Totem Head's Story Contest!

So I decided to enter a writing contest. Why? I have no idea. I guess I just felt like it. Anyway, I'm not expecting to even get a runner-up ribbon, let alone win, but I still want to do it. I figured out a deadline makes me want to finish my writings faster, which is good. So, yeah.

If anyone else wants to enter the contest as well, here is the link:

http://www.adventurewrite.com/kids/contest.html

Well, see 'ya later,

Anjali

The Leather Doll

Here's a writing contest entry thing-a-majig I did for a contest between me and a few friends...

Writing Exercise

Storms are knocking down your windows, and you decide this is the best time. Come up with a scary story that will be so terrifyingly horrifying, that it will be told around the campfire for many years to come.

The Leather Doll

By Anjali Kunapaneni

There once was an old woman living in a rickety old house with a thatched roof that kept having the need to be repaired. The woman, with her fluffy white hair and many creases among her somewhat pale face, had a granddaughter. This granddaughter would be celebrating her birthday soon, and, though poor, the old woman set her mind to buying her granddaughter a birthday present.

So, the old woman set off one day to the marketplace, looking for the perfect gift. As she strolled past the crowded and expensive shops, she came upon a rundown little shack barely noticeable to the eye of a passerby. Sitting, or rather, sleeping behind the scraped up wooden counter, was a middle aged woman with her gray hair tied up, revealing the many beads and tribal necklaces strewn around her thick neck.

She had dark circles around her eyes, and her hands were wrinkled and dirty. Her hair was caked with mud. As the grandmother reluctantly grew closer to the shop, the woman woke up, and quickly wrapped her hair back in a lavender bandana, pulling the strands of charcoal hair back, making the many lines folded into her otherwise soft face less crude.

The grandmother walked up to the counter, and the woman frantically brushed through her hair with her fingers, trying to get the dirt out. “What is it you want?” the old shopkeeper asked impatiently. Troubled by the shopkeeper’s attitude, the grandmother explained that she was on a search for a nice gift for her granddaughter’s birthday.

The shopkeeper’s eyes widened as if she had been struck with a wonderful idea. “I know just what you need!” She exclaimed. The shopkeeper turned and rummaged through the mess, while a doubtful look remained on the grandmother’s face. It seemed the shopkeeper got excited very easily.

After searching through piles of mismatched items, the shopkeepers finally came up with a small, leather doll. At first, the grandmother wasn’t sure, but then, something seemed to lure her closer to the doll, a magnifying force.

Without realizing it, the grandmother had bought the doll, and the next day transferred it from her own wrinkled hands to her granddaughter’s.

The granddaughter’s name was Lucy. Lucy was a polite, kind girl, with curls of raven black and eyes of the purest blue. She had rosy cheeks, and always had a wide smile on her face. Her bubbly laughter was contagious, and she was well loved, by both family and friends.

It was her ninth birthday, and she was beaming with pride. Lucy was showered presents, and she hadn’t felt more important than she had that night. Just before the birthday party, her small grandmother stumbled in the door, shivering from having only on a thin shawl, while it thundered outside.

“I brought you a gift.” The fragile woman smiled. “Oh, Grandmother,” Lucy cried. “You shouldn’t have!” The grandmother’s smile widened. “But I did.”

The grandmother took out a small box from behind her back, and presented it to Lucy. Lucy thanked her, and eagerly opened up the box. Inside she found a leather doll.

She wished it weren’t true, but truthfully, Lucy felt disappointed. Compared to all the other fashionable dolls with their many outfits and poses, this plain leather doll seemed practically invisible.

Yet the doll turned out to be Lucy’s favorite. With it’s brown, ragged dress and button eyes, most would find the doll somewhat unlucky. But Lucy found it fascinating. The doll was made from the softest of leather, softer than a cotton ball, softer then the fur of a kitten. And Lucy found that when she pressed against it right arm, it would say phrases, such as, “I love you, Mommy,” or “Take care of me, Mommy,”, even though Lucy could’ve sworn she had squeezed that arm before and had no such result.

The leather doll soon became Lucy’s most trusted companion. During the cold winter nights, the doll made Lucy feel warm and safe, and was taken everywhere with Lucy. But strangely, ever since the doll was delivered to Lucy, she had been having the same nightmare over and over again.

A strange man with a terrible scar running down his face was after her, and by each night, by each dream, he was getting closer.

One night Lucy dreamed that night that the scarred man was bounding down her street, looking for her. She woke up in a cold sweat and quickly ran up to her window to make sure he wasn’t there. Lucy sighed with relief to see there was no one out there.

The leather doll suddenly squealed, “Help me, Mommy!” without Lucy even squeezing her arm. Lucy was bewildered, and something drew her to look out the window once more. She did, and she screamed.

Bounding down the cracked pavement was the scarred man, with his ragged suit and long, ragged black hair. He had a wild look in his eyes, and he looked absolutely savage. “Take care of me, Mommy! Save me, Mommy!” the doll cried.

Lucy heard the front door open, and then slowly close. Footsteps. They grew closer and closer. The stairs creaked, and the footsteps were now stomping down the hall.

Lucy backed up against the wall, clutching the doll. She squeezed her eyes shut, and the man entered the room.

He was even more savage looking up close, and he the aroma of death and decay around him, and Lucy was paralyzed. She knew she should’ve ran, or have called 911, but she couldn’t. She was struck with fear.

The man held out his hand, and it came closer. And closer. Until finally it snatched the leather doll out of Lucy hands. Electrifying shock went through Lucy’s body as she realized that was what the man was after the entire time.

The man held the doll, and looked at it for a moment with pure hate. Then he ripped the doll apart, just as it cried, “Help me, Mommy! Save me….” The sounds of the seams ripping apart were like nails on chalkboard, and, taking the two pieces of leather, the man placed them on his chest and on his back, where they fit perfectly on large scabs.

The man then walked away, away from the house, away from the street, away from the city, away from the country, away from the world. He had crossed to the other side.

For, in truth, the crazy old shopkeeper had murdered her husband and, using the remains of his skin, made the leather doll.

Literary Magazine...

So here is a sort of stupid short story I wrote for my Language Arts class's Literary Magazine. I was supposed to write a story with a moral, but I found that out after I'd already written it, so I twisted it up a little to fit the needs, but the moral doesn't make that much sense. Well, here it is:

Painting an Adventure

By Anjali Kunapaneni

Holding the long, thin brush steadily, I swiped it across the canvas, revealing stunning rays of crimson and scarlet as I painted a waterside sunset. I painted daring indigo, imagining a calm sea after a violent storm. In my imagination, anything could happen. Why? Because, all of a sudden, I was there.

I stood on a white a sailboat, small compared to the vast ocean surrounding me. I put my hand to my forehead, wiping away beads of sweat quickly rolling down it as the summer heat seemed to catch up to me. I grinned, enjoying the heat compared to the cruel, harsh winter cold back home.

I looked up and saw the magnificent sunset from my painting, and smiled at it’s beauty. I turned and saw a large rock, with a tall, blonde woman in a billowing white dress. Her long, tangled hair of gold blew in the strong wind left from the storm. Her dress was in rags, her eyes filled with fear.

Voiceless, she looked pleadingly at me, and I wondered how I could possibly help her. She glanced behind her and looked at me with terror. She seemed to be screaming, but I couldn’t understand what was so horrifying that it would cause her to act like this. She began to sob uncontrollably.

I watched until I couldn’t stand seeing her in despair and pure agony, and I turned around. Curiosity overtook me, and I looked back to see that the woman was gone, rock and all. I was horrified, wondering what evil had taken her, but I was also a bit relieved to see that I was not depended on by her to save her. I wasn’t ready for something like that to happen – for someone to trust me to do something so important.

I realized that was the whole point, and that was what I was supposed to have understood. I leaned against the sailboat’s thick mast, but to my surprise I stumbled over, falling on my bottom, scraping my palms against the hard, familiar wood of my drawing room floor. I was back.

I frowned, and decided not to end my little adventure. I got up and steadied myself, then replaced the canvas of many blue waters with new one. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and painted. I painted and painted. I painted until I could no more, and then stared at the painting. Then I was there.

Long vines of myrtle green wrapped and hung from the thick branches of wide, humungous trees. Bright flowers dotted the forest path, and dark birds chirped as they flew above my head. Bushes of fresh, green leaves covered the ground, still moist from the morning dew. I smiled, taking everything in at once. I was in a jungle of exotic plants and animals and beautiful scenery.

All of a sudden I heard a fierce growl come from behind me. I slowly and hesitantly turned, and saw a shadow from within the many shades of green, clashing together to form a perfect scene. The moment was ruined by another growl, and this time I saw the eyes. They were beady eyes, small but piercing. All my senses told me run away as quickly as possible, but I was scared stiff and I could barely breathe. The creature slowly crept out of the darkness, revealing it’s golden fur and many black spots. A jaguar.

I closed my eyes and counted to three. Then I opened them and whispered, “Nice kitty. I’ll be going now.” I was about to back away, when I heard a rustle of leaves behind me. My luck just couldn’t get any worse. Sure enough, I heard a growl and the sound of twigs breaking. I was cornered.

I turned sideways so I could see both big cats, and I backed up to a cypress tree behind me. One of the jaguars bared it’s large, pointy, white teeth, making me sink lower to the ground. I trembled with fear, and looked up, hoping the painting would take me back already.

I shut my eyes tight as I heard the growling coming closer until it turned into a soft purring. I opened one eye and saw that I was back, and my cat, Snow White, was sitting on my desk covered with sketches and designs.

I ran to the table and shooed her off, because I hadn’t realized what had happened yet. That’s when I figured it out. I was saved. But why? I sat down for a moment and thought, wondering about what had just happened. Then I got it.

When I had been taken to the sunset on the oceanfront, it was a lesson to show me that I wasn’t ready yet to take on big challenges, but when I tried to force my way into an adventure on the second try, I had been put in a terrible situation as a punishment.

As I thought of all that, I came to another realization. Maybe everything was just a lesson. Maybe having me sent to the jungle was a lesson, in way, by teaching me not to be afraid. But if that was true, I failed miserably. But, at least I understood. I understood I shouldn’t be scared of anything, from killer jaguars to an unforgiving choice deciding one’s fate to life in general.

I realized what had lead me to this realization was painting. Painting. And that was when it hit me. Painting. That decision lead me to the being the person I am today. Now I am a painter and illustrator, and I also work as a restorer from time to time. It isn’t perfect, but I am happy. All thanks to a little adventure I call painting.

Hoped you liked it. Comment!

Anjali

The Looking Glass

So I started six more books. I feel sick(Not because of the books). I hate allergies, because I can't focus on anything. So anyway, here's an excerpt from one of the books started:

The Looking Glass

By Anjali Kunapaneni

Summary:

Alice was just a normal girl. At least, she was until she looked through the looking glass. She never knew that from a simple glance, her life would be thrown into adventure, excitement, and friendship. So maybe the looking glass actually helped. From a shy, quiet, and lonely girl, she became the person the world depended on. The one whose final decision would decide everything.

Prologue

Alice ran as fast as she could, hot tears trickling down her cheeks. Her cheek burned with pain, red from the impalement of a palm. She ran through the woods, the trees around her seemingly mocking her with cruel laughter.

She bit her lip without realizing it, until she felt the distinct flavor blood in her mouth, startling her. Alice quickly bit her lip again, just to make it numb, so she wouldn’t have to deal with more pain adding on to both her current physical and emotional pain.

She ran further, until finally the nauseas feeling was swept away and chill went down her spine with the dropping temperature. She stopped and fell on her knees, palms flat on the dark soil beneath her. Alice panted, wiping sweat away from her forehead with the back of her hand.

She looked around and saw she had stumbled into a small cave, constructed by large, slanted boulders leaning into each other, creating just enough shelter for a young girl for the night. Alice sat, her arms tightly encircled around her knees.

Her wild, fiery red hair was caked with mud, her face dirty and her blue eyes looking glassy. Painful memories filled her, and she wished she wouldn’t have to go there again. But they always found her. Somehow, they would. But this time was different. Alice had a plan.

She decided to wait for morning, and have a rest before starting her journey. Alice’s thoughts wandered, and she slowly fell into a deep, dark slumber. Her eyes closed peacefully, and she smiled as though she was having a nice dream. Alice only smiled in dreams.

Alice had a dream. No, not that kind of, dream, but a dream of what she truly wanted to take place in the future. Alice wished for her life to be out of the ordinary. Well, a good out of the ordinary, unlike the bad kind she was currently living.

She wished for things she knew would never come true, but she kept on dreaming. Alice remembered when she would sit on the porch with a tall glass of cool lemonade, daydreaming what her life would be like if everything had turned out differently. If that wretched day hadn’t taken place…

No, Alice knew that it was fate, and she couldn’t possibly change it, so she shouldn’t live in the past and sulk. Alice was always optimistic, curious, and brave, yet her shyness won, giving everyone the illusion that she was a quiet girl.

But they were so wrong.

The next morning, as Alice woke up with a loud yawn and a stretch, she quickly remembered her plan. She had planned to be coming to this cave soon, but fate brought her there earlier, so she should just make the best of it.

Alice stood and started moving the boulders and rocks, pebbles and stones. Finally, covered in a very thin layer of dust, was a small, blue backpack, sitting in the corner. Alice had been planning her escape for months, and had placed the bag there earlier in case she needed supplies.

She double checked to make sure everything was there before zipping the bag up and glancing out the cave entrance, making sure no one saw her. Alice had to leave before they noticed she was gone and went searching for her.

Alice covered any evidence pointing to her presence there with pebbles and stones. She slung the backpack over her shoulder and looked out the cave entrance. For moment she felt doubt, as if her plan wouldn’t work. But Alice knew she had to do it.

It was now or never.

Write, Write, Write

So last week we had an author visit our school. The author was Wendy Wan Long Shang, who wrote the book "The Great Wall Of Lucy Wu". She told us about writing, and her her basic techniques about writing. Though it was all sort of a review for me, I was excited to hear what an author thought about writing in general. Plus, this was the first time I met someone who had been published in real life. So it was really exciting. There was one thing she told us that really got to me: Writ, Write, Write. I feel kind of guilty because I don't spend as much time as I should on my writing, and I get bored by the idea a little too quickly.

I've decided to get more focused on writing, and I just hope I'll be able to stick to this mid-year resolution and not give up on it. Well, I should stop blogging and start writing if I want to live up to my promise.

Gotta go,

Anjali

Spring Break!

So it's spring break and I've decided to get a bit focused on my writing, which I should be doing now instead of writing (Or typing..) this post, but I'll get back to that. Anyway, so the school year is almost over and I'm really happy because:

1. We're buying new house, which means I won't have to share a room with my sister anymore!

2. I found out I'm actually good at soccer! So I'm going to try out for a team this summer.

3. We aren't going to my country for the summer which means I can do whatever I want!

4. I can write more as an option of "Whatever I want" ^.

5. I won't have to go to school for a whole two and a half months!!!

Things that are making me sad:

1. If we move I'll have to start at a new school in fall where I won't know anyone.

2. I might not get on the soccer team.

3. I won't be able to see my relatives if we don't go to my country and it'll break their hearts.

4. I might get Writer's Block (Or what I think is Writer's Block since it doesn't exist.).

5. I will only be able to see my friends who live in my neighborhood but not my other friends.. so sad :(

So yeah. Well, I hope you have a great Spring break you guys! Oh, and I hope you don't mind me blabbering about Summer vaca too early.

Anyway, bye!

Anjali

Phew, it's been that long already?

I cannot, cannot, CANNOT believe that I've been so lazy and haven't posted in sooo long. Okay, so I'll post an excerpt of something I'm working on. It's the Mermaid Legend, Ch. 2:

The Mermaid Legend

Chapter 2

She hid behind some anemone. She looked both ways to make sure that no one saw her. She swam quickly to the large underwater cave. She held her breath out of anxiety until she was able to make it to the cave. She had a secret. A dark secret.

She swam deep into the dark and endless labyrinth of tunnels, passages, and choices, until she saw light. A tunnel lead to a beach of golden sand and tall palm trees. The luminescent blue moon hung in the dark, glimmering sky. Millions of glittering golden stars shone, nestled in the galaxy of hopeful darkness. She, alone, sat on the beach of shimmering beauty that she was forbidden from, yet forced to go to.

She knew everyone was forbidden from being there, of course, but “everyone” wasn't going through what she was going through. At night, all the maidens and warriors of the waters of Poseidon were forbidden from the shores of the connecting world of dreams, hope, and mutual beauty as the undersea paradise of the merfolk. But she was excused. She knew that, because the great Poseidon didn't drown her, as he could've. She knew he was watching.

Every night of the full moon she was forced to go to the shores of the world above. On blue moons, the Sacred Jewel of the Seven Seas was released to cover the full moon, casting it as a blue shadow of lunar likeness. Then, it was up to her. Just as the job her mother, her grandmother, her great-grandmother, her great-great-grandmother, and so forth of the generations were forced to do until death. Her secret was what was going to end her life.

Tears ran down her cheeks as she let beautifully sweet melodies flow out of her open mouth, feeding the Jewel great power. She could almost hear the great Poseidon laughing at her despair. She knew there was no point in crying, but she couldn't help it. Why her? Why her?

Of all the fish in the sea, why did it have to be her? She didn’t do anything wrong, right? So why her? Her thoughts blurred together into impossible questions as she continued to sing. Why?

Her singing grew stronger and the moon turned a violent shade of cobalt. The light blue colors trickled through the night sky, forming a staircase. A woman in a billowing blue dress stepped on the surf, walking on water towards the girl. Her long, black hair blew in the wind, her shimmering blue eyes powerful, yet gentle, like the ocean. “I am Amphitrite, Goddess of the Sea.” The goddess smiled.

The girl gasped. Suddenly her long, shimmering yet elegant tail disappeared in a shower of golden light and were replaced by human legs. She now wore a gleaming dress of pure gold. “Your highness,” She stuttered. “How?”

Amphitrite smiled, and waved her hand over the sea. A golden dust came from her long, nimble fingertips and fluttered onto the dark waves, transforming them into golden splashes of liquid. “Magic..” By now the girl’s hand was covering her mouth as if she was having a heart attack. “Wow...”

She tried standing up. She staggered backwards, her new found legs trying to balance. She finally got a hang on it, like she always did. Every blue moon, strangely, it was always the same.

“We will have to make this particular meeting quick, for I have a certain, um, what do you call it? Proposition? Yes, I have a proposition for Boreas, the North Wind. Alas, he won't be happy doing something for the sake of a mortal.” The queen sighed, but went back to her smiling self in seconds.

For a moment, the girl was confused. What did the queen mean? She decided it was none of her business. If the goddess really wanted to tell her, she would. So, no complaining.

The queen was acting strange that night, as if something important was about to happen any second. The girl sighed, annoyed by the fact that she was always restricted to know about important. Why mention it around her anyway? It was just something to make her more annoyed.

Her mind went back to the reason the she was even there. She would always be surprised to have the great Poseidon's queen and the ancient sea goddess come to turn her into a... a... she squeezed her eyes shut and opened them to see if it would make a difference. Nope. She would always have to have this happen to her, just because of her ancestor’s mistake. The great mistake...

At least, that was what her mother had called it when she had to explain about the curse. Stupid curse. If it weren’t for the curse she wouldn’t be what she was. All of a sudden dark clouds filled the sky and it started to thunder. “Is Zeus angry with Poseidon?” The girl questioned Amphitrite.

Amphitrite smile disappeared. “Yes. Actually, it is about you. Apparently Poseidon is deciding on whether or not he will give you a chance to vanquish the source of this curse.” The goddess smiled mysteriously.

She felt flood of relief flush through her. Then something hit her. “Wait, what's the source?” She asked desperately. Amphitrite smiled, waved her hand, and disappeared in a shower of crystal blue water. “Goddesses..” The girl muttered.

She tried to become a mermaid again, but she knew she couldn't. What was the point? She couldn't change back 'till morning, because then a magical ray of light would transform her back. Yay! She got to be a.. a.. a monster for a night. Great, right? Wrong.

She unwillingly started singing again. Well, at least there was a possible way to change herself back. She sang her heart out, and the dark blue moon seemingly laughing at her. She knew it wasn't Artemis's fault, but she was very angry at her for not taking control of her moon. Stupid old blue moon.

She couldn't take it anymore. As she sang, she burst out in tears. Suddenly she was hit with a strange sensation, as if she was being watched. She shook the feeling away. It was just another thing to point out how different she was.

Why couldn't she just be a normal girl?! Why?! Because she was Leira, the Guardian of The Sacred Jewel. That's why.

So how is it? Not bad I guess. COMMENT!

Anjali's Art!!!

So I started a new blog!!

HERE'S THE LINK!!!!!!!!!:

http://anjalisart.blogspot.com/

Busy, busy, busy

Yeah, I've been too usy helping(sort of) plan my cousin's welcome back and birthday party, my grandparent's re-wedding(family tradition) and my sari event thing. Yeah, it is a lot, and guess what? It's all on the same day! And you may not think it is such a big deal, but guess what? The party is in Michigan! Trying to plan a party which is going to be miles away is pretty hard. Anyway we're going this weekend! Wish me luck!

Hey

It's been a while , but I feel too lazy to post, so see 'ya!

Anjali

New Novel

So today I thought of a new novel idea.
I should probably have written it down, but I have it memorized.
Yup.
So I was thinking, since I have 11 followers, I should probably invite more people, 'cuz some blogs I'm following have like 43 followers!
So I'm going to go do that, bye!
Anjali

Going Swimming...

going swimming

Next...

So I was thinking if there is anyone out there who , like me, would like to get published.
So if you are done writing your novel, unlike me, then, Congratulations!
You have successfully survived stage 1# Writing, and stage 2# Editing.
Yes you have faced and defeated The Mighty Dragons of Failure and The Wizards of the Imaginary Writers Block.
You are now entering stage 3# Publishing.
Okay, okay.
I know what your thinking:
Well, DUH! Of course, Anjali!
Of course, I'll just go walk to the publishing agency down the block and show them my manuscript and I'll be published!
Well, let me just say it is NOT that simple.
Really, you thought fighting those dragons and wizards was tough, well, let's just say everything you thought, is about to change.
So first of all I have to tell you, if you thought the example that I wrote about the going to the agency and just saying you wanna get published would actually work, than you have a lot to learn.
Okay, first, I would recommend looking for a literary agents at http://www.agentquery.com/
There you will have to find literary agents for your book genres and after you find some agents, you will have to write a query letter, and they tell you how to do that on agent query.
You'll probably get a few rejections, I mean even the greatest authors ever have had rejections.
So yup.I haven't actually gotten that far yet, so I don't exactly know what comes next.
Well, see 'ya,
Anjali

Another day, another novel...

Hiya.

Yup.

So.. I guess I should probably do that story review now.

So here... here is my other blog: http://anjalisbook.blogspot.com/.

Yup, anyway I was thinking, and I thought of a quote I heard, "Another day, another penny" and then I thought "Another day, another novel" and then when I thought about it I started laughing so loud that I started snorting!

Anyway, see 'ya,

Anjali

Oops!

Sorry that I haven't been on lately... stupid homework.

Anyway in this post I will be giving you writing advice, even though half of this 'advice' is a link to a different blog:

http://mylifeasateenagenovelist.blogspot.com/

and also I would like to tell you that Writers Block DOES NOT exist

*gasp* Anjali what are you thinking?

Well, if you really want to know CLICK ON THE LINK UP THERE^

Yup and that is about all I have to say...

Later,

Anjali

ATTENTION! writing advertisment

So this is all I have so far in a story I just started and I hope you like it:

My Life As A Teenage Avatar

Prologue

Long ago, in Shaylana, a young girl was born. Now, this girl was special because both of her parents were of the Ilavon. Ilavon were mages that had control over some form of an element. The girl’s mother had power over the element of water. Her father controlled weather.
On the night she was born, a fierce storm had chased everyone inside. As her mother struggled with her birth, her father paced restlessly outside the small cabin. The rain ran over him as he paced back and forth in the storm. He seemed to glow a soft blue in response to the lightning that continually flashed. Then, there was stillness. It seemed as if the storm had suddenly been silenced as a soft cry pierced the calm night air. Her father grinned with pride and went inside to see the child and her mother. They named her Galaxy, after the name of the void of darkness where Mother Earth who had so generously given them life and their powers, resided.
Galaxy grew up watching her mother and father help the village through droughts and snowstorms. To her it seemed natural that her parents performed magic, they had always done it. She had a happy childhood, until the day she turned thirteen. Her parents had thought that if she had powers they would not manifest until she had reached puberty, which was normal in Ilavon, but they had not thought about the possibility that she would have their powers combined. They did not expect her awakening to happen so soon.
On that fateful day of her thirteenth birthday, everything was about to change. Galaxy woke up feeling different. She noticed something peculiar. It felt as if something was pulling her towards it. She got dressed and followed the direction of the pull. It was strongest in a clearing in the nearby forest. In the center, there was a willow tree. Galaxy looked around curiously. There, at the foot of the tree, surrounded by animals, sat a beautiful woman with long chestnut hair that seemed to float gently on the soft breeze. She wore blue robes that seemed to flow like water. Her feet bare and free in the lush green grass.
The woman looked up at Galaxy's entrance into the clearing. Her green eyes seemed to reflect her kindness as she gazed at the girl. As her eyes focused on Galaxy, something happened. Galaxy felt as if a somehow a star had exploded inside her, letting loose everything it had held back for thirteen years. The sudden feeling overwhelmed her. She stood still and silent as the dawn, waiting for it to pass. She felt lighter and more relaxed and the air seemed to be different somehow.
She started to hear and see things like never before. She could hear the birds singing but instead of the normal hoots and song like whistles, she heard words and musically beautiful notes. She saw the willow tree and saw its life force as a vibrant lively aura around it. The beautiful woman had changed, too. She still looked the same but had a kind yet powerful air surrounding her. Galaxy knew who she was now. She did not know how she knew but she did. The woman was Mother Nature.

Mother Nature smiled as she saw the recognition on Galaxy’s face. She beckoned Galaxy to come sit next to her. Galaxy slowly walked over to where Mother Nature sat, as her long raven hair settled around her. She sat down on the grass gently, so as not to disturb the animals already sitting next to Mother Nature. Mother Nature began to speak to her in a soft voice full of love and patience.
“My dear, you are very special. You have special talents that no one else has. Instead of only being able to control one element, you can control all. First, though, you must learn to harness your powers and control them. Then use them to help anyone that you can. That is why you were given the powers. You are the first of your kind. You are an Avatar, and your female descendants will be Avatars. Women are the ones who hold the key to controlling the elements, but you must discover what the key is yourself. Then you must learn to teach your descendants how to control their powers.”
“Why? Why am I different? Are Mother and Father different as well?” Galaxy asked, looking overwhelmed.
“You were chosen to become the first Avatar. Your mother and father are normal Ilavon. Your soul is pure, and your destiny will be rough; but once you learn to control your powers you will be fine. And you will have help along the way.”
“Who will help me? Mother and Father?”
“No, another will help you. They will make themselves known in a matter of time my dear.”
“How will I learn to control the elements and then teach others how to do the same?” Galaxy asked softly with all the innocence a child possesses.
Mother Nature smiled sweetly, “You will know, my child, when the time is right, you will know.” As she finished speaking, she faded away until all that was left was a small rose, which had started to wilt.
Galaxy sat there, under the willow for a few more moments, thinking about what Mother Nature had told her. She played with her hair, a thing she had always done to calm her nerves. She wondered how she, a young girl with long raven hair, expressive green eyes, and a voice that matched her soft disposition, was something so important? Something much, much more.
Suddenly, she sensed something coming and turned to look into the woods. As she watched, a white wolf appeared. It was bigger than most she had seen, but she did not feel the least bit afraid. Instead, she felt an odd sense that made her feel soothingly calm. She sat quietly and watched as the she wolf walked slowly over to her and lay down by her with her back against Galaxy’s leg and her head resting on her paws.
Galaxy gazed softly down at the beautiful creature lying next to her. Her hand slowly moved to stroke the beautiful snow-white fur. The wolf nudged Galaxy’s hand with her head and gently licked her before laying her head back down. Galaxy sat there softly petting the she wolf until she heard her mother calling her to come. The wolf stood up as though she understood and looked into Galaxy’s eyes for a few seconds before leaving the clearing. Galaxy sat there for a moment longer, looking after the wolf in wonder, and then she stood and, after dusting herself off, hurried back to the village.

A few days later, after a violent thunderstorm, Galaxy’s mother needed help calling the animals back. Remembering what Mother Nature had said she went to the willow tree and sat down. She instinctively cleared her mind and thought of the missing animals. She was suddenly hit by thousands of animal voices in her mind. She grabbed her head trying to quiet the animal voices. They continued to thunder in her head telling her all kinds of things.
“What is this?”
“Grain? Food?”
“Where did all the hay go?”
“Hmm…I know I buried that nut around here somewhere…”
“Gently now, one rock, then the next. Careful, don’t step in the water.”
After a moment, it seemed as if they all got louder, then she heard a soft, clear voice telling her to relax. The other animal voices seemed to fall silent under the new gentle voice’s silent command.
Galaxy once again sensed that someone was with her and opened her eyes. She gasped and put her hands behind her to stop herself from falling, because the first thing she saw upon opening her eyes was a huge pair of soft amber eyes looking into hers not more that a few inches away. The creature moved back a little after seeing her eyes open and she saw that it was the she wolf from the other day.
The wolf sat down in front of her and silently gazed at her for a moment. It seemed as if there was a whole world inside the wolf’s eyes that Galaxy could not quite see. Then she heard the soft, calming voice in her mind once again.
“You must learn to control yourself, my sister.”
Galaxy looked around the clearing to find the source before realizing that it must be the she wolf. “Who are you and what happened?” she asked the wolf quietly.
The wolf tilted its head slightly and the voice calmly replied, “I am your sister, sent by Mother to help you and to protect you. In trying to call your animals, you called to all the animals nearby. They felt your loving touch and wanted to talk to you. You must learn some control.”
Galaxy was confused. Mother Nature had sent this wolf to help her and to protect her. “From what? What are you protecting me from?” She asked the wolf, this time using her mind.
The wolf brought its head a little closer to hers and gazed deep into her eyes before replying. “Why, from yourself, little sister. Since you have no control over your powers you are a danger to yourself and those around you. I am to help you learn and to keep you from harming yourself or anyone else.”
“Oh…” Galaxy was saddened to hear this. She was a danger to everyone around her. Her sadness must have shown because the she wolf came forward and gently licked her face before laying her head in her lap.
Galaxy absently petted the she wolf gently on the head. “You can help me then?”
“Yes, my little sister.” The she wolf answered softly. “I can help you to learn.”
“What should I call you? You call me little sister, but I do not know your name.”
“My name is Lillithan, but you may call me Lilly.” Lilly raised her head and sat back on her haunches again. “Now are you ready to begin?”

Galaxy thought for a moment and then decided she would have to begin some time. She nodded.
“Okay, then. Let’s start with calling your village’s animals. First, clear your mind as you did before.” Lilly waited a moment until she could sense that she was done. “Then you have to think specifically of one of the groups of animals. Let’s start with the chickens. Their voices will seem a little scattered. They are not very smart. So you have to keep it simple. Just find their group and tell them to come here.”
Galaxy took a deep breath and focused on separating all of the animal voices now flooding her mind. There… there they are. “Chickens…come to me. Come to the clearing with the willow.” She showed them a picture in her mind.
She felt some sort of affirmative response. Then Lilly was guiding her through the rest of groups of missing village animals. When she finally opened her eyes after calling all of the animals, she saw that the clearing was getting very crowded as they arrived. When they were all accounted for, she told them to follow her to the village. Her mother and the rest of the villagers saw her as she led them into town. Some people cheered, others stared, and still others gave her funny looks of distrust.
When all the animals were back in their rightful places, her mother and father asked for an explanation. She had not really understood what had happened to her and so had not told her parents. So she sat down with Lilly sitting by her (Lilly had come with her to stay and help her control herself.) and told them what had happened almost a week ago. They were very surprised and very proud. They promised to help her as much as they could.
From then on, Galaxy had a series of unfortunate events that happened because she tried to help with her magic. When the crops started to fail after a few weeks of no rain, Galaxy tried to call some soothing showers to help them. That did not work out too well. She ended up calling a terrible thunderstorm and temporarily flooding the fields. Many other incidents turned out with varying degrees of right or wrong.
One day, Galaxy and Lilly were sitting by the willow tree in the clearing when suddenly Galaxy started to feel sick. She lay down and Lilly tried to comfort her. Then, they began to hear screaming and shouting coming from the village. Galaxy and Lilly jumped up and ran towards the frightening sounds. Galaxy fought the sick feeling and the fear down until they were at the back of her mind and she could focus again.
They came to the edge of the village and the first thing they saw was the three massive black creatures crowding in the tiny village square. Galaxy and Lilly paused to get a better look at the creatures. They had four massive legs like tall limber trees and long slender necks. They were covered in midnight scales that shone like the night sky in the absence of stars. They had small slender heads with short curved horns sprouting from the forehead. They had razor sharp teeth and nails that were obviously made to tear the meat of the bones of their prey. Their eyes were a dull gray that seemed to hint at something missing “What are they, Lilly?” Galaxy asked the tense she wolf.
The she wolf growled softly and then turned to gaze softly at Galaxy. “Oh, little sister, they are dragons. It is very hard to defeat a dragon, near impossible, especially the evil ones.”
“So what can we do to save the village. We have to do something! They’re my family.” Galaxy was starting to feel a little frantic. And she wasn’t sure why but her eyes were filling with tears.

“Little sister, I’m so sorry. There is nothing we can do. Not without you being able to control your magic properly.” Lilly moved closer to Galaxy and pressed against her gently to try to lend her some strength.
Galaxy was about to break down, but then she thought of something. She looked around the square area. Surely, the dragons weren’t by themselves. So where were the riders? She knew that most dragons had human companions and that they could take control over a dragon. So where were they? She heard her mother scream in fright and her father shout at someone. Galaxy looked towards the noise and saw three figures robed in black. One was holding her mother and saying something to the crowd. Another one of them was watching the crowd closely and the last one was half watching the dragon and half watching the crowd.
“If an evil dragon is controlled by an evil human but either escapes or the human is killed would they be free of the spell that binds them? Would they be able to think for themselves?” Galaxy softly asked Lilly, an idea already forming. However, it would take a lot of power, power she could not control.
Lilly was silent for a moment before answering her. “Yes, it is so. If the human controlling the dragon is killed or releases the dragon from its spell, then the dragon is free and able to think. Why?”
Galaxy thought for a moment then asked. “Are dragons evil by themselves?”
“Well actually, little sister, most dragons are not evil without the human influence. Some are, but most are peaceful and kind. Why, Galaxy, why?” Lilly asked again, becoming impatient.
Galaxy smiled and said. “Because if I can just get those dragons to understand that the humans are bad, then maybe they will be able to break the spell and help us. What do you think?”
The she wolf looked at the dragons once more and then up at Galaxy. “I don’t think you should risk it. You still cannot control your powers and if the mages over there catch you, they will kill you. No, we must think of another way.”
Galaxy looked at the villagers and the mages holding her mother, she was still struggling and pleading while the other villagers besides her father looked at the ground in submission.
“No!” Galaxy shouted in her mind becoming frustrated. “There is no other way! I will just have to try to control my magic the best I can. We have to save my parents and the village. I just have to figure out the key to my powers and then I will be able to have some control. I hope that while I am talking to the dragons I can figure it out. Please, help me Lilly!”
“Of course, little sister. I would never make you do it on your own. Let us get closer to the dragons so that you may try to speak with them without being noticed.” Lilly silently lead the way past the scene at the far side of the small square over to a small group of trees near where the dragons were laying. As Galaxy and Lilly entered the small grove, the dragons looked up at them and their mouths all opened to show a small growing fire in the back of their mouths. They were about to spit it at the girl and she wolf, when Lilly jumped in front of Galaxy and snarled menacingly at them her fur bristling to help show her threat.
Galaxy knew this had to be stopped before the dragons killed her and Lilly. “Stop!” She shouted firmly in her mind, throwing the full force of it at the dragons and Lilly.

The dragons closed their mouths and took another look at the girl in front of them. She was a scrawny adolescent that seemed to be overflowing with power. The clear blue aura of her magic was quickly covering the girl and wolf and then growing to include the three dragons. The dragons shivered as the power encompassed them. The girl’s long raven hair was full of static and seemed to have electricity jumping between the strands. Her eyes were a vast stormy sky.
“How have you more power than our masters?” A light, musical voice tinted with scarlet asked in Galaxy’s mind.
Galaxy identified the voice as belonging to the closest dragon, a female slightly smaller than her two male companions. Galaxy was a little surprised to notice that although their scales looked black from afar, they were actually just a few shades lighter. The female’s scales were a deep fathomless scarlet. The larger male’s scales were a very dark green and the last dragon’s scales were the deepest, darkest blue she had ever seen.

“That’s strange. The control spell isn’t complete. Why would the mages bring them without waiting for the spell to complete itself?” Lilly sounded a little puzzled.
Galaxy gave her a curious look and asked, “How do you know the spell is incomplete?”
“Because they aren’t totally black. A dragon only turns black when they are under a control spell by someone evil. However, until they are completely under the spell they can still think a little. Maybe the spell can be broken if they want it enough and have the right help.” Lilly said gazing back at the girl.
Galaxy turned her attention back to the dragon’s question about her power. “I have more power because I am the first of my kind. I am the first Avatar. I can control all the elements and not just one like your masters can. Why do you serve them? They are evil. They are going to hurt my family and friends. Why?” Galaxy asked them on the verge of tears.
“We help them because we must until they release us or are dead.” A purely masculine voice answered. It obviously belonged to the large male because the words were tinted with green.
As the dragon spoke, Galaxy became aware of another very faint presence. “There’s another one of you! Where? Why are they hiding?” She asked angry that she hadn’t suspected.
The blue dragon’s eyes whirred as he tilted his head and asked her in a soft tinkling blue voice, “What other? No others. We all.”
Galaxy was a little shocked at his answer. She focused on the faint presence and located its tiny aura. What? That can’t be! That’s where the female is laying. There can’t be another dragon there and plus the aura is too small. So what is it? She thought as she tried to figure it out.
The dragons all exchanged looks and seemed to be discussing what to do but neither Lilly nor Galaxy could hear them. Galaxy felt a little faint as something loomed in her mind, something she needed to know. She sat down and gently leaned against the female as she pulled the knowledge forward. Then she knew. She knew what the key was. She had really known all along. All the clues had been there.
It all came together, sort of overwhelming her for a few moments. The clues were all there. Mother Nature had been the one to give her the gift. And when she had tried to call the animals that first time Lilly said that all the animals had felt her loving touch.

The fact that only her female descendents would inherit the gift. Moreover, even her sensing the baby dragon when even its mother did not know it existed. It all made sense to her now. The key to controlling her magic was her motherly love for everything and everyone.
In that moment of revelation, Galaxy instinctively turned and embraced the female dragon. Without thinking, she enveloped the female and the other two dragons in her feeling of love. The dragons all looked at her and as they felt the love wash over them their eyes began to clear as if the dull storm they had been imprisoned by just faded away. Their eyes took on the clear natural colors that matched their scales, which had also cleared to the brilliant colors they were supposed to be.
Lilly watched as all this happened and realized it for what it was. She had finally figured out the key and gained control over her powers. She smiled proudly and picked her way carefully over to the girl. Galaxy turned to her as she approached and hugged her lovingly all the while a brilliant smile full of all the emotion she was feeling shining brightly on her face.
The dragons looked at each other in surprise. Then back at the glowing girl. The female nudged her gently with her nose as she let go of Lilly. The girl giggled and hugged it lovingly. The female made a content sound deep in her throat. “You have freed us little one. We thank you. Is there something we can help you with?”
Galaxy’s smile faded as she remembered what was going on outside of her energy bubble. She became sad and looked around at the dragons. They noticed as her face started to crumple and she started to cry. They crowded closer to give her some comfort. She tried to smile her thanks but failed as she said, “Your old masters. They are going to hurt my friends and family. Can you help me get rid of them? I’d rather not use too much violence.”
The three dragons smiled and Lilly yipped as they all thought of a great way to get rid of the mages. The soft tinkling voice of the smaller male sounded serenely in her mind telling her of their plan. The girl’s smile returned in full force and she felt all the love surrounding her. She pulled her energy bubble back in so it just surrounded her. As she did the sounds of the struggle in the square hit them. They had gotten louder since they had last been.
Galaxy and Lilly led the way. As the mages felt the presence behind them and turned to look. Galaxy and Lilly could see their shocked faces that held a hint of fear. For the mages saw a powerful aura that surrounded a mere scrap of a girl whose long raven hair was brimming with electricity and her eyes were stormy and flashing with lightning reflecting the storm brewing up behind her. The three dragons that the mages had had control over were now following the girl and white she wolf.
As the girl reached them, she said in a firm voice, “Let them be and leave my village. This is your only warning.”
The mages seemed to ponder it for a moment looking from the girl to the dragons and back. Then they seemed to think better of whatever plans they had been brewing.
The head mage snarled at her, glaring at her with burning red eyes, and said, “This is not the last of it, girl. We will find out what you are and destroy you.” Then the three mages just disappeared.

The villagers let out a cry of relief and they all came together to help the injured ones. From then on, everything went well. The dragons decided to stay nearby and protect the village. They did not really want to leave the person who freed them. Galaxy, with her new found control, made an orb to help future Avatar’s learn how to control their powers. The orb was made of a deep black stone of unfathomable depth and guarded by Galaxy and the dragons.
Galaxy married and had children and continued to help any she was able. As her descendents reached their thirteenth birthdays, the wolves that were chosen by Mother Earth herself, would help the young avatars start their training, with help from the Avatar's orb. It was passed on to the eldest of each generation along with its responsibilities. After a time, we lost track of the Avatar’s orb and since then it seems to have disappeared.
We pass the story on to help us remember the first Avatar and how she began it all. Over the years, Avatars have become fewer and fewer. We are not even sure if there are any left. One has not been seen for over a century. We still have hope, that when a new danger arises, a new Avatar will appear.

Chapter 1

Grandmother closed the thick book. I loved hearing the story of Galaxy, the Avatar. Grandmother smiled. Every time Grandmother read the story to me, she warned me not to take it lightly. “It is less like fantasy then you think.” She would murmur.

Grandmother was known for her wild stories, but for this particular one, for some strange reason, I felt like I believed her. Maybe because of how she had always had that serious expression on her face when she read the story, as if each bad thing Galaxy came across hurt her, as well.

“Dear, you have to go to bed now,” She said. “But this is the last time I can read you this story.” My 4-year-old mind was trying to process this. “Why, Grandma?” I asked. She smiled sadly. “It's almost my time to go. It seems since the Fates have cut the line short, the duty will be passed down to you soon.” She said softly. “You must be brave, little one. Soon all your questions will be answered.”

That night, Grandmother died. They said she had passed away in her sleep. Peacefully, they said. They said it would be okay. But when it had something to do with my life, saying something was going to be okay, would automatically be a lie.

Even now, eight and a half years later, I still missed her. Every night I'd read the story out of the thick book Grandmother had left me in her will. The book was at least nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety nine pages long, not including the title page. It was called The Book Of Untold Stories.

I had always wondered about that title, unsure of what it meant. Was it fiction, or was it actually just untold stories of real people. If I hadn't read the book, I probably would've said untold stories of real people; except I have read it. Amazing and impossible stories filled the thick book. It had taken me almost three months to finish it, and I was considered a pretty fast reader.

Each story was intriguing, brilliant, and impossible in it's own way, but my favorite was The Little Girl Of Shaylana. It made me feel all warm inside, exactly how Grandmother used to make me feel. It reminded me that a girl around my age had amazing things happen to her, and so maybe even I was special, even without magic parents. Of course my parents were anything but magical when they were around each other. They probably couldn't get through one conversation without arguing with each other.

Anyway, The Little Girl Of Shaylana. So, even though I was only four when I had heard the soft whisper of my grandmother, I remembered. Something important was about to happen, and even without hearing Grandmother's words, I would've known that. Every time I was deep in thought about how the book, the story, and Grandmother's death were related, something weird happened. It was like a soft, gentle breeze had lifted me of the ground and flying me around on the wind and the golden leaves of autumn, or snowflakes if it was winter.

But of course when I opened my hazel eyes, all I saw was my same old bedroom.

But I didn't give up. I had a strange feeling that Grandmother was right, I just needed proof. See, I'm one of those people who needs to see to believe it. I got that trait from my mom.

Maybe I should explain about Grandmother. First of all, she's Dad's mom. Second, she's kinda like a psychic or something, but it has do with that kind of stuff. Mom and Dad always tried to keep her away from me, so I had only seen her five times before her death. Sad, huh?

Anyway, during the those visits, Grandmother showed me a spectacular, amazing, and miraculous place. A garden. But not just any garden, a secret garden. It was in a valley near her summerhouse. The summers I spent with her were the best –

exploring, having adventures, and especially fantasizing and day dreaming.

I remembered the first time Grandmother showed me the Secret Garden for the first time, almost nine years ago. Grandmother, a woman who had almond-shaped coffee brown eyes that were like two windows on the evening sky. Her silky, straight, white hair was worn in a style that reminded me of a peacock's tail. I remembered this as she had clutched my delicate 3-year-old hand, pulling me along. She pulled me along through a small opening in a thorny rose bush.

“Do you trust me?” She had asked me. “Of course!” I smiled. And she pulled me into the thorn bush.

As we stepped out, I gawked around in amazement. A beautiful waterfall reflecting a million different colors from a valley of flowers into a magnificent rainbow towered over me. It might have surprised me that the colors of flowers could reflect into a rainbow, except you haven't seen the flowers. The flowers were glowing in such a way that it felt like you needed sunglasses, except it wasn’t bright enough to temporarily blind you. In other words, it was amazing.

“What – how – when – where – why?” I asked, having completed the longest sentence I had ever tried. “Shhh,” Grandmother put a finger to her lips. “Your questions shall be answered one day, you’ll see.”

I tried to understand. I tried to see. I really did. But I never could. But that didn’t mean I was giving up.

Me, Ariolla Van Hughes, give up? Yeah, right.

Welcome to my life :p

Hi.

I'm Anjali.

This blog is about writing, art, and books. It's about me and my small corner of the world. Because as we all know, the world is square. For only a square world has corners.

Now I probably should tell you about myself.

Sooooooooooooo here I go:

1. I. Love. Writing.

It is my passion.

It is my life.

2. I have one sister.

3. I love to draw almost as much as I love to write, and my mom always hangs it up. Lol.

4. I am ALWAYS on the net.

5. I'm evil, BWAHAHA! jk. Maaaaaaaaaaaybe. Lol.

6. I am very rando-SALAD!!!

7. I like pie.

8. I don't like mushed up jello.

9. I like roller skating.

10. DON'T WAKE ME UP BEFORE 10:00 AM ON SUNDAY!!!

Anyway I am going to use this blog as publicity for my books, to sometimes recommend books, and also to give writing advice.

Later,

Anjali