THE TIME IS UPON US and I am answering all your questions! It's going to be a good time. Especially because MY BLOG IS A WHOPPING THREE YEARS OLD TODAY.

So like...I know the world is a dark place at the moment and there's so much to worry about, but I'm pretty darn excited about this, so I'm quite happy to JUST think about my blog ;) Does that make me selfish? Probably. Can you tell I'm writing this in the middle of the night? Probably. Am I cramming? Definitely. But this is me, so why would you expect anything different?????

Without further ado or rambling...let's get into MY THIRD BLOGOVERSARY Q&A: You ask, I answer.

NICOLE
- YOUR favorite Newsies character + song? ;)
Accckkkkk. My favorite character is Davey, actually *smirks* and my favorite song is easily Once and For All.

- Rank your handwriting on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being absolute perfection.
5 in print, 6 in cursive. Honestly, it's pretty atrocious, and it's only gotten worse.

- What is your preferred form of caffeine intake?
If I had the choice? ICED COFFEE EVERY DAY. Since I don't have that available, however, it would be hot coffee. xD

- Favorite TV show at the moment? 
 The current show on the watchlist: Agent Carter!

BROOKE
What is your favorite book? (I have to ask this, it's tradition.)
*sighs heavily* I don't knooooowwwwwww. At the moment? Let's be cliche and say the Bible.
What is the worst topping for a pizza?
Hmm....I actually like pineapple (please don't murder me), every now and then. I don't like pepperoni all that much, though. 

Favorite song at the moment?
"Redeemed to Redeem" by Austin Stone Worship!

What is something good that has happened to you recently?
Oh goodness...*thinks* *hard* A couple of writing updates have me very excited (*winky winky, more details coming later MAYBE), and my manager at work showered me with compliments the day I worked with her ;)

DANIELLE JAGO

It's time for the second post in this series! This is a post that is VERY near and dear to my heart: quality time. This is, in fact, MY love language, and if you spend time with me--BOOM. New best friend right there. Give me your time and I will give you mine.

With that in mind, let's not hesitate to dive straight into this topic!

First of all: QUALITY TIME =/= KISSING TIME. I've received requests to deal with the friendship side of things in these posts, too, so you will get some of that toward the end of this! But to start with: Romance.

When I say quality time, I don't mean "quality alone time to kiss and cuddle n' stuff." No, I mean...let's talk! Let's do things that are FUN! Let's go for long walks and take pictures and spontaneously roadtrip and go to the bookstore together and get coffee and hang out and text late into the night and pour our time into doing the OTHER things.

Sure, sometimes that does mean some soft kisses or a hug or something. But more often than not...talking and DOING things is best. I have a scene where two of my girls are out throwing knives together. Another where my protagonist offers to fix someone's nest of hair. There's a moment where a mother and daughter sit together in a sickroom and cry together. Another where a girl has insomnia, and her best friend sneaks her out of the house and drives around and talks to her about her fears for a few hours.

I think that in novels, the best way to describe quality time would be: a chance to allow two or more characters to interact as people, and show the readers something about each of them--and their relationship--at the same time.

The best thing about writing with this love language? You can fit it in anywhere. LITERALLY anywhere. You have to build up to a kissing scene; you have to use the circumstances to find specific acts of services; you have to weave gift-giving into the plot. But there is ALWAYS a chance to put quality time into your novel.

Have your characters work together to search the library for the information they need for their quest! When they're locked in the dungeon, let them have a heart-to-heart! If there's a road trip scene, instead of cutting to black, if you have time, give your characters a chance to open up and talk to each other! I once snuck quality time into the middle of a BATTLE SCENE with a husband and wife, so if I can do that, you can too.

A factor of this that makes things especially fun is the fact that it allows you to have an even deeper character-driven novel. I know some of us are plot-first, but writing character-driven books allows the reader to really get into the story and feel it. If they root for the character, they'll root for the story. I've read books where I don't even remember the plot--but the characters burn like shooting stars in my imagination for years after I've read it. Making deeper characters gives you the chance to let your characters do the same thing.

It can be a struggle to find the balance, but incorporating this particular love language into your story gives you a chance to slow down the story a bit and delve deep into your characters. In the Keeper of the Lost Cities series (Heyyyyy Nicole ;)), some of my favorite scenes are the ones where there isn't a lot of plot-related stuff going on, but where the protagonist is allowed a moment to just talk to her friends or her parents or whatever. Those books (sometimes) have plots, but they like to focus on the characters. And even if the plots drag sometimes, the reader cares enough about the characters to keep going.

I kinda forgot about romance here, but that's because this love language is so universal and ends up being so critical to our stories. I hope this post inspires y'all to add some more character-driven scenes and moments to your books, and makes it possible for you to delve deeper into the minds and hearts of your characters!

It will ALWAYS be about the characters when it comes to books. Movies can be plot-driven. Books? Books are character-driven. So give us good characters, and give them complex and beautiful relationships.

THAT is the way to write a story people will love.

It's that time of year again!!!!! On the 17th, it will be THREE YEARS since I started this little blog (whaaaaat??!!!!!) and I'm doing a Q+A, as I do every year!

For this year, here are the rules:
-Ask whatever you want, but no one is walking out of here with my social security number, my birth certificate, my tax return, or the name of Esma's true love
-Let's say 3-4 questions per person this time, just because it's gotten a wee bit much the last couple years.
-I'm going to draw a birthday cake for my blog this year and post it with my answer post, so please let me know if I can put your name on it at the bottom of the comment ;)
-That's it!

You guys are the reason I've been able to keep blogging for all these years. Every comment, every follow on this blog makes me smile. I love you guys and I'm so glad y'all are willing to read my content and keep visiting my little corner of the internet!

For years and years and years, I've had one excuse when it comes to why I didn't listen to Christian music:

It's too vapid.

It was an easy excuse. I could explain it by venting about my dislike for the theology of churches like Hillsong and Bethel and Elevation (no hate to anyone who does like them. I just Don't.) I could explain it it away by discussing my hatred for the way the American church rejects solid theology for the sake of feel-good music. I could bring up the plethora of "Jesus is my girlfriend" songs on the radio, songs no self-respecting young man should sing. I had an arsenal, all hidden behind those three words: it's too vapid.

Years passed. I had the occasional Christian singer to listen to. A few that stuck with me throughout that time: Daniel Renstrom, Andrew Peterson, Shai Linne, Keith and Kristyn Getty, Austin Stone. I led worship in church. I didn't see myself as being deprived. I didn't seek out especially bad music. I wasn't looking for songs chock-full of profanity or that glorified unhealthy relationships. I just...had other tastes. I didn't need Christian music. Not when it all sounded the same anyway.

Until, not long ago, it hit me: I was hiding.

I'd spent years letting myself listen to depression playlists. I had two entire playlists called, get this, "Pain and PTSD." I hid from the Christian songs that inspired painful memories. Every time I closed my eyes, I could imagine myself back in the church where I was singing along with those songs, with people who would later break my heart. I didn't want to relive that. I didn't want to go to the work of finding stuff that wouldn't hurt. So I listened to music that I knew was completely new to me. Songs that wouldn't remind me of anything.

And then, one day, I thought, "It's been years since I listened to Christ Rice." I thought about it briefly and tried to remember why I'd been avoiding Chris Rice's music. He's a good Christian singer; he's got a great discography. What's wrong with him, I asked myself.

Then I remembered: It was all because of one song, "Everything's OK."

I shook my head at myself and went to listen to the rest of his music. Albums that didn't have that song that I could listen to in their entirety. The album that did have that song. I skipped it. Easy as that. It was beyond easy.

And it got me thinking...why was I truly hiding?

It got me to go ask friends for recommendations. To question why I was really avoiding Christian music. Was it too much work? Or was I cutting myself off from a lifeline that I could have with me throughout the week?

After all, if I can sing these songs in church, I can listen to them in my free time, can't I? My music was one of the few areas in my life where I left my faith on Sunday morning. No, nothing I listen to is objectively bad...but it is not all the sort of thing that will build me up. It's neutral, for the most part. Because I'd found a groove, and I saw no reason to step out of that.

So I did. I started a playlist, going off my own favorite songs and some recommendations from a couple of friends. I cleaned out my spotify and got rid of the things that I knew shouldn't be in there. I deleted all those old depression playlists.

And I woke up the next morning and let myself breathe deeply of the fresh air of life. I listened to people singing about Jesus during school. I drove to work with it. And it's not a cure-all...but it's different. It helps.

I share this not to show that I am strong or powerful. All this happened perhaps a week ago, when I realized that I needed to make a change. I felt the Spirit's conviction. I listened. That's all I can do.

That's all any of us can do, when it comes down to it. And I urge you all to remember that.

To my friends, my brothers and sisters in the church:

please, please do not ever cut yourself off from life-giving sources.

Listen to music that glorifies God. Read books that glorify Him. Seek Him out in the mundane places. Go to work with your mind on Him. Pray before you fall asleep. Read your Bible. Seek him out. It's not because you must do things to be saved.

It's because you are saved, and now your life is hidden with Christ, and the more you know of Him, the more you seek and pursue Him, the more you allow Him to lead and direct your life...the more your life will become complete in Him.

He loves you. He wants your best. Trust Him.

(also, in case you're interested: here's my playlist. ;))

HELLO EVERYBODY!!!!! Today I am absolutely pumped to introduce you all to MY NEW NOVEL, also known as a story that I started on a whim and have fallen ABSOLUTELY in love with!

You haven't heard anything about this story yet. That's because I've never mentioned it before. It's entirely new. And so it's my vast pleasure to introduce you to

HOLDING UP THE SKY

1. What first sparked the idea for this novel?

I wanted to write a Rapunzel retelling about musicians. Simple, right? Then, suddenly, it became a story all about the prince. And then, suddenly, it wasn't a story about a prince anymore--it was about a gang of mercenaries out for money at whatever cost. A world in need of saving. Portals. And more...

2. Share a blurb!

3. Where does the story take place? What are some of your favorite aspects about the setting?

This story takes place in the fantasy world of Adonta. A world where music is the last weapon against a crumbling sky. A world with walls surrounding its borders. Connected to other worlds by portals known as "gates", guarded by the corrupt gatekeepers.  It's a world where you can pay for things in gold--if you have it. If not, blood and hair work as currency, too. Names are guarded closely within this world. The cities are the only safe places, and the farmland beyond is full of people who live their lives in trepidation. For beyond that...toward the edges...are monsters. Monsters no one has ever seen and lived to tell the tale.

I love everything about this world, to be honest xD

4. Tell us about your protagonist(s).

5. Who (or what) is the antagonist?

6. What excites you the most about this novel?

7. Is this going to be a series? standalone? something else?

8. Are you plotting? pantsing? plansting?

9. Name a few things that makes this story unique.

HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING TBH? I don't know, man.

Although it's a Rapunzel retelling that also happens to be an Atlas retelling and also a Six of Crows style heist/mercenary story ;)

10. Share a fun “extra” of the story (a song or full playlist, some aesthetics, a collage, a Pinterest board, a map you’ve made, a special theme you’re going to incorporate, ANYTHING you want to share!).

Hey there, everyone! One thing I want to do this year is give more writing advice (or rather a "How Faith Does It", lol) on my blog. I'm kicking that off this month, and for the next five months, I'll be doing a series on how to write better romance using the five love languages!

I love the five love languages, personally. I find it especially helpful to find out what other people's love languages are, specifically for the purpose of loving them better. My mom, for instance, is acts of service. If I clean the kitchen, take out the trash, and run errands for her, she feels loved. That's not my love language, so I have to go out of my way to do it.

But that's not my point here--my point, specifically, is that romance is about more than just kisses and touches. We should be striving to bring depth to romantic relationships. And no matter your genre, using the five love languages can help to do that.

So without further ado, let's dive into the touchiest of those love languages--physical touch!




Physical romance. It's a taboo subject in many Christian circles, and in circles that aren't Christian, it's so overboard that it makes you wonder if there will be anything to the romance once the two people are tired of touching each other. We skim scenes because they're too uncomfortable or because they're bland. Kissing happens way too early in books to TELL us that the characters are in love now. In love? Or in lust?

Either way, this is a problem topic for most YA books, and most adult too. So let's break down this love language and see about some better ways to use it.

First off: Not everyone equally likes physical touch. My mom, for instance, does not like anything other than hugs. If even my dad wants to just kiss her cheek, he always asks first, because it depends on her mood. I love hugs, snuggles, hair stroking, and that kind of thing--but if you rest your chin in my neck when you hug me? DEAR GOODNESS GET IT OFF GET IT OFF GET IT OFFFFFFFF.

That can be a very good way to use this love language. Have your characters view it differently. For example, in my Pentegreen Series, my protagonist Esma is a toucher. If she loves someone, she will hug them, kiss their cheek, sit next to them, drape herself over them, snuggle with them, and that's just how she is.

However, her best friend Kariana is not a toucher at all. The reason I give her for that is abuse in her past that makes her prefer to love people from afar. But you don't necessarily have to give them that sort of a reason, either. In my new WIP (under wraps! Info coming next week), my main couple, Daverby and his girlfriend Emery, don't really touch each other all that much, because they jut don't feel like it. More information will be coming on that in a later post for this series ;)

Basically, the thing to do here: If you need the physical touch to inform the reader that your characters are in love, there's a problem. Not all your characters have to like it to the same extent, and not every couple has to utilize it the same way.



Secondly: be sparing with it, and remember that kissing isn't your only option. There is so much your romantic pairing can do. One of my ships (which shall not be named, because spoilers) has their first kiss midway through the second book where they know each other. However, before that, there's a moment where they hold hands for the first time. A moment where they embrace for the first time. Their first deep heart-to-heart while sitting next to each other. And that first kiss doesn't serve as just an angst-provider. No, they have a number of later romantic moments in that same book. (One of my favorite scenes that I've ever written is the part where the boy teaches the girl how to dance).

All this to say: A nice steamy scene a la most YA books where the two look at each other and go I MUST NOT LOVE YOU and then succumb to their feelings and have a kiss that is then interrupted by something happening where they realize they're dangerous for each other? NOT NECESSARY. You can write a first kiss in so many creative ways, and they're fun. They really are. I have zero problems with that. But it's not the ONLY thing to do.

A smol list of other physical ways for people to demonstrate their love:
>hugs
>hand holding
>linking arms
>kissing cheeks
>sharing a blanket on the couch
>Holding each other while the other cries
>tapping noses
>dancing
>If it's a contemporary, leaning across the middle of the car to rub the back of the other's neck while driving
>Hair stroking
>In that vein: fixing the other's hair
>Forehead presses
>resting a hand on the other's knee
>resting head on the other's shoulder
>hugging the other's arm while walking
>shoulder rubs
>finger brushes

You get the idea. Kissing isn't the only option, y'all. But neither is kissing a bad option. Just use it sparingly.



Finally, if it's going to make you uncomfortable, don't write it. If you were reading a book and you got to a part in the book where you were suddenly very, very uncomfortable with how far things are going...don't write that yourself. Easy peasy. Even if you think it's going to sell books. I guarantee you're not the only one who feels that way.

I have a mere one exception for myself on this. There's one character in one of my WIPs who always makes me uncomfortable when it comes to physical stuff. But that's to prove a point, and I want him to make people uncomfortable. His actions are never lauded as good. So he's the one exception to this rule for me.



There you have it! My first post in this series. What do you think? Is there anything you'd like to see in future posts? The other four love languages, upcoming, are Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service, and Gift Giving. I hope you'll stick around and read those! ^_^

HEY GUYS! Today is the day: my fifth Havok story is up! This one is my first story of the year, and it's a murder mystery/thriller that I absolutely love. So I hope you'll go read it!

READ IT HEEEEERE

I scream and scream until my throat goes numb.

My hands are numb, too. I'm gripping the rope that holds me above the canyon with one hand, sobbing, screaming, the fibers tearing lines through my palm. My other hand flails at the cliff, looking for a hold. For traction. Anything.

If I could just squeeze a little harder--if only--if only--

I look up at the top of the cliff, where they are standing. I don't have to see all the details of their faces to know who it is. The one whose face I know better than my own. The one who was a friend for so long and then suddenly, abruptly, became someone else. The one who called me part of her family...and then drove a knife into my back.

But the person at the front of the mob is the one that really chills my blood, because that person is me. That girl with curves she hates, with brown hair streaked lighter, with gold eyes full of malice and anger. I see that look directed at myself in the mirror far too often.

That girl is the one who grips a blade and moves toward the rope holding me to the top of the cliff.

"NO!" I scream. "No! Help!" I'm thrashing, flailing, spinning, trying and trying to hang on. "Jesus! Help!"

The other Me cuts through the rope. It frays in her hands. I see a cold light glinting in her smile, and in the split second where I hang in the air, I note the letters etched onto her forehead.

My True Nature

Then I'm falling.

I fall and fall, forever, through darkness, feeling blades lash at me, aching, the terror of what might meet me at the bottom tearing a scream from a throat that I thought was mute now. I fall and fall until suddenly, sickeningly, jarringly, I hit the ground. And all the air flies from my lungs as I choke and gasp and sob. I can hear faint laughter from above me. Those who have rejected me? Those who have hated me? Me myself? They all laugh at me here on the ground, choking for breath, hurting and aching.

I don't know how long I lie there. I beg for help. Desperation fills me, as with every cry all that returns to me is echoes. Not even the mockers stay for long. They too drift away after a while, leaving my crushed body on the ground, alone. I stare up at the sky and try to hold down the tears as a hollow pain tears at me. Alone. I am alone. No matter how much I beg.

Then I hear it. The sound of crunching footsteps.

I sit up way too fast, and my back gives out, the wounds sending me back to the ground in a heap. I hurt everywhere. But then I see him. Jesus.

"Where were you?" The words bite out of me. "When I was in this darkness? When I was falling? Why didn't you catch the rope? Why didn't you keep me from falling? Why didn't you come to pick me up? You promised you wouldn't leave me! Where were you?!"

He is silent. Silent as he bends over me, and then I feel it. I see the scars in his hands, and the holes in his feet, and I can imagine the wound on his side as he bends down and lifts me into his arms.

"Why?" I beg again. "Why did you abandon me?"

He does not answer, not at first. I feel tears brimming in my eyes as I cling to him, because I know I cannot let go, even if I don't understand. I caused my own fall, did I not? Did I deserve this?

Then he finally speaks. "Trust me."

And as I try to hold back the tears, I nod.

I won't understand.

I don't understand.

Everything hurts from that fall.

But he is here. And he is good. And that will have to be enough.

Even if I don't know why, I will trust him.

Even in the dark.