Upcoming Contest

When I started this blog, I never thought I'd have ten followers, let alone close to 200. I wasn't promoting myself. I had intended it to be a journal of my journey through the writing process. It's awing to look back and see where I stood then compared to where I stand now. I didn't doubt that I could write a novel then. I'm nothing if not tenacious. I never considered that anyone would actually want to read it. Thank you for making writing a not-so-singular adventure. I am so grateful for your kind words and encouragement. When I hit 200 followers, be on the lookout for a contest because we can't have a proper celebration without one!

Ten-Word Tuesday

You can wish on stars or you can ride them!

Vacation Inspiration

Mammoth Caves


Greenfield Village

I was MIA for the first five weeks of the summer, but that doesn't mean I stopped working. One of the great things about writing is that you need inspiration to do it and you can gather inspiration no matter where you are or what you're doing. I hope you find a few of these vacation shots as motivational as I do!



TennesseeGreenfield Village

Indianapolis Zoo


Greenfield Village


Cincinnati, OH




Xander and Ethan, my
greatest source of inspiration.

Ten-Word Tuesday

Excitement + nerves = two sides of the same coin. Flip it!

(Would you say using symbols was cheating? Good! Me neither.) (And anything in parentheses doesn't count either, right? My thoughts exactly.)

What to Expect on Indepence Day

This year, we're expecting the unexpected for the independence Day Flash Fiction Blogfest. I just found out about this one too, but I thought it would be fun to practice some flash fiction. Not one of my specialties. I write epic fantasy, remember? I actually wrote out two and was hoping to get to a third because they weren't great... but you know how life goes. If you're interested in reading the other entrees, run to Ali's dojo!

Laina

The flames licked the cooking pot, weaving fantastical stories before Laina's eyes. She could have watched them play all night, but she had work to do, late as it was. She let her eyes drift back to the clothes she had spent the last hour scrubbing. Her hands stung from the boiling water, but her master didn't like spots and she didn't like the whippings that came if she left spots. The burns hurt less.

The thought was motivating. She picked up a soiled tunic, dunked it in the bucket of soapy water, then began scraping it against the rough rungs of the wash basin.

An unexpected thud brought her to her feet. It was well after midnight. No one in the house was awake but her. She clung to the dripping shirt as the sound came a second time. It was more distinct and accompanied the clash of metal.

Laina began to shake. Had marauders come to rob her master? If anything was stolen she'd get the blame. If the robbers didn't leave her for dead.

A loud wallop against the door made her jump. It shook against its frame until another loud thwack sent splinters soaring across the kitchen. Several men dressed in knights' livery entered the room, her master dangling between them.

"This your master, girl?"

Always honest, she stammered, "Yes,"

The knight turned to her master. "It's the king's punishment for you." Then he turned to Laina and smiled. "Your honesty has earned you independence."

Poetry Schmoetry BLOGFEST!

I'm a little late on this. I just discovered it, but I have a piece I'd like to share that's close to my heart. A friend of mine has just experienced the worst thing any mother could ever go through and this was my outlet. I've actually put it to music, but I don't know how to share that part and it's not quite finished besides.

My Wynken, Blynken and Nod
By Janyece Swineford

Goodbye is a moment
That passes into time
It never lasts forever
You will always be mine
Time being. I will hold you
In folds of memory
But one day we'll be together
In celestial eternity

I see you now and forever
Resting in your mansion in heaven
Held in the Savior's arms
Kept in your mother's heart
I see you now

Our time here is so short
I will treasure its brief gift
My love lasts forever
It's the lens I see you with
Time being. I will hold you
In the folds of memory
But one day we'll be together
In celestial eternity

I see you now and forever
Resting in your mansion in heaven
Held in the Savior's arms
Kept in your mother's heart
I see you now

This is just the beginning
Of the journey we will take
Though we travel in polar directions
Our stories end the same

Ten-Word Tuesday

There's no better moment than the one you are in!

Ten-Word Tuesday

Want my recipe for success? Mix inspiration, motivation and endurance.