Liebster Award

The amazing Lara Lacombe @ Romance With An Edge nominated me for the:

She actually gave this to me a few weeks ago-- but I am just now coming around to answering the questions!  (Is that super lame of me?!)

But, Lara-- Thank you so much!  I really appreciate the shout-out :)  You rock!

There are a few rules for this award, so before we get started, let me list them here:

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and link back to the blogger who presented this award to you.

2. Answer the 11 questions from the nominator, list 11 random facts about yourself and create 11 questions for your nominees.

3. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen. (No tag backs)-- I chose 4.  I know-- slacking.  But, most of the blogs I follow far exceed the 200 follower mark!

4. Copy and Paste the blog award on your blog.

So without further ado, here are the questions from my nominator:

1. What's your favorite writing/reading snack?
I like to sip on coffee, tea, Advocare Spark (basically anything with caffeine in it) or ice (FREEZING) cold water.  Or a Woodchuck.  Or a New Castle.  Yeah, those are nice too.  But, I don't drink alcohol enough too much.  But, when writing-- and things get a little edgy/you start to feel really vulnerable-- a drink helps with the nerves a bit.

2. Where have you always wanted to visit?
I have never been ANYWHERE-- so I want to visit EVERYWHERE.  We are starting with the North American Continent at the end of 2014-- after we've seen everything there is to see on the continent  we were born on, we will then choose our next destination.

3. What's your favorite accent?
English.  Obviously.  But, since German accents are kind of scary-- that's definitely a close second!  It is hilarious-- to be able to say 'I want an ice cream sundae!' yet invoke the fear of God into a non-speakers heart.

4. What movie do you always watch when you find it on TV?
I don't have cable television-- not even basic.. so, can I change the question?  Okay-- I'm changing it to: What is your favorite movie?  In that case, I have quite a few!  Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Royal Tennenbaums, Wild Target (British humor at it's best IMO), Jerry Maguire, The Family Stone, Snatch and Step Brothers are the first few that come to mind.

5. What's your favorite hobby?
I'm not going to say writing-- because writing is just a way of life.  So, in that case- baking.  I loooove to bake!  I will be selling baked goods at our local farmers market this spring/summer and I'm very excited!  I've been perfecting a lot of recipes-- for example-- I have made the perfect vegan banana bread with brown sugar crumble, as well as rockin' vegan "cheese" loaf and a cinnamon swirl bread that is to die for.  And don't get me started on all the non-vegan goodies I have in my oven-o-tricks.

6. Say you can quit your day job and do whatever you want.  What would you do?
Travel with my children-- that way I can ensure they don't get sucked into the American subculture commonly referred to as "YOLO" but  more closely resembling the retardation of the soul.

7. What made you want to start writing?
It was less of a want and more of a necessity.  The words would bleed from my hands.  I've been journaling since I was in kindergarten.

8. What is your favorite genre?
I LOVE dystopian-- always have, always will.  I also love YA (that's why I fell in LURVE with The Hunger Games-- a mix of my two favs!)-- I love NA, though some would dispute it being a genre (I tend to write NA)-- Sci-Fi... poetry, memoir.  Who am I kidding?  I LOVE IT ALL.  Minus erotica.  You can take 50 Shades of Grey and shove it where the sun don't shine.  (That is, unless you like 50 Shades of Grey-- because I assume you'd like it shoved up there.  Sick burn.)

9. Where is your writing/reading nook?
Play room/office-- next to a large window that the sun pours into.  Though, lately, I've been doing a lot of writing at the kitchen table in the foster home I work at.

10. What book do you wish you had written?
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates, The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and/or The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.  Also- Harry Potter, because who doesn't wish they were J.K. Rowling!?

11. Early bird, night owl, or something in between?
I am unfortunately a night owl and, that is why awake overnights from 11pm-8am don't really phase me.  That being said, if I don't work, I like to be in bed by 8pm-9pm because my children are early birds!

11 Facts About Me:

-Thinking of 11 facts is hard work for me/I hate this
-I recently cut off 14 inches of my hair-- all by myself-- I should eventually go to a stylist because it's kind of Sponge-Bob-Square-Heady

- I tell things like it is... sugar coating is for the birds... Though, I'm getting better at distinguishing the appropriate timing to say said things.

-I'm working on a project called Dirty Chai Mag (named for my favorite espresso drink) with my good friend, Samantha.  We hope to launch and begin accepting submissions by the end of the month!

-I am a very forgiving person--  I always accept apologies, always.

-I actually really enjoy this Rhianna song: I typically hate pop music:

-I looooove Woodchuck Cider,  LOVE.

-I  have a sister from another mister and a brother from another mother.
-My favorite color is blue (I bet you had me pegged for a 'green' person, eh?)

-I love waking up in my bed with both of my kids, Garrett and our two cats all in a giant cuddle puddle
-I met Anthony Hopkins once-- he introduced himself as "Tony" and it was Bad Ass.  BAD ASS..

Annnnd I nominate:

1. Azara @ Tesseract

2. Jess @ Simple Musings

3. Tharun James Jimani @ icyhighs

4. B @ The Opposite of That

I really enjoyed the questions that Lara came up with- so you guys can answer those!

Five Sentence Fiction : Whisper

It has been awhile since I participated in Lillie McFerrin's Five Sentence Fiction.   I feel a little bit rusty in regards to my flash skills-- so I thought I'd see what I come up with.  FSF is a fun/awesome exercise that always delivers a wide variety of entertaining entries- check them out and know that I highly suggest joining us!

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week:WHISPER

--

source

Extending my arms above my head, I slowly begin to bend at the waist, first to my left and then to my right.  My hands, magnetic to the atmosphere around me, extend into the air.  Breathing in, I become aware of the way my lungs whisper inside of my body, a slow, melodic pulse against the beating of my heart.  I focus on the rhythm, allowing it to become the beat of my footsteps.  I walk to the center of the room, removing my robe, allowing them to see me naked for the first time. 

IWSG- Am I a REAL Writer?!

It's the first Wednesday of the month!  And that means that it's time for Alex J. Cavanaugh's:

click the image to check out other participant's entries!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time 

 ---

Claiming the title of writer when you haven't been published in anything but small press magazines is tough business, guys.  (I feel I need to note that small press magazines are freaking awesome-- but unless all of your friends/family/acquaintances are literary: they have never heard of the publications-- Especially online journals!)  

Upon explaining to people that I'm a writer, they always ask me what I'm writing/what I've written.  That is then followed by a slew of other questions: Am I published?  Do I have an agent? Why don't I just release an e-book?  etc. etc.

When I answer no to these questions--  I can tell they are thinking (and some have downright said) "How can you be a writer if you aren't published?"

Fudge.  As if being a writer isn't scary enough... allowing yourself to be vulnerable with every stroke of the keyboard... But, then constantly worrying if you are a REAL writer-- ugh!  Exhausting!

I have yet to query a manuscript-- nor have I begun to look for an agent.  I participated in GUTGAA (hosted by the lovely Deanna Barnhart) a few months back to get a feel for the entire process.  Hopefully, if Deanna hosts it again- I will have something ready!  I also think I'm going to participate in Camp NaNo in April (and July?  We'll see)-- I might cheat and use one of my 500 unfinished manuscripts, but it will be the swift kick in the behind that I need.

Source: Uploaded by user via Azia on Pinterest

 

Well said, Mr. Orwell.  Well said!  And-- all this exhausting work makes me a writer, right?  Not all of the fancy titles?! 

Even in the midst of madness, one must continue on...

                                                                Source: huff.to via Azia on Pinterest

I have yet to meet a writer who isn't crazy all of the time from time to time.  There is much to be said about those who toss words back and forth in their brain, simmering the placement and delivery of each sentence with care.  Writers, we watch people in different ways than non-writers.  Being uncomfortable isn't necessarily a bad thing- it's an experience that allows us to later write what we have just witnessed- we recognize new feelings, in ourselves and in others.  We note the twitch in a stranger's eye when he says the name, "Guinness"-- a nervous tick that possibly arises from guilt.  Maybe he lost his wife recently, and drinks to numb the pain?  Or worse, maybe his wife isn't dead at all- maybe she left him because he loves that Guinness more than her.  That stranger sticks in our head for hours, days, weeks-- "Why?" plaguing our mind, a need to understand his character.

We are a crazy, crazy lot.  Isn't it wonderful?  Maddening, yes-- but I'm thankful to have a critical view of the world, to see it through my eyes.

We must remember, that even in the midst of madness, one must continue on writing.  We must not stop due to laziness, or fear the emotions that are desperately trying to surface through our fingers.  Allow the vulnerability to transform you!

I Quit Sleeping

If there's one thing you should know about me: I'm always looking to improve as a person.  I expect a lot from myself.  I mean, my son is almost 8 months old and has 2 teeth and I'm still breastfeeding him.  (He has had less than 10 bottle feedings in his life-- that is pretty good, right?) 

Well, the opportunity to work as an overnight staff in a Group-Foster Home setting (for privacy purposes, I can't go into much detail about the company I am working for) arose, I had to jump on it!  I work from 11pm-8am / Friday and Saturday from 11pm-9am.  The house I'm working at serves females who come from various backgrounds.  It is a therapy-centered setting, as most of these children are victims of different types of abuse, neglect, hardships, etc.

Adjusting to my new sleep schedule has been strange- but I feel fortunate because my children are asleep when I leave the house and just waking up when I get back.  This job doesn't take any time away from them.  And, now I have peace and quiet to get some writing done since I'm going to be awake anyway.  It's a win/win situation.

I feel that as long as I'm young enough and have the motivation and energy, I should be working.  Garrett and I strongly live by the motto, "Sic Parvis Magna" -- Latin for "Greatness from Small Beginnings" -- and by seizing the opportunity that God lays out for us-- I feel that we are living that motto.  Is it an ideal situation?  Probably  not.  But, more money in the bank for our family makes other things possible in the future.  (Like the 2014 RV plan!)

This job has been a bit taxing on the heart.  One of my girls attempted suicide on Thursday morning.  It is something I cannot explain, to see such young girls in the depths of despair.  As most of you know, I had a very non-traditional upbringing and I have an unfortunate ability to relate to them because of that.  I very, very easily could have been in a setting like this had the State ever become involved in my home life.  I feel like this is a calling for me, to be a constant bearer of strength for these girls.  It's a healing process and a reminder of how delicate and fragile children really are.  I am now a Foster mother and I intend to do right by these girls.  I want to show them that one day it will be okay. 

So-- that's what is new with me.