Opening day thoughts– Chance to win a copy of Dragonborn

 

When you hear the term opening day, what comes to mind first? (For a chance to win a free copy of my novel Dragonborn, add your first thought to the comments below.) For me, opening day brings baseball to mind. Going to Wrigley field and still wearing my winter coat as the wind whips across Lake Michigan.

 

Today, is an opening day of sorts for my newest fantasy novel, Dragonborn. It just dropped this morning across all the platforms. It’s a whole new episode in my life as a writer. And it all started with an idea that is now found in book four of the series. I liked the scene and characters but their situation raised questions. The main question was why? Why were they in that situation? I followed the trail of questions until I found all the answers I needed. Of course I’m still fleshing the story out, I know the basics. I know why and am now discovering what, who, where, and when. 

Pumping Your Muse writing prompt

Write a scene showing your opening day thought. It can be a store, first day of school, a sporting event, or any other opening day. Include some details that show where you are, why you are there, when you are there, who you are with, and what you're doing. And don’t forget to add your opening day “first thought” to the comment below or on the writing prompt link for this blog post on my FB page or Twitter @birdiesquill for a chance to win a copy of Dragonborn.

About Dragonborn

Dragons. Magic. Rents in time. Dragonborn follows the journey of the young prison guard, Ervig Greenfields, as he seeks the help of dragons to remove a curse. The dragons offer Ervig access to the Labyrinth of Times, which will purge the dark magic. But there’s a catch. Erving must take the Dragon Oath—an oath to secrecy which requires him to fight alongside the dragons for centuries, never to return to his own time.

Dragonborn available through the following outlets.

• Amazon Kindle
• Amazon print
• Smashwords
• Barnes and Noble
• Kobo
• Google Play
• Google Books
• Apple link

When you read Dragonborn, do me a favor and post an honest review over on Goodreads to let others know what you think. Thanks for your support.

Photo credits: Pxfuel, Each Voice Publishing

Providence

 

You’ve probably heard the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Today, I’d like to look at one word and see what kind of picture you can “draw” from it. Can you turn that picture into a thousand words? But you know me. I’ll add a little twist to it. The word won’t have just one definition and I want you to show at least two of those definitions in your writing or at least have fun trying. I do want you to enjoy the creative process!

 Photo credit: pixabay

Today's Pumping Your Muse writing prompt

Today’s writing prompt is a dictionary prompt.The word to consider is providence.

• Meaning 1:. The protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power.
• Meaning 2: Prudence in the management of one's concerns or in private economy
• Meaning 3: Foresight; timely care; particularly, active foresight, or foresight accompanied with the procurement of what is necessary for future use, or with suitable preparation. How many of the troubles and perplexities of life proceed from want of providence!

This can be fiction or non-fiction. You don’t have to use the word but you have to show it in action. To nudge your muse (if it needs it) here is a short list of scenarios to consider.

• The life of a person who is homeless and without hope is turned around through a series of coincidental encounters.
• A couple who has wanted a child and been turned down at every turn ends up with a family of three children in the end.
• A person who is crushed by loss and thinking of ending their life finds new purpose in helping others through their loss.
• A wealthy woman who has no family learns she is going to die.

About The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

Written within the allegorical tradition of classics like Pilgrim's Progress, The Inheritance offers a literal but symbolic story for today's fantasy enthusiasts. This cleverly devised tale doesn't tell you what to think, but stimulates thought as to why you believe what you believe in your own quest for the Eternal City. The Inheritance is an ideal discussion starter for youth groups, homeschoolers, and families who enjoy meaningful discussions. 

 

The Inheritance is available on Kindle, paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo (Christian fiction), Smashwords and Google Books. When you read it, be sure to leave a review! Thanks for your support. 

 

Coming soon! Dragonborn by Donna Sundblad

Dragonborn conjures up a winning fantasy with dragons, humans, time travel, and magic. Follow the journey of the young prisonguard, Ervig Greenfields, as he seeks out dragons to remove a curse. The dragons offer him access to the Labyrinth of Times, which will purge the dark magic. But there’s a catch. Erving must take the Dragon Oath that requires allegiance--to fight alongside dragons for centuries, never to return to his own time. He and a handful of others take the selfless oath and become Dragonborn. The Dragonborn and their dragons become seeds of change, in this epic tale, of sacrifice for the greater good. Ride along with them as they slip through a tear in time to the past to change the future.

 

 

Learning From a Different POV

Point of view (POV) offers readers a glimpse into the world you've creative on paper. Based on this POV, they take in visual and other sensory information limited to that POV. For example, if you have three characters in a scene, and it is written from an outside POV--readers will not know the characters' thoughts or feelings. Instead they must make determinations based on what is said and in interpreting body language.

Today's Prompt:

Today we're going to have fun with POV. Take out an existing story (preferably one of your own) and write it from another POV.

Note: If you're ever stuck at a point in a story you're working on, this is a great way to get unstuck. You may never use the additional scene, but information gleaned from it can help you get on with writing.

What if...

If you were a piece of furniture what would you be? Sounds like a question from the Newlywed game doesn't it? For today's prompt, decorate the room of your choice with authentic detail. But that's not all! Take the same room when you finish and decorate it in another time or era.

Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author

Ate Too Much

Remember the old Alka-selter commercial? The "I ate too much; I ate to fast" slogan was one than many people related to then and today. For today's prompt, create a setting ripe with the opportunity to eat too much--but your character is on a diet. How do they do?

Check out more articles and classes on writing at the Inspired Author
or my fantasy blog for writers