April 18th Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

Good morning. First, I want to wish my beautiful Goddaughter / Niece Stephanie a very happy 18^th birthday (sorry it’s a day late), and my nephew Tim a very happy 22^nd birthday. Good grief! Where has the time gone?

I’m still having some issues with sitting. Yesterday, I brought my laptop to bed with me and wrote while lying down. It wasn’t wonderful, and I didn’t get as much accomplished as I would have if I had been writing in my normal location, but at least I finished another chapter.

I had had the brilliant idea the characters Kieren meets in Grá should have Gaelic words as names which reflect either their character or their profession, so I looked up words I thought would be appropriate, and I swapped them out. Then a few hours later, I decided against the idea, and changed them back. The trick was, I had changed them in all three places - the full version of Faerie Tale Queen, the new chapters just for this Camp NaNo, and the running word count which includes my blog entries. I’m going to have to be extra diligent while editing, to make sure I got them all.

I was feeling so miserable yesterday, I never made it to the Seder Supper at church. The Seder Supper is one of my favorite functions at the church, and I hated missing it. So, some of the chicken I purchased to bring to the dinner but was in too much pain to cook, my hubby made for Dani and himself last night. I swiped a little piece, but that’s it. It’s amazing how good an appetite suppressant pain can be.

Over the next two days, I need to figure out how to clean the house, get the Easter baskets ready, write the letter from T.E.B. and hide his eggs, do laundry so my husband has something appropriate to wear on Sunday, go grocery shopping, cook the food I’m bringing to my aunt’s, and bake the dessert I’m bringing to my sister-in-law’s, all while having mobility issues. It’s going to be a long two days.

Oh well, I don’t know how long I’ll be able to sit here today, so I should get going on FTQ. I hope y’all have a wonderful day, and happy writing!

Your Last Challenge was:

“Doc Brown” bequeathed you his Delorean.

I can’t believe this. I can go back to any time in history, and get to experience it firsthand. How amazing would my books be if I could actually walk the same streets, at the same time, as my characters? No more endless hours of research to determine if a particular flower was blooming at that time of year, or if I would require a coat or simply a wrap if I were to go out. I could smell the same smells and taste the same food, then be able to, with complete confidence, relay the information to my readers.

To be able to accurately bring my readers, through my words, into the early 1800’s, would be priceless. I can get close now through all the research, but I’ve always wanted to be able to give them more, and now I can. Where to start, where to start? I know, since this one scene is giving me fits, and I’ve had to rewrite it several time already because it just didn’t feel right, it will be my first stop.

Oh boy, I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. One last look at Doc’s check list. Okay, I have all the supplies and extra fuel he recommended. I’m taking a guess on the clothing, but I should be able to figure something out when I get there. The car’s ready. All that’s left is to plug in the date and location. Here goes. January 30, 1806, Istanbul, Turkey. Wish me luck…

Your Next Challenge is:

Write a story about Easter eggs…

You have 10 minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.

July 14th Challenge

Hi, it’s Christina –

Up bright and early this foggy Sunday morning because the girls need to be at the church by 6:30. Today they are leaving for their Summer Mission Project. For one week, they will be in a tiny town in southwest Pennsylvania helping the residents work on their houses or the community center or some other need this extremely poor town has. They will be sleeping and eating at a convent. There is no TV, no internet and even phone service is a little iffy at times. This will be my oldest daughter’s third trip and my youngest daughter’s first. One whole week of my 18 year old being responsible for my 14 year old – should prove interesting.

 

I’m kinda bummed. I never made it to the party yesterday because I got one of my lovely headaches again. I think it was brought on this time because my allergies have been so bad and I may have a sinus infection. A bunch of years ago my brother-in-law’s brother and his wife and daughter moved out to Kentucky, and other than on Skype during the holidays, I haven’t seen them. I was really looking forward to catching up. I’m not sure when they are headed back. Maybe I’ll get to see them today.

 

Oh well, I need to get my rugrats up and out, so let’s get to the challenges. Have a great day!

 

Your Last Challenge was:

For me, THIS is the happiest place on Earth

 

Some say the beach, some say the mountains, and some do actually say Disney, but for me, this right here, sitting in front of my computer writing, is my happiest place on Earth. Now that’s not to say I don’t mind having my computer with me in any of those places, well maybe not Disney, I think I’d be a little too distracted and busy.

Through my writing I’ve been transported to the seediest or the most historic parts of London, galloped over the English countryside, stood on Ireland’s breathtaking rocky coast, and strolled the spice market in exotic Istanbul. I’ve sailed into the battle of Trafalgar alongside Lord Nelson and I’ve danced the waltz at glamorous balls.

When writing I can be anywhere during any time, past, present or future. I can possess skills, talents and abilities only a handful of people can boast. My only limitation is my imagination, and so far, mine knows no bounds. How could this not be my happiest place on Earth?

 

Your Next Challenge is:

 

 

You have 10 minutes (be honest). There is no right or wrong, just write. Spelling and punctuation don’t count and NO ONE is allowed to criticize what someone else has written. Go.