tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320419720692401222024-03-17T22:04:37.240-05:00manillesThe official blog of author Melanie Nilles / M.A. Nilles.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-47396052744341859762024-03-17T14:12:00.003-05:002024-03-17T14:12:39.387-05:00T-minus 0.... GHOSTS has been publishedIt's done! GHOSTS is published.I'm freaking out now because I'm sure I could find more to edit, but I'll always find something to tweak. At some point, you just have to say it's done. One can only do so much before over-editing takes away from the story, in which case it loses that unique voice.This story definitely has it's own voice. It's an exploration of Seska's past and things that have beenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-45462986923165205262024-03-14T19:16:00.006-05:002024-03-14T20:56:04.630-05:00The Blessed Virgin Mary calls all to her Divine Son, Jesus ChristIn 1531, Our Lady of Guadalupe transformed the world. Because of her appearance to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill, in ten years, over TEN MILLION Aztecs converted from their blood-thirsty human-sacrifices to the one true living God of mercy and love. Our Lady's request to (Saint) Juan Diego brought about the end of a murderous cult.She can do it again.Join Cardinal Raymond Burke's nine-month novena Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-5481082250770628262024-03-11T20:38:00.007-05:002024-03-12T10:43:45.129-05:00Whee!New computer arrived. I set it up fresh instead of using the Migration Assistant (which would perpetuate some issues with fonts in Adobe Creative Cloud apps). Then, I put it to the test... The After Effects file that took 2 HOURS to render on the old MacBook Pro (Intel 2.3 MHz i9 processor and 16 GB RAM) and had it running hot took only 20 MINUTES on the new Mac Studio (M2 Max with 64 GB RAM) andUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-10124764620727042272024-03-07T19:27:00.007-06:002024-03-10T15:13:03.836-05:00a story of the horrors of hellI'm working, I swear, but I keep coming across great videos like this that distract me. The latest round of edits on Book 16 are making great progress, and I expect to finish edits by the end of next week. I had a few more changes I hadn't expected that will require one final copyedit pass.I can't ignore this but must spread the warning. The warning in this video is chilling. 😱The only way to Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-55106893222644816232024-03-04T13:13:00.038-06:002024-03-04T16:47:51.023-06:00The Bible is real historyFor many years, I worked for someone who would disparage the Bible and my Christian faith, an avowed atheist. I suspect a part of him knew it was true, but he was mislead by mainstream media (which is anti-Christian (or what could be referred to as coming from Satan)). He was a liberal removed from the faith of his birth by the lies of MSM.I had no argument then for him, but in the years since Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-57256670994267580942024-03-03T16:16:00.005-06:002024-03-03T21:12:15.871-06:00exciting stuff planned... a few updatesI'm still working on edits for Book 16. I hope to be in the last big round of edits. It's pretty good overall, but needs just a bit more refinement.The delay is due to a variety of issues. One of them is my age. I'm in that stage of crushing fatigue during the day and sleep disruptions at night. Mornings are good to a point, but without black tea, I'm doomed by noon. Not even a Dr. Pepper can Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-44163498889411783712024-03-02T19:53:00.005-06:002024-03-02T19:53:39.840-06:00Modesty in SpeechFr. Chad Ripperger has some great lectures, including some that are not focused entirely on religious matters. This is one that we can all apply to our lives.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-4177039352066609372024-02-24T12:52:00.006-06:002024-02-24T12:52:53.573-06:00Amazing true story! the power of prayer Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-88956483302208376442024-02-11T12:00:00.029-06:002024-02-11T14:08:55.819-06:00updates - books, indoor garden, and catsI don't have much of a writing update today. I'm still working on edits of Book 16. It's going more slowly than I hoped, which is why I've at least temporarily deactivated my X account (and maybe permanently). So, I thought I'd add something different about what's been happening lately.First, I've just uploaded a revision of A NEW BEGINNING. It now includes a note about the [ ] and { } indicatorsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-55990498582516864192024-02-10T10:45:00.002-06:002024-02-10T10:45:21.207-06:00Why discipline in life is importantFr. Ripperger always has good lectures, and you don't have to be Catholic to appreciate many of them. This is one that applies to everyone. He offers great insights into bettering your life.What is Laziness, Sloth, & Workaholicism & Their Dangers ~ Fr. RippergerUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-27606188654211067202024-01-25T17:58:00.007-06:002024-01-25T18:08:29.340-06:00Cover reveal - SINS OF THE FATHERThere's a good reason for the title, but you'll have to wait to find out. Your suspicions are probably close, however.I finished the first draft a few days ago and have been enjoying a first read-through. It was a struggle to write, but because of that, I really had to buckle down and think about things. So far, so good when it comes to writing struggles. These tend to be some of the best books (Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-56098877595132686102024-01-20T11:59:00.004-06:002024-01-20T12:00:39.564-06:00update and a questionSINS OF THE FATHERIt's taken longer than expected, but I only have the final scene to write on Book 18, and can then move on. On the other hand, I might even leave it until after edits on Book 16, like I've done with others. What's left is that stinger outside of the main action of the story. I've had those in most of the books to add a series depth where it wouldn't otherwise fit into the main Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-64559974564896253192024-01-11T18:20:00.000-06:002024-01-11T18:20:44.390-06:00Progress on book 18 - the homestretchIt's so close now to being finished. I had a couple of very good writing days recently and Book 18 is presently about 41,500 words and should be finished around 45K words.I've had to resolve some small plot holes, but that's always part of the writing process. As things get sorted out, the story gets better and better. I didn't have this planned out the way I should have, but it's turning out Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-52359990992133950492024-01-06T17:49:00.004-06:002024-01-07T09:57:41.784-06:00A devotion that will change your lifeI have a revelation for many who love to hate on the mother of Jesus.Guess what? The Hail Mary is in the Bible! EVERY. SINGLE. LINE! It is Biblical!Stop! If you're fuming, tell Satan to take a hike and keep reading. Don't listen to his anger and pride and envy against the Mother of Jesus. Hear me out.Line 1:Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee."And coming to her, he said, 'Hail, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-44751738738716838282023-12-31T10:44:00.007-06:002024-01-01T09:54:26.127-06:002024 writing/publishing goalsID46382843© Vladimir Sazonov|Dreamstime.comIt's that time of year, time for resolutions!I have many personal goals, but you're probably more interested, dear readers, in my books, so I'll keep this concise.I am presently writing Book 18, SINS OF THE FATHER. The word count is at 34,000, and I have the final events to write yet. It will easily pass the 40K mark. Depending on how I care to Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-57858616431218334072023-12-22T17:11:00.005-06:002023-12-22T17:21:11.588-06:00Writing trialsI got stuck.This happens a lot more than most writers will admit. Usually, we don't get mired hip deep in impassible muck into which we've written ourselves, but it happens on occasion. It happened to me writing Book 18 of Forgotten Worlds. After thinking about what was happening, I realized that I had a plot hole I could spin a planet through, to my chagrin.It's not as bad as Ghosts was, where IUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-49808731058083977092023-12-17T17:53:00.001-06:002023-12-17T17:53:37.341-06:00One-line prayersI was inspired by a video (below) to share these simple one-line prayers that are easy to say when you need them. These are simple prayers that you can repeat over and over to great effect in your life. If you can't remember any other prayers, keep these in mind.Note: "To pray" means "to ask". (It is NOT worship.) You are asking, making a request. Requesting the Lord's mercy or the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-43260679876528161152023-12-16T19:10:00.002-06:002023-12-16T19:10:42.658-06:00Origins of the Christmas TreeFrom the story of St. Boniface and the Christmas Tree:From his missionary travels, Boniface knew that in winter the inhabitants of the village of Geismar gathered around a huge old oak tree (known as the “Thunder Oak”) dedicated to the god Thor. This annual event of worship centered on sacrificing a human, usually a small child, to the pagan god. Boniface desired to convert the village by Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-46929798526553765312023-12-10T11:20:00.005-06:002023-12-10T12:10:16.883-06:00Writing update and catsI'm still here, but I've been busy and haven't had much to say, except maybe on X/Twitter. I don't post much there either, however. I just don't feel the need to say much.But I'm writing. Forgotten Worlds book 18 is moving along at a decent pace, but it's definitely not quite what I expected. I have over 24,000 words so far, so past the halfway point. It is a tricky one to write because of the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-85338551961508009392023-11-22T13:30:00.000-06:002023-11-22T13:30:10.268-06:00Checking in (writing update)It's been a bit over a week since my last writing check in. I've had some great days of writing in the last week and Book 18 of Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds is growing.Before I even get started writing today, it's currently at 13,500 words. Nine days ago it was at 9,000 words, so I've averaged 500 words a day, although most of that was in the last five days. Last week, I was stumbling about Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-19814180569872186842023-11-18T18:35:00.014-06:002023-11-18T19:19:56.665-06:00It's a Beautiful Day!This was probably the last nice day we would have for a while. I was determined to get out to spend time with my horse (still have him, going on 8 years). I've had so much trouble getting out to see him this year that half the summer, it was three times a month if I was lucky. If I can get out once a week, I'm doing pretty good (although I would like to see him more often).Because of the busynessUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-87395226426691655872023-11-16T17:28:00.006-06:002023-11-17T14:20:33.239-06:00Conversion stories and miraclesAre you missing out on true love?Do you harbor hate in your heart?Do you want to be happy but something keeps dragging you down?You have a mother who loves you. These are some amazing stories of our Blessed Virgin Mother's incredible transformation of lives. Real stories, not fiction. I share these because she has ignited in me a love deeper for Our Lord than anything I have ever realized was Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-40026513045136115392023-11-13T20:40:00.002-06:002023-11-13T20:40:09.929-06:00Writing updateI'll keep this brief.I've had some great writing days on Book 18 of Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds. I currently have four chapters totaling over 9,000 words.Once I finish Book 18, I'll edit Book 16 for publishing. Right now, it's looking like February 2024, but we'll see how everything goes. My autoimmunities sometimes get the best of me, which can slow my writing, but I'm taking that into Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-23284164707444850972023-11-07T23:41:00.005-06:002023-11-09T07:13:19.609-06:00Creating animated imagesI worked on it all night and am not fully satisfied, but it is a pretty cool thing to make a still image into an animated gif. I had to watch a short video, but overall the general method was easy in Photoshop. It was getting things to flow even this well that took several hours. And I still didn't get it to flow smoothly. Then the file was too big but I finally figured out how to make it a smallUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132041972069240122.post-39001889602419465942023-11-06T13:55:00.006-06:002023-11-06T17:55:35.556-06:00Attack of the haters - the rage mob hits my bookThe day has come. My book A NEW BEGINNING has been targeted on Amazon by 1-star bombing for some reason... or Amazon has had a major glitch. 30 1-star ratings in one day (154 to 184 ratings jump since this morning)?! That looks like an attack, a ratings bombing.I don't know what I can do when my book is sinking from 4+ stars to 3.5 presently on Amazon.It won't stop me from writing, but it is Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0