This Past Month: February

(a.k.a....stressful? too-fast? I don't know :P)

FEBRUARY IS OVER *cheers* *screams* *runs around in circles dancing wildly*

Here we go:

I sent my novel off to beta readers, so I'd call it a successful month :D I watched my baby fly through the Internet universe to unsuspecting readers on the eve of the 20th. Only once I'd sent all the emails did I sit back and realize "I just gave my novel to other people."



That was definitely a huge step. I'm looking forward to working through some feedback once I get it back in April.

Besides that, I finally picked up the nerve to start brainstorming my fantasy novel, Convicts. I admit that I was pretty lost in world-building at first, because I haven't done it in years. xD I got a neat notebook to keep all my information organized though, and I ALREADY ADORE MY CHARACTERS. (which is a good thing, because I'll probably be hating them eventually)

I finished my sequel. *collapses* It came in around 102,000 words, and it took me about two months total to write. Because of that, I think I forgot what half the scenes are, as I usually like to finish my first drafts within 30 days. After letting it sit for several days (how can some people do that for a month?!?!), I went back to the outline and am now cleaning up my first draft messiness.

 

Ha! Look at that! I added a "reading" section to my monthly wrap-up! I've realized that I really need to get more reading in, besides my outlines and blog posts :P So my reading stats for this month are....

2 books. (or was it 1? Might be 2 by the time this post goes out).

I read an independent author's book (bc I read every indie author's book), read several dozen samples on Kindle (bc that's just my thing), and began to reread A Time To Speak. I also started Mere Christianity and Pride and Prejudice, though I've barely made a dent in them. I'm hoping that I'll find more time to sit down and read in March.

(I've decided to make my wrap-up posts the "I'm sharing some of my messy photography" posts)

For myself, it wasn't a big blogging month. I finished up my Getting To The Heart Of Your Story series, then had a vote on what I should write next. The winner was "first drafts," so keep an eye out for a post on that in the next several months. Here are all my posts for February, in case you missed any:

Getting To The Heart Of Your Story Part 4: Unveiling Your Theme

My Novel: Ready For Beta Reading

You'll Never Know

What I Learned From My Alpha Reader

I also read some outstanding posts on other blogs.

One of my all-time favorite authors, Nadine Brandes, wrote a post about being a perfectionist and an author at the same time, and how that just doesn't work.

Katie Grace @A Writer's Faith did an amazing recap about La La Land and the ones who dream. GO READ IT. 

Hannah @Ink Blots and Coffee Stains posted about a cool thing called #projectcanvas.

Amy @A Magical World Of Words started an awesome collaboration with other book bloggers. 

I wish I could mention everyone's posts, but I think you'd be here reading the list all morning ;-)

I'm not quite sure how to wrap this part up. I had deadlines for applications piled on top of getting my book to beta readers, betaing other novels and writing courses, and school. Ugh.

I found out that I have a bruised bone from a bike crash I took several months ago. Not fun, but I won't be competing on my mountain bike this year. That leaves more time for hiking though, which I really want to do more of. 

I realized the importance of sleep and not doing critical thinking at every moment of the day. #crashandburn xD 

I've become addicted to Hillsong United's newest album, Of Dirt and Grace. GO LISTEN TO IT.

I'm glad this month and all it's craziness of decision-making and thinking is over. ;-)

Oceans + pastel clouds = awesomeness

Well, I'm very excited to rework Outcast and brainstorm my new novel. I'm hoping to be in blogsphere a little more, as toward the end of the month it got so hard to keep up on everyone's posts.

However, I'm thinking of making a few changes to my "schedule." I'm going to be disappearing off the face of the Internet on Sundays now. I realized that I need time to step back and get re-centered for the week ahead. If you're a blogger who posts on Sundays, don't freak out if I don't come by and read your posts or reply to comments here; I'll be back on Monday morning to jump into the craziness again ;-) 

Hopefully March will be filled with lots of writing and reading and breathing. I was reading the first 500 words of my novel aloud to my mom the other day, and she commented on how I don't breathe when I talk.

I honestly never noticed that XD

<3

Audrey Caylin

Anyways, there's my month in the least chaotic way I could present it. How was your February?