Kellyn Roth's Blog: Kellyn Roth, Author, page 45

5 (Absolutely True) Facts about Redheads

As you probably know (because I paste my face all over the internet like a conceited monkey), I have red hair. Well, it’s actually more auburn, but red is red is red. Even if it’s not. *makes sense*

There are a lot of myths floating around about redheads. For instance, some people believe all redheads are witches. Like, not witches as in mean people, but witches. As in they ride on broomsticks. This is untrue. Trust me.

However, there are many things that bind all people of scarlet locks together. Here are the top five.

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1: All Redheads Love Sugar

You might say, “Well, that’s true of almost everyone …”

Au, contraire, mon ami! Redheads have even more of a sugar lust than you or anyone else could possibly imagine. They may deny it, but secretly, in their closets, the chocolate peeps await.

Actually, our red hair is sugar-powered … or rather sugar-created. I’m not kidding. They come into being when women eat large quantities of sweets during pregnancy. Sometimes in their sleep. So they don’t remember it.

2: All Redheads Are Temperamental

This is a myth you’ve heard before, but I bet you didn’t know that it’s actually true! If a redhead doesn’t have a quick temper, she is prone to some other kind of melodrama, such as being overly emotional or suffering from violent mood swings. You see, redheads have a lot of emotional energy due to all the sugar highs and lows, and they need to let it out somehow.

I, personally, let it out with violent fits of anger. I know redheads, however, that try to contain it. But they ultimately fail. ‘Cause all redheads are temperamental.

3: All Redheads are Magically Special

How this ‘special’ manifests itself varies, but usually redheads are one-up on every other kind of head. If you’re not a redhead, you’re not going to be able to accomplish as much as a redhead.

4: All Redheads Are Seductive Minxes with a Grudge

True, that. They probably have sorceress leanings, too.

And … what does that mean for my followers?

Run, run, as fast as you can

I’ll probably catch you

I’m a redhead with grudge

5: All Redheads Are Secretly Irish

Even if they deny it, they are. Don’t let them tell you lies about their actual origins. All redheads are secretly Irish. They just want to keep it quiet.

Because sometimes their families will be, I don’t know, German or something, and they want to be the same as everyone else (in their family).

Traitors.

And there you have it, folks! A redhead reveals her deep, dark secrets.

Adios,

~Kellyn Roth~

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p.s.

Do you know anyone with red hair? Are you a redhead yourself? Have you seen (or experiences) redheads showing any of the tell-tale signs? Contact Redhead Control immediately at 1-800-CONTROLTHERED if you have.

Before you go …
Some actual redhead stuff

Having people stop you in the street and say, “Oh, what pretty  red hair you have!” Me: *accepts compliments with knowing nod*
Having people tell you about every redhead they know. Because they think you care. Because you have the same hair color. I wanna say, “Okay, now I’ll tell you about every brunette I know …”
Getting asked if you dyed your hair. “Of course. I bathe it every night in the blood of my enemies …”
Having people assume you’re a firecracker. I am a boring person when you first meet me. Until I’m not. But then I still lapse into boring every so often or when with my family, but I’m more of a moody teen who just wants to curl up with a book and be left alone. Actually, I’m listening in to all their conversations, but whatever …
Boys (and other people) will call you ‘Ginger,’ ‘Carrots,’ and ‘Red’ because they think it annoys you. Actually, it pleases me. Keep it up!

Completely Random Updates

Yesterday, I went through my list of post ideas and tried to pick one that would be perfect to publish today. I considered writing about how you should write, but I just posted about naming characters. I consider rambling about my books, but I’ve done that way too much already.

Then I considered not posting. But I felt like that would be a bad way to kick of my new, two-post-a-week schedule (more on that later). So … what should I post?

“Completely random updates?” Why not. I haven’t anything lamer to do today.

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Now, I’m going to try to make this post as neat and tidy as possible, but … bear with me. It’s also going to be short. Brevity, my dear, is the soul of blogging.

Update 1: The New Schedule

That’s right! From now on there will only be two posts a week at Reveries. I’m just too busy to carry on with three a week, and this way you’ll appreciate each post more.

At least, that’s my theory.

The posting days will be Wednesday and Saturday. When blog tours, contests, or other stuff comes up, there may be more posts a week or posts on random days, etc. However, generally, you can count on me for Wednesday and Saturday.

Update 2: Writing Plans

I’ve got the rest of my writing year mapped out, ladies and gents! Here’s how it goes.

June: publish IvIn and TDS

July: finish Once a Stratton and begin Interpreting Callie James

August: finish Interpreting Callie James, ask for alpha readers for At Her Fingertips

September/October: outline Beyond Her Calling

November: writing Beyond Her Calling

December: edit At Her Fingertips

I know, I know. I won’t be getting to some stuff I said I would this year, like editing Flowers and writing Caught in a Spell.

But I’m sick of being rushed and stressed and all those lovely things. Time to slooow down!

Update 3: The Typewriter Project

Mahriya over at My Bookish Life is hosting a big inspirational authory … thing of sorts called ‘The Typewriter Project.’ I’ve decided to participate. You can read more about it here. It looks like it’s going to be super fun, so be sure to join up!

Update 4: Editing Mood Swings

Lately, while editing, I’ve been going between, “I’m never going to finish this; I’d better cancel my publishing plans,” and “I can totally do this!” I suppose it depends on how much trouble I’m having getting a sentence to work or rewriting a paragraph.

What’s up with TDS?

The short answer to the title question is, “Important stuff.” However, I was never one for simplicity. (Actually, I am, but that’s beside the point.) The point is (wait, aren’t statements in parenthesis technically barred from the main text?) that I need a subject for a spotlight, and you need to know what’s going on with TDS.

It’s a symbiotic relationship. Sort of.

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A lot of questions have been asked of me (I think that makes sense) about TDS. Mostly by my brothers. Such as, “What? Didn’t you finish that? Now you only have one book published. That’s so lame.” (They don’t understand the process of publishing very well; they think that if I can do it, I should do it sixteen or seventeen times a year.) (Also, their last two ‘questions’ were statements. Brothers, right?)

And, to a certain extent, I agree with them. It’s pretty stupid to publish a book and then remove it a year later to revise and edit it once again. Which is what I’m doing with TDS (or The Dressmaker’s Secret). Just in case you didn’t know.

However, it needed to be done.

First, because TDS is getting a brand-new cover. (I think you’ll like it; it’s coming out on the 20th of May, so hang around!) I felt like giving it a new cover and not making some changes on the interior while I had a chance would be a mistake. Therefore, revisions.

Second, because I am a better writer than this. Glancing over my copy of TDS, I realized that, with a few simple changes, I could make it into a much better novel.

But what kind of changes are you making, Kell? you ask.

Mostly I’m just doing your average editing stuff. Changing word order, removing a typo here, a grammar mistake there, changing dialogue to make it sound more English (somewhat unsuccessfully, but that, again, is beside the point), etc.

However, I’ve also decided to add in scenes where summary formerly were, to change the ending pretty drastically (I can’t say how because SPOILERS!), and to make some tweaks based on reviews and other feedback I’ve gotten about the plot and characters.

So … revisions. Lots of ’em.

However, this is coming remarkably easily. I don’t know if I said this before (I probably have; I use my blog as a whining room), but TDS is my baby. I love working with my baby.

Now, the technical definition of a spotlight is ‘weekly excerpts and commentary and just random stuff about my current writing.’ Well, I’ve done some random stuff and sorta a commentary, so … excerpt.

This is a scene I just wrote yesterday (which still needs heavy editing, but whatever). I hope you like it!

Alice dashed into her bedroom early one afternoon a few weeks later, Miss Chattoway following her. Though Ivy was still bedridden, she had been making ground rapidly, and there was no reason to believe that she couldn’t be on her feet within a few days.

“Hello, Alice,” Ivy said, smiling. “You were gone all morning, and I missed you! But I had my doll and Kitty, until she ran away.”

Alice walked to her sister’s bedside. “How are you feeling?”

“Oh, much better. Mummy says I can go for a walk in the park soon. She says I need fresh air. Isn’t that so, Mummy?”

“It is so. The doctor recommended fresh air and sunshine as the quickest cure. And we’ll get it for you, even if we have to drive out of London for it.”

Miss Christina walked in. “The mail just came. Something for you, Claire.”

Miss Chattoway accepted the enveloped and glanced at the postal inscription. “Pearlbelle Park?”

Miss Christina nodded eagerly. “It’s the Knight’s estate in Kent.”

“I know what it is.”

“Oh. I thought it might be from Miss Elton. You were close in school ….”

Miss Chattoway laughed. “She amused me, and I awed her. But that was when we were children. None of my schoolfellows have contacted me since ….”

“All the same, it appears Lois Elton has now,” Miss Christina prompted. “Well … read it.”

Miss Chattoway broke the seal and unfolded the sheet of paper. She glanced to the bottom. “You’re right. It is from Lois.”

“What does it say?” Miss Christina asked eagerly.

“Give me a moment,” Miss Chattoway murmured. Then “Oh!” she exclaimed.

“What is it?”

“Christy, please.”

“Please, Molly? I’m dying to know!”

Miss Chattoway looked up from the letter, eyes glistening with tears. “She heard of Ivy’s illness – and her slow recovery – from the Knights. They just arrived at the estate a week ago, it appears. She’s invited us to Pearlbelle Park – with Mr. Knight’s permission – so Ivy can … can rest and recuperate.”

“Oh, Molly! It’s an answer to a prayer!”

Miss Chattoway threw back her head and laughed, really laughed. “It is, Christy. We’re … we’re to come out with Mr. Parker in a few weeks if we’re able. I … I can’t. I have to stay here, in London, and Charlie will stay with me … but you will take my girls, Christy? You and Nettie?”

“Of course I will,” said Miss Christina.

It’s a little rough, yes, but it’s better than the summaries of these events that I had before.

Au revoir, mi ami!

~Kellyn Roth~

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p.s.

What do you think about what I’ve done with TDS? Are all these revisions and changes a mistake or do you applaud me for fixing stuff? What did you think about the excerpt?

I’ve decided to move to two posts a week. What days do you think I should do those posts on? I’m considering Wednesday/Saturday, Monday/Thursday, or Tuesday/Friday.

Five Once a Stratton Quirks

[image error]While writing my current works-in-progress, Once a Stratton, I’ve noticed a few things that just don’t add up … or are simply not supposed to be there. I decided, instead of calling them ‘errors,’ to call them ‘quirks.’

It’s my sneaky way of getting you to read about me being stupid without even knowing it.

I mean, I guess you know it now … but you wouldn’t have if I hadn’t told you. Because I’m honest. Painfully honest.

Basically, unless I outline thoroughly, my characters take over my novel and make it into something I never intended it to be.

I’ve had people pop up and subplots pop up (which I shove the resolution for into the third book ’cause what the heck? It’s not like the third book in this book is waaay too full of plot while the second has no plot to speak of …).

So let’s examine these. Now. Before I forget them.

1: Beau Harvey

I was just writing along … minding my own business ….

AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS THIS RANDOM CHARACTER AND I DON’T KNOW WHERE HE COMES FROM AAAAAAH!!!

Introducing Beau Harvey, age twenty, a ‘Southern gentleman’ from Virginia. He’s an optimistic, somewhat imaginative guy with a deep, dark secret.

This was not supposed to happen. Who is Beau Harvey? Why is he here? Why does he suddenly get a subplot dedicated to him!?!

2: Colin & Georgiana

You’re fine, okay? You’re fine and your marriage is fine and … just shut up. I don’t want to deal with you right now. Maybe later …

Seriously, though, these two were supposed to be the perfect couple, and Chris and Lilli were supposed to be the ones who were struggling to keep it together … and yet it’s just the opposite.

I mean, don’t get me wrong. Colin and Georgiana are still a united front, but they … they’re just so sad. Because they’re not even friends. *weeps*

3: Peter is a rag doll

He’s twenty months old. He should have a personality and actions, okay? But instead he’s just passed around like a doll, from Chris to Lilli and back again. If he was two months old, I might get away with it to a certain extent … but not at twenty months.

4: Suddenly we care about Georgiana?

Whaaa?! Georgiana isn’t a character we care about. I mean, we do care about her, but she doesn’t have some tragic back story. And she doesn’t need anyone to love her. And she doesn’t love anyone.

What is wrong with me?!

5: And I’m starting to feel bad for Chris

The poor man wants an education, but he’s not going to get one. I feel so bad! But this wasn’t supposed to be a plot. He was just supposed to go to college to please Lilli, and he was supposed to leave if need be.

And now he won’t get that education. Not really. *sobs*

Well, those are my ‘quirks’ … or plot holes, as most people would probably call them. Thanks for reading!

Have a great weekend,

~Kellyn Roth~

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p.s.

What do you think about these quirks? When you find ‘quirks’ in your novels, what do you do? Just roll with it or roll your eyes and make a note to change it?

I usually just roll with it. I figure it was meant to be.

The Dos and Don’ts of Naming Characters

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We’ve all struggled with it. Character naming. There’s nothing quite so tortuous as this monster (except perhaps book-titling, but that’s not what we’re talking about today). You want your character to have the perfect, original pre nomen to go with their perfect, original personality … but what is that?

Now, since this is obviously such a huge problem for you (if it’s not, just pretend it is) and because I’m a nice person (again, pretend), I’ve decided to compile a list of Dos and Don’ts for character naming.

Hopefully these tips will help you as much as researching and coming up with them helped me (because, honestly, I learn more from these posts than you do)!

When I pick a name for a character, I find that it’s rarely advisable to start with the name and then create the character. Especially when the name isn’t coming easily.

Sometimes names just fly through the clouds and hit you in the head … but when they don’t, you need to develop the character first.

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So, the first step of naming a character is developing a character. Just brainstorm a couple things about the character.

If you want, you can create a placeholder name. This is just a random name – like Bob or Ann (without an “e”) – to call your character until you’ve gotten enough information to give him or him an actual name. Henrietta Selle from The Dressmaker’s Secret and Ivy Introspective was originally Jeanne, for instance.

So. Run off and develop your character. *shoos away*

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Okay, you’re back, you have a semi-developed character, and you need the perfect name for it. What are some things you need to do (and don’t) when choosing said name? I’m glad you asked.

*coughs* this seems like a bad idea …
Do: Use a wide variety of names

Tom, Dick, and Harry are nice fellows, I’m sure, but mix it up a little!

Some of my characters from The Dressmaker’s Secret are Philip, Claire, Steven, Hazel, Lois, and Christina. Though not extremely different (I’m bound by historical accuracy, mmkay? I think I cheated a little with some of those, too), they’re not exactly what you’d call similar.

I hope so!
Don’t: Be an insane namer

Remember to be realistic. What are the chances of meeting a Trevnoid, Moncriet, or Venda? Not very high. Try to use names that at least have a feel of normalcy.

Then you also must remember …

Hey, why isn’t my name on the list?!
Do: Use historically/culturally accurate names

If you’re writing a novel set in Regency-era England and have characters named Trevnoid, Moncriet, or Venda, people are going to give you weird looks. (Not that they wouldn’t give you weird looks, anyway.)

It’s a simple matter to Google ‘popular Regency-era names’ or ‘Regency name generator.’

Also, keep in mind that your characters were named when they were born, not when they are currently living. If the name Keilyla is mega popular in 2025 when your book is set, fine. However, your character probably isn’t an infant.

Then you’ve got to remember to be culturally accurate. Say you have a Hispanic (I think this is the preferred term?) young man named Liam McAllister. This will cause eye rolls. However, Angél Abrigo would be more believable. And it sounds cool.

For my Victorian series, I chose “Alice” and “Ivy” for the main characters. These are both realistic for the time of their birth, 1862, and the place of their birth, England.

I figure lots of babies must feel like that.
Don’t: Use names that will cause the characters to be impossible to relate with

I’m sorry to say this, but Dorcas Flabbenbaumer isn’t going to get a fan club, even if her name is historically/culturally accurate. And if you must, go with a cute nickname – Dory might work. And … no, there’s nothing you can do to improve Flabbenbaumer. Change it unless you’re writing a comedy.

Like it or not, people will judge characters by their names.

Alice and Ivy are both relatively cute names, especially Ivy. Neither of them are ugly, and they both portray the image I want them to: Alice, strong and in control, and Ivy, the clinging vine.

Okay, that’s just stupid …
Do: Make up exciting new names for your fantasy/science fiction novel

This is sad, but I read some fantasy books just ’cause the names are so cool.

Letters are fun to play with. You can come up with more than one cool pre nomen just by throwing them together at random. However, I do think it’s better to use names derived from something familiar.

I still need to justify Taevian from Caught in a Spell, though … I don’t know what that’s about …

Your character might have a similar reaction …
Don’t: Use ridiculous/unpronounceable names

People go overboard with this a lot. Think of The Selection (which I just read in April). Some of the names are over-the-top whacky. They just remove a level of realism that would have been there if they had used slightly more, well, normal names.

In my fantasy novel, (some of) my characters are Millum, Jessamine, Wilhelm, Alici, Havinia, Mizree, and Taevian. All of them are pronounceable (except Alici … this is basically “Alice” with an “ee” sound at the end) and not too crazy (well …).

This is what my ‘favorite names’ list looks like …
Do: Consider the parents of the character when choosing the name

What would the parents of your character name their child? Why? Does it have special significance to them? Are they the kind of people who would name their child a classical name or a more original one?

Remember: you didn’t name your character. Your character’s parents did.

My characters, Alice and Ivy, were named by their mother. She chose Alice because it had emotional significance to her (and it was a name she’d discussed with their father) and Ivy because it’s a symbol of faithfulness.

Back when it was simple …
Don’t: Name all your characters after each other

In the Elsie Dinsmore books, everyone has their own name at first.

Until all the children start getting named after each other.

Learn a lesson from Elsie Dinsmore.

Really, though, you can occasionally name have a couple Alfred Edward Johnathon Zimbledorf Juniors running around … but make sure little Alfie doesn’t get mistaken for his father. Perhaps call him Edward or Johnathon instead.

In the future (at least in my novels; it’s really over a hundred years ago now), someone very dear to Alice names her daughter Eleanor Alice. She goes by Ellie, but the significance isn’t lost. A bit before that, a little girl is named Alice Rosaline, but goes by Rosa. (Alice is just one of those people you want to name your child after, I guess …)

Isn’t that pretty? So … exotic!
Do: Give your character a name that is significant

… to the characters’ parents.

As is the case with Alice and Ivy’s names. A few of my other characters also have significant names, such as Gracelyn Love (she hasn’t shown up yet; be patient) and Madeline Faith (same as before).

Since I write historical fiction, most people didn’t have the internet to just look up the meaning of a name, however, so I mostly use virtue names if the parents want meaning.

However, it isn’t too far-fetched for parents to look up the meaning of a name in almost any era (there have always been certain names that are plainly derived from certain root words), so if you want the name of one of your characters to have special meaning, you can do that. Peter (a character from At Her Fingertips) means ‘a rock,’ and since it’s Biblical, it isn’t too hard to believe that his mother, knew the meaning.

Pretty font. Just sayin’.
Don’t: Give your character a name that is eventually significant

For instance, your character’s name is Melody Williams, and she eventually grew up to be a famous singer. Unless her parents were singers, this makes no sense. How did they know? Answer: they didn’t. This was plainly orchestrated by a well-meaning author.

A Couple Other Things to Remember:

Expectant mommies are your allies! Baby name websites are everywhere. Use them. And don’t mind all the weird looks you get from your friends and family.
So are stereotypes. Never thought those would work in your favor, did you? Well, stereotypes really help authors because people make assumptions about people based on their names. Instant characterization.
Or … you could go the opposite way. Surprise everyone with your serious Chelsea and your popular Gertrude.
Play with spelling. For instance, in Once a Stratton, my main character’s name is Lilli. I tried out Lily, Lilly, and Lila. However, I decided to go with Lilli because it’s the German spelling (I think?). She might have spelled Lilli differently before she met Chris; I don’t know.
If you choose the name of someone you know, don’t give them similar personality traits. If your character has faults (and all good characters do), then you’re gonna hurt someone’s feelings.

Well, those are my tips. (What do you mean, “Is that all?” That’s plenty!) And remember, folks: NEVER NAME YOUR CHILD TREVNOID! Or Agnes. (Though I don’t know; maybe Agnes will make a huge comeback someday. I can see that ….)

See ya Friday!

~Kellyn Roth~

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p.s.

Do you struggle with coming up with great character names? What are some of your characters’ names and why? Which of the dos and don’ts do you think are important … and which do you think are unnecessary (if any)? Do you disagree with anything I said here today?

May 2017 Dares

Whoa. It’s … it’s May already? But … but … I wasn’t finished with April yet! *sobs* I WANT MORE APRIL!!! I want to spend more time working on Once a Stratton. I want to have more time to work on IvIn and TDS.

I don’t want more of this weather, though. Rain, rain, rain. I love rain, but there’s a certain kind of rain that’s just not pleasant … and the kind we’ve been having is bad rain. Bad, bad rain. *glares at rain*

Really, though, April was an improvement of March, but still stressful (as some *cough, cough* earlier posts may have stated). I always feel like I haven’t accomplished much (and, according to my parents, this is true).

But maybe I have accomplished some stuff. So, before moving on to May, let’s take a peek at April and see what happened.

~An April Recap~

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Read ten books. Check! I read sixteen, actually. *big grin* Yeah, but this is the only thing I actually accomplished this month, though … I read. Yay. *celebration*

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Write 15,000 words of Once a Stratton. Check! Actually, I wrote 26,585. This was my main project this month. I’m pretty proud of it, and I’ll probably be posting about it some sooner or later.

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Finish rewriting The Dressmaker’s Secret. Kinda. I finished certain aspects of it, but not all of it. I still need to work on it some.

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Go through Ivy Introspective one last time. Failed. I’ve worked on it here and there, but I really need to focus some energy on it in this next month before I can proof-read.

Find a way to improve my graphic-making skills. Check? I know I’ve gotten better at consistently making graphics for my posts on both my blogs … but I don’t believe I’ve improved much. I think this is something I need to learn slowly over the years rather than in one month’s time.

Post a video on YouTube once a week. Failed. I posted one video and then decided that vlogging just ain’t for me.

Blog Tags Are Taking Over the Universe

Run, run, as fast as you can

You can’t hide from me

I’m the blog tag … girl

I’m a terrible poet.

And yes, I do realize that with just one post a week, spending it on blog tags when a great deal of my followers have said they actually don’t read the blog tags is probably a stupid thing for me to be doing.

But what do I care? I can be stupid whenever I want. *dances*

Before we begin, I made up my own rules for this particular batch of blog tags as this post would be waaay too long if I followed the actual rules.

I’m not tagging anyone. If you want to do the tags, you can, though.
I’m not making up more questions for you people to answer.
I’m not following any of the rules except the ones that appeal to me. Yeah … this is basically my life. Ask my parents.

Let’s start with The Versatile Blogger Award. I was tagged by Kels. Thanks Kels! Love ya, girl! *is creepy* *and a good Christian* *’cause we’re supposed to love everyone* *even random people on the internet*

Rules

Share the award on your blog
Thank the person that nominated you and link their site
Nominate 10 bloggers
Provide seven facts about you

Le Facts

I really love horses, cows, cats, and dogs.
My cat is a psycho.
I adore old movies.
I also adore historical dramas (BBC is awesome).
I’ve just got one more year of school to go.
I’ll be volunteering at a museum/historical site this summer.
My plans for the future include working at a pizza joint as a waitress. You thought I was cool? Think again …

[image error]The Blue Sky Tag!

Thank the person who tagged you
Answer their 11 questions
Tag 11 people
Give them 11 questions to answer

I’m just going to be thanking Tessa Megan and answering her delightful questions. Oh, and calling her a sweetheart because she said I was her favorite blogger.

Do you have any imaginary friends?

Yes. There’s Pome, Jeffy, Paul, George, Shelly … shall I go on? And then there are my characters. They, too, are imaginary (though don’t tell them that).

Have you ever been to the beach or would like to go?

I go to the beach just about every year. I’ve been to beaches in Oregon, California, and Florida. So yes.

Have you ever entered a writing contest?

A couple times, yes. More often I chicken out and don’t submit, though. Or simply don’t finish the story.

If possible would you go into writing as a career or will it just be a hobby for you?

A career! But I doubt that’s going to happen.

 Do you like to sing?

I do. But I’m terrible at it.

Do you listen to music while you write?

Nope! Elsewise, I start singing along with the music. It’s sad …

What book(s) have you recently read?

I just finished a romance collection called Oregon Brides. It wasn’t so good. And I’m in the middle of The Selection. I’m actually enjoying it. *is always surprised when I enjoy a popular book*

Do you like country music?

YES! A little more than is healthy …

What’s your favorite movie?

Um … I’m gonna have to do top three.

Gone with the Wind with Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable
Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFayden
Vertigo with James Stewart and Kim Novak


 Have you read A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley or heard of it?

I’ve never heard of it. Until now, I guess.

 Do you watch or read the news?

Sometimes? I think? Not normally, though. When I do, it’s only to have my opinions on something confirmed by the people who will confirm my opinions. *shrugs*

[image error]The Writer’s Ink Challenge

Tessa tagged me again for the Writer’s Ink Challenge.

Thank your nominator.
Answer at least 8 questions about writing.
Nominate at least 5 people.

I’m doing 2/3 of the rules. *pats self on back*

When did you first start writing?

When I was about seven, give or take.

Have you always been interested in writing?

Pretty much … although not as a career until I was ten or eleven. And even now I don’t consider it to be a career, exactly.

Why do you like writing?

It quiets the voices in my head. A little.

What genre do you write in?

Historical fiction. Some fantasy. Also, I have a great idea for a fantasy in a steampunk world. *ignores weird looks at contradicting statements*

Who or what motivates you to write?

My friend Bailey, actually. You should see her face light up when she reads what I’ve written. I don’t know if she’s acting or not, but it still makes me want to keep going. Also, again, the voices …

Do you write poetry?

Not good poetry, but yes!

Have you ever written a story with a friend?

Yes, but we never finished it. Poor little SOTG …

How do you write your stories (first person, third person)?

Both. I write primarily in third person, but my current WIP is in first.

[image error]The Happiness Tag #usesrandompicturesofBayagain

Next, Crystal tagged me for the Happiness Tag. Thanks, Crystal!

Name five things that make you happy.
Name five songs that make you happy.
Nominate five bloggers to continue this tag.

I bet you can guess which rules I’m following and which rules I’m not!

Five Things That Make Me Happy

My friends
My dogs
Writing
Good movies
Good books

I know, I know. I should probably go into detail (and be less shallow), but I’m not going to bother.

Five Songs That Make Me Happy

Fabulous from Phineas and Ferb
Fun, Fun, Fun by The Beach Boys
All You Had To Do Was Stay by Taylor Swift
My Gidget from Gidget (TV show)
Blue Skies by Irving Berlin

I just listed five random ones, because there are so many.

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May also tagged me for the Blue Sky Tag. So I thought, “What the hey? I’ll do it again!” You know the rules. Here are May’s questions!

What is your favorite color?

Pink! (I’m sure May sympathizes …)

What is one tangible thing you can’t live without?

My dog. *keeps a straight face* *barely*

What is one intangible thing you can’t live without?

God! Although I suppose He’s … sorta tangible, too? But not really. And He’s not so much a thing as, you know, God. But I can’t think of a intangible thing I can’t live without.

How many hours of sleep do you get on average?

2? 3? (More like six or seven …)

When are you the most productive?

Right before I need to go to bed.

If you could eat one thing only for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chocolate!

Would you rather watch TV, play video games, or read a book?

It depends.

Name three items that pop into your mind.

SHOE, TREE, COW!

What are you wearing right now? (don’t worry about undergarments)

*coughs* I wasn’t, um, going to …

So, jeans and brown t-shirt with “Hollister 22” on the front in white and turquoise letters. Oh, and the outline of a seagull. I frankly have no idea how or why I got this shirt …

What is something you want for your birthday?

A horse. Duh.

And finally… How are you doing?

Fine. *hides broken pieces of my heart* Yep … just fine. (Yeah, I’m joking. Although who can listen to Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman and not end up in tears?!)

As for May’s other nomination of me, for the Writer’s Ink Challenge, I … have already done all but the bonus question she provided.

Where do you see yourself writing-wise in one month? One year? Ten years?

(None of this will probably happen, but …)

One Month

On May 24th, I should be practically finished with both IvIn and TDS (probably proofreading). I also want to have about 35K of Once a Stratton written. So a little under halfway. Although I frankly don’t know how long this book is going to be.

One Year

In April 2018, I will have published IvIn, TDS, and a couple short stories. I will have finished Once a Stratton, Beyond Her Calling, and maybe another project or two. I’ll be in the middle of editing At Her Fingertips and whatever else I have time for.

Ten Years

I … frankly don’t have big plans for 2027. I mean, seriously, that’s an insane long time away! I’ll be twenty-five. Almost twenty-six. So … I’ll be married and have 4/12 of my kids. *shrugs* *again, manages to look very serious*

I don’t really have any writing plans for ten years. I’ll have gotten out of the 1800s (in 2020, actually) and probably finished most of my 1900s stuff … so I don’t know. All this will be done, I think:

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What will I do without this incredibly complicated series? I guess dig into my plot bunny folder.

Well, that’s it! And I managed it in under 2,000 words. In fact, at only about 1,500. *big grin*

Until next week,

~Kellyn Roth~

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p.s.

Do you enjoy blog tags? Have you/will you be trying any of these out?

If you don’t like blog tags, I want to thank you for making it to the bottom of this post. What would you like to see next week? On Wednesday? When I’ll be returning to my old schedule? #letthatslip

Moanings of a Brain Dead Teen

Yesterday was Easter, and now we have a very light week of school as my dad’s on vacation (#homeschoolcool). And let me tell you, I need it.

My mind is a lot of spinning cogs and gears, all whirling a hundred miles a minute. When you throw in algebra mixed with shapes, ancient languages mixed with translation sheets, animals mixed with science, and add a generous dose of history, government, grammar, and essays, the cogs stop spinning.

I’m not joking. This is not a test. My brain is dead.

I bet by now you’re going, “Well, you didn’t really need a brain anyway ….” Think again. I need my brain. I use it for important stuff. I use it for unimportant stuff, too, but that’s besides the point.

I’d like to blame this brain collapse on school (specifically school subjects made of a combination of two things that should never go together), but I can’t. There are other things that contributed to this cerebral malfunction. What are they?

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Writing

This isn’t a huge surprise, but writing Once a Stratton is stressing me out. It’s not because I’m failing, though. Actually, I upped my goal to 20,000 on the 13th when I exceeded my original goal of 15,000.

I’m also pretty pleased with what I’ve written. My favorite part so far has been, without a doubt, Chris. Lilli’s husband is the best. For instance, this little exchange:

    Chris nodded. “I smell like a girl.”

I leaned over and sniffed. “You do not. You just smell like soap.”

“Soap, girl … what’s the difference.”

“Anyone can smell like soap.”

“Any girl.”

I dropped my head into Peter’s hair. “Peter smells like soap.”

“He’s eighteen months old.”

“Twenty.”

“That doesn’t change anything.”

“Well, what do you want to smell like?” I demanded.

“I don’t know. But not like a girl.”

What a goof, am I right?

But, despite all that, I haven’t been able to write much for the last several days. My inspiration has waned. However, May Everly wrote a post about how to keep writing, and I’m going to try some of suggestions.

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Reading

I want to be reading North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, but I got distracted by library books and review copies that I’m supposed to be reading. Well, was supposed to be reading several months ago.

So yes, reading is stressing me out. I feel like I should be reading the classic, but the review copies are pressing, and how can one resist a beautiful library book? Whenever I’m reading one book, I get a nagging feeling that I should be reading a different book.

Alternately, I feel like I should be writing or blogging or editing/revising … or even just spending some time outside before more rain clouds cover the sky.

The guilt is real, people.

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Editing/Revising

As you know, I’m supposed to be working on Ivy Introspective and The Dressmaker’s Secret. Well, I’m not. At least not as much as I should be.

Right now I have several beta-readers reading over IvIn, and I’m still working on the revisions of TDS. TDS is especially giving me some trouble, as it is the work of my stupid younger self (not that you can’t write if you’re younger, but that I couldn’t).

And it is driving me absolutely mad!

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Blogging

Even with just one post a week on Reveries, I’ve still got two on Reveries Reviews.

And, furthermore, I promised my readers over on RR (acronyms are awesome) that I’ll be amazing from now on. And I literally can’t think of some amazing book-related things to post about. (Ideas, anyone?)

Just so you know, I’ll probably be returning to two or three posts a week in May. Also, there will be a blog tour in June. Just thought you ought to know … because it’s gonna be  a big deal. Huge giveaways, shameless self-promotion, etc.

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Clarinet

This is technically not school … so …

Anyway, I have not been practicing enough. And thinking about practicing has kilt my little brain. Just kilt it. Like, it is now wearing a traditional Scottish man-skirt.

My poor mind.

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Bible (and other Christian stuff)

No matter how hard I try, I can’t become a perfect Christian. Which is quite worrying. I don’t read the Bible as regularly as I’d like. I forget to pray. I haven’t done any resplendent good deeds recently. I don’t even enjoy church that much. I probably deserve the hell-fires …

Okay, I know, I know. There’s no such thing as a perfect Christian (or a perfect human), and I should just chill.

Well, the thing that many miss (or overdo; it depends) is that if you’re a Christian, you should also be changed (through Jesus in your heart, etc.). So … I should be a better person because I am a Christian (though not because that’s gonna save me or anything; on the contrary, nothing you can do actually changes whether or not you go to hell).

Anyway, yep. ‘Tis stressful.

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Family and Friends

No matter what I do, I always feel like I don’t spend enough time with my family and friends. Particularly my family. Well, not my parents and siblings. I actually wish I spent less time with them (JK). More my extended family … my grandparents, primarily.

But when I’m with my family/friends all I can think of is what I should be doing. In fact, no matter what I do, I can’t think of anything except other stuff I should be doing right now and how I can do it and why I haven’t done it and if I’m about to explode or I just ate too much Easter candy. (I can never decide which …)

Well, that’s it. Those are all the things that made my brain stop working. So now I’m brain-dead. And having no brain? Not fun. Not fun at all …

Was this just an author/blog/life update disguised as me complaining?

~Kellyn Roth~

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p.s.

How do you revive your brain when it dies? Are there things in your life right now that are causing cerebral malfunction? Can you eliminate them or are they necessary?

How was your Easter? Did you collect a cache of candy? (I know I did!) How does your family celebrate Easter? Do YOLO, or have you realized yet that YOLOUYHJ? #shamelessGodpromotion

Flowers, Part 6

That’s right! The final part of Flowers has finally arrived. Are you excited? Crying? Regurgitating? Biting your nails? Rolling your eyes and returning to your Reader/Inbox so to read better posts? Are you not even reading this?

Well, I’m sure you’ve having one of those emotions at this current moment in your life. Treasure this moment! It’s not coming ’round again, dude. Although … I’m not really a YOLO girl … y’know … YOLOUYHJ (you only live once unless you have Jesus) is my style.

I can assure you, however, that this post is a little better than my previous Flowers parts because I added images! Images make stuff better. Or … so everyone tells me. To me, they just make it take longer for stuff to load …

Parts 1 and 2 ~ Part 3 ~ Part 4 ~ Part 5

Part 6

Out on the open countryside, she made her way up a rather steep hill dotted by sheep who nipped at the green grass without even raising their heads to look at her. At the crest, she found a large rock, sat down, and began to cry.[image error]

There was nothing else for her to do. That flower garden was her last effort … and it had brought nothing but problems. More disapproval from her mother, her best friend, and her sister-in-law. More worried looks from her daughter. More dirt marring her dresses, no matter how old they might be.

And Troy … when Troy came home, how he would hate it! He never liked things that weren’t meaningful, and this was probably the least meaningful thing she’d ever done … and that was saying something.

“If You existed, You’d hate it, too,” Adele told God. “I bet You’d be furious at me for ignoring this war You made, Oh Mighty One. After all, You did make it, didn’t you? This war that took away my husband? That was foolish of You. Troy knows how to keep the peace, but I don’t. Troy knows that I’m not really a bad person. He knows I’m just … just confused. He wouldn’t disapprove of me just because I can’t keep his rules. Well, he doesn’t really have any rules – not for me, anyway – but if he did, and I didn’t keep them, he’d love me anyway. You see, God, if Troy loves someone, he loves them no matter what.

“But You’re not like that, are You? I can’t do anything to please You, can I? No matter how hard I work, I’ll never be good enough.” Adele laughed at the sky. “Well, here’s something for You to consider, Oh Mighty One. No one’s perfect! Everyone makes mistakes! My mother makes mistakes, Judy makes mistakes, Troy makes mistakes … and what’s your solution? ‘Obey and you will be blessed. Disobey and you will be cursed.’ I know that one well, don’t I? Mother quotes it all the time. But it doesn’t help. I can’t escape the curse!”

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    “What a mess you’ve made of the simplest of subjects, Della.”

Adele’s head snapped down from the sky. “Troy.”

“So, do you want to talk about all this, or is it one of those things that I need to forget immediately or risk torture?”

Adele flew down the hill and threw herself in Troy’s arms.

“I see. I must be strangled.”

“No, you despicable excuse for a human being, you’re not lucky enough to die,” Adele replied, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “You may have forfeited your mustache, however.”

“Oh, no. You’ll have to think of something else. Maybe I could take you out to dinner tonight.”

“Maybe I can wait until you’re asleep and slit your throat.”

“Or we could, you know, learn to get along with each other and live a happy life.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

Troy laughed. “That’s an excellent point. Now that we’ve insulted each other, can I say I missed you?”

“You may.”

“Well,” Troy mumbled around a kiss, “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

“And it rained last night and now it’s sunny and you do look well. Now, can we sit down somewhere and talk?”

Adele threw her arms around Troy’s neck and kissed him. Troy laughed, picked her up, and set her on a rock.

“That’s cheating!” Adele exclaimed.

“What do you mean ‘that’s cheating?’ You’re the one who was cheating.”

“I wasn’t cheating. I was just … influencing.”

“Well, ‘influencing’ is just cheating under a different name. And, as a cheater, you have forfeited your rights to make decisions, and I am in control, which means we’re going to sit down right here and have a nice long chat.”

“Troy, please.” Adele stuck her bottom lip out in a pout and fluttered her eyelashes.

“There’s no way around it, so you might as well resign yourself.”

“Oh, very well. But I don’t think there’s anything to talk about.”

“I do. You see, Della, you’ve gotten God all wrong.”

“No, I haven’t. I’ve read the Bible, Troy. Why, when people don’t obey Him, He sucks them up into the ground!”

“Again, you’ve gotten God all wrong.”

“How so?”

“Well, first that incident was in the Old Testament.”

“What does that matter?”

“Things changed in the New Testament.”

“I don’t care. It was the same God in the Old as in the New. Besides, I don’t even believe He exists.”

“If He doesn’t exist, where did all this come from?” Troy asked, gesturing around them.

Adele looked up at the cloudless blue sky and the green grass, still sparkling with droplets of water, and the trees waving their leaves in the light breeze, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. “I don’t know. I don’t think it could have come from just anywhere. It … it’s too perfect.”

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    “See what I mean?”

“Yes, I see what you mean. But … that doesn’t change the fact that I can never be good enough. I deserve to be swallowed up, and so do you.”

“Well, that was rather the point.”

“I know, I know. I’ve heard it all before. Christians say that, and then they turn around a spurn me, as if they aren’t sinners too. Apparently my sins are worse than theirs. But what have I done, really? I neglected my child and left my husband. I dated for fun with no intention of anything serious. But I have done so honestly. Every action I’ve made has been out in the open. Is that why? Because I had no shame for years, they think That Man who supposedly died for our sins and all that only applies to them? Why? I don’t understand Troy.”

“Those weren’t Christians, Della. They pretended to be, but Christians don’t spurn sinners. Christians welcome them and show them an example of how it should be.”

“Then I’ve never met a true Christian.”

Troy pretended to be offended. “What about me, goose?”

“You’re not a true Christian. You don’t show me ‘an example of how it should be.’”

Troy grinned. “I’m not that bad, am I?”

“Of course you are.”

“All right, so you’ve never met a true Christian,” Troy conceded. “That doesn’t mean there aren’t true Christians and that you can’t become one.”

“I admit I like the idea. It appeals to something in me, the idea of being irreversibly forgiven of everything I’ve done, of being accepted for who I am and shown the path to becoming a better person. I definitely like the idea of life after death and Heaven and such, and I do believe that there’s something in human nature that points towards it all being true. But … I don’t know. I might not be able to change.”

Troy waved this off, almost hitting Adele with the back of his hand. “Sorry. I was going to say this: you don’t have to change. You have to be changed.”

Adele took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I don’t think I could let myself be changed.”

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    “If you think you’re not changing every day, then you’re wrong. Della, you’ve been growing by leaps and bounds over these last two years. Your lifestyle, your treatment of others, your treatment of yourself … they’ve all changed drastically. I am so impressed with you! I never could have done it. I never would have even tried to do it. But you … you’re so stubborn. Failure was never an option. Once you saw that you would loose Judy, you did an about-face, and here you are today, living in that creaky little farmhouse with barely a complaint, and we all haven’t killed each other yet.”

Adele slapped Troy’s arm.

“All right, all right, I’m sorry, but it’s really an achievement for our family,” Troy said laughingly.

“I never wanted to kill you – or anyone else, for that matter – and the house isn’t so bad once you get used to it. A few renovations, and we could live there comfortably.”

“I know, that’s what I thought. It will do well until the war’s over. I might be able to convince Harrington to come out and make some repairs.”

“Please, no.”

“Please, yes? I want to get him out of London, and this would be a splendid excuse.”

Adele laughed. “You don’t have to protect him, too, Troy.”

“Oh, yes, I do! He gets into a book-induced stupor sometimes that no air-raid siren is going to pierce.”

“I seriously doubt that.”

“Well, it’s true. But that isn’t what we’re talking about. We’re talking about you. How much you’ve changed.”

“I have changed a lot, haven’t I?” Adele murmured.

“Della, you’re a completely different woman.”

“Do you miss the old Della? You fell in love with her, after all, didn’t you?”

“No. I fell in love with the woman who was going to be, not the woman who was.”

“That’s nonsense.”

“Perhaps, but it’s how I feel about you.”

“Like I’m some unfinished project?”

Troy laughed hard at this question. “Della, dear, we’re all unfinished projects. Come on. Let’s go see our family.” He started to stand, but Adele pulled him back down beside her. Her eyes were fixated on a daisy which waved in the wind.

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The flowers in her garden which she’d so carefully tended had died … but this little creature, all by itself up in this hill, submitted to the mercies of the wind and rain, tended by no man, had survived. She remembered a verse about God tending flowers … could that be why this one had survived? Could that be why hers hadn’t?

“What did you do with Judy when she told you she wanted to become a Christian?” Adele asked.

“I prayed for her, and then she said her own.”

She took a deep breath. “Let’s do that.”

Troy cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her face up to his. “What?”

“I’m ready to do that.”

With almost super-human effort, he held back his grin, keeping his voice serious. “Are you sure?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

Troy wrapped his arm around his wife, bowed his head, and closed his eyes.

The End

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A Note from the Author

I started writing Flowers on a whim, and I never dreamed of actually finishing it … but several friends of mine from the blogosphere and social media encouraged me to write a sequel to my novella, The Lady of the Vineyard, and so I kept on going.

The end of The Lady of the Vineyard was really the beginning of Adele’s story. In Flowers, I attempted to finish it.

If you enjoyed this little story, be sure to leave a review on Goodreads to let me know.

Au revoir,

~Kellyn Roth~

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p.s.

Did you enjoy that last part? Are you heading over to Goodreads to leave a review? (I’d really appreciate it.) Did you know that The Lady of the Vineyard will be free tomorrow (April 15th) on Amazon? (#dumbblondequestions) What did you think of the pictures? (Yes, I do realize how lame they were …)

I’m sorry for all the boring posts of late. Something a bit more amusing is coming Monday … I promise! (Okay, I can’t promise you’ll enjoy it … but I’m going to do my best to make it enjoyable.)

Absolutely True and Extremely Redundant Facts About the Underground Railroad

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When you read that title, you probably rolled your eyes a little. “Oh, no, now she’s doing boring ol’ history posts. Reveries is going to the dogs. Time to unsubscribe …”

Well, stop right there. No unsubscribing is allowed. First, you’re going to enjoy this post. Second, if ‘first’ proves untrue, you should know that I probably won’t be making a lot of posts like this because I never research … so ….

Okay, I’m kidding. I do research sometimes. Just … less than I should.

As you may or may not know, I’m writing a historical fiction novel, Once a Stratton, for Camp NaNoWriMo (12K now!). This book features the Underground Railroad. For this, I had to do a little (hehehe) research.

So. Today I’m briefly sharing what I’ve learned with you. In the form of an interview.

What is the Underground Railroad?
via Indiana Public Media

From about 1800 to 1860, as many as 100,000 (the number is greatly debated) slaves escaped through the Underground Railroad. Only a small percentage of the slaves in the southern United States (an estimated 4 million existed in 1860) escaped, but 100,000 is still an impressive number.

This was an illegal network of secret routes (“tracks”) and safe houses (“stations”) which escaped (African-American) slaves used on their way to reach the “Promised Land” or “terminal,” Canada. Slaves would also escape to Florida, Mexico, or the West.

There was no actual train, no actual tracks. However, this term – first used around 1840, from what I can tell – was a safe way of discussing this top-secret operation. They also used words such as “package” and “freight” to describe the escapees and “conductor” or “operative” to discuss the Abolitionists aiding the slaves.

What were “safe houses”?
a hidden compartment in a safe house (via Pinterest)

Safe houses, a.k.a. “stations”, were usually in the northern United States though a few probably existed in the south. They consisted of a sympathizer’s house, barn, or cellar where slaves could hide during the day. Churches were also common safe houses. They might even use a cave if nothing else was available in the area. At night, they would begin their travels again.

“Stations” oftentimes had secret compartments, some of which are still existing today.

Did most slaves have help escaping or did lots have to go it alone?
via Lake Champlain Region

Technically, the Underground Railroad was a series of Abolitionists helping slaves. These Abolitionists were sometimes Quakers (or other whites) as is most commonly believed, but freed slaves were the most common “conductors.” Still, there were quite a few non-African-American people working to free the slaves.

However, many slaves did escape without any help from the Underground Railroad. Usually, slaves would choose to escape on their own without being prompted by a member of the Railroad (such as an “agent”, who would seek out slaves in the south to help), and they would later receive help from people along the way. There was often little help available until they got to the North, after which they would simply slip from house to house.

There is also no physical evidence that quilts, lanterns, or any other kind of sign – at least not one that wasn’t changed frequently – was used to guide slaves from safe house to safe house. These are appealing but impractical ideas.

And the Southerners just calmly ignored all this?
via Haworth

Ohhhh, no! The slave-owners didn’t take kindly to the Railroad. That was why all this had to be such a big secret! They hired bounty hunters. The escaped slaves and those helping them had to travel only by night, quickly and quietly, in constant fear of these ‘slave-catchers.’

Remember, this was also illegal. Members of the Railroad took a huge risk every time they travelled South, and they were only able to help a few escape every time. Harriet Tubman herself “only” made nineteen trips. That is a great many more than most risked, and she was definitely one the bravest women in the history. I’m honestly becoming a fan of “Moses.”

How does all this work into my novel?
via Underground Railroad Webquest

In Once a Stratton, Chris and Lilli eventually get involved in the Railroad through Lilli’s Quaker friends. (It makes sense … they’re in Philadelphia, Quakers are in Philadelphia, most Quakers don’t support slavery, some Quakers are members of or supporting the Railroad …)

They make three or four trips into the South to help escaped slaves, almost getting caught during the last one. They also do some other stuff, but I’m not going to give you all the details. This post is long enough already for a “short” post.