The opposite of what happened int the final version!) 
  Tisha: Say what?
  Jen: He keeps saying things like that. I don't get him.
  Tisha: How did you get into this mess?
  Jen: I don't know.
  Chris: Jen didn't speak of the dragon because it was there, it was there because Jen spoke of it.
  Tisha: You mean Jen put the dragon there?
  Chris: Not intentionally, but yes, she did.
  Tisha: How?
  Chris: This is my and Jen's land, our imaginary kingdom. Everyone has one, but we're able to collaborate ours, and make it real. We can do anything we can think of, and make anything we want.
  Tisha: Where are we now, and what are we doing?
  Chris: We're on a river -
  Tisha: I can tell that, what's the river's name?
  Chris: I don't know. I haven't bothered to name it yet. Got any ideas, Jen?
  Jen: Agua?"
  Chris: Sounds good. We're on the mighty river Agua, on a quest for Jen's imagination!
  Tisha: If it weren't for the fact that I'm sitting in a boat in the middle of a river, I'd think he was crazy. As it is, I think I'm crazy.
  Jen: I think we all are. (a mischievous grin spreads across her face. Suddenly, Chris and Tisha are flung to the side, into the "river")
  Chris: Jen! What did you do that for?
  Tisha: How'd you stay in the boat?
  Jen: What boat? I'm sitting on the side of Brown Stream.
  Chris: Jen, you're not making things easy.
  Jen: I know. (she grins.) Oh dear, it looks like there's another dragon. (Tisha turns around and screams)
  Chris: Jen! Will you cut this out? This is serious!
  Jen: I'm having too much fun.

And that is where the insanity ended. The rest of the notebook is filled with scribblings for other books, including Bookania and The New Division, as well as the play Unforgiven which also was never performed, though it did get written all the way through. We just couldn't find enough actors. I also have a few of my weirder writings in here, but we won't go there.

Story Saturday - The Purple Flower

I had been planning to share with ya'll my monthly snippets ... but I couldn't find the jump drive whereon Take and Ankulen are stashed on Thursday night (It's been found again, so don't panic!), and I went to go listen to the Isaacs last night (a lovely birthday surprise from Papa and Mimi), and didn't get home until almost midnight, so writing up a blog entry that would require that much brain juice was frankly beyond my levels.

So, instead, you'll get another of my Figment stories, this time, it's the Purple Flower. The Purple Flower was written for a title contest. I had four titles to choose from, and I could write any story I wanted as long as it was within the word limit.

The Purple Flower is what inspired my work-in-planning, RPS, and will probably end up being very similar to the opening of that book.

So, without further ado, enjoy!

A Purple Flower

The queen was in a state. How could her daughter, the lovely Princess Violet - who represented the ideal princess - have done this? She had dared not believe the reports that had filtered in, but now she had seen it with her own eyes. The King pased back and forth, worry etched into his face. How long had it been going on? How had it begun?

Princess Violet had always been the ideal princess. Her manners were always pristeen, her speech refined, and her intrests gentle. But then the rumors had begun. Rumors that had said that she had been seen alone in the woods at night - in trousers! climbing trees! wielding a sword! The King and Queen had been quick to dismis these reports as idle gossip. Surely it couldn't have been their daughter that had been seen.

But today! Today their Violet had walked right into the breakfast room wearing those horrid trousers! She had sat down uncerimoniously in her chair, and her words! No refinision to them! The King and Queen had said nothing about it over breakfast, but afterwords had asked their daughter the meaning of it. She had claimed that she was tired of dresses and manners. She confirmed the reports that had been filtering in.

Finally the court physician - the finest in the land - emerged from Princess Violet's chambers. 

"What is it!" the Queen exclaimed. "What is wrong with our daughter!"

The physician looked the King and Queen in the eye, but his expression told them that it was bad news before he began to speak. "Your daughter has RPS."

"RPS!" the Queen exclaimed. "What is that?"

"A foul disease called Rebellious Princess Syndrome," said the physician with a shake of his head. "It's serious, very serious indeed."

"Can she be cured?" the King demanded.

The physician shook his head. "There are no sure cures ... but it is said ..."

 "Go on!" prompted the King.

"It is said that the nectar from a certain purple flower can cure RPS," said the Physician. "But this flower grows only at the top of a treacherous mountain, and she would have to fetch it herself. It is not likely that she can be cured. I'm sorry." He bowed and left, leaving the King and Queen to their thoughts.

"Well," said the King. "Do you think we should attempt this cure?"

"Ah, but what if she should be killed?" cried the Queen. "We would never be able to live with ourselves." She heaved a sigh. "No, we shall just have to get used to her how she is. But how shall we ever get her married?"

 

Unused Genius from No Longer a Dream

Before Robin and Robert were the main characters of Sew, It's a Quest, it was titled No Longer a Dream, and told from the POV of the recently-awakened Sleeping Beauty, hence the title No Longer a Dream. However, about 6,000 words in, I realized that I was going about the story all wrong and I had to switch gears and tell it from the POV of the twins.

Changing the POV, however, called for some changes in plot as well. It also prevented me from using some pretty juicy tidbits.

So, I've decided to give you some of those bits that didn't make their way into Sew, It's a Quest.

Warning: If you haven't read Sew, these may contain some spoilers.

“The Red Horse,” read Robert, “Sounds good enough.”

“It’s the only inn in this town,” said Robin, with an annoyed toss of her head, “It’s the only one we can sleep in.”

“I guess you’re right,” admitted Robert. Robin gave an exasperated sigh and marched into the inn. Robert shrugged.

“Apliton,” said Robin, “Didn’t you read the sign as we rode into town?”

“I did,” answered Rosamond, “But I do not know where Apliton is in comparison to other places.”

“Twenty miles south of Charsburg,” said Robin with a roll of her eyes.

“Where’s Charsburg?” asked Rosamond.

“Come on!” exclaimed Robin, “Everyone knows where Charsburg is! That’s where the great tournaments have been held for the past couple hundred years.”

“Oh, they changed the name,” said Rosamond, “It used to be know as Cocklesburry.”

“You’re weird,” said Robin, “Has anyone ever told you that?”

“It is quite likely,” said Rosamond.

“She is right, you know, it was called Cocklesburry until about fifty years ago,” said Robert, “Didn’t you pay attention in history?”

“Oh look,” said Robin, changing the subject, “The innkeeper’s no longer busy, I’ll be back.” 

All too soon it was over. The young man, who had been watching the match with the most bored look on his face, stood up and said, “Couldn’t resist rescuing a damsel in distress, could you, Robin?”

The lad sheathed his sword and turned to face the young man. Rosamond noticed with a start that the lad was actually a lass!

“A lily like her can’t save herself,” said Robin, rolling her eyes, “He’d have been spilling her guts out all over the place if I hadn’t of come along. Then we would have all the wolves for miles around coming here, just you wait and see.”

“It seems to me that that’s not going to happen,” said the young man, with a sigh that indicated that this was an old argument. It was obvious that they were brother and sister, for they looked so much alike.

“Besides,” said Robin, ignoring her brother and juggling a bag of money that she had picked up, “rooms and supper for tonight, and these fine horses to ride. Oh, and a nice, hot, bubble bath.”

“You’re such a girl,” said the young man with a smile and shake of his head.

“And you’re such a boy,” said Robin, with mock scorn, “Not understanding the importance of a nice, hot, bubble bath.”

“I don’t like my hair in my way if I get into a swordfight,” she explained, “Complicates things. Besides, if it’s up, my opponent doesn’t have the temptation to pull it.” After some thought, she added, “Or my brother.” When she had finished, she tossed Rosamond the brush saying, “Here, you look as through you need this.”

“Thou know,” said Rosamond, after a long period of silence, “I heard once that Prince Eric was the best swordsman in the world.”

“He’d like to be,” said Robin, with a roll of her eyes, “He sends me a challenge every six months or so. He’s good, I’ll admit. But he just doesn’t get that I have to be the best. It’s not an option.”

“He’s invited us to his wedding even,” added Robert.

“It seems to me as though he wants to be humiliated in front of his own bride,” said Robin with a shake of her head.

“What a group we are,” said Robin, “The best swordsman, the best seamstress, and the best dancer, who also can play any instrument perfectly, and doesn’t have rare beauty.”

“Yep,” agreed Robert, “that’s us in a nutshell.”

“Nutshell?” said Rosamond with a inquisitive look, “I do not think one of us would fit in a nutshell, let alone all of us.” 

Once upon a time there lived a king. And, although he was one of the most powerful kings in the land, and his wife was among the most beautiful, they were sad, for they had no children.

When, at last, they had a daughter, it was, indeed a cause for great rejoicing. Wanting only the best for her, they invited all seven of the land’s fairies to her christening. In they came, Fallona, in red; Malina, in orange; Drayana, in yellow; Lufawna, in green; Kriasta, in blue; Yifinna, in indigo; and Sayenda, in purple. They were given places of the highest honor, and golden plates and utensils. 

Some of this I was able to twist into something I could use for Sew, and other bits ... sigh. I especially wish I could have used the bubble bath one, but it just didn't work in.The Nutshell almost got used, but it would have been much later when they met Agatha, and the line would have gone to Doranna to be corrected by Rosamond.

Tigerlilly at Christmas

The following story is probably the first story of any length that I ever finished. I think I was nine or ten. (I'm basing this off the fact that Sugar Maple isn't here, but Starlilly is.)

This is an early writing of what has since become Infiltration. I have modified the world some since then, though, and a few names have been changed. Tigerlilly's name has been split into Tiger Lilly, Marigold has become Mary Gold. Buckhyde became Elkhyde. Christmas is no longer celebrated like this in the Rowa. Instead they have the Month of Blessings (which is a combination of Christmas, Thanksgiving, and perhaps some other holidays).

However, this is a very sweet story (I think, anyways) and it shows how far I've come in my writing.

I have one other bit of completed Tiger Lilly writing dating from this time, but it's written on paper (and has a really cute illustration. I might share it at one point. (I also have several unfinished story starts ... including one that was simply a retelling of The Hobbit ... that one was quickly dropped, though it was the one when Tiger first became an herbalist)

So, without further ado ....

Find some Eggs!

Tigerlilly at Christmas


   Once upon a time in a place called the Rowa lived the Elvings.  The Elvings are half elf and half something else.  Girls are named after flowers, and boys are named after trees and bushes, and last names come from Animal body parts.
   This story is about a girl named Tiger Lilly Bunnietoes.  Tigerlilly had curly brown hair witch she got from her pa, Aspen Bunnietoes, blue eyes, and like most Elvings she had hairy feet.
   Her ma’s name was Daffodil Bunnitoes.  She also had a sister whose name was Marigold Bunnietoes.  She had so many cousins I won’t even begin to name them.
   Every year at Christmas time there is held by one of the high Officers, and every kid gets a present.
   On Christmas Morning Tigerlilly would run downstairs, but not to see what’s under the tree, they don’t even have tree.  She’s running downstairs to start breakfast.  When every one is up and breakfast has been eaten then it’s present time.  There present time is much different than ours, it begins with present hiding, one at a time they hide a present in others room, then it’s find time.  “I’d like to know why we do Christmas this way.”  Tigerlilly said once.  
   Her ma answered, “On the first Christmas long before I was even born, the Shepard’s just had to find Jesus and they only one clue, the clue was that he was in a stable, but witch one?  The reason why we follow stars to find the nativity Jesus is because The Wise men followed the star to find the real Jesus.” 
   “Speaking of stars,” said Aspen  “It’s time to do the stars.”  So Aspen took out the hunk of stars and put them in a line. Then when they led to the nativity Jesus he said to young Marigold, “The trick is to follow the stars.” Tigerlilly and Daffodil followed on behind.
   After they found the nativity Jesus it was lunchtime and they went to the place where everyone ate on Christmas day called the Food Center. They had a grand feast and afterwards Tigerlilly went and played outside with her friends Magnolia and Blueberry Eaglewing.  They had a grand time playing zoom tag I guess you need to know what zoom tag is. It is a form of tag played by the Elvings; first you have the player that was chosen to tag first hold still for ten seconds and then run around and tag anther player then that player dose the same. When the thing is over she and her sister receives a present each.  Marigold got a sewing kit and Tigerlilly got some cooking utincles.  Then they headed home.
   When they got home they went strait to Grandma and Grandpa Buckhyd’s compartment in their tree home.  Tigerlilly ran strait for Aunt Paintbrush and gave her a big hug.  Marigold ran strait for Aunt Wisteria and asked if she could hold Baby Starlilly, Starlilly was Aunt Wisteria’s new baby. Everyone was there including Tigerlilly’s cousins from the far north of the Rowa. Everyone there got a nice present. It was fun, but Tigerlilly was getting very tired, so they went to their rooms and went to sleep.
   Tiger Lilly wondered what next year would bring. Would it be a nice one too? Would the Rowa be the same?  Soon she went to sleep, ready for the next day and what it would bring her and her family and friends.


The End

How Can I Avoid Selfishness?

A report I wrote at 15.

Selfishness is the root of both hatred and the love of money. Jesus once said that “The love of money is the root of all evil.” That makes Selfishness a deadly trap to fall into. Therefore it is of utmost importance to avoid it. The question is, how?
There is the acronym JOY. It stands for Jesus then Others then You. This is the recipe for selflessness, which is the opposite of selfishness.  The best way to avoid any bad habit is to identify its opposite, then replace the bad with it.
Whatever situation you might be in, your reaction should not be “How can I benefit me?” but, “What can I do that is pleasing to Jesus,” and then, “How can I benefit others?”
Most people think that being served is the key to happiness. However, those who know would tell you that it is those who are being served are the most miserable. They have nothing to do that is constructive, and therefore are most often bored. The servants, however, if they are not grudging, are most often the happiest.
If you grudge service, that’s being selfish. One way to become selfless is to make a conscious decision to serve, and do it with a happy and willing heart. Whenever you catch yourself being selfish, stop, and make a conscious decision to change your attitude.
Don’t, however, don’t delude yourself that you can do this all by yourself. No one can. Selfishness is a trait of Self. Self cannot be conquered alone. You must have God’s help to conquer Self.
Therefore you must ask God’s help to avoid selfishness. Even if you use all the tricks in the book, you can never overcome selfishness without God’s help. You must ask him for his help and ask it daily, hourly, or even minutely if you need it. And you must earnestly seek your goal, don’t play two-face, and hold back parts; that’s being selfish, too.

My Personal Love Chapter

This was a school assignment to personalize 1 Corinthians 13. I wrote it at 15.

.......

Though I am skilled with my hands, and make scarves and hats with ease, and give them away without a thought as to money, if I do it out of pride and not love, it profits me nothing.

Though I write the best stories in the world, and donate all the money I make off of them to charity, if I don’t do it out of love, it’s worthless.

Though I have a very high IQ and know all sorts of odd facts, and teach them to others whenever possible, if I do not love, I am just a bag of hot air.

Love is long suffering, and always is doing nice thing for others, love is not jealous of the things of others, love is not prideful.

Love does not make scenes of itself, does not seek to benefit itself, does not get angry easily, and does not think that which does not please God.

Does not take joy in sin, but in that which is true,

Forbears in all things, has faith in all things, expects all things, perseveres in all things.

Love never is driven out of course, unlike predictions, which will be rendered completely useless, or languages, that end, or science, which will come to nothing.

Our understanding is incomplete, as is what we foretell.

They will be done away with when perfection comes.

Once I was a child, and I did childish things, now I’m growing up and begin to do womanish things instead.

Right now, we don’t see things completely, as if through a glass, but someday I will know as I am known.

There are three great traits, unshakable belief in God, expectation is God’s grace, and love. Love is the greatest

Don't you just love eggs?

How Does God Want us to Treat the Earth?

I wrote this at the age of 15.

How does God want us to treat the earth? That question is debated all over the place. Does one have to sell everything they have and go into the woods and live on nuts and berries? Does one have to go to all sorts of rallies and such and leave a ton of trash at the Washington Memorial grounds?

And I’m not being silly with that second one, as that seems to be the environmentalists’ normal mode of function. I’m making a point. Some of the so said most concerned people about the earth, really care the least.

Pretty eggs ...

So how should we treat the earth? What of the first option I gave? In actuality, while I don’t believe it would really hurt, it isn’t necessary. You can help take care of the earth just as well in a house as in the woods.

A first suggestion for taking care of the earth is to conserve and reduce. Don’t use more than you have to. Buy things that have as little packaging as possible. Keep your heating and cooling as close to the outdoor temps as possible. Turn off lights when you leave a room. Turn off water when you don’t need it. Don’t use your refrigerator as an extra air conditioner. Walk or ride bikes over riding in a car when possible. I’m sure you can be creative enough to come up with more ideas.

A second suggestion is to reuse and repurpose. Coffee cans and cereal boxes make great beginnings for craft projects for kids. Buy things, like shampoo and cleaners, you can take the bottles and containers back for refills whenever possible. Make things last as long as you can.

A third suggestion is to recycle. For some people this is the simplest, for others, the most difficult. This is because of where they live, usually. Some places and communities provide you with special recycling bins, and send out recycling trucks to take your recycling away. All you have to do is sort your trash. In other places and communities, all you can recycle are aluminum cans—and even that’s a hassle.

Another suggestion is to watch where you throw your trash. No, the side of the road might be convenient, but it is not an appropriate option. Throw your trash in designated trash cans and recycling bins. On top of that, if you see trash on the ground, pick it up and put it in a designated trash can or recycling bin.

Don’t trash the earth, but you don’t have to go live in the woods either.

What does the Bible say about Being a Peacemaker

An essay I wrote at 15

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God,” (Matthew 5:9). This is from the Sermon on the Mount, particularly from the Beatitudes. Obviously, Jesus thinks that this is important. If Jesus thinks this is important, I think that we should think it important, as well.

That’s why mom has had us studying it in school.

One way to be a peacemaker is to not blow up at other people. Don’t start arguments, and don’t give others reasons to start them with you. Be nice to others and practice the golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do to you.

Notice: not what they did to you. This is another part of peacemaking, not swinging back when someone else starts the argument. It is very hard to do sometimes, though.

A third way to be a peacemaker is to smooth out pre-existing fights. Mediating between two non-talking parties is an excellent way to do this. This is the hardest way, as it doesn’t personally involve yourself, and you always have the greatest amount of control over yourself. Try to stay out of other people’s conflicts, though

I’m not saying the first two are easy, it isn’t, but at least it’s only you that you are trying to control. And you don’t sound like a goody-goody in someone else’s fight. The second is probably the easiest, as you aren’t personally, yet, the one blowing up, yet you are still part of it. The hard part is that this usually involves taking the blame. Most people don’t like this. I know I don’t.

Taking the blame is a good way to effect the first, as well. Saying, “Your fault, your fault, your fault,” is just going to ruffle the other’s feathers, and make them even more defensive and angry. Taking the blame is hard, but is usually worth it.

But don’t be a doormat. Make yourself known, but do it in a soft voice and not an accusing one. Be honest with yourself. Was it your fault? If it was, say so, but if it honestly wasn’t, don’t lie. That just complicates things. However, you can offer to take the punishment for it.

Don’t respond to teasing, and don’t tease. Teasing is one of the best ways to start arguments.

Pride

Essay I wrote at 15.

“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,” (Proverbs 16:18). That’s pretty harsh. I personally believe that that means that pride isn’t a very good idea. I’ve met a good many people who agree.

Pride is the feeling that you are better than others. It can spring from many things, such as a talent, appearances, money, or perhaps even friends or family. You might be prideful because you got a compliment on how you look, or you won an essay contest. Perhaps you have relatives who came over on the Mayflower, or your best friend is the richest girl in school. Perhaps you are proud because you have better morals than someone else.

But pride, as I said before, isn’t a very good idea. The question, then, is how should you avoid it. Jesus often said that if one wanted to be the highest in heaven, he would have to be the least on earth, so that would indicate that humility is something we should really strive for.

First, identify your area of pride. If you don’t know what you’re fighting, you won’t be able to fight. What are you proud of? Your house? Your prize? Your freshly baked cookies?

Now, think of how there might be someone or something better. It might not be in your personal sphere, but I will assure you that there is someone or something. Another idea is to think of your own short comings. I believe short comings are a gift from God (and the Apostle Paul agrees), as they remind you that you are human and therefore not perfect. Maybe your parents ignore you most of the time, maybe you flunk at English, or maybe the dress you tried to make was a horrid attempt.

Now, repeat the process. Pride is a sneaky thing. Just when you think it’s gone, you’ll find yourself proud of your humility! Now what a fall is that. There are some people who are self-convinced that they are the most humble people in the world, when in actually they are completely prideful.

Here’s a method of identifying your area of pride that I completely don’t recommend: ignoring it. If you ignore your pride long enough, you will find yourself falling (see verse at the beginning). You might loose your house and find yourself homeless. You might come in last place in the next contest. You might burn your next batch of cookies beyond recognition. There is only one benefit to this method of identifying your pride—the object of your pride will now be nonexistent! Or, at least, not as big a threat.

What Does the Bible Have to say about Not Being Trustworthy?

A Companion essay I wrote to What Does the Bible Have to say about Being Trustworthy, at age 15.

The Bible has a lot to say about the untrustworthy person. He is the kind of person who would steal and lie and cheat. He is lazy and unreliable. He doesn’t have very many friends because no one is able to entrust him with their secrets because, when they do, he often uses those secrets against them.

A thief is untrustworthy because they are prone to taking things that don’t belong to them whenever the owners are not looking. They have to be watched at all times and cannot be left alone. The Bible says, (Eph 4:28)  “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”  Liars are untrustworthy because they don’t always tell the truth. People never know if what they tell them is believable or not. Even if the liar tells the truth, one doesn’t know that for sure. The Bible says, (Pro 19:5)  “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.”  A cheater is untrustworthy because they are prone to not playing games by the rules. When they win, the other players are often resentful because they don’t know if the win was genuine or not. The Bible says, (Lev 19:11)  “Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.”

The lazy person is untrustworthy because, when given a job, the one in charge of him doesn’t know if the job will get done. The boss often ends up having to do the job himself.  He is unreliable because no one knows that he will do what he says he will. The Bible says, (Pro 18:9)  “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” The sluggard is not liked, (Pro 10:26)  “As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.”

God does not like the untrustworthy person. If you will notice, every reference I have given is negative. “Don’t steal,” “liars will be punished” “don’t cheat,” “sluggards are wasteful,” “sluggards are not liked,” they say. The general message is “don’t be untrustworthy”. There are more, for I have barely scratched the surface, but every one carries this message.

If you want to have friends, be trustworthy with the secrets they tell you. No one likes to have a friend who will spoil surprises, spread embarrassing information, or allow others to have information that will invite teasing. Think about, would you like a friend who does that? If you don’t (and I’m fairly sure you don’t) don’t be one who does.

Live up to your promises. If you say that you’ll arrive with the cake a 2:00, arrive with the cake at 2:00. If you say that you’ll make something for someone, make it. An untrustworthy person will not keep his promises.

Don’t be untrustworthy. Untrustworthy people really don’t have all that much fun.

What Does the Bible Say about Being Trustworthy?

A report I wrote at the age of 15.

The Bible has a lot to say about the trustworthy person. He is the kind of person who leaves other people’s stuff alone, tells the truth, and plays fair. He is diligent and reliable. He has many friends because they able to entrust him with their secrets because, when they do, he guards them carefully.

When left alone, one does not have to watch the trustworthy person. He can be trusted not to take things that don’t belong to him. The Bible says, (Eph 4:28)  “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”  The trustworthy person’s words can be believed. There is no second guessing or wondering how much of what he says is lies, he tells the truth. The Bible says, (Pro 12:19)   “The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” His wins are genuine, his money is fairly gotten. No one doubts it.

When given a job, he gets it done decently and in order. No one has go behind him and do it over. The Bible says, (Pro 12:24)  “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.”  He is well liked, (Pro 22:29)  “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

God likes the trustworthy person. If you will notice, most of the references I have given are positive. “Don’t steal, give,” “the reward for truth is great,” “diligent people get to be in charge,” “diligent are well liked,” they say. The general message is “be trustworthy”. There are more, for I have barely scratched the surface, but every one carries this message.

If you want to have friends, be trustworthy with the secrets they tell you. No one likes to have a friend who will spoil surprises, spread embarrassing information, or allow others to have information that will invite teasing. Think about, would you like a friend who doesn’t that? If you do (and I’m fairly sure you do) be one who doesn’t.

Live up to your promises. If you say that you’ll arrive with the cake a 2:00, arrive with the cake at 2:00. If you say that you’ll make something for someone, make it. An untrustworthy person will not keep his promises.

Be trustworthy. Trustworthy people always come out on top.

Esther

This is something I wrote in third or fourth grade.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maidens were brought to the palace for the king's selection of a queen. Mordecai the Jew sent his cousin Esther. Esther was chosen queen. The king comanded servants to bow to Haman. Mordecai would not bow to Haman. Furious, Haman sent orders to kill all the Jews. Mordecai asked Esther to go before the king. Esther risked her life going before the king. Esther invited to a banquet. Esther revealed Haman's plot at the last banquet. Haman was hanged. Mordecai was given a position of authority. A new decree allowed Jews to gather and defend themselves.

Aren't they cute?

After the Rain by Mary Pope Osborne

This a Book Report I wrote in third or forth grade. I wrote with calligraphy markers!

This book is writon diary stilly (style). It had 4 main caritors Virginia, who is the diary writer, Pa, Jud, and Jane Ellen, who has a baby at the end of the book. In the book Virginia who is 10 works as a housekeeper for a lady called Mrs. Poker. At whom's house she begens to envy Mrs. Poker's Grandchildren.


The report looked longer on wide ruled paper and in calligraphy markers ....

He is Lord

This is a poem/psalm I wrote in second or third grade.

He is Lord,

He is King

I do not get bord,

But when I am sleeping,

He cares for me.

So nextest time you sleep.

remember and sleep,

this what I told you.

Peacemaker

This is the second play I ever wrote. Umm ... I actually don't know what got into me when I wrote it. The first play I wrote was was much, much better. Unfortunately, the first play I ever wrote has gotten lost. I'm going to say that I was nine or ten when I wrote this. By the way, for clarification, Lee is a girl, and I'm pretty sure Jean is a girl. And no, I'm not sure where they were! And, yes, the emoticons were in the original writing.

Lee: I love the birds in the air and the fish in the sea. They all please me

Jean: Yea right

Sally: (in a stage whisper) You need to show respect

Jean: (in a stage whisper) Well, she is crasy.

Sammy: You know, they are pleasing

Lee: I'm glad someone agrees with me.

Sally: My favorit place is a acarium

Jean: I am going home

Jane: Oh, no you are not

Jenny: Yes, stay here

Lee: I'm glad you two thought of this.

Jane: Thank you :)

Jenny: It was Jane's idea

Sammy: I gave a little help, rember that!

Jane: Okay, but I was the main thinker-uper

Jean: Stop arrguing!

Sara: Hello, I am Sara, but most of my friends call me peasemaker.

Sally/Jenny/Lee: We could use one!

Sally: I'm not enough :(

Jenny: Not even with me

Lee: And me

Sara: Come with me and let's work out a plan

Sally: Sara ...

Sarah: Peasemaker

Sally: I hate nicknames

Sara: Okay, but it sounds so ordanary -

A few minute later ...


Sara: Let's play the nickname game! Saraly!

Sally: This is silly!

Jenny: Jennbe

Lee: Leah.

Sara: Okay, we will have to use those names all day, Silly

Sally: My name is Sally, not Silly

Sara: Nice name, Leah, oh, here we are. This is Sarade, Sarabe, and Sarakey

Sarade: Hey Peasemaker, why don't they call you Peacemaker?

Saraly: This is Leah, Silly and Jennbe

Silly: Sally!!!!!!!

Jennbe: What! You're introdusing us with our nicknames!

Leah: I've always liked that name.

Sarakey: Do you promise that you will follow all the rules?

Silly/Leah/Jennbe: Yes

Sarakey: (hands them each a sheet of paper) Cheak the rules you don't like

A little while later


Sarakey: You two didn't check any rules, but you checked my favorit one, Silly!

Silly: I don't like nicknames

Sarakey: These nicknames are secret. To tell the truth, I have a differant name that is my real name.

Silly: Oh, what is it?

Sarakey: Sarabe and Sarade also have the name ... Sara

Silly: Oh is that where you got the nickname rule?

Sarade: Of corse it is.

Sarabe: Everone calls us by our real names.

Silly: I'd like to change my nickname to Sandra.

All the Saras: O.k. Sandy it is!

Sandy: We have stayed here so long, I bet Jean has gone home and Sam and Jane at each others throats.

When they got back, Sam and Jane ar queraling and Jean is gone home


Jenny: Stop it

Jane: Why should I!

Sam: Ya!!!!

The whole club: Stop it for it will do you no good for your body or your mind

They stop fighting


Jane: Good-bye (walks away)

This is the end of what I wrote, but ... I think I wasn't done yet!!!!

Ashla and the Wind

I just discovered this in my old English notebooks. This is dated July 10, 2010. I was supposed to be writing a somewhat scary scene with original descriptions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A cold wind wrapped around Ashla, as if trying to be a blanket. It was, however, being very unsuccessful.

Ashla had to reach home quickly. If one stayed out in the cold too long, Eracre, the Cold King, could claim him. Those who had been claimed by Eracre were never heard from again.

"I - must - get - home," she said, through blue lips. Was it her imagination, or did she hear a low, evil laugh? No, no, it was just the wind.

"Ashla ..." the wind moaned, "beware ... Eracre ... comes ..." She peered into the icy mist before her. Could she see her home? She had to read her home soon, or Eracre would claim her. She glanced over her shoulder. Was that a wolf-drawn sleigh? And was that Eracre himself in it?

Ashla pressed harder against the wall that the wind had become. Suddenly, it gave way. She was on her doorstep. She was home. Was that Eracre she heard, howling in the distance, or was it only the wind?

No matter, she was home, and she was safe.

Via Pinterest

7. Despite their evil, the Wyrmen are intelligent, and they're very good at twisting human minds to go the wrong way.