“The sun rose and said to me, 'Be a ray of sunshine for someone today.'
The wind nudged at my back and said to me, 'Blow a kiss to someone today.'
The rain wet my cheek and said to me, 'Dry a tear on a somber face today.'
The soil fed grass at my feet and said to me, 'Add pleasure to a life today.'
The ocean washed ashore and said to me, 'Calm the tempest of a troubled soul today.'
The mountain trembled and said to me, 'Soften a heart of stone today.'
The moon lit the night and said to me, 'Show the way with your simple giving.'
So I went and did as they bid me do.
And the sun shone brightly on me.
And the wind caressed my face.
And the rain washed away my stains.
And the soil made a rose garden along my path.
And the ocean carried me from shore to shore.
And the mountain sheltered me from storms.
And the moon smiled down on me.
I've come to realize I can never give enough to recompense what I get in return.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich
Monday, December 8, 2014
Thursday, November 27, 2014
I Am Thankful
It's Thanksgiving Day and I've eaten waaaay too much... again. The turkey, potatoes, gravy, dressing, sweet yams, homemade rolls-it was all delicious. Well worth the hour of bloated misery afterward. But as wonderful as our traditional spread always is, the turkey and tempting trimmings aren't my main draw to this holiday. I like that Thanksgiving is a day of opportunity to give sincere thanks. I enjoy taking time to really contemplate the many things I have--the abundance of blessings I enjoy. And today I've done just that. Here is my list of ten things I'm genuinely thankful for. It barely scrapes the surface.
1. The chance to be Mom. There was a time I thought I would never get to hear someone call me "Mommy," until three great boys blessed my life. Now I get to hear "Mom!" all the time--spoken, whined, grumbled, and even yelled across the house.
2. The opportunity to pray. I learned to talk to God when I was little, and I've done so daily all my life. Things I can't tell anyone else, I tell the Lord. He has become my best friend.
3. The phenomenal things done on a cell phone. I can self-publish a book, take virtual tours, watch tv, communicate with anyone anywhere, pay bills, create music/photo albums, see my house from space, play chess with a stranger in Japan, check my heart rate and temp, Google info on any curious thought, and tons more!
4. Having my parents nearby. The years tend to teach us what a miraculous blessing it is to have parents who sacrifice so much (including moments of sanity) to raise you, who continually support your far-fetched goals, who listen to your complaints, and who would never ever consider forsaking you. Parents are golden.
5. The continual improvement of talents. I kept a copy of my very first attempt at writing a novel. Reading it makes me groan (and sometimes laugh out loud.) Oh, how far my writing has come since then! I can only imagine the progress in years to come. I'm grateful for the fact--practice is improvement, and improvement only leads to perfection. I can see this truth in my artwork as well.
6. Hot fudge sundaes. My new favorite treat is a smooth, sweet, tempting, mouthwatering, chocolatey, irresistible, oh so yummy... uh, be right back.
7. Family and friends. Relationships make life richer. Everyone needs a little love and attention—both given and received.
8. The time and freedom to write my books. I've learned to use moments wisely and not take time for granted, knowing small increments add up. Word by word I write my novels. They are my escape from life's burdens, a portal to new worlds and realities, a fresh change of scenery, a means to interact with my imaginary friends, and a real workout for my creative muscle.
9. Good health and strength. Truly, being well and whole and able are great blessings not to be taken for granted. I love that I can walk, breathe freely, feel good, see to read, and type to write.
10. Learning new things. It's incredible how much information exists at our fingertips nowadays. Want to know about something? Just go online, search the topic, and see the mass material available!
Friday, October 31, 2014
The Next Chapter You've Been Waiting For in The Tarishe Curse
Happy Halloween!
An air of excitement sends a chill down my spine because I just posted the next chapter of The Tarishe Curse online! As in years past, this spook tale that continues every Hallows Eve is dedicated to my friend, the reigning Queen of Halloween—Cathie Duvall. If you have recently become aware of our Hallows Eve tradition, click on the title here—The Tarishe Curse—and enter a gripping Halloween tale that will have you returning every year on this same spooky night for another reader's treat. Now, get comfortable, ghouls and goblins. It is story time!
“Vengeance would have us assault an enemy's pride to beat him down. But vengeance hides a dangerous truth, for a humbled foe gains patience, courage, strength, and greater determination.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich
― Richelle E. Goodrich
Saturday, October 25, 2014
A Cursed Halloween Story
All
Hallows Eve
is nearing! I'm so excited!
You know what this means—another installment in the ongoing spook tale,
If you have yet to
experience the plight of the Queen of Werefolk—caused by a witch’s curse—now is the time to curl up in the corner of your sofa and greedily feast on the beginning chapters of a gripping Halloween tale. Following are quotes from the reading to wet
your appetite:
"Vengeance, retaliation, retribution, revenge are deceitful brothers; vile, beguiling demons promising justifiable compensation to a pained soul for his losses. Yet in truth they craftily fester away all else of worth remaining."
“I squinted at the western sky behind Thaddeus, a blood-red smear melting into blackness. Twisting my neck, I glanced the opposite direction. My teeth clenched at a magnified, round moon nearly as scarlet as the portending sunset, its luminous face half masked by hazy cloud cover. Hatred, vengeance, anger… such emotions coursed through my veins in a poisonous concoction that muddied my mind, impelling me to grip my sword tighter and fight with every ounce of strength I possessed against those who threatened my family - my kind. Currently, Thaddeus was behaving as such a threat, using his powers of persuasion to condone human sacrifice for some outrageously perceived good. He wanted an offering for the monsters; a desperate, futile offering of human flesh that would in no way protect the other villagers from being mauled as he promised.”
“Misery is a river of tears that whispers my name in a constant hiss.”
I nodded. “It’s warm.”
“I made it. Well, actually, I didn’t skin the animal, but I did kill it… after the others pinned it down. It’s werewolf skin.”
My heart faltered; I gripped at a wad of black fur.
“I slayed the beast for you, Catherine. I used your sword. It was your grandmother’s idea actually, a wedding present. You mentioned how chilly you get.”
“You didn’t slay a werewolf,” I breathed before repeating the words louder. “You did not slay a werewolf, Thaddeus.”
“Oh, but I did. I took a band of huntsman with me and we tracked one down. A smaller one, mind you, not far from the front gate…”
“You did not!” I contended more strongly. Why would one wolf have separated from the pack? Why outside our walls?
“Yes, Catherine, I did,” he insisted.
I shook my head disbelieving. “You’re not capable—”
“I am so.”
I wanted to cry. I wanted to protest, but to do so meant giving away my knowledge of the truth. Without knowing what else to do or say I changed the subject.
“The fire’s gone out.”
Thaddeus turned his head to check. “You’re right. I’ll see to it.”
He fed the barrel stove until a healthy blaze was roaring. Finding me no longer a decent conversationalist, Thaddeus left with a promise to return soon with food and water. Unobserved, I gathered up the fur hide of a lost soul and curled into a ball, hugging it close to my chest.
I cried silent tears and mourned for this unknown werewolf for days.
“Enemies may unite to eliminate a common threat, but never without a wary eye fixed on their ally.”
“Vengeance would have us assault an enemy's pride to beat him down. But vengeance hides a dangerous truth, for a humbled foe gains patience, courage, strength, and greater determination.”
The
nonsense of his claim made me stammer over the rest of my question. “But…no, no, why did you… I mean, why didn’t
you kill me? Why let me live? I’m your sworn enemy wielding the power to destroy
you, so why am I not dead?”
His
face fell forlorn as if he had insight into the ending of my story, one that
could only be labeled a tragedy. I was
certain such was the case; I would most likely die here at the hands of the
same monsters who’d taken my offspring.
But I would not go to the grave without first understanding this
mystery. When moisture appeared to glisten
in his eyes, the sight was excruciating to me, so I dropped my gaze to stare at
his legs—waiting.”
“Enemies may unite to eliminate a common threat, but never without a wary eye fixed on their ally.”
I
made a heart-sworn oath at that very moment, vowing on my son’s grave to hunt
down the black queen of the devil and strike her dead with my silver
sword. And I would do the same to her
companion, that foul umber wolf.
“Grandma,
it hurts,” I cried, lifting my face to seek compassion in her gaze. “I want that wolf to pay for what she’s
done!”
Her
cold hand rested on my cheek and wiped at a spill of tears.
“Oh,
the wretched creature shall pay, Catherine,” Grandmother assured me. A fiery glimmer flashed in her eyes, and I
knew my pain was understood. “She shall
pay dearly.”
“Vengeance is a monster of appetite, forever bloodthirsty and never filled.”
Copyright 2012 Richelle E. Goodrich
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Books, Blogs, & Bits Interviews Me
The following is an interview of yours truly arranged by Books, Blogs, and Bits: A site to share and highlight books, authors, and other interesting stuff. I enjoyed this interview a great deal and have posted it here for your reading pleasure.
BB & B: I love this quote of yours,
Richelle: Yes, I certainly can. For the most part, my quotes have been inspired by personal experiences and some unpleasant trials. At times, however, they’ve resulted from a keen fascination for observing and evaluating human behavior. I like to ‘people watch’, perhaps because I never cease to be amazed by the actions of others.
The quote you mention regarding courage came to me when I was facing a difficult challenge that resulted in taking a stand for what I heartily wanted despite strenuous opposition. I’m no super hero, I’ll admit. I cringe at the mere mention of anxiety, fear, and confrontation. But I’ve learned that courage isn’t reserved for the brave and daring only. Courage means taking action, period. And even a timid personality can do that—albeit trembling the entire time.
BB & B: I love fantasy and magic in my books and you definitely capture these elements so beautifully in your stories. What inspires you when in the creation of your characters and the world they live in?
Richelle: I’m a daydreamer to the very core. There are a thousand stories swirling in my head constantly, sort of like an inner library where I slip a book off the shelf almost daily for the purpose of entertaining an untiring brain. If only I could write—had the time to write—all the adventures and fantasies that play on my mental viewscreen. I have my favorites memorized, and I tweak their stories often, hoping someday to jot them down on paper. I’ve always been this way, passing the time in another world, pretending to be some extraordinary character. I have to laugh because I actually wrote a quote inspired by this truth:
Art seems to be a strong stimulation when it comes to sparking stories in my imagination. I believe that’s because art is so highly interpretive, which means I must draw on my own creativity to evaluate it. And once the creativity starts to flow, quite frankly there’s no stopping what develops from it.
BB & B: To what extent do your characters remind you of yourself or someone you know?
Richelle: I’m smiling at this question. I am a firm believer that there is absolutely a portion of the personality of a writer in the main character(s) he/she creates. My characters are not exactly as I am, but they most certainly do possess solid elements of ‘me-ness’ in them. They must, because it’s me imagining how they would react and respond and reply to presented stimuli. And all I have to go on is what exists within my experience; experience that has made me, me.
BB & B: If you had to pick just one story or one character of yours. Which or who would it be and why?
Richelle: Hmmmm. Pick one for what purpose? Do you want the character that entertains me the most? Or the one I most relate to? Or the one that I enjoyed creating most? Okay, let’s see…
The character that entertains me most is probably Kira the Mishmorat from my stories in the Harrowbethian Saga or "Eena" books. Kira’s personality is nervy, edgy, and spirited—traits I normally repress. She speaks at will, behaves boldly, is a striking beauty and an alluring nymph. I love how she is.
The character that I most relate to would be Annabelle Fancher in Dandelions. Not because I have ever experienced the abusive life she unfortunately endures, but because she and I both are dreamers and avid people watchers. Despite Annabelle’s youth, she makes very astute observations about her peers and many adults.
Next, I’ve come to realize that where dreams are concerned I have only two choices—give up or keep going. If I were to give up, that would translate into sheer failure, and I do NOT want to fail. Therefore, I’ve no other choice but to keep going, to keep striving towards those dreams.
The last habit I rely upon most heavily. I pray. I explain to my Heavenly Father what I wish to achieve, and I ask Him for inspiration, guidance, and His hand in making it possible. And I believe assuredly that He can and will help me.
BB & B: Do you have any works in progress? What can fans expect from you in the near future?
Richelle: Yes, as a matter of fact; I’m excited about this one! I’ve begun a new YA book staring a genius boy-gifted girl duo. They’re coerced by an old Mayan priest into opposing phantom villains who must be stopped at all costs or else… (Wait a minute. I probably shouldn’t give the entire story away.) Anyhow, I hope to have this work completed by the end of the year.
BB & B: Do you have any closing words you’d like to share?
Richelle: Sure, how about a quote to inspire? This one is from my recently released book, Smile Anyway:
Thank you Richelle for your time! Beautiful words indeed!
To get to know more about Richelle and her great works, please visit the links below:
____________________________
Books, Blogs, and Bits
is proud to present:
Richelle E. Goodrich
Richelle E. Goodrich lives in Washington with her husband and three boys somewhere in a compromise between country and city living. She has two BA degrees and possesses a wide range of interests in the creative arts. Her love for writing emerged later in life, first manifesting itself through children’s books geared at entertaining her boys. Eena, The Dawn and Rescue and Eena, The Return of a Queen (the beginning adventures in the Harrowbethian Saga) are Richelle’s first novel-length achievements. This author will tell you that the greatest thrill of writing is to hear what readers have to say about the characters living within her enchanted pages.
~ ~
BB & B: I love this quote of yours,
“Courage to me is doing something daring, no matter how afraid, insecure, intimidated, alone, unworthy, incapable, ridiculed or whatever other paralyzing emotion you might feel. Courage is taking action… no matter what. So you’re afraid? Be afraid. Be scared silly to the point you’re trembling and nauseous, but do it anyway!” -Smile Anyway
Can you tell us about this quote and what brought out these words of encouragement?
Richelle: Yes, I certainly can. For the most part, my quotes have been inspired by personal experiences and some unpleasant trials. At times, however, they’ve resulted from a keen fascination for observing and evaluating human behavior. I like to ‘people watch’, perhaps because I never cease to be amazed by the actions of others.
The quote you mention regarding courage came to me when I was facing a difficult challenge that resulted in taking a stand for what I heartily wanted despite strenuous opposition. I’m no super hero, I’ll admit. I cringe at the mere mention of anxiety, fear, and confrontation. But I’ve learned that courage isn’t reserved for the brave and daring only. Courage means taking action, period. And even a timid personality can do that—albeit trembling the entire time.
BB & B: I love fantasy and magic in my books and you definitely capture these elements so beautifully in your stories. What inspires you when in the creation of your characters and the world they live in?
Richelle: I’m a daydreamer to the very core. There are a thousand stories swirling in my head constantly, sort of like an inner library where I slip a book off the shelf almost daily for the purpose of entertaining an untiring brain. If only I could write—had the time to write—all the adventures and fantasies that play on my mental viewscreen. I have my favorites memorized, and I tweak their stories often, hoping someday to jot them down on paper. I’ve always been this way, passing the time in another world, pretending to be some extraordinary character. I have to laugh because I actually wrote a quote inspired by this truth:
“I live in two unique worlds, traveling between both with just the opening or closing of my eyes.”That’s me. What inspires these stories—the characters and the worlds they come from? Well... what doesn’t inspire them? In other words, just about anything can act as inspiration for me, depending upon what I’m thinking about at the moment. A mangled tree once inspired an entire book, including the type of life that dominated a fantasy world. A touching scene from a movie was what sparked the idea for my book, Dandelions.
~Richelle E. Goodrich
Art seems to be a strong stimulation when it comes to sparking stories in my imagination. I believe that’s because art is so highly interpretive, which means I must draw on my own creativity to evaluate it. And once the creativity starts to flow, quite frankly there’s no stopping what develops from it.
BB & B: To what extent do your characters remind you of yourself or someone you know?
Richelle: I’m smiling at this question. I am a firm believer that there is absolutely a portion of the personality of a writer in the main character(s) he/she creates. My characters are not exactly as I am, but they most certainly do possess solid elements of ‘me-ness’ in them. They must, because it’s me imagining how they would react and respond and reply to presented stimuli. And all I have to go on is what exists within my experience; experience that has made me, me.
BB & B: If you had to pick just one story or one character of yours. Which or who would it be and why?
Richelle: Hmmmm. Pick one for what purpose? Do you want the character that entertains me the most? Or the one I most relate to? Or the one that I enjoyed creating most? Okay, let’s see…
The character that entertains me most is probably Kira the Mishmorat from my stories in the Harrowbethian Saga or "Eena" books. Kira’s personality is nervy, edgy, and spirited—traits I normally repress. She speaks at will, behaves boldly, is a striking beauty and an alluring nymph. I love how she is.
The character that I most relate to would be Annabelle Fancher in Dandelions. Not because I have ever experienced the abusive life she unfortunately endures, but because she and I both are dreamers and avid people watchers. Despite Annabelle’s youth, she makes very astute observations about her peers and many adults.
The character I most enjoyed creating would be Eena, hands down. That’s because she is me. I am her. At least that’s the way I always imagined it when I use to daydream about Eena and her other-world adventures as a high school student bored to death in class.
BB & B: Here’s another quote from Smile Anyway
BB & B: Here’s another quote from Smile Anyway
, “A daily dose of daydreaming heals the heart, soothes the soul, and strengthens the imagination.”
I just love your quotes. They’re inspiring and full of wisdom. I can see that you are about positivity and living up to your true calling and not giving up. Can you share with us your tips for staying positive and keeping on course? I think this can be especially challenging for those of us in the creative field.
Richelle: There are three things that help fuel my drive to succeed. The first is an easy and simple habit; I do at least one thing daily to get me nearer to my goal. On a busy day, that might mean writing just one sentence in a developing manuscript. On a lazy day I might read for research purposes or scribble out an entry on my author blog. The point is that I not allow myself to become stagnant. Doing nothing achieves nothing, therefore I take at least one step toward my goal every day, despite how tiny the step.
Richelle: There are three things that help fuel my drive to succeed. The first is an easy and simple habit; I do at least one thing daily to get me nearer to my goal. On a busy day, that might mean writing just one sentence in a developing manuscript. On a lazy day I might read for research purposes or scribble out an entry on my author blog. The point is that I not allow myself to become stagnant. Doing nothing achieves nothing, therefore I take at least one step toward my goal every day, despite how tiny the step.
Next, I’ve come to realize that where dreams are concerned I have only two choices—give up or keep going. If I were to give up, that would translate into sheer failure, and I do NOT want to fail. Therefore, I’ve no other choice but to keep going, to keep striving towards those dreams.
The last habit I rely upon most heavily. I pray. I explain to my Heavenly Father what I wish to achieve, and I ask Him for inspiration, guidance, and His hand in making it possible. And I believe assuredly that He can and will help me.
BB & B: Do you have any works in progress? What can fans expect from you in the near future?
Richelle: Yes, as a matter of fact; I’m excited about this one! I’ve begun a new YA book staring a genius boy-gifted girl duo. They’re coerced by an old Mayan priest into opposing phantom villains who must be stopped at all costs or else… (Wait a minute. I probably shouldn’t give the entire story away.) Anyhow, I hope to have this work completed by the end of the year.
BB & B: Do you have any closing words you’d like to share?
Richelle: Sure, how about a quote to inspire? This one is from my recently released book, Smile Anyway:
“Never give up.
It’s like breathing—once you quit, your flame dies letting total darkness extinguish every last gasp of hope. You can’t do that. You must continue taking in even the shallowest of breaths, continue putting forth even the smallest of efforts to sustain your dreams. Don’t ever, ever, ever give up.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich
Thank you Richelle for your time! Beautiful words indeed!
To get to know more about Richelle and her great works, please visit the links below:
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Author Spotlight: Raani York
Raani York has been a high-volume writer for years. She has published articles, letters, short stories, poems, and continuation stories. She also writes novels, some of which can be found on her website. Her book, Dragonbride, first in the Dragon Chronicles, was recently released.
Raani was educated in Switzerland and in the U.S. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. She also obtained diplomas in Graphic Design, Color Studies, and won a prize as a Logo Designer. She speaks four languages and several dialects.
Raani York works and lives in Switzerland and the U.S. and travels often.
Next to her writing and her cats, Raani likes reading, blogging, Martial Arts, skiing, horseback riding, sky diving and enjoys playing the classical piano.
Dragonbride
(The Dragon Chronicles, Book #1)
Shalima, “Daughter of the Light”, was born under special circumstances. She was raised by her aunts instead of her mother because she needed to be prepared to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Scriptures, which told that she was the only Magician on Earth.
Her aunts carefully prepared her for her obligations and her sacred duty. She will have to get married to the Holy Golden Dragon, the King of the Dragons, a huge Earth Dragon with magical talents. She cannot believe that she is the “Chosen One”, who has to protect the Dragon Species, all of Nature and finally the Earth. But when she turned into a teenager it seemed that the Old Scriptures were right.
Buy the Book:
Purchase on Smashwords as an Ebook for following formats:
epub, mobi, pd,f rtf, lrf ,pdb, txt, html
Purchase the kindle or paperback version on Amazon.com.
Teaser:
The mountains possessed a dark but seductive beauty, and they lay in
wait for the ones who came through the Fire Hell. The powdered white peaks of
the sparkling black mountain-world watched for them with longing.
The Diamond Mountains gave the illusion of being much closer than they
really were, and many a pilgrim had been lured to his death by the promise of
riches hidden on their slopes. These mountains were so named because of the rough
gems strewn about the black volcanic soil. When the sun shone overhead the gems
made the mountains sparkle and shimmer brightly, and at night they made the
moonlit mountains glow with a soft silver light.
People, blinded by both their greed and the tantalizing glittering of
the sunlit earth, imagined that there was immeasurable wealth lying there on
the ground, just waiting to be picked. However, the mountains never betrayed
the secrets they held. None who had ever walked those slopes could find the
diamonds hidden within the black soil, for the mountains protected themselves.
Although healthy forest still grew in the foothills, the undergrowth
became sparser just a few hundred feet up, and then the treeline ended. Where
stunted trees would normally grow the forest just stopped, as if some unseen
hand had cut it short. All that remained were dangerously sharp, dry rocks.
Just below the snowline, the rocks disappeared, and the glittering black soil
took their place.
Moreover, at the summit it seemed as
if the Creator of All Things had dusted the peaks of the fissured mountain
range with powdered sugar, for they were covered with a deceptively
soft-looking, yet extremely sharp-edged eternal snow.
The mountains never betrayed their secrets...
And if a wanderer were to climb those peaks, going up to the Fire Hell
and searching to quench his thirst at a splashing mountain spring, he would
find no cool, refreshing water. Instead, these living mountains would seek to
frighten him by shrouding the ground with a mysterious fog that made it
impossible to see where he was putting his feet. Pilgrims sometimes drowned in
the sulfurous pools of water hidden within the hellish rocks when the fog
appeared, and if they left the main trails, they would know true fear, for they
would be led down treacherous sidepaths that seemed to take them somewhere, yet
actually led them nowhere but to their doom.
The mountains never betrayed their secrets...
Though many thought they would find the cool relief of the shadows by
early evening, the ascent would continue for another three torturous days.
During those three days, their throats would scream for water, and their eyes
would tear up in the swirling sand. Blown up by the hot desert winds, the sand
burned as it fell upon a traveler's face and skin. Eventually their limbs would
become heavy, and they would barely be able to move; thus, the wanderers would
be forced to crawl on, farther and farther, until sheer luck eventually brought
them to civilization... to people.
In a canyon between two hills below the mountain range there was a
village. It had no official name, but the people living there called it
Alpcateçu, which meant Oasis of the Mountains. Anyone who wanted to climb the
mountains had to pass through the village. A few taverns and inns surrounded
the village fountain, where a market was sometimes held.
Some houses and huts had been built in the wide hills and even at the
edge of the forest... and in one such place, hidden within the woods, almost
four hundred feet past the deepest thicket and connected to the village only by
a sidepath lay the place in which I had been born.
Contact:
Website:
http://www.raaniyork.com
Blog:
http://www.raaniyork.wordpress.com
Email:
raaniyorkca@aol.com
Google:
https://plus.google.com/115854197563561201228/posts
FB:
https://www.facebook.com/raaniyork
FB
Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/DragonScriptures
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/RaaniYork
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/raani-york/5/922/b37
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12628426-raani-york
Monday, October 13, 2014
Prepare for Hallows Eve with a Werewolf Tale
It's mid
October.
The air
has taken on an icy chill. The trees have turned colors—from calm green
to blazing red and ginger. Maple leaves rain down on me as I realize All Hallows
Eve is merely days away. I am excited
because this means another installment in my ongoing Halloween Tale.
If you've not heard how the ritual of my
annual spook tale got started, three years back
I wrote a short story for a friend who could easily be crowned Queen of
Halloween (she is that obsessed with the holiday.) Her
thrill over the story and a question as to what happens next started a writing
tradition that continues today. Every Halloween, I add to an ongoing adventure starring the queen of werefolk—including a powerful and vengeful witch, devious
vampires, and other frightful creatures of the night. It is a spooky
delight!
So prepare yourselves!
Read the beginning chapters of The Tarishe Curse and either enjoy it for the first time or refresh
your memory of Duvalla and Kresh. And on this next Halloween… get ready
for more!
Follow Richelle's board Encourage and Enlighten Me on Pinterest.
Monday, October 6, 2014
This is Life
Learning to love through loss. Seeking warm pockets in the bitter cold. Finding the worth of a smile on a cloudy day. Carrying the weight of the world on weary shoulders—mistakes, sins, injustices—added upon daily. Enduring burdens that spur greater strength.
This is life.
Sorting through layers of expressions staring you straight in the eye. A battle to be right when wrong, to be good when bad, to be content when in need, and to laugh when tearing up.
This is life.
Valuing things of no worth. Reevaluating dreams. Laboring ceaselessly against the current. Seeing less, wanting more, having enough.
This is life.
Chasing the moon when the sun would extend its warmth. Slapping the hand that would offer a gentle caress. Cowering at personal, monstrous shadows. Giving and taking in unbalanced weights. Diminishing the majesty of mountains in order to form our own lowly hills. Hoping for more than we deserve.
This is life.
Hurting. Despairing. Losing. Weeping. Suffering. Laboring. Sinking. Mourning. Appreciating with greater capacity and sincerity a learned knowledge that these adversities do have their opposites.
This is life.
A taste. A revelation. A banishment. A mercy. A test. An experience. A turbulent sea-voyage that shall assuredly reach the unseen shore, making seasoned sailors of us all.
This is life.
This is life.
Sorting through layers of expressions staring you straight in the eye. A battle to be right when wrong, to be good when bad, to be content when in need, and to laugh when tearing up.
This is life.
Valuing things of no worth. Reevaluating dreams. Laboring ceaselessly against the current. Seeing less, wanting more, having enough.
This is life.
Chasing the moon when the sun would extend its warmth. Slapping the hand that would offer a gentle caress. Cowering at personal, monstrous shadows. Giving and taking in unbalanced weights. Diminishing the majesty of mountains in order to form our own lowly hills. Hoping for more than we deserve.
This is life.
Hurting. Despairing. Losing. Weeping. Suffering. Laboring. Sinking. Mourning. Appreciating with greater capacity and sincerity a learned knowledge that these adversities do have their opposites.
This is life.
A taste. A revelation. A banishment. A mercy. A test. An experience. A turbulent sea-voyage that shall assuredly reach the unseen shore, making seasoned sailors of us all.
This is life.
"You were born and with you endless possibilities, very few ever to be realized. It's okay. Life was never about what you could do, but what you would do. "
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all."
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
"So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be."
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
— Mae West
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
“Life is a test. It was designed to be so. It is where we taste the bitter and the sweet; where we feel pain and pleasure; where we learn right from wrong; where we pass through both darkness and light. It is a time to make choices. And through this process we form our characters—some grand and glorious, some barely decent, and others just plain monstrous.”
Thursday, September 11, 2014
About the Sun
I love when the sun plays hide-n-seek for a few days because its invisibility often goes unnoticed. The world seems content that its presence behind the clouds is enough.
But as soon as that brilliant sun jumps into the open sky once again―shining in full splendor―our closed eyes automatically turn toward it, and we bask beneath a warm and tender touch, grateful all the more that our glorious sun exists.
But as soon as that brilliant sun jumps into the open sky once again―shining in full splendor―our closed eyes automatically turn toward it, and we bask beneath a warm and tender touch, grateful all the more that our glorious sun exists.
"Laughter is sunshine, it chases winter from the human face."
"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."
"Some people are so much sunshine to the square inch."
"I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."
"It is amazing what one ray of sunshine can do for a man!"
"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."
"Ô, Sunlight! The most precious gold to be found on Earth."
"He was sunshine most always-I mean he made it seem like good weather."
"To wish for the happiest days is to wish for a season of sorrow; for it is only after prolonged, wintry darkness that the summer sun appears to shine at its brightest."
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Visit Moccobatra
For
those who have tried to envision the world of Moccobatra, I give you a visual
representation of this beautiful planet. It is home to a mix of alien
species who long ago claimed their own portion of soil. You can see
Harrowbeth surrounded by the twisted trees of Lacsar Forest and the majestic Blue
Mountains northward. This is the proud
land Queen Eena rules.
What? You've not read of Queen Eena and her daring return to
Harrowbeth? You’ve not searched the homelands at her side, drawn to the seven ancient star points needed to restore Pallador's platform?
Oh my.
Thank heavens it's not too late to begin experiencing Eena's
adventures in the Harrowbethian Saga. And just in time too... because the next book is to be
released in a few short weeks!
So happy reading! And enjoy the maps of Moccobatra below—including
descriptions of those races inhabiting this wondrous world.
BOARATTAS
(A race of nomads similar in appearance and customs to
the Mishmorats but lacking cheetah-like spots.
They generally camp in the warmer climates of Moccobatra on the
continent shared by Harrowbeth. They
have been known in the past to share temporary dwelling sites with the Mishmorats;
although, the Boarattas are careful to keep intimate relations separate,
concerned about offspring born with identifying spots.)
BRAETICS
(Known for their expert haggling abilities, this
society thrives on commercial trade. The
people tend to be cheerful and gossipy, of stockier build. They live in warmer to mild climates in the
northern hemisphere of Moccobotra next to Middle Mei Jamay. The land is divided into four commonwealths:
Brentilies, Ardweeria, Triche, and Crestlovet.)
DOROJ
(A highly-sociable society thriving on novelties—new
trends, new technologies. The people are
talkative but easily distracted, often losing a train of thought and frequently
shifting between activities. They live
in the mild, northern continent of Moccobotra above the equator from Semmian
lands.)
GROTTS
(Giants living north of the blue mountains of
Icromeia. Their capital city, Addebiosa,
is located further north of Gabert Forest.
Their society revolves around the cultural arts; they are a friendly,
courteous race. Once a year, during the fall season, they have a harvest parade
in which the reigning Sha is traditionally invited to join.)
HARROWBETHIANS
(A people of the northern hemisphere of Moccobatra
living south of the Icromians’ Blue Mountains.
Their land is called Harrowbeth and is largely surrounded by the twisted
trees of Lacsar Forest. Their society
holds strong to tradition and propriety, keeping to aged customs. Social responsibilities are handed down
within families. Children are paired and
promised by parental pledge to marry when the girl in the relationship turns
eighteen years of age. Promised couples
wear matching pendants as they grow up to signify commitment to one
another. Their families often interact
to encourage a strong relationship. The
land is governed by the Shen and Sha of Harrowbeth as well as eight members
inheriting positions on the Council of Harrowbethian Dignitaries.)
HOJ Y`MAN
(Identified by their blue skin; the hues range from
periwinkle to indigo. They live in
Middle Mei Jamay in the same hemisphere as Harrowbeth on the opposite side of
Moccobatra. They are neighbors with the
Doroj on one side and the Braetic on the other, sharing one continent. Frequently uttered slogan: Car’ un em doy’ Hoj y`man deria, or
Faith in the Hoj y`man nation.)
ICROMIANS
(A tall, slender people living in a fortress city
called Icromeia in the blue mountains of Moccobatra. They are born with translucent wings that
buzz rapidly; they prefer flight to walking.
The average Icromian considers himself superior to most other races on
the planet. They are governed by a prime
director and appointed congress.)
LLESSURS
(A thin, delicate species living in homes carved from
existing caves in the southern, mountainous continent below the Red Desert. They share the mountains with the Monturians,
but live higher up than their dwarf neighbors.
These fair-skinned people tend to keep to themselves; they are too
elusive to detect if wishing to remain unseen.
They tend to have pastel eye colors, usually violet or blue. Green is a rare pigment in their bloodline;
yellow is even more rare. Owing to
ancient folklore describing an influential queen possessing hypnotic golden
eyes that brought good fortune to her people, those born with yellow eyes are automatically
given royal status.)
MISHMORATS
(A race of nomads with black hair, bronze skin, and
cheetah-like spots running from head to foot with some bare zones including the
main facial area. They are of average
height, muscled, and exceedingly strong for their build. They are described as
an exotic race, especially the females who paint their eyes and lips. Eye color ranges from near black to brown to
burgundy. Traveling camps generally keep
to the warmer climates of Moccobatra on the continent shared by
Harrowbeth. Their wandering,
free-spirited culture as well as their looks closely resembles the Boarattas
who only lack spots.)
MONTURIANS
(Undersized and quick on their feet, this race is
considered dwarfed in comparison to all other races inhabiting Moccobatra. They reside in the lower mountains and foot prairies
south of the Red Desert, sharing the mountains with the Llessurs who live
higher up in caves.)
NALNOMS
(A smaller race of people living in the red desert
areas of Moccobatra, at and below the equator.
They have large, dark eyes and a yellowish tone to their skin. The average Nalnom is highly active, tending
to have a rowdier disposition.)
OOREENEE
(Island dwelling people of Moccobatra, tanned and tall
with slender limbs and a long, skinny tail used to wrap around items like an
extra hand. Most have dark hair with red
highlights. Their eyes appear to glow
red at dusk as if reflecting the sunset.
The main diet of the Ooreenee is seafood and tree fruit like sweet neenee
(indigenous to the islands) and ongreas.
They have arranged marriages called ‘coupling’ similar to the
Harrowbethian promise. Parents sign a covenant
note which ties children together soon after birth. In Ooree one is said to be coupled to a
future spouse until reaching the age of marriage.)
SEMMIANS
(A race of people with white skin and silver-white
hair. They live near and below the
equator in and around the Semmian Rainforest.
The Vang Isles lie off their western coast, a tropic vacationing spot
for many Moccobatrans and a substantial source of tourism income. The Semmians are a militaristic society—though
this is more visibly reflected on the main continent than on the Vang
Isles. They are governed by military
leaders overseen by a solitary director.
The average male serves ten years in the armed forces and has two or
more wives.)
WALCLES
(A race living in the northern mountain area of the
southernmost continent on Moccobatra.
They have a brawny build, wide facial features, and are a hairy people;
their women take pride in showing off extra-long braids. Walcles like to work the land and engage in
games designed to test physical strength.)
YAREMITES
(A light-skinned, freckled people living in the South
Pole regions of Moccobatra. Their eye
color is prominently sea green and turquoise.
Hair color keeps to lighter shades of blonde. Crusty, multi-layered skin helps this race to
withstand extremely cold temperatures.
Yaremites live in cemented stone homes built high and enclosed like
castle fortresses.)
Copyright 2014 Richelle E. Goodrich
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