Dear Mom, Dad, Betty, and the rest of the family....

....Sorry for the lack of letters. We've been moving around a lot and we're in the middle of a siege. I can't say exactly where, but we're in Belgium.
I'm still alive and well, so Mom, stop worrying.
I have enjoyed the letters I have receiver from you and the scarf from Betty is warming my neck at this very moment.
Since I'm not allowed to tell you where I am, I'll tell you a funny story that happened yesterday.
The Germans sent some of their officers over here with a letter for General McAuliffe demanding out surrender.
The General just said, "Aw, nuts!" and left to write up his reply.
He was having trouble with the wording so one of the boys suggested sending "nuts" to the Germans. So that's what the General did. In big letters he wrote, "NUTS!" on a piece of paper and called me over. He told me to take Ernie, the medic who speaks German, and go deliver the message to the Germans.
When I handed the reply to the German, he read it and then looked up, puzzled. He didn't understand our slang!
He asked, "What does that mean? Is this affirmative or negative?"
"Definitely not affirmative." I replied.
Ernie explained it's general meaning and we left. Boy those Germans sure were angry!
I hope you are all well. Expect more letters as soon as the action dies down.
Have a Merry Christmas! Eat a piece of pie for me.
Your son and brother,
Bud Harper.

That is a paper a had to write for my World War 2 class this week. The assignment was "to write a letter home as if you were in The Battle of the Bulge."
The Battle of the Bulge was Hitler's last offensive during World War 2. His plans were reckless and his senior officers tried to talk him out of it but since he was Hitler, he didn't listen and they didn't dare disobey The Fuhrer.
The things in my letter really happened at a place called Bastogne. The Germans sent a letter to the commanding officer of the American troops demanding surrender. General Anthony McAuliffe said "nuts!" when he read the letter. A nearby soldier suggested sending his initial remark to the Germans as an answer, and the General did.
He called over Joseph "Bud" Harper and told him to take Ernie Premitz and "NUTS!" to the Germans.
When the Germans didn't understand, the two men swore and the Germans understood.
"Nuts" has become one of the most famous sayings from The Battle of the Bulge, and even World War 2.
I tried to do my letter as roughly as possible... That is my first and unedited draft. I will be handing it in to class tomorrow. It's most definitely NOT my best work but I always have trouble with writing letters "home" as if I just fought in some battle.
I would love feedback, but as this is unedited (which is how it's meant to be), and I'm sick, and I scratched my other letter to write this one this morning, don't be too harsh on me please. =)

Hello

Hello.
My name is Heather. I'm a friend of Jack's. I'm not much of a writer, I'm studying to become an Archaeologist. However, I did write some books once and I'm planning on editing them, and then publishing them. So, that's why I'm here.

I like to think of myself as an adventurer, though I've never actually been on one. I enjoy a number of outdoor things, such as hiking, swimming in lakes, rafting, camping, and bike riding. I also enjoy motorcycle riding and hope someday to get my pilot's license. I wear too much khaki. I get into as many scraps as is humanly possible and am incredibly nosy.

I have a fear of heights and snakes. I dream of moving to Africa someday. I enjoy practice shooting and own a 357 mag and 303 British. I like studying things about people who have long since died, which can explain my love for Archaeology. I also hope to solve some of the agent mysteries of the world and travel to the Bermuda Triangle.

The last things about me are, I like the Indiana Jones Movies The Cooper Kids Adventures and anything about King Tut and Howard Carter, as well as John Patterson. I'm very quiet, and I'm bad at comments, just to warn you. And I will be using a pen name, because it sounds fun. I just have to pick one.

I think that is it. I hope my introduction wasn't too long.

I'm rather excited to meet all of the other members on here. So, thanks for letting me join!

""Hold him! He's got my trousers! And every stitch of the Vicar's clothes!"

 Trips in over the sword. Sets Nemo down on the table, claims nearest chair, and throws self into it with - hopefully - the air of Sherlock Holmes. 

 So, everyone has been posting and I've been...well...not. And, I thought I should. I should actually be writing but my creativeness has flopped and I don't want to try editing yet. So I am posting. 

 Outside of Edinburgh, Scotland

Scottish Royal Air Force Base

It was the scream of a bomb that woke Peter from a deep, dreamless sleep. Before this, wars were

things he had only read about in books. Never in his life did he expect to be in one. And though the

bombing was not the start of the killing that would later come, it was the start of the war, though at the

time it didn't seem like it.

The screaming grew louder the closer the bomb got and Peter shot up in his cot just as the alarms went

off. The alarms were almost as loud as the bomb and even though Peter was not fully awake he knew

what he had to do. Leaping to his feet, he grabbed his clothing and threw them on. Stumbling toward

the door, he tripped and crashed into things as he fought to pull his boots on. There were other men in

the barracks who were faring no better with their clothing and boots. Many times the men crashed into

each other, knocking one another down.

“Pete!” Someone grabbed his arm as he was about to run out the door. The barrack was dark but Peter

didn't have to be able to see to know it was his best friend Tony.

 P.S. Does anyone know what I've taken my quote title from?

A Canadian Joins the Blog

Hello there my fellow readers, writers, and random blog stalkers! My name is Jennica Travilla (first name is real, last name is not), and I'm going to give you a brief little spiel about myself before I get down to some writing.
I'm Jen, my favorite colour is green, I spell 'colour' like I do because I'm Canadian, I love hockey, I'm a Christian, I'm secretly a Jedi, and I'm completely awesome. I'm the type of person who will carry a notebook at all times, just incase some inspiration for poetry or stories pop into my head. I absolutely love reading and writing. Ever since I was a toddler, I loved books and constantly was reading them or having someone read them to me. And nowadays, you rarely find me without a book! Some of my favorite series are Warriors by Erin Hunter, The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene, Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling, and Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon.
Another passion in my life is music. I absolutely could not live without my music. Something God's recently given me is a talent for dancing. I dance to basically everything now! Some of my favorite bands/singers are tobyMac, Skillet, Group 1 Crew, The Beatles, Lecrae, Disciple, Hawk Nelson, and Flyleaf. And that's only some of them!
If you were going to stereotype me... I'd be in the crazy/insane/lunatic section. Why? Because I simply am insane, my dears. =P Just ask Abbey. She will not lie to you about such things. I have an Imaginary Friend named Yumi who just might pop up later, to warn you all ahead of time. I have an insane obsession with fictional characters, whacking llamas with my Frying Pan of Doom, and taking over governments. They're bloody well llama-infested, if you ask me. *shakes head*
So. Here I will be writing exerpts from various stories I've written, and maybe, if Jack will allow it, some of my poetry. My book is still in the process of being outlined and planned, so you won't see much of that yet, but I am still working on it!

May the Force be with you.
Jen <3

Faith & Imagination

This is a part of my Prologue of The Forgiver's Promise. I have been working on this book for almost 5 years! And am now getting to the point where I like it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Fox Nolhan

Prologue - Part 1

Dear Son,

Today is a new day dawning. Each day that passes is a day of love. I will truly miss you, my son. I never really gave you a name for one reason only, to keep you safe. I don’t want you to think I didn’t love you. Because the only reason I am sending you away is because I love you. I know that you will grow to be a good young man as I send you to your Uncle, for a long time, you would think him to be your father. And on your 13th birthday, he will tell you who you are. I love you more than anything, but I will probably never see you again. I know you won’t like what I will tell you, but you are made of great things, as all children of the Ark’ano Five. I will truly miss you, but you will be safe in Onadath.

Beorin sighed and signed, “Love your Father, Beorin”.  He sealed it with blue wax. Many people may have just let their child be taken from them to fight in the war between Fragathia and Onadath, but Beorin, would rather die than to leave his son in the hands of King Oronim. Lisora took the letter and stuffed it in her bag. She embraced Beorin, and climbed on the back of her black horse.

“Farewell, Beorin! I love you!” she called back and then sped away.

Beorin watch longingly at her and their son, “Farewell, my love.”

__________________________________ 

Your thoughts are very much appreciated!

Preferring to look insane,

Mari J. Fahel

"A Life out of this life is anything amongst imagination or faith. Those are the two most important things for a writer. Their mind and heart"

Copyright of Mari J. Fahel © All Rights Reserved.

How to talk to sinister beasts when introducing yourself.

"Well, new blogger! Who are you and where do you come form, may I ask?" The sinister beast stared right at me. I am very glad he could not see me. Being friends with the Bagginses has benefits....
"You may indeed!" I replied, "I come form over the hill, drowned with rain. My paths lead up and down and over and under, but mostly from here to the kitchen."
"That is hardly your usual name." the sinister beast sneered.
"I am the the sci-fy watcher, the old book reader, and the adventure writer. I am the one and only."
"Lovely titles, but being the one and only doesn't always come off."
"I am she that helps her friends, getting them out of fixes and dragging them into them as well."
"Those don't sound so creditable."
"I am the friend of consulting detectives and reporters. I am the Beatle listening and the Ellen watcher."

That of course, is how to talk to sinister beasts, if you don't want to reveal your real name (which is wise). Keep them guessing at your riddles while you escape speedily away, the way you came in.
They shall never catch me.... Abigail Staples Stevenson. But please, call me Abbey. (Although I go by an array of other names such as Streakfeather/Streaky, Grace, Hazel... I was even called Cyclone at one point.)

In a World of War and Words

Why hello, my dears. I am what you may call an alien born in South Carolina. I am Marangal Platypus, named Mari Joy Fahel. I am an oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooold Inkling! I was here back when it was in Homeschoolblogger. The thing that made the most imprint on my mind was looking at the chat and thinking, "Wow these people are weird! And almost insane!" After a while I found out they truly were! <3333333 And on top of that thought it a compliment to be called "weird" or "insane"! Oh Jack, I remember one conversation on the chat that just made me feel clueless. I'm sure you remember the "Sardine" incident! Oh my word! That was the first thing I saw! Sardines! And I was like: "WHAT'S WITH THE SARDINES!?" You guys then --oh! and my frizzy curls-- Got into my brains and made slow-processed changes in the way I thought! Now, I enjoy being called "crazy", "insane", and "weird"!

I remember then, my writing wasn't all that cool. But, after a little tweaking in my head and a LOT of work on my punctuation, grammar, and plots I'm sure I'll be a great writer! I've got my Dad working on a map for my book The Forgiver's Promise! Jack, I'm sure you remember that! And to Eliza, welcome to the insanely mixed weirdos who call themselves "Inklings"!

Also I have a platypus friend from Earth named Cuddles! Here she is! **Cuddles' eyes stare adorably at you.**

Twitter
Facebook
Blogger
Wattpad
Onadäthian Warriors

Go over there to support my efforts in publishing a book! <333333

Preferring to look insane,
Mari Fahel

"We WRITERS, are WARRIORS, brandishing our weapons.
We WARRIORS for Christ, brandish our WEAPONS with WORDS.
WORDS are the WEAPONS from our pens."

Copyright of Mari J. Fahel © All Rights Reserved.

A New Member

     Hi!
     I'm new and my name is Eliza! (Well, that's my pen name anyway.) I wanted to join because I thought this would be really fun! I also like to write and edit people's stories in my spare time! *Looks around for horse, doesn't see one, but sees her dog, Waterfall, a black and white border collie* "Oh, and this is Waterfall. She's really nice and doesn't bite." *The dog wags her tail and pants, her pink tongue hanging out of her mouth. She is the picture of cuteness.

     Anyway, I thought this would be really fun, so I hope it lives up to my expectations! My friend, Streaky, wrote about this group in a blog post of her's, so I asked her about it. Now I am part of it! I am outgoing, love God, enjoy being around people, love to sing, love to read, am almost 15, love to annoy my little brother, live in Washington, and did I say that I live for Jesus? I am actually in the middle of writing/rewriting a story that is not yet finished, so I will probably post some segments from it. I don't know if you have read the warriors series by Erin Hunter, Jack, cause it is based off that series kind of. If you haven't, please ask me about it sometime and I will tell you what its about. Also, I tend to type really fast and misspell words or press the spacebar in the wrong spot, so I'm sorry if I do so.
Thanks for letting me join!
Eliza/ShiningHisLight97

"What in sanity's name are you wearing on your head?" "It's a fez. I wear a fez now...fezes are cool."

 Trips in over THE sword, sets Nemo's tank down on the table, throws herself into a chair and looks about for cookies. 

 No cookies. Bummer

 As the sort of, starter - I guess you could call me - behind all this I figured I should get things moving. Maybe it is one of those unmentioned jobs that is just expected of me. So, anyhow...

 Hi, my name is Jack. *Waits, listens to the silence, eyes a chirping cricket* He says his name is Jiminy. Say hi to Jiminy everyone. *More silence* Ahem...*Clears throat nervously, fiddles with collar*

 Soooo....nice weather, eh? 

 Okay, anyhow, to business. I've posted up some rules. I only did this because the first Inkling group died over certain issues so we found some rules helped. Posting five lines of your work does not count anything before. Some of the old members liked to talk a bit before they posted. And if the lines are like, one line long, you may post more then five. But the main rule is to have fun, make new friends, take over the world...WAIT! No, that's my job...if you are nice to me you can have an island somewhere. 

 Lastly, there is a label thing at the bottom of the posting box. To keep everyone's posts clear it would help if you would label it, "Your name Tales," or something along those lines. 

 As time passes and I get on top of, everything in my writing, I will be doing fun things. Like, Tuesdays you will post about one of your characters or something. I still am working on details. 

 But, anyhow, I am closing out for now. I've a pile of blogs to haunt. Sooo...

 ALLONS-Y!!!

 A Bit Unlikely, 

 Jack