Small Writing Tips

A few tips I have picked up from being a story lover for many years. 

Disclaimer: I've never actually written a book.

Unfulfilled Desires

If you're going to kill off a character, consider killing them off before they've achieved something important to them. Let the reader know exactly what they're leaving behind. For example, they couldn't wait to see their mom after many years, but they died right before being able to make the trip, and their mom will never see them again. Or, it was their lifelong dream to see the ocean. They wanted to tell their best friend they loved them. It really rips the reader's heart out because they weren't finished with life.

Powerful Villain

Be sure we know how powerful your villain is. Before your hero must confront the villain in the climax, make sure the hero (and your reader) sees first hand the kind of damage the villain can do. You have to instill that fear of the villain as organically and early as possible in the story.

Keep Old Drafts

Never throw away your old drafts, even ones from story ideas you've trashed. Keep them, and re-read them occasionally. You never know what important things you will want to go back and use.

Model Real Personalities

Be real. Especially with your main character. Figure out your hero's personality, and learn as much as you can about that personality. It will help you write your character more authentically. (I like to take this test through the eyes of my character. One of my favorite powerful characters I worked with back when I was still writing was an ESTJ personality and I loved using all the ESTJ information I found online to strengthen her characteristics). But don't forget to make your hero change and grow overtime (a.k.a. a 'character arc'). That's what real people do.

Watch Movies & Read Books

Watch movies and read books. Make notes of what you like/dislike about the stories and the characters. Remember them when you write your own stuff.

Reference

Don't forget to use references. You'll never get anywhere if you expect to figure out what to say and how to say it all on your own. Where do people go these days when they need inspiration? The internet. Welcome to the future, people. You want your character to express how they feel without being cliche? Go create a Pinterest account, follow some 'writing reference' boards.

Write Horribly

At the top of the rough draft of your story, label it 'The Dumbest Version'. It will help your mindset to allow yourself to write terribly because the rough draft doesn't have to be good it just has to be written.

Thanks for reading- I hope some of these can help you out sometime. :) 

// -Amaris //

The Greatest Showman Book Tag // Taking a Break From my Break

Hello....

It's mee.....
(You've forgotten me, haven't you?)

I am taking a break from my hiatus (actually that doesn't really make sense because isn't a HIATUS a break? So..... I'm taking a break from my break...?) because I read this really cool tag on Eva's blog, and I had to jump in and steal it!
Things are slowing down a bit with our moving (as in, the work is getting less and less the more we clean up and stuff), so hopefully I can be back to posting regular posts really soon!
In the meanwhile, here we go.

Edit cred: Eva

Rules:
~Answer the Questions
~Tag Whoever You Want

(I think I can do that...)

The Greatest Show: Name a book that's as entertaining as a circus.

Well, nothing comes directly to mind except for Rhett & Link's Book of Mythicality, which was quite fun to read, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you watch their YouTube channel, because that's what it's all about... :)

A Million Dreams: Name a book that's set in a fantastical world.

Well, I don't read a lot of books from that genre, so I'm just going to say The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Last time I read the series, the third book was my favorite.

Come Alive: Name a book that makes you outrageously happy.

I gotta say Lynn Austin's Hidden Places, not because it's a happy book per se, but it always makes me happy when I read this one because I love her writing so much. But I totally agree with Eva about The Blue Castle too. 

The Other Side: Name a book that changed your mind about something.

This book by Jack Klumpenhower, Show Them Jesus. This is probably the most influential book I've ever read in my life, other than the Bible. It's that good. The truths are amazing.

Never Enough: Name a book that you've re-read more than once.

Anne of Green Gables. That book made me so happy during my high school days. I need to read it again. I actually learned a lot about writing from that book, plus Anne's misadventures and Montgomery's writing style always make me smile.

This is Me: Name a book with a character that reminds you of yourself.

I wish I could say Patrick Jane from The Mentalist... but that's a TV Show. I have never met a character more like myself than that guy. But since this is a BOOK tag, I'm going to say Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. He does what is right while (mostly) keeping his mouth shut. He's great.

Re-write the Stars: Name a book with a forbidden romance.

I really love forbidden romance situations, so I wish I knew more books with them, but I don't so I'm going to say Lynn Austin's A Proper Pursuit. Although that one isn't super dramatic the way I like them. #yes i'm cliche sometimes
o

Tightrope: Name a book with an adventurous main character.

 I couldn't possibly name any other book or character than Sage from The False Prince Trilogy. I always admired the strength of that guy, and how he never stops. His cleverness never ends.

From Now On: Name a book with a wonderful family (related or otherwise)

Well, I'm going to go with the 'otherwise' option, and say how much I liked the companionship of the characters in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. They are not family, but they stuck together through the war, and afterward. And they accepted Juliet into their adorable circle of trust and friendship. *sigh* It makes my heart happy. I love that book. (WHO ELSE IS EXCITED FOR THE MOVIE. Let me hear ya!)

There we go. I love book tags. Thanks for letting me steal from you, Eva! :)

I Tag:
Tessa at This Great Adventure (AKA - MY VERY BEST FRIEND WHO NOW HAS A BLOG)
Abbie at Chronicles in Bloom
Mary from Sunshine & Scribblings

Go check out Eva's post here.

It was nice writing a post again for once! I will be back soon, my bloggy friends...

-Amaris

Summer 2017 // Favorites // I'm Back, Guys!

Well, that was a fun summer.
Between re-watching my favorite detective shows, teaching little kids about Jesus, going to a cabin with my best friend, and being annoyed at my neighbor's continuous fireworks during Independence Day festivities, I've had a pretty adventurous summer.
Let me apologize for any of you who feel neglected because I didn't comment on your posts, or didn't respond to YOUR comments, or not posting on my blog at all. It's been a very interesting summer for me, but I appreciate all of your patience!
From now on I think you can look forward to more (kind of / almost / semi) regular posts from me. :)
Thus I welcome you to the post in which I share what I have done or been interested in this Summer. Enjoy!

Ministry~
As I've told you guys before, this Summer I've been busy with ministry. Specifically, children's ministry. I was able to go all around my home town and teach clubs and share Jesus with children, which was very rewarding! I had some great clubs this year for sure. :) Although I'm sad that Summer's over (which means I won't be involved in them anymore), Awana will be starting in a couple of weeks at my church, and I am very excited for that!

Teach the children, 

so it will not be necessary 

to teach the adults.

~Abraham Lincoln

Detectives~
Like I said up there, I have been re-watching my favorite detective shows. Those consist of: Sherlock BBC, Monk, and Columbo. Heck, I even watched the Psych pilot episode!
I think my favorite has to be Sherlock, but I hate to say that, because I really like Monk and Columbo too. They're all good in their own ways.
Anyways, in a future post (and believe me, I have like 52 drafts of 'future posts' that are all wondering if they're ever going to get published because I am a very mean author) I would like to do kind of a comparison post of my three favorite detectives, but I don't even have a rough draft for a post like that yet. But hey, it could be fun. :) 

Spiderman~
Guys. Please tell me something.
Why do I like Spiderman at all? For some reason, out of all the super-hero-people, Spiderman is the only one I'm actually interested in, the one that I don't hate. Why is that?!
Why?
#don't mind me over here sometimes i just don't even understand my own self
Well, I don't hate ALL the super-people. I kind of like Superman too, because he was a big part of my childhood. And he's been around forever. *shrug* I don't know, guys. But anyways, I saw Spiderman Homecoming the other day, and really enjoyed it! Now I don't have to worry about seeing spoilers anymore.  :)

Car & Driving~
Yes, my friends. I have been driving. What a unique thing to do.
No really, you might remember that I bought my first car, which is pretty fun. Sadly, however, I didn't get to drive my car a lot when I first got it, because I was away doing my ministry things a lot, and there was always someone else to drive me places.
But that's all over with. I am home now. No one is picking me up, and no one is dropping me off. I am now driving my own car.
And it's. So. Fun.
Oh, the ability to go places. Like Starbucks. And the thrift store!
I realize I'm making a ridiculously big deal about a very trivial thing. Driving a car is very ordinary. But right now, it isn't ordinary to me. It's a novelty. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm quite young, and enjoying the little things in life is very important to me.
Yes, driving will be boring one day.
But right now? Pardon me while I live a little. Now goodbye. *rolls up window*

Star Wars~
I finally watched all of the Star Wars movies. Boy, oh boy. *whew!* *wipes sweat from forehead* What a ride. I did kind of a marathon thing with some friends to finish them all up, and boy. I'm getting tired all over again just thinking about that night.
I don't want to share too many opinions, because I'm trying to get a post together for like a review on all the movies. I don't know how that's going to work, but I'm trying. Overall, though, I have to say that Star Wars is still not my thing, but I did enjoy them. Well, most of them. But we'll talk about that in said Star Wars post. If I can get all my thoughts together.

Cabin in the Woods~
I already talked about this a bit in another post from awhile back, but it deserves a mention in this post as well, because even though it happened back in May, I still consider it apart of my Summer, and will always remember it as such. It was a great four-and-a-half days of getting wet in the river, collecting teeny tiny shells, reading books, using outhouses (heh, heh...), taking aesthetically pleasing Instax pictures, and collecting lots of foam letters (don't ask). It was a great time. 

Photo Credit: ME

Making~
As far as 'making' stuff, I haven't been doing a LOT of creative things lately, other than having fun with makeup, but I did make this crown. Before you ask, yes. My fingers hurt quite a bit after making this.

Photo Credit: ME

I Have Read NO BOOKS~
All Summer. Not. One. Book. Do you see Mansfield Park, and The Potato Peel book up there in that picture? I HAVE NOT READ THEM. Although I have owned them for months now. How terrible is that? Well, I did read my Driver's Guide (for the second time around). But that doesn't count. If it does, then it had the worst plot I've ever read.

I Have Not Written a Word of my Book~
And my Characters are mad at me. I can feel it. They're really, really mad. They refuse to speak to me. All summer they have been lost in nothingness, with no purpose. No life. No... nothing. Because I didn't write a word.
I am a terrible Keeper of Characters.
Forgive me, characters.
Goodbye.
*dies dramatically of shame*

I Have NO Money~
This Summer was a little different for me because I had no money. I was qutie poor. Like, no-more-than-12-bucks-in-the-bank-at-any-given-time type of poor.
See, I spent almost all I had on my car and its expenses at the beginning of June, and then the ministry work that I did was all volunteer work, which meant I didn't get paid, which meant I couldn't work at my regular job, which meant I had no money all Summer.
Which meant that I had to find other things to amuse myself in my spare time that did NOT involve money. But it was a great time of growth, I think. I learned to be a bit of a minimalist, and I got to appreciate what I already had, without spending a thing. God surely uses everything. :)

And a Few Other Things~

• Pusheen Cat. For some obscure reason, I love Pusheen Cat.
• Singing, "Hey it's ok, it's ok, you're welcome!" from Moana every time someone says "Thank you".
• Little kids. Just children in general. They have squishy faces. I love them.
• Dramatic people. I could never be like them, but it's fun to watch them.
• Benedict Cumberbatch. No more words needed.
• Looking forward to Fall. And Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays.

So.
That's about it I think. Like I said up there, I'm sorry for having almost no posts for all those weeks, but I am back now, and ready to shower you with lots and lots of interesting things...
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a half-eaten donut from this morning that I must finish eating, if I don't want it to go stale.
No one likes a stale donut.

 -Amaris

p.s. That kind of sounded like a Blimey Cow closing sentence... 
p.p.s. Also, I recently wrote a more updated About Me page. If you want to go look. :) 

This is the End

Before you ask, no.
This post is not my farewell letter to the world.

This is the end to that little ghost story that I was telling you a couple of posts ago.
And my apologies for taking so long to post it.
I was quite busy. More on that later.
I shall continue where I left off (that is, if anyone CARES anymore after like a million days...) :

"Look. They're gone."

What. On. Earth.

Who in the heck is down there?  

What is?

I called my sister again, this time in near panic. I begged her to help me try to find the whisper once more. Reluctantly, she joined me as I went up and down the stairs countless times over again.

My heart pounded. What could this possibly be about?

Finally, I figured it out.  

I discovered that underneath the stairwell (in which there is a little cubby where we keep things like Christmas decorations and so forth), there is a puzzle sitting on top of some boxes, probably left there by some kids we had babysat a few days earlier. 

It's one of those special puzzles that, when you put a piece in, a recording says the name of the shape. 

"Triangle." 

"Circle."

"Square". 

I peered closely at this puzzle, and noticed the pentagon piece was missing. In the center of the empty space is the little sensor that makes the sound, "Pentagon", when you put the piece in.

Upon closer scrutiny, I realized that this particular sensor was especially sensitive. 

Even the smallest vibration, I found, could set it off. 

And a voice, declaring "Pentagon", would ring out. 

And I discovered that, sometimes, the vibrations that I caused from pounding up those stairs all the time was causing the pentagon puzzle piece to go off. 

"Pentagon."

"Pent-a-gon"

"Look-they're-gone"

And of course, from the top of the stairs, it sounded like a whisper coming from behind me. 

And that is the story of the only ghost encounter I ever had... except it was a puzzle.

THE END.

So there you have it! You see that it really wasn't a ghost at all... but believe me, it sure SOUNDS like a ghost story until the end, so I didn't exactly tell you a falsehood when I called it a 'ghost story'. 

Anyways, it was pretty creepy until I figured it out. 

I just realized that this is the first 'story snippet' I have ever posted on this blog! Except that this one is a true story...

Well anyways. Have a good day, my friendly peeps!

-Amaris

Spring Favorites // 2017 + A Ghost Story

A rather random list of my favorite things from this Spring. Enjoy.

: WWI History :
If you follow me on Goodreads, you might have seen a couple of WWI books here and there, and that's because I have been looking for a couple of good books to help one of my siblings understand WWI better. I think I already mentioned my recent interest in this particular subject, but let's just say I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.

But I feel like I'm a little short on movies. Does anyone know any good WWI movies besides War Horse, Testament of Youth, and All Quiet on the Western Front? I feel like there are a million World War TWO movies, but One? Where are they?

: Movies, etc. : 
Sully [2016]  (REALLY good 5 out of 5 stars {I was thinking of doing a whole post review on this one because I enjoyed it so much... Would you all enjoy a review post for a change?)
The Case for Christ [2017] (ALSO REALLY GOOD 5/5 stars)
Duck Dynasty Season 10 [2015-16] (Hilarious, as usual 4/5 stars)
Call the Midwife Season 6 Christmas special [2016]  (so enjoyable because it's been awhile since I've seen this show 4/5 stars)
All Quiet on the Western Front [1930] (SO SAD but also really good 4/5 stars)
Loving [2016] (kind of slow and unsatisfying, but it had a few good parts 1/5 stars)

: Studio C :
Going back and watching some of my favorite sketches has filled up quite a few of my evenings lately. Might I suggest a few favorites?

Middle School Kid Ruins the News

The Janitor: Gym Jocks

Boy Band Breakup

A Kindergarten Fight for Love

Weighty Matters

Foreign Exchange

State of Mind

Welcome Back Song

Man of Interest

: Learning :
To drive! :D You guys, I am so close to getting my car and my license, I can almost taste it (that sounds kind of weird, actually).

: Trying to write :

My story... which needs a better name... and a better opening scene... and a better ending... and more subplots... and more goals... and better conflict... and.... and... yeah. 

You get the idea. 

: Making :
This necklace. I wanted to make a necklace that goes with all of my grey outfits, so.

: Loving :
1.Starbucks S'mores frappe
2.My dogs because I bathed them both yesterday and now they are so CLEAN AND SOFT AND CLEAN.
3.This teddy bear I found at Hobby Lobby the other day and I just had to bring him home.
He's my little friend now.

Say hello to Patrick, my little friend.

4. And in the makeup category: I am loving these few palettes that I found at Sephora on clearance! They were like $30, but I got them both for half off. :) I love the cool tones in the Vintage Filter one.
Sephora collection colorful eyeshadow filter palettes

: Reading : 

Crazy Love

Rachel's Tears

Good Call

A Woman's Strength

The Last of the Doughboys

The Reluctant Midwife

Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood
The Bible (mostly Acts)

o

: Listening :
Tauren Wells: Hills and Valleys. I was pretty excited the other day when I heard this song on the NON-CHRISTIAN radio at my job.
Hollyn: In Awe. I have to say I'm not a huge fan of Hollyn (although, dare I say, a lot of teenage girls are) but even so, I simply adore this song.

I know ya'll are tired of hearing about the Adam Young Scores on my blog, but three of the songs (not whole scores, just specific songs/tracks) I have been especially enjoying lately:
o

I don't know, I just find it helpful to listen to these when I'm writing (which isn't very often these days, sadly).

But I haven't only been listening to music. It's been raining a lot lately (at least where I live), and I love to listen to the rain and thunderstorms.

I often wonder if God created rain just specifically to make me happy. 

 I went into work the other day and it was POURING rain, and on my way inside my feet got all wet and when I went in you could really hear the rain loudly inside and I just had the biggest smile on my face and one of my coworkers just looked at me like I was insane because of my big grin and my feet were slushing with water but I didn't care because it was raining so hard and I was so happy. 

Thanks be to God.

YEEESSSSHHHH

Don't get me wrong, my heart goes out to the people who's yards are under water right now, or who have floodwater in their basements. :(
That's never fun.
But anyways. Let's wrap this up, shall we?

Photo credit: ME. Feel free to pin. :)

: So those are a few of my favorite things this Spring!!! :
I realize that Spring isn't over yet, so, the question is, why am I posting this NOW, instead of when Spring is actually over on June 20th? Well, April is my favorite month, you see. (pretty sure I've mentioned that before on the Blog) And even though Spring still has a month or two left (technically), it pretty much ends for me after April is over. I don't know, that's just the way it is for me. *shrug*
At this point, I'm ready for Summer! 

Also, I promised you a Ghost Story written in the title of this post, So here it is:
*****

A Ghost Story That Took Way More Words Than I Thought I Needed, Yet I Have Presented It Here For Your Enjoyment 
*****
The past couple of days, I have noticed a strange occurrence every time I go up my stairs. When I get to the top, I can hear something like a muffled whisper of jumbled words just behind me. The first couple of times I heard it, I assumed it was just some noise created from me bounding up the stairs. Or perhaps I was brushing against the brooms hanging up next to the steps, and that was making the strange, brushing, voice-like sound.
So I didn't think too much of it.

But I kept hearing them every time I went upstairs. 

One day, I heard it all too clearly, and the noise that I assumed was just that- noise - became some thing more than that. Spoken words in recognizable English, directly behind me. It happened after I was in the basement tending to some laundry. I finished up, and headed upstairs. When I got to the top of the landing, clearer than ever, I heard it unmistakably: the whisper.

"Look. They're gone."

 Startled, I spun around, expecting to see someone, or something there. But no one. Not a soul. I went back downstairs to have a look around. 

There wasn't a thing. 

The idea that I might be hallucinating crossed my mind. Similar things have happened before with my all-too-vivid imagination. 

I called to my sister to help me uncover the source of the sound. I had her stand at the top of the landing, and I went up and down the stairs several times, in hopes that the action would trigger whatever (or whoever) was making the noise. 

But I tried going up and down several times, with no results or conclusions whatsoever. No brushing against brooms, no bounding up the stairs, none of it worked.
My sister thought I was crazy.
Maybe I was.
But I know I heard that whisper!
 I decided to take a little break from the problem, and went about my day. But ever so often my mind would wander to the mysterious voice I undoubtedly heard clearly on the stairwell.
45 minutes later, it was time to do laundry again. I went downstairs and took care of it.
When I began to ascend the stairs, I told myself I would listen really closely so there would be no doubt about what I heard.
I got to the top of the landing and paused....
At first, nothing.
But then, out of the breathless silence, came the phrase, in a loud whisper from behind me that chilled my blood.

"Look. They're gone."

What. On. Earth.
Who in the heck is down there?  
What is?
I called my sister again, this time in near panic. I begged her to help me try to find the whisper once more. Reluctantly, she joined me as I went up and down the stairs countless times once again.
My heart pounded. What could this possibly be about?

Finally, I figured it out.  
*
*
*
Tune in next week to hear the chilling conclusion of this blood-curdling account!

(No, you didn't think I would tell you the entire thing NOW, did you? And let you spoil it for yourself by peeking at the ending? Hehe, you're silly)

*
 *

BYE
-Amaris

Well Look Who Got Tagged

I haven't done a tag on the Blog in awhile, so I gotta say I was happy when Morgan tagged me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. :) Click here to read Morgan's post, and let's get started!

1. Do you like to read an entire series at once or spread out the books over time?

It depends on the availability of books, but I always like to read the books in a series as close together as possible. I find if I stray away to other books, it will dampen my experience with the characters and story of the series.
 o

2. Would you rather be stuck in the past or the future?

Future. Way, way, way in the future. I think that would be fun. Of course, going to the past would be fun too. I would like to go back to the early 20th century and say "Hi" to Albert Einstein (he's my fave), and I would get the autographs of all of my favorite classic actors and actresses who are no longer around.
 o

3. Have you ever had dream re-runs? (In other words, the same dream twice. XD)

I have never had a recurring dream in my life, actually, but I have friends who have. I have had very interesting experiences regarding sleep and dreams though. Including: exploding head syndrome, hypnagogic hallucinations, hypnic jerks, tinnitus, Parahypnogogia, and sleep pralysis. I am rather fascinated by these sorts of things.
(Yes, I'm a weirdo)

4. What is your favorite vacation you've ever taken?

 I haven't had the money to go on vacation very much in my life. But one that I do remember we went to Colorado a couple of years ago, and it was my first trip on a plane,  and the first time I saw mountains. It was pretty fun. We went to the Garden of the Gods and saw some pretty cool rocks, and we stayed in a really nice hotel. Also I really had a good time when we went to San Antonio, TX, almost 10 years ago.

5. Do you like to chew gum? If so, what is your favorite flavor?

I actually don't chew gum that much. When I was a kid, I loved it (my favorite was the classic bubblegum flavor), and I would always get in trouble because I would take it out of my mouth and start playing with it and it would get stuck in my hair. XD I was a silly little kid. 

6. If you found the entrance to Narnia, would you tell anybody? Who would you take with you if you did?

 If I found the entrance to Narnia, I wouldn't tell a soul, until I meet someone special that I know is supposed to go with me. You can't just invite any old person into Narnia! They might start a war! They might wreak havoc! They might sell their family for a piece of candy! No, no. When you take someone into Narnia, they have to be WORTHY. *slams fist on table*

7. Waffles, pancakes, or neither?

 I usually eat pancakes, but waffles are nice too. But if I could have a choice between pancakes and eggs and bacon, I would choose the latter. I prefer something more substantial for breakfast than.... 'cake'. If you know what I mean.

8. Do you use the Shift key or the Caps Lock key every time you capitalize something? (Odd question, but it's something I always wonder, haha.)

I was taught to use the Shift key when I capitalize a word, but WHEN I TYPE AN ENTIRE SENTENCE IN CAPS I USUALLY USE THE CAPS LOCK.
What's that? Oh, I'm sorry for yelling at you. Do pardon me.

9. What is one smell that never fails to make you happy?

 ~
 Rain.
 ~
 Buttercream frosting.
 ~
Vanilla out of the bottle.
 ~
Marshmallows.
 ~
Fresh strawberries.
 ~
 Starbucks Coffee.

~

What do you all think of the Unicorn Frappe?

10. Have you ever been roller-skating?

 I use to go all the time when I was a kid (as if I'm not one now...), but lately I've been doing more ice-skating (temperature permitting, of course). It's been awhile since I've gone roller skating.

11. You've gone into hiding and have to conceal your identity. What new alias would you adopt?

Well, if I ever had to do that, I would probably be someone the very opposite from what I am. Like, say, a stoic businesswoman. Or a cowgirl. Or a punk-rock person, thingy. *shrug* I don't know. To be honest, I'd probably just go to an abandoned island or some remote village in Europe if I ever had to hide from something/one.

And that's the tag!
Thanks for the fun tag, whoever came up with this! Here are my 11 questions. :)

~*~
1. What are you wearing right now?
2. If you could spend one day in someone else's shoes, who would it be?
3. Is there a celebrity that gets on your nerves for some reason? Why/how do they bug you?
4. Do you have any strange phobias?
5. Is there a movie or a TV show that you could watch over and over again and never tire of it?
6. Are you looking forward to anything exciting right now?
7.  Would you rather go to a book store or a craft store if you only had time for one?
8. Which historical figure do you admire the most?
9. Do you prefer early Spring or late Spring?
10.  Did you pull any practical jokes or pranks this April Fool's Day?
11. Does your family decorate the house for seasons and holidays? If so, who does the decorating?
~*~

The only person I can think of who hasn't done this tag yet is Abbie C. from Chronicles in Bloom, so I'll just tag her, and also anyone else who hasn't done it yet, if you're reading this, please feel free to do it! Also, those of you who don't have blogs yet (*glares at best friend*) can answer my questions in the comments because I'd love to hear all of your answers!
-Amaris

A Collection of Words From Me to You {#1}

After a couple of weeks of thinking, reading, listening, and collecting, I have put together this illustrious collection of some of my favorite words. The meaning of each is provided (thanks to Merriam Webster.com), but what I like most about these words is the sound of them as they roll out of my lips.

So here they are for you to enjoy, because why not.

Specter: 

a visible disembodied spirit :  something that haunts or perturbs the mind
o

Inertia:
indisposition to motion, exertion, or change
o

Couture:
the business of designing, making, and selling fashionable custom-made women's clothing
o

Palatial:
 suitable to a palace
o

Zephyr:
a gentle breeze from the west
o

Wondrous:
 what is to be marveled at

o

Radiance:
he quality or state of being radiant

o

Spade:
 a digging implement adapted for being pushed into the ground with the foot

o

Covet:
 to wish for earnestly

o

Tundra: 
a level or rolling treeless plain that is characteristic of arctic and subarctic regions, consists of black mucky soil with a permanently frozen subsoil, and has a dominant vegetation of mosses, lichens, herbs, and dwarf shrubs

o

Rogue:
 a mischievous person

o

Venus:
 the planet second in order from the sun

o

Goddess:
  a woman whose great charm or beauty arouses adoration : a female god

o
Sacred:
entitled to reverence and respect
o
Crescent:
the moon at any stage between new moon and first quarter and between last quarter and the succeeding new moon when less than half of the illuminated hemisphere is visible
o
Vice:
moral depravity or corruption
o
Enigma:
something hard to understand or explain
o
Regent:
 a person who rules or reigns
o
Cress: 
a watercress
o
Paragon:
a model of excellence or perfection

Well, there you have it. 

These aren't my ONLY favorite words. No, I have many more. But, I trimmed it down to these.
Have a good day!
-Amaris

A Few Things I'm Glad Exist

First of all, before I dive into a few recent 'favorites', I have to thank you all for the support you showed me in the comments of my last post. I did a lot of praying before I put anything about Beauty and the Beast on  this blog, and I felt like the Spirit was leading me to share my heart about the issue. All of your comments just really encouraged me and confirmed that I did the right thing in that respect. So I just gotta say 'thank you' for that!

So anyways, here are just a few favorite things that I have been enjoying lately (and for good reasons!).
There are new things, as well as old things that I am returning to.
Enjoy!

Firstly:
SPRING IS HERE, PEOPLE..Well, not technically. The actual date of Spring is March 20th, but STILL. It looks like Spring, it feels like Spring, so therefore it IS Spring.
This is my favorite time of year. Early Spring, specifically. It's not full-blown Spring yet, but the flowers are just starting to peep around everywhere, and you have maybe a dandelion or two, and the grass is kind of half green and half yellow, and there's these cute little buds popping out all over the branches and the trees, and the weather is (for the most part) amazing... Just. Yes. *breathes deeply* *sighs contentedly* *because Spring*

Book Find: "How to Talk to Anyone". So I saw this book at Barnes & Noble, and it looked pretty interesting so I took it home. Fellows, I am really glad I picked it up. I don't know about you, but I can get pretty shy when I talk to people, and I have to admit that my communications skills are NOT the best. :P # this is what happens when a person cares more about reading and doing crafts and staying at home than actually going out into the world and socializing.
Anyways, I'm halfway through the book, but it has really helped me so far. It gives tips on starting conversations, carrying conversations, how to keep eye contact (which I've always been horrible at :P), as well as other tips and tricks to bring to the table when conversing with people. 
So I definitely recommend this book. It isn't super psychological and complicated, nor does it resemble a boring school textbook. Plus, I just find the cover super cute...? Anyone else?

Broadway: Newsies
I am aware that most of my followers have seen and loved Newsies. So you are probably excited about this part. I had never actually seen it before. I mean, I'd heard of it, but I'd never seen it. Nor have I heard any of the songs, nor have I ever watched any trailers for the Broadway show or anything.
I was a babe in the woods, when it came to Newsies.
Well, no longer. My friend's grandparents bought me a ticket to the three day event thingy in cinemas to see a live filming of the production.
AND. BOY.

I had no idea what I've been missing. What acting! What dancing! What voices! I had a super good time with my best friend and I enjoyed the show immensely.

And, once or twice., I may or may not have... *lowers voice*...occasionally... *glances around* ... kind of...*whispers*....fangirled.

I'm going to let you in on something. In case you didn't already know, I don't like musicals. I might even go so far as to say I HATE them. That is not including a few exceptions, however. Such as 'Singin' in the Rain', 'White Christmas', and a few others. And Newsies, my friends, made the cut. Which surprised me, because I am not a fan of Broadway musicals in particular. They just bug me.

'Hamilton'? Nooo.
'Wicked'? PLEASE no. I DO NOT CARE ABOUT WHETHER YOU CAN DEFY GRAVITY OR NOT JUST LEAVE ME OUT OF IT PLEASE.

YouTube: Blimey Cow. I have really enjoyed Blimey Cow's videos lately. They have just been funny as well as eye opening to me. I try to show some of the videos to my mom, but she never likes them because "that guy talks too fast". XD I guess he does, but his content is still great!
And I have to mention how happy I am for Jordan because... *sniff*... he got engaged. I don't even know this kid, but I've been watching him for years and it's just so cool after watching all the videos he's made about the struggles with dating and courting and crushes to see that he has happily found his special someone...

*dries happy tears* Onto the next subject!
I have to mention Sherlock Season 4!!!!! (aka the best season of the best show ever). One of the good things about the fact that I've FINALLY watched this season is that I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SEEING SPOILERS ON MY PINTEREST FEED ANYMORE. I had to unfolllow like 2 of my favorite pinner's Sherlock boards (Abbie C.'s and Ashley Elliot's) because I kept seeing Season Four spoilers. So now I'm just going to hop over and follow them back because I've seen the episodes. *hops*
Abbie was decent enough to warn people of spoilers in her board title, which I was grateful for, but not before I ACCIDENTALLY SAW A FEW THINGS I SHOULDN'T HAVE.

This gets me every time. XD

Even with the spoilers I saw, the season took waayyyy too many unexpected and devastating turns.
I mean, just...*sniffs* John... Mary..... Sherlock.......... Redbeard................Molly.......*cries softly*
I can't tell you anymore. But I died like a thousand deaths watching it.

THIS EPISODE KILLED ME.

I'm usually not the kind of person to obsess over a TV show or a movie or anything, but if ever a show mercilessly ripped out my poor little heart, it was this show, this season.
For sure.

*crying*

And can we just take a second to appreciate what a great actor Benedict Cumberbatch is? He pretty much blows me away in every role I've seen him in (like, three roles other than Sherlock). I mean, seriously. He's the best.
*Salutes to Ben*

Yes, yes, and yessss.

I'm thinking of doing a 'Sherlock BBC' week on the blog sometime, and we can post stuff about Sherlock, and the show, and our favorite characters, and there can be a tag, and other Sherlock fun stuff, and you know.... what do you think of that? I'm not sure how many of my followers actually like the show, so it might be boring for some of you.
OR MAYBE YA'LL SHOULD JUST WATCH THE SHOW. AND WE CAN DO A SHERLOCK WEEK.
THIS IS YOUR CUE.
GO WATCH IT.
Ok, I'm going to end the Sherlock section of this post because I feel like I'm beginning to repeat myself.

Please Look at the Moon. Guys. I have been completely obsessed with looking at the moon lately. It is so pure and absolutely perfect and breathtaking and gorgeous. If you have the moon where you live (and I know you do), look at it tonight if you can.
Also, I'm pretty excited about those 7 new 'earths' NASA has apparently discovered? I was pretty intrigued at the news. The idea that there are other planets with water and air wayyyyy way out there is just so cool to me. *shrug* I don't know. I just like space, y'all.

It's been about 4 months and I'm still laughing at this meme. 
I had to share because guys... this meme. XD I just can't...
 

*laughs my little triumphant laugh*

Hooray for Writing: After almost a year of no writing, I've actually done a little bit of plotting on my story lately. Just this week I wrote TWO WHOLE TIMES. Which is way more than I have been used to.
It was great.
#Behold the most disciplined writer ever.
The story is coming along splendidly where it was at a standstill before, but I'm quite a ways from holding a physical book in my hands. :P Wish me luck, I guess.

Working my way through Star Wars: It's been an interesting ride, but I have a couple of friends who are helping me out in my journey as I watch this series for the first time. :) At this point, I've seen IV, V, VI, and I. I know I definitely like IV and V.
VI was OK, and Ep. I was a little weird... I'm just not sure how I feel about the whole thing, but like I said, it's been interesting. I am pretty excited to watch one of the recent  movies, though :) I've heard great things about Rogue One. But, *shrug* we'll see. :)

Coming to a Realization: I decided I will be totally fine if I never get married. I mean, I would be happy to GET married, but if God is like "actually you'll be fine single", then I am perfect with that. It gives me more time to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. And I have plenty of things to do with my life other than spend it with a husband and children.
But like I said, I'm trying to stay open to whatever God has in mind. Be it easy or hard.
#hopefully easy
#but probably hard

So that is what I have been up to lately, if anyone cares. :)
Thank you for reading!

It isn't the great big pleasures that count the most. It's making a great deal out of the little ones. -Daddy Long Legs.

p.s. See, I told you happy posts were coming. :)