Alissa and Allissa

A little over twenty three years ago, and only a few months apart, one of my closest friend's Alissa and I were born. Her dad and my dad went to high school together and it didn't take long for our moms to become close friends as well. So when my parents liked the name Allissa, but our friends also liked the name, it made things a bit confusing. Since Alissa was born first, and my parents knew another family who had recently named their daughter Alyssa, I was briefly named Leah when I was born to avoid confusion since our families are so close. But because I didn't look like a 'Leah', and much more like an 'Allissa', my parents called our friends and asked if they minded if they also named their daughter Allissa (True story!).
  So! Alissa and I have become very close since little girls, and though it can be confusing at times when our families get together and both our heads turn when we hear our name, I can say proudly that I am honored to share names with this special person God has placed in my life.
  Last weekend, I went out to Des Moines to visit Alissa and her husband, Josh. On Friday evening, when Josh was working, Alissa and I went shopping, then made a Starbucks trip on our way back to her house. It was rather ironic that we happened to be wearing similar outfits, and we ended up buying (then wearing) the same exact bracelet at The Loft. So that only made it funnier when the coffee barista asked for our names for our cups. She looked at us as if we were pulling a prank! So yes, it can be confusing when we're together, but much more fun and adventurous!

I hope I haven't confused everyone reading this post! ;)

Be Still My Soul

I love music. Anyone who knows me well, is aware that I always have some tune in my head, and it is almost impossible for me to go a minute without humming, whistling, or singing. And if the tune stays in my head and becomes the song of my day, I often find myself drawn to the piano where my fingers find satisfaction as they play the melody on the keys.
  A few days ago, this song happened to be, Be Still My Soul, one of my favorite traditional hymns. Nancy Lee Demoss's 'Be Still Meditations' sheet music is my favorite arrangement of the song. It's powerful yet soothing at the same time and as the dynamics change throughout and crescendo up to the chorus, I can sense the peace and stillness of the Creator's constant presence.
  But what's even more soothing than the melody, are the lyrics:

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

I've sung these words many times, but for some reason, when I read these words the other day, I felt as if I had been reading them for the first time. The lyrics reminded me of how busy, how worrisome, how stormy life is at times. Yet, through it all God with never leave our side. In the second verse, the lyrics tell, 'To guide the future as He has the past.Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake--.' 
  How wonderful to simply be still amidst all unpleasant surprises or trials we face, not letting them shake our confidence in knowing that we have a heavenly Father who cares so deeply. Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend, Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end!

Why isn't she writing?!

Admit it. It made you laugh. If you'd like to see some other hilarious writing quotes and pins, check out my Writer Funnies Pinterest board, http://www.pinterest.com/classylissa/writer-funnies/

Learn. Grow. Inspire.

"You need to update your blog, ma'am." Last night's text was not the first reminder from Michaela, my writing buddy. Yes, I am sorry to say it's been a while since I've by blogged. (Which is rather sad since I only just created this blog.)
  Due to a rather crazy summer and the overwhelming stage of my writing life right now, I admit I've been putting off blogging and at times not even sure what exactly to post. But here I am at last with a brand new post! So what's this blog post exactly about? Well I've been wondering the same thing since I sat down at my computer. How about something encouraging? Since I have developed the dream to become a novelist, I've come to the conclusion that every writer NEEDS encouragement from fellow writers.
  When I ran the Pikes Peak marathon last year, I found myself not just rooted on by the amazing spectators but even more so by my fellow runners. As I was slowly and very painfully making my way up the mountain, the runners on their way down were the ones that kept me going. They encouraged me by letting my know that I was getting closer and once I got to the top, the run down was much easier. So I pushed...and pushed...and cried...and then at last made it to the top. And guess what? The way down was much easier! It actually felt good to run for once after at times practically crawling over rocks to reach the turnaround point. Those runners were right because they knew exactly what I was going through. And they knew that if I kept it up eventually things would get easier.
  As a writer I have also found it comforting to know that all writers go through the same process of writing and rewriting their first novel. And every novelist faces the same thorough and very blunt critique of an editor. After sending in my book to a project editor this summer I have recently finished going through the evaluation and all the commentary throughout the manuscript. Several things are now clear to me. One, is that God truly has been gracious and blessed me with the gift to write. These last couple of years I've wondered at times if I was wasting time by pursuing a dream that I wasn't meant to live. I asked God constantly to give me wisdom and peace if this was His path for me. Now I am certain that He has intended me to use this gift to serve Him. Another thing I've learned is that my book still needs quite a bit of work to become publishable. Reading through my editor's comments, my expressions were often, "Oh wow...I didn't think of that." Or, "Oh dear, how stupid of me!" And lots of times, "I'm a horrible writer." BUT because my editor time and again reminded me I do have talent, I had to hold on to those words as I painfully trudged through the manuscript. The last couple of weeks have been as I mentioned before very overwhelming and I realize this process of writing a novel is not so fun. But this is also an extremely important part of developing my talent and bringing my writing skills to the next level. I feel as if after all the time and effort I put into my novel, God is handing it back to me saying, "You can do better." I want my book to be honoring to Him and the very best as He intended it to be.
  Running the Pikes Peak marathon was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. Both physically and mentally. It was more painful than words can say. But I have a medal that proves what God helped me accomplish.
  To all you writers who are in that challenging process of crafting that first novel; if you keep pushing, no matter how far away the finish line seems now, someday you will have that beautiful completed project on your bookshelf.You will look back and realize it was all worth it.
  I believe from every dream God gives us, we are to learn, grow, and inspire, always giving Him the glory.

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing; that He who has begun a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

My Childhood in Minnesota

In my creative writing class I'm taking, I was assigned to write an essay about my childhood and find a website that would publish it online. In my essay, I reveal some of my favorite times as a girl. I hope you will have as much fun reading it as I did writing it. Here is the link of the website it was published on: http://www.booksie.com/non-fiction/essay/classylissa/my-childhood-in-minnesota Enjoy!

Creative writing contest: Five Enchanted Roses

A couple weeks ago, I received an email from my friend including a link to the Rooglewood Press website announcing their new fairy tale retelling contest. Their most recent contest was a short story retelling of Cinderella. The Rooglewood Press chose five winners which stories were featured in the book,'The Five Glass Slippers.' This year's creative writing contest is a retelling of the enchanting and famous...'Beauty and the Beast'! When I found out about this, I was literately jumping up and down with excitement! Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale not to mention Disney movie and it's a story that's going to be extremely fun to play with. 

  Your story can be any genre you like and the entries aren't due until December! So, whether your story is a mystery, fiction, fantasy, or comedy, as long as it's based on the classic story, it will be a great way to exercise your creativity skills in writing. After a couple weeks of brainstorming and creating a secret Pinterest bored, I've started working on my retelling and can't wait to see where it goes from here. 

 You can find details at Rooglewood Press's website: http://www.rooglewoodpress.com/fairy-tale-collections Also, Anne Elizabeth Stengl, author of the Tales of Goldstone Wood fantasy series gives some good advice and pointers concerning the contest on her blog, http://anneelisabethstengl.blogspot.com/2014/06/thoughts-on-originiality.html