19 – EAT CAKE!

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Nina Soden

Today’s #MindfulnessMonday Tip: Eat cake! Withholding dessert and other treats can lead to overeating and/or emotional eating.

Check out today’s #MindfulnessMonday video and find out why you should EAT CAKE! You can check out the video by clicking HERE!

Today’s Mindfulness Exercise
Mindful Eating!

Mindful Eating is not a diet, it is eating with awareness. It uses a form of meditation called mindfulness, which helps you acknowledge and manage your emotions and physical sensations. Using this approach will help you reach a state of full awareness to your experiences, cravings, and physical cues when you’re eating.

Practice using all of your senses when eating and choose foods that are both satisfying and nourishing.

Practicing Mindful Eating Involves:

Acknowledging that there is no right or wrong way to eat.
Accepting that there are different degrees of awareness surrounding your experience with food.
Accepting that everyone’s eating experiences are unique and personal to them.
Giving your full attention to eating in the moment in order to avoid over eating and emotional eating.
Recognizing how and why you make choices involving food.
Developing healthy habits in the selection of your food to improve your overall health and well-being.
Promoting a healthy balance.

For today’s exercise, select a healthy snack (fruit, raw vegetables, cheese and crackers, etc.) and spend a few minutes of total focus and concentration while eating. What does the food look like, smell like, feel like, taste like? How does it make you feel as you eat it? How do you feel about your food selection? Why did you choose that snack?

Mindfulness Journaling Prompt:

After you’ve completed the Mindful Eating exercise, take a couple of minutes of quiet time to write out your answers to the questions above. Then, make a list of healthy snack selections to use as substitutes the next time you’re feeling stressed, emotional, or just looking for a midnight snack.

Remember, there is no wrong way to eat but making healthy food choices can make a huge difference in your overall health both mentally and physically. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a slice of cake, a cupcake, a bowl of pudding, or whatever your sweet-tooth desires. Just be mindful of your choices and make sure you reach for the healthy snacks more than the less than desirable choices. When we restrict ourselves to the point of denying things like cake and ice cream completely, we tend to binge eat those things due to stress, depression, and other emotional eating triggers.

Mindfulness journaling can be very private. However, if you are willing to share your thoughts with me and my readers, I would love to invite you to comment below and let me know what healthy snack choices you plan to make in the future.

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

EPISODE 20 ~ Eat Cake!

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Photo by: Mikel Healy

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.

GREAT MINDFULNESS RESOURCES:

MINDFULNESS FOR BEGINNERS

An Invitation to the Practice of Mindfulness
We may long for wholeness, suggests Jon Kabat-Zinn, but the truth is that it is already here and already ours. The practice of mindfulness holds the possibility of not just a fleeting sense of contentment, but a true embracing of a deeper unity that envelops and permeates our lives. With Mindfulness for Beginners you are invited to learn how to transform your relationship to the way you think, feel, love, work, and play―and thereby awaken to and embody more completely who you really are.
Here, the teacher, scientist, and clinician who first demonstrated the benefits of mindfulness within mainstream Western medicine offers a book that you can use in three unique ways: as a collection of reflections and practices to be opened and explored at random; as an illuminating and engaging start-to-finish read; or as an unfolding “lesson-a-day” primer on mindfulness practice.
Beginning and long-time meditators alike will discover in these pages a valuable distillation of the key attitudes and essential practices that Jon Kabat-Zinn has found most useful with his students, including:
• Why heartfulness is synonymous with true mindfulness
• The value of coming back to our bodies and to our senses over and over again
• How our thoughts “self-liberate” when touched by awareness
• Moving beyond our “story” into direct experience
• Stabilizing our attention and presence amidst daily activities
• Three fundamental mental factors that cause suffering
• How mindfulness heals, even after the fact
•Reclaiming our wholeness, and more
The prescription for living a more mindful life seems simple enough: return your awareness again and again to whatever is going on. But if you’ve tried it, you know that here is where all the questions and challenges really begin. Mindfulness for Beginners provides welcome answers, insights, and instruction to help us make that shift, moment by moment, into a more spacious, clear, reliable, and loving connection with ourselves and the world.
Includes a complete CD with five guided mindfulness meditations by Jon Kabat-Zinn, selected from the audio program that inspired this book.

ULTIMATE MIDFULNESS ACTIVITY BOOK (FOR KIDS AND TEENS)

Amazon #1 Best Seller! Kick-start and sustain a fun mindfulness practice with kids and teens.

“This book makes it easy and is a must have for every parent and teacher!”
– Denise Besic, Mother and Teacher

Give kids lasting life skills to de-stress and calm down, navigate difficult emotions, control impulses, focus on what matters, and nurture empathy, kindness, and joy.

In Ultimate Mindfulness Activity Book you will find:
150+ playful mindfulness activities
Tools for calm, focus, joy, kindness, and emotional intelligence and regulation
A 21-step guide to kick-start and sustain your practice together
Inspirational examples of how mindfulness makes positive change
Easy to understand explanations on how to explain mindfulness to kids and youth
A FREE audio course for grown-ups and more

THE MINDFUL EATING WORKBOOK

Establish a practice of mindful eating with actionable strategies and exercises from The Mindful Eating Workbook.

Eating mindlessly is easy―eating mindfully takes practice. The Mindful Eating Workbook offers actionable, mindfulness-based strategies and exercises to adopt a mindful eating practice and nurture a healthy relationship with food.
Vincci Tsui, a “non-diet” dietitian and certified Intuitive Eating counselor, offers step-by-step guidance to core concepts and philosophies of mindful eating. Applying theory to practice, this mindful eating workbook uses a combined approach of reflective exercises and strategies to reconnect you with your body and your needs.

The Mindful Eating Workbook includes:
Mindful eating 101 explores the lifelong benefits of eating mindfully, and outlines how you can bring this practice into your life.
Real strategies to practice mindfulness while cooking and eating, and using mindfulness to recognize your body’s signals.
Reflective exercises that include assessments, journal entries, and observation logs to keep track of your journey and progress.
Savoring flavors, intuitively nourishing your body, and appreciating food’s true purpose to provide energy―mindful eating isn’t a diet, it is a way of life. Start practicing mindful eating with The Mindful Eating Workbook.

Week 13 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Nina Soden

Today is the 13th 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 Stella, 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 area of your life do you tend to enjoy in excess instead of moderation?

I’m not really sure what that means… to enjoy in excess. I remember, when I was little, sitting on my mother’s lap and playing with her hair. It would curl around my finger like a spring. I’d pull it down then let it go and it would bounce back up perfectly into place. I remember her smell like it was yesterday. I remember the joy it brought me to sit there, snuggled in her arms, breathing her in.

Did I enjoy her touch and her attention in excess? I’m not sure. She was taken away from me so suddenly. So unexpectedly. I feel like I didn’t really enjoy her enough. I feel like I never really got to enjoy much else of life.

Don’t get me wrong, I have a good life. I’m treated well, they take care of me. They… the ones in charge… They don’t love me, not like she did, before she feared me. But they do care for me, I think.

No, I don’t think I enjoy anything in excess. I enjoy the memories I see, sometimes. Most times, they frighten me. Like the memory of Sophie and Austin. Why he would hurt her the way he did when I know he loved her… I just don’t understand it.

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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 area of your life do you tend to enjoy in excess instead of moderation?

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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

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

Author Interview -Bethany Martin

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Nina Soden

What name do you write under and is it a pen name?
Bethany Martin, which is not a pen name.

What is the name of your most recent story and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?
My story is called “The Peculiar Case of Matthias Chase” (I know, it’s a mouthful). The simplest way I can sum it up is this – a wild mix of kidnappings, demons, and sassy characters.

Is the above story part of a series or anthology?
The Peculiar Case of Matthias Chase is not part of a series, but it is part of the anthology a Door to Our Minds, which is full of other short stories written by some amazing teen authors.What or who inspired you to start writing?
Ever since fifth grade, I’ve really enjoyed writing, especially argumentative essays, however I really got into creative writing about 2 years ago, when I joined Wrecking Havoc on Paper. My friends in band, as well as author A.G. Porter, convinced me to join, and I’ve been hooked on creative writing since then.

How long have you been writing?
Like I said above, I’ve loved writing for a long time, but I suppose you could say I’ve actually been writing for just a little over two years.

How did you come up with the cover design idea/concept and who designed it?
Well, for one thing, I’m such a sucker for minimalist designs. A simple, yet intriguing cover will always interest me more than super detailed covers (not that detailed covers can’t catch my eye too). Second, because the ‘X’ seen on the cover, as well as the smoke, are such a big part of my story, I knew I needed to incorporate those. I’ve had other, different ideas, but I really think no matter what, I’ll be happiest with the cover I have now. The cover was actually designed by Amanda Orneck, the author of Sister of the Circuit.

Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your story?
I can’t think of any one song specifically, but I tend to listen to the soundtrack for Over the Garden Wall while writing, so I’m sure I listened to that at least a few times while writing this story.

How did you come up with the title for your story?
I’ve had this title from day one. In all honesty, I hadn’t even been working on this story when I came up with it. I was sitting in my friend’s room and I just said the title, sort of as a joke. However, a plot came after that, and the name just stuck.

As a reader, do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers, or audio-books?
I definitely like hard-covers most, but I see nothing wrong with a paperback. I don’t dislike e-books or audiobooks, but they’re not what I prefer at all. I like feeling actual paper and smelling a new book.

Have you ever read a book more than once? If so, what was it?
I’ve totally read the Harry Potter series a couple of times (Goblet of Fire being the one I’ve read the most). There are many other books I’ve read multiple times as well. I have nothing against reading a good book over again.

Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?
Absolutely. I oftentimes only pick up books with an interesting or aesthetically pleasing cover. Usually I’ll read the back of the book, as well as the first page, but every once in a while there are good covers that have me invested in the book all on their own.

What is your favorite film based on a book?
This is definitely a hard one. Even though I haven’t read the book, I recently watched The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on Netflix, and it was fantastic. Of course, I also love Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as a movie.

What is your favorite book genre at the moment?
Hands-down mystery/thriller. I am fascinated by true crime, so anything of that nature is a must-read for me.

What books have made it on your wish list recently?
A book I would like to read is Columbine by Dave Cullen. I picked it up at Barnes and Noble recently, and what I read of it before leaving was very interesting. Another book I’m eager to get my hands on is the second book is Marissa Meyer’s Renegades duology, Arch-Enemies. It comes out early November, and I cannot wait. Renegades was fantastic, and Meyer never disappoints, so it’s been at the top of my wish list for a while now.

What books are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
I am currently reading “Unsub” by Meg Gardiner in hardback.

If you could invite any four (4) authors (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?

Lois Lowry– her book, The Giver, is what really got me into dystopian, and I think all of her books are absolute works of art (Gathering Blue is my personal favorite).
William Pene du Bois– I read The Twenty-One Balloons when I was younger for a project, and it’s still one of my favorite books to this day. It’s such a dreamy and whimsical story, and I’m sure a conversation with du Bois would be fascinating.
Gillian Flynn– Gone Girl is probably my favorite book of all time, and talking to the genius behind it would be a dream-come-true. I’d love to talk with her over dinner about true-crime and how to write the perfect mystery. And, she can sign copies of her books for me.
J.K. Rowling– Overdone, yes, but who wouldn’t want to have a dinner party with her? Harry Potter plays a huge role in my reading journey, it would feel like a crime to not take advantage of an opportunity to chat with Rowling.

What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
The best advice I’ve been given thus far is probably not to edit as you are writing. Nina Soden told me this, and while it was definitely a struggle to adjust to, I’m glad she told me. Now, I’m not constantly being so critical to myself, therefore I can write freely and actually come up with some great ideas.

What authors inspire you?
I have loads of author inspirations, but the two biggest are A.G. Porter and Nina Soden. I’ve learned so much from working with them, and I them a lot of gratitude because of how much they have not only improved my writing, but motivated me to keep with any story I come up with.

Where can your readers follow you?
On Instagram @bethanymartinbooks and please give the Wrecking Havoc on Paper Instagram a follow, @whop.teens

If you are interested in reading The Peculiar Case of Matthias Chase and purchasing your own copy of a Door to Our Minds, fill out the information form below and I’ll be sure to email you more information as soon as the anthology is released.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Author Interview – Lilly Brown

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Nina Soden

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be introducing you to some amazing young adults who will be releasing a short story anthology in the next month or two.

Today, I am very excited to introduce you to Lilly Brown, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last 7 months. She has been working hard to finish her short story, The Spark, which will be included in an anthology being publish within the next couple of months. I promise to keep you posted on the publication details as we have them.

So, without further ado, let me introduce you to Lilly Brown, author of The Spark.

What name do you write under and is it a pen name?
I write under the name Lilly Brown and no it is not a pen name.

What or who inspired you to start writing?
I don’t really have a specific inspiration as much as I’ve just always wanted to write a book. However, another author and my former writing coach, Amanda Porter, was the one who gave me the opportunity to write.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing tiny little stories probably since I could write, but I’ve been seriously writing for about three and a half years.

What is the name of your most recent story and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?
My latest story is call The Spark and I would describe it as a group of moody teens who don’t want to do what they’ve been told to do.

Is the above story part of a series or anthology?
It is in an anthology called a Door to Our Minds, which includes my story and four other stories. However, The Spark is also the first book in a series that I’m planning to continue with now that the anthology is getting ready to be published.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing tiny little stories probably since I could write, but I’ve been seriously writing for about three and a half years.

How did you come up with the cover design idea/concept?
The basic idea came from one of my favorite scenes in the book but my cover artist, Amanda Orneck took it and made it so much better.

Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your story?
I listened to a lot of Broadway soundtracks. I listened to many video game scores and plenty of Star Wars as well.

How did you come up with the title for your story?
My main character is firey and I like to think of this book as the beginning of the story so I thought “The Spark” was fitting.

As a reader, do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audio books?
Hardcovers all the way. I kind of hoard them but they’re just so beautiful that I can’t help it.

Have you ever read and book more than once? And if so what is it?
Yes I have read a book more than once–seven times, I’m pretty sure and it the Warriors Super Edition, Crookedstar’s Promise.

Have you ever read a book based on its cover?
No. I don’t trust covers alone. There have been so many times where I see a cool cover and then I read the blurb and it sounds super boring so I always double-check books.

What is your favorite film based on a book?
The Phantom of the Opera is definitely my favorite film based on a book, as well as musical.

What is your favorite book genre at the moment?
Fantasy. It’s my favorite right now and I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t.

What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?
Bright Burns the Night by Sara B Larson is at the top right now. I found the first book in her series at a used bookstore and I loved everything about it, especially how she explained the lore of the fantasy world.

What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
I’m reading Part of Your World by Liz Braswell and it’s a hardcover.

If you could invite and four (4) authors (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?
This may sound totally basic but the first would be J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter is one of my favorite book series and I have always admired Rowling for the way she wove every part of each book together. The second would be Erin Hunter. Even though Erin Hunter is a pen name for the group of authors behind the Warriors, Survivors, and Seekers series, I’m still going to use them as my second author. I’d love to find out how they are able to write and publish so many books and keep every character and timeline in order. The third person I would invite is, Liz Braswell. She’s is one of the two authors of Disney’s Twisted Tales series and I admire her ability to take classic stories and rewrite them. The fourth author I would invite is Leigh Bardugo, the author of the Grisha Trilogy and Six of Crows Duology. I love the way she connected these two series and I really admired her world-building skills.

What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
To not edit as I go. I would end up editing things out that I really liked but I would get rid of it because I thought I didn’t need it. I finally learned to let my editor edit.

What authors inspire you?
The list is very long but I’ll cut it down to just a few. Obviously, the four I would invite to a dinner party inspire me. Also on this list is: Kendare Blake, Ashley Chappell, Stephanie Garber, Marissa Meyer, Amanda Porter, Nina Soden and Tui T. Sutherland.

If you are interested in reading The Spark and purchasing your own copy of a Door to Our Minds, fill out the information form below and I’ll be sure to email you more information as soon as the anthology is released.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Happy Halloween… BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT!

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Nina Soden

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

To celebrate Halloween 2016…

I have released PURSUIT (book 4 ~ the Blood Angel Series)

Meet Phoebe Wenham…

Growing up in the most powerful coven of witches Atlanta, Michigan has ever known, gave Phoebe all the resources she needed to develop her craft. However, it wasn’t until the tragic slaughter at the annual Founders’ Celebration, when she lost her mother, her sister, and both of her grandmothers, that Phoebe really started to find her calling, her purpose. Her cousin Aleerah was the only surviving dhampir in history and her sister Petra had been a gifted, naturally talented, tracker. Magic didn’t come as easily for phoebe, but desperation leads to desperate measures, and Phoebe was bound and determined to carry on where her sister left off. Starting with the ancient ritual of the taking of blood Phoebe not only developed her tracking abilities she pushed herself physically, mentally, and magically until she became the High Council’s leading tracker.

BUY NOW

Please Support my Thunderclap Campaign!

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Nina Soden

As an author, with 5 published YA novels, the hardest thing I have found is to ask for help when it comes to marketing myself and my books. I know that it is vital to an author’s success to be seen by as many readers as possible. So, I am stepping out of my comfort zone and asking for your help.

Please support my Sector C Series Thunderclap campaign and help me spread the word by following the link below and clicking on support with Twitter/Facebook, and/or Tumblr. It only takes a few seconds, but it will mean so much to me. Thank you in advance.

http://thndr.me/Y5G99u

You will be asked to support on either Twitter, Facebook, or Tumblr. You can select one or even all social media sites. The more you select the better. 🙂

Don’t worry, Thunderclap does not keep your personal information. You will be giving Thunderclap access to post the following:

“Nina Soden’s new Paranormal dystopian series, SECTOR C, can be yours today. Please spread the word #NinaSodenBooks http://thndr.me/Uz0cVL”

…on your social media site(s) ONLY ONCE, on the day of the campaign (March 30th).

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When your only choices are vampirism, lycanthropy, breeder, blood donor, or banishment to the Wastelands, what choice do you really have?

Set in a futuristic dystopian where society is governed by a council of vampires and lycanthropes, selection students are sheltered and raised in a deceptively utopian world. Strict rules are imposed to control population growth, education, and even personal interactions with other members of the Sector, all in the name of safety.

When ‘A’ comes of age she, like all youth throughout Sector C, and her selection classmates aren’t sent out into the world to find jobs, make money and lead happy carefree lives. They are forced to endure the rigorous physical and mental testing of Selection Week before choosing their destiny or being forced into a fate far worse. Those that make it out alive are announced as sector residence, given a position within the society, and allotted all the privileges of their chosen “culture.” However, when your only choices are vampirism, lycanthropy, breeder, blood donor, or banishment to the Wastelands, what choice do you really have?

Suspenseful, intense, passionate, and awash in paranormal delights, Sector C captures the enchantment and mysteries.

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Please help me make this launch a huge success by participating in this social media blitz through Thunderclap!

Thank you in advance for your help and your support.

Happy Reading 🙂

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Nina Soden

That’s RIGHT – it’s GIVEAWAY TIME – AGAIN!!!

What you’ll get if you win:

$20 Starbucks Gift Card – Because I’m addicted to Starbucks

1 Blood Angel Series travel coffee mug

A Sneak Peak (PDF Advance Reader Copy) of the first 2 chapters of my new novel:

SECTOR C ~ The Hunted coming out in October

The Winner Will Be Drawn and Announced:

on Friday September 25, 2015

How to Enter:

Take a photo of you holding my book(s). If you have an eBook copy/copies, open the library/bookshelf on your eBook reader and take a photo of you with my book cover(s) visible.
Post your photo in the comments below, on twitter tagging me @Nina_Soden and #NinaSodenBooks, and on my Facebook page.

DISCLAIMER: You do not have to provide a mailing address at this time. However, if you win you will be contacted, through Facebook, and a mailing address will be requested. If you fail to provide a mailing address you will be forfeited as the winner, and the next person drawn will receive the prize!

If you are as excited about this GIVEAWAY as I am, when you post your photo below, include a comment telling me and my readers why you want to win!

Do you use Grammarly? Here are my thoughts!

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Nina Soden

I was recently asked to give Grammarly a try.

“What’s Grammarly?” I asked.

THE ANSWER AMAZED ME!

Their website www.grammarly.com says that Grammarly is “the world’s most accurate grammar checker.” I decided that I should be the judge of that myself. The program allows you to either download or cut and paste your text into their online platform. Once the text is in the program, it scans for over 250 points of grammar. Now, I’m not going to list them all but some of the things it looks for are:

Contextual Spelling
Grammar
Punctuation
Sentence Structure
Style
Plagiarism

My Test Drive:

In order to test out “the world’s most accurate grammar checker” I decided to cut and paste, into their online platform, the latest chapter of the novel I’m writing:

(COMING SOON)

Just a little plug for me 🙂

WOW – OMG – SO COOL!!!

The program proceeded to mark grammar issues, words that were miss used, spelling errors, and even overused words – things that Microsoft Word doesn’t find. Things that I am sure my editor will love for me to have fixed before sending her my manuscript. Already, after only five minutes with the program, I was sold.

But wait, there’s more!

There is a FREE version!!!

Nope, that’s not all…

If you upgrade to the premium version, you can also download Grammarly to your computer and activate it in Microsoft Word. That means you don’t have to upload your manuscript to the internet or cut and paste it into the online platform. This made me feel so much safer. So, I gave it a shot.

Once the download was complete, I opened up my current work in progress. The 176-page document (34,632 words) only took a matter of minutes to be processed. When it was done, Grammarly had marked all of the “errors”. From the use of passive voice, squinting modifiers, incorrect use of commas, and so much more. No, I don’t like my “errors” to be thrown in my face, but trust me I am glad that there is a tool that will allow me to catch them now – before I send the completed document to the editor. PLUS – I can now use Grammarly as I type instead of going back and trying to catch the errors after the first draft is already completed.

Here’s a little more information

Grammarly’s free version checks for the most frequently made writing mistakes.

100 points of grammar
Contextual spellchecker
Punctuation checks
Works anywhere on the web. (Use the editor at Grammarly.com or use the free Chrome add-on)

Grammarly Premium eliminates both basic and advanced errors.

250+ points of grammar
Sentence structure
Style checks
Vocabulary enhancement
Plagiarism detection
Document type checker (business, academic, etc.)
Windows Microsoft Office add-in

My recommendation…

If you are a writer – GET Grammarly NOW!

Still not convinced? Check out the screenshots below to see more things you can do with Grammarly!

: Use Grammarly to help edit your emails to ensure the quality of writing.

: Choose your document type.

: Choose what types of errors you want Grammarly to find.

What are your thoughts? If you’ve used Grammarly or another program like it, please share your thoughts by commenting below.

Sector C: The Chosen by Nina Soden

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Nina Soden

I was so excited when I read this review for my latest book SECTOR C ~ The Chosen. I just couldn’t help but re-blogging it! I hope you enjoy it and that it makes you smile as much as it did me… or that it makes you rush to http://amzn.com/0985885335 to get your copy today!

Jonas Lee

Rating Overview

Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★ 1/2
Characters: ★★★★★
Cover: ★★★ 1/2

Overall: ★★★★★ (4.5)

This book was given to me as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nina Soden starts off on a brand new series and I think, out of the gate, it’s brilliant. I was asked to help look over her final rough draft and offer a review. In spirited fashion, I will hit all the usual points I make when rating an ARC, minus the grammar Nazi in me pointing anything critical out.

Sector C is a futuristic, supernatural take on what the world might be like if there were societies where you were brought up, trained and tested to fall into the category of vampire, lycanthrope, breeder, donor or castaway. The story follows the lead Heroine, A (because they are assigned alpha-numerics as names until they are worthy to choose their own name)…

View original post 438 more words

Mapping My Readers!

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Nina Soden

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

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!

Today’s Mindfulness Exercise Mindful Eating!

Mindfulness Journaling Prompt:

Mindfulness journaling can be very private. However, if you are willing to share your thoughts with me and my readers, I would love to invite you to comment below and let me know what healthy snack choices you plan to make in the future.

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

EPISODE 20 ~ Eat Cake!

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GREAT MINDFULNESS RESOURCES:

Amazon #1 Best Seller! Kick-start and sustain a fun mindfulness practice with kids and teens.

“This book makes it easy and is a must have for every parent and teacher!” – Denise Besic, Mother and Teacher

Give kids lasting life skills to de-stress and calm down, navigate difficult emotions, control impulses, focus on what matters, and nurture empathy, kindness, and joy.

Establish a practice of mindful eating with actionable strategies and exercises from The Mindful Eating Workbook.

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Today is the 13th Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

What area of your life do you tend to enjoy in excess instead of moderation?

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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 area of your life do you tend to enjoy in excess instead of moderation?

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If you are interested in reading The Peculiar Case of Matthias Chase and purchasing your own copy of a Door to Our Minds, fill out the information form below and I’ll be sure to email you more information as soon as the anthology is released.

Thank you for your response. ✨

Share this:

If you are interested in reading The Spark and purchasing your own copy of a Door to Our Minds, fill out the information form below and I’ll be sure to email you more information as soon as the anthology is released.

Thank you for your response. ✨

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

To celebrate Halloween 2016…

I have released PURSUIT (book 4 ~ the Blood Angel Series)

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As an author, with 5 published YA novels, the hardest thing I have found is to ask for help when it comes to marketing myself and my books. I know that it is vital to an author’s success to be seen by as many readers as possible. So, I am stepping out of my comfort zone and asking for your help.

Please support my Sector C Series Thunderclap campaign and help me spread the word by following the link below and clicking on support with Twitter/Facebook, and/or Tumblr. It only takes a few seconds, but it will mean so much to me. Thank you in advance.

You will be asked to support on either Twitter, Facebook, or Tumblr. You can select one or even all social media sites. The more you select the better. 🙂

Don’t worry, Thunderclap does not keep your personal information. You will be giving Thunderclap access to post the following:

“Nina Soden’s new Paranormal dystopian series, SECTOR C, can be yours today. Please spread the word #NinaSodenBooks http://thndr.me/Uz0cVL”

…on your social media site(s) ONLY ONCE, on the day of the campaign (March 30th).

Please help me make this launch a huge success by participating in this social media blitz through Thunderclap!

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That’s RIGHT – it’s GIVEAWAY TIME – AGAIN!!!

What you’ll get if you win:

The Winner Will Be Drawn and Announced:

on Friday September 25, 2015

How to Enter:

Take a photo of you holding my book(s). If you have an eBook copy/copies, open the library/bookshelf on your eBook reader and take a photo of you with my book cover(s) visible.

Post your photo in the comments below, on twitter tagging me @Nina_Soden and #NinaSodenBooks, and on my Facebook page.

If you are as excited about this GIVEAWAY as I am, when you post your photo below, include a comment telling me and my readers why you want to win!

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I was recently asked to give Grammarly a try.

“What’s Grammarly?” I asked.

THE ANSWER AMAZED ME!

My Test Drive:

(COMING SOON)

But wait, there’s more!

There is a FREE version!!!

Nope, that’s not all…

Here’s a little more information

My recommendation…

If you are a writer – GET Grammarly NOW!

Still not convinced? Check out the screenshots below to see more things you can do with Grammarly!

What are your thoughts? If you’ve used Grammarly or another program like it, please share your thoughts by commenting below.

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Rating Overview

Overall: ★★★★★ (4.5)

This book was given to me as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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

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).

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 🙂

Share this:

Today’s Mindfulness Exercise
Mindful Eating!

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“This book makes it easy and is a must have for every parent and teacher!”
– Denise Besic, Mother and Teacher

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