All The Things A Writer Wants For Christmas

Happy December! As a writer, there are many things I want for Christmas.

• A finished manuscript. I seriously need to stop abandoning stories.
• Some new ideas. Sometimes I have too many. Sometimes I don’t have any.
• More time. 25 hours in a day would be nice.
• Small acts of kindness. Is that too much to ask for?
• Peace and quiet. A baby crying nonstop is the complete opposite.
• Someone to retrieve my sanity and bring it back to me. I don’t have any monetary reward, but I’ll dedicate my first book to you.
• More money in my bank account. So I can buy stuff I don’t need.
• A lifetime supply of books. I’m running out of space so…
• Another bookshelf. Too bad my room is too small for that.
• A house with a library in it. And on office.
• The imposter syndrome to go away. Does it ever?
• I’d love for my muse to come back to me. I’m not sure where it’s gone. Probably somewhere nicer and warmer.
• Procrastination can leave me alone. The door is that way. I hope it bites you in the head, you big pest.
• A strong dose of inspiration. The stronger the better.
• I need motivation. Desperately.
• Good sleep. Restful nights where I don’t wake up at an ungodly hour and start to contemplate all of my life choices.
• A better sense of humour. Or someone who gets my sarcasm.
• To see people I want to see and not see people I don’t want to. Knowing my luck however, the exact opposite will happen. I see someone who is a stranger to me more than I see my best friend. The universe clearly enjoys toying with my emotions.
• Patience. Current status: non-existent. I have no idea how people keep calm and collected all the time. I can’t control myself. I’m out of control. Send help.
• I really want to get over my fear of operating a motor vehicle, so I can drive myself far, far away and write for days. That’s my goal in life.

Would You Rather: Bookish Edition

Would you rather only read the first book or the last book in a series? The first. I don’t want to be completely lost

Would you rather never go to a bookstore or a library ever again? Bookstores. I love libraries too much. I can always buy books online.

Would you rather live in a fictional world or have fictional characters live in your world? I want to live in a fictional world. That’d be fun.

Would you rather buy every book or borrow every book? I love buying books. My bank account doesn’t however.

Would you rather read out loud or listen to someone read to you? Read out loud. I don’t do it often enough.

Would you rather always bring a book with you or never be able to? Always bring a book. Ebooks make this much easier.

Would you rather throw a book into a fire or into water? Water. I don’t have what it takes to burn a book.

Would you rather eat dinner with your favourite author or favourite character? I’ll pick the brain of an author any day.

Would you rather spoil a book for someone else or have someone spoil a book for you? I can’t stand spoilers. So I’m going to spoil a book or ten for someone else. Sorry not sorry.

Would you rather have to recommend books you hate or be recommended books you hate? Be recommended books I hate. What an awful life either way.

Would you rather only read at home or on the go? I’m such a homebody. I do a lot of reading at home. I’ll survive doing other things on the go.

A List Of Things That Make Me Happy

• Reading good books.
• Listening to inspirational music.
• Watching baseball games.
• Taking showers.
• Going on walks.
• Dancing while no one’s watching.
• Writing without censoring myself.
• Blogging for fun.
• Journalling at night.
• Spending time with family.
• Hanging out with friends.
• Laughing at bad jokes.
• Doing yoga.
• Baking with my mom.
• Working out often.
• Getting a good night’s sleep.
• Rearranging my bookshelves.
• Eating healthy food.
• Feeling productive.
• Helping someone in need.
• Teaching others.
• Learning a new skill.
• Solving a problem on my own.
• Studying a new language.
• Seeing people smile.
• Creating art.
• Planning for the future.
• Crossing tasks off my to do list.
• Telling stories.
• Dressing up.
• Decluttering my room.
• Travelling somewhere I’ve never been before.
• Trying food from other cultures.
• Getting to know somebody better.
• Reconnecting with old acquaintances.
• Taking care of myself.
• Being listened to.
• Loving others.
• Feeling loved.

What I’ve Learned From Blogging About Books

When I first started blogging in 2013, I didn’t blog about books. I wrote about writing and being a writer. But eventually I got into book blogging. And I’m so glad I did.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned:

Don’t be afraid to ask.

I was scared to request arcs for the longest time. I waited. I procrastinated. But one day, I asked. And I received.

It’s hard.

Being a book blogger isn’t easy. Unfortunately, words don’t write themselves.

You’re allowed to say no.

I can’t say yes to every novel under the sun. I only have 24 hours in the day just like everyone else.

Book bloggers are the best.

It’s a fact. I appreciate all of you.

Reading slumps happen.

Reviewing slumps do too. I remind myself that it’s not the end of the world. Take your time. Take a break if you have to. Then return when you’re ready.

Books are expensive.

I’m always here for supporting authors, even at the expense of my wallet. I’m also here for deals and sales, so I don’t find myself broke.

21 Goals For 21 Year Old Me

1. Read good books.
2. Write a novel.
3. Dance like no one is watching.
4. Blog often.
5. Drive better.
6. Forgive yourself.
7. Study smart.
8. Go somewhere you’ve never been before.
9. Make a friend.
10. Save up money for a laptop.
11. Improve my middle split.
12. Stengthen my core.
13. Walk to places when possible.
14. Be kind to others.
15. Help a stranger.
16. Learn Spanish.
17. Journal at night.
18. Bake more.
19. Get enough sleep.
20. Graduate university.
21. Love yourself.

This Or That: Book Genre Edition

Prose or poetry?

I’ve read more poetry this year because I took a contemporary poetry course in university. I’ve also written a lot of poems this year as well. But I love reading prose more than anything.

Young adult or adult?

This is tough. Some of my favourite books are young adult. Now that I’m older, I enjoy more mature stories as well. That said, it’s easier for me to relate to young characters.

Romance or paranormal?

I’m not the biggest fan of either. Please don’t come for me. Depending on my mood, I’ll probably reach for a romantic story instead of a paranormal one.

Fantasy or mystery?

These may be my two favourite genres in general. I’m a huge sucker for mystery stories. I can’t write one to save my life though.

Confessions of a Book Reviewer

• I don’t always remember to write a review after finishing the book. My memory isn’t what it used to be.
• I copy the same template for all my reviews. My reviews would be a mess if I didn’t structure them.
• I forget some details. Sometimes I’ve even looked up the protagonist’s first name.
• I don’t take notes while I read. Maybe I should.
• I love reviewing physical books. More often than not, they’re fiction. But hopefully one day, I’ll get around to reading more nonfiction.
• I finish every book. I feel like it isn’t fair to the author or potential readers if I only read and review half the novel.
• I use the same phrases in my reviews. There are only so many ways to say I recommend a book.
• I don’t write in books. I can’t do it. At most, I’ll write on a sticky note to mark a specific passage or page.

I Have No Motivation To Do Anything

I don’t feel all that motivated right now. I’m in a bit of a slump.

Obviously, there are highs and lows with just about everything in life. I’ve been trying to climb back up since the accident.

It was like my world got rocked upside down. I’ve sort of reverted back to old ways, which isn’t a bad thing in and of itself.

I’m also in a weird transitional time in my life. But I’m ready to move forward and look ahead.

Lately, I’ve been making more time for myself. I spent many hours thinking. Maybe it’s time to act now.

I’m not sure how to describe my current state. I’m better physically, but I’m also more present mentally than I have been in the past. I like to believe that’s a good sign.

In spite of everything, I’m excited to see for what’s next.

I can’t wait to read and review the books on my to be read shelf.

I’m dancing, stretching, and exercising better.

I hope to transcribe a ton of blog posts.

I will send my work into the world, regardless of how many rejections I get.

Baseball is in full swing. Beware all my bad jokes or puns.

By the end of 2018, I don’t want to look back and think it’s the year I got hit by a car. I want to be able to say I accomplished my goals. I refuse to be defined by what happened to me.