Miss Hannigan and finding the opposite in characters

Hello, blog readers. I am back.
First, let's open up the meeting by going over the last minutes from the previous meeting. (Sorry. I have been in so many FFA, FCCLA, and student council meetings in school that it just comes out of nowhere.)
Anyway, when last we met, I was drained and exhausted. I said I was taking a vacation from writing and I did for about a week or so. The truth is, I was jumpy by day three and looked into some writing jobs, but didn't apply.
I am not entirely sure if the rest did any good, but it was nice to not think over the holidays.
In further developments of my life, the holidays were great. It wasn't much of a big deal, but it was just nice to be with family.
In the writing area, I am working on sending my first novel to its third publisher. I received my check from Brio and am still working on finding ways to make more money.
In spiritual matters, I have taken on a Bible in a year plan. This one I am reading is from Tricia Goyer and I will have the link up by the end of the day for anyone who wants to read it.
I love it so far. I started on it a little late, but so far I like it.
I am also trying to lead a Bible study with two other girls from my church. I don't know how well I'm doing, but so far, we are all still here.
Now that we have all of that cleared up and out of the way, let's get on to new business.
Last year, I learned that every villain has at least one good trait about them and the hero should have at least one bad character flaw about them. I saw an example of that today while watching the 1982 version of Annie.
Who remembers Miss Hannigan? That lovable alcoholic thief that was in charge of the orphans' home where Annie grew up.
Well, does anyone remember her one good trait?
Well, if I could jog your memory, it happened in the end. I won't give away the scene, but she had a hand in rescuing the orphan she hated so much.
I went on Youtube to view the scene again and the video's comments and I almost felt sorry for her--almost.
The 1930's Great Depression was no joke, no matter what state you lived in. I couldn't imagine what it must have been like in New York, but if the prices filled people with fear like they still do today, Miss Hannigan had a lot to cope with.
What was her way of doing that? Homemade liquor, of course.
This was during the Prohibition era, so you had to make it from whatever you had.
Now in no way do I endorse this behavior whatsoever, but we have to see it from her side. There is this sad middle-aged woman, unmarried, and judging by her lifestyle, probably from a poor background and unstable and unloving family. She knew taking in kids from off the street brought in ready money from the Board of Orphans and charity handouts, and in the Great Depression, you do whatever you have to do to make a dime.
So, when one of your orphans is up for adoption by one of the richest men in New York, you do whatever you have to do to make a dime, even if it is kidnapping.
This was what was going through her brain throughout the second part of the film, but her saving grace came when Annie was in trouble and she felt moved to save her.
Are villains all evil? Well, not necessarily from the outset. They have to keep going lower and lower into the gutter to reach that point of feeling heartless.
Are heroes all good? God forbid if they are. Even Orphan Annie lied to a cop, even if it was to keep a dog.
So, if there are any writers out there, remember to keep your villains bad, but let the reader see their side of things. Also, make your heroes flawed; they're more relatable that way.
Believe me. No one wants to read 200 pages worth of a hero who is so pristine and sweet that she belongs on the back of a box of Ivory soap. It's boring.
Anyway, that is my two cents for the day, people. Let's bring this meeting to a close.

Vacation and writing updates

Merry Christmas Eve, dear readers. Let's begin this post with what I have been doing since the last post.
So far, I have been accepted as a writer for Union Gospel Press, but no jobs have been sent out yet. I have also sent out more articles to different magazines and blogs, but no acceptances as of today.
I have received my check from Brio magazine from Focus on the Family. I am glad I have it, but there is a warning light going off in my head telling me I need to work harder.
Now I have to make a confession which will lead into the next part of this blog post.
Instead of relaxing and preparing for Christmas Day like any other normal person, I found myself looking for work today. As I looked and found most jobs I was completely unqualified for, I was on the verge of tears. In fact, as I am writing this, I realize that I no longer have control over my writing career. Also, more importantly, God doesn't have control over it either--fear does.
I think fear has had control of it from the outset and I am not happy about that. Fear of failing and not being able to support myself with my writing and fear of never being validated for my writing has gripped me.
Fear is a demonic taskmaster with a spiked, ten foot long whip in its hand. It screams at me to "work, work, work" and don't stop working until I say so. It knows my weaknesses--the things that bring it out--and it brings friends along. These friends are just as evil, but they are only minions to this psychotic villain. Their names are depression, uncertainty, and failure.
So I am taking a stand. I am quitting the writing profession.
Well, that may be a bit dramatic. I am not quitting it entirely. I would never forgive myself if I did.
I am stepping back from it for the holidays. Since today is Monday, I figure now is as good a time to do it as any.
I will pray that God will keep me away from the writing job boards, away from my Christian Writers' Market, even away from my current novel in progress on my laptop. I ask whoever is reading this, pray for me.
I need to rest my brain for a while.
I hope to see you all in the new year. Merry Christmas, everyone.

the battle between business and being a grace-filled writer

Well, dear readers,

The girl is back again. At least I am doing my best to stay consistent. I had promised a dear friend that I would have a post up by, if not Friday, then yesterday. I haven't kept my word on that, unfortunately, so I am making good on it today.

Well, before we get into the topic of my chosen title, let's get the updates out of the way.

I am now the published author of two stories. Before this blog was even thought about last winter, I had a small story published in Keys for Kids, a devotional booklet for children. Now, I've just had word that Brio magazine, a Christian magazine for teen girls, is going to publish another story of mine.

I can't link to the Keys for Kids story, I'm sorry to say, but when Brio publishes my story (most likely late next year), someone remind me to link that one up here.

Onto the next item of the agenda. I have another novel in the works. I can't let on what it is just yet. That's confidential information which needs to be kept under wraps between myself and my writing mentor for the moment.

Now we have had enough of the old business. Now onto the topic.

I have been in a battle with myself for quite a while now. I am pretty sure that whoever reads this post will agree once I say it, especially if you are a writer.

I have discovered since making my decision to write full time which I will save for another post, I must turn it into a business. A small one, but a business nonetheless.

I have researched and tried to gather as much info as I can. What I struggle with the most is having a regular routine and trying to begin a production schedule.

The pressure of it all has skyrocketed inside me and I find myself in a desperate struggle to either catch up to or race past whichever writer I currently admire, even my own dear writing mentor. I am tempted to toss aside my beliefs and compromise my own writing to try and please the market.

Yet, the faith-filled, Christian, and sensible side of me will have her say as well. She tells me to take my time, start out small, and remember to always be an example of Jesus Christ in whatever I do.

Now, for every Christian reading this, you know for a fact what this is. It is constant warfare between my spirit and my flesh. It is the constant battle between my own lust for glory and approval and fame against being a light shining for God and glorifying Him.

So what have I decided to do? I must admit, I don't know yet. I suppose listen to the sensible side and build up. Write for a half hour or twenty minutes or even ten until I can build myself back up to how I was when I wrote my first novel.

Stop trying to compare myself with others, although I've struggled with that for years.

Also, to try and be satisfied with the fact that I have been blessed to be given the massive amount of time I have to build up this business and the fact that, even though my paychecks are kind of small now, I am getting accepted. Any creative person in the arts whether artist, musician, or writer will tell you, rejection is cruel but real.

I suppose I am done ranting for the day. Don't worry. Something tells me when I make my goals for my new business, entertaining and informing you guys will be up there on the list and on a more consistent basis.

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, readers. Only the Lord knows how much I need it.

Being Grateful

Hello, blog friends. I am back yet again.
Today, I had to remind myself on what it means to be grateful.
My day went well, except I had procrastinated for a full two hours before getting any writing work done. I like to begin my work day around nine, but lately I seem to be clocking in around ten or eleven, and now 11:30.
I am not the most disciplined person in the world, but during this month I have become quite the disciplined writer and want to keep it that way.
When I realized that I had lazed around long enough, I found myself moaning and groaning.
I did not want to flick on my laptop and dreaded sitting back down in my rocking chair to type out another chapter for my novel and begin writing and revising more magazine articles.
A thought popped into my head while I took my computer out of its case that I am a very fortunate person. Granted, I am only a beginning writer, but how many other people can say that their work day consists of letting their imagination go wild on a page.
I thought back to the day when I made my decision to commit full time to my writing back in December. I have come too far to go back on it now.
As of now, my chapter is completed and ready to be edited by my writing mentor and after I take a quick lunch break, at least one article will either be written or revised. The work will be done and as I will soon revel in the accomplishments that were made throughout my day, I will put this day down on my blessings list.
A friend of mine had written a book and in that book, she had the main character make a thank you list. I have tried doing this in my head and have discovered that once I get started with something small, like my warm bed, that I can find and make my own breakfast, that I have the ability to exercise, it builds.
Comment below if you have ever felt ungrateful or have ever come up with your own blessings list.

A Note from Me

Hello, everyone,

I know I am a few weeks late with my next post and for that, I do apologize. I am just now getting back to work that's been overdue.

How is everyone today?

We've got snow here in Illinois. Can you believe it?

It is early April, people.

Oh, well.

I went on vacation last week and we had some snow then. The news predicted it to be a blizzard, but only a slight fall had occurred. Nothing too serious.

I have begun a daily devotional called Jesus Calling. I was surprised to know how many people had heard about and read this book and the following sequels.

As I try to do better with maintaining a consistent blogging schedule, I will update everyone on how I am doing with this book. Comment below if you've read it and what you think of it.

Another interesting tidbit I learned today. The King James Version of the Bible is put at a fifth grade reading level.

I never thought of it in that way, but I do remember hearing somewhere that William Tyndale had wanted the Bible to be so simple that a plough boy could read it. How wonderful it is that God makes His words so accessible that both young and old understand them.

Until later on,

Kayla

Welcome to My Life

Hello, everyone out there in the blogosphere.

My name is Kayla James. I am an aspiring freelance writer, whose goal is to inspire and uplift her readers. Allow me to introduce myself.

Like I said before, my name is Kayla James. I am totally blind and have been since I was a baby.

I am taking a break from college and am pursuing a lifelong dream to become a writer. I have wanted to become a writer since the age of seven.

This blog will go into great detail about that, but as this title states, it is a kaleidoscope of my life.

An author friend suggested this title to me, but I had to look up what the word "kaleidoscope" meant.

In basic terms, it is a tube-like thing with many pieces of colored glass in it that reflect off one another. At least, that's what I got from it.

I am interested in many other things.

I have developed many interests over the past few years that I would love to write about on this blog.

1. Natural beauty

I am not the first to become slave to the drugstore cleansers and moisturizers in the department store isles. Does anyone want to comment on the stuff that is actually in the bottle? I do.

2. Healthy living

I am trying to lose weight and will probably be posting about how I am doing with that and what I am learning.

3. My Christian faith

My relationship with God is very important in my life. I want to share with others what I am learning on my spiritual journey and maybe teach others about Jesus Christ. I have a lot of growing to do, so bare with me.

There are so many other things I would like to talk about, but it will all have to wait until next time.