Tag: life is fun

prompt, Writing

May 2023 Prompt

AJ Niblock

Let’s go!!!! I’m trying really hard this month to stay on top of my to do list. So far, things are going okay, not great, but better than the last two months.

If you’re here for a prompt, look no further:

“I wanted to believe him. I really did. But I had trusted him before, and it hadn’t worked out that well. So now when he assured me that…”

Complete the Story

I love prompts like this that are super vague. No names and no real details. This can go anywhere…

If you’re new to my page, let me tell you about my yearly writing goal. (Also, if you would like to share what you’ve written using the prompt, I would love to read it. If you want, I will even post it on my blog).

So, this year, my goal is to write 12 short stories, one each month. At some time, usually near the first half of the month, I share the prompt I’m using, and then I try to finish the story by the end of the month. This year, I’m trying to force myself to write longer stories. My word goal is 1500 per story.

At this point in the year, I’m one story behind! Hopefully I will be caught up soon. The last two months have been bananas. I was sick off and on for most of them, and we were house hunting.

House hunting is done! I still have a freakin’ cough, and it drives me crazy. But it’s getting better.

Anyway, happy reading and writing today and every day! Hope you all have a great month!!

Life, Writing

Ideas, ideas, ideas

AJ Niblock

Okay, so if you spend time working on creative projects, even if it’s just a craft project that takes time, you will undoubtably have been tempted to abandon the project and start on something new before you finish the first project.

I admit that I do this with my own craft projects. I tend to have several going at once, and I try, I really do, not to start too many at a time. I find that sometimes taking a break from something I’m not making progress on helps me approach it with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of energy.

The reason I mention this concept is that this same process can be used for my writing projects. However, now that I’ve written four books, I find myself less likely to push one to the side.

I’ve learned to keep new distracting ideas separate from whatever the main project is I’m working on. This is especially important to me when I’m drafting a new book. When I’m drafting, I don’t like to even think about other projects, I don’t read as much, and I usually get behind on my blog too.

For me, the drafting phase, when I’m putting a new story down, needs to be as distraction free as possible. I don’t know why, but for editing, I can work on other things. I think it’s probably because I can only stand to edit for a few hours a day before I need to do something else.

Anyway, I was wondering what the rest of you do with ideas so they don’t distract you?

I write them in my idea journal and save them for another day.

And on that note, go create something wonderful! Happy reading and writing today and every day!

prompt, Writing

August 2022 Prompt

AJ Niblock

August is doing that thing, again… flying by! I don’t know what I’ve been doing this month, but it isn’t anything productive. I’m okay with it though. Sometimes it’s good to just be happy.

This month I’ve been roller skating twice! It’s so much fun. I love skating! But at my age, when I fall it hurts for days and days. Luckily, I only fell once, and I’m thinking of going again soon.

Anyhow, I haven’t been drafting much because it’s about time to start editing! I can’t believe I’m about to edit my fourth novel! It’s a great feeling, but every time I get to this point, the overwhelming amount of work still to do is shocking and renders me into long straits of procrastination. I find the best way to avoid editing is to not make eye contact with the draft.

In all seriousness though, if you are here for the prompt this month, it’s about time:

The boy woke up before dawn. The horses were restless. Something wasn’t right. He rose and tiptoed quietly down the hall, careful not to wake his mother. She was exhausted after last night’s…

Complete the Story

Now get to writing!

Happy reading and writing every day!

Life, Writing

This Year So Far…

AJ Niblock

Usually about midway through the year, I sit down and assess where I’m at with my personal goals for the year. I never really got around to it this year because we moved from Kansas to Washington in June, and everything has been utter chaos until recently.

So, anyhow, let’s see how I’m doing. These are my goals for the year:

  1. Read 40 books
    • I’m doing well on my yearly reading goal. I’ve read 28 books so far, and according to the tracker on goodreads, that puts me two books ahead of my goal right now. Yipee!
  2. Write the 2nd novel in my series
    • Working on this one, slowly but surely. I didn’t work on it from May till July because the move was nuts, but I’m at it again, making slow progress.
  3. Sell the house we own
    • Not yet. Our renters keep postponing their move out. The world is nuts right now, what can you do?
  4. Stop drinking soda
    • I stopped for a while and then started again, and now I’m back to not drinking it again. It’s my weakness!!
  5. Write 12 short stories
    • I am running a bit behind on this one. I haven’t finished my story for August yet, so I’m running one month behind at this point.
  6. Finish the Grimm Fairy Tales SAL
    • This is a cross stitch project I’m working on. It’s getting there, but I’m not caught up. There is a new section released each month, and I’m a few months behind at this point. UGH!
  7. Finish my gift for Mindy
    • DONE! One small victory! (You can see it below).
  8. Finish my flower needlework
    • Still working on this one. I’ve made really good progress on this since I moved it into the living room. I’ve been working on it when I watch tv at night.
  9. Move
    • DONE. This was a big victory and the single most awful move my family has endured.

So, honestly, things are going okay. I wish I were done with a few more of these, but I’m working on them. I hope everyone else is reaching their goals despite the obstacles of life right now.

Happy reading and writing!

This is the gift I made for my sister.
Life, Writing

Well…

AJ Niblock

Life is super weird right now! I’m sure many of you feel the same. For me, this “stay at home” situation hasn’t changed my day to day too much. I’m very introverted anyway, and I’m a stay at home mom who works part-time from home.

The biggest change is that my child now doesn’t have school for the rest of the year! And she is always here. Always. I love her but I’m used to some part of each of my day being quiet. We’ll get through this though. 🙂

In addition, because I’m now with her all the time, I haven’t found as much time for those things that I do when it’s quiet — including writing.

I’m going to try and carve out some time each day starting next week that is my “work” time. She is 11 and can spend time in her room.

I hope everyone is okay. Stay safe! Try to stay healthy! And try not to lose your minds!

Happy reading and writing this month!

I drew a dino today on my driveway!
Life

Random Fun – Renaissance Fair in Kansas City

AJ Niblock

This is one of those random blog posts that I sometimes write about random things that I’m a fan of.

This time of year is one of my favorites – Ren Fair season in Kansas City! My daughter and I absolutely love the renaissance fair. We go almost every weekend during the month and a half it’s open in our area.

We even get all dressed up. One of our favorite parts is looking for handmade items to add to our costumes from the vendors at the fair. We rarely leave without at least one new treasure.

You may be thinking, “What’s the point of even going?” Honestly, it’s just fun. I don’t care if it has any other point than that. We love any reason to wear a costume. We also love seeing what costumes other people create.

Perhaps the biggest reason we love it though is that we get to “nerd out” (as my daughter is fond of saying) in an environment where most people are doing the same thing and that lends it a very safe feeling. Sometimes it’s nice to just be around people who enjoy the same type of novelty fun as you.

If you haven’t ever been, you should give it a try. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but try it at least once before you decide that. My first time at one was only 4 years ago, and I have gone every year since. We’ve even been to ones in other states.

Anyway, happy reading, writing, and ren fairing this month!