Inside…Raven Hill
Check out the sneak peek here…
https://melindamariealexander.com/2015/04/13/key/
Inspiration Board #6 – part five
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.
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Inspiration Board #6 – part four
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.
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The Care Taker
The Care Taker
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It’s Our Little Secret
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.
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The Positive Trait Thesaurus
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!
So glad I have all three now!
Can’t wait to finish them!
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Taking a Look Back at 2014
We had a new addition to our family!
Our granddaughter Grace was born on February 5, 2014
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!
I took the very first photos of Grace. I love this one!
The first photo of Grace and Mommy, my beautiful daughter Jayme!
Grace and Daddy, my son-in-law Max!
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!
What a cutie pie!
Awww…so beautiful!
Paige’s first symphony…love her dress!
My beautiful brown-eyed granddaughter Faith started middle school this year.
OMG…I can’t believe it! Where did the time go?
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!
Faith’s first selfie. It came out great!
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!
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.
I also cute down on sugar this year. I’m about 90% sugar-free on a good day!
Except for when I need a little more chocolate!
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!
My greatest accomplishment this year was…being a #NaNoWriMo winner!
This year, Faith became a big sister for the first time!
They’re first photo shoot! How cute is this!
Baby in a basket! This is too cute!
I love this one!
OMG…look at the way they’re looking at each other!
Awww…so cute!
Awww…
Awww…my beautiful girls!
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!!!
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NaNoWriMo Winner 2014
I haven’t blogged in a while, because I’ve been a very busy girl. I participated in National Novel Writing Month…50,000 words in 30 days.
And I did it…Yay!
And I actually finished four days early.
Just before midnight on November 26, I validated my word count at National Novel Writing Month – http://www.nanowrimo.org with 52, 617 words. When I started, I really didn’t think I’d finish…at all!!!
I was just hoping it would motivate me to write, because I was being a huge procrastinator. Always putting everything before my writing, always telling myself, when I finish this…I’ll write, or when I finish that…I’ll do some writing, but it would never happen. By the end of the night, I’d be exhausted and then tell myself…I’ll do it tomorrow.
I’ve learned a lot, during this experience. Not only about writing, but about myself too. I started out doing really well, but then I hit a slump in the middle of the month. I lost steam…energy, lost focus, and then I got lost! I had no idea where I was going.
Usually, when I’m lost…it makes me stop writing. I don’t like not knowing where I’m going, which is kind of weird considering I’m a pantser…who’s trying to be a plotter. But this time I didn’t stop. I kept going with the help of my husband, my family, my friends, my FB friends and my FB writing group 10 Minute Novelists, who cheered me on and encouraged me to keep going.
Somewhere along this journey…I realized that I could actually do it. Something inside me kicked in, and gave me the power and the strength to finish this race.
It wasn’t easy!
I dragged myself through the mud, and crawled to the finish line.
I wasn’t going to give up, no matter what!
By the end of National Novel Writing Month, I was totally exhausted! My brain needed a vacation. I was hoping for a little rest, but orders were coming in from my Etsy Shop.
http://www.ravenhillpottery.etsy.com
So, I had to start processing and shipping orders. No rest for me yet!
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My NaNoWriMo Emergency Survival Kit
This is my very first #NaNoWriMo
National Novel Writing Month
So, I’ve made an emergency survival kit.
And the very first thing in my kit is…
Chocolate
I absolutely love chocolate! I started eating endangered species chocolate, shortly after finding out I had celiac disease. I had to find some chocolate that I could eat. That was one thing I wasn’t willing to give up. I love the dark chocolate with cranberries & almonds.
It’s certified GF and NON GMO Verified.
Not only does chocolate make me happy, it actually has a lot of health benefits. It’s nutrient dense, it supports mental performance (I’m going to need that), and it reduces stress and anxiety (I need that too!) I think I’ll be eating a lot of chocolate this month.
Pistachios
Pistachios have lots of health benefits, one of them is a high content of vitamin B6, which helps in increasing the hemoglobin count in your blood. This oxygen rich blood is then supplied to the brain making it even more active. I’m going to need that!
Water
Water boosts productivity and ramps up brain power!
GF Snack Bars
I love Van’s chocolate chip whole grain snack bars and cranberry almond whole grain snack bars. It’s hard to believe they’re gluten-free, they taste really good.
Paper, Index Cards and Post-it Notes
Pens and Markers
I have plenty of pens and markers, if I need them. I’ll be doing most of my writing on my computer, but sometimes I like to sit in my recliner and write old school style, with a legal pad and my favorite pens.
My Favorite Writing Books
And the last thing in my #NaNoWriMo Emergency Survival Kit is my favorite writing books. These are just some of them. I buy books like most women buy shoes, so I have a lot of books.
I think I’m ready!
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NaNoWriMo 2014
I’m participating in this years #NaNoWriMo
National Novel Writing Month
It starts on November 1st, my favorite month by the way.
Because it’s my birthday month!
I have 30 days ~ to write 50,000 words
That means I have to write 1,666 words everyday…Holy Cow!
OMG…What have I gotten myself into?
So, the pressure is on! I’m going to try not to panic and freak out…Yikes!
On the other hand…this might be just what I need!
Wish me luck!
Melinda Marie Alexander 