Issabelle's Posts

Know the Novel: It is Written; Hosted by Blogger Christine Smith

SUUUUUUUCCCCCCHHHHHHHHH a pretty graphic, would you all agree!!!!! *heart emojis*

ANNNYYYWWWAAAYYYSSSSS, I’m back with PART THREE in blogger Christine Smith’s Know the Novel series!!!!!!!!! WHOOOO!!!! I got it up sooner than I thought I would! I am pumped and ready to go! Find the details, if you’d like to join in,Β HEERREE!!!! So we’re all clear, I’m gonna be talking about my current WIP, Into the Lamp! A YA contemporary retelling of “Aladdin.”Β 

It’s been sooo much fun. The characters are cool, the world is fun, and I’m just SO MUCH IN LOVE WITH ALL OF THIS!!!!!!!! Christine Smith’s been talking about her WIP on her site, and saying how the book she’s working on felt like the story that she was meant to write all along, and I can tell you I’ve been feeling the EXACT SAME WAY with my own WIP!!! Maybe 2020 wasn’t such a bad year after all!!!!! πŸ™‚

Alright, guys, are ya’ll ready for this post?!!!!!!! BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that GIF’s soooo fitting, since it’s from Disney’s Aladdin movie and I’m gonna be talking about my Aladdin retelling! 

1. Firstly, how did writing this novel go all around?

SO MUCH BETTER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD!!!!!! I mean, I had my moments where things didn’t move quite how I’d wish, and I had definitely hoped I’d be done with the second draft of this book by now, but I’m ALMOST there and what matters is I keep writing this thing until it is done! I just can’t believe how things are turning out with this story. Colin (the MC) isn’t listening to me as well as I’d like, but he’s making the story interesting for the most part. I can say there are few low moments in this book! (I’m blaming most of that on Colin and not me just being mean to him. πŸ˜‰ )

2. Did it turn out like you expected or completely different? And how do you feel about the outcome?

Aahhh, the two question in one trick! I’ve had that pulled on me a few times. Christine is sneaky, guys. XD Better keep your eyes open with this girl! πŸ˜‰ (I’m just joking for all of you who can’t tell. I know, I make horrible jokes, just ignore them and move on. XD) So, I mean most of the general plot idea stayed the same, but there were a few unexpected turns. Like this one dude was not supposed to end that fight scene like that.... (I feel like I’m so bad at answering these questions, but it’s fun trying to kick my brain into overdrive. πŸ˜‰ ) I actually feel better than I EVER HAVE WITH ANY NOVEL I’VE EVER WRITTEN! I mean, this is just been one of the most exciting and fun stories I’ve EVER done guys. I don’t think I’ve ever known a character as well as I’ve known Colin. Plus this is the first time I’ve ever had a guy completely lead the story, and I was a bit nervous he wouldn’t feel like a real guy and more like some teen girl’s idea of how a guy acts. But I feel like he’s just very REAL. Like he’s gonna walk into the room at any moment.

3. What aspect of the story did you love writing about the most? (Characters, plot, setting, prose, etc.)

Aaahhhh, HOW am I supposed to answer this. I think it’s gonna have to be the characters. I mean I’ve got some of the COOLEST CAST EVER!!!!!!!! I just love getting to spend time with Colin and Genie and Chessna and I mean we could be here forever. Actually, I just remembered something I love writing more, but it might sound kind of strange. I love writing in Colin’s voice. The way he sounds and describes his thoughts and the settings. I have NEVER had such a character voice come alive like this before. It’s exciting and I LOVE writing in it. And I also feel like I’m finding my author voice. I don’t know, guys, this has just been SOOOOOOOO NEW AND EXCITING!!!!!!

4. How about your least favorite part?

Probably setting. I like my setting, I just never like how I describe it. Somehow, it never feels like its enough. And writing fight scenes. My books always have a TON in them, but it seems like, no matter how much practice I put in, they just don’t carry through strong enough. 

5. What do you feel like needs the most work?

Ooof, we could be here all day with this one. When I look at ANYTHING I write, I feel the need to tear it to pieces. But one of the things I have been focusing a lot on, is my ending. I never make it just…enough. So, I put a ton of work into it, and I feel like that last climatic scene is really pulling through better  than any ending scene I’ve ever done. Oh, but, my fight scenes (as said above) probably need some work to them.

6. How do you feel about your characters now? Who’s your favorite? Least favorite? Anyone surprise you? Give us all the details!

FAVORITE CHARACTER!!!??? NEVER!!! XD I can’t pick favorites! But I do REALLY like Genie and Colin and Krew and Chessna. They are sooooo much fun. I think most people will like Genie the best, though. She’s definitely been the most fun to write!!!!

Ooooh, but I did end up making one of these graphic things for Krew (Colin’s cousin) that I haven’t shown yet, so here it is!!!!!!!!!

I’m serious guys, making these things are addicting. I have waaaayyyy too many that I wanna share with all of you. Maybe, one of these days, I should just do a post of all the graphic things I’ve made forΒ Into the Lamp. Okay, for least favorite characters, I’m gonna say all the villains. I’m the kind of girl who just never connects with the antagonists, even though I try to give them relatable characteristics. They’re just creepy. *shudders* Oh, yeah, I’ve got a genie who wasn’t supposed to exist in the book suddenly show up near the end and had a VERY important role in the plot. Plus, Colin’s two friends are playing like absolutely NO role in this story, and I might have to cut them but I kind of don’t wanna at the same time, ’cause I got attached. We’ll see. Oh, but the really fun thing with ALL of my characters are their names. I feel like they’re sooooo cool and a few are unique.Β Especially Genie’s name, but we’re not talking about THAT.Β 

7. What’s your next plan of action with this novel?

I’ve ALMOST completed the second draft, so I need to finish that. And I’ve got a few gals I know reading the first couple of chapters to the story for advice, and then I’m submitting it to LITERARY AGENTS!!! I will hopelessly fail without a doubt, but it’s just kind of fun to TRY, ’cause you never know.Β 

This is what all of you are like right now: Girl, you do know it’s VERY hard to get a literary agent, especially at your young age. Do you understand how high the odds are?Β 

Me:Β 

8. If you could have your greatest dream realized for this novel, what would it be?

My greatest dream is truly just for it to be published. I really just want to be able to hold a copy of my book in my hands. This has been my dream for a few years now, and I really hope one day for it to happen. But it would be cool if it happened with this book.Β 

9. Share some of your favorite snippets!

Β 

Hehehe…..here we go again!!!!!!!!!

β€œThe ones that no longer exist,” Chessna added, as if I needed a reminder. But then my brain’s wheels turned and clicked together. The truth that fell before me showed I actually did need the pointer.
I watched Genie while she continued her explanation, certain I had been lied to.

And another….

All I felt was a cold, sickening numbness. My heart barely beat, I rarely breathed. If Genie died tonight, it wouldn’t be because of a war. No, the blame lay with me.

And this is the last thing I’ve written so far in my second draft.

Chessna climbed onto a white mare. We were off. Another adventure awaited me.

10. Did you glean any new writing and/or life lessons from writing this novel?

Oh, yeah. I’ve learned a ton from this story. For writing lessons, I’ve really learned a lot about the importance of a strong character voice and vivid descriptions. But I think one of the biggest things would be that it doesn’t matter how far your story is at right now or what’ll happen with it next. What matters is to write. Whenever you can. It doesn’t have to be perfect the first time, it doesn’t have to be words that make sense, it just has to be SOMETHING. And, if you have written anything whatsoever, then you ARE a writer. Maybe not a published one, but YOU ARE a writer. And that’s what matters most. And when you’ve got some super supportive friends (A.K.A. all of you who comment on Teen Writers’ Nook), it just makes every thing easier and more fun! So, THANK YOU!!!!!!! ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!! I probably would’ve given up on this story by now, if it wasn’t for you!!!!!!! Though I’m a writer, there’s just some words you can’t find to explain how much something (or someone) means to you. I honestly don’t think there is a single word in the dictionary that describes how grateful I am for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t list all your names (we’d be here a while), but if you’re reading this, then know you are one! <3333

And now for a graphic I haven’t shown yet on TWN………

Well, that wraps everything up for me today!! Talk to me in the comments: What’s your thoughts on my story? Any lessons YOU’VE learned lately from your writing? How’s your writing going? Any major accomplishments? I wanna hear ALL about it!!!!!! Just curious to see if my theory about Genie being more liked is correct: from what you’ve heard or read so far, who would you prefer to spend a day with: Genie or Colin or none of the above? XD Also, guys, if you read this post and liked my story idea would you please let me know in the comments. I just wanna see how many people might actually find it interesting (to see if people want to read Aladdin retellings or if it’s just me)! Thank you!!!!!!!!!

I guess I should leave all of us with a last piece of knowledge. So, this is some good solid wisdom to ALWAYS remember below.

Β 

Issabelle Perry is a proud Jesus follower, an extroverted writer, and a homeschool graduate. When she's not writing, you can find her reading, jamming to Skillet, studying history, hunting for Narnia in wardrobes, or envisioning herself wielding a magnificent sword (but due to her clumsiness, let’s hope that never happens). This self-proclaimed exclamation mark enthusiast can be found hanging out at Teen Writers’ Nook, a community of teen authors Issabelle co-founded in 2020. She is the author of Don't Let Me Go (Sky's the Limit Press 2024), May We Make Them Proud (2023), and a co-editor for two anthologies. What she’s probably doing right now is fangirling about her favorite books to random people or scanning the pantries for chocolate.

61 Comments

  • Christine Smith

    EEP. This whole post gave me all the happy feels! I am just ECSTATIC for you that you found that special story you really, truly LOVE. That is such a gift. And it just sounds SO FUNNN!!!! Like I’ve mentioned before, there are so few Aladdin retellings and WE NEED MORE!!! So you better believe I am all about this! πŸ˜€ And ALL your characters sound like such great people to hang out with! Also, I adore the graphics you make. *all the heart-eyes*

    That is thrilling you want to query it too! YES. DO IT, GIRL!!! It is a long, headache-inducing, discouraging venture…gonna be real. BUT. There’s also something so satisfying about really making effort pursuing your dreams. AND it only takes one. It only takes the interest of ONE agent to make it, and there are a lot of ’em! So I absolutely say go for it!

    Also THIS: “But I think one of the biggest things would be that it doesn’t matter how far your story is at right now or what’ll happen with it next. What matters is to write. Whenever you can. It doesn’t have to be perfect the first time, it doesn’t have to be words that make sense, it just has to be SOMETHING. And, if you have written anything whatsoever, then you ARE a writer.” YES YES YES YESSSS!!! So beautifully put, and so, so true! I think we all need that reminder as doubt and discouragement sets in. We ARE writers, and all we have to do is put words on the page and take one step at a time. <3

    Thank you so much for sharing all this deliciousness with us and doing the linkups! I've had SUCH a grand time reading about your epic novel! Cheering you on as you work toward finishing it. EEP. YOU GOT THIS!!! *waves pompoms*

    (Also, I am indeed very sneaky, and you most definitely have to keep an eye on me. *cackles and creeps back into the darkness*)

    • Maggie

      YAY!!!! Aw, THANK YOU LIKE A TRILLION TIMES OVER!!!!! IKR, SUCH a gift!!!! I AM SMILING SOOO HARD RIGHT NOW!!!!! YES! We NEED more Aladdin retellings!!!! YAY, SOO HAPPY!! πŸ˜ƒ Oh, yes, they can be annoying at times, but I JUST LOVE THEM SO, SO MUCH!!!!! Aw, THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!! I just LOVE making them. Like I said, they can be addicting!

      YES! Your enthusiasm is just getting me more excited to submit!! I’ve actually queried before, so, yes, I can relate to all the headache-inducing and discouragement. ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!!! YAY!! THANK YOU FOR THAT BIT OF ENCOURAGEMENT!!! I really needed that today!

      Aw, I AM JUST BEYOND HAPPY YOU THINK SO!!!!!! Yes, I do think we all need that reminder because doubts and discouragement can get to us ALL THE TIME!!!!! YES, we ARE writers no matter what!!!! <33333

      Aw, THANK YOU for hosting this linkup, it has been a BLAST for me!!!! Aw, THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!! (Okay, let me just say this whole comment is just MAKING MY DAY!!!!!) THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

      (Hehehehe...🀣🀣🀣🀣)

  • Jane

    Your story is FANTABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can not wait to read it WHEN it comes out!!! That’s right, I said when, because it is so going to get published!!!! I’m 99.9% certain that it will get published!!!!!
    EEEKKKK!!!!!! You put in snippets!! (I don’t think it’s possible to put in a better snippet than when Genie turned Colin’s room pink though) Wait….Genie dons’t die, right?!
    (If you can’t tell already, I REALLY want to read ‘In To The Lamp’)
    This probably isn’t going to help anyone in they’er writing, but I’ve learned that I really have to remind my self to not edit the the first draft….That most likely makes no sense to you so I shall explain.
    When I write, I like to write one paragraph and then go back, edit it, and sometime’s change it completely. When I should really just be trying to get the idea out. (Sorry if that makes no sense, it’s just something I’ve been working on) Then I’ve also learned a lot from your character development posts.
    I haven’t really had any ‘major developments’…yet. I have noticed some major flaws in my story, but that’s about it.
    Ooh, I think it’d be fun to hang out with both of them, but for now I think I’d choose Colin.
    YES!!! I love your story idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m honestly very picky when it comes to books that involve magic and Sic-Fi, but I really like how your doing this one!!! I don’t think I can put in to words how much I want to read this!!!!!!!!!!!!! πŸ™‚ πŸ˜€ <333

    • Maggie

      AW, THANK YOU LIKE A TRILLION TIMES OVER!!!!!! Aw, I can’t believe you have that much faith in me and my story. Let’s say you might be the only one. But your encouragement, enthusiasm, and excitement just makes me wanna get this thing published SOOOOO BADLY!!!!! THANK YOU, JANE!!!!

      YES!! I put in snippets. Oh, yeah, there probably couldn’t be a better snippet than that one! Um…*nervously glancing around the room* *evil laughing heard in the distance* I REALLY wanna answer your question, but I just…kind of…can’t. Major spoilers. Sorry.
      (Aahhh, YES, I can TOTALLY tell how much you wanna read it, and I sooooo hope one of these days you can. *fingers crossed* Also, THANK YOU for all of your enthusiasm. I can’t tell you HOW MUCH it means to me!!!! You’re THE BEST!)

      Actually, that was like one of the biggest things that helped me as a writer. I don’t always read through a paragraph and edit it, but I used to think everything had to be perfect in the first draft. One of the best writing advice I have ever received was that “you can’t edit a blank page.” Meaning, edits can come later, what matters is you focus on getting that first draft completed. Yay, that’s AWESOME how you’re trying to work on getting that first draft done!! But, honestly, Girl, I’m gonna tell you this: if editing every paragraph helps you write, then you keep doing it. There’s no right way to write a book. You just need to do what works best FOR YOU! But if the whole editing every paragraph thing slows you down, then I’m totally encouraging you as you try to get your focus on writing and not editing!!!!!!!!! Aw, I’m SOO happy these character development posts are helping!!!!!!!!!

      Hey, just ignore them “major flaws” (that are probably not as bad as you think) and keep writing! YOU’VE GOT THIS!!!! I BELIEVE IN YOU, GIRL!!!

      Oooh, I think it’d be fun to hang out with both of them when they’re TOGETHER, ’cause that’s when things are the most exciting! COLIN!! Oh, yeah! Aw, THANK YOU AGAIN!!! I understand that. I used to not really like fantasy much, until I read Jennifer A. Nielsen’s books and started writing this story. It’s not a genre EVERYONE enjoys and that’s okay, but I am SUPER HAPPY YOU LIKE MY STORY!!!!!!! Aw, I REALLY HOPE YOU CAN READ THIS ONE DAY!!!!!!!! <33333 Much love to you!! πŸ’•πŸ’•

      • Ally M.J.

        PLEASE don’t kill Genie. I understand that you’re an author and some of us are professional character killers, but if you killed Genie that would make me sad. Like THIS sad: 😭😿😒😭😿😒😭😿😒😿😭😒😭😿😿

        • Maggie

          *more evil laughing heard from afar* Yeah, I think the majority of us authors are professional killers. XD I REALLY wanna tell you what happens to Genie and all, but I just can’t, ’cause I’d spoil the whole thing. Wow, that’s pretty sad. Actually, I’m really glad you love her THAT much!!!!!! I mean that’s just like mind-blowing. I didn’t think people would get THAT attached to my characters. That’s actually really cool!! I shall try to keep all my authory-prone-to-killing-characters desire away from Genie. XD

    • Katherine

      Jane, your thing on editing the first draft makes perfect sense to me. It soooooo will help me in my writing!!!!! When I write first drafts, I too, think I need to edit them before I move on. Thank you for sharing your advice!!!!!!! πŸ™‚ <3

      • Jane

        I’m glad it helped!! I worried it would make no sense! Ya, pretty much every time I write something I want to go back and edit it (it took me awhile for me to realize this though, so right now I’m writing my first draft for the book but its the second or third draft for the first chapter because I kept starting over at the beginning)
        Your welcome!!! I’m just glad it was helpful!! πŸ™‚ <33

  • Katherine

    OH MY GOODNESS, MAGGIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I absolutely LOVED reading this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❀️❀️❀️ And . . . oh . . . DISNEY ALADDIN!!!! *clutches heart* (You know I LOVE that movie!πŸ˜‰) Perfect gifs! “Never tell me the odds” – LOL!!! That is amazing how excited you are over your novel. It makes me all excited too!!!!! When I read your first snippet, I squealed out loud ‘cuz I knew what that was all about. *evil laughing because the readers have no clue what I’m talking about* (hehehe)

    So true what you said about us being writers simply because we’ve written something. You’re incredible, girl!!!! <3
    Oh, and thanks for sharing some "good solid wisdom".πŸ˜‰πŸ‘πŸ˜†

    • Maggie

      OH MY GOODNESS, KATHERINE!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!! I KNOW RIGHT! Aladdin! *clutches heart* (Hahaha, yes I do! πŸ˜‰ ) LOL!! Aw, THANKS A BUNCH!!!!! Hahaha!! Yes, you’re one of the few who will understand that. XD

      Yes, VERY true! Aw, you’re INCREDIBLE, TOO, GIRL!!!!!!! <333
      Hehehe...yes, you're VERY welcome!!! Such good advice, right?

  • Victoria

    I LOVE THIS STORY IDEA!!!!!! Maggie, girl, this is one of the coolest WIPs I’ve EVER read about! Don’t you dare doubt yourself on this one! Even if you don’t get a literary agent, just keep trying! Don’t let that tear you down. (And honestly, if I were a literary agent I would totally want to be one for you. Just sayin!) πŸ˜€ Also, even if traditional publishing never works out, I know a lot of bloggers who have self published books that are absolutely awesome, too. So maybe that could be an option if the time comes. (But I totally get why publishing through a literary agent would have some advantages self publishing doesn’t.) πŸ˜‰ Either way, I am SO proud of you for sharing your work with others! That can be super scary and I even have a hard time just sharing my writing with my sisters! You’re seriously an inspiration for me not to be afraid of letting others read my work. πŸ™‚ <3

    That said, I'm actually surprised I can say I have a story I'm working on! XD Usually I have a bunch of ideas, but never really start writing them, y'know? But a month ago I got his awesome idea that I've actually begun writing a story for and I AM SO PUMPED about it! I started drafting it a couple days ago and am hoping this will be a book I actually finish. XD So far I have 1158 words (I know, it doesn't sound like a lot) BUT I'm hoping to get at least 25,000 words in this month. I'm definitely NOT going for the NaNo 50,000 because I'm usually not as committed as I want to be, but maybe I'll get half of that before the new year!

    Ahhh! I would LOVE to spend a day with both Genie and Colin!!! Genie might not drive me as crazy though, so I probably would have to go with her! πŸ˜‰

    GIRRRRL, THAT ALADDIN GIF! XD I can't even. That's one of my favorite movies EVER! Add that to the list of Mando/Star Wars/Avenger gifs and I will be one happy gal! XP

    OH, and before I sign off ('cause let's admit this comment's a whopper), πŸ˜‰ I have to say I just LOVE, LOVE , LOVE that Colin quote in the last Into the Lamp graphic! Such an inspiration! <333

    • Maggie

      AAHHH, THANK YOU LIKE A TRILLION TIMES OVER, VICTORIA!!!!!!! <333 Aw, I'm just GRINNING SO HARD RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT FUNNY!!!!! XD THANK YOU!!!! Aw, I shall try my hardest not to be filled with doubt, but that's pretty hard. I know. I'm gonna keep writing no matter what happens. (Aw, Victoria, YOU ARE JUST TOO SWEET!!!! If you were a literary agent, I'd TOTALLY want you to be mine! 😁) Yeah, I have honestly thought about self-publishing before, but it can cost up to a couple thousand dollars, and let's just say I don't have that much money. I am still a teen, after all. And it's always been my dream to be traditionally published, but yes, I do know a LOT of self-published books that are REALLY good!!!! And, it is always an option to fall back on. So, yes, THANK YOU for that suggestion!!! Aw, that just means a LOT, GIRL!!! Yes, it is scary. I used to actually be scared to share some of my writings, but then I started letting Katherine read them and she just encouraged me sooo much, it started becoming easier. Aw, CAN THIS COMMENT MAKE ME ANY HAPPIER!!! THANK YOU! I'm SOOO HAPPY I COULD INSPIRE!!! That's just like one of the sweetest things you've ever said to me!!!!!!!!!!! (ONE of the sweetest! XD) <333

      *gasp* REALLY??? THAT IS AMAZING!!!!! Oh, yes, TOTALLY RELATE!!! YES, THAT'S JUST SOOO AWESOME!!! YES, I KNOW YOU CAN TOTALLY WRITE THIS THING, GIRL!!! I'M ROOTING FOR YOU!!!!! *rants cheer* GOOOOOO, VICTORIA!!!!! WOW, THAT'S OVER A THOUSAND WORDS!!! WHOOO, YOU GO GIRL!!!! That's just I N C R E D I B L E!!!!! Especially, considering, you told me a month ago you never had a lot of time to write. THAT'S JUST SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE!!! I'm pulling out my Emojis I use on special occasions!!! πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽˆπŸŽˆπŸ†πŸ† Ooooh, you can SOOO get in 25K this month, I JUST KNOW IT!!! Keep me updated, 'kay? Yeah, the NaNo 50K is REALLY hard, but I think your goal is just as EXCITING!!!

      AHH!! YES!!! Genie probably won't, as long as you don't make her go in her lamp. That's where Colin went wrong. Ah, poor, Colin. XD

      I KNOW RIGHT!!! THAT ALADDIN MOVIE WAS JUST THE BEST!!! And sooo fitting for this post, 'cause it was Aladdin and all! Oh, YES, DEFINITELY going onto the list of GIFs!! (So, ya saw the Star Wars GIF I included especially for you, then!!!!) Oooh, another GREAT reason to go GIF crazy!!! πŸ‘

      Hey, long comments are TOTALLY allowed and encouraged! I do them All. The. Time! Aw, THANK YOU!!!! It was one of my favorites, too!!!! Ooh, YAY!!! <3333 Much love, Girl!!!!

      • Victoria

        Oh my word, YOU’RE WELCOME A TRILLION TIMES OVER!!!!!! XD <333333

        Wait, I'm sorry, WHAT? It can cost up a couple thousand dollars to self publish????? Ididnotknowthat. o.O Woooow. You learn something everyday I suppose! XD

        AWWWW, THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! Your encouragement is just so….well, ENCOURAGING!!! XD *Gasps* I GET YOUR SPECIAL EMOJIS??? Girl, you're too kind! πŸ˜‰ I will definitely keep you updated!!!! Would it even be okay to send you and Katherine some of it (if I'm brave enough) πŸ˜‰ to get a little feedback??? Sisters are great proofreaders, but I thought it would be helpful to get some feedback from other people besides family as well.

        YOU ADDED THAT GIF FOR ME????????? I don't even know what to say!!!! That's just soooo sweet! *billions of hugs* πŸ˜€

        Much, MUCH love! <3

        • Maggie

          <333333

          Well, that's what I've heard. It probably varies depending on who you go with. But, yeah, you do have to pay, while with traditional publishers they pay you. But on the flip side, for self-publishing, you get 100% of the money your books make, but with traditional publishing you get a certain percentage. Oh, yeah, you always can learn something all the time, it seems. XD

          AWW, YOU'RE WELCOME SOOO MUCH!!!!!!!! YAY!!! I'm glad I could encourage you!!! YES!!! This is something to celebrate over!!!! YES!!! Keep me in the updates!!!!! OH, YES I WOULD LOVE TO READ IT!!!!!! THANK YOU for thinking of me!!!!!!!! (YOU CAN DO IT!!!!) So, would it be like sharing it through a Google Docs or something?

          YES!!! You said you wanted some Star Wars GIFs, it fit soo perfectly with what I was saying, and I KNEW I had to add it in there for you!!! Aw *billions of hugs back at ya* πŸ˜ƒπŸ˜ƒπŸ˜ƒ

          All the love!!!! <3333 <3333 <3333

    • Katherine

      YAY, VICTORIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT IS JUST SO AMAZING THAT YOUR WRITING A NOVEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOO-HOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU GO, GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!πŸ‘ Wow!!! That’s amazing that you already have over 1,000!!!! I wrote a thousand words this week but it was in a school paper.😁 Your doing great!!!!! I’m cheering you on!!!!!!!!! 25,000 is a really good goal!!! Good luck with your writing! πŸ™‚

      • Victoria

        THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU KATHERINE!!! <3333 I know, I can hardly believe it myself! Hopefully it won't be one of those times where I write for a couple of weeks and then completely forget about it. XD
        Oh, yes, school papers definitely require word counts too! I think there was only one paper I did that was that long, but I'd have to go back and look. It's kinda intimidating thinking about how many words a college paper needs if we're writing this much in high school! XD
        I REALLY hope I'll reach that goal, too! If I do, I think it will be one of the longest stories I've ever written! πŸ˜€

        • Katherine

          You’re so very welcome, Victoria!!!!!!!! <3333 YOU KEEP GOING, GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm cheering you on!!!!!!!!!!!! XD I got my fingers crossed that you will finish this one. πŸ™‚
          Definitely! πŸ™‚ I know, right?! But . . . um . . . that paper was actually . . . uh . . . for a college class I'm in.πŸ˜‚
          I so hope you reach your goal! That's amazing!!!πŸ˜€ Keep me updated with how it's going. πŸ™‚

          • Victoria

            Wait, really?!?!?! XD Whoopsies! I guess I probably shouldn’t have been so quick to assume! Maybe college papers won’t be so bad after all! XP

            Aww, I definitely will!!! πŸ˜€

  • Trixie

    Wow great job on getting this far into your book!!!! That’s really cool. Oh fight scenes, I don’t now how I manage to write them, as they are really hard to outline, make it sound believable, and have it be exciting, at least for me. As for literary agents, if writing has taught me anything its that you can’t base what will happen in the future off of what’s happened in the past. When you said thanks for everyone’s support, it made me SOOO happy you think I helped you as I feel a little support can go a long way. Thanks, it made my day. I think I would really love to spend a day with Genie, because she sounds like that one protagonist who is really energetic and lives life by her own rules and those are my favorite characters. Keep up with those gifs too. πŸ˜‰

    • Maggie

      Aw, THANK YOU, TRIXIE!!!! I KNOW RIGHT!!! Fight scenes are fun but sooooo hard to actually write. Yes, being exciting is an ABSOLUTE necessity! XD THAT IS SOOO TRUE, GIRL!!!! Couldn’t have said it better myself! *thumbs up* GIRL, YOU HAVE HELPED ENCOURAGE ME MORE THAN YOU’LL EVER KNOW!!!!!!!!!! Like I said, I can’t find the words to express my gratitude for you and your kind words!! They ALWAYS put a smile on my face! Yes, a little support can go a LONG way. I know this from personal experience! Yes, Genie would be just a BLAST to spend the day with!!!! Oh, yeah, you’ve totally just about summed her up! Y’all would probably get along SOO WELL!!!!! YES! The GIFs shall continue its reign! *pumps fist in the air* THANK YOU AGAIN LIKE A TRILLION TIMES OVER FOR THIS COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!! Much love! <33333

  • Grace

    I loved reading this post, Maggie!! It was so cool to get to see a sneak peak into your WIP!! It sounds AMAZING!!! Like spooky, and magical, but warm and fuzzy at the same time!! And the characters! They sound so cool! I want to meet them sooooo bad! πŸ˜‰ You are such an amazing writer!
    Keep livin’ for Jesus!
    Grace ❀

    • Maggie

      Aw, THANK YOU, GRACE!!!!! Aw, just THANK YOU AGAIN LIKE A TRILLION TIMES OVER, GIRL!!!!!! Hearing that from you just means A LOT! Ha!! I think you have adequately described my whole WIP!! Awww, just, I know I keep saying this, THANK YOU AGAIN!!! Hehehe, I wished they were real sooooo badly, but meeting them in a book is basically the same thing, right? XD πŸ˜‰ Aw, Girl, I just can’t. YOU’VE JUST MADE ME SOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Much love! <3333
      YES! ALWAYS keep livin' for Jesus!!!!!

  • Em Elizabeth

    Congratulations on all you’ve gotten done with this story so far! It sounds like you’ve accomplished a lot with it, and the concept does sound really cool. It is truly magical to see what was once a spark blossom into a book. There’s just that one moment where all of the sudden it just feels real. I totally relate to what you said about seeing your MCs come to life for the first time. I wish this WIP of yours all the success going forward!
    As for your concerns about literary agents, the odds are always crazy, regardless of age, because that’s just the way the industry goes. Definitely go for it when you feel the book is ready though. If you get rejected, give yourself time to process, take it as a lesson, and keep going, because you WILL get there in due time if you just keep at it. Your young age just means that you’re getting a head start on all the adults who didn’t get their first rejection until years after you did. And if you do end up with a literary agent sooner than expected, then that will be mind blowingly amazing! Whatever happens will be what was meant to happen, and it will shape the writer you’re meant to be. In the meantime, keep pushing forward. Because your book WILL see shelves one day, and I’ll put it on my TBR list when it does!

    • Maggie

      THANK YOU, EM ELIZABETH!!!!!! I’ve definitely gotten somewhere with all of this! THANK YOU!!!! I KNOW RIGHT! I LOVE those kind of moments, they are the BEST! Aw, THANK YOU AGAIN, GIRL!!!!!

      Yes, this is VERY true. I have actually submitted to agents before, so I’m actually very happy to be getting this rejection stuff out of the way at a young age. And, honestly, rejections helps us as writers in some strange way. (Hehehe…that would be SOO mind-blowing!) Oh, yes, you’re SOOOO RIGHT ABOUT THAT!!!!! I shall try to keep pushing forward. Aw, that just means a lot! THANK YOU for the encouragement!!!! (Oh, yes, I’m going to totally take you up on that TBR thing one day. XD) THANK YOU AGAIN GIRL JUST A TRILLION TIMES OVER!!!! πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’•

  • Trixie

    Thanks Maggie!!!! β€œ the gifs shall reign” haha love that!!!!! I want to read into the lamp even more now!!!! Thanks again for the day-making words!!!! Keep being awesome , keep being inspirational, and keep being the amazing person you are!!!!!! :)) <3

  • EmmaDJ

    ISSABELLE!!!!! I so so admire your persistence to keep writing and keep striving toward being published, even in the face of rejection!!! And yes, I love your WIP so far!! πŸ˜ƒ You’re talented, my gal, KEEP IT UP. *infinite hearts*

    Also, I love the GIFs πŸ˜‚ Never stop!! Especially the Star Wars ones πŸ€ͺ

    • Maggie

      EMMA!!!!! Aw, Girl, you’re just TOO SWEET!!!!! Yes, it’s important to just keep writing! Aw, THANK YOU!!!!!!! And, also, HUGE thank you for reading some of the first couple chapters! Aw, THANK YOU AGAIN!!! I don’t know so much about talent, but I do enjoy writing and I guess that’s all that matters. I SHALL TRY TO!!!!! *heart Emojis*

      I LOVE GIFs. They are addicting. They shall reign forever! NEVER. STOP. Indeed!!!!! (Oh, yes, we can’t forget the Star Wars ones. XD) Much love to ya! <333

  • Joy Caroline

    Awesome post, again!! I just want to say, NEVER give up on Into the Lamp. I can just feel how passionate you are about it, and if you want it enough, it WILL be published. I loved Colin’s quote about the “unseen and unknown.” Sounds like he will be a completely changed person at the end of this novel. I feel like that’s the most powerful thing we can do as writers, to bring our characters through such a profound change that it changes us as well.
    I totally agree with you that this is the story I believe I was born to write, that I know I HAVE to get published. I’ve learned so many lessons from my book and my characters that I can’t count them. The biggest lesson, and one that I hope all my readers learn, too, is that the people of the Bible were just like us. THEY HAD FEELINGS! Writing this story has made me feel like I’ve actually met the apostle Paul. He is SO real to me now, and because of that, I will read the book of Acts and his letters with a much deeper appreciation. And writing his story through the eyes of his little sister is the most moving and emotional experience I’ve ever had.
    If I had to pick three aspects of my story that have moved me most, these are what they would be. Physical torture and its affect on Paul was one of the hardest, and most emotional, parts of the story to write, ’cause you don’t just walk away from torture mentally unharmed. If course, it’s physical pain, but I feel like the emotional pain is much worse. And it’s most affecting to know that the reason Paul’s life involved so much torture was because he followed Jesus, and he was willing to sacrifice his body for that. Another difficult emotional part for me was writing about his guilt over his past, which never stopped making him feel guilty. Of course, writing about all the stuff I just mentioned would be difficult enough, but telling the story through the eyes of a loving sister has made it even more profound. I actually feel she may have suffered more than he did, simply by witnessing all this. I think using her as the narrator was the best decision I made for the book.
    Wow, I didn’t realize I wrote so much. Someone needs to tell me when to stop, LOL! But I just want to say that I’m SUPER excited for you. I will be rooting for Into the Lamp all the way!! πŸ™‚

    • Maggie

      THANK YOU, GIRL, LIKE SO, SO, SOOO MUCH!!!!!! Aw, I shall try hard not to give up on it. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IT MEANS MORE TO ME THAN WORDS CAN EXPRESS!!!!! YAY! I REALLY love that quote, too. Oh, yeah, he’s DEFINITELY changed at the end, and it kind of makes me emotional to see him grow so much like that. Oh, yes, TOTALLY agree with ya!!! I will say, looking back at stories I’ve written before, each one taught me something or changed me in some way. It’s really quite amazing.
      Ooooh, I just LOVE hearing (Or…er…reading. πŸ˜‰ ) you talk about your story. I love how passionate you are and how deep this story is to your heart. I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK AND AM TOTALLY ROOTING FOR YOU, GIRL!!!!!! *waves pom poms* I love the purpose you desire for this story. I think it is SOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!! And I really hope you are able to publish it. I don’t know why ANYONE wouldn’t wanna read it. If there’s any way I can help you in this story, let me know. (Don’t forget about me being a beta reader when you’re ready. XD Yes, that’s how BADLY I wanna read it!!!!!) Also, how did writing go this week? Are you getting closer to your goal of having the first draft done by Christmas? And, if you don’t mind me asking a random question, is this the first story you’ve written? I have no idea what it is with me and crazy, random questions. πŸ˜‚ Also, I’m hoping to finish the second draft of my WIP, at least, by Tuesday. *fingers crossed*

      XD Hey, long, lengthy, rambling comments are accepted and encouraged. I LOVE hearing from you, so don’t think for a second I don’t enjoy reading your comments. Long comments are actually fun!! Aw, THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!! I know you are, it just means SOOO MUCH TO ME!!!! You’re THE BEST!!!!!!!! Much love!!! πŸ’•πŸ’•πŸ’•

      • Joy Caroline

        Happy Saturday! LOL, I’m glad you don’t mind my rambling. You actually like hearing (well, yeah, more like reading) me talk? *doing a happy dance
        Thank you so much!! I really, really hope I can publish it. I’ve never felt this strongly about anything before, so it’s kind of amazing for me. And I’m TOTALLY gonna take you up on that beta reader offer! Sorry it won’t be for quite a while yet – there’s quite some editing to be done.
        Writing actually went incredibly this week! I am getting so much done that I’m absolutely sure now I will be done by Christmas. I’m almost at the end – just several more scenes to go – a few big ones and then smaller ones before the end. No, I LOVE random questions! Bring ’em on! This is not the first story I have written. I’ve been writing for most of my life. The books that stick out most to me are a six-book series I wrote at eight. Very weird novels about the characters in MarioKart. LOL!!! My brother read those and helped me come up with ideas. Most of the novels I wrote when I was little were about girls my age going on adventures. As I grew older my writing was anything but inspirational until I became a born-again Christian. I regard this novel as the first REAL novel I have written – the first time I have actually used my gift as I should – to honor God.
        Much love back to you!!

        • Maggie

          Happy Saturday!!! Of course I don’t mind. I mean, I’m known for my own loooooong rambling. OF COURSE I DO!!!!!!! Your comments always brighten up my day and your story is sooooo interesting!!!!!!!!! *does happy dance with you ’cause your excitement is VERY contagious*

          You’re welcome! I REALLY hope you can publish it, too!!!!!! I can SOOO RELATE with my own WIP!!! YAY!! Hey, that’s TOTALLY fine. You just get that story to the best you can first, and then I’ll take it from there. XD Though, I might not be the BEST at beta reading, but I’ve been practicing with a few other gals. YAY!!!! *throwing out party streamers and handing you your favorite kind of sweet* THAT’S AWESOME, GIRL!!!!!! I SOOOO KNEW YOU COULD DO IT ALL ALONG!!!!!!! The day you finish the first draft, I soooo wanna know!!!!! HOW EXCITING!!!!! You go Girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, that’s sooooo cool!!!!!! I actually haven’t been writing very long, so that’s cool that you’ve been doing this since you were eight!! LOL! That sounds like something I would write as a kid! Wow, I think that’s cool about how you’re now focusing on honoring God in your writing. That’s actually VERY INSPIRATIONAL!!!!!!!!! You just keep writing, Girl!! I know God’s got a great plan for you, Girl!!!!!!!!!!!
          <3333

          • Joy Caroline

            Thanks!! I really, REALLY appreciate your wanting to help. I can use all the help I can get! I feel like there’s a point when you may not be able to see the mistakes in your own writing, and need someone else’s thoughts.
            I’ll definitely let you know when my first draft is done! Also, I forget to congratulate you on being so near to finishing your second draft. I’m still checking your progress bar!
            Thanks so much for all your kind words! They are what keep me writing. And I KNOW God has a great plan for you, too! I know that we will both see each other’s dreams accomplished.

            • Maggie

              You’re soooo welcome!!! It’s the least I can do after all of the ENCOURAGEMENT you’ve sent my way!!! God has soooo used you (and all the commenters on TWN) to bless me!! πŸ’• Oh, yes, that’s why it’s good to have beta readers/critique partners.
              YAY!!!! Aw, that’s okay!! YAY!! I didn’t really get any writing done today so it won’t be updated, just to let you know, but I’m hoping to make a landslide of progress tomorrow!!
              Aw, you’re WELCOME!!!! Well, I try to always remind myself that God can use the people like me who are just so messed up and are really nobodies in this world. I hope He will use me for a special plan. That’s always been my greatest desire since I was a kid. I don’t know what it is, but I know in the end, it will be beautiful. Aw, I hope so!!!!! <3

    • Katherine

      That is just so amazing how your novel has made you feel like you’ve really met Paul!!! I love hearing you talk about your novel – it is so inspiring!!! And your passion for this is just so incredible!!! It’s amazing that your writing a book where the readers can connect with real actual people and see what they went through and how they viewed things. I CAN’T WAIT to see your novel published!!!!!! Good luck as you continue to write it! <33

      • Joy Caroline

        Thank you so much!! That means the world to hear you say. Aww, I’m shocked you guys actually LIKE hearing me talk for paragraph after paragraph! I have to say, your encouragement is really one of the only reasons I don’t give up when the writing gets tough.
        Best of luck to you, too!!

        • Katherine

          You’re so welcome, Joy Caroline!!!! Aww you are so sweet!!!❀️ Yes, we absolutely LOVE hearing you talk about it!!!! Awww, I’m so glad that I could encourage you!!!!😊 Don’t give up – I believe in you!!!!! <3
          Thank you!!!!πŸ™‚β€οΈ

  • Jen

    This was a blast to read, Maggie!!! I am so happy for you that this story feels like the one you were meant to tell!

    Haha, you should totally blame Colin! Our pesky characters can be so rude sometimes. ;p

    I feel you on worrying about describing your setting. I have to keep telling myself I can add more when I go back and edit, otherwise I get trapped in endless editing and not writing. πŸ˜‰

    All the graphics are amazing! *heart eyes* I, for one, would love it if you did a post filled with your lovely graphics! ^_^

    I think the odds of anyone getting an agent are pretty much the same no matter your age. If the agent loves your story enough they should be willing to work with that. I wish you the best of luck on your “Agent Hunt” and pray God will lead you to the right agent who will love your story just as much, if not more, than you do! It is so brave of you to put your story out there and I’m glad you know the possibility of getting rejected is likely but that you’re doing it anyway! And like Christine said, you only need ONE agent to love your story. So whenever you see a rejection, just think of all of us who comment on TWN who are cheering you on and eagerly awaiting your publication! <333

    Okay, no fair, those snippets are epic and all they do is leave me wanting more!!! *pouty face* XDDD

    You're writing advice is so true! And awww!!! You are so, so welcome! ^_^ I am so happy to be among the people who support you and your writing! <3

    Even though I think Colin is a really great guy, I would love to spend the day with Genie! (If I was a guy, I would probably pick Colin, just so ya know. πŸ˜‰ ) I think us girls like to stick together. ;D And by the time you get to this part of my comment, I think you know by now that I LOVE your story and we NEED more Aladdin retellings!!! ^_^

    • Maggie

      Aw, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH, GIRL, LIKE A TRILLION TIMES OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU again!!!!!

      IKR!! And Colin is just waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to easy to blame things on. I do it all the time. πŸ˜† Like for instance, me to my sister: I’m not gonna be able to get all of you Christmas presents this year ’cause Colin is demanding too much of my attention. XD (Okay, actually, that’s not really a TRUE conversation, but I could see it as something I’d do in the future. XD)

      Aaaah, yes, sooooo with you on that one, sister!!!!!

      THANK YOU!!!!!!!! I’m soooo happy you LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!! YAY!! Aw, Girl, you’re just TOO SWEET!!!!!! <33 I'd REALLY enjoy a post on that, too. Definitely putting it on the list. ^_^

      That's EXACTLY what I think, but there's some people out there who will tell you different. And I, honestly, had no clue which side my readers were on when I first wrote up this particular post. Afterwards, though, I can now kind of tell we're all on the age-doesn't-really-matter-with-agents-side. Which is good for me! THANK YOU, JEN!!!!! Prayers are ALWAYS wanted and appreciated!!!!!! <33 I'm not gonna lie, I just CANNOT do this without God. Aw, girl I just can't with this!!! You're just THE SWEETEST!!!!!!!! Yes!! Every. Single. One. Of TWN's commentors are ALWAYS in my thoughts on my tough writing days. I even read over past comments when y'all have been cheering me on. I just don't know what I'd do without you, Girl, and all the other AWESOME gals here. Y'all ARE Teen Writers' Nook!!!!!!!!! You make it up and I'm sooo blessed for all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus, my fav author of all time was rejection TONS of times before she EVER landed an agent. I try to remember that!

      AW, THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH, GIRL!!!!!!!!!! I sooo wish I could show you more. Man, this writerly secrecy stuff is just about killing me over here. πŸ˜†πŸ˜‚

      YAY!!!! I'm BEYOND HAPPY you're apart of it, too!!!! I literally just don't know what I'd do without you, Girl!!!!!!!!! <33 <33

      Eh, Colin's an okay guy. XD (And, personally, WAAAY to easy to mess with. Yes, I like teasing my fictional characters. XD) I think most of us would MUCH rather spend a day with Genie. (I know I would.) YES!!!!! Us girls DO have to stick together. ;D YES, I KNOW how much you love this story and I just hope one day, I'll be able to share it with you!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES TO ALL THE ALADDIN RETELLINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Ribbon Ash

    Okay, let’s see I remember to comment on everything I want to comment on. XD
    Haha, yes, it is the character’s fault for their troubles, not the authors! It is a myth that it is the author’s fault! XD (I just loved the comment with you blaming Colin for the lack of low moments. Hilarious.)
    Just a question, is it meant to say and “a heart to defend her people? I think people is spelt wrong…”
    Oooh, I’m so the opposite with antagonists/villains. Either I sympathize them because of their sad life and backstory, or I am so proud of their evil coolness that I love them like a mother with her beloved children. XD
    I am totally not one of those people! I am cheering you on, girl! I think it is amazing that you’re doing this! And I honestly think that no age or hardship should stop people from taking the next step!
    Oh my goodness, brilliant snippets again! I just love them to bits! And all of those graphics are amazing!! I love the lines/quotes on them! And of course the pictures are just perfectly picked! The new ones are just awesome!
    Can I cheat and say both? I just love both Genie and Colin! (Though I might pick Genie just so she could met Smoke. XD)
    And of course I LOVE YOUR STORY IDEA. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I HAVE HEARD OF. FOR REAL. I haven’t heard a lot of Aladdin retellings, let alone contemporary!

    • Maggie

      Oooh, yes! Let’s see. *settling down on a couch and grabbing a bucket of popcorn* XD
      YESSSSSS!!!!! ALWAYS the character’s fault. IKR! Who started THAT myth that us author’s put them through all of that? XD It’s been the characters ALL along. XD (Hehehe. YES! I LOVE doing that to Colin, blaming him for just about EVERYTHING!!!!! πŸ˜‰ )

      Umm….it’s possible I spelled something wrong. XD Spelling is my WEAKEST subject. Anyway, I doubled check and yes, I did spell people incorrectly. Ooops. *turning face away in shame* THANK YOU for pointing that out. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

      Yeah, most people are like that. I’m just always the odd one in the bunch with these things. Actually, I sometimes like other people’s villains, but never mine for some unknown reason. LOL!!

      Aww, THANK YOU GIRL!!!!!!!! YAY!! It’s always great knowing people have your back. (YAY! This time I spelled it right!! *happy dance* XD) Anyway, THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!!!! That’s what I’ve always thought, but there are some people who’ll disagree. Those are the ones I try to avoid listening to their advice for teen writers. It never puts me in a good mood, I must admit.

      Aw, just THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!!!! You think so? THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!!! I just ADORE making them, but will sometimes stress over if they look good or not. So, this just makes me SOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!

      YES! Cheating is TOTALLY allowed for this. I’ll just look the other way, so no one knows. XD But, ABSOLUTELY YES TO GENIE AND SMOKE MEETING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Aw, THIS WHOLE COMMENT IS JUST MAKING ME SOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH, GIRL!!!!!!!! You really think so? <33 <3 <33 <3 JUST A THOUSAND THANK YOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There actually are not a lot of Aladdin retellings, and from my searching, I have yet to see a contemporary one. So, I might be the only one who's got this so far. Which is kind of exciting!

      • Ribbon Ash

        *Thinks.* Pretty sure I did cause usually I remember it after posting the comment so… yay!
        Funny thing about spelling… Both of those quotation marks are in the wrong place and my writer’s brain is going insane about it.
        And that is exciting that your story is so unique! I knew it was!!! <3
        You're so welcome, girl!!!! I'm glad to be an encouragement to you! I have to thank you too cause all of your comments makes me smile so much. πŸ™‚

        • Maggie

          YAY!!!!!! THAT’S AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
          Um…not really sure what quotation marks you’re talking about.
          Aw, really? THANK YOU!!!!!! <33 I hope it IS as unique as I think it is!
          πŸ˜ƒπŸ˜ƒ YES! You have been SUCH an encouragement to me, I can't THANK YOU ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <33 <33 Aww you're just TOO SWEET!! You're soo VERY WELCOME!!!! I'm just BEYOND HAPPY that I could make you smile!!!!!!!!!!!!! πŸ™‚

          • Ribbon Ash

            Oh, just the ones that meant to be around “and a heart to defend her people”. But instead they placed like this, and “a heart to defend her people. I think people is spelt wrong.” AHHH. Anyway, I will get over it, but in the moment it. is. so. painful.

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