kimlajevardi

Me. I’m the news this week. I found out today that my high fantasy book featuring a kickass dragon rider who partners with a rejected dragon is a finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writer’s contest. Woo-hoo!

I had a meeting, and I have some finishing things to do. So, I’ll see you in seven.

It’s the first Wednesday of August, and that means it’s time for an Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) post. If you haven’t visited some of the writers of our twitchy little group, click on the link above and get it done.

The amazing co-hosts this month are: Kate Larkindale, Diane Burton, Janet Alcorn, and Shannon Lawrence!

The optional question this month is if you’ve ever written something that afterwards you felt conflicted about? If so, did you let it stay how it was, take it out, or rewrite it?

Two of the books I’ve written contain ripped-from-the-headlines storylines that led me to run headfirst into conflicted feelings. I rewrite things frequently, so I used that strategy sometimes, but I’ve also had to allow my conflicted feelings to sit side-by-side with what the story or character need. Hence my abundance of insecurity. Ugh… At least my love of headlines means I can easily segue into weekly news, though. 😉

The blooms in my first story are the most extra flowers in the world. Enjoy the aroma if you go see one of them.

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/06/1186289347/corpse-flower-bloom-california-where-to-see-livestream-san-diego-francisco

In science news this week, scientists found a 600-foot-wide asteroid hiding in plain sight.

https://www.livescience.com/space/asteroids/potentially-hazardous-600-foot-asteroid-detected-near-earth-after-a-year-of-hiding-in-plain-sight

I leave you with a musical nugget to close out the night. Enjoy and I’ll see you in seven.

Welcome to yet another Wednesday in 2023. We’re closing our July and speeding into August. To distract from the heat of summer, I have some news and a song to share. Enjoy!

This first story involves an outlaw otter who loves to steal surfboards. Seriously!

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/22/1189352338/sea-otter-search-santa-cruz-surfers

In science news, the magic of RNA-altering octopuses.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/octopus-squid-rna-editing-dna-cephalopods

I leave you with a banger of a song. Enjoy and I’ll see you in seven.

See you in seven.

Or, uh, music. I wanna listen to stuff. Enjoy my musical sampling, and I’ll see you in seven.

Welcome back to another monthly posting for The Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG). It is an online group of nervous Nellies, fearful Freds, and twitchy Toms. If that intrigues you, click on the link above to be carried away to blogs-o-plenty. The co-hosts for the July 5th posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, me, Gwen Gardner, Pat Garcia, and Natalie Aguirre! Visit them first. 🙂

The optional question this month is – Where do your story ideas come from?

Well, the idea for my fantasy series was born out of a short story I wrote based on a picture prompt. I love picture prompts! My more mainstream books have been born out of ripped-from-the-headline ideas. But I’ve also had shorts born out of the most random of places. One time, it was the title for a show promo. Just hearing the title caused the unformed idea I was playing with to coalesce and lead to the heart of what I wanted to write. So… I guess my answer is everywhere. I just never know what will spark my creative brain and that is part of the fun. What about you?

Time for some news.

This first story is dripping with so much irony it cost five figures.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/small-handbag-sold-five-figures_n_649e6dd0e4b0c7e9d8e67347

In science news, it turns out brain “sausage” may be responsible for your out-of-body experiences. So cool!

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/05/1185868647/brain-out-of-body-experience

I leave you with some musical candy. Enjoy and I’ll see you in seven.

I’ll see y’all next week for my Insecure Writer’s Support Group post.

Happy Wednesday, y’all. This week’s news is I want to listen to some music. 😉 Enjoy!

I’ll see you in seven.