I'm trying to get back into my regular posting schedule, but right now I am neither feeling inspired nor do I have a post completely prepared. Also, homework is taking over my life, so there's that. #yay I'll try to post something on Monday, if time (and my energy level) permits. Have a wonderful weekend! <3
You know you're ready for fall when you spend thirty minutes pulling together a gorgeous Pinterest board to substitute for the nonexistent Florida autumn.
Pax
Sarah Pennypacker
I actually mentioned this one in this post about my library haul from last summer, but I didn't read it...*cough*
Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë
I got halfway through this book and then quit reading it about February, so I'm going to finish it because it was a lovely book, despite everyone being a perfect demon. We'll see how this ends. *shrugs* Also, it's one of my goals on my classics lists! I haven't read a classic for a while, so finishing this one will meet the goal for the month.
Curiosity House
H. C. Chester and Lauren Oliver
Time for a re-read! Stabby knife-throwing girls, smol cinnamon roll boys with strange talents, and murder mystery? Of course I'll come back eventually. It's been a while since I read it, but I needed some time before a re-read so that the original creepy feeling settles back in effectively. ;)
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Jacqueline Kelly
Y'all, I can't get enough of this book. Anyways, it's been a few months so it's not on the top of my reading list right now, but if I have time, I will be reading it again. I need some more of that young Texas charm. 10/10 recommend.
All the Crooked Saints
Maggie Stiefvater
I've been wanting to read this one since it came out but for some reason haven't? But now that I've seen plenty of reviews, I'm going to give it a try. I guess I just couldn't stand the fuzzy possibility of it being better than the Scorpio Races. XD
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling
It has been four years since I read this series, so it's due for a re-read. (The draw to read it again makes me feel so nostalgic!) I just put the first book up here, but my sister and I are hoping to read the whole series together in October and watch the movies after we finish the books. She's already on book four, so I have a lot of catching up to do, but let's get this party started.
Flashback
Shannon Messenger
This time I really need to re-read the series before I read this book because everything is a messy jumble of memories, and it probably wouldn't be healthy to read this one and be like, "WHAAAAaaaAATttTT??" the entire time. Call me clueless. I deserve it. XD
Wrath of the Dragon King
Brandon Mull
Luckily, I remember what happened in the first book, so this should be easy-peazy. I don't know if I'll actually get to read it this fall, but I'm going to try. I'm so exited for it to come out!! Do any of you read Brandon Mull's books?
These are books that I hope to own or hope my library acquires. I don't think it's likely that I'll read them this fall, but it doesn't hurt to hope. Maybe I''ll get to go on a spree. If you've read these, what are your opinions, and would you suggest them?
A Thousand Perfect Notes
C. G. Drews (or PaperFury)
The Blood Race
K. A. Emmons
The Lost Girl of Astor Street
Stephanie Morril
Tess of the Road
Rachel Hartman
Do you have any cute autumn book suggestions for me? I’m looking to squeeze in a contemporary that’s been published for a while. What are you reading this fall? Tell me what your favorite thing about fall is!
Smiles!
Nicole
Good afternoon, guys! Today’s post is going to be short and snappy, and I wish I could have had something longer ready, but that wasn’t going to happen, unfortunately. I'm still getting the hang of balancing homework deadlines with everything else, and currently blogging is something on the bottom half of the priorities list (which is small, I promise you). :P
So let's discuss writing music! *jazzy hands*
I know that some of you like writing to music, others don’t. It usually depends for me. It has to be the right music at the right time or I won’t be able to focus. Sometimes I can listen to whatever and it won’t affect how I channel the story. But typically, I rely on music to help me figure out what my characters are feeling and provide the right mindset to write particular scenes (e.g. action, calm, emotional, etc.)
What I want to know is whether you guys write to music and how does it affect your writing? Does it improve it, make it easier, more fun, etc.? If you don't what are your opinions? Let's get both sides involved in this mini discussion. :D
My own playlists vary for project to project, but I have a few favorite groups that make it at least once in every playlist I compile for my story.
My favorite channel for all-around writing is HDSounDI on YouTube. They have amazing compilations of instrumental music for every writing situation possible. My favorite playlist is "Most Beautiful Music Ever," but the others are also gorgeous. Plus they have lovely artwork that sometimes helps me come up with unwanted plot bunnies that have nothing to do with the project at hand....oops.
I also love scores, especially The Maze Runner score and Time (Hans Zimmer) from Inception. I used the Maze Runner score to help me write my NaNoWriMo 2017 project. Time is tucked away, ready for use on some random, intense action scene. ;)
Now since we’re talking about Hans Zimmer, I gotta say that both the Plant Earth II score and the Blue Planet II score are absolutely breathtaking. Totally recommend those for fantasy and/or spec fic.
For lyrics, I usually only use those if I’m writing something remotely modern. On my Divided playlist, I have Shots (Imagine Dragons), Hall of Fame (The Script) and several others that I listened to on repeat while I wrote it. I’ll probably listen to it nonstop again during edits (eesh *dies*).
What do you listen to? I think everyone has their own ways to focus when writing, and maybe you jump genres like I do, or maybe you listen to the same playlist over and over. Do you use music to warm up, stretch your creative muscles before jumping in? This post is basically all questions, LOL, but take a seat, grab a cup of lemonade and a scone, and let's have a chat.
Do you like to listen to music while you write? What do you like to listen to? Have you heard any of the music on here? Any recommendations? How does music help you be productive?
Smiles!
Nicole
*All images from Google, except the first one. Screenshot credit @myself.*
*All images from Google, except the first one. Screenshot credit @myself.*
And I return! Believe it or not, last weekend was the only weekend ever that I didn't post because I actually forgot. Usually I'm just too lazy. X'D Today I'm doing the Get to Know Me Writer's Edition tag. Lisa did this over on her blog, and she nominated the first eleven people to comment. I figured I better post it soon before I forget. ;)
- thank the person who tagged you (thank you, Lisa!) -
- share the tag graphic (optional, optional! I know it won't go with everyone's blog design) -
- tag eleven bloggers -
- tag eleven bloggers -
Let's give this a shot! O.o
Vital Stats And Appearance:
(pen)Name: Nicole Ann
Nicknames: I don't really have any nicknames. My siblings and I have a pet name for each other, Squishy, and I had a friend in middle school who called me Neelia, and various people have tried to cal me other names that relate to my real name, but I can't say. It would give away too much. XD
Birthday: In the spring (I know, quite specific)
Hair color and length: REALLY dark brown. People often think it's black, but really it has more red in it which is weird and really exciting all at the same time because I've always wanted reddish hair. XD Oh yeah, and it's just past my shoulders.
Eye color: Brown. Not much to say there.
Braces/piercings/tattoos: nope, I have my ears pierced, and definitely nope. XD
Righty or lefty: Righty...I use my left hand for certain tasks though, like steering my bicycle.
Ethnicity: Half Latin American, and then there's some Irish and Scottish and other stuff in there. A bit of Jewish too, I think. It's confusing. XD
Eye color: Brown. Not much to say there.
Braces/piercings/tattoos: nope, I have my ears pierced, and definitely nope. XD
Righty or lefty: Righty...I use my left hand for certain tasks though, like steering my bicycle.
Ethnicity: Half Latin American, and then there's some Irish and Scottish and other stuff in there. A bit of Jewish too, I think. It's confusing. XD
First novel written: The first novel I started to write was called the Symbols of Icyllia and I tried to put a cool twist on the whole elements cliche but it turned out just kind of slow and possibly like The Land of Stories? There were some interesting parts, like the floating continent where pretty much everyone died off and the magic ingrained in the continent pulled random people from the earth to fix the problems and find the people and yadayadaya.
First novel completed: I've never actually written a complete full length novel, but the
closest I've come is my novella Divided, which I talk about waaaaay too
much. XD
Award for writing: I have not received any awards for my writing, but that's probably because I've never attempted to win an award. :P
First publication: Again, I've never tried to submit anything that could be published.
Conference: Nope, but I'm keeping my eye on a conference in my state that has a separate teen conference. Hopefully I'll be able to go next year.
Query/Pitch: HAHAHA nope. I don't have anything worth pitching. XD
 |
| look who finally did some photography X'D |
Favorites:
Novel (that you wrote): I want to say Divided, because I actually finished that one, but I actually adore the prequel (WIP) to another story idea more. That one or Shadowskin. XD
Genre: Almost anything suspenseful. Currently, I'm in love with spy thriller, historical mystery, sci-fi, and psychological thriller (still trying to figure out how to write it though).
Author: Ally Carter and Rebecca Stead are pretty tied right now.
Writing Music: I actually have a whole post on writing music coming soon, but I love HDSounDI on YouTube. They have enormous collections of lovely instrumental. I also use their collections for study music, too.
Time To Write: I can write anytime if I'm sucked into my story enough to ignore everything else around me. Typically, the words come easier in the evenings though. I don't know why, but I guess it's because I'm not groggy from the morning or the afternoon heat.
Writing Snack/Drink: When I try to multi-task, and eating is one of the other tasks, then eating will win. Every. single. time. I love my food. So usually I eat a snack while I preview what I've written before or drink some flavored water or cocoa or something. I don't have a favorite writing snack (I eat almost anything), but I prefer beverages because then I don't have to get up and wash my hands and break my focus.
Movie: Pride and Prejudice. The one with Keira Knightley. I just watched it last night for the five bajillionth time. Everything about it is gorgeous, from the camera work to the music and ahhhhhhh, my love!
Writing Memory: The first time I won NaNoWriMo, probably, because it was a rough week (I was struggling with the decision to quit dance) and winning made me so happy and helped me realize that I have a lot of talents. Second would have to be when I finished writing Divided because I mean, I finished writing a complete-ish book!! Yay me!
Childhood Book: I actually keep all the sentimental books on my bedroom shelf. I loved Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?, Angelina Ballerina, and multiple Amelia Bedelia books.
Currently:
Reading: Am I currently reading something...? I had to return an Alex Rider book before I was done, and now I have to wait to check it out again, so let's go with that.
Writing: A collection of short stories that I hope to eventually grow into a novella but shhhh it might jinx my motivation. XD
Listening to: "Remnants of Departed Days" by Owsey on HDSounDI. Good stuff, friends.
Watching: I JUST finished watching Granite Flats for the seventh time literally last night and I am still confused by the plot and angry at the producers. Otherwise, I've got nothing.
Learning: How to manage my time so I can balance my new school workload and everything else I love to do. Also, friendships. Let's just say I'm learning how to interact with people when I know virtually nothing about them.
Future:
Want To Be Published: I think that I would enjoy being published, but I'm actually more interested in being a publisher. I hope to submit some short stories to literary magazines sometime in the near future. Who knows if they'll actually take them. XD
Indie or Traditional: I'd like to try both, but I can be a bit of a control freak, so I think I might like indie publishing better.
Wildest Goal: Found a YA publishing house that actually publishes clean, quality fiction. Seriously, I can only see teen literature getting wilder and darker from here.
 |
| also guess who's editing skills are improving X'D |
Danielle @ Donuts and Daydreams
Lila Kims @ The Red-Hooded Writer
Danielle Droubay @ Snapper
Nicole Dust @ Legend of a Writer
Annie Xia @ Zoelogist
Gray Marie @ Writing is Life
Madeline Joy @ Tower of Joy
Lydia @ Quills, Pens, and Inkpots
Micaiah Saldaña @ Notebooks and Novels
If you have done the tag already or aren't interested, feel free to opt out. :) If you would like to do the tag but I didn't nominate you, you're tagged! Nominations are always super hard for me, but I decided to make an effort this time. XD
That's all I have for tonight, but I hope y'all have a lovely day!
Hopefully next week I'll be able to post something different, if my
schoolwork doesn't strangle me first. O.o
How is school going for y'all? Are you going to do the tag? Have you done this tag before? What was your first novel about? What's your favorite book or author?
Smiles!
Nicole
About the Blogger
Analia @ Wild Pennings
Blogger//Storyteller//Editor//Dreamer
A studious student of business, editing, and anthropology + museum enthusiast + developing editor + plant lover/reaper. Here to help you become a storyteller.
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