Chaos and Cocoa: July 2014

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Tips to get you Writing!!

Good Morning Everyone!

So lately I've been having a little trouble thinking of things to write. I cannot tell you how many minutes have passed me by while I stare at the blank page or blank screen. It is so frustrating to know that you SHOULD be writing but there is just nothing that wants to be written. I always feel so guilty if I close the laptop or the journal without writing anything down or meeting my word count for the day. Writers Write!!! They do not give up!

So I decided that I would put together a post of things that I do in order to get back to writing again!

1) Get Musical. Find a playlist or spend some time creating one. I like to find classical styles normally for more intense or thoughtful scenes and songs with lyrics that I really like for scenes with more dialogue. Either way music can really help get the ideas flowing!

My Favorites:

Lindsey Sterling

Apocolyptica

Halestorm

The Piano Guys

2) Go for a Walk. Sometimes you just have to get out of the house and get some outside stimuli. It helps me clear my head and start to let my mind wander away from all the other things that I am worried about and before I know it I am daydreaming. Daydreaming always helps me come up with new ideas!

3) Check out Pinterest "Writing Prompts". There are so many prompts for both blogs and just writing in general! Sometimes you just have to write something different from your current project to shake things up a bit!

4) Read! I believe the only way to be a good writer is to be a good reader! So pick up a book, something that you enjoy, something that made you want to write in the first place! Books inspire great thoughts, let them inspire you!

I tend to gravitate toward books about writing when I am having a case of writer's block. My favorites are these:

Stephen King's---- On Writing

I love this book. Part Memoir and part Writer's Tool box, it really helps me get focused on my work. I love Stephen King's honesty in this book. His approach to writing resonates with me and I am always returning to this book for good advice! Also I love hearing about how he struggled before he became famous, helps remind me that it never comes easy, only with hard work! Also I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook version of this. Stephen King narrates it himself and it is truly brilliant to hear live!

Barbara Demarco- Barret's----- Pen on Fire

I got this book a LONG time ago when I thought I was too busy for writing and wanted to find ways to fit it into my schedule. Little did I know that I had NO CLUE as to what having no time was like! Now that I am a Mom and a Wife, I realize what it is like when you are trying to meet word counts and still maintain the balance of daily life. This book has some really great tips and tricks for fitting writing into your daily life without feeling guilty! (Mommy guilt...ugh)

5) Free Writing. I know you have heard this before, but it really does help. Sometimes all you need to get started is to just start typing or writing. It doesn't matter what you are writing about. It could be the weather, the items on your desk, how frustrated you are that you can't seem to write anything....just write! Even if you don't get anything brilliant written, you still "exercised" your writing ability and the next time it will come easier and you will break through your block!

I hope these tips were helpful to you! Happy Writing Everyone!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

The Day of Confessions has arrived!

Good Morning Everyone!

It's good to be back and blogging again and what better way to get back into the swing of things than with a Confession Day Post!

...I confess that after reading approx. twenty blogs in my backed up Bloglovin list I straight up marked them all as read and moved on. It was WAY too stressful to even think about going through and trying to comment on things that happened about four days ago. Sorry not sorry.

...I confess that even though I'm trying to eat healthy and do well, I still made chocolate chip zucchini bread. I ate three slices. Again sorry not sorry.

... I confess that I started watching Supernatural from the beginning again. Seriously I just love that show...but you all knew that right?

... I confess that I got super nerdy girl excited when the new Hobbit Teaser trailer came out. I CANNOT wait!

... I confess I got a little bummed but totally LOVED seeing all the Instagram photos from San Diego Comic Con this past week. SO many great cosplays and so many AMAZING artists! Some day I will go!

...I confess that teething is pretty much the worst part of life. My poor baby is just miserable lately with three new teeth coming in....not to mention it tends to just upset her poor little belly which means diaper rash which means...ugh it means that unless it is nap time or bed time pretty much no one is relaxed in this house.

...I confess that I cried a little when the first puppy was taken by his new family. Even though it was my neighbors....as in they live right next door. Like....the other side of the duplex next door. I'm such a baby. He is super happy though and his name is now Harley.

....I confess that I am really nervous/excited about my upcoming 5K! It's going to be awesome but I am just praying for an 80 degree day and not a 100 degree one! I will just have to keep this in mind at all times!

Okay that is it for me today! Have a great Wednesday Everyone!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

I have not fallen off the face of the Earth!

Good Morning Everyone!

I apologize for the lack of posting lately! Last week was crazy busy with my husband's 30th birthday and the planning (or rather complete and utter lack and failure of all my plans but that is a whole other story) and the celebrating took a lot out of me and put me off writing for a bit. I just wasn't feeling it and rather than just slop up any old post I just took a mini break! It was actually a break from a lot of social media and not just blogs because I was feeling like every minute I was checking my phone or my iPad or the laptop and not engaging with the rest of the actual world around me! So it was time to take a break and focus on life at hand!

I will be back with a confessions post tomorrow for sure! Now I'm off to attempt to read all the blogs I've missed over the past week and get all caught up and what has been going on with you all!

Happy Tuesday! See you all tomorrow!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Confession Day is upon us!

Good Morning Everyone!

It's Wednesday!

Here are my confessions this week:

...I bite my nails. ALL. THE. TIME. The only time I don't is when I get them done professionally but man the minute that they chip or I break one....I am nibbling away. Part of it is stress and part of it is the obsessive need for them to feel smooth. Once again confirming my crazy.

...I confess that yesterday after giving nine puppies a bath and cleaning out the kennel I was feeling all sorts of crumbly and nearly cried when my parents offered to take Kyra for a bit. You would think I would use the time wisely and do all the things that you don't get to do with a kiddo around but actually all I did was make some dinner and then say I was going to dry my hair when actually I fell asleep on my bed. It was too hot to do my hair anyway!

...I confess that I HATE SUMMER. Seriously. I hate it. I LOATHE it. I hate summer clothes, I hate the bugs, but most of all I hate the heat. It was 100 degrees here yesterday and with the humidity it felt more like a million. Seriously I broke a sweat standing outside waiting for the dog to finish her business so we could go back in. I wasn't even walking! The heat sucks. Please bring back the snow so I can put on my sweater and leggings and not feel like my face is going to melt off!

..I confess I've been really bad about blog reading this week. Also comments. I just haven't been able to get up the go to sit and read them. Part of it is because Kyra is now very mobile and into EVERYTHING, so I can't really take the time to log on and check things. But part of it is just...I am dreading opening my BlogLovin' or email. I know it is backed up and I know to be a good blogger I need to respond, but I just haven't felt it lately. Hopefully I get back in the groove soon. I feel like my BlogLovin' is just sitting there like....

...I confess that I will never tire of some books. Honestly I don't care if I have read it a million times or if I have a pile of books I have never read sitting next to me. If one of the old one is calling my name I will reread it. I can't help myself.

...I confess that lately Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime have felt more like a chore than entertainment. The thought of surfing through trying to find something to watch is exhausting. I have worn out all my series and the summer TV schedule bites. I'm bored with it all. I am now at the point that I just let my husband have the remote and tune out whatever rubbish he puts on.

...I confess that as of late my blog posts have been getting written in the dark, on the floor, next to the bed while the baby sleeps. Either I have had no time to write during the day or I have had no inspiration for what to post. However you can ask any writer and they will tell you, your best ideas come right at bedtime the moment you find the most comfortable spot to sleep!

That is all for me today! Hoping that it is less hot out and maybe I can get some other things done without turning into a sweaty puddle! Cheers to everyone and Happy Hump Day!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Writing Challenge: Days of the Week

Good Morning Everyone!

Today is my weekly writing challenge and this one seems like a fun one!

http://writingprompts.tumblr.com/post/6040090734/writing-prompt-199

Monday was always a bit to loud, to brash, and overly eager to get wherever it is that he was going. He had the tendency to be rude without meaning to, never thinking before he spoke. His tone was always slightly off putting as if you could never be sure if he was trying to offend you or not. Back handed compliments seemed to pour out of his mouth even as he smirked at you with what you wanted to believe was a sweet grin. You always knew he was going to show up to the party...even if no one invited him.

Tuesday was a bit of a mess. It seemed to everyone else that bad luck seemed to follow her wherever she went. Anything that could go wrong happened to Tuesday. She was the epitome of Murphy's Law. However she was a hard worker. Everything managed to get accomplished when Tuesday was around despite the constant state of worry she was in and the inevitable disaster that seemed to follow her. She always managed to persevere and pull the party together at the last minute. That was her real gift actually, the fact that she never failed to pull through whatever tragedy befell her.

Wednesday was the joker. He was the most likely to bail early on the work day and head out for an early drink. However no one seemed to mind when he slacked off a bit. Usually after meeting Monday and Tuesday people were a bit relieved to see the ridiculous carefree way that Wednesday presented himself. He had a way about him that made people feel better. He would just show up all grins and jokes and everyone would breathe a little easier. It felt like everything was going to be okay when Wednesday showed up.

Thursday was just high strung. Always looking as though she was on edge and about to blow a fuse. Where Wednesday might bail for a friendly drink, Thursday nursed her drink all through the party as though it was the only thing holding her together. She was always well dressed and ready for any challenge that might come her way, but you could see that she was one stiff wind away from falling apart like a house of cards.

Friday was the center of attention. The Belle of the Ball every time she walked into the room. Everyone was always so happy to see Friday and she greeted everyone with the most dazzling of smiles. She was always the center of attention, even if she was a bit loud and reckless. She was the youngest but somehow that made her even more endearing to the others. She was the tiny taste of wild freedom that the others tended to deny themselves. Even Wednesday had nothing on Friday. There was something about that girl that couldn't be tamed and they loved that about her. All things seemed possible with Friday around. She was like a shot of tequila...once you got going there was no telling where you would end up!

Saturday was Friday's older brother. He was regarded as just as enjoyable as Friday but with the undertone of business. Saturday was usually making plans and rushing off to do something with someone. He always had his schedule out and was on his phone confirming dates and times. He would still greet everyone with a smile and make you feel welcome but somehow you always felt that you should have some great plan for your life when you were talking to Saturday.

Sunday was the oldest and the most gentle. She rarely spoke at the parties, preferring to sit quietly in a chair and observe with a quiet reverence. However the others all looked up to her. She didn't have to say anything to command attention or respect. She was never loud like Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. She was never nervous or high strung as Tuesday and Thursday and while she did have an undertone of something greater, you never felt less than the way you did while talking to Saturday. She gave the best hugs, warm and inviting. Her being in the room tended to calm down all the others. She brought peace to each of them, reminding them of who they were and why they were important.

So there is my submission for this week! If you would like to join in just leave your submission or a link to it below!

Have a great day everyone!