Currently...

First thing's first: the Little Women read-along.

I am so, SO sorry, Dragons, but the last two posts for #WinterWithLouisa just won't be happening. I feel so bad about it and I'm so sorry that they're not coming!

I know this is an excuse I often use, but that doesn't make it any less true: school makes life difficult. Especially this year, which (although easier than my previous two years of high school) involves a LOT more work, thanks to college prep and college-level courses (one of which is MATH *cue the screaming*).

On a less depressing note, I've picked up an editing job! I'm currently proofreading and formatting a memoir for a family friend. And once I finish that, I GET TO MAKE A COVER!!!! *flails* I'M SO EXCITED!

Another thing I've completely failed to mention over the past few Highlights posts: my mom started a blog!!!! I helped her design it waaay back in August, it's called Lilacs & Lace, and you can visit it by clicking here!*

*Be proud of how discreetly I've dropped her blog link three times throughout a three-sentence paragraph. 😜

BOOK HAUL

No pics this time, I'm afraid! But perhaps I'll include them in my official December Highlights post?

1. Journey's End by Rachel Hawkins. Scotland. Magic. Mystery. Disappearing children. All packed into a cozy li'l MG novel? *nods enthusiastically*
2. Once Upon a Princess: Beauty's Curse by C.S. Johnson. I was a part of CJ's blog tour back in October, and was delighted to win the first novella of her Sleeping Beauty retelling series!
3. Wanted: a Superhero to Save the World by Bryan Davis. MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS WITH SUPERPOWERS. That's all I'm gonna say, guys. 😻
4. Mice & Marriage by Sophie Dawson. A girl terrified of mice? A cute guy who's totally prepared to help her? UM, YES.
5. A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden. I own a copy of To the Farthest Shores, one of Elizabeth's other books, and I've heard such good things about her writing!
6. Where Do I Start? by Molly Evangeline. In other words, one of my favorite indie authors wrote a book on HOW TO INDIE PUBLISH. And so I finally bought it! On Black Friday! IN PAPERBACK! *cheers*
7. Children of Blood & Bone ARC by Tomi Adeyemi. After anxiously awaiting its arrival via a Goodreads giveaway, it finally showed up on my doorstep! It releases in March 2018, so keep an eye out. 😉
8. The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh. So I don't actually remember buying this, but I do remember wanting to read this and then stumbling upon a copy whilst reorganizing my bookshelf. And this is a newer book, so I'm not quite sure how it got there, but okay, I'll take it!
9. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. Reliving the day you die? WHAAAAT. *grabby hands*
10. Chasing Shadows by Ashley Townsend. I met up with Ashley again back in November, and, being in the midst of her gorgeous book Rising Shadows, was ecstatic to pick up a copy of the next in her series!

READING CORNER

1. Night by Elie Wiesel [4/5]. This was a difficult one to rate, seeing as I didn't really like it (it was really disturbing, guys), but I also had to keep in mind that it's a historical account. For such, it was excellently written! It just wasn't my jam. *shrugs*

2. Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay [2/5]. I usually reserve two-star ratings for either (a) content or (b) boring school reads. I really expected to like this because so many of my friends liked it, too, but... 'twas a solid nope from me. 🙁

3. Rising Shadows by Ashley Townsend [5/5]. *sings* THIS BOOK, GUYS!!!! If you haven't read this, then READ IT. If you have read it, then buy another copy and read it anyway! BECAUSE THIS BOOK = SO MUCH YES + WILL IS A COMPLETE DREAMBOAT AND MAY I MARRY HIM PLEASE AND THANK YOU.

4. The Brightest Thread by Tracey Dyck [5/5]. I know, I know -- it's probably not proper to rate books that are still beta projects. But this story, guys... I LOVE IT SO MUCH. And I can't wait for the day it makes its way into YOUR hands!! 💞

MUSIC ROOM

Olaf's Frozen Adventure! And The Greatest Showman! And Taryn Harbridge's singles, Lindsey Sterling's Warmer in the Winter, and Lana del Rey's hits! I also made a playlist for 2017:

My word for 2017 was

                            adventure --

and I'm so thankful for how 2017 played out. I've looked back at pictures and writings from January, and Dragons... I'm not the same person now as I was then. I've grown since January, both mentally and spiritually. 💜

My word for 2018 is

                        light.

I've spent 2017 adventuring beyond my comfort zone, expanding my knowledge and connections, making new friends. I want to spend 2018 being a light to those people, whether it be through talking, writing, emailing, acting, whatever. I want to be a light for God. 💕

WRITING DESK

I've been hard at work outlining The Scent of the Stars, and I'm very excited for where it's going! I might even have a few snippets for you, come January or February Highlights. 😉 For now, here's the Pinterest board:

November/December Goal: Outline TSotS.

Current/Overall Goal: Finish draft one by spring 2018.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER BLOG ROLL

ELSEWHERE IN THE BLOGOSPHERE

• Nadine Brandes revealed the cover for her new book, Fawkes!!!!
• Hannah S.J. Williams and Anne Elisabeth Stengl announced the very first Tales of Goldstone Wood coloring book! *flails* My copy arrived on Wednesday, and GUUUYYYSSS... IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL. 😻
• Shantelle Mary @ Between the Pages of this Bookish Life turned twenty-one! *throws confetti* HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, SHANTELLE!!!!

Q&A: THE WRITER'S "WHEN YOU LEARN MORE ABOUT ME" QUESTIONAIRE

Thanks to Deborah Kelty for creating this and tagging me!

1. WHAT WAS THE FIRST STORY YOU WROTE?

The first one I remember was a short little piece I wrote just before I turned five. It was about a ballerina who was having a birthday party. 😉

2. WHERE DO YOU GAIN INSPIRATION?

Music! The song Welcome Home, Son by Radical Face is sure to get my creative juices flowing.

3. WHO/WHAT ENCOURAGED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER?

For me, it was simply a calling. And then I read Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl... and suddenly, I started taking writing seriously.

4. IF YOU HAD A CHOICE BETWEEN PAST OR PRESENT TENSE, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

I typically use the present tense for first person, and past tense for third.

5. WHAT'S YOUR "KRYPTONITE"?

The INTERNET. *screams* It's-- so-- DISTRACTING!

6. WHAT'S YOUR "SUPERMAN"?

Breaking down the "how-to"s. I'd like to think I'm rather good at that. 😛 If you're ever in the mood for some writing tips, I have a whole page on that.

7. GUILTY PLEASURES?

Description! I might be a little too obsessed with the details. 😜

8. WHAT GENRE WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN WRITING, ONE DAY?

*bursts into song* STEAMPUUUUNK! I already have a trilogy planned out, and I look forward to starting it, someday!

9. FAVORITE WRITING SNACK?

I don't always eat while writing (because I get distracted CRAZY easily), but when I do,* it's CHOCOLATE.

*See what I did there? 😏

Thanks for bearing with me through this rather blunt post! 😬 2018 resolution no. 1: set aside proper blogging time, and TAKE BREAKS!

Speaking of breaks, I plan to be gone until January sixth. I'll also take a social media break, but that won't start until this coming Tuesday or Wednesday. I'd tell you why, but all I can say now is TOP SECRET REASONS. And I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THEM!!!! I should be able to tell y'all in January. 😉

Until then, merry Christmas and happy New Year! Have delightful and safe holidays, my Dragons. 💜

❤,