Image Credit: Rediscovering Life

Kirstyn Todd tagged me in a unique tag that she created! Thanks, Kirstyn!

Here’s the link to her original post:

• The Writing World Tag, Created By Me!

The Rules

• Thank the person that tagged you and link to their website
• Post the rules
• Answer your tagger’s questions
• Share your two favorite writing tips and where you got them from
• Share two random story/WIP ideas you’ve never shared before (It would be cool to include covers, but you don’t have to) (And also they don’t have to be ideas you’re ever going to turn into anything)
• But don’t spoil them for us 😉
• Tag five people
• Let the people you tag know that they have been tagged
• Ask five questions
• No, you can’t re-tag the person that tagged you

Questions I Was Asked

1. What is the first story you remember making up?
2. How and when was (were) your current WIP(s) inspired?
3. When did you “get serious” about writing, if you know what I mean?
4. What made you decide to write your current WIP and actually publish it?
5. What has been your biggest accomplishment in writing so far?

My Answers

1. I’m pretty sure it was something related to the Barbies I owned. I loved thinking of different stories and scenarios for Barbie, Skipper, and Chelsea.
2. I currently have three WIPs. The first one, tentatively titled “Experiences From Camp,” was inspired by an idea that came to me during lunch in the cafeteria at Capital Group in early 2012, which was my first long-term “big girl” job out of college. I didn’t have any paper on me, so I kept the idea in my head until I was able to get home and scrawl out my ideas and first characters. The second one was inspired by my parents’ love of Frank Lloyd Wright houses around the U.S., and wanting to write a historical fiction story. The third one, tentatively titled “Discussion of Differences,” was inspired by real-life experiences with friendships from college. You can read more about all three with my Writing Wednesdays series from
3. I knew I wanted to be a writer by age 10. In fifth grade, when I was 11, my Young Authors book, titled “Electro Girl,” was recognized by Chesapeake Public Schools. I think my parents still have the program from the ceremony – The theme that year was “Take Me To Your Leader.” I met my best friend, Melissa, through this recognition process, too!
4. I’m working my 2012 WIP to completion right now. It was bugging me last year that I’d only written about 13,000 words. Thanks to my friend Madison Grace, who is just 14, she inspired me to do Camp NaNoWriMo for the very first time in April 2018. I hope to reach at least 50,000 words to complete it by the end of 2018.
5. Aside from this little blog of mine, I have to say that my first Camp NaNoWriMo experience was a smashing success – I exceeded my goal of writing 20,000 new words! I can’t wait to do Camp again in July, and I’m also hoping to do NaNoWriMo in November for the first time in four years!

Writing Tips

1. Use whatever tools work best for you to tell your story. For me, it’s a combination / mash-up of a handwritten composition notebook, the blog here on WordPress, and Microsoft Word. I’ve seen others have success with just the Notes app on their smartphones! However, I’m always looking for ways to improve.
2. Expand your reading horizons. When I was younger, I would re-read a lot of books because I was scared to branch out. Now, I read a variety of genres, and I find myself loving reading now more than ever. It’s opened my eyes to new authors, new genres, and different writing styles. Expanding your reading horizons will benefit your writing – It did for me.

Random Story / WIP Ideas

1. “Tunnel Vision” – Nicole, a tough female police officer, goes off-duty one night, just trying to get across the water to get to her 35th birthday celebration. The bridge-tunnel separating the precinct and Nicole’s friends is suddenly shut down, and Nicole is quickly enveloped into a bizarre murder mystery.
2. “Adventures in the Amazon” – Two sisters, Amanda and Katie, enter the annual, much coveted National Geographic contest. The grand prize – A three-week adventure into the Amazon jungle. To their surprise, the sisters win everything, but encounter multiple obstacles along the way. Will they get to experience the Amazon jungle for themselves?

My Questions

1. Do you journal?
2. Have you ever published anything?
3. If you have been published, how did you go about that?
4. How long have you been blogging?
5. What are you currently working on? No spoilers!

Tag – You’re It!

1. Kristian – Life Lessons Around The Dinner Table
2. Didi Oviatt
3. Olivia – OP Writes
4. Damyanti Biswas
5. Brian Ojakapeli

What about you? Are you in the writing world?

I’d love to hear about it!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂