Tag Archives: blog

Week 1 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

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As promised, today is the first edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

write1#WritingWednesday is an easy, stress-free, writing exercise. Or if you prefer, we can call it a weekly writing challenge! All you have to do is read the writing prompt below and then spend 5 minutes writing. Don’t edit yourself as you go! Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, etc. You can choose to respond to the question/writing prompt literally or you can respond through the voice of a character you are currently writing. Remember, it is important that this be a stress-free activity. So, DON’T EDIT yourself as you write. The goal is 5 minutes of creativity.

IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT!!!

Today, I’ve elected to write in the voice of Sophie, a character from the manuscript I am currently working on, The Beast Within! 

Today’s writing prompt:

What is your favorite way to spend a lazy day?

Saturday, just another day spent at home alone. I’d go out, but the streets of Seattle haven’t been all that safe lately. With three murders in less than four months, all within walking distance of my apartment, I’ve taken to staying home with the doors securely locked.

I can hear Ms. Jenkins banging around in her kitchen next door and wonder if she realizes how thin the walls really are. Then the smells hit me, she’s cooking spaghetti. Not the kind of spaghetti you get from a jar either, this is the real deal. I haven’t had a home cooked meal like that since I left Alabama and my stomach starts to rumble. 

knock–knock–knock.

I wasn’t expecting any visitors, but Kim, my only friend, didn’t have the same reservations about going out that I had. She had lived in Seattle a lot longer than me and she happily walked the mile from her place to mine, on a regular basis, day or night. 

“What are you doing?” Kim asked, as she pushed her way around me and into my small one-bedroom apartment.

“Just working…” I said, a bit hesitant. Kim wasn’t just a friend, she was also my boss and although I loved my job down at her shop, what I really wanted to do was programing. That’s the other reason I spend all my extra time locked up in my apartment, a slave to my laptop and the crazy world-building game I’ve been developing. 

* * * * * 

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 your favorite way to spend a lazy day?

It’s been to long…

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OK, I’ll be the first to admit that I am NOT a very dedicated blogger. It’s true, I can’t lie and say that I am. The thing is, when I have spear time… time that isn’t already committed to work, dedicated to my family, or taken up by housework, I AM WRITING! 

The proof is in the pudding… or the publication date. lol

I’ve been writing since 2010. My first novel, Awaken, took just under 2 years start to finish. I had no idea what I was doing or how to do it, but I learned. It got easier with every book that came after.

Published Nov. 2012
Published May 2013
Published Aug. 2014

I published one novel per year from 2012 – 2014. Three books in three years, and the Blood Angel Series was born. I was more than excited. I had a system. I had dedicated beta readers, an awesome cover design artist, and an editor that understood my writing style.

Published April 2015
Published November 2015

In 2015 I was able to publish the first two books in the SECTOR C Series. This story just poured out of me. I fell in love with the characters, the strange world they lived in, and I was emotionally invested in their journey.

pursuit-front-cover-1-gold

Published October 2016

In 2016, at the request of my readers, I went back to the Blood Angel Series to tell the story of Phoebe… She was an exciting, strong, independent female character who demanded my attention. For almost a year, she took me across the country and showed me the world through her eyes. 

Published December 2017

I spent most of 2017 writing the third and final novel in the SECTOR C Series, but I’ll get to that in a minute. 2017 was also the year I decided to use my experiences to help others. After attending numerous author events, where I am inevitably asked the same questions over and over, I decided to put together 3 guides.

  1. The Invisible You – 52 Weeks of Meditations, Activities, and Writing Prompts to help you Discover You – This is a work-book style guide/journal. I use the meditations, the coloring activities, and the writing prompts on a weekly basis to help keep me centered and focused. Since starting this process, years ago, I have been able to more quickly work through, if not avoid all together, the dreaded WRITERS BLOCK!
  2. So You Want To Write A Book – An Indie Author Guide to Outlining and Planning Your Next Novel – I think this one is pretty self-explanatory… This is the book for all beginner authors, and even those that have been around the block a few times that just need a little extra help getting started or staying focused and organized when writing. 
  3. Multi-Level Network Marketing Business Tracker – Not only am I a mom with a full-time job and an author… back in 2015 I started my own business as an independent consultant for the #1 skin care brand in North America. I designed this business tracker to help me, and others within the Network Marketing field, keep track of customers, sales, and business partners. No, it isn’t for everyone, but sometimes our projects are passions and other times they are practical. This project happened to be very practical and has proven extremely useful in growing my business. 

the bridge cover

Like I said, I spent most of 2017 writing the 3rd and final novel in the SECTOR C Series, The Bridge. I love where this series takes the reader, but I’ll admit this story didn’t go where I thought it would go. I usually have a clear picture in my mind, when I start a story line, of where it will end. This series was no different, but as the story unfolded I was excited to find that it continued to surprise me. Having just been released yesterday, I am eager and excited to find out what my readers think of where Zelina and the others take us in SECTOR C ~ The Bridge. 

WHAT IS NEXT?

Honestly, I’m not 100% sure what is next. I have a couple of story ideas I’ve been playing with, but I think I might take a little time off to do some more author events, market the books I’ve already published, and work on my blog a little more. If there are topics you’d like me to discuss, I’d love your feedback. Comment below with blog topic ideas and I’ll get to work! Until then, have a beautiful February!

Mapping My Readers!

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OK, so I got this idea from another authors blog and thought – WHAT A GREAT IDEA!

worldmap-bigger-size

I’ve decided to start a little geography project with my kids and I could really use your help. Using a world map, my kids and I, are going to attempt to map out where my readers are. This will include blog followers as well as all you amazing people who have purchased a copy of one or more of my books. So, that means I need to know where you are!

How are we going to do this?

WITH YOUR HELP

As well as a bit of color coding (one color for blog readers, one color for book readers, and one color for those of you that do both)! Or maybe for the book readers I’ll have one color for each book… yeah, I don’t have it all figured out yet – its still a plan in progress.

In the comments section below this blog, please tell me if you follow my blog and/or have read one of my books or added it to your “to read” list. Then let me know where you live (City/State/Country – Or however much you are comfortable giving).

Want to have even more fun? If you are a book reader please post a photo of yourself holding a copy of my book (paperback or eBook) so the cover is showing in the photo! You can post it in the comments below, on twitter tagging me @Nina_Soden, or on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/BloodAngelSeries (Facebook search: Nina Soden – Author)

I’d like to know just where my readers are and how far my reach has gone. This is my attempt to find out from all of you, while my numbers are still small. I appreciate your help on this project as do my lovely children!

Happy Reading 🙂