Writing 101: 6 Websites to Inspire

As writers there are times when all of us have reached a “blah” moment. A moment when we want the words to flow, but they just won’t! No matter how much we try, there’s this fogginess of unknowing. What to say? Creation is completely blocked and you need to find a way out.

Here are some websites that might help you shake off that cloudy funk.

 

Writing.com

Writers.com is where the writers hang, or some of them at least. You can sign up for a free account, which takes about 5 minutes at most. It gives you access to tons of stuff that most writers need (and want). Everything you see below is what they help you with. If you ever plan on getting that writing off the ground, I suggest you bookmark this site!

You have the option of getting a weekly newsletter that will help you with creative writing prompts. You don’t have to sign up, although you should. You can even get character and writing prompt apps for smartphones and tablets. How convenient.

 

DailyWritingTips.com

If you ever get yourself in a slump DailyWritingTips.com has a ton of facts and quotes to get your mind spinning. It might just spin the web of words that you need and are looking for. It’s a fun site just to browse around in. I found some very awesome stuff in there, such as The Yiddish Handbook, Writing Prompts 101, and 34 Tips to Write Better.

This is another site that you definitely need to save!

 

The Write Practice

The key to becoming good at anything is the practice. Practice, practice, practice! Practice makes perfect, isn’t what they say? Whatever your writing dilemma, this website covers it. They have a newsletter too.

They also have an ebook (chapters shown in the picture above). It’s called 14 Prompts.

14 Prompts is a short eBook full of fourteen unusual writing prompts designed to both inspire you to write and teach you a few practical techniques to improve your writing.

 

StumbleUpon

I use this site frequently. I absolutely love it. It lets me search through the entire web world and land on stuff that I like. I can search “” and it will take me only to  filled websites. If you have google chrome installed, there is a stumbleupon toolbar in the google web store that is PERFECT for those days you need some mental inspiration!

 

CreativeWritingPrompts

The websites name describes it perfectly. It’s a website with a crap load of numbers. You hover over the numbers and each prompt is numbered. I love this idea! The prompts aren’t only a great way to get your brain flowing, but they’d be great journal entries.

The prompts are all different. Some stories ask you about your past, while some stories you make up on your own. So, it’s a mix between fiction and nonfiction and is AMAZING!!

 

Bloggy Moms Blog Dare Challenge

If you are looking for a way to spice up your blog, the Blog Dare is an amazing way to do it. It’s basically a daily writing prompt to get your juices flowing. This is BY FAR one of the best prompt websites out there. You don’t necessarily HAVE to participate to see the prompts, but it’s a great way to meet other bloggers!

 

Hope you find something that helps!

Found something amazing? Leave it in a comment!

 

-Jessica

Almost There… #WritingPrompt

My main personal resolution (even before New Years) was to become more organized in both my personal and blogging life. Now that I own two blogs, it’s twice as much work & time.  I wanted to become more organized and use time wisely.

I desperately need to create a schedule so that both blogs get enough time and attention to prosper. I want to have amazing blogs while still having time for myself and my family.
I’ve been organizing everything around my house, my files, and my pictures on my phone/computer. I’ve been planning posts to write and thinking about so many different tutorials I want to share with you all.


I wanted to create time to actually “create.” I love crochet, sewing, and digital design. I love to design with digital scraps and website layouts. I would love to incorporate that into my blog this year. I think I’ve spent enough time working hard to get all of you loyal followers, now I want to make it worth your while to visit.

I don’t just want to be known as the “review” blog or “mom” blog or whatever. I want to offer more than a “niche”.

So, now that I have everything set up, now it’s just time to plan that schedule and stick to it. AND hope that creativity strikes more often, lol.

What tasks/goals/life plans have you almost met?

Join in on the Bloggy Moms Blog Dare Challenge and link up below! I’ll come visit!

My goals and resolutions for 2014

My 2013 wasn’t all bad, but it was more on the negative side for me personally than positive. This blog (Stylish Southern Mama) was selected for some extremely amazing campaigns this year.. my favorite being the Verizon South Blogger. I got to work with some amazing people and learned that no matter WHAT as long as you are dedicated, motivated, and work your ass off you’ll go places in life.

Southern Rambles  (my second blog) was created in July of 2013 and I am VERY proud to say that I went from a PR0 to a PR2 in just 5 short months, which was AMAZING to me.
BUT as great as 2013 was for both my blogs, I ended up falling into a bipolar depression around November- early December. My family lost 3 people unexpectedly this year, two of them being infants.

My sister lost my beautiful niece Makenzie. It was such a devastating day, which turned into a heartbreaking rest of the year. Brandy was 25 weeks pregnant when Makenzie began her journey into the world. I’d been there, done that with Aidan. He was 24 weeks when he was born. There was a twist though, Makenzie didn’t end up making it like Aidan did. I felt such heartbreak for my sister, I wanted so much to hold her and tell her everything was going to be OK but how could I? I knew it was going to be hard for her, for me, for our family.

It not only made me have so many memory relapses of the rush of Aidans emergency birth and put me into a depression. I didn’t know how to look at my sister without almost crying. I couldn’t hold back my tears, my love for her, and the hardship she was facing. I was there, EVERY step of the way. Hiding in the bathroom at the hospital so she wouldn’t see me break down!

We have overcome the darkest days and come out stronger than we were. We love each other a little more, hug each other tighter, and are thankful for every day! It changed us, but we tried to make something positive out of the situation. We may not understand why Makenzie never got to live her life, but we’ve stood together and endured all the pain.

Blogging Goals and Resolutions
*Perfect the Art of Multitasking.
I was really great at it before but I am definitely going to have to up my game now that I own 2 blogs. I need to set a schedule for posting and getting everything done on both now.

*To remain focused on my goals and to write a personal post (part of the blogging challenge of 2014) every day in 2014.
*To start offering blog buttons and eventually entire blog designs.
Creation is my passion and I would love to be able to design for others!
*To blog more. To actually make the time to get everything on track- Emails checked, posts written, and add more personality to my posts.
*To have more guest posts. TO use my blog to help others. To showcase small businesses. As a small business owner myself I know how hard it is to get your name out there. SO I want to interview and showcase small businesses. These are the women/men who try their hardest to bring their creative beauty into the world and I love it.

Personal Goals and Resolutions
*My main goal is to remain focused. As a writer, focus and motivation are the 2 most things we have to have. Without them work goes unwritten and I don’t want that. I want to remain on TOP of everything. My blog, my house, and my kids.
*Be a motivator to others. There are people out there just waiting for the right words, the right song, or the right ear to become a better person. To love stronger, to be WHO they are without fear of being judged. I have always been who I am and have never been swayed by what others thought of me. I think everyone should be who they are and LOVE who they are. I would love to help others see that they are indeed beautiful.
*To laugh more. I try my hardest to be a positive person, but sometimes my bipolar takes over me and the depression comes out. It is just a feeling that comes over me where I miss those who used to be a part of my life. I start missing old family members, old friends, and those who have passed.

There will probably be more to come, but these are my resolutions for right now. I WILL do each and every single one of these too. I’m not one to make resolutions and forget about them until December.
Do you have any resolutions? What are they?

Getting to Know Stylish Southern Mama!

Welcome, welcome those of you who have landed here from the 2013 Back-to-School Social Party! It’s an honor to be a part of this event, and an even bigger event to meet all of you! So, whether you’re brand new to Stylish Southern Mama or an avid reader, welcome!

Many of you already know me via the blogging world as the author behind Stylish Southern Mama, but did you know that I also crated a second blog Southern Rambles in July? Stylish Southern Mama was created in 2009, when I was looking to reach out to fellow women/moms who shared the same interests as I did.

Stylish Southern Mama was created as a personal blog, but soon transformed into a high traffic Review/Giveaway blog within the first year or so it was created. Since then, I’ve shared many thoughts and opinions of the newest, most amazing products on the market and even given my readers a chance to win the same products most of the time.

Stylish Southern Mama has been awarded an amazing blog rank of Top 50 Giveaway Blogs by Voiceboks. It is truly an honor to be awarded a title and blog award for all the hard work that I put into my blog. I love to share my opinions of products and whether they are buy worthy or if they should be passed up.

In addition to reviews and giveaways, I have a ton of hobbies and would love to include more of these posts in 2013. Everything that I know I taught myself and would love to teach others that are avid learners. I will be posting tutorials of:

• Blog Design (Logo’s, Labels, Headers, Buttons, Backgrounds..etc.)
• HTML & CSS (Tweak Your Blog)
• Crochet
• Sewing
• Digital Scrapbooking
• Writing
• Kid Crafts & Learning
• All about Social Media, SEO, and PageRank

I’ve had the amazing opportunity to be able to meet some very amazing people while blogging. I also love the fact that I get to offer my readers some awesome giveaways, freebies, and deals!
Writing has always been my dream and it’s a dream that I chase on a daily basis by owning my 2 blogs!

If you are interested in working with Stylish Southern Mama on a sponsored post, review, giveaway, advertising, or other opportunity, please take a look at my Media Kit page or email me
Thanks for Visiting♥

ABC’s Of Me

I am a member of VoiceBoks, an online community for building up blogs and creating friendships. I am so thankful to have found this! I have had such an awesome time there.

I am doing the ABC’s of Me.. courtesy of Voiceboks



A: Age. I am 23. I have made it SO far in my 23 years though. I have a wonderful hubs, 2 amazing kids, a college degree (almost) and a BLOG that I love. I also sew and crochet, and dabble in other crafts.

B: Babies. My Kids have changed me so much. Before I was a mom, I was the wild and spontaneous type. There would be no telling where I was or what I was up to. Now I’m the exact opposite. It doesn’t bother me though. I LOVE being a mom.

C: Crafter. I LOVE just about any kind of craft. Crocheting, Sewing, Paper Crafts, Jewelry Making, Soap and beauty supplies making, candle making.. I am IN love with making stuff out of nothing!

D: Daddy.  Adam is Awesome to the kids. We have been together for 7 years and have Aidan 5 and Adisyn 3. Although we have our ups and downs I can ALWAYS count on him being there for me, with no questions asked.

E: Education means the world to me. I used to bring all my books home from school and I’d copy each chapter and keep my own notes in it as well. I swear I should have been a teacher, but I’m not.

F: Friend. I am quick to befriend people. I am easy going (Most of the time) and love to laugh.
G: Giggles. When I get the giggles, It’s hard for me to stop. I start giggling, then I get the giggle bug and think everything is funny.!

H: Happy. I believe that most of the time we create our own happiness. How can we lead a positive life with a negative mind?

I: Independent. I am that. I love being able to do stuff for myself and not have to solely depend on people to help me. I love making my own money and doing stuff for my kids just because I can!

J:  Jess. I am the middle of 2 kids. I have an older brother who passed away @ 3 months due to crib death, and a younger sister Brandy, who I am super close to.

K: Kids. 2 kids of my own (5 and 3) and a stepson (9). No more for me. I am done having kids. Although I can only have 1 more anyway because my first was an emergency C-section.

L:Love. I’ll probably be with Adam until I’m old and grey.

M:Math- I SUCK at math. Other than the basics; adding, subtracting, division, multiplication. I can learn the others, but can’t remember..lol

N: NERD. 100% true. I totally admit it. I LOVE learning, reading, HTML, blog design, and everything in between.

O: Organized? I TRY. I have everything where I want it, it’s just the principle of keeping it there! The kids are tornado’s here lately.

P: Paper and Pen Addict. I have TONS of notebooks, binders, loose leaf paper EVERYWHERE. It comes along with the writing, I suppose. I never know when I need to write something down.

Q: Queen of the house. Adam is the best! He works all day and then comes home and helps me with the kids (sometimes) and then helps with supper.!

R: Reading: Yep. You’ll almost always catch me with a book in hand. Or kindle now—Since I got one for my Bday! I still would rather have a traditional Book though =)

S: Silly. When I get sleepy, I tend to think just about anything is funny.

T: Tidy. No matter how tidy I try and keep my house, it never works out too well for me. My kids get into everything! So, I have to constantly run around them picking stuff up!

U: Underestimated. When I became a blogger, nobody in my family or anyone of my friends understood. When I said that I’d end up making money and doing what I wanted through my blog, they thought I was a nutcase. NOT anymore. I SHOWED everyone I was capable of chasing my dream and tackling it.!

V: Vows. Although Adam and I have been together for 7 years, we still haven’t married. I am in no rush. I call him my husband anyway. The only thing that we don’t have is the paper.!
W: Writer. Not just a blog writer, but writer in general. I have always loved to write. No matter what it is.
X: X-rays, have had my share of them!. I have really bad neck and back problems. I used to think I was supergirl. I would try and pack stuff that MEN carried. Heavy logs, furniture, other people. NOW I am paying for it.

Y: Yarn. I am IN LOVE with all the colors and types of yarn. If I had a million bucks, half of it would probably be spent on yarn, no joke.

Z:ZZZ’s. I tend not to sleep at night. Instead I stay up all night and sleep most of the day. It started with me trying to stay up a little bit past my kids bedtime to get some work done. Then they started staying up later and later.. Now it’s the story of my life. LOL

Writing on the Wall v.2

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Welcome to Writing on the Wall. Hosts are Made.By.Jess and Mom Does Reviews.

This week I am going to try and do something different. I want to add some creativity. I want your mind to think, to wonder, to have some FUN, to get AWAY from all others while you are here. I want YOU to tell US about You.
You can write just 1 prompt or you can write as many as you like (150 characters min). You do this everyday or do it all at once. It's strictly up to you. I would love to know something about you. I will comment as will Mom Does Reviews. We want to get to know our readers. =) Just as we would like to get to know about other bloggers..
Link up like this-
Name of blog/name of writing prompt (in case you want to link up more than once)

Writing Prompts:
Fav Song
1. What is your favorite song, and why? If you don't have a favorite song- what is your favorite singer or band and why?

Different Worlds
2.How today's world is different from my past and what I miss about it. (Or what you like in today's world that you didn't have back then)

Books
3.If you could recommend a book to someone what would it be? Do you read crime/suspense, romance, or comedy? What books would you like to get around to reading eventually.

Can't Live WO
4. What is something that you can't live without? Why would you  have a panic attack if you suddenly lost it? What does it mean to you?

Movies
5.What is your favorite movie? Why do you love this movie so much?

Name
6.Why are you named what you are? Were you named after someone in your family, a movie star, or do you really not have a significant reason to be named what you are?

ME
7. Tell us about YOU. What are you like when nobody else is looking? Are you funny- always cracking a smile and trying to lighten the mood of those around you? Name as many personality traits as you can and describe why these words fit you.

Letters
8.If you could write a letter to someone who has passed on- who would it be, and what would you say? Why would you want to write to them? (If this is too personal- you don't have to participate)

Kids
9.Kids are hilarious- name something that you've heard a kid (whether yours or not) say that just made you burst out laughing.

Living
10. Would you rather live in the past, present, or future? Why would you want to live in this era? What do you think the future will be like?

If you have some ideas for next weeks, please email them to me @ madebyjessblog (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks,

Jessica

The best thing that has happened this week-

 

First of all- I want to say HAPPY VALENTINES..

This week has been awesome.

 

This week has been the best week ever. We have had some family outings this week that blew my mind.

My kids are usually very “spontaneous” and “wild” and even more so when they are out in public. Not this week. We took some trips shopping for some new house items (a futon) and craft items (for me).

I hit the jackpot this year. Adam combined my Bday (not until next month) with Valentines..

guess what I scored?

A 98 Ford Expedition Harley Davidson Edition with 170,000 original Miles..

I got a blazer 2 years ago, and didn’t have for a full year before some idiot ran out in front of me and messed the entire FRONT of it up. So, I needed a new truck. I say TRUCK because I am not a car or van kind of woman. I am SUV all the way. I love this new truck. It has amazing gas mileage for an SUV. 22-23 MPG on the highway and about 18 regular. Why is this so awesome to me? It has a V8..

and gets more gas mileage than my blazer ever thought about getting.

A Kindle! I wasn’t sure at first whether or not I wanted one. I figured how could something electronic be as cozy as cuddling with a book?

But with the number of book review requests I am receiving, I am thinking it would be much easier to read the e-books on kindle instead of reading it on my laptop.

A tripod for my camera- that’s FLEXIBLE,

I can now make some Craft tutorials. So watch for them. as soon as I am caught up on work, I’ll start working on some. =)

Microsoft Office 2010

I had 2007 when I was in college. I just couldn’t seem to live without it. Google Docs is okay, but it can’t match up to Word. I am also CRAZY about OneNote. I am addicted. Ending up running me $160

A LOT of yarn and fabric.

These aren’t the actual pictures. It is dark in my house right now and my kids are asleep. I don’t want to risk waking them, so I pulled some from Google Images.

I got the fabric and yarn at walmart. No matter who else is selling, I always love Walmart more because they have so many choices at cheap prices. The most I paid for a ball was like $6 and it was triple the amount of the lesser balls of yarn.

I got some mixed colors as well as regular. I will post pictures tomorrow.

Some new Baby Phat shoes, 2 pair of boots, and a new pair of wedges (my first because I always thought they looked so weird)

The picture below is the new Fergalicious boots by Fergie and I absolutely LOVE them.

New DVD player with 2 screens for my truck, so when I am yardselling- my kids can watch Their shows while we travel in between the places. =)

I also got a pair of jeans, a new purse, some fingernail polish, mineral make-up, and 2 belts..

 

I also had my baby girl turn 3. I can’t believe that it has been 3 years since I had her. She is such an awesome little girl, and I KNOW I am glad to have her in my life. Both Adisyn and Aidan are my world. I love them so much and am glad to be their mom.

This is all for me tonight. I am wore out. Had a long day, although it was an awesome one. Got a lot done and tomorrow is laundry day

so I need my beauty sleep LOL.

Until tomorrow-

Jessica

 

What is the best thing that has happened to you this week?

The craziest reason..

I ever got in trouble as a child.

 

I remember I was about 5 or 6. I lived in a house on Main Street with my mom, my dad, and my little sister.

This seemed HUGE to me. It used to be a store house. It had tons of rooms, but someone before had made it into a store. Each room held different items. One for giant porcelain dolls, one for whatever else. The only room I really remember while the store was in use was the doll room.

She got older and wanted to sell the “store”. My dad loved the inside, and so we got it and made it into our house.

We had lived there for almost a year—and I can remember my dad helping my cousins paint their bikes. So there was spray paint on the ground outside (beside huge Wooden planks they put the bikes on)

I’m not sure HOW or WHY I ended up getting that spray paint. I seriously don’t. I just remember walking into the house with my hands behind my back.

My dad leaned over and said “what you got there"?” “Nothing” I replied.. But truthfully, in my hand held NOTHING. I had blue hands and I didn’t want him to see.

I had taken the spray paint and painted the “under the house storage areas door”. I still don’t know why, but I remember being scared to death when I walked in the house.

Seen the disappointment on his face that now he would have to repaint the house. I did a lot of stuff that I shouldn’t have when I was young. I was curious, adventurous, and always up for a challenge.

Hey, what can I say? I had NO girl cousins to play with. They were ALL boys, so I got in trouble for doing what they did most of the time. =)

Without social media I…

would be lost. I am a stay at home mom. I don’t have many friends that just randomly stop by to say hi. I live in an apartment building that has practically no play area for my kids. So we are inside ALL day just about. Except when it’s warm and we go to the park just about every other day. But still- it’s just ME with the kids at the park. No other mom beside me talking. So I usually just keep updated and say hey through social media.
It also means a lot for my blog. I have been blogging for awhile now, and the most hits come from Social Media. I have met some really AWESOME people through blog groups on Facebook.
I am not sure that I would be the same me without all the blog friends that keep me sane through the day.
Although we ARE planning to move this year and get a house with a fence and a yard. More space for toys, our clothes, and a million yards of fabric and yarn. =)
I seriously CAN’T wait.
Until then, Social Media is my outlet.


This post is From Writer's Workshop. Link up HERE
-Jess

A Tune For Tuesday - Songs Of My Life

I got this from How Sweet the Sound ...

A song/ couple of songs from my life:

Ok, I am going to post a recent, because I need to dwell on the future this year and not the past.

I have loved Michael Grimm since he first appeared on America's Got Talent. He is an amazing person {who wanted to win to support his grandparents who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina}, an amazing soul, and has an amazing voice. 

A look back at 2011

A look back at 2011.

I wasn’t able to blog for all of 2011. There were some deaths in my family that affected me fiercely.

My grandmother on my mom’s side passed away in February, 4 days after my daughters second Birthday. She was diagnosed with Brain Cancer in November 2010. The doctors gave her 6 months to 3 years, and she passed away in 3 months. She was my best friend, and I was sad to see her go. I am still halfway dealing with the grief of not seeing her everyday.

 
It has been a weird year without her making my kids smile and laugh, without her at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

But I know that she was an angel on Earth, so there is no doubt in my mind that she is watching over us..



I really wish I had this sweatshirt


and I am thinking about getting a tattoo like this one, although, mine will have the gray ribbon instead of pink. I have no tattoo’s, so this will be my first {If I get it}

If you aren’t sure about all the colors..


On the other hand, 2011 has brought me many loving memories with my kids and hubby. The kids are getting so big. I was looking at past pictures and I was astonished at how they looked at the beginning of  2011, to now.

{Then}
{Now}

Already I have gained more followers than I was thinking I would, so I am excited about what 2012 has to bring.