Thursday, March 28, 2013

Getting ready for A-Z

I'm doing it! I'm getting really excited about April. I'm planning out my strategy and I even have a few posts in draft so I can hit the gate running.

Are you participating in the A to Z April Blogging Challenge? Have you done it before, or is this your first time, like me? Do you have a strategy, or are you pantsing it?

Let me know if you're participating and I'll make sure to stop in by your blogs. I can't wait! :)


I'm having trouble with hyperlinks today, so here's the address for the challenge:  http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

WWBH Snapshot Prompt

+Leanne Sype was kind enough to put together our prompt post this week. She is on Spring Break. Here, it is neither Spring (no matter what the calendar says, snow outside does not equal Spring), nor Break time. The break is next week. In good ol' Michigan, Spring may come next week, or next month. Or the next month after that. We'll just have to see. ;-)

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Raise your hand if you are on Spring Break. *raises hand* Although I'd contend "break" is a loose term and is certainly relative depending on who you are and if you have children. :) Regardless, I hope you're enjoying the transition into a new season that promises renewal, growth, and hopefully *fingers crossed* warmer weather!

Let's celebrate with a fresh Writer Wednesday Blog Hop photo, shall we? Here are the fantastic stories written from last week's photo. Be sure to read through them and offer some comment love on their creations. :)

The Huge Stone Saga--Part 4, Father by Christopher Shawbell
Synergy by Quinn Nielsen
Can't Hide Forever by Leanne Sype
A Span of Sorrow by Scott Taylor
Cool by the River by CK Sorensen


A reminder and rundown of the blog hop rules:

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie</ a>, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.



Okay... this week's photo and words are:
4857947309_3632301394_z

guy
repertoire
restaurant
blade
trifle

Isn't this a rad photograph? Have fun, my friends!


Oh... if you are diggin' the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop, consider sticking this button in the sidebar of your blog site so others can learn about the community:
wednesdayhopbutton

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Snapshot Reveal: Cool by the River


This week's prompt had me stumped for the longest time, but then I met two brothers who just set the photo and mandatory words into action.

The inspiration comes from last week's Snapshot Prompt. Tomorrow we'll have a new one, so link up your own contribution soon. :)

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Cool by the River

"Do you think if the train fell into the river it would cause a tsunami that would wipe out all the towns in it's path?"

Vic looked down at his little brother, curling his lip to show the six year old how much of a kid he still was.

"Not a chance." At eight, Vic was a lot more grown up than Ben. Vic didn't come up with silly stories any more. He had science in school that taught him how things really worked.

"Wouldn't it be cool, though?"

"It would make a big mess. Lots of houses would drown."

"The army would stop them."

"They couldn't get here fast enough."

Inangahua Junction bridge after the 1968 earthquakeThere was a long pause while Ben stared at the rock in his hand. The boys were sitting on the shore of the river, wishing they had something to fish with. Instead, all they had was a hard beach covered in a carpet of rocks and a bridge, each of it's legs a tall tower holding the rest of the world away from the brothers.

"Well, maybe it's bad guys who make the train fall. Maybe the army is already here to stop them but they're not quite fast enough to stop the train from falling but they can stop the tsunami."

Vic looked between the bridge and then down the river. He could see it all play out in his head, just like Ben said. Helicopters and motorcycles would be filling the sky with loud noises. The cars on the bridge would all crash together and their drivers would hide inside while guns went off all around them. The train would fall down into the water, landing all twisted like a broken snake that would set off the huge wave. It might work. Maybe. Vic glanced at Ben out of the corner of his eye.

"Nah."

Ben threw his rock into the water. It barely splashed.

"It would still be cool."

"Yeah," Vic gave in. "It would be cool."

Monday, March 25, 2013

A to Z is Almost Here!

I will be posting the compilation of last Collaboration Challenge soon, but we will not be starting another right away. As a reminder, I'll be joining in the A to Z Blogging Challenge for the month of April.

I'm excited about the challenge, though as of right now all I have is an empty A to Z grid. I have a few more days, though, and it will all come together, I'm sure. After all, I have a house full of heartbeats to help me out, and if all else fails, I know how to make up some great stories. ;)

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Growing Pains: Fat Lip

If this isn't our first fat lip, it's our second.

Before:












I heard Joshua crying from outside (playing with his older cousin). His cousin came in faster and first, telling me that Joshua fell. Joshua came in behind him, hands to his mouth, bleeding.


After:
          


I don't know why, but when I see blood around mouths, I immediately worry teeth have gone through the lip. In this case, they hadn't, nor were there any broken teeth. Just a concrete scraped lip and nose that looked swollen, but not horrible, once cleaned up.

The day after, the scab on his lip was so thick, he looked like he had a bit of a mustache. I didn't get a photo of that, unfortunately. Now, almost a week later, he's nearly healed up, all remnants of this year's first 'big' boo boo gone.











Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Snapshot Prompt

Nicole took back the reins for this week, and the prompt is just begging for some stories to be written. :)

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And we're back! I've had a busy week and weekend, but I made sure to read the entries for this week and I'm so impressed! Everyone has done such an amazing job! Make sure to join in, if you haven't before - we'd love to see your talent.

Read the entries from last week's prompt -

Medical Weight Loss by AR Neal
Mint Juleps and Little Green Men by Lyn
Paul's Uncle Dave by Scott Taylor
An Indonesian Homecoming by Tony Roberts
Adrift from Huge Stone by Chris Sawbell
A Strong Foundation by Carrie K. Sorensen
Little House on the Water by Leanne Sype

Not to mention, if you enjoy the writing prompt as much as we do, grab a button -

writing, writers, blogs

Click and copy this code

Now, here are the rules for the prompt -

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.4) Link up with your blog hostess (NicoleCarrieTena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

And here is the photo, grabbed from this link -


Inangahua Junction bridge after the 1968 earthquake

And here are the five words -

Train

Tsunami

Tower

Snake

Carpet

Oh, I have such a good feeling these stories coming up will be awesome.

So join in the fun and when you are ready, post your story below!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Snapshot Reveal: A Strong Foundation

This is in response to last week's Snapshot prompt. The inspiration photo is included, and the mandatory words are in bold. You can check out the prompt page for the links to other stories, or link up your own before tomorrow when a new prompt arrives. :)

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A Strong Foundation

April's laugh pressed out in front of a bubble of desperation.

"Oh, Lord. No."

boats,buildings,forests,homes,houses,landscapes,nature,Photographs,rivers,transportation
"You haven't even gotten out of the car," Lenny complained, holding his door open half way. One leg in, one leg out, he was frozen by her dismissal.

"Len, not a chance. We're on a mountain road. Getting out to look at a dilapidated house down on the river - is it honestly swaying on it's stilts? - is not going to happen. Nor is the drive down there."

Lenny pulled in his leg and toyed with the keys in his hands, though he kept the car door open a few degrees in case she changed her mind.

"Can't you see it, April? Yes, it's a mess, but it's a cheap mess. We can buy it for practically nothing. It's the land that's the value, here. Then we can build whatever we want. Life on the river. Can you imagine?"

April chewed on her lip and looked over at Lenny. He'd recently shaved his head because he'd lost too much of it. Past 30, his belly fell a bit more past his belt than he liked due to a little too much binge drinking. Finding a house and getting out of their leased condo was front and center for him, a huge shift from his younger mentality. Still, though, he saw the world in as a challenge to be taken on, no risk too great for a greater reward.

April would have seen the world the same, just a few weeks ago. But now she had even bigger concerns and she didn't want to add a flooding river to them.

"It will take too much time," she said quietly. "And maybe even too much money."

Lenny opened and closed his mouth like a fish, looking longingly at the grey, hollow house on the location of his dreams.

"Len, we can't," she tried again, taking a deep breath. Tears pricked her eyes, but she couldn't say why, exactly. Maybe just because this wasn't the way she wanted to tell him. "We need something more stable, something more safe. For the baby."

The keys stopped jingling. Len's door swung shut without the strength to latch it. April caught herself holding her breath, then reminded herself she needed air for two.

Len re-opened the door and shut it firmly. He turned on the car and gently eased onto the narrow mountain road.

"Len?"

Another mile passed without him saying a word. April couldn't look at him, just watched his knuckles tighten and loosen on the steering wheel. Finally, Lenny cleared his throat, a thick, wet sound.

"Okay. So ... we'll need a house in a quiet neighborhood. A dead end street would be nice, don't you think? And maybe a big enough yard for a swing set."

April's laugh filled the car in relief and a few of the tears she'd held back slipped free.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Snapshot Prompt

A winner, a winner, Randy Lindsay is our winner!

Congratulations!! We'll get to see your lovely face here as well as on the other blog hostess's sites.

Now, for last week's incredible stories:

A Back-Street Affair by Tony Roberts
Gut Instinct by Scott Taylor
Obedience and Opportunity by Jenna
Home at Last by Anne
Abduction from Huge Stone by Chris Shawbell
Backstage Spotlight by Carrie K Sorensen

They were so much more diverse than I expected from the photo prompt, weren't they?

And now we can move on to this week's prompt!

Here are the rules -

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

This week's photo:

boats,buildings,forests,homes,houses,landscapes,nature,Photographs,rivers,transportation

This week's words -

laugh

saw

lord

degree

binge


So, grab a button, write your story, and link it up at the bottom of this post!


writing, writers, blogs

Click and copy this code

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Snapshot Reveal: Backstage Spotlight

Here is my submission for this past week's Snapshot Prompt. :) Tomorrow we'll have a whole new set of words and a photo for your inspiration. Until then, check back at this prompt post and see what others were inspired to write this week.
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Backstage Spotlight

Tracy peeked out the door of the back entrance. It's where the crowds would gather after every performance, waiting to rub shoulders with one of the stars, hand over flowers to a loved one or just to be a part of the energy that followed another incredible performance.

For now, the tide had ebbed, taking with it the people and their waves of energy. She opened the door all the way, placing a partial cinder block at it's base to hold it open and set to rolling up the dirty red mat. Tomorrow morning, some stage hand would come in and clean all the dried mud from the dense fibers, wiping it down so it would be ready for the Matinee show. For now, all Tracy had to do was pack it away just inside the door, keeping the dirt far away from the fine costumes depicting the French revolution and the props for the castle, the town, and the gallows.

"I'm set to head out," she called into the cavern of backstage.

"Hold on," the gruff voice of the old stage manager halted her. She heard some shuffling from his office before he stepped out with an industrial stapler. It was the sign of an agreement between them. Tracy could only walk the alley at night as he re-stapled the billing posters. The heavy-duty stapler was as good a weapon as any, he believed. Not that it was needed in the clean, well lit alley that paralleled the main street, but if it made the old guy feel better, Tracy wouldn't argue.

Creepy French StreetTracy left the man and the theater behind, hands in the pockets of her ratty wool coat. The streetlights were spaced perfectly apart, each section of yellow light just touching the edges of the next. Tracy smiled, feeling as though these were her personal spotlights, throwing her own quiet, behind the scenes life into the forefront of life's stage. It was a heady moment she looked forward to every night, these few moments when the quiet world was her oyster and her audience of one was riveted to her every move.

The coffee shop was only a hundred yards or so from the theater's back entrance. She paused just outside the door to wave back the way she came, grasping the door handle and making her exit, head held high.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Take Back the World: Part 5 of the Collaboration Challenge

The bittersweet moment has arrived, the time when this Challenge has reached it's completion point. The story, on the other hand ... ;)



Part Five
By Nicole Pyles

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Dizzy Me: Medical Update

I know I left you hanging, and I'm so sorry for that. The thing is ... I'm still hanging, too.


Hematologist: What's wrong with you is what's wrong with everyone - you're just more sensitive to it.

Cardiologist: You still have Neurocardiogenic Syncope (diagnosed with at 16 yrs old). Unfortunately, no headway has been made with the disorder since you were first diagnosed. However, as I have vision blackouts, but no actual faints, I show strong signs of having it under control.

ENT: Dizziness is brought on by migraines.

And I refused the medication merry-go-round. I won't do that to myself or my family again if I can help it, and as of right now, I can.


So, I haven't really learned anything new this time around. I am feeling better, though I feel like I can't get my mind focused long enough to really organize anything. I'm trying to stick to the smaller things - they're easier to get a grip on - and to relax as much as possible (which seems to be the one thing all doctors will agree on - rest is the best).

All I can do is keep plugging away and work though those dizzy spells as best I can. Really, it isn't much different from anyone else. :)

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Snapshot Prompt

Okay, I think this is working now. :) I was having page loading issues and couldn't even get a post far enough to let you know I couldn't post!

Because of those difficulties, I regret that a Monthly Ad Winner will not be chosen today, but I will have one by next week (and maybe even the button done, if all goes well). As for now, Nicole was kind enough to put together this week's prompt and now that blogger is working for me, I can post it for you!

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It's Wednesday! How is your week going? I have felt off all week so far. But we're one day closer to Friday, so that's a very good thing.

Anyways, let's get started on this week's writing prompt!

Here are the posts from last week that you must check out -

The Distant Mountain and the Barren Tree by Tony Roberts
The Sad Story of Max Josephs by Scott Taylor
Stormy is the Heart by Christopher Shawbell
One Fine Day by Yolanda
The Ones We Love

Amazing stories from last week!

Here are the rules -

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

And here is the photo for this week -
Creepy French Street

And here are the five words -

gallows

tide

mat

section

staple