How To Become A Word War Expert

If you've been around the writing world for any amount of time you're probably familiar with this term - "word wars". But what exactly are these mysterious bouts of literary aggression? It seems like all too many people (particularly us newbies who have no idea what they're doing) are unfamiliar with this wonderful concept. So please, if you've been baffled by this term in the past, allow me to elaborate.

The "word war" is a method used by many writers to increase their productivity and/or conquer writer's block. Particularly common during NaNoWriMo, here's how these little beauties work:

1. Get some people. You find a writer friend (or two or three) and decide to essentially "race" to see who can write the most words in a given amount of a time.

Pro tip: If you don't have any writer friends handy, check online hotspots (such as the NaNoWriMo forums) and other writing associated sites to find like minded people. Even on the off seasons I've seen sprints on NaNo, Facebook groups, and even blogs. There's more writers in the world than you think and trust me, they all need more incentive to be productive.

2. Set your times. If you're doing this with writers who aren't currently in the room with you (as is usually the case), you would say, for example, that you're going for 15 minutes at the :00 (as saying "How about we go at 3:30?" tends to throw people off unless you include the timezone).

3. Write like crazy! Once the set time rolls around write as much and as fast as you possibly can! Word wars may be great for productivity and pushing past blocks but that only works if you actually write something during them!

Note: Word wars can be however long you want them to be (15-30 minutes is the usual range) but the longer the war, the harder it is to write without stopping. Just keep that in mind as you're playing around with them.

4. Regroup. Once your set time is up, everyone comes back together and tells how much they wrote. Word wars aren't actually competitive (no shame if you're a slower typer) but something about knowing that you and another person have agreed to write with reckless abandon for a given amount of time really helps you get the words rolling. And since you're not supposed to pause (though, believe me, your cat will always wait until you start a word war to walk across your keyboard), you usually get a lot more words sprinting than otherwise.

5. Repeat! Now that you've done one word war, go ahead and start another! These little beauties of productivity are for all occasions and I guarantee you that there will always be someone else who wants to sprint with you.

Now that you're a word war expert, get out there and start typing!

College Survival Tips: Baked Apples

I think we all can agree on two things:

First, desserts are sweet. 

And second, they're super hard to avoid. 

Our willpower is only so strong and, quite frankly, after forcing yourself to study, avoid Netflix, and possibly even workout, it's extremely difficult to say no to that brownie at dinner.

Which is why I've been attempting to collect easy, healthy alternatives to the oh so tempting desserts at dinner. 

Let me introduce you to my Healthy Hack #1 - Baked Apples.

What you're going to need:

-Apples (1-2)

-Cinnamon

-Honey

-Some sort of baking sheet

-Pam (optional)

1. Cut the apples. I've been doing them into chunks, but however you want - slices, cored, cubed - works just as well.

Pro Tip: I don't know about your school but mine allows me to take a piece of fruit and a baked good from the cafeteria after each meal. Instead of swiping a muffin, I try to grab an apple or two each time. They make excellent snacks all on their own and eventually I have enough to make this healthy dessert (after a one time purchase of honey and cinnamon) for absolutely nothing!

2. Spread them on some sort of baking sheet (optional: spray baking sheet with Pam). If you're a college kid, this may be a little hard to manage during the year as such specialized utensils as pots, pans, and silverware are always in short supply. I've accomplished this dish with a cookie sheet (that I got from Goodwill for super cheap) and before that I was using a cupcake pan. I imagine that cake and pie tins would work as well.

3. Sprinkle cinnamon over the tops of the apples as desired.

4. Bake. This may take a while. I usually put them in at 350 F and check every twenty minutes or so but on average it will take 30-40 minutes for your apples to cook through. This is a great time to do homework, catch up on your emails and phone calls, fold that laundry you've been avoiding, or clean up around the kitchen (or procrastinate on social media but hey, who's judging?). You'll know your apples are finished when they are soft, tender, and slightly caramelized. The people who poke their heads in asking why it smells so darn good are also a good indicator.

5. Remove the apples from the oven. Let cool to a comfortable temperature and drizzle with honey. Enjoy!


So there you have it, my Healthy Hack #1 - Baked Apples. It's cheap, it's easy, it's tasty, and above all, it's good for you! Who says healthy can't be delicious?

Three Day Quote Challenge: Day Three

Well, today's the day, folks. The three day quote challenge has come to an end. So I figured we should end it on a happy note. And what could happier than that truth above? "Your loyalty to God doesn't determine His loyalty to you." I don't know about you but I think I could use this one plastered on billboards. Even when I am not faithful, God is. Oh how sweet the sound, this grace that has called my name. Thank you, Lord, that you are great and mighty, that your ways are above our ways, that your thoughts are not our thoughts. It makes you like 5000% cooler. Amen.

That concludes the three day quote challenge! Woohoo! *cue confetti, trumpets, and cake*

So what now?

If you're one of my two followers out there (love you, folks!) you're probably wondering if this is the end of the Living, Loving, Trying Life blog. I have to tell you I'm honestly not sure. Writing, despite my love for it, is not one of strong suits and creativity, particularly when it comes to choosing a topic, has always been hard for me. But I've loved doing this so much that I think I might keep it up. Posts that will hopefully be coming to you in the future, include:

-OCD - Did You Know It Could Be About More Than Hand Washing?
-POV: The Three Point Version
-Healthy Hacks: Baked Apples
-Word Wars: How to Become An Expert

And many more. However, though, I do have to ask what is it that you guys would like to see on here? So today, instead of nominations (I'm sorry, Alyssa, everyone's just been nominated already!) I'm going to give you a few topics I've been thinking about. Comment below to let me know what you're interested in hearing about:

1. Psychology, OCD, Mental Illness, and Faith
2. Christian Living
3. Healthy Living
4. College - prep, tips, and survival
5. Writing
6. Tutoring

As always, many thanks to Alyssa for getting me back on here and many, many thanks to the wonderful people reading this. May you have peace, love, and walk in obedience. Stay awesome.

-Ashton

Three Day Quote Challenge: Day Two

Hello! It's time for day two of the three day quote challenge! In case you forgot the rules, here they are again:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Nominate three new bloggers every day.
3. Post a new quote every day for three days.

Today's quote comes from an unknown source:

How true is this, folks? We so often look to the past in times of fear of trouble, longing for or hating what we see there. But that's not where we're going. We're going to the future. We're going with God. And we're going good places. So if you look back, try to be thankful. Don't lust for a past that often seems more idyllic than it actually was and don't let yesterday's hurt define who you are today; rather be thankful for the small blessings, the wheat among the weeds, and look to tomorrow with confidence for the old has passed away and the new is upon us. You are loved. You are known. And even when you don't have this, God does. How great is that?

Also, just because I think we could all use a little laughter in our lives, please enjoy three of my new favorite stories/posts:

The one time you were the evil classmate:

(This one almost had me in tears)

The too long; didn't read edition of the bible:

(Guys...)

This time talking to yourself actually worked out:

(I literally can't read this one to people I laugh so hard)

Alright, time for my nominations:

Actually, to be totally honest, folks, I don't know any other people who a) I read their blog, b) they know who I am, or c) haven't already been nominated. So instead of nominations, I'm going to give you some people to check out. I hope that's alright.

1. K.M. Weiland on Helping Writers Become Authors. If you don't already know about this amazing writing resource, then today's you're lucky day. This woman is FANTASTIC and her writing tips and breakdowns will revolutionize your work. I promise. 

2. Dr. Ian Osborn on OCD and Christianity. This site has been a life saver for me lately. If you have OCD - or suspect you might - and are a Christian, Dr. Osborn let's you know that it's totally beyond possible to be both. They are believing reasons for your suffering and believing methods of treatment that don't involve tormenting yourself all the time. If you're troubled by intrusive, unwanted thoughts and are suffering from repeated, nonsensical actions to try and diminish them, PLEASE go check this guy out. You're not alone. There God of the universe is waiting to help you.

3. Marissa Meyer on MarrisaMeyer.com. I have literally worn this woman's writing process posts to death. She is such a talented author and so kind and so willing to share with her fans. If you haven't read her books or checked out her website yet, please go do it! You'll be thanking your lucky stars that you did. 

That's it for today, folks! As always, much thanks to the lovely Alyssa for nominating me (Honey Drop Post, folks. Click. Love. Subscribe.) and to all you wonderful people for taking the time out of your busy day to read this. You are amazing. Love and be loved. Bye :).

Three-Day Quote Challenge: Day One (AKA Alyssa is Amazing!)

Wow, guys, how long has it been? 9 months since my last, and only, post? Let's be real here, that makes Alyssa Tidmore's nomination of me for the Three-Day Quote Challenge even more amazing. Can we get a round of applause for the sweet girl who never forgets her friends? She's awesome and if there's anyone out here reading this that isn't her than you should really get your virtual self over to The Honey Drop Post ASAP. This post wouldn't be here without her.

Nomination Details:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Nominate three new bloggers every day.
3. Post a new quote every day for three days.

Well, number one is easy enough (THANK YOU, ALYSSA, YOU ARE AN AMAZING HUMAN BEING) and number three shouldn't be a problem (there are almost as many beautiful quotes in the world as there are sunsets) but number might be interesting. I'm about as good at keeping up with blogs as I am at managing my own. So here's to challenges, eh?

Today's quote comes from C.S. Lewis's book, The Screwtape Letters. Just in case you're unfamilar, Screwtape Letters is a collection of letters written from the perspective of a demon named Screwtape to a young tempter demon, Wormwood. As such, his terminalogy is a bit backwards. When Screwtape says "patient" he means the young Christian Wormwood is assigned to torment and when he says "the enemy" he really means the Lord Jesus Christ.

"My Dear Wormwood, 

There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a  human's mind against the Enemy. He [i.e., God] wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them.  

Your patient will, of course, have picked up the notion that he must submit with patience to the Enemy's will. What the Enemy means by this is primarily that he should accept with patience the tribulation which has actually been dealt out to him - the present anxiety and suspense. It is about this that he is to say "Thy will be done", and for the daily task of bearing this that the daily bread will be provided. It is your business to see that the patient never thinks of the present fear as his appointed cross but only of the things he is afraid of.  

An important spiritual law is here involved... Fear becomes easier to master when the patient's mind is diverted from the thing feared to the fear itself, considered as a present and undesirable state of his own mind; and when he regards the fear as his appointed cross he will inevitably think of it as a state of mind."

This quote has become extremely important to me the last few days. If there's anything this summer has taught me, it's that I struggle very hard with anxiety and uncertainty, as well as fear, doubt, trust, patience - all things that ensnare and entangle my heart and mind and all things that, whenever I try to fight free of them, pull me back even harder. When I feel these things tug on my heart and soul, I fight with all I have to be free, only to give up in despair when I'm pulled even farther into the muck.

But this is not what we're called to do, my friends. Jesus said, "Whoever wants to my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). And what is our cross? The the very feelings and fears, "the present anxiety and suspense", that makes us doubt our faith in the first place. But feelings are feelings, my friends. They come and go and none can control. Our doubts are not what define us. Our thoughts are not what define us. What we do with them is what defines us. "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me."

Don't fear fear, my friends. Embrace it. Give it God. Pick it up and follow him. Trust in the maker of the universe, trust in the one who is stronger than you could ever be. "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming" Ephesians 4:14. The fact that you are afraid does not prevent God from loving you. Rather, it gives you a unique and wondrous opportunity to demonstrate that you love him. So pick up your cross and follow him. He's waiting for you.

So please, think about that next time you feel scared or guilty or afraid. God loves you. And he makes it wonderfully simple to love him :).

My nominations:

1. Emilie Hendryx at Thinking Thoughts. This girl is an amazingly talented writer and photographer as well as a wonderful friend. Please go check out her unique perspectives and awesome interviews!

2. Matt Sketchley at Probably Nothing Interesting. I haven't kept up with Matt's blog very well (I'm sorry! I know I'm horrible at all this!) but I've always found it refreshing and highly entertaining. If you want one of a kind ideas and good laughs, this is the place to go!

3. Melody Jackson at Melody Jackson, Author. Mels, Mels, Mels - what can I tell you about Mels? She's the greatest crazy dragon lady you will ever meet and one of the sweetest people alive. With amazing enthusiasm and one of the best imaginations I've ever seen, Melody will keep you smiling, laughing, and thinking forever. Also, she just published a new book so there's even more reason to go check her out! You heard me, go do it!

Thanks for reading, my friends. Please go check out all four of the amazing blogs listed above. I'll see you tomorrow with another quote. Ash out. Bye :).