Goodbye July, Hello August!
August 01, 2017
Wow, I had fun! This month was really special because despite it being the busiest ever July of my life...I got 10,000 words down for "The Spirit Girl" which comes down to a total of almost 26,000 words in one and a half months. For all the things that I had to do and for my pace, it was pretty great and I know this novel can be finished and edited withing a year. Confession: I feel insecure about it, it's a great story with so much potential and definitely my best yet but I'm really nervous with it. I'm so scared to mess it up and it feels a little caricaturised in some places. I really don't want it to get cheesy and I feel like the emotions are all over the place, so I need to work on my transitions. My two alpha readers are really helpful and my two sisters who are reading along love it. The fact that they laugh and smile and frown when they read gives me hope for this book. :) One is a fellow author and whoa for an eleven year old she is so beyond her years, so much better than me and the other one is a picky critic <3 so the fact that she likes it is a huge relief of my shoulders!
(my stats)
Camp Nano! This was my first nano ever and wow, I am so happy that I did it. I had SO. MUCH. FUN. So thanks to Jane Maree for inviting me to "The Fellowship of the Keyboards" (isn't that like the best cabin name ever :D <3)
Jane, Slisby, Jess, Clare, Tesariel, Jasryn, MiddleEarthMusician, Ralraymee, Psylova, TheWriterThatTamesDragons, GirlWithADagger, radicalstars, Catherine and Zap...thank you for being my cabin mates and teaching me so much this month and keeping me laughing. You guys are all incredible writers, hilarious people, and I wish you the best in upcoming months and years! You made it a memorable first Nano!
1. Jess and Slisby broke the cabin when their coding experiment when very wrong. XD Honestly you don't know how many days I giggled over that one, so thanks for the laughs. <3
2. Tesariel and I started a wildly epic LOTR roleplay (which we are considering publishing on our blogs...sometime :P) and we fangirled and spammed the cabin like professionals. It was incredible to meet a person who was as avid of an LOTR fan as me ;) <3
3. Jane egged us on with virtual pizza and blessed us with inspirational tid bits every day and blew my mind away with her writing skills, Thank you Jane for being such a wonderful cabin leader <3
3. Catherine surprised me by appearing in the same cabin! So thank you to all the odds that brought us together! We both shot high and had to lower our word counts...and her WIP is epic, so please go support her over at the blog! She has been incredibly superhuman this month with everything she's been juggling, a hand for her?
4. And everyone for causing me to shriek and facepalm when I logged on because of all the notifs. XD And the orc fight that happened and I missed, well mostly. *pouts*
But in all honesty this was a wonderful month with you all. THANKS my fellow creatures, it was a fellowship fit to be told of for years ;), here's a song for you all.
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING // This book is a change from the "preaching down" to teenagers. Straight from a young adult herself, the message is powerful. This isn't the book you just read through and close, it's the kind you meditate on and keep referring to. My next step to reading is recruiting some teens to study through it and discuss...that's a bit tough since I don't know any but we'll see what God does! Honestly if you are going to get a book this year, get this one. It's easy to "ehh" it away but take the time to read through and get the message and above that...live it.
ANNE OF AVONLEA // I laughed and laughed, and my heart...the poetry was beyond words! Reading this book was like finding my childhood all over again <3
ANNE OF THE ISLAND // I could really relate to this book because I myself feel like this is where the path is turning in my life and I am growing up. The friendship and the relationships in this book are particularly amazing. And well...that ending? *sighs and puts hand over heart* I think by now it's no secret that I'm a romantic... :P
ANNE'S HOUSE OF DREAMS // The switch of scenes was like entering a new world. This book gives of a nautical, nostalgic, homey feel and the new characters were so real yet so interesting and curious. And I must say I did shed tears at the end, the premise was so simple yet so genuine and real. It's what many of us feel silly and over emotional to feel but often still passes through our hearts unspoken. Put into words and emotion, it echoes my past and the feeling of leaving a place you've learned to love. Anne definitely wasn't the only tree and house kisser *blushes*
UNBROKEN // At first I was skeptical but oh my word, the book grabbed me into the life of this unbelievable yet very human man and spun me along the pages as if I was witnessing the events myself. I was left awe struck and deeply humbled by what this man had gone through and how he came out of it. A raw, touching story and an enthralling read but let me mention that this book is for mature audiences, since it is an accurate biography in all respects and set in World War II. (torture camp, young soldiers' occupations, historic details etc.)
I am so excited! Our Rebellious Writing team has been working so hard behind the scenes to get this ready and wow I am almost a little nervous but super excited for August 9th! The day is coming you guys! Please spread the word and look out for an upcoming post on that, check out Gray's post for more here at Rebellious Writing !
PLANS //
1. To come up with a steady posting schedule with possible extra posts
2. To do some research and make it halfway through my novel, reach a climaxing point.
3. Get my life in order before school starts, this year is new in the sense that the homeschooled me is going to be taking classes three times a week...one hour away from home. That's going to change my life, literally! :) I'm going to be much busier and much more focused on my academics and schooling and sports. I got an incredible intern sort of volunteer job at the hospital, I am so excited for that and volunteering in general is so rewarding and amazing for me...plus get a peek at the world I may enter someday? Definitely!
4. Go to a certain lake spot in the mountains <3
ACCOMPLISHMENTS //
1. A whole month of swimming almost every day and not just once but twice and thrice a day sometimes. Swimming really changed my perspective on things because what used to be hard in other areas is so relatively easy now...it really puts things into perspective and is humbling. Point is, you have to work hard to get anywhere! And last thought: I have now officially stopped taking oxygen for granted :P
2. Getting into that hospital program, after almost half a year of waiting.
3. Writing and finding a sweet pace and method.
_______
Look out for upcoming posts on #RebelliousWriting and my Writing Contest results! And also don't be alarmed if I don't answer comments or comment on all of your posts...it's just that I have a lot going on and I'm making an effort to not be such a couch potato and to get my siblings to stop calling my laptop "Her Boyfriend" (obviously that means I'm spending way too much time... XD).
My prayer for this month is that you all would have a beautiful August, filled with productivity, relaxation, and loads of fun :)
So enjoy it because before you know it September will be rolling around the corner!
_______
PLANS //
1. To come up with a steady posting schedule with possible extra posts
2. To do some research and make it halfway through my novel, reach a climaxing point.
3. Get my life in order before school starts, this year is new in the sense that the homeschooled me is going to be taking classes three times a week...one hour away from home. That's going to change my life, literally! :) I'm going to be much busier and much more focused on my academics and schooling and sports. I got an incredible intern sort of volunteer job at the hospital, I am so excited for that and volunteering in general is so rewarding and amazing for me...plus get a peek at the world I may enter someday? Definitely!
4. Go to a certain lake spot in the mountains <3
ACCOMPLISHMENTS //
1. A whole month of swimming almost every day and not just once but twice and thrice a day sometimes. Swimming really changed my perspective on things because what used to be hard in other areas is so relatively easy now...it really puts things into perspective and is humbling. Point is, you have to work hard to get anywhere! And last thought: I have now officially stopped taking oxygen for granted :P
2. Getting into that hospital program, after almost half a year of waiting.
3. Writing and finding a sweet pace and method.
_______
Look out for upcoming posts on #RebelliousWriting and my Writing Contest results! And also don't be alarmed if I don't answer comments or comment on all of your posts...it's just that I have a lot going on and I'm making an effort to not be such a couch potato and to get my siblings to stop calling my laptop "Her Boyfriend" (obviously that means I'm spending way too much time... XD).
My prayer for this month is that you all would have a beautiful August, filled with productivity, relaxation, and loads of fun :)
So enjoy it because before you know it September will be rolling around the corner!
_______
What's been going on for you all this Summer? Did you read anything that I did this month?
Talk to me! <3
As long as I live,
I will sing and praise you,
the Lord God.
(Psalm 104:33)
As long as I live,
I will sing and praise you,
the Lord God.
(Psalm 104:33)
28 comments
AWWWW, you are so sweet Anna!!! I actually saved the "orc fight" in a document for posterity, I can email it to you if you want!!
ReplyDelete*gasp* You read more of the Chronicles of Avonlea!! I love those books so much!
I've recently found some really really good books by Carolyn Miller. They're really similar to Jane Austen, have really sweet and sassy heroines, and her heros...oh my gosh I'm probably going to have to post about these books soon because THEY ARE SO GOOD.
Feel you on being tied to the computer. Though honestly, writing and blogging have been keeping me from being bored on my days off, LOL. Congrats on getting the hospital position!!
Gah!!! #RW is in....a week and a day!!!! So much to do and not much time!!! *breathes* we can do this.
Catherine
catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com
XD I would love to get that orc fight!
DeleteThe Anne series are just too good! <3
I'm definitely going to have to check those books out and you also need to post about them because you caught my attention girl.
Oh definitely, I'm glad I'm not the only one!
Thank you! It's going to be a fun year and I'll update when I find out what position I'm getting.
I know! EEEk, honestly...where does time go!!!??? I can't wait though! <3
Thanks so much for commenting and sharing Catherine! <3 xox
AMAZING! I loved the format of this post. And the graphics were beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYour month sounded amazing. Congrats on Camp NaNo.
Hopefully your August is great. It sounds like you'll have a lot going on. Congrats on your internship. That has to be exciting.
Siblings. They just say the funniest things. :)
God bless you!
iviewrites.blogspot.com
Thank you Ivie! <3 Don't they? XD It's pretty annoying to hear all the time but I can't deny it's funny.
DeleteGod Bless you too and thanks so much for reading and commenting ^.^ <3
In group chat settings, I'm usually the one that ends up causing the explosion of notifications. xD I'm so happy that you did so much your first Camp NaNo!
ReplyDeleteAlso, just a head's up: I've revealed two things on the blog today that would be cool if you took a part in! One is a tag idea I've been working on for some time, and the other is an actvitity that the blogging community did last year, so if you'd like to check that out, it's up on my blog! ^.^
xoxo Abigail Lennah | ups & downs
Xd That would probably be me too. Thanks Abby!
DeleteOmg I just checked it out and AHH my comment is arriving. Can you explain about the yearbook though? I'm getting super excited but I'm not quite sure what it consists of and has there been another one? If so where can I see it XD sorry for all the questions, I'm just way too excited right now.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting ^.^ <3
Sounds like you had a good month!
ReplyDeleteThis Changes Everything is a really good book, I got it as a present when I was thirteen!
AND DON'T GIVE UP ON SPIRIT GIRL! Seriously, it's so good! Maybe a little raw and skin and bones in some places, but it's so good and has so much potential!
I did!
DeleteAnd thank you Gray, that feedback is so encouraging and I'm definitely going to keep chugging on. I need to do a bit of research before I release the fourth chapter out to you :)
Hey!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so great!!
SOOO GLAD YOU HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME IN CAMP NANO! It's so fun! I participated of NaNoWriMo during Novemeber 2016 and of Camp last April. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to join this July, but i'm happy you enjoyed it!!
August is here! Yeey!
xox
Thank you so much Juls! <3 I hope you can do it upcoming :) And I know! It's crazy, I can't believe it's the last month of summer, last time I knew it was June! 0-0
Delete<3 Thanks for reading and commenting and I hope you have a beautiful August! <3 :)
Wow awesome post!:)
ReplyDeleteI agree, one of most awesome things about this cabin was meeting other LOTR fans!:) And I am enjoying writing the role-play with you, it is quite epic so far!:)
-Quinley
It was amazing! Thanks so much for commenting and I hope to keep going with the roleplay...just sort of busy lately with school since I start in August.
Deletexox Hope you have a great August!
Congrats on your first camp nano! I think the camp is almost better than the actual nanowrimo. And I'm glad you got a taste of Jane's motivational pizza xD
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful August! <3
audrey caylin
XD It was incredibly fun...and Jane kept that motivational pizza going. I hope you have a wonderful August too Audrey! Thank you so much for reading and commenting <3 xox
DeleteWhew, sounds like a busy July! I'm so happy that you enjoyed Camp though, and that you met your goal! That's amazing. <3 Thank you for all your hard work on Rebellious Writing; we couldn't have done it without you! :D
ReplyDeleteHave a spectacular August!
Thank you so much Melissa! <3 xox
DeleteIt was crazily fun, and I am glad I met that word goal :)
Thank you for all your hard work on RW too Melissa <3 I think none of us could have done it without each other, everyone played such an integral and important role in it's uprising. <3
I hope you have a beautiful August and enjoy that last summer month! <3 Thanks so much for commenting friend ^.^ <3
Congratulations on acing Camp NaNo! The more I hear about This Changes Everything the better it sounds. And you read Unbroken! It's some of the most well written nonfiction I've read. (If you want something similar, I recommend In the Heart of the Sea. It's a bit gruesome sometimes, but riveting and well written. Anyway.)
ReplyDeleteAll the best with your August plans, and good on you for prioritizing family. It's a hard balance to strike. xx
Thank you Jessica! <3 It really is a great book, I highly recommend it
DeleteIt was an amazingly written book, and did you read the author's story? That to me was so inspiring. Thank you for the recommendation! I'll definitely have to check that out!
It really is! Yet important...
Thank you so much for reading and commenting Jess <3 I hope you have a gorgeous August!
Hello Anna!
ReplyDeleteSorry it took so long for me to find your blog. Anyway, here I am now!!! XD
It was fun having you in the cabin! I didn't realize you were such a LOTR fan...*high fives* XD
Congrat's on the swimming! I enjoy swimming too. :-)
I've been doing writing, reading, music playing, and blogging mostly. :-D
I love that bible verse!!!
Have a great day!
~MEM~
Yayyy! xD <3
Delete*high fives back* I guess we weren't always there in the cabin at the same time. swimming is really nice isn't it?
Me too actually, what instrument(s) do you play?
You have a great day and a great August!
Btw...could you link your blog? I kind of lost it, oops!
Sure thing! :-D Here it is:
Deletehttps://musicmysterymiddlearthandmitochondria.blogspot.com/
It's on my profile as well. :-)
Yep, it is! XD
I play the piano, violin, (sort of) guitar, and (sort of) ukulele. I am hoping to get a cello soon. Do you play too? :-)
You too! XD
Thanks for linking!
DeleteWow that's so cool! I play violin, piano and my voice :P and sort of Ukelele. :)
Aaah good for you for doing Camp NanoWrimo! I finished a first draft in July, I got to 65000 words, though I had 15000 from earlier in the year. But I was on holiday, so I had lots of time for writing. I did some hiking in the state north of the one where I live, I just love the Himalayas so much, and otherwise I read lots and moped about monsoon and enjoyed being free of school. I love love love the Anne of Green Gables books. I reread them in December, and they're simply excellent. I like the Emily books as well, especially Emily Climbs. I think the best book I read this month was Dramatically Ever After, it was simply brilliant. Have a wonderful August!
ReplyDeleteShanti @ Virtually Read
Thanks Shanti! WOW you wrote a lot, congrats and HIMALAYAS. That must have been a gorgeous spot to go to...and if I was stuck in a monsoon then writing inside and watching the rain would be my comfort (until the electricity goes out!) I LOVE those books too! They are so spotlessly written and the prose is beyond words! I will definitely have to check those other books out! Thank you so much for commenting, it's sp nice to meet a new person on my blog. :) Those encounters always make me happy <3 I hope you have a beautiful August as well Shanti!
DeleteUnbroken is one of my favorite books and one of the first that really made me cry! The movie was almost just as good and really brought it to life when I saw it awhile back.
ReplyDeleteSo anyway, hello, I'm Kara and a new addition to your followers. Your blog looks awesome and I cannot wait to read more. <3
Blessings,
Kara
It is an incredible book! I was left utterly stunned...
DeleteIt's so nice to meet you Kara! :)I always feel blessed to see new people on my blog...as would be said in the Anne books: “…I'm so thankful for friendship. It beautifies life so much.” :) Once someone new comments and I find their blog, they become a friend very soon after. XD
That being said...I would love to check out your blog if you have one... :)
Again thanks for commenting and reading! <3
- Anna
It was nice to read about months of your life. July was also wished but couldn't reach somehow. Anyways, always be happy.
ReplyDeleteThank you...I wish the same for you and wishing you the best future. I'm happy for you so please you always be happy too :)
DeleteHi! Thank you so much for your comments, they always make my day. I allow anonymous users to comment on my blog, but any crass, profane, pointless criticism and mean comments will be deleted. Remember to check back or click notify because I reply to all of my comments!
Have a Blessed day <3