#WritingWednesday #WritingPrompt Challenge

Posted on December 4, 2019 by Nina Soden

Today is the 36th 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 Austin, the main character in my current work in progress, The Beast Within.

Today’s writing prompt:

Write a quick love story. The story must end badly.

“It isn’t love,” I tell myself, mumbling as she walks away. “You don’t love her. Don’t follow her,” I say, as I stand and start toward the door she just disappeared through. “Wait, Sophie, please don’t go.”

I watched as her steps slowed and finally stopped, but she didn’t turn around.

“I… I can’t lose you too,” I said, instead of the words I knew she wanted—needed—to hear.

Her back stiffened. She rounded her shoulders and held her chin up high as she gripped her car keys in her fist. I could imagine the look on her face, strong yet sad—broken yet determined, but she never looked back.

The car beeped twice. She had unlocked the door.

I’m losing her, I thought. I reached out, started to call her again, but she didn’t give me a chance. She took the last few steps toward her car door and climbed in. The door slammed shut with a load echo that reverberated off the building behind me and a shutter shot through my body. I crumpled to my knees as I watched her car drive away.

“I love you.” It was only a whisper, one she would never hear, yet they were the truest words I’d ever spoken.

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!

Write a quick love story. The story must end badly.

What books have made your November reading list? Comment below and let me know! Then, click on the links below to check out the December 2019 New York Times Top Ten Lists and see which books you’d like to add to your reading list!

FICTION

YOUNG ADULT

Week 32 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Nina Soden

Today is the 32nd 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 Austin the main character in my upcoming novel The Beast Within!

Today’s writing prompt:

Write about something you can’t forget!

His voice...
Deep.
Commanding.
Angry.
Slurred, from too many glasses of cheap whiskey.

I can hear it, almost as if he were standing right behind me. Yet he's been gone for years. Long since buried 6 feet under.

He used to scream at my mother and I, but his yelling wasn't what scared me. It was when he got quiet... still... that's when I knew he was really angry.

I'd have to strain to hear him. But it was in those moments, trying so hard to hear... to understand... that I knew pain would quickly follow.

Write about something you can’t forget!

What books have made your September reading list? Are any of them on the New York Times Best Seller list? Comment below and let me know, then, CLICK HERE to check out the 10 Ten Best Sellers for September and see which ones you’d like to add to your reading list!

Week 31 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Nina Soden

Today is the 31st 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 Ava one of the characters in a novel I’m currently outlinging.

Today’s writing prompt:

You look outside: It’s snowing! But look closer. Those aren’t snowflakes falling from the sky! What is it?

I could hear the sirens and smell the smoke before I could muster up the strength to open my eyes. I had been knocked out. Again. It was the second time in just under a month and I was sure my handler at Operation Atlas wasn’t going to be happy about it.

When I finally rolled to my back and opened my eyes, there was ash floating from the sky and landing softly on the ground all around me. There had to be two or three thick inches of ash coating every surface within a one-mile radius.

The fire wasn’t supposed to be that big. They had told me just to take out the warehouse, but they didn’t know about the chemicals being stored in the basement. By the time they exploded, it was too late. I was thrown clear across the parking lot and knocked out cold. The fire department came, but even they couldn’t stop the flames from jumping from building to building. By the time they found me, the fire had consumed the entire block.

Luckily, I was able to stop it before it jumped the road and spread deeper into the city.

Starting, and stopping fire… that’s my superpower. Although, lately, it seems like more of a curse.

You look outside: It’s snowing! But look closer. Those aren’t snowflakes falling from the sky! What is it?

Week 30 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Nina Soden

Today is the 30th Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

I CHALLENGE YOU – COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR FIVE MINUTE ANSWER TO TODAY’S WRITING PROMPT QUESTION!

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 Phoebe the lead character in my novel Pursuit, book 4 in the Blood Angel Series.

Today’s writing prompt:

What is the best road trip you have ever taken?

Sometimes, you just have to get away. That’s how I felt, every second of every day, after my mom and sister died. Life just wasn’t the same and I knew it never would be. So, I left.

I had been training, learning everything I could about being a tracker. I knew it wasn’t in my blood, not like it was for my sister. She was amazing. Me, I had to work at it, hard. That didn’t mean I wasn’t good, I was… I am.

After just a week on the road, I had managed to get the attention of the High Council. No, that isn’t always a good thing, especially when they send someone like me to find you. In this case, I wanted to get their attention. I wanted them to know who I was and what I was planning.

I made my way from Atlanta, Michigan where I had grown up, all the way out West to California. Along the way, I worked as a High Council tracker. I was taken in on a trial basis, but by the time I landed my fifth capture, they hired me full-time and were giving me the best cases. Having magic on my side didn’t hurt things.

Being out there, on the road, alone was eye opening. I didn’t have a car, so I hitch-hiked and took the bus just about everywhere I went, but it didn’t slow me down. I saw the world with new eyes. My sister and mother had never left Michigan, so I was seeing it for the first time, for all of us. I needed it. Though I was alone, I never felt lonely. I could feel them there with me, in spirit, guiding me… helping me. It was the best time of my life. Why it had to end… that’s another story.

What is the best road trip you have ever taken?

What books have made your September reading list? Comment below and let me know!

Week 29 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Nina Soden

Today is the 29th 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. As a mom, this writing prompt really spoke to me!

Today’s writing prompt:

What do you think is the most important thing for today’s kids to learn in school?

When I was growing up, school was all about projects, research, learning, and even discovering new things. Sure, I was a kid so I thought of it as work… I complained about all the homework and tests and time. Yes, it took time to get everything done. We didn’t have the internet. We didn’t have access to unlimited knowledge at our fingertips. We actually had to go to the library, search the stacks, and often time resort to reading the encyclopedia to find the information we needed.

Today, school seems all about test scores and less about actual learning. Sure, kids do gain knowledge from attending classes, but more importantly I think they gain social skills. Outside of the classroom, kids are often sitting with their noses pointed at either a phone, a computer, or some form of gaming device. Kids don’t interact the same way they did when I was younger. If I wanted to talk to a friend, I had to call them on the phone (which was connected to the wall with a cord) and have a real-life conversation. Today communication is done through sending photos, emojis, and poorly written (often abbreviated) text messages. I fear that kids are losing the social skills that are essential to a successful future. That is why I feel that the most important thing for kids to learn in school is communication!

What do you think is the most important thing for today’s kids to learn in school?

What books have made your August reading list? Check out the New York Times bestsellers for August 2019 by CLICKING HERE!

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 a planner-journal hybrid to help new and experienced writers stay organized while still fostering creativity. Track your progress with daily/monthly word count goals. Plan your writing/publishing goals, manage your to do list, never miss another deadline or appointment again, keep track of writing ideas, schedule/log social sharing and blog post ideas, keep a record of books you’re reading or want to read, maintain a running playlist, etc.

Week 28 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Nina Soden

Today is the 28th Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

Sorry this post is a day late, but hopefully not a dollar short!

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 Tanja, 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 is the best advice you’ve ever been given?

When I was just a girl, growing up in New Orleans, my mother told me, “If your good and quiet, you’ll be able to hear the voices of your ancestors.” I was naive, so I believed her. I tried so hard. Every day I’d sit in the corner of our living room, staring at nothing, focusing on voices that weren’t there. Then, one day, I heard a voice. It was faint, almost a whisper.

“The ritual won’t work if you don’t spill a little blood, Clara.” It was my mother. She was talking to my Aunt Clara on the phone, whispering in the kitchen.

That night, I followed them to the graveyard just around the corner from our house. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you what I saw; It’s been over twenty years and I still can’t believe it. It doesn’t matter that I can raise the dead now too, much less talk to them. It’s still so surreal.

You want to know the best advice I’ve ever been given? That’s easy. That night, standing there in the dark hiding behind a tree so my mother and my aunt wouldn’t see me, they brought my great grandma back from the dead. She looked passed them, straight at me, pointed her decayed finger at me and called me out of the dark. Then, standing just three feet away from my mother, who’s mouth was clenched with fear and anger, my grandmother told me, “It’s in your blood too, and child, you are powerful. Learn from your mother. Learn everything, because one day she won’t be here to protect you and you’ll need to know how to protect yourself.”

Less than a year later, my mother died.

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?

What books have made your August reading list? Check out the New York Times bestsellers for August 2019 by CLICKING HERE!

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 a planner-journal hybrid to help new and experienced writers stay organized while still fostering creativity. Track your progress with daily/monthly word count goals. Plan your writing/publishing goals, manage your 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.

Week 26 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Nina Soden

Today is the 26th 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:

Complete this thought: “I wish an alarm would notify me whenever…”

I wish an alarm would notify me whenever it was time to wake up and go to school. I’m twelve years old and I haven’t been to school in almost two years.

I miss it.

It’s funny, when I was going to school every day, I hated it. Sure, I liked seeing my friends and recess of course, but sitting in a class, listening to the teacher talk all day… I can’t say I enjoyed that.

But now, I miss it.

I guess you always miss the things you can’t have; the things that are taken away to early.

You see, where I’m from, if they find out you have powers that can be useful to the government, like mine, you’re carted away to the Operation Atlas headquarters. I’m one of four watchmen with the power of telepathic perception. Basically, it is the ability to receive information from another mind. It’s more complicated than that, but you get the picture.

I have alarms that wake me up, tell me when to eat, when to leave for work, when to sleep, and just about everything else. My movements are monitored and I can’t do anything out of order or without permission. For once, I’d love to sleep late, skip a meal, play outside, or just go to school.

There are times, first thing in the morning before I even open my eyes, that I forget where I’m at. I forget about the ten-foot by ten-foot whitewash room they keep me in. I forget that I’m not just another normal kid. Those first few seconds of the day are my favorite. But lately, they’ve been happening less and less. I think I’ve started to forget… forget my past, my friends, even my family.

Complete this thought: “I wish an alarm would notify me whenever…”

What books have made your August reading list? Check out the New York Times bestsellers for August 2019 by CLICKING HERE!

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!

Order It Here

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

Order It Here

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

Week 24 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Nina Soden

Today is the 24th 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 Austin, a character in the novel I’m currently writing.

Today’s writing prompt:

Write about a souvenir you have bought or received!

Let me start by saying I don’t journal and I think this is a waste of time. I work, a lot. Usually seven days a week and a lot of double shifts. That doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for souvenir shopping, as I’m sure you can imagine.

Although, I do camp. I suppose that’s something. There aren’t many shops out in the woods, or any for that matter, but there are people. I meet some interesting people out in the woods. One overly nice young lady I met, April was her name, gave me a lovely gold necklace with a solitary diamond hanging from it.

I suppose that should count as a souvenir I received, although I didn’t keep it. It was to delicate and pretty for me to wear. I ended up giving it to my girlfriend, Sophie. I’m not sure she fully appreciated what I went through to get it for her. I suppose I couldn’t really tell her all the gory details, now could I?

Write about a souvenir you have bought or received!

Are you an author looking for inspiration or even guidance? Click on the images below for some great writing tips and guides from authors who have been where you are!

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!

BUY IT HERE

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

BUY IT HERE

Shop Amazon Devices: Kindle Trade-In: 25% off + Amazon Gift Card
**Start Date:** Jul 22, 2019 at 05:00 PM PDT
**End Date:** Dec 30, 2019 at 05:00 PM PST

All-new Echo Dot Kids
**Start Date:** Jun 11, 2019 at 05:00 PM PDT
**End Date:** Mar 24, 2020 at 05:00 PM PDT

Introducing Echo Show 5
**Start Date:** May 28, 2019 at 05:00 PM PDT
**End Date:** Dec 30, 2019 at 05:00 PM PST

Week 20 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Nina Soden

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.

*** * * * ***

What modern technological device takes up most of your time?

*** * * * ***

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.

BUY IT HERE

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.

BUY IT HERE

How to Regain Focus and Concentration #MindfulnessMonday

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Nina Soden

bright rainbow colored watercolor paints isolated on white paper

Today’s #MindfulnessMonday Tip: Regaining focus and concentration can help reduce stress and overload while increasing joy in your life.

In today’s society where everyone is practically ruled by our devices, multi-tasking has turned into a major stress inducer for most people. Mindfulness can help to strengthen your ability to stay focused on one task at a time, allowing you to be more efficient and effective than multi-tasking ever could.

So the real question is how to pull ourselves away from our smart phones and gain a deeper focus and concentration on the really important things in life.

Three things you can do to help regain focus and concentration:

Try meditation – Just by learning a simple, one-minute, breathing exercise you can start to take control of your wondering mind. Whenever you start to feel your focus drifting away, take 60 seconds (just one minute) to pull that focus back to where you need it to be with a quick breathing exercise.
Practice simplicity – By reducing the clutter in your life, you will also reduce the distractions. Try donating or recycling unneeded possessions, adding your phone number and address to Do Not Call and Do Not Mail lists, stop checking those social media accounts that are no longer providing you joy and happiness.
Focus on the people around you – Don’t allow distractions to pull you away from conversations with loved ones. One way to do this is putting your phone away whenever eating, or better yet put them on the table when eating out, whoever picks up their phone first gets to pay the bill.

Today’s Mindfulness Exercise:

60-Second Breathing Meditation

Your breath is a great took to help train your mind to focus your thoughts and increase concentration. 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 and ten to fifteen relaxed breaths should take you close to a minute.

Mindfulness Journaling Prompt: How did the 60-Second Breathing Meditation make you feel? Did your mind wander during your breathing? If so, what were you thinking about? How many times did it wander? Were you easily able to return your focus to your breathing once you realized your mind had wandered?

Mindfulness journaling can be very private. However, I would love to invite you to comment below and share your experiences with this short 60-Second Breathing Mediation.

*** * * * ***

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

EPISODE 23 ~ Stress Is a 6 Letter Word

EPISODE 22 ~ Mindfulness Myths

EPISODE 21 ~ Mindfulness Isn’t MAGIC

EPISODE 20 ~ Eat Cake

Write a quick love story. The story must end badly.

Share this:

Like this:

Today’s writing prompt:

Write about something you can’t forget!

Write about something you can’t forget!

Share this:

Like this:

Today’s writing prompt:

You look outside: It’s snowing! But look closer. Those aren’t snowflakes falling from the sky! What is it?

You look outside: It’s snowing! But look closer. Those aren’t snowflakes falling from the sky! What is it?

Share this:

Like this:

Today’s writing prompt:

What is the best road trip you have ever taken?

What is the best road trip you have ever taken?

Share this:

Like this:

Today is the 29th Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

Today, I am writing in my own voice. As a mom, this writing prompt really spoke to me!

What do you think is the most important thing for today’s kids to learn in school?

What do you think is the most important thing for today’s kids to learn in school?

Share this:

Like this:

Today’s writing prompt:

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Share this:

Like this:

Today is the 26th Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

Today’s writing prompt:

Complete this thought: “I wish an alarm would notify me whenever…”

Share this:

Like this:

Today is the 24th Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

Today’s writing prompt:

Write about a souvenir you have bought or received!

Write about a souvenir you have bought or received!

Share this:

Like this:

Today’s writing prompt:

What modern technological device takes up most of your time?

* * * * *

What modern technological device takes up most of your time?

* * * * *

Share this:

Like this:

Three things you can do to help regain focus and concentration:

* * * * *

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

* * * * *

Share this:

Like this:

*** * * * ***

*** * * * ***

*** * * * ***

*** * * * ***