Happy Resurrection Sunday

Death, Hope, Victory, Life
by
Edna Pellen


Hope is born

As sin is slayed upon a cross

But few understand the Bearer's loss

Darkness floods all in sight

As we don't yet understand

The eternal pain that we've been spared

But then at last

The sun has dawned its light

Putting an end to a dark and painful night

For when it shines

It reveals the cross and tomb to be bare

And we see that, like the Body, out sins are no longer there

With the sun

Victory is born

putting aside the time of weeping

Life no longer is mourned

Victory has been made

As life has been reclaimed

And an old wrong made right

Completed in just a few nights

So it is known

that by the willingness of a Son,

And the love of a Father,

That the world was saved

And death holds the earth no longer

Classic Authors: Jane Austen

Jane Austen, December 16, 1775 - July 18 1817

Hello, dear reader,


One never knows what will happen when they've died.
They can't see the effect they will have on the world. They might even think they'll go unnoticed.
Maybe they will. Or maybe, they'll change humanity.

Jane Austen lived the life of a writer, and I think she is one of the perfect people to think of when you decide to pursue it yourself.

Her first love would not marry her because she had no dowry to offer. She refused the only recorded proposal of marriage that she received, partly because she didn't love the man, and partly because she was wanting to pursue the life of a writer and author in a time where a woman was little more than a house keeper.
Four of her novels were published anonymously while she lived (she received little profit), and two were published after she died with a biographical note that identified her for the first time in her career.
She died unmarried, in poor living conditions, dependent on her family for money, in her early forties. Her last words were "I want nothing but death", said to her sister, Cassandra.
Doesn't sound like a very glamorous life, does it?

And yet, over two hundred years later, her work is now classical literature loved by thousands and has been adapted into films and television shows at least thirty times (and then there are all of the plays!), and she has a dozen or so statues and monuments.
Her brilliant heroines set examples for women, and her charming heroes set ideals.

I'd say Jane Austen has left quite an impact on the world.
But she didn't know she would come this far after her death, and now she never will.

I say all of this to remind you of something that you surely know already; the pursue of writing as a career does not promise a shinning life. Surely, it is easier to become published now then it was for Ms. Austen, we have many more options now, and equality has allowed women more careers and roles than in Jane Austen's day. But that doesn't mean you'll earn anything from your stories.

However...

Who knows what will happen to your work in ten, twenty, or even two hundred years? Surely, someone will find it. And surely, someone out of the millions of people on this earth will love it.
Your stories may impact thousands of people. Or, maybe they will impact just one person. Either way, isn't it worth it?

And then there is what writing itself brings to you.

When it isn't being a pain in the rear-end, and even when it is, writing brings so much to your life. Discipline, encouragement, it teaches you about yourself, it is a outlet for strong emotion, and for so many writers (and I daresay that this very strongly includes Jane Austen), it is a escape from reality. Something to turn to when you've reached your dark hours.
Though it won't relieve you of hardships, it can help you get through them.


I think Jane Austen is a wonderful example of this.
Her setting in Pride and Prejudice is my main source for such a thing.  A small (for the standards back then) farm house packed with people, a withdrawn father, and just enough money to get by, and a head-strong heroine, are all attributes of both the story and Ms. Austen's early life.

But similarities end around there.
One thing missing from the scene, is the fact that Jane Austen's family was so poor, that they gave their son to a wealthy family to raise him, because they could not.
Also missing is the events of her later life, which aren't the most uplifting.

Yes, Jane Austen and Lizzy Bennett's lives separate from there, and Lizzy goes on to do something Jane did not.


Jane Austen was considered to be a head-strong, witty, intelligent woman. The books that were published in her life time were well liked (even if she didn't get the recognition that she deserved), and her lover was not exactly well off himself and couldn't afford a marriage that didn't offer financial aid to him and his family (you see, it would be his job to care for his mother and siblings because he was the eldest, so by the standards of the day, marrying Jane was unacceptable).

Lizzy, on the other hand, goes on to first refuse the hand of a second-class man, the nephew to a noblewoman, and then to marry him after falling in love (despite still being poor), with lots of sass and pride (and prejudices, due to social standings and propriety and whatnot) in between.and are now adored by thousands of people.
Her work has effected many, it set the stage for bold heroines, it protested romance despite wealth, or lack there of, and it gave sweet and happy endings.

And it is worthy of note that the first draft for Pride and Prejudice was written within the year that Jane didn't receive the expected proposal from the man she, to some extent, loved.

So, through her fiction, Ms. Jane Austen was able to live the life she wanted but never received.


Jane Austen was incredible.
I'm sure her life wasn't terrible, she surely had sweet seasons and who knows, maybe she thoroughly enjoyed her life, poverty and all.
But she didn't get romance, wealth, or very much recognition, all of which most people can agree she was deserving of.

And yet,  Jane Austen lasted past that season and age when all was pinned against her, and is now thriving in the modern day and culture.
So, when you weigh the odds of pursuing the career of an author, consider Jane Austen's life, circumstances, and success. And decide what matters more, writing, or recognition.



I hope you enjoyed this, and found it informative or inspiring.
This is the first post of a series I'm working on, called Classic Authors. In it I summarize the classical authors, their inspiration, their lives, their views.
Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, Mary Shelly, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Agatha Christie are some on the list of authors I'm going to cover.
This is a huge and slow moving series, as I have to research each author individually, so I'm unsure of when the next post in it will come out, but I didn't want to wait to post this one anymore



Until I write to you again, I remain humbly,


                      ~ Edna Pellen


P.S. Here's a wonderful documentary about Jane Austen

Christian Music

Hello there,

This may seem off topic, but considering it is on the subject of song writing I'll count it towards the subject of writing.

Christian music nowadays is known for being un-creative, repetitive, theologically incorrect, and generally shallow.
And I was wondering, why is that?
And why is it that so many deeply talented musicians follow the frame that Christian culture has made?
And why is it that when I sit down, wanting to write a out of the box worship song or general Christian music, I can't?
Well, I've been thinking, and I've come up with a few thoughts.
So I wrote them down, and here they are if you care to read them.


1. Christians took away creativity so we don't "show off"

It's true that worship is not a concert. It simply isn't. It is a time between man and God, and it's important that Christians don't get that confused or let selfish desires get in the way of worship
But, things like musical talent are gifts from God, and we are to use our gifts and talents to praise Him.

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us, let us use them..."
- Romans 12:6

If practically anyone can pick up a instrument, be taught four chords, and then be able to play practically every worship song... talent, or effort, are lacking greatly.
And that isn't good.

And I'm not saying that every Christian song should be near impossible to play, or that it being so easy to play is bad. The problem is why it's so simple, not the fact that it is.

So please, do not think me to be of the devil when I say this;
Things like guitar, bass, drum, and piano solos, complex rifs, complex vocals, "extra" instruments, and deeply thought out lyrics, or even no lyrics, are perfectly acceptable in a Christian song.
And if you are a Christian musician and you are more concerned with the people listening to the music you are making as opposed to God, the problem is where your heart is, not your instrument or song.

And I do not say this while claiming to be guiltless. I play in a praise team, and often lose the reason that I am playing and focus instead on hitting the next note, or thinking of the congregation instead of God, or even just letting my mind wander, while I am supposed to be praising and helping my fellow believers praise by playing music.

And on the note of writing uncreative music, as I said I do the same with worship music. It all comes out like every other Christian song.
Repetitive chords and lyrics, passionless words, and general uncreative things litter my songs when I try to write a worship or general testimonial/encouraging song.

Which leads me to my next point...

2. Christians are forcing music out of themselves 

For many Christian artists, making Christian music is their job. It's how they put bread on the table, so if they want to get payed, they need to produce music.
And as is the case with any career artist (or general artists, really), forcing art out of yourself drains you and produces passionless and meaningless art. The words grow hollow.
That isn't normally a big deal, moral-wise, but for a Christian career artist, it is. Because hollow, inaccurate, meaningless words, when spoken to God, are best left unsaid.

"But I say to you that for every idle word men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment." 
- Matthew 12:36 NKJV


3. Christians need to be careful of their intent

If you are writing a worship or Christian song just to do it (like I mentioned I did), or just to make money, or for your image, or for attention and popularity... you shouldn't write the song.
Or, you shouldn't play the song.

And that's a hard and scary concept for career Christian artists, because, as I said, words lose meaning when they're a source of income.
But, Christian, God will be with you and provide for you.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"
 - Matthew 6:25-30 NKJV

I'm not saying you need to do this. I don't know you or your circumstances. Maybe you truly mean every word you speak in your songs.
But if you need to step back for a bit, especially to reconnect with God, don't let fear for you or your family stop you.

3 (1/2). Other stuff

Other things I don't really have enough to talk about, are...

- Christians mimicking secular music in attempt to make their music better
- Christians not knowing or noticing the theologically incorrect and/or complacency in our modern music
- The fact that hymns, which often directly quote the Bible, are amazing and we should have more revamped versions of them



I didn't write this post to guilt or insult anyone. Goodness knows, I'm plenty guilty of the above, so I do not hold myself higher than anyone else for having these thoughts.

I made this post because the fact that Christian music has grown so shallow, complacent, and uncreative is not good, and is undeniable.
It's especially disturbing when you think of the fact that secular, and even satanic, music is often more creative than Christian music, when we are the ones who have something truly amazing to be passionate about

It is my hope that this post makes us Christians to stop and think for a bit, and maybe spark a passion that causes some Christian out there to write a genuine, thought out, and creative song for God. Goodness knows He deserves it.

I hope you found the above thought provoking and insightful.
If not, I'm thankful that you read it anyways (assuming you didn't just skim through, as I am often guilty of) and hope that you at least liked it.

Until I write to you again, I remain most humbly

 ~ Edna Pellen


P.S. Here's a wonderful cover of a wonderful Christian song, you should check it out: Heart Of Worship, cover by Tommee Profit

Never Have I Ever blog tag

Hello friends! 

Today, I am doing another blog tag, the "Never Have I Ever" blog tag, awarded to me through Mary, of the blog Wild Writing Dreams. 
(Mary is a hilarious and great blogger, go check out her version of this tag here).


Rules:

1. Link and thank the blogger who tagged you.

Thank you, Mary!

2. Include the graphic somewhere in your post (or make your own).

At the top of the post! I made this one, but there's others out there too. :)

3. Answer the questions truthfully and honestly.

Will do!

4. Tag three bloggers

Will do (again)!




1. Started a novel that I didn’t finish

Ehh, yes, I have. But I didn't toss them out all together. I have several books that I paused and will continue some day. But I don't think I ever really gave up on a book (not that I have problems with doing that, especially if the content in it is inappropriate).



2. Written a novel completely by hand

Alas, I have not, for that would require having completed a novel.



3. Changed my protagonist’s name halfway through a draft

No, and I never ever will! Names are far, far too important to a character to change willy-nilly. Once, I changed a side characters name and the spelling of another name, but other then that, no (not even when a friend of mine said that my main character had a weird name in so many words)



4.Written a story in a month or less

Well, that depends on what you mean by that. I have written many ballads within days, but if you mean something a novel... No, though I have written the length of a novel during NaNo. 

I also wrote a couple flash fiction/short stories that I lost the original documents for, but they were completed within a month. They were probably no more than 2k words, separately. 



5. Fallen asleep while writing

Nope, but it's been close. Lots of zoning out and brain wanderings. I'm pretty sure my brain up and leaves when I really need to get late night writing done.



6. Corrected someone’s grammar in real life/online

As a beta reader and friend to many writers who sometimes ask for help with editing, yes, quite often. 
Outside of that, probably at some point. I try not to because I'm a little sensitive to it myself (being dyslexic and all), so when I haven't been asked to correct grammar I don't. 



7. Yelled in all caps at myself in the middle of a novel

Ah, most definitely. Usually it's during NaNo when that happens. 



8. Used “I’m writing” as an excuse

I have, though I'm not overly proud of the fact.


9. Killed a character that was based on someone I know in real life

No, I'm not that demented. 
Though who knows, that may change.



10. Used pop culture references in a story

Mm... I don't think so. Though I am pretty sure that pop culture has stolen some of my story stuff straight out of my head and turned it into movies and memes.

Oh wait, yes! I am giving a character a literal arrow to the knee as a sort of nod to Skyrim (I remembered this while answering the last question)



11. Written between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Yep, up until... Three in the morning, I think. 

(Note from editing Edna: I actually drafted the majority of this post at around one in the morning, because I couldn't sleep.)



12. Drank an entire pot of coffee while writing

No, I'm not fond of coffee. I admit it is a practical tool, and good on occasion, but I could certainly never drink a pot of it. Two cups of it is enough to fill me with anxiety for days. 
Tea would be a different story, but even then I switch from caffeinated to herbal at around midnight, otherwise i would never fall asleep.


13. Written down dreams to use in potential novels

I have! I have this one story about dreams brewing in my mind that came from a dream.
Wait... It did, didn't it? Oh well now I'm second guessing myself.
Either way, I'm pretty sure I have.


14. Published an unedited story on the Internet/my blog/Wattpad

No, I haven't ever published a story, actually. The closest I've come is putting my poetry up here. The post called something like "poems written in a sick haze" was generally unedited, given I was sick and didn't care about such things, and the poem under my tab "The Name" was edited, but poorly (and yes, I still have it there despite that).


15. Procrastinated homework/schoolwork because I wanted to write

Once I had to write a story for school and when I did I put off all the other schoolwork until it couldn't anymore. 
Does that count? 


16. Typed (or handwritten) so long that my wrists hurt

Yes, to both typed and handwritten.
During NaNo last November, I wrote it all on my phone, so I constantly had my arms up and wrists locked. 
It was a obnoxious sort of pain, very dull but persistent. But I couldn't let that bring me down and stop me from writing, so of course I continued to write in that exact same position for the month. 
And because moving my arms and stretching them and resting my wrists is clearly way too much work, even when typing at a keyboard, I will likely continue on and get arthritis (or, arthwriteis). 



17. Spilled a drink on my laptop/computer (or notebook or typewriter) while writing

Yes. Too. Many. Times.



18. Forgotten to save my work/draft

Ahahahahaha. We don't talk about that. 



19. Finished writing a novel

Sadly not. I have written the length many times, but somehow managed to never complete it.



20. Laughed like an evil villain while writing a scene

I don't think so. It doesn't sound too out of character for me, but I can't recall a time where I did.



21. Cried while writing a scene

Many many times. But to be fair, mostly in the story I a co-writing with my sister, Liana,  or something in relation to it.
I think my leading independent WIP, Roslyn, has made me cry a few times as well.



22. Created maps of my fictional worlds

Yes! I love making maps! I nearly completed Roslyn's map digitally, but of course, the laptop on which it was made and saved died.
I have a lesser completed physical version of the map, but I am sure I have forgotten much from the completed version.


23. Researched something shady for my novel

Yes indeed. I spent quite some time trying to find the solutions to a near deadly wound I gave my dear side character, which meant researching a lot of vital organs, arteries, and the like, as well as trying to research arrow wounds for a literal arrow to the knee online.
All I got for the latter was a bunch of Skyrim memes and topics, and the more of those that I got, the more shifty and specific my searches became.



My Three Nominees for this Tag:


1. Maple from Maple Quill Penning Magic

2. Mattie May from The Blossoming Writer

3. R.M. Archer from Scribes and Archers


Nominees' questions:

The questions are the same ones that I answered, but to make answering it a little more convenient, here's the list:

Have you ever...

1. Started a novel that I didn't finish
2. Written a novel completely by hand
3. Changed my protagonist’s name halfway through a draft
4. Written a story in a month or less
5. Fallen asleep while writing.
6. Corrected someone’s grammar irl (in real life)/online.
7. Yelled in all caps at myself in the middle of a novel.
8. Used “I’m writing” as an excuse.
9. Killed a character that was based on someone I know in real life.
10. Used pop culture references in a story.
11. Written between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
12. Drank an entire pot of coffee while writing.
13. Written down dreams to use in potential novels.
14. Published an unedited story on the Internet/my blog/Wattpad.
15. Procrastinated homework/schoolwork because I wanted to write.
16. Typed (or handwritten) so long that my wrists hurt.
17. Spilled a drink on my laptop/computer (or notebook or typewriter) while writing.
18. Forgotten to save my work/draft.
19. Finished writing a novel.
20. Laughed like an evil villain while writing a scene.
21. Cried while writing a scene.
22. Created maps of my fictional worlds.
23. Researched something shady for my novel.

And that's the end! I hope you enjoyed this. Feel free to snag the tag and use it on your own blog. 

Side note, I think my posting schedule is evening out a bit. I have a few posts that need a few edits before being posted, but are mainly done, that should keep Bleeding Ink active more than usual. I also have a few things coming up that I'm really excited for (my top secret mission that I can't tell you about yet). So stick around!


Regards, 


                     ~ Edna Pellen

"Everlasting Gold", Mattie May Book Debut!

Dear reader,

I have another exciting book release to rave about!

Mattie May, of *The Blossoming Writer*, will be publishing her debut novel, a historical fiction by the name of Everlasting Gold, this spring!
Here is the blurb for it:

"With America on the brink of Civil War, the successful Dr. Billy Taylor is sent by the infamous Knights of Golden Circle to find the stolen gold of the robber Rattlesnake Dick.
When he needs to get to California without suspicion, he uses his estranged brother Philip's family.
Little does he know how his heart will be caught by his young niece Angie. 
When everything comes undone, will there be forgiveness?
Will Angie still love her uncle after what he has done to her and her family?"


I have had the pleasure of reading the occasional snippet from this story, and if those are anything to go by, it'll be worth the read. 

Please help spread the word of this upcoming release, and show some support to a indie writer by buying her book when it releases later this spring. 

Mattie May is a Christian teen writer. As soon as she could read a desire to write her own stories was kindled. She was always taught the importance of history and soon her love of writing and history were combined into historical fiction.
She lives in central California with her family, two german shepherds and too many cats. 

You can follow her on Facebook, @Mattie.May.Author, or on her blog The Blossoming Writer



Be sure you stop by her blog or Facebook for more information, as well as offer her a encouraging word. Publishing a book is no small thing, you know. 


When her book is released, I have every intention of buying, reading, and reviewing it, so stick around!


   ~Edna Pellen

P.S. I again will remind you that I am still writing posts and being productive towards this blog in the awkward season of only being able to post occasionally, so please bear with me as I figure this out.