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If anyone is interested, a friend created a YouTube playlist of song for meditation and mindfulness. Later, he actually plans to make them into something related to a podcast. IDK, I didn't fully get what he was doing, but anyway, if you want some mindfulness or meditation music, check this out. Note: I don't like #1 and wouldn't be able to meditate to it, but it certainly makes me mindful of how much I don't like that song. lol Though in fairness, I only listened to a few seconds. Maybe it gets better? IDK, but I did like the rest I checked out. Follow Rob on YouTube for more music and for updates on his podcast plans. |
I want you all to meet my BFF from the Falkland Islands! Celtic Fire   Though she has also moved on from the FI, I love and miss her so much!  She's fabulous! I was excited to see she'd suddenly joined WdC. lol |
It's Happening Again! It's Another Newsfeed Celebration!!! What does this mean? I'll send 15k GPs to everyone who sends a MB (MUST COUNT FOR CRs, meaning you don't see the red warning and MUST MENTION "The Contest Challenge"  ) to those who have finished a whole year of
Note: I'll be running the Giant January Celebration several times this month, but this celebration is to celebrate those who have finished a whole year and those who have finished all 8 years -- 2 birds, 1 stone situation. The rest of the celebrations later in the month will be only for those who have done all 8 years of "The Contest Challenge" for they deserve to be celebrated repeatedly! The 3 people who have finished a whole year of this challenge are Beholden Sumojo jaya For your copy/paste pleasure, you can just put beholden, sumojo, vindhya in the MB blank. Those who have managed to do all 8 years of "The Contest Challenge" include: Choconut Kit 🌻 pwheeler ~ love joy peace dogpack saving 4premium Soldier_Mike 👼intuey Angelica Weatherby- Freezing0* New Year's Sox 💙 Carly- Hello 2025 Lovina You can copy/paste purplesunday, kittee, pwheeler, vpbanjo, mikewrites, intuey, dragonfish, rinsoxy, carly1967, lovina into the MB blank. Again, to make it quick and easy, you can use the item alias, TCC, for creating a link to "The Contest Challenge" with {item:tcc} but for those who prefer, you can use the official item number with {item:2109126} or literally just write "The Contest Challenge" without creating an item link. But you MUST include a mention of "The Contest Challenge" . To get your GPs, please post below or email me for privacy. Be sure to include how many MBs you sent. If you send a MB to each of the 13 people, you'll receive 200k. (Should be 195k, but I'm rounding up.) You can wait as long as Sunday for CRs to kick in because MBs MUST count for CRs. After that, please ask for an extension. Note: I'll be traveling again today, so it may be several hrs before some folks get reimbursed, but you know you'll get your GPs. Total GPs sent out to participants so far (including those who notified me by email)... 5,355,000 GPs! Now, let's get those MBs sent! |
| Thank you so much for participating, Drake and 💙 Carly- Hello 2025! You guys rule! I so appreciate your participation because without folks like you all, these celebrations would be a total bust, so thank you! The current number of GPs spent on this event are... 5,170,000 GPs! WOW! Who else is going to send out MBs?? |
Are You Bored This Weekend? No Worries! There's 3 Contests Waiting Just for You at...
Which one are you entering?
|
🌖 HuntersMoon  - Indeed! My wife had made dinner reservations for tonight at 5:30 CST. The Chief's game begins at 3:30 CST. I told her I'd be along AFTER the game. Start without me.  Go Chiefs!! |
| I didn't know you guys were into fantasy, 🌖 HuntersMoon and JACE. Or would that be considered fanfiction? HAHAHA!!!! Just kidding! I don't even know who they are playing. lol |
Have you volunteered to judge
There's no experience necessary. You choose the category you're interested in (so long as you don't have a nominated item in it, of course lol) and get the judging criteria and submit your opinions. They are compiled with others' opinions, so it's not all on you. No pressure since there's several judges for each category. If you are interested, contact Quilli ☕  Optionally/additionally, you can also donate GPs to support "The Quills" . 250k can sponsor a category. I don't remember what you get and am too lazy to look, but you're sponsoring a category, so that's cool. lol 100k gets you a Quills Sponsor MB. ![Merit Badge in Quill Fundraising
[Click For More Info]
Thank you for your generous donation to [Link To Item #quillawards] ! *^*Quill*^* Every donation celebrates WdC while recognizing quality work and acknowledging community involvement. Kindest Regards, Lilli](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Quill_Fundraising-1375927_14.gif) 50k gets you a community MB. |
Review of An Unwitting Prince: A LitRPG Adventure by Sean Oswald Reviewed for
&
Purchasing from the link above helps WdC. As I've explained in before, a LiitRPG novel is a subgenre of fantasy where the characters somehow end up in a gaming world (Literary Role-Playing Game is what it stands for since RPG is short for a common type of online game style). In this subgenre, typically the characters have to "level up" (get stronger) by killing monsters which gives them XP (experience points). They have character sheets and stats, etc. I don't know why they don't put more of their available points into Luck. I definitely would want to increase my luck in a world with dungeon drakes, spiderkin and all sorts of other horrors that, much like this world, if they kill you, you're really dead. There's no second life or restarting the game. Though they choose to put their points in things like Unarmed Combat, Stealth, and Strength, so it's not like they're choosing poorly. lol On Amazon, this is part of the Life in Exile series (5th book). On Audible, it's 1st of the New Home series. In this book, Jackson (the unwitting prince), accidentally gets betrothed to a girl he has a crush on. She's a princess no less, but thanks to him saving her and her friend, the king approves the marriage (that Jackson and his family don't want anytime soon). In a few months, he'll turn 15 and become a duke of his father's lands and be ready (in the eyes of the king and queen) to marry their daughter. Before all this, there were dungeons, alleys, sewers, and all sorts of places he proved his worth. IDK why this book's title is focused on Jackson. IMO, his younger sister, Sara, is just as much a part. She turns 10 and almost dies in the process. When I child in Eloria becomes 10, they get their character sheet. Usually they just get a fever, but she's gained a class (Monster Friend) far earlier than anyone has ever done (and most folks never get a class at all) and has gained lots of stat and character points, all of which put her life at risk when she became eligible to finally start earning levels because she already had enough XP to level up to tier 2, which many people can't do at all, let alone on their 10th birthday! The whole family is in the book, but I'm out of characters here. It's a fun series rated 4.6 -- 482 pgs / 17 hrs 13 min. | ||||||||||||
| Maybe you're creating your own subgenre! I've read several different ones. There are ones where people are sucked into an actual game, but in this one, they are simply in a different universe that runs like a game. There's always monsters to slay so you can get more powerful and the main character(s) always (in the ones I've read) seems to know they're in a game / game-like world, but the other characters don't seem to know it's different from our world (because they don't know about our world, of course). There are usually quests and you can build yourself in different ways by distributing points to different attributes. The males always want to become super strong. lol And, of course, everyone is always excited about the opportunity to use magic, if it's in that universe, which it usually is. lol If you want to check it out, I do enjoy the Life in Exile series, but The Good Guys series was my favorite, possibly because it was my first. lol |
Schnujo's Giving Away GPs  - Maybe. One person dubbed it "Dungeons and Dragons Fanfic" except it is my own world, with my own original characters and plots. It would be like calling Star Wars out for being Dune Fanfic. People forget the simple T.S. Eliot statement: "Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal." I attempted to remove anything derogatory here. Not all that is contemptuous needs be called contemptible, so please disregard any snark that might have been retained. |
Where's Your Entry for...
??? This month's contests include some good ones (as always)...
Remember to fan your favorite contests and/or contest owners! Click until you see the golden heart.  |
Continuing the Newsfeed Celebration for Those Who Have Done All 8 Yrs of
Have you sent them a MB yet?  15k per MB -- Send to all 10 people and get 150,000 GPs Contact me if you are short on GPs and need to be paid up front For reimbursement, post below or email me with the number of MBs sent Must count for CRs (meaning you don't see the red warning when sending it) Must mention "The Contest Challenge" -- For your convenience... {item:tcc} or {item:2109126} Feel free to repost this to help your friends/fans earn GPs, too! {note:1066875} Those who have managed to do all 8 years of "The Contest Challenge" since it began in 2017 include: Choconut Kit 🌻 pwheeler ~ love joy peace dogpack saving 4premium Soldier_Mike 👼intuey Angelica Weatherby- Freezing0* New Year's Sox 💙 Carly- Hello 2025 Lovina For speed and convenience, you can copy/paste purplesunday, kittee, pwheeler, vpbanjo, mikewrites, intuey, dragonfish, rinsoxy, carly1967, lovina into 1 MB blank to send all 10 MBs at the same time. Total GPs sent out to participants so far (including those who emailed me)... 5,355,000 GPs! I'll be running this again, but today is the last day (without pre-approval for CRs) to send out MBs for this celebration. Participate while you can!  If you don't see a yellow/gold heart by my name , be sure to click the heart until you do so you don't miss future opportunities like this one! Plus, all new fans get 10k GPs. Schnujo's Giving Away GPs  |
🌻 pwheeler ~ love joy peace  - Thanks. I assumed I had given you the GPs, but I definitely appreciate you not making me have to ask. lol You're fabulous! Thanks for following through! |
If you're looking to make an impact in the community, consider judging
If you've ever won one, or even been nominated, it's not an obligation, but would certainly be an appropriate way to thank "The Quills" team. Contact Quilli ☕ if you are interested in judging!  Optionally, another way to make an impact is to donate 50k and get a community MB or 100k and get a Quills Sponsor MB. Make donations to "The Quills Group" . Use the group number 1375927 if you're sending through the Send Gift Points page. ![Merit Badge in Quill Sponsor
[Click For More Info]
Thank you so much for your generous sponsorship of [Link To Item #quills] . It is greatly appreciated.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Quill_Sponsor-1375927_6.gif) |
I clicked a link in my news to learn "4 Fiber-Packed Substitutes for White Flour That Will Make Your Baked Goods Healthier." (Never mind the fact that I don't cook/bake. I was curious. lol) For those who are also curious, they listed:  Whole Wheat Flour Spelt Flour (another kind of wheat -- an ancient grain) Rye Flour  Brown Rice Flour Aside from the last one being the only one I can likely eat since it's gluten-free... I demand to know why Cricket Flour isn't on the list! Yes, I've ordered Cricket Flour from Amazon.  No, I can't tell you what it's like. A stupid porch pirate stole it. Well, the joke is on them, huh? Hahaha! I have read that it's best to mix in some other flour with cricket flour (AKA cricket powder) because it can be a bit dense, but that's the case with most non-wheat flours, IMO. Supposedly, it gives an "earthy" flavor. lol Curious? Here's some cricket flour cookie mix. (Note: This does also have wheat flour. And, those allergic to shellfish may also be allergic to crickets.)
 It's ranked #105 on the Amazon Best Sellers rankings for Cookie Mixes! Ordering from the above link helps WdC! And you know you are curious... lol | ||||||
I laughed out loud, imagining the look on the face of the porch pirate when he or she opened the package. Though I am sorry you got robbed!     |
| As memory calls and I seem to remember as accurately as possible that cricket flow has a lot of protein. |
Just making sure folks saw this MB opportunity... It isn't mine this time -- I promise lol, though check my Notebook / your Newsfeed for my opportunity if you haven't already participated. "Note: Just sharing one of my Ebook stories that needs ..." |
Watcher's Repose: A LitRPG Saga -- Life in Exile, Book 4 by Sean Oswald Reviewed for
and
As always, I post the least expensive option.
This is book 4 in the Life in Exile series. It's the subgenre LitRPG (literary role-playing game) under the genre fantasy. There's magic, dragons, ogres, goblins, etc. The main characters, a family, were (in book 1) sucked through a vortex from Earth into this alternate world. After a few books where they've leveled up (a gaming term meaning they got stronger) and the father, Dave, became the baron of a wild area called Murkwood, they now face a new danger. With a goblin army of tens of thousands heading towards them and a sinister voice speaking evil into the new baron's head, will he be able to stay on the right side of things? Jackson, the son, finally has an opportunity to level up and surprise the school bullies, only to learn that there was a much bigger plan behind his beatings and it wasn't bullies who were behind it. He also meets and begins falling for a foreign princess. As the only girl at the school, she's also an outcast. The next book largely focuses on him. Will she be involved, too? The youngest daughter, Sara, the one who befriends monsters, calls her friend the dungeon drake / dungeon boss (dungeon boss -- another gaming term meaning the beast that gamers enter the dungeon to try to slay in order to get the most loot) to rescue their town. Later, her father calls on the dungeon drake to swear allegiance to him in a mutually beneficial pact, but it has ramifications far beyond his expectations as, among other things, he becomes a dungeon sub-boss, himself. The oldest daughter, Mira, comes into her own with her power, becoming one of the most powerful meta-mages alive. She also learns to master a new weapon that helps save herself and her town. Emily, the Daughter of Redemption, also known to the kids as "mom," discovers her faith and power can be used for more than simply healing as she discovers ways to slay beasts and man alike, though not before giving a chance to repent rather than die. With the king deposed, it's war! This is another action packed story and I recommend the Life in Exile series if you enjoy gaming or are interested in a different fantasy subgenre. This book is rated 4.7 on Amazon and 4.8 on Audible. It's 640 pages / 19 hrs and 27 min. | ||||||||||||
I ran across a newbie today and read their short story
WOW! That was really impressive! So smart and so funny! skeason is definitely a newbie to watch! |
| In Elycia Lee ☮ Happy 2025!'s defense, Allan Charles, they do use staples to close wounds, though usually not from an office stapler, but I guess you gotta use what you gotta use. lol skeason, you should see if you can get your old port back. If it's just a matter of logging in, SM can probably help with that. Also, remember to scope out the Community Newsfeed regularly so you can find new activities and friends as well as finding old ones you loved. (Click Newsfeed, then along the top click View the Community Newsfeed.) And remember to double click the heart of people you want to keep up with until you see it turn yellow/gold. Welcome back! |
January's New Contests in
are as follows...
Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming Giant January Celebration, probably starting Friday. It's a great way to earn GPs since I pay 15k per MB you send (that counts for CRs)! |
Watcher's Fate: A LitRPG Adventure by Sean Oswald Listened to for
&
 Purchasing from the above link helps WdC. Available for free on Kindle Unlimited. This is book 3 of a series called Life in Exile. To save money, there's a box set of books 1-3 on Audible. LitRPG stands for literary (the book) role-playing game (a game where you pretend to be someone else). Dungeons & Dragons is the most famous RPG, but computer/online games are usually the basis for this subgenre of fantasy/sci-fi. In book 1 (Watcher's Test), the Nelson family, Dave (lawyer), Emily (nurse), and their 3 kids, Mira (age 15), Jackson (13), and Sara (8) get sucked into a portal to be transported, on the whim of 2 brothers, a evil and a good one, as a part of an experiment. They land in Eloria where "life is conflict" and finally Dave's obsession with online gaming is of use as he guides his family through leveling up their skills as they learn about their new homeland/universe. In book 2 (Watcher's Question), they continue to grow stronger and wiser in the way of the new world and decide to live in Eris' Rise. Emily has become a Daughter of Redemption and chosen of Chanelle (spelling? I was listening to the book and am having trouble finding the correct spelling), one of the 3 goddesses venerated in Eloria. Dave has become the Baron of Murkwood (spelling?). Their youngest is kidnapped when the town is attacked and they must free her, but it turns out she's befriended her goblin captor who now will fight to defend her. Book 3 (Watcher's Fate) finds them ruling Eris' Rise and trying to bring the idea of democracy to this land of peasants and nobles. However, as Dave has grown in both political and physical power, his arrogant attitude is beginning to get noticed by some who have power to corrupt him. Additionally, his youngest continues to befriend monsters and his oldest discovers she's got some great weaknesses. His middle child is being horribly abused in school and Dave's wife sees changes in her hubby she doesn't like. Book 3 is rated 4.7 on Audible / 4.6 on Amazon and ranked #38 in Fantasy Movie, TV & Video Game Tie-Ins. It's 678 pgs / 20 hrs, 38 mins. For an author interview, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0MaACUNU8 (can't embed). I love this subgenre and this series. I recommend it if you are into online gaming and/or fantasy. | ||||||||||||
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Ack I am at that age now of take me as you find me . mostly happy with my lot . If sharing a conversation make my day and someone else's a bit brighter , then why not . Taking the joy in the small things is a philosophy that's served me well . Laughing at myself Laughing with others . Silliness, Shenanigans, Shinny (magpie brain ) all appeal to my 7 year old self .Whimsy and day dreaming too . procrastination a thief of time but a warm cosy bedfellow that says one more episode one more .
As Schnujo says we both met over penguins . Well actually it was postcards in the post office in Stanley Falkland Islands . She was my non island non work buddy . Who shared similar interests and introduced me to a few more . She has a generous spirit. ( We may have consumed a few cocktails a time or two or 3 or 4 or err 6.
We even witnessed a divine miracle together . No it wasn't tap water turned in to wine , but it was made Holy.
We treated ourselves to vegetables. Fresh vegetables and salads at the water front Ba . £12 pounds but the heaped the plate . Why such a luxury cause in the shops it was £ 5 for a cucumber and 6 for a bunch of grapes . So when we were flush We hit the salad bar rather than frozen offerings from the west store.
We knitted and Nattered. Don't think we ever stitched and bitched . New found hobby of being a twitcher . ( bird watcher ) To trying to spot dolphins in the bay when sat eating our tasty salad at the waterfront hotel. A and so much more
I did join last April(when you were raving about how good the site was) then didn't really do anything with it till just a week ago . I am going to be very sporadic on here . Or - watch this space maybe not .
Its all depends if my obsession mode kicks in . Like all hobbies and interests that burn bright and fade fast . Some remain in what ever form . I have a craft cupboard full of things that I was obsessed about . I collect journals and beautiful note pads some with only a few pages written .
On line correspondence/ learning courses not quite complete.
Some times so many thoughts and ideas I don't know where to start so they never see the light of day .
Or my ripe and burn approach to past scribbles I wished later I had kept .
So can only promise this . What ever and When I do write I will no longer delete
I'm still jealous that you got to see a Commerson's dolphin and I never did! Stupid dolphins avoiding me! I think it was all a plot against me, teasing me with the photos of their beautiful black and white / orca-like colors, but never showing themselves to me, only to all my friends. No one likes you anyway, Commerson's!
I know what you mean about hobbies and interests burning bright and fading fast...unfortunately. lol I can't count the number of online classes I've purchased and either started or never even got that far. Doh! I haven't done any more knitting since the Falklands. I'm wondering how long I'll be life coaching. Typically, if something lasts 6 months, it becomes permanent for me, so time will tell. But I've been doing it since October and still enjoy it, so that's encouraging!
I'm super glad you won't be deleting writing anymore! YAY! If you write something and don't want people to see it, in the Editing page, you can set it to "For My Eyes Only" and only you will have access to it. If you want to share it with select people, you can create a passcode and give it to them. People here are pretty good about not sharing those. I'm sure it's happened, but I've been here since 2017 and haven't heard a single complaint about it, so I think the passcodes are pretty safe here.
I'm so glad you joined, Celtic Fire! I didn't realize you'd been here so long already, but thank you for popping your head in to say hi!