Well, we're near the end of the year, aren't we? I need to pick up the posts, so I can get my 2014 post ideas used before 2015 opens the door!
Note before we begin-a different computer than what I usually use is confusing me. Some of my sentences may have weird punctuation. Sorry, but you (and I ) will live, so let`s keep going!
``Welcome to Raine`s Reads Blog. Today we are exploring the year (and plans, goals, etc...) of a playwright and author. My name is Indi Raine, and I am your host for this show. I am also the person who is telling the story...of myself. So glad that you came out. Please don`t leave yet. We have SO much to do. You know, so much to read and dream and write (and write, and write, and WRITE....! Sorry! :D Yes, I guess I get a bit obsessed), and SUCH LITTLE time!
``This post is about my memories and successes of writing this year. So, shall we roll back to the beginning of 2014, and see what comes up?``
A Year of Blessings (Spent with a Paper and Pencil!)
I got an inspiration-write a play about an artist (inspiration probably came near the end of 2013, or beginning of 2014). The idea of tying in crime sounded intriguing, so I decided on forgery. Vashti Rabarsco came about as a good name for a forgery artist, and my artist was based on the personality of an artist that I know. Thus was born "Forgery!", and it won top honours at a camp where I go. I had also entered two poems, which both received first place standings, and one received top honours. I was SO happy!
Last year, after a message by my pastor near Halloween (fast fact: I was baptized on Halloween, so I love having a godly association to such an evil day! Did you also know that October 31st is the day that Martin Luther nailed his thesis up, so many years ago?), I went home and created the characters of Esmeralda and Vadoma, my gypsy girls. I finished that play this year, and am pleased with the results. I hope to uncover that manuscript, and edit it up for sale in 2015. It was the first time that I had written a play that had action throughout the whole room, and though that may be a hard feature for some churches or groups to act out (some auditoriums are just not made for acting in the aisles!), I was proud of the result.
I have written various poems, short stories, and parts of stories this year. "The Black Ribbon" is in parts throughout one of my journals, and maybe I'll set to work on it someday. It was a story for my own entertainment, as is "One of Six". "One of Six" is based loosely on some people I know, so I really don't think I'll publish it...or maybe I will. Its a story I write because I can write it, and I write it just to enjoy getting to go on some adventures with my characters. Its no where near being finished, so no need to worry about publishing for a good long time. The main character is named Ceilidh Gallagher, and the story is about her, her family, and their travels and adventures. Ceilidh is an Irish dancer and performer.
I was pleased with one accomplishment this year. I would encourage others to do this (as mentioned in an earlier post). It is write a story for kids. I wrote a little story about a rather magical tea party, with a hidden moral of being kind to little sisters, for the granddaughter of my friend/editor from my church. I actually wrote it quite awhile ago, on a stormy Sunday when church had been canceled. But this year I finally edited it up, printed it, placed the pages (along with some corresponding colouring pages!) into a notebook-type-thingy, and gave it to her. I want to get feed back from them, do some more editing, and then get it to an artist interested in being the artist for a children's book for this little "child" of my own! Wow! Maybe I will also try to be a children's author...Well, I know plenty of adorable little kiddos that will always give me inspiration! Writing for little ones is actually easy-relax! Scribble! Dream! Laugh! Recently, I also scribbled up another story, this time much shorter. It would be so cute, if illustrated...this time the theme was a little girl making a sand castle. Just short and sweet. Now I need to edit it, and get it to the tiny inspiration!
Once again (third year consecutive), I wrote the Christmas play for our church. After several things made the musical I had played an unworkable idea, I took an old idea for a play, and put a Christmas twist on it. Catch-I knew that I would have to act as one of the characters. A main character, at that! Now let me help dispel a myth some people believe-just because you can write a play doesn't automatically make you an awesome actor (how unfortunate!). However, God provided me with the help to get my part down. I was glad to act-when the curtains went back, I had FUN!!!! It was awesome! This play was WAY better than my first play-God has blessed me with a gift, and I love working on improving that gift! I did occasionally wonder WHY I had written my character the way that I did (I found some parts hard to get), but that was just my character. Characters each have their own voice, and you can't stifle that voice and still have a good production. My character was the way that she was because that IS the way that she will be. (Confusing? Just try writing two or three weird and quirky characters-you'll catch on!) I'm so blessed to be entrusted with the gift of writing. God is SO good! I love to write, and through my plays I can be a witness for Christ. I can share a salvation story; I can display grief, sorrow, pain, confusion, focus, disaster, and relief. I can give others a voice to use for their ministry as they act my plays. May I give you a tip? Find out what God has gifted you with, and then USE it! You may need to step out and try a new activity. I just tried writing a play for a camp once just because it sounded neat. I've been told that inspired another girl to try to do the same. Although her first attempt did not workout, I'm sure that she will write a play someday for performance. Even if she doesn't, at least she gave it a shot. I'm not saying that everyone has to write plays (who would ever ACT the plays if everyone ONLY wrote; get it?). I'm saying to get out there and find your gift(s). Try music, singing, building, hand crafts, cooking, encouraging, editing, acting ( :D), or basically anything that you think God could be praised by your doing. You might be surprised at how much blessing will come by your serving God. He gave you talents, and He wants you to use them. You might not be the best, but being best is not required. Obedience is. I have been "More Blest to Give", just as the title of the Christmas play this year was titled. If you get a chance to read the script, you will find my experiences and feelings about serving God and writing entwined into the script. It WAS an AMAZING blessing to write this play. Next year...we'll just see how God leads! I'm thinking historical...a new idea for my plays! (Beside Nativity historical, if you get it!)
I also am trying to just write short stories about where I come from. Write about the lifestyle presented by those around me. I've started a notebook, and I hope to fill it and many others like it! I was inspired to do that because of stories that I've read in school about artists who did best when making their art based around their communities and what "they knew". So I'm trying to write about what I know best-life where I live. I'm not going to stop being the inquisitive girl that I am, searching out other cultures and countries, but I do want to increase my pile written about life where I live.
I am always dreaming. I've begun a book (???) about a girl named Melissa, who performs in a ceilidh with her cousins. No idea how it'll end up going throughout, but maybe I'll get some stuff flying on it this spring and summer.
Coming up: I'm really wanting to write the rough draft of "Shire Summer" this coming summer. The story is well mapped out in my mind, and I hope to get a draft done of it. Summer Skye ????? (question marks in place of last name, which I need to decide, or find in my drawer of loose papers, most of which are connected with writing). Anyway, Summer is a victim of a VERY broken home, and barely knows if she actually has a family anymore. When divorce proves that she does not, she goes to live with the cousin of her step-dad. With the cousin and her husband, Summer becomes confident and loving. She is also exposed to animals-new experiences for Summer! An abused Shire horse, that Summer dubs "Sunshine" becomes Summer's steed for the ride of her life as she finds a family. Would you read a book with a description like that? Please let me know if it would interest you at all. I'd LOVE some feed back here! :D
Also, remember that play I mentioned near the top of this (rather long) post? It was called "Forgery". Do you recall now? :D Well, that play is going to be the first in a series of about seven or so plays, all based on the crime and conversions and more in Yorkton. I'm very excited (I have two of the next additions blocked out on paper, and am excited to begin writing them in the new year, at the same time I coach you to write plays of your own with the play writing series)!!!! Believe, Yorkton is only going to get better! How about dealing with drug dealers and a run-away girl, at the same time as learning about God through the book of Jonah, and finding out more about Officer Patrick? Sound fun? What about the reaction of the force to a kidnapping of two members? Things will also escalate with a ransom note-release gang members, or two of their officers will be killed!!! Scary!!!!!!! Stressful!!! Also, how about looking up and discussing the rapture? When will it happen? Can it truly be predicted by men, even if they are good men and tv preachers at that? What do YOU think? What are your opinions? What are the officers opinions? (Hey, what about the plawrights opinions?!!?) Well, I can tell you this-Yorkton is getting more exciting, and more challenging.
Well, this hasn't been all about what I wrote this year, but it has been a good overview of my plans and dreams and goals and accomplishments and prizes of 2014. I hope that you enjoyed this peak into my brain (and heart!), and that you will continue to stick around and see if I actually succeed in accomplishing any of these goals. Ask me about them, and make sure I remember!
I`d best go. As you may understand, I was born to write, and talking (or writing) about my plans is something that is fun and natural for me). The rest of you may suffer, but I love it! But even I think it might be time to sign off, so I believe that I will!
God bless you all!
See you at the next post!
Indi
John 3:16