Tag: challenge

The Sunshine Blogger Award

~ Brooke F. ~ 9 Comments

Aaaaah yes. Spring time! The time of new life, rejuvenation, aaaaaand FINALS. If you listen closely you can hear the college students screaming in the far distance. Lend them an ear and prayer if you don’t mind. We all need it at this point in the semester.

But, I am choosing to take a break from studying to announce the exciting news that I have been nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award thanks to the lovely and brilliant Natalie over on The Texas Lass. She’s probably one of my longest running blog buddies so please check out her corner of the internet and maybe, I don’t know… HER NEWLY RELEASED BOOK Reciprocity!! Get it before it FLIES off the shelves and becomes an exclusive collectors item that is a remnant of writerly genius! Or something like that…ahem.

Getting back to the award! We must instill some rules here because the Wild West this blog is not.

The Rules:

  • Display the award’s official logo somewhere on your blog. 
  • Thank the person who nominated you. 
  • Provide a link to your nominator’s blog. 
  • Answer your nominator’s questions. 
  • Nominate up to 11 bloggers. 
  • Ask your nominees 11 questions. 
  • Notify your nominees by commenting on at least one of their blog posts.

Boom. First rule done. Gorgeous Award Banner displayed in all its glory.

As for rule #5, I’ve been sort of been MIA so many of my blogging friends are on hiatus so I shall see how many nominees I can manage. I promise I shall give it all and do my very best to find fitting award bearers. Now onto the fun part- the questions!

1. You’re stuck on a desert island with the main character of the last movie you watched. Are you two escaping, or inevitably getting eaten by crabs?

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was indeed the last full film I watched. And here is where we have to ask the complicated question of who the main character is. The story is pretty well divided between Aragorn and Frodo. One companion will almost certainly led to the death of us both via crabs and the other a much more suitable survival companion. Though it is probably safe to say that neither character would be too excited to be stuck with the likes of me in a ANY survival scenario. My body is built for fragility, pining, and writing snarky things about the world around me.

2. What was your main reason for starting a blog?

I’m not entirely sure. A mixture of things I think. The want to experiment with web design and produce something cool and pretty. Also wanting to foster a writing community. And, as Breanna Mentioned over on A Christian Kid’s Journal, just a dash of pride. All together and nice little cocktail of motivation.

3. What book absolutely deserves to be made into a movie?

The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas. Given that they wouldn’t be butchered.

These books really do have it all. Dragons. Magic Rocks. Wizards. Witches. More Magic Rocks. (They’re shiny too!!).

Another solid contender is The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carmen. A staple of my childhood as it involved talking animals and… *GASP* magic rocks!!!

Please don’t laugh. These books were 99% of my personality in middle school. Needless to say, I wasn’t the *most* popular at the time.

4. What movie will you always rewatch?

I am a rewatch queen. I’m a girl of comfort foods and comfort movies. I go through phases where I just want to rewatch one thing and that’s what I’m thinking of and watching every night for about a week. Popular picks of mine include Lord of the Rings (The Hobbit movies included. You have to start from the beginning, you heathen), Star Wars (Prequels included but Disney Sequels secluded. They don’t exist in my mind. There are no Disney Sequels on this blog), The Chronicles of Narnia, The How to train your Dragon movies, The Kung-fu Panda movies (The fourth excluded here), aaaand I could keep going. But those are the first ones that popped into my head so they must be important to me. nd yes, before you ask, I do the same thing with shows too (What’s better than binge watching Hogan’s Heroes and Rawhide when you’re sick?).

5. Do you wear socks with sandals? If so, what is wrong with you?

No…but maybe yes.

Not OUT of course. Socks and Scandals is a fashion crime punishable by 50 years in fashion Azkaban. But for 30 seconds when I need to go out and grab groceries and I have some snuggly lil socks on…. I’m not going to go to all the trouble to peel them off just for my pride, okay?

6. You can go back in time for fifteen minutes. Where are you going and why?

This is entirely a cliché but I’d go back and see my past self and tell her things were going to be alright. Specifically me from about a year and a half ago. That’s when I first made the big move to move out of my parents house and my situation was…let’s just say less than ideal. People from all parts of my life said it was going to be “alright”, but I think there was a part of me that was like, “Okay. But what if its not. What if I’m that 1/100 chance where everything just goes wrong.”

I often live with the fear that I am the outlier but in a bad way. Things work out for most people. Tragedies don’t seem to happen to most people. But what if I am not most people?

I think if I saw myself in one piece and happy, I would finally believe it.

7. Do you like to write while listening to music/ambience, or in blessed silence?

Ambience is all my little stressed brain can handle. Lyrics beg me to sing along and then all focus is lost. Rain sounds are fantastic but some good old tavern ambience never hurt anyone. I have a whole study playlist of soundtracks too that also work marvelously for me when writing.

ALSO. Video game Soundtracks.

Perfectly tailored to promote focus and mimic ambience all the same time.

8. If you could wish for any one thing and have it come true, what would it be?

Probably to be able to write for my career. Not just any writing though- DRIVEL. I want to be able to write self-indulgent drivel and somehow get paid for it. Tech writing would contribute too much to the world I’m afraid. I want to get paid for my Avatar the Last Airbender and DnD self insert fanfiction. Any takers?

9. Have you gotten into any new fandoms lately? What are they?

I do wish but alas, I haven’t had much time as of late to get invested in any media that requires me to sit for long periods of time. Between work and school, I am reduced to a brain dead zombie that only wants to scroll through Pinterest at the end of the day before crashing and sleeping for a less then the recommended amount of sleep a human should get. I love being an undergraduate.

10. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

I am always tired no matter the time of day.

This is the unfortunate truth of my college life currently but I do think that will change. My prime functioning hours are 9-5pm but I do love having the evening time to myself. That is MY time and no one can take it away from me. Except for maybe my night time job schedule. *goes to weep in the corner with my coffee*

11. Do you prefer animated or live-action films and shows?

Animated. Hands down. I just love the crazy sort of range of emotions you can portray in the animated medium that doesn’t look at all right in live action but then look too bland if you dumb it down (see disney remakes here.).

Then there’s the charm factor. There’s something inherently endearing about animation that transcends age and culture. Whether it’s the whimsical antics of Looney Tunes or the heartfelt journeys of Studio Ghibli, animated characters have a way of worming their way into our hearts and staying there long after the credits roll. Plus, who can resist the allure of a good old-fashioned dance number performed by a troupe of singing penguins?

And last but not least, let’s talk about nostalgia. For many of us, animation is more than just a form of entertainment; it’s a portal to our childhoods, a time when the world was full of wonder and anything seemed possible. Whether it’s revisiting the classics (The Incredibles? Ratatouille??? Cars 2????? Need I go on???) or discovering new favorites, animation has a way of transporting us back to simpler times, if only for a little while. Heck, sometimes I don’t even have to see the animation to feel the nostalgia punch- all it takes is the enormous, vibrating hum of the THX Logo as it blows the speakers out of any poor, unsuspecting television (Then comes the age old scramble to find the remote. Ah. The good ol days, amiright?).

Gosh, are we done already? Time for the nominees! I think I shall nominate a few blogs I follow regardless of whether or not they are aware of my existence. So, I nominate

Little Blossoms for Jesus

Ailish Sinclair

Miraculous Homeschool

UsandLove

Sircharlesthepoet

Andrea the Illustrator

My questions are as follows:

  1. If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and why?
  2. What’s the weirdest food combination you secretly love?
  3. If you could live in any fictional world for a week, where would you choose?
  4. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you in public?
  5. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what would you be and why?
  6. What’s your go-to karaoke song, and why does it speak to your soul?
  7. If you could swap lives with any celebrity for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
  8. What’s your most irrational fear, and how do you cope with it?
  9. If you could time travel to any era, past or future, where would you go and what would you do?
  10. What’s the most unusual talent you possess that few people know about?
  11. If you could invent a new holiday, what would it be called and how would we celebrate it?

Have fun, fellow bloggers and writers!

The Writer’s Game: Level 13

~ Brooke F. ~ 3 Comments

Topic: Endings

Threshold: 6,500 Points

Possible Points:  1,100 Points

All Possible Points up until this level:  9,470

  • “Write about death.” [100 points]
  • “Write about your childhood or something that represents it.” [100 points]
  • “Write about healing and moving on.” [100 points]
  • “Write about a bittersweet goodbye.” [100 points]
  • “Write about a key memory.” [100 points]
  • “Write about the seasons changing and have it play a key symbol in the story.” [100 points]
  • “Write a tragedy.” [100 points]
  • “Write about forever.” [100 points]
  • “Write about the end.” [100 points]
  • “Reflect on this challenge.” [100 points]
  • “Write about whatever you want. You’ve earned it.” [100 points]

And that’s it! The final level. This has been an intense challenge & I hope it has been an enjoyable ride for you! Take a break from writing for a bit if you so desire! You’ve earned it! And if you have a desire to challenge yourself again, I hope you’ll make your way back here. You’re always welcomed. Take care, lovely writer!

~ Brooke F.

The Writer’s Game: Level 12

~ Brooke F. ~ 1 Comment

Topic: Everyday

Threshold: 6,200 Points

Possible Points:  550 Points

All Possible Points up until this level:  8,370

  • “Design your own academy/school and place your own characters in it.” [ 50 points]
  • “Design your own café/bookstore and place your own characters in it.” [ 50 points]
  • “Write about someone looking for a friend and finding them in an unexpected place.” [ 50 points]
  • “Write a story that takes place primarily on a rooftop.” [ 50 points]
  • “Design your own festival/fair and place your own cast of characters in it to have some fun.” [ 50 points]
  • “Write about two unexpected friends.” [ 50 points]
  • “Write about someone healing.” [ 50 points]
  • “Write about someone coming home.” [ 50 points]
  • “Write about someone who finds fulfillment in a place they didn’t expect.” [ 50 points]
  • “Write about someone who lives in your dream apartment.” [ 50 points]
  • “Write about someone with your dream career.” [ 50 points]

Score 6,500 points to advance to the next level.

When you’re ready to advance to the next level, click here.

The Writer’s Game: Level 9

~ Brooke F. ~ 1 Comment

Topic: Companionship/Love

Threshold: 4,800 Points

Possible Points:  650 Points

All Possible Points up until this level:  6,270

  • “Write about the love for a parent.” [50 points]
  • “Write about the love for a pet.” [50 points]
  • “Write about the love for a childhood friend.” [50 points]
  • “Write about love for a new friend.” [50 points]
  • “Write about loving yourself.” [50 points]
  • “Write about loving someone but not trusting them.” [50 points]
  • “Write about a love that has lasted a long time.” [50 points]
  • “Write about loving your past or future self.” [50 points]
  • “Write about loving someone far away.” [50 points]
  • “Write about searching for one kind of love and finding another.” [50 points]
  • “Write a love letter without using these words: heart, love, soul.” [50 points]
  • “Write about someone who thinks they love someone but is wrong. ” [50 points]
  • “Write about love dying.” [50 points]

Score 5,100 points to advance to the next level.

When you’re ready to advance to the next level, click here.

The Writer’s Game: Level 8

~ Brooke F. ~ 1 Comment

Topic: Intangible

Threshold: 3,400 Points

Possible Points:  1,100 Points

All Possible Points up until this level:  5,620

  • “Write about a color without using its name.” [100 points]
  • “Write a story or poem only using sound.” [100 points]
  • “Write a story or poem only using the sense of touch.” [100 points]
  • “Write a story or poem only using taste.” [100 points]
  • “Write a story or poem describing loss or sadness without using the word.” [100 points]
  • “Write a story or poem describing joy without using the word.” [100 points]
  • “Write a story or poem describing justice without using the word.” [100 points]
  • “List your values. Now write a story involving all of them.” [100 points]
  • “Write a story or poem describing ambition without using the word.” [100 points]
  • “Write a story or poem describing kindness without using the word.” [100 points]
  • “Write a story or poem describing cruelty without using the word.” [100 points]

Score 4,800 points to advance to the next level.

When you’re ready to advance to the next level, click here.

The Writer’s Game: Level 7

~ Brooke F. ~ 1 Comment

Topic: Inspired

Threshold: 3,000 Points

Possible Points:  640 Points

All Possible Points up until this level:  4,520

  • “Write a story or poem about a piece of art that inspires you.” [80 points]
  • “Write a story or poem about a song that inspires.” [80 points]
  • “Write a story or a poem about a movie that inspires you.” [50 points]
  • “Write a story or a poem about a show that inspires you.” [50 points]
  • “Write a story or a poem about a person or figure that inspires you.” [100 points]
  • “Write a story or a poem about a book that inspires you.” [80 points]
  • “Write a story or a poem about a game that inspires you. (Think outside the box. Could be a board game or a video game)” [100 points]
  • “Write a story or a poem about a children’s show that inspired you growing up.” [100 points]

Score 3,400 points to advance to the next level.

When you’re ready to advance to the next level, click here.

The Writer’s Game: Level 3

~ Brooke F. ~ 1 Comment

Topic: Beauty

Threshold: 860 Points

Possible Points: 510

All Possible Points up until this level: 1,370

  • “Write a short story about a planet.” [60 points]
  • “Write a haiku for every season.” [50 points]
  • “Write a poem about a specific piece of nature.” [20 points]
  • “Write a short story related to a season.” [30 points]
  • “Write a short story about something to do with water.” [40 points]
  • “Write a short story or poem about a wild animal.” [50 points]
  • “Write a short story or poem about a flower.” [50 points]
  • “Write a short story or poem about your favorite kind of weather.” [60 points]
  • “Write a short story or poem about your birthstone.”[60 points]
  • “Write a short story or poem of something shiny found in nature.”[60 points]
  • “Write a short story or poem about your favorite direction on a compass.” [100 points]
  • “Write a short story or a poem about your favorite flying creature.” [50 points]
  • “Write a short story or a poem about your favorite burrowing creature.”[70 points]
  • “Write a short story or poem about your favorite bug .” [70 points]
  • “Write a short story or poem about your favorite time of day.” [90 points]

Score 1,100 points to advance to the next level.

When you’re ready to move on to the next level, click here.