#goscribbler on Instagram

[suchatinyinfinity]

Hey, writer friends!

Taken from Instagram (obviously) via @goscribbler:

A fantastic account and community to be part of, but really— what is your favorite part?

#wip wednesday #goscribbler on Instagram #favorite part of writing/being a writer

[broetry]

Gifts for your reader/writer friends!

(Hello my dudes, my ladies, and my pals! With Christmas coming up, I thought it would be nice to make a list of gifts to give to your writing/reading friends for those of you who are just too tired at this point to come up with anything. I apologize for any grammatical/informational errors.)

•Book lights

•Book-based candles (irewolfcandlesandcuriosities is just one business that sells them)

•Book merchandise (this includes face masks, shirts, pins, bookmarks, art cards,) (redbubble will probably have something for most books, especially traditionally published ones)

•Book sleeves (booknookSleeves and Bookgizmo are just two businesses that sell them)

•A book subscription box (goscribbler or Button Poetry have them)

•Subscription to a writing Masterclass

•If they have an Instagram account, book props (fake flowers, vintage cards/paper, old-looking necklaces, )

•A case for their kindle

•Commission art of their characters/characters they kin

•Try to find special editions of their Favorite Books, especially if there’s extra scenes/an interview/a new shiny cover

•If they’re a writer and they have been researching a certain topic specifically, get them a magazine based off that thing to help their studies. (Ex: one of my characters is in the painting restoration business so my dad got me a book on different painting techniques)

•Small White boards (especially for your Plotter writer friend)

•If they happen to cosplay a book character, find outfits at goodwill that they could use in their cosplays.

• fuzzy Blankets

•Get them a writing Prompt book (easily found at the book section of 5 and Below or at B&N)

•Make them a soap and name/base it off a book/characater they like/made (here’s some links to soap tutorials)

https://youtu.be/acRfwZ2Oi6I

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJ4CDt5B/

https://youtu.be/KahqPaxVSyE

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJ4CSMGo/

https://youtu.be/xsIT6aGetvw

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJ4CmkBw/

For those on a tight budget-

•If you’re unable to buy anything for them, customize a Spotify playlist for their reading/writing time

•Draw them some fanart that they can see when they’re feeling down about their writing

•You can also make them themed bookmarks with stock paper and markers if you’re on a budget, readers lose bookmarks at a very fast rate and they will greatly appreciate it

•Origami. (don’t question it)

•Get them some of their favorite snacks for when they’re writing/reading

•Get them a nice mug that reminds you of them, along with a box of a new flavor of tea (if they like tea) for when they’re reading/writing

•If you can find a thrift store with cheap paperbacks, buy books that when you align the titles together, the first letters spell out their name. (Ex: my name is Rae, so Ready Player One, Anne of Green Gables, Erratic And Unnecessary.)

•Stickers. Just stickers.

•Download a bunch of tiktoks and use the Vont app to make a compilation based off a book series they like/ or writing tips (you can also do this with meme formats on Pinterest and using the Phonto app for words)

•If they like buddy reading, find a few free kindle ebooks (they’re everywhere) and make a buddy reading schedule for you guys (bonding!)

•Make a physical list of names for imaginary people/places/landmarks and decorate it for them in case they ever get stuck on names

And now for some book recs, in case you’re not a reader and don’t know what to choose-

If they like poetry-

•Growing Gold by Syrah Kai

•Midnight comes by S. J. Blasko

•Among The Stars by Sameer Monn

•Lavender And Other Field Flowers/ Shes Honey Love by Mhari Grace (a two-book poetry collection)

•A girl is a shapeshifter by Jasmine S Higgins

•Crown Of Stars by Mallory Rowe

•A Handful Of Haikus by Indianna Daveson

•Stirred Moments by Abbey Forest (a multi-book collection of poetry)

•Paper scraps/ love as a distinct possibility (both are poetry books by Chloe Henkel)

•Mountains by Tasha Doughman

•When the stars wrote back by Trista Mateer

If they’re into Middle Grade:

•Of Friend And Fiend /Of Monster And Mayhem by T Strange (it’s the first two books in a middle grade fantasy trilogy, this would be especially good for middle grade readers who like Thicc books)

If they like fantasy/dystopian-

•Defy / Unchain (the first two books in the Murder Of Crows dystopian fantasy series by Kayleigh Gallagher)

•Ember Dragon Daughter by Rebecca K Sampson (first book in a fantasy series)

•Silent Night / Sacred Ruse bye Emma K Couette (first 2 books in The Guild trilogy)

•The Love Of Her Kingdom by Zoe Anastasia (fantasy standalone)

•When The Sky Eats by K Weikel (stand-alone)

•Broken Aether by S. G. Bacon (this one is Steampunk)

•The Fate If The Fallen by A E Winstead

•The Disease Ones by Danielle Harrington

If they like contemporary-

•Lie Like A Magpie by Lily Anna

•Stars Above by Brooke Tiedt

•Dewdrops and butterflies by Libby May

•The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drew’s

•Leaving Wishville by Mel Torrefranca

If they like anthologies-

•There Is Us: an anthology (edited by S.J. Blasko)

•Nostalgic Nightmares And Daydreams (an anthology arranged by Ren Elliot)

•Anthologies by King & Friends

•Starlight by Hannah Lee Kidder (this isn’t an anthology, it’s a compilation of short stories, so it’s similar to an anthology)

And if your reader happens to be Very Little,

•The Day It Rained Iguanas by Lauren Darnell

•Outside the lines by Abbey Forrest

•Pluto And The Lost Carrot by Irene Sizopoulos (for the ones who are now getting into chapter books)

Stay gucci my dudes!

#books #indie books #bookstagram #gift #gift ideas #giftbox #christmas gifts #book gifts #reader #obsessed #writer #writing #author #authors #writing gifts #gift list #wish list #wishlist #oh lawdy he comin #master list #list #book recommendations #book recs wanted #book rec list #giftideas #brainstorm

[lisa-lostinlit]

💬Are you a writer? Have you heard about @goscribbler? . This is the only box specifically for novelists, created by bestselling authors. This monthly box helps writers stay motivated, improve their craft, and connect with publishing professionals! . Thank you to @goscribbler for gifting me this box! Check out my stories to see all the goodies that were included in the April box. 🧡 Thinking about subscribing to @goscribbler? Just click the link in my bio for more info! ________________________________________________________ #goScribbler #ScribblerUnboxing #bookcommunity #bookphotography #booknerdigans #bookgram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookish #bookworms #bookworm #booknerd #mybookfeatures #ireadya #bookaesthetic #booksbooksbooks #toberead #instareads #onthebed #bookster #amreading #hygge #bookstagramming #yalit #yareads #hyggelife #writerlife — view on Instagram http://bit.ly/2Hl32vB

#Instagram #IFTTT

[nv-rivera]

A Chat With Writer and #WriteStuff Community Leader Tamara Woods

Tamara Woods is a poet, fiction writer, leader of the #WriteStuff Twitter Chat and Facebook community for writers, and she has a vlog on YouTube devoted to all things writing. Nicole Rivera, host of Stop Writing Alone, talks to Tamara about her writing craft as well as all the ways she’s found community, created community and continues to connect with writers both near her home in Hawaii, and around the world.

Mentioned in this episode:

*Any links to Amazon are affiliate links. Using any of these links to make any purchase on Amazon will support STOP WRITING ALONE.*

  Buy Nicole a coffee (AKA support the podcast!) https://ko-fi.com/stopwritingalone

Tamara Woods website (*don’t forget! This is where you can sign up for Tamara’a newsletter to get a free copy of her new cozy mystery WIPED OUT!) https://tamarawoodsauthor.com/

Tamara’s Twitter handle https://twitter.com/penpaperpad?lang=en

Link to the #writestuff conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=%23writestuff&src=typd&lang=en

#writestuff FB Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/writestuffchat/

Tamara’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCUt-YGmeMSHZfXQQe4XF0g/%20sub_confirmation=1

Nicole’s Wattpad page https://www.wattpad.com/user/NicoleRivera319

CampNaNoWriMo https://campnanowrimo.org/sign_in

Amazon link for NEWSLETTER NINJA by Tammi Labrecque (the first book covered in Tamara’s Writing Workshop on YouTube) https://amzn.to/2TD8IrG

Amazon Link for WRITE TO MARKET by Chris Fox (book that will be discussed on the last Saturday of March 2019 in Tamara’s Writing Workshop) https://amzn.to/2XJavuS

Amazon Link for Tamara’s book BLOOD ROSES & HONEYSUCKLES https://amzn.to/2SNgdI4

Amazon Link for Tamara’s poetry book THE SHAPING OF AN “ANGRY” BLACK WOMAN  https://amzn.to/2NNw9t5

Amazon Link for ON WRITING by Stephen King https://amzn.to/2EzCzYw

Amazon Link for WRITING DOWN THE BONES by Natalie Goldberg https://amzn.to/2XIB2Z9

Amazon Link for BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott https://amzn.to/2VJrifn

Scribbler FB Page https://www.facebook.com/goScribbler/

Scribblers FB Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScribblersChat/

Meetup.com (search for Shut & Up Write!) https://www.meetup.com/

NaNoWriMo Monthly Meetup Groups https://www.meetup.com/topics/nanomonthly/

The Numberblocks on YouTube (the brilliant British show Nicole’s son is in love with) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlwvN0w4qFSP1FllALB92w

Music for coffee break from freesound by lemoncreme https://freesound.org/people/Lemoncreme/sounds/186942/

  Places to connect to the STOP WRITING ALONE community and introduce yourself:

Stop Writing Alone FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/stopwritingalone/

Join the Stop Writing Alone with Nicole Rivera FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2205774733034348/

Stop Writing Alone website: https://stopwritingalone.com/

Join the Stop Writing Alone email list: https://mailchi.mp/fcbe414431f5/tawgiveaway

Nicole’s Instagram (be prepared for lots of #momlife exposure!): https://www.instagram.com/nv_rivera/

Nicole’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/nv_rivera

The Stop Writing Alone voice number (call to introduce yourself!): [phone]

  The EVERYONE CAN PODCAST crew. Here’s a list of podcasts made by my classmates coming out of Cathy Heller’s ECP course. This is one inspiring, creative, and informative bunch:

The Soul Mammas Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-soul-mammas-podcast/id1393133041?mt=2&fbclid=IwAR1tjUxnEcrG1q_5m35ZzCduaS4fZJT2cYHl53CaWevMuRlcuvxBI6AFb3s

How in the HELL Did I Get Here? https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-in-the-hell-did-i-get-here-the-podcast/id1448137091?mt=2&fbclid=IwAR2GyOaw93q3IplQLaF3_GZyzbgwEoxZFzB-uNQAoThKKghAKKCrVKYYohQ

Creativity School https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creativity-school/id1447571085?fbclid=IwAR28GwcZ9Tu81dH7aLtxFoX68-yYEisH3socPrcjmbN0Xk-YY3REgQ9L1Fc

The Ready Pause Go Career https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ready-pause-go-career/id1446761976?mt=2&fbclid=IwAR0GXU0O9TjFUcpTTIx_qfypkV1oizQwE_nBjD8hAW4G7x6PXq9PYwgs5IY

Food Tribe https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/food-tribe/id1440417232?mt=2&fbclid=IwAR0dADVs36_TgBDzSHIBmFB5JhY6wgag9RpnaX5B8NWjVvB1QTB7Cz5tkjU

The DaddyBe Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daddybe-podcast/id1447237794?mt=2&fbclid=IwAR1wUDvNi9dl3vvWzuGPlGydgxiU7evJWKYJrjY-cgrfaWRPRF_xsralitU

I Have Dreams Dammit! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i-have-dreams-dammit/id1449508412?fbclid=IwAR0hmiKzF2ABgaqGwQVskxF-OQTV14v9uj1kTlLydvqFvST3kySb76YrKVw

Lessons from a Quitter https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/lessons-from-a-quitter/id1412305413?mt=2

Do the Damn Thing https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/do-the-damn-thing/id1437481006?mt=2

Creative Cravings https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-cravings/id1451813556?mt=2&fbclid=IwAR3pbdpDTUdZHiowOls8Ixf03l4XraMUaB4bS66F3b9LQYrBe-p3uA6XpMo

Elder & Wiser https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/elder-wiser/id1453289708?fbclid=IwAR34ZTDVUcdIcHtt9tA1b67Z-WhmDtzM2GnTC8x4huJaS-YOowi1ij1Od2o

Hustle Heartbreaks https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hustle-heartbreaks/id1453207903?fbclid=IwAR2NAhma5OpBfR7P-XjMymAvDJhWVcvnizb5TqjZ5IncJIH4e8U49ai9nh0

Find Your Glee With Dinah G https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/find-your-glee-with-dinah-g/id1451375805?mt=2&fbclid=IwAR1_c5kV2wvsaFxwDe7zCMpyx047mtHl4eqskA0rc-FaPoIw-Hi8p84TYH0

  And our teacher…

Don’t Keep Your Day Job https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-keep-your-day-job/id1191831035?mt=2

Check out this episode!

#Writing #writing group #stop writing alone #writing podcast

[inkantation18]

Write or Left 02

Photo by Melinda Gimpel on Unsplash

The ice and snow are beginning to thaw and so is my apprehension to writing reviews. Can you believe I haven’t written one yet this year? (As in one posted on a site and not the brief one I posted on Instagram.) As you’re reading this, my review of Thick will submitted to PTW for a final review before publishing. Also coming to this site is a review for Black Leopard, Red Wolf. I’m currently only 20% in and the book is due back in a week...guess who's risking a late fee???

Most importantly, let’s get into the writing portion of this month. I did something I said I wouldn’t do again-- I purchased a GoScribbler box. But I’ve got an excuse! This month is their one-year anniversary box and because they keep saying this is their best box yet, I couldn’t help but fall for the marketing. There hasn’t been any information leaked about what we can expect inside, therefore I don’t have a specific theme for this month. And since it doesn’t ship until the 20th, the unboxing will be one of the last posts.  

It feels odd not to have an exact attack plan but I will continue what I did in January. Last time I wrote about fantasy characters created by an artist whose work I adored. It introduced me to writing fantasy and I just might continue with the genre again since it seems to stump me every time I’m practicing with it. I do have one character in mind that I can work on. She is a fairly new one, created just last month and she fits in the fantasy genre, so I would like to make examples of her. I will also return to the witch and the beast eating hat because I was actually invested in the concept. You’re welcome to expect one or two shared writing posts this month for me.

In other news, I have finally given in to audiobooks! I was tired of waiting on Confessions, so I cancelled my hold and downloaded the audiobook. This entire week I dedicated my commute to and from work just to listening. I’m currently halfway through the novel and I’ve raved about Minato’s plot twists on Instagram. I’ll admit my thoughts on audiobooks have changed. They’re a wonderful alternative for those who lead busy lives and may not always have the time to sit and flip through pages. However, I find you need more concentration when listening. Multitasking while listening has caused me to miss certain parts and have to rewind as a result. Just like reading a physical copy, it requires your undivided attention. When I finish my current audiobook and novel, I may search for another audiobook (fantasy?) as I write.  

This seems like such a short opening for the month, but with the mystery of the GoScribbler box and the demands of book reviews, it is a relief that for the next few weeks I’ll only be worrying about writing. I've concluded that these months don’t always have to be a specific theme or subject of interest. They can be a pick-me-up or time to regather and refocus my thoughts. With 30 more days ahead of us, I hope you, too, can offer a spring cleaning of any books or writing you need to do in order to enter a new season with a clean slate.  

Sending you happy reading and writing vibes, 

A

#write or left #writblr #writer's life #writer #writing #2019 #creative writing #writing update #writers on tumblr

[suchatinyinfinity]

Writers Bingo!

All credit goes to @goscribbler on Instagram. Mine is super messy, but here we go:

I got one Bingo! Original image here if you want to participate!

#writers bingo #one bingo

[lisa-lostinlit]

💬 Happy Sunday Funday! What’s your favorite thing to do on Sundays? . April’s @goscribbler box was so fun! Just look at all of these goodies! Are you a @goscribbler subscriber? 🤓🖤 ________________________________________________________ #ScribblerUnboxing #goScribbler #bookcommunity #bookphotography #booknerdigans #bookgram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookish #bookworms #bookworm #booknerd #mybookfeatures #ireadya #bookaesthetic #booksbooksbooks #toberead #instareads #onthebed #bookster #amreading #hygge #bookstagramming #yalit #yareads #hyggelife — view on Instagram http://bit.ly/2LWai5t

#Instagram #IFTTT

[lisa-lostinlit]

Happy Saturday, friends! 🤗 Any fun plans for today? . Have you read Sadie by @summerscourtney? It was one of my favorite reads last month. I listened to the audiobook too and WOW! I definitely recommend you guys check it out if you’re audio fans. 🖤 . Sadie was the book in last month’s @goscribbler box! ________________________________________________________ #booksofinstagram #autumnal #booklover #bookpage #thebookstagram #cosy #readersofinsta #flatlayforever #reader #libraryofinstagram #ilovebooks #bookish #bookaesthetic #ofquietmoments #becauseofreading #bookreviewer #cozy #fallishere #autumn #booksbooksbooks #bookfeaturepage #cozyvibes #youngadultbooks #sadie #courtneysummers #audiobook — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2IIRpO2

#Instagram #IFTTT

[lisa-lostinlit]

💬 Are you a writer? Tell me a little bit about your WIP. If you’re not a writer, tell me about something else you’re working on in life. 🤩 . Today’s the last day to grab a February @goscribbler box! Don’t miss out! 🤓🖤 ________________________________________________________ #scribblerbox #writersofig #thewriterlife #authorsofig #cozyfeels #booksofinstagram #thebookstagram #readersofinsta #libraryofinstagram #ilovebooks #bookish #bookaesthetic #ofquietmoments #bookstagramming #mybookfeatures #bookfeaturepage #toberead #bookhoarder #pursuepretty #readinglife #bibliophiles #bookpage #booklover #bookseverywhere — view on Instagram http://bit.ly/2RV1evi

#Instagram #IFTTT

[lisa-lostinlit]

Are you an aspiring writer or a seasoned author? If so, have I got a box for you! @goscribbler is a subscription box created by two amazing authors, @realvictoriascott & @authorlindsaycummings, specifically with writers in mind. These boxes are so fantastic! Even as a non-writer like myself, I’m completely fascinated by these boxes! It’s surely a box not to miss. . July’s theme was Setting, and this box included everything shown here. 🤗 From a book (with a signed book plate) that focuses on the theme, to delicious coffee for late nights of writing, all the way down to the adorable sticker and coaster, I just adore how much time and attention is obviously put into every enclosed item. This box is top-notch! . August’s boxes are available for sale now! 🖤 ________________________________________________________ #goscribbler #subscriptionbox #subbox #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #writersofinstagram #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #bookgram #allthebooks #bibliophile #writer — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2AM8Z3l

#Instagram #IFTTT

[inkantation18]

Writing Wrap-Up 01

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

Day 74 of January and it's finally time to say goodbye to the first month of the year. Cold weather made sure I kept my behind in long enough to complete what was expected of me and it's time to discuss with you all. 

The most unexpected turn swerved into this organized writing. Remember when I spent the first week working on Elliot and Constance? 

Despite the short-lived goal, both of them were introduced to new situations and revealed more complexities of themselves. Elliot's softer side was displayed during the cleanup after a hurricane when he came to the aid of an unlikely person. His partner, Rashida, discovered how much of an impact he made in her life during an extended absence. Constance admitted a decade old secret that threatened the very foundation of his marriage. Though I didn't spend as much time as I expected, I learned more about both of them than I had in months. 

The course of the month was altered in the middle by a single image. On the sixteenth I came across artwork that produced a short paragraph of an idea that blended elements of Inuyasha and my own. A day later I chanced upon TerraTerra's Instagram and saw so many black fantasy pieces. Black witches, goddesses and so many more!

I knew I couldn't just admire the artwork, so for a week I picked one piece each day and wrote took a 45 minute period to focus on a piece of writing about her. To see black bodies in more magical themes had me in love. I occasionally read the genre but wasn't accustomed to it. The struggle only made me want to do these amazing characters justice with my writing. I enjoyed it so much that I bypassed the doubt I experienced when considering uploading my original work online. Now that I've gotten past the initial uneasiness, I know it''ll be easier to share my work as the year continues. 

Lastly, things will change slightly by the next writing month. While I appreciate the contents and mission of GoScribbler, the price isn't doing it for me. After doing the unboxing and using the writing ideas notebook for a week, the items have collected dust. It sucks because the box that gets shipped out next month is focused on writing suspense. However they have an online store that sells past reading passports and other writerly materials individually. In March I''ll be unboxing a passport of my choice and an item or two from the store. With more control over what I receive, I'll be able too use the materials more to my benefit. Since making this change I've been more excited to get back to another month of working on writing.  Additionally, a friend of mine has offered to coauthor an idea I drafted this month in order to keep me writing. She's a damn good writer, therefore, it'll encourage me to produce satisfactory content to work with. 

Because I waited till the last minute to write this, you'll be getting back to back posts! Hold Digging is currently loading and I look forward to reintroducing reads that the library is finally getting and can't wait to get back to writing reviews. Until then, for my writers, I hope you reached or made made strides to your writing goals this month. For my readers, I hope your first TBR pile was completed or that you've made a dent in your 2019 reading challenges!

#writblr #writer's life #writing wrap-up

[inkantation18]

Write or Left 01

Photo by Hey Beauti Magazine on Unsplash 

If you went out like me, I hope you take the day to recuperate before work or school 'cause I'm sure we're all looking a lil busted today. If you didn't, I'm glad you welcomed in the year safely.

With the help of a planner and supplemental pages found online, I intend to make this year for this blog the most meaningful. In addition, my Goodreads challenge has nearly doubled to 30. I was one shy of 25 so I figured why not make a real challenge since I saw what reading I was capable of with working full time and managing the site. I'll be allowing myself to read older publications, but I'm still reading 2019 titles each month too. Before I introduce them, I just want you to know that just because it's a new year, you don't have to set goals now. You can set a goal to accomplish at anytime of the year, so never feel obligated to do what society has marked as a reset date.

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

* Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study for a quick and easy cash payout, however she becomes the victim of an obsessed and manipulative psychiatrist.

The Plotters by Un-su Kim

* Reseng is one of Seoul's top hitmen until he takes pity on a target and then find himself a target in the organized crime world he comes from.

Confessions by Kanae Minato

* A teacher is traumatized by a tragedy that befalls a middle school and she offers her resignation, but not before she gets her revenge on the student body that is to blame.

You won't find my thoughts on the picks here, instead they'll be posted to Instagram. I didn't intend to start the year off so dark...yet here we are.

The most important feature this month is the creative writing focus. I was semi-transparent with you in November when I participated in NaNoWriMo, but I want to make that part of journey more visible this year. Every writing month is based off of the previous month's GoScribbler box and they started me off with my favorite part of writing -- characters. I'm the queen of creating characters and scenarios scenarios and never writing them down. I've got two OCs I've held onto dearly for years. The first is Constance Faye. Sometimes he's a medical examiner and other times he's a funeral director who's widowed and communicates with spirits. The other is Elliot Roman Crow, a Southern slick-mouthed grim reaper or liquor store owner prone to possessions and is haunted by an entity that destroyed his childhood.

Because Elliot's character is 2 years old, he garners attention than Constance, who I've carried for almost 5. I want to equally split my writing between the two in order to get reacquainted with my first because there'd be no Elliot without Constance. In the days leading up to the new year, I had three where I wrote down scenes involving Elliot, so I better bring that same energy into writing these next 31 days! I take the easy way out and always place the two in scenarios where I know how they'll react so I’ll be challenging myself to create unexpected events to bring new complexities to their characters.

A long term goal is to find a plot somewhere in my writing to ultimately lay the foundation for a novel. During these odd numbered months I want to establish and nurture the confidence needed to do such a thing. I've amassed 3 notebooks just for this year. One for writing these posts, one for my random writing bursts and one for when I finally begin a writing project. Also during these months I'll share at least one small piece of my writing with the community on Instagram, so I need to write and polish something decent enough to be seen by others.

Next week we'll take a late look into my GoScribbler box, but until then I hope you've found some good books to start your year off with, drafted up an idea that you're ready to write about or accepted resolutions you're ready to take on. I can't wait to see what we all accomplish in the next 12 months!

Happy reading and writing, 

A

#booklr #bookblr #booklist #writeblr #goscribbler #an anonymous girl #the plotters #confessions #2019 #pressed between pages

[inkantation18]

2018 Reflection

Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash

I contemplated if such a post was necessary after Book of the Year, but with the opportunities that came and what I intend to do in the upcoming year, it's much needed.

2018 was the year of discipline. Scrolling through Canva yesterday, I glanced at old blog headers and social media posts for a blog I wanted to start in college but never launched. I knew in January of this year that there was a possibility that this could fail and become a forgotten webpage like the rest. But it only would if I allowed it. The first review turned into 'What's in my BOTM box?' turned into more reviews and introduced the Hold Digging series. By the middle of the year I'd challenged my ability to blog consistently when I began a book I didn't at all like and wasn't sure if I would force myself to write a review for it or pretend I'd never even picked it up. The following month I attended the first Writer's Meetup hosted by the Permission to Write Editor-in-Chief, Ashley, and split my talents between the magazine's blog and here. In October I created a Litsy account and compacted my review length to their 450 character limit and shared my graphic design skills with the bookish audience on the app. Now in the final days of the year, I've opted out of two book reviews in exchange for these last two Saturday posts. 

2019 is about expansion. I'm upping my GoodReads challenge to 30. In addition to this Tumblr page and Litsy, I'm adding the finishing touches to an Instagram page where I can be more creative with reviews and bookish content with a more diverse and wider audience. Most importantly, I hinted in November about putting more effort into my creative writing in the next year. The summer before my sophomore year of college I was writing 3 stories simultaneously, but never found rhythm like that again when we transitioned into the fall. To ease myself into regularly writing again, every odd month will be a dedicated to my writing journey. I ordered my first GoScribbler Box in December to use its theme as my writing focus for January. I'll still be reading, but it's more likely that the quicker reviews will be posted on social media instead of long form. However, I'll still be writing reviews for PTW, too. I'm still working on the structure, but I promise by New Year's Day you'll know what to expect moving forward.  

In the past twelve months I've fallen in love with new stories, been frustrated with the quality of the writing brought to you, cried (too many times) over a character's loss, fangirled over authors liking and replying to my reviews and favorited new genres. I didn't go about it alone. It's been an eye-opening experience to chronicle this first year of reading with you and I can't wait to do it again and achieve even more in the next 12 months. 

#2018 reflection #2018 #booklr