Sunshine Blogger Award #1

A totally unexpected random nomination. (In response to Glori's nomination)

This post should have been published several weeks ago, but between one thing and another, it gathered dust among my countless drafts. Fortunately, I only had one or two questions left to answer. Anyway, after three centuries, five lifetimes, and eight floods, here it is.

Apparently, no one knows the origin of this Sunshine Blogger Award thing. Several people have looked it up, and... nothing. But I guess it doesn't matter if I tell you I've searched for some information myself; your curiosity will win anyway. My guess is that someone started it as a trend and now it's global, but whatever.

For me, it all started when

Carson Wagner

nominated

Calvin Hayes

and

Glori Writes

, and then they both nominated me. So now I have two nominations to respond to. I know I don't have to, but it sounds fun, so I will. Since I was nominated twice, I'll be doing two separate posts. This one is in response to Glori's nomination! I'll be posting the response to Calvin's nomination in a few days, don't worry. I just don't want to overstimulate my subscribers. ;)

Without further ado, let's proceed with the procession of what follows.

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The SBA Rules

• Display the award’s official logo somewhere on your blog. (Right above)

• Thank the person who nominated you (Thank you so much, Glori!)

• Provide a link to your nominator’s blog

• Answer your nominator’s questions.

• Nominate up to 11 bloggers.

• Notify your nominees by commenting on at least one of their blog posts.

• Provide the link to the post you were nominated on, so the chain of nominations can go backwards as well (this is a rule I took the liberty of adding, take it or leave it, I guess it doesn't matter).

The Post I was nominated on:

I Was Nominated For The Sunshine Blogger Award?

Find Glori's Blog Here:

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The Questions I gotta Answer

Tis gonna be interesting…

1. What’s the story behind your publication (the inspiration)?

As my dear friend would say, "I'm a very opinionated person." I love participating in debates, writing essays, sharing my experiences and opinions. I guess that's the real reason I started my publication. I haven't written many controversial posts so far because I'm afraid of sounding arrogant, but whatever.

Another very valuable reason is that I've always wanted to have a newsletter. I remember as a child, pretending I had a way to tell people what I had to say, while we had fun and learned together. I thought it was one of the coolest things I could do in my life.

2. What’s your favorite thing to write about, and why?

Hard question! I don't even know if I'll be able to answer it... but I'll do my best.

At first, I was going to say love, but no. Then I thought, what I like to write most is about family, but that didn't seem like the right answer either. So what?

I've come to the conclusion that what I like to write most is relationship development. I like to weave and build behaviors, beliefs, actions, and emotions, molding the character of my characters based on what they do or what the other characters do. I'm a fiction writer; I like to see the story tell itself when I focus on getting to know my characters and their point of view—how they see the world, not how the world sees them.

I like to develop bonds not only between characters, but also between writer and reader. Somehow, there's a connection between writer and reader, and both can feel it, sometimes even describe it, even though they're not physically present in the same place.

As humans, we crave a mental, emotional, and spiritual connection, and I guess that's why I love writing so much. It's my most authentic and honest way of connecting with people, of creating bonds, even when I can't see or feel them. So that's what I love to write about most: connection, consequence, and outcome. About how what we do, think, say, as well as everything we don't do, think, or say, affects others and the course of history.¹

I love writing about human nature and its most basic, vulnerable need for connection. Connection to what? Well, that's a question for another occasion.

3. If you could only read three authors (besides the Bible) for the rest of your life, who would they be? Why?

C. S. Lewis, Jane Austen, and… Tolkien? The first two have been very impactful in my life, and although I haven't finished (I’m working on it, Glori, I promise) reading anything Tolkien wrote, I know for sure he will be just as impactful. Why them? Because C.S. Lewis is my definition of faith and education. Jane Austen is my definition of societal expectations and understanding of human nature (especially female nature). And Tolkien is my definition of home, family, and why I fight for what I fight for.

4. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Dead. ¡¡¡KIDDING!!!

Hopefully, happily married, with a growing crew of children, three dogs, two cows, a hundred chickens, a few rabbits... well, maybe that's too much to hope for in the span of just ten years, but it's worth dreaming, isn't it? What I really want is a family of my own, a partner to share my life with (also known as a husband), a home to take care of, and to publish AT LEAST three of my novels. I have other additional dreams, like owning a bookstore, a coffee shop, and an orphanage, but I guess those belong in a different 10-year section. Oh yes, I'm ambitious. But what's life without a little challenge!?

5. What are your favorite quotes? Why?

• You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks. - Winston Churchill

I really like this quote because it reminds me to choose my battles. While everything is valid and has potential, it's not always the right time to pay attention to it. Sometimes it's better to move on and come back when the time is right.

• Life's already dangerous, we bikers just make it obvious. - Roads In the Sky

This is from one of my novels, but I guess it counts. Although it addresses a specific theme, I think it can be interpreted as saying that life is what it is, but we are the ones who decide how we will respond to facts.

• A man's first loyalty is to the soil he stands on. - The Witch of Blackbird Pond

For context, the protagonist and her... friend? I don't know if we can call him a friend at that point in the story, but whatever. They were talking about the political issues between England and America in 1687, and how the king was ordering things that some of the American colonists found unfair or illogical.

That's when Nat Eaton explains that a man owes loyalty to the land he stands on, and that another man across the sea can't possibly know what Nat—or other American colonists—, needs or what works because he hasn't lived under the same circumstances. As someone who has been through something similar to what led to the American Revolution, I fully understand and defend this philosophy.

6. What is your favorite book of the Bible, and why?

Ecclesiastes. It's the book that taught me one of the greatest lessons in my life: that it's just me and God's way. It doesn't matter what others do, it doesn't matter what others expect of me, it doesn't even matter what I expect of myself, nothing else matters, it's just me and Him. At the end of the day, we may have pleased hundreds of people, but if we don't please our Lord first, it's not worth it.

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. - Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14

7. If you got in a fight (assume current levels of capability) would you prefer to have a sword, a shovel, or a skillet as a weapon? Why?

(Glori, that why at the end of each question is getting annoying. Kidding, kidding lol.)

Anyway, I'm good with a broom, so I guess a sword would be a good choice. Plus, I used to play swords with my cousins, so... yeah, I think I'd choose a sword. Why a sword? Because it's the coolest thing in the entire universe! ¿¡Right!?

8. Who is your personal favorite substacker (i.e. you read everything they write, etc.)? Why?

I really enjoy reading a lot of people's work, but

Jesse Pogue

, from Shelter by the Wayside and The Silence Is So Loud, is definitely one of my favorites. His testimony is beyond encouraging and refreshing. And his daily notes help me stay focused and not lose sight of my purpose. Sometimes I don't have time to read everything he publishes the moment it's released, but I always try to keep up. In addition, I've seen that we were raised in a fairly similar way, and that's always exciting to see because it's very rare to find people who follow the same values ​​and beliefs as I do. I've truly been able to see how God has used him to bless me and many others. Keep it up, Jesse, you’re doing a great job!

9. What is the song that takes you back to your childhood? Drop the link!

Phew, I have a lot of songs in mind! Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. But I'll choose one that brings back some really good memories. As illogical as it may sound, "Come and Get Your Love" by Redbone is one of the songs that most marked my childhood. The Guardians of the Galaxy movie premiered when I was about nine years old. My cousins, my siblings, and I became obsessed with it, so much so that my aunt played the song for us almost every day (especially on Saturdays). Even today, it's still one of my favorites, I guess because of the memories it brings back. Although maybe one day I'll find someone who gives it a deeper meaning.

10. Do you prefer reading or listening to audiobooks? Why?

Definitely reading. Ever since I started reading on my own, I've been very picky about having someone read to me. Not everyone meets my expectations. However, I've found some very good narrators, and I'm afraid I would never have been able to finish The Three Musketeers or The Phantom of the Opera otherwise. Audiobooks can be very useful when you don't have time to sit down and read as much as you'd like.

11. If you were to change one thing about your life, what would it be? Why?

About my life? Years ago, I would have had an answer, I'm sure of it. But right now, I'm afraid I don't. There are definitely many things that aren't the best, things I'm not proud of, and others I simply wish I hadn't experienced, but at this point in the game, I understand that I am who I am because of everything I've experienced, whether it was simply by chance or because of choices I made. What would I change about my life if I could? Not something from the past, not something from the present, I would change something from the future. Because I can change that, I can change who I will be in the future. That's what I would change.

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People I’m Nominating

Since I was nominated twice and don't know enough people to nominate 11 people in each post, I'll nominate 12 people and split them between both posts. Also, if you've been nominated before, don't feel obligated to respond to my nomination. But feel free to leave the link to your previous response in the comments! I’d love to check it out!

James S. Wolf by

Jamie S. Anderson

. What can we say about Jamie? She's the sweetest girl in the universe, and that's more than evident in her writing. Her poems are full of truth and inspiration, her thoughtful words never fail. If you don't dare to get to know her, you're missing out on something amazing. Why wait a second longer? Go and check out her work!

H. C. Kingsley by

H. C. Kingsley

. Kingsley is working hard to finish her novel. In the meantime, she's delighted us with short stories, a series of letters from Aunt Tabitha (which are the talk of the town), and a monthly newsletter where she tells us a little about her life and writing process. Her sweet approach to topics and the hint of wry humor will captivate you, I'm sure. Go check out her stuff! And if you like it, consider subscribing!

Once Upon A Rhyme by

Juliet RoseWarden🌹❤️‍🔥

. Juliet isn't just my writing partner on The Elephant Under the Bridge, she's also a deep thinker, with a relatively quiet but also very funny personality. She notices things no one else does, and, well, why not check it out by reading her poetry? I don't know why you're still here instead of going and checking it out, hurry up!

I Wanted to Tell You Something by

Anna McKenzie

. I haven't actually read any of her long-form posts, but her daily notes with writing tips, memes, opinions, and sometimes topics with a Christian perspective are beyond rewarding and uplifting. She has helped me on several occasions to clarify my ideas. So, yeah, go give her a try, guys!

Wanda Imagines by

Wanda Bush

. I haven’t read much of her content, but what I’ve read so far is pretty awesome. I like her philosophical approach to topics, going deeper and deeper as if going to the bottom of the river and risking drowning were worth the treasure there. Also, I love her humor. I know not everyone would enjoy it, but I really do like it. Definitely highly recommended. Go and check out her stuff! (Consider subscribing, by the way ;)

Chronicles of a Book Dragon by

Sydney Witbeck

. Sydney is an incredible freelance writer; she's self-published several novels and I bet she's working on several more. Her love for the animals of her Lord's creation is more than obvious, lovely! I love the enthusiastic and positive way she talks about so many book topics because, if she talks about anything, it's about books. Don't hesitate to check out her content!

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Questions For My Nominees

1. Tea or coffee? This one is very important!

2. Kisses or hugs? Also very important. (I know this question is very silly, I just put it in to fill the space while I thought of a better question, but it's so ridiculous and hilarious that I decided to keep it. Pardon my craziness ;)

3. What is your favorite movie and why?

4. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

5. Ford or Chevy? Why? (Yes, Calvin, I'm keeping this question. I still can't believe you dared to steal my legendary question.)

6. If you could improve anything in modern literature, what would it be and why? (Emphasis: improve, not change)

7. If you could enter any fictional world (e.g. Narnia, Middle Earth, Marvel Universe, Northanger Abbey, San Ireneo de Arnois, etc., etc.), which one would it be and why?

8. In your opinion, what is art and what makes it different from everything else?

9. What is the song that takes you back to your childhood? Drop the link!

10. If you were to change one thing about your life, what would it be? Why?

11. Where do you see yourself or what do you hope to have achieved with your Substack by the end of the year?

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Farewell!

I guess that’s all, fellow writers.

While we don't know the origin of this Sunshine Blogger Award thing, we do know that its purpose is nothing more or less than to encourage other writers and let them know that their work is worthwhile. To be honest, I've had to restrain myself from nominating more people because I could easily end up nominating all Substackers. You're all amazing, and you write things that always amaze me. Can't wait to see where the tide takes us and what island we end up on.

So keep writing.

You're worth it, your work is worth it, your readers are worth it.

And, without further ado…

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye.

I leave and heave a sigh and say goodbye
Goodbyeeeeeeeeeeee.

Behind the letters, a girl 🌹

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1. I got intense here... Anyway, what can I say? Writing is my favorite passion.