When Someday Becomes Today

  

In 2010 I was a little kid who didn't know what she wanted to do with her life. But my sister wrote Sci-fi novels, and I knew I wanted to write one as well. So I threw together a couple ideas and named it Flight From Kelar. I left the ideas in a document, thinking I'd get to it someday.

On November 1 2016 I penned the first words in my novel Flight From Kelar. I didn't know at the time it would be my first full length novel.

On February 28'th 2017 I wrote the ending words to my book bringing it to 58,000 words.

On July 31 I finished two rounds of simple edits cutting out almost three thousand words.

Between July and October I became so frustrated with my the book that I printed off five pages of it just so I could have the satisfaction of ripping it to pieces.

I had at least four planning sessions where I was sure I had found the issue with the book.

In September I finally sat down with a printed copy of the book and started fixing it.

On October 25, Precisely 51 weeks after beginning the book, I put the last of my edits into the computer.

Flight From Kelar is done for now.

To nine year old Mikayla, this was a someday project. But someday has become today. 

And I can't wait to see what's still in store for this project.

What is a someday project that you have finally been able to do?

I'm Still Waiting

I’m still waiting 

For that one thing

That is going to make me feel 

Like I have finally grown up 

I keep feeling like a little kid 

And I feel confused 

Because somedays 

I cherish the childhood 

I don’t want to let it go 

But other days 

I finally want that confidence 

I want that grown up feeling 

I want that self-assurance 

But maybe what I’m chasing 

Is not growing up after all 

Its self-improvement 

A feeling of having made myself better 

A feeling of contentment 

Of knowing what to do 

And I have to wonder 

Do you ever feel like you have that? 

Or do you get more as time goes on 

And you always feel 

Like there’s more 

So I’m still waiting 

For that one thing 

That will make me feel grown up 

The Bibliophile Sweater Tag

Okay guys, I'm doing a tag today because my brain is fried by a fever. I was created by Mary at Sunshine and Scribblings. There are rules, and you can see them on her blog. But I hate rules on tags. they are so confining. So I'm just going to jump in now.

Fuzzy sweater (a book that is the epitome of comfort)

Annabeths War. This is my comfort read. And I've read it six times at least. 

Striped sweater (book which you devoured every line of)

After reading the first book in this series I could not wait to read this one. and one time I was having a very hard day, so my older sister bought me this on kindle and I read most of it that day. It was one of the few books that I never skipped ahead to see what was going on. I read every word. it was amazing.

Ugly Christmas sweater (book with a weird cover)

I searched for a book that I liked that had a weird cover, so I had to go with one I hated. The cover and the book were weird. 

Cashmere sweater (most expensive book you've bought)

I found a copy of this rare book with a dust jacket. I was so happy. I paid 15 dollars for it. Yes, I know, that's really not that expensive. I try to buy my books during deals. 

Hoodie (favorite classic book)

Best classic I've ever read. Emma is my favorite Jane Austen Heroin, and Mr. Knightly is my favorite Jane Austen Hero. <3

Cardigan (book that you bought on impulse)

I bought this book on impulse only a few days after I heard about it the first time. I am so glad that I did and I can't wait to get my own paperback copy. Goodness, the cover is lovely, and the contents are even better!

Turtleneck sweater (book from your childhood)

This was my favorite book from around 9-11 and it still in one of my favorites now. Patricia St. John wrote the best books ever. 

Homemade knitted sweater (book that is Indie-published)

I love Indie books. Most of the books I read are Indie-published, so its really hard to narrow it down. But Andora's Folly was amazing. I'm not saying its my favorite Indie book, but it has a way of getting stuck in your head. 

V-neck sweater (book that did not meet your expectations)

That ending. I had liked the series up until the ending of this book, then it was all spoiled for me. 

Argyle sweater (book with a unique format)

This is a book of flash fiction. I didn't really love it, but it had a pretty unique format.

Polka dot sweater (a book with well-rounded characters)

The Ilyon Chronicles have some of the best rounded characters I've ever read. But since I've already mentioned one of them, I thought I'd mention Brother's in Arms. This whole book is about the two main characters and they were amazing.

There you are. I hope you enjoyed reading that!

There is Purpose in the Pain

What you look for in the world, you will normally find.

The world is broken, and so are we.

Nothing lasts forever, including us.

Trust doesn't form overnight, but it breaks easily.

Behind every pain, there is a purpose.

In every event, God is working.

Even if it isn't what you want, it’s what you need.

Though it breaks our hearts, this is life.

Look for the beauty, it’s in the ashes.

Because behind every pain, there is a purpose.

In everything, God is working for your good.

There is a purpose to this pain. 

15 days || Editing

Our neighbors cat.

Luke, my dog. 

He's super photogenic

Well guys, NaNoWriMo begins in 15 days. I'm officially not ready. 

Last year at this time I had no idea that I would write my first full length novel in Novemeber of 2016. Now, 11 months later, I am still working on editing that piece of work. It is such a mess. But goodness, I love my characters so much! I have a love/hate relationship with the book right now.

I was planning on tackling this books sequel this year, but since I haven't even edited it yet, I'm going to delay that a bit. 

I am going to write book four in my Ordinary series, and book five in my Princess series. I am so excited to be going back to these series. 

Here's my inspiration boards for each book. 

A Bedraggled Princess

All photos from Pinterest.

The main girl's name is Tabitha. There are a bunch of other characters in the book, but unfortunately I couldn't find photos of them.

Just Your Ordinary Sister

All photos from Pinterest

Mandy is my main character. Aubrey is her sister and Brook is her friend.

I'll share more about the story's as I begin to write them!

Also, there is an awesome giveaway going on over at A Farm Girl's Life. If you already follow her, you should check it out here!

Are you excited for NaNo?