Happy Sunday!

*cue cliché line about how July is already over*

To be fair, though, my July was so busy, I barely had time to stop and look around. This month was EPIC.

So let's get started, shall we?


Honestly, I wasn't really home for most of July. For literally the first two weeks, my family was on the move as we went on vacation. We traveled to California and visited Yosemite! <3

And, literally four days after we got back from that trip, I went to REALM MAKERS. (the time change between California and St. Louis didn't help my sanity, by the way. XD)

I won't talk about that weekend much here, because next week my GIGANTIC post on it is coming out. (Brace yourselves.) But I'll just say that the conference was amazing! I met so many people and . . . if I keep talking about it, I'll just rewrite next week's post, so we'll leave it there.

Anyways, I didn't really have much of a life after RM. I was really tired from the conference, so I pretty much didn't leave the house except for work. XD Whoops.

But. Recently, my mom and I went to go see ABBY JOHNSON SPEAK.

If you haven't heard of Abby Johnson, she's a famous pro-life speaker with an incredible conversion story and a powerful message. While I wasn't a fan of the political speakers before and after her, I really enjoyed her speech!

Enough on my life outside stories - my fandom life was also kind of insane. XD

Avatar: The Last Airbender. You guys have heard me talk about this show waaaaayyy too much. But I just started season 2 and IT'S SO MUCH BETTER THAN SEASON 1.

*cough* Zuko Alone is the best episode *cough* *cough*

The Office: Season 1. Can you really consider this a fandom? I don't know. I've only seen the first four episodes, but it's HYSTERICAL. (You know, besides the, ahem, adult humor. -_-)

Spider-Man: Far From Home. Okay. *deep breath* I expected this movie to be so much better than what it actually was. It was a good movie, but . . . it kind of fell flat?

That first end credit scene, though. HECK YES.

The Illuminae Files. YES I am still obsessed with this series. I reread Obsidio on vacation and I forgot how good of an ending it was! <333

I didn’t make this, I just found it hilarious. Kudos to the creator!

The Story Peddler. I actually met the author at Realm Makers! And I was so glad that I enjoyed the story. Definitely one of my favorite new reads of the year so far! (Also, Tanwen x Mor FOR LIFE.)

So. Camp NaNoWriMo was this month.

*cough* Am I still somewhat failing it? Yes.

But I DID change my goal to make it smaller, because this year I actually do want to win it. (I didn't win it last April.) I've been doing edits for The Inhumans #1 this time around.

Except . . . after RM, I realized that practically my entire first book is utter TRASH and I'm going to have to write it over again.

*cue unenthusiastic cheering*

Will it make the book better? I think so.
Will it be a pain in the butt? Probably.

So I've been procrastinating on writing that book. Yay.

But I HAVE been writing a lot of flash fiction recently, and I've been considering a special writing project that may or may not happen. So . . . you might hear something about that in the coming months. *shrugs* It's still in the planning stages though, so no promises!

Here are my posts for the month (which has been dubbed "Tag July"):

The Versatile Blogger Award
The Project Inspire Tag
The 20 Question Book Tag

I'm really sorry I haven't been responding to comments quickly or reading your posts as often as I would like! I can't promise that I'll improve in August, but I'll at least try my best. <3

Now, some of the best posts that I DID end up catching . . .

Keturah's post about our identity really hit home with me. If any of you guys are having existential crises (or are just curious), definitely check it out.

Gray's recent foray back into the world of writing is absolutely GORGEOUS and YOU NEED TO HAVE IT IN YOUR LIFE.

And the Realm Makers wrap-up posts have begun! So far, I've seen Sarah's, Julian's, Angela's, Victoria’s, and Jenna’s, and THEY ARE SO GOOD!

yes, I'll stop talking about RM now, I'm sorry

You guys. I'm SO EXCITED for this month's posts. I have a lot of exciting things for you guys that I CAN'T WAIT to share. You already know what next week's post will be, but I'll keep the next weeks' topics to myself. ;)

In the meantime, I hope you have a great August! With luck, I'll see you around the blogosphere!

-Nicole <3

Happy Sunday!

This is the last tag post of this month. Today I decided to do the 20 Question Book Tag because I AM AT REALM MAKERS RIGHT NOW OH MY GOSH.

Ahem.

Anyways.

(I know I was tagged by Abigail @ Books, Life, and Christ, but I forgot the other person who tagged me. Sorry!)


How many books are too many in a series?
I’m honestly okay with a lot of books in a series - as long as they don’t get too stretched-out or derivative. (I’m worried that this fate will befall the KOTLC series.) But for instance, the Warriors universe encompasses several series plus some standalones. I’m good with all of them up until the end of the fourth series. After that, I feel like the authors are just stretching out the franchise.

But to answer your question, I guess it just depends.

(Just watch as that is the answer to every other question.)

How do you feel about cliff-hangers?
ALLLLL THE CLIFFHANGERS PLEASE! I love reading them, I love writing about them, I love watching them on TV shows . . . they may be torture, but if done right, they add a whole new level of intrigue!

Hardcover or paperback?
Hardcover - I don’t like buying them (why do they have to be so expensive?), but they’re way more durable than their paperback counterparts.

Favorite book?
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger. (I’m narrowing it down to the first book.)

For some reason, though, I’m trying to reread it, and I just . . . can’t get into it? It’s really sad, and I don’t know why.

Least favorite book?
Either The School for Good and Evil or The Hazel Wood. I happily despise both of them.

Love triangles, yes or no?
Um . . . if done right, yes. But I can’t remember ever reading a book where the love triangle was done right. *shrugs*

The most recent book you couldn’t finish?
War and Peace - the library needed it back, apparently. -_-

A book you are currently reading?
Um . . . Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. To Best the Boys by Mary Weber. To name a few.

Last book you recommended to someone?
I can’t remember the last time I recommended a book. I honestly can’t.

Oldest book you’ve read? (publication date)
Les Miserables, published in 1862, according to Google. (Although technically I never finished that . . . but shhhhh.)

Newest book you’ve read? (publication date)
To Best the Boys by Mary Weber! I was really excited when our library bought it - usually they don’t buy any of the books that I want to read. XD

Favorite author?
Shannon Messenger, just for KOTLC. But in terms of all writings . . . probably Tolkien. He created such an in-depth world with amazing characters and awesome plots. <3

Buying books or borrowing?
Borrowing. I don’t want to buy a book I haven’t read yet - usually it turns out to be a disappointment. I’d rather borrow it from someone and learn that I like it, and THEN I’ll buy it.

A book you dislike that everyone seems to love?
Uh . . . The School for Good and Evil? Usually I see pretty good reviews of it. I know The Hazel Wood is more controversial, so . . . yeah.

Bookmarks or dog-ears?
*cringes* You guys are going to hate me. But . . . I dog-ear books all the time.

Yes, I’ve started to use bookmarks more. But if I don’t have a bookmark, I will dog-ear a page without a second thought.

*grabs vibranium shield*

*waits for angry bloggers to attack*

A book you can always reread?
I would say the first KOTLC book, but again, I’m having a hard time getting into it.

I guess, right now it would be Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson.

Can you read while hearing music?
Yes! In fact, it was while reading and listening to music that I discovered a great accompanying song to *NEVERSEEN SPOILERS* Keefe’s betrayal scene. *END SPOILERS*

One POV or multiple POVs?
Give me allllll the POVs! I love reading and hearing from different people’s point of view.

Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?
When I was younger, I’d read everything in one sitting. Now, I think I have way too much to do in a day, so the book is stretched out multiple days. (And let’s not even talk about audiobooks . . .)

I literally don’t remember who’s done this before, so I tag:
Faith @ The Writer’s Song
Emily @ The Ones that Really Matter
Ash @ Ash Ronnel
Melissa @ Quill Pen Writer
Danielle @ Snapper

And here are the questions!

How many books are too many in a series?
How do you feel about cliff-hangers?
Hardcover or paperback?
Favorite book?
Least favorite book?
Love triangles, yes or no?
The most recent book you couldn’t finish?
A book you are currently reading?
Last book you recommended to someone?
Oldest book you’ve read? (publication date)
Newest book you’ve read? (publication date)
Favorite author?
Buying books or borrowing?
A book you dislike that everyone seems to love?
Bookmarks or dog-ears?
A book you can always reread?
Can you read while hearing music?
One POV or multiple POVs?
Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?
Who do you tag?

-Nicole

Happy Sunday!

Continuing with Tag July (not my best name ever, I know), I decided to do a tag that's been around for a while now - the Project Inspire Tag.

For those of you who don't know what this is, this is a tag created by Jenna that aims to encourage and show appreciation towards writers. It's a genius idea, in my opinion.

So let's do this.



1. Thank and link back to whose blog you first saw the tag on. That would be Jenna's, who is also the creator.

2. Answer the questions given. (When you mention a person in your answers, link to their blog/website if they have one.)

3. Include 5 of the biggest things you've learned about writing and how they've changed you.

4. Don't tag anybody. (Thank goodness, because I struggle with tagging people. XD)

And now for the questions!


Um. *racks brain*

Well, when I was younger, I used to just write for fun. I had a vague idea that I could write for a career, but I had never seriously written before.

Then, in sixth grade, I took a short creative writing course. The teacher (who was also my English teacher) was fine with me writing longer stories or putting different twists on things. And in that class, the prompt for my first "serious" story was given to me. So, if you're reading this, sixth-grade English teacher - thanks. :)


Honestly, the blogging community in general - mostly because I feel like you guys are holding me accountable. XD But also, your posts are super inspiring and give me lots of motivation. <3

But otherwise, I really don't talk about my writing at all outside of online. It still feels weird to me.


ALL THE TIME. Seriously, it's like you guys can read my mind. XD But most recently, Ash's post on not giving up on writing came on a particularly lazy day. *facepalm*


My mom. She's read a LOT of my writing (although most of the time I DID force her to read it). I've had weird book research conversations with her, and she's helped give suggestions for The Inhumans.

But sadly, a lot of writing buddies who started writing around the time that I did have since stopped, so I can't exactly say they've been through "thick and thin." I'm still sad about that.


My mom - again. XD Just recently I had her read the first 10 pages of The Inhumans (let me tell you, I have never been more scared to have people read my writing) and she gave me reassurance that it wasn't as slow and boring as I thought it would be.

But I'll also mention Abbie here, since her videos are so educational and have definitely helped my writing skills grow.


My best friend. I can rant to her about fandom stuff and she'll understand and probably start ranting along with me.

We also have the WEIRDEST text conversations. The other day, we started talking about the Flash, and the conversation ended with me promising to buy a violin. XD Friend, if you're reading this, you're awesome. <3

I don't why I love this quote so much. I've tried this before and it's REALLY hard. But this quote has just stuck in my head and I can't get it out.


Um. Well. Thanks, Mom, for putting up with your writer/fangirl daughter. We're a handful. Sorry about that. XD

And I know they won't read this, but thanks to the girls in my grade who got me into writing. I know you don't write anymore, but still, I appreciate your passion for writing during those couple months. (Your stories were amazing, by the way.)


Shannon Messenger has definitely inspired me to write better stories. The way she crafts her own is just amazing. And Jaye L. Knight has inspired me to write powerful themes.


Twofold:
- Write. Seriously. If you don't write, you won't get better. Trust me, I learned this the hard way.
- No writer is perfect, so there's no pressure for you to be. :)

1. Writing is harder than most people would have you believe. You always hear everyone saying, "And the words just fly off my fingertips." Um. Sorry. Can't relate. Writing - at least, writing well - is a CONSTANT STRUGGLE. But it's also awesome.
2. Everyone's writing voice and style are different. That doesn't make them better than you, it just makes them different. I still struggle with this one - my confidence in my writing voice is very, very low. But I'm still working on developing it.
3. The comparison game is a dangerous game. Don't play it. Trust me, you will regret it.
4. Don't be afraid to try new things in your writing. You might discover something incredible. Hey, I mean, a fanfiction of The Inhumans eventually turned into a subplot for The Silver Sword, so you never know. XD (This is actually true. #noregrets)
5. Conflicted characters can make even the worst writing days worth it. I'm actually not even kidding. Conflicted characters give me motivation to write. (They're my favorite character archetype.) Find yours and employ them where you see fit. Just don't make EVERY character a Damsel In Distress, please.

Well, that's the end of this tag! According to the rules, I'm not supposed to tag anybody. So I leave it open for you guys to take and recognize the people in your life who have inspired you!

-Nicole <3

Happy Sunday (and happy belated Fourth of July!)

I didn’t bring this up in my monthly wrap-up, but this month is extremely busy for me. So I decided I might as well knock some tags off my list and nominate this month Tag July for my blog!

(No one said I was good at naming things, okay?)

We’re going to kick this month off - rather ironically - with the Versatile Blogger Award.



1. Thank the person who nominated you. Jenna, thank you so much!!

2. Link to the blog of the person who nominated you. Done!

3. Share 7 facts about yourself. *gulp*

4. Nominate 15 more bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award. Oh, shoot.

ANYways, on to the actual award/tag itself! I tried to make these as random as possible, so we'll see how this goes.

I’m not even kidding. This year, I decided not to cut my hair, and my usually-chin-length hair has gone past my shoulders and IT IS ANNOYING. I need to learn how to put it in a ponytail soon, or else I might possibly die.

When I was in first and second grace, I was OBSESSED with codes and ciphers and anything to do with spies. That interest has since waned, but I still want to write a book including these elements.

For some reason, one year I decided to go out for our local softball team. (I’d never played it before - unless you count games of Catch with my brother.)

Yeah . . . that year was interesting.

I did end up improving significantly - from not hitting the ball at all to hitting a few fouls and then getting walked several times. XD Our team won the championship (easily) and I won the Best Sportsmanship Award. (Honestly, that was probably because I was the worst person on the team.)

I know a lot of people in this blogosphere are homeschooled, and I find that really cool because I only know, like, three homeschooling families in our area. But I, in fact, am not homeschooled.

(Just in case you didn’t know. XD)

If you asked me to pick any series and tell you my least favorite book in it, it will almost ALWAYS be the second book. Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, even KOTLC and LOTR . . .

Trust me, there have been many days over this summer that I’ve wished that I could exterminate every single bug in the universe. I HATE THEM. So if we’re outside together and you hear me scream, it’s not a mass murderer, it’s just a fly buzzing past.

Yes, that mega series about cats living in the forest. I’m a member of THAT fandom.

Admittedly, I haven’t read the books in FOREVER, but I’ll have to read them again soon. I love the characters so much!


And now to the tagged!

Faith @ The Writer’s Song
Rakayle @ A Story Detective
Isabel @ Chasing Fantasia
Gray @ Sunshine and Joy
Julian @ Saver of Memories
Kara @ Kara Armstrong
Lily @ Lily Cat
Nicki @ Myths, Magic and Madness
Catherine @ The Rebelling Muse
Lacy @ The Life Of An Elf
Nicole @ Wild Pennings
Lila @ The Red-Hooded Writer
Keturah @ Keturah’s Korner
Skye @ Ink Calamities
Katie Hanna @ I’m Charles Baker Harris (And I Can Read)

*collapses* DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD THAT WAS?

Anyways, I hope to see at least some of you do this award/tag (though no pressure!)

If I’m late in responding to comments, I’m sorry! Currently I’m in a place with spotty Wi-Fi.

Hope you have a great week!

-Nicole <3