Rose's Story

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

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.