Well.. I suppose that I should introduce myself.

If I have to be honest, the main reason that I made an account here was because of the Read-a-Thon.. because before then I was perfectly happy to simply stalk Holy Worlds.
I was a member of HW quite a while ago, under the username of Lady Jaryn, but I never really got into it because of different life situations.

But I am now back! I will try my very best to not end up being a ghost again. As much as I love writing, I haven't had the time to take much initiative. Or rather, I haven't made the time. Or maybe I just got scared off by essence maps. But since I have started journaling, I have found that the words flow much easier than I had originally thought. I mainly journal/blog and write non-fiction stuff, but I also edit. I can be a hopeless grammar nazi when I choose to be. My favorite genres would probably be Fantasy and Historical Fiction. (Sorry Sci-fi. ) And I am hopelessly addicted to reading Jane Austen fan fiction.

And yes, I do use smileys subconsciously and obsessively.
...

As far as other random facts go.. You'll have to get to know me to find out!

I'm very happy to be back.. again.

Hello, welcome to Holy Worlds! I'm glad you came back, we'll try to make sure you don't turn into a ghost again.
I totally understand having trouble making the time to write...I have the same problem.
I saw that you read the first Ranger's Apprentice book, what did you think of it?

Looking forward to seeing you 'round!

Welcome back. Did we overlap at all? Nice to meet you! I hope your stay isn't terminated this time...

I echo Wolf's question; I just read it myself recently.

Welcome to Holy Worlds, Laura!

What are your favorite fantasy and historical books?

Hello all! Thank you for your welcomes! To clarify, I certainly don't PLAN to become a ghost again. It was definitely something that I regretted!

Dr. W. Eli McGowan, I don't believe that I have met you, so I'm sure that we overlapped.. but it's been a while. Good to meet you!

To answer the question about Ranger's Apprentice:
http://www.intothebook.net/2012/06/ruin ... nagan.html
(Jessica Woode is my alternate name on ITB.)
I liked it! I have only read that book so far, so we'll see about the rest of the series..

But there is one thing that I didn't mention in the review. One of the scenes that kind of bugged me was when Horace beat up his bullies. Can it really be acceptable to be a bully after being bullied, no matter how much justice demands it? Although, maybe it would have been much too cliche to have done the "honorable" thing and not beat them up.
Any opinions?

Jonathan, that is a good question!
Fantasy: Pretty much anything by Wayne Thomas Batson, Lord of the Rings, The Circle Trilogy (Ted Dekker), etc. I'll read most of it. I didn't really like the first Bryan Davis book I read.. (*gasp*) but I'm going to pick one up again.. because it's about dragons. Can you tell that I am competitive, even if I'm sure that I will hopelessly lose the Read-a-Thon?
Historical: I almost can't even name any, because I read so much of it. But Jane Austen is at the top. And anything that I can find for free on my Kindle. Because I'm Dutch like that. Oh, but of course classics such as the Scarlet Pimpernel and Les Miserables. I suppose that means that I also must be French.

I'll read the review later when I have more time, thanks!

Oh I know you wouldn't try to.



I will say that I also disliked this scene, it sort of made me lose some respect for ... Halt, that's it, Halt. It made me lose some respect for him, but I couldn't think of a better way to write the story either. I think it would've been punishment for them enough to simply turn them in so that they get kicked out of battle school though.

Mhm. Halt's occasional swearing made it hard for me to respect him, too, as much as I really wanted to.

Right, I had forgotten that part, though I felt that was somehow a bit different and didn't make it as hard to respect him as that scene did.

I haven't read any of Wayne Thomas Batson's books yet, but I want to.

Yeah, Lycanis, I would have to agree. The language was just annoying. The scene was conflicting.

Jonathan, do it! I still haven't read all of his books, but I'm working on it. His books are appropriate for younger readers, too, but I enjoy them. I actually have reviews of many of his books on Into the Book as well. But I wrote them a while ago, so I'm not sure if my opinions have changed.

Yeah, that's a good way to put it.

I read the review now, and it sounds like we feel just about the same about the book! Another theme I liked in the story is that you don't have to look like a hero to be one.

At least you're competing! I was very glad to see you signed up! Unlike some people, who said they wouldn't really be able to read much.... *looks at certain people*

Did I welcome you already? I can't remember. Have some more brownies! *Gives brownies*

Yes, I liked that too. But I was also glad that Will wasn't made an "underdog". It gets on my nerves sometimes when the character completely changes who they are so that they can "save the world". Instead, I felt like Will was real and was trained in what he was gifted to do, whether he initially thought it was a glorious job or not.

Thanks, Azlyn! Oh, I know that I will utterly fail at the Read-a-Thon. I am much too busy to read this summer. But I love participating anyway, and I have personal goals set for myself.

Brownies, yum! What is ridiculous is that my first reaction was to ask if they were dairy free. Can you tell that I also have food restrictions? *facepalm*

Yeah, I liked that too, it showed that you don't need to change yourself in order to grow.

Welcome to the forums, Laura! Sorry I'm late!

Well then, we'll have to start from the very beginning. I look forward to seeing you in chat sometime.

Thank you all!

Oh yes, I forgot about the chat room. I'll have to peek in there soon.

Welcome Bach to Holy Worlds!
God bless,
Joel ><>.

Was that a musical joke?

Thank you, though! I'm glad to be here!

Welcome, Laura!
I can't think of any of the questions I was going to ask... Oh well. I'll come back if I think of any.
Hope to see you 'round!

Why thank you, Elizabeth! If you ever think of a question, feel free to ask it!

* peeps in *

Welcome to the forum! * plants flowers *

...I hope I will not be tiresome in asking this, but I have always had the desire to ask it of every single person I have seen on the web with the name of Laura, and this is my first chance at doing it. Have you, by any chance, ever heard of something called 'TWE'? * hopeful question mark *

Thanks, Lady Rwebhu!

Not tiresome at all! I do not believe that I have heard of anything called 'TWE'. Sorry to disappoint! Mind if I ask why you ask?

* little sigh * Oh, I was just trying to find a certain person so I can thank her, and all I know about her is that she goes by Laura at least sometimes and she started TWE. I only knew her years ago, and not personally. So I don't know where she is. So I have a quest... * likes the sound of that * Epic.

Anyway...have you read all of Jane Austen's books? I've read several. I really like them.

Well I hope that you find her! I've had situations like that before too, and it's amazing when I actually find the person. It reminds me that God cares about guiding me on my quests. He's so cool like that.

Well.. I've read Pride and Prejudice. And I've read parts of pretty much all of her other books. Now that I have a Kindle, I'll have to get them for free and actually read them all the way through. But I have definitely watched all of the movies. Actually, I think that I have watched at least three different versions of Pride and Prejudice. And I actively read the fan fiction.
So yes, I am familiar with most of her major stories, though I really need to sit down and read them all the way through.

Yeah I know. * smiles * God is good.

I haven't watched any of the movies...we never got around to getting them I think.

I have Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility, and Emma, and Persuasion. I liked the other three better then Persuasion...some of the things in it didn't seem to make sense, and the characters weren't quite as fascinating. I have a feeling that's because she never finished it. They published it after she died, and she hadn't edited it as much as she usually did.

Pride and Prejudice was good. I liked it. But it hit a rather sore spot with me and I don't read it often...the only reasons that everyone said that Mr Darcy was proud at first was – well, I'm like that. I'm introverted. And a logical thinker (in other words – blunt and pragmatic) (an ISTP, if you have ever heard of Meyers-Briggs personality types). And ever since I read it, I've had this haunting feeling that people think I am stuck up because I don't talk well to strangers, and don't like doing things with them. * sighs *

I liked Emma. I think it is my favorite so far. It is so fascinating and funny and true and it teaches several very valuable lessons – not the least of which is 'don't assume'. * giggles *

I like Sense and Sensibility as well. It's more tragic than Emma, and it really shows how being unwise can hurt you.

Do you write Jane Austen fan-fiction as well?

I've thought that, too. But then I decided "it's just the internet, there's no way to have an allergic reaction ". My restrictions aren't dairy though. They're different.

Welcome to Fantasy, Laura!

I didn't write that...

We are thrilled you are no longer a stalker, Laura! Welcome welcome! We like having faces-er... names, to go with our members.

No, Laura did... Ô¸o

I have no idea how that happened. All I did was quote Laura's post! Sorry, Lycanis!

I love all of those stories! Definitely my favorites. Pride and Prejudice is at the top of my list, but probably because I have actually read the book.
I actually know what you mean about feeling like Mr. Darcy.. I am very introverted myself, though not as much so as others. I'm usually good at including others, but I'm not always the best at being the first to introduce myself or start a conversation. Actually, I haven't quite figured out my personality yet. I confuse myself. Sometimes I think it is a shame that some people feel insecure because of their introverted personality though. I like being a quieter person. It's just kind of awkward when others seem to think that being a crazy outgoing person is the only way to be involved in others' lives.
*ponders* I think I need to go write a journal entry about this.

Anyway, I LOVE the Sense and Sensibility movie. I see myself very much as Elanor. That could just be the oldest-child syndrome, though.

And Emma is amazing. I love her relationship with Mr. Knightley. He is so good at telling her when she is wrong, and that is something that I very much admire. And the story itself is so humorous.

Persuasion.. I liked it. It wasn't a very complete story, but I liked the themes. It reminded me to never hold off when I can forgive someone today. *shrugs* But then again.. I haven't read the book yet.

I do not write fan fiction, as much as I would like to. I just read my friend's stories, and give my feedback.


What restrictions do you have? I cannot have dairy, my mom cannot have dairy or gluten, and my sister was recently diagnosed with Hypoglycemia/pre-diabetes. We just have to eat "real" food now.


Thanks, Airianna!

Faith and Lycanis, I think the quote tags just got messed up when Faith quoted me, because I quoted Lycanis and Faith deleted some of what I said, but must have left Lycanis' quote tags.
*blinks* Did that make sense?

Ah, you are an Elanor. I like her character.

Yes, that's most likely what happened.

Either that, or a Jane. But more of an Elanor.

Good to know, Jonathan. That's what I thought.

Another dairy-free person? * grins * Our family just started on dairy/egg/gluten-free, though, the gluten-free is for solidarity, as only one of us is really allergic to gluten.

I like Elanor better than Jane.

Nuts, except peanuts and possibly pecans; the melon/squash family (I know it's really weird ); and corn. Corn is the hardest one because I react to the smaller, less known variations of corn such as corn starch, xanthan gum, and corn syrup. I have found it amazing (and very discouraging) that they can find so many crazy things to put "corn" into. For example, cream cheese, sour cream, salad dressings, etc. We make most of our food from scratch, but it is really hard to eat out if we ever want to.

*Gets off of soap box*



That is entirely possible. Oh well! Ya'll know who I was talking about anyway, right ?

It's ok. =D



Okay, that might be what it was. =D Another possibility is that she selected text from Laura's post and clicked on the quote button for mine...but I think you're right about what happened, I think it makes more sense in this case.

It's lovely to have you join us. ^^ I really like your avatar. Do you play violin?

~Calen

Yep! Although I did cheat the other day at a graduation party.. The pasta salad was delicious, though, in case you were wondering.
My mom is the only one in my family who is gluten-free too, so I know how that is! It does make meal-planning difficult, but I have found that we have been eating much healthier. I don't think my family could handle an egg allergy though! That is a breakfast staple in my house!


Oh, that is hard. My sister has to avoid corn, which has been hard for her. But at least it's more of a limitation for her than a restriction. But it is the same way with gluten. It's very difficult for us to go out to eat because of it. And when we do, it's always at a very trusted restaurant where we are sure of the few choices that they offer. Thankfully, I have found that dairy is much easier to avoid, especially since I only have to worry about what I call "obvious" dairy.


Thank you! Yes, as of last month I have been playing the violin for 10 years! I love it. I also have been playing the piano for 7(ish) years, and I started taking voice lessons this past year. But violin has always been what people seem to know me for. When trying to start a conversation with my extended family and such, one of the first questions I get asked is "So, are you still playing the violin?"

Ooh! A musician! Do you do any composing?

That's incredible! You have some serious dedication. I admire that.

~Calen

I haven't done any extensive composing... Or at least nothing that I have written down. I have done simple arrangements of hymns on the violin, or improvisation on the piano. But nothing completely original. I desperately need to retake Music Theory before I continue to improvise and compose, though. I would love to. A judge that I have at a National Youth Convention is a fantastic composer, and I would love to learn more from him.

Do you do any composing??


Well, thanks! Although I will say that when I am surrounded by the some of the insanely talented violinists that are in my orchestra, I don't always feel so dedicated. But I definitely love music. I can't imagine life without it!

Welcome! So glad to have you back! Looking forward to getting to know you

* nods * Yes, I know.... I do rather like being introverted. I just don't like the idea that people might think I'm too proud to talk to people just because I don't know how... * sighs *

* grins * I know what that is. I'm not the oldest child...but I'm the oldest girl.

Yes, I love it. And I like Mr Knightley's willingness to give her up because he thought she wanted to marry someone else.

Yes. And the foolishness of toying with people....


We have quite a few diet restrictions too, that's funny. Our main ones are processed foods, and dairy.

Welcome to Holy Worlds, Laura Jenae! Have some pie! *hands Laura some apple pie and icecream along with a party hat covered in glitter*
I'm DairyMaid, as you may have noticed. Dairy, preferably.

A rather belated welcome to HolyWorlds, Laura! I love finding new members!

I am a big fan of Ranger's Apprentice, and Emma is also my favourite Jane Austen book. Mr. Knightley is awesome!

Wow! You are definitely musically talented! I play the piano and have done a couple compositions I'm so glad there is another musician on here! We have quite a few now