Kristy Moody's Blog, page 2

Titan Content Making History in the USA with K-Pop Auditions

The team behind the girl group AtHeart prepare to search for the next K-Pop stars in the USA.

On November 2nd, auditions will be held at Titan Content’s Santa Monica, California headquarters. They are looking for youth skilled in singing, acting, modeling, and more.

Check out their social media post about it below.

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Zayn Openly Thanks BLACKPINK’s Jisoo for Music Collab

Zayn and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo joined forces for the addictive pop single “Eyes Closed” on October 9th. Days after its release, the One Direction alum openly thanked the Kpop star for working with him and making him the “coolest dad” to his daughter.

Check out his social media message and BTS photos from the music video below:

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Watch a teaser of the iconic song in the making here:

Moriah’s Family React to Rolling Stone Magazine News

Moriah was recently honored with a feature in Rolling Stone magazine for her collaboration single “Supermujeres” with singer Ana Barbara. The “Because of Gracia” star shared the exciting news with her family and uploaded the video via social media.

Watch her family’s sweet reaction below:

Check out a clip of the feature here:

Congratulations!

DOE Receives Song of the Year Honor

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“The Heart of Bennet Hollow” by Joanne Bischof DeWitt: Review

“The Heart of Bennet Hollow” is a good starter book for anyone interested in Jane Austen literature.

Joanne Bischof DeWitt keeps the outline and essence of Austen’s beloved classic “Pride and Prejudice,” while making it easier to understand for American readers.

This retelling is set in a fictional Virginia Appalachian region of New River in the early 1900s and centers around the New River Coal Company. The Bennet family, which includes a mom, dad and five sisters, are anxious about their hometown’s future and the possible new owner New River. Prospective buyers are flocking to the region to look at the coal company and farms around it. William Drake and his lawyer friend, Callum Brydolf, travel there in the elite Pemberley train car to see the mine area for themselves. Of course, Lizbeth and Jayne Bennet catch their eyes and the “Pride and Prejudice” love stories unfold.

The Wickham, Collins, Charlotte, Lady Catherine characters and more are all there under different names. Although, Lady Catherine keeps her original name minus the nobility title. The minister marries Lizbeth’s best friend, while a young coal miner tries to ruin William Drake’s (this version’s Mr. Darcy) reputation. He also makes time to be one of the biggest flirts among Drake’s traveling coal mining team. William Drake has a younger sister and is being pursued his friend’s sister, just like the original. Drake’s aunt Catherine remains a controlling parental figure in his life as he navigates life as a rich eligible bachelor.

Throughout the story, Lizbeth and William have memorable encounters that are adorable and exasperating all at the same time. From their first meeting at dance to the awkward proposal, this couple is unforgettable.

I highly recommend the book to Austen or Hallmark channel fans. If you are looking for a sweet, upbeat and heartwarming tale with clean romance, “The Heart of Bennet Hollow,” was tailor made for you.

“The Heart of Bennet Hollow” releases in bookstores today.

A special thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for supplying BTSCelebs with the advanced reader copy.

Vampirina: Teenage Vampire – Disney Plus Premiere Review

VAMPIRINA – “Pilot” (Disney/Mitch Haaseth) KENZI RICHARDSON

Disney’s Vampirina: Teenage Vampire kicks off with episode one titled “First Year to Watch.” After a superstar dream, Vee (Kenzi Richardson) persuades her parents Oxana and Boris (Kate Reinders and Jeff Meacham) to allow her to attend a human performing arts school. They let her leave Translyvania with a warning to look out for Vampire hunters, Van Helsing.

Upon arrival, Vee instantly clicks with her friendly yet shy roommate, Sophie (Jiwon Lee), while she clashes with a mean girl named Britney (Faith Hedley). Love is in the air when she encounters the mean girl’s close friend Elijah (Shaun Dixon). He shares one of his secrets with her, and the pair forms a bond.

Unfortunately, Vee’s biggest secret is discovered by her roommate (with the help of her ghost friend and unofficial bodyguard Demi, played by actor Milo Maharlika) and their new friendship is put to the test.

Towards the end of the episode, Vee and her roommate perform at a school talent show with surprising results. There is a Van Helsing on campus and the identity of person is revealed to us, however Vee is unaware of them. It’s the person she would least suspect.

The “First Day of School” episode starts with Vee organizing her dorm room at lighting speed. Before she can bask in the satisfaction of a job well done, her ghost friend Demi gives her a “ghost gram” reiterating the warning that vampire hunters are somewhere on her school’s campus. Vee ignores the urgency and goes about her day.

Demi continues to search for the Val Helsing and eventually locates one. The ghost sends off a signal that alerts Vee’s parents of imminent danger.

Later, Vee and Sophie find themselves hiding in the dean’s office only for Vee to get caught. The young vampire cleverly tries to get out of a possible punishment by putting Dean Merriweather (Kim Coles) under a spell. It works with comedic results.

Vee’s parents finally arrive and insist she leave the school for her own safety. Vee pleads with them and sings a song of persuasion. But nothing is changing their minds. On their way out of the school, Demi reassures Vee’s parents that the alarm was accidentally sent and there are no vampire hunters on campus. This lie was concocted to allow Vee to stay at the place she loves.

Meanwhile, the school’s vampire hunter has been avoiding constant phone calls from mom and rebelling in their own right. The moment their mom promises to send a care package… they fake obedience only to discover that the care package is a tool to aid in their future as a vampire hunter. The episode ends with them facing their grim future.

“Vampirina: Teenage Vampire” also features the following actors: Hannah Whitley, Jenna Davis, and Aariq Manji.

The guest cast are as follows: Janice LeAnn Brown, Ariel Martin (aka Baby Ariel), Kelly Perine, Nicole Sullivan, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Tammy Townsend 

Tim Federle joins the host of executive producers. 

The actors and production team did a great job showcasing their talent, and of course they are right in time for the Halloween season. However, I’m not a big fan of vampire projects due to the dark spiritual side. Personally, I would pass on this one and not recommend to any little ones related to me.

The first complete season of Vampirina premieres on Disney Plus on October 15.

A special thanks to Disney for the screener and media.

Joanne Bischof Dewitt: Q&A with the Author of “The Heart of Bennet Hollow”

Tyndale: How have Jane Austen’s books impacted your writing? 

Joanne Bischof Dewitt: There is something very profound about reading a novel that was written long before our current technology. To think that Jane sat there and handwrote her novels truly inspires  me in the craft. She had to be witty and cunning, detailed and dedicated, all on paper, and her drafts would have been so precious and painstaking. When I think of that, it  challenges me to be a better writer even in this modern era with computers and word  processing. Beyond that, she infused love and humor into her stories that has set her  apart for over two hundred years. Someone like Jane is a true inspiration as a romance writer and I’m so thankful we have her books today. 

This book is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Why did you choose early 1900s Appalachia as the setting for your book? 

I have been writing Appalachian romance from the start of my career and it’s one of my favorite settings. When I began to wonder what a new series could be about, it dawned on me to try and merge my love of this setting with my love of Jane Austen’s works and  the series was born. It’s felt so natural to merge her world into 1900’s Appalachia and I’ve enjoyed finding the commonalities while getting to have a little bit of fun with the differences.

Austen’s approaching 250th birthday will be celebrated around the world this year.Why is Jane Austen still relevant today? 

I think so many people can relate to her. She played by the rules of her society, but not perfectly so, and it’s an inspiration for the advancements she made in women’s fiction. She gave an emphasis and voice to what the lives of women were like nearly 250 years ago, and she shows their ups and downs, joys, and graces in a way that continues to resonate centuries later. 

Which Pride and Prejudice character are you the most like? 

I’d say I’m probably a split between Elizabeth and Jane. Elizabeth because we share some of the same personality traits of creativity and a love of reading and walking outdoors, and Jane because I’m an introvert and can sometimes be shy. 

The romance industry is oversaturated with mature content. Why did you choose to write a clean romance? 

I find clean romance to be sooo romantic because it forces us to read between the lines—to hear what is unsaid or unspoken and to see that the little nuances between man and woman, be it a look, a touch or a sweet gesture is incredibly romantic. It’s the material that all lasting love stories are based on and so there’s a richness to clean romance that really makes it special.

What is a “sweet romance”? What is your key advice to making a sweet romance believable?

Sweet romance is in the little things. It’s not an absence of passion but simply a precursor to it. It’s the slow development of love and admiration that really defines it. The believability comes down to showing that the hero and heroine truly want the best for one another, and when that happens, a tenderness unfolds in unexpected ways. It’s more than just following certain literary rules, it’s making the reader fall as much in love with the characters as they do themselves. If the reader is rooting for them to get together before they even realize it, then it’s the perfect sweet romance. 

You are a writing professor at an online writing academy. What are the most common misconceptions novice writers have about entering the publishing industry?  

The most common ones are that writing a full-length novel equates advanced skill. What I do as an instructor is to help break that process down through our curriculum so that they are learning the bones of a solid story. Another one is when young writers love their characters more than the reader does. This is a common pitfall and one that we have to slowly help with. It’s only by looking at a story and character group objectively and with a critical eye that they will take on the right shape for an audience. Sometimes students will find themselves too close to their story at this point, and we try and step in with a gentle, fresh perspective that will help them make their characters and novel even more poignant.

What do you find to be the most challenging part of writing? How do you advise your students when they are struggling with writing? 

I find it to be different with each story. Sometimes it’s research issues that just won’t align. Sometimes it’s time management and finding the capacity to even write the novel.  At other times, it’s a plot that strays off course. I advise my students when this happens to take careful stock of their process and what’s happening to see where they can micro-adjust. There’s lots of need for grace as well, and even after we’ve done our best to make changes to help the process flow, sometimes a little extra grace is all we need next.

On your YouTube channel, Joanne the Story Stitcher, you combine your love of books with embroidery. How do reading and writing inspire your crafts? 

I have found stitching to be a wonderful way to unwind. It’s so satisfying to make tiny stitches and to see a beautiful piece unfold. I’m currently working on a few Jane Austen–inspired pieces to coincide with the release of The Heart of Bennet Hollow, so reading and writing definitely inspire some of the projects I create! I find that a lot of the people who stitch are readers too!

“The Heart of Bennet Hollow” novel releases on October 7th.

A Special Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for the Q&A and images.

Brandy and Monica Kick Off “The Boy Is Mine” Tour with Magazine Feature

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Sonja Anderson: Q&A with the Author of “A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse”

Tyndale: Who is Saint Lucia, and how is her celebration related to Christmas? 

Sonja Anderson: In the fourth century AD, a young Sicilian woman named Lucia prayed desperately that  God would heal her ill mother, vowing that she would use her dowry money to serve the  poor if she lived. Her mother was healed, and when Lucia did use the money to bring  food to persecuted Christians in hiding, her fiancé was so enraged that he turned her in to the authorities. Legend says that she used a crown of candles to keep her hands free  and to light her way to help the poor until she was martyred in the year 304.  

No one really knows how this Italian saint’s story came to Sweden. Missionaries, or even  Vikings, it is said, were the possible sources of the Saint Lucia story in Sweden. Some  say that the people of the Värmland province were saved one winter when a woman  dressed in white, wearing a crown of candles, came across the lake in the bow of a boat  that carried food to the starving people.  

One thing that everyone can agree on is that Lucia’s saints’ day, December 13, has become a joyful celebration of light and hope in Sweden, both in the home and in  broader communities. The candlelit processions, delicious ginger cookies and saffron  buns, and special music bring people together, young and old, during the darkest  season of the year. Since the holiday also occurs during Advent and honors a young  woman’s selfless devotion to Christ, it has become a special way for me and my family and many other people to mark the beginning of the Christmas season.

What is a Dala horse? 

Simply put, a Dala horse (Dalahäst in Swedish) is a hand-carved and -painted pine  horse with a distinctive silhouette, produced largely in Dalarna, a province in Sweden.  Put on display at a mid-19th-century exposition in Paris, along with a large one on  display at the Sweden Pavillion in the New York 1939 World Exhibition, the horse became a national symbol of Sweden.  

Traditionally, they were painted in a bright orange-red paint that was commonly  produced from the region’s copper mine processing. The area was also known for  crafting furniture decorated with the kurbits style of art, so it isn’t surprising that their little  wooden horses began to also be decorated with the floral flourishes.  

Several stories are told about the horse’s origin. Most agree that furniture makers would  use wooden scraps to make the toys to sell or barter for lodging as they traveled to  markets or that people in the lumber industry would entertain themselves in the evenings  by carving the toys to bring home to their children. I was captivated by stories of soldiers  who were stationed in the region during wartime in the 18th century, who carved the toys  to thank the hosts who gave them room and board. 

Today, Dala horses are found in many different colors, and you can also find Dala pigs  and roosters, and even moose! 

As I look around my home, I realize that Dala horses have been special to me my whole  life. The first project I ever created in cross-stitch at summer camp was a Dala horse,  and the first wood carving project my dad ever carved for me was also a Dala horse! My  family’s love for them undoubtedly came from my mother’s side of the family, though, whose grandparents had immigrated from Sweden as teenagers in the late 1880s. 

What is a tiny tomte? 

A tomte is a Swedish gnome, identified by his long gray beard and a red cap on his  head. Many Nordic countries have a similar gnome-like creature, with names like tonttu and nisse. Nisse comes from an old Norse word that means “dear little relative”;  Scandinavian tradition says that these small creatures live in barns and farms, acting as  secret guardians. They make sure that all is in order, and in Sweden, all they want in return is a bowl of porridge at Christmastime.  

Children take care not to offend or forget their tomte, as the small gnomes can be quite  mischievous if they feel slighted! Today, the Jultomte, or Christmas Tomte, appears like Santa Claus and brings gifts to the family. 

What is your favorite Swedish tradition? 

While my children were growing up, the Santa Lucia pageant at our church was my  favorite part of Christmas. During the first weekend of Advent, my church celebrated Julfest in honor of the Swedes who founded the church in Seattle many years ago,  which means it literally helped us kick off our holiday season. I loved the way my  children moved from being a “dancing pepparkakor” to a white-robed, candle-carrying  girl in the procession. It was a special year indeed when my eldest wore the crown of candles and sang “Santa Lucia” in Swedish to the hundreds gathered there in the church! 

Traditional foods, however, also rank highly on my list! I’ll never forget the Christmas that  I spent in Tokyo. One of my friends from college sent me a box of homemade  pepparkakor cookies, and I was so homesick that I cried while eating each and every  one. The smell of cardamom bread and Swedish meatballs baking takes me back to my  childhood. I can remember my grandmother proudly telling me how many meatballs she  had made! It makes me happy to pass on to my daughters some of the same recipes  that came from my grandmother—and probably from her grandmother before her! I just  wish that I wasn’t the only one in my family who cared for rice pudding. 

How can traditions enrich our celebration of Christ’s birth? 

Some traditions, like Santa Lucia, Advent wreaths, and the candlelight service on  Christmas Eve, are so special because they reflect in beautiful and symbolic ways that  Jesus is the Light of the World. When we pass the light from one candle to another in the  pews, it reminds me that we are also called to spread the light of Christ to the world. I can remember the excitement I felt as a child when, each week, another candle in the Advent wreath was lit and Christmas drew closer! 

Why is it important to share our traditions with future generations? 

When we share our traditions with our children or our church families, we say, “This is  part of me, something I have loved that was passed down to me by people I love. It’s  something I still hold dear, and because I hold you dear, too, I want to share it with you!”  One of my favorite parts of having grown children who are establishing their own homes  is when they ask for a family recipe or when I visit their condos and see Dala horses and  other Swedish decorations! Yay! Traditions are being passed down! I believe that such  traditions help children to feel safe and grounded, especially when this involves being  rooted in Christ.  

A few years ago, I discovered a memoir written by my great-grandmother who had  emigrated from Sweden when she was a teenager. To hear her memories of Christmas,  of the year her grandfather helped them celebrate after their farmhouse burned to the  ground during harvest season, and, always, of her thankfulness to God for “the Babe in  Bethlehem” has made me feel so connected to these past generations. The faith in Christ that I was raised in had deep roots indeed! I’m so grateful. 

I work in a school library and talk to about 500 children on a weekly basis; I see their  desire to belong, or to feel that they are important. Some children really struggle with  this! I see a difference in the children whose families, especially Christian families, are a source of strength and confidence-building identity; they tend to be leaders and to better handle disappointment.  

Children are also very smart, so it’s important, when we do share our traditions, to share  why they’re important to us and to our faith. “Because that’s the way we always do it” is  not a convincing argument to today’s children! They do respond, however, when we lift  the veil a little and let them see why we treat traditions as special parts of our lives that  connect one generation to another. 

How can learning about a different culture’s traditions enrich our communities? 

My elementary school library is in a school district that serves families from around the world; over 100 different languages are spoken by our students! Every year, we have a “Multicultural Night” that brings everyone together to hear Japanese taiko drums, hear the Spanish Club sing songs in Spanish, taste treats from around the world, and much more. It’s so much fun and amazing to see many of the children dressed in their  traditional best. The children delight in sharing parts of their lives that normally get  downplayed in favor of Minecraft or Hello Kitty T-shirts and lunch boxes! 

I learn so much from the students, from the Ethiopian students who wear special carved  crosses brought from Ethiopia or Muslim students who wear head coverings and tell me  they’re trying to memorize the Quran or fast during Ramadan for the first time. Catholic  Hispanic students have been delighted to discover our children’s Bibles, and Asian  students quietly wear golden Buddhas around their necks. 

All of these students are proud of their cultural traditions. I am proud of the way we all  form a community that respects each other and enjoys the traditions that are shared at  times, like our Multicultural Night. I’m also thankful for the amazing opportunity that the  Lord has given to me to love my neighbor and love the world, for they are one and the  

same and at my neighborhood school! I’m also prayerful that God will use me in  meaningful ways through my writing. As I share my own cultural traditions from my  Swedish heritage, may that give me an opening to share with my students what is at the  heart of these traditions: the arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ, or, as my Great Grandmother Edla said, “the Babe of Bethlehem.”

“A Christmas Wish for Little Dala Horse” is currently available wherever books are sold.

A Special Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for the images and Q&A.

Brennan McPherson: Q&A with “Light of the World: Josiah’s Story” Creator

Tyndale: What is the mission of the Light of the World movie and associated books?

Brennan McPherson: To draw people to fall in love with Jesus and serve him faithfully. Light of the World is a powerful film that tells the gospel in a way that a child who’s never heard the name of Jesus can understand. But the film doesn’t just stop there: It invites the viewer to follow
Jesus just as the disciples did and to serve God with their life and heart.

You are offering a variety of free resources, including curriculum, to follow up the message of this film. How can listeners find and use these tools?

Go to our website Lightoftheworld.com and tap on ‘Resources.’ There are also free minigames and associated materials on the website.

The art in the film and the books is stunning. What is one of your favorite scenes and why? 

One of my favorite scenes is the baptism of Jesus. It’s a beautiful representation of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the visuals and music are mesmerizing. It’s consistently pointed out as one of the scenes that makes people cry when they watch it.

Josiah befriends John (one of the apostles) in this story. John is younger than we normally imagine him. Why is he portrayed as a teenager? 

Because scholars agree he likely was a teenager. John seems to have been the youngest disciple, and many of the disciples were probably teens. Culturally, children began following a rabbi at the age of 13, and some clues in Scripture point to the disciples’ youth (Peter was the only one that needed to pay the Temple tax in Matthew  17:24-27, which we know everyone 20 years and older had to pay, implying that the rest of the disciples were younger than 20). Nothing in Scripture gives us an accurate age, but they certainly weren’t 40-year-old men with beards. Remember, Jesus himself was in his early 30s during his public ministry.

Josiah’s Story is a new story from the Light of the World franchise. What do you hope this book adds to the Light of the World message?

I hope children see that no matter how small or unseen they feel, Jesus cares for them and is calling them to follow him.

What is the message of Light of the World Family Devotional?

That if we examine Jesus’ life and teachings, we will learn to live a life filled with God’s spiritual blessings.

There are also two coloring and activity books coming out this fall. Please describe what young people can find inside.

A whole lot of fun engaging with the Light of the World art, learning how to draw the characters, and engaging with Scripture.

How do you think this series can have a positive impact on adults watching and reading with their kids?

There have already been adults whose spiritual trajectory was changed as a result of  watching the film with their children. One child, after watching an early screening at  camp, went home and announced to her father that she wanted to get baptized because Jesus was baptized. Her only stipulation was that he had to get baptized with her! So, on Father’s Day, they were both baptized, helping to solidify his faith as much as hers.  These books take the family deeper and give even more opportunities for spiritual  growth.

How are the Light of the World film and books different from other similar products that share the gospel?

I don’t know of another film released in theaters that not only tells the full gospel message in a way anyone can understand but also leads people to faith in Jesus and calls them to go through free, next-step discipleship resources. In addition, it’s a beautiful, classically animated feature film that will delight for decades. We did not want the publishing products to be lazy derivatives of the film. We wanted each book to have its own unique value, to stand alone and be something that legitimately did something new and distinct from the film.

Creating exemplary products can be challenging. What encouraged you to keep working even when things got difficult?

This film was a team effort by over 600 people for over three years. Nothing is as much of a slog as animation. These books, likewise, were a team effort by 30+ people. All the artists, designers, writers, editors, and more linked arms to craft excellent literary  treasures that we hope children will keep and share with their children after they grow up. What kept us going was the desire to make something with lasting value that will  draw people to Jesus so that they can experience eternal life. All the 80-to-100-hour workweeks are worth it to see people come to Jesus. 

Brennan McPherson is the lead producer of The Light of the World film and the president of the nonprofit ministry, the Salvation Poem Project.

The Light of the World: Josiah’s Story book is currently available at major bookstores.

A Special Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers to the images and Q&A.