Emily Rachelle Writes

Check out the details on the book I was working on for Camp NaNo. My word count goal: 50,000 Necessary words per day to reach that goal: 1,667 My total: 20,767 Average words written per day: Not nearly enough. (It's a bit embarrassing.)

Rapunzel Slumber Party {Favors} Theme: Disney's Tangled;  Guest list: Girls, ages 2-8 Rosebud Hairbands What you'll need: Green felt, pink or red or other flower-color felt, cloth ribbons, hairbands, hot glue gun and sticks What to do:  Cut a sort of very pointy heart shape to resemble two leaves, one shape per hairband.  (I free-handed it.)  Then cut two long, thin strips of your flower-color felt.  Gluing as you go, roll these up to resemble roses.  Then glue them side by side onto a leaf shape. Cut two equal lengths of the same ribbon and fold the ends close to each other around a hairband, gluing in place.  Then glue the back of the leaf shape on the hairband and ribbons, where the ribbons are attached to the hairband. Pascal Party Blowers What you'll need: Pascal party blower template ; green foam for normal face, red for angry, and blue for sad; White and yellow foam for eyes; Sharpie; hot glue gun and sti...

Trafficking Myths (from the FBI's human trafficking prevention page ) "Myth: Trafficking must involve the crossing of borders. Fact: Despite the use of the word “trafficking,” victims can actually be held within their own country—anti-trafficking laws don’t require that victims must have traveled from somewhere else. Myth: U.S. citizens can’t be trafficked. Fact: They can and they are. Myth: Victims know what they are getting into or have chances to escape. Fact: They’re actually duped into it and may not even think of escaping because of threats against them or ignorance of the law. Myth: Victims are never paid. Fact: Sometimes they are paid, but not very much. Myth: Victims never have freedom of movement. Fact: Some victims can move about, but are coerced into always returning, perhaps with a threat against their families back home." The same page offers tips for identifying human trafficking victims - which could be of any age and nationality...

Update: Since writing this post, I've discovered a website called Slavery Footprint that lets everyday people take up the fight against modern-day slavery.   Check it out today! Yesterday, I posted a review on a little book called Rescuing Hope   by Susan Norris .  While all of the below information can be found on her website and in the back of that book, I felt like I should share some organizations you can join with to fight human trafficking.  I am trusting Susan Norris here and cannot personally vouch for all the links.  This is a sensitive and gritty subject, so browse with caution. I highly recommend that anyone interested in educating themselves on or taking action against human trafficking start by reading Susan's book, Rescuing Hope .

To my younger readers, please note that this book and therefore this review is considered PG-13 and should be read with caution and parental guidance. Rescuing Hope by Susan Norris Hope is as familiar as the girl next door.  Like any young girl, she has dreams for her future, none of which include being trafficked. Amazon Page GoodReads Page LibraryThing Page Author Website Amazon Summary: Every two minutes, evil strips innocence from a child and sells her into slavery for sex. Not in a third-world country, but in the United States of America. Before you take another breath, the next victim will be tricked or taken from her family by a profit-hungry criminal.  She could be a neighbor. A friend. Your sister. Your daughter. You. At fourteen, Hope Ellis is the all-American girl with a good life—until the day she tries to help her mom with their cross-town move by supervising the movers. When they finish, one of the men returns to the house and rapes her. He...

Rapunzel Slumber Party {Activities} Theme: Disney's Tangled; Guest list: Girls, ages 2-8 Pin the Pan on Flynn What you'll need: a blindfold, Flynn Rider Wanter Poster (found here ), frying pan cutouts (I printed wallet-size shopping images off the internet and cut around them), tape (preferably double-sided) or sticky tack

This year, my lovely readers, many of you have watched as I set out on a brand new journey: OneWord365 .  I picked one word - dream - to focus on and live out for all of 2013 in place of New Years' resolutions, which often make us discouraged or overwhelmed. I posted all sorts of things at first -  What To Do With Your One Word ,  My OneWord365 Journal ,  Why I Love OneWord365 ,  How To Keep Your Word Alive , and lots more .   I've been thoroughly enjoying this new approach to life! But even with this streamlined method of changing our lives and bettering ourselves, I've discovered there's still room for failure.

Cover Image: Again created by the amazing Ruth Ackiv! Description: Kaimalie hates her new life as the rich kid, so when she meets a real mermaid, she jumps at the chance to trade feet for fins.

Have any of you, my lovely readers, heard of the INSPY awards?  They're awards given to one book each in five categories every year.  INSPY is short for "inspirational," and is focused on finding good quality, faith-driven fiction.  The five categories include romance, young adult, general fiction, speculative fiction, and mystery & thriller.  Each category has three judges, and yours truly is one of the Literature for Young Adults judges this year ! I'm so honored and excited to be a part of this.  You can read more about the INSPY awards at the website,  http://inspys.com/   Today the short-list novels - five books in each category that are 'competing' for the award - will be announced!

Those of my lovely readers who have been here for a while might remember the days I would post about abortion .  I haven't done so in a long time, mostly because I really didn't have anything new to say.   The facts haven't changed .   My opinions haven't changed .  The best ways to help this war - and it is a war - haven't changed. This week, I found out about something that's been going on for a while - and yet has somehow managed to bypass every major news outlet. Heard of Kermit Goswell?  I did, vaguely, a while back when this whole trial business started.  I didn't know then what I learned this week.  This man - this monster - is the abortionist behind the House of Horrors.  The  news article I read stated, "accusations of babies having their heads severed — a major human rights story if there ever was one — doesn't make the cut. [of being on the front page] You don't have to oppose abortion rights to find late-term abortion abho...

Rapunzel Slumber Party {Decor} Theme: Disney's Tangled;  Guest list: Girls, ages 2-8 Paper Lanterns What you'll need:  Scrapbook paper, scissors, glue or double-sided tape, craft wire, pen or pencil

Feel free to drop by and check out the Pinterest board for this book .  If you like what you see, come follow me ! :)  To see what this is all for, go visit campnanowrimo.org . Click each image to see its pin.

Good morning, my lovely readers!  Remember this past November, when my blog was taken over by Pinspiration for and discussion of my NaNoWriMo book ?  Well, this month I'm going to keep the writing/non-writing posts a bit more balanced, but right now I'm participating in a similar month-long challenge: Camp NaNoWriMo! Today, I'll let the officials from camp tell you how the program works.  Then on Thursday, I'll share a bit of my Pinspiration for this project.  Don't worry, Saturday will be a non-camp post.

I've decided, for however long it takes, to replace The Pinterest Report with my new series, DIY Party Diva!  It's similar in that it shares projects that (usually) I've found on Pinterest, with pictures, instructions, and my thoughts.  It's different in that it focuses on parties I've planned/hosted and will not include a focus on the pins and original links, although I'll do my best to link back to original sources of everything. To kick things off, next week I'll share projects from a Rapunzel Slumber Party I planned for two sweet little girls I used to babysit.  :)  Meanwhile, check out this post from a year or so ago explaining my party-planning process.  It'll make things a bit clearer as I share my party skills throughout the series.

My lovely readers, you know that I absolutely love blogging.  Why else would I still do it three times a week after two years?  But some days, I really, really love blogging - and every time I am nominated for an award or referenced by a blogger inspired by or helped out by my post(s) is one of those days. Today I'm finally sharing the nomination from a couple weeks back by the wonderful NerdyWordyBirdy .  I've seen this award around the blogosphere, and I am so honored to now be receiving the Versatile Blogger Award! This award simply asks that recipients nominate 15 other blogs and then share seven facts about him/herself. However, I've already told you all the state of my blogroll, so you'll understand that my nominations will, sadly, have to take a rain check.

Sorry this is a little late, my lovely readers.  I forgot the giveaway was ending today.  Shame on me. Anyway, the winner of an ebook copy of Stephanie Morril and Jill Williamson's Go Teen Writers is... *Drumroll!* Strength Darrow! Congratulations!  I'll be sending you an email today, and Stephanie or Jill should get with you soon to discuss  format.  Thanks to everyone who entered!

Christy Miller {Volume One}  by Robin Jones Gunn Whether you're meeting her for the first time or have known her for years, Christy is a Forever Friend. Amazon Page GoodReads Page LibraryThing Page Author Website Amazon Summary: Bestselling author Robin Jones Gunn packs each one with enough action, romance, and drama to keep you reading and wanting more. It all starts the summer Christy vacations on a California beach and meets two friends who change her life forever. But after moving across the country with her family, Christy must begin her sophomore year of high school uncertain where she’ll fit in. A red-headed new best friend, a try at cheerleading, a job at a pet store, and expectations for the prom fill Christy’s high school years with a string of laughter-and-tears moments. Fireball Katie keeps everyone guessing what she’ll do next, and surfer Todd keeps showing up while popular Rick has determined to get her full attention! As these memorable years unfold, C...