Author Archives: Amy Jane

What I’m doing in November

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I realized I never actually said what I was working on.

I am currently imagining an expansion of the King Lindorm story (a variety of tales from Northern Europe), since that should give me a nice long something to work with, without having to create a whole structure out of air.

A lindorm is basically a wingless dragon.

So King Lindorm, in its original form gathers many typical fairy tale elements:

  • A barren queen
  • A helpful old woman
  • Directions not followed
  • Tragedy at birth
  • the separating of twins
  • The wicked step-mother
  • The passive (if living) blood father
  • Beauty and the beast elements
  • Death and dismemberment
  • The good-hearted woodsman
  • trying to get out of a bad bargain one made with hell, having to do with one’s soul
  • Long-distance communication and mail tampering
  • A war with no mentioned casualties
  • general misunderstandings that wouldn’t be if people actually talked
    • this is going to be the first thing to go. It always drives me *nuts*!
  • Villain’s punishment: being pulled by galloping horses in a nail-pierced barrel (*Gack!*)
    • This has been done in a book recently, so I’m re-writing that ending. I’ve come up with something else I like even more– though, I can’t say I really liked the nail-filled barrel, so maybe that doesn’t say enough.

I’m actually not interested in (much) modernizing or lampooning. I think it’s a cool story for its genre, so I’m working with what’s there to tell the story I want to tell.

Prep work

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Just thought I’d mention what I’ve been doing with my computer time this last week.

I’ve totally shifted from Blogs to research. Yup. I spent {I won’t tell you how much} time on the BehindTheName website digging up appropriate names for my new creations, and creating a virtual stack of 3x5s with my story progression on them.

It’s felt really cool. I never did do a play-by-play mock-up for my swan story, and now I’m all inspired to do it.

But that will probably wait until December. Or maybe not… I’ve recently met another gal who is also interested in writing YA, and we will be discussing current stories tomorrow. The Lindorm folder can’t count as current, since I haven’t actually written any of it yet. So I’ll have to shift stories again for that.

But… Knowing me, all I really have to do is research/outline/read a little bit, and I’ll be neck-deep in it again.

I honestly don’t know how I have more than one interest in my life, since I immerse so much in whatever the current project is. I’m always saying (usually to Jay), “This is so exciting!” I’m always loving whatever project I’m working on.

At one time I thought having this many interests and foci made me flaky. Now I’ve decided that my focus must be a bit like “mother love.”

There’s always room for one more. ;o)

NaNoWriMo

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I just heard of this this summer, and how could I not sign-up?

Short for National Novel Writing Month, it is in its 7th year. Hey, who couldn’t love the power of deadline, right? My screen name there is Iliamna (a deep Alaskan body of water and an Alaskan volcano– don’t try to read too much into that, I just like the sound of the name).  I don’t know if that link is usable or not, but it was worth a try.  Takes me there, anyway.
The two main rules (from my perspective/that I’m supposed to follow) are:

  1. Don’t work on something you’ve already started– you’ll care to much to work fast and make word-count (50,000 to “win”).
  2. You can’t start until November 1st.

The first I readily identify with and can understand. It’s the second that’s harder for me (though, currently I am still resisting– it’s been good for my in-progress novel, recieving as it does the focus of my noveling interest).

I love starts. I love diving into the middle of some action or tension or dialogue or meeting and swimming to the surface from there. My Shadow Swan effort (currently at 13,427 words) I have “started” at least four times. This has resulted in 23 pages that still will connect with the right interim, since I enter the story from a different place each time. I can pretend they’re all chapter-starts, I guess.

So far they work for me.

I also opened a new blog, to sort of track my “progress” and have something to look at next year (if I find I want to do it again).  I also chose to make it sort-of invisible (no links there) so that the only people that read it will be folks I’m asking specific advice, and similarly-enough engaged in this insanity to overlook things like spelling and plausibility.

Anyway, wish me luck. In less than a month my free-time will be wholly taken-up (I believe) with actually writing on a project.

I’m reading something off the best-seller list!

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Probably for the first time in my life. Though, in my own defense, I didn’t know it was there when I bought it. ;o)

The Thirteenth Tale is one of those stories within a story, where the frame and the content reflect on one another and (you know inevitably) they will entwine.

Sort of a love-letter to Story and reading at times, its beginning especially reminded me of Inkheart. In that story the protagonist’s father is a book doctor (rebinding, restoring old books) in this, the protagonist’s father owns a used-book shop, and makes his living on 6 or so transactions a year, involving rare books and their collectors.

Both protagonists are female and well read; they enjoy reading almost as a religion, drawing strength and security from familiar tomes. Also, they both have mothers that are alive but absent. Not through abandoning or divorce but other circumstances that result in the protagonists’ being unusually (though not inappropriately) close to their fathers.

I told Jay about five pages into this one that it was the same story by a different author. But it isn’t, quite. The style of this one (Thirteen) is quite elaborate and is loaded unashamedly with metaphor and simile, but (in contrast to some other books I’ve read: Inkheart and The Goose Girl come to mind) they don’t draw attention to themselves (very much) so I can enjoy their originality more without thinking to much about how clever the author is trying to be.

It has been such fun having a novel to read. I’ve missed it. It just seems like there’s so many stinkers out there I’m reluctant to invest my time without knowing more. But then, sometimes, knowing more takes the sharpest edge of the fun off. That is, known books are familiar friends, but they don’t make you tense from excitement or not-knowing. At least… I guess it depends how often (or recently) you’ve read them.

I am enjoying this book. About a third of the way through.

Interestingly enough, I started another book after I picked Thirteen up (a new book from Sunday School). Created to be His Help Meet, by Debi Pearl. It has been just as fascinating, though in an entirely different way.

Is “homemaking” enough or isn’t it? (Pt. 4 of 4)

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Okay, this started out as a 3-parter, but I found there was a bit more I wanted to tie up.

Since I’m working under a title that’s supposed to be a question, I guess I’ll try to answer it from (how else can I?) my perspective.

Here’s the best I can think it right now:

  • If homemaking is “merely” maintaining your abode and filling the bellies of those who sleep there, then No. Absolutely it is not enough.

  • If it all is lovingly done “as to the Lord,” as well as for those that are fed, more than just physically, from your hand, and done conscientiously to create an atmosphere of peace, safety and all those things that are good, but take effort, then, Yes. It has to be enough.

The way we teach our children to value something is to show them that we value it (this is what I attribute our young children’s tremendous respect for books to).

If I fell into the habit of “looking” for some service to do, to supplement my home-work, I would effectively be telling my girls that what I do at home (or the people I serve by what I do at home) has less value than anything else I may do.

If I had been less brain-fogged (and guilted) into doing the shopping, it would have been at the direct expense of some already very stressed humans (myself included). It would have said, “I know (or don’t care) you are tired and over- stimulated and needing quiet time, but her needs are more important than (y)ours.”

The scripture that continually reverberates when I (consciously) weigh these decisions is 1 Timothy 5:8.

I’ll not attempt to explain the verse or draw out any deep meanings (and, yes, I know it isn’t directly tied to mothering) but I will say this: I believe my job is to (and does) provide for my family. So I must consider their needs first.

These are the basics.

But once those basics are covered, “service” can look like just about anything. It can be exciting and enjoyed. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Gal. 6:10)

“As we have opportunity” seems like a good way to say, “What fits.” These (for me), in addition to my homemaking, are frequently those “divine appointments,” those perfectly coordinated “random” meetings that bless all parties, whether with an encouraging word or a helping hand.

They make me glow for days, and I understand again that we were created to serve.

Something very exciting to me is that I’m beginning to get that same thrill from things that happen in our home. It’s like a curtain is pulled back and I see an exciting potential. I observe an unprovoked act of kindness or service, and I experience the joy of feeling, We’re on the right track!

Is “homemaking” enough or isn’t it? (Pt. 3 of 4)

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Monday I got a call from a woman I had offered to help. She needed assistance carrying some heavy water jugs before they froze, and I had told her to call when she wanted me to come out. The freeze the night before prompted her call, so I asked when she wanted me to come (mentally trying to work out when I could).

She hedged. Apparently she also had some shopping she needed done (“Just 7 items!”), and that was more important to her. Some of them had to do with pain management. I was in something of a brain-fog (another story) and so stuck with the basics: I couldn’t do the shopping, but when did she need help with the water? She basically said that the drive wasn’t worth it just for the water (“I’ll have whoever brings the shopping help with the water. That’s what’s really needed now.”). So the conversation ended.

I realized, belatedly, that it might have helped to point out that shopping (for 7 or 27 items) with 3 children under 4 is much more challenging than a drive and outdoor work.

~~~

Returning to the talk of “Seasons,” there are obviously things that will be easier to do when the children are older, and, like I mentioned yesterday, there’s at least one type of ministry that’s easier when the kids are young.

Interestingly enough, it’s what I’m already doing. Sharing conversation, counsel and encouragement with other women. Mentally reviewing the topics that continually come up, like birth control and relationship issues, I’ve repeatedly been thankful my children are young enough that I can speak plainly about certain things. And I have wondered what (or how) I will change when that is no longer possible.

Peter Kreeft (whose The Angel and the Ants I’ve quoted a few times here) points out that “our individual personal bent or desire or instincts” are worth considering when making decisions.

I have a (well-known) “personal bent” towards talking and generally thinking aloud. This has proven useful in a number of cases where I believe God used me to teach or encourage others. This, most frequently, is the type of ministry I see myself engaging in during this season of parenting (you see I really don’t mind the word… just my first impression of it).

God has brought other people across my path and into my home, feeding my own hunger for conversation, along with allowing me to encourage others.

~~~

Inevitably it comes down to remembering (and seeking) to be sensitive to God’s leading, both in timing and in type.

I remind myself that if I’m paying attention I have no reason to feel I’m going to miss something. If I feel I am going to miss something, that just means I’m being messed with (weariness can do a number…), and– assuming I’m still being attentive– I need to just get my mind off myself, and trust my faithful God to direct me where he wants me to go.

(Part 4 of 4)

Is “homemaking” enough or isn’t it? (Pt. 2 of 4)

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Jay was having a tough stretch at work, a couple weeks of no progress on an important project. It was a Tuesday evening, and through a (what I believe was a God-ordained) fluke, everything at home was perfect:

Elisha slept all afternoon, so I was able to clean the kitchen; the girls wanted to dress-up and dance (which we all did); and then we had to clear the living room to make room for dancing (to praise music, at their request); then we were all tired at the same time and I started dinner while they played (nicely!) together.

They “helped” me make biscuits while I made soup for dinner, and Jay opened the door right as the timer went off on the biscuits. I was dressed nicely (which Jay always enjoys), worship music was playing, the girls were laughing together, and our home was the peaceful, joyful haven Jay had needed at that exact moment.

It was all so perfect I tried to make it happen again the next couple evenings, but it didn’t, and that just drove home for me that it was a special grace given to us for that needy time.

This is the image I return to when I question if I’m not focused enough on my home: the reality that God gives gifts and abilities where and when they are needed. That he provides for those challenging times. (That evening happened not long after my Grandmother died, and I think God was encouraging me as much as for my husband in helping me create a peaceful home).

Sometimes I wonder if I never read (for just myself) or wrote, whether my house would be maintained at a higher level. The answer has to be yes, if only from a mathematical standpoint, but I have to wonder if the amount of improvement would be worth what I’d have to give up.

So far, I’m thinking, No.

~~~

Side note: I recognize that everyone needs some time to recharge, or there will be nothing to give, but I get prickly when women start getting off on claims (demands) that they deserve this or that. Half the time it seems like I’m hearing, “I want it, therefore I deserve it.”

This is not automatically true.

~~~

For now I think I’m reasonably balanced. My problem, I think, is that the criteria for defining the balance are nonexistent. At least, I haven’t found them yet.

One nice thing about nursing a baby is that I get several automatic slots each day to sit and do my own thing. (Natasha, like many older siblings, started “nursing” her dolls after her little sister was born. Essential to her ritual, copying me, was having a book in front of her on the couch.)

With this baby I write, like now, when nursing. So my way of doing something ‘for me’ doesn’t take away from the kids. If I confine my writing. And I don’t always.

“Seasons” has a good application in this way. There are definitely some types of service that are easier when your children are older. Hmmm, actually, there’s at least one type that’s easier when your kids are younger too.

(More on those next time.)

(Part 3 of 4)

Is “homemaking” enough or isn’t it? (Pt. 1 of 4)

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This post got really long, so I’ll divide it up over the next few days

The Question
Advocates/encouragers of full-time, at-home moms repeatedly emphasize the work these (we) women do is valuable and worthy of their (our, my) talents. That it is enough of a job to be “just” home, without any outside work.

Then why is it not enough ministry to “just” be raising your children in a godly way? Why is “outside” ministry (working in the church, volunteering around town, sharing your talents/ giftings with others) still necessary?

I don’t know the answer.

There are those who say it is enough– though it’s usually emphasized that our responsibility varies depending on what “season” of parenting you’re in.

The idea my “season” in life excuses me, bothers me. Because it implies I’m buried (and therefore excused) now, and will have more time later; that my mode of doing will change as my children are less “demanding.” But the reality is that all three are mostly past that stage (of perpetually time-sucking).

They all play independently (otherwise, how could I clean house, or write?), and are very good for their age at waiting and deferring gratification. Sometimes I think they are advanced for their age, and other times I just enjoy it.

Because of their level(s) of independence, I feel am already at that time to question where is my balance between service and selfishness. (Though I suppose there is room somewhere for self in between those…) The question goes like this: Since I really don’t feel (perpetually) stretched by them now, does that mean I’m doing less now than I could (should)?

(Part 2 of 4)

A unique look at some mutt-mixes

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From Mutts: America’s Dogs that I mentioned earlier:

  • The Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix: A lab in a Leather Jacket
  • The Golden retriever-setter mix: If it’s Irish or Gordon setter, beware a beauty over brains blend
  • Lab-Australian Sheppard mix: “A young lab is a runaway boxcar and an Aussie outfits the chassis with Boeing engines. This dog has to have something to do…Something. Anything. Repeat often until tired. (Warning: you will tire far sooner than the dog.)”
  • Irish Setter mix: the gorgeous airhead of the dog world.
  • Greyhound-Lab mix: A beautiful creature mentally, physically, and spiritually, unless you’re a squirrel. Continue reading »