Double Waterfall Braid ~ The Waterfall Braid Series Pt. 4

Today's hairstyle looks hard, but once you know how to waterfall braid, it's so easy.  Don't believe me? Just wait and see.

My favorite thing about this braid is that it easy but still works for more formal occasion. But at the same time, it doesn't look out of place when worn for every-day.

The Double Waterfall Braid

1. Brush your hair and make a deep side part.
2. On the side heavy with hair, pick up a small section above the temple. Be sure not to use too much. You'll need hair left for the second part.
3. Waterfall braid all the way around to the other side. If you don't know how to waterfall braid, there's a link below.
4.  Finish the braid with a basic braid and temporarily secure it.
5. Repeat steps 2-3 again about an inch below the first braid. When you add hair to the top, use the pieces you dropped from the first braid.
6. When you reach the other side, unsecure the first braid.
7. Unravel the braid a little and add the sections to the sections of the second braid. Try to match the sections up.
8. Finish with a basic braid.

See Wasn't that easy?

RhoXie

Other Posts in this Series:

1. The Waterfall Braid
2. The Waterfall Twist
3. The Waterfall Braid Bun + The 1st Mini-talk

Tri-Rose Cover Reveal

                    

                 

So today's post is special. My friend Morgan and two of her friends are preparing to release three, count 'em, three, retellings of Sleeping Beauty. And there's a special bonus at the post's end! ;)

All three books release on August 7th

Stay tuned on Kendra’s Blog, knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com, for details.

Poison Kiss

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34854999-poison-kiss

Kindle preorder link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072SF4RRM

About the Book

Everyone knows that Sleeping Beauty's curse is triggered when she pricks her finger on a spindle and that she is awakened by true love's kiss ... but what happens when the wicked fairy decides to switch things up?

Edmund didn't mean to put Auralea to sleep, but now it's up to him and the famous Puss in Boots to figure out how, exactly, a spinning wheel is supposed to awaken her.

About the Author

Kendra E. Ardnek is a homeschool graduate who picked up a pen at an early age and never put it down. The eldest of four, she makes her home in the Piney Woods of East Texas with her parents, younger siblings, giant herd of giraffes, and honor guard of nutcrackers. 

You can connect with Kendra on her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Rosetta Thornbriar

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35391254-rosette-thornbriar

Kindle preorder link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072SF4GXZ

About the Book

Once upon a time, way out west...

Back when they were young'uns, Fleur Guardstone proposed to Rosette Thornbriar with a cigar band ring. However, not long after, she disappeared back into the forest and hadn't been heard from since. However, when Fleur hears reports of smoke coming from that woods, he's determined to find out if it is, indeed, his dear Rosette. If he can get past all of the briars.

About the Author

Rachel Roden is a natural story teller, capable of weaving the most hilarious of fairy tales. She fell in love with the Lone Ranger in her teens, but ended up with a basketball referee instead. Together, she and the Ref homeschool their four children in the Piney Woods of East Texas, as well as any other odd kid who ends up in their house. She might also be the sole human who still uses math after college.

You can connect with Rachel on her blog, twitter, and Pinterest.

Twisted Dreams

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34597569-twisted-dreams

Kindle preorder link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0721T37DF/

About the Book

“I, Calandra, of the Wingans, do bestow upon you, the Princess of Hanover, a gift. You have been given long life. I cannot interfere with that, but when you are sixteen years of age, you will prick your finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into an everlasting sleep.” She stepped closer so that she could be heard only by Liesel and her parents. “Then you will at last see the truth. Be wary. Be wise. Your fate rests upon yourself.”

On her sixteenth birthday, Princess Liesel Rosanna falls victim to a sleeping curse—but wakens in another world, a prisoner of war. As the bait in a trap for her fiancé, the crown prince of Hanover, Liesel longs to escape back to the fairy tale world. The world where she is only wanting a true love’s kiss to set everything to rights.

As situations quickly grow dire, Liesel must choose which story to live, which life is real. The fate of her country rests on her decision.

About the Author

Morgan Elizabeth Huneke is a homeschool graduate who lives in Georgia. She has enjoyed creating characters and writing stories since early childhood. Books have always been a big part of her life, never more so than when working at the local library. Her other interests include reading, playing and teaching piano and violin, and politics. She is the author of Across the Stars and The Experiment as well as the Time Captives fantasy trilogy.

You can connect with Morgan on her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

All three sound amazing to me, and I look forward to reading them. And now y'all want your bonus, don't y'all? So here it is: Kendra's first Sleeping Beauty retelling, Sew, It's a Quest, is free right now. Here's the link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731321.

RhoXie

The Stories Behind the Story ~ The Write it Right Series Pt. 3

So it acquired to me that I completely skip a month's worth of news last post, and that's a no-no. Allow me to fix that.

• My family did a electronics fast which is why I didn't post.
• I sighed up for Joni and Friends Family Retreat. It's July 22-27 (I think?), but I still have to raise 82% of my funds. Prayers please! And jobs if you've got them.
• I moved the publishing month for Inkling Adventures back from September to November.
• My closet was finished. A huge blessing for Noelle, Norah Beth, and I.

Now on to the post.

                       

So far in this series, we've explored our characters for who they are and who they will be. now it's time for us to discover who they were. Time to learn their backstory.

 

Minnew

   For example, Minnew of  my WIP Inkling Adventures was blissfully happy before her forming event (more on those later). Now she's constantly fearful. See how that worked? She was one thing, something happened, and she changed.

   That's the importance of backstory. It shapes characters and brings them to life. In my experience, more interesting backstory = more interesting character too.

   So how do we learn backstory? That comes differently for Different characters. Priss' came with the book idea while Rihnele's was a random decision. Lamsor's backstory came from Zaltin's, but I had to work hard for Minnew's.

    Yes, you say, but how? Honestly, they all come from the story. They need to effect to the plot somehow and/or the theme(s). So there's some starting places. Connecting to the villain is also good. there's another place to begin.

   I've also used questionnaires and interviews. Sometimes they work; sometimes they don't. I have recently discovered that simply asking myself questions about characters and writing down the answers is helpful.

   Again these are just tricks I've picked up. They are everything about backstory.

Do you have any tips? What works for you?

RhoXie

Other Posts in this Series:

• Writing Questions
• Character Arcs

A Modern-day Psalm

Yes, I live. I disappeared for over a month, but I'm back now. Hopefully, I can get back into the swing of things and start posting regularly. But on to the psalm!

~

I praise You

      because You have saved me;

   I worship You because You

      have redeemed me.

I was sentenced to Hell,

   but You brought me

      to Heaven.

My sins were killing my soul,

   but You have healed it of them.

Satan pursued me;

   His demons sought me life.

I called on You, and

   You heard my cry.

You rebuked the Devil

      and scattered His servants.

You protected me

      because You love me.

You carried me to safety;

    my soul will not fear.

You brought me

      to a strong refuge;

    my heart will not be afraid.

Let the forest sing;

   let the rivers rejoice.

Let the mountains cry out

      and let the oceans shout

         aloud.

God has done wonderful things;

   He has shown His greatness.

No one can match Min;

   He is beyond all mankind.

Though princes plan

     and warriors fight,

   He is the One

      who directs the earth.

Though they wage war,

      He will decide the victory.

Mankind is nothing,
      a piece of ash vanished
         with the breeze.
   It is gone in an instant.

But He sees us.
   For us, He cares.
He looks down from on high
      and saves us from death.
He reaches forth

      and redeems us.

For this, praise Him.
   I will praise till life leaves me.

I will worship
      until death takes me.

RhoXie