Author: Amanda Tero

Music has always been a part of Amanda Tero’s life–from her mom singing Steve Green specials to her dad honking out the rhythm of “Jingle Bells” in the driveway. She began teaching in 2007 and fell in love with sharing music. Amanda started arranging hymns for herself in her teens, with fast and furious advanced hymn settings. Then, as her students began requesting hymns at their levels, she branched out to hymn arranging for pedagogical reasons. Because of Amanda’s interest in various genres, in her shop, you will find hymn arrangements of various levels embracing classical elements, light jazz style, Southern Gospel flair, and more.

Seeking from Thence

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So often, we get imprisoned by “how far we’ve gone” that we never stop where we are at to seek God.

Deuteronomy 4:29 gives a special look on this, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” (emphasis mine)

God promises that when we seek Him “from thence” (where we are, at that moment), with our whole heart, we will find Him.

Are you caught in a place you know you shouldn’t be? Stop and seek God from right here.

After the Storm

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The other night, a quick storm blew through. Afterwards, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful array of clouds. So, out came my camera and tripod and began the playing. As I took pictures,  I couldn’t help but draw a parallel to our lives. After God allows a storm in our life, He also gives us beauty. Sometimes we just have to look for it.
These pictures are completely unedited — straight from the camera (okay, so I converted them from RAW to JPEG and added a watermark). For those of you interested, these were taken playing with f-stop on 22 and 32, shutter speed between .5-1 second. And for the rest of you who are interested, yes, the trees are so thick out here that it’s practically impossible to get a sky picture without treetops waving their hands.

What was the last thing you took a picture of?

Me? Teach Piano? – ready for review

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It’s almost time, folks! “Me? Teach Piano?” is on the brink of release and I’m getting reviewers signed up to read it. Are you interested in getting a free eBook of “Me? Teach Piano?” Email me at withajoyfulnoise{at}gmail{dot}com and I’ll send a copy your way in exchange of a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads.


Table of Contents:
1. Welcome to the World of Teaching
– Can you do this?
– Not all musicians are teachers
– When a pianist should begin teaching
– Some personal advice
– The one thing I wish I knew

2. Running a Piano Studio
– How do you get students?
– Where should you teach?
– How much should you charge?
– How to organize billing/payments
– Creating a studio policy
– Scheduling lessons
– Recitals
– How to organize lessons or lesson plans

3. Parents and Students
– You and the parents
– You and the students
– Practice
– Student problems

4. About Books
– Lesson books and beyond
– Supplemental material
– Duets
– Theory
– Hymn Playing

5. About Teaching
– The fundamentals (piano keys, finger numbers, note reading, timing, chords, cadences)
– This thing called “ear”

Keturah Lamb | Author Interview

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This week, we have Keturah over for an interview!

First off, tell us a little bit about your books.
I haven’t published anything, but I’ve written many, many short stories, most of which I think of as master pieces, lol. Included in those are an original fairy tale, a Beauty and the Beast retelling, a story about a girl and her 13 outlaw boy cousins, and a retelling of the Pied Piper story. I also wrote a Novella called Silent Thoughts, which I am hoping to publish soon. I just completed another short story called When Souls Breath On, about a young girl in charge of her retarded brother, on a strange and soul-changing journey – beneath the waters.

And yes, for novels. Those are coming! My first is almost written, and I have several others in the making! 🙂

I don’t necessarily write in a specific genre. I just write stories about people living life and having to make choices – or sometimes making choices that will lead them to some place they never imagined.
I write stories about people journeying through their thoughts and emotions, and going through hard things. I write comedy, sadness, laughter.

I write it in my fiction. And in my non-fiction and articles – I write things that I’m passionate about.

Sounds like some exciting times are ahead for you with getting your writing out in the world! What spurred on the desire for writing​?​I really don’t know. I have just always wrote. And read. And wrote. I’ve always knew I should write.

When I was little it was weird short stories.
Then grew into a bunch of poetry and even a song.
I had a bunch of good ideas for stories at a young age, but I couldn’t write them for some reason.
Until I found Go Teen Writers. They gave me the encouragement to JUST write.
But even that wasn’t enough. I had joined a knitting site called Ravelry. On here I found a community of like-minded girls, and I joined their monthly writing challenge.
Here I found the motivation (especially since there was a time limit) to complete a story, and found the support of others reading and liking my stuff.
From there I joined a Go Teen Writer’s challenge to write 100 words a day for 100 days with a friend.
I say I write because I have to. But I’m also extremely extroverted and a people person, so I also wrote for others – and to show others that we don’t have to live in unreality, but accept life as a beautiful gift from God.

How do you balance writing with living — or is writing your full-time job?

It’s quite hard, honestly. And being extroverted and living an active life doesn’t help any.
I’m the oldest of 11 children. I have a babysitting job and several housecleaning jobs. I do custom sewing, knitting, embroidery, and such, plus I have a lot of friends and keep my social life busy.
But I still try to write every day.
I do my daily journaling every night before going to sleep (I’ve been doing this since age 11 and only skipped a handful of days.)
I work on my stories one at a time…and force myself to keep at it.
I have decided to write once a week for my blog and every other for another blog. And I do.
Sometimes the post isn’t done until the night before it’s scheduled – but it always gets done.

You’re definitely more committed to your journal than I am! Who do you hope to reach with your writing?
Any one needing joy or hope in their life. So basically everyone.
I want to show all that there’s beauty in whatever situation you are in. I want to give them a story they can enjoy and laugh at and find hope from.
And I also want to show them that despite others saying contrary, God does exist and does care.

Nice goals. If someone asked you for your best writing tip, what would it be?
Keep writing. And that writer’s block doesn’t exist. It’s just an excuse to not write. If that still doesn’t work – then why are you writing?
Find a reason worthy of doing what you are doing, then get last what you feel like doing – not writing – and write!

Hmm…great tip! What are three things that you greatly enjoy doing?
Three things only! Wow…
Ummm…
1. Dancing!
I love to dance, especially fast extricate dances. My favorite are Posties Jig, Cotton Eye Joe, and the Cupid Shuffle – for those that don’t dance those are three totally different dances, haha!!! 😉
2. Knitting.
I love to do textured things and use bright colors and make up my own patterns. I really like to make socks and hats. Love hats. Like I really, really like hats.
I used to never be seen with out a hat of some sort – normally a cloth fishing type of hat. Now I hardly wear hard as much…but still love them!
3. Reading books or studying any interesting fact.
I have always collected books…and own boxes and boxes of books (all organized by the author). And most of them are old books. I love R. M. Ballantyne, Robert Louis Stevenson, George Macdonald, C. S. Lewis, L. M. Alcott, Katherine Paterson, and Nancy Drew mystery books. Katherine Paterson is probably my favorite author…and I would love to write like her! And I love studying and reading non-fiction books, biographies, history, mythology, some philosophical stuff, and such! 

Sounds like a lot of fun stuff! I’m so glad to have you here on my blog and get to know you better! Best wishes on your writing!

ABOUT KETURAH
Hi! I’m just a crazy almost 20-year old writer – that loves to make people laugh most of all. Laughter and joy are necessities in life, I believe, but I still love it when my writing makes people cry, think, or change their mindset and the world around them.
That’s what I really love – getting reactions out of people. But more than that? I like to help people make a difference. I want to be a part of God’s great work in changing the world through His people with  kindness, unselfishness, and servant-like love.

Other places my readers can connect with me:
Facebook: Keturah Lamb
Facebook Page: Keturah’s Korner
Twitter: @KeturahAbigail
Instagram: Keturah Lamb
Email: keturahskorner(@)gmail(dot)com
Fashion Blog: A Pinch Of Classy

Journey of Choice 006

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Chapter 5 in “Choice” done!
10K words reached!
 
Excerpt from chapter 5:
One boy stepped up to Nat. “You’re that orphan them Roes took in, ain’t ya.” The way he emphasized the title sounded like it hurt to say the word.
 
“What would you know?” Nat shoved past him.
 
“I know a lot more than you would ever know.”
 
Nat spun around to face James, who put a hand on his shoulder. “He’s just testing you,” James whispered. Turning to the boy, James’ voice was stern. “Let him be, Tom. Your parents taught you better.”
 
“Anyone can see he ain’t got no parents to teach him nothing.”
 
James’ grip tightened on Nat’s shoulder. “Ignore him.” His words stopped the harsh reply Nat was about to spew out.

Journey of Choice 005

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By way of update, chapter four in Journey of Choice was finished a couple of weeks ago (before summer busyness hit). Here is an excerpt for you!
 
~*~*~
     “Picked something up for you yesterday.”
     Nat narrowed his eyes. “What do you want?”
     James’ brown eyes twinkled. “Just to give my new brother a gift.”
     “I ain’t your brother.”
     “Fine then. Take it as a friend?” He reached into his pocket and drew out a flat, rectangular object, too big for a knife.
     Nat eyed it critically as he turned back to Highfly. “I don’t want nothing.”
     “I know you don’t.”
     A piece of cool metal was pressed into Nat’s hand. He glanced down. “What is it?”
     “A harmonic. It makes music.”
     Nat snorted. “I don’t want no music. Ain’t got no music in me.”
     James grinned in a friendly way. “Maybe that will change.”

This week’s interview swap with Claire Banschbach

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This week, I had a fun interview swap with author Claire M. Banschbach.
 
Find out how she balances writing and life and how she created her own world for The Rise of Aredore series: http://withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com/2016/06/claire-banschbach-author-interview-and.html
 
Then, if you’d like to read her interview of me (in which you’ll discover how I find music and writing are similar), visit her blog: https://clairembanschbach.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/composing-stories/comment-page-1/#comment-2597

Claire Banschbach | Author Interview and Book Review

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
This week I have both an interview and book review. If you like non-magical fantasy, check out Claire’s Rise of Aredor series!

INTERVIEW
1) In a nutshell, what do you write​?​
I write fantasy/adventure books, mostly for teenagers. But I want anyone of all ages to be able to enjoy my stories. Mainly I want to write clean adventure stories that are worth reading.

2) What spurred on the desire for writing​?​
Basically I had an entire book in my head for almost five years. These characters were always there and I enjoyed hanging out with them. Then one day, I decided to pick up a notebook and a pen to see if I could get it all on paper. Once I discovered how much fun writing and letting myself brainstorm new stories was, I never stopped.

3) How do you balance writing with living — or is writing your full-time job?
I’m currently in Physical Therapy school, which takes up most of my time. So during semesters, I don’t get to do a lot of writing since I’m always studying for something. During breaks is when most of my writing gets done. But I have a weekly serial story I publish on my blog, so that makes me write something at least once a week.

4) Who do you hope to reach with your writing?
Anyone and everyone! I know it’s something authors say a lot, but it really is true – if my stories can impact at least one person’s life, then that will make me happy.

5) If someone asked you for your best writing tip, what would it be?
Don’t force yourself to write. I’m not a big proponent of the whole “you must write every day or so to break out of a slump” thing. If you don’t want to write, then don’t. It’s my thought that your writing will be better when you actually want to do it. And maybe that’s just the lazy person in me talking. 😉

6) ​What are three things that you greatly enjoy doing?
1. Reading. Obviously.
2. Horseback riding. I started lessons when I was 12, but it’s been a while since I’ve
been on a horse due to school and everything. 😦
3. Hiking. It’s something I don’t get to do very often, but I love it!

7) You created your own world for “The Rise of Aredor” series. How did you go about doing that?
Landscape wise, I took some inspiration from a few other books and the rest was just countryside that I personally like. Culture wise, Lawhead’s Arthur and Robin Hood books helped me develop a fascination for ancient Welsh culture which inspired Aredor. I’ve always loved anything Irish or Scottish (I used to Irish dance) which inspired Braeton. As for Calorin, some people have noticed that the name resembles a Narnian country which indeed did inspire it, but I also think that Arabic culture is fascinating as well. So with that long winded answer, I basically took elements of cultures that fascinate me and used them as a basis to construct my world.

8) What was the thing you enjoyed most about writing “The Rise of Aredor” series?
Since Corin is the main character, he’s obviously my favorite. But I love his and Aiden’s friendship, so basically any scene with them together, no matter the situation, was always a blast to write.

9) What was the hardest thing about writing “The Rise of Aredor?”
The girls. Weird answer I know, but I tend to find that writing guys is easier than girls. Odder still since I only have one brother and six sisters, so I don’t have a lot of experience with the male persona. Anyway, out of the three main female characters in the series it was a bit more difficult to construct individual characters and not have them quite so cardboardy.

10) How are your other books different from “The Rise of Aredor?”
The new series I’m working on right now is a little different in the fact that it’s magical fantasy. With most of my other books I’ve started to include more noticeable religious overtones, something that The Rise of Aredor series does not really contain as far as giving a message of faith. It’s been fun but challenging so far to work it in.

ABOUT CLAIRE

Claire Banschbach was born and raised in Midland, TX, the fourth of eight children. She was homeschooled through high school and is now a proud member of the Texas A&M University class of 2014. An avid reader of Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and many other adventure novels, Claire was prompted to begin writing her own fantasy novel at seventeen after several years of daydreaming.

She continues to write in her spare time (and often when she doesn’t have spare time). When not scratching out stories and homework with pen and pencil, Claire partakes in the joys of watching the Boston Red Sox, Aggie football, and playing volleyball. She hopes her strong foundation in God will help to guide her writing. 

She is currently working on her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Texas Tech Health Science Center.

Connect with Claire:
THE RISE OF AREDOR

ABOUT THE BOOK
20512334Lost in a foreign land and separated from his family, Corin does his best to survive as a slave in the household of a Calorin lord. With newfound friends he fights for survival in ambushes and wars. For one act of bravery, he is awarded his freedom and returns to a home that has been invaded and ravaged by the Calorin armies. When Corin sets foot on Aredor’s shores, he has one goal in mind: find his family. He is driven into the forest, where he is reunited with childhood friends. From the shelter of the woods, they begin a spirited rebellion against Corin’s former cruel master, who now holds sway over Aredor. Follow Corin’s path in his quest to free his imprisoned brother, find a father who has vanished, and ultimately free his country in The Rise of Aredor.

MY REVIEW
This book is divided into two segments or “books” (Book One: The Phoenix Guard, Book Two: Hawk Uprising), basically defining two parts of Corin’s (or Hadmid’s) life.

I couldn’t really discover a plot for the first part of the book — it seemed like the story was being driven from event to event, told in an overview sort of way. I didn’t really get “into” the characters. However, when it came to the second book, I thoroughly enjoyed it! There was definitely a strong plot as Corin set to work at finding his family and summing up the courage of the Aredorians. In some ways it made me think of Robin Hood.

There were a few things that I either missed or they weren’t there — for example, who was the inside informant of Lord Rishdah?

What I liked:
– I appreciated the “no magic” in this book!
– It was very clean as far as no morally compromising situations (really, no romance at all), no bad words; there weren’t any scenes that made me feel uncomfortable
– Karif. You’ll have to read the book to find out who Karif is. 😉
– The humor. Ah! I did laugh a few times throughout this book!
– I didn’t find it extremely gruesome, though about 90% of the book was descriptions of war and fighting. There were tortures, but they were mentioned, not detailed.

What I didn’t like:
– I can’t call this a Christian book. The higher powers of Zayd and Lleu is mentioned. Hope of earning a place in Lleu’s halls.
– I’m not big on dreams, and there were two scenes: one where Hamid dreamed that a dead friend warned him of upcoming danger, another where a wounded man dreamed that he talked with a messenger from Lleu then was healed. Those were just a little weird to me.
– From a fictional point of view, I enjoyed it. They seemed to always get the inside scoop, always be one step ahead, always have mistakes turn into victory, etc. (exception at the climax, of course) If I wanted to read a story where the good guys always managed to be smarter and more skilled than the bad guys, this was it. But if you like realistic stories (which, I tend to…), too many good things happen to make it believable.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading The Wildcat of Braeton in the next month or so!!!

*I received this book from the author in exchange of my honest review*