I am finally back at work. I started on April 1st and it's been a grind. We've got a lot of papers to score. It's one of the only long projects (it's expected to go until May 14th). The good part of that is that I know I'll be working at least 4 weeks in a row. The bad part is that it's at least 4 weeks of continuous work. This job is simple, in many ways, but it can quickly get you down.
I am glad to be earning a nice paycheck though.
I will be attending my first book fair, The Teen Book Fair, in New York next month with a friend from school and a couple other people who also went to the same college as me. I've never been to New York, which is one of the reasons I wanted to go. Plus it's nice to spend time with people you don't spend time with, if that makes any sense. Mia and I had math together for a semester and became friends. Since I graduated, we've bonded over our love of reading. She was a big support last year when I released Farther Side of Away. Going to NY should be fun!
As long as my car keeps it together, I have a few things I want to do this summer. I'm hoping to go to Michigan in July for my aunt's 50th (but that will be with my parents, so it'll be cheaper for me). My bff's got her birthday in August and we're planning on going to the Dublin Festival. There's a few concerts I'd like to go to, but it depends on work and money.
Really though, I'm just hoping to buy some new furniture for my room. I want to buy a new bed, dresser, and bookshelf. My poor bookshelf has no space and yet I just keep getting new dvds, cds, and books.
I am currently working for Camp NaNo on my short stories for Farther Side of Away. I've only got one and a half stories left to write, so I'm really happy with how this week has gone. I only set my goal at 10,000 words since I'm working on short stories. I had already written three or four, so I only had like 6 left to write. I'd like to finish that for a summer release, but we'll see how things go because of work.
Because of work, I read a lot. I've read World War Z, Spirit Bound, and I'm almost done with Job: A Comedy of Justice. I just got Last Sacrifice from the library, so I hope to read that next week.
I released If You're a Princess, Where's Your Crown in February and although I've only sold maybe 20 copies, I have gotten a lot of positive feedback on it. I'm so glad people like it.
And so that's what I've been up to.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Still Here
I'm still here. I've finally finished the first draft of my royalty book. I had already started editing, but now the whole thing is done. Now I can focus on editing it & making sure everything is properly sourced (which is the real drag). The book will be released on February 22nd.
I will be heading back to work in March (hopefully) or April and will be doing so with a raise. I really look forward to be being back at work. Although it's frustrating to see how sad education is in the US, I really enjoy the work I do. Plus I get to work with some really nice people. And the paycheck is lovely.
I am going to try to take my mom to D.C. in September. Hopefully I will be able to save enough money to do that. Between my new book, work, & selling things on ebay, I am not worried. Next year, I am planning to go to Austin with a friend for a convention. It'll be nice to go back to Texas & it'll be interesting to go to my first convention.
Besides that, there are several concerts I want to go to this year (hopefully more get announced) and I am hoping to get up to Michigan a couple of times. There's plenty to do, so hopefully it all will work out.
Time to get back to editing & sourcing.
I will be heading back to work in March (hopefully) or April and will be doing so with a raise. I really look forward to be being back at work. Although it's frustrating to see how sad education is in the US, I really enjoy the work I do. Plus I get to work with some really nice people. And the paycheck is lovely.
I am going to try to take my mom to D.C. in September. Hopefully I will be able to save enough money to do that. Between my new book, work, & selling things on ebay, I am not worried. Next year, I am planning to go to Austin with a friend for a convention. It'll be nice to go back to Texas & it'll be interesting to go to my first convention.
Besides that, there are several concerts I want to go to this year (hopefully more get announced) and I am hoping to get up to Michigan a couple of times. There's plenty to do, so hopefully it all will work out.
Time to get back to editing & sourcing.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Teachers
I've had a lot of teachers in my 17 1/2 years of school. There are only four that have made a direct and wonderful impact on my life.
The first one was my 1st & 2nd grade teacher Miss Whelan. She made school fun. I loved to come to her class and learn. She is probably the one that got me on the path to writing.
The next one was my 8th grade science teacher Mr. Collins. I had to move to Michigan for the 2nd half of 8th grade to live with my Aunt & Uncle, so I was only in his class for 6 months, but they were important 6 months. Those months were the most confusing months of my life, but I loved his class. Science was never my thing, but I never dreaded going to his class. I had fun and enjoyed my time with him. He was also very nice to me, which was something I needed since I was in a new school in a whole new state. Especially because of why I had to move. My two younger cousins both had him as a science teacher and he is still at the middle school. He continues to ask after me & my cousins & was very proud to hear I am now a published author.
The next one was my Legends & Literature teacher my senior year of high school. Mr. Ridder was such a fun teacher. He dressed up & made the class so exciting to go to each day (as if reading Tolkien, Rowling, & Lewis wasn't exciting enough). He was the teacher that made me want to be a teacher. That didn't work out, but I do still feel excited about sharing knowledge with people, which is partly why I want to write.
The last one is probably the one that the most impact on my life: Dr. Marc O'Reilly. I went into college as an Education Major and took Intro to Poli Sci my first semester. Within a month or so, I had decided I wanted to be a Poli Sci major. All because of Dr. O'Reilly. Talk to anyone that's been at that school and they'll probably mention how people make fun of him & how tough his classes are. I had him almost every semester (sometimes for multiple classes in a semester) and I loved every minute. I just regret not trying harder. I wish I could have been a better student for him. He was such a good teacher and I miss being in his classes.
I like to learn. I wasn't a fan of school, but I liked learning. Ok, I liked learning about history, politics, & English. I wish everyone could have had teachers like these four. They made class fun and interesting.
The first one was my 1st & 2nd grade teacher Miss Whelan. She made school fun. I loved to come to her class and learn. She is probably the one that got me on the path to writing.
The next one was my 8th grade science teacher Mr. Collins. I had to move to Michigan for the 2nd half of 8th grade to live with my Aunt & Uncle, so I was only in his class for 6 months, but they were important 6 months. Those months were the most confusing months of my life, but I loved his class. Science was never my thing, but I never dreaded going to his class. I had fun and enjoyed my time with him. He was also very nice to me, which was something I needed since I was in a new school in a whole new state. Especially because of why I had to move. My two younger cousins both had him as a science teacher and he is still at the middle school. He continues to ask after me & my cousins & was very proud to hear I am now a published author.
The next one was my Legends & Literature teacher my senior year of high school. Mr. Ridder was such a fun teacher. He dressed up & made the class so exciting to go to each day (as if reading Tolkien, Rowling, & Lewis wasn't exciting enough). He was the teacher that made me want to be a teacher. That didn't work out, but I do still feel excited about sharing knowledge with people, which is partly why I want to write.
The last one is probably the one that the most impact on my life: Dr. Marc O'Reilly. I went into college as an Education Major and took Intro to Poli Sci my first semester. Within a month or so, I had decided I wanted to be a Poli Sci major. All because of Dr. O'Reilly. Talk to anyone that's been at that school and they'll probably mention how people make fun of him & how tough his classes are. I had him almost every semester (sometimes for multiple classes in a semester) and I loved every minute. I just regret not trying harder. I wish I could have been a better student for him. He was such a good teacher and I miss being in his classes.
I like to learn. I wasn't a fan of school, but I liked learning. Ok, I liked learning about history, politics, & English. I wish everyone could have had teachers like these four. They made class fun and interesting.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all.
I am still busy writing. I finished another chapter for my royalty guide. There's still a lot to do, but I'm hoping in the next couple of weeks to get a big chunk done. I need to have it done by the end of January so I can do the editing in February.
How time flies. I swear it was just July a week ago.
I am still busy writing. I finished another chapter for my royalty guide. There's still a lot to do, but I'm hoping in the next couple of weeks to get a big chunk done. I need to have it done by the end of January so I can do the editing in February.
How time flies. I swear it was just July a week ago.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Ignoring Responsibilities
I get distracted easily. It's what I'm good at. That and procrastinating.
I should be working on my non-fiction book, instead I've begun writing Book #3 in my trilogy. idk. just a bit here and there, nothing too great yet, but I'm having fun with it. There's a lot of anxiety and stress in the book. Characters are depressed, confused, and just generally not having fun. The books are by no means happy, but the last book takes on a new form of sad. Until the end. I hope. I don't know. To be honest, I'm still not quite sure how this trilogy will end.
Oh well.
I actually only have like a page left to write in the first chapter of my non-fiction book. I've almost covered all of the royal families. I'm so close, but now I'm in the territory of families that don't have a lot of info out there, so it's gotten difficult. Chapter 2 will suck though. How to explain disposed families? ugh, I'm not looking forward to it. Also, the Palace chapter makes me wonder why I included it. Seriously, it's so boring. I hate it.
I had hoped to have the first draft done by November. Obviously not. So now I've got to have it done by the end of December. The release date is February 22nd, so I need all of my editing and everything done by then.
It's a lot of work.
I'm still hoping to get some more money so I can afford to purchase a few photos for my book. Please take a look at my indiegogo campaign and spread the word! There's only 8 days left. Any amount you can spare will be greatly appreciated! There are perks (like if you donate $15, you'll get an ebook copy of the book, as well as other little things. $25 gets you a paperback copy & an ebook copy). So please, check it out!
I should be working on my non-fiction book, instead I've begun writing Book #3 in my trilogy. idk. just a bit here and there, nothing too great yet, but I'm having fun with it. There's a lot of anxiety and stress in the book. Characters are depressed, confused, and just generally not having fun. The books are by no means happy, but the last book takes on a new form of sad. Until the end. I hope. I don't know. To be honest, I'm still not quite sure how this trilogy will end.
Oh well.
I actually only have like a page left to write in the first chapter of my non-fiction book. I've almost covered all of the royal families. I'm so close, but now I'm in the territory of families that don't have a lot of info out there, so it's gotten difficult. Chapter 2 will suck though. How to explain disposed families? ugh, I'm not looking forward to it. Also, the Palace chapter makes me wonder why I included it. Seriously, it's so boring. I hate it.
I had hoped to have the first draft done by November. Obviously not. So now I've got to have it done by the end of December. The release date is February 22nd, so I need all of my editing and everything done by then.
It's a lot of work.
I'm still hoping to get some more money so I can afford to purchase a few photos for my book. Please take a look at my indiegogo campaign and spread the word! There's only 8 days left. Any amount you can spare will be greatly appreciated! There are perks (like if you donate $15, you'll get an ebook copy of the book, as well as other little things. $25 gets you a paperback copy & an ebook copy). So please, check it out!
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Other Things
I've been meaning to post these for a while.
The Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese I eat. We use Annie's Mac & Cheese and then add some Velveeta. My mom always makes it, though some day I'll have to do it myself.
This is my creation. I was watching Nadia G's Bitchin' Kitchen and she had some roasted tomatoes with her Filet Mignon. I've never been a tomato person, but for some reason I decided I had to try it. We picked up a thing of cherry tomatoes to use. I cut the tomatoes in half then use garlic powder, thyme powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil. The amount you use is up to you! It turned out pretty good here. The second time we did it, I added Chili Salt and I used the last of our Rosemary Oil (which of course now we can't find it anymore). It was perfect. I just love it. It's really good on chicken, beef, or even turkey!
I've changed the layout and made a new header. Not my best photoshop work, but I don't quite care. I'm just super excited for the new Hobbit movie!
The Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese I eat. We use Annie's Mac & Cheese and then add some Velveeta. My mom always makes it, though some day I'll have to do it myself.
This is my creation. I was watching Nadia G's Bitchin' Kitchen and she had some roasted tomatoes with her Filet Mignon. I've never been a tomato person, but for some reason I decided I had to try it. We picked up a thing of cherry tomatoes to use. I cut the tomatoes in half then use garlic powder, thyme powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil. The amount you use is up to you! It turned out pretty good here. The second time we did it, I added Chili Salt and I used the last of our Rosemary Oil (which of course now we can't find it anymore). It was perfect. I just love it. It's really good on chicken, beef, or even turkey!
I've changed the layout and made a new header. Not my best photoshop work, but I don't quite care. I'm just super excited for the new Hobbit movie!
Help me raise money please!
I reached 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo on the 16th. I'm not quite finished with the first draft, but I'm no longer focused on it, which is nice.
Now I am trying to work on my non-fiction book about royalty, If You're a Princess, Where's Your Crown? I've still got a lot to do, but it's coming together. I'm behind, but that's ok. I pushed the publish date to February 22nd, so I've got the time.
I did start an Indiegogo Campaign to help raise money so that I can purchase photos for my book. You can see it HERE. I can put all the information in my book, but the thing that really help this book come together and look awesome and be awesome is PHOTOS. I do not have anywhere near enough money to even purchase one photo, let alone a dozen. Any money I get will help make this book be the best it can be! So please, if you have some money to spare, help a girl out!
Back to writing.
Now I am trying to work on my non-fiction book about royalty, If You're a Princess, Where's Your Crown? I've still got a lot to do, but it's coming together. I'm behind, but that's ok. I pushed the publish date to February 22nd, so I've got the time.
I did start an Indiegogo Campaign to help raise money so that I can purchase photos for my book. You can see it HERE. I can put all the information in my book, but the thing that really help this book come together and look awesome and be awesome is PHOTOS. I do not have anywhere near enough money to even purchase one photo, let alone a dozen. Any money I get will help make this book be the best it can be! So please, if you have some money to spare, help a girl out!
Back to writing.
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