Greetings,

My name is Gunstrav Valinstar and I am newbie, which may shock some of you, but ICU is right down the hall, so just step right over there with your heart attack. I've always wanted to use a defibrillator....

(I am bit sarcastic and deadpan and have a very dry sense of humor.)

But back to reality: After getting into a discussion with Patrick Lauser on G+, I have decided to join this forum. Another reason is because I write Fantasy. I've only written one fantasy so far, but I have plans for the sequel and and would like to write many novels in that same story world.

As far as writing goes, I have written two novels, am currently in the middle of my third and have written a few short stories, with many more in the works. I am a member of OYAN too, which is like one of the coolest things ever.

Me and my writing have had an on and off relationship. I like it, but it does not consume me. I wouldn't think off it as a career, only a dribble of a hobby. With that being said, I do write. And I love doing it, partly because it is a way of escaping the world, putting thoughts on paper in an interesting way and I think, a way to give glory to God.

When I am not writing, (which is often) I like to keep up with online friends, play Irish fiddle and listen to Lindsey Stirling, Lecrae and Runrig on Grooveshark.

I highly doubt that I will be a very active user on here, but I might get on once a week or so. We shall see.

In the meantime I will wait and see how many people visit the ICU and get acquainted with the forum layout.

G.V.

Well, I'll be yelling to you from over here in the ICU so I'll keep it brief. What are your novels about?

Welcome to Holy Worlds! Who are your favorite authors?

I like Lecrae.

(I would have died of shock, but you only pointed directions to the ICU and not the morgue, so... )

Welcome to Holy Worlds, Gunstrav!

How long have you been playing the Irish fiddle? Lindsey Stirling is awesome.

Hi Aratrea,

My first novel was horrible and I don't like to remember it. It was about a young man in 1921 and his father, who was a government agent, trying to defeat an international ring of spies, which ends up leading them to a castle in the Alps. I still really like the premise, but the books itself is not anything to write home about. (Pun intended.)

The second novel is the fantasy and I am very proud of it. In fact I just wrote a re-vamped synopsis:


My goal for this book was a lot of biblical allegory as well as some awesome fantasy battles, because writing large-scale battles is good therapy. And then after that I threw in some political satyr, just to rile up some imaginary people.

My third book is dystopian set in earths future that is about a deaf boy fighting the zombified population of the earth. But that's not what its really about. Its about a boy meeting a girl and discovering what it means to be human, and the power of forgiveness.

Thanks for asking. How many books have you written?



Hi Jonathan. Lecrae is the bomb.
I really don't have favorite authors. I have favorite books. NOT the Scarlett letter, NOT Alice in wonderland. The books I've read the most often, that I keep coming back to are Rascal, by Sterling North, and Little Britches, by Ralph Moody. I think I've read them both close to a dozen times, and I still love them. In terms of speculative fiction, I'm sorry to say that I haven't read much, not even The Lord of the Rings. I really enjoyed Almuric, by Robert Howard, but then I came across some passages that were a bit O_O , so I stopped reading. There is a reason the book is known as pulp fiction.
What authors do you like?


Hello Idril.

I first got exposure to Irish music about two years ago, and its been and about a year ago is when I started learning some tunes. I don't know very many, and I play very poorly, but I like it, which is what the point is.

Do you play any instruments?

True, that. What's the use playing if you don't like it? I'm sure you'll do better and better as you learn more tunes.

I used to play the piano, but I gave that up for classical guitar. Then I had to stop classical guitar for a while because I got CTS, and so I just sing with a choir instead.

Three novellas and two novels currently. The three novellas I tend not to remember since they're basically rip-offs of Eragon. They first got me writing though, so they had their place. Of the other two novels, the one was my attempt at a sci-fi book which I eventually abandoned after deciding that it wasn't realistic enough and I didn't really care for sci-fi, and I have a logline for my fantasy novel, The Capstone, here:

When a young son of a trader is given one of the most powerful magical artifacts ever created, he is caught between protecting it from a power-hungry elf or keeping his friends and family safe by giving up the artifact and letting the elf take control.

Welcome to Holy Worlds, Gunstrav. I think I'll pass on taking advantage of the ICU over there.

Have you published anything?

Welcome to Holy Worlds Gunstrav Valinstar! *Raises Blade High* You will find a very warm, welcoming and helpful community here!

Oh, how much did you find OYAN helpful?

What was shocking about it?


My favorite authors are Frank Peretti, C. S. Lewis, and J. R. R. Tolkien.

Welcome Gunstrav!!! *hands cookies* Is an Irish fiddle hard to play?

*Bows in a respectful manner.* Welcome sir. Feel free to PM me if you would like to include me on any new posts. I love getting in on new projects. I also would love to help you brain storm on things for your novels. I am good at asking constructive questions, and I really enjoy it.

You will most likely see me around the RolePlay Forum (not sure it that is its real name...). I love developing characters in new and interesting settings. Feel free to PM me for any of that sort of stuff too. Feel free to contact me for anything really. I don't know everything about the Forum, but I'm starting to get the hang of it.

Anyway, I hope to see you around.

-Andorin

Welcome to HW, Gunstrav!

I do believe I like this new chap already. Not only does he have a dry sense of humour, an appreciation of things I appreciate, and the knack for getting into discussions with Patrick Lauser (also guilty as charged ), but he has brought along the most interesting of toys. I've had some virtual experience with defibrillators, and I find them rather interesting... *leans over to poke defibrillator gently, resulting in being zapped alarmingly* *retracts hand hastily sucking burnt finger with disdain* I must have lost my touch. No pun intended.

Anyhow, welcome to HolyWorlds, sir! You listen to Lindsey Stirling? Good show, you win awesome points off Bush. I have recently discovered how awesome her music is and have been playing "Shadows" on repeat to brainwash my family of late. "Little Britches" by Ralph Moody? Say no more. I've heard the entire series read aloud, and have just finished hearing it again. Epic story, epic storyteller. Love those books! As for Irish music, have you heard anything by Patrick Mangan? He has some pretty nifty strings.

Do you play any other instruments? Do you like movies? If so, do you have any favourites?

Welcome!



Oh, but that's the most fun!



I've heard very good things about OYAN My adopted older sister is an OYANer, actually.
What's your favorite part about OYAN?

Welcome to HolyWorlds, Gunstrav Valinstar! Aand... yeeaah... basically everything Bush just said. Hope you're enjoying your stay so far.
*gives Gun some apple pie*

Hello!
I have not published anything as of yet, but I am currently a finalist in a contest with the chance of publication. I'm hoping it'll work out, but whatever is best for my future I guess.


Greetings my lord. *bows*

OYAN is what got me writing. That's the best thing it did. Next, it introduced me to hundreds of other teen writers, mostly all n00bs like me, on an online forum. I've made some really good friends there. The sense of community there, the chance for critiques, and the general goofing off that happens has been a real blessing to me, aside from the awesome instruction. I do not agree completely with what Mr. S. says, and at the risk of sounding a bit hypocritical, I do not like his books, at least the ones that I have read. BUT, he is a good instructor and he understands the craft of storytelling, which I think he executes well in his novels, even if they are not well written. Does that make sense?


His use of blunt description of anatomy. That was blunt too, but yeah. He was not a Christian.


Hi Mopa. Irish fiddle isn't harder than anything else. It was written by country hicks for country hicks. It is heavily dependent on rhythm and some tunes are played at quite a clip, but all that cane be conquered with Monsieur Metronome.

What music do you like?


Thank you Andorin. I might just take you up on this offer. I've never really been able to get into 'charrie development'. Maybe we could work something out.


Thank you Lightwalker.



*Feels flattered* Thank you BushMaid.

I have not heard of Patrick Mangan. I will look him up. Who I really like are Liz Carrol and John Doyle so far. They are sweet.

As far as films go, (I feel much more cultured saying that instead of movie) I like LOTR (especially The Hobbit) and The Princess Bride. I like old movies a lot, like Its a Wonderful Life and To Catch a Thief. I saw the fourth Mission Impossible a while back and thought it was decent. What I really crave though, is a James Bond like franchise minus all the sex. That would be my favorite series ever. Either that or more epic fantasy movies like LOTR. Also, I recently saw the trailer for Upside Down and it looked very interesting. Though they showed them kissing four times during the trailer, they never had a 2 second sex scene like every other movie trailer, so I am hoping that maybe, by some miracle, it might be appropriate.



Sorta like I already said, it got me writing, and the community on the forum can alternate between a continual headdesking session and a 'I lurve this place.' Its a little hard to explain.

And your sister isn't by any chance British is she?



You're sisters?

*eats apple pie*

Ah. Thanks.


The trailer made me curious if they would miraculously keep it appropriate, too.

That depends on my mood.

That's the quickest anyone has ever guessed! And, yes, we are.

*is glad Gun likes the pie enough to eat it*

Welcome Mr. Gunstrav!

*muses * I wonder how well a defibrillator could be used as a weapon.

We should make an ICU forum on Holy Worlds: the Intensive Creation Unit.

I am on grooveshark... nominally. Link you your account? What are your favorite songs from Lecrae and Runrig?

My first novel was more of a writing exersize.

This sounds quite interesting. How did they become zombified? Who is this girl? Who and what are to be forgiven?

*shakes head * That would be astounding. Make it. *grinwinks you gimlet-like *