Month: March 2018

Inspiration

The Little Things + Giveaway Winner Announced!

By on Monday, March 26, 2018

Good morning, readers!

I don’t know about you, but I have always been all about the little things in life.

The sound of rain hitting pool water, creating splashes and ripples.

The smell of coffee that travels through the house in the morning.

Bright green grass contrasting a grey sky. 

The small, simple pleasures that brighten up our every day lives can serve not just as something to make us smile, but also as a huge inspiration.

As a writer I am inspired by many things – movies, TV shows, quotes, etc. But sometimes what inspires me the most are the little things in life. Things that I would never expect to serve as such a huge inspiration to me.

For example, the title for my sequel to True Colors came entirely from my mom. I was watching her make something in Adobe Photoshop and she said, “I’m painting away the darkness.”

I remember immediately writing that down because it sounded so neat to me and sure enough – I ended up naming the sequel Painting Away The Darkness.

I will always be so happy that I sat beside her as she worked that morning, because if I hadn’t, I don’t know what I would have named my book. Sure, I could have come up with something, but this title is absolutely perfect and probably something I wouldn’t have been able to come up with on my own. 

If I hadn’t been sitting beside my mom that morning, my mom wouldn’t have even said those words. She wouldn’t have been talking to herself like that. Isn’t that crazy? It’s almost like it was fate. I was meant to sit there at that time. My mom was meant to say those words so that I could name my book that when the time was right.

That little moment was meant to happen so that a spark of inspiration would light up inside of me and become the title for my book.

Guys, you’ve heard it all before, but it’s true – inspiration can come from anywhere.

Maybe your next big story idea will come to you in a dream.

Maybe your next character will be inspired by the cashier at the grocery store that you see every week.

Maybe the school you go to every day will suddenly inspire you and become a setting in your book.

Whatever it is – use it. Write it down instantly. Because inspiration can melt as quickly as it sparks.

This week I want to challenge you to pay more attention to the little things in life; not just for inspiration for your next big story, but for yourself. Because sometimes we take the little things in life for granted. What little thing we once enjoyed or was a part of our life for years – it can suddenly fade away without your even realizing it.

So look for the little things in your life and celebrate them each and every day. <3

Now, who is ready to find out who the winner of the $15 Barnes & Noble Giftcard is? I AM! 😀

The winner selected at random is none other than…. *insert drumroll here*

ANIKA WALKES! 

Congratulations, Anika! I am so excited for you! 😀

I will be emailing you soon about your prize, so be on the lookout for it! 

Thank you all so much for your love and support that you have shown me. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me each time I get a new comment or a new follower. You all are the best. <3 

Talk to me!

Where do you get your inspiration? What was one way something small greatly inspired you? What are some little things you enjoy in life?

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Marking A New Life

By on Tuesday, March 20, 2018

So it begins!

I’ve always loved this season which is why I wanted to launch this blog on the first day of spring. Spring represents new life and this blog is just the beginning of a new life for me. 

This blog is my way of saying; I am dedicated to and passionate for my writing and I want to do whatever is needed for me to continue in my pursuit to be a published author. 

My goal for this blog is to share my journey with you. To show you the highs and the lows of being a writer, the achievements and the failures, the fun and the dread. 

Because writing may seem easy. I mean you just sit at a computer and type, write? But no, there is so much to learn and master and push through in order to write a good, solid book. We really do go through blood, sweat, and tears. (okay, maybe not the blood…)

So my mission here is to be honest with you about my journey, share my work with you, and hopefully inspire and encourage other aspiring authors to keep pressing on no matter what. We’re all in this together and the life of a writer is certainly no piece of cake. 

And you, dear reader, whether you are a writer or not, you are important to me. I will be sure to provide you with new content you enjoy each week. 

If you haven’t yet, be sure to head over to the “The Author” page to learn more about yours truly and please sign up for my email list if you haven’t yet.
You will receive an email whenever I publish a new post as well as a monthly update.

As a thank you for signing up, during the first week of my blog launch, you will be automatically entered to win a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card. Those already subscribed will also be entered for a chance to win.
I will draw a winner at random and announce the winner on March 27th. 🙂

Also, make sure to check out the post I wrote for Madi’s blog on how I push through writing even on the hardest days! 

On March 21st, Josie will be sharing an interview with Connor and Astrid – the two main characters from my book, True Colors 🙂

On March 23rd, Anika will be interviewing me and sharing some never before seen snippets from True Colors! 

You definitely will not want to miss these posts! And don’t forget to give their blogs a look and leave them a comment! They’re all such wonderful girls that I am happy to call friends 🙂 

Thank you so much for reading, subscribing, and being a faithful supporter!

Please leave a comment down below! I love meeting new people and interacting with my readers :)​

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Never Before Seen Writing Snippets From True Colors

By on Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Good afternoon, readers!

Lately I’ve been thinking how not many people really know what my current WIP is all about and today is the day I change that! I’d like to share some snippets from True Colors with you today so that you can have a better look at what the story is about. These have never been shared publicly before and are entirely raw, unedited pieces of my work, so you’re in for a treat! ;D

   ”So, you’re him. You’re Connor,” Astrid said after a moment of awkward silence. Connor sighed and rolled his eyes. “Glad to have made an impression,” he mumbled.
   ”Well the stories they tell are something to behold,” Astrid said.
Connor scoffed, not making eye contact.
   Astrid leaned over, looking into his eyes again. Connor couldn’t understand why she kept doing that, but it was starting to annoy.
   ”You know, somehow when I look into your eyes I don’t see the raging, destructive man they describe,” she observed.
   Connor looked at her now, eyes narrowed. ”And what is it you see?” he asked.
She remained silent for a moment and then smiled sadly. ”Loneliness,” she said. Connor was taken back by this statement and the way it hit him made him feel uncomfortable. Why did that have such an effect on him?
   Connor arose and stepped out of the aisle. ”I’m not lonely,” he said.

   ”What could you possibly do to help me? You can’t change this,” Connor said, pointing to his hair.
   ”That is true to an extent ; you can not hide the truth. Our true colors always show here in Shano. However, there is always a way to change our appearance by our actions,” Zachariah said.
   Connor looked at him, eyes narrowed. “Don’t you get it? I can’t change who I am! No matter what I do to try to change, the anger – the hatred – it always wins,” he said.
    ”Of course it does. Because you do not believe that you can change. But I do, Connor. Everyone has the power within themselves to change who they are – if they truly believe the ability to change is in them,” Zachariah said.
   Connor sighed. This old man just didn’t get it. ”Believing you can change won’t make you change,” Connor mumbled.
   ”No…,” Zachariah began, leaving Connor wondering what could come next, “But it will give you the empowerment you need to do so,” he finished.  

   ”Sawyer, I told you to shut up!” Connor snapped.
”Oh, would you stop picking on Sawyer already?” Astrid said.
   ”Guys, come on, let’s stay positive here! Look, let’s head back to that cave we passed by earlier,” Alina cut in.
   ”Oh, yeah, go backwards, that makes sense.” Connor said, rolling his eyes.
Astrid scoffed as she turned toward Connor. ”Right now it’s the best option and that’s what we’re going to do,” she said as she turned back. Sawyer and Alina followed close behind.
   ”Who put you in charge?” Connor yelled out.
Astrid paused and turned back toward Connor. ”I did, since our real leader is too busy being a jerk to do any real leading here. Now either come with us or get lost,” she said firmly.

   He dreamed of Astrid, her body framed by the golden glow of the sun that set her eyes on fire. She stood by a lake surrounded by evergreen trees. The sun had started to go down and twilight had arrived. In the passing of the sun, her smile faded and in the darkness she was solemn and carried a heavy burden on her shoulders. Tears glistened in her eyes as she slowly turned, eyes locking onto his.
   This is when he saw himself. He was tall and menacing, his eyes burned with rage as he stared back at her. Astrid collapsed to the ground, drowning in her tears as he loomed over her.
He knelt down and lifted her chin so she would meet his gaze. His eyes softened slightly, but the rage returned in an instant and he struck her down.

I had so much fun writing Connor’s dream. It was one of those things that I hadn’t planned at all, but it just flowed and turned out to be a great opportunity to do some loose foreshadowing. I love when things like that happen! <3 

Let's Talk!

What are your thoughts on True Colors so far? Would you like to see more snippets in the future? Do you have any constructive criticism to share?

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The Most Meaningful Lesson I’ve Learned as a Writer

By on Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Good afternoon, readers!

I’ve been writing since I was about 9 years old, but I didn’t start getting serious about it until I was around 13, which was 6 years ago now. 

I have written a lot since then – more short stories than I can count, approximately 5 bigger writing projects, and a few hundred blog posts. 
And after writing so many different things for so many years, you come to understand some of the most important lessons you have learned as a writer.

I’ve learned so much as a writer thanks to a lot of incredible people and resources I didn’t think I would ever have, but probably the most meaningful lesson I’ve learned as a writer is one I learned on my own. 

I’m a writer. The more I tell myself that, the more I believe it. And once you believe you’re a writer, it will never leave you.

Even during my dry seasons, when I just can’t seem to follow through with a story or open that Word Document and add some more words to my book,

Even when I feel like I can’t write anything good,

Even when I feel like giving up, the fact still remains that I am a writer and I always will be.

God designed me with the ability to visualize new worlds, arrange 26 letters into words that form a story full of heart and conflict, to be able to create characters for people to love and relate to. 

So no matter how down I get. No matter how many times I may want to quit, I know that I never will because this is who I am. The stories won’t stop coming to me just because I quit. They will always be there because;

I have the eyes of a writer.

I have the mind of a writer.

I have the heart of a writer.

And I will never let that go. 

It’s who God made me to be and I thank Him for that always.

Let's Talk!

What’s the most meaningful lesson you’ve learned as a writer? If you’re not a writer, what’s the most meaningful lesson you’ve learned as a reader?

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