Riana Rain's Blog
April 23, 2018
Change in Plans
Alright, so I know that I have put this in my status over the past week, but I thought I should make something of an "official" announcement regarding this matter.
As some of you may know, I was thinking about joining the military. Well, I've given it a lot of thought and prayer, and talked to those who offered helpful advice and information, and I have decided that this is the next step that I need to take in my life.
I'll admit, this did come on rather quickly, as two weeks ago, if I was asked to join the military, I would have said no. But last week, I found myself talking to the recruiter for the Air National Guard, and there were so, so many things that felt right about it. And after walking away from that conversation, there really was no doubt in my mind that this was something that I needed to do.
I did hold off until this morning to call the recruiter again and tell him my decision, as I needed to think it over thoroughly before I committed.
I don't know how everything is going to all work out, with my writing, or my career plans, but all I know for sure is that this is something that I need to do.
Absolutely, this is something that I wasn't expecting to have to deal with at this point in my life, but I am confident in saying that I am 100 percent certain that this is where I need to be.
Yes, this does scare me a little bit, but I trust that God has opened this door for a reason, and I will walk through it towards whatever path He has given me.
As some of you may know, I was thinking about joining the military. Well, I've given it a lot of thought and prayer, and talked to those who offered helpful advice and information, and I have decided that this is the next step that I need to take in my life.
I'll admit, this did come on rather quickly, as two weeks ago, if I was asked to join the military, I would have said no. But last week, I found myself talking to the recruiter for the Air National Guard, and there were so, so many things that felt right about it. And after walking away from that conversation, there really was no doubt in my mind that this was something that I needed to do.
I did hold off until this morning to call the recruiter again and tell him my decision, as I needed to think it over thoroughly before I committed.
I don't know how everything is going to all work out, with my writing, or my career plans, but all I know for sure is that this is something that I need to do.
Absolutely, this is something that I wasn't expecting to have to deal with at this point in my life, but I am confident in saying that I am 100 percent certain that this is where I need to be.
Yes, this does scare me a little bit, but I trust that God has opened this door for a reason, and I will walk through it towards whatever path He has given me.
March 26, 2018
The Rolling Stone
Alright! So a lot has happened in a little over a month with this book.
I have sent the first 10 chapters off to my Alpha reader, and am working on getting him the rest of the book. There are still quite a few rough spots that I am working through, but I think I got the ball rolling.
Next, I have set the publication date for July of this year. I pray to God that I'm able to keep this deadline. I also added the book to Goodreads, so now all my friends can see it and mark it as To-Read. You can view the book here. Untitled.
While my book doesn't yet have a title, I have a cover designed for it that I am quite proud of, mainly because I painted it myself. I will be revealing the cover after I have decided upon a suitable title for the book.
There's my update on my WIP.
I have sent the first 10 chapters off to my Alpha reader, and am working on getting him the rest of the book. There are still quite a few rough spots that I am working through, but I think I got the ball rolling.
Next, I have set the publication date for July of this year. I pray to God that I'm able to keep this deadline. I also added the book to Goodreads, so now all my friends can see it and mark it as To-Read. You can view the book here. Untitled.
While my book doesn't yet have a title, I have a cover designed for it that I am quite proud of, mainly because I painted it myself. I will be revealing the cover after I have decided upon a suitable title for the book.
There's my update on my WIP.
May 14, 2017
May 14, 2017
I am sun-burned, sore, and completely wiped. I had planned to take it easy this weekend, but my neighbors had other plans, and I ended up going to three brandings this weekend when I was only counting on the one. Wrestling calves that are nearly as big as you are is entertaining, to say the least. It doesn't help much when you have the roper's dragging the calves out single-hocked, and on the opposite foot so you have fight to hold down this monster while he's getting branded, cut, and vaccinated, and you can't see well because of the smoke.
But I had a blast. I love this time of year. You really learn a lot about people by watching the way they set up a branding. You can pick out who is just there for the free beer and company pretty quickly, and you can tell who is more interested in drinking than working when you take a half-hour break after thirty calves and you still have 100 to do. But then there are those people who tell you what you are doing, and expect it to be done, and everybody works together to get it done. They don't take no lip from anybody, and they will work as hard as you do.
Branding season is a great time of year to meet up with friends, get a job done, and have fun. There is always something of interest going on, so there is never a dull moment, and your have to have a head on a swivel lest you get kicked by a calf or horse, cut by a knife, stuck with a needle, or branded with an iron.
In the process, I have discovered, that you also learn a lot about yourself, and how it applies to your life away from the branding fire. Are you going to get the job done? Are you going to help out when somebody is having trouble? And are you going to fight with everything you have to hold down that monster calf until the job gets done?
Have a Happy Easter, and all you mothers out there, have a Happy Mother's Day.
God Bless, y'all.
But I had a blast. I love this time of year. You really learn a lot about people by watching the way they set up a branding. You can pick out who is just there for the free beer and company pretty quickly, and you can tell who is more interested in drinking than working when you take a half-hour break after thirty calves and you still have 100 to do. But then there are those people who tell you what you are doing, and expect it to be done, and everybody works together to get it done. They don't take no lip from anybody, and they will work as hard as you do.
Branding season is a great time of year to meet up with friends, get a job done, and have fun. There is always something of interest going on, so there is never a dull moment, and your have to have a head on a swivel lest you get kicked by a calf or horse, cut by a knife, stuck with a needle, or branded with an iron.
In the process, I have discovered, that you also learn a lot about yourself, and how it applies to your life away from the branding fire. Are you going to get the job done? Are you going to help out when somebody is having trouble? And are you going to fight with everything you have to hold down that monster calf until the job gets done?
Have a Happy Easter, and all you mothers out there, have a Happy Mother's Day.
God Bless, y'all.
April 26, 2017
April 26, 2017
DON'T MAKE ANY PLANS TO START PLANTING JUST YET!!
The weather has been so nice and warm these past few weeks, and now the temperature has dropped to the low thirties, and there is a couple of inches of snow on the ground again.
Living where I do, I should know to expect the unexpected. And not just with the weather. There are always different things going on, and something new always jumps into the middle of my lap.
For example, I spent a day out riding with one of my neighbors, and she has rabbits. She has tried to get me to take one for a while, but I said no. That was, until we walked into her house after we got back from our twelve mile ride, and I saw them. I still told myself no, but then I changed my mind as I was leaving. How can you say no to such a cute face?? I'll have to add the pictures to my profile for y'all.
I was not expecting to take home a rabbit that day, but like a lot of unexpected things, I think it turned out for the better. Now I have some company who is just as crazy as I am.
Happy Easter, everybody, and God Bless
The weather has been so nice and warm these past few weeks, and now the temperature has dropped to the low thirties, and there is a couple of inches of snow on the ground again.
Living where I do, I should know to expect the unexpected. And not just with the weather. There are always different things going on, and something new always jumps into the middle of my lap.
For example, I spent a day out riding with one of my neighbors, and she has rabbits. She has tried to get me to take one for a while, but I said no. That was, until we walked into her house after we got back from our twelve mile ride, and I saw them. I still told myself no, but then I changed my mind as I was leaving. How can you say no to such a cute face?? I'll have to add the pictures to my profile for y'all.
I was not expecting to take home a rabbit that day, but like a lot of unexpected things, I think it turned out for the better. Now I have some company who is just as crazy as I am.
Happy Easter, everybody, and God Bless
April 10, 2017
April 10, 2017
What is this?!?
I woke up this morning to two inches of slush and snow and ice after having a month of nice, spring-like weather. I knew that we were supposed to get some snow, but that was Saturday night. It rained on and off on Sunday, but I was not expecting this. Don't get me wrong, the moisture is much needed, but still. Why did it have to be snow? The roads are slickery, and I was all over the road. A pick-up with four-wheel drive would have been nice to have.
And on top of this change in the weather, my wonderful shower thoughts have left me in utter ruins. Normally, I have the best ideas and thoughts about my writing whilst enjoying a hot shower that help me to move along my story or book in a profound way. But last night, these thoughts left me in ruins. They totally threw me a curve ball that messes up my whole plan for the series. I didn't fall asleep until 1:30-ish last night, and even this morning my world feels flipped upside down. I called my dear sweet mother this morning, and talked to her about this newest development and and she thought that it was a great idea. She agreed that it would really change the whole dynamic of the series, and that it is something that I should look at.
I am mess this morning, my brain is imploding on itself, and I have no idea what to do. Do I leap off the cliff following this idea, or do I forget about it and just keep moving forward with my original plan?
God Bless
I woke up this morning to two inches of slush and snow and ice after having a month of nice, spring-like weather. I knew that we were supposed to get some snow, but that was Saturday night. It rained on and off on Sunday, but I was not expecting this. Don't get me wrong, the moisture is much needed, but still. Why did it have to be snow? The roads are slickery, and I was all over the road. A pick-up with four-wheel drive would have been nice to have.
And on top of this change in the weather, my wonderful shower thoughts have left me in utter ruins. Normally, I have the best ideas and thoughts about my writing whilst enjoying a hot shower that help me to move along my story or book in a profound way. But last night, these thoughts left me in ruins. They totally threw me a curve ball that messes up my whole plan for the series. I didn't fall asleep until 1:30-ish last night, and even this morning my world feels flipped upside down. I called my dear sweet mother this morning, and talked to her about this newest development and and she thought that it was a great idea. She agreed that it would really change the whole dynamic of the series, and that it is something that I should look at.
I am mess this morning, my brain is imploding on itself, and I have no idea what to do. Do I leap off the cliff following this idea, or do I forget about it and just keep moving forward with my original plan?
God Bless
March 21, 2017
March 21, 2017
Weather is fickle. It promises warm, pleasant days, and then as soon as you get your hopes up, it smashes them with freezing weather and several inches of snow and no sign of the sun.
All of last week, it was nice and warm, and I could leave the house in just a simple sweatshirt, but now I have to bundle up in five different layers. Even yesterday, I almost wore something other than my usual jeans to enjoy the coming of spring.
But it looks like old man winter isn't going to give up quite yet.
And not only is the weather hard on me, but it is hard on the livestock. Cattle do not handle drastic changes in temperature very well, especially when it is calving season.
Earlier this morning, I was out on the road, and in the pastures you could see several cow/calf pairs. The baby calves who don't look like they are more than a few days old were curled up on the ground, with their momma standing over them. It makes my heart ache to see those little calves huddled up like that. Just a dark spot against the white snow.
But, on the plus side, the moisture is very much needed, and it will help when summer comes and scorches everything.
Well, that is my two-bits for the day. Hope you are all able to stay warm, if you are anywhere where it is cold, and cool, if you are anywhere where is is warm [I am jealous of you, but the way. :)].
God Bless.
All of last week, it was nice and warm, and I could leave the house in just a simple sweatshirt, but now I have to bundle up in five different layers. Even yesterday, I almost wore something other than my usual jeans to enjoy the coming of spring.
But it looks like old man winter isn't going to give up quite yet.
And not only is the weather hard on me, but it is hard on the livestock. Cattle do not handle drastic changes in temperature very well, especially when it is calving season.
Earlier this morning, I was out on the road, and in the pastures you could see several cow/calf pairs. The baby calves who don't look like they are more than a few days old were curled up on the ground, with their momma standing over them. It makes my heart ache to see those little calves huddled up like that. Just a dark spot against the white snow.
But, on the plus side, the moisture is very much needed, and it will help when summer comes and scorches everything.
Well, that is my two-bits for the day. Hope you are all able to stay warm, if you are anywhere where it is cold, and cool, if you are anywhere where is is warm [I am jealous of you, but the way. :)].
God Bless.
March 12, 2017
March 12, 2017
As a writer, I get to experience many of my craziest, wildest dreams every time I sit down to work on my next book, craft an intricate little story, or simply attempt poetry-I am not very good at the latter. And the best part of what I do is sharing those dreams and fantasies with my readers. I also enjoy reading books myself-I mean, who doesn't?-and I love seeing and experiencing the story the author of that book wants to share with the world, and I hope that my work is as impactful on my readers as some of the amazing books I have read.
But one of my biggest struggles as a writer is seeing how awful my work really is, despite what all the people who have read and commented on how amazing it is. But those people can't see the words the same way that I do, nor can they understand the fifth meaning behind what is being said as clearly as I do. I have been told that I am my own worst enemy, and I truly beleive that I am.
Currently, I am working on re-editing Dawn to Dusk, and I so badly want to scrap the whole darn novel and start fresh.
That is the challenge I fight daily, and it is mostly with myself, and the sad thing is that I always loose. Just like I loose the argument to wake up five minutes earlier, and end up sleeping in an extra twenty.
Anyway, that is my thought of the week, and now I am going to go bash myself with a pillow because the thought of using a brick is too painful. :)
God Bless, and have a blessed Lent.
But one of my biggest struggles as a writer is seeing how awful my work really is, despite what all the people who have read and commented on how amazing it is. But those people can't see the words the same way that I do, nor can they understand the fifth meaning behind what is being said as clearly as I do. I have been told that I am my own worst enemy, and I truly beleive that I am.
Currently, I am working on re-editing Dawn to Dusk, and I so badly want to scrap the whole darn novel and start fresh.
That is the challenge I fight daily, and it is mostly with myself, and the sad thing is that I always loose. Just like I loose the argument to wake up five minutes earlier, and end up sleeping in an extra twenty.
Anyway, that is my thought of the week, and now I am going to go bash myself with a pillow because the thought of using a brick is too painful. :)
God Bless, and have a blessed Lent.
March 3, 2017
March 3, 2017
I have noticed that I am terrible at keeping up with my blog, and simply writing it. It is difficult for me to come up with the right things to say and talk about, and I find myself rambling on and on and on.
But that's normal, right?
Isn't it basically what everybody does on a regular basis? It seems like most people will continue to discuss a topic even after the point has been made, or they keep retelling it over and over and over.
But in all seriousness, I am wishing you all a Blessed Lent. As of Wednesday, March 1, we are now in the season of Lent. 40 days of fasting, sacrifice, and preparation.
I am disappointed in myself, as I have not given much thought to what I am to give up, or what I should do extra to prepare myself for the Easter celebration.
Hopefully I come up with something meaningful.
Good luck to all of you with your Lenten penances, and God Bless
But that's normal, right?
Isn't it basically what everybody does on a regular basis? It seems like most people will continue to discuss a topic even after the point has been made, or they keep retelling it over and over and over.
But in all seriousness, I am wishing you all a Blessed Lent. As of Wednesday, March 1, we are now in the season of Lent. 40 days of fasting, sacrifice, and preparation.
I am disappointed in myself, as I have not given much thought to what I am to give up, or what I should do extra to prepare myself for the Easter celebration.
Hopefully I come up with something meaningful.
Good luck to all of you with your Lenten penances, and God Bless
January 16, 2017
January 16, 2017
This weekend has been overly stressful. I am almost glad to say that it is Monday-almost.
From messing up big-time in one of the plays I am in, to not knowing if we are going to be able to do other play, to almost losing my book.
I cannot express enough how important it is to save your work often, and in many different places. This is a lesson that I should have remembered from last summer, as I lost my published version of Dawn to Dusk, and I had now way of fixing it as I was half-way across the country.
And then last night, I could not access my current project, and I had it saved in one spot only.
Thank God that I was able to fix this problem this morning before I left, as I do not know what I would have done. Let us say that I did not sleep very well last night. Even Hogan's Heroes did little to calm me down!
Anyway, I suppose that is enough about my boring life. I have other projects to get to, and very little time to get it all done.
From messing up big-time in one of the plays I am in, to not knowing if we are going to be able to do other play, to almost losing my book.
I cannot express enough how important it is to save your work often, and in many different places. This is a lesson that I should have remembered from last summer, as I lost my published version of Dawn to Dusk, and I had now way of fixing it as I was half-way across the country.
And then last night, I could not access my current project, and I had it saved in one spot only.
Thank God that I was able to fix this problem this morning before I left, as I do not know what I would have done. Let us say that I did not sleep very well last night. Even Hogan's Heroes did little to calm me down!
Anyway, I suppose that is enough about my boring life. I have other projects to get to, and very little time to get it all done.
January 4, 2017
January 4, 2017
Man, I cannot get over how quickly the past year has gone by. It seems like we were at this spot just weeks ago, not a whole year ago.
Anyway, I wish you all a very merry Christmas, and I hope that the New Year is off to a good start for all of y'all.
These past few weeks have been very interesting indeed, with the weather dumping several feet of snow on us, and ice knocking down power-lines. The other morning, I was on my way into town and there were several poles snapped in half like twigs!
I cannot say it enough, but thank you to the power-line crews for working so hard to restore power to the surrounding area.
I have to say I have gotten back to work on my next book, and as I was working on it, I was getting goose bumps at my own (I am bragging a little) geniusness. I really want to go into detail, but I don't want to spoil it either. Ah!! It is like fighting with yourself, and I always lose when I fight with myself!
Anyway, I have spent enough time dinking around, I suppose that it is time to get back to work, or at least pretend to be working hard.
God Bless, and Merry Christmas!
Anyway, I wish you all a very merry Christmas, and I hope that the New Year is off to a good start for all of y'all.
These past few weeks have been very interesting indeed, with the weather dumping several feet of snow on us, and ice knocking down power-lines. The other morning, I was on my way into town and there were several poles snapped in half like twigs!
I cannot say it enough, but thank you to the power-line crews for working so hard to restore power to the surrounding area.
I have to say I have gotten back to work on my next book, and as I was working on it, I was getting goose bumps at my own (I am bragging a little) geniusness. I really want to go into detail, but I don't want to spoil it either. Ah!! It is like fighting with yourself, and I always lose when I fight with myself!
Anyway, I have spent enough time dinking around, I suppose that it is time to get back to work, or at least pretend to be working hard.
God Bless, and Merry Christmas!
