tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1226114742160624552023-11-16T05:33:28.301-08:00Author Rebekah D.Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-11074855068361573582017-04-05T18:38:00.000-07:002017-04-05T18:38:36.490-07:00It Never Rains but It PoursI hit 20,000 words on my sequel today! 20,000 words! Words are flowing fast and free, and characters are dropping like flies... or something like that.<br />
<br />
Camp NaNoWriMo Day 5: 2,466 words. Done.Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-80893434892818226562017-04-04T19:54:00.001-07:002017-04-04T19:54:11.331-07:00Camp NaNoWriMo Day 4Still that nasty real-life stuff getting in the way. A mere 1,046 words from me today, and I'm about to crash in bed. Goodnight.Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-75025383405006634802017-04-03T19:50:00.003-07:002017-04-03T19:50:41.974-07:00Real Life is BoringSo boring that I got a measly amount of writing done today. Wait for tomorrow to get some actual news. :)Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-63233524280250400832017-04-02T14:44:00.003-07:002017-04-02T14:44:55.645-07:00You See What Happens When You Challenge Me?I have this problem when it comes to writing: I'm insanely competetive. And when someone challenges me to a word war (timed writing race), ain't nobody going to stop me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyL0t0itX3BhL1RYS1SS3m8Yd5oTmhSTTXPnAPD1lfVYfGpm5F6B3PXDBuFHAgtDD209KwVWptYunYHsd5zR0JWmy3XT0fAt23l82ZUNRiU4z0RngmzTQddsarWqNNGVdxhxkelh6uLwR/s1600/word-war-1042268_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyL0t0itX3BhL1RYS1SS3m8Yd5oTmhSTTXPnAPD1lfVYfGpm5F6B3PXDBuFHAgtDD209KwVWptYunYHsd5zR0JWmy3XT0fAt23l82ZUNRiU4z0RngmzTQddsarWqNNGVdxhxkelh6uLwR/s320/word-war-1042268_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
That said, many word wars over the last two days have led to a complete 16,269 words. Yes, that is an uneven number. No, I'm not writing any more today.<br />
I was going to stop at 15,000, but what can I say? Word War!<br />
During these word wars. Marie Wench, my main character, has sailed across an ocean. She's met her twin brother face to face for the first time in their lives.<br />
And she's still alive. For the moment.<br />
<br />
<b>What about you? What are you insanely competitive about? What challenges you the most?</b>Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-23719742399655289502017-04-01T17:41:00.000-07:002017-04-01T17:41:10.269-07:00Camp NaNoWriMo Day 1Camp Day 1 is over and done...<br />
Well, sort of. I probably have time to write some more words, but after 11,651 words today- yeah, you got that right- I'm ready for a break.<br />
What did I learn today? That characters sometimes take their stories into their own hamds, doing things the author never imagined them to do. *hinthint, General Raphael*<br />
<br />
What about you? If you're participating in Camp NaNoWriMo, how did you do?<br />
<br />
If not, what fictional character (by which author) surprised you? Was it in a good way or a bad one?Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-14813385746689938482017-03-31T19:11:00.004-07:002017-03-31T19:11:46.320-07:00April Camp NaNoWriMoCamp NaNoWriMo begins tomorrow, which means... yes, you guessed it, much writing! This year I've decided to do something different and blog my updates at the end of each day. Keep an eye out here and watch my wordcount soar!Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-25015789645408252092017-03-30T03:08:00.000-07:002017-03-30T03:08:36.493-07:00Shadows of the Hersweald<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Happy
Vallegrande Day to everyone! (Not that anyone outside of Bolivia cares,
but still…)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If
you’ve been paying any attention to my Facebook posts lately, you’ve probably
caught on to my obsession with one Hope Ann. She’s a homeschool graduate, also
the eldest of a large family, and has self-published multiple fairytale
retellings on Amazon. Her latest book, <i>Shadows
of the Hersweald, </i>an awesome retelling of Hansel and Gretel, released just
this last week<i>. </i>Here’s the blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #415161; font-family: "Montserrat","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">They<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><em><span style="font-family: "Montserrat","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">would</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>have to
come that afternoon. Haydn glared at the rutted road twisted away from the gate
beneath him, slithering into the shadows of the Harsweald. And what was the
flaming idea behind leaving<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "Montserrat","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">him</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>in
charge? Tregaron in the hands of a criminal… that would put them all in the
good graces of the province governor, no questions asked.<span style="color: #415161; font-family: "Montserrat","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">A battered soldier from a defeated army, Haydn
knows there is only one end to the arrival of the Prince’s governor. Except he
hasn’t counted on the Prince himself. Or the pardon which his recent foe has
declared to acquit all those who fought against him.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">A pardon Haydn detests.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">A pardon that refuses to punish the rebels now
threatening his own village. And his sister.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Guilt-ridden from his own actions during the war,
Haydn knows there are others who have no conscience at all. Others who are
using the freedom of the pardon to forward their own desperate schemes.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">With enemies closing in on all sides, a pardon
that refuses punishment, and nightmares of murder and fire haunting his every
thought, will Haydn recognize the truth or will his fear condemn everything he
loves to destruction?</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Perfect for those who love fantasy, but don’t have
the time to sit down for a full-length novel, this third novella in the Legends
of Light series presents the story of Hansel and Gretel as you have never read
it before. Full of danger, loyalty, and betrayal, all tinted red from the
shuddering glow of the firecarn, this is more than a mere retelling of a
favorite fairy tale.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And for more of a treat, my dear
friends, I have… (*whispers*) a sneak peak. Wanna see? Here goes…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>Footsteps crunched
through the gate. Hasty, firm treads. That hadn’t taken them long.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>Haydn bit his lip.
They would drag him away soon, pardon or no. His eyes trailed the words
engraved on the pavement. Words of promise. Words his father loved. Useless
words, like the pardon, but strong words nevertheless. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>Who hath believed
our report? The Oath of the King shall never fall. His promise to those who
rebelled will stand completed…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>“You destroy and
reject the pardon of the Prince, yet you come here for refuge?” The familiar
voice carried a hint of amusement. “Don’t you find that a little ironic?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>“Should I?” Haydn
asked without lifting his gaze.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>Traveon sighed.
“That is all I get? Two years at war on opposite sides, and you won’t give me
more than two words?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>Haydn dragged his
gaze upward. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>Traveon raised one
eyebrow. “Come now. I don’t look that bad.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>Haydn snorted, but
his lip curved into a faint smile. “You look like you spent the last year
scrounging for food in the Hersweald. Didn’t the Prince’s army feed you?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>“More than they fed
you, apparently.” Traveon took a step forward, holding out a hand. “As for
sleep, however…”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>Haydn clasped his
comrade’s sinewy forearm. “We kept you busy?” He smirked.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>“Oh, no. It was
trying to figure out how to deal with blockheads like you once the war was over
that kept us around the fires.” Traveon shook his head, but his smile faded.
“What were you thinking? I mean, I’ve seen you do foolish things—”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>“Most of which were
your idea,” Haydn reminded him.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Check
it out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #415161; font-family: Montserrat;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Hersweald-Hansel-Novella-Legends-ebook/dp/B01MSB6S6C">https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Hersweald-Hansel-Novella-Legends-ebook/dp/B01MSB6S6C</a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-8347703125989161502017-03-13T14:31:00.000-07:002017-03-13T14:31:08.336-07:00When the Music Fades Project Update<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A minstrel girl finds relief
from her troubled past in her alcohol and singing, but when her hearing
abandons her, she must decide between contentment in silence or taking her own
life.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
wrote this story—complete at nearly five thousand words—in four days for Kendra
E. Ardnek’s contest over at knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Maeve
and her brother Ealar have been journeying throughout the whole land of Éire for
six months now, masked as minstrel lads. Though even Maeve cannot deny her
growing addiction to alcohol, life is going well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Until
this night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
night, when the ringing of her ears grows unbearable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
next morning, when she learns the dreadful truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When the Music Fades </span></i><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">has been a wonderful way to
put myself into Maeve’s shoes, to imagine my own reaction in the same
situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
winner of the contest will be announced on the twenty-fifth. So close… yet so
very far away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-40572179346857523942017-02-23T08:24:00.000-08:002017-02-23T08:24:47.360-08:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">2017…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bolivian
Time<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bolivia
has a different concept of time than the U.S. does. In the States, “on time”
is, well, on time. “On time” in Bolivia is twenty minutes late. This post is a
month and twenty-three days late! Bolivian time…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">2017
is sizing up to be a very busy year on my side of the universe. Here’s the
rundown:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">January:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Real Life: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Two weeks of camp preparation and camp itself,
preparation for classes starting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <b>Writing
Life (the fun stuff): </b>Basically nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">February: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Real Life: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bible Institute classes
started. So did my nighttime beauty classes (that sounds like something from a
fairytale—anyone agree?). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Writing
Life: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
completed the first draft of <i>Roshanara
and the Dragon </i>and started revising. <i>I
Slapped My Prince Charming </i>is on revision number 10. Hopefully Revision #11
will be the last. Also, I started <i>When
Music Fades </i>for a contest whose deadline is the last day of the month.
Praying that I can get it done in time. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Goudy Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Goudy Old Style"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> But isn’t that cover—the prize—gorgeous?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 35.4pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Publication
Stuff: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I Slapped My Prince Charming</span></i><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">’s information is off to Tremani
Sutcliffe, the cover designer. I’m planning on self-publishing this one. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Goudy Old Style"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Goudy Old Style"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m not sure whether to put this under writing or
publication, but I have gotten involved in Project Canvas which is—I quote—“a
collaborative writing project. Vision: to create a book of writing advice and
inspiration for fellow writers.” Check their website out at
projectcanvasbook.weebly.com if you’re interested. I am writing about the topic
of discipline and time management, which as you can see is something I’m
constantly trying to improve on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">March:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Real Life: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Translation for a medical team in the big city, which
means a week away from home, work and classes (yay!) but also a week away from
writing (not-so-yay). But the translation job is always fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <b>Writing
Life: </b>By this time, I will hopefully be 100% done with <i>I Slapped My Prince Charming</i> and also <i>Roshanara and the Dragon </i>because…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <b>Publication
Stuff: </b>My ideal publication date for <i>Roshanara
and the Dragon </i>is March 31, 2017. Look. I have said this online. Now I <i>have </i>to meet that deadline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There
you are—my schedule for 2017’s first quarter—halfway through said quarter. What
can I say? It’s <i>Bolivian time.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-81559382325094059242016-12-20T17:47:00.000-08:002016-12-20T17:47:24.202-08:00<h1 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rags to Riches, Marie Justicius<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> In the last post, I introduced Marie
Justicius, protagonist of my latest WIP, <i>I
Slapped My Prince Charming</i>. Today, she’s joined us for a little interview. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Q: Hello, Marie, and thank you for joining us. I know
that, now that you’re here in the palace, your time is valuable, so I will not
take up too much of it. Please tell us, what did you do for fun back in your
home, in Aucum?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The most
exciting times of my life happened after darkness fell, when the stars
glistened up in the sky. During the summer, Jolie or Terrell and I would run
outside, barefoot, and throw ourselves along the grass. We would try to count
the stars, just like Jolie and her father always had when he yet lived. In the
springtime, I would sneak alone into Lord Gaston's garden to smell the roses. I
was never caught. But the best times came during the winter, when Papa and I
cuddled down before the fire in our little cottage. If he was particularly
talkative, he would tell me stories. Sometimes he told me stories of my
mother—before I knew she was Queen Tansy. The connection I used to feel for her
vanished not long after actually meeting her in person.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Q: (No spoilers, Marie!) Before coming here to the
palace, had you ever traveled outside of Aucum?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No, I had never
left the outskirts of the village.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Q: What is your least favorite thing about living in
the palace?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The eternal
shadows, night and day. Most people know them as bodyguards. I understand the
need for them, in principle, yet surely they know I can take care of myself!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Q: What is your favorite thing about living in the
palace?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My favorite
thing about living in the palace has little to do with the palace itself. I
love that our moving to the palace gave me, in a way, a close relationship with
my sister, Iris, and with Constant. There was always something in me that
wanted a family, and now I had it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Q: </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;">Would you have been happier to
have grown up with Constant instead of being an only child?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;">Who can say? I say now that I
would have been happier, but if I had grown up with Constant, I would also have
grown up with Tansy. Would that mean that I would be just like her? I already
inherited so much from her-- her mannerisms, her stubborness (although that could
come from Papa as well). Living in the same palace with her could have made me
an exact replica of her, which is something I could never want to be.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;">Q: If you
had grown up with him, what would you two have done for fun together?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;">I know that if Constant grew
up here in Delmar, the two of us would have taken field trips to Aucum, just as
we did right before the time of Danielle's passing. The two of us probably
would have sneaked out of lessons and spent much time on horseback. Though none
of that is something I would admit to Lord Algernon or, God forbid, to Farran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;">Q: What is your faith like?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ever since I was a little girl, I never doubted there
was a higher power, something or someone that created the universe. All those
nights lying on the grass, looking up into the stars told me that. The beauty
of stars is not something crafted by a human's hand. I don't even know when I
began to call that higher power God. Was it something I heard in the manor, a
word used in strong emotion? </span><span style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I know not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thank you Marie for joining us, and thanks to Annie
Pavese for the questions!</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-56773224819547698862016-12-14T08:56:00.000-08:002016-12-14T08:56:33.859-08:00<h1 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Say Hello To… Marie Justicius</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Welcome to my latest work in
progress, <i>I Slapped My Prince Charming</i>.
Let me introduce you to the protagonist: Marie Justicius (picture courtesy of
Pinterest).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img align="left" height="441" hspace="12" src="file:///C:/Users/casa/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2" width="234" /><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Marie
Justicius is the daughter of Beauregard Justicius, illegitimate son of the heir
to the throne. Long accustomed to life as a kitchen maid in the small Aucum
Manor, she isn’t prepared for the aftermath of the assassinations. All of the
royal family killed—who will rule the country now? To her astonishment, she and
her father are now heirs to the throne of Delmar. During the weeks that follow,
as her knowledge of palace life grows, Marie uncovers many secrets, including
the existence of her twin brother, Prince Constant of Isidoris. What else will
she uncover in the palace? Can her father be the instigator of the
assassinations after all?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s
an excerpt from the story which I feel really shows Marie as a person, her
introduction to her brother, Prince Constant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tell
me what you enjoy." He faces me momentarily, raising his hands in a
questioning manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
close my eyes, the better to remember the things I used to enjoy. "I enjoy
adventure, doing that which is forbidden to me. I loved sneaking into the
garden at Aucum Manor and smelling the roses in the springtime, and then
dashing away before I could be caught by the gardener. I love the motion of
running. I love the challenge of forcing my thoughts to keep ahead of
another's, a race of wits as you might say."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Silence
stretches on for several minutes, and yet again a blush spread across my
cheeks. Why am I so awkward? This is my brother, after all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Marie
Justicius, I believe we shall indeed get along."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Goudy Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep
an eye out for an interview with Marie, coming soon!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-90743310496570704232016-11-25T08:46:00.001-08:002016-11-25T08:59:06.472-08:00<h1>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;">5 Books I’m Thankful For… and Discount Books!<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Picking one favorite book is
absolutely impossible, but in the mood of the Thanksgiving holidays, I have
made a list of five books I’m thankful I read this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Water Princess, Fire Prince</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">, by Kendra E. Ardnek: This story was the perfect
combination between my two favorite genres, fantasy and fairy tale retellings.
The concept of different-colored water was something that had never occurred to
me before, and the brilliant dynamics between our world and Rizkaland… you need
to read this book. Best yet, the sequel, <i>Lady
Dragon, Tela Du </i>is already out (but my Kindle has broken, so I can’t read
it! *wails*)! </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rose of Prophecy</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">, by Hope Ann: I’m thankful for this book because it taught me that there’s
still room for a true definition of love in today’s fiction. Too often, now,
love is portrayed as a feeling or emotion, a throbbing heart when <i>the guy </i>walks by. Not so with <i>Rose of Prophecy!</i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <i>King’s Folly</i>, by Jill Williamson: I
loved Jill Williamson’s <i>Blood of Kings </i>series,
and having another story in the same world—however far in the past it may
be—was a dream come true! True to form, the epic scope of her world pulls you
in and discovering the past of Er’rets only makes it more exciting!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <i>The Centurion’s Wife</i>, by Janette Oke and
David Bunn: I can’t do this story justice, so here comes the blurb from Amazon:
“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Janette Oke has dreamed
for years of retelling a story in a biblical time frame from a female
protagonist's perspective, and Davis Bunn is elated to be working with her
again on this sweeping saga of the dramatic events surrounding the birth of
Christianity...and the very personal story of Leah, a young Jewess of mixed
heritage trapped in a vortex of competing political agendas and private trauma.”
This book opened to me the world of Biblical fiction and the possibilities
thereof!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <i>Beauty and the Beast</i>, by K.M. Shea: This
book is hands-down the best retelling of Beauty and the Beast that I have ever
read. During a difficult assignment, Elle makes a terrible mistake—and finds
herself with a broken leg, stranded in the chateau of the illegitimate
prince-turned-beast, Prince Severin. The fresh feeling of this book—contrary to
what usually happens with fairy tale retellings—had me wondering what would
happen next!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don't know about you, but
I'm looking forward to another great year of reading! Speaking of more reading,
here's one more thing to be grateful for. Books on sale! In honor of
Thanksgiving and Black Friday, a group of independent Christian authors banded
together to offer over seventy discounted books on Nov 25-28. There's literally
something for everyone.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Every single book listed on <a href="http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/IndieChristianBooks">http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/IndieChristianBooks</a>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">$0.99 ebooks: <a href="http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/package-deals/">http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/package-deals/</a>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Even if you have <a href="http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/search?q=FREE%20ebook">http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/search?q=FREE%20ebook</a>,
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don't know what to pick? The fearless <a href="http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/">http://www.indiechristianbooks.com</a>
Indie Christian Books team created <a href="http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/book-finder/">http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/book-finder/</a>,
a quiz that will generate a book list perfect for you! Check it out!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">What awesome reads of 2016 are
you grateful for? What books are you looking forward to reading in 2017?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A note on the <a href="http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/ebooks-only/">http://www.indiechristianbooks.com/ebooks-only/</a>
Ebooks Only page. All books are listed as "Sold Out." This only
refers to paperback copies of these titles. Please click onto the product pages
to find descriptions and links to discounted or free ebooks. Also, some of the
authors this year chose to not sell their paperbacks directly through the site.
Those books are also marked "Sold Out" but if you click them open,
you'll find a link to the site where they are on sale and a discount code for
you to use at check out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Acknowledgements: Thanks to <a href="http://leahegood.com/">http://leahegood.com/</a> data-blogger-escaped-target
Leah E. Good and <a href="http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/">http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com</a>
Kendra E. Ardnek for their work organizing this sale, and Hannah Mills for her
fantastic design work on the website graphics. Hannah can be contacted at
hmills(at)omorecollege(dot)edu for more information about her design services.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122611474216062455.post-47854560707941807512016-11-20T15:36:00.003-08:002016-11-20T15:36:54.199-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Hi! For my first post on this shiny new blog, I am sharing a little story of mine titled "A Fishy Business". You can also find this story at <a href="https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12222330/1/A-Fishy-Business" target="_blank">https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12222330/1/A-Fishy-Business</a>. I hope you enjoy!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We’re all over the
Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> We’re all over the present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Most people don’t even notice us other than the mere
mentions of our great multiplication in Jesus’ hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> My name is Talya, and I speak for the fish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> We fish were created along with all those other
creatures, way back in the beginning. Here’s the words to prove it—and I quote—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <i>And God created
great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought
forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and
God saw that it was good.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That’s Genesis 1:21, people. We fish count under the
whole “every living creature that moveth,” part. Trust me. I know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Okay, so, fast forward a little while. We fish are
practically non-existent in the part between the creation and the plagues in
Egypt. Oh, sure, you human-people ate us. No doubt about that. But there’s no
mention of my kind until Exodus 7:21:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <i>And the fish that
was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink
of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of
Egypt.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">See, Egyptians, it wasn’t just you and your
firstborns that died in those ten plagues over Egypt. We fish died too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Fish don’t just show up in all the bad stories of the Bible,
though. Just look at the story of Jonah. Yeah, sure, for him that big fish was
kind of a bad story, but look! By obeying Yahweh, one of my people did a great
service to Jonah. And he didn’t even have to drown to learn his lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Another good one (I love this story!): A fish was used to
pay Christ’s taxes once. Well, not literally, but you get the idea. Jesus sent
Peter down to the sea, and when he caught a fish, he opened up the fish’s mouth
and found the tax money. Not so bad, eh?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> We also did a pretty good job of providing for the
disciples’ families, too. You didn’t think that Jesus would just pick up twelve
men and leave their wives at home to take care of themselves, did you? Peter
had a wife—at least, he certainly had a mother-in-law! We helped take care of
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> What, you say? What do I mean, fish provided for the
wives of the disciples? Check it out in Luke 5 and John 21. I’ll just quote
Luke 5 verses, oh, 4 to 11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <i>Now when he</i>—that’s
Jesus, by the way—<i>had left speaking, he
said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a
draught.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> And
Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have
taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> And
when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their
net brake.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> And
they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they
should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that
they began to sink.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> When
Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I
am a sinful man, O Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> For
he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes
which they had taken:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> And
so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with
Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch
men. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> And
when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now, pay special
attention to that last verse. What do you suppose they did with all that fish?
Two boats’ worth, people! They didn’t just throw them back into the sea! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How much do you want to bet that they sold those
fish, and that’s what helped take care of those families for those three years
they were on the road? Huh? What do you think?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> So, see. We fish, we’re more important than you think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Remember that next time you throw a stick of dynamite
into the river and watch our lifeless bodies float up to the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Remember that next time you order a filleted fish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> We <i>are </i>important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Note: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A couple little notes about this story: First, yes,
Talya’s introduction up there is an obvious rip-off of <i>The Lorax</i>, both the movie and the Doctor Seuss book. I own neither.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The “fact” Talya presents about the fish from the
miraculous catches being used to provide for the disciples’ families is <i>not </i>a fact, despite what she may say.
It’s just speculation on my and my sisters’ part.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Oh, and the dynamite-fishing there at the end? It’s
common here in South America. No better way to ensure your living by fishing!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, what do you think? How did Jesus provide for the
disciples’ families while they followed him? And what other creatures of the
Bible are very much ignored?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Rebekah D. Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.com0