I've Moved!

https://cadimurphy.wixsite.com/cadimurphy

I'm so excited to announce that I have moved to my very own website, which includes a blog devoted to my current project. If you are reading this... wow, you've been around a long time! I would be honored if you would visit me on my new site here. Also, please continue following my writing journey at my new blog, Monsters Dwell Here. Thank you for your support and encouragement!

Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST

Letter from a Vampire

What would a vampire say to a Christian? In the tradition of Screwtape, I explore this question through the letter below.

To be honest, this idea came at the perfect time for me. Life has thrown me a few curveballs recently. I confess that I tend to dwell on my fears and regrets, which only ends in despair. As I wrote this letter, I found myself confronting my own dark thoughts with the light of my Savior's love.

My hope is that you will be encouraged, like I was. If you are in a critiquing mood, I accept feedback.

Post Tenebras Lux!

-ST

Children of the Light,

I am abhorred by your existence. You drip with a holy blood, shed by sacrifice. This blood covers your stains, a desecration of all that is earthly and natural. Any human would choose to devour a real apple rather than a wax apple; as you would reject wax fruit, I reject the holy blood you so cherish. Above all, I reject the source of this blood. 

If I am unnatural, He is even more. He prefers giving over stealing, as if taking from another to feed yourself is not the highest pleasure! He would expel darkness rather than be shrouded by it. Worst of all, He rose from the grave in the most disgusting way imaginable. I shiver to think of how alive He was on that third day.

And you are just the same as He. You and I are exact opposites. Just as the day and night will forever dance around the globe, so we shall be eternally separate. You are a warm sun driving away every shadow. I am the gnawing wind in the bitter watches. You will never understand me and I will never be able to fathom you. 

Even so, I cannot ignore our similarities. We both live forever after death -- though you have a distinct advantage over me because you need not fear Van Helsing's stake. We offer a path to immortality to others, that they may join us in eternity. Blood is life for both of us -- and here I have the advantage because His blood is inferior, as I have already stated. Additionally, we both have connections to the supernatural realm.

I have powers you could never hope to possess, however, I would gladly trade them for a taste of the power you have access to. Do not misunderstand; I have no wish to commune with Him, but He does tip the balance in your favor. Should you ever discover the strength that is within your grasp, well... . That is what fear is for, of course. 

You bend so nicely to fear. You allow it to paralyze you, letting it eclipse your faith. Just ask that vermin Peter how fear can draw your eyes away from faith, even as you stand on the surface of the water. Yes, fear may be my only spiritual advantage, but it is an effective one. 

Fear cripples. It weakens from the inside out, leaching away every noble intention. Little by little, over a lifetime, it blinds you to this one truth: possibility. Because your heart still beats, there is hope. Anything is possible. 

I have no possibilities before me, no change to look forward to. My future is as dark as my present. So wonderfully dark! I am content with the monotony of sleeping and eating. I have no reason to fear because I have no hope. My only dread is that I may be discovered and ended, but that is a morbid expectation rather than fear. I will put off my doom as long as possible.

You will never know the peace that comes from being undead. I serve no one, except the lusts that drive me and give me purpose. You are enslaved by a more cruel master. He leaves you to wade through life alone. Well, He never really abandons you, but don't you often feel alone? I, on the other hand, embrace loneliness. I am unaffected by it and all other human emotions. 

If your Savior really cared for you, wouldn't He rescue you from all your hardships? Wouldn't He make you more like me -- an uncaring and contented creature? Yet you continue to follow Him. You continue to believe that the journey of your life has some meaning and value, that your struggles will lead to something better. You trust Him. 

This, Children of the Light, is what is wrong with all of you. Your faith has made you unfit for this earth. As a whole, you are deplorable. I wish you all the most horrendous death. I would see to it myself, but I cannot bear anything that has to do with His cross. 

Vehemently, 

A Child of the Night

When You Fall Off the Horse

     It has been over two months since I wrote a word in Flight. What happened?

     What always happens: life. 

     Ok, well, that's what I'd like to think. Sure, my schedule has been hectic, but it's always crazy over here. If I'm really honest, it comes down to this: I'm a procrastinator. I got half-way through the manuscript, started doubting everything, became discouraged, and let my fear drive me away from writing.

     It's the same old story.

     So I didn't finish in January like I wanted to. I fell off the horse, but I refuse to stay here.

     I'm going to start fresh, get back up on this horse. I'm going to finish this draft (Oh Lord, help me; I'm only on the first draft!) and I'm going to quit putting it off. It might be slow going, but it's better than not finishing at all.

     Keep an eye on the Facebook page for detailed updates.

Post Tenebras Lux! 
-ST

          

Flight Character Roll Call

     Today, I am gathering the bits and hints about the characters of Flight in one post. Why? Because I haven't written anything since Nanowrimo, and I need some kind of kick in the pants. This story is halfway done. I need to get over the crest of this hill. So, I hope a peek at the main cast will make you want to meet them and make me want to continue writing them. They are pretty cool.

     1. "Phoenix"

          This is the main character. That's all I've revealed so far. My sister wonders if this is a mythological creature; I tell you this so you won't feel alone as I continue to evade that question. 

 2. Benjamin

          This guy does not relinquish his secrets easily. I blame most of my struggles over Flight's plot on him. Very rarely do I get a clear look at his past and what his present goal is. That excites me, because I get to uncover secrets as I write, but it also worries me because I wonder if I'll be able to figure it out before the end of the story. Much of Flight hangs on him, so we'll see how this goes. He's also extremely sassy. I accidentally slipped his last name (which I apologetically stole from a real couple I know) on my Facebook page during Nanowrimo.

     3. Mrs. Highland

          This little old lady was inspired by my grandmother and other elderly relatives. She started out as an add-in to this story, just because old ladies rarely ever play a part in Spec-Fic, but she has grown into a vital character. I've described her relationship with Benjamin as "awkward" and you will get no further definition at this time. 

     4. "Nerd boy"

          I haven't yet revealed this character's name, but I will show you what helped inspire his personality traits and physical features:

I'm told this awesome picture was crafted by this artist: http://punziella.tumblr.com

          Yup. He basically looks like hipster Hiccup. My nerd boy's hair is a bit darker in color, and he's a few years older than Hiccup in this picture.

     5. Mr. Eden

          Oh, Eden. He's another rebellious character. I love him, but he has his own ideas. He pushes me to figure out new plot lines. Look, see?

     

     Also, he's apparently a pilot? Yeah, didn't see that one coming. 

     Those are all the significant characters I have mentioned so far. There are others in the story, but I will save them for a later time. Flight is, after all, still top-secret. Or something like that.

Yeah, none of the characters I mentioned today have a goatee. ;P

Post Tenbras Lux! 

-ST

Nanowrimo 2015 Summary

     I wanted to write 25,000 words in November, but I failed.

     I only wrote 16,908 words. That's a little over half-way there. 

     Actually, I'm ok with this. November turned out to be a lot crazier than I expected. Come to think of it, life in general turned out to be a lot crazier than I expected. Hm.  

     Anyway, guess what else is half-way there? Yup, Flight! Right now the word count stands at about 28,000 words. 

     It's easy to get discouraged these days. I'm ONLY half-way done, and I KNOW stuff is still missing. I waver between wanting to share this awesome story right now and being convinced that it's not worth the effort I'm giving it. So please pray for me. And if you have any words of encouragement, I sure could use them now. Kamsamnida. 

     On the flip side, thank you to everyone who followed my progress this past month. You guys are awesome!

Post Tenebras Lux!

-ST