June 2019 Happenings + Quick Question!

June 30, 2019

Happy Sunday!

Is it just me, or did June FLY by? It feels like summer just began, but now we're a third of the way through it.

*panic*

I can't believe July is just around the corner. I've been looking forward to July all year, and it always felt so far away. But now it's just DAYS away, and I'm kind of freaking out.

Let's not look at that now, though, shall we? For now, let's stick with June's highlights.


Honestly, for how busy June was, I can't remember most of it. XD It's been a lot of working at my job and doing stuff around the house.

I did get together with my friends, which was fun! We listened to Hamilton and played MarioKart (which is my all-time favorite video game of ever) and just had a good time in general.

As part of a leadership project, I also led the first two sessions of a Camp NaNo writing club for teens. I'm not going to lie: I expected two people to show up. So when FOURTEEN PEOPLE walked into the room, I almost lost it.

(See, I'm not good at speaking to people about writing - I don't get much practice. And I'm not good at speaking in front of people. It was a recipe for disaster.)

Fortunately, all went well! I'm not sure what the others are thinking of it so far, but as far as I can tell, at least some of them are getting into it. *shrugs*

The Flash: Season Three. Oooo, boy. *rubs hands together* I HAVE THOUGHTS. Unfortunately, most of them are spoiler-y, and I definitely don't want to spoil this series. But, my vague thoughts in bullet points:
  • Okay, Julian is my second-favorite character (but Cisco has forever stolen my heart).
  • BARRY STOP BEING AN IDIOT OKAY
  • okay Caitlin's pretty cool this season
  • I'm torn between loving the Barry x Iris ship and wanting to rip it to shreds.
  • *facepalm*
  • *all the facepalms*
  • whyyyyy
not from season 3 but reason #203845 why I love Cisco

The Illuminae Files. Yes, I'm reading them for the second time this year. XD I actually understand the plot a lot better, now that I took the first book slower. At the time I'm writing this, I'm plowing through Gemina. And I LOVE NIK SO MUCH. <3

The Raven Cycle. I've hesitated reading this series for a while now because of content. And while it's true that I'm still not a fan of all the cursing (to name one thing) it's a really intriguing series. Will it be a favorite? Probably not. But am I enjoying myself? Oh, yes.

(By the way, Noah is the most underrated Raven Boy in this series and that makes me sad.)

Game Theory/Film Theory/GT Live. This is the current YouTube series I'm binge-watching. I especially love the livestreams they do - they're so entertaining. For instance, the Baba Is You streams are awesome. (I haven't watched the GTea sessions, though, because those don't seem up my alley. I don't care to hear about YouTube drama. XD)

I've definitely been writing, but . . . not as much as I would like. Procrastination and laziness are proving to be formidable foes. But I'm doing my best to push past them.

However, it's really easy to turn to YouTube or other procrastination forms when you're attempting to rewrite a book.

Rewriting, for lack of a better term, stinks. I can't even put my finger on why it's so hard. It just IS.

And that's why, although I hoped to make better progress on writing The Inhumans #1, I . . . really haven't done much on it. I'm hoping to get it close to completion before Realm Makers, but, realistically speaking, that probably isn't going to happen.

Speaking of Realm Makers, I made a decision about it:

I'm not going to pitch there.

I've gone back and forth over it for months now, weighing the pros and cons. And honestly, I don't think any of my stories - or my writing - is at a place where I can pitch them to an agent. I HAVE scheduled a few mentor appointments, but I canceled my pitching appointment.

And I don't regret it one bit.

Anyways, here are the posts I wrote this month:

And, around the blogosphere . . .

Gray @ Sunshine and Joy is on a mission trip to Panama! So exciting!

Rose @ A Purpose of Winged Dogs celebrated her second blogoversary! Congratulations, Rose! :)

Savannah @ Inspiring Writes posted an EPIC movie review of Avengers; Endgame. (I'm still not over that movie. Amazing, I tell you. Amazing.)

And Julian @ Saver of Memories and Sarah @ Pen of a Ready Writer posted their blogoversary vlog, which was INCREDIBLE (especially when the canopy blew over XD).


A quick apology. I know I wasn't a very active blogger in June, and sadly, July is not going to improve - it'll only get worse. I'll try to read, comment, and write posts, but if it doesn't happen, don't worry - I'm not dead.

Also, if you don't mind, I've got a quick survey I would like for you to take! It's about two post ideas I have, and I would like to see your input on them.

A brief explanation before you take it:
  • The very first question asks if you would rather have me vlog Realm Makers or write a blog post about it. I make no guarantees about vlogging - I've never done something like that before, and I might not get video footage, people's approval, etc. If it doesn't work out, I'll definitely do a blog post.
  • The second question stems from my obsession with The Flash. XD

Thank you so much in advance!

And now I'll let you get back to your last Sunday in June. I hope you have a great July!

-Nicole <3

How was your June? Who's your favorite Flash character if you've seen it? Anyone else hate rewriting as much as I do? Let's talk!

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22 comments

  1. Ugh, I totally feel you with the rewriting thing. Pure. Torture.

    But on a happier note, hope you have an awesome July :)

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    1. THANK YOU, someone else who agrees! Rewriting can just die in an abyss somewhere. XD

      Thanks, Kara! And you too!

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  2. Ugh, yes, procrastination and laziness. My worst enemies right now, with Camp NaNo starting TOMORROW and almost NO planning done whatsoever. *definitely doesn't sweat nervously*

    And that's so cool you're teaching a Camp NaNo writing club! Best of luck. :D

    theonesthatreallymatter.blogspot.com

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    1. Hehehe, join the club. My friend and I had a panic attack today after Mass because neither of us are prepared for Camp. *also not sweating nervously* *why would you think that*

      Thanks, Emily! I’ll need it. XD

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  3. Oooh, leading the Camp NaNo writing club sounds really fun, Nicole! I'm sure you did a great job 😊

    My June was pretty fun, but I procrastinated way too much plotting my WIP, so now I don't know if I'll be doing Camp NaNo in July 😢

    The Flash show sounds interesting...actually quite a lot of people have recommended it to me, I think I'll try it soon!

    Have a great July as well, Nicole!

    -Ash 💛

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    1. Thanks! I honestly hope that the others have enjoyed it thus far . . .

      Hahaha, yeah, same here - I didn’t start going hardcore-plotting-mode until three days ago. I mean, you can always set a smaller goal for Camp! *shrugs* Either way, best of luck!

      Ooo, yes, you should definitely watch it! (One warning, though - the seasons do get worse as they go along. Season 3 was both amazing and horrible at the same time. XD)

      Thanks, Ash! You too!

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  4. I feel you, June went too fast! I am trying not to procrastinate with my writing... It's hard.
    Have a great July!

    astorydetective.blogspot.com

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    1. Good luck on your writing! You can do this! (I'm finding that turning off Wi-Fi and playing music helps for me.)
      You too, Rakayle!

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  5. Man, I completely forgot that Camp NaNo is tomorrow. Wow. Anyway, I relate on being super busy but not really knowing what I did. XD Have a great July, Nicole!!

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    1. Haha, yeah, it definitely doesn't feel like Camp is upon us. And I'm glad to hear I'm not alone! XD You too!

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  6. You're backkk *excited dance*
    Nope not just you, June definitely flew by.
    Mk so I probably just need to binge watch all of Flash in July but we'll see how that goes
    Anyhow write something about Cisco for me ;)
    Oh procrastination, our dreaded enemy. Good luck with that one!
    How soon is Realm Makers? Are you doing camp Nano this month?

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    1. Yep, I am!! *joins in*
      Oh, thank goodness, I thought I was the only one!
      Ooo, good luck! (I've stopped after season 3 - how far are you?)
      I'll definitely have to put in something - I'm too far down this path to stop now. ;)
      Haha, thanks!
      RM is in . . . 3 weeks, I think? And yes, I am! (I haven't really thought about it much, though, despite the fact that I'm teaching a class on it and it starts today. XD) Are you?

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  7. UGHHH rewriting and procrastination and june wasss so fast!! BUT July. And Hamilton. So all is well!

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    1. That is so accurate!! XD (I take it you listen to Hamilton?)

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  8. Thanks so much for linking to our vlog!! I really appreciate it! That canopy bit was beyond hilarious!!

    I'm actually hoping to maybe film a vlog at RM, so it would be awesome to know that there's at least one other person doing one there.

    #ciscoramonislife Also, Julian was such an awesome character!!!! So well done. And I was just shipping him and Caitlin. Basically, I'm 100% with you on all of your thoughts.

    It sounds like you've had an awesome month! I hope July is pretty great for you! And don't feel bad at all about not pitching. If it helps make your experience at RM better, then that is absolutely what you should do.

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    1. Hey, no problem! Seriously, that vlog was awesome - and yes, that canopy bit had me dying. XD

      YES, VLOG BUDDIES!!! (The poll results are showing me that I need to do a vlog, so I'm so glad someone else will be doing it too!)

      THAT HASHTAG MUST BE A THING. (#ciscoramonislife is seriously the best thing I've heard today). Ack, and yes, the Julian-Caitlin ship is the best thing ever. When I see you at RM, there will probably be flailing about this show, since I only know one other person who watches it.

      Same to you, Sarah! (And thanks - I'm hoping it'll save me a lot of pre-conference stress.)

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  9. I used to watch The Flash but haven't in a long time. Cisco is amazing! 😍

    You're not alone in not pitching at RM! I'm not going (though I wish I was...), but if I were I know I wouldn't be pitching either. My writing isn't ready for that, and neither am I. O_o

    Great post!!

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    1. YAY, another Cisco Fan Club member! (What season did you get to? Just curious. XD)

      Haha, yeah, I feel you. The entire process seems way too intimidating. (And hey, maybe we’ll end up at a future writing conference together!)

      Thanks, Lila!!

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  10. I'm not pitching at Realm Makers either, it took a lot of stress off.
    Cisco and Catlin! I love those characters.
    Also Raven Boys is amazing!

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    1. Agreed! Just the thought of pitching at this point just makes me stressed out. XD
      Aaaaahhhh, yes, those two are so amazing!
      And I feel you - I just finished the second book, and WOW.

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Welcome to the comment section! I love hearing what you guys think and seeing you guys talk. Just remember to keep it clean, and as always, check back for my replies! <3
-Nicole