WiP Wednesday: Self-Doubt

After that first writing session something else was also happening in my mind. When I first started writing KT three or four years ago I had been incredibly proud of how amazing it was and how accomplished I felt for finishing it. But in beginning the second draft I am disappointed and discouraged; my story is simply not as good as I remembered.

I understand the first draft always kind of sucks and will need a lot of fixes, but I was beginning to wonder if my WiP worth the time and effort of doing rewrites at all. I did not even get through ten pages because I was cutting paragraphs and rewriting scenes galore. Basically, I spent my hour feeling like no one would ever want to read this and I am fooling myself for ever thinking they would.

My Bookish Life: 2020 Intentions – july through september

We have now finished the third quarter of the year and it is hard to believe just how quickly the time has passed. I know a lot of people thought time was standing still while in isolation, but for me the days flew by so quickly I kept losing track of the date!

Summer is my favourite season and I wanted to make the most of it by getting my entire To-Do List dealt with before school started in the autumn. I would swear it was never ending as I was constantly adding to the list more quickly than I could cross things off. I think I made a decent dent in that, as well as in furthering my New Years resolutions.

Book Review: Crossing by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Synopsis: Twenty-year-old Dani Walker can’t believe her luck when she’s paired up with the gorgeous Liam Garrett as her Acting I scene partner – or when he ends up in her bed. Being a Plain Jane with a mouth on her hasn’t exactly served Dani well in the guy department. In fact, she’s had nothing but one night stands. Still, she lets go of her insecurities and falls for Liam, despite feeling like he’s holding something back. When Dani finally discovers Liam’s secret, she must learn the true meaning of accepting the ones we love for who they are, or risk losing the best thing that’s ever happened to her.

Teaser Tuesday: Crossing by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Crossing by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

“See ya, my alien lovah!” That gets me a few starts, but considering we’re outside the theatre building, not quite as many as if I’d majored in accounting.

Write what you think you know and then embellish the hell out of it.

My Bookish Life: Modern Etiquette and Me – dress code

“The only drama a lady should bring is through her outfit.”

As I am writing this, I am wearing my new ankle boots in an attempt to break them in; given I am sitting at the moment this will likely be less than helpful. The shopping trip Holly and I went on was rather successful, though there are still some things I find I will need.

I had expected to be on campus for two weeks before this post went up, but it ended up being just one. During orientation we learned we would, in fact, have a dress code of sorts. There is no list of do or don’t to follow, just the advice we should dress professionally. The problem with this is it could be interpreted as business casual (khakis and collars), smart (blazers and trousers), business attire (suits and pencil skirts), or a combination thereof.

My outfits had been planned for the week, but I was slightly concerned of being dressed less formally than my classmates. Because there is all new staff since Holly took the program herself, there is no guarantee her advice will satisfy my profs. When entering a new situation I do prefer to have a clear idea of what I am getting into, but Myka Meier says in her book Modern Etiquette Made Easy it is always best to be overdressed than underdressed.

Book Review: Diamonds and Spurs by Melody Snow Monroe

Synopsis: Denver socialite Mandy Duncan is on the run from her ex-husband. She knows about his Ponzi scheme, and only she stands between him and jail. He’s determined to stop her from ever talking. Mandy escapes to Samantha Callen’s ranch in Intrigue, Wyoming, and hires on as a wilderness guide. Distrustful of men, Mandy doesn’t want to be attracted to Samantha’s cousin, financial guru Vince Callen, or to his sophisticated lawyer roommate, Cameron Longworth, but she is. When Mandy is kidnapped, Cameron and Vince risk it all to save her. How can they convince her to trust her heart again and want a loving relationship?

WIP Wednesday: Monday Motivation

As a student I wrote all the time. A couple friends and I were always telling each other about the stories we were writing —mine original, them fanfic about their favourite band— back when we were teens. Then in university, I kept it up… sometimes to the detriment of my grades, as I chose personal creative writing over required essay writing. It was simply a major part of my life.

Then as I got older and got a job I lost motivation. After a long day at work I barely had energy to read, let along get creative. My priority was decompressing so I could begin again the next day, not churning out pages of a novel. It was like the creative spark in me had died from the tedium of my every day. I actually hated my life so much I literally ran away to start over in another country.

My Bookish Life: Modern Etiquette and Me – closet critique

“You act the way you look.”

As I mentioned in my last post, my wardrobe needs a major overhaul. If you were to look inside you would not be able to discern what kind of person the wearer is, but you would question if they were possibly a teenager. Clothes are a part of your personal brand, you are marketing yourself to the world and you need to ensure the message you are sending is the right one. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” Sadly, the items in my closet are not advertising the correct message.

I am beginning post-grad this month and I want to feel confident when I walk in that first day. A few years ago, when I entered my publishing program I immediately felt like the poor country cousin and I don’t want that to happen again. I want my clothes to say I am happy, I am organized, I am professional, I am someone you want to know. I want to exude a quirky elegance that makes me look timeless yet intriguing.

To help me with the Transition phase of Modern Etiquette Made Easy by Myka Meier, I asked my fashionista friend Holly to come assess the contents of my closet and help revamp my wardrobe.

Book Review: Beach Read by Emily Henry

Synopsis: Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction stuck in a rut; January Andrews writes bestselling romance but no longer believes in love. The only thing they have in common is that for the next three months they’re living in neighbouring beach houses and have writer’s block until they strike a deal.  Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult. Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really. 

All About Authors: Cover Reveal – say hello, kiss goodbye by jacquelyn middleton

Anyone who has been following me for some time, either here or my bookstagram account, will know how much I absolutely adore Jacquelyn Middleton and her novels. I have mentioned her in book hauls, reviewed two of her books —London Belongs To Me and Until The Last Star Fades— participated in a cover reveal for her last book, and named her in my top Ontario Authors list. Her stories are just so lovely and real and heartwarming and… well, let’s just say I get all heart-eyes and grabby-hands at the thought of them.

When Grey’s Promotions offered me the opportunity to participate in the cover reveal of Jacquelyn Middleton’s newest novel Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye who could blame me fore jumping at the chance? I am so incredibly excited at the thought of reading this book, and will die having to wait until it is published in November to get ahold of it. But the author is giving us a wonderful sneak peak at what is to come with this absolutely stunning cover!

So without further ado, and do try not to drool on your computer upon viewing it, here is the cover of Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye by Jacquelyn Middleton.