Catching Up

So...I've been gone for just shy of forever. It became very obvious to me that before I start posting like I used to, I should probably find out what has been going on with everyone this past year. So, without further ado, I present

THE QUESTIONNAIRE OF DOOM!!!!!!

I will put my answers in parentheses, but in the comment section, I would like you all to answer for yourselves. I know it's just a start, but I've been gone for so long we can't possibly cover everything in one post! =3

1. How old did you turn on your last birthday? What grade/year of high school/college are you in this school year? (I turned 15 back in March, and I'm a sophomore in high school this year.)

2. What did you do over this past summer? (I went to Outer Banks, NC with my mom and brother, went up to Northern Virginia to visit my boyfriend, spent 12 days living on the campus of UVA for a gifted learning camp [my favorite part of summer!], moved, and did some writing.)

3. If you are a writer, what project/goal are you currently working on? Are you working on more than one thing? (I'm working on three things at once. My original novel is finished but still needs a little editing, I have a trilogy started, and I also started another standalone novel. Lots of work but very worth it!!)

4. How is the YCF doing? If you are a new member, tell me a little about yourself! I'd love to get to know you! (I can't answer this question for myself...)

5. Read any good books lately? (I've been a little short on things to read lately. Recently read the Gemma Doyle Trilogy...good but a little strange. I read this book called Daughter of the Forest awhile back...that one is now on my favorites list. It's really, really great! Well written, excellent plot yet unpredictable. Props to the author of that one!)

6. What has God been doing in your life in the past year? (Well, I don't know how many of you I've told about the trouble I'd been having with my dad since my parents divorced, but God at last delivered me from that dark valley on December 5th, 2008. Almost a year later, I am so humbly happy to say that he has healed me up from a lot of that and I am now in a place where I'm starting to forgive him. Now that I don't have to focus primarily on just staying emotionally stable enough to live another day, I have been able to look at my life in a whole new way. With God's help, I have become a better person...I now take the expression "trial by fire" very literally. If you are in a hard time in your life, remember that God's ways are always better than ours and that we experience trials to refine our faith like gold! Coming out of this trial, I feel like someone who has been trapped in a cave all their life and is being led outside into the light for the first time--it's a little overwhelming, but it's so beautiful. I have been able to make new friends, get more involved in church, grow closer to the Lord, and devote more of myself to my family. Thank you Jesus for my freedom!!)

7. What is the best thing that has happened to you in the past year? (Aside from being granted my freedom, I met (summer '08) and fell in love with (summer '09) the most loving, caring, brilliant, selfless, pure young man on the face of the earth. [Okay, so I might be a little biased, but he is in my opinion =)] The Lord has really given me a blessing in my boyfriend. He has been really, really good to me and for me, and has done nothing but build me up, encourage me, and be there for me no matter what. I thank God for him every single day.)

8. What is the most interesting/insane thing you've done in the past year? (I climbed a 150 foot lighthouse!!!! It was breathtaking, and I'm not just talking about the 214 stairs!)

9. Anybody moved in the past year? Moved schools? Moved into a new house? Moved out of state? (I moved into a new house this past summer. I didn't move very far though, just 20 minutes or so. We moved the day after I got back from my twelve day camp at UVA. I have two words to describe that experience. Utter. Torture. Imagine getting home after being away for that long only to find out that you can't even sleep in your own bed! We made it through though, and the new house is great.)

10. What would be the first thing to pop into your head if I said, "Say something random!" (colored ink cartridges are headache-inducing!)


Well, there you have my questionnaire of doom! Enjoy!
Never Alone,
Shelby Marie

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost...

This post is for the entire YCF to see should they want to, but I would mainly like to address Araken, Sapphira, Ian, Elliot, and Flinn.
First of all, it has been a year and four months since I last posted, and I will not blame any of you if you don't even bother to check my blog anymore. Even I would have given up on me by now. I am so very sorry that I've been gone this long. When I said I didn't know how long it would be until I got Internet again, I definitely wasn't expecting my absence to be this extended.
Secondly, I've looked around for the past few days, and I want to say that I am really, really proud of how far the YCF has come since I lost my Internet nearly a year and a half ago. So many members! We started out with just the six of us, and by the grace and blessing of our God, the Young Christian Force has caught and spread like a wildfire, just like we prayed it would in the very beginning. Thank you for being an example and letting your lights shine for Christ!
Finally...this past summer (July '09), we moved into a new house, and I now have full access to high speed Internet there. If you five are willing to accept me again, I would love to get re-involved in the YCF and have a chance to rebuild our friendships.
I love you all, and I have missed you more than I can say.
Never Alone,
Shelby Marie

Greetings!
I do not have much time, but I'm at the library and just had to drop in for a few moments and say hi to everybody!
How has everyone been doing?
How's the writing coming?
How is the YCF?
Tell Me!
Things have gone well for me so far. I got to take the best Myrtle Beach vacation ever with my mom and brother...so much fun! I am nearing 300 pages in my book and shall be done soon, I think...my story has been taking several wild, unexpected twists on me, so I'm pretty much just going with the flow.
I will be leaving on Sunday, the 6th of July to go to UVA for a twelve day camp---I have never been away from home for that long and will not know anyone there. Pray that I will be a good Christian example for the people I meet as it is not a Christian camp.
Write On! Never Alone!
Love in Christ,
Shelby Marie

Prayer for the Summer

Hey guys, I am soooooo sorry I have been gone...again. I have been taking exams and will be finished with school on Friday. I will be scarce seen after that until I have my Internet back at my house....=( I will try to check the blog at the library, but I need you guys to pray that I get the Internet back soon.
What will I do without you guys? Pray for me again...I'll be finishing up my book during this time too. This is both ridiculously exciting and unbelievably scary at the same time...it has been a long but wonderful adventure.
As for the YCF...so many new members!! I must update my link list...
I will sign off for now...I'm going to go visit our new members' sites!
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

Prince Caspian at Last!!!

Yes! Caspian is here at last, and I got to see it on Friday after school! Oh, it was sooooo good! Definitely worth the SIX MONTHS of waiting! I'm gonna go see it about five more times....and then buy it when it comes out on DVD...
So, what did you guys think of it? Or have you seen it yet?
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

Lost in You

Hail and well met, blogging friends!
I apologize for being gone for so long...my teacher was not at school, so we weren't allowed to use the computers...
Anyway, to get to the point of this post...I've been recently introduced to a band called Red. (thanks Christian!!) I would like to share with you the words to one of their songs. I know you're probably getting tired of all the poetry and lyrics, but anyway, here it goes.

Lost in You

Can I be dreaming once again?
I'm reaching, helpless I descend
You lead me deeper through this maze
I'm not afraid, I'm

Lost in You
Everywhere I run
Everywhere I turn
I'm finding something new
Lost in You
Something I can't fight
I cannot escape
I could spend my life
Lost in You
Lost in You

Your whispers fill these empty halls
I'm searching for You as You call
I'm bracing, chasing after You
I need You more, I'm

Lost in You
Everywhere I run
Everywhere I turn
I'm finding something new
Lost in You
Something I can't fight
I cannot escape
I could spend my life
Lost in You

I can never be the same
It's something that I never could erase
I can never look away, I've
Lost myself in You
And it's all over now


There you have it. It's such a beautiful song...I hope you like the lyrics! Anyone heard it before?
Spend some time and lose yourself in Christ today!
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

To Follow the Trend...

Hey guys,
Well, I tried to post something yesterday...but for some reason it didn't work. I don't know why...it was a really good post too. I'll try to rewrite it some other time, but since everyone else is giving random facts about themselves, I suppose I'll play along.

I have two dogs--a short, fat beagle named Bagel and a sharpei mix named Rogue (Rogue has lots of wrinkles and is very funny looking)

I have two cats--Newman, who is about fourteen years old and has a very strange personality, and Tiger, who is about five years old and is approximately 30 pounds!

I only have one sibling, my younger brother Daniel.

I have dark brown hair. It's long, perhaps halfway down my back.

I have blue eyes, and have never worn glasses or contacts.

My favorite soda--Cream Soda, all the way!!

My favorite food is spaghetti--oh, great, now I'm hungry...

I am a member of the Door Within Forum...I'm actually one of the moderators.

I am an avid reader of almost everything, especially fantasy, and I am currently writing two books.

I am currently reading Father of Dragons, by L.B. Graham. Anybody else read the Binding of the Blade series? Sad, but very, very good books.

I like to sit on the roof of my house and read.

I am currently sitting in my school's computer lab. The walls are painted blue, but you didn't really need to know that...

Ok, I think that's about it for now...I have to go to algebra class in about ten minutes...I don't really want to, but I must.
Goodbye for now,
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

A Quick Prayer Request and A Verse of Poetry

Hey guys, I just wanted to ask for prayer for myself today. I'll be leaving in just a few minutes to go compete in the ACSI Math Olympics for the last time. I'm kinda nervous, but excited, too. Just pray that I do well and that God will hold me up while I'm there.

I'd like to leave you with this little verse that I thought up yesterday.

Song of Life

Arise, arise, arise
Come back, come back, to Adonai
Forge ahead, back to life
Cast off the shadow, return to light.


There you have it!
Thanks for your prayers and comments...
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

Sorry!

Hello, friends!
I am truly sorry for not posting for so long...firstly, I have no Internet access on weekends. Then we had three days of standardized testing at school...leaving me once again deprived of Internet access. =(
Then came another weekend, and then when I wanted to post yesterday, I didn't know what to post about!
However, I'm back today with some awesome Scripture for you! Check this out...

Psalm 111: 1-10 (you can all tell I really like Psalms, can't you...)

(1) Praise the Lord!
I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
(2) Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by those who delight in them.
(3) Glorious and majestic are His deeds, and His righteousness endures forever.
(4) He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
(5) He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.
(6) He has shown His people the power of His works, giving them the lands of other nations.
(7) The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy.
(8) They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.
(9) He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever--holy and awesome is His name.
(10) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.


God is pretty awesome, isn't He?
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

Sidetracked

Okay, so I've been on a bit of a poetry kick for the past few days...I just wrote a poem for my other book(the one I'm almost done with) last night, and I thought I'd post it now. I'll post the other form of "Oh Rise up and Come" eventually...

The Wanderer's Plea

Oh, wary is the way
I walk this day
Oh, guard my steps
That my life may not end

Oh, while in dark I walk
Keep my sword sharp
Oh, while I run
Your will always be done

When enemies assail
May I prevail
Though I am weak
Your strength, it is complete

My King, make me stronger
As I wander
So that I might
Ever uphold Your light


Like it? Pray, tell!
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

Oh Rise up and Come

Since everyone seemed to like my last poem, I shall post the other two.
Let me explain that they are nearly the same, sort of one poem in two forms, and I'd like you all to tell me which form you like best. I'm only going to post one of them today, though.
This one, I think, is my favorite...

Oh Rise up and Come

Oh, the times are dark
In our suffering hearts

Worn, weary are we
From press of tyranny

Remnant of the day
That death-sting had its way

Look on that day in sorrow

Oh, rise up and come
Though I know you are numb

We must try again
Though Iverna will rend

For if we succeed,
We at last shall be free

And break the ever-dark tomorrow


Well, there you have it. You'll have to excuse the repetition of the phrase "ever-dark tomorrow"---it is a sort of trademark for Aidelahd. This poem/song/thing is a call for the Draedenai of all seven Kingdoms to gather together and try once more to overthrow the Dictator.
I'll post the other form tomorrow.
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

Poetry and Explanations...

Hello, all!
Before I post this poem, allow me to introduce you all to Aidelahd. He is a newer character of mine, a minstrel as a matter of fact. I did not plan him at all, he just showed up and started singing to me. Turns out he will play a very important role. In the book, Aidelahd is the author of this poem, which is called The Uprising.
Now, I must define a few things, or you might be confused a bit...
The Uprising- the period of time in Iverna when fifteen warriors, led by one called Veltorin, rallied men to them and rebelled against the King and Queen. There was desolation for months, and in the end, Veltoring overthrew the King and Queen and took the throne.
Iverna- my otherworld...the one Remedy gets pulled to(pronounced ee-Vair-nah)
Veltorin- leader of the rebellion, Dictator of Iverna
Adonai- my God-figure
Draedenai- the fighting men and women of Iverna(pronounced DRAY-den-eye)

Alright, then, I guess I'll shut up and post the poem now...haha!

The Uprising

Iverna once walked in Adonai's will
The King and the Queen His trusted friends
Draedenai pledged that for good or for ill
They would fight for Him to ev'ry end

But alas! Darkness stirred in hearts of men
They sought to bring about faith's demise
Fifteen warriors rallied men to them
And they rebelled against Adonai

Month after month, the blood flowed unhindered
The armies clashed, and during that time
Rebellion's leader trained elite killers
To make the Royal famly die

All through the Kingdoms cruel darkness was spread
And pain of death, our Draedenai took
Until Veltorin's opposition was dead
And bright of hope, Iverna forsook

The King and Queen were murdered in despair
When the ruthless killers were released
They left our Kingdoms lacking rightful heir
The Traitor's plan, it was now appeased

Years later, we still look back in sorrow
At Veltorin's heartless devising
And think of our ever-dark tomorrow
That began during the Uprising


Well, now that I've sufficiently bored you with an Iverna history lesson, please tell me what you think. I have two more, if you'd like to see them?

Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

One More Thought

Alright, I know I'm posting twice in one day, but I didn't get to post on Easter. I saw this little skit thing at church that went to that "Arise, My Love" song, and I just really like the chorus, so I shall put it on here for all to see!

Arise, my love
Arise, my love
The grave no longer has a hold on You
No more death-sting
No more suffering
Arise
Arise

Think of it as the Father speaking to His Son... that is the way the song was written, I believe.
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

Hey guys,
Just a quick post to say hi to everyone and update y'all about my writing. I'm in the library right now and couldn't resist the chance to check on everyone.
Spring break has been lovely, and I wrote alot. A whole lot. In fact, I stayed up until two in the morning the other night furiously rewriting the middle of my latest chapter. It turned out really well in the end though. However, the morning after that, yesterday morning, my dog, Rogue, had a seizure. It was really scary, but he is alright now. Please pray he doesn't have any more.
Anyway, I'm off to check the YCF blogs now!
See you all on Monday!
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

Just to Let You Know...

Hello, dear friends of mine.
I just wanted to tell you guys that spring break starts tomorrow...which is good because I'll have time to write and bad because I won't have access to the Internet. That means no blogging and talking to my Internet family for a whole week! I am going to miss you all tremendously, and I promise I'll post the second I get back to school and the Internet.
Oh, one thing. I would ask you all to pray for me as I write this week. I'm drawing nearer to the end of my book, which means a lot of exciting and frightening writing sessions in the middle of the night. Just pray that God would guide me, as I will pray for you.
Much love and blessings,
Shelby Marie

Character Building, Part Two

Here are a few more tips on character building...

(1) Don't make your characters perfect. They have to have a flaw. The story will be too unrealistic if your characters are perfect. For example, I have a character named Honor. He's captain of the guard(called Draedenai in my book), and he is great at making strategies...but...he has this habit of constantly twirling his dagger around and around in his hand. Now, I had no intention of this habit showing up, but nevertheless, Honor won't quit spinning his dagger around, and in the end, it stuck with him.
(2)Start simple--perhaps you've thought of a cool name--write out a short description and maybe one prominent character trait...then let he/she/it develop as they want to.
(3)A character must grow, change, and mature--I guarantee it--no character you create will stay the way they started.

Now, this goes along with my first point. It is a quote by Madeleine L'Engle...
"The hero has great flaws, and the villain has a heart."
Quite cool to think about, isn't it?

Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

What is a Christian?

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Alright, so yesterday was St. Patrick's Day, and I tried to post something, but ran out of time. I really wanted to post, especially since yesterday was my fourteenth birthday, which I am rather excited about. God has so blessed me in my short life so far...I only wonder what great things are to come.

Now, on a more serious note, dcf has started a chain of posts about what it means to be a Christian. {To see his post, click on the link on my sidebar(My Life As...), and go to the post entitled "A Christian Who Is Hurt."} In this post, he asked all the YCF to post about Christianity. I know I'm probably the last of us to do it, but better late than never.

So, what is it to be a Christian? What is a Christian? Who is God?

God is love, life, freedom, peace, satisfaction, and salvation. He is all-powerful, ever-present, all-knowing, eternal, and absolutely perfect.
A Christian is one who believes the above as well as that Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived a sinless life, died a humiliating death on the cross, and then rose from the dead three days later! My Redeemer lives!!!
Not only does a Christian love God, but they also love others. No matter what horrible things they have done to you or anyone, you are to love that person. Why? Because GOD LOVES THEM AS MUCH AS HE LOVES YOU!
A Christian also seeks after God and strives to be more like Him, through His power. A Christian pursues that relationship ardently.

So, YCF, did I use my sword well?
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

Character Building, Part One

Hola, Hello, and Good Day,
The Writer's Guild discussed Character Building in the last meeting. We took so many notes that I have decided to post a few at a time and eventually get through them all in the next few days.

First of all, one must reveal things about a character rather than telling. Slowly reveal things about the character as you go throughout your story. Don't try to give their whole life story and personality upon introducing them.

It takes time to get to know a character, whether he/she/it is yours or not.

Don't put your character in a box--don't claim to know more about them than your readers. Sometimes you just have to let the characters do what they're going to do. I can give an example from my own writing. I recently started another book, which I intend to turn into a trilogy. Anyway, this girl named Remedy gets pulled into another world by the wind. As soon as the wind let her go, I was going to have another character native to this otherworld find her, but instead, the following dialogue flowed from my fingertips.

"...Ah, a newcomer."

"Welcome, welcome, welcome."

"Adonai gives freedom, freedom, freedom, tortured daughter."

Remedy ran forward, away from the voices, shouting, "Who's there? Leave me alone!" She ran for quite awhile, but the voices did not cease. "Stop!" she yelled. "Stop following me!"

"Sad, sad, sad, she will not listen."

"She is scared, scared, scared."

"We should be silent awhile."

"Why, why, why?"

-----------------------

Before you know it, I've got talking trees in my next book. Funny, isn't it? Turns out the trees are source of the wind that pulled Remedy into the otherworld, which is called Iverna, by the way. (pronounced ee-VAIR-nah)

Maybe I'll post my entire first chapter. Should I?

By the way, I'd like you YCF people to know that I will do a post about false Christianity soon...It seems you all have beat me to it, but I didn't want you to think I wasn't going to fight this battle with you!

Write On!!!

Shelby Marie

The Wondrous Cross

Good day!
Sorry I haven't posted anything for awhile--I've been rather busy.
I bought the Narnia soundtrack yesterday! The music is absolutely beautiful. I can just lose myself in good music sometimes.
Anyway, I was in church on Sunday and we sang one of my favorite hymns--"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." I really, really like the words to that song and I wrote them down on the bulletin while we sang so that I could post them here.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain, I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet?
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were and offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Beautiful, is it not? The writer explains G0d's sacrifice so poetically...it just touches me.
What do you think? Do you have a favorite Christian song/hymn?
Just a thought,
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

My March

Hey guys, guess what? It's March!!! I absolutely adore springtime...the weather is usually really nice and all the flowers are blooming again...it's like all of God's creation coming to life again. It reminds me of how He brings us to life when we submit ourselved to Him. Just a little something to think about. What season do you like the most?
March is going to be rather busy for me. My birthday is coming up, as well as my mother's. We shall be turning fourteen and thirty-eight, respectively. I will also be attending two school events this month. The ACSI Spelling Bee will be held this Friday, and I'm going to that. The ACSI Math Olympics comes sometime at the end of the month...I just found out yesterday that I'm going to that one too. Then, in the midst of all that, there is soccer practice four days a week, soccer games, and The Writer's Guild!!
However, if I am patient, I'll make it through, for spring break is also at the end of the month!! Huzzah! Vacation with my mom!! Peace and quiet and time to write!! Huzzah again!! What are you guys doing for spring break??
As for my verse of the week, I just wanted to say that I have finished memorizing the rest of the chapter. Check it out (Proverbs 3)---It's got a lot of cool stuff in it.
Well, there you have it. My March. What will yours be like?

Write On!!!
Shelby Marie