Chronicles Woven in Runes
My bedtime storybook, “Sleepy Tales” is very nearly done! I’ve just got one more illustration to complete, and then, it’ll be ready for final review. I’m so excited! It’s a very cute book, I must say.
Stay tuned! More details coming.
I just received a message that was so touching, reminding us all of that Sacred, Blessed Thursday So very long ago, when the Lord spoke to His disciples, but they didn’t understand.
Not until they witnessed the Resurrection of Jesus Chridt, our Lord, Savior, and Master of us all. The true sacrifice wasn’t only on the cross.
It happened in the Garden of Gethsemane, when He took upon Himself the total of the sums of the sins of the world.
Think of it! He bore our sins – every one of us! From the beggar to the thief, from the robber to the murderer; from the sinful to the ones who try. He experienced every single thing a human can experience.
Why? So He can know how to succor us. So He’d understand how the Cancer patient felt, how physical pain of every kind felt; how emotional pain felt; how spiritual pain felt; any type of pain a human can experience. He felt it.
He knew that He had to know these things in order for us to trust Him, to believe Him, when He said, “I know. I can take it away from you. Follow Me.”
Oh, the love He has for us! We are truly His brothers and sisters. He is our Elder brother, the firstborn of the Father.
I believe in my heart that He had a relationship with each and every one of us. Before we were born, we knew Him intimately as our Elder brother.
The fact that He bore your sins, my sins, and everyone who ever took a breath here’s sins, that shows the great love He has for us.
If you don’t know that with all your being, please ask Him. He will communicate this fact to you in the way you’ll know it.
Deeply personal.
One on one.
No barriers.
He reaches out to us individually in so many ways. All we have to do is, “Be still and know that I am.”
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
I’ve had this little book out on Amazon for a while now. Hope you’ve all had a chance to check it out. It’s really sweet; there’s a double story about the dangers that these beautiful ocean turtles experience – many lose their limbs to nets, fishermen’s nets that get caught up in their flippers.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my new video for book # 2 of Discovering Misty.
Please check it out! There’s some great reviews in Goodreads too.
Thanks all!
Woohoo! My new book is out! It’s a Luxury Adult Coloring Book. Check it out!
Scientists have discovered that using coloring books actually helps to calm and help the brain focus better.
I wrote about it last night in my blog and now it’s available for purchase. They should have more pictures up in a few days. There’s more than 170 pages to color!
Check it out!
Hello, friends and fellow story-lovers!
I’m Shirley Ulbrich, writing under the pen names Pages Alight (for my more whimsical and visual storytelling projects) and S.M. Ulbrich (for my fantasy, sci-fi, and dystopian tales). Today I’m thrilled to share that we’re hard at work on a brand-new story book—a project that’s been dancing around in my imagination for quite some time. I can’t wait to tell you more as it takes shape!
In the meantime, my little collection of small notebooks (there are currently three available) continues to bring joy to folks who love to jot down thoughts, sketches, or daily reflections. They’re simple, charming, and perfect for tucking into a bag or keeping by your bedside.
And the big news I’ve been waiting for… my luxury adult coloring book is finally in review! After a couple of rejections (those picky full-bleed page requirements kept tripping us up), it looks like we might see it go live as soon as today or tomorrow. Fingers crossed—I’ll shout it from the rooftops the moment it’s approved and available!
To celebrate the creative energy flowing right now, here are a couple of illustrations I created that didn’t make it into the final story book or coloring pages. I thought you might enjoy them as a little sneak peek into my artistic process:
What do you think? Do any of these spark a story idea for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
If you’d like to stay in the loop on the new story book, the coloring book launch, or any of my other creations (under any of my names), feel free to subscribe to the newsletter or follow along on social media. Your support means the world to this indie author and visual storyteller.
Thank you for being part of this creative journey with me. Here’s to more stories, more colors, and more pages alight!
✨Warmly,
Shirley Ulbrich
aka Pages Alight & S.M. Ulbrich
Psalm 51: 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Hey there, fellow night owls and creative souls! It’s Shirley here, tapping away from my cozy corner in Hawkins, Texas, where the stars are out and the world is quiet. It’s been a hot minute since I last posted—life has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? But tonight (or should I say this early morning?), I’m feeling inspired to share a little update on my latest adventure: diving back into Canva.
You know, as an author, I’ve always loved weaving words into stories that transport readers. But lately, I’ve been craving a visual twist to complement my writing. Enter Canva—the design tool that’s like a playground for the imagination. I’m relearning it from scratch, and let me tell you, it’s both exhilarating and a tad overwhelming. Remember those first days of discovering drag-and-drop magic? The templates, the fonts, the endless color palettes? I’m right back there, experimenting with book covers for my next manuscript and even some fun graphics for social media shares.
Pro tip: If you’re rusty like me, start with their tutorials—they’re bite-sized and perfect for short bursts of creativity.
But here’s the real talk: My schedule isn’t exactly ideal for this. For reasons I won’t bore you with (though I’d love to grill the universe about it someday—hey heaven, why the short end of the stick on sleep?), I’m only awake about four hours out of every 24. And those hours? Always after midnight, when the rest of the world is dreaming. It’s like living in my own personal twilight zone. On one hand, the silence fuels focus—no distractions, just me, my laptop, and that soft glow from the screen. On the other, I wish I had more time to explore, to iterate, to let ideas marinate. Four hours fly by when you’re knee-deep in aligning elements or hunting for the perfect stock photo.
Still, I’m making it work. Canva’s mobile app has been a lifesaver for those groggy moments when I can’t sit at my desk. And honestly, these late-night sessions have sparked some unexpected gems—designs that feel more raw and authentic, born from the quiet hours when my mind wanders freely. If you’re dealing with your own time constraints, whether from health, work, or just life’s chaos, know this: Progress doesn’t need a full day. A few dedicated hours can move mountains… or at least create a stunning Instagram post.
What’s next? I’m aiming to incorporate more visuals into my author journey—maybe some mood boards for characters or teaser graphics for upcoming releases. If you have Canva hacks or favorite features, drop them in the comments! I’d love to hear how you’re blending creativity with whatever curveballs come your way.
Until next time (hopefully sooner than later), keep creating in the cracks of time you’ve got.
Sweet dreams—or good morning, depending on when you read this.
A man slaughters a big cow, starts the grill, and says to his daughter, “Daughter, go call our relatives, friends, and neighbors to join us… We’re having a celebration!”
The daughter goes out to the street and shouts, “Please help! My father’s house is on fire!”
After some time, only a few people come out to help, while many others act like they didn’t hear anything. The ones who came stay, eat, and enjoy the food until late.
The father, confused, looks around and says to his daughter, “I don’t know most of these people. Some I’ve never seen before. Where are our friends, family, and neighbors?”
The daughter calmly replies, “The people who came didn’t come for a party. They came because they thought we were in trouble. These are the people who care about us. These are the ones who deserve to celebrate with us.”
Lesson: The ones who don’t show up when you’re struggling don’t deserve to be with you when you succeed.
What do you think? I think it all depends on the intent of a person, really. Some people may WANT to help, but don’t know how. There are times in everyone’s lives when it’s just too hard to stretch and serve another, even though we want to help.
If someone came to our door right now, my husband would do everything he can, but he can’t give money or can’t be gone from the house very long, as people need him here. Those circumstances must be taken into consideration, and not punish those with good intent.
As an author weaving tales of survival and mysticism, I’ve fallen in love with runes, those enigmatic symbols from our ancestors. Today, let’s explore how these ancient marks breathe new life into modern stories, drawing from their historical roots to inspire today’s readers and writers.
Imagine a world shattered by catastrophe, where survivors cling to fragments of ancient wisdom to forge their path forward. In my Zion series, a mysterious rune etched on a weathered stone whispers prophecies of hope amid the ruins. It’s not just a plot device—it’s a bridge to the past, pulsing with magic that feels alive on the page.
Runes aren’t mere letters; they’re portals to a bygone era. The Elder Futhark, the oldest known runic alphabet, emerged around 150-800 AD among Germanic tribes in Scandinavia and beyond.
Carved into wood, stone, or bone, these 24 symbols served practical purposes—like labeling possessions or commemorating the dead—but they also carried deeper, mystical connotations.
Derived from the word “rún” meaning “secret” or “mystery” in Old Norse, runes were believed to hold divinatory power. Warriors might consult them before battle, or shamans use them in rituals to glimpse the future.
Historians draw much of what we know from sources like the Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem and the Norwegian Rune Poem, which assign poetic meanings to each symbol.
Take Fehu, the first rune, shaped like a cattle horn: It represents wealth, prosperity, and the rewards of hard work.
Uruz, resembling an aurochs (a wild ox), embodies raw strength and endurance—perfect for tales of overcoming adversity.
Then there’s Ansuz, linked to Odin, the Allfather, symbolizing wisdom, communication, and divine inspiration.
These aren’t static definitions; they’re fluid, open to interpretation, which is why they fascinate storytellers like me.
In my Zion series—starting with Zion: The Beginning and continuing through the chronicles—I’ve adapted these runes to fit a post-apocalyptic landscape. Here, they’re more than historical nods; they’re survival tools.
Characters decipher rune-inscribed artifacts to unlock hidden bunkers or predict environmental threats, blending ancient lore with futuristic grit.
For instance, a protagonist might trace Uruz during a brutal storm, drawing on its energy to push through exhaustion.
This isn’t arbitrary—I researched authentic meanings to ensure they resonate authentically, then twisted them to serve the narrative. It’s like Tolkien did with his Elvish scripts or runes in The Hobbit, where they add layers of world-building that make Middle-earth feel timeless.
What draws me to runes in storytelling is their versatility. They’re visual poetry: Simple lines that evoke complex ideas, making them ideal for visual media like book covers or fan art.
In Zion, they symbolize resilience in chaos, mirroring real-world themes of adaptation in uncertain times. And honestly, incorporating them sparks my creativity—it’s like unlocking a secret code in my own writing process.
Speaking of process, let’s get practical. If you’re an aspiring writer eyeing mystical elements, runes are a goldmine. I start with research:
Books like The Rune Primer by Sweyn Plowright or online archives from museums provide solid foundations without overwhelming you. Then, I sketch them out—drawing Fehu or Ansuz helps internalize their shapes and energies.
One tip I had fun with: Try “rune journaling.” Each morning, pull a rune (you can use apps or make your own deck) and let it inspire a scene. Stuck on a character’s motivation? Draw Ansuz for a wisdom breakthrough. It’s a low-pressure way to infuse some Nordic or Celtic magic into your drafts.
In Zion, this method led to some of my favorite twists—like a rune that shifts meaning based on context, forcing heroes to question fate. It’s empowering: Runes remind us that stories, like real life, are woven from choices and interpretations. If you’re curious, grab a notebook and experiment— who knows what secrets you’ll uncover?
As we step into 2026, runes feel more relevant than ever. In a world buzzing with AI and rapid change, they ground us in human heritage while fueling imagination. Whether you’re devouring fantasy epics or crafting your own, these symbols endure because they tap into universal truths: Strength in struggle, wisdom in whispers.
If runes have sparked your interest, let me know and when it’s ready, I will let you know.. You’ll dive into the Zion series on Amazon—start with Zion: The Beginning and see how these ancient marks shape a new world.
Share your thoughts in the comments: Have you used runes in your stories, or do they appear in your favorite books?
I’d love to hear! And stay tuned for more chronicles woven in runes—next up, perhaps a rune-deep dive on my upcoming podcast.
Thanks for reading, fellow adventurers. Until next time, may your paths be marked with prosperous runes.
Ponder
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