Religion!

PC Cast has an interesting topic going on over at her blog about religion. It so got me going that I decided to blog about it here too. I'm pagan. I'm polytheistic and a follower of Demeter, the Greek Goddess of the Harvest. I was raised Roman Catholic and I consider myself to be a recovering Catholic.

I'm very proud of what I am. I discovered paganism when I was sixteen. My mom was going through cancer and I needed something to believe in. Though I grew up technically as a Catholic, none of us ever really followed in the ways of the church. My mother was a victim of rape when she was younger and the priest told her that the only way God could forgive her, the victim of the crime, was if she became a nun. It was impossible to believe in a religion that blamed her for the criminal act of another.

So, years later when my mom was diagnosed, I went on a spiritual quest. I started reading Greek myths and fell in love with the story of Demeter and how she dealt with the kidnapping of her daughter Persephone. I knew then and there that following her was right for me. But, just because it's right for me doesn't mean it's right for anyone else. Heck, my brother is a Buddhist.

I have never denied my religion. I'm not ashamed of it or feel the need to hide it. But I also don't advertise it. If you ask me point blank I'll tell you straight up that I'm pagan. But, aside from this blog entry, I don't talk about it. Two topics you should never discuss in public; religion and politics.

A couple years ago a couple of coworkers asked me about my faith and I told them. They were genuinely interested in my beliefs so we chatted while we worked and I answered their questions. Another coworker overheard us and waylaid me during a break. She was a born again Christian and considered it her sacred duty to save my soul before I was damned to hell.

I have never tried to convert anyone to my religion. All I ask is for the same courtesy. In the first place, I don't believe in hell. I also don't believe my soul needs saving. I'm not saying my religion is right or better than anyone else's. All I'm saying is let me believe what I believe and leave it at that. What you believe is your own personal business and if it makes you happy than that's great. I'm happy with what I believe and that's all that matters to me. In the end, everyone has the right to follow what's in their own hearts. That is what freedom of religion is all about.

If you'd like to see PC's blog about this topic, just click on the link I have up for her. And there ends my sermon for the day.:-)

NO REST FOR THE WICKED!

A little while back I responded to a blog post on NJ Walter's blog about how an author is never totally satisfied with the final product and is always tweaking their stories. I mentioned how I'd written a story a long time ago but had never tried to publish it. NJ encouraged me to try and I finally did a few weeks ago. I sent my story off and am waiting to hear about it.

But, it was as if finally actually trying to publish my book had opened the floodgates and I haven't been able to stop writing since. An idea for a series of novellas came to me and I have been writing non-stop since then. I'm halfway through book three in this new series. I've sent off book one and I'll let you know if it's a go.

However, after I finished this third novella, I figured I'd take some time off. Not long, just figured I'd take a week to read, watch movies and stuff like that. Since I began this series, I have only taken one day off. But you know what they say about the best laid plans right?

All last night, a new idea for a full length story was haunting me. The whole thing just played in my mind like a movie and I know that I'm going to have to write it as soon as I finish my current story. I have no choice. It's the whole reason I wrote my very first story, the one NJ encouraged me to try to get published in the first place. The story wouldn't leave me alone until I'd written it.

The same goes for these novellas I have been writing. Once the idea came to me, I had no choice but to sit at my computer and write them. The idea for the fourth book is also already in my head, but this novel that came to me last night is demanding I tell it first. I can see I'm going to be very busy for the remainder of this year. There is no rest for the wicked.:-)

Book One

Ok, it's finally time to talk about some of the fantastic books I was reading over the course of being sick. And yes, I still am. I'm going to the doctor's today and hopefully I will finally be feeling better. Anyways, book one that I want to talk about is called BID FOR LOVE by Savannah Chase.

This story was awesome. Nico and Jeff are star crossed lovers. Both want the other one, but neither has the courage to say anything. So, Nico's friends hatch a plan in secret to help them get together. They organize a charity bachelor auction and invite Jeff to be auctioned off. When Nico discovers the object of her secret desire on the block, she must decide if she has the courage to make a BID FOR LOVE.

This story was hilarious. Both Nico and Jeff have quirky friends who try and help them get out of their dating ruts. Some of their plans are not only unsuccessful, some are downright hilarious. I loved this book. Actually, it's an e-book. If you want to check out BID FOR LOVE by Savannah Chase, click on the link I have up for Lyrical Press Publishing. It's so worth it.

A Slight Change

I know I said I'd blog about some great stories today but I had to change my plans. I want to instead talk to you about an author whom I adore. NJ Walters is a story-telling GODDESS. I just finished her most recent release, Lily Blossoms and it was phenomenal. This woman simply can't tell a bad story. Everything she writes is not only beautifully written and sensual, but each story touches your emotions.

She has become one of my three top authors and you knew that already if you have been reading my blog. I just can't get enough of her wonderful stories. She's become one of my heroes as well. You'd really love her books if you read them. If you want to check out her stuff, click on the link I have to her website. Make sure you check out her blog at www.njwalters.blogspot.com/ as well. This woman is totally awesome and amazing. I really can't go on enough about how fantastic she is. I'm a fan forever.

I Can't Catch A Break!

I have been sick most of this year. Two months ago, when I was finally feeling better, I ventured from my house for the first time since January. I thought it was finally okay for me to go out again. I should have known better. I'm not that lucky. Yes, I am sick again. And once again, by the order of my doctor and my mother, I am on restriction again.

That means no going out except for doctor's appointments again for who knows how long. The way things are going, I might not be allowed out of the house until next year. This is totally driving me nuts. I can't tell you how sick I am of being sick. On the plus side though, I have been too tired to do anything but read lately. I'll be talking about some of the fantastic stuff I've been reading over the next few days. But I am still tired of being sick.

I don't mind the tiredness, but I am so sick of sore throats. It is driving me insane. Anyways, tomorrow I'll be telling you about a great new book I just read and I'll be covering some of the other ones later on. Happy Labor Day all.