Pages From My Journal

    This week has been crazy, and I feel terrible about not blogging in forever. I have fifty million posts trapped in my brain, but unfortunately a New Deal essay, Crime and Punishment analysis, and scholarship applications have jumped to the front of the line. In addition to my normal crazy life, I got a sinus infection and played in an indoor soccer tournament. Oh, and my sister comes home from college tonight, and our room is a mess.      Through this craziness, I have been reminded that no one can handle life on their own. Life is crazy. Life was not meant to be easy. Life certainly doesn't understand when "I'm done."      Life takes mommy's hugs. Don't tell me you're too old for mommy hugs, you know when you need them.      Life takes cups and cups (I'm talking giant cups) of coffee.      Life takes friends who bring you coffee when you run out.  ...

     So I’m a little excited about getting my first piece of fiction published in a magazine. It’s exciting to have editors enjoy more than just my poetry. I’ll share more details as April draws nearer.             In celebration, I’m giving away a hand painted watercolor print of William Wordsworth’s quote, “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” This quote really explains what it’s like to be a writer and the role of emotions in the stories we craft. The story that will be published soon, “Map Maker’s Hotel,” has emotions as a major driving force.    *due to the cost of postage, please only US entries. a Rafflecopter giveaway

You might have this amazing story that thrusts your fantastic characters into the journey of the century and teach the world the true meaning of life, but unless your world feels real, your readers will have a hard time investing themselves into your story.  There is only one good way that I know of to make a fictional world feel real:   Ask the big questions. Don't just make a list of whats, or jot down a bunch of single word answers for a fill-in-the-blank worksheet. These provide a good place to start, a way to get your brain moving, but simple facts with no history or uncertain future do not create the deep worlds that drive some of the best stories. Ask "why," "how," and "what if things were different?" Perhaps you know how your government works. Why does it function the way it does? What would it take to crumble? Perhaps you know the history of your people. What if they believe something else entirely wrong?  ...

    Break out the extra cup of coffee and the gluten free cupcakes.  This weekend, I learned that Splickety magazine acquired one of my flash fiction stories. Speculative fiction has only recently become an interest of mine, and I've never been one to write short pieces. I'm excited to see God do something bigger with my fiction, and I hope that he will continue to share my writing for others to read.  This story was written merely as a challenge for myself. Could I herd all the scatter brain thoughts in my head into one cohesive story? It seems that I have succeeded.  The magazine issue will come out in April. I'll post here when it's out, but check out the Splickety website to learn more about them.  Changes like this remind me that God really is in control of everything. ~ Alyson

I don't have time to read a full novel. Family, classes, and work devour most of my time. Budgeting my time allows me a few hours a week to work on my novel rewrite. But, I don't really get time to read a 75,000 word book for enjoyment.  That's why children's books are my best friends. At work, I get to pick a handful of books from the extensive collection and read aloud to a half a dozen toddlers. I look forward to those afternoons and those kids faces when they hear me read. These stories simple and short, but the chance to read them excites me.  Many children's stories contain a huge message contained into the simple plot and characters.  Today, I read a story about the fact that's okay to be sad and scared, but that there is always someone to come alongside and love you. Change scares me, but I can always rely on my God to love me. My parents are always there to point me to His love. I read a story about crayons that dislike...

    Today was supposed to feel much different. Family would be forever. Reality would come of plans. Oh, how the world would party. Control would be handed to proper hands. I've imagined this freedom for years, What I would feel if permanency came. But it happened, and crying--well, I just can't. I was supposed to feel lots of somethings.   But I'm numb, stunned. I feel nothing.   ~   After four and a half years, the four foster kids that live with us are able to be adopted. Many of you have tagged along on this emotional journey, and now you deserve to know of this exciting news. God has wowed me over and over. He has reminded me that His timing is always perfect. As of today, I have not reacted to the sudden news. One day, I will cry, but not today.   Thanks for joining this journey with me. ~ Alyson