Trailblazer

@theducktatorUnfortunately, where I live in PA, most of the “mountains” are just really big hills lol. But my family has been going up to New Hampshire every summer for the past couple years. In my opinion, those are the best mountains east of the Mississippi. I’ve been to the Blue Ridge mountains, too, and they’re pretty, but they still don’t…[Read more]

@theducktatorAghhh my post was eaten… how unfortunate. Now I’ll have to type everything out again. Sigh. I’m Janessa, aka Trailblazer, because I love hiking, especially in the mountains. I write mostly historical fiction, contemporary, some mystery, and some journalism. I was also homeschooled, and technically I’m a PK, although my dad’s role…[Read more]

@esther-c @whalekeeperHere are my thoughts on the serious/not serious aspect of writing. I’m not necessarily agreeing/disagreeing, but I just wanted to add something else that came to mind while reading your posts. The Creator created us with creativity, and I think He has given us the capacity to be able to create things that reflect His…[Read more]

Idk if it’s just me, but the recent topics page will show that someone posted to a topic, but when I click on the topic, I don’t see their most recent post. Wyoh has been busy lately. 

@highscribeofaetheriumI KNOW I JUST CAME ON AND ALL THE PICTURES ARE GONE! SADNESS

Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of worship music or instrumental worship while I write… it helps me focus on God while I’m writing, and the instrumental is relaxing and I don’t get distracted by other words lol. Other than that, I don’t really have a specific playlist for writing. 

@esther-cThat’s fine! Take your time. 

@esther-cThat’s so sweet! I love scenes with father-daughter interactions. 

@freed_and_redeemedI think I’d say the same, that my characters are really what bring out the theme in my stories. If the characters weren’t learning and growing, then is it a book worth reading? I think the theme naturally begins to show itself through my characters as they discover things about God, about others, and about themselves. Everything…[Read more]

@freed_and_redeemed @esther-cI agree with everything Freedom is saying! There will always be people who will slander us and attack us simply because we believe something different. There will always be people who disagree with our views, and that’s okay. That’s not who I’m writing for. I’m writing for the people who need to hear what God wants to…[Read more]

@esther-c

Anyway, now that the heavy stuff is out of the way….

I had no idea that was written by a Christian! I had heard of the series, but had never looked into it. I’m going to have to add it to my tbr list now. XD

Yeah, I’m continually blown away by how well-written the books are, and the depth of imagination it took for Bryan Davis to w…[Read more]

@esther-c

Actually… now that I think about it… It could be argued the other way as well. That Christian authors do the same thing, just more subtly (hopefully). Oooh, now I’m going to be thinking about this for a while. XD How are we any different from secular authors pushing their agendas? Because I’m sure they can do it without be preachy…

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@esther-c

Hmm this is a great convo topic.

I think the stories that have impacted me the most are the ones where I get to see the characters struggling with matters of faith and learning how to deal with tough questions, because I learn alongside the character rather than being preached at by the character. I, for one, love a good Christian…[Read more]

@whalekeeper

I’ve heard mixed opinions about the first chapter of a book… I used to always be told it needed to start off with action to draw the reader in, but I’ve come to realize the scene needs to be set up well, too. I guess it’s finding the balance between just enough action to hook the reader and a solid foundation of getting to know the…[Read more]

@savannah_grace2009 @whalekeeper @esther-c @hybridlore @freed_and_redeemed (I hope I got that right this time lol) @vinagirl @idon’trememberwhoelsewantedtofollowalongonthis @liberty (I think you’re the one who said you like historical fiction, particularly the American Revolution. If I’m wrong and it’s someone else I’m thinking of, you can ignore…[Read more]

@elividya

I’m not gonna try to match Rae’s dramatic intros, lol. Welcome to KP! I’m Janessa, mostly known around here as Trailblazer! My desire is to glorify God through my writing, and I write primarily historical and contemporary fiction, but I’ve done some mystery, too, and I also enjoy journalism, although I haven’t done much of that in a…[Read more]

@liberty

What curriculums have you used for your other subjects?

@liberty

I did IEW for two of my years in high school! I loved it! It really helped me hone my writing skills, and I did the advanced us history writing course with the CHEX homeschool group. Combining history and writing was so much fun!