Hi everyone. I haven't been good with blogging, but I've been thinking about something that I thought I should share with all of you. For a while I've been struggling with writing and doing well in school. I was really struggling with the math related courses and the major I was in seemed only to be encouraged to go into a field I have no interest in. I've also felt like no matter what I did my book was not going to be the success I hoped it would. In essence I kind of lost hope.
The things I thought and felt were terrible. During the time when this was going on I felt as if this world didn't care about dreams coming true. I thought things like life only wanted us to find a niche to fill and be satisfied regardless of whether or not we liked it. It felt as if the things we liked were irrelevant and we were only supposed to flow with the current life puts us in.
I've voiced some of my concerns in the past, and you've responded in encouraging me to keep going. All of you helped me to see that the depression dragon can be slain, and we all can rise above our shortcomings. Yesterday my mom told me this: Follow your heart. I will try to live up to her words of advice.
I think the problem that came up is something many people fall into: we look at what we've failed to do and overlook what we succeeded at. I was saddened by my struggles with passing a math class that I didn't think about how well I was doing elsewhere. Just because my book didn't become the next New York bestseller doesn't mean I failed as an author. The persistence and determination to actually write a book makes it successful enough. I know we all have our problems, but they aren't as big as they may seem. They exist but for a small moment.
My mom's kind words reminded me of the love Heavenly Father has for all of us. He does want us to succeed, but sometimes we think we know better. Just because something doesn't go the way we want them to doesn't mean that something better isn't waiting for us further down the road. I'll keep going and I'll have the faith and the hope that there is something better coming my way.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
Reviews: Orenda is a fast-paced fun adventure and Beyond the Wardrobe is very informative.
Hi everyone. I wanted to say thank you for your support with the Myths of Dymos. Today I've got a new book to review, Orenda.
Rating: Five out of Five stars
Story:
Orenda is about a girl named Willow, or Lil as she prefers to be called. She has a strange dream and starts seeing people from her dream around town. Eventually she goes with one of them and learns a parallel world exists. It's similar to ours except for the presence of magic. Lil learns that a demonic sorceress is destroying this world and is seeking to do the same to our world. Lil has to work with her new friends to find a spell book before the evil sorceress does or Earth is doomed.
The story is very fast paced, but it is well written. The story combines elements of high fantasy with fairy tales. I wasn't expecting to see someone from Arthurian legend appear in the story. I've also read about the groups of fairies known as the Unseelie Court and the Seelie Court, which are either mentioned or appear in the story. This is something fantasy lovers will want to read.
Caution:
The h-word is used a few times. The sorceress is mentioned to eat people, though we never see her do it.
Lessons:
We should use our gifts and talents to help others. If we spend our time seeking worldly fame and glory we may lose the things that are far more precious. We should be willing to help those in need.
I also have another book to review. This pertains more to Narnia and C.S. Lewis:
Rating: Five out of five stars
Story:
There isn't any fictional story here. However the book talks a great deal about the life of C.S. Lewis and the life he breathed into The Chronicles of Narnia. I learned a great deal about the cultures that had an influence on the creation of Narnia. I enjoyed learning how much C.S. Lewis loved stories and the influence that they had on his writing career. Definitely worth getting if you want to learn more about C.S. Lewis and Narnia.
Caution:
Nothing to worry about.
Lessons:
Books and stories can have a powerful influence for good.
Story:
Orenda is about a girl named Willow, or Lil as she prefers to be called. She has a strange dream and starts seeing people from her dream around town. Eventually she goes with one of them and learns a parallel world exists. It's similar to ours except for the presence of magic. Lil learns that a demonic sorceress is destroying this world and is seeking to do the same to our world. Lil has to work with her new friends to find a spell book before the evil sorceress does or Earth is doomed.
The story is very fast paced, but it is well written. The story combines elements of high fantasy with fairy tales. I wasn't expecting to see someone from Arthurian legend appear in the story. I've also read about the groups of fairies known as the Unseelie Court and the Seelie Court, which are either mentioned or appear in the story. This is something fantasy lovers will want to read.
Caution:
The h-word is used a few times. The sorceress is mentioned to eat people, though we never see her do it.
Lessons:
We should use our gifts and talents to help others. If we spend our time seeking worldly fame and glory we may lose the things that are far more precious. We should be willing to help those in need.
I also have another book to review. This pertains more to Narnia and C.S. Lewis:
Story:
There isn't any fictional story here. However the book talks a great deal about the life of C.S. Lewis and the life he breathed into The Chronicles of Narnia. I learned a great deal about the cultures that had an influence on the creation of Narnia. I enjoyed learning how much C.S. Lewis loved stories and the influence that they had on his writing career. Definitely worth getting if you want to learn more about C.S. Lewis and Narnia.
Caution:
Nothing to worry about.
Lessons:
Books and stories can have a powerful influence for good.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Book review: Prince of Malorn does not disappoint. An instant classic.
Hi everyone. If you're aware this week is the 4th year anniversary for the release of my book so I'll be sure to do some blog posts when I can to celebrate. There's also going to be a party on Facebook. In the meantime I have another book to review:
Rating: Five out of Five stars
Story:
Prince of Malorn is a great coming of age story. Prince Korram is approaching the age where he will be old enough to take the throne of Malorn. There's just one problem: An evil regent is out to take the throne for himself, and Korram believes the regent has practically all the politicians and military on his side. He heads to the Impassable Mountains to recruit the Mountain Folk for help. When he finds himself stranded in the mountains he is taken in by a family of Mountain Folk and learns to survive and be one of them. Prince Korram must work to make peace between his people and the Mountain Folk, survive the dangers of the mountains, and recruit an army if he is to become Malorn's next king, but is he up to the task?
Annie Douglas Lima is a storytelling enchantress. She builds an incredibly realistic world of fantasy and adventure. She doesn't waste time including a bunch of various magical races, and she makes the mundane seem just as impressive and dangerous. The culture of the Mountain Folk and the Malornians really resounds with you and you can feel the tension, distrust, and pain. The horses of her world are incredibly loyal and smarter than a lot of people would give credit for. If you love fantasy or good literature you should definitely pick up Prince of Malorn and the rest of the Annals of Alasia series.
Caution:
Nothing really to worry about here. Some blood is mentioned when facing wild animals but nothing serious. A girl is killed on accident. There is a battle scene and the fighting does get intense, but there is no excessive or needless gore.
Lessons:
We should take the time to get to know the people around us. Our world is filled with a rich diversity of cultures and we should take the time to learn about them. Love and forgiveness are more powerful than hate. Adoptive families can be just as loving and caring as biological families. We should have the courage to stand up for our rights and freedoms when evil people seek to take them away.
Story:
Prince of Malorn is a great coming of age story. Prince Korram is approaching the age where he will be old enough to take the throne of Malorn. There's just one problem: An evil regent is out to take the throne for himself, and Korram believes the regent has practically all the politicians and military on his side. He heads to the Impassable Mountains to recruit the Mountain Folk for help. When he finds himself stranded in the mountains he is taken in by a family of Mountain Folk and learns to survive and be one of them. Prince Korram must work to make peace between his people and the Mountain Folk, survive the dangers of the mountains, and recruit an army if he is to become Malorn's next king, but is he up to the task?
Annie Douglas Lima is a storytelling enchantress. She builds an incredibly realistic world of fantasy and adventure. She doesn't waste time including a bunch of various magical races, and she makes the mundane seem just as impressive and dangerous. The culture of the Mountain Folk and the Malornians really resounds with you and you can feel the tension, distrust, and pain. The horses of her world are incredibly loyal and smarter than a lot of people would give credit for. If you love fantasy or good literature you should definitely pick up Prince of Malorn and the rest of the Annals of Alasia series.
Caution:
Nothing really to worry about here. Some blood is mentioned when facing wild animals but nothing serious. A girl is killed on accident. There is a battle scene and the fighting does get intense, but there is no excessive or needless gore.
Lessons:
We should take the time to get to know the people around us. Our world is filled with a rich diversity of cultures and we should take the time to learn about them. Love and forgiveness are more powerful than hate. Adoptive families can be just as loving and caring as biological families. We should have the courage to stand up for our rights and freedoms when evil people seek to take them away.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Review: How to Train Your Dragon 2 is better than the first!
Hi again. I have another movie review here. This one is definitely a must see.
Rating: Five out of Five Stars
Story
How to Train Your Dragon 2 takes place five years after the events of the first film and Berk has changed for the better. Vikings now get along with dragons and the entire island seems like a utopia. However while Hiccup and Toothless are out exploring they learn of a man named Drago Bludvist is creating a dragon army. While trying to find a peaceful solution and avoid war Hiccup and Toothless encounter another dragon rider who rides a Stormcutter dragon. As secrets reveal themselves Hiccup, Toothless, and all their friends will have to make a stand or risk losing everything they hold dear.
I loved everything about this movie. I loved how the island and people of berg have adjusted to having dragons live among them and how this movie takes everything from its predecessor to the next level. The settings are visually stunning and the characters are also well developed. The film does have more seriousness to it than the first, but it helps to show how our favorite vikings and their dragons have grown up. This is a movie that has earned the status of a worthy sequel and more.
Caution
The villain might scare little children. Dragons fight each other but it's all bloodless. One dragon might terrify but if the kids weren't scared by the Red Death (the big dragon in the first film) then they should be fine.
Lessons
If your home and your family is in danger you should fight to protect them. Friends never give up on each other. We should try to find peaceful solutions and only resort to violence if there's no other choice in protecting our values and families.
Story
How to Train Your Dragon 2 takes place five years after the events of the first film and Berk has changed for the better. Vikings now get along with dragons and the entire island seems like a utopia. However while Hiccup and Toothless are out exploring they learn of a man named Drago Bludvist is creating a dragon army. While trying to find a peaceful solution and avoid war Hiccup and Toothless encounter another dragon rider who rides a Stormcutter dragon. As secrets reveal themselves Hiccup, Toothless, and all their friends will have to make a stand or risk losing everything they hold dear.
I loved everything about this movie. I loved how the island and people of berg have adjusted to having dragons live among them and how this movie takes everything from its predecessor to the next level. The settings are visually stunning and the characters are also well developed. The film does have more seriousness to it than the first, but it helps to show how our favorite vikings and their dragons have grown up. This is a movie that has earned the status of a worthy sequel and more.
Caution
The villain might scare little children. Dragons fight each other but it's all bloodless. One dragon might terrify but if the kids weren't scared by the Red Death (the big dragon in the first film) then they should be fine.
Lessons
If your home and your family is in danger you should fight to protect them. Friends never give up on each other. We should try to find peaceful solutions and only resort to violence if there's no other choice in protecting our values and families.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Review: Maleficent is a new classic
Hi everyone. This review is a couple of weeks late, but that's better than never. Some of you have said you haven't seen this yet so I'll try my best to avoid spoilers.
Rating: Five out of Five stars
Story
This film adds on to the tale of Disney's Sleeping Beauty, but with some twists. Maleficent tells the story from the view of the world famous fairy, and we actually get a back story for the Mistress of All Evil. Turns out Maleficent started out good and kind, caring for her home and protecting it from people seeking to exploit it. However a person she thought was her friend betrays her for the riches of the kingdom and, well, to say she becomes bitter about it would be an understatement. This leads to the moment where Walt Disney's sixteenth full-length animated film begins. Maleficent crashes the christening of the princess Aurora and curses her with the curse we all know. However as the years progress a twist of fate leads Maleficent to finding a second chance to find happiness in life.
I really loved the story and I loved the actors who helped with this movie. Angelie Jolie looks and acts like Maleficent as if she walked out of the world of animation into the live-action world. Sharlto Copley gives new life to the king of one of Disney's famous princesses, and he does not hold back. Elle Fanning does a very nice job as Princess Aurora, and I enjoyed seeing Vivienne Jolie-Pitt and Eleanor Worthington-Cox show us younger versions of Aurora. They've got great futures ahead of them as do Ella Purnell and Isobelle Molloy who both acted as Maleficent in her youth. The story does deviate a great deal from Walt Disney's classic, but it actually makes the story better. There was also a lot more humor in here than I expected. However if you want to know what you have to see the film yourself.
Caution
Some of the action scenes may be a little intense for younger audiences. Some of the inhabitants of the fairy kingdom may be scary for little kids.
Lessons
Love is more powerful than hate. We find happiness in loving others instead of hurting them. Love between a parent and a child is one of the purest. Everyone can change who they are.
Story
This film adds on to the tale of Disney's Sleeping Beauty, but with some twists. Maleficent tells the story from the view of the world famous fairy, and we actually get a back story for the Mistress of All Evil. Turns out Maleficent started out good and kind, caring for her home and protecting it from people seeking to exploit it. However a person she thought was her friend betrays her for the riches of the kingdom and, well, to say she becomes bitter about it would be an understatement. This leads to the moment where Walt Disney's sixteenth full-length animated film begins. Maleficent crashes the christening of the princess Aurora and curses her with the curse we all know. However as the years progress a twist of fate leads Maleficent to finding a second chance to find happiness in life.
I really loved the story and I loved the actors who helped with this movie. Angelie Jolie looks and acts like Maleficent as if she walked out of the world of animation into the live-action world. Sharlto Copley gives new life to the king of one of Disney's famous princesses, and he does not hold back. Elle Fanning does a very nice job as Princess Aurora, and I enjoyed seeing Vivienne Jolie-Pitt and Eleanor Worthington-Cox show us younger versions of Aurora. They've got great futures ahead of them as do Ella Purnell and Isobelle Molloy who both acted as Maleficent in her youth. The story does deviate a great deal from Walt Disney's classic, but it actually makes the story better. There was also a lot more humor in here than I expected. However if you want to know what you have to see the film yourself.
Caution
Some of the action scenes may be a little intense for younger audiences. Some of the inhabitants of the fairy kingdom may be scary for little kids.
Lessons
Love is more powerful than hate. We find happiness in loving others instead of hurting them. Love between a parent and a child is one of the purest. Everyone can change who they are.
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