Settings

Instagram Pic by Julia King

When I was eighteen, I traveled by chartered bus with a group for three weeks across country and back again. During that time, I hit up seventeen U.S. states. Supercool. And way fun! I enjoyed the entire trip, however, there was one city that stuck out to me the most: Boston, Massachusetts.

The strange thing is that I spent all of maybe four hours there. But, the essence of the New England state penetrated my soul in a way that has drawn my heart back there ever since. Yes, for twelve years, I've been itching to get back there but have yet to make my pilgrimage back. I'd love to live there. The thing is I'm too practical to up and move without securing a job. I'm a planner, you see. I've got to make sure I can survive. :D But the adventure is so desirable to me. And, of course, scary too!

Anyway, because of this intense pull to this beautiful area of the United States, I set my second book, BOUND, in a city near Boston called Wrentham. There is a scene that takes place in Boston, and the beginning and end takes place outside of Dublin, Ireland. Intrigued yet? You better be!

Although I spent a brief period of time in Boston, I didn't know anything about it other than I know it's gorgeous. I spent a a fare amount of time researching Wrentham and Boston. I don't know what I'd do without the internet. Sheesh, I'd be lost. Luckily, I've been to Dublin, Ireland, so I didn't have much of a problem there. Plus, the scenes set in Ireland are supernatural by nature, so I used my creative license to build the setting/world there.

Anyway, have you ever set a book in a city you've never been to? Or one in which you've only spent a short period of time there? How do you go about researching your setting? Internet? Library? Actually going there?

Writing. Jewels.

PS: Happy Wednesday!

Caved. Cracked. Instagram.

I've finally caved or cracked or whatever and signed up for Instagram. I did this for good reason too. I read on a blog the other day about using images/pictures found on the internet as a part of blog posts. If I remember correctly, the post was linked on a blog I follow. I can't remember which one, though. Sorry! The topic piqued my interest, so I bounced on over to check out what it said.

Anyway, posts look so darn pretty when accompanied by pictures. However, as the post suggested, if you're not careful, you could get in trouble with copyrights. I've decided not to use Google images anymore on my posts to keep my butt safe. I might be a little paranoid, but it's better to be safe than sorry, right?

This is where Instagram comes into play. I'm going to take my own pictures, via Instagram. I'll try to be creative, as shown below. Hopefully, they can add a little flare of life to my posts and keep me safe in the process. :D

So here's the first one of many (Paperclips + Julia = Instagram):

Are you an Instagramer? Do you take photos of the food you eat and post it on Instagram? What pics do you commonly post on Instagram? Nature, friends, family, pets? And what are your thoughts about using internet images/pictures on blogs?

Writing. Jewels.

PS: If you want to follow me on Instagram, my profile name is "writingjewels".

Month of August Goals

Ok, folks... The month of July was bar-none the hardest flippin' month of my life. Alright, I've been through worse, of course, but this is so fresh on my mind that it feels all the more difficult. You know how bad/good things happen in threes? Well, that has been the case for me. I won't bore you with the goary details but, for all intents and purposes, let's just say that the things that happened weren't good. Anyway, because of this, my month of July goals didn't pan out very well.
Sigh!

I will review them quickly, though.

• Beta a couple books I beta'd one friend's book. That's good, huh?
• Start reading Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull Uh... I had no desire to read for the life of me. Super sad, huh?
• Continue exercising three days a week I did fulfill this part of my goals. Woot Woot!
• Only have one treat a week on Fridays Did I say that I had a really tough month? Well, that should tell you how I did on this goal. haha
• Start the first draft of BOUND's sequel. I so can't wait No work done here. Shoot. I did have to do another edit on my first book, though. When will the insanity end?

Anyway, my month of August goals are going to be pretty light. I need a break, my friends. If I don't relax a bit, I might end up in a white padded room with a straight jacket on.

So, here are some simple goals:

• Move on August 18 and get settled into my new place
• Read Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull
• Edit a bit of my own works
• Enjoy me some Netflix and time with loved ones
• Beta a tweeps book if she needs my help

Have you ever had a month where you wonder what's the next thing that's going to go wrong? How do you get through tough times? I do a great deal of praying, talking to family and friends, and trying not to eat too many sweets. Two weeks ago, I even got out of dodge to spend some time with a some good friends as well as my mom.

Anyway, dear followers, thanks for stopping by. And what are your month of August goals?

Writing. Jewels.

IWSG: Third Edition

I thought for today's Insecure Writer's Support Group post, I'd share an encouraging quote. It was said by a past leader of the church I am a member of. Religious or not, I know it'll be inspiring to writers. Or for whatever you are passionate about. So, here it is:

"There is within each of us a divine spark of greatness. Who knows of what we are capable if we only try? The abundant life is within reach if only we will drink deeply of living water, fill our hearts with love, and create of our lives a masterpiece." -- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, The Abundant Life

I have seen the spark of greatness in me as well as countless other people in my life, writers included. The sparks that direct our lives are priceless; they lead to beautiful adventures and endless possibilities. Those sparks will lead to the creation of masterpieces in our lives, if we only try.

So, I encourage you, and me alike, to continue to add fuel to your creative fire(s). There is greatness inside of each of us itching to be unleashed. Keep that in mind, friends. Whatever you are passionate about, keep on doing it. If you've lost your passion, find it again. The masterpiece is there waiting on the horizon just within reach. All you have to do is reach out and grasp it.

What are your thoughts about this quote? Do you have any encouraging quotes you'd like to share? And by golly, thanks for stopping by.

Writing. Jewels.

PS: I will be posting my monthly goals on the first Friday of every month. Other than that, I'll be posting on Wednesdays as usual.

A Flag Flown Half-Staff

As I was driving through Salt Lake City on Interstate 15 the other day, I noticed many American flags being flown half-staff. Whenever I see flags flying in such a manner, I become somber, reflective. It causes my heart to feel heavy with compassion. This symbolic action brings attention to a horrific event that has taken place. I can only assume it was for the tragic shooting that took place in Colorado last week.   

It touches my heart that flags are being flown half-staff for what happened. I even heard that Christian Bale paid a visit to the victims of the shooting. These things show a great deal of respect.

I definitely can't believe that someone would do something so dispicable. The world is a scary place, indeed. Yet, there is good that permiates the earth as well. That's where respect shown through a simple act of flying a flag half-staff is so beautiful. It shows that light still shines through the darkness.

In honor of those who have been adversely affected by this tragedy, I send my sincerest prayers. And hope that your lives will be filled with peace and solace in the coming weeks, months, and years.

How do you feel about what happened during the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises? What things show you that there is the light of goodness in the world?

Writing. Jewels.

What Makes You Laugh

My brother has a knack for saying funny things off the fly. For instance, my family got together on Sunday, and my dad asked one of my nephews to be careful not to break something. My brother said to my dad, "It's your fault for having kids who had kids." We all started laughing. Alright, maybe you had to be there... *shrugs*

Another example: Likewise, on Sunday, we were talking about my family helping me move next month. Funny bro said, "I'll be sure to schedule a colonoscopy on that day." I don't have that much stuff. Really! Haha My dad ended up saying, "I'll be scheduling a nap that day."

Anyway, there are parts of my books that crack me up every time I read them. Sometimes I wonder how I came up with those scenes. But when I'm in the thick of writing, my stories speak to me and tell me what to write--be it funny or sad or horrific.

I make myself laugh sometimes. Ok, that sounds funny and quite possibly crazy, I know. For example, a few weeks ago, I was working out at the gym. I decided to watch the pilot episode of a series I've watched before: Stargate SG1. As I was running on the treadmill, I was smiling so big and giggling quietly from remembering just how much I LOVE that show.

Whenever I see a Beagle, giggles find their way out of my lips. That's my favorite type of dog. Sigh!

The other day, I had a nice chat with a fellow Twitter/writing friend, Rob Weidmann. Somehow we got on the subject of Star Wars. He informed me that May the Fourth is the official Star Wars Day. Get it? May the Fourth be with You! haha I still laugh about that one.

So, what makes you laugh? Does it take a TV show or a book to bring to laughing tears? Do you have a family member or friend who keeps you on your chuckling toes? Do you laugh at yourself? Do your own books crack you up? What's something funny you've heard recently?

Writing. Jewels.

PS: The comic above cracked me up way too much, I think.