Make Each Day Count!

Let's take a moment to breathe, shall we? Deep breath.... that's right.... let it all go.

Now..... look ahead to the New Year.

No, wait! How about this last week! I say let's not forget this all important time of reflecting, renewing, and reorganizing our lives. I think the last week of the year is my favorite time. The just after Christmas feeling, when love of family and friends still lingers. The joy of the holiday season continues to play out inside our heads because the words, "have a holly jolly Christmas" still bounce around keeping us smiling.

This week is the writer's paradise week.... the one week that families are still home together, kids are out of school, and for a little time each day we grab that keyboard and we delve into the sea of words to release upon the screen sentence after sentence in hopes that someone else will read them..... someday.

I'd love to hear from all of you about your endeavors this week. Are you writing? Are you organizing? Are you on vacation?

Whatever the case may be, enjoy the last few days of 2013 and let's all agree to make this next year our best!

His Act of Kindness

I walked into my daughter's school today and saw a little girl had dropped her binder causing a lot of paper to scatter on the floor. One young man stood over her, and I wondered why he wouldn't just bend down to help. I told her I would help, and he said when she dropped it, the paper came out, then some kids laughed and started kicking her stuff around the floor. He said he tried to stop it but was standing there to make sure it didn't happen again. He asked if there was anything else he could do to help when I was putting her paper back. I told him thank you for being kind to her. She never spoke. Her hurt was apparent. I watched him walk away as he looked back at her. So many kids passed her without helping.... just made me want to scream.... what's wrong with everyone! One good kid... and that's one she won't soon forget.

Kindness.... I know I've been more aware of the myself since that moment. My words.. my actions... these are tools to build up another or tear them down. It makes sense why KINDNESS is a fruit of the spirit. It really does demonstrate who you are from the inside out.

I'd love to hear about how someone has been kind to you.

Five Minute Friday - BROKEN

Five Minute Fridays! I do love them, and I miss them more than not, but today I'm thankful to be a part of this venture with such a great many others. For more on Lisa-Jo Baker's idea and 'how to' be a part of the fun check out her blog and link up!

Our word prompt.... BROKEN

How often we think of broken as something that can't be fixed, something that will take our time... something that is lost. I see that attitude spilling out of me from time to time, but not today. Today I sat alone in the waiting area while my son had his tonsils out. Others had stepped out for a moment and at once I was aware of the lonely that crept in. I sat there waiting for the results of a mammogram I had to have redone due to a suspicious spot on the first test. I sat there unable to keep a straight thought in my head and wishing I had someone there to take me by the hand and say everything will be fine.

I sat alone.

Then.... I received the information that my test results came back fine... I was broken.
Then... the doc came in and said my son was fine.... I was broken.

You see, broken doesn't mean something needs to be fixed.. not always. Today for me it meant that I was in a place where life was bare... life was raw... life had depth. The unnecessary had broken away. Tears are not always from sadness, because in a time of being broken, tears are for rebirth and renewal.

I sat alone.

My hands shook.
My heart raced.
My mind whirled.
I saw my life.

I have never been alone.

Walk With Me Wednesday

Welcome to my new Wednesday posts! I want you to walk with me. Talk with me. Tell me something fun about you. Sing with me.. share your favorite song. Dance with me... what is it that gives you joy TODAY. 

Consider this our time to walk together, and let's see what adventure we can discover.

Sometimes it's the beauty of things remembered that gives us joy in today and hope for tomorrow.. 

Today, tell me about your favorite childhood memory. 

How Should it End?

I haven't officially announced on my blog that my current manuscript has been accepted for publication in March 2014 with Write More Publications. CHOSEN: THE RISE OF THE DARK QUEEN is a bit different than my usual writing, and it has been great fun completing. Keep watching for updates!

Now that my novel is in line and the wheels are in motion to have it in your hands, I find myself overwhelmed with trying to finish edits on the next manuscript because the NEXT book is whirling inside just waiting to be written!

There is only one thing I can't figure out about the book that I haven't started. Oh, I know the beginning and the middle. It's the end that baffles me. What to do with the end? I love a good twist. I love a good cry. I love when love prevails. However, sometimes life really isn't like that, is it? The guy doesn't get the girl. The girl doesn't get the guy. Love doesn't survive. People die. People walk away. Sometimes struggles have no victory. Sometimes life is hard.

I was thinking about what my last editor told me when she had me change a few things. She sent me a great letter of suggestions with a huge smiley face that said... "If you want to connect with your readers, then be real. No one is THIS happy."

How should my book end? Do I end with a touch of reality and the main characters not have exactly what the reader expects? Do I give love a chance? My kids think I write too many happy endings. I say, sometimes sappy stories are a nice break. I want to hear what you think.

See the poll at the top right hand side? UP THERE

Answer that question for me, and let me know what you think about happily endings. 

Me... I say true love should win every time. :) 

Walk With Me Wednesday

Walking is a favorite pastime of mine, and I love walking with my sweet kids. We laugh, we skip, we sing, we dream, but best of all... for a short time... the world around us doesn't matter and we simply enjoy being a family.

Don't you enjoy holding hands with that wonderful someone while you walk along sharing your heart? Sappy girl stuff, yes I know, but that's me. :)

So, this is my new Wednesday posts. I want you to walk with me. Talk with me. Tell me something fun about you. Sing with me.. share your favorite song. Dance with me... what is it that gives you joy TODAY.

Consider this our time to walk together, and let's see what adventure we can discover.

Today, let's laugh. Tell me something funny that happened to you lately.

Five Minute Friday.... SONG

Fridays make everyone happy, don't you agree? If it's Friday then it's time for Lisa-Jo Baker's Five Minute Friday. If you've never been a part of the fun, read up on what we get to do and join us all on twitter next Thursday night for the Five Minute Friday Party #FMFparty and meet a lot of fantastic people who love to laugh.

These are the guidelines from Lisa-Jo Baker's blog. Come on and join the fun!

We write for five minutes flat. All on the same prompt that I post here at 1 minute past midnight EST ever Friday. And we connect on Twitter with the hashtag#FiveMinuteFriday

No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation.

Unscripted. Unedited. Real. (Go check out the rest on her blog. You'll be glad you did!)

Today's writing prompt is SONG

Do you have a favorite song? Think about that seriously for a moment. Your all time favorite song. Now, in the comment section below I want you to tell me what that song is. I'd love to know what song moves you, what song brings back beautiful memories, what song inspires you.  I started trying to come up with my favorite, and I have favorites on different levels, if that makes sense. I have a favorite worship song. "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" sung by Charles Billingsley. Then I have a favorite Bon Jovi Song, "I'll Be There for You"..... you know I had to include Bon Jovi. Then there's the all time favorite Elvis song, "Young and Beautiful". Then of course there's my favorite song from the 80s, "If You Leave." from the soundtrack Pretty in Pink. Favorite classic rock, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", and if you don't know that one then it's time to google. There are so many to choose from, and I'm not sure I have a favorite today. Oh, wait... yes I do. There's a song called. "You Make Me Smile"..... and that's the one song about the man that I'm completely in love with but haven't met yet. haha. Have a lovely time traveling down through your memories and thinking about all the songs that have touched your life. Remember, "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger."  

Now that you've had some time to think... what's your favorite song???? 

A to Z Challenge: Letter D

I'm playing catch up for a couple of days since my computer had a mind of its own for a day or so. For the month of April, I'll be posting retro facts from the 70s and 80s, organizational helps, a bit of Cherokee trivia, and some fun for those who pass this way on their A to Z journey. I'll be posting a writing prompt, either a word or a picture for anyone willing to participate.

Go retro - DIRTY DANCING

The all time favorite 80s dance movie. It was The Time of Our Lives. With 142,638,038 hits, this video is a must! 

Organize - DIY

Do it yourself! There are so many great sites out there to find exactly what you need to make your life a more pleasant place. Check out Life With 4 Boys for 10 great DIY organizing tips. 

Cherokee Trivia - The DEER Clan. One of the 7 clans in the Echota Tribe

Want to know more about the Deer Clan? Journey to Native American Antiquity. Great site. 

Writing Prompt - DECEPTION

Write three sentences using the theme of deception and use the word only once. Here's mine.....

Deception came easy for her. She enjoyed lying, and knowing he would always wonder what happened to her, she got on the train. Her note had simply stated, I am dead. 

Your turn! 

A to Z Challenge: Letter C

Day three and I'm still here! My blog has suffered from neglect lately, but I'm back! For the month of April, I'll be posting retro facts from the 70s and 80s, organizational helps (I know my mom is laughing), a bit of Cherokee trivia, and some fun for those who pass this way on their A to Z journey. I'll be posting a writing prompt, either a word or a picture for anyone willing to participate.

Go retro - CASSETTE TAPES.... I still have a bazillion and my kids still play them. 

This was on my desk tonight. Remember that show? Straight from 1987.

Organize - CALENDARS. If you don't keep up with you, who will? Make it a priority this month to make a schedule on a calendar somewhere. Give yourself the gift of a deadline and make progress! I'm organizing my entire house by the end of April. 

Cherokee Trivia - CULTURE. Great site for kids to discover facts about the Cherokee CULTURE. 

Writing Prompt - CRACK in the window. Tell me in three sentences what happened. 

Lastly, I'm proud to post for the Insecure Writers Support Group

The first Wednesday of each month a band of fellow writers post from our host, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Go sign up! This month is apparent to any who are reading this on Thursday. I need to manage my writing schedule better. Writing is what I do so it should be what I do with passion and priority. I'm finding myself dappling in so many writing groups and pages lately that it's counterproductive. An online presence for a writer is imperative, but so is writing! Time to shake things up and finish my next manuscript.... and my blog post for the letter D. 

A to Z Challenge: Letter B

Welcome A to Zers! I'll be posting retro facts from the 70s and 80s, organizational helps (I know my mom is laughing), a bit of Cherokee trivia, and some fun for those who pass this way on their A to Z journey. I'll be posting a writing prompt, either a word or a picture for anyone willing to participate.

Go retro - BON JOVI 
Retro and relative.... not much more you can say about a group that can span so many decades and still look that good. :) Let's compare... then....

and now....

Let's flash back with one of my favorites..... I'll Be There For You 

Fun Fact - I do have the Rolling Stones Magazine with him on the front.... signed. Yeah, that's a great story for a different day. 

Organize - BINS

This is becoming my favorite way to organize. Everything in it's place... umm... well not all at once, but if you have places ready then organizing isn't so overwhelming. I have bins of all sizes for toys, pens, toys, books, art supplies, toys... and did I mention toys? Bins are cheap and you can usually find them at thrift stores. My newest bin on my desk is for all the charger cords that want to snake around my office. 

Cherokee Trivia - In the Echota Tribe of Alabama we have the BIRD Clan and the BLUE Clan. These are two of seven clans in the Echota Tribe. 

Writing Prompt - BROKEN

Write without thinking. Whatever comes to mind. Three sentences with the theme BROKEN. 

A to Z Challenge: Letter A

Wonderful to be a part of the A to Z Challenge once again! I could not land on a theme this year so I'm incorporating a few things to make it interesting. I'll be posting retro facts from the 70s and 80s, organizational helps (no laughing from those who have seen my office), a bit of Cherokee trivia since I'm researching, and some fun for those who pass this way on their A to Z journey. I'll be posting a writing prompt, either a word or a picture for anyone willing to participate.

Go retro - ABBA sings Dancing Queen

Check out the video. 

Do you remember hearing this at the skating rink? You can almost hear the DJ shout, "All skate!"

Organize - AGGRESSIVE.  Be aggressive and say today is the day I'm going to make some changes! Find one AREA to change. Today I choose my desk. If I am to create worlds for others to enjoy then my world should be one that gives me inspiration.

Cherokee Trivia - I'm an official member of the Echota Tribe of ALABAMA. 

Writing prompt - Our picture prompt today comes from Anne Stokes. Tell me about this girl in no more than three sentences. 

FRIDAY LUNCH Book Trailer

Check it out! It's my I can't sleep so I got up and I'm working on the debut of the FRIDAY LUNCH book trailer. My fantastic followers are the first to view it!

A big shout out to the music site Royalty Free Kings for their great selection.  http://www.royaltyfreekings.com/ 

I think Bon Jovi should write a song about FRIDAY LUNCH and I could use it for the movie soundtrack. See, that's the big dreams of 2 am. Never hurts to plan ahead. Have a lovely weekend and for all of you on Spring Break, stay safe.

Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M287_Uu2N9s

Start Sharing

Join us the first Wednesday of every month for the Insecure Writer's Support Group hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

We all have the few that are allowed to see our work in progress and we wait patiently for their honesty. I do enjoy being able to message the brave that read my WIP and will tell me to delete whole sentences, to expand on ideas or say they have no idea what in the world I'm talking about. No matter what, these few make me want to keep writing, write more, and write better. 

Take time and select a few close friends to give you honest feedback. By close, I mean "would move a couch" close. Just as writing becomes a habit, so should sharing. I have friends that write but no one knows they have talent. I say if the gift of writing is within you, then it was meant to be enjoyed by the masses. Become the encouragement other writers needs to pursue the 'next step' and help make writing a habit for them. 

Be inspired today! 

Be an inspiration everyday! 

For all my movie junkies. Head on over to Alex's blog and sign up for the Top Ten Movies Blogfest. 

Five Minute Friday..... AGAIN

It's time once again for Five Minute Fridays! Check out how to join the fun on Lisa-Jo Baker's site. Once you've accepted the challenge, grab a cup of something hot on this cold day and visit around with the others playing along. Leave comments, make friends and enjoy your fun day. It's Friday, my friend, and anything is possible!

This is how you participate....

We write for five minutes flat. All on the same prompt that Lisa-Jo will post at 1 minute past midnight EST ever Friday. And we connect on Twitter with the hashtag#FiveMinuteFriday

No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation.

Unscripted. Unedited. Real.

Our word prompt today is AGAIN.........

Again, I make promises to myself that I won't keep.

Again, I make the to do list that will never get finished. 

Again, I start on the road to fitness but I wonder how long it will last.

Again, I say I've got things under control, but friends know the real me.

Again, I see that the only way I'm ever going to get through any of this is His help.

Again, I stop and pray.

Again, I think of all that has been lost

Again. I see all that is beautiful in my life.

Again, I stop and appreciate the love of my four children.

Again, I'm thankful my heart has learned to love.

Again, I pick up my pen and put it to paper because that's where I'm free. 

Again, I share with you, because this is our journey, and it's a lot more fun with laughter.

Again, I'm ending at five minutes. 

Have a lovely weekend, my friends. Take a minute or two and join my !00 Pen Project. It's turning into great fun! 

The 100 Pen Project

I love writing long hand. I know, I'm a relic, but there's something about the feel of pen to paper. The flow of words from a pen and turning each page of progress. Not much can top a notebook, a pen, coffee and a place where my mind can be free. I'm partial to one type of pen. Every writer has some "thing" they do when they write. I HAVE to use the same kind of pen. I've used these Bic pens f-o-r-e-v-e-r, and only black ink of course.

My favorite, and my couch likes to eat this brand best. 

Now, I recently went to the store to see what other pens I might try to break out of my routine. I did find some I liked.

Then there's the one kind I despise.

 

Now my next writing project is at hand and I want to begin a new manuscript next month, I'm beginning the 100 Pen Project. I want 100 different pens to create the next manuscript. Here's the catch. I want the pens from you.... my blog follower, my facebook followers, friends, and family. At the end I'm going to display them on a canvas and take them to my book signings. The pens you donate can be from your place of business, or from you. It doesn't matter. I just want 100 different pens as long as they write black. If you want to join in the 100 Pen Project you can email me for my address at vhprath@gmail.com. I look forward to posting the progress of the manuscript project with you!