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2015…A Year of Change

/ melindamariealexander / Leave a comment

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Sorry I haven’t posted in a while.

I can’t believe it’s almost 2016! Where did this year go? There’s been so many changes in my life this year, so many things to do, so many things going on. It just flew by in a blink of an eye. We left Florida in August, I had dreamed of moving for so many years…it didn’t really seem real when we did leave.

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We left our house on 5 acres near the state forest and headed west.

I have to say…I do not miss that dirt road…at all!!!

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We had a long way to go and thankfully we got here safely!

We didn’t go by train, we drove…I just like this photo.

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 We arrived in Arizona…our new home on August 7th.

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Yay…no grass!

I love it here!

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We had room to put up our big tree this year…Yay!

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After Christmas…I’ll start working on my book.

If you’d like to read a little more about what happened this year check out my other blog.

A Lot Can Happen in a Year

Thanks for stopping by

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone!

Inspiration Board #6 – part seven

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For a split second, I thought I saw something in the window on the second floor. Suddenly a gust of wind blew my hair in my face, and I couldn’t see. I pulled my hair away from my eyes, and that’s when I saw it. I froze. I couldn’t move. I was afraid, but yet I was fascinated. I took a couple of steps closer, so I could get a better look. It looked like a girl standing in the window, but not a real one. It was a misty white cloud in the shape of a girl. I stared at the window, then suddenly the misty white girl looked real, and she was staring right at me. I gasped. I couldn’t look away, I don’t know why. I just kept staring at her, and she kept staring at me. Then she put her index finger to her mouth, like she didn’t want me to tell anyone. I shivered. The hair on the back of my neck was standing up, and I could feel goose bumps all over my body.

“This can’t be real. It can’t be!”

Copyright TXu 1-905-288

 

 

Inspiration Board #6 – part five

/ melindamariealexander / 2 Comments

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Images, make my story come to life!

They inspire me, they help me see my characters, where they go, what kind of trouble they get into, and sets the mood of the story. That’s why most of the images are dark and moody…with a little touch of color here and there. Just like my story!

Images are such a useful tool for me, especially since I’m an artist/designer/potter/photographer and writer. They help me design my story world. I can visualize my story in my mind, but seeing images related to my story takes it a step further!

That’s why I make these inspiration boards.

Inspiration Board #6 – part four

/ melindamariealexander / Leave a comment

chapter six part 4 with textjpg

Images, make my story come to life!

They inspire me, they help me see my characters, where they go, what kind of trouble they get into, and sets the mood of the story. That’s why most of the images are dark and moody…with a little touch of color here and there. Just like my story!

Images are such a useful tool for me, especially since I’m an artist/designer/potter/photographer and writer. They help me design my story world. I can visualize my story in my mind, but seeing images related to my story takes it a step further!

That’s why I make these inspiration boards.

Writing Books

/ melindamariealexander / 4 Comments

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These are some of my favorite writing books!

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PLOT & STRUCTURE…Techniques and exercises for crafting a plot that grips readers from start to finish by James Scott Bell…is one of my favorites. I’ve read it three times. I highlighted it the first time around, then I underlined it with a pen the second time, and the third time…I took notes on a legal pad. I love this book!

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Structuring your NOVEL…Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story by K.M. Weiland…is another one of my favorite writing books. And it’s so awesome that there’s a workbook to go along with it. I love it!

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I’ve only read it once so far, but I definitely plan on reading it again!

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 I haven’t finished this one yet…but it’s already on my favorites list!

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THE EMOTION THESAURUS, THE POSITIVE TRAIT THESAURUS AND THE NEGATIVE TRAIT THESURUS…A Writer’s Guide To Character Attributes by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi are amazing and very helpful! Love them!

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It’s Our Little Secret

/ melindamariealexander / 2 Comments

Chapter Six Raven Hill

It feels like a million spiders are crawling all over me. I shivered. Goose bumps started rising on my arms and legs as I walked up the granite steps. Why do I feel like this? This is so weird. I took a deep breath and looked around the porch. It was covered with dried leaves, and there were spider webs everywhere. Crap! Why did I just think about spiders crawling all over me? Spider webs are even worst then spiders. I hate it when they stick to my hands and I can’t get them off. I pushed my way through the webs and that made me shiver again. Then I wiped my hands on my jacket. Ewww…A chill ran down my spine.

“I hate spiders too,” Violet whispered in my ear. I glanced at her and smiled. “It’s our little secret,” she whispered.

 

The Positive Trait Thesaurus

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Yay! I finally have a chance to start reading and highlighting…The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide To Character Attributes by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi.

I haven’t read The Negative Trait Thesaurus yet, that one is next! I got both of them for my birthday in November, but just didn’t have time to read them until now!

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So glad I have all three now!

Can’t wait to finish them!

Taking a Look Back at 2014

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We had a new addition to our family!

Our granddaughter Grace was born on February 5, 2014

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I can’t believe my beautiful blue-eyed grand baby is almost a year old already!

We had a lot of first’s this year!

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I took the very first photos of Grace. I love this one!

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The first photo of Grace and Mommy, my beautiful daughter Jayme!

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Grace and Daddy, my son-in-law Max!

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My beautiful blonde, blue-green eyed granddaughter Paige started school for the first time this year. I can’t believe she’s in school already! 

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What a cutie pie!

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Awww…so beautiful!

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Paige’s first symphony…love her dress!

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My beautiful brown-eyed granddaughter Faith started middle school this year.

OMG…I can’t believe it! Where did the time go?

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Faith got her first cell phone. I love this photo, they’re so excited and I love how Paige has her arm around Faith…that is so cute!

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Faith’s first selfie. It came out great!

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On September 4th, I became dairy free for the first time in my life. I’ve been gluten-free for almost 4 years now, which really hasn’t bothered me. I must admit, I really don’t have a choice…I have Celiac Disease. I’ve also been 90% grain free for almost a year now. Dairy was harder for me to give up. I love ice cream, especially rocky road, or any other chocolate ice cream with nuts.

And I love cheese!

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I have to say that cheese is the thing I miss the most, and that really surprises me! I thought it would have been ice cream or sugar, but no…it’s cheese! I’m not sure if I have to be dairy free forever? Maybe when we move to a drier climate, I might be able to eat it again? Right now…living in Florida (swampville), I can’t eat it because of my sinuses.

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I also cute down on sugar this year. I’m about 90% sugar-free on a good day!

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Except for when I need a little more chocolate!

NaNoWriMo

Like when I participated in National Novel Writing Month. This year was my first time participating, and I definitely wasn’t prepared for it. It was very intense and I needed lots of chocolate to get me through it!

#NaNoWriMo was the hardest thing I did this year! But it was worth it. I feel like I’ve grown as a writer. I’ve learned that I have to make time for writing…everyday, not just when I have time and next year…I will definitely be more prepared! 

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My greatest accomplishment this year was…being a #NaNoWriMo winner!

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This year, Faith became a big sister for the first time!

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They’re first photo shoot! How cute is this!

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Baby in a basket! This is too cute!

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I love this one!

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OMG…look at the way they’re looking at each other!

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Awww…so cute!

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Awww…

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Awww…my beautiful girls!

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I love this one!

These photos came out great!

I’m so glad I have three granddaughters! After having four boys and just one girl, it’s so nice to have more girls around. Jayme and I have been out number for years! I think we need a few more though!

What I loved most about 2014, other than having a new grand baby…was all the hugs I got from my husband. He gives the best hugs ever! It’s my favorite place to be…in his arms!

So…even though 2014 was a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs and twists and turns, it was a good year. I can never say my life is boring!

I‘m looking forward to 2015…being an even better year!!!