Just Keep Writing: August 17, 2023 - Thursday Threads & Writer's Challenge Week 2 Day 4

 Welcome! The sun is shining and the breeze is cool, though I doubt those used to the climate in Montana or North Dakota would agree. But, I'm a Southern lady, used to the heat and humidity of living in Gulf Coast states. Trust me! Today is cool compared to two days ago. I'm dreading the return to excessive heat once this front passes through. But I'm going to enjoy having my windows open for a little while today. Let's get started on our jaunt down the scenic route and check out what's in store.

Just Keep Writing: Thursday Threads

If this is your first time participating in this kind of writing exercise, you're in for a treat. If you've done this with me before, just keep scrolling for the prompt.

Rules:

1. You can use any/all of the words and/or the photo in the prompt below to create a unique written work. Fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose, even lyrics are acceptable.  
2. Please keep the material you write clean (i.e. nothing R-rated or worse) if you wish to share the link to your work here, as well as if you link back to my site. I strive to keep my site free of such things. My readers know and expect this. I respect your right to write whatever you feel you need to write. And you're free to use my prompts. But if your material is graphic, I'd rather not view it, and most of my readers will not wish to. 
3. Have fun! This type of exercise is perfect for growing in the writing craft, or for helping through a rough patch in your current WIP. If you're looking to push your author limits and you normally write in nonfiction prose, try a whimsical collection of lyrics. If you normally write poems about real life events, try your hand at a fanfic. Give yourself some room to explore.

Don't forget to leave a link to your creation (unless you're writing graphic material) so my readers and I can check out your work. I'd appreciate a link back to this post to help me reach more readers, but it's not required. 

What do you think? I'm not drawing a complete blank on these, but I'll admit this would be a challenge. I'd have to work a bit harder to get a story out of this set of words. 

Writer's Challenge: #abouttheauthoraugust 2023 - Week 2, Day 4

Today's Prompt: Your writing space and/or routine

My work space hasn't changed a whole lot, but I don't have to split the space between writing and home school anymore. Though, if I'm honest, it's still the same collection of things: writing supplies, art supplies, sewing supplies, adhesives, paper of all kinds, binders, journals, and several Bibles. I've been working on cleaning and rearranging things for the past couple of weeks. That's partly why the pegboard on the door is so cluttered. Haven't gotten to it yet.

I need a new desk chair--had my eye on one or two and both weren't possible. One was sold before I could save enough to get it. The other was a bit over my budget. It's OK, though. God knows what I need and what I like and He'll provide when the time is right.

My routine is usually like this, but these things happen in random order most days:

• Wake up, eat breakfast with my husband
• Listen to the chapters of the Bible which we've chosen to study for the month while I tackle daily gaming things. I still catch a lot of things, even while multitasking. 
• Refill coffee.
• Blog/Write
• Refill coffee.
• Laundry load 1
• Warm, spiced milk.
• Email
• Snack
• Laundry load 2
• Journal about what I'm learning in my Bible study and/or write down some of the scriptures I've read so that I can learn them better. Anyone else here learn better when you write stuff down? I've been that way forever. 
• House chores
• Lunch
• Laundry load 3 if needed
• Plan supper
• More house chores and probably a grocery run which usually lasts around an hour
• Snack, sometimes with more coffee, but usually with water
• Cook supper
• Enjoy supper with family
• Check games again
• Maybe write some more
• Sit with family for a time of thankfulness
• Pray with husband
• Collapse into (hopefully) sweet oblivion after reading a chapter or two (or more, if I'm honest) in whatever book I'm reading. 

Everyone, including me, wonders why I'm so tired. Honestly, I'm not usually so very tired as I've been lately. This heat is really wearing me down. We're working without a functioning utility room at this point, so I haul laundry next door to wash and dry. My parents are pretty amazing. Even though it takes less than a minute to walk over, with the excessive heat, it's just crazy how fast it tires me. I've taken to wearing my hat and sunglasses faithfully and that's helped a lot. 

Anyway, when I sit down to write, I usually put on some ambient music that fits the mood of what's in my story. Then I just type. If I'm editing, I just get to it. If I'm creating cover art, I dive in. Any work is tons of determination, plus the right motivation. Right now, I just want this series done. That's my motivation...just get it done. I have the means. I have the motive. I have the opportunity. I even have some solid manuscripts and first drafts. It's all there. I just have to keep moving forward. 

What about you? What's your creative process? Share in the comments below if you like. 

Did you enjoy your time on the scenic route today? What did you like (or not like) about it? I'd love to read your thoughts in the comments below. 

I'm going to have an author journey post ready for you tomorrow, hopefully on time. My mom is still not feeling too great. She's over the stomach bug, but now dealing with the aftermath which is unfortunately the case with her more often than not. Please continue to pray for her.

Until next time,
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