Allison Tebo's Blog, page 3
August 7, 2020
A Bit O’ Nutshell
*piano trill*
Allison is in the house, people!
I know what you’re thinking.
Wait, just a second, Alli! We just GOT a nutshell.
Yes, I do apologize for that. I was so late in publishing my last summary of My Life
that this post (which IS on time) came right on the heels of the other.Things are so crazy now I don’t even know what I’m doing, so I’m just going to be grateful that I’m blogging at all.
Bloggers Note:
This nutshell is going to be a little different, guys.
After doing a social media fast recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about comparison.
I don’t know about you, but I struggle with comparison . . . so that got me thinking.
I want these posts to be fun, I don’t want anybody reading them to be comparing anything.
Every one of is in a different season, has different strengths and weaknesses, and different priorities and time restraints.
In light of that, I’m not going to be sharing a lot of “stats” from here on out.
Another words, instead of displaying how many books I read in a month, I’m just going to share about my recent favorites. Less images and more chatting about the things I loved! Instead of talking about actual word counts, I’m going to be talking more about my writing projects in general.
Don’t you think that’s better? I think it’s better.
And now that the explanation for the new format has been dealt with – ONTO THE NUTSHELL!
– WATCHED –
Raiders of the Lost Ark (in theaters)
My dad saw this in theaters when it first came out, so it seemed fitting that his children should go see it in theaters.
But, really, we don’t need any incentive to watch Indiana Jones.
The Tebo’s are committed Indiana Jones super-fans; it really represents my family’s taste in fiction. Indiana Jones is really the only super hero that I like (scratch that, LOVE) and it’s definitely my favorite Harrison Ford performance.
Watching it again (for the 100th time?) on a bigger screen, I was struck all over again at how masterful it really is. Everything from the music, the cinematography, the editing – every single shot is framed and lit like a page from an old-fashioned comic book. It’s a piece of art, not just a part of pop culture. Indiana Jones, my one true fandom.
The Empire Strikes Back (in theaters):
Define cool: An original Star Wars movie on the Big Screen with a bucket of popcorn in your lap and way too many Junior Mints.
What can I say? From the moment the probe droid is released from the Star Destroyer flying over your head to the heart-in-your-throat cinematography through the asteroid field to the most epic scene in movie history –
(
July 23, 2020
The Tebo Sisters Have Officially Launched Their E-zine
It finally happened.
After years of dreaming and planning, the day has finally arrived.
My sisters and I have launched our very own e-zine!
[image error]
I am bouncing off the walls right now, guys.
Bouncing. Off. The. Walls.
Since there are no words to full describe my feelings right now, I had better stop screaming and just give you a few facts.
MY NEW PEN NAME
I mentioned in a previous post that I was going to publishing under a second name (a pseudonym) in the near future.
I have two styles of writing – one is my happy little P.G. Wodehouse-ian fairy tale voice and the other is my John Wayne action adventure voice.
I’m refining my current social media accounts (under my real name, Allison Tebo) to be my primary fairy tale-esque brand.
And now, I am ready to announce my pen name.
Hi. My name is Al Thibeaux. (Thibeaux is pronounced exactly like Tebo, by the way, it’s just a different way of spelling it).
Going forward, my action adventure spec fiction under the name Al Thibeaux will be largely published in our family run e-zine –
T Spec fiction.
BEHIND THE PSEUDONYM
Thibeaux is one of the most common French spellings of our name (once upon a time, we were French). We suspect that this might have been the original spelling of our name until our people came over to the United States and the original spelling got lost in translation.
It also means “bold/brave” which is pretty cool – and a fitting name for this bold new venture of ours.
So that’s the story. My older sister is publishing under the pen name “Tor” and my twin is publishing under the pen name “Jaq” (please include the French accent when pronouncing that, thank you).
So meet us: Tor, Jaq, and Al Thibeaux.
[image error]
ABOUT THE NAME (of our e-zine)
That story’s simple enough.
During a family conference, it was suggested that we use the first letter of our last name T and combining it with speculative fiction – T Spec Fiction.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
ABOUT THE E-ZINE
T Spec Fiction was created from a passion to provide clean speculative fiction with an emphasis on adventure.
And so a family-run magazine for families was born.
Our stories will be covering most areas of speculative fiction including steampunk, science fiction, fantasy, historical fantasy, magical realism, and more!
T Spec will be releasing a quarterly e-zine of seven stories and, in between issues, we hope to publish other content, including serials, podcasts and, eventually, anthologies.
We want to take you on amazing adventures; to lost cities, to deep jungles, and lost planets. On these journeys you will be accompanied by talking animals, aliens, magicians, robots, and even monsters.
But whether our stories find you piloting a star-ship or sailing the seven seas, our hope is that you will find the escape you’ve been searching for.
[image error]
AND NOW. *imitates drum roll* THE FIRST ISSUE. Almost 38,000 words of PURE GOODNESS.
BUY OUR FIRST ISSUE
Three writers
Seven stories
One vision.
I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY RIGHT NOW. MY GIFS MUST SPEAK FOR ME.
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
Aside from the fact that I am exploding with excitement over this new venture, I am also just overwhelmed with pride over Tor and Jaq’s accomplishment, and I BURSTING AT THE SEAMS for the world to FINALLY read their writing!
I’ve been bragging on my sisters for quite a while now and I’m sure you’re itching to finally read their work. (WELL, AREN’T YOU????)
[image error]
I mean, my older sister is the reason I started to write in the first place! The sibling writers club that’s been meeting weekly for the last thirteen years is the very backbone of what my writing has been built on. I could have never been published without my sisters. And now it’s their turn. I think I’m going to cry.
This has been our dream for a long time, and now it’s finally here.
SO, HOW EXCITED ARE YOU?
You can help us spread the word by signing up to our LAUNCH TEAM RIGHT HERE. Fill it out, you know you want to. You’re going to fill it out, right?
Seriously, thank you in advance to every one of you that helps us spread the news. Your support makes such a difference and we truly appreciate your help in letting the world know that the Tebo (Thibeaux) sisters are HERE AT LAST.
Want a little sneak peek of what you’ll be reading? Check out these blurbs!
Rendezvous – by Tor Thibeaux (older sister): A middle-aged and utterly bored government worker defects to the West in the hopes that something exciting will finally happen to him.
One Last Shot – by Jaq Thibeaux (my twin): Science fiction meets Wild West in this piece of captivating flash fiction. A young woman faces off in a tense confrontation with a killer robot who stands in her way of freedom for her and her alien companion.
The Queen’s Cure – by Al Thibeaux (me): When an ancient and proud land is invaded by mechanical monsters, an ancient scribe details the events of the war and the legendary exploits of his country’s warrior queen.
Treachery Aboard The Nautilus – by Tor Thibeaux (older sister): In a reimagining of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, a teenage assistant of Professor Aronax realizes there is treachery afoot onboard the Nautilus, and it’s up to him and Ned Land to stop it.
Seven Strong – by Al Thibeaux (me): In a thrilling steampunk retelling of Snow White, former dwarf jet troopers work together to save a girl from her villainous stepmother.
Night Raid On The Zone – by Tor Thibeaux (older sister): A young girl living in an oil field struggles to fight off feral marauders with the help of her animal companions.
Trent and Featherstone Episode 1 – Looking For Adventure – by Tor Thibeaux (older sister): Victorian sensibilities meet space colonization in the adventure of two young woman who team up to hunt tyrannosaurus in the steaming jungles of Venus.
Two pieces of flash fiction, three short stories, the first part of a novelette, and the first episode of a serial story (minor spoiler: Don’t worry, episode 1 doesn’t end with a cliff hanger)
You can follows us on our NEW WEBSITE www.tspecfiction.com or on Facebook and Instagram.
THE THIBEAUX ADVENTURE IS HERE.
http://allisonswell.website/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ezgif-4-0789b8760346.mp4
The Tebo Sisters Have Officially Launched Their E-zine
It finally happened.
After years of dreaming and planning, the day has finally arrived.
My sisters and I have launched our very own e-zine!
[image error]
I am bouncing off the walls right now, guys.
Bouncing. Off. The. Walls.
Since there are no words to full describe my feelings right now, I had better stop screaming and just give you a few facts.
MY NEW PEN NAME
I mentioned in a previous post that I was going to publishing under a second name (a pseudonym) in the near future.
I have two styles of writing – one is my happy little P.G. Wodehouse-ian fairy tale voice and the other is my John Wayne action adventure voice.
I’m refining my current social media accounts (under my real name, Allison Tebo) to be my primary fairy tale-esque brand.
And now, I am ready to announce my pen name.
Hi. My name is Al Thibeaux. (Thibeaux is pronounced exactly like Tebo, by the way, it’s just a different way of spelling it).
Going forward, my action adventure spec fiction under the name Al Thibeaux will be largely published in our family run e-zine –
T Spec fiction.
BEHIND THE PSEUDONYM
Thibeaux is one of the most common French spellings of our name (once upon a time, we were French). We suspect that this might have been the original spelling of our name until our people came over to the United States and the original spelling got lost in translation.
It also means “bold/brave” which is pretty cool – and a fitting name for this bold new venture of ours.
So that’s the story. My older sister is publishing under the pen name “Tor” and my twin is publishing under the pen name “Jaq” (please include the French accent when pronouncing that, thank you).
So meet us: Tor, Jaq, and Al Thibeaux.
[image error]
ABOUT THE NAME (of our e-zine)
That story’s simple enough.
During a family conference, it was suggested that we use the first letter of our last name T and combining it with speculative fiction – T Spec Fiction.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
ABOUT THE E-ZINE
T Spec Fiction was created from a passion to provide clean speculative fiction with an emphasis on adventure.
And so a family-run magazine for families was born.
Our stories will be covering most areas of speculative fiction including steampunk, science fiction, fantasy, historical fantasy, magical realism, and more!
T Spec will be releasing a quarterly e-zine of seven stories and, in between issues, we hope to publish other content, including serials, podcasts and, eventually, anthologies.
We want to take you on amazing adventures; to lost cities, to deep jungles, and lost planets. On these journeys you will be accompanied by talking animals, aliens, magicians, robots, and even monsters.
But whether our stories find you piloting a star-ship or sailing the seven seas, our hope is that you will find the escape you’ve been searching for.
[image error]
AND NOW. *imitates drum roll* THE FIRST ISSUE. Almost 38,000 words of PURE GOODNESS.
BUY OUR FIRST ISSUE
Three writers
Seven stories
One vision.
I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY RIGHT NOW. MY GIFS MUST SPEAK FOR ME.
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
[image error]
Aside from the fact that I am exploding with excitement over this new venture, I am also just overwhelmed with pride over Tor and Jaq’s accomplishment, and I BURSTING AT THE SEAMS for the world to FINALLY read their writing!
I’ve been bragging on my sisters for quite a while now and I’m sure you’re itching to finally read their work. (WELL, AREN’T YOU????)
[image error]
I mean, my older sister is the reason I started to write in the first place! The sibling writers club that’s been meeting weekly for the last thirteen years is the very backbone of what my writing has been built on. I could have never been published without my sisters. And now it’s their turn. I think I’m going to cry.
This has been our dream for a long time, and now it’s finally here.
SO, HOW EXCITED ARE YOU?
You can help us spread the word by signing up to our LAUNCH TEAM RIGHT HERE. Fill it out, you know you want to. You’re going to fill it out, right?
Seriously, thank you in advance to every one of you that helps us spread the news. Your support makes such a difference and we truly appreciate your help in letting the world know that the Tebo (Thibeaux) sisters are HERE AT LAST.
Want a little sneak peek of what you’ll be reading? Check out these blurbs!
Rendezvous – by Tor Thibeaux (older sister): A middle-aged and utterly bored government worker defects to the West in the hopes that something exciting will finally happen to him.
One Last Shot – by Jaq Thibeaux (my twin): Science fiction meets Wild West in this piece of captivating flash fiction. A young woman faces off in a tense confrontation with a killer robot who stands in her way of freedom for her and her alien companion.
The Queen’s Cure – by Al Thibeaux (me): When an ancient and proud land is invaded by mechanical monsters, an ancient scribe details the events of the war and the legendary exploits of his country’s warrior queen.
Treachery Aboard The Nautilus – by Tor Thibeaux (older sister): In a reimagining of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, a teenage assistant of Professor Aronax realizes there is treachery afoot onboard the Nautilus, and it’s up to him and Ned Land to stop it.
Seven Strong – by Al Thibeaux (me): In a thrilling steampunk retelling of Snow White, former dwarf jet troopers work together to save a girl from her villainous stepmother.
Night Raid On The Zone – by Tor Thibeaux (older sister): A young girl living in an oil field struggles to fight off feral marauders with the help of her animal companions.
Trent and Featherstone Episode 1 – Looking For Adventure – by Tor Thibeaux (older sister): Victorian sensibilities meet space colonization in the adventure of two young woman who team up to hunt tyrannosaurus in the steaming jungles of Venus.
Two pieces of flash fiction, three short stories, the first part of a novelette, and the first episode of a serial story (minor spoiler: Don’t worry, episode 1 doesn’t end with a cliff hanger)
You can follows us on our NEW WEBSITE www.tspecfiction.com or on Facebook and Instagram.
THE THIBEAUX ADVENTURE IS HERE.
http://allisonswell.website/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ezgif-4-0789b8760346.mp4
July 17, 2020
A Very Late Nutshell
Oh my gooooooodness, you guys. This post recapping what happened to me back in April and May is so late. *clutches hair and squeaks with horror*
Okay, excuse time. What can I say? Life is weird for all of us lately and it seems like I CANNOT get a grip on things. Every time I think I’ve got it all under control, something happens to SMASH ALL MY PLANS.
I’m basically the Minion in that first gif, distracted and working hard! Between Life happening and not feeling tip-top –
– and plain old procrastination – THIS POST IS VERY LATE, INDEED.
Yeah, okay, you already figured that out. You’re not here to read about my excuses. You’re here to read about what has been happening to me.
Pretty much the usual, but I’ll do my best to make it exciting for you. Or at least full of gifs.
And now, get comfortable, grab something tasty, and settle down to read this diverting installment.
One last thing before we start. To make up for the long delay, this post is extra long and PACKED with gifs.
As in, every few seconds, you get a gif. (someone pointed this out to me so I thought I would just address this now).
I think it’s because I’m spending more of my allotted social media time on Instagram these days, which does NOT allow you to use gifs. *REELS*
You guys know that gif usage is an integral part of my personality so I FEEL THE NEED TO PLASTER MY POSTS WITH THEM TO MAKE UP FOR THIS ENFORCED ABSTINENCE.
Okay, that was it. PROCEED. Enjoy the recap of 2020’s April and May . . . and enjoy the gifs.
A Very Late Nutshell
Oh my gooooooodness, you guys. This post recapping what happened to me back in April and May is so late. *clutches hair and squeaks with horror*
Okay, excuse time. What can I say? Life is weird for all of us lately and it seems like I CANNOT get a grip on things. Every time I think I’ve got it all under control, something happens to SMASH ALL MY PLANS.
I’m basically the Minion in that first gif, distracted and working hard! Between Life happening and not feeling tip-top –
– and plain old procrastination – THIS POST IS VERY LATE, INDEED.
Yeah, okay, you already figured that out. You’re not here to read about my excuses. You’re here to read about what has been happening to me.
Pretty much the usual, but I’ll do my best to make it exciting for you. Or at least full of gifs.
And now, get comfortable, grab something tasty, and settle down to read this diverting installment.
One last thing before we start. To make up for the long delay, this post is extra long and PACKED with gifs.
As in, every few seconds, you get a gif. (someone pointed this out to me so I thought I would just address this now).
I think it’s because I’m spending more of my allotted social media time on Instagram these days, which does NOT allow you to use gifs. *REELS*
You guys know that gif usage is an integral part of my personality so I FEEL THE NEED TO PLASTER MY POSTS WITH THEM TO MAKE UP FOR THIS ENFORCED ABSTINENCE.
Okay, that was it. PROCEED. Enjoy the recap of 2020’s April and May . . . and enjoy the gifs.
May 28, 2020
A Series Of Amazing Announcements! (Potentially Life Changing Stuff)
SO, I am going to announce a more stream-lined version of the news below in my AUTHOR NEWSLETTER before the month is out. #OrCollapseInTheAttempt But I needed to ramble and gush and EXPLAIN SOME MORE and use GIFS, because I cannot properly express my confusion, angst and excitement without GIFS.
Plus, I wanted to blanket my corner of the Internet with all my news so I figured I’d plaster the announcements everywhere. So are you ready?
HERE WE GO. A flurry of updates coming at you like –
FULL TIME AUTHOR
Due to certain World Events that have turned the world topsy turvy, my day job has slowed down . . a lot. There’s also been other Stuff and that have changed a lot of my normal routine.
Consequently, I am making good use of this time to pursue writing full time. This could change, I don’t know how long this situation will last but, for now, I’m a full-time writer.
*INSERT PANICKED AND EXCITED SCREAMING HERE*
This is it, guys. This is my window to make my dream a reality so, consequently, I have been working like a wild animal to pursue this ambition. (okay, I always go like a wild animal, I’m just wilder than normal these days)
Of course, naturally, my health issues have chosen this time to act up again so I’m not making as much progress as I would like. NEVERTHELESS, I’ve got a lot of plans and a lot of different things I’m going to try. Consequently, things are a little more hectic as I begin working in all directions at once but I’m very excited about some of the opportunities I’m going to be pursuing in the near future!
Current Status: Trying to get a dozen ships out of the shipyard and into the ocean to see which one survives sinking or being eaten by the Kraken of failure. All flags flying, all cannons firing, and taking on water.
PATREON
Here I am announcing that I am going to be working on Unknown Projects and my Ambia fan girls are over there having a fit because all they really want is the next fairy tale retelling. #YourReactionToMyNewsBelow
Sadly, as I spread myself even thinner in the writing department over many different projects, this will slow down the writing and publishing process on the Tales of Ambia even more. *CHAGRINED SOB*
However, I have a remedy for that.
I am planning on launching a Patreon page in the near future that is entirely about AMBIA. Patrons would get access to behind the scenes, sneak peaks, an exclusive short story, AND a piece of Ambia flash or micro fiction EVERY MONTH.
Raise your hand if you want some Ambia in your inbox every month.
This is not a replacement for the Tales of Ambia series, merely a “tide-me-over” – so to speak. I can’t bear to be away from Ambia for every long and I know many of you are impatient for the next Ambia installment, so this would be a way for both of us to get a monthly dose of fairy tale goodness in the interim between book releases!
If you would like to join the launch team and help me spread the word about my upcoming Patreon page, I would deeply appreciate it. Just CLICK ON THE LINK and fill out the information and I can add you to the team!
Current Status: A combination of “ready or not because here I come, world!” and “just stop dithering and DO it, Allison.” It looks something like this.
MAGAZINE LAUNCH
There’s no easy way for me to get this out without choking so I’m just going to say it. Yes, you read that right. I am launching a magazine . . . with my sisters!
I know, I KNOW. it’s like something out of a story. It’s something we could only dream of doing for so long but now we’re finally seizing the dream and just STARTING.
Oh my goodness, after years of me bragging on my sisters and talking about their writing you are FINALLY going to be able to read their stories! *FLAILING AND SQUEALING.
It’s actually a family run project as all six of my family members are involved with this magazine launch on everything from writing, website design, promotion, proof reading, graphic design, editing, etc. You name, we’ve got a Tebo for it.
We are not going to be seeking submissions for this magazine (for now) – this will instead be a quarterly magazine featuring roughly seven stories in each issue show-casing the Tebo writers.
That’s really all I’m going to say about it for now, but you’ll hear about it more in the coming months, I assure you.
Current status: Buddy the Elf running through the revolving door on steroids.
If you would like to join the launch team and help me spread the word about the Tebo sisters magazine launch, I would deeply appreciate it. Just CLICK ON THE LINK and fill out the information and I can add you to the team!
I AM GOING TO START PUBLISHING UNDER A NEW PEN NAME.
Don’t worry, Allison Tebo isn’t going anywhere, but I am going to be creating a new pen name for myself to help me with author branding.
I have been thinking a lot about author branding and struggling to resolve my two very different author voices. On the one hand I have my Wodehousian sweet and thoughtful voice and on the other my John Wayne tough-guy voice where the name of the game is action/adventure and where the conservative political statements are thrown around as readily as bullets.
Obviously, these two voices are very different and might confuse or polarize some of my readers.
For a while, I was just running with it and allowing the two styles to overlap (for instance, publishing my gritty sci-fi short story The Key To The Chains, under my real name), but now I’ve decided to separate the two.
Since I will be publishing under a pseudonym, that means I can now refine and hone my current author websites and social media accounts and fully embrace the already established perception of myself as a sweet and whimsical author of retellings. Going forward, my action adventure speculative fiction will be largely published in the upcoming Tebo magazine under my new pseudonym.
Current Status: In over my head and feeling like a kid taking swimming lessons with John Wayne.
All of that to say . . . I have another exciting fairy tale announcement!
FAIRY TALE FRIDAYS
On a recent poll on Instagram, my followers told me they would like to see more videos of me and more of my artwork. So I had a fun idea of how to combine them!
Have you ever heard of a Paint n Sip? It’s an event where people get together to practice their art over drinks. I want to invite you to weekly Paint N Sips with a new spin.
I am hoping to start a series of live streams on my Instagram platform! They will be entitled Fairy tale Fridays (or Friday Fairy tales) and every Friday afternoon (short of something bad happening to me) I will be doing a live stream where I’ll have a discussion with my followers about a pre-chosen topic (but always relating to fairy tales) while drawing something fairy tale themed.
I’m inviting you to sit with me in my studio every Friday with the beverage of your choice and discuss fairy tales with me. You can either just watch my riveting facial expression, read all the discussion comments and chime in, or draw with me. Sound fun?
I will also be occasionally interviewing fellow fairy tale authors on a two-way live stream and this June I will be doing a Q&A session with Rachel Kovaciny the authoress of Dancing and Doughnuts and one of the writers of Rooglewood’s Five Magic Spindles Sleeping Beauty anthology . Make sure you follow me on Instagram and check out my feed and my stories for those updates!
Current Status: Feeling as cool as a doggone fairy giving Cinderella her dress and pumpkin coach.
And speaking of Instagram . . .
INSTAGRAM CHALLENGE
I’ve started creating my own monthly photo challenges for bookstagram! I can’t guarantee I will be able to do this every month because, you know, life happens, but I do have a fun one lined up for June! AND, I’m co-hosting it with Rachel Kovaciny !
Look fun, Pilgrim?
This time there isn’t a giveaway involved, but ti’s still lots of fun for priming the old creative brain cells and you just might find some new favorite bookstagrammers by following the hashtag!
Current Status: Celebrating like John Wayne.
Not exactly like John Wayne: I’ve got root beer in my bottle!
BOOK SALE
One last thing.
All of my books are on sale for only $0.99
but that sales ends on June 1st – so if you haven’t got a copy of one of my stories yet, now is your chance!
Whew! Okay, that’s everything, I think. *wipes forehead*
But not even a fraction of what I’m working on right now.
I know. I’m certifiable.
*when you’ve got a lot of work to do but you’re still excited*
Are you excited? Did you sign up for any of the launch teams? (I’m not really begging, just reminding you). But if you DO want to help me tell the world my big news, well –
Let’s talk, my friend!
May 25, 2020
For The Love Of Robots: Part One
Did you know I’m absolutely potty about robots?
Bet you didn’t.
Well, today you’re going to hear ALL about it.
But – SURPRISE – this post is actually featuring on the blog of my AUTHOR website.
(I decided to post it there instead of here for various complicated reasons that you don’t need to know about right now. All you have to do is read it, so get a move on!)
Today I’m going to be talking about the hidden spiritual themes of robot stories. This is something I’ve been thinking about for a while so I’m excited to finally share my thoughts with all of you.
Make sure you check back next week, for when I will be fangirling over my favorite robots in book and film!
So are you ready??? Let’s go!
CLICK ON THE LINK HERE TO READ!
May 21, 2020
Training For Reality
Things have been stressful for we Earthlings lately, for many reasons.
It seems a day doesn’t go by when the pressure doesn’t get more intense and the urge to panic greater and greater.
A little while ago, when too much reality was threatening to overwhelm me, I decided to take action.
I grabbed a champagne glass and a bottle of ginger ale, a pretty picnic blanket and a luxury candle, and went outside. I poured the ginger ale, lit the candle, inhaled deeply, and flopped down on my back to look at the sky.
Slowly, the anxiety began to lift . . . and it lifted even more when my twin came out to join me.
As we sat there, watching the light turn to dusk and the clouds to stars, it occurred to me that my perspective was all wrong and that I shouldn’t be looking towards the future with dread—but avid anticipation. I had been mulling over a dark fantasy, instead of embracing a vivid reality.
In that moment, it was as if the Holy Spirit whispered to me that this was what I had to look forward to. This was what would last. The trials we are going through now are a mere blink, a mere blast of fire from the furnace that we all must go through for a short time.
But that was not TRUE reality. It was THESE things that WOULD last: the dazzling sky above me, the soft breeze on my face, the grass between my fingers and toes, the clouds spiraling above like garlands and my best friend sitting next to me. The real pleasures of my favorite scent and being in nature, the real sensations of earth, the real camaraderie that arises from the most desultory talk with the people that know you and love you best.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me that this was a mere reflection, a tiny taste, of the true reality ahead of me: when I finally step into Eternity with Him. Pleasure upon pleasure, peace upon peace, calm upon calm, and time upon time.
Too often, when we say the word “reality” we aren’t thinking of this at all. We are thinking of something grim and hard. Reality for us is often synonymous with something distasteful. “Life is tough—that’s reality.”
When we say “reality” what we often really mean is actually something more like hell—not heaven. And yet we yearn for something better than the reality of sickness, war, and death. We feel a little whisper of this different reality in moments of love or peace or quiet—but it’s hard to find.
We just only get snatches of it in this life. The search can be frustrating.
But again, I felt a perspective check. I know life is a crazy seesaw of emotions and events and we must all do our best to cling to the good and hold on during the bad. But instead of becoming upset about how erratic this seesaw is, shouldn’t we be grateful for it? Isn’t this balance between pure pleasures and horrid disasters a good and fair example to all humanity of the choice before us?
In this life we are caught between Heaven and Hell. Like Earth is suspended in space, so also we are suspended between life and death, between earthly things and heavenly things, between hellish trials and holy gifts.
This wild pendulum swinging between joys and sorrows is yet another example of God’s graciousness to us and an example of how He truly does give everyone a fair shot at Eternity.
We are all given a little bit of Heaven and Hell on earth, so that we can make our choice about where we want to spend eternity. Sadly, some people drag their own hell around with the no matter where they go. They’ve become comfortable in it and, sadly, if faced with Heaven itself, would very much prefer the familiarity of misery. But some look for Heaven all their lives and by practice obedience, kindness, and peace, make a bit of Heaven on Earth by God’s grace as they prepare for the real thing.
A good teacher tells their student want to study before a test. But Psalm 34 tells us to “Seek peace and pursue it!” How many times does the Bible, and Jesus himself, speak to us about peace? It’s not a suggestion, it’s a command. “Seek peace” is the marching orders of every true Christian—because we are moving forward towards a place of eternal peace. In a way, it’s the textbook we must study to pass the entrance exams into Heaven.
When we get to Heaven, it will be ENDLESS peace, without interruption. No clamor, no fuss, no agitation. So isn’t it good that we learn to be quiet and still in our souls here on Earth? It’s good practice for our future home and our true reality.
In that true reality, there will be no sin, no sorrow, no vileness, no grimness, no darkness, no smallness in that heavenly place. How could there be? Those things are the antithesis of God. Heaven is too big to receive anything so small and puckered up, so why should we live in that state of mind here on Earth?
The cleansing blood of Jesus Christ gives us power to live differently, to live peacefully and joyfully and with anticipation. This is reality.
Sadly, we often hold on to the false reality around us with all our might. Like Gollum in Lord of the Rings clinging to the thing that destroys him, we keep clinging to the sin, the anxiety, the anger, the accusations, the lies, and the fear. And, like Gollum, we say “the thing that is killing me is precious to me and I can’t let it go. This is all that is real to me anymore.”
But that’s not true reality.
Reality is the time on the picnic blanket, holding hands with your family, marveling at creation, drinking in every sensation and looking eagerly for the One who made them. It is THESE things that are Heaven on earth. It is THESE things that echo of eternity and whisper to us of the wonderful things that await.
And yet we get so confused about what reality really means. We live in a world where people are obsessed with the “real” world. They insist on vileness in all their forms of entertainment to make it more “relatable.” They are attached to their sin and would rather have their failings then freedom. But what we’re really obsessed with is not “real life” but Hell. Hell is the birth place of all fear, hatred, depression, envy, strife, and every negative thought and feeling that we know.
But, in Heaven, you won’t find a dirty thought or a sad feeling there, no matter how far you look. To gaze upon Christ is to have every feeling, every thought, every sin set right forever.
Since that is my true reality, the real thing that I am looking for, I want to be ready for that day. I want to be ready to take the leap over the border between Here and Home and find that these good things here on Earth were only the beginning.
Because this is reality. This IS Christianity. We laugh in the face of disaster—because disaster will not last for us. We have peace in the storm—because we know the Man who calms storms with a word. We can go on making plans and holding them loosely, because we knew all of our plans were out of our hands anyway. Even when all the soap and hand sanitizer disappears, we can be clean inside, because we are washed by Jesus himself.
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ and, one day, nothing can separate us from His Presence. This is my reality.
It’s not easy to live in reality, it’s a daily and hourly battle that can only be won by total dependence on God. As the world screams “panic” louder and louder there is no distraction powerful enough in the world to silence the storm except for that One Voice who can calm the seas with a word.
These bits of Heavens on Earth are fleeting and changeable. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I don’t even know what will happen an hour or a minute from now. All I do know is that everyone I love will, one day, die. One day, one way or another, I too will be wrenched from Earth. When it will happen or how no one knows. We can’t stay here, because this world is not our home, and there’s only one out of it—death.
But, thank God, there are two routes that can be taken once we board the Death Train. One track shoots straight to eternity of peace and joy in the presence of our Creator. The other track goes down, through the dark, where there is no light, no peace, no joy, no rest, no belonging, only the emptiness and the torment that you might be feeling now—but for all time.
We are all little fairy tale characters with a trail of breadcrumbs in front of us leading through a dark forest towards home. We can sit down in the forest and allow the fear to overwhelm us until the wolves find us and we are destroyed forever, or we can focus on the path and the sustenance that the breadcrumbs bring and keep moving towards our true destination—our true home.
So I am beginning my training now. I am focusing on every moment of goodness, of peace, of joy, of laughter. Because these things have only begun for me. There is so much more ahead.
Everything around me right now is simply a dream world. I keep rolling over and opening my eyes for a few moments to glimpse real life, but then fall asleep again.
But someday I’ll wake up for real.
Someday, it will finally be the first day of school. We’ll get off the bus that takes us from the dull neighborhood of life on earth, and step onto a street of gold. We’ll find ourselves slipping into a glorious, boundless land full of wonderful things are both familiar and entirely new. Then we’ll hear that Voice that is like the ringing of a bell—calling us to the Great Class that has no end, ushering us into the arms of a holy college, where we will play, and grow, and learn, and worship, and be with him, the Great Teacher, for all Eternity.
Someday, we’ll really learn how to laugh, how to thrive, how to be at peace. Until then, we struggle through this earthly preschool and do our best to prepare for the holy house that awaits us. All the joys and laughter and peace we have here are mere imitations—toy versions of the REAL thing. But we make do with our chalk and sidewalks, our clumsy reed pens and tree bark, so that we will be prepared for the Real thing. For now we savor those moments of quiet on the picnic blanket and look forward with anticipation and hope for the eternity of peace to come.
Because that’s real life – this is reality.
May 10, 2020
Moonscript Blog Tour – Spotlight
*rides majestically into your inbox with happy news for all the peasants*
Did I say peasants? I meant people! That was Thranduil who said peasants. Bad boy.
Dear PEOPLE – I am thrilled to announce that the extremely talented H.S.J. Williams has published a new book!!!
And now, lucky you, here I am tell you all about it! But before we discuss the book, let’s talk a little more about how amazing Hannah is, shall we? Let’s get down to it, then!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
From the beginning, H. S. J. Williams has loved stories and all the forms they take. Whether with word, art, or costume, she has always been fascinated with the magic of imagination. She lives in a real fantastical kingdom, the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with her very own array of animal friends and royally loving family. Williams taught Fantasy Illustration at MSOA. She may also be a part-time elf.
Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook
You can also check out and follow William’s art page OVER HERE
(personal note: Yeah, you REALLY want to check out her art, guys. It’s amazing *nods*)
And now – *GRINS* – the story!
SYNOPSIS
“It is said that Darkness is empty and whatever vanishes into its depths is lost forever. I know this better than anyone. For I have suffered here in the shadows, and there are none who might find me.”
Seventy years. Seventy years the elven prince has been lost to the darkness, assumed dead by his people and endlessly broken for a book that connects to the hidden realm of his ancestors, a land untouched by evil.
And now a light in the shadows. A chance for freedom. But those willing to help him come from the unlikeliest of worlds.
The orphan girl, yearning for a loving family, and the boy who won’t leave her side. A healer maiden given an unexpected chance for a life beyond narrowed expectations. A grieving creature flown far from home.
They all search for something and now their fates are tied to his. If their quest for life can pull him from the dark mire in which his soul drowns, then perhaps he can be saved.
Or else he will drag them all down to a fate worse than death.
The beginning of an epic saga, MOONSCRIPT is a journey of innocence, despair, and redemption.
Seven illustrations by the author exclusively included in the paperback edition!
Amazon / Goodreads / Kindle / Book Depository / Barnes & Noble
Legolas what do you elf eyes, see?
I SEE SOME EXCITED READERS, BABY.
BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE
May 7th
H.S.J. Williams—Tour Launch
May 8th
Light and Shadow—Book Spotlight
E. Rawls—Book Spotlight
May 9th
Tracey Dyck
Elizabeth’s Universe—Book Review
Grace M. Morris—Book Spotlight
May 10th
Allison’s Well—Book Spotlight
Amelia Nicole—Book Spotlight
May 11th
Ester S. (Instagram)—Book Spotlight
Imperial Scribis—Book Review
May 12th
Liv K. Fisher
The Labyrinth—Book Review
May 13th
Dreams & Dragons—Book Spotlight
Bookish Musings—Book Review
May 14th
Unicorn Quester—Author Interview
Embers Reviews—Book Review
May 15th
Unicorn Quester— “3 Reasons Why” Video Review
Writing in Rivendell—Book Spotlight
Sarah, Plain & Average—Book Review
May 16th
Jane Maree—Book Review
May 17th
Jemma the Dragon Slayer (Tumblr)—Book Spotlight
The Bookish Raven—Book Review
May 18th
Words of Hannah Kay—Book Review
Purely by Faith Reviews—Book Review
May 19th
Functionally Fictional—Book Spotlight
Jenelle Schmidt—Book Spotlight
May 20th
Beka Gremikova—Book Spotlight
Seven Billion Smiles—Book Review
May 21st
Today by Bryn—Tour Conclusion & Art Gallery
SO TELL ME, MY LITTLE ELVES, WHO’S DOWN FOR MOONSCRIPT???? ARE YOU LEAPING UP AND DOWN WITH EXCITEMENT YET?
Do you follow Hannah’s blog? Have you seen her art? Have you read Moonscript yet? Speak to me, mellon!
April 30, 2020
The Last Atlantean Blog Tour – Author Interview With Emily Hayse
*SLIDES INTO THE ROOM* Welcome to the Well, my friend. Not only is this THE place for entertainment, but it also features the latest and greatest in bookish news.
Today, I will be interviewing Emily Hayse in celebration of her latest release, The Last Atlantean.
*CAVORTS IN A CIRCLE, CACKLING WITH BARELY CONTROLLED GLEE*
I just finished featuring Emily’s last book, Seventh City, over on Instagram, so you can bet I nearly jumped out of my socks at the chance to promote her latest release! Let’s get down to it!
AUTHOR BIO
EMILY HAYSE is a lover of log cabins, strong coffee, and the smell of old books. Her writing is fueled by good characters and a lifelong passion for storytelling. When she is not busy turning words into worlds, she can often be found baking, singing, or caring for one of the many dogs and horses in her life. She lives with her family in Michigan.
WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER
SYNOPSIS
“Watch, ye sons of the sea, your doom is at hand. With soundless storm rises the fate of Atlantis.”
As a lighthouse keeper’s daughter, Hattie has always been able to handle anything the Atlantic throws at her. But when a stranger washes ashore in a storm, she finds herself unraveling a mystery that will change her life. Caught up in a high-stakes game of intrigue and hidden loyalties, Hattie watches legends take shape before her eyes. But as kings and pawns prepare for a showdown that will determine the fate of an ancient world, she wonders whether she has thrown in her lot with the hero or the villain.
AMAZON / GOODREADS / BARNES AND NOBLE / SPOTIFY
THAT COVER. THAT SYNOPSIS. THIS AUTHOR. Let it be known to all the people that NOW IS THE TIME TO BE EXCITED.
WHO ELSE IS GETTING COLD CHILLS???
Okay, okay – enough of me squealing. Let is get to the crux of the post. Without further ado (or anticipatory shrieks) the interview!
Welcome, Emily! What inspired The Last Atlantean?
That’s a good question! I had the idea for the title in the summer of 2018, but I didn’t actually get any ideas past that until that fall/winter. Things just started to come together. Certainly some of it came for my love of the Atlantis legends (something that has intrigued me from childhood) and then my love of Maine and the stormy northeast coast. But beyond that and perhaps a couple authors that I feel my style was similar to in this particular project (Rosemary Sutcliff and Patricia MacLachlan) I’m not sure I could point to anything particular for the story itself. It just came.
ROSEMARY SUTCLIFF? She’s one of my favorite authors of all time, so you can bet my ears just perked up! Can you tell us a little about the characters and the world of The Last Atlantean?
What I really wanted to show with this book was the contrast between two worlds: the stormy, tight-knit community feel of coastal Maine in 1912, and the bright, anciently unforgiving setting of Atlantis. My two main characters, Hattie Scrow and Isurus Lamnidae are thrust together and from the contrasting worlds, so you get to see how awkward it is for an Atlantean trying not to stick out in a small Maine community but then you also end up seeing the epic scale of Atlantis through the narrower lens of Hattie Scrow who knows her priorities and isn’t swayed by things like dooms and prophecies. And they are the only two who really translate between the two worlds. All the other characters are either fixtures in Maine or fixtures in Atlantis, which helps drive up the contrast.
Wow, just from that brief description, I am already captivated by this world building! How much research, if any, did you have to do for The Last Atlantean?
I did a fair bit of research on how lighthouses were run, what advances in technology they had for running the lights in 1912, and things like life and clothing and news during that time and then I did some looking around the original Atlantis myth, and lifestyle and food in the Mediterranean area, which is approximately where I set my version of Atlantis.
Who is your favorite character in The Last Atlantean and why?
Isurus Lamndiae. He is the other main character besides Hattie, and he’s just got this shine to him. He’s kind of like Frodo. He has a good heart and is very duty-bound and self-sacrificial, perhaps to the point where he shouldn’t be.
He sounds amazing! Tell us a little about your writing process! When is your favorite time to write? What is your favorite writing spot, snack, drink? Any peculiar writing habits or quirks?
I love to write in the morning. I’m an early bird, so being up with the sun and a cup of coffee is ideal for me. It doesn’t always happen, since I leave pretty early for work most mornings, but that’s my favorite. I have a beautiful desk that I love to write at but I find that I actually write a lot more on my bed or at a kitchen counter. Anywhere I can find an outlet and some quiet. I love coffee or tea while I’m writing and hands down, my favorite writing snack is shortbread, though sometimes I will cook or bake according to what’s in the book. With The Last Atlantean I tried a lot of Mediterranean foods. Quirks, hmm. One thing is I draft my books like I’m seeing a movie in my head, so often I have to cast the characters from the get-go and then the writing process is a lot like writing down what I see them do as they do it. Also, I whisper the words as I write. I have one sister who finds that extremely amusing.
I love seeing these little details about how you work! What are the easiest, and the most difficult, parts of publishing? (outlining, drafting, etc).
I love coming up with new story ideas and building the world and the characters. In some ways that’s probably the easiest for me, the setting everything up and then the drafting. For difficult, I would say formatting and stuff, but I have someone who does my formatting for me (it still scares me). Probably the hardest is editing at home (for some reason it’s next to impossible for me) and then just reaching my audience. I love interacting with people on Instagram, but outside of that, I find putting myself out there really hard.
Boy, I hear you on the formatting fear! Can you tell us a bit about your future writing plans or projects?
My next release is slated for late fall or early winter of this year, and it will be a collection of Seventh City short stories and novellas. So fans of Seventh City can keep their eyes out for that! As for my next novel, that’s still undecided, but I’m working on a fantasy Yankee whaler vs. pirates series with some twisty Agatha Christie vibes, a fantasy western based on a well-known legend, and a series set in Wales in the 30s, involving a small village bakery with dangerous connections to Faerie.
*SPITS OUT WATER* Oh my GOOOOOODNESSSSSSSSSS. This sound AMAZING. I gasped and squealed out loud when I read those tidbits! AH, I NEED THEM NOW!
But, sadly, I guess I’ll have to wait! Thank you so much for this fabulous interview, Emily! I can’t wait to sink into the adventure of The Last Atlantean!
Blog Tour Dates and Stops:
April 28:
Emily Hayse // Kickoff Post:
emilyhayse.com/blog
Schuyler McConkey // Review/Guest Post
www.ladybibliophile.blogspot.com
April 29:
Anne Rhys // Author Interview
annerhysauthor.wordpress.com
April 30:
Allison’s Well // Author Interview
https://allisonswell.website/
Claire Banschbach // Author Interview
clairembanschbach.com
May 1:
Esther Jackson // Author Interview
https://wevegotpockets.wordpress.com
Cheyenne van Lengevelde // Author Interview / Review:
https://thedancingbardess.wordpress.org/blog/
May 2:
Rae Graham // Guest Post / Review
https://writerraegraham.com/
May 4:
Jameson C. Smith // Author Interview // Review
https://www.jamesoncsmith.com/
May 5:
Gabrielle Emmons // Book Review
gabriellememmons.wordpress.com
SO WHO’S EXCITED FOR THE LAST ATLANTEAN???? I’ll tell you who’s excited – *points thumbs towards chest* – THIS GIRL, RIGHT HERE.
Do you follow Emily on social media? Have you read any of her other books? Speak to me, chums!
