Tag: blog

Writer’s Bucket List Inspiration

~ Brooke F. ~ 1 Comment

Creating a bucket list as a writer can be a wonderful way to set goals, and really challenge yourself as a writer. It can also push you to try different things that you wouldn’t otherwise which, overall, can help you hone your craft of word weaving! So, all that being said, I’ve come up with a few suggested writer’s bucket list items for inspiration. This list is good if you don’t know where to start when making your lofty writing goals.

1. Write a Novel

   Challenge yourself to complete a full-length novel, exploring a genre or theme you’re passionate about.

2. Attend a Writing Workshop or Retreat

   Immerse yourself in a writing workshop or retreat to learn from other experienced writers. You can also receive feedback, and connect with fellow creatives. This can also add to your sense of writing community and (as someone who has participated in a few workshops) motivate you to move forward with your creative endeavors knowing you have people cheering you on.

3. Visit a Literary Landmark

   Travel to a location with literary significance, whether it’s a famous author’s home, a library, or a setting from a beloved book.

4. Publish a Book

   Work towards getting your writing published, whether it’s through traditional publishing or self-publishing. Whatever floats your boat and fits with where you want to go with your work.

5. Participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

   Join the annual challenge to write a 50,000-word novel in the month of November. Admittedly, I have not participated in this event as time hardly allows me to these days (especially in college) but I have high hopes of being able to one day!

6. Write a Short Story Collection

   Compile a collection of short stories, perhaps exploring different themes or genres or sticking with something specific so that all the stories relate in some regard.

7. Complete any Writing Challenge really

   Take on a writing challenge, like writing a 100-word story every day for a month, to enhance your creativity and discipline. These can be both fun and extremely rewarding as you get in a lot of writing practice.

8. Learn a New Writing Style or Genre

   Step out of your comfort zone and explore a writing style or genre you haven’t tried before.

9. Create a Writing Space

   Design a dedicated and inspiring writing space that encourages creativity and focus. My personal writing space that I hope to create one day is a small study or library of sorts. I would just love to have a whole room dedicated to reading and writing. Due to today’s economy however and the unfortunate tax bracket I occupy, this has not yet been doable for me but it’s still on the bucket list.

10. Collaborate on a Project

    Work with another writer, illustrator, or creator on a collaborative project, such as a graphic novel or multimedia storytelling.

11. Attend a Book Launch or Literary Event

    Experience the excitement of a book launch or attend a literary event to meet authors and fellow book enthusiasts. I recently went to the Southern Festival of books in Nashville and it was magical. The environment was nothing like any other festival I have attended. Truly, I was amongst my kin.

12. Become a Beta Reader

    Offer your feedback and insights by becoming a beta reader for other writers. It’s a great way to engage with different writing styles and stories.

13. Start a Writing Blog or Podcast

    Share your writing journey, tips, and experiences through a blog or podcast to connect with a broader audience. I personally find blogging to be my chosen medium of communication in this regard but definitely don’t limit yourself to that if you want to experiment with different mediums of communication.

14. Write a Letter to Your Favorite Author

    Express your appreciation by writing a heartfelt letter to an author who has inspired you (if they’re alive of course. Unfortunately, many of my favorite writers are not among us any more).

15. Complete a Creative Writing Course

   Enroll in a creative writing course to enhance your skills and gain new perspectives on storytelling.

16. Write and Perform a Spoken Word Piece

   Craft a powerful spoken word piece and share it at an open mic night or poetry slam. This can be prose or poetry- it’s up to you. I have done this thanks to one of my writing professors at my college and while the experience was a little terrifying (public speaking is NOT my forte), it was overall a wonderful experience and I did, in fact, live to tell the tale. Use me as proof that anyone can do this.

17. Create a Writing Portfolio

    Develop a professional writing portfolio showcasing your best work and accomplishments. This is not only good practice but could be useful for you in the future if you ever start submitting to literary journals or other publications.

18. Read the Classics

    Explore classic literature across genres and time periods to broaden your literary knowledge and horizons.

Remember, a writer’s bucket list is a personal journey, and you can customize it based on your interests, aspirations, and the writing experiences you wish to explore. I hope you’ve found this list inspiring or at least mildly entertaining. Good luck on wherever your writing adventure takes you! I’m sure you’re gonna do great!

Octopus Themed Writing Prompts

~ Brooke F. ~ 4 Comments

This may seem like an oddly specific writing prompt post but I’ve been sitting through a few lectures on marine biology in college and I can’t get enough of these guys. So, enjoy this weird post that indulges my new found fascination with Octopi.

★Magic and Ink

A sea witch makes a grave mistake in a spell and turns herself into an octopus. She must find a way to reverse this spell but must go on some sort of quest or journey of self-discovery to do so. She is delighted to find, however, in this form, each of her tentacle’s host a different kind of magic. You can take it from here.

★Escape from the Aquarium

Two octopuses, plan their daring escape from the aquarium where they’ve been held captive. Describe their elaborate scheme, the challenges they face, and the freedom they long for in the open sea.

★Inky’s Inkcredible Adventure

Inky, a small octopus has a flair for creativity. Instead of using his ink for defense, he finds he can write stories and create pictures. He is generally made fun of by the other octopi but his writing endeavors take him places he and the other octopi could only imagine.

★Eight-Legged Thief

In a coastal town, rumors circulate about a mysterious octopus that steals shiny objects from the docks. Write a story from the perspective of the octopus, revealing its motivations and the unsuspecting friendships it forms with the humans it “steals” from.

★DnD but with Octopuses basically

Picture a team of adventurous octopuses exploring the depths of the ocean in search of hidden treasures. Each octopus has a unique skill. What challenges do they encounter, and what is their ultimate goal?

★Lost City of Eight Arms

Write a story about an explorer who stumbles upon an ancient underwater city that seems to have been built by octopuses. Uncover the mysteries of this octopus civilization and the artifacts left behind.

It’s been a hot minute…

~ Brooke F. ~ 4 Comments

Almost a year I think? One minute I was posting (semi) consistently and then BOOM! gone. Without a trace nor warning. Honestly, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you didn’t really notice. My posting as slowing down a bit anyways as I was getting into the swing of my second to last year of college. So… here I am!

To make a long story short- I moved! I moved from home and am now braving living as an independent adult while still not fully feeling like an independent adult. It’s weird and strange but I do love the freedom that I’ve enjoyed thus far in this phase of life. While the timing was somehow unexpected, it was definitely for the best and I’m glad to be in a new but still good phase of my young adult years.

My rate of posting is still going to be pretty bad, to be totally honest with you. I started a new job at the same time as moving and it took me awhile to find a different kind of stability again. Honestly, I’m still not sure if I’ve found it yet. But I have missed posting so you may see something here or a post there. Hopefully see you blogging buddies soon and thanks for taking the time to read my little life “update”. I’ll always be lurking….somewhere….

Picture Prompts for Writers

~ Brooke F. ~ 9 Comments

Any image is worth a thousand words as they say. I’m not sure if this exchange rate is exact or fixed but it’s worth trying, right?

Hope everyone is doing wonderfully this fine December. As for me, I am doing well. However, I made the mistake of blinking and now it is already the 19th and Christmas is right around the corner and pretty soon, before I know it, I’ll be back in school, taking on the second semester of my junior year.

I had a few goals to complete before break is over, one of which being to write a few short stories. Seems simple enough, right?

Hahaha….ahem.

At any rate, I find the most inspiration for my short story piece by taking a scroll through pinterest for any art or pictures that trigger those creative juices to get to work. I figured I might share a few as well as a link the pinterest board I’ve created primarily for picture prompts. The link for this board is here.

But if you’re feeling a bit reluctant, here are a few images to give you a taste for what I look for in my photo prompts.

We’re starting off strong. This cute lil guy is actually a knick-knack/snail terrarium. Pretty cute, right? He actually goes for about $250-$300 dollars so he is definitely on the expensive said. However, that’s not the point. I see this little guy and I can’t help but imagine an ecosystem with organisms that are a fusion between animals and plants. What would that look like?

Elephants with vines hanging from their tusks. Owls with whit mushrooms growing along their body that allow them to absorb nutrients. Deer with antlers made of actual branches that sprout blossoms that change with the season. Whales covered in moss. The possibilities are endless!!!

I look at this image and not only am envious of the fact that I don’t think I have 5 friends who would dress up as mushrooms with me, but I also see potential for a story. A DnD type adventuring party sets out on a journey! Except they’re all cute lil mushroom gals. What quest are they on exactly? And what hijinks will ensue?

(Link to the cosplayer’s twitter where the image was posted can be found here)

I need a short story featuring cute but horrifying monster cats. That is all.

Similar to the plants & animals prompt but with a steampunk-y twist. Imagine we, as humans, craft machine animals. Ones that are better equipped and therefore outcompete the actual wildlife on Earth when they are released into the wild? Just food for thought….(and hopefully your writing).

A vague concept but tattoo weapons and items is simply too cool not to include. How it may look in your story will probably differ from someone else’s. The parameters of this concept are up to you!

This marvelous painting by Jakub Rozalski gives me medieval David and Goliath vibes. But it makes me wonder….what if knighthood was not limited to humans? Could a fairy be knighted? A wizard maybe? Or perhaps… a giant?

And those are just a few picture prompts that I found while scouring my pinterest board. Definitely check it out if you’re interested. Regardless, I hope these few prompts got your rusty gears a-turnin’!

Have a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays (whichever seems more appealing to you)!

Take care!

Self-Care Tips for Writers

~ Brooke F. ~ 8 Comments

As a writer, I can often find myself collecting bad habits like Pokémon. A cruddy sleep schedule (gotta finish that chapter), living on caffeine, imposter syndrome, the infliction of self guilt for not writing enough, and the list goes on and on. If you face similar unfortunate circumstances, then perhaps you can use this post as a checkpoint in your writing journey to take inventory. Have you been taking care of yourself lately?

★Avoid screens for a little while.

Chances are, you’ve been staring at one for awhile is you work using a word processor. Maybe consider having a “screen cleanse” day where you try to not look at a screen at all (unless necessary of course). If a whole day feels too long, try setting a timer from 1-3 hours and just reset your eyes by not using a screen within this time.

★Create a morning routine.

It’s easy to wake up ten minutes late, look at your phone first thing, or skimp on breakfast. But doing these habits on the regular can often make it even harder for you to start your day, especially if you have a lot of writing to get done. If your brain doesn’t feel refreshed and ready to get to work, it can often lead to writer’s block. Take a minute to write out your current morning routine. Make adjustments as needed.

★Fix yourself some coffee, tea, hot chocolate or maybe just a simple glass of water.

We all have that comfort drink. Why not fix yourself one? And if you haven’t drunk any good ol’ H2O in the last couple hours, then for the love of your brain and body, please go get yourself a glass.

★Don’t neglect your physical health- look up a workout online and start moving around.

This is something I probably have brought up before though I think it’s super important. Especially since it’s one that I struggle with personally. Especially if I feel uninspired and blobby. But a quick walk or workout has a way of resetting my brain and I know for a fact that it usually works. It’s often a matter of doing it.

★Journal.

Journaling is a wonderful way to reflect and track your current habits, writing related or otherwise. Sometimes journaling can simply be a way for you to dump out all the thoughts that are preventing or distracting you from whatever project you are currently working on. Either way, I definitely recommend pulling out a journal every now and then and getting to writing.

★Read. For fun.

Try to let yourself slip into the reader’s mindset. Try to not analyze everything you’re reading. Just read and let yourself bask in the words for a while.

★Pretty up your writing space.

My favorite way to do this is by adding some lighting or greenery. Or maybe both! Plants do a lot for brightening and livening up a space and fairy light…well, they just make me happy. They look so magical, what can I say! Don’t judge me, sometimes I just gotta satisfy my inner toddler. All she really wants are sparkles and glitters and I’m not about to tell her she’s wrong.

★Go to bed early.

I haven’t met a writer yet who wasn’t a night owl, so I might be biased. But let’s be honest here- couldn’t we all improve our sleeping habit? Maybe just a little? If not, then you have your life far more together than I do and this tip isn’t for you.

★Congratulate yourself on how far you’ve come already.

Your journey as a writer has probably been wrought with imposter syndrome or fear of not measuring up. Or perhaps you find yourself comparing your drafts to the finished drafts of other writers and fear that you have fooled everyone into thinking you’re a writer but are you really?

We’ve all been there. So maybe take a second to reflect on how far you’ve come as a writer. Even thought you might have written some really cringy stories in high school or middle school, by golly, you still did it. And it’s become a part of your journey to grow as a writer. And that’s something worth being proud of!

The Procrastination Tag

~ Brooke F. ~ 8 Comments

The Rules:

  • use the graphic in your post (as seen above!)
  • mention the creator of the tag (maya)
  • use the tag #theprocrastinationtag so the creator can see your cool post!
  • mention the person that nominated you: Corrie.S.P.
  • answer the questions below
  • tag as many people as you like ❤

Many thanks to Corrie for tagging me! And in the spirit of this tag, I procrastinated doing this tag! (It was definitely because I wanted to get in the spirit and not the fact that I…legitimately…procrastinated…it.)

Ahem…as I was saying! On with the tag!

Questions:

1. How many times do you think you have procrastinated in your life?

Oh. Starting out with a banger I see.

It’s impossible to tell at this point. I feel that at one time or another, I am always procrastinating something! I do this thing where I complete a task I had been previously procrastinating because I am simply procrastinating yet another task. It’s a continuous cycle.

2. How do you combat procrastination?

In the spirit of a certain shoe brand, I just do it.

Though there is an inner battle that takes place before hand that usually consists of me telling myself “just work on it for 5 minutes. Just 5 minutes.”

This is, of course, a trick and a lie. Usually if I can suffer through 5 minutes of something, I’m finally in the groove and I continue until I get it done or at least a big portion of the task accomplished. It’s a secret though, so don’t go telling my brain about this!

The more I think about it, the more I realize getting myself to do tasks is like motivating a toddler.

If we do the hard thing, what if we get a treat afterwards? You like treats right? Maybe some coffee…?

This is IMPORTANT. It will not go away. You don’t want to do this tomorrow, do you?

No, you cannot nap.

Just do it for five minutes and then we can go play with toys.

3. What advice would you give to someone procrastinating?

I think I’ve made a few posts on this very thing (as it’s something I clearly struggle with) but most of my advice generally boils down to just sitting down and working on the thing, if only for a short amount of time. Set small goals. Small goals seem more manageable.

It can also help to pinpoint specifically why your procrastinating. Not all procrastination is the same. Figure out which of the follow reasons is why you’re not working on the thing. This can further help you come up with a more fitting solution.

You’re burnt out: Go do something different for a little awhile. Take a walk and then return to the task.

You’re scared of failure: Remember that doing nothing and not trying is often worse than failure. It is basically a failure in of itself. Also remember that you don’t have to do everything perfectly. Take a breath, take a shower, or meditate for a moment. Then go try. It’s okay if you fail. Give yourself permission to suck.

You simply are in one of those lazy moods: If you have the time, take a quick 30 minutes to rest or let your brain switch off. Tell yourself after the allotted 30 minutes, you are going to work on the project for 10 minutes. Do the thing. See how easily your brain switches gears. If you still feel lazy, take another 30 minute break and then work for 10 minutes again afterwards.

You feel like garbage all around and just don’t want to work anymore: Ask yourself if you are feeling one of the these three things: Dehydrated, Hungry, or tired. You may feel all three of these things sometimes! Set about fixing these things before getting to work. You brain is not going to function well on 0 water, 0 sleep, or 0 food.

You are overwhelmed: Again, break things into smaller tasks. Make a to-do list and feel accomplished when you check things off. Prioritize. And then tackle the little tasks. Kick proverbial butt.

Phew, that was a lot! I didn’t mean to ramble like that! Thanks for sticking around till the end of the post! Hopefully you found something useful in there.

Anyways, time for nominations!

Inky @ https://borederthanever.wordpress.com/

Texas Lass @ https://thetexaslass.wordpress.com/

Jan @ https://love13reading.wordpress.com/

Lillian Keith @ https://lilliankeithauthor.wordpress.com/

And remember, it’s okay to procrastinate this tag.

An Extensive List of Character Flaws

~ Brooke F. ~ 2 Comments

Character flaws are a great tool to use in your writing. When used correctly, character flaws can add depth to the characters you write about, and make them seem more realistic and believable. But I bet you already knew that because why else would you be here? Anyways, here is an extensive list of character flaws that you can use at your leisure. Happy writing!

Absent-minded

Addictive personality

Aggressive

Aimless

Anxious

Arrogant

Attention-Seeking

Bad Habits

Bigmouthed

Blunt

Callous

Clumsy

Cowardice

Cruel

Cursed

Defensive

Dependent

Dishonest

Disloyal

Disturbed

Entitled

Envious

Erratic

Fantastical

Fickle

Flirty

Gruff

Gullible

Humorless

Hypocrite

Ignorant

Immature

Impatient

Impish

Incompetent

Infamous

Inflexible

Insincere

Judgmental

Lack of Self-awareness

Lacking Self-control

Lazy

Lustful

Manipulative

Martyr Complex

Meddlesome

Meek

Messy

Naive

Nihilistic

Non-reflective

Obsessive

Oppressive

Overambitious

Overemotional

Overprotective

Overzealous

Paranoid

Petty

Prejudice

Prideful

Prudish

Reckless

Refusal to change

Remorseless

Rude

Sadistic

Sarcastic

Self-denial

Selfish

Self-pities

Self-righteous

Shy

Snobby

Spiteful

Spoiled

Squeamish

Stand-offish

Stubborn

Superstitious

Tactless

Unfair

Unfriendly

Vengeful

Weak

Wrathful

Self-Care Tips for Artists

~ Brooke F. ~ 12 Comments

As artists, we are always looking for ways to hone our creative skills and continue broadening our horizons. Our goal: to make good art! The problem is that this can often lead to burnout as self-care is something that often gets pushed aside for the sake of work and growth! Not that growth or work is bad, but we all know that too much of a good thing can be bad. And we all need breaks.

So here is a short list I composed of various ways you can care for your body and mind, geared specifically towards art making creatives.

Every second that makes you feel better is worth spending.

-@E.m.x.thoughts

★ Draw something you’ve been wanting to do for awhile. Something mindless or comforting (Probably not hands or the other eye).

★ Or opt to put the sketchbook away entirely.

★ Spend some time on Pinterest or a similar site. These sites can often function to scratch the creative itch while still giving you a break from your work.

★Connect with family and friends. Have you been neglecting anyone in favor of your creative pursuits?

★Visit an art museum or exhibition. Enjoy the art others have put out there.

★Try a different art medium. Give yourself permission to suck.

★Watch a documentary. It can be art related or not. If you do want an art related one however, I greatly recommend this one here, free on youtube:

★ Grab a coffee with a fellow artist or just a friend! Be a person. Talk about all sorts of things, not just your work.

★This is pretty universal but take a walk outside. Breath some fresh air and enjoy nature for a little while.

★Watch a movie that you haven’t seen before. Have you seen “Loving Vincent”? It’s $3 to rent on YouTube. Cannot recommend it enough. I always walk away from it inspired by the artistic skill it took to produce.

★Google some hot chocolate or coffee recipes to try. Experiment.

★I cannot recommend this one enough: Pet a dog. Or a Cat. I’ll allow either.

★Just straight up take a nap.

★Organize your desk space.

★Sort out your art supplies and put them away for a little while, all nice and neat.

I hope you have found these few tips helpful! With so much noise and pressure to succeed, many creative people are neglecting their own needs. How can you be your best self if you’re not taking care of yourself? Remember, Selfcare is essential to the successful life of any kind of artist.

A Collection of Haikus on Burn Out

~ Brooke F. ~ 4 Comments

I’m afraid we’re reaching that point in the semester! Winter break is right around the corner and I’m very ready to welcome it with open arms. Until then, however, enjoy a collection of a few choice haikus that I have written over the past couple of weeks. I generally recover from semester burn out after Thanksgiving as I can just see the light at the end of the tunnel. Finals are oh-so-close but regardless, maybe a few tired adults (or even teens) out there can relate as to my mood in recent days.

Busy Bee

Buzz Buzz Buzz

Do you think bees can burn out?

I’m sick of honey

Assigned Readings

Way too many books

Reading should not be a chore

Thank you, dear college

Sunrise

The sky is orange

It always is this early

I’m tired of orange

Two more years

Senioritis? No.

Junioritis. Just halfway.

Five more minutes please?

I Haven’t a Dime nor a Penny

Burn out. Burn out. Spent.

I am so completely spent.

I haven’t a cent.

Soup Inspo because it’s Fall

~ Brooke F. ~ 12 Comments

I know I may be a little late buuut…

Happy fall everyone!

Did you know it’s my favorite time of year? The weather is perfect- I love that midrange of temperatures. It’s the time of year when I get to pull out my forty gazillion jackets and give them enough wear to justify the amount of space they take up in my wardrobe. It’s also campfire season, yet another added bonus. I’m an avid loved of s’mores, marshmallows, and the oh-so-good smokey smell.

You want to know what else I love about the weather getting chilly? The appeal of soup increasing by 100%.

Don’t get me wrong, I adore soup normally however, my love only grows when it’s nippy outside and I’ve got a steaming bowl of yummy in front of me. I could have soup all week.

So, in the spirit of fall, I wanted to share some of my favorite soup recommendations with you guys! I know this it totally different from my regular types of post and is more reminiscent of what you’d find on a lifestyle and cooking blog but I can’t help myself. I simply must share the deliciousness of these soups with the world!

Or at least… the five of you who are out there reading this post!

Tomato Basil

I adore tomato soup.

Strangely enough, as a kid, I hated tomatoes but tomato soup? I could eat that stuff for three meals a day. I had a sort of ritual when I ate them too- I’d eat them with ten saltine crackers and would often crunch up the crackers into the soup itself to give it a little crunch. Now this wasn’t always the best idea as halfway through the cracker chunks would become super mushy but my 7-year-old self would not be deterred and persisted in doing this.

Now, while I’m saying it’s not the best way to eat it, Tomato Basil soup still is kind of the bomb, cracker chunks or no cracker chunks.

Zuppa Toscana

My friend. If you have not had this soup, then I implore you to look up a recipe and try it soon. I didn’t even know this soup existed till I worked at a tea shop here in the deep south and they introduced it as one of our soup specials.

And ya’ll.

It. Is. Immaculate.

It’s creamy, has kale but doesn’t taste like it has kale, has a nice zing of Italian sausage, and smells heavenly. This soup can also be enjoyed with saltines which is definitely an added bonus.  Please give it a shot if you haven’t tried it already.

Southwest Chicken Soup

For those of us who are Mexican food type people. I love this soup because it tastes amazing, especially when you add an ungodly amount of cheese and maybe even some fritos if you’re feeling spunky. This soup is a solid go-to for my family because it can also be an easy crock-pot recipe.

Loaded Potato Soup

Friends, I must admit, my favorite vegetable is actually not a vegetable but a root. But you must admit, potatoes are quite a blessing that frankly I don’t think humanity deserves, but by the grace of God we have ‘em anyways. And I can’t tell you how much I love my starches. And if you love them too, I guarantee you’re going to love this soup. Or if you just love bacon. This is one of the few soups that you can get away with adding obscene amount of bacon too and it’s still good to eat!

This soup is kind of reminiscent of a loaded potato (as the title may suggest) in addition to being super creamy. I’ve had it a couple times and once while I was sick, and it felt amazing on my scratchy throat. Though one thing I can promise you, if you’re a potato girl, you will enjoy this soup both in sickness and in health.

Beef Stew

Okay, yes, technically this is a stew, but they aren’t that different right? At least, according to google… and you’re not calling google a liar, are you?

Either way, this stuff hits the spot during cold weather, and I’d be ashamed to not include it on the list seeing as how growing up, it was my favorite liquid-based meal (I’m just trying to avoid saying “stew and “soup” now if you can’t tell).

Stick this stuff in a crock pot and let it summer over the course of the day and you will come home to the most glorious of smells.

I personally recommend making fresh bread to go with along with this meal, especially if you have a bread machine so you can avoid the hassle of having to time it to where both things are ready and warm at the same time.

Either way though, bread or no bread, I think Beef Stew is one of God’s great blessings and it’s no wonder humanity has been making stews for goodness knows how long.

And I think that’s it! Those are my favorites anyways. I hope I’ve made you thoroughly hungry, so you feel compelled to quench it with steaming bowl of soup. You’re welcome!

See you readers!