Thursday, May 29, 2014

Another Change of Plans (Another Blog)

I've decided to keep it simple and only keep the blog listed below, so it will work for all of my various projects. 
Sorry to change yet again. Hopefully, this will be the last time. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Christian, Patriot, Writer, Journalkeeper

Blog: http://WritingsOfSD.blogspot.com

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

My Writing Space, The Progress of Book 1, and a 56 Day Writing Marathon




MY WRITING SPACE
Recently, my husband and I ought new furniture for my study/office, where I sped all day doing Bible study and writing. I was in desperate need for some organization and smaller furniture to take up less space in the room, but still be functional. So, Ikea came to the rescue and fulfilled both of those requirements. (This is only part of my work space. I will share more photos later, by the way.)




MY WRITING PROGRESS OF BOOK 1
I still have no idea of a title for Book 1 of Land of Risina Series. Then again, the idea is so new I'm not surprised. I've started to do some of an outline, some planning, and some writing and have 23 pages, 3,496 words so far.

56 DAYS OF A WRITING MARATHON
Starting Saturday, I'm am going on a writing marathon, where I plan on writing at least 3,000 words per day for 56 days, for a total of 168,000 words minimum. Usually, I write about 2,000 words per day.

Also, I plan on writing at least twelve hours a day. So, I may get a great deal more written than I anticipate. We shall see.



EXERCISE 
Also, during those 56 days, I plan on increasing my workout. I am a runner, something I took up just a couple of years ago, after over three decades of only running in order to avoid getting hit by upcoming traffic or if I didn't want to get drenched by rain. Once a week, I run a 10k, but it hasn't been consistent. I do it once to twice a month. I would like to run more than that. Moreover, my minimum run is a 5k and I want to increase that to five miles a day, three days a week and 10 or more miles once a week. Ideally, my long run will be a half marathon, then a marathon. But, I need to get serious about working up to those distances. So, I plan on doing this the next 60 days or so--in order to establish a habit. From there, I will continue it and try to keep increasing my distance.

WRITING IS A SOLITARY ACTIVITY
As a writer, it's easy to get lazy and not keep in shape like we should. That's why I am adding to my writing marathon more physical running. It's my desire to lose weight and get in better shape than I've been in a long time, if not ever.

As a writer, it's essential to have a balanced life. The next 56 days will be part of that. I will also be doing two to three Bible studies at that time as well.

Now, back to writing.

(Top Image Credit: Stacy Duplease 2014. Middle and Bottom Image Credit: Microsoft images online 2009-2014.)

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Book of Daniel



I am in the process of writing Book 1 of the Land of Risina Series, which is a parable of the Book of Daniel. Needless to say, I'm doing a personal Bible study of the book of Daniel. I've been working on Daniel 1 the last five days and will continue to study it for a while longer. It's what Book 1 of the Land of Risina will be based off of and is quite an interesting and motivational chapter.

Speculative Fiction Reading: Cassandra Clare



I read a combination of Christian and mainstream speculative fiction (fantasy and sci-fi). This includes the series, THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS by Cassandra Clare. Book 6 of the series came out today. Once I finish reading the two books I am reading now, this will be on my list.

Have you read her books? What do you think of them?

I'm rather excited to read this book: CITY OF HEAVENLY FIRE. I'll keep you updated as to when I do.

Monday, May 26, 2014

What to Expect From This Blog




This is a writing blog about a new fantasy series I am writing that's based on an allegory of the Book of Daniel. It's my intent to share my writing story as well as the writing of this series. Hence, it's about my writing life.

This blog will also be about reading fantasy (speculative fiction) and watching fantasy movies and television.

This blog will also be about faith, politics, and the news of today--for the Book of Daniel tells of what is happening today and in the future, as well as the past.

I would love to make this an interactive blog. Therefore, feel free to post questions, comments, suggestions for story-line, etc. You can add a comment at the end of any blog post, use the contact form on the left side of this blog--about one-third of the way down on the page, or you can send me an email.

Welcome.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2014.)

Thank You, U.S. Military



Thank God for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. For my freedom. For your freedom. For our freedom.

They didn't have to. But, they did. They know the price of freedom. Peace doesn't simply exist because we will it or say it should. Peace happens, sometimes through a show of force--for freedom. And sometimes peace can happen because the entirety of a nation chooses to live by the will of God, not for self. (How rare. But, isn't this truly peace? We will not know this, though until Jesus Christ returns, but should strive for this today and tomorrow.)

Thank God people believed in our nation and the foundations our forefathers envisioned... Our military and their families. Past, present, and future.

Thank you for those serving now. You don't have to, but you believe in the U.S. Constitution enough to defend her. I pray you will continue to take this seriously every day and are forever mindful of this. (I pray we as a nation do this as well.)

What the U.S. military does is often ignored, often despised, often taken for granted. So many say they support the military and really don't. But, we can change this today and make it a daily point to pray for them and think of them. We can also make sure we vote correctly (and actually vote) so they get the support they need.

May we remember our military, and what they sacrifice and have for our freedom... so we can continue on with life as normal while theirs is anything but.

People have died on our behalf. And people are willing to now. How humbling. I sure don't deserve it. But, they have and will do it anyway.

Thank God.

God bless the USA and our U.S. military. We would not have the lifestyle we have today if not for them.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2008-2014)

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Welcome


Welcome to a new blog of an epic fantasy series.

Stay tuned. 

More information to follow this week.


~ Stacy Duplease
Christian, Patriot, Writer, Journalkeeper