Day 19 – Character Phobias: My current characters don’t exactly have any phobias, but they definitely do have fears. The fear of loss definitely a big one in my current work, and it ties into all the other fears that come along with parenting.
What about you? Don’t forget to check out my giveaway happening this month!
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Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside Detective. Her short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous. Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world. You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!
It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to the library. But when your kid wants a book, you go. And when you go, you get some books for yourself. And when you don’t know exactly what you’re in the mood for, you just grab something off the new release shelf and go with it.
And then you are so thrilled you did.
I happened to grab Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman. I didn’t even read what it was about. I just like Van Gogh’s artwork and thought it might be good.
It’s interesting to go into a book with hardly any expectations and find that it’s still not quite what you expected. It’s somber and blunt, and it doesn’t read like a novel or even quite like an autobiography. The chapters are “galleries,” and there are even a few photos of his works included here and there throughout the book. It’s not a light read, but it moves very quickly due to the short chapters. There’s a lot of people who are depressed and disappointed, and yet I couldn’t put it down.
Vincent and Theo tells a story unlike what we usually get in a typical art appreciation class, of a painter who was a little nutty, cut his ear off, and didn’t get famous until after he died. In fact, I’m a little miffed at all the textbooks that skimmed over him like that. I don’t want to go into any details that would spoil it for you, though. I want you to pick up this book, and then when you’re finished reading it and you put it down again, I want you to have the same reaction I did. Whoa.
What makes this all the more fascinating is that Heiligman’s research came from letters exchanged between Vincent and his other friends and family members. It provides an in-depth, insightful, and amazing journey that I had no idea existed.
Vincent and Theo is not a simple biography of an artist. It’s an explanation of why and how the artist became who he was. Tragic, yes, but also transporting and absolutely amazing. I highly recommend it.
Interestingly enough, just a couple of weeks after I finished reading this book (and was still swooning over it), I came across a framed print of Van Gogh’s “Irises” at Goodwill for just $2. I happen to be decorating my office in flowers, and I snapped it right up!
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Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside Detective. Her short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous. Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world. You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!
Day 18 – Currently Reading: My current read is No Place for a Lady by Louise Allen. I don’t always read romance, but when I do I definitely prefer historical! I’m about halfway through right now, so I’ll be sure to tell you guys what I think when I’m done!
What are you reading? Don’t forget to check out my giveaway happening this month!
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Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside Detective. Her short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous. Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world. You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!
Day 17 – Drafting or Revision: 1000% drafting, and yes I meant for all those zeros to be there! It can be a challenge to get a first draft out, but I enjoy the spark of inspiration much more than I do going back and revising. Both parts are very important though!
What about you? Don’t forget to check out my giveaway happening this month!
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Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside Detective. Her short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous. Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world. You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!
As a writer, I know that words matter. Anyone can see that when simply looking at the phrases “big bear” and “humongous bear.” The first is one you run from. And the second? Let’s just hope you are running with someone a lot slower than yourself! However, I had never really considered how words affect our personal performance.
I am a cycling enthusiast – on an amateur level. My husband and I spent the summer of 2020 crossing the United States from the coast of Oregon to Washington DC on a tandem bicycle – a whopping 3102 miles. He’s the cycling guru. I went along for the adventure. Of course, having had that experience, people now send me great articles about cycling. A recent one was a study about cycling performance and the words we use (To me, to you: How we say things matters for endurance performance).
The gist of the study is simple. How we talk to ourselves as we try to achieve something matters. And the best way to achieve something is to talk to ourselves in the second person. In the study, cyclists were asked to repeat mantras while training. Those that said something like “You are a great cyclist” actually went faster than those who said the same thing but in first person – “I am a great cyclist.” The theory is that by saying “you” instead of “I,” we become our own cheerleader from the sidelines of our mind.
Now, let’s bring this back around to writing. I know that, as an author with a debut novel, I sometimes feel like a fake. Have you ever heard of imposter syndrome? It’s that feeling that I am a fraud – that if someone could really get inside my head, they’d learn that I’m not really an author after all. Or they’d find out that this novel was just a fluke and nothing like it will ever happen again. It’s a crazy thought, but I’ve learned that I’m not the only author who feels this way.
So, I’ve decided to use the power of words to change up how I feel. Each morning, I look in the mirror and repeat: “You are an author. You write great stories that people want to read. You know how to connect with your audience.” I figure if it works for elite cyclists, it should work for me – and for you.
Give it a try. How does it feel being your own best fan? Feel free to drop me a note and tell me what you think.
About the Author:
Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown came into this world with an imagination full of stories to tell. She now calls the North Carolina coast home, and the peaceful nature of the sea has been a great source of inspiration for her creativity.
Not letting 2020 get the best of her, Teri chose to go on an adventure that changed her outlook on life. She and her husband, Bruce, rode a tandem bicycle across the United States from Astoria, Oregon to Washington DC, successfully raising money for Toys for Tots. She learned she is stronger than she realized and capable of anything she sets her mind to.
Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others.
Day 16 – What’s your favorite thing about being a writer: There are a lot of things I love about my job, not the least of which is the fact that I get to tell all the stories that are swirling around in my head! I think at this point in my life, though, my favorite thing has to be the flexibility. While I do have a set schedule for my workday, I can move it around a bit to accommodate a sick kid who needs to stay home or an appointment I need to make. It’s not always easy to work from home, honestly, but I have to be grateful for those kinds of benefits!
If you’re a writer, what do you love about it? Don’t forget to check out my giveaway happening this month!
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Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside Detective. Her short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous. Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world. You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!
It’s Day 15 of the Writer Friends Challenge! I managed to miss a few days, but I’m back!
Day 15 – Who is your ideal reader: While I obviously would want everyone who’s willing to read my work, I’d say my idea reader is someone who loves that little spark of magic in the ordinary. My favorite story to write is one where an ordinary life is suddenly turned upside down by something completely unexpected. If that’s what you like, then I’m the author for you!
What kind of reader are you? Don’t forget to check out my giveaway happening this month!
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Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside Detective. Her short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous. Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world. You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!
Sometimes we can look to the magic of the past to discover what the present and future hold for us, which is what I feel The Wisdom of Avalon Oracle cards can do for us. Let’s find out what the cards hold this week.
If you’re interested in a reading of your own, please see the bottom of this post.
Study the photo below and see which card calls to you (1, 2, or 3). You may want to know what the week holds for you in general, or you may have a specific question in mind. Regardless of what you want to know, let your spirit guide you on your card. You’ll find the cards and their meanings below.
Are you ready? Scroll down to find your card!
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#1 – The Earth Faery: The Earth Faery is here to remind you to stay grounded and connected with the Earth. Get outside, get your hands in the dirt, feel the sunshine on your face. She’s also calling you to pay attention to your body. Our physical body is important while it houses us here on Earth. Indulge in your senses, get some exercise, and think about how you’re eating. Your body is your temple.
#2 – The Stag: The Stag asks you to hold your head high, be proud, and act as a leader. This isn’t the kind of pride that becomes arrogance and cuts you off from your community. It is taking satisfaction in the work you’ve done and what it’s brought you. Become an example for others.
#3 – Burden: What kind of burdens are you carrying around? We carry a lot of baggage through life, but most of it isn’t needed. If you’re holding onto a burden so that someone else doesn’t have to deal with it, let it go and know that you aren’t helping if you’re keeping them from learning the lessons of life. If you’re holding onto a unhealthy relationship because you’re worried about what the world might hold for you, know that you deserve better. Let go of your burdens and give them over to the divine so that you can continue on your path freely.
Which card did you pick? Did it mean anything for you? I’d love to know, so feel free to leave me a comment!
Interested in a reading of your own?
You’ll receive a photo of the actual cards drawn and a thorough explanation of their meaning. The readings are done through email, so please ensure a valid email address is included with your payment!
This is for a generalized reading with a deck that calls to me. If you have a specific question or needs, please feel free to email me at ashley@ashleyomelia.com and we can get it arranged. Thank you!
$10.00
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Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping and The Graveside Detective. Her short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous. Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world. You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.
Please note that I’m a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Are you writing a cozy mystery in which your character needs to stop in a pet store? Or perhaps your modern fiction needs a few more stores to fill out a fictional town. No matter what genre you’re writing, it’s important to have a thorough and believable setting. One of my favorite parts of this process is coming up with various store names. Today’s installment is all about pet store names!
While there’s no doubt some of these have already been used somewhere before, I always find it fun to see what I can come up with!
The Pet Palace
Fish Tales
Furry Friends
In the Dog House
Kitty Corner
Off the Hook (fish supplies, obviously!)
Pet Pantry
Kitty Keep
Cat Cache
Cat’s Meow
Friendly Tails
Paws for Pets
Pampered Pets
By Best Friend’s Place
The Cat’s in the Bag
What would you add to the list? I’d love to know!
If you’re looking for more posts like this, be sure to check out my Writers’ Resources page!
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Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keeping and The Graveside Detective. Her short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous. Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world. You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.
Day 10 – Plotter or Pantser: I am 100% a plotter! When I was very young and was desperate to write something longer than a short story, I dove in with Chapter 1 of my novel. I made it into about two chapters, and then I just had no clue what was going to happen after that. I put that story aside for a shockingly long time before I figured out that writing an outline made a world of difference! That’s not to say some things don’t still happen on the fly, and I’m always happy to compensate for the changes that my characters demand, but I really love outlines. It’s like planning a road trip. You’ve got to know where you’re going! You might stop off to see something wild along the way, but how else are you going to know if you should turn right or left out of your driveway?
What about you? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
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Ashley O’Melia is an independent author and freelancer from Southern Illinois. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her books include The Wanderer’s Guide to Dragon Keepingand The Graveside Detective. Her short stories have been published in The Penmen Review, Siren’s Call, and Subcutaneous. Ashley’s freelance work has spanned numerous genres for clients around the world. You can find her on Facebook and Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please consider using my links to do your shopping and help me out at no extra cost to you!
Ashley O'Melia, Author 