Return of the Writer

Because this is mine and no one else's (forget that it's publicly posted on the internet) I'm not going to stress about what this first post of my return to this blog should say. If one wants to know who I am, there's my bio at the top of the site.

All I really want is a place to put my thoughts and the workings of my inner world somewhere I can see. I'm nothing if not a visual person.

Things I Think I'll Post

• Elaborate fantasies about my lighthouse and the world it inhabits
• Conversations with my muse
• Musings on my totems and whether I care if they have actual meaning
• Boring updates about my writing life
• Boring updates about the rest of my life (maybe)
• Thoughts on reading and writing and music
• Memories

We'll see. No promises. I don't want to hold myself to anything because I don't think I'm prepared to deal with the guilt if I can't carry through. Those words in the photo are my father's, not mine. I'm trying hard to live up to them, but it's difficult. I'll probably write about that too.

For now...

At least there's something here.

Musing About Blogging

I don't know, guys. I'm terrible about blogging apparently. I used to be great at it; when I was in high school, I updated my Livejournal nearly every day, sometimes multiple times a day. Now that I'm an adult (I hate saying that word!) and I'm blogging more for cultural awareness and to "brand" myself as a writer... it's just not as fun anymore. It feels like a chore.

I've got an idea for a new blog about me as a writer and a person. I'm hoping to launch it on WordPress... Mostly because I'd have more options, and I'd really like any new project I start to be The Website that defines my personality as a writer. If people look for me, that's what I want them to find.

Anyway.

What do you all think about blogging and writers and it being fun or for branding or whatever? I know this is a conversation people have had all over the internet, but I'm always curious for more opinions.

Februrary Book Photo Challenge Days 3 and 4

February Book Photo Challenge (from Books and Cupcakes)

Day Three: Made Me Cry

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
 - Truly amazing historical fantasy novel. It delves into the legends surrounding Dracula, but that only scratches the surface of the experience of reading it. I read this book in college and then again a few years later and it had the same emotional impact it did the first time I read it. The ending is beautiful and tragic so you know it's among my favorites of all time.

Day Four: Couldn't Put Down

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
 - I think Stephen King is one of the greatest living American authors although he's rarely credited as such. (What's so wrong with being prolific or writing mainly horror anyway?)
 - This book is about a young girl who takes a wrong turn while out hiking with her family. The rest of the book follows her as she attempts to survive in the wilderness, and evade a nameless horror that is hunting her.
 - It's beautiful and haunting and, yeah, a bit terrifying. As with most King novels, I couldn't put it down because I was too scared not to find out what happened next!

February Book Photo Challenge

February Book Photo Challenge (from Books and Cupcakes)
Day One: Reading This Month
(Yes, I'm one day behind. Shh.)
 

In a bit more detail...

Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner by Michael M. Baden, M.D. with Judith Adler Hennessee
- My boyfriend's mom loaned me this after we binge-watched a bunch of Forensic Files together. I'm on chapter five right now and I love it. Totally fascinating, if somewhat morbid.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
- I'm reading this with my BFF. She bought a gorgeous copy from the Folio Society and because we wanted to challenge each other to read new things this years... Ta da. We're a little more than halfway done and it is surprisingly boooooring. Also the protagonist is a moron.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
- This is the first time I've read this since I was a girl myself. Still gut-wrenching and wonderful.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
- I bought this years ago, devoured half of it instantly, started my own "Feel Better" blog, and a month later decided it was all too hokey to do much with. I'm finally making myself finish it. Gretchen has good ideas and good lessons to learn from, but she is a bit hokey. There, I said it.

Scarlet and Cress by Marissa Meyer
- I read Cinder in a weekend in December. I thought it was fun and the world has a lot of possibilities. Now that I'm a few chapters into Scarlet, I think this series is going to disappoint me in its lack of true scope. I'll let you know when I finish.

The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman
- Checked this one out from the library to read over winter break. Much heavier than I was expecting. But some solid writing. I'm still enjoying it, but final verdict is still forthcoming.

If I don't finish all of these books this month, somebody should pinch me really hard. I've been reading a least half of this pile for months now. Ugh.

The Best Christmas Present Ever

Okay, so on to the exciting news!

My boyfriend did a truly amazing thing for Christmas this year. He conspired with members of our families and managed to win me one of the auctions that Worldbuilders does every year for, get this, a manuscript critique from a published author.

At first, I was in shock. Then I cried. The boy caught it on video and put it on Facebook.

So I've been hard at work trying to edit my monster of a first manuscript in order to take advantage of this amazing gift. I am insanely excited for this opportunity. It should be invaluable.

Not sure how he's ever going to top this present for me though....