Lit Alfame Blog Tour // Interview

Today marks the last day of the Lit Aflame blog tour (kind of the last, anyway - there's a surprise post up tomorrow).  And today I threw a few questions at Julia, which she was kind enough to answer...
What made you decide to start blogging?
For a long time I’ve wanted to blog, because I wanted somewhere to share my thoughts, rant about books, and overall make a difference.  But it took me finding the community of Christian bloggers to finally push me over the edge and get me started!  (Yes, I honestly had no idea there were such blogs as
the ones floating around this community until a bit earlier in the year).  PLUS I was getting serious about writing, and wanted to begin gathering my empire for whenever I release my books. So yeah….  Since then it’s grown into so much more though.
Where did the name come from?
Aha, the name….”Lit Aflame”, yesss, that is a interesting subject.  Seeing I was suppose to change it once I started my official blog, and as you can see, my official blog’s name just happens to be “Lit Aflame” still.
I began with other name’s I liked much better, but all of them were already taken!  People I tell you, this was a horrible crises, at least for someone as impatient as I.  Because, guyz, I had to actually spend time THINKING about it.  *cue gasps* yes I know, it’s horrible.  But I had to, and you know what that got me? 
Blogger’s Blog-domain-block, yep, bloggers, you don't want to meet this guy. EVER.  Anyway, I pounded my brain about for awhile, coming back with nothing but frustration, I gave it to God and asked Him to show me the right name.
And I sang a little song and all my problems magically disappeared.
Um no, and you people who believed that can go sit in a corner and feel sorry for yourself, you should know that sort of thing only happens to Disney Princesses and I happen, despite my perfectness for the job, to not be one (note: that would be the worse job in all the history of worse jobs for me... I don’t even like Disney princesses).
No, it took me a few days of ponderings, but at last it came to me, “Lit Aflame”,  because hadn’t my “life” prayer pretty much been for God to make me a flame - a burning light in this dark world?  And didn’t I want to actually live a meaningful life and do something for Christ?
So yes, Lit Aflame became the name.  Because I want to live my life “lit aflame for Christ” and shine brightly for Him.
So yes it must be admitted, I did it with the thought that this was just a temporary title, I thought it sounded weird and stuff….so I was going to do something “better” when making my official blog, but, really, the name fits rather well.  Plus it sorta grew on me.
How did your family and friends react to your "I'm going to blog!" announcement?
HAH.  Y’know I’m sorta a hermit who lives in a hole and never comes out.  Which means when I first made the blog I didn’t really, exactly tell anyone.  At least it wasn’t really talked about or anything until I made my official blog, and you know that includes purchasing a domain and everything.  I’m not the announcy type, but that info still got around, and it earned me some gasps about the amount of money I was spending.  Yeah, mainly wide eyes and incredulous looks.  Heh.  And as for “outside” family and friends…. Um, they have no idea...and I don’t exactly have any friends. Well, I mean, my siblings are my friends. so…….
What's been the hardest thing about blogging that you've encountered so far?
Getting subscribers?  XD.  But really, I don’t know. . . other than that I’ve been really enjoying it, maybe the amount of time it takes?  Like, each post seems to consume SO much time.  It’s like some weirdly likeable monster that eats time for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.




Oooh!  I just had the GREATEST thought for an answer!  The ABOUT ME page, I am being completely serious here, that thing has cause me more woe and heartache than anything else.  It’s ridiculous.
Have you found anything super easy that you thought would be more of a challenge?
Huh, I’m not sure. . . .  I don’t know about it being “super easy” but coming up with content to post twice a week isn’t as hard as I had thought, I mean it can get a bit hard, but it’s actually not too bad.
Where do you see yourself with blogging a year from now?
Ahhhhhh, my dream would be 1,000 + subscribers and a monetized site.  But I think we all know that has a chance of being highly unlikely.  So basically, a year from now, I hope to have at least 200 subscribers with a few certain things released for purchase (right now these things be secret….sshhhhhhh).
Maybe I’m aiming too high, as it is I want 50 subscribers by the end of 2018, but at least I’m aiming for something.  I mean, I can’t get anywhere if I don’t at least try.
Meet the Interviewee: Julia S.

Julia is a 15 year old born again Christian who believes if the Bible says it it’s true, and a Bookworm who knows that words have the power to change the world.   She juggles her small business, writing, and college while living on a farm in Texas with her parents, seven siblings and a ton of animals.
Her goal in all that she does is to bring glory to God and to live a life lit aflame for Christ.  She hopes to encourage others to do the same.

Blog: Lit Aflame
Instagram: @litaflame

Celebrate the Launch of my Blog with me!



Hiya!  This week we’ve been celebrating the launch of Lit Aflame, my new blog.  There’s even a giveaway!  So don’t miss out!  Today is the LAST day for the GIVEAWAY, so HURRY!

Click below for the giveaway - LAST DAY to enter:


Check out the other blog stops around the blogosphere!  You don’t want to miss out on these posts! :


Sunday:

Monday:

Tuesday:

[Guest Post] 3 Things You can learn from God's Smuggler [Saver of Memories]

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday:
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A Warning

I can't remember what year it was.  2007 or 2008, I think.  But I remember the day clearly - it was a Sunday morning.  I was playing with my friends at church when my dad called me over.
 
"See that little girl over there?"  He pointed to a blonde-haired girl, sitting by herself in one of the rows of chairs.  I had never seen her before, so her family must have been visiting.  "Why don't you go over and say hello to her."
 
Now my dad is famous for making sure I greet people - visitors, people in old folk's homes, neighbors, you name it.  I've gone to say hello to strangers so many times at his bidding that I've lost track.
 
This time would surely be no different.  I went over and said something, which I don't remember.  Probably some sort of greeting.  I might have made the comment that she has the same name of one of my cousins.  Asked her if she liked horses (a standard conversation starter of mine when I was little).  I don't really remember what happened.
 
I also don't remember what I did when this girl and her family returned to church the next Sunday.  And the one after that.  And again and again until they had been going for years.
 
I just remember that Sarah Rodecker became my best friend - a friend to share adventures with (like impromptu Psalm sings, horse riding trips, races, trips to theme parks, farm work, and vacations).  A friend I can share prayer requests with.  A friend who always points me to the Lord and somehow manages to deal with my occasional memory glitches and sugar highs. 
 
So exercise caution when greeting strangers.  They might stick around and become your best friend.
 
Happy birthday, Sarah!
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How I Read (a miniseries)

Seems like every week I hear about an amazing book.  Maybe someone's doing a blog tour for a new release.  Someone else is posting a review.  And everyone is always talking about the books they've been reading as they post their Monthly Updates.

 

So it's not hard to believe that my "reading process" starts here:

I Hear About an Amazing Book

After reading a review that consists of "ASDKJFHSDKLJFH MY POOR HEART EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!" I think, "Okay, sounds like a good read."  I type my comment "Cool!  This seems like my kind of book.  I should go check it out."

I Forget About the Book

Yup.  I go to the next post on my blogger list and my memory shelves the book somewhere in the deepest pits of my brain - likely that leaky room with the key that doesn't always fit in the keyhole.

I Hear About the Book Again

Someone else has an amazing review.  The cover sparks something in my memory, and I remember - yes, I wanted to look into this book!



I Forget About the Book Again

Apparently I managed to get into that leaky room only to pull the book off my brain shelf, wipe the cover clean, and put it right back.  The sticky note on which I scribbled "look up book" gets stuffed into my pocket and ends up going through the washing machine with my pants.

I Hear About the Book a Third Time

And this time I have the sense to pull it up on Goodreads.  I read some reviews, shrug, and add it to my "To Read" bookshelf.

 

I Forget About the Book a Third Time

I know you're waving your hands in the air and shouting "Again?!?!?!"

Trust me, I'm doing the same thing.

Discover the Book is On Sale

Maybe I've found yet another blogging review.  Perhaps someone mentions it on FaceBook.  Maybe I finally remembered about it and went to look it up on Amazon.  But in any case, I suddenly find myself at the Amazon page, where the price is marked down.

Buy an eBook Copy

"Why not?" I say, as I click the purchase button.  "It's on sale.  If I don't like it, I haven't spent a ton of money on a paper copy.  And if I do like it, I can buy a hard copy and support the author."

Forget I Bought the Book

I'm currently unable to laugh at this anymore.  Now I just feel embarrassed.  But I won't lie and say I immediately read the book.  This is the cold, hard truth.

Remember I Bought the Book

I keep lists of books in my Bullet Journal.



I try to update my BJ once a week or so, and while I'm taking inventory, I come across the book I purchased.  "Oh, I did buy it!" I say, adding it to the appropriate BJ list.  "I should read that soon."

Forget I Bought the Book Again

*nods miserably*

Finish Current Read and Scour Shelves for Next Book

And look what's been sitting around patiently in my kindle library??  You guessed it!


Slowly Start Book

I'm always slow getting into books.  Perhaps because I'm getting back to reading fiction after a break of almost two years of not reading much but Christian Non-Fiction (and some re-reads of old favorites).

But I keep at it.  The MC might not be up my alley.  Maybe the plot doesn't draw me in.  Maybe the world confuses me a little.  But it's not that bad, really...

Fall in Love

Usually around halfway through, I tumble head-over-heels into the book and devour the rest in one final sitting.  The characters bring smiles to my face.  I want to dive into the storyworld.  The plot is amazing.

My Brain Dies

After I read the last line of the book, I turn my timer off and just stare at nothing.  I am a puddle of emotions.  I feel like crying, running a marathon, writing my own book, and taking a nap.
 
Rant and Rave About the Book
 
I somehow manage to write a review.  I cross it off my list.  I fangirl in an email to Sarah, who understands.  I babble mindlessly to Evan, who nods patiently.
 
I Discover Another Book
 
And like a hyper-active child I'm off on my next journey.
 
Anyone else take forever to look into, buy, and read their next book?
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Guest Post // 3 Things God's Smuggler Taught Me


Today I have a special post by Julia from Lit Aflame!  Her blog has finally gone live, and in celebration, this week is full of exciting posts (and a giveaway). 
(Also, her name is similar to mine, so isn't that super cool??  Now everyone can go about getting us confused...)
3 Things God’s Smuggler Taught Me


It is not by chance that I am giving away a book called “God’s Smuggler”, this book is AMAZING.  It is quite frankly, the most inspirational book that I have read and obviously my favorite.  It has so many good lessons and reminders and Brother Andrew’s life was just, WOW.  So today, I thought I’d share with you 3 things that God’s Smuggler has taught me (and can teach you).
1. God is still doing the impossible
Well, yeah, I mean of course, I knew this, it’s just…..reading this book made it more “real” y’know?  I just remember the first time God did a miracle for Andrew, it just, does it sound weird to say that it took my breath away?  God’s amazing, y’all better know that. So whenever you hear someone say, or you yourself think that “God doesn’t do the impossible anymore” think again!  God is still alive, God is still right here with us, He is still working.  And He is still GOD.  He still does the impossible today! And don’t you let anyone convince you otherwise.
2. God will take care of His own
Oh yes, we always saaay that we know that God will take care of us and all that, but you and I both know that there are some times when we doubt, or even forget His promised care.  Sometimes we let ourselves fall beneath the swathing fear and we lose sight of God’s hands.  When we take our eyes off our Savior and look to the enemy it is easy to forget and despair - but the Bible says “fear NOT”!  We have the ALMIGHTY GOD on our side, fighting for us.  We needn’t fear the storm nor the enemy any more.  We can lift our chins and straighten our shoulders, what do we have to fear?  He who is in us is greater than they that be in the world!  And really, as the Bible says, if God be for us, who can be against us?
3. It really is all about HIS love
Sad to say, sometimes we hear about God’s love so much, that it grows dull and loses it’s effect. But you know, WITHOUT His love for us, Jesus wouldn’t have ever died for us, without HIS love for us you and I would be doomed to hell.
But we’re not, because HE LOVED us.  Sometimes you can lose sight of the WOW in that, especially when it’s common knowledge as you grow up.  There is one quote in particular from this book that I shall never forget:
I LOVE that up there, and he’s right.  We need to be more fluent in the agape “language”, agape is the highest form of love - it’s the love Jesus has for us - the agape love is the type of love that kept Him on the cross.  It’s the highest, most unconditional love out there.  And it’s the sort of love we as Christians need to be showing to everyone around us, no matter who they may be.  So that through us and the love we show, the lost may see Jesus.
Meet the Author:
Julia is a 15 year old born again Christian who believes if the Bible says it it’s true, and a Bookworm who knows that words have the power to change the world.   She juggles her small business, writing, and college while living on a farm in Texas with her parents, seven siblings and a ton of animals.
Her goal in all that she does is to bring glory to God and to live a life lit aflame for Christ.  She hopes to encourage others to do the same.
We’re celebrating the launch of my new blog!
I am on a quest.  Or that is, I was.
That's right, I was on a quest, though it wasn’t the dragon slaying sort (I prefer to ride them). But it was a very important quest nonetheless!
My poor young self of a few months ago started a free blog, to make sure I wanted to actually do this blogging thing. Turns out, I LOVE blogging, so then the time came to pull out the matches, scoop the Ice-cream, and get serious about blogging!
Why am I bothering you about this? Don't you have much better things to do than have your precious time wasted by me? Uh, well, yeah, literally anything would probably be more worth your time than reading this -- but let’s be honest here, you would much rather waste your time listening to me talk than do anything productive, right? (no? Just me?)  ANYWAY the thing is I AM BUILDING AN EMPIRE!
*cough* I mean, I'm launching my "official" blog.
Obviously.
And I have just come back from my quest of gathering a group of wonderful bloggers to help make the launch special (one of which you are reading this at now).
Again, why am I bothering you?
Because celebration! I mean come on!  You can’t launch anything without having a party, right?  So here at Lit Aflame we are having a week long celebration and if I do say so myself, it’s purty awesome.  Because, guys, there’s a giveaway!  I LOVE giveaways!  Nearly as much as I love Ice cream.  The only sad thing is… I can’t enter my own giveaway, the good thing?  YOU can!


Plus a post every day this whole week!


Here’s this week’s schedule and blog stops:


Sunday:


Monday:


Tuesday:
Wednesday


Thursday


Friday


Saturday:


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August Wrap-Up

So I started out my August with an incredibly insane book goal.  16 books, to be exact.  I stacked them all out, snapped a picture, and said, "I will read all of these this month."

To be fair, I thought I would have adequate time.  The first full week of August I had a Church Conference to go to with my family.  I would get 7 hours on Monday to read, plus another 7 on the way back.  We've gone a number of years in a row, and this is always a great time to catch up on reading.

Ha, wrong.  This year, I didn't get to sit in the van with the girls, listen to music, and read.  This year, I drove in the truck with my dad and took turns driving the truck and the camper.

I don't know about you, but it's really hard to read while driving.

I won't complain, as I got to spend some fun time with my dad, talking theology and singing along to John Denver.  But I didn't reach my goal of reading 16 books.

Books Read: 8

Destroy
The Hundred Dresses
The Fellowship of the Ring
Deliver
The Book of Lost Tales, Part One
The Two Towers
The Pearl of Christian Comfort
The Return of the King

All in all, not that bad.

Lesson Learned:  Think logically before setting goals. 

Writing-Wise

I didn't do much writing this month (part of why I planned to spend extra time reading).  I finished the draft of Words of Gold and sent it to my Alpha.  And now I'm just waiting to hear back from her.

Lesson Learned:  A break can sometimes be really, really nice.

Life

I went to the above-mentioned Church Conference.  It was great to see some old friends again and make new ones, but especially memorable are the lectures - edifying and challenging.  And, as always, my family attacked the book tables.


It's nice being in a family of book-lovers!

Also brought my office kitty home with me, and he has adapted to life as a farm cat.

Ragnar is happy to be outside.

Than at the end of the month, I got my wisdom teeth out.  The initial procedure was completely painless.  But the next day my cheek swelled like a balloon.  A few days later, my jaw started getting really stiff and painful.  I'm still recovering.

Lots of smoothies!
Spent a few days relaxing outside and reading.
Spice and Ragnar kept me company.
In September, I hope to start my edits on Words of Song, and start prepping my NaNo novel (as of yet, I have no idea what I'm going to write come November...).
How was your month?  Have you ever gone on a shopping spree with your entire family?  Like my kitties?
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How I Write (a miniseries)

So in the "How I..." series, today we have the process in which I write my stories.  It wasn't always this way, but I've tried lots of things and have sort of found out what works for me and what doesn't.

Like outlines.  *shudders*


The Idea

My writing happens the typical way - I simply get an idea.

But I don't start writing it immediately.  I'm usually elbow-deep in another WIP, anyway, so I stick that idea in my notes.  These are linked to my phone and email, so no matter where I am, I have access to them.


And one of two things happen:

I forget about it.  All excitement I had for it vanished and I'm left with just a threadbare idea that won't take me anywhere.  So I toss it and continue on my merry way.

I remember it.  I can't stop thinking about it.  A character pops up, and I add him/her to the idea.  A plot begins to form.  A world is created.

The Preparation

Full of anticipation, I prepare for the story.  I gather lists of my main characters, and write a page or two in their POVs to discover how they view their world.  I make a Pinterest board.


And when I feel ready, I write a synopsis.  This contains everything I know about the book - how it begins, where it's supposed to go, and anything I know about the ending.  These range from three short paragraphs to pages, depending on what I've gathered so far.

Making a Mess

Then things get messy and painful.  I open up a blank document and wing it.  I start with the beginning and just type and type until I find I've reached the end.  It usually takes me a month and a half to get an entire book finished.  But in the end, I've got a story.  It might be all over the place, but it's all there.  Thankfully, my synopsis guides me a good part of the way.

Break Time

Once I've finished, I push the story aside and try to catch up on things I've neglected while drafting.  I clean my room, organize the backups on my flash drive, get some extra sleep...and try my hardest not to think about the book I just wrote.  Usually this is only a week or two, depending on life.
The All-Important Read-Through

This is where I regret half the things I typed, and fangirl over the rest.  I usually have scenes and characters that I just love love love...and then the ones that need to be taken out.

I start my read-through by copying my draft, scene by scene, into Scrivener (when I draft, I don't even bother with chapters).  I can type up my notes and ideas into the epic little sidebar the word processor comes with.  I summarize the scene, what happens in it, what use it brings to the story, and what changes need to be made.

After moving it over and making notes for each scene, I add another folder in Scrivener and make notes of things that also need to be changed (side plots, character arcs, and things like that).


First Edit
I make said corrections I've already noted.  This can be as simple as catching a few typos, to completely removing or adding scenes.  Sometimes this goes along well, other times, not so well.



Alpha Read
After making any corrections I've seen beforehand, I send the draft off to Sarah, my trusted Alpha reader.  Then I send Evan a copy before I receive death threats.  They both will catch any plot or character holes.
Second Edit
I fix anything they pointed out, maybe things I noticed on my own while I waited for their feedback.
The Order of the Pen
After that, I send the story out to the other folks in my writing group.  They will edit and make notes as they can (for they're quite busy and they are so awesome to take the time and edit for me).
Go Crazy
Once I've sent it out so many times and fixed all the errors...publishing looms on the horizon at last...  It would be my dream to be traditionally published, but I think it would be fun to self publish as well.  I guess whatever form publishing takes, I'm game.
So, what do y'all think?  Is your process similar?  Different?  Any editing laughs you want to share?


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How I Blog (a miniseries)

Today I want to give you all a little insight into my blogging process.  Read it and learn, dear fellow bloggers.  Because I know exactly what I'm doing.
(Read: I have no idea what I'm doing, but apparently I'm doing it fairly well.)


Get an Idea

Kind of an obvious starting place, hmm?  Maybe someone else does a post that I want to imitate and share my own ideas.  Maybe I've got something on my heart to share.  Or maybe I just feel like giving some advice or making people laugh.  In any case...inspiration has hit!

Type it Up

Easy, right?  Wrong.

See, I don't have internet at my house, just the wifi from my phone...which is slooooooow.  Uploading pictures is especially a pain.  Typing a post up on my phone, however is even more of a pain.  I do have a wireless keyboard for my iPad, which works well, except my iPad has the battery life of like...ten minutes...

Sometimes I'll type up parts of a post while on lunch break at work, but when I open them on my laptop and edit in Blogger...the formatting goes completely haywire.


But I eventually get it done.  Somehow.

Accidently Publish the Post


Who had the brilliant idea to put the Save button right beside the Publish button???

Spruce Up the Post

Provide the links to bloggers and sites referenced...find pictures to go with the points...get a pretty header...catch any typos....add some tags...the standard stuff, I guess.

Schedule the Post

Easy enough.  The next available Wednesday at 8:35 AM.  Don't ask my why I picked that particular time.  I'm weird sometimes.

Get Another Idea

I start drafting the next post, eager to share my wisdom.  Because I know everything there is to know about writing, obviously.

Edit It

Because even amazing posts have errors...and as I start catching those errors, I begin to realize this post idea isn't that great.

Delete It

No one probably wanted to read my tips at playing Ping-Pong anyway.

Get Another Idea

Seems like I'm always thinking "This would be a great blog post!"

Instantly Forget the Idea

Did my bad memory come from the time we crashed the Jeep?  The time I spun off a horse into the rose bushes?  The radioactive banana pudding Evan and I ended up with the day we blew up the oven?  Did I inherit it from my Dad?  I know I can't remember things, but at least I could remember to write them down before I forget them!!
Another Idea Hits
Like I said...I'm full of ideas.
Type It Up
Somehow.
Turn It Into a Series
Why have one post when you can have a bunch of posts??  One idea feeds another...and guess what??  There are more "How I..." posts coming up!
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