Sunshine Blogger Award

   

            In which I began saying ‘in which’ to follow Hannah Heath’s example. I woke up one morning, looked at twitter and had my heart warmed by a blog post that told me I was nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award. As it was the day I was heading back to college, I decided I would have to get to it at a later date. Uh...and now I'm writing it the second day of being back. Does this make sense? Maybe not, but homework hasn't really happened yet as Wednesdays are my easy days. But I couldn't wait to get to this!

             I also noticed that Hannah uses Dragon Dictation for blog posts, so I decided I would have to give it a try as well. And, honestly, I feel straight out of Star Trek or some other science fiction movie. If y’all have never heard of Dragon Dictation you should go try it out because it’s really fun. I’m actually using it right now and I’m still trying to get used to all the features, so it’s interesting and kind of difficult but it’s really cool.

            Anyway, this post is to address the Sunshine Blogger Award, in which I act all sunshiney. Just kidding, I think I’m actually supposed to give seven random facts about myself. I’m really horrible at coming up with random facts about myself, but we’ll give this a try.

            Thank you so much, Hannah, for nominating me for this award! I am feeling the sunshine. :D

7 Things You Should Say to Your Writer

Merry day-after-Christmas! If that isn't a thing, it shall be now. I hope all of you have been enjoying a restful time with family and friends, and that you writers have been reaching your word count each day (which I have not been doing, due to spending time with family and such).

Being surrounded by family means said family will, at some point, inquire after my writings. As a writer, there are many things I do not want people to ask or say to me. These things are often funny, but true. But this is and has been covered by others quite often...

|| Three Ways Museums Make You a Better Writer ||

The day dawned at an early 7:50. For me, at least. I pressed snooze several times on my alarm, turned over in bed once or twice, and finally rolled out. It wasn't a grey day, but the wind promised a chill. 

I rushed to be ready by 8:45, when I would leave for the train station. It was the day I would venture into the city. 

The original visit was meant for frolicking around at German Christmas Market. However, one does not simply go to the city for one event. We made a few other stops. Parks, a coffee shop, and museums. 

Ah, yes. Museums. Those buildings of history and art and culture and the present and the future all combined under one roof. Beautiful things, are they not? I love museums. There's so much to see and learn--no matter how many times you visit. 

My friend and I went to a museum based off of the current state of architectural designs. We were passing by on our way to the next destination, and it was free to the public. So we thought, why not?

As we walked through this place of beauty, there was so much that struck me as story inspiration (which can be anything, really). Nonetheless, there's numerous lessons to gather from visiting a museum:

1. People-watching

This one is pretty obvious. As writers, our job is to people watch. But because it was a cold day and the museum was free to the public, there were all sorts of persons sitting around in the lobby just being them. There was this one guy who had a huge colorful crocheted hat wrapped around his hair. Trust me, this thing was ginormous--it was as if he had an animal hiding under there or something. But he just sat on one of the couches crocheting away at another project. He seemed joyful and friendly. But, being the introverted writerly sort that I am, I just observed and walked away. But that picture is stored in my mind. You can also find large groups of schoolkids running around museums, prissy higher class folks who walk around in their high heels and stand at a piece of art for fifteen minutes, and the everyday joe who meanders along whilst sipping a cup of joe. Use these people to populate your books. 

2. Setting

Museums are often works of art themselves. The architecture is intricate and often not something you see on an everyday basis. Take lots of pictures in these unique places. You never know when you'll want to pull something from a real-life setting scene to use in your fiction. Even just a detail like the gemstone colors used in the tiling. Or maybe the antique lanterns that adorned the walls. Museums are chock full of treasures like these. 

3. Inspiration

Yes, the people and setting are inspiration themselves. But the actual art or history displayed grants extraordinary amounts of plot-bunnies. One usually walks out of a museum with more knowledge than before of something. And abstract pieces of artistic genius fill the walls with questions that you can very well answer in your next novel. Jus' sayin'. 

I might have to venture to the city more often to step into another of these capsules of life.

What about you? Are there any settings/plot/characters of yours that are inspired by trips to a museum?

|| How College Makes You a Better Writer ||

It's the day after my first semester of college has been completed. I sit in partial darkness, listening to a playlist that fills me with nostalgia for some strange reason, and staring at my computer screen while white Christmas lights reflect the contemplative mood I'm currently in.


That was a strange sentence. Nonetheless, the first semester of college was like a whirlwind. I learned things I never imagined I would, had experiences I never thought would take place, and met people that I never could have possibly dreamed of meeting.

Continuing free-writing was difficult during those months of busy schedule in which my free time consisted of Netflix, taking walks, or sitting on the floor and staring into (seemingly) space. I had goals for myself, and I failed. But that's okay. Because I've learned a lot. My brain has probably expanded since I started back in August. At least it feels larger.

Classes, professors, chapel, friends, not-so-friend(ly)s, strangers, adventures, sickness.
Every single one of these things (and more) have added to my knowledge. I've grown.
And here's what I've learned:

1. People are worth your time. 
There's so much you can learn from just one person. Think about how much you can learn from the whole school. I know it's tempting to sit in your room for hours by yourself, but it's worth stepping out and actually interacting with people--or, at least, watching them from a distance.
PS: Professors make excellent inspiration. You know those quirky professors portrayed in movies? They're real.


2. There's something new to realize every single day.
Even if all you comprehend is a new existential question, that's okay. Questions like that inspire creativity. New plots, characters, and worlds can pop out of the ground from those questions.


3. Experiences make up a writer's portfolio.
I know a portfolio is considered a conglomeration of one's best work, but our brains have portfolios too, don't they? Everything you experience goes into those portfolios to be stored and dug up at a later time when your writing calls for it. That one person who when they laugh it sounds like they're about to die? Yeah, your brain kept that. Use it for a character. You were about to die within the first two months of school? Your brain kept that as well. Use it wisely.


4. Essays stretch you.
Most people hate essay writing. I don't. Writing an essay is a wonderful exercise that can cultivate voice, style, and thinking skills. We have to craft essays in such a way that our professors will give us, at least, a B. This means word choice musn't be bulky. Make it flow. Make it natural. Even if it's formal, put something of yourself in there. Ask questions. Make people think. There are endless treasures to accumulate from the adventures of essay writing.


5. Time is valuable.
It's easy to sit and watch Netflix for hours. It's easy to take naps and sleep in for hours. It's easy to sit and ponder. Good things, of course, but when you have free time...write as much as you can.
But also know it's okay to stop writing, save your work, and go on an adventure. Relationships and experiences are like gold and they will create fodder for your stories. #amwriting is an excuse that many of us use to get out of social interaction, but know when your story can be saved and go on the back burner--even if for only half an hour. If you don't make these life connections, you aren't going to have much to draw from. Live.



Have you been to college? What are some things that have aided you as a writer? Are there any certain moments that stick out to you from college?

Liebster Award Nomination

Wow! I feel blessed! Thank you, Anastasia Cross, for nominating me! :D
The Liebster Award has a special place in its...heart...for the number eleven. It's given to undiscovered bloggers to promote friendship and...discovery!

Here's the rules (you'd think there'd be eleven, wouldn't you?):

1.  Acknowledge the blogger who nominated you & add a badge to your profile.

2.  Answer 11 questions that the blogger gives you.

3.  Give 11 random facts about yourself.

4.   Nominate up to 11 other blogs.

5.   Notify the nominees.

6.   Give them 11 questions to answer. 

Here's Ana's questions and my answers:

1. What is one of the best characters, in your opinion, ever (that you created if you're a writer, if not from book/movie/etc)?

Ooh, this is a tough one. I have so many that I adore. That's a good thing, right? But...I might have to say Flynn Colton. He's absolutely bonkers. In a good way, though, I think. You can find his pinterest board here: Flynn's Board

And, since I cheat at stuff like this, I'm going to list my other favorites.

Aurora Diamond is one of the main characters in my current WIP series: A Different Kind of Legacy. There's a lot of me in her...she gives me the chance to explore myself and be vulnerable. Her board is here: Aurora's Board

2. Who is your favorite villain ever? Why?

Uh, mine or not? 

Loki from the Marvel Universe is one of my absolute favorites. Tom Hiddleston does an amazing job portraying him. Loki is such a rounded character, it's fabulous. There's a lot we can learn from him for our villains. Back story, pain, motivation, etc. It's all there. 

And then my own? Einstein Voltswammer. He likes pink donuts with sprinkles. 

3. What is one of your darkest secrets? 

This piece of information is confidential. Ha. ;) Uh...hmm. This is a difficult question. I'll get back to it. 

Gosh, I still don't know. 

I don't hate Jar Jar Binks. 

4. Do you enjoy showering or is it an inconvenience? 

I like hot water and getting clean and smelling nice. However, I don't necessarily enjoy the time showering takes up. So, I enjoy the benefits, but not the procedure. 

5. What are your top 5 favorite writing blogs?

Oh goodness. Another difficult question. In no particular order:

 Inkspot  || Hullo, Ana! Well, like she said when she nominated me, we have a connection. So, yeah. ;)

 Plottinger Twist || Plottinger Twist is run by Hannah Wilson and her blog is adorable and she's super sweet.

 Writing is Home to Me || Run by R.B. Denney (or Rachel Beth). Rachel is down to earth and has a unique way in going about her posts.  

 The Storymonger || Braden runs this blog and he never fails to cause me to emit a chuckle. He's clever.

 This Incandescent Life || Emily T. Jaden has superb advice on the craft of writing! 

6. Do you prefer cake or ice cream? Pie or cheesecake?

Shoot. Warm, gooey chocolate cake with ice cream on top. Sorry, I'm not choosing. Cheesecake. Definitely cheesecake. 

7. What kind of books do you like to read the most?

Interesting books with intricate characters and plot.

8. What is your favorite fruit?

HARD QUESTIONS, ANA. *Sigh* I like strawberries a lot. But also watermelon. But then again, there's tomatoes... 

9. How fabulous are these questions?

These questions are of the utmost fabulosity. 

10. Do you approve or disapprove of social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, etc.?

I have them all. I do not disapprove except when they're used for evil means or used wrongly. 

I think they're a great way to connect with people (readers/fellow writers/family/friends), especially as I grew up a military kid, always moving was difficult...and keeping in touch more so. 

11. Long hair or short hair? Dyed or natural? Straight or curly? What do you prefer/have?

I have long, straight, natural hair. For myself, that's what I prefer. For others, it's really their choice...but I wouldn't suggest guys go with super long hair or anything. Unless they're elves or Aragorn or something.

Elven random facts about myself. 

Whoops, Middle Earth autocorrect.

1. I've lived in ten states, twelve houses, and moved twelve times in eighteen years.

2. I haven't left my dorm floor all day because my only class on Thursdays (math--yes!) was canceled so I slept in and missed breakfast and so I ate cereal and made coffee with my new French press and did homework and beta-reader stuff for Ana and blog stuff (this) and made soup for my throat because I decided to eat lunch in my room instead of going to the cafe because it's raining and everybody else already ate and I'll probably be in my room until dinner time at, like, five. 

3. I finished my soup and feel dehydrated because even though it was only half a packet of Lipton, it was salty and now I'm eating Swedish Fish my mom gave me for my birthday which was, by the way, on September 4. 

4. I drink lots of water. Probably 3-4 Nalgenes a day.

5. I'm majoring in English with a writing concentration and a minor in Intercultural Studies!

6. Mugs are amazing tools of...toolness? You can drink from em, eat from em, put stuff in em. I have this adorable Jane Austen mug I got for my birthday and it's just so cool.

7. I love the outdoors and admiring God's creation so much that I think I always have at least one bug bite.

8. Kayaking and horseback riding and camping and hiking and hammocking is where it's at. 

9. For my Eminent British Writers class we're currently reading 'Camelot Meets Zombies' AKA Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It's well written and an amazing piece of literature, but it's weird, guys. Real weird. And 'Gawain' is pronounced 'gowin'. Weird, huh?

10. It's raining. I love rain.

11. I'm called to be a missionary and a writer. Ah! 

My nominations: 

I have a feeling it will be difficult to find eleven blogs to nominate...nevertheless...

1. H.M. Wilson at Plottinger Twist

2. R.B. Denney at Writing is Home to Me

3. Hannah Heath

4. Braden Russell at The Storymonger

5. Victoria Grace Howell

6. Elizabeth Brush at What Can I Say?

That's all I have for now, y'all. 

My Elven questions to y'all:

1. When did you start writing and why?

2. Do you see yourself being a full-time writer (author) or having a different/side career?

3. What book has made the biggest impact on your life? (That you've read and written). Why?

4. Who is your favorite character? (From what you've read and written). Why?

5. What's your favorite board game and why?

6. Coffee or tea? Something else? What kind?

7. Favorite Bible verse?

8. Current WIP? What's it about? Why are you writing it? Who are the characters?

9. How's life?

10. Advice for other writers?

11. If you had a troll, what would you name him/her? 

Thanks again, Ana! This was fun!