50 Word Thursday #77 – The Results.

Well, another week has just flown by! The 50 Word Thursday challenge has come to an end. Click on the link to see the post:

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2020/06/18/50-word-thursday-77/

The Rules:

Find the muse within the photo or line provided and follow where it leads. It can be a story, anecdote, poem. Anything!
The Story must be between 50 and 250 words, in 50-word increments. (so 50, 100, 150, 200 or 250 words)
Link back to this post with the tag 50WordThurs so that everyone can find it, or post your response in the comments below.
HAVE FUN!

Here was the picture:

And the Words:

“It is a puzzle. How can life go on its stupid course on such a day?” – Tortilla Flat, John Steinbeck.

So here are all the entries to this weeks challenge,

Click on the link to read the short stories:

Weighted Heart

50 Words Thursday # 77- What a day!

https://debbiewhittam.wordpress.com/2020/06/22/50-word-thursday-77/

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2020/06/24/50-word-thursday-77-the-birthday-wish/

https://joem18b.wordpress.com/2020/06/25/naked-guy-and-dragon/

Deb Whittam, of the blog Twenty Four, who created this challenge originally, has agreed to co-host this challenge with me. I am honoured to hand the baton over to Debbie, who will post tomorrow’s 50 Word Thursday Challenge!

Deb, over to you 🙂

50 Word Thursday #77 – The Birthday Wish

And the Words:

“It is a puzzle. How can life go on its stupid course on such a day?” – Tortilla Flat, John Steinbeck.

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday Challenge:

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2020/06/18/50-word-thursday-77/

As she wandered through the parterre the neatly clipped box barely caught her eye and the lavender with its perfume failed to penetrate the thoughts that kept her occupied. She paused to admire the bronze statue, a paragon of manly virtue. Her eye took in each curve of muscle. She’d led a sheltered life, staring at this statue had been the extent to her experience of the carnal. She had just turned forty and a lonely spinster who had inherited a fortune but had no one to enjoy life with. Despite her birthday, she was in no mood for celebration. Instead, she stared longingly at the familiar statue and made a wish.

Suddenly there was a flash that temporarily blinded her and a loud metallic noise like the sounding of a gong. Her heart raced and she was afraid that something momentous had happened. The statue had come to life its dark bronze patina replaced by tanned flesh.

It is a puzzle, How can life go on its stupid course on such a day?

As the man climbed down from his plinth, she caught sight of something and realised that despite huge muscles other things appeared to be quite diminutive.

[200 Words]

I have also included the following word prompts:

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/06/24/celebration/comment-page-1/#comment-33090

FOWC with Fandango — Diminutive

https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2020/06/24/your-daily-word-prompt-afraid-ydwordprompt-June-24-2020/

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/06/24/rdp-wednesday-paragon/

ELEVEN MONTHS

Eleven months ago to this very day I started out on a journey.

I have always enjoyed writing but had never shared my writing with anyone in particular. I wasn’t ashamed of it, I just never believed anyone would be interested.

I have never been particularly into modern technology. I don’t walk around glued to my mobile phone. It doesn’t even connect to the internet!

If someone had told me a year ago that I was going to embark on this amazing voyage of discovery and construct my own blog, I would have laughed in their face.

If someone had told me that I would manufacture a blog and then still be going after eleven months, I would have thought they were insane.

This can’t really be happening? This can’t be me?

It is a revelation.

I have created 1,240 posts (this will be 1241!)

Written 369,840 words.

Received 23,246 Likes.

and gained 711 followers.

I can’t believe it! I can’t believe that I have done this.

I wish to thank everyone who has read one of my posts and liked it for giving me the confidence and encouragement to keep me blogging.

Thank you to every one of my followers. I hope you still enjoy what I write and continue to do so.

Going forward, are there any requests for a story you would like me to write? Please leave suggestions in the comment.

Have a nice day. 🙂

Cheers!

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/02/07/revelation/

FOWC with Fandango — Construct

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/02/07/rdp-thursday-manufacture/

My Six Monthiversary or my Half Anniversary

Six months ago, on the 7th of March, I set out on a journey. I stepped out of my comfort zone, flew by the seat of my pants and launched myself into the Blogosphere.

My Blog is six months old today and I am amazed that I have had the fortitude to have kept going this long.

I had no idea whether this would be something I would be any good at. I knew I enjoyed writing stories and poems, but I had no idea if anyone else would ever want to read them. It was a step into the unknown.

I discovered that the WordPress blogging community is one of the most supportive and friendliest that I could ever hope to find. With your kind support, I am still here.

If I ever have doubts that what I am doing is worthwhile, I can look back on the many kind words of encouragement I have received.

I want to say a huge thank you to all the people who read my blog, who leave likes and make comments. I never expected to make so many blogging friends.

A HUGE THANK YOU.

STATS:

Views: 22,681
Visitors: 7,378
Likes: 12,890
Hates: Zero 😉
Comments: 4,142
Most visitors from: USA, India, UK, Canada and Australia.
Total number of posts: 729
Most Views in one day: 330 (that was a blip, Normally average 150)
Current Followers: 440.

Sunshine Bloggers Award Nomination

Dominique from the 3C Style blog has nominated me for the Sunshine Bloggers Award.

check out her post below:

Sunshine Blogger Award

Linger and have a look at her blog, she is one stylish and chic lady.

It is a real thrill to receive these award nominations and I enjoy them. I am feeling so overwhelmed at the moment because I have received a few awards recently. It’s odd with these, you go weeks without anything then several happen at once.

The Rules:

1) Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2) Use the “Sunshine Blogger Award” logo on your post.
3) Answer the 11 questions the selector asks of you.
4) Nominate 5-11 bloggers you want to give the award to.
5) Ask the following bloggers that you selected 11 questions of your own.

Well those are the Rules and one of the best thing about rules is the little thrill you get when you break them. I am going to Nominate 8 people and I will ask 7 questions instead. Call me a rebel. go on. 🙂

Firstly here are Dominique’s questions for me to answer.

The Questions:

1. On which side of the bed do you sleep?

Actually I don’t have a fixed left to right, I usually sleep furthest from the door and closest to the window.

2. When did you discover you had a special talent?

I don’t know that I have. I have a burning desire to write and I’ve enjoyed writing and using my imagination for as long as I remember, but the floodgates really opened when back in January I began a creative writing course and then in March I began my blog. I’d like to think I had a special talent, but that’s for others to say. 😉

3. With or without music? (Whatever comes to your mind)

I like to write without any music or noise, but I would often listen to music before hand to get me in the mood and afterwards to help calm me down again.

4. You are in an antique shop. What are you looking for?

Anything that reminds me of the past, something that reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen or front room. Or anything to do with tea. An Old tea caddy or tea pot.

5. Do you talk or make some noise while you do it? (take it either way that you want)

I do not snore while I sleep but I do apparently talk and mutter a lot. “Put that Penguin down” was apparently something I said once. Dreams are odd things aren’t they. I hope the dream penguin was OK.

6. Complete the following sentence: I like it when you (name the person if possible)…

Leave me lots of nice comments on my posts (and that’s to all my blogging pals).

7. When was the last time that you got scared?

I am pretty much afraid of everything. Every time I open an e-mail or the phone rings or I hear a noise outside. I’m pretty much a wreck.

8. Do you like to do pranks? If yes, share one of your pranks. If not tell us why.

No I don’t like pranks because I believe you shouldn’t dish anything out if you don’t want it to happen to you.

9. How old where you the first time you…? (Anything goes)

Hmmm I think I was Thirty years old.

10. How was the ‘thing’ you did for the first time?

It was awkward, I didn’t really know what I was doing and I felt I was going to embarrass myself at any moment. In the end someone much younger than me, but obviously more confident and experienced, held my hand and helped me round the Ice skating rink.

11. Where will you go or wish you could go on your next trip and why?

I am going on a trip to the Norwegian Fjords in October and I am looking forward to it.

Here are my questions:

What are you favourite flowers and why?
What do you consider the best things is about democracy?
If you could invite a famous living celebrity to dinner which one would you choose?
If you could resurrect a famous dead person and invite them to dinner who would you choose?
If you are feeling in need of something to lift your mood what do you like to do?
What is your favourite season?
What is your favourite thing to drink?

And here are my chosen Nominees:

Moumita De Sarkar of Perceptions Unplugged

http://perceptionsunplugged.in/posts/interesting-questions-answers/

Stoner on a Rollercoaster

https://stoneronarollercoaster.wordpress.com/2018/08/01/ballerina-again-degas-again/

The Rendezvous Club

https://thinkingclearly483645316.wordpress.com/2018/08/01/inside/

https://lifelessonsaroundthedinnertable.wordpress.com/2018/08/01/lb-ks-blockbuster-challenge-day-1/comment-page-1/#comment-1591

https://poetryforhealing.com/2018/08/01/daily-haiku-wednesday-august-1-2018/

https://janebasilblog.wordpress.com/2018/07/31/games-with-names/comment-page-1/#comment-21228

https://daisymae874.wordpress.com/2018/07/31/long-live-the-resistance/#like-5597

https://lindaswritingblog.wordpress.com/2018/08/01/grandpas-garden/

FEELING EXCITED – Sharing some good news.

I have just received some really exciting news that I’d like to share with you.

Some of you may be aware that earlier this year I was doing a creating writing course. The college that I studied at, CityLit, in London ask everyone who studies with them to submit one piece of work. They then choose the best from that year to include in a published anthology.

I have just been told that the poem I submitted will be included in their 2018 anthology!

I am going to be published!

I am really thrilled.

This was the poem:

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2018/03/23/my-uncle-pat-a-portrait-poem/

My 4 Monthiversary. – THANK YOU.

I started my blog on the 7th of March 2018.

Today marks the end of my first 4 months.

What a journey!

I would like to welcome all my recent followers, I hope that you find something you enjoy on my blog.

For those who have been followers for a while, Thank you. I have only kept going for SO LONG because of your support.

I started this journey to share my stories and poems and seek feedback.

I have also made friends with other bloggers.

This has been a far more engaging and positive experience than I expected.

Thank you.

STATS:

Visitors: 4,349

Likes: 6,915

Hates: Zero 😉

Comments: 2,216

Most visitors from: USA, India, UK, Canada and Australia.

Total number of posts: 465

Most Views in one day: 252

Current Followers: 283.

The New Creative Mind Award – Created by The Haunted Wordsmith (and she nominated me, I’m SO Proud).

Teresa at The Haunted Wordsmith has created two new awards, one for blogs that are full of creative writing posts, the Creative Mind Award, and another, the From the Heart award for bloggers who primarily focus on personal stories.

AND She NOMINATED ME!!!! For one of the Creative Mind Awards.

I AM SO chuffed. Thank You Haunted Wordsmith, I am so over joyed.

https://thehauntedwordsmith.wordpress.com/2018/06/24/creative-mind-and-from-the-heart-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-1269

How is this award different? It comes with no rules, you don’t have to answer 20 questions and nominate 20 more blogs, or reveal 20 facts about yourself.

It therefore doesn’t take ages to respond to.

It is just an award that shows you are appreciated and as such, I am thrilled.

The only hard part is thinking of blog to pass it on to, because I admire so many.

As there is a separate award for blogs that write personal stories, I will concentrate on other creative writers.

The Creative PTSD Gal

6 Word Story: 6/25

Thriving not Surviving

How Could I Fail To See Who He Truly Was?

and

The Dark Netizen

https://thedarknetizen.wordpress.com/2018/06/24/flash-fiction-lunch/#like-492

Another Anniversary, well Monthiversary

Today marks Three Months since I began my blog.

This is such a fantastic milestone for me, because I tend to give up and move on to something new after 2 months and here I am after three months and still blogging!

I started with absolutely no blogging experience and very little technical knowledge.

I am so proud to say I now have 213 followers.

I have Posted 334 posts (this one will make 335).

I have had 7,759 views, 2,808 visitors and 4,061 likes.

I must be doing OK then? You must like some of the stories and poems that come out of this crazy head of mine. Surely?

I wanted to share again with you two of my earlier posts:

This one has had the fewest views, probably because I posted in on my very first day:

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/the-piano-of-anxiety/

Let me know what you think.

This one is one of my most viewed story posts:

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2018/05/11/the-woman-in-the-wood-a-witchy-tale/

Have I improved?

The only reason I haven’t given up, it because of the lovely encouraging comments I get from you. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I have enjoyed the blogging process so much more than I thought I would.

I enjoy reading other blogs and seeing what it out there. I have also made a lot of blogging friends along the way, from all over the world. That has been a huge bonus.

Bless you. XXX

CELEBRATION TIME! I have now got 200 followers!

Congratulations on getting 200 total follows on Tales from the mind of Kristian!

Your current tally is 201.

I Am so pleased, I wish to thank all of my followers and also all the other bloggers who come and have a look what I am doing on my blog and leave likes and comments.

I started my blog in March and had no experience of blogging at all.

I just wanted a place to share my short stories and poems and receive feedback so I can improve.

I didn’t expect to come into contact with so many wonderful bloggers who have helped and encouraged me along the way.

THANK YOU!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcfqDPAy7zc

MY FOLLOWERS:

http://rugby843.wordpress.com/

http://existentialtableau.wordpress.com/

https://kimmy1563.com/

http://ashdsolomon.wordpress.com/

http://mandibelle16.wordpress.com/

http://indishe.wordpress.com/