Just Keep Writing: August 10, 2023 - Thursday Threads & About the Author August Challenge

 Welcome to the scenic route! The sun is shining yet again today. While I enjoy the sunny cheerfulness, our grass is crunching. I've been praying for rain, and not just any rain, but a nice, steady day-long rain. In the mean time, I'm going to keep as cool as possible and keep doing what I need to do. And right now, that means sharing this word prompt. Y'all ready?

Just Keep Writing: Thursday Threads

If this is your first time participating in this kind of writing exercise, you're in for a treat. If you've done this with me before, just keep scrolling for the prompt.

Rules:

1. You can use any/all of the words and/or the photo in the prompt below to create a unique written work. Fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose, even lyrics are acceptable.  
2. Please keep the material you write clean (i.e. nothing R-rated or worse) if you wish to share the link to your work here, as well as if you link back to my site. I strive to keep my site free of such things. My readers know and expect this. I respect your right to write whatever you feel you need to write. And you're free to use my prompts. But if your material is graphic, I'd rather not view it, and most of my readers will not wish to. 
3. Have fun! This type of exercise is perfect for growing in the writing craft, or for helping through a rough patch in your current WIP. If you're looking to push your author limits and you normally write in nonfiction prose, try a whimsical collection of lyrics. If you normally write poems about real life events, try your hand at a fanfic. Give yourself some room to explore.

Don't forget to leave a link to your creation (unless you're writing graphic material) so my readers and I can check out your work. I'd appreciate a link back to this post to help me reach more readers, but it's not required. 

This set looks like it could be super useful in a plethora of genres. Happy writing, y'all!

Writing Challenge: #abouttheauthoraugust by Jameson C. Smith

Today's author challenge topic: Currently Reading, August TBR

I just downloaded Princess of Thorns by Amberlyn Holland, which is a novella prequel to her Curse of the Dark Kingdom series. I'll start reading that at some point today. 

I'm also working my way through the book of Galatians, Genesis chapters 33-36, and Psalms 9 & 10 in the Bible. Each month, I read a new section of the new testament, the old testament, and either a couple of psalms or proverbs every day. When I'm able, I write down the verses I've read. I haven't been able to do that last part much lately. I've been too busy to even sit down, unless I'm resting from a big job. But, I press on. I want to do more to keep the Scriptures in my head so I can do a better job of pulling them up when I need specific ones.

In my ladies Bible study group,  we've been reading through the book Virtuous by Nancy Wilson. There is so much to unpack in that little book! We've been able to have some really good discussions on Biblical virtues and how to apply them as women of God. So much has been lost to women with the hyper-feminism which is running rampant in our culture today. These virtues do NOT take away from our personhood, rights, or freedom. Rather they enhance our ability to be all we were created to be to honor the God who made us. In any case, this book has been awesome and I highly recommend it. 

On my August TBR list: 

• Prince of Frogs - Amberlyn Holland
• The Viscounts Unlikely Ally - Rose Pearson
• Braving the Valley (Acts of Valor #5) - Rebecca Hartt
• Just One Kiss - Maggie Dallen
• Deadlines & Dryads - Rebecca Chastain
• Stay With Me (Summer Heat: Christian Romantic Suspense Vol. 1) - various authors
• Through Every Danger (Summer Heat: Christian Romantic Suspense Vol. 2) - various authors
• Flourish - Lydia Brownback

As you can see, this is a lot of books. In those two volumes of suspense romance, there are four short stories. I know four of the authors and have enjoyed their work. But I'll be getting to check out four more authors. It should be fun. 

The Amberlyn Holland books are fairytale retellings and I can't way to see what she does with them. I haven't been disappointed with any of her fantasy romance books yet. 

I read a lot of non-fiction via audiobooks since I subscribe to Canon+. They're perfect for when I'm at work on something which doesn't require my entire focus, like dishes, or pinning fabric at work. I only listed one of the ones in my list because I doubt I'll finish that one this month. 

(All book links in this section will take you to their Goodreads pages or Goodreads series pages. The 'author challenge' link and the challenge photo link take you to Jameson's website/blog post.)

What are you reading? 

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope you'll share your thoughts in the comments below. 

Come back tomorrow for a writing update, another writer's challenge response, and a new three word prompt. I might also include a snippet from my current WIP, though no guarantees on that. Helping my parents with some of their chores has thrown me a curve ball. I don't begrudge them the time or effort, but it means I have to adjust to yet another schedule change. That's never easy. I'm just glad I'm able to help and give back for all they've done for me. 

Until next time,
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