Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Let's Talk About My Blogs

Well, well... I'm sure you all know that I love blogging. And I really do. A lot. So much, in fact, that I actually began a blog. 

Amazing, eh?

Then I began another.

And another.

And another.

Until I had a total of six blogs. 

I thought, at first, that I would become some great, big-shot blogger, well known for inspiring blog posts, posting every day on each of my six blogs.

But there's more to life than blogging.

Yes, I said that. And I'm here to inform you all that I'm rethinking my blogging habits. 

No, please don't worry. I'm not leaving the wonderful world of blogging. I am simply, to restate myself, rethinking my blogging habits. I was allowing blogger to take up too much of my life, so I'm pulling myself back so that I can enjoy life beyond the internet.

Because of numerous issues, I have deleted two of my blogs, those being The Silver Key of Poetry and Bizarre American Holidays by name.  


I've rethunk (yes, yes, I know that's not a word, but that's not the point) my postings on Allergic to Chocolate, and that blog will know be not solely dedicated to my chocolate allergy, but I'm expanding it to include posts about my other allergies, soy being the main one. 



A Hundred And One Titles I am keeping as my quote blog, and as a bit of added fun, I'm beginning to post what I like to call Quote Challenges. If you haven't seen it, click HERE to check it all out!


The blog that my sisters and I share concerning Christian film and book reviews, KiriBeth, will remain unaltered, only with our resolve to post reviews more often.


Lianne Taimenlore will remain relatively the same, no major changes. Since The Silver Key of Poetry is gone, I might be adding poetry here to this blog, but since I've been swallowed with novel writing, I haven't had much time to pen poetry, so you needn't expect a swarm of poetry posts all at once. ;)

And there you have it! Questions, comments - please let me know below! I'd love to hear from you!

God bless!
 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Character Encounters: Zelburna's Woods

Click here to visit Kendra's blog, the lovely home of Character Encounters.



It's just one of those moments when you want to step back from life and just breathe. To view life from a distance and not be a tiny part of the hectic, modern schedule. To be able to think clearly. To wander, unabated, and wonder in the glory of God's creation. To have no conflicting and irrational thoughts other than those of squirrels and babbling brooks.

That's why I'm in the woods. 

I need to breathe.

For the last few weeks, I've been so caught up in allergies, chores, and all the innumerable things that take up my daily life that I... well, I feel overwhelmed. I don't usually think of my life as hectic. Normally, I wouldn't describe myself and my lifestyle by that adjective, but lately...

Not that being busy is a bad thing. My sister thrives on business. I, too, enjoy occupation, seeing people, doing things, getting things done, but...

"You feel like you've lost sight of what's important."

I know I should be unprepared for the sudden voice behind me, but she's been in my thoughts so often in the last few days, even sometimes buried beneath an avalanche of asthma, church, and work.

"I feel that way sometimes, too."  

"Zelburna," I say without turning around, "would you take a walk with me?"

I can hear the timid dimples in her smile coming out in her answer. "And I thought with all of your recent work in Dron made you forget your poor, twelve princesses."

"I didn't forget you," I inisist as her steps mimic mine as we start down the almost invisible trail winding between the trees. "I only have gotten so much inspiration about everything connected to the Dragon Tamer, and Children of a Legend, that I feel like I'll burst if I don't get it all down in print."

Zelburna giggles. "We understand, but just so you know, Laris and Renn are getting impatient to find out what happens to them."

"Yes, they would."

"Is that supposed to mean anything?" She gives me a curious glance.

"Nothing important." I return quickly. "They'll find out soon enough."

Zelburna falls silent as we walk, and I'm content to let the silence surround us. Well, not entire silence, as the rustle of woodland creatures in the leaves, the twittering of birds, and the soft whisper of a spring breeze reach my ears. But those are the sounds of silence, I'm positive. At least, if silence had a sound, I'm certain it would sound like this. 

Peaceful.

"Our Creator has certainly blessed us with more beauty than we deserve." Zelburna eventually says, her voice carrying the tone of a reverent whisper.    

I agree. The tangled mass of trees, the fuzzy patches of moss, the tiny flowers poking their heads out of the dark earth, everything finally waking up after the long winter, everything alive, everything breath-taking. Looking at it all, I cannot understand how people can put all of this into words, and I know I struggle myself when describing just a general landscape for one of my stories. 

"Words and phrases cannot capture the living beauty of creation." 

"Nor can they describe the merciful love of a Heavenly Father who created it all for our enjoyment." Zelburna adds quietly.

Neither one of us can stop the smiles that are quickly taking root on our faces. After a long moment standing like this, Zelburna grabs my hand and tugs me forward. We kneel in the new grass, examine the tiny buds and blossoms, marvel at the flight of the birds, and just breathe, enjoying the beauty God has shared with us. I realize I enjoy it more now that I'm older and have been introduced to more modern technology. People get so wrapped up in their computers, cell phones, and all that electronic whatnot that they walk by the grand mountain, the expansive sea, the rich garden, and they don't even notice.


I find it fascinating that Zelburna is so comfortable around me, so open and friendly, considering that she is usually the opposite whenever I write about her. I know she dislikes the palace life, a princess always being at the center of attention and always being prim and proper. She detests crowds, she abhors false flattery, she hates anything that is cold and unfamiliar. She doesn't open up easily to people, finding rather the solace of plants and books much more comfortable than awkward stares and loud questions.

But, I am her writer, so I don't think the thought should surprise me too much. She knows me just as I know her. She knows I don't have any expectations of her, and she's content to be herself around me, especially since I know what she loves and enjoys. 

And this here is what she enjoys: the silence of the woods, the splendor of the flowers, and the simpleness of it all.

And this is exactly the break I need. 

I can go back now and conquer life.

Well, for another week, at least.

P.S. Yes, I realize that I'm posting twice in one day, but I don't trust myself to save this draft and publish it later. My mind (as you probably could have guessed from this post) has been much involved deep in the histories and stories of the entire world surrounding my CoaL. So, I'll probably forget, and that's why I'm posting it now. ;)

God bless! 

Kind Of An Annual Thing...

*confetti* *confetti* *confetti* *confetti* *confetti* *confetti* *confetti* *confetti* *confetti* *confetti* 



Lianne Taimenlore is one year old today! 

Wow! 

When I started this blog a year ago, I had no idea where it would take me. It's very much like what dear Miss Potter said about writing the first words of a story. You never really know where they'll take you. And sometimes they can take you places that you'd never even imagine.

For instance, since the beginning of this blog, I have made several, wonderful blogging friends (and if you're reading this, there's an excellent chance you're one of those wonderful friends ;). 

I have become more dedicated to my writing. I was working really only on one story a year ago, now I am working on two, with two on hold, and another three festering in my brain, begging for attention.

I even participated in three (3) NaNoWriMos. Not sure I would have had the courage to do that if I had not the encouragement of all you lovely readers behind me.

I joined Pinterest. Everything I heard about Pinterest before Blogger made me only the more against ever joining that obsessive, picturing site. Then I realized what a great place it was to organize pictures and plans for stories... and well..... I got a Pinterest account. 

I was introduced to such popular fandoms as TSP and Les Mis. 

I deepened my love of period drama and discovered many new favorite stories, most recently and namely Our Mutual Friend.

And a lot more than I can recall at the moment. I never knew where this blog would take me, and a year ago, I'd never though I'd be here.


But enough of that. I'd like to thank each and every one of you personally for your kind comments, faithful readings, and encouraging support. Lianne Taimenlore wouldn't be the blog it is today without you. So, thank you. 

Thank you. 

Thank you!

It seems customary to leave readers on such a blog post as this a few statistics of the past three hundred and fifty-six days. So I shall oblige you. 

~ 52 followers :D

~ 138 posts published (this post makes 139)

~ 441 lovely comments

~ Over 23,000 pageviews

~ First post: Welcome

~ Most popular post: EDBP: Movie Review - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe with over 4,000 views ( I think it had something to do with the pictures I put with the post, for most of the clicks came from Google.com, but I still think it rather nice that I had that many views on one of my posts :)

~ First contest: Disney/Pixar Keep Calm

~ First giveaway: Annabeth's War

~ First blog party: Epic Disney Blog Party

~ Google 1+ post: Magic: Harry Potter Vs. LOTR & Narnia... And What God Says About It


Well, thank you all again and again! And I hope that the next year will be just as exciting!

God bless!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Snippets From Something New...

I feel rather ashamed of myself for not posting any snippets since November. But the truth is... I haven't taken the time to write much at all these last few months. I've been working three part-time jobs, sugaring, spending time with my family, sewing, and whatnot, and writing got pushed to a back burner, and I'm still working on making it once again a big part of my life.

But enough of that. I got inspired to begin work on a new story (yes, yes, I know; I tend to think too much and take on too many WIPs at once) about sea creatures, treasures, betrayals, and grudges. And now I'm sharing them with you. Enjoy!

(Click here to visit the blog of Katie, Snippets of Story's lovely hostess.)


If Kianna had had the ability to disappear, she would have without a moment's delay. The secret passageways hidden in the walls of her father's manor would have been perfect to slip away into, but unfortunately, her mother had thought about that before and had forbidden Kianna to step foot in any one of them. Kianna could have woken early, stolen down to the stables, and taken her horse into the hopeless tangle and excuse of forest beyond the stream at the south side of the manor, but Tildana the maid had burst into Kianna's bedchamber a full hour before the sun rose, prodding Kianna out of bed. Kianna could have faked being sick, and indeed, ill health was upon her in the form of dread and terrible premonitions, but her mother would hear no excuse. 
 
Kianna would be ready.

Kianna would be willing.

*~*~*~*~*~*

The chair that Kianna was sitting on was small and wooden, delicately carved on the legs and back with various sea creatures. The beautiful designs bit sharply into Kianna's bones, making her squirm. The shape of the fierce shark was in reality easier on Kianna's back than the multi-limbed octopus. It wasn't polite, she knew, to slouch in one's chair, but Kianna had to lean against something, and the shark seemed at the moment the best animal suited for the job.

 *~*~*~*~*~*

“Kianna, my daughter, I do not know what will become of you.” Athlia lifted her head to gaze into Kianna's dark eyes. “If you cannot find it in your heart to overlook the offenses that Nathen has paid you, then I fear you will continue to hold needless grudges your entire life and disobey the command of our great Creator, Père, to forgive and love. Those feelings will make you miserable, and they will control you, to your utter destruction.”

For a moment, Kianna stood, stunned by her mother's words. She wanted to forgive. She wanted to forget and move on. But Athlia could never understand what Nathen did. She couldn't understand why Kianna could not forgive him. And the worst part of it was that Kianna could never tell her mother, to make her understand. She must bear this offense in her heart, never to let it go, never to forget it, alone until the day she died.
*~*~*~*~*~*

Evenette, bored of the conversation she had heard many times before, had wandered to the window to gaze out towards the ocean a mile from the manor's fences. The prospect of the great waves splashing up against the cliffs was a grand one, and Evenette and her sister never tired of watching the foam of the ocean dash itself against the rocky shore of Pennin. The rocks held many secrets, as they both knew well, shards of broken vessels torn by the stone teeth of the coast, craggy caves promising the mystery of unknown depths. 
 
The water itself was a mystery, as neither girl had ever been able to pin a true color or pattern to its manner. Blue mixed with green, and green mottled itself with gray, so that the waves never truly stayed the same hue for a full minute. The ocean held a great attraction for the Beléine sisters, though according to their mother's orders, they admired its strength and beauty from a distance. 

God bless!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Just When I Thought I Had Nothing To Post...

... I discovered that I did indeed have plenty about which to post.

I must say, I tend to gather at least three tags/awards and stow them away in an unpublished post before finally recalling that I have them tucked away in the electronic crevices of my blog. So, yes, I apologize to those who so graciously tagged and awarded me, and thank them greatly for their high opinions of myself and my blog, but I offer no promise that I will begin to post about tags and awards within a decent amount of time since receiving them. 

The Elevensies Tag is coming around again, and I was tagged by the lovely Kendra of Knitted By God's Plan! Thanks, Kendra! And yes, since I've done this a couple times now, I think that qualifies me for skipping out on the 11 random facts. 

Ahem!

1. Who is your favorite princess of all times? Are we talking real princesses here or just princesses in general as the world has accepted them? I don't know any real princesses personally, so I'd have to fall back on the fictional princesses. Favorite Disney princess would have to be Rapunzel, second Belle, yet I also really enjoy Anastasia from the 1997 20th Century Fox film. But do I like her more than Rapunzel? Maybe...


Please note that while I enjoy this film, I don't
whole heartily endorse everything in it.

2. What is your favorite movie that originated as a book or literature dating prior to 1900? I was suddenly afraid that I would have to go back to the Brothers Grimm and make mention of Tangled, until I ashamedly recalled that both Dickens and Austen wrote before 1900. Favorite movie? Kendra, I must admit this is a difficult feat. Little Dorrit, perhaps, but that ties in a list of many.

3. If you had to leave everything behind, what ten things/books would you put into your backpack? Assume no electricity. My Bible, my journal, my awesomely bound Jane Austen's 7 Novels, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of NarniaBleak House, Little Dorrit, Our Mutual Friend, David Copperfield, and my two volume Nicholas Nickleby. And if we're not talking books, I'd still be bringing notebooks and pencils and my pillow and, you know, other essentials like that.




4. Are you modern to the core, or would you prefer to live in another time? When? Why? I enjoy modern luxuries, but I would not say that I am modern to the core. I sometimes wish to live in a time when our lives didn't depend so much on computers and cell phones. Was it only 100 years ago an automobile was considered a newfangled machine? Anywho, I don't think I'd prefer to go back in time because God placed me here and now, but no, I wouldn't be upset if I somehow was transported and came out to live in the early 1900s, Regency era, medieval times, or the pioneer days. Girls' dress was a lot more interesting then. ;)

5. If you were given $100, how would you spend it? Since you said "spend it" I'm assuming that we're not given the choice of saving it, which would be what I would most likely do. Selfishly, I'd probably finish off my Dickens collection by getting those half a dozen titles I don't own, as well as some piano music, a Mark Twain book or two, and some period drama films (namely, Little Dorrit, Sense and Sensibility 2008, and Our Mutual Friend). Or, I'd put it toward getting myself a decent music writing program for my laptop. Or, I'd buy special gifts for my family.

6. If you could choose your own name, what would it be? I seriously love the name I have now, my real name, the name I was born with. I think it's a very interesting name. But I feel as if I'm avoiding the question... hmm... what would I name myself? I'd probably try to give myself a medieval name that fits in with all of my stories. Klirien Argent. I just made that up via Google Translate, by fitting together the French words (I tend to use many French words as the base for my story names) silver, key, and writer. And just so we're clear on pronunciation, it would sound like clear, followed by the letter e, and finished with the letter n. Klirien Argent.

7. If you were to visit me, what should I cook for supper? Anything you like, only stay away from soy, buckwheat, chocolate, tuna, clams, and flounder. I'm allergic to all that. But I like basically anything, favorites being pizza, philly cheesesteaks, strawberry shortcake, lasagna, kabobs, fruit salad, beef stew, blueberry coffee cake, etc. 

Who doesn't love a philly cheesesteak? :D


8. What do you consider your best asset/talent? I don't know if I even have one of those majestic, shining talents. I'm more of a jack of all trades. I'm a writer, pianist, flutist, singer, composer, actress, knitter, seamstress, whistler, blogger, reader, and a lot of other stuff. I'd like to say that writing would be my best talent, but I forbid myself to hold my own words in such high esteem, for my father always tells me that the number one rule of writing is NEVER fall in love with your own work.

9. If you have your own computer, does it have a name? I have not yet named my laptop, as I am procrastinating in the hopes that I will one day come up with the perfect name. My brother Scott, however, refers to my laptop as my precious. You can blame a love of LOTR and a daily keyboard tapping for that.

10. If you had full control, what would you name your first child (give both a girl's name and a boy's name)? Tough. Although I periodically peruse baby name books and websites for character names, I haven't given much thought to what I'd name my own children (if the Lord wants me to have them). It's a tradition in my family for the oldest girl to have the middle name of Grace, so on that thought... Corinne Grace or Amelia Grace. Boy's name... I haven't given this one much thought... Edmund Alan or James Alexander.

11. Dost thou have an accent? If not, how easy is it for you to fake one? I have no accent, but I like to flatter myself that I can imitate those of British, French, and Australian natures. "Goodday, Mate!"


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I was also awarded the Liebster Award by Leanna of The Page Turner! Thank you so much, Leanna!



Rules:
1. Answer the 11 questions the blogger who nominated you asked you.
2. Give 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers.
4. Create 11 questions for the nominees to answers.

And I thought I got out of the eleven random facts... oh, well. Here we go...

1. I am not scared of heights. In fact, I like being up high.

2. I saw David Tennant on screen for the first time (last week, I think?), and after hearing him praised to the skies, I was disappointed with him. Please don't hate me.

3. I love sewing, but I really never sew anything by pattern. I mostly make it up as I go along.

4. My family makes our own homemade syrup, and it's some of the best stuff in the world!

5. In fact, this year we've made 8+ gallons!



6. I love blueberry pancakes! Especially with homemade syrup.

7. I share a bedroom with all four of my sisters, from ages 20 all the way down to 3.

8. I have played almost every single Nancy Drew PC game, and I almost like them better than the books, because Nancy isn't perfect! We've killed her so many times in those games...

9. I finally saw The Hobbit, and it was AMAZING! I really liked how Peter Jackson incorporated so many straight-from-the-book quotes into the film.




10. I still play dolls with my younger sisters.

11. I really enjoy making doll clothes.


And now for Leanna's questions...

1. Do you have a favorite number, and if so which one? Can we just say 8? That's the number of people in my family, so to me, it's the perfect number. 

2. Regarding fiction, do you prefer reading the book or watching the film? Reading the book! 

3. What's the first thing you think of each morning? What time is it? Boring, yes, but that's the truth.

4. Why did you start blogging? March 21, 2012 with this post on my poetry blog. {edited} I just realized that I answered the question as to when not why. So, why? Because I love writing, and I was eager both to promote my own writing and to meet and make like-minded, godly friends.

5. What is a family tradition of yours? We have too many traditions. Seems like one of them is moving every 6 or so years. This year is year number six that we have lived in this house, so I'm wondering if we should beware!

6. Name one place you'd like to visit. The Rocky Mountains

7. Name one celebrity/author/hero (current or from history) you'd like meet. Hmm... I don't think much about meeting famous people, mostly because a majority of the famous people I know of currently, I'd like to shake or slap upside the head. But, I think perhaps C.S. Lewis would be a fun person to know, since I have to answer the question. 



8. What color is your room painted? Spa-something or other. It's a nice mix of green and blue, but mostly blue. Light blue.

9. Can you whistle? Oh, yes, and I do it all the time. If I had a nickle every time I heard, "You're not paid to be a canary!" I'd be a millionaire. Bonus points for anyone who can identify that film.

10. How many siblings do you have, and where are you in the birth order? I have five siblings, four girls and one boy, and I am number 2 out of 6.

11. What time zone do you live in? Eastern. And I've never been out of it.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

And, I received the Sunshine Award from the Keller Girls! Thanks, Hannah, Ruth, and Sarah!


Rules: Answer the 11 questions, make 11 questions, and award 8 others. (Sorry, readers, I only got the following 8 questions, so that'll have to do.)


What is your favorite Christmas/holiday movie? Ooh, not an easy question. Hmm... Holiday Inn or White Christmas. I like musicals.

What is your favorite flower? Kosteletzkya. Hopefully, you all know that by now.




What is your favorite drink? Probably lemonade. Strawberry lemonade is greatly delicious!

What is your passion? "You're one step short of crazy, and what do you get?" "Obsessed." "Passionate." (Movie, anyone?) I don't know if I truly have a passion. My sisters say writing, so we'll go with that.

When is your favorite time of the year? Christmas, sugaring season, summer, early fall, NYY baseball season, Thanksgiving, middle of winter... they're all the most wonderful times of the year!

What is your favorite time of day? Probably the morning, right before everyone gets up, when the sun has the sky turned a light purple, promising a sunny afternoon. Where I live under the maple tree, that's about 6:30 to 8. Our sun likes sleeping in.

What is your favorite physical activity? Biking. Or playing baseball/whiffle ball.

What is your favorite vacation? Going to my grandparent's beach house near the Atlantic Ocean. My mom spent her summer vacations in the same beach house, and it's conveniently close to my grandparents' house! 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Seems like every single one of these tags and awards demand that I make up eleven questions to pass on to those people whom I see fit to pass them on to. But let's do this, because I like being different and thinking up fun things: 

Anyone reading this post here and now is obligated to answer the following eleven questions below in the comment box.

(If anyone wishes to take one of these awards or tags off to her own blog to post about, that is extremely acceptable. Please leave me a comment, saying you have done so, because I'd love to see the post on your own blog!)

Ready? :)

1. Do you have any allergies? If so, which ones?
2. Would you rather be a skilled musician, a talented writer, or a brilliant artist?
3. Do you say "sur-rup" or "seer-rup"?
4. Favorite non-Disney animated movie?
5. Last book you read?
6. Which book would you recommend to me to read? And why?
7. Favorite breakfast?
8. If time travel were possible, which Bible story would you love to watch live?
9. What song do you find yourself singing a lot?
10. Are you a Grammar Nazi? 
11. What three words would you use to describe my blog, Lianne Taimenlore?

I look forward to reading your answers! 

God bless!