10 Ways to Conquer the January Blues

HAPPY WEDNESDAY, DRAGONS! I hope your week is going splendidly! 😘

I have a confession to make: January + February = my two least favorite months of the year. I mean, in February, there's Valentine's Day (although I prefer to call it Singles Awareness Day), but also in January there's just that sense of BOOM! The holidays are over, work/school's starting back up, get your gold together because you have resolutions to make and all those Christmastime pajamas to wash. *shudders at the thought of laundry*

Like, January + February should be exciting, right??? It's the start of a new year! Nature has basically handed you a pen and provided you a fresh sheet of paper that's just itching to tell a new story.

So when all that post-Christmas, post-New-Year's gloom is upon you, where do you start? Well, never fear, friend! Your Liv is here and ready to share ten of my FAVORITE ways to conquer the January blues.

H A V E   A   G O A L

We all need a little something to strive for. It doesn't even have to be HUGE and GINORMOUS: it can be something as simple as exercising every day, reading more books, adding some words to your novel-in-progress, starting that next semester of college. All you need is an idea: a destination that motivates your inner train to keep going.

S T O P   M A K I N G   T O - D O   L I S T S

No, no, don't run away! I promise it's not as crazy as it sounds. 😉

There are few things as depressing as seeing a to-do list with only one or two tasks marked off. So take this new year opportunity to finally ditch those to-do lists... and replace them with calendar-blocking.

Calendar-blocking is similar to a to-do list -- but instead of having a long list of tasks to check off, you have a schedule, with certain periods of time set aside for each task. Not only will this encourage you to get your work done much more efficiently, but it also provides a more realistic view of just how much you can get done in a single day.

Abbie Emmons (a.k.a. the productivity QUEEN) has an EPIC video all about calendar blocking (and how to use Google Calendar to do it)! Check it out:

L E A R N   T O   H U S T L E

Productivity is not my natural state (is it anyone's?). If left to my own devices, I'd procrastinate until I got everything done last-minute... that is, until I learned how to hustle.

This one comes back to calendar-blocking (which is honestly something I can't recommend enough!). Keep it simple: have goals for what you want to accomplish each day -- and a reward for when you get them all done (🠜 need ideas? See tips #4-10!).

"Hustle" means "hurry." And while you don't want to move through your tasks socrazyfast that you do a rush-job, you do want to be done early, so those tasks can be completed. Finished. Sealed. So you can get on with your life! 😉

One way to be done sooner? Wake up earlier.

We all have a point in the day at which our brain tires and our performance level decreases. Wake up early enough that you beat the sun and the rest of the world. Take this time to eat a hearty breakfast, send the Lord a prayer, and start slaying those tasks. And to make sure you receive plenty of sleep, head to bed a little earlier, too!

P L A N   A N   A D V E N T U R E

Adventures give us something to look forward to. So make plans! It can be later this week, later this month, later this year -- just be sure to treat yourself to an event you'll anticipate.

A R R A N G E   A   C O F F E E   D A T E

I'm an introvert, but I'm also a firm believer in the power of socialization. God gave Adam a companion for a reason: few things lift the spirits quite like being near to good people. So arrange a coffee date with someone or invite a friend over for dinner and a movie! We're all human; we need people and we need community. Take advantage of this to cut a small section out of your week for a fun afternoon, and spend it hanging out with an old friend or new acquaintance!

T A K E   A   C R E A T I V I T Y   C L E A N S E

Just like community, everyone needs a break, too. Set aside a few hours each day to relax, refresh, and recharge. Hop off the internet. Enjoy a shower. Read a book. Brain-dump in a diary. Take a nap. These small moments will not only help you cure and avoid burnout, but also keep your creativity continuously refueled.

D O   S O M E   E A R L Y   S P R I N G   C L E A N I N G

Do you ever get home from work, look at your room, and just think, UGH.? I believe that a messy environment makes for an exhausted mind. So, if your room/kitchen/house/apartment is a mess, take some time to clean it up! This can be anything from setting aside ten minutes each day to devoting a weekend to a thorough deep-cleaning. Take care of your spring cleaning early; you'll thank yourself later. 😉

H E A D   O U T S I D E

Fresh air and a little quality time with nature can cure much of mental restlessness. Head outside! Even if it's just a couple minutes. Take this time to soak in the silence and further immerse yourself in God's handiwork. 💗

T R Y   S O M E T H I N G   N E W

Let me begin by saying: trying something new ≠ picking up a new hobby or leaving an old one behind (unless you want/need to, of course!). It can be anything from exploring a new genre of music to listening to a new podcast while you work (I like listening to Motivation2Study when I bullet-journal!). Find a new TV show (I recommend Jonna Jinton, Tina Sosna, and all things green on YouTube!) or discover a new book series (feel free to tweet to me (@livkfisher) and ask for recs!). Try a new style of tea! Take a hike in the woods! Even something as simple as switching up your routine. Embrace the New Year with change, if for no other reason than to humor yourself.

S T A Y   H E A L T H Y :

M E N T A L L Y ,   P H Y S I C A L L Y ,   &   S P I R I T U A L L Y

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT! When I'm eating healthier and exercising more, I notice a huge improvement in my overall attitude -- and not only that, but in how I feel physically, too!

Eat your greens, friends. 😉 Exercise. Read your Bible. Keep up with God. Your body, mind, and soul will be grateful. 💓

Throw those post-holiday feels to the wind! Take it up a notch and give an EPIC, VIKING-STYLE SHRIEK WHILE YOU DO IT! 😉

The truth is, the January blues are hard. They aren't fun. My prayer for you is, if you're suffering, your burden grows lighter and your trust in Yahweh grows greater. 💖 If you ever need someone to talk to, my DMs -- here and on my social media -- are always open!

'Til next time, Dragons, stay awesome and live boldly! 😘

LET'S CHAT!

What's your favorite time of the year? Have you ever gotten the January blues? Do you have any tips for getting over them?

❤,

8 Steps for a Better Night's Sleep

IT'S OFFICIALLY EXAM SEASON!!!! Which means "yaay!" bc SCHOOL IS ALMOST OUT but also tears bc NOBODY LIKES EXAMS.

{Source.}

⮙⮙ Current mood, right there. ⮙⮙

Besides preparing well and eating a hearty breakfast on Exam Day™, one of the best exam-related pieces of advice I've ever received is to get plenty of sleep the night before the test. And because REST IS AWESOME and May = the month of AP exams, SATs, and state testing (😱😱😱), I guess you know what I'll be talking about... I'm proud to present: my favorite evening routine for a better night's sleep. 💤

Also, shoutout to Ella Marie @ February Fairy for her evening routine post, which inspired this one! Go check out her blog, Dragons -- IT'S AMAZING! 💟

Now, on to the post... 😉

SWITCH YOUR DEVICES TO

AIRPLANE MODE + STORE THEM AWAY

SOCIAL MEDIA IS SO TEMPTING. Right before bed, at the end of the day, that nagging temptation to just hop on Facebook for a quick moment, or Instagram to see what your best friend is doing, or Twitter to see if there are any new notifications... THE LIST GOES ON. Switching your devices to airplane mode and storing them away in a purse/backpack or desk drawer will lessen the temptation to check "just one more time," and ultimately provide your eyes with a well-needed rest.

EXCHANGE YOUR MUSIC FOR WHITE NOISE

I think most of us can agree that MUSIC IS JUST AMAZING. From those enchanting notes flow sweet songs that can alter our mood and provide (or take away) inspiration. MUSIC = MAGIC. But right before bed, it's easy to get caught up in song selection or humming along to the lyrics. So exchange your music for white noise! This can be a fan, a heater, a machine -- anything that has a steady rhythm to give your mind something consistent and lulling to focus on.

BRUSH/COMB YOUR HAIR & REMOVE ALL MAKEUP

Makeup makes all the difference in a good night's sleep. Half-asleep, rubbing at smeared mascara and enraged glitter is no way to spend a night. Remove all makeup, wash your face, and give your hair a thorough brushing for a neat, natural sleep.

GET READY FOR BED

Do whatever you need to do. Brush your teeth, slide your retainer into place, dose yourself in lotion, load the dishwasher -- whatever "get ready for bed" means to you. 😉

PLAN THE DAY-TO-COME / WRITE IN YOUR DIARY

If you have anything to jot down, do it now. This can be planning tomorrow, adding that meeting to your schedule, or doing a quick summary of your day. This will drag any nagging thoughts out and onto paper.

SPEND ALONE-TIME WITH GOD

Now comes Bible time. 💕 Spend alone-time with God; tell Him your worries, your concerns. Pray for tomorrow, thank Him for today. Review a verse or sing a song. Spending time with the Savior restores peace, renews our relationship with Him, and further strengthens our bond. Plus, there are so many people to pray for! I'm certain God loves our quality time more than we could ever comprehend. 💗

STRETCH

A few minutes of sit-ups or yoga relieves tension and strengthens your body. Happy muscles lead to an even happier sleep. 😉

TURN OUT THE LIGHTS, GET COZY, & READ

Now is the time to get cozy. ♡ Flick off the lights, slide into bed, and read for a while. Soon, you'll be fast asleep and dreaming sweet dreams...

REMEMBER TO...

• Have your lights out at a decent hour. None of this "after midnight" business!
• Pray. Turn to God for peace-of-mind.
• Get your bags ready. Your morning will flow much more smoothly when all your pencils are sharpened, water bottles are in place, and electronics are on vibrate.
• Prepare a cold breakfast. A pre-made breakfast will make your morning faster and easier. You'll need that fuel for the exam!
• Relax. Tests are just a thing, and God's got your back. 💓

Have I missed anything? What tips do you have for a better night's sleep?

❤,

Why Your Story Needs Parallels

I AM ALIVE AND AWAKE AND WELL AND IT IS OFFICIALLY THANKSGIVING BREAK, Y'ALL!!!! (PSA: There are going to be a LOT of posts next week. Like, almost every day. One tour, one party, two announcements... just an FYI. Consider it my reaction to #FREEDOM. 😁)

Today, I am talking parallels! Parallels/ironies are huge deals that can add SO MUCH. This is usually the point at which I'd discuss why your story needs them, but... that's sort of the whole point of the post. 😉 So read on and enjoy.* 😄

*I mean, you don't NEED to enjoy this post... but it is the recommended course of action. No pressure, though. 😜

1. PARALLELS ACT AS MIRRORS

Ever heard of a foil? Foils reflect another character's (usually the protagonist) morals, standards, weaknesses, and strengths. Where one character is strong and courageous, the foil is weak and cowardly. Where the character feels hopelessly lost, the foil feels a sense of guidance.

Parallels are just the same as foils.

If one couple is overjoyed with their coming child, there might be a single, pregnant woman who fears for her future. If a poor but sincere man proposes to his sweetheart, a lonely yet wealthy man might inherit a title and estate, thus adding to his already great fortune. Where one couple's marriage might crumble, another's might be strengthened.

2. PARALLELS SHOWCASE THE CHARACTERS' EMOTION

Besides reflecting other characters' situations and increasing the tension between them, parallels also display the raw, gritty emotions the characters already feel. A continuation of mirroring, parallels serve to prove these emotions true, like foils work as evidence for the protagonist's virtues.

3. PARALLELS INCREASE TENSION

Say the single woman from the first reason learns of the couple's pregnancy. Or the poor man of the wealthy man's riches. Or the lonely man of the sincere man's happiness. Or the first couple of the second's empowerment. Parallels increase conflict and add the potential for jealousy. And nothing makes a story more enjoyable than heightening the risk. 😉

Granted, not every story needs parallels. And sometimes they're just not helpful to throw in. But, when available, they sure are fun to work with. 😁

Thank you so much for reading! Tell me: have you ever worked with parallels/ironies before? Have you ever found them in fiction?

❤,

How to Outline Your Novel in a Day

SO NANO IS HAPPENING IN FOUR DAYS. *shrieks*

The story of my NaNo success always seems to look like this:

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo. Though she knew that it was fast-approaching, she also forgot (probably because she wanted to avoid doing an outline).

You see, this little girl was a plantser, meaning that she loved to pants, but she needed to plot. And so, when the first day of NaNo arrived, she ran around screaming and calmly ignored the task that lay before her.

"I'm outlining," she told her friends, when they inquired after her delay (in truth, she thought she was outlining; she still worked hard at school and Life™, and outlined once or twice a week).

Eventually, the month ended, and the little girl had yet to write a single word of her NaNo project. And so she ran around screaming and calmly ignored what had transpired. 

Sound familiar? I AM TOTALLY THAT LITTLE GIRL, BTW. If you've ever been that little girl (or boy), too -- or MAYBE YOU'RE THAT CHILD RIGHT NOW??? -- then congratulations! Because, despite the fact that Life™ (school, acting, church, volunteer work, and a new job) has commanded I refrain from NaNo this year, I have developed a sure-fire plan for preparing for NaNo last-minute (think outlining). All you need is one full day to yourself: no school, no work, no chores, no distractions. And the best part? You can be done before teatime.

(A quick note, before I get to the good stuff 😉: this post was inspired by Jill Williamson, who shared her outlining process at #RealmMakers2017. The card labels and whatnot were entirely her advice! 😁💜)

1. BE PREPAAAARED!

You need:

• One full-ish day of freedom
• Fourteen to eighteen 5x8 index cards
• One pencil/pen
• One eraser / vial of white-out
• Your sources of inspiration; maps, Pinterest boards, blog posts, playlists... whatever makes you happy 😁
• This blog post 😉

2. LABEL YOUR CARDS

Label your cards as follows:

1. Beginning
2. Inciting Incident
3. Second Thoughts
4. Act I Climax
5. Obstacle A
6. Obstacle B
7. Midpoint Twist
8. Obstacle C
9. Disaster
10. Crisis
11. Act II Climax
12. Act III Climax
13. Dénouement (Wrap-Up)
14. End

Note that, by the time you get around to writing what actually happens on your cards, you may need to re-number them.

3. BREW TEA

Trust me. You'll need it.*

*And no, this does not count as teatime.

4. IDENTIFY YOUR KEY EVENTS

Now that you're armed with warm tea and your fourteen cards, start identifying. You already have at least a slight idea of where your novel is going, right? Because it's totally okay to label your cards out-of-order! And it's totally okay to take a five-minute break to brew some more tea and come back, too. 😉

5. DON'T FORGET TO REFUEL

Refueling can be counted as a lunch break, as taking a walk, as grooming your cat... but try to avoid using the internet unless it counts as research / help outlining. You're in the zone, and we don't want you to fall out of it. 💜

6. DO A FINAL READ-THROUGH

Now that all your key scenes' roles are identified, do one last read-through. Everything makes sense, right? Though it may be hard, the flow and current make sense?

7. CELEBRATE, CHILL, AND GET SOME SLEEP

You're finished, you've revised, you're excited... now all you need to do is write that novel! So, this deserves celebration. Treat yourself to ice cream. Now that it's teatime, have some more tea! Re-watch Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban. Just chill, and get some sleep, too. 💕

Thank you so much for reading, my sweet Dragons! Just so you know, I'm totally rooting for you this NaNoWriMo. 😊

Since I totally missed posting this last weekend, I think I'll be back tomorrow with my October Highlights (better late than never, right?). I'm still trying to get the hang of reincorporating blogging into my it's-not-summer-anymore lifestyle. 😎

What's your #NaNo2017 project, Dragons? Any new blog posts of yours that you'd like to share with me?

❤,

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6 Steps for Luring Your Readers Into Emotional Investment

Hey-hey, Dragons! I promised a new post and now HERE IT IS. I actually managed to do it during the same week as the PSAT and a college info night, so BE PROUD OF MMEEEE. (JK, it's okay to not be proud... I'll just heap a load of dishonor onto you, your family, and your cow -- no biggie. 😜)

Today, we're talkin' emotional investment.

Have you ever cracked open a book to find the characters so dull and boring? Maybe cliché, too? Perhaps the writing's fantastic, -- maybe even the best you've ever read -- but you just don't care?

Now, have you ever opened a book to find that you do care? Like, a lot? Have you ever found yourself so obsessed with such a book that you daydream over it in class? At work? On the way to the grocery store? This is called emotional investment. And congratulations, my friend, because whether you want to be this invested or not... you are, now.

You can have a fantastic world. You can have a brilliant writing voice. But ultimately, what will draw your readers in the most is your characters.

1. GIVE YOUR CHARACTERS MOTIVATION

What does your character want? Why do they want it? Solid -- even changing -- motivations allow your readers to relate to the character. We're all on a quest for something; find our what your character's "something" is.

2. GIVE YOUR CHARACTERS MORALS
(YES, EVEN YOUR VILLAINS 😉)

Everyone has morals. True, they might not align with the traditional sense of right and wrong, but they make us human. Morals give us reason -- for our actions, our choices, our worldview.

Not only that, but morals provide a boundary, a line your character simply refuses to cross. So what happens when he does overstep his boundary?

3. GIVE YOUR CHARACTERS CONSEQUENCES

So your character oversteps his moral boundary, out of ambition to achieve his goal, which (ideally) would leave your character with the consequences of his actions, thus raising the stakes.

I once heard an interview on The Very Serious Writing Show with K.M. Weiland, author of Dreamlander, Behold the Dawn, and A Man Called Outlaw, along with several books on writing. In this interview, K.M. discussed how consequences are rarely dealt with in fiction, but how they provide such a massive impact on your plot, your characters, and your world.

In the very beginning of Downton Abbey (don't worry, folks, this is spoiler-free! 😉), Mary makes a huge mistake, which leads to direct consequences within the same episode... but throughout all six seasons, more consequences (yep, from that one mistake!) continue to haunt her.

4. MAKE YOUR CHARACTERS GRIEVE

Consequences lead to grief. Wanna raise the stakes a bit more? Then give your characters even more reasons to grieve. No, it doesn't need to be death or cancer or lost love, but those are certainly options you can go for! 🙂

If you're are going for death, cancer, or lost love (anything majorly weaving in other characters), be sure to take the same measures with these new characters as you are with your old ones. Give them motivations, give them morals, give them flaws. The more human your characters seem, the more beloved they'll become to your readers. 💜

5. GIVE YOUR CHARACTERS HUMOR

It can be the darkest tale in the world, but I still believe that there should be a little bit of laughter hidden within it. Humor gives your characters -- and your readers! -- a break from the sorrow, a break from the grief, a break from the consequences. Go ahead and give your characters all the grief in the world, but be sure to give them a little bit of humor, too. 😊

6. GIVE YOUR CHARACTERS HOPE

I'm a firm believer that hope should be in every story.* Hope gives your characters reason to go on, pushing, shoving, striving to reach their goal. And if your readers are enduring a difficult time in their lives, and they're living through your characters... then that hope might be just what they needed, too. 🌟

*Did you know that there's a whole community centered around the idea of hope in YA literature? It's called #rebelliouswriting, and you can check it out here.

Thank you so much for reading, my sweet Dragons! Is there anything you think I missed? Any ideas you'd like to contribute?

❤,

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How to Discover & Harness Your Writing Voice

So I totally missed last week's post AND I AM SO SORRY, MY DEAR DRAGONS. Unexpected company, a multiple-hour-long SAT practice test, attempts at Camp NaNoWriMo, and just life in general kind of laughed at me and poked me with a stick.*

*Rude, right?

So today we're going to be talking about writing voice.*

*Oopsies for missing that, last week! Again, I'm terribly sorry! 🙁

I have a confession to make: I don't like Jane Austen's books. Don't get me wrong; I love the era and the romance and the drama and all the pretty books and dresses and such. Having thrived upon BBC's Emma, Pride & Prejudice, and Death Comes to Pemberley -- as well as the 1990s Emma Thompson version of Sense & Sensibility -- for the past few years, I cracked open Emma last December, expecting all the fun and sweetness of the miniseries. In truth, I hated it. (*runs screaming and hides behind stack of Rick Riordan books* *dislodges Austenites' arrow from ribcage* *dies a slow, painful, miserable death*)

Thus, I set Emma aside and picked up Pride & Prejudice, a much preferred tale... I thought it was better than Emma, but I still slugged through it, hating every moment.*

*It was a class assignment to choose a pre-1900s, non-US novel, in case you're wondering why I kept reading. (*coughs and casually attempts to dodge another Austenite arrow*)

Though I enjoyed Austen's plots and characters, her writing style was not for me. The rich, witty writing was too fudge-like: it was good at first, but as time passed and I digested more of it, my senses rebelled.

~

Last summer, I won a copy of Ivy Rose's The Old River Road, and I started reading immediately. Ivy's beautiful writing style, adorable characters, and sweet plot line drew me in from the first page. By the end of the novel, it had earned both a place in my heart and a spot on my favorites' shelf.*

*Haven't read The Old River Road? GO READ IT NOW.  Here's the link to the kindle edition, and here's the link to the paperback. NOW GO BUY IT. YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOT TO.

Ivy and Austen's books became either favorites or non-favorites based solely on the author's voice. Your voice can drive your novel to be a win for your readers.*

*Of course, not every story is going to be for every reader, and a certain writing style may not just fit a certain type of reader. Like Jane Austen. Lots of people adore her novels, but her books just aren't my favs.

~

I first learned about writing voice early last year. My reaction was basically a weird screaming goat thing because whaaat? You have to worry about whether or not your writing = your voice ALONGSIDE your plot, characters, setting, and theme?

A few months later, in August 2016, I had a crazy dream, which soon transformed into an idea for a sci-fi novel/novella.* Upon awakening from this dream-with-no-apparent-source, a few first lines came to mind over the course of the day. Elated by the concept that, hey!, these sentences were actually decent, I proudly shared them with my parents. From all appearances, I'd unveiled a small window with a blurry view of my writing voice.

*This idea is now my problem-child, but that's beside the point.

Looking back on my first few lines, they weren't great (and will probably undergo a thousand-and-one eons of construction before I ever let them risk seeing the light of day, again). Since then, I've learned more about my voice, and I've found that -- thank God -- there's a lot more of your voice to be discovered than what first appears on the surface. Here are a few practices that have helped -- and continue to help -- me learn more about my writing voice:

1. READ THE BOOKS YOU WANT TO READ

You want to read the books you want to read with good reason. Go ahead. Read them. Take chances with the stories you're not as interested in, too. The more you read, the more you learn.

2. KEEP YOUR STORIES TO YOURSELF

(WHEN REASONABLE)

I'm not saying to never let people read your books. But during the first draft or two, it's extremely important to write with your door closed. I love my family and value their input, but I think being so eager to share my sci-fi story helped it to lose its stability and become one of my least favorite book-babies.

Waiting to share your story with the world (or even just a few friends, family members, or beta readers) allows the creativity to flow when you need it most. In other words...

3. WRITE WITH NO LIMITS

Don't think about how your story will be published and an international bestseller, someday. 😉

Write. Just write. (Easier said than done, though, am I right?) Let your creativity fly as free as Maleficent.*

*SPOILER for the 2014 movie (in white, in case you haven't seen it, yet 😉): Just don't let your true love steal it. 😐

4. STUDY AUTHORS WHOSE VOICES YOU LOVE

Got a favorite author? Ask them questions, if you can. Is there anything different they do that you can work into your routine?

If you can't ask them questions, don't be afraid to open your notebook and jot down a few paragraphs of their book. Feel their writing style -- how their sentences are structured, how they introduce the characters or the setting. For a few moments, let their story be yours. Just don't plagiarize. 😉

5. WRITE... A LOT

Got a few moments at the end of a busy day? Take that time to write. Like reading, the more you write, the more you learn.

~

I hope you found this post as helpful to read as I found to write it!

Do you have a particular way of learning more about your voice? Anything you'd care to share?

❤,

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