An Announcement and a Farewell

 Howdy, folks! I know it's been a while since I've posted, and there is a reason. I've been considering for a long time whether to keep this blog going or not. The pros of the situation are that I get to keep up with some very cool writing pals, that I have somewhere to put random junk I write, and that I can promote my stories here. I've been thinking on it for a while now, though, and I think the pros might not be enough to hold onto anymore. 

Of course, I'd love to keep up with all the writer friends in this lovely circle I've been privileged enough to be a part of, but I am in contact with most of them through some other format as well. Letter-writing, email, phone, etc., covers most of the friends I chat with on the blog. There are some of you I would miss if I left, but I think that it would be more productive to keep reading and commenting on your separate blogs than to try and keep this one running just for that purpose. As for putting random junk I write somewhere, I think we can all agree that that's not exactly necessary to writing - just fun. Besides, many of you in contact with me outside the blog still get the random junk from me anyhow. 

That brings me to the last point: promotion of stories. I guess if there is an announcement that goes before my departure, it's that I don't think I'm really interested in publishing. I've been writing for a long, long time (not as long as some!), and publishing is always a writer's expected daydream. To be sure, it's a fun thought. But you know, I've come to the conclusion that I really don't care that much whether I ever get published. I love writing, and I have no intention of giving it up, but I would still be perfectly content if the only people who ever read my books were my writing pals. My books aren't terribly publishable, except perhaps by self-publishing. I like a style that has long since been out of print, and I certainly don't intend to change what I like to write just because it's last season. My friends enjoy my writing, and I enjoy doing it, so the way I see it, there's not much point in changing to a more modern style. Perhaps I could publish without doing so, but I digress. It's not that I've unequivocally given up on publishing, but I certainly no longer hold it as an immutable goal on my bucket list. 

In addition to these pros losing a bit of their sway, there are cons as well. My school life keeps me very busy, not to mention my studio, job, and other responsibilities, so it's fairly common that I can't keep up with posting. Oftentimes, when I do end up posting, I end up posting either something completely random, or a cop-out post like a tag or something. Maybe I could remodel things and make a bigger effort with the blog, but I just don't think the blog is my priority, nor do I want it to be. There are lots of things going on in life that I haven't really even taken a look at yet, and I think I'd like to get out of my head and out into the world a little more. I think that it's better for me, better for my writing, and perhaps better for this blog as well. 

In other words, I think I'm leaving the blogging sphere. I'll probably leave this up, just because it has a lot of writing things stored on it, but I will not be posting anymore. I'll miss all you readers, but I'll keep on reading your posts, so I'm not totally splitting from the blogging world. Whether in a chatbox, email, text, or what have you, I look forward to the writing journey with everybody from here on out. 

God bless!

An Apology, An Explanation, and Some New Goals...

    So... If you're reading this, chances are you are an invaluable friend blogger of mine who has somehow stayed a faithful reader through my year-long disappearance, or you are a random person internet-surfing. In the light of Romantic optimism, I will wishfully assume the former. So, yes. I disappeared for a year. For that, I apologize to my readers and blogger friends alike. I don't really have a good excuse other than I got really focused on college and rather ignored everything else this past semester. Over the summer before that? Well, my family moved. That still really didn't cover the whole summer, though, and not the school year before it either. I suppose there was really only one decent reason I had not to post something in that whole time, and I took a lot longer deciding it than I should have.

    To tell the truth, I've been considering giving up this blog entirely for a while. One of the character flaws I struggle with is a tendency to intellectual pride, a conviction that my opinion is actually quite worthwhile and expert and everybody wants to hear it, bla bla bla. As any good theologian can tell you, one human being is as fallible as the next. My opinion is merely the collection of prejudices and experiences I've built up in my short life (for better or worse), the truths that better, wiser people have taught me, and my often-faulty interpretations of those truths. I think this blog has sometimes given me an avenue to ignore that fact and make a lot out of my own thoughts. It's very easy, when you have a platform to express yourself, to fall into the idea that you necessarily have something wonderful to express. 

    Now, I don't think this blog has been a waste of time. I've had a lot of fun on this blog, and I've been able to meet and keep up with some other splendid bloggers who I would not be able to contact without this platform. I suppose that touches on what I'm really trying to get around to saying... I'm not going to give up the blog, for two main reasons: a) I would like to keep in contact with the other amazing people who've built up this writing circle I've been blessed enough to join, and b) I need to combat a secondary fault of laziness. One of my resolutions this year is to stop committing to things and then dropping them. I need to start distinguishing between what I can't do and what I'm just not making time to do. I intend to put more of myself into the things I'm working on, and not commit to anything I can't work on. I've done a lot of letting people down this year, and perhaps I need to be held accountable to work on things in earnest. 

    In other words, this blog from here on out will look somewhat identical to the old one, but its purpose will be a different one. From here on out, I'd like this to be a way of staying in the circle of wonderful Christian writers I've met here, and I would like this blog to be a report to keep me accountable as far as writing and reading go. With the new year, I'd like to propose a new beginning - no ranting and raving about things I don't know much about, no politics, and no argument-pandering. I will still probably post opinion pieces and such, but I would like to make them more civil and more humble than they have been in the past. In addition to this, I'd like to make more of an effort to read the things my fellows post. (I'll try to post something else over this next week or so, and hopefully I'll be able to figure out this new format a little better.) 

    So, if there are any readers left here, I'd like to apologize and promise to turn over a new leaf this year. Thank you for sticking with me all this time - I really appreciate it. Here's hoping that the blog is better than ever! Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

An Announcement and a Return

Hello again from the ink-and-paper abyss this blog seems to have fallen into - I know it's been a while. I just wanted to catch up, and try to get the gears turning here again. I took a break back in February to try and get myself up to speed and back to normal from various factors in my corner, and I think things are to the point where it's time to brush the dust off and return to the blogging world.

Things are better lately, and seem to be improving pretty surely, so I hope to stick around now. Hopefully, things will be right back to the way they were before. I know a lot's gone on during my break with Corona Virus and all that business, so I'll try to take it slow for a bit, as I know everyone's probably pretty busy. Hopefully the blog will run smoothly, though, and I can continue to use it as a way to keep up with all of you even despite the odd circumstances in the world right now.
So, I suppose, the question is, how are all of you? And what's the situation in your corners? I hope to hear from you and try to keep up with everything as best I can. Thanks for being patient with me!

A Long Overdue Announcement

Most of you have probably noticed at this point how bad about blogging I've been. I haven't written a post since last year, about a month or two ago. First-off, I want to offer an apology for this... again. Secondly, I'm going to, begging pardon, declare a blog hiatus for a little longer. 

There's been a lot going on in my corner lately, and I'm trying to work through school well. That being said, it's not busyness that is prompting my bad blogging. In the past year or two, a problem has been cropping up consistently that was minor before, and my mental peace is... well, not perfect. In the past few months, the problem has gotten worse, and I have fallen behind on a lot of things, blogging included. I hate to sound like one of those stupid, open-confessional bloggers, but I have an issue, and blogging's not my priority right now. I need a break, at least until I can figure this thing out. I don't know when I will be back, but I will try to make it sooner rather than later. I will try to stay in contact as I can. Until then, I hope that you can have patience with me, forgive the absence, and spare a few prayers for me if possible. Thank you so much - I hope to talk to you all again as soon as possible.

10 Things - A New New Year's Tradition

Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, and Happy Solemnity of Mary to all of you! I know that all of you are probably a bit occupied for blog-reading at present, but I figured that I'd post this just in case. So - getting down to business. I'm starting a tradition for this blog here and now. What sort of a tradition? I'm going to suggest to you 10 things that you should try in the new year that I discovered this past year (and feel free to post about your results with them!), and in the comment, you guys suggest any (up to 10) new things that you think I should try this year. They could be movies, songs, activities, books, new genres of anything, snacks, or whatever pops into your head! I'll do my best to try them and post the results as the year goes on, and well as a summary and 10 more new things at the end of the year! Hopefully the tradition catches on! Here goes!

 New Thing #10 - Polyphony

If you've never tried to sing or listen to polyphony, I suggest trying it (and trying it seriously) now! It takes some time to appreciate it, but when you do, you really come to love it, and you realize that it is some of the most beautiful music there is! I had sung a little bit before, but when I joined probably one of the hardest Church choirs I've ever seen this year, I was in way over my head. But I still love it - having to learn it, and absorbing this beautiful music, even for so short a time, has given me such an appreciation for it. There's really nothing like it!

New Thing #9 - Ballroom Dancing

Okay, I know that this is a bit of a commitment, so I totally understand for anyone who doesn't do it - but, honestly, even just looking up a video and imitating the steps is pretty fun, and it gives you such a new scope on dancing in general. It is one of the single best hobbies I can think of, actually, and I'm sad that it took me up until late this past year to finally learn it! (Also, as a side note, not all ballroom dances need a partner, so don't worry if you're not sure who to call!)

New Thing #8 - Edward Feser and His Books

Even if you just read his humorous and profound blog posts, Edward Feser is a genius and his writing is a serious broadening of the mind. He really writes to make you think, and I wish he was better-known. His book on the mind (Philosophy of Mind, which I blogged about a while back, here) was amazing, and he has so many invaluable books on subjects that most authors can't even tackle. Hey, even if you're not big into philosophy, you can pop into his blog (here) and read his philosophical and superhero-comic-spattered thought posts.

New Thing #7 - Silent Movies

Honestly, silent movies are under-appreciated in this day and age. We think they're cheesy merely because they don't have the same special effects of now or the same acting of their near predecessors. They're such a milestone in history, though, and they are enjoyable, even if only for a laugh with some of them. Some of my favorites that I discovered and watched this year were It, Nosferatu, and Lon Chaney Sr.'s Ace of Hearts. I strongly encourage the spread of silent movies - some aren't worth keeping for morality reasons, it's true, but on a whole, they're a very neglected art.

New Thing #6 - Quote Battles

I'm sure, with close friends, everybody's done some bit of movie and book quoting before. But as a whole conversation? Trying to make a conversation that more or less makes sense merely out of quotes is not only usually hilarious, but very fun. It's one little thing I'm definitely not sorry I tried this past year.

New Thing #5 - St. Louis de Montfort

St. Louis de Montfort wrote a lot of incredible books, and I'm honestly ashamed that I didn't get around to reading any of them sooner. My family and I are finishing up his Secrets of the Rosary presently, and copies of his book on consecration to Mary were at Church for most of the school year, so I did finally remedy the situation a bit this past year, but still. I plan to read a lot more of his work in this new one. 

New Thing #4 - Singing and Playing

If you don't (and don't plan to) play an instrument, that's fine. But if you do play one that is compatible with any form of singing, let me recommend this extremely helpful brain exercise that not only boost one's playing and singing abilities, but coordination period. Even just learning to play and sing one song is quite a challenge!

New Thing #3 - A New Movie Genre

I never watched Horror movies, or Thriller, and absolutely not Martial Arts movies. But I tried some of those this past year, and was, in some cases, impressed. I'm still not a big Horror or Thriller fan - I can't stand gore, and intensity makes me anxious or bored - but I still found a couple of movies I don't regret watching in the genre. (I did not enjoy every movie I saw, but I don't regret trying the genre.)  I definitely never really liked Martial Arts movies - they were always so cheesy, overdone, and violent, not to mention stupid in my own haughty opinion. But I tried a new one this year and actually ended up loving it (in fact... expect the movie Ip-Man to come up in another posts...). And I realized something from it - even if you don't like the genre in general, there's usually at least one movie in every genre that you would like, and you could be missing out on that movie just because of the genre. Besides, there are so many movies out there that totally don't fit the usually genre they're put in - you could be really missing out because of a fault label!

New Thing #2 - Tyrone Power Movies

Okay - this is easily one of the best non-religious things I discovered this year. I love Tyrone Power movies! Not only is he possibly one of the best-looking actors I've ever seen, but his acting is amazing, and most of his movies have great acting throughout them. Not to mention that a large chunk of them are thoroughly pro-Christian and pro-Catholic, as well as being dramatic in story, artistic in romance, and refreshing in their variety of setting - anything from romantic comedy to drama to action/adventure to mystery. The quality level of all of his earlier movies is also extremely skillful, with usually good sound, script, photography, and costumes (as well as, like I said, good supporting actors, including oldies but goodies like Orson Welles and Dana Andrews). I know, I know, I'm recommending a lot of movie things, but, honestly, even if you don't try a new genre or watch a silent movie, watch a Tyrone Power movie, please. (I will willingly recommend a few if you ask!)

New Thing #1 - The Traditional Latin Mass

So... I guess I didn't discover it this past year, but it definitely felt like it, because I haven't been going for very long. It really is just splendiferous, I'm telling you. Even if you're not a Catholic, the Latin Mass is a beautiful, culture-filled experience, as well as a prayerful and historical one - after all, even if you're not a Catholic, this is the way that Christians have celebrated the Mass almost since the time of Christ! Want to see how the Church Fathers and the Apostles saw the Mass? This is as close as you will probably get without a time machine. Again - even if you are not a Catholic, this is easily the one of the most culturally profound Christian Rites, and it is definitely an experience worth having. And what better way to start the year than to explore a beautiful, traditional way of glorifying God?

Well, that's all for now, folks - what did you think? Have any plans yet for things to try this year? Do any of the things on this list sound appealing to you? And now for the big question - what would you have me try this year? List up to ten things in a comment, and I will do my very best to try them and post the results up on this blog! Get creative - recommend anything you like, and I will hear the suggestion no matter what it is. I can't wait to see what you say!

If You Haven't Already Guessed...

I'm on hiatus. I really should have put up a notice saying so, but it kept slipping my mind. The reason for the break? It's threefold. Firstly, due to school and miscellaneous busyness that I always have. Secondly, because I'm trying to devote a little more time to fulfilling promises, such as beta reading for people, praying more, and spending time with my siblings in the all-too-easily consuming school year. Thirdly, - drumroll, please - it's because I'm finishing a novel. Finally. I know it's taken me long enough - after all, Alomina, my first-written current WIP, just celebrated its fourth birthday last month. Unfortunately... Alomina will have to go on waiting. I won't reveal which project it is I'm finishing until it's actually finished (whereupon I will start announcing it to the world), but that will be the gauge of my hiatus. As soon as it's finished, I will blog more regularly, and you will hear bells ringing as far as I can reach to annoy you with the news. As for now, what can you expect? Probably little or no posting for the next couple weeks to a month. That's not a super big change from what's going on. And then still probably varied amount of posting after that, depending on the status of the work in question. Trust me. You'll know when it's done. But, for now, mio amici, arriva derci!

The Liebster Award

Finally, another tag! This one is called the Liebster Award, and it's from Hope - thanks, Hope!

The rules are as follows:

• Create a new blog post on your blog thanking the person that nominated you, link to their blog, and put in a graphic of the award.
• Answer the questions that were provided, and then share some facts about yourself.
• Create a new set of your own questions for others to answer.
• Nominate others (around ten) and share your blog post with them so they can accept their award! This award is for bloggers with 200 followers or less.

And here are the questions Hope provided me with -

Are you an indoor or an outdoor person? Elaborate on your answer with pictures.

I am most certainly an indoor person. However. I just moved, and so don't have any pictures of the inside of the new house yet. Plus, outside pictures are more fun anyways!

What's one goal you'd like to accomplish in your lifetime?

Well, finishing a book, for one thing. Which I'm very close to doing. Publishing it, for another. Aside from anything strictly writing-related, I would most love to get one of my musical works performed - in fact, that probably more than getting a book published.

What's the weirdest thing you've ever done?

Haha, I don't think I'd put it on the internet even if I could pinpoint what it was! However. As far as things I will divulge, I once wrote a rap/poem concerning a hungry chicken and duck (in my defense, it was for a rather goofy relative who liked such things). I also have made a movie (with my sisters) using Barbies on strings as puppets (it was pretty hilarious!).

What's your favorite thing to do in the summer?

Probably roller skating. Or swimming. Something like that. Or very possibly staying inside and reading.

If you could choose your superpower, what would it be, and why?

Well, perhaps this is boring, but I'd take a page from my dad's book and choose to be able to control whatever powers I'm given in exactly the proportion they need be controlled in. It's boring, but really, you know, if most superheroes were able to have perfect control under reason of their every mental and physical ability, they wouldn't get into scrapes of their own making all the time.

What's on your bucket list?

Well, finishing my opera. Finishing a book. Finishing my musical. Basically... finishing stuff.

And now, some facts about yourself...

Hmm. Well, I think you guys know most of what there is to divulge at this point. I suppose, as what's new, I am currently in a bit of an obsession with silent movies. I have just been watching silent movie after silent movie, most of them horror movies, but a couple divergents from that path. I also have been watching a lot of horror movies (old horror movies). I fairly recently moved back up north, I am about to be the oldest of nine children, and I absolutely hate the movies Coco, Frozen, and Brave. I think that's everything even relatively recent that you didn't already know.

Now, while I can't nominate all ten people - almost everybody I know has been nominated, I think - I shall still give this tag some questions and send it out to whosoever has not yet done the tag yet.

What is your favorite musical?

If you were to choose your name to be something else, what would you choose?

Who do you hang out with the most?

What are you most likely to be seen doing?

What is your most despised book? Movie?

What is the most beautiful place you've ever seen?

What were you doing before writing this post?

What is a place you definitely don't want to go to?

And those facts about yourself...

This goes to whoever has not yet done the tag, as well as

Catherine and Lilah

Thanks again, Hope, for this lovely tag!

What did you think? Have you done this tag? Or are you going to pick it up? What's your favorite thing to do in the summer?





A Little Announcement

Hello! I apologize again for having yet another unannounced hiatus, but this time I'll do better. I went out of town, and was unable to blog, but I am now going on an official hiatus for most of April (due to my consuming Camp NaNo project). I may blab a little about said project during the month, but for the most part, I shall be absent, I think.

As for tags and things, they too shall wait, difortunamente. Not only because of Camp NaNo, but because I also have a performance for voice coming up that will take up much time practicing-wise and will take up much brains stress-wise. This recital unfortunately happens to be in May, so, while I may be blogging again come May's beginning, I shall not be resuming tags and link-ups and such, most likely, until near the end of May. I hope your projects and such are going quite so well, and I shall see you all again once Camp has closed. Arriva Derci! :)

Tidbits and Miscellany

I wasn't really sure what to post today, but I had a variety of things that needed said (as it often is), and so here I am, jamming them all into one not-too-neat little post, but there you are. Such are the ways of Belle when she's in a scatter-brainedly ecstatic mood (don't ask me why I am in such a state exactly, I don't believe I could answer you properly... if at all). Maybe it's the fact that I had a plate of cheese and crackers (which I adore). Maybe it's because I've gotten all of my schoolwork done and it's not even two o' clock. Maybe it's because of the prospect of the beautiful sunshine outside that is pretty enough to enjoy but too cold to be pushed out into. I don't know. But. Anyways. I have a few random things to tell you of. First of all,

What has Belle been up to?

A question... I do not usually answer on this blog as a principle. But, as this is labeled 'Tidbits and Miscellany' I think a little unorthodoxy is in order. I have been watching a movie I seem to be fated never to finish (the movies in question being Gunga Din, with Cary Grant). I have started the Oresteian play, Agamemnon, and am enjoying it greatly and even contemplating making it into and opera because would that not be just splendid??? What else. I have embarked upon the brainstorming stage of a new novel, coauthored with a friend (if she is alright with it, late on I may introduce it on here). I have also reached new heights in the word counts of The Pain of a Memory, Alomina, and The Ever-Three (The Second Brother's sequel). I think that's about everything exciting. Oh, yes, actually, I guess I also discovered an amazing new artist (been listening to him non-stop ever since) called Patrizio Buanne. If you like pop, check out his Solo Tu, if you like jazz, check out his Crazy, if you like swing, check out his L'Italiano, and if you like hilarious parodies, check out Home to Mamma. He's really got everything. And with that, anything of interest I had to say, I believe, is said. :) Now, the next thing.

Questions for Alagna? Please...?

So, I'm not really sure what else to do. When I posted the last character bio (of Alagna Arleine, from Alagna), for the purpose of character interviews, nobody asked her any questions. Which is completely understandable, just kinda awkward in my situation. Because with no questions... no interview, unfortunately. Maybe somebody could scrape together a few so that the interviews don't get stopped? I would be very grateful. :) Thanks!

The Second Brother

I have not written even one more word in The Second Brother, but have written immense amounts in the sequel. Why? Who knows? I really, really want to share the beginning of it, but I don't think I will just yet. However, there is something else of it that I will share - a surprise at the bottom of the post. *mysterious smile* ;)

What's Ahead?

Within the next several posts, here's what you can expect if you want spoilers:

• Character interview (if Alagna gets enough questions)
• The next part of The Pain of a Memory
• Possible another Meet the Books! feature
• Tags, tags, tags
• Snippets of a story

Just for those who were curious to desperation, haha. ;)

The Surprise

You probably skipped ahead to this, didn't ya? Oh well. I wouldn't really mind even if anyone did, because I'm very eager to show this off. :)
https://www.playbuzz.com/bellea15/which-quester-from-the-second-brother-are-you
Tell me who you got and if you liked it! :D
Any questions for Alagna? Any questions about what posts are coming up? Any questions concerning the quiz? Any suggestions for movies after I finally finish Gunga Din? ;) 



Tag Juggling - Look At Me, Three At Once!

Hallo! I would write you a captivating introduction to this post, but as it is, I am very busy. Busy doing what, you may ask? Well, juggling. Juggling tags, to be precise. I think every tag in the blogging world (total exaggeration) has hit me and I have procrastinated long enough to have more tags than I do Il Divo albums now (not an exaggeration, unfortunately). So! I need to start juggling!

The Versatile Blogger Award

I technically didn't get tagged for this one, per se, but I said I would do it... *shrugs* And so I shall.

The Rules (because, to quote a movie I really hate but am always quoting, "What's fun without the rules?"):

• Thank the person who nominated you (no one, in this case, but I'll thank Lucy Agnes anyways, as it was her doing that it even got on my radar. Thanks, Lucy!)
• Share 7 facts about yourself (ugh - boring!)
• Nominate 10(?!) other bloggers of your choice
• Link your nominees and let them know of your nomination

Alrighty, concerning Belle -

Fact #1



I am a student of music, studying voice and piano presently, and in the midst of writing with said musical learning two operas and a wanna-be Broadway musical.

Fact #2

I am so in love with fictional characters sometimes, I wrote a waltz for a book character once, as well as extensive poetry.

Fact #3

I am a baptized, confirmed Roman Catholic, very traditional, very orthodox, and I don't enjoy it when people make fun of religion or religious people. STOP MAKING FUN OF CATHOLICS!!!

Fact #4

My five favorite actors are Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Fred Astaire, Charlton Heston, and Jimmy Stewart (in that order), and all of them are dead at this point in time. :P

Fact #5

I am so introverted, the one time I experienced any kind of male attention that was obviously romantically inclined, I was weirded out and initially avoided the guy because of it (and am still weirded out!)

Fact #6

I have listening to and/or watched the opera Carmen so many times, that hearing any piece from it, I could tell you exactly what act it was in, exactly who sang it, and almost exactly what part it's at in the opera (working on that presently).

Fact #7

Despite being very awkward and caught off-guard in any such personal experience, as in Fact #5, I am quite the romantic for other people and fictional characters.

And that sums that part up. Now, I don't even know 10 bloggers, I don't think, so I'll just tag a bunch of people for all three tags at the bottom of this pots.

The Cookie Book Tag

Okay, so is the name of this tag not just delicious in itself??? I don't know about you, but if there was an award for tags with the best title, this one would get it. :) The rules are to match a book to each cookie listed, and then to spread the tag via awarding other bloggers. Which I shall now do.

This has to be one of my favorite pictures ever. So yummy... :D

Chocolate Chip - a book that never gets old

Blue, the lovely lady who tagged me (and thanks, btw, Blue!) already said the Bible, so let me think... The Hobbit, duh! Best book to re-read ever!

Dutch Snowballs - a book that gave you an unexpected surprise

The Chronicles of Prydain, to be sure. I love the old The Black Cauldron cartoon, but I had always despised Gurgi in it with all my being. If there was one single thought I had about the story, it was that Gurgi was soooooo dumb. But then I read the book. I don't understand it. He wasn't even that difference in the book, but somehow, I adored him. Gurgi - whose prime fact of his existence was that I hated him - became one of my favorites. Boy was that a surprise.

Molasses - a book with a character that gets in a sticky situation

The Scarlet Pimpernel. Marguerite digs herself in such a deep hole in parts of it, it's just ridiculous. *facepalm* She just gets into so much trouble. It's very frustrating.

Oreo - a book dealing with the light and the darkness

I'd say Crusader King (my most recent book-love experience). It shows the virtue and growing goodness of Baldwin himself, and his friend Theo very well, but the villains - wow. They were just painted so vividly, they were just despicable. And yet... you could see the way the wheels in their heads turned. Just like Baldwin and Theo, sorta. Except they were twisted. But it showed both sides in intimate ways, making it an exceedingly pleasurable read.

Sugar - a book with a sugary sweet villain

Pride and Prejudice - Wickham definitely fits that billing. And he's just as sickeningly sweet as a sugar cookie is too. *nods head decisively*

Monster - a book that confused your emotions

Princess Academy definitely did. The romance was so vague, and yet present, that it was soooooo hard to figure out (while at the same time being incredibly simple). It drove me into an inner hysterical state sometimes, truly. I loved the prince (even though he wasn't present for most of the book), and I also loved the original romantic interest, Peder, but I was so torn. Because there wasn't a real love triangle, except maybe in the protagonist's head. The prince only seemed to mildly enjoy her company, and Peder was too hard to figure for all his simplicity of emotion. But in her head it was such a frustrating ultimatum of definitely marrying one or the other - Ahhhhhh!!!!

Snickerdoodle - a book that made you laugh

Again, Crusader King would fit well, but I'll try and pick a different one. Hmm... man, I really haven't been reading many comic books lately... How about  Little Women? Laurie always makes me laugh in that (despite the fact that I may or may not have already read it seven times...).

Peanut Butter - a book with a nutty character

Oh, definitely King Solomon's Mines. It wasn't lacking in eccentric characters, let's just say... :P

Now, thank you for the tag, Blue! And I shall tag people at the bottom of this post.

Daily Quote Challenge

This one I got from Anna Deubell. Thank, Anna! So the rules are as follows:

1. Thank the person who nominated you (check!)
2. Nominate three new bloggers everyday (at the bottom of the post)
3. Post a new quote each day for three consecutive days

And... I'm going to do it like Anna did it, and just do all three quotes all at once right now. And also like Anna, I'm going to make this fun and do quotes having to do with stories (then, also like Anna, display quotes from the stories themselves). I'm going to use my newest novel - My Land, My Heart.

"Someday, someone will hug you so tight that all your broken pieces fit back together"

-Anonymous-

This quote fits perfectly to the story (which... will someday be introduced on here, no doubt). And here is a quote from My Land, My Heart:

"It doesn't matter if I am loved. I love, and that is what matters, isn't it?"

- Selina (although Veren also says something similar) -

All the remaining pictures are taken from the My Land, My Heart Pinterest board, here.

"True soldiers fight not because they hate what is in front of them, but because they love what is behind them"

- G. K. Chesterton -

Another perfect one. This basically summarizes the idea behind the title and the whole story. Love doesn't cause fights, but love doesn't run from them. It's a display of Mr. Chesterton's pure brilliance at its best certainly.

"War is inevitable at this point, but I have reconciled myself to it in the face of the reason why it is inevitable"

- Veren -

"How do you move on? You move on when your heart finally understands that there is no going back"

- J. R. R. Tolkien -

Can anyone state it more artistically? This quote is a story within itself. No novelist has since failed to reciprocate in some form or other the many ideas of Tolkien, and this especially is one no one can help copying... not even me.

"Perhaps the reason I do not mourn is because I know that it is not the time - there is more reason to mourn yet coming, there are other people who need me more than my mourning, and there are people who will mourn more than I before this is over"

- Ronan -

So! That ends the quotes, and I'll end the tag by thanking Anna. Thanks, Anna, for the tag, and for allowing me to be the copycat that I have been! :P

And the bloggers I shall nominate for all three of these tags are as follows:

• Hope
• Catherine Hawthorn
• Lucy Agnes (excepting the Versatile Blogger Award)
• Blue (except for the Cookie Book Tag, which she has already done)
• Kate
• Fellow Rebel (please let me know if you read this, Fellow Rebel, because even though I have seen your icon here before, I do not know where to find your blog and so have no other way of telling you of your tagging)
• Kat N Lia (same situation as Fellow Rebel - please let me know if you see this)
• Anna Deubell (excepting the Daily Quote Challenge)
• Anyone else who feels like doing any of these

Don't ask me what this picture has to do with tags... It looked kinda cool. :P

And that ends this post. Thanks to all the people who tagged me (for those who don't see their tag here, I will be doing more tags soon, don't worry!), and thanks to all the people who made the tags - they were a blast! :D Happy New Year to all of you, and to those whom it may be of interest to, a late happy Solemnity of Mary as well. I hope you enjoyed the post, and with this post is ended my hiatus, so I shall be back again soon. :) 











Announcing the Posting of a Novel - Feat. Part One of The Pain of a Memory!

Bongiorno (Or buona notte, depending on what time you read this post)! ;) I am announcing the entry of one of my novels onto this blog, that novel being The Pain of a Memory (which was my April Camp NaNo WIP). I know everyone's getting ready for real NaNo, but I'm not doing it this year (let's just say things were not ideal last year). In fact, posting this novel is kind-of my way of defying NaNo and glorifying Camp NaNo while every body else is doing the opposite. ;) But, anyhow, passing up on the matter of intensely-stressing writing-months, I give you the first chapter of The Pain of a Memory. Feel free to just skim read; eat it up; critique; not read it at all and still comment, haha; anything you want. ;) I love critiques, am ecstatic about you even reading the first few sentences, and am eager for you to love reading as much as more than I enjoyed writing it (with hopefully less nervous sweating and laborious thought of editing). ;D Anyways, without further ado, here it is (and I do realize it's incredibly messy, yes). :P

***

Anwynne glanced out the window of her carriage. Only a vast ocean of trees and mountains could be seen through that gap to the outside world. Perhaps another day she would have thought this sight splendid. But this day, she had no wonder to spare for such frivolities or simple beauties.

The scarlet leaves, slowly fading away from the silver-barked trees, were nothing. The silver mountain in the distance, glinting with ice in the lowering autumn sun, was nothing. They were nothing to her this day. They only served as a reminder of exactly why they were nothing to her. The leaves fell like the last days of her journey. The silver, ever-approaching winter, and that distant palace of stone, was like the faraway throne she would soon ascend to.

Anwynne was going to Nistria, a country far from her own Ingrecia. She would be there in but five days. There, as arranged by her own country, she would marry the king-to-be, Angelo I, and take up queenship there. A foreign queen in a cold land, drifting away from her own country with the last traces of autumn. This was why all that she now saw - every tree in that dying forest - was nothing to  her. Soon enough, it would all be gone, passing away like her own nothingness, only to be crowned in cold grandeur, as she would soon also be.

 

Anwynne knew it was her duty to her country to marry the prince. Thus, she was indifferent to it. If it must be, and it would bring greater peace for her country, then so be it. Anwynne had resigned herself to it.

 

And it wasn't as though she was being set up for unhappiness. Her mother had taken every measure to make sure Anwynne was happy. The Nistrian prince was not far from Anwynne's own age, and was known only for his qualities. So Anwynne had decided she would try to love him, and proceed with the alliance. And if she could not love him, then she would merely be queen as she could. It was no matter of any distress to her, and she almost found herself looking forward to the queenship, if nothing else. 

Anwynne glanced away from the window after a moment spent in thought. Her lady-in-waiting, Elystra - one of the only friends she had brought with her from Ingrecia - was sitting opposite her, embroidering some small thing. Maid Elystra had been slightly less unperturbed by the journey. She had been concerned for Anwynne. When told of the alliance, Elystra had tried to speak to Anwynne, and ask her to consider the choice in more depth. Anwynne had told Elystra that nothing would be wrong, and so Elystra had abandoned the subject. She was still sad to leave Ingrecia, no doubt, but she kept silent and went with Anwynne willingly.

Anwynne and Elystra had been friends for many a long year, despite their slight  differences in social rank. Though Anwynne could have chosen many companions for this journey, she only chose Elystra. Elystra was one of the only friends Anwynne had. And Anwynne only desired a little company, so Elystra had been perfect. Elystra had been willing to leave her home, and her inherited nobility, just to come with Anwynne. But this was the sort of character Elystra had, which was exactly why Anwynne loved her so.

 Anwynne's guard, like her attendance, was light. There had been trouble in Belestine - the country they had to pass through to get to Nistria - and so they had chosen to be secretive and stealthy in the mission. Her guard was only composed of about a dozen men, captained by Anwynne's only other friend, Elystra's twin brother, Errius. Other than that, the only guards were two sentries riding ahead to scout for danger.

Anwynne's thoughts were then interrupted by the voice of Elystra. "Your Grace...?"

Anwynne looked over at Elystra. "What is it, Elystra?"

 

Elystra looked down. "I have an odd feeling, Your Highness... that something is wrong, and I cannot brush it away"

Anwynne raised a brow. "I sense that this is not the first time you've had these doubts, Elystra"

Elystra blushed slightly, and took her focus off her embroidery. "I don't know, Princess. Somehow... I've had a foreboding feeling since this journey was proposed..." Elystra shook herself and tried to smile at Anwynne. "But I'm sure it's fine..."

Anwynne shook her head resignedly. Elystra was such a fearful little lamb...

Suddenly, the carriage stopped, and the sounds of the rest of the host ceased.

Elystra stopped embroidering and her eyes widened a bit. "What...?"

 

"I don't know", replied Anwynne instinctively, though Elystra had not finished the query.

Anwynne, in a small burst of courage looked slowly out the window. The guards were standing a little ways off, looking at the front of the carriage, where the Captain was riding. Then some voices sounded from in front of the carriage. Voices she didn't recognize. Then the guards moved closer to the carriage. Wait a moment. Those men were not guards. They were dressed in shabby clothes, and had knives at their belts rather than swords. Robbers. Anwynne quickly pulled the drapes over the window.

Then from the front of the carriage came a sword-like clanging, and the voices getting much louder, and the neighing of frightened horses. Anwynne's heart was beating at an insane swiftness, unable to be calmed by her self-assurances that Errius could handle the threat. She looked over at Elystra. Elystra's huge, silvery eyes were wide with worry, and her skin was even paler than usual, changed to an almost white tone. Her face was no longer so rosy, but ghost-like, and a rogue strand of her straight black hair was hanging over her face.

Gradually the swords stopped, and Anwynne listened as hard as she could for some sign that Errius' soldiers had triumphed. Then the carriage door abruptly opened, and a couple of men were revealed. The one that stood in front was extremely tall, with blue eyes glinting through black hair that hung over his face.

They proceeded - wordless - to take a shocked, but weakly struggling Elystra out and bind her. She tried to pull away, but fainted from using all her energy against them. Once they were finished with Elystra, they then pulled Anwynne out almost effortlessly. Once she was out, though, she kicked and she fought as hard as she could. However, despite her endeavor, they still managed to tie her wrists. After this, she stopped struggling, seeing as it was currently pointless, and she was quite out of breath from trying. So Anwynne had to content herself with glaring as they led her into the forest.

All the guards - and all the other bandits, on that account - were mysteriously gone, along with almost everything the carriage had been carrying. The only ones trudging through the forest, oddly enough, were the two men, Anwynne, and Elystra.

They went a good way into the forest, and entered a sort of cave, that one wouldn't have really noticed unless you were looking for it. Once inside, Anwynne fully realized how many bandits there had really been. There were dozens inside the giant, day-lit cave, surrounding the now tied-up guards of the host, including the two scouts. Elystra was lain on the floor, next to the guards, all of whom were tied up, and most of whom were unconscious.

Suddenly a noise sounded from on top of the rock in front of Anwynne. She looked up. There was a somewhat tall man, with bronze-ish colored hair, and brown eyes that were almost cat-like, perched on a rock in a comfortable, feline position, who when he saw Anwynne, jumped down agilely like a tiger, and moved quickly towards  her.   

"Hello, Highness!", he said in a careless, almost amused tone. "I am most glad to see you here. Captain Orlando Rogan, the Belestinian thief", he continued, bowing. "And welcome to the den of the Silver Forest Bandits"



***

Anyways, that's the first scene. Unfortunately, because this story started out completely improvised (and kept being written that way for looooong time), it isn't separated into chapters, so I'm just going to post it scene by scene instead (or two scenes at a time, depending on how long they are). I hope you enjoyed it! :) What did you think? Hopefully it didn't ruin anybody for reading any of my writing ever again, haha... :P Don't worry, it gets better - at least a little bit. :)

Blog Announcement

I'm sorry to inform my lovely audience here at Worlds Of Ink And Paper that I will be going on an unofficial hiatus for June and July.

I may still blog occasionally, but it will not be regular or very often unfortunately. You see, as Miss Lucy Agnes made me realize, the summer really is too short and goes by too fast to spend a lot of time on the computer typing (even if it is for the loveliest crowd), so I'm going to just enjoy it while it lasts. Sorry! I hope you can forgive me, and meanwhile read other lovely blogs until I return (if such other equals exist, haha). ;) Partiro!

Penning Tournament - The Natural Disaster Challenge

Hopefully this won't seem to rushed, because I assure you that I'm writing this at break-neck speed just so I can post something. I'm sorry it's been a while, but here is the next post, and next challenge in the Penning Tournament.

So, there's a reason that this one is called The Natural Disaster Challenge, and it's not because I'm participating. ;) The challenge is this:
Write at least 1k words, required to be in at least one scene, but allowed to be split into more, of the effects of, or the event of, a natural disaster. Anything from a tornado, hurricane, or typhoon to a volcano eruption, earthquake, or wildfire to a flood, tsunami, or cave-in. Get creative and use any disaster you want. The only catch is that it's due by March the 28th. Good luck to Lucy, me, and anyone else who wants to participate! :)

Again, a reminder is that, due to Lucy's inability to blog this Lenten season, if she finishes this assignment before or with me, then her excerpt will be posted on here either alone, or along with mine. Likewise, if she finishes, her victory post, and the next challenge (which will be set by her) will also be on here. So look for Lucy's lovely writing on this ole place! (Hehe, maybe it will attract more people... You see, haha, evil plot by Belle Anne, mwahahaha!) Let's just hope that my version of this assignment doesn't turn out to be a natural disaster, haha. ;) Yeah... that was a terrible pun, I know. Belle's humor is getting weak. :P Anyways, another reminder, if you need it, on what this tournament is about can found here, and the last challenge can be found here. The location of my fellow tournament competitor's blog is here, at Tanglewebs And Fairy Rings. And obviously you know where to find mine, or else how did you get here? ;) I think that's about it. Around the 28th, I will post updates on the Tournament, and the excerpts of whoever finished the assignment, with a victory post from either me or Luce. After that, one of us will set the assignment, but it will pop up on here.
What do you think of this challenge? Sound as fun as the last one? Better maybe? Think you might participate? If you do, the only rule is to link up here (Lucy's blog would be acceptable also, but she is on hiatus over there at the moment, and so will not see it for a while if you do). I also will read the excerpt, so don't think 'I won't link mine up because Belle is too busy to read it'. I am never too busy to read good literature! So there. ;) Do you think the time frame sounds manageable? Is anybody else frustrated that the pretty picture I tried to design for the Tournament never shows up large enough to read the small type?! Agh! :)

Penning Tournament - Updates

Bongiorno! Yeah, I know you're probably all wondering why I've been gone. Well, in a rather hilariously chaotic chain of events, all I have been able to do over the past few days is answer comments. You see, I was gone for a while, and then arrived home a lot later than I had anticipated to, and then once I got home, I got sick... again. :P So, sorry...? I'm okay now, and so I figured I'll make it up to you guys by this post, and hopefully a good CE on Sunday (shh! I'm not saying anything else about it!). Anyways, I'm here today to give updates on the Penning Tournament. You can find the previous tournament post here. Just as a reminder, this writing challenge is a writing incentive of a sort for me and Lucy@TanglewebsAndFairyRings.

The Results:
I completed the challenge at the very last minute, and Lucy, difortunamente, did not. So, I shall post mine right here and now.

----***----

Leta sat down on the ground. Another mission to be completed, and it felt more hopeless in outlook than any previous ones. This would be the one to decide everything: what Leta and her team had worked for, and whether it would ever come to anything. They only had a couple hours, and then they would begin the impossible-seeming quest.




Leta looked around at the team. Sam was out of sight, undoubtedly checking the flier's readiness. Tsonja was looking over a diagram of the movements for the plan. The only proof that Vance was anywhere near was a lofty figure in the distance, keeping watch quite unnecessarily. Bertie was looking at Leta in an almost observing way, as though not quite sure what to do or say.


Leta looked back down at her feet. She didn't even want to think about how much of the team would be left after this was all over. Could she lose any of them? Technically speaking, she could lose any one of them, especially with the jobs they all had. But could she really afford to lose them? Not just for the team, but for her? It pained her to think of it... yet, she couldn't help it somehow.



She could lose any one of them forever, and be all alone... again. Leta could lose Sam, never to be cheered or assured by his happy words again. She could lose Tsonja, never to laugh at that dry look again. Leta's face grew warm with the threat of tears. She could lose Bertie, never to hear that infectious laugh again... Leta looked up at Vance's shape in the distance. She could lose Vance... never to see that frustrating grin, or that wind-blown hair, or that towering figure keeping watch in the distance ever again... Leta looked down yet once more.




So much could be lost... But losing Vance... How would she ever recover from that? How would she ever feel whole again if that happened? Leta couldn't lose him... She couldn't be alone again.. They couldn't leave her alone.. Never...


Someone sat down next to Leta. A hand neared Leta's. Leta looked up. It was Bertie, still looking at her observingly, but with almost a tinge of worry now.


"You okay, kid?" Bertie's hand went over her own comfortingly.


Leta bit her lip hesitantly. "I don't know, Bertie..."


Bertie smiled. "Don't say you don't know, because I know you, kid, and you're worrying. What's wrong?"


Leta attempted a smile. "Nothing, Bertie... It's just - I - what if one of us - or more than one of us - doesn't come back from this mission?"


Bertie nodded and sighed a little. "I know what you mean. I've been thinking about it a lot too, kid, 'cause I've been there before" Bertie swallowed, and paused for a moment. "I've gone out there with somebody, and come back alone, and it wasn't fun, I can tell you. But I guess that's what we all signed up for, isn't it? We never go out there a hundred percent sure that we're gonna come back, I guess, so what makes this time any different?"


"Yes, but..." Leta looked down. "Well, when I got into this, I signed up alone. I was alone, thought I always would be. I though that if I didn't come back, it'd still just be me... alone... so, I guess it didn't matter as much... I never counted on losing a team... you, or Vance..." Leta trailed off, her eyes going back to rest on faraway Vance.


Bertie turned her face towards his with a characteristic smile. "I know. But don't worry - you won't be alone again. We've got your back, kid"


"But can you guarantee you'll never go?", Leta asked doubtfully.


Bertie smiled again. "You know I can't. But I can promise you, kid, that Vance and I, we'll stick by you. We won't ever leave you, even when it seems like we might"


Leta's eyes flew to Vance again, and a moment of silence ensued.


Bertie also turned out to look at Vance thoughtfully. "You like him, don't you?", he queried finally.


Leta was a bit startled by the question. She recovered after a second, and half-smiled. "Yes, I do..." She laughed. "But not like you mean, Bertie... Not like you and Tsonja anyways"


Bertie turned away from Vance and back to Leta. He raised an eyebrow at her suspiciously, a tiny glint in his eyes. "What about me and Tsonja...?


Leta smiled teasingly, the first real, full smile she'd felt all day. "Oh, nothing, Mr. Dim-Bulb Fleming, nothing at all", she said, so quiet it was practically under her breath.


Bertie shot her a mock irritated look. "Somehow I have a feeling that wasn't supposed to mean 'nothing', kid. And really?" He slapped his hand to his face laughingly. "You 'forgot' my rank again. You know, technically I'm Major Dim-Bulb Fleming! Can't a guy get a little respect, at least from Russian little girls who are under his command?"


Leta shook her head grinningly. "Nope. You'll always be Mr. Dim-Bulb Fleming to me, Bertie"


Bertie eyed her exasperatedly. "Not sure if that was supposed to be disrespectful or sentimental, but either way you're gonna pay for it later, kid"


Leta got up laughingly. "Well, so will you, Dim-Bulb. I believe I'll go over to Tsonja right now and tell her of your being enamored with her"


Bertie got up in disbelief and pushed Leta back down. "You rascal!", he laughed frustratedly. "You wouldn't go and tell her such a story like that! For that, you're in timeout here until we leave"


Leta looked up at him innocently. "It wouldn't be a story, it would be true. And last time I checked, timeout is not a regulated punishment, Bertie"


Bertie chuckled a bit. "Well, it is now. And who told you such a ridiculous story anyways?"


Leta blinked and grinned. "Well, Vance was the one who figured it out, but it's pretty obvious anyways"


Bertie started to walk towards Vance, a reluctant grin spread over his face. "Well, I'm gonna have to have a word with Lt. Vance, then. You stay there, Missy"


Leta called after him, making sure Tsonja was out of earshot, "So when do I need to buy a dress for your wedding?"


Bertie's now-becoming distant figure quaked as though laughing. "Never - you're not invited!"
----***----


What you just read was an excerpt from In Greater Hands, right before an action scene (I apologize for the unstable nature of the scene - it was supposed to be a relief in between intense scenes, and it isn't the full scene). I wrote it for the Penning Tournament challenge (which there's a link to at the beginning of this post). I chose this line of the song If Ever I Would Leave You, my favorite song from Lerner and Loewe's Camelot:


Oh, no, not in springtime, summer, winter, or fall - no, never could I leave you at all!


The next challenge will be posted shortly by me, since Miss Lucy did not finish hers. And there will also be a change in plans for this feature. Since Miss Lucy will be unable to blog during this Lenten season, her writings for the tournament will appear on the blog of yours truly when she e-mails them to me. Her challenges will also appear here. Anyways, I think that was all I had to say. ;) You can count on another challenge being posted soon. At the moment, I'm off to go and think it up. ;)
What did you think? Did you like the excerpt I wrote? Do you like Bertie? Or any of the other characters mentioned? What do you think of the song I chose for this challenge? Anybody else now really wanting to listen to Camelot? :)




The Penning Tournament: First Challenge

Yay! Yes, you will always remember this as the day Belle almost procrastinated and didn't put up the first challenge for the tournament. But she ended up doing it, didn't she? ;) Okay, enough with the quotes and teasiness. I must get on with business. So, I have for you the first challenge, which I shall simply say now rather than having the part where I go on for a while (haha, I'm just nerding it up today with references, aren't I? Pirates of the Carribean, old 50's songs, and Pooh Bear... I am such a dork...). ;) Anyways, here is the challenge for me and Lucy:

A Music-Based Challenge!

So, take either your very favorite song from a musical you like, or a song you simply like from your very favorite musical. Take only one line from this song, and write a scene off of it, inspired by that one line. It must be roughly 1k words or more. You will have until the 28th of February to write it. And... the fact that it's a music-based challenge has nothing to do with the fact that I was singing and going to a piano lesson before I posted this... :P
What do you think? Lucy, your thoughts? I hope that this challenge was creative enough, because I felt like it wasn't altogether too original. In fact... it vaguely reminds me of another challenge we had to do at a different time... hmm... :P Anyways, I suppose since I said I was commentator, I'll give some updates and plans for this thing, at least on my side. Whoever succeeds will give the next challenge. I plan to do this challenge for... hmmm... I think I will use my newest story to write this thing, but I'm not positive yet. It depends on the song I end up going with. But, if I do, that means new characters (new to this blog at least) will be up on here soon. And I will post more updates when the first challenge is finished, I think. Unless of course Lucy wishes to do this. Or unless I don't finish it. Okay, I guess I'll commentate from whatever position seems fit. For the moment, though, konbonwa, friends! ;)
What do you think of the challenge? Do you think this one sounds fun? If it does, you're welcome to try... ;) Do you like writing challenges? Or are you more a self-planning writer? Is Belle's chatter already getting annoying? ;) Note: I will unfortunately be out of town for about a week or so starting Saturday, so I will not be posting anything in that time, including Catholicism Explained. (sowweee!!!) :(