Showing posts with label Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fiction. Show all posts

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Scavenger Hunt Stop #31

Welcome to the Autumn 2014 Scavenger Hunt. You have arrived at Stop # 31. The hunt begins at noon (Mountain Time Zone) on October 17, 2014. You may have arrived here before the start which could mean all of the sites aren't ready quite yet. Once the official start has begun, you should go to Stop #1 and then work your way through the sites, gathering clues and entering bonus giveaways, until you reach the final stop which will also be on the site of Robin Lee Hatcher.

The hunt ends on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at one minute before midnight (Mountain). That means you have all of the weekend to finish it, so take your time. Enjoy reading the exclusive content the authors have prepared for you. You will collect a CLUE IN RED at each stop. Write them down as you go. At the end of the hunt, you will enter the clues into a Rafflecopter form. (The answer will make sense, even if you aren't familiar with the quote.)

The hunt is open to international entries. The grand prize is a Kindle Fire HDX. Two runners-up will receive a new release from each of the participating authors.

IN CASE YOU FIND A BROKEN LINK...

Robin Lee Hatcher has prepared a "cheat sheet" with direct links to each author's post in case a site goes down or a link gets broken. We hope there will be no such issues, but just in case, please make note of the URL for the Participating Authors & Stops page so you can check back and be able to complete the hunt.

And now, without further ado, I'd love to introduce you to our friend, Maureen Lang!






Say Hello to Maureen Lang!

Maureen Lang 
has loved storytelling ever since she was ten years old and would invite friends over to "write stories." They often preferred playing with Barbies, but Maureen persevered with storytelling on her own. Since then she's published thirteen novels and is introducing her very first novella, The Gift-Wrapped Bride, which is part of the 12 Brides of Christmas collection. The idea of partnering with other favorite Christian authors for a series of romances set during the holiday season reminded her of inviting friends over to write together—what could be more fun?


Heartland Christmas Brides

Thank you for visiting our Scavenger Hunt and for reading about the first Nativity Scene. A Nativity Drama plays an important part in my novella, The Gift-Wrapped Bride because my hero realizes the intent of every Nativity Scene is to soften hearts toward the miracle of Christ's birth. My hero, a reformed rascal trying to win the love of a woman who knew him only as a schoolhouse bully, tries to convince her he's changed by recruiting young troublemakers for a Christmas Pageant. Once they're transformed by God's grace, she'll see everyone deserves a second chance. God will be glorified, and my hero might just win himself a bride. That is, if the rascals he recruits will let their hearts be softened . . .

My novella is included in Heartland Christmas Brides, available now at your local Walmart, to be followed by Christmas Wedding Bell Brides and White Christmas Brides from a variety of authors offering heartwarming Christmas romances. For more information on the entire collection of the 12 Brides of Christmas, visit our website.

Or if you'd like to purchase all twelve of the novellas in e-book format, one story will be released from online booksellers every week between now and Christmas!

Interested? Check out these wonderful stories at Amazon.com or at Christian Book Distributors!




History of Nativity Pageants

If you're anything like me, spotting a Nativity scene during the Christmas season is becoming more and more precious as the culture around us becomes increasingly secular. I love the visual reminder of what Christmas is really all about. And guess what? This was exactly what Saint Francis of Assisi thought when he introduced the first Nativity scene way back in the year 1223. He was a man who wanted to live like Christ. So he threw off the material world and, much to the consternation of his friends and family, began roaming the countryside as a beggar. A few years later he heard a sermon that inspired him to take his faith even farther - he wanted to preach the gospel wherever he went. Eventually he founded the Franciscan Order of Friars (Friends).


At midnight mass on Christmas Eve 1223 Saint Francis introduced the first Nativity Scene. Choosing the spot in front of a cave in Greccio, Italy, he brought in people to portray the Holy Family and live animals as their humble companions. Saint Francis wanted to bring the gospel alive for worshippers who were likely illiterate, or at least trusted others to read and interpret the Bible for them. He wanted to stir their hearts so they would marvel over the simple wonder of the greatest miracle ever performed—God becoming man to save us from our sins so we can spend eternity with our perfect Creator. This vision, Saint Francis hoped, would live in their minds long after that one night.

Surely Saint Francis's hopes were blessed. Since then, Nativity scenes have been turned into pageants and dramas seen all around the world.

I know it's early to be thinking of the Christmas season, but when you see a Nativity pageant or manger this year, count it among other miracles that such a tradition has lasted nearly eight hundred years!



The Scavenger Hunt Skinny

Thanks so much for stopping by my site and participating in the new Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt. Before you move on to Stop #32, which is Maureen Lang's’s site, to pick up your next clue, be sure to write down this Stop #32 clue: SWALLOWED, AND

Also, please note: Many of the authors use Rafflecopter for their giveaways. Rafflecopter requires JavaScript to work. If you can’t see the form, please turn JavaScript on in your browser in order to enter. Rafflecopter sometimes doesn’t work on mobile devices. If you are on a mobile device and can’t see the entry form, then you’ll need to find a computer.


But Before You Go...


As a special thank you for joining in on the Scavenger Hunt, we have an extra giveaway for you! Enter below and you can win a shiny necklace from the Dragon Lady Shoppe!

There will be TWO WINNERS, a boy and a girl. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Bryan Davis Interview Part Two



Often, it seems that when many Christian films or some books present the gospel, it seems to become cheesy.
Well, they are so message driven, they want to preach the gospel with such a fervent heart and with passion that they create a tacky story to dress it up. I think when the story comes first, and it comes out of a heart that loves Christ, the gospel is going to naturally flow. But at the same time, we can't bury the message. I have tried not to bury the message so that it can’t be seen. I think as the series continues on a natural progression, the gospel will become more and more clear.

Earlier, you mentioned Harry Potter, and there may be people who might not understand how your story about dragons, and even includes the Arthurian Legend, can still be Christian. What would you say to them?
People who like Harry Potter will love this book. But, there are two reasons it’s different. One is that all supernatural events come from God through prayer, and miracles, not magic. Second is that in the Harry Potter books, the main characters progress their stories often through deception, disobedience of rules, and lack of respect for authority. That doesn’t happen in these books – the stories progress through courage and wise choices, and if they don’t make a wise choice, they can get into trouble. One thing I want to make clear is that I’m not a Harry Potter basher, but I also don’t think that series is necessarily wonderful. My kids have read it with my parental guidance, so they know that we don’t believe in witchcraft, and we don’t appreciate the disrespectful attitudes.

When it comes to dragons and King Arthur, these are symbols that are used to teach Christian truth; even Jesus used symbols. All through the book of Revelation, we see really strange, marvelous symbols that teach things. I don’t know if there is going to really be a locust with long hair, but that’s what Revelation uses as a picture of something else. We shouldn’t be surprised that God would use great symbols to teach truths that are too deep to make simple – He uses symbols in a way we can remember. Stories that have great symbols are far more memorable and last a lot longer in our minds, especially for young people, if we use that method of teaching. Jesus knew it well. Unfortunately there are some people who say all fantasy is bad, or even all fiction is bad. It makes me wonder if they ever ask themselves why Jesus taught that way; He used stories and symbols to teach. I hope that people extend some grace and understand that these stories were written out of a heart of love that just wants to tell the truth in a story.

>an you name some people/authors whose works have influenced you? If so, can you say in what way these people have influenced your life and your work?
I really enjoy C. S. Lewis, two books in particular; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and Perelandra. I loved the spiritual parallels in Dawn Treader. The debate between Westin and the woman when he tried to get her to sin in Perelandra fascinated me. I have somewhat similar dialogues in The Candlestone and Circles of Seven, so that definitely influenced me.

The works of Francis Schaeffer had an impact on me. The God Who is There and He is There, and He is not Silent are two that come to mind. I enjoy careful, analytical thought, and Schaeffer was a master in that field. I try to carry that kind of thinking into my stories, and those who read my fantasy series will find that they are far more than children’s fairy tales.

Does your faith influence the way you write? Would you like to elaborate on this?
My faith pervades all my writing, but my doctrinal stands on some issues make my stories quite different from most. My Christian protagonists depart from what many writers call “real” or “honest,” though they portray a more “real” Christian character than what is passing for that label in much of Christian fiction. On this point I could elaborate until your ears fall right off your head, but, briefly, I reject the notion that you have to write sinful acts or tendencies into Christian characters. Sin doesn't make them "real" or "honest." It just makes them sinful, and in most fiction I find too many characters with tacked-on flaws. It really seems clichéd.

I believe in the overwhelming power God gives us for holy living. My characters struggle in many non-sinful ways and find the power to overcome. I like successful heroes. God gives us victory in Christ, so it makes sense to write that way. And feedback from my readers indicates that they relate to the great struggles my characters go through, and they are inspired by my characters' successes. I believe this portrayal of obedient faith is what is truly real and honest.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Meet Bryan Davis




Bryan Davis is the author of the best-selling Dragons in Our Midst and Oracles of Fire series, contemporary/fantasy blends for young people. His book, Eye of the Oracle, hit number one on the January 2007, Young Adult CBA best-seller list.
His new series from Zondervan, Echoes from the Edge, debuted in May of 2008 with Beyond the Reflection’s Edge, and the second book in the series, Eternity’s Edge, came out in October.
Bryan is also the author of several other works including The Image of a Father (AMG) and Spit and Polish for Husbands (AMG), and four books in the Arch Books series: The Story of Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation, The Day Jesus Died, The Story of the Empty Tomb (over 100,000 sold), and Jacob’s Dream. Bryan lives in Western Tennessee with his wife, Susie, and their children. Bryan and Susie have homeschooled their four girls and three boys.
Bryan was born in 1958 and grew up in the eastern U.S. From the time he taught himself how to read before school age, through his seminary years and beyond, he has demonstrated a passion for the written word, reading and writing in many disciplines and genres, including theology, fiction, devotionals, poetry, and humor.
Bryan is a graduate of the University of Florida (B.S. in Industrial Engineering). In high school, he was valedictorian of his class and won academic awards in English, Algebra, Advanced Math, and Science. He was also a member of the National Honor Society and voted Most Likely to Succeed.
He continues to further his writing education by attending relevant writing conferences and conventions. Although he is now a full-time writer, Bryan was a computer professional for over 20 years.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Wayne Thomas Batson - The Questions

Author Q&A with
Wayne Thomas Batson

How did you involve your students in the process as you wrote this book?
Fifteen years of students from three different Maryland counties and six different middle schools helped to shape The Door Within. They were my sounding board and my encouragers. In 1992, when The Door Within was only a 17 page short story, my 6th graders pestered me to make it longer...until I did. Then, they helped me to know what parts of the story interested them or made a personal connection. The kids seemed to enjoy being able to critique the teacher's work instead of the other way around. And those discussions took the kids into an amazingly sophisticated level of understanding of literature that they would not ordinarily have attained. "Mr. Batson, you need more foreshadowing in that chapter" or "Mr. Batson, I found that allusion to The Hobbit when Aidan said..." or "There's not enough description in this section. I just couldn't see it." These are 10, 11, and 12 year olds analyzing literature and thinking critically. Good stuff! And in the end, as I flirted with a publishing contract, nailed it down, and began the real process of editing, my students were there to share the suspense, excitement, and frustrations. And when my new batch of students comes in this year, I imagine they will exult in the finished product just as I do.


How important is it to get children interested in reading and away from the television set?
My first couple years of teaching, there was a concern that technology would replace the need for literacy. But with the advent and explosion of the Internet, we have entered a new information age where reading skills are perhaps even more important than ever. Kids need to get interested in reading early. All the research shows that early reading aptitude and interest is related to success in later schooling and in the professional world. I'm grateful to J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series if for no other reason than for destroying faulty paradigms and interesting kids in reading like never before. 12 years ago, no one thought that kids would want or could even handle an 800 page novel. I actually had a publisher tell me once, "If you are planning to write a book for middle level readers, it better not be more than 150 pages." Kids are a lot more capable than many adults believe. Now more than ever we need to allow them to use their God-given skills to, as Gary Paulsen put it, "Read like a wolf eats."

What do you want the Christian message in The Door Within to convey to readers?
I want the Christian themes and messages in The Door Within to get people to think outside of the routine. So much of people's time is consumed with the daily grind, I want people to stop and consider the big questions like: Why am I here? Is there a purpose for my life? And why do things (even bad things) happen to people? I believe that only Jesus can answer those questions, so if there is anything I can do to plant a seed and get people to ask, then that's what I want to do. I hope The Door Within will open doors in that way.


What is it like being a Christian teacher in the public school system?
Being a Christian teacher in the public school system is awesome! You hear horror stories about people being persecuted or even prosecuted for their faith. That hasn't happened to me, and I hope it won't. Everyone knows I am a Christian and sometimes issues come up with the staff and we talk about them-which is great. It's also nice because in every school I've been in, there has always been at least one other Christian teaching there. I feel like the best way for me to be a light for the Lord in the public school is to just do a great job.
So I work hard. I plan engaging lessons. I make my room a place where kids want to come. In fact, the whole room is decorated like a castle—coats of arms, stone walls, faux swords and shields—the works! I work with my fellow staff members. We get along great. I try to be a dedicated, creative, hard-working teacher, so that someone might ask, "How do you do it?" I feel blessed to have worked in some incredible schools with other amazingly gifted teachers, and marvelous, intelligent children.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Wayne Thomas Batson

I spent 9 days with Mr. Batson and 6 other fantasy authors. I came away impressed by all of them. The trip was grueling, but during times of stress, every one of them were cool, professional, and the essence of what you want your Christian companions to be. I want you to get to know these people better, since I had the privilege of getting to know them. So for the next few weeks I will be blogging about these authors who are now like brothers and sister to me.
Here's a picture of Mr. Batson, then. You can see he's a studious thinker, but who would have thought that he had The Door Within within.










Here's Wayne Thomas Batson now. I think the loss of tie and suit says it all. Wayne Thomas Batson is cool.






Now for some official data on the fantasy author of these fantastic books:

Wayne Thomas Batson is the author of the bestselling Door Within Trilogy and the Isle of Swords, pirate series. Mr. Batson writes adventures set in imaginative locales because he believes that on a deep level, we all dream of doing something that matters and that we all long for another world.
He was born in Seabrook, MD in 1968. During the early years he tortured his older brothers and sisters, doing those things that only younger siblings can do to get on your nerves. He attended Gabriel DuVal Senior High School and wrote this for his Yearbook Senior Goals: To become a professional writer or artist. During the high school and early college years, he played lead guitar for a rock band called "Contagious." They were catchy, but apparently not enough to get a record deal.
Having completed the rigorous Holmes English Literature Curriculum, he graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1991. In 1996, he received his first graduate degree in Counseling. He has continued his studies with 36 credit hours of graduate-level Reading courses.
Wayne Thomas Batson has spent the last sixteen years teaching Reading and English to middle schools students. He pioneered the active instruction of Strategic Reading in Anne Arundel County and has written Reading and English Curricula for three public school systems in Maryland. Most recently, he helped develop the Challenge Reading Curriculum for advanced readers in Howard County, Maryland. Mr. Batson tailors his stories to meet the needs of the young people he cares so deeply about.
The Door Within Trilogy books earned favorable reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, VOYA, and popular author/speaker Josh McDowell. The Final Storm is the last book of an epic fantasy trilogy for readers 10 thru adult.
Wayne Thomas Batson gives thanks to God for the abundant life he’s been given.
When last seen, he was tromping around the Blackwood Forest of Yewland with his beautiful wife and four adventurous children. If you’d like to know more about Mr. Batson and his books visit: http://www.thedoorwithin.com/ or http://www.enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/.

Tomorrow, we will look further into the life and times of Wayne Thomas Batson.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

A Hero, or two, arrive on the Fantasy Fiction Scene

I get pretty aggravated because I have some really talented writer friends who have finished some awesome manuscripts, but they can't sell them. The CBA market is too tight, too uptight, and to poor to take chances. But that means nobody gets to read these fantastic tales but a few reader friends of the aspiring author. Somone else got ticked off about this sad situation and he was in the position to do something about it. So a new publisher, unconventional and sorely needed, is about to spring on the scene. I've seen the prototype book and it is every bit as good as those the standard publishing houses put out. So if you are interested in "speculative fiction," read on:
Marcher Lord Press is an indie publishing company dedicated to Christian speculative fiction: fantasy, SF, time travel, and the rest. Marcher Lord Press is the brainchild of CBA industry veteran Jeff Gerke, founder of http://www.wherethemapends.com/. Gerke is working to make Marcher Lord Press the premier publishing of Christian speculative fiction from Day 1. And Day 1 is this week! Marcher Lord Press is launching with three novels:


Summa Elvetica by Theodore Beale is a philosophical fantasy about what would happen if something very much like the Roman Catholic Church existed in a fantasy world and decided to tackle the question of whether or not Elves have souls.
The Personifid Invasion by R. E. Bartlett is action SF on a ruined Earth in which "interdimensional beings" discover they can take over the artificial bodies into which humans have transferred their consciousnesses.
Hero, Second Class by Mitchell Bonds is an epic comic fantasy about a young man who yearns to be a hero in a world in which Heroes have monthly dues and Villains are allowed only one eclipse per fiscal quarter.


Marcher Lord Press officially opens for business on October 1. They're holding a massive prize giveaway on that day--so be sure to get over to http://www.marcherlordpress.com/ before then to register to win. The grand prize is a trip for two to the 2009 Comic-CON convention in San Diego. Launch Day events also include free bonus books to be given away when you purchase one or more Marcher Lord Press novels on October 1.


Here's a little blurb about one of the first three books: Hero, Second Class is a delightful roast of all the fantasy fiction elements we hold dear. It is said that only someone who loves something can truly lampoon it. So it is in this case. Bonds' novel is a riot.
Quest with Cyrus, our young protagonist who aspires to be a Hero. But Heroes have a guild, you see, and lots of rules. One has to pay one's dues, apprentice to a Hero in good standing, and comport oneself as befits a member of the Heroes Guild.
Cyrus is fortunate to be serving his apprenticeship during a True Crisis, during which an Arch Villain is on the loose. An ambitious hero-in-training could make quite a name for himself during such times.
Cyrus's progress toward achieving his next level in the Heroes Guild is complicated by a wise-cracking dragon, a self-narrating knight, a droll zombie, and an attractive young woman who also happens to kind of be a cat.
On top of it all, Cyrus is discovering he has strange, non-standard-issue magical powers that definitely don't fit into his plans. And the Arch Villain (along with sundry Villains Guild members) has suddenly taken an intense personal interest in our plucky young protagonist.
If Cyrus isn't careful, he's not going to live long enough to become a Hero of any class.
Hero, Second Class, Mitchell Bonds, Marcher Lord Press, October 2008, 620 pages, $14.99

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Young Christopher or Grandma Paul?


Making it harder. The four hints below apply to me, Donita K. Paul, or Christopher Hopper. Sort them three and two and put your guess in the comments box. Same prize: the handmade beaded dragon bookmark.


  1. I used to bleach my hair platinum blonde.
  2. I dyed my hair black in college and was mistaken for the offspring of a drug cartel from Guatemala.
  3. I almost failed French class.
  4. I failed the Roschach Ink Blot test in college.
  5. My father was a university professor.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Two to Go!

We have two authors left who have not been identified by the clues given. Big hint: me and Christopher Hopper. So I gave the answers, now for the hard part.

Two clues. You have to guess which one belongs to Chris and which refers to me.
  1. I had a dog with three legs.
  2. As a child, I trained dogs, cats, and birds to do incredible tricks.

Match up who to what and put your answers in the comments box. The prize is a handmade beaded dragon bookmark.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Contest Winner!


The answer is Jonathan Rogers. And we have three who correctly answered. Alassiel has already won a beaded bookmark, but I suppose we could send her another. Lion-hearted and Cylos Eli and Alassiel, send me your snail mail addresses to donitakpaul@msn.com and the colors you prefer. We'll send the bookmarks out poste haste!







I first bought The Bark of the Bog Owl, because I couldn't resist the title. When I read about the Feechiefolk, I couldn't resist buying the next two books.



Wednesday, August 20, 2008

What's Up?

Nobody guessed again!!!! What's up? I'll pull this one and save it for later.

For today, I have a message from Eric Reinhold. Listen up, because it'll save you money.
~~Thanks for being a supporter of "Ryann Watters and the King's Sword" and spreading the word. There is so much going on right now that I will sum each great piece of news in short snippets so I don't lose anyone's interest:

BIG BOOK SALE (up to 42% off!) - To celebrate the Fantasy Fiction Tour (8 Christian Fantasy Authors joining forces for a huge West Coast Book Tour in Oct (http://www.fantasyfictiontour.com/) the price for Book 1 has dropped (below Amazon) to $13.99. plus I sign it and you get a free 2-sided, full color glossy bookmarker! Go to http://www.ryannwatters.com/ to order 1 copy or an even bigger discount on "Buy 3 Get 1 FREE.
FREE NOVEL LINK - In regards to the Fantasy Tour, go to the following link and you can read an on-going fantasy story written by all the authors. As each author has time, they spontaneously jump in and continue the story. Even we don't know where it's going to lead! http://www.fantasyfictiontour.com/?page_id=248
BOOK 2 UPDATE - I was able to meet up with Corey Wolfe, the cover artist from Book 1, while on a family vacation to the Northwest recently. He is almost done with the cover for Book 2 and it is waaaay cool. Check out the latest news on my fancy new blog at: http://www.ryannwatters.blogspot.com/.
NEW CONTEST - There is a new contest to win any book from any of the authors on the Fantasy Tour. Unlike previous contests, you don't have to have read my book or any of the other authors. You can find out the details at my blog or website.
COOL PRODUCTS - Check out my new Zazzle site at: http://www.zazzle.com/ericreinhold. Customized buttons, shirts, magnets, coffee mugs, and mousepads with characters from my novel, dragons, and other fun stuff (for parents and kids!).
FREE DOWNLOADS - If you haven't been to my website recently, then take another visit. I've had the webmaster add new content; including, free wallpaper downloads, media updates and quotes from readers, and more!

Thanks again for reading and telling others about Ryann Watters. If you're on the West Coast, I hope to see you in October. The tour will be visiting churches, schools, and bookstores from Canada, to Seattle, Portland, San Jose, LA, San Diego, and several places in between. It's great to see what God is doing, and I'm very excited about how book 2 is coming along.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Combo Athlete/Chicken ~ Chicklete?

Time to guess again. This time I am going to take all the names of those who guessed correctly and put them in a hat and pull one out to be the winner. The picture to the left shows you the type of bookmark we are giving away. I love making these. It is very relaxing. I will announce the winner on Wednesday because I have more wacky disconnected facts about the other authors and I want to share them. Fantasy Fiction Book Tour is going to be awesome. I get to spend 8 days with these nuts!

So who do you think made these curiosity-rousing statements?

  1. I played in a Heavy Metal Band
  2. I spent several summers working in a strawberry patch
  3. I once played beach volleyball against Olympic/Pro Beach Volleyball Champion Sinjin Smyth
  4. I used to be terrified of unfinished basements
  5. When it comes to nachos, I believe in the "Moundage Principle"

Monday, July 28, 2008

Contest Winner!

The winner of our contest is Jordan! To claim your prize of a handmade (we make 'em) beaded dragon bookmark, send an email to donitakpaul@msn.com. And tell us the color you would like.
L. B. Graham was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1971. He loved school so much that he never left, transitioning seamlessly between life as a student and life as a teacher. He and his family now live in St. Louis. They would like one day to have a house by the sea, which he wants to call "The Grey Havens." He and his wife have two children. Both love books, which pleases him immensely.

Who is BOTH an American & an Australian citizen?


My father was born in Melbourne, even though he grew up in Ethiopia. When I married an Australian, I applied for citizenship "by right of descent" and became a dual citizen.




Who won the math award at his/her high school before abandoning the study of math entirely after 1st semester in College?




Math always came easy, but even though I had a brilliant Calculus professor my first semester at Wheaton, I knew math wasn't for me.




Who has a father who grew up in Ethiopia?

My grandfather was Australian and my grandmother was American. They both went to Ethiopia as single missionaries in the late '20s and early '30s where they met, married and raised a family that included my Dad.







Who wrote a "choose-your-own-adventure" story for his/her 6th grade project on the state of Georgia called "Killer Kudzu?"


I knew I wanted to be a storyteller, even in elementary school, so I spiced up my "boring" state project with a story about Kudzu run wild and terrorizing the neighborhood, written on 3x5 index cards. Fortunately, my teacher had a sense of humor and loved it.

Who found out as a teenager one afternoon in Scotland that sheep are surprisingly nimble and impossible to catch on foot so he/she spent the afternoon throwing and dodging hardened sheep manure instead?

When I was 13 and my older brother was 16 we spent a month in Scotland and several weeks in England when my father did a pulpit exchange with a Scottish pastor. While visiting the Isle of Iona we lost interest in the history and turned out attention to the sheep...