May his memory be blessed

Hi everyone. I just thought I'd let you know why I've been keeping quiet- my dear grandfather recently passed away, and I feel like I need to give this blog a bit of a moment of silence. I'll be back with a regular post next week. In the future, I hope to share with you all only good news.

It's about that time again

For another Enchantia post, of course. I've pushed it off about as long as I could, but I guess I must get back to being a serious writer. Or at least a wannabe novelist. This snippet comes shortly after the scene from this old post:

I walked over to her by the bonfire. She grabbed my left hand and sprinkled it with dust, then raised it up high, pointing a leaf at me with her other hand, and began singing in a solemn sort of chant:

Power of earth and sky
lo la lo lum
Guild Natura
lo la lo lum
Mialee asks you to turn my friend
lo la lo lum
Into a sorceress!
A sorceress!
A sorceress!

Goosebumps spread to every corner of my body as she said those words, and for a moment my whole body shook. My life was changing, I felt it in my bones. Though how was like trying to see through the bonfire's smoke.
I couldn't get too lost in thought- the ceremony wasn't over. Mialee threw a bunch of twigs, grass and stones into the fire, and the flames rose up.
“You've been accepted!” she said, smiling excitedly. “You're now an Enchantian sorceress of Guild Natura! So what's your Enchantian name?”
I still didn't know. But one glance at my new robe and I had it.
“Butterfly,” I said, and forced myself to hold back a tear. Finally, after all the years of feeling as low as the fallen leaves at my feet, I was going to soar.

If you're in the NY area, or planning to be in August...

I was going to do an Enchantia post, but my coworker told me about something that I feel compelled to share instead, and it's so incredibly cool. JK Rowling, Stephen King and John Irving are participating in a special benefit-reading at Radio City Music Hall August 1-2, with the cheapest seats a mere $12.50! Here's all the info. Tickets go on sale Friday morning, and I'm guessing it's going to sell out fast.

They are all amazing writers, and I can't wait to see them read from their books live, but I've got to admit I'm especially excited about JK Rowling. She's one of my writing heroes.

Maybe I'll see you in the nosebleed section!

Kayla Incognito

This isn't a real post (will hopefully give you one later this week). Just thought I'd tell you that, as I'm sure you've noticed, I've added my picture to my otherwise dull profile. And really, I don't think that I'm too cool. I was playing around one night, trying on my friend's huge sunglasses. I've always been a little nervous about putting pictures of myself on the internet, and that's why this one seemed perfect; since those shades cover, like, half my face I'm still somewhat incognito. But maybe one day I'll get over it and post a more normal picture.

A totally not serious post

Today I have fulfilled a lifelong dream...of being #3 in a random internet writing contest. Yes, that's right, you're looking at the blog of the 3rd place winner of the invent your own religion contest (scroll down to - you guessed it - #3). Probably total blasphemy coming from a nice Jewish girl like myself, but oh well. And don't ask me where I came up with such an odd idea...