So...writing issues.

Not like I'm having any writing problems or anything, it's just that the thing is I have three completed books and another one on the way to being finished....the only problem is that they aren't edited.  See, what I need to do is do an author's edit, then I have a friend who said that she would edit them for me, and I trust her.  We're doing a thing where we're going to edit each other's stories.  So hopefully that will work out.
Of course after the books are completely done, I still need a name for one of them and cover-art for all of them.  And then after all that is done and they're published, how in the world am I supposed to get people to buy them?  I have no idea!
The Unnamed Legend hasn't sold very well, and it really stinks.  I don't have all these people who would just die to be sharing it everywhere for people to buy it.  I also don't have all these people who would just die to buy it.  Plus a lot of the people who would love to buy it are broke.  See my problem?
It's just super discouraging to have written something and be so proud of it, especially when you wrote it at age 13 and edited it at age 14 and got it published at age 15, and no one seems to appreciate it.  I know, I know, stupid, but that's how stuff feels.  I think I've sold 10 at the most.  Yeah, that's not very much.  Anyway, frustrated rant over.  Goodbye.
~Katie :):

Individuality or Being Controlled?

Many people crave individuality, being their own person, having their own friends and interests.  I'm one of those people.  But sometimes, people take that a little too far.  Dressing abnormally, not necessarily because they enjoy dressing like that, but because they are an individual!  And liking things that most people hate, just because most people hate them.  Or disliking things most people like, just because they like them.
Now, there's nothing wrong with dressing abnormally, or liking things most people don't, or disliking things most people don't...when you're doing it because you actually want to.  But when you're disliking something something because the majority loves it...you might very well be missing out.  What if there's a reason that they like that book?  Maybe it has a good plot line and relatable characters.  Of course, it could also be a book about a girl who is fought over by both a werewolf and a vampire...  What if it's a good book that you would actually, genuinely like, because that's who you are as an individual?
What if there's something more to that TV show than a weird thing about this guy with a sonic screwdriver that everyone is crazy about?  What if you don't watch it--when you would actually like it--just because all the people in your class likes it and you want to be a different person, an individual?  You're just letting them control you anyway.  You're thinking, "Oh, I won't let anyone control me, I'll be my own person, my own individual," but what your actions are saying is, "I want to be so different than everyone, I'll let them control me, just to try to show that I'm an individual."
What if you liked it first, then everyone else starts liking it?  Do you get frustrated and say things like, "Man, I guess I can't like that now, everyone else does!"  That's stupid!
Do you want to be an individual?  Okay.  Then like what you want to like, because you want to like it and dislike what you want to dislike, because you want to dislike it.  Do not let others control what you like and dislike, for the sake of being able to call yourself an individual.
Sincerely, A girl who likes Doctor Who, Hunger Games (the books), wearing mismatched socks, listening to oldies, newies and in-betweenies, because that's what she likes, not because anyone says she should or shouldn't like it.
~Katie :)

Apples

So, I got my own computer.  Like very own.  And I bet you can't guess what it is!  Oh wait, you read the title of this post...I bet you can....  Yeah, this is me, making a blogpost on my very own Apple computer.  I love it!  It has an awesome thing called "Garage Band," And it works way super better than Audacity, which is what I'd been doing recording and stuff beforehand.  It also has a thing where you can "play" your computer keyboard and it'll play actual MUSIC.  Like you're actually playing piano or something.  I enjoy it greatly.  And you could also plug in an actual piano keyboard and play the actual piano.  Now all I need is a keyboard I can plug into my computer!  It's not gonna be cheap....  But hey, I am NOT complaining!  I love this thing like it is.
It's tiny and silver and slender and has amazing sound and visual stuff going on.  Of course, that's because it's a Mac and as we learned in Basic Computers class last year, Macintoshes are the best for graphics and sound.  Pretty cool, yeah?  Or maybe not.  I told one of my friends it was an Apple and they made I face.  But of course I defended my new computer.  I've named her Ezzie, which is short for Ezmerelda.  I do love this new gizmo.
The only bad thing I can find about it (so far) is that I have to pay for Microsoft Office and can't just download it...but thankfully my stepdad knows a guy who could help me with it, so we might get that fixed.  I guess I would also like skype on it...although I'm really not on skype much.  But the good thing is that I could still make my documents to work on this computer and Doug said that for things like essays and school papers I could borrow his computer, because I know that set up better.  So anyway, I'm done talking now.
~Katie :)

A Crafter's Home

Growing up in a crafter's home, there was always plenty of material, yarn, needles and thread for a young girl to play with.  There was always a sewing machine readily available for me to use or play with.  Always crochet hooks for me to use in crocheting.  Always, always.
When I was little, I would make little bags and misshapen dolls with creepy button eyes, with unfitting clothes, because I lived in a crafter's home and had all these things readily available.
I would crochet awkward looking things designed to keep your ears warm.  Because I had the materials readily available.
I would make coasters out of plastic canvas and yarn, BECAUSE I COULD....  Because I was in a crafter's home.
~Katie :)

Christmas Break is Amazing!

So, I'm on Christmas break and this weekend was my Family Christmas.  Apparently my family knows me well, because I got art supplies!  I got a whole pencil set from my cousin, which consisted of coloring pencils, metallic pencils, watercolor pencils, plain drawing pencils, and charcoal pencils.  Then my grandma gave me a package of canvases, (there are three in each package) a tube of black pain and a tube of white paint, a palette, and a package of brushes.  My friends know me well too, because one of them gave me a whole set of paints for Christmas.  I really like artsing.  And writing.  You should check out my writing blog, because I have another story on there.
Today we went caroling, just my stepdad, mom and me.  It was fun.  We're going caroling again tomorrow, because we didn't get all our places caroled to yet.  It was really fun, even though it was cold and no one gave us hot chocolate.
I need to clean my room because it's a mess, but first I wanted to write a blog post.  I know, silly of me.  I also need to write in my journal.
But now I've written a blog post and my kitty has curled up on my lap in a manner that means she thinks we need to go to our bed...so....I'm off!
~Katie :)

Wow

Dude, so it's almost Christmas....and so to not exactly prepare for Christmas, I wrote a not exactly Christmas story that I published way before Christmas....It's on Wattpad, fanfiction.net, and The Flowing Pen....I feel...wow.  Very published.  Anyway, here are the links to my story.  It's a Peter Pan fanfiction.  I'm sorry if you hate Peter Pan.

The Flowing Pen

Fanfiction

Wattpad

Enjoy!
~Katie :)

Teachers

We have all learned something from someone.  Be this your parents, cousins, uncles, other relatives, the man down the street whose name you just can't quite remember, or even the nice cashier who waited patiently for you to frantically search your pockets for the money that you can't find because of those evil little elves that are constantly hiding your money at the very bottom of your pockets, underneath your phone, keys, and fingernail clippers.  Of course, the most "traditional" way to learn, is from teachers.  Ya know, those people that are hired by a school, the people you usually have to sit in a stupid, not super comfy desk to listen to them drone on and on and on about a topic you care nothing about.  Take me with math...yeah, I hate that subject.  But I've learned a lot from teachers (more from my mom and reading, but teachers too of course).

1. On the keyboard ALT+the tab key lets you switch windows without ever once taking your hands off the keyboard.  This is wonderful knowledge if you're like me.
2. You know when you're reading your Bible and you see some words in italics?  Yeah, those words weren't originally there, they were just added to try to make a bit more sense and put in italics so people would know they weren't originally in the text.  Like, okay, take the Bible verse Isaiah 45:18.  If you take the italizised words out, it changes the entire verse. "For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else."  Okay, read that the way it is.  It seems to be saying God made the earth then it completely changes apparently he is the LORD and there is none else, although that has nothing to do with him making the earth.  Take out the italic words.  "For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I the LORD; and none else."  Now it appears the verse is saying that God made the earth, just him, no one else.  Neat, yes?  Now take a totally random Bible verse.  Isaiah  46:12 "Hearken unto me,ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:"  Take out the italic word and it just seems weird.
3. The exterior angle is equal to the two far interior angles...I wanted to be able to say I learned something from the math teacher.
4. There was a difference between the Pharisees and Sadducees....I honestly did not know that.
5. You can actually sing loud enough to fill an entire room, without a mic, if you actually project enough.  I never said I was good at that.
6. People can "like" other people out of pity.
7. If you have a new enough version of Microsoft Word, you can put citations and stuff in your document with just a few simple clicks.
8. Don't assume there have to be a few falses in every true and false test.  Sometimes there will be all trues.
9. A person can be a good person...but a not so great teacher.
10. Illegal immigration isn't just in the U.S.A.
11. There is in fact a website where you can listen to tons of Adventures in Odyssey for FREE.

I'm tired, goodnight.

~Katie :)

The Flowing Pen

So, I have a blog that I've had for quite a while, it's called The Flowing Pen, and it is supposed to have all my poems and stories on it...it has...I think...eight....  But I'm gonna try to work on it more often....so...here's the link, feel free to read as much or as little as you would like.

The Flowing Pen

~Katie :)

Things I Have Learned Through Relationships

Okay, so, just so y'all know, this is going to be more for girls, and obviously from a girls point of view.  This is my list of things that I have learned through my relationships and unrelationships.  Yes, I just said unrelationships.  No, you don't have to read it all.  You don't have to read it at all!  If you're a guy who wants to read this, go for it though.  It is now going to be in list form.

1. Every person who says, "I love you," doesn't always love you.
2. Sometimes, when you're a girl going through guy problems, it helps to get a guy's perspective from the male humans around you.
3. Sometimes you need to backpedal and that's okay.
4. Guys really don't get hints.  If you want him to put his arm around you, tell him, because he won't get it otherwise.
5. When in doubt, just be friends.
6. Guys can be very manipulative.
7. Words from a guy, who I talked to just today: Don't trust guys.  Words from me: It's okay to trust guys...just not their hormones.  Him:  Yeah, basically.
8. Okay, so, if a guy back pedals, he is going to his little man cave, and you SHOULD NOT follow him there.  He'll come back out when he's ready.  If you just chase him, you will drive him away and look very needy and stuff like that.  I learned that from a guy.
9. If you two had a fight and he made you cry, there's really no reason to tell him that he made you cry, unless he asks, because telling him will just make him feel like crap.
10. Make boundaries AND STICK WITH THEM.  If you don't stick with your boundaries, this is how your relationship will go: "No kisses, at all, just hugs." "Okay, fine, we can kiss, but only on the cheek." "Alright, fine we can kiss on the lips, but we won't makeout.  We'll just kiss hello and goodbye." "Okay, fine we might as well makeout, but we won't get too handsy."  "Alright, being super handsy is pretty fun, so we can do that, we just have to stop if we start getting too turned on."  "Okay, we can get turned on, just as long as we don't, you know, have sex, because we aren't married."  "Well, we can have sex, just as long as we use protection"  "Oops...I'd better tell my boyfriend that I'm pregnant."  Now I'm not saying that that's how it will always go, but it will most often go that direction.  Not good.  Not good at all.  Plus, you will lose the respect of people around you, because it's like when you start exercising, but then you don't stick to it...rather stupid.  Try something like, "Okay, we aren't going to kiss at all until we've been dating a month, then we'll only kiss on the cheek."  "Well, our month is over, so we can kiss on the cheek, and in three more months, we can kiss each other hello and goodbye."  "That three months is over, so we can kiss each other hello and goodbye," and it would just continue like that.  Yes, that was the longest thing I have written on here and probably one of the most important things that I have learned through my relationships and unrelationships.
11. I once heard that in a dating relationship you should only go as far with each other as you would feel comfortable going in front of your parents.  For some people, it's different than others.  Some parents just wouldn't care if their kids made out in front of them.  Some parents don't even want their kid in a dating relationship.  I know it sounds extreme, and it doesn't really work if you're married, but it gives you an idea.
12. Remember:  There are two reasons to be in a relationship--to get married or to break up.  If your reason is to break up, you're not ready to be in a relationship.
13. Talk to God about the whole thing and follow what he says.  WAY easier said than done.  If it was easy to do, I wouldn't have four ex-boyfriends.
14. If you can't be yourself around them, you don't need to be in a relationship with them.
15. Ask your friends for advice, and take this advice.
16. Learn from your mistakes and other people's mistakes.
17. I had another one, but I can't remember it :/

Well, that's stuff.

~Katie :)

Just a Musing

Every single day at school, he tries to be more like them.  More of a jerk, less of himself.  He's jealous and mad at some others, simply because they are different and are themselves the entire day.  Someone, he seems to think that by being more like the people who torment him, they'll like him better.  But it's never going to happen.  They don't care about him.  They're immature and if that's themselves, they're rather shallow.  He can't seem to see it though.  He continues to think that being like them will make them like him.  But they seem to treat him with more contempt.  And he still doesn't notice.  Or he doesn't care.  Something inside him drives him to pursue popularity and favor.  But honestly, if he would just be himself, he would have more friends.  At least more true friends.  Fewer friends that everyday ask, "You know we're friends, right?" then say something insulting.  If he thinks that that is what a friend is...I feel sorry for him.
Real friends don't do things like that.  Real friends love you and care for you.  They don't insult you every day.  Why would he ever think that that's what a real friend was?  Has he ever had a real friend?  Just because someone is different doesn't mean that you can't be friends with them.  It doesn't mean that you treat them poorly.  If you don't want to be friends with them, fine...but that doesn't mean that you treat them like they're worth less than you.  God made every person, and each person is worth the same in His eyes...so why do people view other people poorly, just because of differences?
So, because for some unknown reason, he can't be himself, he has to be different, he has to try to make himself worth liking...even if it means driving away his true friends.  And that's something I don't understand.
~Katie

Katie Likes to Rant

You think that God gets upset and hurt, maybe even mad at the people who dress slutty, the people who cut themselves, who sometimes kill themselves.  Why would he get mad at them?  Because, he made them.  He very carefully formed them in the womb.  The Bible says that he KNIT them in the womb.  Now, I don't know much about knitting, but I know that crocheting is similar and I know some about that.  You don't accidentally crochet something.  You decide what you want to crochet.  You carefully pick the colors you think are prettiest.  You also pick a pattern.  When God knits/crochets someone, he picks the pattern.  The pattern says what your personality will be.  It says whether you're gonna be outgoing or shy.  When He decides what he's going to crochet, he decides what you're gonna look like, whether you're gonna be a guy or girl.  And the colors?  They determine your eye color, your hair color, your skin color.  He never makes a mistake when he does this, because He's God, he can't make mistakes.  Sometimes he chooses to make some people more special than others.  He chooses some people to show others that people can be extremely different and still be awesome.  He does this very, very carefully.
Now, when someone, a human, crochets or knits something, or makes something out of anything, they want it to stay pretty.  They don't want it to fall into a mud puddle, or get run over by a train.  So, obviously, God, the master crafter, wouldn't want his beautiful crocheted creations to get dirty or ruined.  Yet there they go dirtying themselves, ruining themselves.  Degrading themselves, making themselves out to be worth nothing.  Of course he would be upset.
But, also, like any other crafter knows, people don't always like what you make.  Sometimes they throw what you make away.  Or they rip it up.  Or burn it.  And that, that hurts you worse.  So think about how God feels, when other people look at the people HE made, and make fun of them, hurt them...make them feel like cutting, or killing themselves.  How do you think God feels when other people, people he made, ignore other people he made, to make them beg for attention by dressing slutty or acting up?  I bet he hates that.  I can't speak for God, for one very special reason...I'm not God...but I think that he probably hates it worse when people he made, make fun of other people he made, and makes them want to die.  Makes them feel like nothing.
Now, I'm not saying that people aren't to blame for their own actions....I'm just saying that it's wrong to look at people and say that they're wrong because of this, or God hates them because of that...  They never once think that they're talking about another person that GOD made very carefully.  Carefully just like them.  Take Miley Cyrus for example.  She dances nearly naked....  But God still made her very carefully.  Is she making God happy?  No.  But neither is anyone else when they're sitting there saying things like, "Wow, they're an idiot.  They're a failure."  I have a classmate that I heard say, within the past two weeks, "Wow, I wish Miley Cyrus would just overdose already!"  Wow.  No, I'm not saying that I've always been completely innocent of that.  I haven't.  And I'm also not saying that people doing things like that are making God very happy...but people who talk smack about them because of what they're doing aren't making God very happy either.
~Katie >.<

Welcome Back to the Torture Asylum

Hmm, it's not like I've neglected to make blog posts in...half of forever or anything, is it?!  Uh...oh wait...yeah it is....oopsiez....  I think I got all distracted with my journal and camp and school....  School started today.  We have a new English teacher and if she's as nice as she seemed today, I'm gonna like her.  She seems to want us to talk...which is kind of cool.
I also need to brush my teeth and organize my room and read some more books and go to bed at a semi reasonable time and wake up at an extremely unreasonable time to go to a fairly unreasonable place where I have to/get to be around not exactly reasonable humans that make me want to be not so reasonable because of their very not reasonable actions such as talking through choir and royally annoying me.
However...um...I forgot what I was gonna say.
Uh, well, I guess I was gonna say that if my Chemistry book stays as interesting as it was today I'll like it.  My first day of Torture Asylum wasn't horrendous.
~Katie :)