Week 22 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Today is the 22nd Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

#WritingWednesday is an EASY, STRESS-FREE, weekly writing challenge.

* Read the writing prompt below,
* Spend 5 minutes writing whatever comes to mind, &
* DON'T EDIT what you write! No need for perfection!

The goal is 5 minutes of creativity!

Today I am writing in the voice of Stella, a character in a series I’m currently writing. 

Today’s writing prompt: 

What is the first thing you do when you wake up every morning?

My name is Stella. Every morning I wake up, in my ten-foot by ten-foot white room, to the sound of an alarm blaring just outside my door at precisely 5:45am. I have fifteen minutes to go to the bathroom, brush my teeth and hair, and change into a freshly cleaned uniform.

At 6:00am the guards open my bedroom door and escort me down a long corridor to the stairwell. We don’t take the elevator; they say the exercise stimulates active brain function. No, we take the stairs down seven floors into the sub-basement of the corporate offices of Operation Atlas. Once there, and only for about ten minutes while we change shifts, I get to see one of the other watchmen.

There are four of us, four watchmen. We work in shifts of six-hours at a time. I’m the youngest, so I start at exactly 6:30am and end at 12:30pm on the dot. They never leave any of us hooked into the system longer than six hours. They don’t say why, but I have a feeling I wouldn’t want to know the reason anyway.

At 12:20pm the next watchmen comes in and they start the shift change protocol. I’m out of the room at exactly 12:30pm and escorted back up the staircase and back to my room.

© 2019 Nina Soden

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Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!  

What is the first thing you do when you wake up every morning?

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Would you like more sources for daily writing inspiration and prompts? Click on the images below for great writing journals and/or prompts I think you’ll really love!

* * * * * 

Are you an author who is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all your writing goals? Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all the tools I use in my writing process!

Are you working on a manuscript, but need a little help getting organized? Check out SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ~ An Indie Author Guide to Outlining and Planning Your Next Novel

It isn’t just for indie-authors. I have filled it with all the tools I’ve learned over the years and use on a regular basis with each book I write

Want help meeting your writing goals? Check out JUST WRITE: The Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal

Track your project progress along with daily and monthly word count goals/actuals. Plan your writing and publishing goals, maintain your personal/business to do list, never miss another deadline or appointment again, keep track of writing ideas, schedule and log social sharing and blog post ideas, keep a record of books you’re reading or want to read, maintain a running playlist, etc.


My Car To Your Door by Nina Soden

Image by Peter H from Pixabay

The walk is a little long, but I don’t care. Thinking of what I might say when I get there.

The wind blows through the trees and on my face. With each step, I speed up my pace.

Anticipation begins to boil deep within. Hold back, I cannot, this grin.

I know I should just turn around. But then your voice, I remember the sound.

I picture you there standing proud. My mind wants to scream out loud.

For a moment I stop, still in the night.

Go forward, turn back! My mind begins to fight.

Reluctant I turn and head back to my car. Knowing the house was not nearly as far.

I remember the way you listen. Then, again my eyes glisten.

Toward your door I hurry on to see. Once there what will become of me?

Up the stairs I slowly go. Are you home? I don’t even know.

I knock on the door and my heart begins to race. Then, all of a sudden everything stops when I see your face.

The walk is a little long, but I don’t care. Thinking of what I might say when I get there.

Dedicated to my amazing husband. I love you today and always.

(c) copyright 2008 ~ Nina Soden

For more poems, check out by collection on Amazon: Private Words Unspoken

#Theredheadedauthor Presents the July 2019 New York Times TOP 10 Best Sellers – FICTION

As an avid reader of fiction (and an author who one day hopes to make the list) I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE checking out the New York Times Best Seller list. So, here it is… The independently ranked top 10 Fiction selections for JULY 2019!

If you’ve read any of the TOP 10 selections and recommend them, please comment below and let me know. If you see something you like and plan to pick up a copy, you can do so by clicking on the title or the (BUY IT HERE) button.


#1 Summer of ’69

by Elin Hilderbrand

The Levin family undergoes dramatic events with a son in Vietnam, a daughter in protests and dark secrets hiding beneath the surface.


ARE YOU READY FOR AMAZON PRIME DAY?

#2 Where the Crawdads Sing

by Delia Owens

TEXTIn a quiet town on the North Carolina coast in 1969, a young woman who survived alone in the marsh becomes a murder suspect.TEXT


#3 The Reckoning

by John Grisham

TEXTA decorated World War II veteran shoots and kills a pastor inside a Mississippi church.TEXT


#4 City of Girls

by Elizabeth Gilbert

An 89-year old Vivian Morris looks back at the direction her life took when she entered the 1940s New York theater scene.


#5 Mrs. Everything

by Jennifer Weiner

The story of two sisters, Jo and Bethie Kaufman, and their life experiences as the world around them changes drastically from the 1950s.


Want to read the TOP 10 on a Kindle?


#6 Before We Were Yours

by Lisa Wingate

A South Carolina lawyer learns about the questionable practices of a Tennessee orphanage.


#7 Unsolved

by James Patterson and David Ellis

A string of seemingly accidental and unrelated deaths confound F.B.I. agent Emmy Dockery.


#8 Little Fires Everywhere

by Celeste Ng

An artist with a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo upends a quiet town outside Cleveland.


#9 The Tattooist of Auschwitz

by Heather Morris

A concentration camp detainee tasked with permanently marking fellow prisoners falls in love with one of them.


#10 Good Omens

by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Aziraphale, an angel and rare-book dealer, and his demon friend Crowley try to circumvent the end of the world.


Dealing with Grief ~ #MindfulnessMonday 7/1/2019

Today’s #MindfulnessMonday Tip: Mindfulness can be very beneficial when dealing with loss and getting through times of grief.

Three Mindful Strategies to Help You Recover from Loss and Get You Through Times of Grief:

  1. Quiet Reflection – Sometimes the best way to get past loss and deal with grief is by facing it head on. Find a quiet place to reflect on the lost loved one, remember them as they were in your life, hold onto those memories and allow yourself to feel the sadness and embrace it. Once you have accepted the grief you may find it easier to move past it. That loss may never go away, but your heart will start to heal making it a little bit easier each and every day.
  2. Center yourself – When the waves of sadness and grief fell overwhelming use slow deep breathing to get through the helplessness that often comes with the grief. This will help you stay grounded and bring you back to the present moment.
  3. Practice Mindfulness – Loss and grief are cyclical, like the seasons. Even when we are in the middle of an extreme winter, we know that summer will eventually come. We learn to push through those cold, sometimes unbearable, winter days because we know there is something to look forward to on the other end. The same is true for grief. Today, your grief may seem unbearable, but a month from now… six months from now… a year from now… little by little that pain will start to subside and eventually, you’ll be able to look back on the memories of your lost loved one with joy and not sadness.

Check out today’s #MindfulnessMonday video HERE!

Today’s Mindfulness Exercise:

60-Second Breathing Meditation

Your breath is a great tool to help train your mind to focus your thoughts, center yourself, and push through stress, anxiety, pain, loss, and of course grief. Whenever you start to feel your mind wander or become overloaded use this two-step meditation to bring you back to the present.


Step 1 – Notice your breathing. Pay attention to the sensation of the air around you; how it feels as it enters your nose then travels down into your lungs. Pay attention to the rise and fall of your chest and abdomen as the air moves in and out of your body. Don’t change the way you breathe, let the air move in and out as it normally would, just be aware of the sensations involved with the act of breathing.

Step 2 – Count your breaths. The first breath in and out is 1, the next breath in and out is 2, continue until you reach a full ten to fifteen breaths. As you relax, your breaths will get longer. This exercise should take you about a minute to complete. If you’re still feeling stressed after ten to fifteen breaths, continue the exercise until those feelings have passed.

Mindfulness Grief Journaling:

Step 1 – Take 5 minutes to write down what you’re feeling.  There is no wrong way to complete this exercise so don’t worry about being judged. This is for you and you alone.

Step 2 – Take 5 minutes to write down how the person you lost makes you feel when you think of the memories you shared.

The point of this exercise it to acknowledge the grief and accept the feelings you’re having, but to also remember the good times and end on a positive note that honors your loved one.

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Check out my #MindfulnessMonday YouTube Series and don’t forget to click subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Dealing with Grief!

Stress Is A 6 Letter Word

Mindfulness Myths

Mindfulness Isn’t MAGIC!

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Would you like to take the 52-week challenge and experience a more mindful existence? Check out The Invisible You ~ 52 Weeks of Meditations, Activities, and Writing Prompts to Help you Discover You!

I’m certified in Holistic Stress Management and Mind/Body Fitness. I’ve been practicing Mindfulness for 10+ years and am passionate about helping others in their pursuit of a more mindful existence.

Photo by: Mikel Healy

Week 21 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Today is the 21st Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

Remember, #WritingWednesday is an EASY, STRESS-FREE, weekly writing challenge.

  • Read the writing prompt below,
  • Spend 5 minutes writing (in your own voice or the voice of a character you’re writing) whatever comes to mind,
  • DON’T EDIT what you write! IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT!

The goal is 5 minutes of creativity.

Today I am writing in my own voice.

Today’s writing prompt:

What are you feeling, right now!

I'm drunk ~
Not on alcohol or even love.
I'm drunk ~
Grief pulls me under and rattles my shell.
I'm drunk ~
It's not a tipsy sort of dizziness.
I'm drunk ~
It's a heavy, sinking feeling sweeping over me.
I'm drunk ~
Hollow... Senseless... Desperation
I'm drunk ~
Vacant... Void... Agony
I'm drunk ~
Plummeting... Falling... Sinking
I'm drunk ~
It's the sting of your loss pulling me under!
I'M DRUNK!

Dedicated to my Uncle Dan (Danny Tapaninen Feb. 19, 1955 – June 24, 2019) You will forever be in my heart!

© 2019 Nina Soden


Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with! 

What are you feeling, right now?


Are you an author who is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all your writing goals? Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all the tools I use in my writing process!

Are you working on a manuscript, but need a little help getting organized? Check out SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ~ An Indie Author Guide to Outlining and Planning Your Next Novel

It isn’t just for indie-authors. I have filled it with all the tools I’ve learned over the years and use on a regular basis with each book I write

.

Want help meeting your writing goals? Check out JUST WRITE: The Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE AND DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpT3nSZ13WwQ0KFDroYj_kg



Week 20 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Today is the 20th Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

Remember, #WritingWednesday is an EASY, STRESS-FREE, weekly writing challenge.

  • Read the writing prompt below,
  • Spend 5 minutes writing (in your own voice or the voice of a character you’re writing) whatever comes to mind,
  • DON’T EDIT what you write! IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT!

The goal is 5 minutes of creativity.

Today I am writing in the voice of Tommas, one of the characters in the novel I am currently outlining. I’m not sure if this will be a selection in the novel, or just part of my character development journal.

Today’s writing prompt:

What modern technological device takes up most of your time?

My life is essentially ruled by one device, the metabolic piezoelectric sensor version 5.3. It’s a small device I wear on my chest to detect the changes in vibration levels throughout my body. It connects to my nervous system, through a series of wires attached at the ends with sticky nodes, and transmits data directly to a central computer at the corporate offices of Operation Atlas. There, a team of medical professionals monitor my health and another team monitors my every move.

I haven’t always worked for Operation Atlas; I used to be free. It wasn’t until some of the younger metamorphs were discovered that the company was developed and the hunt began. It’s my job, if I want to survive, to locate others like me… others with powers that the organization deems useful. Not all metamorphs are high priority but those that are, like the oracles, the psychokinetic, and the incendiaries they assign to me.

© 2019 Nina Soden

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Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with! 

What modern technological device takes up most of your time?

* * * * * 

Are you an author who is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all your writing goals? Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all the tools I use in my writing process!

Are you working on a manuscript, but need a little help getting organized? Check out SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ~ An Indie Author Guide to Outlining and Planning Your Next Novel

It isn’t just for indie-authors. I have filled it with all the tools I’ve learned over the years and use on a regular basis with each book I write.

Want help meeting your writing goals? Check out JUST WRITE: The Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal

Sections in this comprehensive planner include, but are not limited to: 
* Future Log
* Year at a Glance
* Books to Read
* Writing Playlist
* Social Sharing
* Monthly Goals
* Daily/Monthly Word Count Tracker
* To-Do Lists
* Shopping Lists
* Notes Pages, Etc.

COVER REVEAL ~ WHIZZERS by Michael J. Sahno

WHIZZERS by Michael J. Sahno
A recovering alcoholic, Mike, discovers his six-year-old cousin, David, travels through time as a whizzer to bring comfort to those in need. Mike soon finds himself along for the ride, and while he gets the opportunity to bring solace to some of his greatest heroes, he must also confront his own greatest demons.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

BLOG TOUR DATES/LINKS:

7/19 – Tony Riches – tonyriches.com

7/20 – Fiona McVie – authorsinterviews.wordpress.com

7/21 – Jacob Rundle – jacobrundle.com

7/23 – Nina Soden – ninasoden.wordpress.com

7/24 – Kimberly Hunt – revisiondivision.com

7/25 – Els Ebraert – bforbookreview.wordpress.com

7/26 – Lisa Arpino-Hodorovych – quoththewriterbookreviews.com

7/31 – Christina “DZA” Marie – dzamarie.com

Week 19 – #WritingWednsday Challenge (1 day late)

Today is the 19th Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

Remember, #WritingWednesday is an EASY, STRESS-FREE, weekly writing challenge.

  • Read the writing prompt below,
  • Spend 5 minutes writing (in your own voice or the voice of a character you’re writing) whatever comes to mind,
  • DON’T EDIT what you write! IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT!

The goal is 5 minutes of creativity.

Today I am writing in my own voice!

Today’s writing prompt:

What do you need right now?

Time! I need time.

It’s Thursday afternoon and usually I post my weekly Writing Wednesday post on, well… Wednesday. Unfortunately, or maybe luckily, I was on vacation this last week and my blog got put on the back burner. I think we all need a little me time, but right about now, I need more work time.

I’m trying to catch up, with everything. I have a stack of books about a mile high that I need to get through, a list of movies about two miles long that I need to watch and review, a number of author interview requests, blog posts to set up, and a self-publishing course to create.

So yeah, I need time. If you have any extra that you’d like to loan me, I’d forever be in your debt.

© 2019 Nina Soden

* * * * * 

Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with! 

What do you need right now?

* * * * * 

Would you like more sources for daily writing prompts? Click on the links below for great writing prompt journals I think you’ll really love!

This Self-Discovery Journal provides more than 200 thoroughly unique & enjoyable writing prompts. Skyrocket your self-esteem, develop your creativity and explore all area’s of life: Writing Prompts about your love life, Writing Prompts to better deal with social anxiety’s
Writing Prompts for finding empowering strategies to deal with worries, stress and failures.
And much, much more
Do you want to know yourself better? Self-discovery and self-revelation aren’t easy. With simple but provocative questions about wishes and fears, memories and beliefs, secrets and dreams, All About Me will reveal everything you ever wanted to know about yourself but never thought—or dared—to ask. Whether you fill it in or answer questions out loud, this is the perfect gift for your friends, your family, your loved one… and you.

* * * * * 

Are you an author who is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all your writing goals? Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all the tools I use in my writing process!

Are you working on a manuscript, but need a little help getting organized? Check out SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ~ An Indie Author Guide to Outlining and Planning Your Next Novel

It isn’t just for indie-authors. I have filled it with all the tools I’ve learned over the years and use on a regular basis with each book I write.

Want help meeting your writing goals? Check out JUST WRITE: The Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal

JUST WRITE is the Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal designed as a planner-journal hybrid to help new and experienced writers stay organized while still fostering creativity. Track your project progress, plan your writing and publishing goals, maintain your personal/business to do list, never miss another deadline or appointment again, keep track of writing ideas, schedule and log social sharing and blog post ideas, keep a record of books you’re reading or want to read, maintain a running playlist, etc.

About to Cry by Nina Soden

If I should cry, my eyes would know, all the feelings I didn’t let show.

If I should cry, my eyes would see, all of the things I neglected to be.

If I should cry, my heart would hear, all of the secrets I hold dear.

If I should cry, my heart would feel, all of the things that can never be real.

Dedicated to my family, those alive and those lost.

(c) copyright 2008 ~ Nina Soden

For more poems, check out by collection on Amazon: Private Words Unspoken

Author Interview ~ Mansu Edwards

I’d like to welcome Mansu Edwards, co-author of Plush Couches, as a guest to my blog.

Let’s start by just getting to know you a little before we dive into Plush Couches and find out what your story is all about.

  • What is your name and do you write under a pen name? Omar Glenn. My pen name is Mansu Edwards
  • Where do you call home? Brooklyn
  • Obviously, we know you are an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do? I’m a Brand Ambassador. It’s a freelance gig. I’m very good at what I do. It’s cool.
  • What is your family like? My father likes reading online news articles. My mother watches movies on the Internet.
  • If it doesn’t bother you, can you let us know what your childhood home looked like? My room was plastered with hip hop posters. I had the N.E.S. and S.N.E.S. consoles and video games. The apartment was cool. It was a typical apartment.
  • Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy reading and visiting new places in New York City. Also, I enjoy watching videos, listening to music and podcasts on YouTube.
  • What is your greatest dream? To leave a positive and powerful legacy.
  • What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you? Nothing is stopping me. Right now, I’m transforming into the person God wants me to be.
  • Not to pry too much, but do you remember your first love? My first love is food. I love to eat.
  • What is the most terrible thing that ever happened to you? I had an Asthma attack in the 2nd or 3rd grade. My Mother took me to the hospital.
  • What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing? When I was young, I loved school writing assignments. It gave me the opportunity to use my imagination. I’ve been writing for 10 plus years.
  • What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not? I was a big wrestling fan. I wanted to become a Wrestler. I discovered that Wrestling was scripted and I think that’s what swayed me away from pursuing it. I eventually replaced it with video games and Hip Hop.
  • Who is your role model? Jay-Z, M.F. Doom, Jay Electronica
  • What is your greatest fear? Not having enough time to achieve all my goals.
  • Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? Paperbacks.
  • Have you ever read a book more than once? If so, what was it? Yes. “As A Man Thinketh” by James Allen
  • What is your opinion of novellas? I like an engaging story. A great story doesn’t have to be 200+ pages. Quality is key.
  • Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? Yes.
  • What is your favorite film based on a book? The Talented Mr. Ripley
  • What is your favorite book genre at the moment? I don’t have one.
  • What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why? “Outwitting The Devil” by Napoleon Hill. I like reading self-improvement books.
  • What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? I’m reading, “How To Talk To Anyone At Work”. Paperback.
  • If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why? Nipsey Hussle, Jay-Z, Ghostface Killah, Bishop Nehru. I would invite them because they’re innovative risk takers. Our ideas can change the trajectory of the Art world.

Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.

  • What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say? The name of my most recent book is “Plush Couches”. On the way to a job interview, Rio Akuba experiences a critical and unsettling case of gas on the train after eating organic, Sweety Berry Bears.
  • Is the above book part of a series? No.
  • How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)? That’s a good question. I believe I left the idea up to the Illustrator.
  • Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? I didn’t listen to music while writing “Plush Couches”.
  • How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? God gave me the title.
  • Do you have a book trailer? If so, where can we watch it? I don’t have a book trailer.
  • In your latest novel, who is the lead character and can you tell us a little about him/her? The main character is Rio. He’s unambitious and lives with his parents. Rio is the type who needs external motivation to take action.
  • What is your character’s greatest strengths? His greatest strength is emotionally connecting with people.
  • And what are his/her greatest weaknesses?  He’s too dependent. He doesn’t trust himself.
  • What are some of his/her favorite foods? He doesn’t have any favorite foods.
  • What’s a positive quality that your character is unaware that he or she has? He’s observant and perceptive.
  • Will readers like or dislike this character, and why? Readers will like the character because he’s charismatic and witty.
  • What first gave you the idea for your latest book? God gave me the idea.

Let’s talk now about your writing process.

  • What is your writing style like? Are you a pantster or a plotter? I’m a Panster. I prefer writing the story instead of using an outline. It’s more enjoyable.
  • Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing? What would you do differently the next time? My challenge is selecting the best idea from several. I’m still looking for a solution to the problem.
  • Are you a self-published/Indie author or did you publish through a traditional publishing company? I’m a self-published, indie author.
  • If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route? I spent an exorbitant amount of money with a Vanity Publisher which made me switch to self-publishing.
  • What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? Finish the story. It’s only a draft.
  • Where can your readers follow you? . www.twitter.com/Ohassa, Instagram: @mansuedwards , www.facebook.com/Ohassa