April just happened. And I'm finally back in the blogosphere! Let's see what happened while I was gone, besides these amazing cookies, shall we?
 |
| Isn't that snowy mountain beautiful? I just love the Pacific Northwest. |
- I kicked off Camp Nano by going on a camping trip with my family. So I started Nano by writing in a notebook. Why do I always end up writing novels in notebooks?! Don't worry, Hiraeth got to a Word Document. =) But anyways, camping was SO fun. I had plenty of s'mores, we went hiking quite a bit, and I came home smelling like a campfire. It was wonderful.
- Easter happened. And it was so much fun! My aunt and cousin came to visit from Chicago, and we had a blast going to Seattle and then spending Easter Sunday together. Mom made a feast, and then we went on a nice long walk after stuffing ourselves with ham. Ah, holidays are the best times to eat.
- I got to go to a minor league baseball game, so that was awesome even though it wasn't a Cubs game. And there were fireworks and cotton candy, so it was even more awesome. =)
Yep. This happened. Camp Nanowrimo. It was... Exhausting. But mostly epic. My story, Hiraeth, went places I never saw it going (like Asher deciding to jump into a river.... ?!?!?!). And I was SO proud of myself, because I wrote more this month than I've ever written before. Plus, I can now say I beat Camp Nanowrimo. Now, I'm going to work on finishing Hiraeth, but at a slower pace. Maybe. We shall see what Emma has to say about it.... Emma and the plot bunnies. WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME? *hides from all the plot bunnies*
Also, I got to contribute an article for PURSUE magazine's first digital issue! Go check out my post on that here.
I DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS SUCH A THING AS A DIGITAL LIBRARY. Well, I knew they existed, but I've never gotten a membership to one. And now that I do... ALLLLL THE BOOKS ARE NOW ON MY KINDLE. So far, I've gotten Scythe, Entwined, Illusionarium, and Cinder. And a research book on cowboys. and Child of the Mountains.
My favorite book of the month: Entwined by Heather Dixon. DO NOT GET ME STARTED IT WAS SO GOOD. And not just because Azalea had eleven sisters and I feel like I have eleven siblings at times, but the descriptions and the dancing and basically the entire story was elegant and magical and.... AMAZING. Also, the cover... *flails*
My least favorite book of the month: Scythe by Neal Shusterman. It was a great book, but my least favorite of the month. And I haven't really read a lot this month. But it just wasn't my fave.
Guys. I need music recommendations. Please. MUST HAVE MORE MUSIC. *ignores the fact that I already have 353 songs downloaded*
What have you been listening to lately? Who are some artists you'd recommend listening to? How was Camp Nano? What did you do for Easter? IS IT RAINING ENDLESSLY WHERE YOU LIVE (it is here in WA)?Have you read Entwined? Tell me one thing about your month!
I love how you started Camp Nano by going ACTUAL camping, you rock. XD As for me, Camp Nano fell terribly flat but I'm okay with that. XP AND YES, THE NONSTOP RAINING, PLEASE I JUST WANT IT TO BE SUNNY AGAIN. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteI knowwww it was so fun! xD Aw, that's too bad. =( Will you be participating again in July? YES WHERE IS THE SUNLIGHT. Summer, come soon! Aw, thanks! =)
DeleteI'm actually still undecided about July, we'll see how things turn out I guess.
DeleteOh, I hope you do participate! =)
DeleteSmelling like campfire is the best! :D And you participated in Camp NaNo? I did too! Was this your first time? It was my first time and I'm so glad that I did it. It was so much fun! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a good April! :)
It is! That is, except for when it takes forever to get the smell out of your hair.... xD Awesome! It was my first time, and it was so much fun and I got a TON done! I hope you had a lovely April as well! =)
DeleteCamping is the best! I looked at that picture though and wondered for a moment if you were near where I was last week, because it nearly looks like it xD (I think I was farther south though)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you started Camp NaNo with a notebook! Seriously. You rock. Your finish was EPIC.
I wish I did have music recommendations, but I'm one of those people who just listens to the same playlist for a year straight xD Oops.
<3
audrey caylin
It is! Especially the s'mores part. I could eat s'mores until I exploded. That is Mt. Hood in Oregon, and it was gorgeous! Where did you go for your trip?
DeleteI know! For awhile, I counted each word to update my word count. Only once though. Never again. Thanks! You totally DOMINATED your goal! *high fives you*
Hahaha, that happens to me too. Obviously. xD
Lovely graphic! Did you take that photo? I can give you music recommendations anytime. Have you heard Play That Song by Train? Or what about Vida La Vida by Coldplay. There's also Dream by Priscilla Ahn. Anyway, those are great songs. A highlight of my month was getting my left splits. Overall, I had a very nice April.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I wish I could say I did take the one for the graphic, but I got it off of Canva. It's one of their free stock photos. But the mountain one my Mom took on her phone while I was squealing about all the horses. xD
DeleteI haven't heard it! Actually, I haven't heard any of them. I'll have to check them out, thank you! *gives you cookies* I'm glad you had a great April! =D
Oh, cool. Yes! You should check them out! *eats cookie* :P
DeleteWow! So cool that you went camping!!! I'm long overdue for a camping trip, lol.
ReplyDeleteHmmm....music suggestions???
I take it you're more of a pop person? If you like a capella, Peter Hollens and his wife Evynne have done some pop covers. You can find them on YouTube. Unfortunately, I listen to more Country and Celtic than pop, so I can't help you much.
Catherine
catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com
Lol, yes, camping is the best!
DeleteI'm actually kinda an all-over-the-genres person. I listen to alternative, rap, hip hop, pop, dance, electronic, rock, CCM.... As long as it's clean and it fits my picky-but-not-picky music taste buds, I'll listen to it. Thanks for the suggestions!
Good on you with Camp Nano and writing for Pursue! And that camping trip sounds like a lot of fun. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, my latest favourite song is 'Chainbreaker' by Zach Williams, although I'm not really a fan of his voice. I'll have to see if I can find any covers of it. I'm not sure if that's the type of music you listen to, but anyway. (Actually, looking at the artists in your playlists, do you listen to for King and Country?)
Thank you, Jessica! =) It was! There's nothing like scribbling away next to a campfire.
DeleteYeah, I like that song too. OH I LOVE FOR KING AND COUNTRY!!!!! Their cover of "Out of the Woods" is the BEST. And so are practically all of their songs. Their Christmas EP is probably my favorite Christmas album.
Entwined sounds SO good! Glad you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteAnd YAY for your writing going so well! That's seriously awesome - I love the feeling when your story just takes off.
Hope you have a wonderful May :)
Amy @ A Magical World Of Words
It was! You should definitely give it a try. =)
DeleteThanks! It is a great feeling, starting a new document and watching the word count inch higher. *sighs*
I hope your May is wonderful too! =)
Glad to see you back from your [mostly] blogging break! You won Camp, too! *high fives* *and sends celebratory caramel TimTams*
ReplyDeleteI've been listening to 'At Last, the King' and 'Ghost of a King' by Grey Havens - and now a few Owl City songs because I liked the sound of the one on your playlist! - but I actually don't listen to a lot of... is it modern music? Contemporary, pop? That. ;P It's hard to describe what I like, so it's hard to find!
I haven't read 'Entwined', but I'm interested in Twelve Dancing Princesses retellings (which I assume it is), so I'll look it up!
Jem Jones
Thanks! =) Congratulations to you too! *gives you caramel as well because caramel is the best reward next to chocolate*
DeleteI'm glad you like Owl City now! He has some great music, and I love that some of them like "Fireflies" sound fantastical. Oh, I'll have to check out Grey Havens! I knowww I like so much so when people ask me what I like I'm like, "AAALLLL OF IT."
Mostly. Maybe. I have strange taste in music. xD
Oh, it is a Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling, and it's the best one I've read! Definitely check it out!
Oh, also, I've just tagged you for the Writer's Tag over here - if you wanted to, of course!
DeleteI'd love to do it! It looks super fun! =D Thank you!
DeleteYOU READ ENTWINED. *all the highfives* And WASN'T IT THE BEST? I love Heather Dixon's books so insanely much. Azalea was such and epic main character and BRAMBLE. Bramble was so fun xD. Have you finished Illusionarium or Cinder yet?
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so glad that you hit your wordgoal for this month! It was so fun conquering Camp NaNoWriMo with you! :D Perhaps we will get some snippets of Hiraeth sometime? ;)
As to music - I've been listening to Sarah Macintosh pretty non-stop lately, she's got some great music. And OOH I spot Owl City on your playlist! Love his music - mostly because it makes ZERO sense half the time, which makes it SO MUCH FUN xD.
I hope your May is wonderful, my friend! <3
~ Savannah
scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com
I KNOW IT WAS AMAZING!!! *more high fives* I love her books too and thanks for introducing me to her! Azalea was the best and Bramble and Clover and Lord Bradford. Basically, the characters rocked. Ugh, those books are too good! I'm juggling reading both so now I have to pick between them and it's HARD.
DeleteAw, thanks! I'm glad you hits yours too! =) You'll see some snippets soon... Once I clean it up a bit. =)
I'm definitely going to have to check out Sarah Macintosh! AAAHHH YES OWL CITY!!!! It is so fun! I love that too. =D
I hope you'll have a great May too, friend! =)
Way to go with Camp NaNo! * unintentionally makes a cheesy rhyme *
ReplyDeleteHm, artists... what's your favorite music genre? I've been listening to lots of Broadway cast recordings lately, but if that's not your thing, I'd also suggest Audrey Assad and Anthem Lights!
Hailey
www.haileyhudson.wordpress.com
Thanks, Hailey! =)
DeleteI honestly don't have a favorite genre. I like EVERYTHING. I'm actually kinda an all-over-the-genres person. I listen to alternative, rap, hip hop, pop, dance, electronic, rock, CCM.... As long as it's clean and it fits my picky-but-not-picky music taste buds, I'll listen to it. Thanks for the suggestions! I love Audrey Assad and will have to check out Anthem Lights!
You know why you always write novels in notebooks? BECAUSE YOUR BLOG IS CALLED NOVEL AND NOTEBOOKS. *runs away from cringy self*
ReplyDeleteSCYTHE AND CINDER. AND ASDFGHJKL HOW CAN YOU SAY IT WAS YOUR LEAST FAV??? Just kidding, we all have different opinions. ;) I LOVED that book. And YAY FOR CAMP NANO! I hope Hiraeth goes good for you! Jumping into rivers is fun. :)
May @ Forever and Everly
I KNOW IT'S SO TRUE!!! xD
DeleteCINDER AAAHHHH DON'T GET ME STARTED!!! Haha, true. Thanks a lot! =)
I love the Bontrager and Wissmann family singers! And the Mullet family too!
ReplyDeleteLaura @ flowersinmybasket.blogspot.com
Thanks for the suggestions! =)
DeleteSounds like a great month! Congrats on Camp! I have not read Entwined, but I'm adding it to the list. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bethany! =D Oh, you definitely should!
DeleteSounds like you had a great April!
ReplyDeleteMusic recommendations. . . Do you listen to For King and Country? (You probably do, they're pretty popular.) I've been enjoying Priceless, Proof of Your Love, Fix My Eyes, and Long Live. A friend also recommended Ellie Holcomb to me recently, and her song Find You Here has been helping keep me afloat, it's so encouraging. I've also been listening to Twenty One Pilots a lot lately, but you seem to have already heard most of their music. =)
I do love for KING and COUNTRY. Yes, all of those songs are SO good! Haha, yeah, I have heard a lot of 21 Pilots. =) I'll definitely have to check out Ellie Holcomb, thanks! =D
DeleteYOUR APRIL SOUNDS AMAZING! Congratulations on Camp NaNo :)
ReplyDelete- Andrea at A Surge of Thunder
THANK YOU! =D
DeleteTHIS WAS EPIC. =D
ReplyDeleteJaidyn Elise
Thanks, Jaidyn! =)
Delete