Holiday Perspective: What and Who Matters Most!

(source)

I thought long and hard if I should blog today… and I’ll tell you why.

A week ago, I shared my account of 2012 with the world, and in doing so I felt relieved. It was as if a giant elephant hopped off my chest and I could finally breathe. A couple of days later, I got sick. I suppose it was presumptuous of me to think that story was over, and I’d finally get a break.

True Story: 2012 Rude Awakenings & Takeaways

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Hello my lovelies! Today I present to you a guest post by Mags from The Smart Girl's Fashion Guide. Mags is a truly brave girl, who's had a tough time in 2012. I hope 2013 offers her so much more!

Don't forget to give her a virtual hug at the end! I know how hard it is to bare your soul online.

MIND OVER MATTER: Release the Kraken!!!

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Remember when I said I survived 2012? Well, not quite.

I went to the doctor’s today, courtesy of my monster cough. Normally, I’d practice my mind-over-matter mojo and be all right in a couple of days. However, this year’s unexpected freezing temperatures in Rome, and now the snowy streets of my home town in Bulgaria, have rendered me quite sick.

True Story: Trials & Tribulations of 2012

It’s time.

Today I am sharing my experiences for the past twelve months. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll wonder how I’m still standing, stronger than ever, to which I can say: what’s the alternative?

So here goes my crazy story. You’ll just have to take my word for it.

*To Thine Own Brand Be True*

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I know Shakespeare didn’t actually say that, but if he'd lived in the 21^st century, he would've. 

Nowadays everything is about branding: if you run a business or offer any kind of services, you need to have a brand that will make you different, unique. That will make you a professional in your niche. Without a brand, you're naked among all those who have one. It’s a must and a fuss. And you have to nail it, too! Not too vague, or too complex, or too bland. It has to catch the attention and fit in perfectly with your personality, and the business you run.

An Exercise in Shutting Up the Inner Critic!

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"Learn to... be what you are, 

and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not."

Henri Frederic Amiel

Life Theory & the Importance of Play...

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Children are a blessing really.

I used to be this type of girl who hopped from place to place, party to party, (man to man), thinking I had it right and the rest of the world had it wrong. I saw children as tiny aliens who only knew how to nag and whine. Until I came to live with them…

Dreams Are Made of HUGO (2011)

The latest Scorsese film did it again. It inspires; it enlightens; it lives.

Apparently, I’ve a thing about movies made after books. They usually have such amazing stories to tell… including this one, written by a Mr. Brian Selznik. The cast of young actors is extraordinary and there’s magic on every level of the story. Just not the kind of magic you’d expect… for magic is in the eye of the beholder.

Fempire Fandom: Giving Voice to Fans and Friends

A long time ago in the year 2010 somewhere in the world one man and one woman were making love. Another man or woman was making a life changing discovery, but one particular woman with the help of one genius came up with WriteLikeCody (WLC), a website that mainly focused on Fempire member Diablo Cody, and not only that; the website was also a platform for the independent screenwriter/filmmaker to showcase their work and be heard. Before long WLC had a baby and that baby was called FempireFandom (FF)... And btw, the “intelligent” woman is me, Naledi Mokgwathi.

Forgetting to Be Happy by J. A. Bennett

(Source: Contemplation)

Why hello! It's Jennie from A Book, A Girl, A Journey come to inspire and entertain once more. You'll find the lovely Lynn over at Jenny Hansen's blog today, so hop on over there once you're done here!

If you want to be a member of the Life List Club, all you have to do is follow this blog, my blog, or any blog listed on the right sidebar. Make your own Life List (check out Lyn's tab above for inspiration) and follow us around every other Friday. Alright, ready to be inspired? Here we go!

The Answer Man: Inspiration Comes in Many Forms

Not everybody knows this about me… but I am a sucker for a good inspirational story. I make lists of inspirational movies and songs, and then I cherish them for a long time. I cry, I laugh, and I look to the Heavens, thanking God for these little blessings.

So today I’m proud to present the first part of my Soul Stories Series, and in each part I’ll share a story -- or a few (be it in written, cinematic, or musical form) -- of my choosing that has inspired me. I’ve called it Soul Stories because this is the name of the Tumblr blog I started a while back, but never truly committed to. I’ll post each installment on a Saturday, and sometimes on a Tuesday if I feel like it.

I Dreamed I Was in The Hunger Games by Jess Witkins

It's another round of Life List magic today, and I have the one and only Jess Witkins here today to talk about a dream she had, and one very peculiar at that. It will make you take up dream interpretation for sure. And it makes me pick up The Hunger Games, finally. Yes, it's time.

Oh, and don't forget to check my guest post at Jenny Hansen's blog. Today I blog about New Year's lists, Bucket Lists, and Life Lists. Basically, if you're a list-maker, we have something in common.

Greatest Film of All Time: Forrest Gump (1994)

Warning: SPOILERS AHOY!

I watch a lot of movies. I like about 20% of them, but only 5% really stick and leave a lasting impression. Once I tried to make a top 5 list of my favorite movies, and it was so hard that I dropped the project before I could narrow down the top 20 movies I came up with.

But the moment I saw Forrest Gump in 2009 (15 years after its release), I knew I had my new favorite movie, and I bet it stays that way for a very long time. Naturally, it’s a book adaptation and according to a friend of mine the book (by Winston Groom) is quite amusing.

The Boy Who'll Live Forever... in Fan Fiction

Next generation, anyone?

Hello howdy how-d’ya-do!

Remember the Potterchat blog hop/scavenger hunt I’ve been poking y’all to join? There have been marvelous blog posts so far discussing the magic, favorite moments, and bad guys in the Harry Potter books, and MORE. If you’d like to join the discussions, check the list of blogs on this post.

So today it’s MY TURN to dazzle you lovely Potterheads with my deep understanding of the epic series… or at least I hope you’ll be amused by my attempts. Enjoy!

Soul Surfer: The Story of Bethany Hamilton

Two years ago I read one of the most inspiring true stories I have come across in my life. I read it in Cosmopolitan magazine. Ever since I have used (and abused) this story as a go-to reference whenever I wanted to kick my friends out of whining and into acting. In fact, I always offer the story to anyone who’d say something along the lines of ‘it’s too difficult’ or ‘it can’t be done’.

Worse yet, a lot of people seem to use the word impossible these days.

(F8) Magic Dish Water by Kimberly Kinrade

It's time for MAGIC! See what inspires fantasy writer Kimberly Kinrade.

***

Do you see the magic in the everyday moments? 


As a fantasy writer, I create magic all the time. My characters dive into darkness, challenging monsters, overcoming fears, and mastering their powers.

Meet the Muse Collaboration (Part 3)

(shoutout @ DeviantArt)

So it’s time for the LAST instalment of Meet the Muse collaboration. To be honest, I would like to read and put up LOTS more muse-bits but I think it’s time to let go. *cries*

I’d just like to thank again everyone who participated and tell you guys that you are all my muses. And the best part about showcasing your bits on my blog (no dirty pun intended) is that they’ll always be on here, inspiring me whenever I hit the brick wall of death called Writer’s Block.

If these inspired YOU as well, make sure you let them lovely writers know. ^__^

Meet the Muse Collaboration (Part 2)

(Veleven @ DeviantArt)

As promised, here is the second instalment of Meet the Muse. If you haven’t seen the first instalment yet and have no idea what I’m on about, you should go here. 

Enjoy!

Meet the Muse Collaboration (Part 1)

(ElectraStarX @DeviantArt)

It all started with the post on Tuesday (The Writing Cast). I was going to follow up with a post about my muse: Nereth. Then I wondered what my fellow writers had to say about their own muses. In a rush of excitement, I concocted a plan: to turn my modest me-me-me post into a WE extravaganza!

So I rushed to twitter, pen poised in hand, to look for gems. My question was: ‘Does your muse have a name?’ It turned out that some had, others didn’t, and yet third did not even exist, much like dragons and Rudolph.

But the purpose of this collaboration was not to judge. It wasn’t to restrict either. It was simply to collect, inquire, and inspire. So I gave my friends total freedom, and boy was I flabbergasted at the results!

It's Me Against the Odds, Baby

(All Hail the Mighty Goat, Capricorn. ;)

Notice anything different at all?

Yes, I did. Now, I promise this will be the last surprise I spring on you guys but it had to be done. Why did I change the title? Because I wanted a more personalized name and URL, and also because Kristen Lamb was right when she advised that every author should put their name in the title of their blog. Yes I know that Lyn Midnight is not my name but it’s the alias I go by when I write.

If you have read The Dark Half by Stephen King, you’d know how the author’s alias (Stark) came to life and tried to overpower the MC. While Lyn is not going anywhere near my power source, she is also not going anywhere, period. I can never leave her behind  because of our history together.

It’s she who started to write, not me.