January Cocoa Break

Yes, I know, January was a couple days ago. But bear with me, y'all!

It’s time for my very first monthly highlights post of 2018! And guess what? Instead of my “just happened” posts, I’m now hosting a monthly cocoa break (what's that, you say? Well, read on!). If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that I LOVE cocoa. Especially with salt. And caramel. Whipped cream is good too, by the way.

What I love about a mug of cocoa, besides how it tastes and how the warmth seeps out of the mug, is that it draws people together. Ever since I was little, I’ve been coming together with people over warm mugs of cocoa, talking, fellowshipping, and just sharing in life. There’s something magical about a group of people and a bunch of mugs full of something sweet, isn’t there?

To tell y’all the truth, I wish that we could all get together with some salted caramel hot chocolate (mochas work too, I guess) and just chat about this wonderful life God has given us—the good, the bad, the messy, and everything in between. So from now on, each month, my monthly highlights post is going to be called a cocoa break. It’ll simply be a time where you can read a little bit about me, my writing, and the novels I’ve read, plus tell me all about YOU in the comments. Cocoa is completely allowed, by the way. =) I know I’ll have a mug or two!

Enough of my ramblings, let’s grab some cocoa!

Life 

First of all, my two little sisters each became a year older! *insert confetti and cupcakes here* Maya turned eleven and Maddy turned nine. We celebrated with lots of cake and ice cream (and as you all know, I was super into that). I’m so proud of the young ladies they’re growing into, and I love seeing them fall in love with Jesus every day. Happy (late) birthday, Maya and Maddy! =D
                                         

Excuse the photography, please, I just wanted to eat it. =)

I found this recipe for vanilla cupcakes for two, and now it is way too easy for me to eat cupcakes. xD I added some chocolate frosting and sprinkles, because if you’re going to eat a cupcake, you’re going to eat it right. But don't think that I just eat cake (if only...)! This year I've been exercising and eating more healthily. Then I eat cake. xD Oh, and it’s 2018. I actually remember that it’s a new year this time around! Well, most of the time, that is.

I also had my blogoversary, which was so much fun. Thanks again, everyone, for helping me celebrate one year of Notebooks and Novels! =) You all are so sweet and just THE BEST!

Of Notebooks…

I entered the One Teen Story short story contest! Ignoring the fact that I was super last minute/stayed up past midnight two nights in a row to get my story done/went through about for different story ideas/sent the final one the day it due, it was fun getting to know my short story characters and play with different plots. And I’m so glad that I finally entered! The results don’t come in for a while, so until then, I’ll be working on my "novel project."

                     

They have such pretty mock covers...

Remember Second Star to the Right? The story I did a whole post on and was so excited about? How about Hiraeth, the story I worked on for Camp Nano way back when? Confession time: I haven’t worked on them in forever, and I haven’t had the motivation to do so. Right now, I’m focusing on finding the story of my heart, a story that I would want to read, a story that is near and dear to me that I can see to completion. I’m not totally abandoning these other stories. I’m setting them aside and working to find the story. The story that a whole lot of work and editing will go into, the story that my heart and my Lord wants me to write, the story that I would like to have published one day… THE STORY.

So right now… I’m brainstorming. I’m praying. I’m exploring. And I’m searching for the story.

Of Novels…

And… This is all I read in January. One. Book. *crawls under a rock and sobs* BUT IT WAS SUCH A GOOD BOOK. And now, here I sit, waiting for the sequel, drooling over its cover, because I am the unlucky human being who is still on the waiting list for it at the library. Don’t worry, there will be a book review for Unblemished coming your way soon! And for the record… TEAM KYAPHUS RHYEN ALL THE WAY.

What do you think of the new monthly highlights post name? What would YOU like to see more of in these posts? Less of? What do you like the most about these type of posts? Tell me EVERYTHING, so I know how to grow/change. How was your January? DID YOU EAT CAKE? Have you read Unblemished? If so, Team Joshua or Team Ky? Where are you in your writing journey right now? Let's grab some cocoa and chat, everyone!