The 777 Writing Challenge Tag

 

I saw The 777 Writing Challenge Tag at Little Blossoms for Jesus (Ya'll be sure to check out Katja's blog!) a long while ago. But, I thought I'd do this challenge today! I'll be using Third Chances for this...

Also, a quick update on Third Chances... It is no longer my top priority (school first y'all.) so I will not be participating in Nano this year. I hope to continue writing. But not put so much pressure. I truly believe there is a story here, a story that I will be thrilled when I can share it. But I can't share something that is not ready. So, I keep writing. Slowly. If there is a purpose for this book I'm writing, then it will be finished one day. But for now, I will keep trusting God's plan. His timing for this is perfect. It might be a couple years before I publish... I wish it were sooner. But anyway, I hope you enjoy this glimpse! 

Rules: 

1. Open your WIP to the seventh page

2. Scroll to the seventh line.

3. Copy the next 7 paragraphs and past them on your blog for THE WORLD to read!

4. Tag seven other writers to do the same. (I'm leaving this tag open, so anyone can do it!)

I'm also going to mix it up just a little and also share paragraphs from my pages 7, 70, and 77. 

~~~

Page 7:

        “I know, I know, I’m just teasing ya.” 

        “One more secret handshake before you go?” Natty inquired with a wiggle of her eyebrows. 

            

        “Alright, if you insist… but you do know we are way too old for that, don’t you?” Aimee had just turned twenty-two, not necessarily a secret handshake age.

        “Hey, you might be too old for a secret handshake, but I’m surely not!” Natty’s single grin could brighten a roomful of frowns.

        Aimee shook her head but went ahead and performed the fist bump, high five, fingers snap, twirl, and handshake anyway. Some traditions were too special to break even though they seemed elementary. 

        Natty tapped her watch, “You better get going if you’re going to be at your mothers by 7:30 tonight. Plus,” she glanced at the gray clouds forming above, “the sky doesn’t look so promising. You might get some rain on your way home. I just hope my flight doesn’t get canceled because of the weather.”

        “Ugh, I’m starting to regret that I told her I’d be home at a specific time. Because if I’m just one minute late, she’ll guilt trip me for hours, maybe even days to come. I don’t even know why I told her I’d come back home for a while until I can find my own place. I don’t even know why I’m going home to Marysville anyway.” This is one time I'm actually okay with being late.

~~~

Page 70:

        She walked in the doors and was greeted a warm welcome that made her heart swell with gratefulness. Someone truly cared about her being back home. 

“Well if it isn’t Aimee Bernard!” Aimee’s favorite person in all of Marysville boomed in her typical Penny fashion, “Why, I wondered when you would stop by! I heard you were in town… Come here, sweet child, and give old Penny a hug.” 

To Aimee, the older woman hadn’t changed a bit. She still wore a baby blue apron with white ruffles and her hair tied back in a long, gray braid. With those vintage looking, gold rimmed and perfectly round spectacles that fell slightly down the tip of her nose.

“Penny, I missed you!” Aimee hugged her Maryville grandmother. 

        “Oh, sweetheart, me too.” Penny swiped at her wrinkled cheek, “Now, come sit down. I can get you a cup of strawberry lemonade and if you're hungry, today’s special.” 

“I’d like that very much.” 

The older woman led Aimee to a corner booth. The same booth that had been her favorite as a child. The booth she had drank her first milkshake at. The booth she had cried at when she had just gotten her braces and it hurt to eat. Aimee remembered how Penny had brought her out a special bowl of ice cream. The same booth where she had barely endured her first date… to Fredrick, the classroom nerd. The booth she sat in and contemplated what life paths to take. The booth she sat in when she decided to go to veterinary technician college. The booth where she now sat and pondered her scattered life.

~~~

Page 77:

        She set down her butter knife, uncrossed her legs, and cut a too-large bite of omelet with her fork. Then, taking her straw, she opened it halfway, and blew the wrapper at the young girl sitting beside her. 

“Much better!” Zoe laughed. She caught the white wrapper before it landed on the floor. Danny looked at Tina for a split second before laughing alongside their daughter. Ok, fine, she laughed too. There would never be a point when she was above laughing. Even if it was laughing at herself. 

After Zoe performed her ice breaking skills, the conversation at the breakfast table flowed more smoothly and felt less rigid. They talked about their plans for the day. Tina had an art class and both Danny and Zoe were going to go to the grocery store. Aimee was going to get an update on her car. She needed to know whether or not it was fixable. She probably should start looking for a new car. That old Pinto had caused her enough problems as it was.

“Since we brought separate cars, I’m going to go straight to my art class, but Danny can drop you off anywhere on his way to the grocery if you’d like...?” Her mom worded her sentence more like a question and Aimee was surprised that she’d even care enough to communicate a plan that didn’t involve her oldest daughter being stranded and left behind.

“I don’t want to be a bother.” Aimee wrung out her napkin underneath the table, shredding it into little pieces. Such a bad habit, she thought to herself. She could feel the tenseness of earlier return.

Tina looked at her daughter with a piercing sadness in her eyes, something she usually covered up with self pity or guilt tripping schemes. She opened her mouth to say something, then pressed her lips tightly as if she’d changed her mind. 

Finally, Danny broke the heavy silence that had suddenly hung over their heads, “Um, well, I can speak for both of us when I say that you couldn’t possibly be a bother to us.”

~~~

I hope you liked getting this small glimpse of Third Chances! Which was your favorite scene? Comment below!

ALSO CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MY 200TH POST ON THE BLOG?!?!

Many Blessings, 

Brooklyne Elysse

Update, Announcement, and Send Chocolate

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great June! And today, it's a brand new month... Whew, I can't even believe it is already July! Any Fourth of July plans?

Well, this July, we are going to do things a little differently. Usually when I participate in Nano through April, July, and November, I take a hiatus from blogging, but this month, I have something planned to post. 

Also, I just wanted to bring y'all up to date: I've decided to join The Kings Daughters Writing Camp. It's a Christian alternative to NanoWriMo and I'm super excited to have such a wide support group of individuals to cheer me on this month.

But enough of that jazz, here are a couple things to keep y'all updated.

Update:: Third Chances

Most of you know that I've been working a lot on my WIP (work in progress) titled Third Chances! Well, I'm super close to being finished with the first draft, and I'm really hoping to make some progress this July. Prayers would be appreciated. I'm really wanting God to use this story, and sometimes I feel inadequate. But I know that He has a plan for my writing journey, and I'll just let Him guide my pen so to speak.

But ya'll deserve an Update on Third Chances.

Here's an updated blurb (it's changed a lot! And it still needs some polishing...)

Is it too late for Third Chances at faith, love, and forgiveness?

Aimee Hope Bernard returns from veterinary technician college with low hopes of reconciliation with her mother.  But she's desperate, and returning home is the only option.  If her disaster of a childhood taught her anything, it was to be prepared for any situation.  Only, there are some things in life that she just couldn't possibly prepare for.  When she is truly down to nothing, God shows her that He is up to something when He opens doors, opportunities, and opens her heart to love and forgiveness. 

Colt James Langston is the oldest of seven siblings in his family and takes it upon himself to be the one responsible after the painful death of his father.  Weighted with hospital bills and the devastating news of foreclosure, Colt and his family set out on a journey seeking a new lifestyle.  They find themselves renting a rundown farm from a old family friend in Marysville, Kansas.  When a chance encounter with a pretty hitch hiker becomes more than happenstance, Colt begins to have second thoughts about the promise he made to himself after his father passed away.  As time goes on, he learns the importance of having faith in testing trials. His newly found faith in God might just move the mountains in his life after all. 

When faith, family, and trust are put to the test, will it be enough to last through to the other side of hardship?  Join these two young adults as they journey a path that will lead them to the conclusion that God is a God of Third Chances.

Blog Announcement:: The Forgotten Story

Now, while Third Chances is not finished, I do have a story to share with ya'll. In order to spend more time writing TC, I am going to be posting an already finished short story. I wrote a Circle C Milestones fan story for a contest, and although it didn't place, it still has a special memory for me. Well, *laughs* actually, I forgot about this story. I didn't remember it until I was cleaning out my desk and found a copy! Lol, so for the month of July, I will be sharing this story with y'all. It has seven parts, and will last throughout the month. It's a rather deep and funny story that I am super happy to share with my fellow Andi Carter fans! I tried to keep it to be as closer to the original form, though I changed some typos. 

The way I see it, it's a win win win. Before I found this story (Titled: A Place to Call Home), I was going to have to take a hiatus from Showers of Blessings. But now, the blog gets to stay running, I get a break from blogging, and Third Chances still gets to be written!

On to more important business...

Send Chocolate:: Jk, jk

So, I'm just kidding. Kinda.

Send virtual, inspiration chocolate down in the comments below to cheer me on this month. I really want to finish the first draft of Third Chances!

Any plans this July? Are you going to be writing up a storm? 

Are you excited to read A Place to Call Home? Comment below! 

Many Blessings,
Brooklyne Elysse

Never Have I Ever...

1. Link and thank the blogger who tagged you. (Technically, I stole this tag from Kassie!)
2. Include the graphic somewhere in your post. (^^Up above)
3. Answer the questions truthfully and honestly.
4. Tag 3 bloggers. (Tagging the the first three commenters who call themselves writers!)

Never have I ever…

…started a novel that I didn’t finish.
Yes, I've started a couple, actually! *headdesk* Someday, I'll finish the most recent ones and someday, I might dust the older ones off and try again.

…written a story completely by hand.
Yes. It was a short story, nothing too long.

…changed tenses midway through a story.
On accident, yes!

…not researched anything before starting a story.
Yes... I don't know if I recommend it. But whatever works, right?

…changed my protagonist’s name halfway through a draft.
Changed it's spelling, yes. But not their name.

…written a story in a month or less.
Nope. Unless you count flash fiction. :)

…fallen asleep while writing.
No, never done that! Guess my stories aren't too boring after all! *winks*

…corrected someone’s grammar irl/online.
*slowly raises hand* guilty as charged.

…yelled in all caps at myself in the middle of a novel.
Um, not yelled. But I do write notes to myself in neon green, don't know why I chose that color.

…used “I’m writing” as an excuse.
Haha, yes!

…killed a character that was based on someone I know in real life.
My lips are sealed! jk

…used pop culture references in a story.
Not much, but I might later on.

…written between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Uh, not very frequently do I find myself writing this early.

…drank an entire pot of coffee while writing.
I've never had a entire pot of coffee ever. :)

…written down dreams to use in potential novels.
Maybe some dream have inspired different scenes, but no, I've never written my dreams down.

…published an unedited story on the internet/blog/Wattpad.
I've posted a couple stories I write when I was younger and tried to keep them closest to the original story. But I usually read over stories 230393898 times before I post something like a story.

…procrastinated homework because I wanted to write.
Not really.

…typed so long that my wrists hurt.
Yess! Sometimes I have to take brakes because my hands start to cramp.

…spilled a drink on my laptop while writing.
Thankfully, no!

…forgotten to save my work/draft.
I remember a time when I lost a whole short story I had written for a contest. Actually my dog stepped on the delete button I think... yep, good times.

…finished a novel.
Actually, no. But this is soon to change!

…laughed like an evil villain while writing a scene.
No, but I can relate to this a little. :)

…cried while writing a scene.
Almost.

…created maps of my fictional worlds.
I once drew a map of the Oregon trail. But that's abt it.

…researched something shady for a novel.

Haha, maybe maybe not.

I hope y'all liked reading more about me as a writer! 

Have you ever written between the hours of 1 AM to 6 AM?

Many Blessings,

Brooklyne Elysse

Horses + Writing Parallels

This post is all about how owning horses has taught me writing skills. You may wonder how these two hobbies of mine can relate to each other, but surprisingly, owning horses can teach you a lot... but in this post we are going to be focusing on how they have taught me skills needed in writing. 

So here is five facts and parallels to horses and writing! 

• Horses Fact One: Having a horse to care for every single day helps me have the skills to work a schedule and prioritize my time.  Nope, I'm no expert on time management, but everyone has 24 hours in a day, hours that fill up fast if you don't have a plan of action. Owning horses, there is chores to be done in the morning and at night. The responsibility with horses is, they gotta eat, they gotta have water, they gotta have lots of things to keep them healthy. As a horse owner, time must be spent caring for (Rosie) and I can't wake up one morning and decided I don't want to do my horse chores.
• Writing Parallel One: As a writer, we have a job to form words and sentences worth reading. Thus needing to know how to work a schedule is important. The pages won't fill up on their own. Just like Rosie won't feed herself hay. There must be a effort on out part to actually make time to write. I often treat writing as a hobby instead of a priority. And that just won't cut it if I want to see process in my WIP's. That's why, like horses have physical needs, writers who are serious about their work need to move their writing times to have a specific regimen. We need to find structure to our creative process and actually put in the hours. 

• Horse Fact Two: When you get bucked off, you dust yourself off and hop right back on. I was once told that if you get bucked off more than four times, your a real cowgirl. Welp, I earned that title for sure. But as a "true cowgirl" I also know that it is crucial to get back up on that silly horse, otherwise you teach your horse how to push your buttons and scare you off next time. True cowgirls don't stay down for long, they dust themselves off and try again.
• Writing Parallel Two: Writing is no walk in the park if you know what I mean. Every writer has their story. Maybe they lost their hard-worked-for WIP when their computer crashed. Maybe they got some bad feedback that was no help to their writing journey whatsoever. Maybe they reworked their first draft so many times the story doesn't seem to work no matter what they try. Maybe they get discouraged when they read what they've written and feel it won't measure up. Maybe they are scared to get back into writing after a long break because they fear they have lost whatever it takes to be a "true writer." I don't know your story, but as true writers, it's up to us to dust ourselves off and try again. But just because you've had one--or four--bad experiences with writing, that doesn't mean you should give up. If anything, it should make you stronger, more determined!

• Horse Fact Three: Horses are herd animals, they don't like to be by themselves. If you separate a horse herd, they will let you know their disapproval by running, pacing, and calling to their friends. (Trust me, you don't want to deal with a buddy sour horse.)
• Writing Parallel Three: With writing, we also need a support system. If we don't have our "herd" to encourage us, cheer us on, share their virtual writing inspiration aka *chocolate* with us, then writing can be very boring and the writer can get very lonely.

• Horse Fact Four: Horses come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Duh. Yeah, but srsly, no horse is identical to the next. There are so many breeds such as Morgans (Rosie is a Morgan), Quarter Horses, Arabians, Palominos, Paints, Clydesdales, ETC! Then of course there are colors such as Chestnut (Rosie is a chestnut), Dun, Bay, Flea Bitten Gray, Black, Grulla, ETC!
• Writing Parallel Four: As I demonstrated above, there is a lot of different kinds of horses. Like horses, there is a lot of different kinds of writing. I can't even name off all the different types of genres! My favorites are Historical Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Christian Fiction, Mysteries, Westerns, and Non-Fiction. Also, we haven't even started on how writing styles vary. All this to say, there is no cookie-cutter way to write a book. As writers, we have to find a written style that works best for us. (And further, as readers, we have to find a genre that works for us.) Writing is customizable. Some people find that they are plotters, some pantsers, some plantsers, some snowflakers (plz someone tell me they know what I'm rambling abt!) And that what makes being a writer/reader so great, finding what works best and making it your own. Plus, one way of doing things might not work for the next person, one genre might not work for you that works for me. That's just what makes the writing world go 'round...

• Horse Fact Five: Horses have a mind of their own. Especially Rosie, lol. Rosie gives me a run for my money sometimes. If I want her to go one way, she will make up her mind to go the opposite way. Let me just say, wrestling with a 1,000 pound animal has slim odds of winning. But, with time, horses can be trained to get on the same page with their rider. (Me and Rosie are still working on that *winks*)
• Writing Parallel Five: Plot bunnies! Plot bunnies are story ideas that won't go away. They are often times taking your attention away from your current WIP. Or maybe they are just a new scene that goes way differently than how you originally wrote it. I have a whole rabbit farm of plot bunnies...jk jk. But, with practice, your plot bunnies and unruly characters will get on the same page (literally) with their writer! See what I just did there...I just love play on words!

What did you think of this post? How is your writing going? Do you fancy yourself as a writer, or cowgirl, or both, or neither? Comment below!

Many Blessings,

Brooklyne Elysse

For All You Writers Out There

Writing is a Marathon, not a 5k.

Marathon definition: 
a long-lasting or difficult task or operation of a specific kind. 

Today I'm going to be paralleling writing to running. But first, lets talk running.

Jogging in races is one of my families hobbies. Me? Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with jogging. You see, it's awful. Sometimes you feel like you can't get enough air and your lungs are going to burst, or you overheat, or you push yourself so hard you end up barfing, or the hill feels like mount Everest... yeah, you get the point.)

Jogging takes endurance and I am very-much-so a sprinter. I don't like jogging, but at the same time, I like the feeling of accomplishment when the race is over or when the miles are completed. I like the moments in the races when you scream your head off cheering for your family. Jogging has its highs and it has its lows, but after each run, you get stronger. 

As writers, we have these same highs and lows.
We go through seasons where the words can't flow fast enough. We fly through page after page, penning literary art. Writing makes you feel alive and you find yourself more and more with each word. You look back at all that you have accomplished, and writing is truly a joy.

Then there are seasons where we seem stuck. Writers block comes up out of nowhere. Staying consistent and writing each day is like pulling teeth. The words don't fit the story, and you feel like there is no purpose for spending time on something that isn't very good. Doubt kicks in, and it feels like you are fighting a uphill battle.

We have all been on this rollercoaster of a writers life. We know what it feels like to write something brilliant, we're on top of the world. Then those other days, maybe we feel like we have hit rock bottom and we procrastinate more than we are productive.

When my family has a big race coming up, we try to get out and jog to train for that race. Sometimes we don't train as much as we should. Training is crucial because you can't expect your body to just wake up one day and run a marathon. You have to start from the ground up. Start small, something manageable. The longest race I have done was our triathlon. And we trained for months for it. (I won't go into details here, but on one of the practice race we realized just how important preparation was...)

As with running, we must train ourselves and prepare for our writing ventures. We can't wake up one morning and expect to have written a best selling novel. That's just not realistic. We must start small: one sentence at a time. One word sprint has potential to turn into a marathon, maybe a whole book series!

Writing is not for the faint of heart, writing requires someone who will stick with it through both the highs of writing and the lows. Someone willing to stay consistent, persevere through the rough drafts. Someone who sees the typos as opportunity to polish the beautiful story inside. 

In order to get to the finish line of a race, you have to take each and every step through the miles. In order to write a book, you have to write each and every word through the chapters.

So I encourage you, whether you are new to writing or a seasoned author: keep writing. Don't give up on the stories God has placed on your heart to write. Writing is a marathon, it's a skill that takes time to cultivate. Don't give up on something that is going to be so worth it in the end.

Thanks for reading this post! 

Lmk in the comments below if you would like to see more writing related content here on the blog! Tell me, have you had similar experience with being a writer? Have a blessed day! 

Many Blessings

Brooklyne Elysse  

Tag(s) // 40 Questions!

Today. Is going. To be a loooonnnggg post. I was tagged twice for two different tags, but decided to post them both today! Each is a 20 question tag, so overall, I will be answering 40 questions! Whew!

Lets get started then, shall we?!

20 Questions Book Tag 

Thank you, Kaitlyn, for tagging me!

1. How many books are too many in a series?

I personally love series! Although, I think 3-8 books is a good amount for a series. If there are too many, I my loose interest.

2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?

If they are within the chapters (like at the end of a chapter) I really like them! It makes it exciting and fun, but if they are at the end of a book, I don't care for them. Even if a book is in a series, I think its good for it to be able to stand alone if need be. So cliffhangers at the end of a book make it hard for them to stand alone. I find I love writing cliffhangers, though!

3. Hardcover or paperback?

For the most part, I like paperbacks better!

4. What's your favorite book?

If I handed you a list of my favorite books, it may compete in length with our receipts from Costco (we only go once in a while and usually have a pretty full cart, just to give you a idea!) In other words, I have many favorites!

5. Least favorite book?

Wild at Heart series by Mary Connealy wasn't my favorite. I wanted to like it, but the romance ruined it for me... especially in the first and last books. Thats the first books that come to mind. I'm trying to think of more... hmm, I also didn't care for Kiera by Kate Willis.

6. Fiction or nonfiction?

I love fiction, although I really like writing both fiction and non-fiction. I'm trying to get better at reading more non-fiction books. 

7. The most recent book you couldn't finish?

I haven't not finished a book in a while. But I have started multiple books at the same time, and I don't usually get to them all. But eventually I will finish them!

8. A book you're currently reading?

Currently reading: Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin + rereading The Fire in Ember to my sister + Hymns in the Hills by Rebekah A Morris + a couple non-fiction books!

9. Last book you recommended to someone?

Freedom by Faith Potts! After I finished reading it myself, I basically ran around like crazy recommending it to my mom, sister, cousin, and anyone in sight! *winks*

10. Oldest book you've read? (publication date)

Uh, idk... the Bible?

11. Newest book you've read? (publication date)

Again, Freedom by Faith Potts! <3 

12. Favorite author?

I have such a hard time deciding!!! Don't make me choose just. one. author. *gasps*

13. Buying books or borrowing?

I like owning the books so I don't feel pressure to give them back soon... or accidentally loosing them. But I don't need brand new books, thrift store books or sales or free hand-me-down books work just fine for me! ;)

14. A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?

Kiera by Kate Willis. I wanted to like it, but I'm just not a dystopian kind of person. There was a few other things that I didn't like about this book, but everyone else seems to really enjoy it! That's what makes the world go around...

15. Bookmarks or dog-ears?

I absolutely never dog-ear! *deep breath* Just can't do it. Bookmarks all the way: even if its random objects closest at hand.

16. A book you can always re-read?

The Fire in Ember by DiAnn Mills! Kinda love this book.

17. Can you read while listening to music?

It's not ideal, but I can. Once we were on a road trip and the girls wanted to turn on the radio and sing. Well, on that trip I learned how to multi-task. Reading and singing is a neat talent to have, right?

18. One POV or multiple POVs?

I like two POV's the best. If there are too many POV's, it can get confusing...

19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

Over multiple days. I can't read that fast to finish it in a day, unless the book is a shorter novel. I read 100 Days of Sunlight in one day, and it was probably a medium length... so I guess it depends on how much time I have.

20. Who do you tag?

Tagging:
Faith
Liberty
and Boots (Lilly)

Here are your 20 questions:

1. How many books are too many in a series?

2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?

3. Hardcover or paperback?

4. What's your favorite book?

5. Least favorite book?

6. Fiction or nonfiction?

7. The most recent book you couldn't finish?

8. A book you're currently reading?

9. Last book you recommended to someone?

10. Oldest book you've read? (publication date)

11. Newest book you've read? (publication date)

12. Favorite author?

13. Buying books or borrowing?

14. A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?

15. Bookmarks or dog-ears?

16. A book you can always re-read?

17. Can you read while listening to music?

18. One POV or multiple POVs?

19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

20. Who do you tag?

~~~

The NanoWriMo 20 Questions Tag

-Thank the awesome blogger who tagged you! Thank you, Esther @ wevegotpockets.com!
-Link back to the creator of this tag, Sophie @Sophie’s Corner.
-Feel free to use the NaNoWriMo 20 Questions Tag graphics!
-Answer the questions.
-Tag some friends who are also doing NaNo this year.
-And have fun!!!

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR NANOWRIMO PROJECT THIS YEAR! GIVE ME A BLURB!

So, I'm kinda still working on a good blurb... this one is a long version, but I thought I'd share it anyway. Also note that none of it is set in stone, so it may change as the story grows: 

Perfectionist Aimee Bernard has just graduated from a four year veterinary school, although, the plans she so carefully made for her life are falling apart. Caring for hurting animals is her true passion, but with her funds limited, Aimee must leave her college town and return home to small town Marysville, Kansas. Deeply in debt, she has no job prospects on the horizon and no support from her dysfunctional family. Aimee wants nothing more than to live a life of structure and stability--everything her childhood wasn't. Despite her efforts, her life seems to have gone from bad to worse, but when she is truly down to nothing, God shows her that He is up to something by both a chance encounter with a cowboy wannabe and the unexpected changes she finds in her mother after two years of next to none communication. Is “forgive and forget” too much to ask? Could it be that God’s plan for her life far outdoes her own? Would He possibly be giving her a third chance at love and forgiveness, or will her trust be broken for a third time? 

Colt Shelton has one mission as the oldest of four siblings and man of the household: to fulfill his fathers dying wish. But starting a animal sanctuary and rehabilitating mistreated animals doesn’t happen overnight. It takes determination, drive, teamwork, financial resources, and a plot of land. All of which he has except for the latter. Struggling to see how God is working in his life, Colt steps out in faith and buys a prime piece of farmland to start establishing the Taking Chances Ranch. The Shelton family soon find out that not only strays and misfit animals are attracted to the ranch but also a young girl with hopes of a job. Just when things were starting to get back to normal, a whirlwind of events cause him to reevaluate his future plans to include a certain auburn-haired stray who may have just found a way to his heart. Was this mission more than he bargained for? Will he come to regret moving his family to the country, or will the trails they face become blessings in disguise? 

WHAT’S THE GENRE?

It's Christian Contemporary. 

DESCRIBE YOUR MC IN THREE WORDS.

Aimee: Perfectionist. Compassionate. Afraid.

Colt: Protective. Humble. Loyal.

WITHOUT SPOILERS, DESCRIBE YOUR VILLAIN IN THREE WORDS.

To be quite honest, as of yet, I don't have a "villain." 

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL? (THE TRADITIONAL 50K? 20K? 5K? OR……. 100K?)

For NanoWriMo: 35K would be amazing for me! 

For overall, book word count goal: 70K to 90K words! 

We'll see how it all pans out though... but, I'm cheering those who are daring to write 100K. *fist bump* That's amazing! 

IS THIS YOUR FIRST DRAFT? SECOND? THIRD?

First draft. Sorta.

ARE YOU STARTING A NEW PROJECT (OR DRAFT), OR CONTINUING AN EXISTING ONE?

This is a older WIP with new plot revisions.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TIME TO WRITE IN THE DAY?

Afternoon to evening. I'm usually too busy in the morning.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO WRITE?

In my room, on my bed, at my desk, on the couch, in the car, etc! 

COMPUTER OR PAPER?

Computer! Although, I think one of these days it would be cool to write a first draft using pen and paper. But I like typing best! 

NANOWRIMO IS A HUGE COMMITMENT!! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE TIME TO WRITE?

I'm going to block 1-2 hours during the week days for writing. I'm also planning on taking a hiatus from Social Media during the month of November. :)

ARE YOU GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL OR ONLINE NANOWRIMO EVENTS? (E.G. KICK-OFF PARTIES IN YOUR CITY, WRITE-INS, VIRTUAL WRITING SPRINTS…)

Hmm, probably just do some writing sprints with friends. I'm not sure what else I will participate in.

DO YOU WRITE FROM BEGINNING TO END OR SKIP AROUND?

I try to write from beginning to end, but if I'm facing writers block, I allow myself to skip around in order to keep writing.

PLANNER OR PANTSER? (OR PLANTSER?)

Yeah, still trying new things and figuring out what works best for me...

WHAT WILL BE YOUR GO-TO NANOWRIMO SNACK?

Well, chocolate is my usual writing inspiration snack, but I'm trying to eat better so that might not be the best choice. I not sure... 

CHOICE OF CAFFEINE? (OR NO CAFFEINE?)

No caffeine.

ANY REWARDS FOR MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENTS? FOR FINISHING NANOWRIMO?

I'll have to think of this one! I will probably treat myself with some reading or a movie. I'll probably be tired of typing by then. *gulps*

SHARE A TIP FOR OTHER NANO-ERS!

Stay consistent with your writing. 

Set achievable goals for each day. 

And when you have inspiration, take advantage of it! 

Also, pray right before you start your writing each day.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT NANOWRIMO? (EXCITED?! NERVOUS!? TERRIFIED?!)

Hopeful. 

I'm hopeful that I will be productive with my writing goals and not worry about it all. Just have fun and write whats on my heart.

SHARE AN AESTHETIC FOR YOUR NANOWRIMO NOVEL!

Tagging whoever is doing NanoWriMo next month! 

What a long post! If you made it to the end, way to go! *hands you a plate of cookies* So lets talk books and writing... Comment your favorite writing snack and your your favorite book that has a unique writing style! Talk to ya in the comments below! <3 

#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!?

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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.

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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

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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!