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 |  Some thoughts on writing and life |
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** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** My name is Noelle, and I write Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction. Here on WDC, I like to stretch my style and write in many different categories and genres of fiction as well as pen some poetry here and there. I have a few short stories published in anthologies. I'm currently working on a Young Adult novel. A loving mom of three, I live way up in the northern-most part of New York State, near the Canadian border. A crazy, avid reader, a lover of my friends & family  . What/who inspires me: my four beautiful sisters, theater and music, health & fitness, gardening, kayaking, sunshine, rain, hiking, nature, children. I'd describe myself as determined, caring, a thinker (overly analytical at times), a dreamer, always seeking balance in my life. I'm dedicated to my writing, and I enjoy motivating and helping other writers when I can.  This blog is a journal of my thoughts, a record of my experiences, and a place to share ideas with other writers and readers. I'm so glad you're here -- please leave me a comment to say hi! ~ ~** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| What does freedom mean to you? How do you express your freedom? Do you consider yourself 'free'? Freedom is a basic human right I value greatly. Freedom is walking into the voting booth and casting a ballot for any candidate of my choice. Freedom is walking down Main Street on a Sunday morning and walking into any church I choose for worship. Freedom is turning away, without persecution, those who come calling to persuade me to change my faith. Freedom is my choice to become educated and others’ choice not to. Freedom is being able to work for a better life, being able to choose a career, and being able to spend my money how I see fit to spend it. Freedom is being able to go where I want to go and live my life the way I choose to live it. It is being able to say what I want to say and write what I want to write. Freedom is being able to fly the flag I want to fly … and the flag I choose is Old Glory! I am free because I live the United States of America. I express my freedom by voting on election day, being a proud American, and honoring veterans who protect my freedom. I love my country. I know it’s not perfect, but at least I know I’m free. |
| Feb. 7 Prompt: When life gets out of hand, what do you do to relax and regain your composure? I think I thrive on anxiety. I have trouble relaxing. There is always something I should be doing, and when I get to doing that something, there is always something else I should be doing. I have trouble concentrating on what I’m doing because I have three kids who like to interrupt me. When life gets out of hand, I don’t self-medicate or drink or anything dysfunctional like that. I find I don’t watch T.V. or play games. I’m don’t like to go out. I like to stay home, but I’m very social. When things get tough, I feel like I have to talk to someone about it. I pick a sister (I have 4 of them!) or a parent or a friend to call on the phone. Then, I talk and pace back and forth in my kitchen until I start to feel better. If that doesn’t work, I pour myself a cup of coffee, sit down at my computer, read or write, and procrastinate whatever I’m supposed to be doing. Wait, did I say I don’t do anything dysfunctional? |
| Prompt for Feb. 6: A person hand delivers a valentine to whom and why? As I sat here trying to think of something to write for today’s prompt, nothing came to mind. I didn’t want to make something up because I wanted my journal to remain true to life. My two daughters were busy painting with water colors at the dining room table. My oldest daughter asked me what I was working on, so I read her the prompt, "A person hand delivers a valentine- to whom and why?" After a few more minutes of staring at a blank computer screen, I was startled when she approached the desk. She handed me her drippy painting. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mama,” she said with a wide, beautiful smile. “Oh, thank you, honey. It’s beautiful! But, why did you paint this for me today? It’s not Valentine’s Day yet.” “Because you needed it to have something to write about,” she giggled. “And, I love you.” Isn’t she so sweet?! But, I think she probably wanted me to hurry up so she could get on the computer and go to Webkinz World!I love my valentine from her so much, I just had to share it (it’s dry now!): ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| Feb. 5 Prompt: about anything you'd like, but here's the catch: start with a sentence that is one-word long, two-word, etc. Double word count in each successive sentence. Sunshine. It’s there. But, it’s far away. Snowy winter atmosphere conceals the sun’s brilliant light. And bitter cold gusts rob its tender warmth, blowing snow in drifts across a white coverlet. Oh, how I long for the Sunshine I remember, pouring from a cloudless sky, dancing along a wave-topped lake, with intense rays caressing my bare skin, warming my soul, dazzling my spirit. |
| Feb. 4 Prompt: If you had one week before the world was destroyed, how would you spend it? If the world were to be destroyed in a week and I knew it was coming, I’d likely spend the first hour just crying because I really love life. But, mostly I’d cry because I know one week would not be enough time to see everyone I love before the world is destroyed. My sisters and their families live so far away from me- I’m getting choked up just thinking about this. Undoubtedly, I do know what I would spend doing the rest of the week. Every waking moment, I would spend with my husband and three children. I would hold them close and tell them over and over again how much I love them. I would spend the week giving my kids everything I can, showing them every beautiful thing on Earth I can show them, and exhausting every resource to give them whatever they wanted. How unfair it would be for them; they are just so young. I would pray with them and teach them not to be afraid and that God is always with us. |
| Feb 3 Prompt: "Little Animals" Feb. 3 Prompt: “Little Animals” Right now, I have no pets. My precious dog of eleven years, Willow, died in 2007, and I can’t seem to keep a fish alive to save my life. But, I live in a country setting, so I do deal with animals- big and little. Traveling down my road, there’s always a wild animal crossing or an exotic-looking bird diving in front of the car. My sister-in-law/best friend says she thinks Snow White lives on my road!  We have white tail deer and wild turkey that frequent our backyard; there’s fox, coyote, raccoons, porcupines, chipmunks, and skunks just to name a few. There’s even a cute hedgehog who made a home under my porch. He scurries around a tree in the front yard, looking for food, then scoots back under the porch again. My kids love to watch him. But they all stay outside my house. On occasion, there are little animals who get too cold outside and venture in to find food, warmth, and to creep me out! Yes, little, cute, filthy field mice like my house. About a month ago, it warmed up, the snow melted, and then it got cold and snowed again. That was when he came in- he was a bold little animal. Usually, I know when I have “intruders” because they leave tiny clues that they’ve been here.  But, I rarely see one until … well, until I win the game of ‘catch the mouse’. Yeah, not on that particular day. I came home from the gym and caught him in the act. He was tearing up my kitchen, hanging out uder the oven, then scurring faster than the speed of sound to the pantry and like lightning, bolted across the floor, under the sink, up onto the bar counter, and then was airborne, like a freakin’ bird, back onto the floor. He didn’t care one iota that I was there - that little animal had no fear of me. I, on the other hand, was terrified! But, it only lasted a moment because I realized this little animal wasn’t going to hurt me, he was just hanging out doing his own thing … in my house. Of course, I didn’t have any traps and I don’t drive, so I had to hang out with Mr. Bold until my husband got home from work. I warned my 3 year old, “Guess what, Honey? We have a little mouse in our house! You’ll probably see him, but don’t be scared … just leave your boots on.” She, of course, was thrilled; it was like having a new pet. She asked if we could name it. I raised a brow and like a good mother said, “Sure sweetheart, what do you want to call him?” In her long drawn out 3-year-old little girl voice answered, “Ar-i-el.” (She’s a huge Little Mermaid fan ) I had a hard time thinking of Mr. Bold as “Ariel” but that became his name until the next morning when, sadly, Ariel Mouse ... eh … went ‘home’ … under the sea… He got home the same way Nemo did! |
| Prompt for Feb 2: "Three ideas towards world peace" The concept of a world at peace is beautiful. Yet, I have to wonder if it’s possible since the world is made up of human beings, many with ethnocentrism and strong beliefs about culture and religion. However, I’m a bit of an optimist, and I like the challenge of thinking of ways to actually achieve world peace. My first idea is that world peace begins at home. I try and teach my children tolerance of others and acceptance for their differences. Maybe if every parent worldwide did this, there would be less bullying and we would all help to raise a new generation of peaceful world leaders. Next, I think in order for world peace to happen, peace must inhabit the minds of individuals. Each person should take responsibility and think of ways to reach out and lend a hand for the common good of others. I don’t mean monetary hand outs; many of us don’t have extra money to donate- especially in today’s economy. But what I do mean is people should volunteer their time and energy to help neighbors and their local communities. It doesn’t have to be every day or long periods of time- just an hour or two spent helping someone else in the spirit of peace and kindness can make a difference in that person’s life. I speak from experience-- when a person takes the time to help another, the rewards are great. Good deeds won’t get passed forward every time, but many will! The third idea I have to promote world peace is to write about it. Not everyone thinks like me, but I have the power to suggest my ideas to others through my writings. Words are powerful and written words can be persuasive, bringing the issue of world peace into the forefront of people’s minds. Perhaps my ideas are on a micro level, but It certainly is empowering to know I could have a hand in making this widespread dream a reality for us all. |
| chatter chatter ... chatter chatter chatter ... Oh, that's just my teeth chattering because I'm so t-e-r-r-i-f-i-e-d [shivers] to post my first blog entry. I guess the idea of sharing my thoughts, feelings, and experiences makes me feel so exposed. But, I've always liked the idea of keeping a journal- it's nice to have a record of things to look back and reflect on later. I've decided to sign up for "Invalid Item"  to help me get started on my 'blogging' journey.Taking in a deep breath and.... Here I go ...! |
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