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dirty-bosmer · 2 years

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YESSSSS YOU REPOSTED MY FAVOURITE ASKS LIST. Okay: 1, 4, 19, 24, 36, 38 (SORRY I GOT CARRIED AWAY)

OOoooh, thank you bori. Sorry I'm getting to it so late 😩

1. What font do you write in? Do you actually care or is that just the default setting?

Calibri — the default microsoft word font, usually at size 11 or 12 with 6 point spacing after every paragraph.

4. What’s a word that makes you go absolutely feral?

In a bad way - utilize. My academic advisors have ruined this word for me 😩 every time they see it they scratch out its eyes and now It's just no longer in my vocab.

19. Tell me a story about your writing journey. When did you start? Why did you start? Were there bumps along the way? Where are you now and where are you going?

I wrote really shitty poetry in middle school because I was hormonal and sad and thought I was deep lol. It was probably not very good, but I'm too scared to confirm that, and in high school I had zero interest in writing until my senior year. Actually, I did start write Syl's story as part of a companions fic but dropped it like three chapters in (again, not very goof). The turning point for me was the end of the year project for AP Language and Composition. My teacher was super enthusiastic and engaging so I decided "hey let me give this a try." Turns out I was pretty okay!

I did some creative writing in college, but didn't start writing fanfic again until my sophomore year, just for funsies. It was a creative outlet amidst hours and hours in the lab and banging my head against my phsyics book. Now it's something I do almost daily, if not weekly in some form, and I can tell all the practice and the love for reading that I've rekindled is paying off!

24. How much prep work do you put into your stories? What does that look like for you? Do you enjoy this part or do you just want to get on with it?

Oh gee, like no time at all 😭 With Nim, I just started writing and followed the Mages Guild and Thieves Guild questlines for direction, then had to find fun ways to tie them together. I had a vague idea where I wanted to take it for part two, but it has been such A MESS and the lack of planning really shows.

I'm definitely spending a lot more time thinking about it for Syl. In talking with some writing friends, I think I'm going to at least want an outline for each chapter, and I'll try to post updates only when when I have the next two or three chapters written out already. I hope I enjoy it! Honestly, it might be less work for me in the end.

36. They say to Write What You Know. Setting aside for a moment the fact that this is terrible advice…what do you Know?

I saw your answer to this cause I creeped through your blog heehee but it is very much the same. Biology and it's many branches and the toil of academia. Also being an awkward bisexual.

38. What is something about your writing process YOU think is Really Weird? If you are comfortable, please share. If you’re not comfortable, what do you think cats say about us?

Hmmm, I don't know if it's all that uncommon, but I am so uncomfortable by my characters sometimes. Mostly Lucien tbh, but every time I re-read his scenes, I'm like wtf Sonny. Why are you writing this, and then I get so sick of myself I look away lol There are scenes like that with Nim too, where I get so upset with her even though I AM THE ONE MAKING HER DO THIS, but I've come to learn that I must enjoy how horrifying it all is, cause why else would I put them through it? It's like reading that horrible book I was telling you about the other day. It was so frustrating and disturbing and even though it was straight up unbearable at times, I still enjoyed reading it 😂 Is writing supposed to be torturous? because it was for me and I like it because I am 40% masochist.

Lmao I can't believe I put those thoughts out into the world.

#Seyda rambles #asks #ask game

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alia15 · 4 years

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2020: Who Saw THIS Coming?

Remember when I retired from blogging?

I actually did retire, except, I consider this little corner of the Internet -- MY corner -- to be a place where I document the big stuff. I told you about my engagement and then came back several months later to recap my wedding. Remember that? The wedding that THANKFULLY occurred in late 2019 before the world turned to shit??

Yeah. You know what happened. “The pandemic.” “The virus.” “Covid.” Covid-19″ (I personally prefer the first five Covids; I feel like they really fell off after that). “CORONAVIRUS.”

THE DUMPSTER FIRE THAT IS...2020.

Suuuuuuuuure, good ol�� Rona robbed Leo and me of our Italian honeymoon, but aside from that? We were able to squeeze in all kinds of fun things in good ol 2019 -- oh how I miss you, 2019 -- and have an unforgettable year. This year is proving to be unforgettable too -- just, ya know -- in like, a traumatizing sorta way.

Anyway, as I was saying, I have to document the big stuff on here. I imagine myself reading and looking back on this blog like an old, embarrassing diary (hell, I do it already) (the dating posts make me want to die) and who can omit THIS chapter? It’s got it all: a deadly virus, racially fueled riots and protesting, social injustice, a deranged madman in the oval office, and... MURDER HORNETS?

exactly.

So rather than write out a whole long thing about my experience in 2020, I thought I’d break it down by month, starting in March. I’m going to be documenting the good, the BAD (there’s a decent amount of that), and anything new that transpired in that time frame. Did I take up any hobbies? Start baking sourdough? I guess you’ll find out.

Let’s start with:

MARCH.

The good. There was immediately a novelty to this whole Covid-19 thing. In the first half of the month I was commuting, going to work in my NYC office, and doing my usual amount of social things on weekends. When it was decided in mid-March that we’d have to work and stay home for a “bit” (lol), there was something exciting about it. We made jokes about social distancing and masks and had cutesy puns for “quarantining.” We hit the ground RUNNING with Zoom calls/video chats. There was something fun and exhilarating about all this.

The bad. People I KNOW got this virus. People I know LOST people to this virus. My Grandma’s health took a turn and things did not look good, but I couldn’t go see her. Shit, I didn’t see ANYONE except Leo, and even he was going to work in his office every day. I had to get used to this abrupt abundance of...alone time.

What’s new? I’ve always taken to social media as a creative outlet, but I QUICKLY started using it more -- and differently -- once things in the world got hairy. I treated my Instagram like my one gateway to the outside world, because it was: I surveyed my followers and asked how they were doing. I took silly videos talking to myself in the mirror. I wrote long captions on my photos letting everyone know what my experience was like. I tried to entertain those who were stuck at home, as I was, and needing an escape.

Oh, and ya know... Tiger King.

APRIL.

The good. The weather was getting nicer, so Leo and I took advantage and often went for walks around our complex and even a local trail/preserve in our town. We started doing “lawn visits” to see our families from a distance, and that helped. For two people who were used to seeing their ‘people’ regularly, 3-4 weeks of not seeing them took a toll. I also started doing “Grateful April” on Instagram, where I shared a few things each day that made me happy/appreciative. Some followers of mine followed suit, which was awesome to see.

The bad. Hmm, I think all this sitting and lack of moving is hurting my back? (#foreshadowing). Also, ENOUGH with the Zoom calls and “virtual happy hours,” for the LOVE OF GOD! Oh, and that “novelty” I mentioned in March? That wore off quickly, and a lot of us started to feel weird, sad, isolated, uneasy, unproductive and stir-crazy. Myself included.

We were also reminded that this was the month we were supposed to depart for our honeymoon. Ugh.

What’s New? I did some arts & crafts (I painted ceramic bowls I bought from Target), gave myself a mediocre pedicure, found new/creative ways to engage and interact with folks on social media (polls, asking questions like “what’s in your Amazon cart?” and “who sponsors your quarantine?”), and got to see what it was like to have a husband with hair. I also discovered my love of tie-dye and wore...a lot of it.

Oh, and I was on CBS news talking about screen time. Iconic.

MAY.

The good. The weather got summer-like and I definitely felt a MAJOR shift in my mood. Leo and I spent more time outside on our deck: listening to music, making margaritas, talking to neighbors. I even took work calls outside and got some much-needed Vitamin D. I had my first real “beach days” (bathing suit, chair and all). I started to FINALLY see my family in person; first, outside only -- and then eventually indoors.

The bad. Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd, obviously. Dumb-dumbs protesting the lock-down and demanding haircuts. CLEARLY more to come on this. (See: June)

Oh, and my back pain? WAY worse.

What’s new? Some more arts and crafts: I started painting shells I found on the beach (lol). I bought a pair of Crocs and documented the most absurd series on social media where I paired the heinous footwear with items that rhymed (Crocs & socks, Crocs & shamrocks, Crocs & botox...you get the idea.) I experimented with a few new recipes (made lemon poppy muffins & homemade vodka sauce). I re-watched Mad Men and it made me miss my office and coworkers.

JUNE. A rough one.

The good. We started doing more social things with our families: BBQs, celebrating Father’s Day, our nephew’s baptism. Doing this truly felt like “normalcy” and in those moments, we’d forget about all the garbage going on around us. I also decided (yes, after 3 friggin months of lock-down) that I needed to start exercising; something I needed for my physical AND mental health. I thought it could help my back -- which, yes, was feeling worse as time went on -- and it did make me feel good to spend a little time each day walking, jogging, lifting weights and just MOVING.

The bad. Um? Everything? For starters, the racial tension in the country came to a head and erupted in a MAJOR way -- and while the protests and all the #BlackLivesMatter movements were a positive thing, it absolutely brought out the WORST in so many others. There was rioting, looting and violence. Racism ran RAMPANT. Karens went wild. “Covidiots” were ENRAGED about being told to wear masks. There was police brutality and a President who threw fuel into the fire. Tensions and emotions were at an all-time high and we all got a harsh dose of reality that this country has SO FAR TO GO in regards to equality and civil rights and even basic human decency. I was -- and still am -- sad for this country.

Also? I finally went for an MRI on my back and found out I have two herniated discs; well THAT certainly helps explain things! Shortly after, I pull my back out entirely, and could not walk or move. The pain is excruciating; debilitating and I think, “can things get any worse?” and then...

My Grandma passes away.

It hurts. It still does. It was inevitable -- as death is, especially given her age and health condition at the time -- but it still felt like taking a bullet. I will always be grateful that I was able to get to see her one day before she passed away to say goodbye, but it’s hard not to be resentful that she didn’t get the memorial service and send-off she so deserved because of the pandemic.

(Side note: read about my amazing Grandma HERE)

In short, June sucked.

What’s new? We got a new stationary bike and set it up outside on the deck which was awesome, and I ended the month getting some epidural shots at the spine doctor. While the (strong) meds and injections didn’t exactly *cure* my issue, they made things a LOT better. Leo and I also drove into NYC (my first time there in MONTHS!) so I could go get my migraine Botox treatment at my neurologist.

I voted by mail (which is not fraudulent, by the way) (#eyeroll) in the NY Primary.

I also got not one, but TWO, amazing rainbows the week my grandmother passed away. I needed those, and I’d like to think she knew that.

JULY.

The good. More beach days and some consistent amazing weather (thanks, Mother Nature!). I started seeing a chiropractor twice a week and quickly respond REALLY WELL to treatment and start feeling a lot better. I put things into perspective and realize how lucky I am to live where I do -- on the beach -- and get to enjoy all this newfound free time doing things I enjoy. We also celebrate some family birthdays and have a small family gathering in honor of our beloved Dorothy.

Have you noticed that “seeing family” always ends up in my “good” section?

The bad. Naya Rivera died unexpectedly, John Lewis died, REGIS died. Our President remains as unhinged as ever, we desperately want to #FreeBritney, and Kanye West has a really sad, scary and concerning, uh, episode. He’s also running for President, maybe? Or not? On a personal note, Leo and I tried to eat dinner on the beach one night and LIT-rally got attacked by seagulls. Weeks later, bull sharks are spotted in the ocean RIGHT WHERE WE LIVE, and they prohibit swimming.

What’s new? Hamilton on Disney+: need I say more? The fig tree that’s been on our deck for three summers FINALLY started to grow figs! I re-watched Broad City and it is just... *chef’s kiss* perfection. Taylor Swift releases her album ‘folklore’ and I listen on repeat for seven days straight.

AUGUST.

Well, who knows? We’re not there yet. 2020 has certainly been a ride (and it’s not over yet; dear GOD), and I still can’t believe it ended up being this insane year, unlike anything I’ve EVER experienced. And while it undoubtedly has come with its fair share of challenges, it has also come with some blessings.

I have all this extra time now and I make a point to use it productively (most days). I log off from working and go outside, I walk the beach, go in our complex pool, ride the stationary bike, catch up with friends/family on the phone, read, and watch/re-watch shows.

The commute and hustle and bustle of every day in my pre-pandemic life would make me stressed and anxious; I was constantly snoozing alarm clocks, rushing in the mornings, dealing with overcrowded/delayed trains, and getting home late each night.

Life has become slower, in a good way, and it’s made me appreciate the simple things. I care less about material things and more about the basics: enjoying nice weather/the outdoors, my home, my husband, my family and close friends.

I genuinely stopped caring about getting my hair and nails done, going out to dinner, getting dolled up, or traveling. Don’t get me wrong: I enjoy all these things and I’ll of course do them again, but this whole situation made me realize that what I need *most* in this world are the simple joys that money can’t buy.

And for that? I’m grateful.

*stay safe, friends.*

#coronavirus #pandemic #life #2020 #this year #recap #family #blm #year in review #my life #covid #life as we know it #changes #death #loss #love #beach

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edc-creations-blog · 7 years

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That Church Life by Teresa B.

“From beginning to end, That Church Life has you on the edge of your pew. What made this book a page turner: Three ladies on different spiritual paths that come to a head at the beginning of a major tragedy. The book unfolds as Missy, the preachers kid and heir to the megachurch throne is broken, bloody and on the run in these Durham, North Carolina streets!

The Church Gal Crew is leading the way to Salvation at Mt. Zion Holiness Church. Feisty Natalia Freemon is the “head” of the crew. Rebellious and outspoken, she has no problems challenging the church status quo. Years later however, her loss of faith will tragically impact her life.

Michelle Hanks, a country girl from a hardworking farm family is the peacemaker and “soul” of the crew. Although struggling with self-confidence she is wise beyond her years and can’t wait to escape the farm life and find success; even if it costs her soul.

Missy Jones, the “heart” of the crew, has the face of an angel and a voice sent from heaven. A pastor’s daughter raised in the church, Missy loves the ministry and her place in it. But the flesh is tempting, especially when it comes in the form of sexy church musician and Mt. Zion playboy Tommy.

These three best friends drift away from each other and the church but come back together through spiritual downfall, relationship crises, drug addiction, and even murder. Can the crew survive the drama involved in That Church Life?

More About The Church Gal Crew

NATALIA FREEMON Feisty Natalia Freemon is the “head” of the crew. Rebellious and outspoken, she has no problems challenging the church status quo. Years later however, her loss of faith will tragically impact her life.

MICHELLE HANKS Michelle Hanks, a country girl from a hardworking farm family is the peacemaker and “soul” of the crew. Although struggling with self-confidence she is wise beyond her years and can’t wait to escape the farm life and find success; even if it costs her soul.

MISSY JONES Missy Jones, the “heart” of the crew, has the face of an angel and a voice sent from heaven. A pastor’s daughter raised in the church, Missy loves the ministry and her place in it. But the flesh is tempting, especially when it comes in the form of sexy church musician and Mt. Zion playboy Tommy.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers’ Favorite

Betrayal. Suspense. Murder…Can the crew survive the drama involved in That Church Life?

That Church Life by Teresa B. Howell follows Missy Jones as she seeks comfort from her calling as a pastor to guide her through the obstacles in her life. When her boyfriend is shot in her church, she struggles to understand her confusion and feelings of guilt. Her father and her friends tell her that he’s bad news, but she’s blinded by how much she loves him and how much faith she has in him changing his ways. Things get worse when a woman shows up, claiming to be her mother. When her two best friends suggest a trip to Jamaica, she sees this as her opportunity to get her life on a new path. Hope comes in the form of Beanie, a man who understands the church part of her life. Can she make a new course for her life before her past threatens to ruin it?

That Church Life is surprising, fast paced, and honest. I had a completely different idea of what to expect than how the story ended up being. It begins in the heart of the action as Missy is processing what happened. Everything follows her frame of thought as she goes through shock and confusion. The story felt cinematic in the best way with the quick pace, the action, and the dramatic elements. Teresa B. Howell finds the perfect balance. The shock of the shooting was hectic and crazy, trying to figure out what’s happening and why. Then there’s a soft calm where every detail falls into place. Every dramatic element has a calm payoff. The strongest part of the novel is the heart. The relationship between Missy and her two best friends is strong and honest. They’re three different women, but they come together to make each other stronger, despite the obstacle one of them is dealing with. That Church Life has a lesson underneath of finding guidance and strength through any obstacle, and of friendship. A must-read

Purchase That Church Life by Teresa B. (Book 1) https://amzn.com/B01GW5R69E Church Life 2 – Coming July 2, 2017

Teresa B. Howell is an Exceptional Children’s Director that has two Master Degrees in education and leadership. She has received numerous awards and accolades in her profession, dedicated to mentoring and teaching students within the school system. Teresa was born and raised in the church. She witnessed the good and the not so good while not only attending, but also serving in various capacities in different church organizations. Teresa decided in July 2015 to put her experiences and observations on paper, and her first novel That Church Life was born. She aspires to be more than just the average Christian Author, which can be noted in her writing style. Teresa’s literary path is inspired by her faith, family, and close friends. She currently lives in Durham, NC with her husband and children.

BPM: What made you want to become a writer? How long have you been writing? I have been writing songs and poems since childhood. Due to the death of a close family relative I began to write again using it as a therapeutic tool to overcome grief. This tool helped me to expand on writing other topics that were familiar and relatable to my situation. In 2015, I considered writing a non-fiction novel about my experiences in the church and how my upbringing had effected my outlook on spirituality and my relationship with God. After self-reflection, I realized that I would be great at writing fiction as I loved to tell stories in my own unique way. I started writing That Church Life in July 2015 using Missy as the main character to tell my story. A year later I decided to publish with over 55 re-writes and an entirely different twist from the original manuscript.

BPM: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively? I have evolved greatly in the area of writing with coaching, training, and researching. I learned how to develop stories that will grasp the reader’s attention from page 1 of my books.

BPM: Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice? Absolutely! It has become a true outlet for me in all areas of my life. I allow myself to connect with spiritual incite as I write down every word.

BPM: How has writing impacted your life? Creating a page turning fiction Christian book has given me great opportunity to travel the world and talk about some of the tough topics that church goers don’t want to talk about within a church setting. From speaking engagements, television, and signings I have been able to speak to hundreds of people about different topics that arise within the church. That Church Life has given me a bigger platform to discuss and reflect on life’s challenges with the church and spirituality.

BPM: What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your books? I learned from several of the readers that I have a talent that I didn’t know existed. I didn’t realize that my gift for writing would touch so many lives and I was very surprised at the response that my first novel has received.

BPM: How do you find or make time to write? Are you a plotter or a pantster? I am a pantster by nature. Spending time to plot things would be a waste of time for me as I change story lines and characters around often in my writing. I love the creativity piece of being a panster and I try to have at least 8 hours a week for writing.

BPM: How did you choose the genre you write in? Have you considered writing in another genre? I enjoy talking about tough topics dealing with religion and spiritual growth. In That Church Life the main character struggles with a lot of tough topics that become distractions for her growth. Now that I have found my niche, I don’t think I will go outside of Christian fiction or Mystery Suspense genres.

BPM: Tell us about your most recent work. Available on Nook and Kindle? That Church Life part 1 is available on Nook and Kindle. It is also available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and my personal website.

BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters or the speakers. What makes each one so special? That Church Life has three main characters that come together and create a powerful force.

Missy Jones is a preacher’s kid who has a hard time pushing aside certain things and following her calling. She gets tangled up with several different distractions that cause her to waver her faith and destiny. She is the representative for all of the women within the church that struggle with these same topics.

Michelle Hanks is the peacemaker that tries hard to please everyone. But she has a deep dark past that haunts her. Her secrets will be revealed in That Church Life 2.

Natalia Freemon is a daughter to one of the deacons in the church. She is the troublemaker of the crew and doesn’t take religion seriously. She believes in living life freely and doesn’t allow all of the church mayhem to disturb her quality of living. She speaks her mind and lets everyone around her know that she means business.

BPM: What was your hardest scene to write, the opening or the close? The ending was the hardest scene to write due to the complexity of the characters. I wanted to bring an unexpected twist to the readers that they didn’t see coming their way. I completed that task but it took months of evaluating to make it work.

BPM: Share one specific point in your book that resonated with your present situation or journey. These three girls deal with so much within a months’ time frame but yet still push forward. I guess my main point of this novel would be to show how people within the church endure several issues but still come out as overcomers.

BPM: Is there a specific place/space/state that you find inspiration in? I am easily distracted. I love to be in quiet and serene settings that allow me to think clearly about the writing process. Places such as the library, the beach, or vacationing are all great hot spots that allow my pen to flow freely.

BPM: Do you want each book to stand on its own or do you prefer to write series? Writing a series takes a lot of work. You have to align every detail to each book because readers notice everything. I have enjoyed the process for That Church Life but I think after this series I will stick to stand alone books. They seem easier to write in my opinion.

BPM: Does writing energize you? It can be very fulfilling overall. I can’t say that it is a complete energizer because trying to piece it all together can be really hard work.

BPM: Do you believe in writer’s block? Yes! Writers block is definitely something that happens often when I am writing. I have learned to step back for a few days and then get right back to it.

BPM: Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it? I would never write anything dealing with erotica. It’s just not my style.

BPM: Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? For me writing the love scenes can be difficult. I find myself overwriting and putting way too much emphasis on how the characters feel more so then what they are actually doing. I love hard so my description of love is way over the top for some people.

That Church Life by Teresa B. That Church Life by Teresa B. “From beginning to end, That Church Life has you on the edge of your pew.

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