#writersunite Tag + WIP Collab with Rebekah Ashleigh!

Hey everyone! Today's post is the #writersunite Tag again! Just this time, I'm doing it with my sweet friend, Rebekah Ashleigh!

Last time (go HERE to read) I talked about my Historical Fiction WIP, Dakota's Dream. But today, I will be talking about another one of my WIPs-- Third Chances! Third Chances is coming along slow and steady. It's the first book in what I hope to make into a trilogy someday! I will be sharing about it in this post!

And Rebekah will be sharing from her new WIP: A Season of Change! Also, make sure to check out Rebekah's blog for the other half of this tag! We both answer 10 questions on each blog...

So lets get started, shall we!?

~~~

1. What inspired the idea for writing this story? 

Brooklyne- I needed to write some new projects and started a short story. The words just kept flowing until it became a trilogy idea. The first scene was actually a really deep meaning one to me because the MC was struggling with God and having a hard time trusting, something I really could relate to at the time.

Rebekah- Well, I had an idea for a different story that I really wanted to write, but it just wouldn’t come to me. So I decided to try something simpler but I didn’t know what. I thought about a few different ideas, but one day this one just came to me and it stuck.

2. What message would you like your readers to gain from reading your WIP? 

Brooklyne- God is a God of mercy and forgiveness. And whatever your story is, He has a perfect plan for you and can give you third chances.

Rebekah- That God has a plan for your life and no matter what your circumstances are, He’s in control. Live life to the fullest and look for the rainbows in life!

3. What is the hardest part about the writing process for you? 

Brooklyne- Staying excited. Sometimes, when inspiration is hard to come by, I get discouraged and feel like the plot and writing style is not good enough. But then there are the times when I love the characters, and everything fits into place.

Rebekah- Putting down on paper the words that are in my head and heart.

4. What is the best part about the writing process for you?

Brooklyne- When I come across a sentence or two that is really good, like a little nugget of brilliance. XD

Rebekah- Coming up with ideas and making the characters come alive.

5. What is your MC (main character) most passionate about? 

Brooklyne- My MC is most passionate about carving a life that is different than her childhood. My secondary MC is most passionate about Ranch life and the people he cares about.

Rebekah- Laura is pretty passionate about trying to take the worst circumstances in life and find the good in them. She’s always trying to help encourage others too.

6. What character do you (the writer) have the least in common with? 

Brooklyne- This is a hard one because it seems like I have a little bit in common with all my characters, and some things I don't. Sorry, that was a very vague answer! One of the things I don't have in common with Aimee (My MC) is that her favorite color is hot pink... And I'm not a big fan of the color hot pink.

Rebekah- I guess I have the least in common with Eli, Laura’s dad.

7. What five words would you use to describe your book? 

Brooklyne- Forgiveness. Love. Faith. Family. Opposites.

Rebekah- Change, sadness, joy, hope, growth

8. What is the goal word count that you have set for your story?

Brooklyne- I hope to reach somewhere between 60k to 80k words... (I currently have 30k written, so I still have a ways to go!)

Rebekah- I’d like it to be about 46,000 words.

9. What is your wildest dream for your writing journey? 

Brooklyne- To become a published author!

Rebekah- To publish my book and go to a homeschool convention to sell my books. I also have other books I want to publish.

10. What do you love about writing Christian Contemporary Fiction? 

Brooklyne-- I love writing Christian Contemporary Fiction because you can relate to it. Unlike Historical Fiction, you're writing about things you're more familiar with.

Rebekah- Not having to do research. ;) I enjoy reading historical fiction but I would prefer not to write it. I think it’s easier to write something that takes place in the present time.

~~~

Now for some aesthetic graphics hopefully portraying a little bit of our WIPs!
I made these using Canva... 

"If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O LORD, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared." Psalm 130:3,4 NKJV

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34 NKJV 

Rebekah's aesthetics: 

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Philippians 4:11 NKJV

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

~~~

I decided not to tag anyone this go-round, but if you think this tag looks fun, check out the rules at Lilly Cat blog where she explained everything! Click HERE for the link!

And make sure to check out Rebekahs blog for more of our tag!!!

What writing project are you working on right now? What is your favorite Christian  Contemporary Fiction book? Did you like hearing about our WIPs? 

Comment below and tell me all about it!

Shared WIP Tag: Week Five!!! Aesthetic Party!!!

Party time! *dances in confetti* Today is the last day of the Shared WIP tag! Big thanks to all who participated and to all y'all who read about each of our Nano books! I hope you guys had as much fun reading about our stories as we did telling you about them! Go HERE for the list and links to the other's who participated so you can go and read their bonus party posts! (List and links, participating party posts... Say that really fast! Who knew I could write tongue twisters!)

And if you missed out on any of my WIP posts then here are the links so you can catch up!

Week one
Week two
Week three
Week four

So, anyways!

What are we waiting for!

Lets get this aesthetic party going! (And brace yourself, because this post is going to be a lot different then most aesthetic posts going up! *crosses fingers* 

~~~

Adam 

//Loner//Thoughtful//Stray//Lost//Kind//Smart//Protective//

Dakota 

//Dreamer//Helpful//Scared//Doubting//Loving//Strong//Loyal//

~PINTEREST PICS~

SOME CHARACTERS... 

DAKOTA 

ADAM 

MABEL

ADDY

EMMA

LEXI

BEA

~SNIPPETS~

Dakota POV

"The moon shone brightly through her frosted window, it’s reflection on the windowsill as a welcome beacon of light to the dark room.  Dakota gently rolled over on the straw mattress, careful not to wake her younger siblings sleeping in the bed next to her bed.  Her body was tired, but her thoughts kept spinning, keeping her awake for yet another restless night.  She huddled under her quilt and tucked it beneath her chin.  The chilly, night air seemed to cut through the thin walls of the two-story general store like a newly sharpened knife cutting through butter.    Dakota’s nose and ears felt like ice-sickles, and the tips of her fingers felt numb and tingly." 

~~~

"Dakota always thought being outright with someone was a good thing.  The truth was the truth, no need to sugarcoat it.  But, the from the look on Mr. Pencil Tapping Man’s face, he thought she was being very rude and abrupt."

~~~

"Commands, screams, and cheers erupted around her, tightly pressing around her until a wagon parted the sea of city people just like Dakota would imagine how God parted the red sea for the Israelites."

~PINTEREST PICS~

SETTING...

~SNIPPETS~ 

Adams POV

"When Bea tapped his shoulder, Adam realized that his little, energetic sister had still been chattering on about something, probably asking him one of her many questions.  The child never ran out of questions to ask! 

'Huh? What were you saying?'

'Adam!  You weren't listening to me… again!  You know, I’m old enough that you shouldn’t tune me out anymore.'  Bea pretended to pout, but Adam knew it was just for show.  He shook his head, how ironic that she was trying to convince him that she is old enough with a protruding lower lip." 

~~~

"Suddenly, Adam felt out of place, standing in the big family full of smiling faces.  He was only reminded at what he hadn’t ever and could never have—a real family."

~~~

"As they stepped into the dusty barn, horses shifted around in their stalls and greeted them with nervous whinnies, as if they were warning each other of the trespassers.  One horse in particular stomped his hooves and swished his tail, pacing back and forth along the wood, stall door."

~PINTEREST QUOTES~

Dreams, Hope, Gods plans...

~SONGS~

Read between the lines, here. 

Obviously, some of these don't really work for the 1800s! :)

Wide Open Spaces- Dixie Chicks

The Keeper of the Stars- Tracy Byrd

Fear is a Liar- Zach Williams 

The River- Garth Brooks (but in the video, it's Scotty McCreery...)

~WORDS~

THAT DESCRIBE...

✯Journey✯Dreams✯Hope✯Plans✯Love✯Beginnings✯Hardships✯Blessings✯Fear✯Overcoming✯Faith✯West✯Prairie✯Plains✯Mountains✯Wagons✯Family✯Teamwork✯

Friendships✯Road-less-traveled✯Trials✯Redemption✯Chronicle✯

~BIBLE VERSES~

Faith, Hope, Love...

Hebrews 11:3,6

"By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, say's the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 40:31

"But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."

1 Corinthians 13:4,8

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;"

"Love never fails..."

~OREGON TRAIL RECIPES~

I have not tried any of these yet... :)

Oregon Trail Breakfast Cornmeal Mush

✯Put dried currants (does anyone know what these are??) into 4 cups of boiling water

✯Sprinkle a cup of cornmeal into the boiling water

✯While stirring, add a tablespoon of lard (I would substitute something instead...) and a teaspoon of salt

✯Cook for 3 minutes, then pour into bowls

✯Serve with molasses, butter, and milk!

Molasses Stack Cake

✯Mix half a cup buttermilk and shortening, one egg, one cup of molasses, and a half teaspoon of baking powder

✯Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg

✯Add 2 cups of flour, mix well, then roll the dough thin

✯Form into circles and place on greased cookie sheet

✯Bake until golden brown 

Potato Cakes

✯Wash 6 potatoes, peel, and grate

✯Combine with 2 tablespoons salt, half a cup milk, 2 eggs, and one cup flour

✯Pour spoonfuls of mixture on to melted shortening 

✯Fry the "cakes" until done and golden brown on both sides

And that, folks, concludes this five week Shared WIP Tag! Thank you all for reading about my work-in-progress!!! Y'all are awesome!

NanoWriMo Update:

I made it to 30,003 words!!! I am so happy with  this accomplishment! Although the Nano goal is 50,000 words; I set a personal goal of 25,000 and I did it! Last Camp Nano, I hit 10,000 in one month, so the fact that I could triple that was really good for me! 

I also wanted to congratulate those who who won, and those who gave their best efforts whether you hit the goal or not! The word count doesn't matter as much as the dedication to our stories. What really counts is sticking to our writing even after November. But take a moment to pat yourself on the back... We survived a whole month of a crazy amount of writing! Good job!

*hands you a plate of cookies-or your favorite writing snack*  

Favorite Snippet? Favorite Pinerest quote? Have you heard any of the those songs? Favorite bible verse mentioned? Are you going to try a Oregon Trail recipe? (Let me know if any turn out good!) Hope you liked reading this post!

 I'll see YOU in the comments! :D

Shared WIP Tag: Week Four!

Welcome to week four in the Shared WIP Tag that I am participating in for the month of November! Nano is coming along, no matter how slow or fast, I am making progress! And any progress is good progress! This Friday, I will be sharing with y'all about my SC's, (side characters) or at least some of them! I obviously can't list all of them!

Let's start with the introduction!

~~~

1. List your SC's, state one of their main hobbies, and tell us how they influence your MC in the story.
So, I am going to be talking about five side characters. Instead of answering how they influence my MC, I am going to answer who they are to the MC... I also threw in age too! 

Name: Mabel "Bell"
Age: 18
Hobby: Musical instruments 
Who they are to Dakota: //Younger cousin//Friend//Peacemaker//Assurance//

Name: Adeline "Addy"
Age: 17
Hobby: Reading and writing
Who they are to Dakota: //Younger sister//Friend//Advice giver//Creative//

Name: Emma "Em"
Age: 14
Hobby: Being enthusiastic 
Who they are to Dakota: //Younger cousin//Friend//Strong willed//Cheerleader//

Name: Alexandra "Lexi"
Age: 13
Hobby: Animals
Who they are to Dakota: //Younger sister//Friend//Innocent//Sunshine//

Name: Beatrice "Bea"
Age: 6 (?)
Hobby: Pickpocketing 
Who they are to Adam: //Little sister//Everything//Chatterbox//Smiles//

2. Who is the SC that is the closest to your MC?
Dakota is very close to all of her sisters and cousins! 

Bea sticks to Adam like glue!  

3. How do your SC's act around people they don't know?
Mabel is quiet, but not shy around people she doesn't know.

Addy is very shy and quickly goes back into her shell.

Emma is bubbly, talkative, and alway's looking for a new friend.

At heart, Lexi is a social butterfly, but she takes some time to warm up to new people.

Bea is leery of strangers, but she is not afraid. She is a little spitfire.

4. How do they add conflict to the story (disagreeing with the MC, perhaps)?
These side characters will quarrel occasionally. But in the end, they all stick together through thick and thin! 

5. Would your MC die for any of them? What about vice versa? 
Without a doubt, yes and yes! Dakota and Adam would do anything for each of their family members. Same, vice versa! 

6. If you were writing a book about your SC's,what might the books be like?
Hmm, funny you ask! My dream is to write a book about some of my side characters! *winks*

7. What is your favorite part about the setting? 
I love this time in history! I think that the Oregon Trail is a perfect setting that already adds a element of excitement, creating a writer's ideal location for adventure and heartache! Anything is possible for the characters to encounter and overcome! 

{Picture from Pinterest}

8. What was the hardest part about coming up with the setting? 
All of the research put into making the history as accurate as possible. It's one of my biggest reader pet peeves when historical-fiction doesn't add up right with the actual time frame in history.

9. Is there anything about the setting that produced a major change in your character throughout the story?
I'm not sure if I understand this question fully, but a major change that you would see in my characters is the way of their dress, food, talk, etc. would all be from the 19th century. Like for instance, if my character had a birthday or special occasion, instead of eating birthday cake, they would have Molasses Stack Cakes. And obviously as the traveled west, they would learn things about "surviving" in the untamed land that they probably wouldn't have learned in the city. 

10. Did you base your setting off of any place in particular?
Places I plan on basing my story off of are Independence (or St. Lewis... still deciding!) Missouri, New Orleans, Mississippi River, The Oregon Trail, and all of the stops along the way... 

~~~

That just about sums up week four! Thank you for reading about some of my side characters! And be sure to stay around for next weeks WIP post!

Also, If any of you bookworms out there are interested in a Black Friday book sale, be sure to check THIS out! Get your good deals now! And don't forget to check out the GIVEAWAY which is pretty awesome if you ask me! :) 

Can you relate to any of these side characters? Do you like reading about the Oregon Trail and/or the Wild West? What was your favorite part of this post? What do you think of the Black Friday sale going on??

Talk to y'all in the comments! ;)

Shared WIP Tag: Week Three!

Welcome to week three of the Shared WIP Tag! Be sure to check out the other posts of those who are participating! See list and links HERE, in my first Shared WIP Tag post! (Yes, I'm too lazy to list them all here...*headdesk*)

Today, we are talking about the villain aka the antagonist. I have to tell you though, these has been the hardest questions to answer (and I even helped come up with some of these questions!)

Ready or not, here we go!

~~~

1. Introduce the main antagonist of your book!
Now how am I supposed to answer this without giving everything away? That's part of the suspense! (In other words, I need more time to think of his/her name!)

2. What do you (the writer) have in common with the antagonist? What do you not have in common? 
In common: We both like things neat and tidy, no loose ends.

How we differ: My book's antagonist is cruel and heartless, seeking power no matter the cost.

3. What does your antagonist do when he/she is mad? Do they have a soft spot?
He/she gets extremely angry, but doesn't act on his anger until he has a calculated plan of action. 

Yes, my antagonist does have a soft spot.

4. Who is your antagonist's worst enemy? What is their greatest fear? 
His/her worst enemy is vulnerability. Greatest fear is of being caught off guard and/or losing his/her power.

5. What is your antagonist's weapon of choice? 
A Deringer Model 1842 Navy percussion pistol. Another weapon the antagonist uses is fear.

{Picture from Pinterest}

6. How would your antagonist surprise your reader? 
Can't say because of spoiler! I know, now your curious, aren't you?!

7. What is one thing your villain would never do? 
He/she would never trust his/her partners in crime. Every man to himself.

8. What lie does your antagonist believe about the MC?
My book's antagonist believes the MC will soon balk and crumble under enough pressure.

9. What is your favorite thing about your antagonist?
I have no clue, my antagonist is the bad guy, how can I like him/her?? Besides that he/she makes the story more suspenseful...

10. If your antagonist was your MC, what would your book look like?
A lot of struggle and emotional turmoil.  

~~~

That concludes week third's post about the antagonist! Hope you enjoyed reading, and I hope you have become curious about Dakota's Dream! 

Also, I have some really great news to share with y'all! I had the privilege to beta read a short story written by non other than Julia @ Lit Aflame! Tomorrow, she is revealing her short stories' cover! So, be on the lookout for a cover reveal tomorrow!!! Who does't LOVE cover reveals!!!???

Well that's about it! I hope you enjoyed reading my very vague answers to these villain questions! As you can see, I want my story to be exciting, but I'm not quite sure if I have a good "bad guy" motive... yet! 

Do you find it hard to come up with your book's antagonist? Do you like books when the bad guys repent in the end? Or do you like books that the villain never finds redemption? (I am still trying to decide, myself!) Did you like this post? 

Lettuce chat! :) 

Shared WIP Tag: Week Two!

Welcome to week two in the Shared WIP tag! This Friday, we will be talking about the protagonist-- the main character. I have one "main character" then I have a secondary main character. Basically, I'm writing from these two POV's. I will be answering the questions for both of them in different colors to make things easier! 

~~~

1. Introduce your MC a little (name, maybe a description or picture, etc,) and tell us something quirky about them.
Main Character Full Name: Dakota Skye Whickner 
Role: Heroine//Oldest Daughter//Sister//Friend
Age: 19
Hair color: Long, strait, dark brown, past her hips
Height: 5'9''
Favorite color: Forest green, dark red, blue, and earthy colors
Ambition: To move West.
One sentence summary: A young woman who desires to move to the country and become self sufficient.
One paragraph summary: Dakota has always longed to leave the hassle of city life far behind. Although, convincing her family to move West is no easy task. But when circumstances arise, do they have a choice in the matter? Plunged deep into what she once thought was what she wanted, will Dakota rise to conquer the challenges that come her way in order for her dream to come true? 

Something quirky about Dakota is that she is very good at identifying herbs and wild medicinal plants.

Secondary Main Character Full Name: Adam William Brown
Role: Hero//Brother//Friend
Age: 17
Hair color: Short, curly, medium brown 
Height: 6'0'' 
Favorite color: No favorite color
Ambition: To find a home.
One sentence summary: A young man struggling make ends meet and searching for a new beginning. 
One paragraph summery: Adam is on a quest to break free from his past that leaves him living on the streets and destitute. The only thing keeping him alive is the sweet face of his little sister. Trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes and when a rare opportunity is offered to him, giving him the chance to leave the streets of New Orleans and travel by steamboat, how could he refuse? Will his dark secret keep him captive, or is there hope for this young stray?  

Something quirky about Adam is that he secretly can play the piano. 

2. What does your MC value the most?
Dakota's values: Nothing is more important than family. Nothing is more important than doing the right thing. Nothing is more important than moving West.

Adam's values: Nothing is more important than his little sister. Nothing is more important than finding their next meal. Nothing is more important than leaving New Orleans. 

{Picture from Pinterest}

3. What is your MC's wildest dream? What is their greatest fear? 
Dakota's wildest dream: To live off of the land and start a family someday. Note: Dakota has many dreams but cannot write them all here because it would be a spoiler... Lets just say, Dakota is a dreamer.

Adam's wildest dream: Adam has better things to do than to dream about the future.

Dakota's greatest fear: She fears she has brought her family into something that they cannot handle, herself included. And blames herself for the difficulties on the trail.

Adam's greatest fear: That something bad would happen to him and his sister would be left alone.

4. What is your MC's favorite food? Can they cook? 
Dakota's favorite food: Anything sweet. Her favorite for special occasions is molasses stack cake. (Personally, molasses stack cakes do not sound appetizing to me. But I looked up food on the trail, and since my main character has a sweet tooth... Ya, so, molasses stack cakes it is, then!)

Adam's favorite food: He'll eat anything, but not before his sister eats first. 

Can Dakota cook? If biscuits hard as rock and corneal mush that is burnt coal black qualifies as cooking, then yes. 

Can Adam cook? He makes do, but prefers cooking on a open fire.

5. What do you (the writer) have in common with the MC? What do you not have in common? 
In common: I have lots of things in common with Dakota... Some would be, her love for wide open spaces, her desire to care for others, and her kindness to the underdog. She also can be shy when first meeting someone.

In common: I have quite a few commonalities with Adam as well. He and I are both introverted and quiet, but will protect and defend "our own" in a flash. Adam thinks outside the box and is creative with the things that he has. We both have curly hair, but mine is more wavy instead of curly... 

Ways we differ: Dakota loves a good debate, whereas I hate confrontation. Dakota has dark brown hair, almost black, and I have blonde. She is very tall, and I am not considered to be very tall. I would say Dakota is more stubborn than I.

Ways we differ: Adam is a guy (obviously we don't have that in common!) *gives you permission to laugh at me* Adam is also very secretive, trying to always hide his true self under a thick facade. Adam doesn't believe God can forgive him of his past. 

6. What lie does you MC believe about himself/the world?
Dakota occasionally believes that she is not good enough.

Adam believe that his past has corrupted any hope for the future that he longs for.

{Picture from Pinterest}

7. Who is their best friend and why? 
Dakota's best friends are her two younger sister's and two younger cousins. Dakota would do anything for them.

Adam doesn't have many friends until later in the book but can't relay much for fear of spoilers!

8. What song best describes them this book? 
To be honest, I'm not sure what song best describes my main characters. It's hard to find songs that would apply to someone living in the 1800's...

9. What is their personality type?
//Kind//Protective//Stubborn//Willful//Helpful//Takes charge//Short temper// Determined//Quiet//

Personality test result: INFP-A (I'm not sure how accurate this was...)

//Gentle//Scrapper//Lost//Smart//Introvert//Careful//Worrier//Fighter//Intuitive//

Personality test result: INFP-T (This is probably more so accurate than the one I took for Dakota)

10. Why should your reader care about this person? 
Dakota is strong, and not just physically strong either. She admits her weakness and is stronger because of it. She is smart, and her love for her family is unbreakable. Although she is quiet at times, she is more so introverted on the inside. And although she might not always feel confident, she is. She is considerate and determined, and very much so the oldest child. 

If Adam's rough past doesn't pull at your heartstrings, then his kindness and gentle personality will. Although he has been through some unimaginable things, he never gives up, and keeps fighting if not for him, than for those he loves. At first, he is very closed up and quiet, but he will surprise you, for there is more to this character than what meets the eye. 

~~~

And there you have it! The second week's questions have been answered! I hope you liked learning a bit more about my main characters! Stick around for next Friday's post about the villain/antagonist(s)! And be sure to check out all the others' posts who participated in the Shared WIP tag! Go HERE, to the first post to find the list and links to the other participants!

Do you relate more with Dakota or Adam?
 Are you excited to read more about my book?

 Share your thoughts in the comments!