Transference

I have a new book that I'm writing... I just started it two days ago, but I'm already over fifty pages. (Yippee!!) For me, this story is not only something that reflects things that I've felt, things that fire me up, but it's also a good adventure story, something caught between magical, and yet something that's not that magical. And what is it?

Transference

It's about a rather normal girl, I suppose.... who has pretty big anger issues. But weird things start to happen, revolving around her anger, and things that she didn't think she did, she did. 

I'm really excited about this book, and I hope that you'll all really like it when I [eventually] post it. If you have rather explosive anger sometimes like I do, this book will really.... I don't know.... I suppose you could say connect with you. Because that's what this book is about--how harmful, powerful, and horrible your anger can really be and how it destroys things when it gets out of control.

I'm really excited about this book.

I'll give you the beginning part of the prologue.

Enjoy. <3

Transference. What an awful word. It's a word that changes everything. It's something that happens. And for some like me, it's unstoppable. I suppose you could say I have anger issues. The people at Zion Prep? They would say I have power issues. And me? I don't know what I'd call it--the thing that almost destroyed my life? That put me and others in danger?  I don't know. here's too many names for it. funnily enough, I'm the girl with only one name--Anna. And though it means "graceful", I'm about as far from it as you can get, whether you choose to think about it as the dancer-graceful or the idea that I'm full of grace. If I ever was ever full of anything, it was anger--it spills into everything.....

Book review--Zach's Lie

"Zach's Lie"

By Roland Smith

Name: Zach's Lie

Author: Roland Smith

Genre: Middle School Life, action, adventure

Summary: Because of his dad, Jack Osborne is put into the Witness Security program, where his new name is Zach Granger.

Good points: The book was pretty easy to get into, packed full of adventure, and pretty suspenseful. For a "I-will-put-down-this-book-if-it-doesn't-get-interesting-right-away" kind of reader, this book was pretty good. Very interesting, and well put together. And the author actually seemed to know what he was talking about, not just making up stuff. He actually sounded like he did research. (Good job, dude. ;D) I really liked reading about what it would be like to be put into the Witness Security Program.

Bad points: Since this is, of course, a mainstream book (not Christian), there's going to be the boy-girl thing. (especially because it's Middle School.... seventh grade, no less. Ughy) This was rather disgusting to me, though there wasn't anything "bad" in it, just the "oh she's cute I want to date her" thingy diggy. (which is pretty annoying....) Zach/Jack DOES get a girlfriend (though she almost dies =P) but it's not bad or anything. Just a warning if you don't like the seventh grade romance drama. =P Also, his dad was part of a drug smuggling ring. i.e. the dad flew planes for the drug smuggler dude. So that might be kind of offensive. (I myself was like, "He did WHAT?!")

My thoughts: This book was interesting, overall, but not a fave.

My rating: 2/3 stars

Like the review? Please tell me. I might do this "I'll review whatever book I'm reading over the summer" thing. I really appreciate your thoughts. :)

Continuing Story--Part 2

Somebody grabbed my arm and whirled me around. My short brown hair whipped in to my green eyes.

The boy was around my age, with steal gray eyes and short black hair. He

1. looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place his face.
2. didn't look familiar at all.

"Raven," he hissed. "I see you've been keeping busy."

"Who are you?" I demanded. "Let go of my hand!"

He just laughed. "Get on/in

1. my motorcycle. NOW."
2. my car. NOW."

I glared up at him fiercely. What should I do?

1. I didn't have a choice. I went with him.
2. I took off running. But how far would I get?

The Wind in the Willows #3

Right click; click image in new window; copy the address; put it in your post. ;)

Wanna know how to play?

1. Copy the picture above and my questions.

2. Put them in a post and answer them.

And, if you want, leave the link of your post in the comments and I'll check it out!! :)

Let's start the game (and remember, I'm answering these, too...):

1. Are you excited for the new Star Wars movie coming out?

Oh yeah!!! =D

2. If you could get another blog, would you?

Are you kidding, myself?! I have enough.... =P

3. What's your favorite type of story?

Fantasy. Real life. Historical fiction. The list goes on...

...and on and on and on and on. =D

4. What would be more horrible--accidently throwing a burrito on the most popular girl in school or accidently tipping your chair over on the first day of school?

Oh stink..... (why did I came up with this?)... probably throwing the burrito on the girl. Then they'd be mad, too.... =P

5. Do you like reading?

Like it? LOVE it!!!! =D

6. If you were a superhero, what would your name be, your power, and what would your costume look like?

Did I really just ask that? Oh well. Um.... let's think..... oh stink...... urggh..... hmm....... Maybe something like Astro Girl..... stink...... Um, well, I'd want to fly, of course, and I'd probably just have like a simple black jumpsuit like what the girls of the Warrior Squad (see The Unusuals) wears. With maybe a cape.

7. If you were put into the Witness Security Program (don't ask--I'm reading a book about it =P), what would your new first name be?

Jessie. Obviously. ;D

8. OK, well, then, if one of your family members (maybe you *horrified look*) blew your cover, what would your new name be?

Seriously? I'm so mean. =P OK, so......... um....... I'd probably go with Willow, because I love that name. :) Or Bree...

9. What's your favorite outfit (that you can think of)?

Comfy but nice jeans, sweatshirt, Bearpaw boots.....

10. What are you currently excited about?

THE PLAY THAT'S A WEEK FROM MONDAY!!!! GAH!!!! SO EXCITED!!! (Will hopefully be giving details.... like who I am or whatever...... ;))

Thanks for playing along!! :)

UNTIL NEXT TIME......

Embers|pictures that inspire #2

Right click; click image in new window; grab the image; insert in post with pictures that inspire! :)

Hey! I'm back with Embers|pictures that inspire. New to the game? Here's how you play:

1. Grab the above picture and put it in a post.

2. Put as many inspiring pictures that you want.

3. Post it, and, if you want, leave a link so I can check out what's inspiring you! :)

Here are my pictures....

Inspired? Let me know. ;)

Relations Conversations

Dear Readers,

Hey, this is Jessie!!

Well, ever since the "newspaper rebuke" (=P) I've been carrying a camera around everywhere and snapping pictures. What do you guys think of these??

Oh, stink, it's not letting me upload. Sorry. =P

Anyway, so I've got news on the baby.

I mean, Willie.

(Don't remember him being called Willie? Skip over here.)

Anyway, so Mom and Dad have just been ecstatic over Willie. And Mom's got a bump now. I think he's supposed to be due in June or something like that. Anyway, I'm excited. Soon I'll be Jessie, the crazy and dramatic older sister!!! :) Yay!!!!!!

This morning Noah called me to talk about Willie.

Noah: So, like, what's he like?

Me: Noah, duh, he hasn't been born yet. I have no idea what he's like. Baby cuteness?

Noah: haha, very funny.

Me: Well, you said it...

Noah: Anyway, you'll let me know when Willie comes, right? I feel like I'm his uncle or something.

Me: *snorts* His uncle? Are you kidding? That would mean that like..... oh my gosh I'm going to puke....

Noah: What's wrong?

Me: NOAH!

Noah: Oh, sorry, I didn't mean an uncle like THAT!

Me: I hope not.

Noah: Of course not.

Me: *glares even though he can't see it* Yeah, well, I'll let you PRETEND that you're his uncle, OK?

Noah: Wait a sec. If I was his uncle, it would not be like I was married to you!

Me: *pauses* Oh, right, duh. He's my brother.

Noah: I'd have to be his brother-in-law.

Me: Which isn't happening.

Noah: Duh.

Me: Anyway, so.... yeah, I'll call you once Willie's born.

Noah: Can I go with you guys to the hospital?

Me: Noah, I don't think you're going to be with us. Besides, who's going to drive you over? Your mom? She works.

Noah: I'll walk.

Me: To the hospital. On probably a school day.

Noah: Yeah, sure. I'll fake puking, so they'll let me out of school.

Me: Don't you think they'll get suspicious when you just walk off down the sidewalk?

Noah: Jessie, they'd take me back to my house and then when they're gone I can just walk to the hospital. It's foolproof!

Me: *snorts* I doubt it. What if they watch your house?

Noah: What do you think they are, the FBI?

Me: Hey, I read a book once about librarians being spies... anyway...

Noah: What?! Seriously?

Me: Yeah, it was called the Brixton Brothers series. ANYWAY, we'll figure out something. Either way, you'll eventually see Willie.

Noah: OK. Hey, I gotta go. Bye!

Me: Bye.

So, yeah.....

And if you want to hear more about the Brixton Brothers, I can badger Storyteller until she writes a book review. ;)

Until later!

Love,
Jessie

Abigail Jane Applegate--Captured!

New York
1778
The British Occupation of New York

I blinked as the sunlight as the sack was whipped off my head. I was in a barn somewhere, the light glowing through the cracks and the smell of hay thick in the air. I coughed and saw dust flying through the sunlight.

I sitting in a chair in the middle of the barn's floor. And I was staring at a man in the red uniformed outfit of England's soldiers. Medals crossed over his jacket. A large black three pointed hat was perched a top his head.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

I didn't say anything. I couldn't. I wouldn't reveal anything about the Sons of Liberty, about the Culper Ring, or about the Patriots. I wasn't going to say anything, though they'd be likely to either hang me or throw me in jail with other Patriots captured.

"You're only a girl." The man spat on the floor. "Why were you helping the Patriots?!"

 I bit my lip.

"Answer me!"

I closed my eyes.

I felt a hand slapping my cheek, but I didn't move.

"Take her away!" the man bellowed. "She'll be hanged tomorrow morning with the rest of them."

Soldiers that I hadn't seen before because they were behind me came over, untied me from the chair, and escorted me out of the barn.

 I was going to die.

Picture-Perfect linkup with Britt:)

I'm doing the Picture-Picture linkup over at Encouragement for Everyday Struggles. Here's my photo (designed by me :)).

Hope you like it, Britt!! :)

Heads up, this is the continuing story...

(Remember--I'll give you choices, and you guys get to decide where the story goes.)

My name is...

1. Willow Fletcher
2. Raven
3. Bree Keyne

...and for all of my life that I can remember, I have lived in an orphanage.

Nothing interesting happens to most people. But I know that something "interesting" happened to me when I was younger. Why else wouldn't I remember before I was eight, and why else do I always have memory flashes at the strangest times?

I stare out ahead, my [1. Green, 2. Blue, 3. Hazel, 4. Violet, 5. Brown] eyes watching the kids coming in and out of the back doors of the orphanage. I push my [short, long, medium] [1. Brown, 2. Blonde, 3. Black, 4. Red] hair over my shoulder.

At just that moment...

1. A kid comes out that she's never seen before, dressed in black clothes and looking mysterious.

2. Somebody grabs her arm and whirls her around.

|it's your choice|

Sometimes you feel like a lone tree

Sometimes you just feel like that lone tree. You know? Like you're all by yourself, that nobody's ever felt like you have. That you're all alone. That there's nobody there who's like you, nobody who knows what feeling, nobody who's gone through what you're going through. I know that feeling. I hate that feeling. You wish there was somebody else, but they're all, like, seriously, perfect looking. You feel like that one incomplete piece of the puzzle that's always getting thrown about.

But you're not. There're others. I've been so surprised by how just like you guys have gone "I'm like that too!" I'm just like "really?? I'm not alone?" There's something about being with other Christians--about being with other people who feel the same things--that just uplifts your spirit. Thank you guys, so much, for being such great friends. You guys have shown me that I'm not alone. Don't ever forget to tell yourself that.

The Wind in the Willows #2

I WAS going to write a Jessie Bender letter. (I really, really was.) And she was going to be sick. (Like me.) But then I realized something...... I HAVE NOT DONE WIND IN THE WILLOWS FOR FOREVER!!!!!! Oh, the horror. =P So, I should probably re-explain this. How you play--you take the picture (that will be below), put it in the post, and answer the questions that I have. It's just for fun!! :) Think of it as getting questions for an award but not having to tag people. =P And I answer the questions, too, so it's doubly fun. :) Ya ready? Let's go!! ;) (And by the way, if you tell me this is awesome and you love it, I'll try to make it a usual thing like Embers|pictures that inspire and Jessie Bender. :))

Right click on it; click "image in new window" (err, something like that); copy the address; put it in your post. ;)

1. What's your favorite font to write stories in? (Or emails, or whatever you write. ;))

haha you guys should all know this one. What?! You don't know!!??? OK, OK, it's Goudy Old Style. aka it's this awesome font that I'm writing in. (Actually, I believe this is Blogger's variant of it. Either way, I love it. :)) (My second favorite font is Cochin, by the way...... ;))

2. Who's your favorite character in a movie?

Oooh... did I really just ask that question?? Man, I'm a meanie. =D Maybe Aragorn. He's really awesome. =D Or Samwise Gamgee. He's awesome too. =D Or Arwen, or Eowyn, or.....!!! Yeah... There's dozens, though.......

3. What's your favorite thing that I've posted??

Hmm, that's hardly fair for myself, is it?? Ah, I don't know. I've got it!! I really do love my "inspirational" posts. I really do. :)

4. What's your favorite thing to do and why did you start doing it?

I don't know why I started writing stories. I just... kind of started... =P (Strange person that I am... lol...)

5. What's a weird thing that's happened to you lately?

I keep on having dreams that I meet you guys. Yeah. Actually, it's pretty awesome... I always see you guys and then I'm like, "Hey......... isn't your name such and such and don't you have a blog named such and such? Awesome! I'm Storyteller!!" (They almost all go like that... =P)

6. What's a trial that's been hitting you hard in your life right now?

My cold. :/ And, like usual, my worries.....

7. What's easiest for you--remembering to read your Bible, praying, walking up to new people and introducing yourself (this one really does apply, because, I mean, you have to know people before they're going to open up to you and let the gospel in), or talking with your unbelieving friends about Christ?

Praying's the easiest for me.

8. What's your favorite blog design that you've ever seen?

 I hope this doesn't sound horrible, but..... I love this blog's design a LOT. =D

9. What kinds of contests are you most likely to enter?

I always get scared doing contests, like if I don't do good it means I'm horrible. So I usually don't enter. :/ Sorry.....

10. Are you excited for summer?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Thanks for coming along for the ride!!! Love to know if you did this!! Leave the link to your Wind in the Willows post, and I'll go and check it out!!! :)

So short, sorry friends

Dear Readers,

I'm still feeling pretty sick. But watching Finding Nemo, drinking tea, and eating hot soup's helping. :) Happy Valentine's Day!! I'll hopefully post a longer post soon. Sorry I'm so boring. =P Meanwhile, to keep you occupied, please tell me what your least favorite song by your favorite music artist is. ;)

Love,
Katrina

And why hath I neglected you [for a day]?!

Picture from this awesome blog.

Dear Readers,

Why did I not post yesterday?!

*drum roll*

I had a cold, and I was reallyyyyyyyyyy tired, so basically it was a eat-chicken-noodle-soup-and-watch-movies day. (Yes, pretty awesome, except that I was way tired.... =P And my throat hurt. Yeah. It was that kind of a cold. And today my nose's runny. Yuck.)

Anyway, thanks so much, Brittney Ann, for linking up on Embers|pictures that inspire!! I LOVED your pictures. (Recognize the one in this post? Sorry, I just loved it so much. :) Are you on Pinterest?? You'd have awesome photos!! :))

Anyway, so no news on Rubberboot Girl getting published. As soon as the magazine's website is available I'll go and leave you the link so that maybe you can subscribe!! :) (It's a free Christian magazine. I hope you do subscribe!! And if you have a business, you might be able to get it advertised. I'm not quite sure.)

Anyway, lately I've really been focusing on prayer in my own life. It's amazing. I find myself praying a lot. Every time I think of something, I'm just praying. It's so awesome!! :) God is so good. :)

I'll catch ya'll later. ;)

Love,
Katrina

Ember|pictures that inspire #1

Right click on picture; click "open image in new window" (err, something like that =P); copy the address; put it in your blog post. :)

Hello! Yes, we're going to be doing Embers|pictures that inspire today. :) So here's the dig: you take the above button, you can [you don't have to] put a link to this post [so that others can link up, too], and then post several pictures (as many as you want!! :)) below!!! I'd love it if you told me you were linking up, or if you left the link of YOUR Embers|pictures that inspire. :) Here are my pictures this week:

The New Story!

It's so cold. My eyelashes stick together. My lips are stiff. I can't see past the snowflakes that try to invade my gray-blue eyes.

It's so cold. I don't think I can make it. I look up ahead. The group of people huddled together reminds me that I'm not alone. And the crack of the whip reminds me that I'm not free.

"Get going!" The yell bites through the air, hurting more than the bite of the cold. Like a wolf the whipmaster comes and lashes out at one of the poor people.

But we're helpless.

We can't do anything.

We need somebody's help.

OK, so, here's the dig.

I'm going to create a story where YOU pick what happens.

You heard me.

At the end of each chapter, you'll have a choice. You write your choice in the comments. The choice that has the most votes will be the next choice that I write about.

Deal?

OK, good. :)

Newspaper Reminders

Dear Readers,

This is Jessie. The baby's on the way, and I'm way excited!! (Though I'm not enjoying the smell of baby powder that's now in the house since Dad accidently dumped a whole bottle on the floor.... Not cool.) Since the spaghetti fight, the heat has totally been cut off, though Maya's still a jerk.

Oh yeah.

Josh sent me an email. (Apparently, I'm been neglecting my newspaper duties...)(And if you don't remember, Josh is the leader of the newspaper... yeah, and I'm paired to work with Michael. *horrible*)

To: Jessie Bender <dramaticcrazyjessie@gmail.com>
From: josh.newspaper@yahoo.com (I knew at once that it was the Josh-from-my-school Josh)

Jessie,

Sheesh, what've you been?! You were like really good at the newspaper, and then you just like dropped your responsibilities. If you're going to be no the newspaper, please remember that you ARE. Thank you. And don't forget that you're paired with Michael!!

Josh

Gee, thanks, dude.

Anyway, I DO want to be on the newspaper, so this is what I sent back.

To: josh.newspaper@yahoo.com
From: Jessie Bender <dramaticcrazyjessie@gmail.com>

Josh,

I'm still paired with Michael?? OK, OK, I still want to be in... sorry, it's just I was really busy and then I kind of forgot. :/

Jessie

Then I sent it.

I was going to have to come up with a pretty good story to get me back on the newspaper....

Love,
Jessie

Embers|pictures that inspire

Here's the link to insert: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhEDH2NEMKuvGN_Xh6MM4uO-Y4oxZQrQa0fgvUrY8iT-5DhxiINtu3xYtj12wQjRUDj-mZaEu4bKIcvcIujZN9edry3afpgN4DAQ71dfFyN008Qv8nkyfmE9rK9koHkAZOtIHTYTD1c0/s1600/embers.png

Here's the HTML code for the side of your blog: 

<center><a href="http://connieistherubberbootgirl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Rubberboot Girl"><img alt="Rubberboot Girl" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhEDH2NEMKuvGN_Xh6MM4uO-Y4oxZQrQa0fgvUrY8iT-5DhxiINtu3xYtj12wQjRUDj-mZaEu4bKIcvcIujZN9edry3afpgN4DAQ71dfFyN008Qv8nkyfmE9rK9koHkAZOtIHTYTD1c0/s1600/embers.png"><a></center> <p></p><center><textarea id="code-source" rows="3" cols="19" name="code-source"><center><a href="http://connieistherubberbootgirl.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhEDH2NEMKuvGN_Xh6MM4uO-Y4oxZQrQa0fgvUrY8iT-5DhxiINtu3xYtj12wQjRUDj-mZaEu4bKIcvcIujZN9edry3afpgN4DAQ71dfFyN008Qv8nkyfmE9rK9koHkAZOtIHTYTD1c0/s1600/embers.png"></a></center></textarea>

If you want to change the link so that it'll go to the latest post of Embers:

<center><a href="PLACE URL OF POST HERE" target="_blank" title="Rubberboot Girl"><img alt="Rubberboot Girl" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhEDH2NEMKuvGN_Xh6MM4uO-Y4oxZQrQa0fgvUrY8iT-5DhxiINtu3xYtj12wQjRUDj-mZaEu4bKIcvcIujZN9edry3afpgN4DAQ71dfFyN008Qv8nkyfmE9rK9koHkAZOtIHTYTD1c0/s1600/embers.png"><a></center> <p></p><center><textarea id="code-source" rows="3" cols="19" name="code-source"><center><a href="PLACE URL OF POST HERE/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhEDH2NEMKuvGN_Xh6MM4uO-Y4oxZQrQa0fgvUrY8iT-5DhxiINtu3xYtj12wQjRUDj-mZaEu4bKIcvcIujZN9edry3afpgN4DAQ71dfFyN008Qv8nkyfmE9rK9koHkAZOtIHTYTD1c0/s1600/embers.png"></a></center></textarea>

Introducing Embers|pictures that inspire!! So, here's the dig: you take as many pictures that you like that inspire you and put it on your blog with the button above^ at the top of your post. (And if you'd like, you could advertise it on your blog!! :))

I'll post my pictures next time. ;) (aka my life begs for me... =P)

Link Up

I'm doing a link up with Sierra at Keep Growing Beautiful. It's my first time, so bear with me. =D

I'm supposed to post like 10-15 pictures that I think are cute and/or inspiring.

Ready? :)

(P.S. Should I do something like this?? Would you guys link up??)

(I'm changing the rule to 8-15 photos =D)

Liebster

I got awarded the Liebster award by Piano Bookworm. (<--go check out her blog!! :)) Thanks, girl. ;)

 

The Rules:

 

1. List 11 facts about yourself.

1. Today I went skiing.

2. For the first time.

3. And amazingly I didn't kill myself!! (yay ;D)

4. And I wasn't the only one who was in the little kids' class all by myself (being older,  mean)...

5. And it was lots of fun.

6. And I wiped out a few times.

7. But didn't technically fall.

8. Just wiped out.

9. Aka was going really fast and flipped over.

10. Yeah.

11. Thankfully it only hurt once. =P

2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger who nominated you left.

1. Do you eat meals with your family?

Uh... yeah.

2. Are you musical in any way? If so, which?

Uh... I'm going to be in a play. (??)

3. Would you rather go somewhere where there's a forest, or an open plain?

Forest. :)

4. What time period of history are you most interested in?

Right now.

5. Do you like practical books better, or stories?

Stories. ;)

6. What do you think about creationism vs. evolution?

I'm a Creationist.

7. Do you ever have that annoying moment when you are sure you've seen this person before, but you can't remember where?

YES. It happened the other day watching a movie.... urgh....

8. Would you like homemade bread or store-bought bread better?

Probably homemade...

9. Have you ever had homemade ice-cream?

YES! I think. =P

10. Horses or cats?

Cats.

11. Algebra or Geometry?

Algebra.

3. Ask 11 new questions for those who you nominate.

1. Have you ever gone skiing before?

2. Have you ever done a school sport before?

3. Would you rather go fast or slow?

4. Do you consider yourself athletic?

5. Have you ever accidently ran into somebody? Who? (i.e. stranger, friend, relative...)

6. What's the ickiest color you've ever seen?

7. Do you know how to stop when you're skiing? What's this technique called?

8. Have you ever been afraid of ski lifts?

9. Have you ever watched the movie Brave?

10. Did you like the movie?

11. Do you find yourself blogging every day, or not?

4. Choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers to nominate.

 So, here's the dig--YOU answer these on this post!! :)

5. Go to each blogger's page and let them know about the award.

6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

I did. :)

Piano and Lena's awards

A memorabilia piece for Piano Bookworm. Piano? You can pull this off!! :)

A quote designed for Lena Elizabeth. Lena? You can pull this off!! :)

Still that Girl

The following song really reminds of Olivia McCarthy for some reason.....

I really love this song, from the first time I saw it on YouTube until right now where I'm listening to it off my computer.

"Still That Girl", by Britt Nicole.

(It gets kind of addicting to listen to.... =P)

(And, yes, I'm listening to this song right now.......)

I really like this song, and not only because it makes me want to go and write a story about a girl who feels like she's the last person on earth who anybody's ever going to love and then she finds God (which, by the way, makes me want to go and write......), but because it seems to speak to ME, too.

(By the way, if you get bored by my song ramblings, why don't YOU tell ME what YOUR favorite song(s) is/are???)

I don't know if I told you guys, but I'm in the process of trying to write a book about a girl named Piper Leap. (Awesome name, right?) Anyway, it's going to be called September Piper (please don't use this name), and it's about this girl, Piper, who lives in this town. She finds out from her friend, Casey, that Casey's going to be moving to New York. Casey has overheard her parents talking about this to each other, though they haven't personally broken it to her. Piper's horrified. What's she going to do without Casey?! Not to mention that she pretty much gets forced into having to take a computer class--computers have always confused her--and gets paired with her least favorite boy in the world. It gets even more complicated when people start coming to Piper for help with their problems...

I don't want to break all of the secrets, but that's part of the plot. Piper's just a Christian girl--kind of like me, but a little bit more like what I'd like to be (actually, she's quite a lot like me)--who's confused and sad that her friend's moving to New York and is trying to help her prepare herself for the separation of the loss of her friend. I've lost friends before, and I pour that feeling into this book. I really hope that you guys will like it if I ever get it published. :)

By the way, I haven't got really any news about the magazine publishing thingy about Connie. I had to send in a little bio and of course the book. I'm really excited about this. Please pray that people will be blessed through my writing. I really want God to work through me. I'm not the most bold person, but when I'm writing I can get a clear message in there. I just hope that I'll be able to bring somebody to Christ through the words that I write.

Well, I've already written like three huge paragraphs, and you guys probably have lots of other blogs that you're wanting to visit, so I'll bid you guys farewell. Thanks so much if you read the post!!! :)

Later gator.

Over and out.

Abigail Jane Applegate--Taken

New York
1778
The British Occupation of New York

My heart beat wildly in my chest as my feet brought me closer and closer to the house. There should be something on the clothes line, my mind thought, over and over. There should be something. But there's nothing. Why isn't there anything? I ignored the thought and continued towards the house.

As I rounded the side of the house, I was sure that I'd made a big mistake. Five British soldiers, dressed in red uniforms, were sitting around the door and laughing with each other. I froze, not knowing what to do.

"Oi! Who're you?" demanded one of the soldiers, suddenly catching sight of me.

All of the soldiers jumped to their feet and pointed their muskets at me. I didn't know what to do. Run, Abigail, the voice spoke in my brain. Run! But I couldn't, because I knew that I'd be shot before I could take another step.

"Abigail?" One of the soldiers stepped forward, and I felt like I should've known who it was.

I couldn't speak. I was terrified.

"Abigail!" The boy rushed forward happily. He whispered, "Hey, it's me, Will. Don't you remember? Your second cousin?"

I sighed in relief. "Will!" I couldn't believe I hadn't recognized him.

"Do you have the message?" he whispered.

I nodded. "I've got to deliver it to the woman who lives here." I paused. "Why are you all dressed up as the British?"

"It's because the woman who lives here isn't here," Will explained in a whisper. "We came by to make sure that she was still safe, and so the message that you were supposed to deliver didn't get taken. But she was gone."

"Then I must give the message to you," I realized. "Here." I thrust it into his hand.

He smiled. "Thank you, Abigail."

That's about when the sack came down over my head.

I've Found Myself Praying a Lot

Dear Readers,

It's true. I have.

And it's AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Like last night I went to another basketball team. And as people did free throws and stuff, I found myself praying for the person shooting, and then for all of the teams, and then for the people in the crowd. It was such an amazing feeling.

Sometimes prayer seems hard. Like you don't know what to pray about, or how to pray it, or you feel bad if you don't sound perfect like some people seem to. But it's what's in your heart. God knows what you're trying to say.

It's kind of funny. When I pray in my mind, everything makes sense for me. When I try to pray out loud, sometimes I stumble over the words, but I realize that my heart is in the right place and that's what counts for God.

Sometimes it's kind of hard to know if you should just pray, "God, I..." or "Dear God" or anything else you could start out with. I used to only start out with "God..." But now I feel myself starting out with "Dear God". Because He's amazing. He really is.

In my mind, when I pray, I find myself thanking Him for so many things--the beautiful day, my family, what's going on in my life. Thanks. It's something that's hard for me whenever I pray it out loud in front of people. Mostly because I don't want to sound... you know... fake. Like I'm just doing that just because. But I know I can do it in my mind. Because it's real. It's true.

Have you ever had a hard time praying, just with yourself and God or with other people around?

I'd love to know that there's others.

Love,
Katrina

Olivia McCarthy Cover Design Contest Results

You guys all know what today is, right?

Yep, it's February first.

It's another glorious day that God's made.

BUT, that's not what I'm making this post about.

(Though God deserves every post that I ever write.)

So, actually, this post IS about God, because without God, I wouldn't even exist.

Yeah.

But the reason I'm writing this post is to announce the winners of the Olivia McCarthy Cover Design contest!!!!! Yeek!!! Are you guys excited?! I am!!!

I had three AWESOME entries, and a hard time picking, but I finally came up with the following results.

You guys ready?

Ready?

Yet?

OK.

I'm coming around. :)

First place goes to.....

....Brittney Ann!

I really enjoyed her cover. Really awesome!! The close second was....

....Piano Bookworm! Err, Maya. Err, whatever. ;D

And, finally, third place goes to.......

....Lena Elizabeth!

Great job, you guys!! They were all awesome!!! :)

I had a really hard time picking among them, because I loved all of them so much. :) But I had to remind myself that I was going to have to pick ONE of them eventually..... =P

Brittney gets a blog design!! :)

Piano gets a memorabilia piece from Olivia McCarthy!! :)

And Lena gets her favorite quote from Olivia McCarthy designed!! :)

Please talk to me to get your awards! Thanks!! :)