charlotteecraig

[charlotteecraig]

I am so excited to officially announce that I have finished writing THE TIDES OF FATE 🌊... This novel that has been several years in the making (around 8, to be exact) is finally finished. I have waited awhile to make this post because, to be honest, getting to this point has not been easy, especially during this past year. Completing this novel has been a battle. Each time I sat down to write, I had to combat feelings of inadequacy, crippling self-doubt, and the fear of failure. I had to take many long breaks during the creation of this novel. Sometimes life got too busy to breathe, let alone to write. Sometimes I needed to recharge, to fall back in love with my story, and to remind myself why writing is something worth my time. Sometimes it was just because writing sequels is too freaking hard lol. Yet, I am here. My draft is done. It is not perfect, but it is closer now to the way I imagined it. There are still several stages for the novel to go through before you can read it (ex: editing, cover design, etc.), but that day is coming soon. I have learned sooo much about writing and myself during the process of creating this book (too much to fit into a single post). I’m thankful for the journey that this story has taken me on. And I’m incredibly excited that I will soon be able to share it with you all ♡ https://www.instagram.com/p/CFdB6vegndg/?igshid=9zi6dv7kwkw1

[charlotteecraig]

“The closer we get to mass incarceration and extreme levels of punishment, the more I believe it’s necessary to recognize that w e a l l n e e d m e r c y, we all need justice, and -perhaps- we all need some measure of u n m e r i t e d g r a c e.” • • • #brianstevenson #justmercy #blacklivesmatter #book #books #read #reading #amreading #justmercybook #justmercymovie #bookstagram #outliersociety #blmliterature #blm https://www.instagram.com/p/CEFLFJDhq60/?igshid=kjfxkkjulgi3

[charlotteecraig]

“It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end… because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing… this shadow. Even darkness must pass.” ♡ • • • #thetwotowers #twotowers #lotr #lotdoftherings #thelordoftherings #thelordoftheringstrilogy #samwisegamgee #book #books #read #reading #amreading #fantasy #jrrtolkien #jrrtolkienquote https://www.instagram.com/p/CCyFTEJAD43/?igshid=132bd43yee41m

[charlotteecraig]

If there is one thing that I think every Christian can agree on is that trusting God is not easy. It’s actually really hard. Sometimes it’s even a bit messy. As I started my final semester of my undergrad back in September, I came to the abrupt revelation that my trust in Jesus is broken. I don’t always believe that He is good. I doubt his power and his love for me. As I came to this realization, I began to pray that God would help me learn to trust him better and more. I asked my church to join me in this prayer. Ever since, God has given me ample opportunities to trust him: a first real relationship, a graduation, an unfinished manuscript, an unknown career path, a global pandemic, and much more! I’ve been confronted by the reality that life is filled with uncertainties. If there is one thing that the corona virus has taught us, it’s that we were fools to ever think that we are truly in control. We cannot fully predict what will happen three years or days from now. So much can change so quickly, which is terrifying! Nothing in this life is guaranteed...except Jesus. He is constant, steadfast, as is His unconditional love for humanity. He has proven his faithfulness over and over. Although we may not know what’s next, He does. And He is working all things for the good of those who love Him (Rom.8:28). This is the God I’m learning how to trust. Each day, He is patiently teaching me to let go and surrender. He is giving me so many opportunities to depend on Him. Most days this is a battle, but, through His power, I’m choosing to trust Him with my life. Each morning I’m choosing to lay all my plans and dreams in his good hands. And He is working through this process, allowing me grace for my missteps and filling me with such joy in knowing that I do not have to face the unknowns of this life alone. 🙌🏻 https://www.instagram.com/p/CCs-WjgAXj2/?igshid=9gu7imqb0vr7

[charlotteecraig]

When any writer picks up a novel, they enter each page as both a reader and student. 📖 • • • #writing #amwriting #books #book #fiction #read #reading #bookstagram #write #author #writer #ruinandrising #leighbardugo #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram #toronto #canada #literature https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWR9D1gZwi/?igshid=xm0g7n373ih4

[charlotteecraig]

“Stories, like people and butterflies and songbirds’ eggs and human hearts and dreams, are also f r a g i l e t h i n g s, made up of nothing stronger or more lasting than twenty-six letters and a handful of punctuation marks.” • • • #amreading #neilgaiman #fragilethings #shortstories #book #books #reading #read #bookstagram #writer #author #masterclass #toronto #story #stories #writing #write #amwriting https://www.instagram.com/p/CB5rCoCgfhr/?igshid=xiyefpdvfx86

[charlotteecraig]

Next to coffee, notebooks are my most essential writing companion. I’ve been flying through so many of them since the start of quarantine, filling the pages with little pieces of my heart and new creative projects 👀 • • • #writerstag #writer #writingtool #author #book #books #writing #amwriting #read #reading #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram #toronto #canada #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writinginspiration #writinglife #notebooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CBlZTdhA7vt/?igshid=1pu6oqc2ysv5c

[charlotteecraig]

📸: @domrobxrts I took some time away from social media this past week to process and reflect on many of the things that have been going on in our world today. One of the reasons I did this is because I was broken by the ignorance of many white people (particularly Christians who I love and respect), myself included, towards the blatant racism that still exists in North America. One of the ways that we can love our black/indigenous/poc neighbours right now is to educate ourselves on their experiences in a society that still operates on systemic oppression. Personally, I believe that the most effective tool for learning is through stories. The magic of stories is that they offer us a space to place ourselves in another person’s shoes. Stories allow us to cultivate empathy, which is something much needed in every human interaction. Listed below are a collection of books, movies, and TV shows that I have read/watched or hope to get to eventually. I have also included some non-fiction books and electronic resources, particularly those by Christians who offer a Biblical view on this subject. PLEASE take the time to consider and look into these stories. PLEASE do not ignore something because it makes you uncomfortable. PLEASE seek to respond in love and grace before judgement. PLEASE walk with me as I try to love others better. FICTION BOOKS BY BLACK&INDIGENOUS AUTHORS: ✧“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
✧“Dear Martin” by Nic Stone ✧“Birdie” by Tracey Lindberg ✧“The Marrow Thieves” by Cherie Dimaline (BONUS: “On The Come Up” by Angie Thomas; “Children of Blood & Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi) MOVIES/TV: ✧“When They See Us” (Dir. Ava DuVernay) ✧“Fruitvale Station” (Dir. Ryan Coogler) ✧“Just Mercy” (Dir. Destin Daniel Cretton) ✧“13th” (Dir. Ava DuVernay) ✧“We Were Children” (Dir. Tim Wolochatiuk) (BONUS: “Black Panther” (Dir. Ryan Coogler); “Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse” (Dir. Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Bob Persichetti); “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” - these are honorary mentions that I LOVE) NON-FICTION RESOURCES: ✧“White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo 
✧“The Colour of Compromise” by Jemar Tisby ✧“Rethinking Incarceration” by Domonique DuBois Gillard https://www.instagram.com/p/CBRitUeg5dI/?igshid=10716wpgszvp5

[charlotteecraig]

“Each spine (book) had been an open door away whispering, Come in, come in. Here is the land you’ve never seen before. Here is a place to hide when you’re frightened, to play when you’re bored, to rest when the world seems unkind.” ✨ • • • I’m finally getting around to reading this book and I am LOVING it. I’d heard mixed reviews about this instalment in the #grishaverse series, but I’m throughly enjoying the way Leigh Bardugo has drawn the characters from “Shadow & Bone” and “Six of Crows” together in this novel, as well as the way she has continued the stories of these beloved supporting characters. • #kingofscars #nickolaiduology #grishaverse #sixofcrows #shadowandbone #books #series #grisha #leighbardugo #fantasy #ya #youngadult #yafantasy #book #read #reading #amreading #writer #author https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3FgtOASgm/?igshid=nb0g3at8gbit

[charlotteecraig]

#amattemptingtowritethings 😇✨ https://www.instagram.com/p/CAs4l80Ag5U/?igshid=6tcts3kdn8up

[charlotteecraig]

“Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. For these there is hope.“ ✨ • • • #oscarwilde #thepictureofdoriangray #classics #book #bookstagram #read #reading #books #write #writer #writing #literature #author https://www.instagram.com/p/B_3exBhARpp/?igshid=qheekkpz2950

[charlotteecraig]

“Scars made good reminders.” ⛈ • • • #siegeandstorm #leighbardugo @lbardugo #grishaverse #shadowandbone #ruinandrising #shadowandbonetrilogy #fantasy #youngadult #teenfiction #trilogy #read #reading #quarantinereads #book #books #amreading #series #bookstagram #author #writer https://www.instagram.com/p/B_NRTXcg3yB/?igshid=25z32p8jflr4

[charlotteecraig]

The Eucatastrophe

J.R.R Tolkien is easily my favourite author. The story of The Lord of the Rings is one that has stuck with me since I was a child. Tolkien’s work resonates so deeply with my soul. This is because his narratives display the truths that belong to a Greater Story that we were designed to be part of. It is the most marvellous story of love, sacrifice, reconciliation, and hope ever written. The Bible.

Tolkien identified a storytelling device that is used in many stories, particularly in his literature. Every good story shares a moment where all hope is lost. The heroes are downcast, nearly defeated. A way of escape or victory is deemed impossible. Then, at the very last second, a plot twist occurs. Hopelessness is met with a “sudden happy turn…which pierces you with a joy that brings you to tears.” Many of the stories we love contain this hopeful twist, which Tolkien identifies as a eucatastrophe. The Fellowship is nearly defeated in the Battle of Helms Deep when Gandalf suddenly appears in blazing light with an entire army at his side. Captain America is alone against Thanos and his forces when all of a sudden portals open all around him and every single avenger that had been snapped away reappears.

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was crucified on a cross, but, three days later, he rose to life.

This is perhaps the greatest eucatastrophe to ever occur in human history or any story ever written. Tolkien himself declared it to be “the greatest ‘eucatastrophe’ possible.” Humanity was broken by sin, but God put on human flesh and came to us in the form of a baby, his Son, Jesus. He dwelt with humankind. He revealed to us the goodness and glory of God. He was the Messiah. The promised Saviour King. The only hope against sin and death. And he was murdered. He gave himself up willingly to be crucified. In the Scriptures, it says that “there was darkness over all the land” (Matthew 27:45). The disciples were left devastated, hopeless. Jesus - their Rabbi, King, and Friend - had been slain. They buried him in a tomb, doubly sealed by Roman guards. All hope seemed lost. Then, a eucatastrophe occurred. Three days later, the stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. Jesus had resurrected from the dead. He has risen! He is alive!

This news should pierce us “with a joy that brings you to tears.” Our God is alive. Because of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, all sin has been paid for. It can control us no more. All our hardships and trials we will face are redemptive. We can have hope in knowing that our lives are eternal. In the knowledge that, even now, our God is with us. We can pray and know that we are heard by a living God. We can have joy in knowing that Christ will return again and bring an end to sin forever. We can look forwards to this glorious day when every broken part of our world will be mended. Every illness will be healed. Every tear will be wiped away.

These are incredible implications, remarkable truths, that we should be reminded of daily. No matter what may come, we can have hope in this beautiful thing that God has done. It can be difficult to focus on the light with all that is happening in our world today. The night can seem just too dark. Our burdens can become too big to carry. But God is greater. The story of Christ reminds us of this. “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Victory has already been won by our God, who is alive and is with us always.

Sources: Bowers, John M. Tolkien’s Lost Chaucer. E-book, Oxford Press, 2019.

The Bible. English Standard Version, Crossway, 2008.

[charlotteecraig]

✞ B Y H I S W O U N D S ✞ https://www.instagram.com/p/B-2McJ3gaoK/?igshid=ot4np2fhgc3

[charlotteecraig]

“They are orphans again, with no true home but each other and whatever life they can make together on the other side of the sea.” 🌊 • • • #shadowandbone #grishaverse #grisha #grishatrilogy #leighbardugo #fantasy #trilogy #read #reading #books #book #thedarkling #bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B-sIS2fgzqj/?igshid=1trdoxg03qyo7

[charlotteecraig]

✨R E (A) D ✨ • • • #bookstagram #ruinandrising #leighbardugo #catchingfire #suzannecollins #crescentcity #houseofearthandblood #sarahjmaas #farenheit451 #raybradbury #cursed #frankmiller #thomaswheeler #books #read #reading #amreading #red #quarintinereads https://www.instagram.com/p/B-qL-Fhg8iG/?igshid=1273tdy2b4tiu

[charlotteecraig]

If you’re an introvert like me, you are probably thriving during this time of social-distancing. I’ve been my most rested and productive self these past couples weeks. However, for others being stuck at home brings other hardships. It’s easy to be burdened by the chaos going on around us and by our own imaginings of all the unknowns that lay before us amidst this global pandemic. The fear and anxiety we distract ourselves from is made clear in those moments of boredom. Something God has been teaching me this year is to trust that He is good and that He is in control of each new day, no matter what it may hold. I’ve experienced a lot of peace in holding onto this truth. Now that I have extra time on my hands, I’ve been spending a lot of it reminding myself who God is and all that He has done - in His Word, in the lives of others, and in my own. Amidst these reflections, I’m finding rest. I’m finding an abundance of hope in knowing that He is on the throne. He sees the outcome of all that is confusing and chaotic to us. He is working, even though it seems like the world is falling apart. I’m choosing to spend my days clinging to the hope that all of this is in His hands (as well as finishing my degree, writing a manuscript, reading a hella amount of books, binging some favourite shows, relearning my love for sims, working out, enjoying nature, spending time with family, and checking up on my friends). The world has shut down, but you haven’t. You are still alive. You can still enjoy this blessing of life you have been given. It’s been granted to you for a reason. Do not lose sight of that. If you are struggling at this time and need someone to talk to, if you want some suggestions on fun things to do to keep you distracted/occupied, please feel free to DM me! I’m happy to talk! 😊 https://www.instagram.com/p/B-LCLFRgq8r/?igshid=4s06ymlr0w3a