Friday, June 23, 2017

Greetings and Salutations!

Congratulations, weary Internet traveller. You have just encountered a little piece of the web that I call home. Do come in, won't you? Put up your feet and rest.

It's good to meet you! My name is Josiah . . . but that was probably a little obvious. Welcome to my humble blog, The Steadfast Pen. I'm glad you stopped by. Fact is, I hope you stop by a lot more in the future.

To start off, let's get to know each other a little better. Here's a list of ten things you should know about me, because I like lists. And no, that one doesn't count.

  1. I love stories. Because of my love for stories, I'm a writer and, by nature, a reader. See, what I've found is that not all readers are writers, but writers tend to be readers. They need to replenish their creative juices now and again, and I'm no different. I love becoming so engrossed in a good book that I lose track of time. But it doesn't stop there. I want to return the favor by giving others stories that they'll absolutely love, which is a major reason why I write.
  2. I was homeschooled. No, I'm not one of those awkward, socially inept homeschool students. I can hold a conversation with the best of them. Well, maybe not quite, but close enough. I was in public school for kindergarten and driver's ed. I actually graduated from a one-year college class this spring, so there's that too for my "normal" school exposure.
  3. I have three sisters. People seem to be really surprised when they find out I don't have any brothers. They seem to think it's tough to survive in a home with so many females. Actually, they should be jealous of me. It gives me the advantage, because I can learn how to interact with the opposite gender. Plus, they're an incredible blessing to me, so it all works out in the end.
  4. I am the last of my siblings to start a blog. Yep, all three of my sisters have their own blogs. I finally decided to join the club this year. My oldest sister blogs about a variety of things, with writing and life in general being the most common topics. You can find her here. My middle sister likes to post about the art she draws and the books she reads. Check her out here. Last, but not least, my youngest sister posts about an online game she plays (Animal Jam) and is also writing a story about her and her friends in a high school. You'll catch her right here. (No, my sisters didn't bribe me so that I could advertise their blogs. This was all my doing.)
  5. I'm a gamer. Quick, erase the image of a forty-year-old, foul-mouthed, bachelor living in his parents's basement, surviving on Cheetos and shrinking away from the outdoors. It's a stereotype that I do not conform to, save for that fact that I'm a bachelor. I thoroughly enjoy playing video games, both by myself and with my youngest two sisters. I generally prefer family-friendly games, of which Nintendo has plenty. Shameless advertising for you there, Nintendo!
  6. I'm a LEGO fanatic. No one will ever be able to convince me that LEGO is a toy for kids only. It's ageless, and anyone can enjoy it. My LEGO collection consists of several boxes filled with an assortment of vehicles, animals, and what-have-you. I've got four boxes for minifigures, and I share a closet with my sisters to store bigger models. Plus, I've got a shelf or two on an old bookself, since the closet isn't big enough. Think I have enough yet? . . . Nah!
  7. My favorite music to listen to is soundtrack music. This collection rivals my LEGO; I own over fifty albums, if I'm not mistaken. Some people think this is really odd, but I love instrumental music more than I like lyrical songs. That's not to say that I don't enjoy stuff with lyrics, or that I never listen to it. It's just that if I'm going to listen to music, it'll probably be soundtrack music. One of my many quirks, I suppose.
  8. I enjoy making playlists for my stories. What I'll do is find tracks that match scenes from my stories--or the music will inspire story scenes--and put them together to make a playlist. It's actually a lot of fun to do, and the playlists always seem to get me even more pumped about my stories.
  9. Pizza is one of my favorite foods ever. Yes, this is a totally random fact to add to the list. But pizza deserves to be in its own food group. It's just that amazing. No other reason is need. Plus, my mom makes some extremely delectable homemade pizza, so that makes it even better.
  10. I am a passionate pursuer of Christ. He is the One who gave me my gifts and abilities, and He pursued me first. Because of all He has done for me, I follow Him through thick and thin. I want to ensure that in each and every one of my books, He is glorified. I want to be His steadfast pen to the world.

Well, there you have it! We are now better acquainted and can cut to the chase: what is this blog about? That question is probably at the forefront of your mind. (Unless you're thinking of pizza, which is definitely more important.) Well, let me tell what you can expect from my blog posts.

  • You can expect my adventures in my writing journey, which will include anything from tips and tricks to what I'm currently working on. In fact, writing will probably one of the major focuses of my blog.
  • You can expect me to talk about life in general. I'll probably share you with any interesting events that happen to me, or any ponderings I have about various "life" subjects.
  • You can expect book rants or reviews, whichever I feel like doing. Because, you know, books are a pretty big part of my life, since I'm a writer/reader.
  • You can expect amusing posts (at least I hope they are) about gaming and reviews for games.
  • You can expect me to jabber about amazing movies or TV shows I've seen, as well as reviews for them.
  • You can expect to get great suggestions from me as to what music you should listen to . . . or I'll just ramble about what I'm listening to. Also, more reviews about music.
  • You can expect more than just reviews, even though it sounds like all I'm posting about. Because I probably won't do it that often. I guess we'll see what happens.
  • You can expect new posts from me every Friday!

That wraps up my first post. I look forward to hanging out with you guys more in the future. Please, stay a little while and chat with me. I'm not going anywhere. And there's free pizza, so help yourselves. While you wait for a new post from me, why don't you check this guest post in which I talk about writing villains?

Farewell, my friends, until we meet again! Same time, same place! 

28 comments:

  1. Awww, great first post, bro!! ^-^

    Oh yes, SCORE! You advertised my blog! XD Actually, that totally shocked me--in a good way. Thanks so much, Josiah, for doing that! ^.^ Means a lot. ;)

    HA! XD Aren't you funny! "It gives me the advantage, because I can learn how to interact with the opposite gender." XDDD You're hilarious. ;)

    Video games are awesome, really. No one can argue with that. XD

    AND PIZZA, WHO DOESN'T LOVE THAT WARM, GOOEY, YUMMY PIECE OF DELIGHTFULNESS! :O

    WELL! I am super excited to read more of your posts, Joe da Bro! :D

    Until next Friday! *waves* ;P

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    1. Thanks, sis! Glad you liked it. :D

      All blog advertising comes at a price! XD You're welcome. I couldn't not do it when I mentioned that all of you have a blog. ;)

      Well, it's true! :P And yes, I'm quite hilarious, thank you. XD

      And if they do, they do not know what they are talking about. XD

      Mmm, pizza. I'm randomly craving some homemade chicken pizza in the near future. ^_^

      Thanks again, Lost the . . . Frost? :P Buh-bye!

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    2. Well, I thought I had changed my profile picture! Apparently not. XD

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  2. Hey bro!
    Awesome first post! :D (Your first post is waaaayyy longer than my first one. XD )Aww, thanks for including my blog and my sisters blogs. That's sweet of you. ^.^ Yay for pizza! :D You're right, Mom's pizza is da best. XD
    I look forward to reading your next posts! :D

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    1. Hey, sis!

      Thanks! (I tend to be long-winded, that's why. XD) No problem! It was my pleasure. :D Hooray for Italian doughy goodness! You better believe it is. XD

      You shall get many more, I can assure you!

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  3. Your blog is live! :D So exciting!!! And it looks great!

    It was really fun getting these tidbits about you. (Though I think I knew most of them. Lol!) But PIZZA. It should be required to be included in all important lists.*nods* Because, ya know, PIZZA.

    I can't wait to see all the fun posts you'll share with us. It's gonna be funnn!

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    1. Yep, it's finally out there for the world to see. :D Thanks! I wasn't sure what people would think of the design choices, but I'm glad you like them. :)

      If you know me, you'll most likely know all of the things I listed. :P There is no other explanation needed. Pizza is a most worthy food.

      You better believe it is! Thanks for stopping by. ^_^

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  4. Hey Josiah! *waves* Nice to meet you :) I know your sister Tracey. And I saw in one of your comments on Jonathan's blog that you were going to start a blog too. I am also new to this, having begun mine just this month. Great first post! I'll definitely be following you. All the best :D Have lots of fun!

    *takes pizza* thanks!

    Lisa
    thisinkwell.blogspot.com

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    1. *waves back* The pleasure is mine. :) Oh, are you one of the Pack girls? I didn't think other people would notice that. XD Is that so? I'll have to check it out in the near future! Thank you kindly. Every follower is appreciated. I shall have much fun indeed! :D

      No problem. Imaginary pizza is pretty cheap these days. XD

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    2. Pack? I just have a good memory, so when I saw a Josiah Dyck commenting, I remembered Tracey Dyck had a brother by that name.

      Lol. Someday I will have to offer my friends imaginary food too xD

      Also I didn't realize all your sisters blogged. Have to check them out too xD

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    3. Oh, shoot! I seem to have confused you with someone else. See, there's this group of beta-readers called the Pack that Tracey's a part of. It just so happens that one of them is named Lisa. I mixed you two up; my apologies.

      I can guarantee you that they will either most amused or unimpressed. XD And the problem with imaginary food is that if you eat too much of it, you'll start craving the real stuff badly.

      Yep, they do! I always thought I'd be the second (and final) one, but then they both started blogs before I knew what was even going on. XD

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  5. Hooray, The Steadfast Pen is alive! :D And it appears I am woefully late to the party. *hangs head in sisterly shame* But your intro is great, and I'm looking forward to the reviews and other Joe-thoughts coming our way. Thumbs up!

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    1. After many years (more like months) of waiting for the right time to unleash it. XD Ah, no worries. Better late than never, as they say. Thank you! You'll certainly get plenty of "Joe-thoughts," as you call them. :P

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  6. Welcome to the blogging world, Josiah!
    I've been enjoying your sisters' blogs, and it's great to see you joining the party. I'm looking forward to reading about what you have to say!

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    1. Thank you ever so much!

      Oh, is that so? I knew you were reading Tracey's blog, but not my other sisters's blogs. Well, hopefully what I say will be enjoyable reading for you. :)

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  7. Came here from Tracey's blog, I now wish some of my siblings had blogs.
    Also nice to see a fellow gamer and pizza enthusiast.

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    1. It's kind of a funny thing, actually. XD

      Of course. Gotta love video games and pizza. ^_^ Welcome here, by the way!

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  8. Hi Josiah!! So excited you've started your own blog! I can't wait to read all about your writing, life, everything! (Not in a...stalker-ish way, of course. XD)

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    1. Hullo, Madeline! *waves* Why, thank you. I'm pretty pumped about it as well. :D (I should hope not. XD)

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  9. Ahlo Lost Fairy sibling! :D
    Hope you enjoy ur blog XD.
    I loaf lego's to :O You should post some pictures of your sets for fun! :D
    *King Tough Bunny

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    1. 'Ello, Ja! :D I've never been called "Lostfairy sibling" before. XD

      Thanks! I am quite enjoying it so far. :)

      Oh, nice! A fellow LEGO fan. ^_^ That's actually a really great idea. I hadn't thought of doing that. I totally should. :D

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  10. Welcome to the blogging world! I read both of your sister's blog (:

    You have 3 sisters and no brothers? I have 3 sisters and 9 brothers XD XD

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    1. Why, thank you very much, Sarah! :) Which sisters (since I have three)?

      That is correct. Whoa, that's a lot of broskis. :O How do you survive with that many? XD

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    2. I think Sarah means me and Chloe's blogs. XDD

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  11. Welcome to the blogosphere, Josiah! *happily eats complimentary pizza* I enjoyed this post and look forward to what else you come up with. :D Happy writing! :)

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    1. Thank you kindly, Deb! :D Glad you liked it. I hope my future posts will be just as good, if not better. ^_^ Same to you! :)

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  12. Congrats on starting a blog, :D. I look forward to seeing more of your posts in the future!

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    1. Thanks, Chelsea! :D Well, you won't have to wait much longer for another post. ^_^

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