My life is continually becoming more and more akin to a really nerdy romantic comedy.
Tag: personal
I may not have written anything over 300 words in about a week but I did teach my three-year-old niece how to use “on point” and “on fleek” properly, so really, I had a very productive week.
A Bit of Everything
Today I’m going to give you a bit of everything – personals, writing stuff, faith, etc. Mainly, it’s because a lot has been happening. So here goes. This has been a long weekend. Like, a very long weekend. And not too much fun. I was writing for most of it, but that’s not why it was not fun. It was not fun because, throughout the whole weekend, I was tired and stressed. And at first, I thought it…
A Bit of Everything
Today I’m going to give you a bit of everything – personals, writing stuff, faith, etc. Mainly, it’s because a lot has been happening. So here goes.
This has been a long weekend.
Like, a very long weekend. And not too much fun. I was writing for most of it, but that’s not why it was not fun. It was not fun because, throughout the whole weekend, I was tired and stressed. And at first, I thought it was situational stuff that was dragging me down. Turns out that was not the case at all. Turns out I just needed to start hitting the hay before midnight. For some reason, it did not occur to me to be getting extra sleep for a job I have to wake up at six o’clock for. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know. So this is a public service announcement via Gabriel Penn: sleep is good! Even in summer!
In other news, this is what happened in that writing expedition. Forty pages got either written or edited over my weekend. Forty. That’s a lot, and it’s pushing us way closer to getting publishing possibilities way faster than I ever dreamed. It’s such a dream come true, you have no idea. I get emotional just thinking about it – to imagine that maybe someday soon someone’s going to love my characters and world as much as I do. I think that’s pretty awesome.
Lastly with faith – started Pilgrim’s Progress, as some of you know. What a book! It was incredibly intense, even from the get-go, and it just doesn’t stop. As for whether I’ll finish it by the end of the month, maybe not. But it is awesome, and I would suggest it to anyone and everyone. I don’t know if it’s just my version of the book, but it may be hard for some people to get used to the verses that scatter the story. Read them and don’t skip! It’s hard to get used to at first, but they make the scenes so much more intense. Seriously.
A concluding thought! We (the illustrator and I) are doing some model choosing for the novel’s drawings / photos. She doesn’t have as big of a reach for that as I do, though. We are welcoming people of all ethnic backgrounds for this one, as there are many different ethnic groups in the series. I don’t have much money to give because I’m in college, so please don’t expect any extravagant wealth if you decide to do this. Please contact me at officialgabrielpenn@gmail.com if you’re interested at all!
Please like us on Facebook (Novel and Blog) and follow on Twitter! And have a fantastic week!
Liebster Award!!!
I have just been awarded the Liebster Award. I did not see this coming at all, and super thanks to http://cloveramerica.net/ for awarding it to me! It’s especially cool to get it in the middle of a massive metamorphosis of the blog. The concept of the blog has evolved so much from my original plan. Can’t say it’s a bad thing either!
So, what is it? The Liebster Award is community-based, and qualifying blogs must have fewer than 300 followers. It’s a great way to discover new blogs and bring them to the attention of your readership and the Blogosphere.
Once nominated, you answer 11 questions about yourself or your blog, then give 11 random facts about yourself. The next step is to nominate 11 more qualifying bloggers for the award and create 11 questions for them to answer. Then you must visit each blog you’ve nominated and inform him/her about the award.
So here are the 11 questions from http://cloveramerica.net/, along with my answers:
1. Why do you blog?
It started as me wanting to get the word out about my writing, but I’ve met so many awesome people on here since that point. Now it’s become a hobby.
2. What is your deepest fear?
Oh, that’s a deep question. I have way more insecurities than I should, but a big one is rejection.
3. What was the first thing you ever wrote/created?
I started drawing when I was about two, but my first creative writing piece was from when I was eight. It was a journal entry from my cat’s perspective It’s pretty funny even now!
4. What is your most prized possession?
Probably my laptop or my Bible. But I have a Bible on my laptop, so probably my laptop.
5. What is number one on your bucket list?
Go to Scotland and find my great grandparent’s home!
6. Coke or Pepsi?
Coke! I was raised in a Coca-Cola loving family, so it’s sort of ingrained in me now. But I still enjoy a good Pepsi from time to time.
7. What is your favorite historical time period?
It’s a tie between the French Revolution and the later Victorian era.
8. What inspires you?
Life constantly inspires me! Life itself is beautiful and fantastic, and most of the scenarios in my stories are at very least inspired by true events.
9. If you saw a crime in progress, would you put yourself in jeopardy or seek help/call 911?
I would probably try to do both. The better question is which one I would do first, I guess.
10. If there was one thing in your life you could re-do, what would it be?
As many bad things that happened that I could change, I don’t think I would change anything. I am a firm believer in the butterfly effect. Who can say what would happen if I had just changed one tiny thing? I might accidentally start World War 3!
11. What do you hope people get out of your blog?
I want them to be able to think and laugh, basically.
And these are the people I’m nominating, each of whom has inspired me in one way or another:
1. http://onwritingdragons.com/
2. https://atolkienistperspective.wordpress.com/
3. http://pintsizefiction.com/
4. https://akankshagulia.wordpress.com/
5. https://pisscoffeeandvinegar.wordpress.com/
6. http://aetherealengineer.com/
7. https://johnguillen.wordpress.com/
8. https://benjaminditmars.wordpress.com/
9. http://forwhomthegearturns.com/
10. http://lscott76blog.wordpress.com/
11. https://butismileanyway.wordpress.com/
Finally, the eleven questions for my nominees to answer:
1. Why do you blog?
2. Favorite music?
3. What would be your perfect day?
4. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
5. Favorite author?
6. Coke or Pepsi?
7. What is your favorite historical time period?
8. Read on a Kindle or paperback book?
9. Who would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island?
10. Favorite color?
11. What do you hope people get out of your blog?
Thanks for playing and best of luck to you all!!
Another Midnight Post
Alright, it’s time for another one of my midnight post. This one is less about book stuff and a lot more about just regular life. I realize I haven’t done one of these in a very long time. A lot of things happen in one summer. And I mean, a lot of things. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it this summer, but I was able to get a job. It’s not a bad one; I actually really enjoy it. I’m…
Another Midnight Post
Alright, it’s time for another one of my midnight post. This one is less about book stuff and a lot more about just regular life. I realize I haven’t done one of these in a very long time. A lot of things happen in one summer. And I mean, a lot of things. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it this summer, but I was able to get a job. It’s not a bad one; I actually really enjoy it. I’m something of a tattoo artist for cars. It’s a sweet gig.
My parents let me stay at home and I don’t even have to pay rent. that is the sweetest gig of all. Best yet, they have an empty desk in the basement. I can have all my references in one spot and it’s huge. Not that I really have any references that aren’t on my computer, but if I did I would have room for them. That is probably a huge problem. Probably. Will I do anything about it? Absolutely not.
I like to say that there some kind luxurious life of being a writer while at home and having nothing to do. But let’s face it, I’m a college student. If I have any free time I’m just going to watch Netflix and eating pasta. Maybe work out a little. Maybe. That’s actually probably going to be a thing this summer. Biking is cool. I’ve basically been biking four miles four times a week. It does get you some leg muscles and abs. I’ll be the only man who’s never skipped leg day.
NEVER.
But I will probably also never have an epic beach body and I don’t plan to. Making tone and defined muscle, it just takes so much time. I don’t desire to use that time regularly for such a purpose. Christian bodybuilders say things like “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit”, so I should treat it like one. But what’s wrong with a temple with a little extra insulation? That’s my opinion on this silliness.
In other news, I’m probably going to have a semi-social life this summer. Weird, I know, since I just got off saying how I use all my free time for Netflix and eating pasta. It’s not totally true. I do the uncle thing with my nephews and nieces. That’s a wonderful and excellent opportunity. But also in recent news, a friend decided they were in need of a date because, well, she wanted to have one. And she’s cool. So I’m totes up for it.
I don’t really have anything more to add to this whole thing. So I’m going to rant a bit to finish it up and get it up to 500 words. I don’t know why I have such a crazy problem involving the need to make certain word counts. I just do. But to be honest, that little bit of crazy has made me who I am today.
Looking Forward [novel blog]
What can you expect from the Dark Veil series? Check this new blog to find out!
I can’t think of an actually decent post so I’m just going to run with this.
What am I looking forward to most about my book? Because the fact of the matter is I have most of the series planned out at this point. Yes, I’m one of those outlining sort of people, I like to have things planned out well in advance. I already know how book four ends. But that’s not really the point of this blog – this…
University Reunion
So, I’m back in University after a long time of not writing much of anything. It’s great to be back! Much happened during the time I was gone, including Mum coming up with creatures from the book all by herself. (In reality, we just made some quick changes to dragons and called them nogards. So simple a child could do it, yet complete genius. My Mum’s a genius. I wish I hadn’t figured that out so late.)
Being back to school hasn’t been without its awkward moments. The most awkward moment involved me finding out my grades from last year. The less awkward moment was determining how to finish this year with… not that GPA. So that seems like it’ll be quite the adventure. Plus, I seem to be getting along better with my nocturnal roommate who I almost never saw till this semester. Turns out, he’s not completely mute! And from the five small talks we had, he seems like a neat dude.
Also, I’m going to start working out regularly! This excites me and terrifies me, because I’m super out of shape, and I remember how much I hated the process of working out while I was in shape. This should be a very exciting time in history for me, also a little adventure.
I think adventure seems to be a big part of this year. I’m heading out into new territory, to meet new friends and revisit old ones, to go new places and experience new experiences (like the experience of experiencing the snowboarding experience). Experiences.
Romance is trying to blossom, but me being happily single I keep trying to snuff it out. “What do we say to the god of romance? Not today!” It seems to be happening with a fellow writer, and even if it’s true that writers are also good lovers (not intended in the sexual aspect, but take it as you will), I’m going to try to stay single a couple months longer at least.
Maps are a big part of things, for those following the Dark Soldier book page on Facebook. We will soon be attempting a full scale map of the-land-that-shall-not-be-named. No, Voldemort is not from there. That would be a hilarious plot twist, though.
Also, speaking of the book and writing, I’m going to be doing a casting call! All y’all from the Upstate New York area are welcome to participate. Poster below:
And that’s the end of tonight’s blog, sadly! I have little else to chat about. But tomorrow, I’ll be getting back into the fun stuff. Can’t wait, and thanks for being patient!
Thar be Ghosts
Today’s blog is going to be quite a change. Instead of me chatting about the book or college life, we are going to go into…
And we get to talk paranormal experiences! For those easily frightened, you might just want to skip this particular blog. I don’t have any really endearing paranormal experiences, so it isn’t something you would put your kids to sleep by. But if interesting is what you’re looking for, I think you’ve found the right place.
So, time for a ghost story!
It started when I was but a child. I was just waking up, when I suddenly found myself… not up. In fact, I felt tied down, unable to move. The only thing working was my eyes. I stared up at the ceiling when I heard a voice to my left.
“Good morning.”
I decided to move my eyes in that direction. I thought it was my mom. Turns out, it was not my mom. It was some thing. The thing was pure black like a shadow. In fact, that’s the closest thing I can use to describe it. It was not much taller than the bed itself, and I saw no mouth, but just two beady red eyes staring at me.
I no longer wanted to look left. So I closed my eyes and prayed for it to go away. Turns out the answer was a “no”. I opened my eyes and there was a bit more than beady eyes looking my way. It was a short little mouthless humanoid freak with spider-leg fingers. It clung to the ceiling as it stared down at me.
“Go away.”
I decided to comply. It didn’t take much time to decide that one. I rushed out in a panic and didn’t tell anyone for years later, until I heard someone else mention something called shadow people. Since then, I’ve had quite the interest in the paranormal realm.
After that little episode, I began to take a second look at things around the house. What if books randomly flying off shelves wasn’t due to drafts that weren’t even originating from the same vicinity? What if it wasn’t just a coincidence that every child in my room seemed to have similar stories to mine, sometimes switching the look of the ghost in the room? What i What if those glimpses of a white cat that walked through the house occasionally wasn’t me being completely schizophrenic? (That last one might be going on a limb. Our cat has just died, after all.) Suddenly there were completely new possibilities, although they weren’t always correct. But it gave me an open mind, one never to be closed again.
So what are your paranormal experiences? Let me know!!
Gabriel to Earth 