Category: storyaday

Writing Update/Inspiration

person using inspire typewriter
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Inspiration Number 1

I participated in a virtual write-in on Thursday evening for NaNoWriMo. My online writing group who is awesome were on a Zoom call all together. If you haven’t ever used Zoom it is a video conference call free program. It is nice to be able to see everyone. There is a chat feature and video and audio controls as well.

We logged in, chatted a few minutes, and then got to writing. We did two 15 minute sprints. It is nice to write with people that you know. It is a comfort somehow that we are not alone. It was also oddly comforting to hear the clicking of other people’s keyboards.

Encouragement from my tribe is a good thing. They help me along.

Inspiration Number 2

I read a story but Kimberly Lojewski today about a hot air balloon, a strange island, and treasure called About The Hiding Of Buried Treasure. It is so well written and fun! 

Inspiration Number 3

I had my 7th-grade writers group Thursday and they were wonderful! I started with them filling out a card with the sentence stem: I WISH PEOPLE KNEW… The responses were honest and raw.

Then we wrote to my prompt of requiring 4 words to be a major part of the story. The writing was the best I have seen from them. 

If you would like a link to the cards I created just click below:

Writing Prompt Card

Writing Prompt Card 2

Writing Prompt Card 3

Writing Prompt Card 4

Happy Writing!

Advertisements
by Categories: Coaching, Mywriting, NANOWRIMO, storyaday, Writing Challenge, Writing Group, Writing Prompt, WritingLifeTags: , , , , , 1 Comment

Tag! You’re It for Writers

 

Rules:

  • Post the Tag and Image on your blog (see above)
  • Thank whoever nominated you and give a link back to their blog.
  • Mention the creators of the award and link back to their blogs.
  • Nominate 6+ deserving bloggers and notify your nominees by commenting on their blog

This Writers Tag was created by Lorraine Ambers and Ari Meghlen. Click on the highlighted names to check out their blogs and don’t forget to comment on their blog and tell them that you’ve played the fun Writing Tag so they can connect with you too.

Image result for story separator

Name one novel that inspired you to write.

I have always written but a novel that inspired me has been The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. The time jumps in that novel were impressive because I didn’t get lost in the story when I easily could have. I remember thinking I wanted to know how she managed to pull that off in the writing!

What’s your favorite genre to write and read?

Magical realism and literary fiction

Do you prefer to write stand-alone or series?

Stand alone

Use 3 words to describe yourself.

Intense, tenacious, and loving

Share a writing memory that made you determined to carry on.

I did NANOWRIMO last November for the first time and it was then I realized I could really do this! I could write every day, I could make a project of 50,000 words, and I loved it. I learned a lot about my process from NANO and from Storyaday.

Reveal your WIP aesthetics or an image that represents your MC or setting.

Image result for seance

How long did your first MS take to draft?

30 days…I used NANOWRIMO!

Who is your author idol?

Neil Gaiman

Tell us something surprising or unique about yourself.

I have met two Olympians and ran with one!

Share the hardest part about being a writer and how you overcame it.

Being able to label myself a writer. It was after Storyaday and NANOWRIMO back to back months that I started to call myself a writer and even changed my description on Twitter.

What’s your favorite social media and why? Share your link.

Twitter. I love the short and quick of it. @tlbreit

Share some uplifting wisdom in six words or less.

Follow the white rabbit; be brave!

Image result for story separator

Thanks for reading in this fun Writing Tag. Remember fellow writers, treasure your unique abilities and talents and never give up on yourselves.

Here are my nominations:

These are great writers I know and follow. Please at least check out their blogs!

Bloggers: Do not feel obligated to do the challenge!

https://alisonjuste.wordpress.com/author/victoirehelene-2/

https://salgallaher.com/

https://martapelrinebacon.com/

http://marianallen.com/

 

 

by Categories: Mywriting, storyaday, Writing Challenge, Writing Group, WritingLife 5 Comments

Snow Cones, Swimming, and Turtles

green grass on sand overlooking body of water
Photo by Nathan Cowley on Pexels.com

Labor Day Weekend

During the #Teachwrite twitter chat last evening I was reminded that it was really Monday and that Tuesday’s slice post would be needed today. The holiday weekends often throw my clock off as I know it does for many people. Coming to the page today I was really unsure what to write.

In addition to the #Teachwrite “meeting” with teachers,  I  also had my first Zoom meeting with the Superstars writers from Storyaday which is always enjoyable. The conversation is free form about writing and the September challenge. There is a specialness to talking with other crazy writers drafting short stories for the whole month. Short story writing is different than writing longer pieces and I don’t often get to converse about it.

The holiday weekend was good and full of loads of activities, especially outdoors. Luckily, there was less driving because there were no soccer games or practices to be shuttled to!

-The boys found a turtle in the backyard just before they got the golf cart stuck in mud on the hill.

-There was a lot of swimming. Friday night we went to a beach to celebrate my husband’s birthday. We buried our youngest in the sand and gathered rocks and small shells to make an art project. Sunday and Monday time was spent at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.  We ran up and down the sand dunes, skipped rocks, enjoyed snow cones,  and swam in the water. Then there was more swimming in the backyard pool.

-Homemade fluffy buttermilk biscuits were made at 4 am Labor Day morning to accompany the gravy for breakfast.

-Lots of laughing and silliness as always when we are with the kids.

-There was time for naps – for everyone!

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write today but glad I showed up. This week is already busy and it is only Tuesday!

by Categories: Justlife, Slice of Life, storyaday, WritingLife 6 Comments

Hello September!

abstract alone art black
Photo by Raine Nectar on Pexels.com

September Goals:

I am going to try to keep September simple:

Write one story per day motivated by STORYADAY
Attend at least 1 IRL writing group meeting.
Post at least once a week on the blog.

I am starting some new writing projects and groups with 7th graders at work this month and I am super excited about the program creation and execution.

I have not been reading as much as normal lately. My reading diet has consisted of short stories and blogs mostly. Winter is coming though so I will have more time soon…maybe! ha ha

Goals that were publicly stated for August:

3 blog posts a week – Yes! Done.
2 articles on Medium – Yes! Done.
Revise 4 stories (at least) – Yes! Done.

Submit 5 stories– goal is to have 5 out at all times – Only submitted 3
Mine my notes in my GOOGLE DOCS – Yes, I also updated some folders. I need to get my notebooks under control. They are everywhere. I use them for different purposes but I feel I am losing things in them being scattered.
Go to writer group at least once a month – I went to both meetings

by Categories: Justlife, Mywriting, Reading Life, storyaday, Writing Group, WritingLifeTags: , , , , , 5 Comments

What Is Saving Me Right Now

Inspired by the Simple podcast by Tsh

 

  1. 300 Goats poem by Naomi Shihab Nye I taught to 7th graders. The quick write responses were full of voice, connection, text evidence, and insight.  One really cute misspelling was “fast ending” instead of fascinating! See my notes here: 20180830094331095
  2. Black Coffee. Sleep is not going well this week and coffee is the elixir that is keeping my eyes open.

    person holding cup with coffee
    Photo by samer daboul on Pexels.com
  3. Storyaday September anticipation. I am part of the Superstars group again like in May and am excited to connect with the other writers in the forums. I love the videos and prompts each day too. 0593923C-20B9-4A92-9554-4D3AC6B3A549.jpeg
  4. Writing every day. It is calming me even if the words are ones I have to heavily rework later.
  5. Alone in a Room with Invisible People podcast. It is like being part of a writers’ workshop and I have had some really cool stories come out of the exercises.

What is saving you right now?

 

by Categories: Mywriting, storyaday, WritingLife 11 Comments

A Short Story – List Form

close up of hand over white background
Photo by Lum3n.com on Pexels.com

The following short story was inspired by a prompt from Julie Duffy from STORYADAY.org and authors Jennifer Eagan and Lydia Davis.

 

Life Changing To Do List from an Unnamed Character #15

  1. File
  2. Write my Manifesto
  3. Change insurance
  4. Change beneficiaries on life insurance.
  5. Refinance the car loan.
  6. Plan trip to Portland, Maine
  7. Clean out closet
  8. Drop off items to Goodwill
  9. Rent a Uhaul
  10. Find an apartment that fits the 7 foot dining room table
  11. Open a new bank account
  12. Order checks
  13. Apply for passport
  14. Buy a vacuum
  15. Purge
by Categories: Mywriting, storyaday, Writing Prompt, WritingLifeTags: , 10 Comments

Mystery Blogger Award!

IMG_4744

Hi everyone! I am so honored to have been nominated for the Mystery Blogger Award by Books, Life, and Everything Nice! She’s an amazing blogger! Please check out her blog. A great big thank you for the nomination!

The award was created by Okoto Enigma. The explanation on her blog is as follows:

The “Mystery Blogger Award” is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion.
– Okoto Enigma

RULES

  1. Put the award logo/image on your blog
  2. List the rules.
  3. Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
  4. Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
  5. Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
  6. You have to nominate 10 – 20 people
  7. Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog
  8. Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify)
  9. Share a link to your best post(s)

3 Things About Myself:

  1. I want to retire in Minnesota.
  2. I cannot play the piano but can play the violin.
  3. I love ultra running but have no desire to do a triathlon.

My Questions:

  1. What’s the funniest experience you’ve had on vacation? When in Hawaii, I went to a ranch and learned to lasso!
  2. What’s your favorite reading snack? Coffee and bread!
  3. How do other people describe you? Intense and passionate
  4. Of which accomplishment from last year are you most proud? Writing 31 stories for STORYADAY MAY
  5. What 3 things would you tell your younger self? Don’t follow the status quo. Follow all the white rabbits you want to and don’t be afraid.

My Nominees

https://lifewithktkinnes.com/

https://cornishmaidblog.com/

https://lifetravelsoul.com/

https://exquisitely.me/

https://bekadaisies.com/

https://bitchininthekitchen.org/

https://artsychiccreations.wordpress.com/

 

My Questions for them:

1.What was something you used to believe, but you no longer do?

2.What were the components of your best day ever?

3.What are you working on you are excited about?

4.Once upon a time or It was a dark and stormy night?

5.What do you find fills your creative well the best?

 

My 3 Favorite Posts

One – Quick Dinner

Two – Emotional Bank Account

Three MAGIC!

by Categories: Justlife, Mywriting, storyadayTags: , , , , 7 Comments

StoryFest for StoryaDay May 2018

StoryFest20XX_325x220.png

Storyaday May is a challenge with simple rules:

The Rules from Julie Duffy:

  • *Decide how many days during May on which you’re going to write.
  • *Write and finish a story on those days

My goal was to write 30 stories and I wrote 31 stories in May 2018.

Every June, Julie hosts StoryFest at her blog. You can check out some other amazing short stories by going there June 23-24!

Here is my Day 21 story for you to enjoy! Comments are welcome!

Man Murdered by Tree in Minnesota Forest

By Mountain News Service on May 21 at 2:43 p.m.
Stearns County, Minn. —

Authorities are investigating the death of a man found with a bullet wound to the head in the Birch Lake Forest on May 20.

“We are shocked and saddened to confirm the death of Mr. Maxim Foster,” a spokesperson from the park office confirmed. “He was using dynamite to extract trees in an overgrown section of the forest when he was fatally injured.”

There had been previous reports from 15 years ago of an attempted murder and suicide in the Birch Lake Forest. A bullet from the attempted murder had been lodged in a tree and never recovered.

It is speculated the bullet fired from the tree when Mr. Foster blew the tree to bits. It apparently held a grudge and fired upon the man, killing him.

The tree will not be prosecuted.

by Categories: Mywriting, storyaday, WritingLifeTags: , , , , , 3 Comments