Christine Smith

The Silmaril Awards 2019 Nominations: Least Competent Henchman

Post published:September 2, 2019
Post category:Reading
Post comments:87 Comments

NOMINATIONS CLOSED! Come back Monday (Sept. 9) to see and vote for the top 5 nominees! I have some super, ultra, ubertastic, frabjous newssss! I HAVE JOINED THE SILMARIL AWARDS TEAM. Annnnd, as of today, The Silmaril Awards have BEGUN! *cheers and fanfare* Alrighty, let me back up for just a sec because you may be tilting your head thinking, “What???” What are The Silmaril Awards? Back in 2016, Jenelle Schmidt and DJ Edwardson, being the brilliant, magical wizards they are, created a new type of awards ceremony. Not one for the best actors, singers, dancers, sports players,…

{Book Review} Deadwood (Crockett and Crane #2) by Kyle Robert Shultz

Post published:August 26, 2019
Post category:Reading
Post comments:20 Comments

Synopsis It’s not the people in this town you have to watch out for. It’s the buildings. Monster hunter and part-time centaur Todd Crane didn’t ask to be sheriff of Deadwood. For one thing, he’s never had an easy time staying on the right side of the law. For another, he’s too busy trying to find a dangerous sorcerer who nearly destroyed the United States of Neverica. But some men—and centaurs—have greatness thrust upon them. Not only is Todd the reluctant defender of the peace in Deadwood, he’s the only one who can thwart the schemes of a powerful…

Frogs and Bears Make Great Boyfriends {A Short Story}

Post published:August 19, 2019
Post category:Prompts Writing
Post comments:25 Comments

It is time for the fourth addition of my ongoing “Faylinn” short stories—a series of short stories inspired by Fairy Tale Central's featured fairy tale! For Newcomers: Each month Arielle posts a prompt on her writing blog that goes along with FTC’s featured fairy tale. I’ve been writing prompts for it of a continuing story about a wingless fairy and banished prince, Raylinn and Finn, or “Faylinn” as is their designated ship name. The Previous Stories: Deal or No Deal (A Rumpelstiltskin-inspired story and the first introduction to these characters) Let Down Your Hair? (A Rapunzel-inspired story) It Ain't Easy…

Realm Makers 2019 Recap

Post published:August 12, 2019
Post category:Life
Post comments:34 Comments

It is at last Realm Makers 2019 recap tiiiime! A little later than I meant, but I am here now and SO ready to tell you guys all about the writers conference! Because WHEW. What a magical weekend. If you don’t know, Realm Makers is an annual speculative fiction Christian writers conference (try saying that 5 times fast) and the BEST writers conference out there. (Okay, I’ve never been to any others, but I just know.) I went for the first time last year, and was so beyond ecstatic I got to go a second time. (Especially since I probably…

{Book Review} Spindle Dreams by Kirsten Fichter

Post published:August 5, 2019
Post category:Reading
Post comments:16 Comments

Synopsis Marita Kadlec is the only daughter of Rohesia's poorest – and laziest – weaver. Her father prefers to spend his days gambling in the tavern, leaving the spinning up to Marita. She hates the family business because she's constantly pricking her finger on the spindle. She'd much rather be tinkering on an invention that she hasn't had the courage to show anyone yet. A special invention that will rid her of spinning for the rest of her life. Felix is a young nobleman plagued with the same nightmare – a giant machine, twisting and clanking, shrouded in fire,…

{COVER REVEAL} Spindle Dreams by Kirsten Fichter

Post published:August 1, 2019
Post category:Reading
Post comments:20 Comments

Hello, my lovely elflings! Happy August! GUESS WHO HAS RETURNED??? On a random Thursday, I know, but I have something special to show you today! My goodness, it feels like it’s been an age and a half since I’ve last blogged. July was both insanely fast and yet felt like a lifetime. I DON’T EVEN KNOW. But I am easing (and by that I mean crashing awkwardly) back into blogging and social media and all that goodness. In case you’re wondering, yes I DO have a Realm Makers recap post coming. And yes, it WAS magical and fabulous and I…

July Hiatus Notice + Fairy Tale-ish Announcements

Post published:July 1, 2019
Post category:Life Reading
Post comments:28 Comments

SO. Apparently it’s JULY. (Hooowwww???) Today I have a couple of exciting fairy tale-related news to share. Buuut also if the title didn’t give it away… I’m going on a hiatus for this month. Why am I going on hiatus when I literally did this already through all of March? Wellll, this just happens to be REALM MAKERS MONTH. As in the writers conference I’m going to later this month (*screeches*). And, frankly, life has been craaaaazy lately. Due to sickness and friends coming out of town to visit and balancing two blogs now, I haven’t had as much time…

It Ain’t Easy Having a Genie {An Aladdin Short Story}

Post published:June 24, 2019
Post category:Prompts Writing
Post comments:29 Comments

It’s short story tiiime. Raylinn and Finn return! Or “Faylinn” as is their official ship name. I absolutely love that I’m at the point where people are asking for a ship name. I always feel like my story has peaked when that happens. XD For any newcomers: Each month over on the blog I co-author, Fairy Tale Central, we feature a specific fairy tale. To go along with it, Arielle posts a writing prompt over at her writing blog for anyone to participate in! I’ve been using the same characters for my prompts. Each story is more or less a…

Backward – A Flash Fiction Piece Published at Havok

Post published:June 20, 2019
Post category:Uncategorized
Post comments:10 Comments

I’m popping in real quick on this not-Monday to let you guys know I have another story published over at Havok.com today! This flash fiction piece features a very peculiar pair of boots but that’s all I’m saying. *smile, smile* CHECK IT OUT HERE! IMPORTANT: It will only be available on the site to read today (June 20th) unless you’re a Havok member. Also, can I just give you all a big hug! YOU GUYS ARE SO SUPPORTIVE. My last piece on Havok, At Your Service, got the most votes (or tied with another story, I think) out of all…

{Book Review} Not Write Now by Kyle Robert Shultz

Post published:June 17, 2019
Post category:Reading Writing
Post comments:19 Comments

SYNOPSIS You’ve read all the self-publishing pep talks. Your book still isn’t published. Or finished. So why not try a different approach? Not Write Now isn’t like any book on writing you’ve read before. It won’t tell you to get your hiney in the chair and write. It will tell you to do the exact opposite. Acclaimed fantasy author Kyle Robert Shultz launches a reverse-psychology attack on your creative blocks that will leave you more eager and determined to write than ever. And he'll give you plenty of laughs along the way. This may not be the creativity book…