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I am a mom of three who enjoys writing. I've actually been tinking around with Fan Fiction for years simply for my own pleasure. It wasn't until just recently I realized it could be shared (concern for copyrights and all that), and that there was a place I could actually do it. What a delight. Now maybe I will actually get a few of them finished, but I'm not holding my breath. With three kids (2 in elementary and 1 driving), a husband, and all the assorted distractions that come with them combined with life in general, writing time can come at a premium.

I would also like to share this about myself. My faith is important to me and usually finds its way into my stories in the form of a character, quotes, concepts or something of the sort. Don't expect the characters, however, to be examples of perfection. We are all under construction, and so are they with flaws and faults and imperfect faith. If these kinds of things offend you, you may not enjoy my work, but I hope you'll come take a look before you make any decisions. I've had a number of readers tell me they aren't Christian, but they like my stories anyway. Maybe I'll surprise you too. I can hope, right?

Lastly, reviews are always welcome (even bad ones, although I do appreciate friendly wording and specifics are especially helpful ;-). I have hopes of publishing a book someday (like so many), so any advice that might help me refine my writing style would be appreciated. Well, that it. You've read about the author :). You know the routine, scroll past the rest of the junk people clutter up their profiles with to get to the stories... unless you like to write too, then you might like the links :D. Also, check out the pictures that go with Turn About. Even if you don't read the story, I bet you'll appreciate the natural beauty.

God bless.

SOME INTERESTING ARTICLES ON WRITING - Press the Control key on your keyboard while you click the link and it should open in a new window. If it doesn't, the address is provided.
(Do me a favor, if you ever try one on the links/addresses below and it doesn't work, SEND me a MESSAGE and let me know.)

LEARN ABOUT YOUR WRITING SKILLS WITH THESE INTERACTIVE TESTS

Guide to Grammar & Writing (http:///grammar/index.htm)

The Blue Book Interactive Grammar Quizzes (https://)

IMPROVE YOUR CRAFT
Now that you taken the tests and know where you're lacking, check out some articles to help you improve:

Top 10 Tips for Writing Dialogue (http:///interactive_quizzes_exercises.asp)
(And over to the left, under TOPICS, you'll find a plethora of other writing articles - I'm still exploring them!)

How to Write Almost Readable Fan Fiction (http:///HowTo2.html)
(Ms. Nitpicker seeks to educate writers on grammar, punctuation, dialogue, vocabulary and more using real fan fic examples)

Simple Ways To Fill Out & Humanize Your Character (https:///writing/ways-to-fill-out-and-humanize-your-character.htm)
(fill this out and you'll know more about your character, as well as who and why they are)

Or just check out "The Beginning Writers Kit" (https:///writing/beginner-writer's-kit.htm) which is full of all sorts of good stuff for beginning writers, or writers wanting to review fundamentals.

SLANG CAN REALLY DATE YOUR WORK, BUT IF YOU WANT TO USE IT - SEE WHAT IT MEANS (at the moment):
The definitions of slang shift and change. What is "cool" one day, is "sick" the next, and will be something else tomorrow, but if you want to use it, here's a good resource to check out how words are currently being used. WARNING: The site is user updated so the definitions of some words can contain adult language and topics.

The Urban Dictionary (http:///)

MARY SUE AND YOU
A "Mary Sue" (or Gary Stu or something similar) is an unbelievable character that is, more often than not, the instrument of an amateur writer’s fantasy - their fictional stand-in, uniquely suited to interact with the character of their dreams and so to garner the attention of this fictional love interest as they might wish they could do if they were there themselves. This, of course, is a very stereotypical definition. It's not always the case, nor, I think, is the creation of such an unbelievable character usually intentional, but happens when the desires of the character too closely align with the desires of the writer.

It should be noted, however, that "Mary Sue" type characters are build of many of the same characteristics that "good" characters are built of. What makes them a problem is, perhaps, just how many or how prevalent these characteristics are, but just because a character has them - even a lot of them - does not, in itself, guarantee it's a bad character. Is your character a “Mary Sue?” Well, your readers are the ultimate judge, but here are a couple of fun interactive tests that may give you a hint. Don't, however, don't take them too seriously. They are guides, not judges.

The Original Fiction Mary-Sue Litmus Test (https:///web/20010410060401/http:///library/marysue.html) - This particular test is for the Gargoyles fandom, but it's the test that started them all. To use this test for your fandom, replace Gargoyle names with the names of main or significant characters from your chosen fandom. Likewise, change the skills and physical/mental/habitual characteristics from the Gargoyle characters to those of your main/favorite characters from your fandom. You'll get a good idea.

The Universal Mary Sue Litmus Test (https:///writing/marysue.htm)

There are also “category-specific” tests out there on the internet for particular TV series, movies, etc (example: Stargate, Star Trek, Buffy, Miracles). Use your search engine, type in your category and “Mary Sue test.” Maybe you’ll get lucky.

That said, there are many who are now taking exception to the term "Mary Sue" because it has taken on such negative connotations that it has actually become a deterrent for some writers. If you would rather use a more thoughtful approach to judge your character, then perhaps you would prefer this article instead.

"Does my Character Work Okay?" - How to Tell For Yourself (https:///writing/does-my-character-idea-work.htm#mary-sue)

OoO
U

Regarding the Riddick stories I've authored:
My stories seek to create filler for some of the blank spaces in the Riddick's life and fall in the following order: Saved By Grace (In progress), Be Still: Chances (In progress), Turn About (Finished), and Nigh Unto Christmas (In progress). I've taken the liberty of noting them in The History of Riddick so you can see exactly where I squeezed them into the official canon of the character

Turn About takes place in a temperate rainforest. If you'd like some visuals to set the story in, I invite you to follow these links (hold down the control button on your keyboard and click the link) where you can see: the tall palm tree-like silver ferns, tree branches with moss & club moss, tall moss-covered trees, more moss-covered trees, and a BEAUTIFUL wide-angle scene by Ern Mainka.

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Regarding my favorites stories:
I wish I had more time to read. I know there's so many stories out there that I haven't had time to find yet. Unfortunately, there's also a good number I've gotten hooked on that haven't been updated for months or even years. Grrr! I hate cliffhangers (is that the pot calling the kettle black - lol) so as a general policy I'd decided I won't put anything into my favorites unless they are one-shots, or completed.

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Okay - so everyone has these long lists that they copy and paste onto their profiles... I finally found one I thought worth pasting :)

For the Christians who think their 'religion' makes them better than others:
Guess what brothers and sisters? We got a good number of black sheep in the our little flock, and we aren't any better. Step off your pedestal. But by the Grace of God, there go I!

For those who think (or have been told by one of the above) that they are not good enough for God:
Guess what,? That's actually right, but God doesn't care - He loves you anyway. The Bible says "ALL fall short of the Glory of God," ALL means ALL - even us Christians. The difference is, we have a Savior who has paid the debt for our sins. He offered us a pardon for the things we've done wrong and we accepted it, and he offers it to you too! And if you should ever think you have no hope... that you are really not good enough... that God can not love or use someone like you... then take a look at some of these well-known Believers...

Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs and no sense of good fashion whatsoever
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious and had people killed
Timothy had an ulcer...
AND Lazarus was dead!
And that's just to name a few! So if you are not perfect, guess what? You're in good company.
God loves you anyway, and Christ has been patiently waiting to get to know you for a long time so he can make your room reservation in Heaven.

Want to learn more about this? Try here (there are other places, but there are live bodies to chat with here if you need them):
Is a relationship with God possible? Find out at Groundwire!