I know this isn't a secret, but I'm going to share for those of you swamped by the task of purchasing, let alone digesting, the many, many writers' books out there.
Here's what I do: I first check writers' books out at my Public Library here in Cleveland Ohio- which is part of the best public borrowing system ever, love it. I have my choice I can either go and hit up the well stocked main branch which is located downtown or I can go through the online catalog from the comfort of my home. Either way I come off like a fat rat in a cheese factory with no cats or traps. What I do, again, it's nothing new; I take my time and preview/review each book then I write a review and post my opinion on my blog. I'm careful to point out the excellent, juicy parts and skim over the rest. It must be a stinker for me to just flat out not like something. As an author who tries to stay on top of her game, I understands the blood, sweat, and tears that went into sharing some secrets. I'm discovering that there are a lot of fear-babies attempting to write for the public. I digress. When I write my reviews I share what I took away from the teachings of that author(s) plus if it's good and worthy then I go to the online thrift store for books and plop down my pennies and nickels for a copy. The current books I've added to my collection is Stealing Fire from the Gods and The Heroine's Journey. Both books are worth their cost; especially if you want to write something that is more original and groundbreaking. Now, I will admit that there are some books that I'm waiting for the price to drop. Just part of the publishing game and I know it, the publisher knows it, and hopefully the author knows it. But this system of renting then buying is helping me to streamline my personal Library and have a collection that I just love. What are you still doing here reading? Get to the library or the bookstore based off a book you checked out at the library and enter into a win/win situation with the author and yourself. Thanks for Listening Sabrina Louise Andielle
0 Comments
As I continue my in depth study and creation of mythology, I'm learning that two men influence my thoughts about the subject more than anyone else: C. Jung and J. Campbell. My growing realization is that these men were more than the cult leaders that the religious powers of their day believed them both to be. Time has prove that their thoughts were not in line with the heathens' back water teaching- there really are Archetypes and we can make a living and save our souls by following our bliss. But, because books are crystallized thought there is no lack of information about Jung and his supposed anti-system political beliefs and practices and as far a Campbell is concern, he was nothing more than a pied piper leading others to their spiritual deaths.
Now, as time has passed and both men have been proven to have known what they were talking about, writers like me are pulling on their research. Personally, I too have faced off with accusation about my loyalty to Christ; and only I can know what is in my heart, my intentions. So, I keep on walking. As I continue my twisting road, I see that things are in divine order and that although I may be a little harsh to swallow now, I will be valued as I continue and steep in my own divine gift and power. There is a need for story, original story; and I'm not talking memoirs. They have their place and some of them are severely needed, but the hero's journey need to be adapted to an outcome of compassion and cooperation. The heroine's journey needs to include powers outside the home- the goals needs to transcend gaining a husband and rearing a healthy, happy family. These are things that I'm working on accomplishing with my myths. The gods and goddesses of yesterday are being reconsidered and no one is being labelled a pagan. At least not with the intention and power that it once held. Its declaration has also become sweat to the lips as the ancient symbolic wisdom is showing why it is ancient and wise and that not everyone needs to be initiated into its power and ability. If only we had more people like Kevin Hearne! A man after Campbell's heart. I just know it. Thanks for Listening! Sabrina Louise Andielle I know that I didn't post anything in June 2018, but I was having numerous Coming to Jesus Meetings. This alchemist process of writing myths and combining not only symbols but lessons is pushing me.
I'm currently going through my Chinese Monkey God story with a fine tooth comb. I decided to do a short story on Greece's Hecate. Plus I'm developing the outline of The Mow Yen Chronicles; which is finally coming together. Three projects, all myths. Plus, I want to begin tossing my hat in the article writing ring. My calendar year is from July to June and I had an amazing first year. I wrote a novel and published a short story. I discovered that I could do this; now I believe that 2017-2018 will be the reviewed year which takes me aback to the very thing I originally asked/prayed for. Now 2018-2019 I plan to carry my cross and take another step along my road of dharma. I believe that we each hold a special piece of the puzzle. The Universe's story is our story I've bee told, and its destiny is our destiny. This kind of opened my eyes and made me surrender to my role; that and the fact that this will be the last year before my son heads off to college to be a video game designer. Good or bad, I'm starting to see that I was looking at the business of myth with rose-colored glasses. This is something that has received push-back from patriarchal structures. The entire business of telling myths was once the territory of women but it too fell under the domain of men. Not only that, those who are of the traditional religious way seem to think that this is something that is Gnostic. Which in a way they are right- but I wouldn't tell them that. Then there is the fact that I'm having reserved feelings about Maureen Murdock's Heroine's Journey and trying to put my own twist upon it. Plus Campbell, a genius yes, writer of mythology? Creator of Mythology? No. Then there is my journey to become a University Professor of this stuff. Again, carrying my own cross. Like most Great Initiations I'm in this all alone and others may offer help along the way but it's up to me to get this big wooden beam up the hill. I got Jesus on my side as well as a few others, so I have faith in me ad my journey. Well, I've poured enough tears for a post after a month's absence. I promise I'll . . . you get it. Thanks for Listening Sabrina Louise Andielle I am in the process of creating a most exciting forthcoming project for the follow up to my current short story available for sale, Again: From Gatekeeper to Earth Walk Departure. It is another Mow Yen story and it expands the world which she is currently incarnated in- the 3.51 dimension of Earth.
In this story we see how the Champion of Gaia, Mow Yen, goes around her sponsor and snag herself a mentor. None other than Sun Wukong; China's famous Demon Monkey King born from a Stone Mountain and key participant in the Journey to the West in order to retrieve some Buddhist scriptures for translation. This is the one and same young monkey who named himself, "Great Sage Equal to Heaven." So I'm tinkering with something that is honored, tried, and true. This is a challenging project because my story, Monkey God and His Protege, tells how Mow Yen and Sun Wukong became spiritual partners and friends until the day that Wukong leaves his body to be reincarnated again. I understand that I must be respectful of this beloved character. I'm doing my research and I swear to do right by the Monkey King (God in my story.) He is a key character in the Chronicles of Mow Yen and will be in the novels as a mentor/wise sage until he passes. His role will follow that of mentor in the Hero's Journey championed by Joseph Campbell. I envision this Monkey God as being the Monkey King after he has matured and aged like fine wine. He was already known as an example of "pursuing your dreams and ambitions, in the face of numerous obstacles and challenges; and only with cleverness, determination, and courage will one be able to overcome them to achieve success." Now he will be seen passing this knowledge on to next generation. I'll do right, promise. Thanks for Listening! Sabrina Louise Andielle I have been so concerned with the possibility of writing that I haven't been able to feed my soul with writing. Let me explain. I love communicating and the best way I do that is with writing. More so with examples or simple expressions, such as short stories, blog posts, essays, and novels. When I decided to get back on the horse of professional writing, I lost something. I can't explain it. The juices are flowing; so it's not a lost in creativity.
This is a real dilemma. Real dilemmas call for real solutions. Mines is to slow down. To quiet my mind and hear the characters, see the setting, engage in the plot, be still enough that muddy waters become clear. I hope, no I know, that this will allow me to develop into the messenger that I've been attempting to be since I started in May 2017. This means no more deadlines. Those nasty beasts! I will go against the grain and just write to express myself. I find that so many of us have a hard time with the ability to write according to schedules. Heck, nearly all of us find it difficult to express ourselves period. Not that I'm comparing myself to others (for that is never good: asking a fish to climb a tree and all) but being an emerging "community" girl, I find it nice to be in company- whether its good or bad is still out for debate. I'm going back to the drawing board. That means this website/blog will slowly change over time. The focus/mission will be tighter because I will revamp it all, and not pitch it; as I would have in the past. I appreciate the little attention this site has received and will (no try about it) improve on my communication with you because I'm going to improve my communication with me. Thanks for Listening! Sabrina Louise Andielle One of the more difficult things for me to do, as a Metaphysical/Visionary/Spiritual Fiction storyteller, having a guideline to align my stories. This means that often I would find myself rambling and therefore having to complete revision after revision in order to have some symbolism of a streamlined story, a tight story. In other words, I often found myself chasing my tail.
Well, I've been at this Visionary Fiction thing for about eight months now; trust me, it's truly an emerging genre I've latched on to. As I've spent weeks and months so far searching, not only to put my work in a knowledgeable position where I am comparing other writers and titles to myself to, but to also get a feel for what readers of the genre want, I'm finding that there are only a handful of successful, working writers engaged in this art form. But what Visionary Fiction lacks in numbers she makes up for in creativity, heart, and determination.
When I first started writing Lady Agape's story back in August, it was the result of an idea that came to me in April. See, Agape and Connor were enemy warlords. Agape even had assassins! There were eight women on Agape's council and Connor was going to die from one of Agape's assassin's bullet after he wiped out nearly everything Agape, including Agape. But that, like a lot of other storylines didn't feed me. As I created beyond the initial thrill, I became drained.
I think that by the time I first conceived Agape, I should have known that for my soul's caged bird to be free and sing I would need to stay in spiritual expression. But how would I, could I, feed the desire for and bliss of storytelling? I mean, the spiritual books that were successfully published and selling were a couple hundred pages long at most. I, on the other hand, have always had dreams of writing either a series or a collection of stand alone tomes of fantasy. Even though I knew that my area of natural knowledge and wisdom was with Spirit, I decided to follow my bliss and write Epic/High Fantasy. Well, I tried to write Epic/High Fantasy. The job of writing was so blocked. My attempts of sharing stories with themes of Laws of Spirit expressed by my elves, dwarfs, and daring human men and women following the Hero's Journey formula was a failure, major bust. I even gave up the idea that I could communicate my thoughts in a coherent manner. I stop writing and went deep into my depression. My friend told me that I should stick at it because it was my purpose and that writing would help me with my illness. Years passed without me doing anything and soon we were in 2017 and I made a promise to myself- I would just follow my joys , whatever they may be. Long story short; I discovered that I could still write the elements of good stories which were fantastical or/and totally fiction while staying true to the new truths of life within the illusion of reality. Plus there was an emerging genre that was being recognized as such: Visionary Fiction. Still, I haven't found anyone who is attacking this genre the way I do, it's okay. Just mean that I've in fact found my genius and my contribution to the collective consciousness. This means, I made it! I hung in there until a new island was found for me to explore. Now that I have a foundation's history and an audience's expectation for a spiritual story, a story with spiritual vision, a metaphysical vision, to guide me along the way. Patience and divine timing has paid off for me as I'm able to recognize the landmarks and translate the overview map titled: New Mythology for the New Spirituality. An ode to the Spiritual Journey that has been birthed out of the Hero's Journey of the past 2,000 years. Thanks for Listening -Sabrina Louise Holloway Andielle I've really been doing my research in order to tighten up the manuscript of my second novel. The first thing I learned (and did) was to introduce the characters, the setting, and the conflict. Since I know the complete story already it was a easier to plug the information in according to the books on writing that I have read. You know the mighty foreshadowing of what's to come without telling how it's coming.
I streamlined everything and presented myself as the author. In other words I set the tone for the story and as a new voice I introduced myself with my various length of paragraphs, word selection, and variety in characters all within 53 pages. Not really a hero's journey, although Agape goes within and face off with her inner child and the archetypal energy of survival in order to graduate from this vibration of the without. I have to keep in mind that this is visionary fantasy so the rules are a little different and not everyone is going to dig it. Nonetheless without any excuse, YOU MUST TELL A STORY FIRST and I believe I have a good one that's original and filling; then I hit you with the metaphysical stuff. The first draft is a solid foundation for what's to come and I'm excited and looking forward to sharing my character driven story containing a strong plot with the world. -Thanks for Listening Sabrina-Louise Andielle Tobymac says "It might flicker but they can't kill the flame."
Well, that's where I'm at in this process of birthing a novel which I plan to publish. I've etched in stone chapters 1-18 which leaves me with 4 chapters to discover & write. I now see the end of the tunnel and the promise land of a completed first draft. Of course the more I write the more I understand this project and how it is the glorification of the creation and the creator. Our Creator! Our Creation! I have decided to talk about the wonder of the work of The Great Mind (God) and how we're supposed to live in Its illusion. To be honest there is so much I want to talk about but sometimes I come off as cold and detached. I lack a sweet tongue and I've come to accept that. Yet, what I lack in tack I make up for by expressing myself in engrossing and entertaining stories. It is my gift as an elder soul. Me and God got history and I trust God and myself more than I trust this illusion. This is what I want to share with people- my relationship. I want to help people navigate the mazes of life; the metaphysical. It took me a while to understand what category that I'm to put my writings in; now I see that it is Metaphysical Fiction. This means I am expected to give my theories/philosophies on metaphysical topics and if you haven't heard, with Lady Agape & The New Dimension I'm currently writing about the archetypal energy of transformation and the work that we do in the astral dimension. This is a genre, metaphysical fiction, that's only been around for close to two decades so I can also help contribute to the development of one of our new forms of healing communication. I have high hopes about this outlet for it please my soul and the mind of God. I get to talk all I want about the power of God and not have people become over burden by my words/energy. This is not the hero's journey, it's something greater. A journey that will force you to crawl if you can't walk not because the whip is at the back but because the hand is at the heart. That means that anybody can travel with me or any other writer/guide of meta fiction then apply what we share to one's life. With this journey the entire passage is about God, with God , and for God. There is a little room in there for the individual but that's only because we are all fragments of the same Queen/King in this matrix. But, I can talk about the details and philosophy in a project that is novel or novella size. Here's looking at you, my dear reader. Once again, thanks for listening! Sabrina-Louise Andielle |
AuthorOne of those writer folk telling stories, reviewing the writer's adventure, and presenting the hero's journey. All wrapped in Spirit, the Kingdom of God, the Sanatana Dharma, the Tao, the Way, or the Absolute. Archives
February 2020
Categories
All
|