What to Expect From This Blog

This is a writing blog about a new fantasy series I am writing that's based on an allegory of the Book of Daniel. It's my intent to share my writing story as well as the writing of this series. Hence, it's about my writing life.

This blog will also be about reading fantasy (speculative fiction) and watching fantasy movies and television.

This blog will also be about faith, politics, and the news of today--for the Book of Daniel tells of what is happening today and in the future, as well as the past.

I would love to make this an interactive blog. Therefore, feel free to post questions, comments, suggestions for story-line, etc. You can add a comment at the end of any blog post, use the contact form on the left side of this blog--about one-third of the way down on the page, or you can send me an email.

Welcome.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2014.)

I’ve Been a Little Quiet

I’ve Been a Little Quiet

I realize I’ve been a little quiet and haven’t written any Bible study blog posts in a while. It’s because I’m going through a phase where I am participating in multiple Bible studies right now. I need them. Desperately. I feel like a sponge soaking up everything I can in the present from the Word of God (the Bible). I will start a writing project soon on this blog. I just want to do my own personal studies for a couple of weeks, so I can be more prepared to write Bible study blogs. So, please bear with me.

Thank you kindly.

(Image credit for top photo: Stacy Duplease 2009-2014.) 

We Remember

WE REMEMBER

Today in History 1:

(Original Source: http://www.historyorb.com/today/events.php)

2013 - 3 people are killed and 183 are injured after two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon

2013 - 33 people are killed and 163 are injured in a wave of bombings across Iraq

Also:

1865 - President Abraham Lincoln died

1912 - The Titanic sank

News and Prayer

Two sources so far, living next door, and having a business nearby report smelling gas last night. 

Breaking News and Prayer

Regarding the exploding and building collapse in NYC... The Latest:

5 alarm fire now.

15 injured so far.

Not much of building is left.

There was an explosion.

Old townhouses.

Please Pray: Breaking News

A building off of Park Avenue in NYC has exploded. 11 people injured so far.

The building was being renovated.

BREAKING NEWS.

Don't think it's terror-related... But, it's WAY too early to tell.

Turn to your news. 

What to expect this week

There will be another new series started this week on this blog, as we continue the 40 Day New Year and New Beginning Parable.

Stay tuned.

-- Stacy Duplease
Sent from Amazon Kindle Fire HDX
http://agodlyvision.blogspot.com

(Image credit: Microsoft images online 2009-2013.) 

WRITING PLAN 2014 FOR "A GODLY VISION SERIES"

WRITING PLAN 2014 FOR "A GODLY VISION SERIES" 

Book 1 = 40 Days of a New Year and a New Beginning Parable

Book 2 = 40 Days of a Patriotic Bible Study

Book 3 = 40 Days of Psalms

Book 4 = 40 Days of the Gospels

Book 5 = 40 Days of a Patriotic Bible Study 2

Book 6 = 40 Days of Thanks

Book 7 = 40 Days of Proverbs

Book 8 = 40 Days of a Patriotic Bible Study 3

Book 9 = 40 Days of Closing a Year or a Chapter in Life

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online 2011-2013.) 

Ideas for journaling entries: The news

Did you make sure to write about the Algerian hostage situation and the Inauguration of the president?

It's important to put news in your journals--to help bring proper context of your journal entries, how the world is, how the nation is, and how it impacts your life. every news story impacts us. Every story does, after all. 

So, do not forget to write about those two things, and anything else in the news that captures your eye or heart.

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Prayers

My prayers are with everyone involved with Sandy Hook Elementary School (because of the shootings)--along with their families and friends.

I will go silent on my blog today so we can pray and journal for them.

Stacy Duplease

3 New Books on Journaling on Smashwords

I have three new journaling books published on Smashwords. They are edited and are ready for purchase. Check it out at the link below.

The books are:

~ THE 1-YEAR REMEMBERING YOUR PRESENT JOURNAL

~ THE 5-YEAR REMEMBERING YOUR PRESENT JOURNAL

~ THE 10-YEAR REMEMBERING YOUR PRESENT JOURNAL

*** Note: I have another book I am in the process of writing. It's called: ETC. ETC. ETC. JOURNALING PROMPTS

If you have never journaled before, or do not do it every day, I recommend the 10-Year book.

If you journal quite a bit, and want to daily, try the 10-year and the 5-year. 

If you journal every day, and want to get as much as possible out of it, I recommend the 1-year, plus the other two.

For any experience level, I will recommend the journaling prompts book.

These three books (plus the 4th) will be available in the next 6 weeks or so, to buy on Amazon--as a paperback book. 

The covers above are for the Smashwords versions of these books.

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper Author & Sci-Fi Writer

The Story of John Arundell and Roanoke (A Sci-Fi Time Travel Novel)

& the Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

I am tired

There is something I've come to realize. I'm tired. Worn-out. Burned out. And need a break.

I also realize I have let my priorities slip.

What are my priorities? 

~ God (prayer and Bible study)

~ Husband

~ Home

~ Personal Journalkeeping

~ Teaching/Writing about Journalkeeping & Memoir Writing

~ Writing Fiction/Novels

The truth of the matter is my personal and professional first love is journaling. Period. End of story. 

Yesterday, I started to reassess. Today, I've done more of it. 

I am going to take a break and get back to my professional first love. Hence, you'll see that in this blog for a while. I am not sure how much of a break I will need  I still am burning with the desire to write the sci-fi series based off my ancestors. But, for now, I need to journal--and devote great amounts of time to that. So, I am.

Starting with the post after this one, you are going to get a lot of information about journalkeeping (journaling).

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Sci-Fi Writer

The Story of John Arundell and Roanoke (A Sci-Fi Time Travel Novel)

& the Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Welcome

This is my new blog.

Welcome. 

Stacy Duplease
Sci-Fi Writer of Time-Travel

The Story of John Arundell and Roanoke: Storykeeper2121 Series, Book #1

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/storykeeper2121

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

The Latest News

So far, it's nice and cloudy here. We are in the process of cleaning stuff in garages and putting it on shelves, etc. If we get water swirling around in them, we do not want our cars to be hurt by the debris. However, if the cars get flooded, it won't matter. (Lol.) In about another hour, we will be hurricane ready--provided Sandy comes this way.

They are saying things will get dicey here Sunday night through Monday evening.

The Hampton Roads/Newport News is definitely getting ready for the chance of the hurricane. Sand bags are going out everywhere. People are moving their car, boats, motor homes to higher ground. Which makes me chuckle. Everything around here is 6 feet or less above sea level. 

Our home is in an area likely to be flooded. But, that's where faith comes in (and insurance). 

Our main prayer is about electricity at this point. We would like to keep it, thank you very much. But, just in case, we went out and got a couple more candles (because I never have enough. Hah!) we plan on doing a TV show and movie marathon as long as we have electricity. We started last night, as a matter of fact. I write as the TV plays in the background and got quite a bit of writing done already. (Yay!) 

Now, I am going to get some writing done. Just wanted to give you an update. 

Stay safe everyone along the East coast! And, happy NaNoWriMo preparation to my buddies! Enjoy your weekend. I know we will definitely have a memorable one.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler and Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Old Fashioned Writing.

Please note that I am saying this tongue in cheek and am being silly.
I had a moment of enlightenment earlier and that led to me having to... think!
If the power goes out... I will not be able to use cell phone or Amazon Kindle Fire for long. I want to have enough life in them to send updates to my blog.
So, I started to wonder how I would get writing done.
I have not written by anything for well over a year by anything other than via computer, tablet, or cell. I have gone digital. Up until a month ago or so, I printed out what I wrote. But, I am truly paperless now.
So... What about writing? How will I write if the power goes out? (I am being silky here.)
Wait. I write historical fiction. What did they do in the old days for writing? Wait. I think I heard something about that. I will write... by... hand! Gasp.
Earlier, I found two large blank journals my Granny gave me over a year and a half ago. I will use them. I even found six pens. I think I am set. Hence, I will do old fashioned writing if the electricity goes out.
Can't wait. (Seriously. It should prove inspirational and should stir things up for my writing. That will be a good thing.)

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Hurricane Sandy News

I will use this blog as a place for me to write how my husband and I are fairing in the midst of Hurricane Sandy. So, check here for updates from time to time.

Of course, I will use the time and storm as a mood setter for my writing. I am a thriller historical fiction writer and all. So, if the power goes out, or we cut it off, then that's ambiance--right? It will help me to know more about the days of ol' I am writing about--right? (Do you hear how I am trying to to look at the bright side? Praying. Praying! Lol.)

We just realized we need more cat food, coffee, and Atkins bars... So, we are going to head out soon and brave the lines at a nearby store. (Lord, help it not be too busy.) 

Just wanted to let you know this will be the storm center for our family and friends. 

So far, there are no mandatory evacuations.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Hurricane?!?

It's rather nice to live in your own little world of bliss and oblivion... However, something always has to interrupt that, doesn't it? Well...

Today, I've been in my own little world of happy-go-lucky writing. I've been quite productive and am thrilled with my progress. HOWEVER... I just got an email that let me know how Tropical Storm/Hurricane Sandy has the potential of hitting here. (Yikes! Yelp!!!) WHAT?!? 

This Colorado native had no idea there was the possibility since I started noticing Sandy yesterday. 

Last year, we (my husband, beagle, orange Maine Coon, and two RES turtles) went through Hurricane Irene... A month after we moved here to Virginia... A week after the earthquake that also hit D.C. and damaged the Washington Monument and National Cathedral... A month before that, I saw my first funnel cloud--practically in my backyard in Nebraska. 

Therefore, this news about Sandy kinda swept me off my feet. I quickly went through the house, like a storm in my own right, and am mostly hurricane ready. No joke. It took about 15 minutes was all. We learned from Irene how to be ready for the worst. In Irene, we had mandatory evacuation and everything. Thankfully, our garages were flooded, but no more. 

Over the last year, I have done everything I can to ensure I can up and leave in a moment's notice--if ever needed. My writing is all electronic now and is over the internet  This includes most of my books, so I do not have to worry about bringing the most important books with me. This means less crap I have to bring in my vehicle. That's good news.

If she heads this way, we will most likely have to evacuate. We live in a place that is only 6 feet above sea level and the Chesapeake is only about a mile as the crow flies from our house. So, do the math... This means it's likely we would have to evacuate. Sigh.

But, I am ready.

There was another valuable lesson we learned last year with Irene: Treat the time evacuating as a vacation. We would need it if our house had damage and if we lost anything. So, that's what we will do this time--if the worst happens. 

Now, I am going to try to get back to writing and see how much I can get done. 

Life is sure interesting sometimes.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler and Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Hello

Greetings.

I am back from vacation and am trying to get back into the swing of things today.

I will stop using my blog today as a social  media device--like Google+ or Twitter--now that I am back. I wanted to at least keep you updated with the things that caught my eye while I was away. If you liked those links that I sent, check out my Google+ account at: https://plus.google.com/u/0/107983364812413159425

I am preparing for NaNoWriMo now and will write more on this, and on my vacation, later. Let me get caught up and I will write more in a bit.

By the way. I changed my book title and how I am writing the book. It will be more exciting and more of a thriller. It's now called:

The Chronicler and Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series Book #1.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

My story from 9/11

SEPTEMBER ELEVENTH: REMEMBERING

On 9/10/2001, I watched as a beloved Broncos player, Ed MacCaffrey was hurt. He was given a life-changing break to his leg. It was horrible. It was an injury you had the feeling ended his career. I tossed and turned that night.

When I drove to work that morning, across town, I could not help but think of him. The radio talked about it as well.

Then... Everything was put into proper perspective.

846 a.m. Eastern Time (It was 646 in Denver, where I am from and will return one day.)

I heard the radio announce: "An airplane has crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City."

I remember saying out loud, "WHAT?" That sure caught my attention.

Was it a Cessna or a commercial jetliner? Was it a terrorist or an accident? I could not help but wonder. Then, the guy on the radio speculated the same questions over the radio.

A couple of minutes later, he announced again, "A second airplane has struck the World Trade Center." There was a pause. "It is now safe to say that this was a deliberate act of terrorism."

"War has been declared on the United States of America," I said to myself. Hearing those words, and speaking them, were rather mind-boggling and stunning. Never mind what just happened in NYC.

We were at war.

How many people just died or were hurt? How many fathers, mothers, children, friends were not going home that night? I thought as my heart went to my throat. How many people were in the towers? How many people worked in the towers?

They radio program, a music station which played the 80's to today music, had a guest who said over 50,000 people worked in the World Trade Center's two towers.

I knew someone who would most likely be going to war. (My future husband.) The thought hit me pretty hard.

I thought about the two most important dates in U.S. history, according to my father: 04 July 1776 and 07 December 1941. Both days were marked by the shedding of American blood for freedom. 12/7 was a day of infamy.

My dad made sure I knew all about the events on 12/7, those that led up to it, and the aftermath. I knew the costs of that day.

My dad was too young to know 12/7 personally, but I could tell it impacted him and his life. (It still does today.)

Any day when THOUSANDS of Americans die is a terrible day. (Never mind any other nationality across the world.)

I knew September Eleventh was most likely going to be worse than Pearl Harbor. The numbers, and airplanes, only cemented this reality.

"It has been confirmed that it was two commercial jetliners, folks." The guy over the radio shared with us.

I had just pulled into the parking lot at work. I turned off my truck and said a prayer before I headed into work.

The radio was not on. It was always on. But, it was not on yet. This struck me.

"Turn on the radio," I hollered across the print shop to the gal closest to the radio.
"Why?"

"Two commercial planes have hit the World Trade Center in New York City. That's why." I shared the simple truth with them. I heard my voice quiver a little as I spoke.

The guy and gal looked at one another and then LAUGHED at me in disbelief.

I remember feeling furious, but I bit my tongue. This was not something you joked about or made up. Ever. "I am serious. Please turn on the radio." I requested and headed to the back to punch the clock.

When I got back up front, they stood there, mouths hanging open.

I immediately called our supervisor and he brought in a t.v. He was getting ready to leave his house.

937 a.m.

I then called my dad, and woke him up, since he worked nights. This was something you wake people up for. We just heard how the Pentagon was hit. (That was yet another declaration of war. How many more would we get today?)

Then, I called my mom.

959 a.m.

The moment our supervisor got to work, and plugged in the t.v., the first tower fell.

I will never forget a group of us standing around watching this. Two were former military. They said it would be a matter of days before we responded. I agreed. How could we not? They both said they would want to re-enlist that second if they could, but they could not. One had physical problems. One had too many obligations at home. He was also a single father and the mother was out of the equation.

1006 United 93, southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

1028 The second tower fell.

I will never forget how we could tell when customers walked into the print shop--whether they knew or not about what happened this day. Those who heard, said something, and were somber. Those who had not heard were loud, happy, continued on with life as normal.

Since I was the one who ran the counter, along with A/R, I was the one who told them.

"I take it you haven't heard." I knew not to ask if they had or not. It was obvious.

"Hear what?" All of them asked.

"About how two planes have crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City."

"No!"

"Yes..."

The moment I got in my truck to drive home, I listened to the radio. The moment I got home, I turned on the t.v. I saw all of the images again... Heard stories...

Just as I did a couple of days ago.

My husband and I drove home from a Presidential rally when he turned on the radio. They were replaying the sounds of that day.

For 45 minutes, my husband and I drove in silence.

Today, I have been peeled to the t.v. again... as I am every year.

One day, we will have a child. They will know about the three dates in U.S. history to never forget. 04 July 1776. 07 December 1941. 11 September 2001.

Our future child will know how many military men and women we have personally known who have fought and fallen since.

Freedom costs. It is not free.

We will never forget.

We will not falter.

The land of the free, the home of the brace.

God bless the USA.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

 

Remember

THOUGHT: History must be remembered... Or it will be doomed to repeat itself.

I was raised that if I must never forget two particular dates in American history: 04 July 1776 and 07 December 1941. A new date was added 11 years ago... 11 September 2001.

Those three dates prove freedom is not free. Freedom costs. The payment, unfortunately, is blood. Freedom is not free. 

In order for everyone to fully live free, the blood of Jesus had to be shed.

In order for American to be free, blood has to be shed at times. The price is higher than high.

Have we forgotten 9/11?

Really.

How united are we?

Do we understand that our very national defense is rapidly being not just cut, but gutted... each day by our politicians? What about Iran and China? We are less safe today than on 9/11. 

May we remember. And not forget. 

Do you know what the country learned on 07 December 1941 at Pearl Harbor? The USA learned how the very military who protects us could not react immediately. We did not have the ships, planes, or men to protect us.

Today, we have less ships, planes, and men and women in the military.

Have we learned? Have we remembered? Have we forgotten?

Have we learned from history?

Today... Let us rededicate ourselves to being united and not divided. To standing strong as a nation. To prayer. To remembering. 

To action and not inaction. To prayer. To voting carefully to ensure those who defend us can and not be held back and gutted by government.

To making sure not one from 9/11 died in vain.

To making sure the first responders who have cancer from being hurt in their lungs now have not been in vain. 

To making sure the military men and women who have died, been injured, and/or fought have not been in vain.

May we remember and be united. Always. Every day. And not forget.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

-- Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer
Sent from my cell.