Changes & February Writing Challenges Begin

I've updated some of the elements on the blog but I'd also like to change up the content a little. I feel like that's been lost in my pursuit of staying busy with my writing. I feel like I've been spinning my wheels and not making much progress.
I hope you'll look forward to the slow changes I'm going to start incorporating. I definitely want to publish Surge this year (2020), as well as a short story that will sort of set up the story for the secondary characters. Just because they're secondary characters doesn't mean I shouldn't fall in love with them, right? :) Well, in any case, I do enjoy writing their stories and can't wait to share them with you!
Until then, please enjoy these writing/bookish challenges I've decided to participate in this month.

#CandleLoversFeb20 Days 1 - 6

This challenge is a photo challenge and a giveaway. Each aesthetic must follow the theme and have a candle in it. It's hosted by @livvynicklaus (and linked to her IG post in the challenge photo) and @drinkcoffeeandreadbooksgifts (linked to their page, just click on their name.) Here are the prompts:

• Day 1 - TBR - These books are all waiting patiently on my shelves for me to read them.
• Day 2 - Dragons - How could I not feature the cover of my copy of The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien? It's a beautiful picture of a dragon. Also, I had a ton of fun creating this aesthetic.
• Day 3 - Magic - I scoured my shelves for books to use in this aesthetic. My daughter owns all the Harry Potter books but they're all packed up for now. And I don't really go for 'magic' per se when I'm looking for books to buy. I had a few that qualified, though. :)
• Day 4 - Mermaids - I discovered I have even less books on mermaids. I was kind of shocked, actually, because I do love the concept. I chose to showcase one of my digital books for this one and I think it turned out really well. If you haven't read Finding Mera by Elizabeth D Marie yet, what are you waiting for? It's an excellent fairytale retelling of The Little Mermaid, part of her Crown of Stars series. I've linked to her website so you can see all the books and find out where you can get your own copy of each.
• Day 5 - Royalty - I had to laugh because most of the fantasy books I have about royalty have a heavy focus on animals. I managed to find a couple about people, though. King Lear was a difficult read and I have to be honest and say I dropped it as soon as I could. Tragedies, especially ridiculous and preventable tragedies, are just a waste of time and a major frustration for me. I was also very happy to include "Twilight Shadows" in this stack, another awesome example of indie author excellence. If you haven't checked out C.H. Knyght's Nightvision series yet, then you should click her name to visit her IG page, or click here to visit her website. She's a fantasy author who puts her all into writing!
• Day 6 - Familiars - This was a difficult stack to compile. Familiars are usually animals, but when you think that familiars are also demons in some interpretations (mine included), I found another one that fit the stack.
  

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#1WordPromptChallenge Days 1 - 6

This challenge is always hosted by @mjvaughn1_author on IG. I've linked the challenge photo to their IG post on the topic. Here's the list of prompts and my sentence containing the word (or synonym) for each:

• Day 1: Before - Rather than a sentence with 'before', I'm sharing a before picture that represents my current WIP at the beginning of this month.
• Day 2: Love - I love, love, LOVE, a good, hot beaker of kafkhet. - This line is taken from a character interview worksheet I'm completing for my MC. Kafkhet is the equivalent of coffee in Y'Dahnndrya.
• Day 3: Hate - I really hate the cold weather of Nishi and Ikishi. - I don't know if I'd discussed the seasons (dahlsikin) of Y'Dahnndrya before on the blog. Nishi and Ikishi (whose spellings may change before the book gets published) are the two coldest seasons (the dahlsikin of ice and storms respectively), and it's no surprise my MC would dislike them. She'd rather be outside but no one goes outside much during these two seasons.
• Day 4: Whole - I didn't have a sentence for this one. I barely got to write at all on day 4, but I managed to get started on Kol Udota's character interview. But neither this word nor an equivalent showed up in what I wrote, at least, not that I could find. 
• Day 5 - Piece - This is a snippet from a little writing I did yesterday. It's extra stuff, not intended to go any further than my own files, at least, at this point. Who knows? Maybe sometimes down the road I'll find it useful. You can also read it down below in the quote box.
• Day 6 - Mercy - See below for the full snippet from The Tale of Outh'n Durr, chapter two. I'm trying to get that initial edit done so I can post it on Wattpad either this weekend or early next week. The opening scene just so happened to fit the prompt for today. You guys get to read more of it than my IG followers. I can only fit so much on my laptop screen. *shrugs* Please let me know what you think in the comments below. I'd love to hear from you.
  

Ah! There now. He'd seen her. Good! She was glad she'd chosen to wear her newest clothes for market day. Glad she'd donned sylvrin beads in her darkest blue locks. She raised her chin, daring him to do his worst, blue-black eyes clashing with burning orange. - taken from Dara's Determination by Robin McElveen

As they reached the door, it swung open bathing him in the searing light and warmth of the suns. He cowered as sharp rays lanced past his eyes, strengthening the throbbing behind his right ear and at his temples. He howled at the fierceness of it and gripped his head between his hands again. His eyes streamed and burned at the intensity, making walking more difficult. Through the torment, he barely registered the strike of a staff on his legs and back.
“That’s enough, Garrik,” a gruff voice reprimanded the guard.
“But, Senya, this prisoner isn't —” the guard’s complaint was cut off by a resounding crunch.
“I said that’s enough. He can barely walk as it is.”
“As you say,” Garrik growled back as he stumbled off to one side. The guard hovered near enough to catch Outh’n if he tried to run, though the younger man shuddered at the thought of all those jarring footfalls.
A gentle hand clasped his shoulder, startling him, belying the sharpness of moments before. “Come Outh’n Durr. I will see you to the gathering hall.”
Outh’n stood up straighter, though his hands still cradled his head. The throbbing had increased and he was afraid it might roll off his shoulders. “Thank you,” he murmured and waited for the man’s introduction.
“I am Bazhbet Mehya of Chefvna, called in for special deliberation on your behalf, youngling. Your parents must love you much to send so far away for help.” - taken from The Tale of Outh'n Durr, chapter 2 by Robin McElveen

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#SelfEditing Update

I've been working hard on my character profiles, digging deep into the characters in Surge and The Tale of Outh'n Durr. Elzevera Koenderink of Willow Editing suggests working from the big picture down to the small details when tackling a self-editing project. That way, glaring inconsistencies can be fixed before dealing with small details that make a big impact on the reader, such as grammar and style.
So I've been using Campfire Pro to put together files I can refer back to when I have questions about how my characters will react in any given situation. What I really like about this is the ability to transfer all this info into a PDF file when it's complete.
I can't wait to get to the world building part but if I'm following a method to see how it works for me, then I need to stick to the plan provided so I can give an honest review/opinion. I'd want someone to be that meticulous if they were doing the same for me. :)

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I've been working on chapter two of Outh'n Durr's story, but for now, I hope you'll enjoy the background I've been able to share with you from my characters' profiles and the short snippets. I'll see y'all next Friday and hope to have a new chapter or two posted on Wattpad by then. Y'all have a blessed and safe weekend!

*****I am still not affiliated with any company or product. All links to all websites or products are shared simply because I wanted to. I will not get any money for sharing these links with you.*****