Traveling in the World of Beautiful Sun

Comparing Saffire’s belief to the Christian belief

2008-07-10T13:06:00.000-05:00

Saffire has come to believe in a Being greater than herself. A Being that is greater than the greatest person on earth. A Being that is so great that it is beyond anyone’s imagination. And strange thing is, this Being isn’t so much an "it" as it is a "He". He is called the Divine in Saffire’s world. The Divine is, just as God is, the Creator, the Almighty, Perfect and All Righteous, the Sovereign Ruler over everything ever created. But what is it that Saffire believes is that because the Divine is perfect and righteous, anything done not in accordance with Him has to be the opposite of righteous, which is evil.

Soon after their creation humans have come to do things (and like to do things) opposite from Him. These evils are done sometimes unintentionally but completely out of selfishness. With no regard for the Divine, humans have grown distant and wanting to make themselves creator and ruler. Yet, humans are imperfect and created and therefore cannot change their place in life. They have not seen the care and love the Divine have put into their being. This has lead the Divine to be saddened and angered altogether, for He is not only their Creator but also their Father. Saffire and others believe that the Divine is complete also in His love for His creation, but He cannot force the creation to return that love (in which case, by force it would not be true love). So He provides a way to show them all His complete love for them AND a way to cover their evils so that He is not being unrighteous by skipping their punishment. He would Himself come to the earth in a human body.

He would walk and talk among them and show them hands-on what He is all about and how much He loves them. No one knows when this is supposed to happen but many who believe in the Divine believe He will one day do this. But sadly when He does do this, He will have to allow Himself to be killed in his human body. This will be a sacrifice by bloodshed to cover the evils of the entire world, whomever will simply believe that it is the Divine who had befallen this fate as their replacement. He then would forgive them of being selfish and forgetting their place as a creation. These He would know truly loved Him, not from force but because of His own true love for them. He would allow these to live forever with Him in His Kingdom. Because He would not stay dead but come back and rule physically on the earth and out in the galaxy too.

The Comparison?
Jesus is God incarnate (in a human body). Jesus came to be a sacrifice for our sins, the evils we do that keep us distant from God (God is not the one being distant but we are). God loves us so much that He wanted to come and be with us physically, walk and talk among us, and show us who He is. Jesus said if you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father. By Jesus bloodshed we are set free from guilt and shame before the Awesome and Holy God. Jesus is our replacement to fulfill the consequences of sin so that we who believe in Him, that He is God and His death has saved, us will not have to fear death. We will be forgiven and restored to a right place with God. He will allow us to live forever with Him in Eternity because Jesus didn’t stay dead but 3 days later was raised to life by our Father in Heaven. Jesus is alive right now and we will also be raised up.

The main difference in the story from the reality of Christianity is that in Beautiful Sun the Divine has only just in the first book come to the earth. And of course in Christianity it has been 2000 years plus since Christ, our God, has come to the earth. Not that He is slack in coming back, since it has been less time since He’s come than it was before He came and believers were awaiting His arrival. In the Beautiful Sun story, the Divine, Zion, has not yet died or shown himself to be the Divine yet. Although the time is current day, it is a fiction/fantasy and it is only at the beginning of the series that we find that the Divine has come to the earth. The series is to display how God came in a body, the things He did while on earth, and how this affected certain young adults, the resurrection and what happens in this fantasy world once God sets up His kingdom.

Self-Published VS. Traditionally Published

2008-06-26T10:24:00.008-05:00

Someone please explain to me the reasons so many people look down on self-publishing?

It's not just the process that people look down on but the works self-publishing presents and the manner of persons it represents. This is all kinds from POD to web-comics, whenever you say self-published instantly you get this look of disdain. This has been the most aggravating thing about self-publishing (SP) thus far. And it seems everyone has this notion, unless they know nothing about publishing at all, or they themselves are SP.

Well for those who don’t know what I’m talking about, SP is when you get your own printer somehow (places like Lulu.com have now made it easy), and you take your book to the printer and they print off copies for you OR you simply put it on a website to be read. For now let's talk about printing. You then do all the footwork to get your book known and read. There have been many successful SP authors, but so many more drown in their own sweat. In the old days, SP meant you had a car full of books that you went door-to-door selling. However, now you don’t have to print off 100s of books and tote them around (if you don’t want), you can do Print on Demand. Meaning, when you have a customer, they can (or you can) purchase the 1 book at the time it’s wanted. This saves loads of trees and the author tons of money.

Too bad that’s not the same as a money tree!

That’s about the short end of the matter. Yet, how does this equal such bad connotations? I believe if you haven’t tried it how can you knock it. I was really peeved when not only did I come across another one of these arguments on a Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=2204546223&topic=3065, but I took almost 10 minutes replying (a quite logical reply at that) coming back a day or so later to see it was DELETED.

No worries, I’m not bitter. I only want to flesh out some main points about this topic.

SP vs. TP (Traditional publishing)

It has nothing to do with one’s quality of writing. The real set apart – SP has to either hire someone separately to edit the work or pry on friends or family to help. Because of this SP may not do as well with editing. TP generally has editing apart of the package. But not seeing TP works’ mistakes doesn’t mean they were never there to begin with.

SP saves time. If you finish your book Jan. 08, you may very well get it to the readers that same month or soon after. TP could leave that finished work unseen up til July 09! This depends on the arrangements, however, the release of a book is definitely lengthened, esp. considering that you must market the book to publishing companies before it can be arranged to get to the public. It takes some people years to just get a publisher to take on their book – let alone the wait time until it’s available.

SP’s “ready-made”, “no-bake” instant availability of the book is sharply contrasted by the necessity of marketing the book by the author (not a marketer!). Besides the hundreds of thousands of TP books out, there are also (probably) twice as many SP ones. The market is tight. So if a SP author is going to catch an audience they not only have to have a good book but have an excellent marketing plan and know how to run it. THIS ALONE MAKES ANY WELL-KNOWN SP AUTHOR BETTER THAN A TP AUTHOR. The SP one is a jack-of-all-trades . SP can hire someone to do marketing but most don’t. Now this doesn’t mean TP authors aren’t hardworking or their books aren’t worth reading. It’s just that overall a SP author works harder – that is IF if if if they have broken out and gained an audience and a revenue that would match a TP author.

Sometimes SP authors are doing so well, publishing companies go to them to get the author on their side! This has even happened to someone whom I worked with. She would submit her story to the magazine I used to manage, called AnimeAngels Mangazine (AAzine). AAzine, a self-published zine, is still alive under another Managing Editor today. It publishes Christian manga, articles, drawing tutorials, etc. I say, the mangas do rival what’s out on the traditionally published market but these are done mostly by college-aged kids who just do it for fun. I’m still hooked on Mave’s Kingdom Come. Anyway, Shelter of Wings http://www.shelterofwings.com/ was the manga and Lisa Hutchingson, the author, was picked up by Brethren Entertainment http://www.brethren-et.com/BESite3/index.php about 2 years ago. So it’s not impossible to go somewhere by starting out SP or if you are really good at SP you can even make an income. But as for SP vs. TP, they are like a self-employed entrepreneur vs. company-employed businessman climbing the ladder. Both methods have their advantages and their faults.

New Idea for Free Books

2008-06-17T10:13:00.003-05:00

Ladies and gents,

Thanks for sticking in there with me. I know I haven't been around for a few months but I believe I am finally back now. I have a few new entries to add, I really need to update you all on book 2 and the beautiful art that's coming along with it! I really do want to make both books graphic novels but I have to start slowly. It's difficult starting out but I still believe that God has a purpose for these stories. That's why one of my priorities right now is to find a way to distribute these books for free! You heard me - FREE. Now this might just be to start out but right now I really just want to get Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze into the hands of kids, youth, and young adults.

This is a huge cause! This story may help change some kids lives, give them hope and most importantly help them to see Christ. But how do I get these books in large quanities? Lulu.com is the organization currently creating the book format but even I, the author, must purchase each book (at prices I don't really like). So I considered having people donate money for distributing the books - perhaps even sending a certain percentage of the donation to a Christian organization? Do you have any ideas for me? Would you donate if I had an easy online way for you to do so?

Suggestions are really needed, please reply or email me.

Random Update

2008-05-24T10:40:00.003-05:00

I thought I would post a short and sweet update about the book since it's been over a month! Sorry guys and girls for leaving you hanging! Beautiful Sun's second book is in the making. A (probably) under-estimation would be a release of Christmas '08. Boy Craze sells have dropped a bit probably due to the author not advertising! Yes, I'm a bit frustrated at this but we are moving out of state and looking for jobs in Ohio without being there takes a bit of creativism of its own. However, I know that my supporters will keep up with me until we're settled. I believe things should be rolling again no later than the beginning of July, God-willing. :)
Thanks everyone, especially to jaems-kun for all the help.

In the meantime here is a lovely review by Ashley R. (this will be later placed in a Review section of the site):

"Beautiful Sun" is Beautiful
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up the first book of the Beautiful Sun YA series, "Boy Craze". Yet, the moment, I began to read the story I could identify with the struggles faced by Saffire. Her story made me think about my own experiences. Like her, I was tormented mercilessly while in middle and high school. I would often come home sobbing, but since the school itself seemed to not take my harassment seriously, I was left to fend for myself, just like Saffire. The teasing itself was done realistically. How many girls are judged by their social rank or appearances in school? If you aren't in a group, you are left on your own and those that see you as weak will try to break you. But when they see you could serve some purpose for them, than you become someone with a face.

I liked how Saffire's teasing wasn't watered down - something that wound made the entire book a turn off. Kids can be crueler than adults give them credit for. So many parents will deny that their child is being mean, so they get away with it and leaving others with painful memories. As an orphan who chooses to be an individual, rather than a clone, I found her character realistic and refreshing. I've read too many Christian stories where the characters don't seem to be real. They rarely face adversity, and they don't seem to have a conflict that helps them grow mentally and spiritually. Saffire is a girl with dreams, and the desire for acceptance, something we all have. Yet, she refuses to compromise her faith. This is such a good message, especially for those who are struggling with trying to fit in, and not comprising their faith.

The only thing I would like to see more of is description of the setting, such as the location and such. I love the story, but I also want to know more about the setting. What kinds of plants does Saffire see? Does she live in a place that had lots or trees, or is it more known for its summer heat? I would defiantly recommend "Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze" by Rose Barnett, and will get the second book when it's out. It has a heroine that is realistic, so I will be eagerly looking forward to more books in the series. You can find out more about this series by visiting http://beausunnews.blogspot.com or buying it at www.lulu.com/4God

Beauty...the book

2008-02-25T15:19:00.002-06:00

Beauty by Nancy Butcher. This is the latest book I've read besides re-reading Beautiful Sun book 1 currently.

Beauty is a mix between a modern story of a girl trying to please her mother and a medieval (or earlier) story of a queen and the princess who didn't wanted to be royal. If this sounds interesting to you, you may enjoy Beauty. Ana finds out early in her life that her mother, Queen Veda, does not like any challengers to her beauty. So Ana decides to make herself ugly in order to stay on her mother's good side. Yet all of her hard work (not bathing, eating pastries and dressing less than average, let alone, less than royalty) comes to nothing. Queen Veda seems to have better things to do than spend any time with her daughter. Since her husband died, Veda has to run the kingdom herself. But the book says little to nothing about the run of the kingdom as it focuses on Veda's overwhelming desire to be the most beautiful in the kingdom. So much so she's willing to kill for it. As the story goes along we find the main character and lots of other young girls (beautiful young girls) sent off to an academy that turns out to be a lot different than Ana originally thought. Soon Ana is faced with a situation that pulls her not only out of her ugliness, but also reveals the true leadership that she's hoping will never fall on her, to become queen.

The story isn't too bad, for a YA fiction. It's not so much the story but the delivery that spoils this fic. It's so long an drawn out for probably half the book. Seriously, the book has lots of background, lots of what ifs, ands, and buts...but no real storyline until about halfway through. You know it's leading up to something but nothing is actually HAPPENING and that ticked me off for most of this read. When something does finally happen, well the moral of the story soon degrades. You think it's about how there is beauty more than skin deep or that it's ok not to center your life on makeup, clothes, etc. Yet at the end of the book you are left wondering what the author is trying to communicate about beauty. The main character seems to yearn and want that surface beauty so much, it really kills the initial thought that the book would display beauty as more than surface or not something to covet. There is also a mystery character; well he's a mystery to me at least. They don't explain much about the beauty consultant and well he's kind of creepy. There's another part that is creepy in the book but gives me my favorite line from the story, "But she was already dead." Trust me, it's cool in an eerie way.

There are a couple of other things I don't quite get with this story either, but I can bypass all of it and just say, it's a not too bad story if you just want to read something. But truly, if you just want to read something (and get hooked, fall in love and maybe find direction for your own life while being entertained) I really suggest you pick up Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze. Purchase it at http://lulu.com/4God

Co-starring Saffire Muube!!

2008-01-24T15:43:00.000-06:00

Saffire Muube? I'm sure you are all wondering, what kind of name is that?
Well there is a background to Beautiful Sun. It's beginning (which I'll expand on later) is a web-story called Sunshine Kingdom. And the starring character of that story is Princess Saffire. I like Sapphires (blue being my favorite color) and decided to switch out the p's with f's. This being of no relation or attachment to Prince Safire from the SailorMoon series. I know it looks like it but it isn't. Period. There's nothing else to the name and I don't think there needs to be much talk about it because LOADS of people have strange names and no one asks them about their names much :P

Muube? Well, I just had an idea in my mind that Saffire's heritage was African. Not like the African-Americans that live in America today and have been here for over a 100 years. But African like her great great mother (or somebody) is directly from Africa. Meaning that Saffire's family was never slaves! That's awesome in my mind. At any rate, since I'm not from Africa or know many Africans I made up a last name that sounded African. And it's not "u" like Moo, but "u" like Moe. Is that logical? Probably not Spock-approved logic but it's fantasy so give me a break. And it's not "be" like her name would be Moby, but "bay". So her name is pronounced "Moe-bay". I like it and I hope you do too.

Enough about her name. Who is she? Saffire is a fun-loving teenager who has been pushed down and tucked away. She doesn't express herself like she'd like. Not only is she family-less but she also is bullied at school and teased at "home". Home being Telston Orphanage Community. She's lived there for enough years to know that it's nothing like a real home. It's almost like living on a college campus, but with insecure, psychotic, prankster juneviles who also are struggling with not having moms or dads or, worse, having moms or dads that can't or won't take care of them. Saffire thinks of them as outcasts of the world, and herself being one of the top. She's a bit crazy herself due to years of this treatment. She tends to overthink and overanalyze, strangely enough, not about the right issues. It's an odd teeter-totter that she can't seem to balance. Well she is a teenager and she doesn't have much of any direction. No one counsels her except for her friend Lisa, who doesn't have the slightest idea of the emotional and mental scars that Saffire carries. Lisa is wise but not insightful. She is caring but cynical and at times not as open as Saffire would like. The only other help Saffire has is the Divine.

Saffire knows who the Divine is, that He's God. Saffire only 2 years ago began whole-heartedly seeking the Divine for help. But she doesn't know enough about Him to know what He wants of her. She knows that He controls her destiny but she's not sure how much. She also knows that He took her parents away, but she's not sure why or if that makes Him evil. She believes He's good, remembering things her grandmother used to teach her, but she just can't see what all this adds up to. So she's trying to find out. What she has learned by the time we meet up with her in Boy Craze, leads her to trust Him. After all, He is her ONLY hope for something good coming out of this crash collision life she's had so far.

She really is the type of girl that you would fall in love with but also be very confused by. Then again, if you were almost friend-less, definitely family-less and treated like dirt, would you make great life decisions?

I think Saffire has a lot more to offer than book 1 shows. I've already started book two and decided it's NOT gonna be a direct continuation to Boy Craze, but I do see Saffire popping up again in the series. I mean, she has to right? See if you agree with my thoughts on Saffire by reading Boy Craze. Download for ONLY $1.50 or buy the paperback you can take with you anywhere. Also get a peak at Saffire in the excerpt from Chapter 1, available on this site.

Introducing Boy Craze: Excerpt from Chapter 1

2008-01-17T15:40:00.000-06:00

I know I haven't actually given you much to go on with Beautiful Sun and you've been waiting like years to find out more! Well here's more! Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1 of the book.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Everyone complained, but Mrs. Burnstine didn’t care.
“Life isn’t gravy, you good for nothings,” she’d yelled. She, of course, saw no problem. When she was their age, she had to walk for nearly an hour to get to school and she couldn’t afford the luxury of a car. Now she made sure she could by making the children walk and stuffing the transportation funds into her pocketbook.
But transportation or not, this morning Saffire was destined to be late. She had stayed up half the night studying. But it wasn’t the major test in her science class that she had studied. Saffire usually didn’t study for tests since they were mostly straight from the homework. Most days after school, instead of studying, she would visit the library to get books and surf the Internet to find out more about the Divine. The Divine was also called the Living God.
Saffire’s grandmother was the first to tell her about Him. She said that the Divine was the very essence of love but He was also a Judge. To a four-year old that had just lost her parents, that is a very confusing thing. Which would explain why Saffire immediately forgot about the Divine; her young mind just couldn’t comprehend it. But when she really started to wonder why her life had ended up this way, she remembered what her grandmother told her and decided to find out more.
The library was a good source for finding things out about Him. But with all the cookbooks, chat rooms, and magazines she found herself too distracted and going home many days having found out nothing at all. But yesterday she had determined not to let this happen because no matter how distracted she became, she truly wanted to know the Divine’s plan for her life so she could follow it.
She finally hit the jackpot with a book called “The Divine’s Purpose for Life”. But by the time she found it, it was already late and the library was closing. Once back in her room, she was forced to listen to the ramblings Laurean and Shayla, with the occasional support of Kaitlin going unseen by the two. But eventually they went to sleep and Saffire was able to focus entirely on the book. She made notes upon notes, writing late into the night.
Falling asleep right on top of the book, Saffire’s mind still raced with theories and theologies. After a short time the ideas in her head came together in a dream and took the form of a person, a person that cared for her. She couldn’t see who it was, but she heard a voice talking to her. It was a mumble at first, then the sound grew, but still she didn’t know what was said. Saffire looked around in the darkness, trying to find the voice.
“Where are you?”
“Right here,” the voice said. Saffire couldn’t tell from where the voice was coming.
“Help me. I don’t want to be alone in the dark.” Saffire said.
“You never were alone. Wake up and you shall see me.” The voice said softly.Saffire felt her eyes open, not by choice. Her heart was beating slightly faster than normal. Then she realized she had been dreaming. She lifted her face from her book noticing the time. As the page, which had been pressed into her cheek, peeled off, there came a knock on her door.
She became scared, her dream still being eerily vivid. Saffire sat still staring at the door in anticipation. The door creaked open slowly, and it was Burnstine.
“Saffire.” “Ye, yes Mrs. Burnstine.” Saffire felt herself now shaking.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So tell me! What do you think? Interesting? Lame? Wanting more? What type of person do you see Saffire as so far? Probably not very many opinions on that, seeing that she isn't viewed from too many angles yet. But that's ok, I'll be posting about Saffire soon. She's really me y'know O_O ^_^

Violet Eyes - the real review

2008-01-05T14:03:00.000-06:00

Well y'know how I said Violet Eyes was SO GOOD? I was mistaken. It's okay. I mean it, the ending of a book can really steer how a reader sees the entire piece. Not to be an expert on the matter, I mean I am still a writer in progress. As a matter of fact, I hope that my work is more than naught. But really, if you see things the way I do, you'll probably want to read the sequel, Silver Eyes. I do want to read it. But also, if you see things the way I do, you'll probably think to yourself, "Wow if this book made it through the publishing process, Beautiful Sun should have no problem being successful."

Now don't get me wrong. The first 6 chapters of the book is very addicting. She does have a good hook. But there are just certain things that never meet together, besides the few (truly just a few) randomly placed sentences. I do have to admit, the whole thing with Wendy and Angel spending the night together, and the short conversation at the end of chapter 1 fit very nicely (once you've gotten thru chapter 12 or 13 it finally makes sense). But come on! If someone was super-human, perfectly intelligent - perfectly, how could a mere human match in smarts, wit or logic? Sometimes that really made me sick in the read of this book. It was like reading about how Superman was beat down by Billy Blanks or Hulk Hogan. I mean, in his day Hulk Hogan could've beat down most average guys because he was trained y'know. But honestly, he would've been no match for superhuman (alien actually) Superman. Even in his prime. Well I had this type of thought reading through those last chapters. Especially since I couldn't see anywhere how Michelangelo had shown any extraordinary intelligence (or extraordinary anything else) during the story.

One other thing that began to get on my nerves and I had to leave siding with Angel for 2 seconds and I sided with Mike on this - who could you believe? There was a lot of story cover up and I began to wonder, how do you trust anyone? Everyone was lying or had a hidden motive. I didn't know who to really believe, which I admit, made the mystery of the book very enticing. Yet, it got to a point where you began to wonder why were they doing what they were doing? Why did they care? They could've just escaped.

Overall, I still think it was a good book in an okay sort of way. If you are willing to suspend your belief in several instances and hold tightly to the loveable characters they are introduced as in chapters 1-7, you'll get through the book fine. The story is very varied which helps things to never get dull. And if you like mystery, it'll be all the more entertaining for you. But just don't get too comfortable with how the book begins because the setting and atmosphere created disappears and there is a change in the type of story you are reading. Which if it was a movie, I think would've been great. The plot is very well put together but yes, there are places where it seemed like the author forgot to say something so perhaps she was like "oh I'll just drop this here". lol - sounds like something I am guilty of doing a lot in my book too... but then again maybe not! It's hard for me to judge. So why don't you judge for me? DOWNLOAD STORY HERE.

Violet Eyes was certainly good enough to spark some thoughts in my mind about Boy Craze’s plot. Last entry I decided that my book is a fairly simple read with a pointed plot. Book 2 though could vary and include several storylines or at least one more. But I wasn’t sure what to do and I wanted to do something with Shawn. But I need help! Comment and let me know of some plot that would involve Shawn Tanaze. Perhaps one of you would give me something to go on; something that may very well change Book 2 back to a Shawn story! So Comment Comment Comment.

If I've sparked your interest about Violet Eyes by Nicole Luiken, you can probably find it at your local library or check out SimonSaysKids.com

All Eyes on Beautiful Sun

2008-01-02T15:34:00.000-06:00

Been reading Violet Eyes by Nicole Luiken. So GOOD!! But I really am ticked off at the unnecessary use of God's name starting somewhere around chapter 11, 12 or so. It's probably 4x's so far and I'm on chapter 16. There are only 19 chapters in the book. I figure, compared to my book, this books chapters are longer in general. Also, I was considering the story development. With Boy Craze, the story develops but I guess not extremely... it just ... continues.

While with VE, the story changes quite a bit and goes from the first few chapters of the main character, Angel, completely disliking her co-star to falling in love with him. Then (STOP READING HERE, MAYBE SOME GIVEAWAYS BUT I TRY TO STAY GENERAL) somehow they end up being teamed up for badminton, and soon we find out about the whole Sci-Fi aspect. After that we have some inclusion of a probable family disruption (well I guess that's at the same time). It goes to the escape and we get a turnabout in events, Sci-Fi becomes futuristic then twists more to include assassination. A calm, a kidnapping, Angel is now alone, but wittily gets everyone on her side. She flips the high school upside-down and we now understand how/why the town is a "museum". She gets captured, betrayal? and then...I don't know because I had to put it down for now. I'll finish it tomorrow but still, think of all of those lovely plot twists and turns. Though there is an occasional random sentence or illogical event, overall it's good. Now this makes me think of several things I should do with my books.

Boy Craze did not have a lot of back and forth or other plot lines that suddenly match up later on. It's a fairly simple read and pointed. Book 2 though could have more than 1 train of thought. The main train is the girl and the mother and Zion (HA! I AGAIN STAY GENERAL, WELL IT IS BOOK 2 :p MOST OF YOU HAVEN'T READ BOOK 1! SO GO READ IT, DOWNLOAD IT HERE). There could be a second train, I guess. What though? Hm, maybe the girl could be Saffire's grandmother!! Then there would have to be a reference to Saffire in the book and why the order went as such.
Personal note (since you don't know the characters): Somehow they could solve what happened to Mara as a child and stop her from being crazy, end the curse, or destroy the evil. But I may not do that. Hee... I know, I'm such a tease. Yet there are many things that could go on while the main storyline is moving. Perhaps...
Yes?
Perhaps the mother could be an ancestor of Shawn!!
Yes, then mayhaps, Book 3 could be on Shawn, as I always wanted book 2 to be.

It is true, I wanted Book 2 of the series to be about Shawn from Book 1. Shawn Tanaze is introduced in chapter 9 of Boy Craze. He becomes the obstacle that I mention on the back of the book. He's a very arrogant but somehow, loveable character that just oozes self-seeking. However, there is a lot more to Shawn than I'm able to explain or show in book 1. So I wanted to give his story in book 1 and develop him further. But it changed because I just couldn't get my thoughts going on a plot that made sense and that I could write well. Hey, why don't you guys tell me plotlines about Shawn that you'd like to read!? That would be fun, and perhaps one of you would give me something to go on; something that may very well change Book 2 back to a Shawn story. O_O How awesome would that be? And more so, if I were to name YOU as the rhyme behind the reason! You cannot tell me that would not be cool. I want the series to be about the individual characters, not necessarily one flowing storyline. However, there could be a larger storyline that engulfs all the books. I haven't thought that far ahead at the moment, so any suggestions would be taken seriously.

Comment! Tell me your thoughts about the characters and if Book 2 should star Shawn Tanaze!

Pocket It - the mini sun

2007-12-09T18:22:00.000-06:00

My husband is editing my book - could anything be more nerve-recking? Him editing it has of course lead me to begin editing it again O_O How many times can someone edit their book? After re-write and revision over the past 2 years, I still am finding things. Fortunately, it's small things. I really feel like I will never be satisfied with the book completely and will always find something. Also, I'd like to know how it stacks up with someone who knows grammar better than myself. (or is it "better than I?")

I'm also revising the book size since it's currently weird size. But it's soon-to-be POCKETsized. Pocketsize makes me think of games and toys you can keep in your pocket like Polly Pocket. How cute and cool that idea was, and Digipets! Did any of you guys have this? They were so cute and cool. I think they were also known as Giga pets? I had 2 I think and I remember one weekend I got to pet-sit for a friend. I remember seeing people at school with 2 or 3 of them and they'd have them clipped on their bookbags or belt rings.

Crazy how things like this get popular then fall away

Unfortunately they fell out of popularity quick. But not pocket size books! I love reading paperbacks that are pocket sized and that's what I imagined for Beautiful Sun, except for the whole graphics and drawings. Now, that makes it harder because then I start thinking manga graphic novel and those aren't quite the standard pocket size. Anyway, I'm not sure how they'll work anyway since I didn't get the fullness of those art projects - NOT that I'm complaining. I'm super thankful to God and Vashti for her help. I think we both had the wrong notion going in and we both found out that it wasn't quite as we thought it'd be. But I also thought how fabulous it would be to offer all the art pieces in like a special edition book or later in a Beautiful Sun artbook! Wow, if I could get that going it'd be so good ^___^ I love artbooks for series I follow. But that's all in the Lord's hands.

Oh and while I'm thinking about it... was Pokemon before those Gigapets? I mean even over in Japan? That would be weird if it came after. But yea I guess Pokemon would fit into my pocketsized conversation here. sadly tho, since i don't like pocket monsters. but it's interesting how many things are going pocketsized still.. like cellphones are smaller and smaller and now they have mp3 players/podcasts and whole computers that fit in the palm of your hand and fit inside your pocket! I think they may have gotten the ideas from books tho, what do you think?

Once this thing is uploaded for pocketsize, the page count will drastically change. Meaning that the cost will also change. It's sad but true, I don't think the book will be less than $8.00. I'm really hoping it won't get above $10 though, because honestly I don't think it's worth more than $10 a copy! It's just a book and I don't like to pay more than about $10 for a book. I just don't. I would hate to put that on you guys. Yet, it's the way Lulu works and for now they are the ones who is packaging the books, even though soon enough it'll be available on Amazon and other places, Lulu will still be packaging and producing the material you'll hold in your hands. The story you'll get from the material is what's mine.

Y'know I've also visited a lot of YA author sites, like Laurie Halse Anderson, Maureen Johnson, and Jo Whittemore and I feel like I need to upgrade mine. I think it's fine and all but I would like to get it a bit more... y'know BETTER lol. I haven't even started looking for layouts or anything. Does anyone have any suggestions? Layout sites, content thoughts, host recommendations? Please!!! I do need the help. If you don't help, Saffire will have an anxiety attack right there in your living room!

What's new with the book?

2007-11-24T22:34:00.000-06:00

I just finished working on a character profile for my newest book. I can't give you the details yet, it's too early in the stages but I worked on just her background for like 30 minutes. It amazes me how I can just sit down and type up a person. They are just missing the breath of God (well I guess that's all they are missing!). I don't want God to give this person breath by far - she's too freaky scary! lol. I'm really excited about this next book too because it's not as kiddish as Boy Craze...not that that's bad. Boy Craze is happy-go-lucky, crazy fun and more anime-ish. This Beautiful Sun volume 2 will be quite different but still a modern fantasy. I cannot say urban though (more at 11 ^_~).

Wow, I am so happy Beautiful Sun volume 1 is bout out on the market! I've worked on the proof copy and I just have to get a new proof and make sure that's ok. I have a few people that are really ready for it but am I? I just can't believe it in a sense. It'd be perfect to see it on something like Teenreads.com

Luke's http://www.livejournal.com/~write_or_die_ been writing for 2 days straight now (besides sleep) and I'm so proud of him for that. He's knocking out whole chapters now. Well, I guess he better if he's really gonna be done by next summer. I wonder if I'll beat him with volume 2! That would be really tight for sure.

Beautiful Sun: The Series

2007-11-15T17:25:00.000-06:00

BEAUTIFUL SUN'S NEW RELEASE: BOY CRAZE!!!

The moment everyone's been waiting for (especially Saffire!), the release of Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze!

At the age of 4 her parents died. At the age of 5 her grandmother died. Now 16 and stuck in an orphanage Saffire somehow continues hoping on the only Power she feels can save her, though peer pressure and the head mistress of Telston Orphanage Community is pushing her even away from this. That is until a "holy" boy shows up, claiming to be her older brother. But he keeps looking at her in strange ways and acts more in love than he's admitting to. His over-protective and boyfriend-like behavior becomes a problem when a new student enrolls at school. See how it all unravels in Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze. Now available on Lulu.com, soon to be available on Google Reader, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

Currently you can purchase the e-book (pdf version) for only $1.50!!

SAMPLE from page 49
"You should come skate."
"You know I can't skate."
"I know, but you should still come. I don't mind if you fall on me." He smiled then put out his hand. Saffire smiled. Beginning to blush she put her hand in his but instantly felt a twinge in her gut. It was as if something was pulling, poking, and prodding her conscience. Her eyes sought the source and were drawn to the doorway of the Hot Spot on the opposite side of the rink. There her eyes locked directly into Zion's stare and momentarily her eyes began to dry her eyes out. She blinked as if grasping for air as she felt William creating a firm grip on her hand. She looked at him while he put his free arm around her waist and escorted her to the skating floor. She smiled towards William but turned back to Zion, curious about the intense sensation she felt. But this time when she looked Zion was not looking at her or even standing where she had thought. The drawing had vanished and so had Zion.

Please contact me to get involved in advertising, designing or distributing Beautiful Sun.

Rose's Story

2007-11-01T16:35:00.000-05:00

WHY DO I WRITE?

When I was a teenager I started to go down the wrong road and became, what I call, hypnotized into the things of this world. My heart was focused more on friendships, boys, and getting people to like me. I believe all teenagers go through this on some level - the want for acceptance. But my continual failed attempts eventually sent me into depression, suicidal thoughts, and an anti-social attitude. I didn't hate myself or others, but I felt dark. I now realize it was because I was pulling away from God. In a sense it might have also been God pulling me to a place where I had nothing else BUT Him and if that hadn't been the case, I would have continued on grappling for acceptance.

The depression drove me to near hopelessness. I knew only God could help me, if He was really there, I mean if He was REALLY REAL and truly did love me as He said in the Bible. So I cried out to Him and begged for Him to change things, to save me if He cared. I'm not quite sure what happened, but soon, that same hour, I wasn't as sad anymore. Slowly I became preoccupied with knowing and hearing from Him and things I thought mattered, mattered less and less. Well nothings perfect, I bounced in my walk of faith many times after that, but God always took me back.

Sometime in college I began writing fiction stories, always wanting them to be a picture of God and how He works in our lives. My desire to write grew intensely for a while. Now the desire is like a river that sometimes ebbs but usually flows, displaying God's love, especially to youth.

WHAT'S ROSE'S BACKGROUND?

M. Rose Barnett currently lives in Missouri, USA with her husband, who is also a writer for the Lord.
She follows Christ, holding on to the truths presented in the Holy Bible. Rose writes a lot about those truths and how they impact us.
She began journaling regularly as a teen, having a need to express her thoughts, and also wanting to leave her mark in the world. Although she has a college degree in business, she feels driven to teach theology through counseling, mentoring, and writing.

WHAT'S ROSE'S WRITE-LINE?

A successful online weblog (via Livejournal) for 4 years
Published a fantasy, web-story called the "Sunshine Kingdom" 2002-2004
Became a Columnist for AnimeAngels Mangazine and published the articles, "What is Christian Anime?" and "Do you want a Revolution: What is so Revolutionary about Utena?" 2004
Became Managing Editor of AnimeAngels Mangazine 2004-2005
Wrote other articles (mostly for Christian teens), short stories and wrote website content for 3 starter sites 2003-2005
Published Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze (Christian modern fiction story) 2007

HOW DO I CONTACT ROSE?

Facebook
Lulu
Y! 360
Livejournal
or leave a comment in this post!

Being Editor and being a Writer

2007-01-16T15:27:00.000-06:00

I was just chatting along with the assistant Editor of AA, on the phone Sat (she called and we actually talked for like 3 hours). Anyway, we were talking about anime, Shonen Jump (the zine) and this one anime in particular, Naruto. Well I had heard about that on some forum, and decided to do my next Pure of Heart column about this anime. I know nothing about it except that it's one of the hot animes right now. So as we talked things started clicking and I knew what angle I was going for! I was so amazed. That has happened like once or twice, but it was strange b/c it just came up in the conversation and I suddenly knew my whole article. I even got some motivation to do a lil research (which I didn't finish ^^). Thought I should note that my mind is thinking -more- like a writer, altho I have a far ways to go.

I had started Friday but it didn't go well - to do some research for grants here in my area. I did find out about 2 contests (like grants) that will be happening. One doesn't even ask for a fee!! Yes! So I'll update my contests entry sometime soon. Oh, and the grants, well I'm working on it. I did also BEGIN... jes, just begin, rewriting my Christian anime article. I was consumed each morning with RC's story, but this week I don't have tutoring to do nor her story so I should be able to finish the article (u think?) and the research and probably a few other writing goals.

Even tho it hasn't been a big thing, I think I should still attempt to make a plan for writing queries (and for the magazine release process). But honestly, choosing to actually get things done or plan for those 2, if I can get something finished I'll gladly put off the planning tasks. I know planning the the beginning of success but I can say this with confidence b/c I love to plan things, esp. as a form of procrastination. So honestly, if I have the mind to re-write an article, or revise something, or start one of these books I'm so eager to have ready to publish by summer (riiiiiiiiiiight), then planning can wait.