A stomach bug was plaguing me when I picked-up Turtles All The Way Down, so the first pages were a bit of a rough start. But I managed to push through, overcome my nausea and excessive sweatiness, and read. This is another book I won't let my kids read until they are a little older (swearing … Continue reading Turtles All the Way Down, by John Green
Author: vanessafowler
On turning forty!
This past week, I felt myself tear up a few times - I guess I was anxious or whatever - but, I don't feel at all bad now. Turning forty has been pretty super special. On marriage: Max and I have been married almost 15 years. We've certainly gone through some rough patches, but we … Continue reading On turning forty!
National Suicide Prevention Week, 9/10-9/16
This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, and it's been both challenging and beautiful. Challenging: just barely even teenagers, yet so many young people are hurting. already. Did you know that suicide is the second leading cause of death among those 10 to 24 years old? Chances are, you know someone who desperately needs encouragement. … Continue reading National Suicide Prevention Week, 9/10-9/16
Draft of Chapter One, now open for feedback : )
Okay... I'm putting myself out there now. If you'd like to read the current draft of the first chapter (four pages) of Mirror of Sparrows, then click the link below. I just reread it and found a funny spelling mistake. See if you can find it, too : ) https://ellenbrockediting.com/mirror-of-sparrows-3/ It would really bless me … Continue reading Draft of Chapter One, now open for feedback : )
Writing by grace and prayer
I've given it everything I have, and I'm not sure where to find what I lack. I feel not energetic enough. Not creative enough. Not insightful enough. Not intelligent enough. Not able, enough. I only can give what I can give. I only am who I am.
Friendships and mess-ups
In every friendship, there are mess-ups. People are inconsiderate, maybe even rude, hurtful, and selfish. And if a friendship has hiccups, which is inevitable, our instincts often want us to be done with that relationship. Crazy right? But frequently true. It's easy to throw in the towel. God has been teaching me about being a … Continue reading Friendships and mess-ups
a letter to young persons with a dream
My friend's daughter has a dream, and I have been thinking about how to encourage her, because dreams are precious and they are too easily lost. I ended up writing her a letter, and I'm going to share it here. I hope that it's worthwhile reading for any young person with a dream.
Mirror of Sparrows, update
Progress on Mirror of Sparrows has been slow, but the story is moving along: The outline is settled, up to the first plot point: this book is going to be on the long side. The first plot point was originally going to be the midpoint, but there is more story to tell. My main characters … Continue reading Mirror of Sparrows, update
Cruz and a Hobbit birthday party
My son, Cruz, asked if he could have a Hobbit themed birthday party. Of course, I love the idea, but where to even begin... ...at the beginning, I guess! So, here is why I like the beginning of the Hobbit so much: Bilbo is content. He lives in a beautiful Hobbit hole (but it's a hole … Continue reading Cruz and a Hobbit birthday party
A writers’ retreat at Makapala, Big Island
Our dear friends, Jared and Tiana, invited me to do a writers' retreat in Makapala, Kohala, Big Island.
