April A -Z Challenge - Theme Reveal

Things We Appreciate

“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all,”

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

It’s almost time for the Challenge that everyone has been talking – or at least, thinking - about since the last one! The (Blogging from) A –Z April 2018 Challenge begins on Sunday, April 1^st, so there’s still time to sign up and help us break another participation record!

Check out how it all began and welcome to my Theme Reveal!

In light of the current communications climate, it’s easy to ascertain that it’s not just the weather that might be changing. While contemplating the upcoming A to Z challenge one day, a morning news show droned on in the background as I re-filled Hummingbird feeders at the sink. When the newscasters had not a single inspirational piece of information to offer in at least 15 minutes, I turned the TV off in disgust and flipped on the overhead sink light as a cloud parked in front of the sun. That’s when I was instantly inspired by the oddest, yet most rudimentary source:

I love kitchen sink lights!

As simple as that, I had been inspired by something I appreciated, something that made me smile. Additionally, I’m pleased to report that I’ve not lost a single fork or spoon to the disposal since installing the sink lighting. 

And here’s another light; which goes by several names, that gets a lot of appreciation around here: 

Has it ever come in handy for you? What do you call it?

See where I’m going with this? If I can appreciate even one thing every day of the month, I could be inspired all summer! Stop on by and add to my list as I participate in this year’s April A-Z Challenge!

Happy Blogging!

Confessions and Awakenings

Welcome Writers! And Happy Cereal Day, everyone! Have you had your bowl today? 

There is so much to celebrate this month, and not the least of which is today, and here’s why:   Take a look around our awesome group by clicking the links below and check out the many fantastic resources offered by the Insecure Writers Support Group, founded by Alex Cavanaugh, right here and right now on this first Wednesday of the month, when IWSG members convene through blogging, Facebook, and Twitter to talk about whatever is on our writing minds and agendas. See what we’re all talking about here. 

As for me:

So far, I’m achieving my goal of at least 1400 words per week. Granted, once in a while that may or may not include a creatively crafted shopping list, i.e., Dishwasher pillows, Coffee buddies, Dog cookies, Rabbit food, and Carnivore essentials.

 

National Ghostwriter’s Week:

Do you know what Alexander Dumas, Ian Fleming, Tom Clancy and Michael Crichton all had in common? They all worked with ghostwriters. I considered ghostwriting once, briefly. The loneliness of secrecy seemed too high a price for too little pay. But is it really? Could a ghost also be a star in his/her own right? Author of over 80 books and one of the most sought-after ghosts in the world, Andrew Crofts sheds some favorable light on the once considered dark craft of ghostwriting in his 2014 memoir “Confessions Of A Ghostwriter.”  

National Women’s History Month:

After losing both her husband and mother in the course of a year, Kate Chopin; mother of six was left with enormous debt and deeply depressed. She took up writing as prescribed by her physician, for therapy, as well as possible income. Indeed, her stories appeared in periodicals and literary magazines, though providing little income. And writing did prove to be the perfect outlet for her “extraordinary energy.” Her second novel and best-known work “The Awakening” was met with mostly unfavorable reviews and subsequently put out of print for 70 years! Critics claimed she was too far ahead of her time for her subject matter (southern feminism) to be embraced. The novel is now considered an American classic and lauded for its bold sophistication and artistry.

I can’t imagine having to be advised to write, can you?

If you could eliminate one word or phrase from the English language, what would it be? 

Happy Writing!