Alyra: When We Finally Wake Up

Has there ever been a time when suddenly, you saw your life's situation in a whole new light?

Princess stopped in a shaft of light and spun around, arms outstretched... ah freedom!

 
Going to share something about myself, that might have inspired this whole story. 
I'd left high school and fell into a big mess with my life. And I swear, one day I just woke up to where I landed. I was doing all these stupid things, yes drugs were involved and other dumb stuff. And in all seriousness, I heard, "What do you think you're doing?"

I couldn't answer right away.  However, I knew I was screwing up and I needed to get out of my situation.

And I did.

I managed to break free of the hold drugs were starting to have on me. I did a drastic life change. Most important, I ran back for my home. Not the place where my mother lived. Not that home. I ran back to God. So I suppose, Alyra's journey home is, in a way, the journey I've experienced over time as I've worked my way back into the Kingdom of God.

Along the way, I've met friends and mentors who've helped and sorta-but-not-really helped. You really do need to watch out for the Beasties. I've stepped off the path many, many times. Many times. And I've run for the safe places with the enemy on my tail and have found sanctuary there.

Maybe this started out being inspired by things I've experience. Aren't all stories?  But I can't help but think, that anyone who has found themselves in a dark place might find encouragement in Alyra's tale. She's like any of us who've made mistakes, then realized, there's a better place we can be and we need to run, run, run as fast as we can to get back there.


So, here's a biographical sketch of Alyra and a few tid-bits of info for anyone who's interested:
 
Alyra of Bellavita. 
(Known as Princess in Racah and for the first part of book 1)
Age: 17 in first book, and 18 in second.
Eyes: golden brown
Hair: reddish-brown and wavy.
(I added the red for her fiery personality she can have at times.)
Height: 5'6"


WHAT IS SOMETHING THIS CHARACTER WANTS?
Freedom. (Book 1)
To prove that she is worth the trouble. (Book 2)
To learn to trust again. (Book 3)
To stop running and stand firm for what she wants.(Book 4)

CHARACTER TALENTS:
Illuminate or Light Bearer.
She is one of a very few remaining with this ability.
Lord Darnel has pretty much killed off any Illuminates he's found, except this one. He's kept her so he can control the prophecy. So he thinks.

MEDALLION:
A flame burst

 

Actress Chloe Grace Moretz as Alyra

 IN BOOK ONE

Alyra (Aly) starts off appearing quite immature and incapable of doing anything for herself. She's been sheltered all her life in a castle, with few people she could call friends. Actually, she isn't even sure what friendship and love really mean.

Over the course of the next few books, Aly will grow in both maturity and self-confidence. You'll have to read the stories to see how that happens. =)

Here's a picture of Aly that one of my readers found. I think, if the hair was a bit darker, she'd have a pretty good match.

You can find more White Chronicles pictures on my Pinterest board.




Alyra's Song
Every important character has a specific song. What's strange about Aly's song and Katy Perry's video "Wide Awake" is that I wrote the strawberry scene years ago. I have no idea why Katy holds the strawberry, except that let's face it, they're yummy, and tempting. However, when I saw this video, I was like... "whoa!"
lol.

 

Feeling like your surrounded by darkness? Or your life just isn't what you would hope? Wake Up! Honestly, wake up and take a look around. Nobody is completely stuck. Start off by deciding how you do want your life to be. Then ask for help. You don't have to journey alone. You don't. Yes, prayer is a good start. But God also puts his children in strategic places to help weary travelers on their journey. I wouldn't say this if I hadn't experienced this myself. Find others to journey with. Talk about your struggles and what you need.

If you seek, you will find. That's a promise God gives all of us. He never goes back on a promise. Never.

If you want to read more, check out Illuminated The White Road Chronicles at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. 

Illuminated retains 5 stars on Amazon.

One reviewer said:
"Vivid descriptions of the magical creatures and places on the journey delight and keep the reader spellbound. ”

The Road of Your Dreams vs. The Road of Practicality

For some reason, as I was skimming through facebook working this morning a memory hit me. And since I needed something to write about anyway, I decided to share it with you. I think it's important. Especially if you are now where I was then.

The memory flashed in my mind of me sitting in vocational class way, way... way... back when I was in High School. Let's just not worry about how far back it was. Not so far I can't still remember what happened. Okay?

Anyway, I was sitting in this class watching a video (yes, they had them back then) of possible careers we could venture into. Careers that would keep us from flipping burgers, or in my case, spinning pizzas.

What I really, really wanted to do was go to college. But I'd grown up in a single-parent welfare family. College was out of the question. I was a senior and knew I needed to figure something out and quick.
So I sat there, watching the lady talk about various careers that only required a technical school to get a license. A career would be better than jumping out there into the hodgepodge of low paying jobs available to high schoolers. 

With chin propped on my fist, I remember thinking, "What am I meant to do? How will I support myself when I'm done here?"

And on the screen flashed Cosmetologist. My head snapped up, as a bubbling excitement sizzled in my chest. I had a cousin who went into that field. I remembered how excited she'd been after passing her test and getting her license. We'd all celebrated with her as she painted our nails, fixed hair and laughed. A lot of laughter. Last I'd heard, she'd stuck with it and enjoyed her works.

A reassuring peace settled on me. It wasn't what I really wanted for my life, but I knew it was the first step of getting out on my own. I could have a career. That was a start.

From there, one thing led to another. I didn't stay a hairstylist for too long. Perhaps six years or so, before I felt my path making another turn toward a different occupation.

Oh, and the college dream? I got that. When the time was perfect. And just when I thought it would never happen, God made a way. I attended. I came out owing a miniscule loan. The majority was paid for by grants. How about that? And I now have a degree that I use... well with my writing and when I help people. My degree is in rehabilitation counseling which gives me the knowledge needed to help people overcome obstacles and live the best life they can.

Something I can use on a daily basis.
Despite the many paths, I've used the knowledge gained in my writing.

Illuminated is all about finding the road that will lead you to your life dreams. The next book will be about using the talents you've been given to make the world a better place. That's the basic premise behind a story filled with dragons, centaurs, a quest and finding love. Oh, and so much more.

I don't know if what I'm doing is my final path. Perhaps eventually the road will turn again and head in another direction. My story is far from over.

So is yours. Don't worry if the path you're on isn't really your life dream. Keep asking the Dream-giver for direction. Keep following the open paths He lays out for you. You'll get there. I did.

Sometimes, we start with the practical roads before we can step into our real dreams. Don't lose heart. Just keep walking.

Are You up for the Journey?