Today I'll be answering ten more questions that some of my readers have asked me over the last year.  If this doesn't interest you, click out.  I won't be offended.  Like last time, I'll be asking you five questions at the bottom of this post.  I'd love to read your answers.

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How long have you been writing?
I've been writing for as long as I can remember.  The grandma of one of my childhood friends was talking to me a few weeks ago and asked, "Emily, do you still write?"  Writing is a talent and a passion that God has blessed me with since childhood.  I love it more than almost anything in the world.  Writing is my outlet.  It truly gives me joy.

Do you have anything published?
No, not yet.  I'm currently working on polishing a manuscript of a novel I wrote before I begin querying agents.  The novel, Before You, made the top five in an online contest at www.inkpop.com and was reviewed by HarperCollins, but they chose not to publish because of some faith issues I incorporated into the story, which I can understand.  I wrote a little mini-devotional book called Set Apart a couple years back.  It's available for you to buy in my Book Store, but I wouldn't even consider that "self published."  It's just a little something I wrote.  Maybe one day, if it's God's will, I will publish a book.
 
Can I find you on any other websites?
Yes!  I have two YouTube accounts: my music channel and my "for fun" channel.  You can find me on Inkpop and on Figment.  I have a rarely-used Twitter account as well.  I'm also a member of Susie Magazine's online community.  
 
What do you want to do when you grow up?
I don't know yet.  I'm a senior in high school right now and I'll be heading off to a university in the fall.  At this point in my life, I'd like to major in English and minor in Business, but this is very liable to change.

Do you read all of your comments?
Yes!  I love comments.  I tend to be insecure about posting the things I write online for everyone to see, so when I get an encouraging comment, it lights up my entire day.  I don't respond to a lot of comments I receive, unless they contain a question, but I read every single one.  If you've ever commented on my blog, I've read what you had to say.  And thank you.

You mention traveling a lot. How many countries have you visited?
My parents have given me so many opportunities in my life.  I'm so grateful and so blessed.  I've actually been to eleven countries, including the one where I live.  I've visited: America, Canada, England, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Holland, Kenya.  I've only been to the airports of Canada and Holland, but I've technically been inside of those countries, so that counts!... right? :) 

Where and when do you write?
I tend to write best at night, but I write through weekend afternoons as well.  I like to write in my room, at my desk, alone.  If someone else is in the room with me, I struggle to concentrate.  I can't have any distractions. 

You write a lot of artist and song reviews. What are your top five artists/bands?
I love music.  My number one favorite artist is Elvis Presley.  He's amazing.  After Elvis, I'm not really sure who my absolute favorites are, but I'll list some amazing artists/bands that I definitely recommend.  Group 1 Crew is the coolest band ever.  I adore Colbie Caillat's voice.  I've loved Superchic[k] for years and years and years.  B. Reith is also crazy good. 

I have a problem with something you said in one of your posts. What should I do?
Tell me.  I appreciate criticism, so long as it's polite and constructive.  Feel free to disagree with something I said and comment with your opinion.  I don't appreciate hate comments that contain cuss words and derogatory phrases like "You suck!"  Those comments will be deleted.  If you stay polite and respectful, I would love to hear what you have to say, even if you disagree with me.

Will you write about ________?
Very possibly!  If you want me to write about a certain subject, request it in the comments.  I'm always looking for new ideas to write about. 

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Questions for You-
1. What are your New Year's resolutions?
2. Do you have anything published?
3. Who is your favorite artist/band?
4. What led you to find my blog?
5. If you could go anywhere, where in the world would you go?

Here are my five favorite songs of the week.  Check'em out.

"Mess" by B.Reith
This song has the catchiest beat, some rap, some singing, and plenty of acoustic guitar, all of which I love.  It's Christian and basically an apology letter to God from someone who has taken his life into his own hands and forgotten to allow God in control.  The chorus goes like this: "Somebody get me out this mess I'm in.  See, I've been trying to do the best I can, but I keep on stumbling over and over again.  I ain't got no more excuses for You.  All that I can say is sorry.  Won't You please come rescue me as quickly as You can?"  I love this song.  It's a catchy tune and fun to sing along.  I love B. Reith's voice.  It's lov song he's a good rapper as well.  Check out this song on YouTube here.

"Our God" by Chris Tomlin
Moving on from slow rap to worship.  I'm not usually a big fan of contemporary worship songs, but Chris Tomlin has done an excellent job with this.  I love the words.  Just pure worship and adoration of the Lord.  I love it.  Very catchy.  "Our God is greater. Our God is stronger. God, You are higher than any other. Our God is Healer, awesome in power. Our God, our God..."  Check it out on YouTube.

"Outta Space Love" by Group 1 Crew
Group 1 Crew has got to be one of my favorite bands of all times.  They keep their music at a level where it could easily blend in -musically, not lyrically- with the secular industry, which few Christian artists seem to have the skill to do.  Most of Group 1 Crew's songs are catchy and fun, with lyrics that glorify God and encourage Christians not to follow the ways of the world.  Outta Space Love is a fun song with some meaning behind the funky music.  "Future ain't really promised today, so I'ma have to speak what He want me to say," and "And let the world see now just what we're talking 'bout, and take a trip to outer space and let your faith ring out."  With the catchiness of a secular song, but lyrics that glorify God rather than the world, I recommend Group 1 Crew's entire new album, also titled Outta Space Love, for your playlist.  Check out a preview of the song here.

"Joyful Noise" by Flame
For those of you who don't like rap, you probably won't like this song.  I don't know any more of Flame's songs, but he sure hit the nail on the head with this one.  I love this song.  It's so catchy.  It shares the Gospel and the story of Christ within the first verse.  Joyful Noise is basically a worship rap song.  I mean, check out the chorus.  "Angels surrounding His throne and worthy is the Lamb who was slain.  The whole earth is full of His glory.  All nations bow to His Name.  His majesty fills the heavens.  Our hearts give thunderous praise.  Declare the Lord is forever.  Make a joyful noise in this place."  My friends and I have jammed many times in a car with the windows rolled down to this song.  It's great.  Check it out here.

"I Call It Apathy" by Paige Armstrong
You may not have heard of Paige Armstrong before.  She's a budding new music artist whose debut album came out last year.  Her lyrics throw me to the floor.  She's so young, but so wise.  I Call It Apathy is Christian rock.  Check out the lyrics to the chorus: "I call it apathy, state of complacency, that's taking over who we really are.  I call it apathy that's keeping us asleep.  We've only got this one moment to leave our mark."  The words to the bridge also left me feeling stunned and convicted.  "So would you stop for one second, maybe think for yourself?  Arise now.  There's no revolution when we're all sitting down."  That's amazing.  Whenever you're having a day where you just don't care, turn on some Paige Armstrong.  She fought cancer and faced death as an eleven-year-old girl and now she fights to show people how important life truly is.  So when it comes to apathy, she knows what she's talking about.  Check out the song on YouTube.

Are any of these songs already on your playlist?  Which of these genres is your favorite?

1.)  My newest YouTube channel - TheLifeofEmily - is up and running.  I've recently posted a video where I share my testimony if you would like to check that out.  If you aren't aware of my music channel -EmilythePerson - then I will also give you the link for that.  I will be posting a new song on there within the next few days.

2.)  An article of mine was recently featured in the Christian Relief Fund newsletter.  If you haven't subscribed to the CRF newsletter, do so right now!  Please consider sponsoring a child with this organization if you are not already.  CRF is following God's plan to care for the needy.  They feed these kids, clothe them, educate them, and share the good news of Jesus with their entire families.

3.)  I will be taking a sabbatical from EmilythePerson.com during June 7-June 11.  I will be at a camp for inner city kids.  I may write one or two articles and put them on schedule to post for one or two days during this time, but don't expect much, if any, as I will not have access to a computer.  I will, however, post a few stories about my experience at camp after I return, so you can look forward to that!  I would also appreciate your prayers.

4.)  This may seem a little random, but B.Reith (whose music I reviewed in one of my featured artist blogs that you can view here) has started up his new website.  He has also begun to blog and his latest article was amazing.  It encouraged me so much in my walk with the Lord.  If you would like to see B.Reith's amazing article, my comment, and his response to me (yeah!!) then click here.  You will most definitely be inspired by what B.Reith has to say about stepping outside of your comfort zone.

5.)  During the summer, I'm going to try to keep posting frequent blogs, but I may be writing on an every-other-day basis (unless I'm out of town) because of the craziness of my schedule right now.  This news update isn't my usual thing, for those of you who are reading my blog for the first time... here are Sunday's and Monday's posts if you want to see a little more of what I usually write.  

The Christian artist that I will be featuring this week is B. Reith, pronounced B. RYE-th.  He is a Christian artist whose musical genre ranges from R&B to hip hop to soul to pop.  Reportedly, when Toby Mac first heard B. Reith's music, he was so amazed that he had to pull his car over to the side of the road.

Quick Bio-
B. Reith (Brian James Reith) grew up around music.  His father owned a recording studio, and helped B. Reith to pursue his music career, starting at age five when he first sang in a commercial.  Gotee Records, founded by artist Toby Mac, signed B. Reith in 2008, and he came out with his debut album "Now Is Not Forever" on September 22, 2009. 

One of the most well known songs by B. Reith is "Go On," a joking song about B. Reith's fight to get people to remember his music and the difficult pronunciation of his last name.  The chorus is catchy and a music video for the song has spread across YouTube.   "Go on, hey DJ, play that funky song that I like, but I can't recall the name.  I think it goes like la-da-da-la-da-da-da-da by some guy named B. Right, yeah, I think that was his name. Play that funky song..." 

Several of B. Reith's songs are lighthearted rap songs, filled with jokes and funny remarks about B. Reith's struggle as an artist, such as "The Comeback Kid" and "Old School."  "U Should Know" is a love song where B. Reith reflects briefly on staying pure before marriage.  "I'm so anxious, but true love's worth waiting for so I'm gonna stay patient.  I can't ignore this feeling inside, but I can control it, so let's take our time and slowly move forward..."  While "Wish That" is a song about B. Reith's hurt after a harsh break up, "Antidote" is an inspirational song encouraging young girls to find hope through heartbreak, self-injury, and drugs.  B. Reith even shares his testimony in the rap song, "My Story," and mentions that he would not be where he is now if it wasn't for God's grace.  "I Know" is a song about finding hope through a "desert" of hard times.  "Just for You" and "Rain Down" are both worship songs.  One of the catchiest songs on the album is "Mess," a song about messing up in your life and finally turning to God for help. 

If you enjoy Group 1 Crew or TobyMac, then you should definitely consider adding B. Reith's album to your playlist.  He is not solely a rap artist.  B. Reith has a beautiful voice that he uses in the majority of his songs, and Toby Mac seems to be almost overly-enthusiastic about the potential of this young artist's musical career. 

"It's amazing when God truly gives someone a gift.  Brian is just naturally gifted from God vocally and his lyrics, when they hit tape, they sort of just ease into your heart... Trust me, B.Reith is a man of character too.  He's a guy that truly walks what he talks."

The uniqueness of B. Reith's musical style is another attractive thing about his album.  His songs do not all sound the same.  His album changes from genre to genre, and each song is worth the listen.  And what does B. Reith have to say about his musical style? 

"God gave me an ear to pick up things.  My style is just an accumulation of what I've heard throughout my life, channeled through the unique talents that God has given me." 

Do you have any critiques or opinions?  Are you a fan of B. Reith?  Has this review helped you?  Leave your comments below.
Credit for the pictures used in this article go here and here.