Well, that's over. Time really flies by fast (don't we hear this said every month during the recaps?). I don't exactly know why I decided to do a recap - I didn't want to at first, because everyone does them but I think recaps are very helpful. Let's see what I've got.
What have I been able to read this month? I haven't actually kept track of it, so it will be a surprise to me too.
Read
Storm Siren by Mary Weber. 4/5 stars. It was a good book. I have no complaints. It just reminded me of so many other things I've read.
Like a River Glorious by Rae Carson. 4.5/5 stars. Sequel to Walk on Earth a Stranger this was just as good and I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes historical fantasy!
The Death Cure by James Dashner. 4.5/5 stars. I did a review of this trilogy last week. And this book just broke me into a thousand pieces.
Roseblood by A. G. Howard. 3/5. Nothing bad with this, I just found it... boring? I was looking for epicness and creepiness, but instead it was just romantic and moody. Huh.
Currently reading
Siren's Fury by Mary Weber. This is the sequel to Storm Siren and the middle is dragging, but the villain is remarkable :D
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. This is so. much. fun. I'm a Tolkien fan who has only read LotR and so I'm *busily* (#not) fixing that.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. I might be in love, idk? Here are some quotes that should make you understand:
Also, I got a review copy of A Question of Honor by Jesseca Wheaton, and I must get into it soon. I'm also waiting for Jonas and Olivia which Victoria Minks agreed to send me :D Soooo... in conclusion not a very good reading month but I blame NaNo.
And how's the writing going you ask me? I've done fairly well, and yet not quite as much as I'd hoped. I've done about 21,192 words collectively. But my goal was 50 k. In all honesty, I didn't make my goal because I procrastinated too much (don't we all). One lesson I learned is this - later never comes.
On to my numerous works in progress:
Broccoli Queen
My main project here is now at maybe 15k? I have no idea. It's so hard because all the other things were coming and distracting me. Still I'm quite happy with my progress, even though I am having trouble with my plot (i.e. telling myself it's too cliche).
The basic idea of this story, in case you don't know, is four girls contending to be the queen's heir.
You Are My Nemesis
That's the working title and all thanks to Jem Jones for the idea! Basically it's about two supers who are rooming at the same boarding house and become best friends in ordinary life - but what they don't know is that they are arch-enemies in their superhero/supervillain life!
Nine Lives Plus One
(or something of the sort)
I don't really want to give too much away about my wips yet because they are so raw and so new and this one was kind of a random burst of inspiration and the idea is: a seventeen year old boy must find out why someone is trying to kill him and why he won't die.
Short Story // The Top of the World
(or Falling from the Top)
Also inspired by Jem, this is the story's prompt -
--{Assassin vs. assassin [prob. dystopian?]}--
"I'm the world's second best assassin and you're the world's best assassin and my new target and I have a professional reputation to maintain but you're really cute."
Short Short // The Sun is Still There
This I sent over to Anna for her contest, and we'll see what happens with that one - just be patient!
Short Short // Just a Flash of Inspiration
This one might come your way sooner or later. It's kinda based off an experience I had - how I saw a guy at the bus stop from the car window and how he was still in my mind 45 minutes later and I was trying to work him into a story. Will he ever know that? Nope.
I don't really know why I am doing this one but I just am because why not.
- Abi's published her novella Andora's Folly which is fantastic and I highly recommend you pop over to her place and follow the blog tour which is going on NOW. Also read my review of it here.
- Livy Jarmusch published her book The Coronation. I think it's the first of a trilogy. I don't know when I will have the chance to read it but it sounds really cool and you should check it out (just click the links).
- K. A. Emmons is publishing her sci-fi/fantasy thriller novel, The Blood Race! I want to read it sooo bad, but it's gonna have to sit on my tbr for a little while yet *sigh*. Still, you go have a look right now!
- It's been said that The Rebellious Writers are starting a website - and that will be opened on August 9 - I am so stoked for this! And you all should go stalk them to find out more!
- Aimee is announcing her new site and blog tomorrow and I. cannot. wait. And is there anyone here who listens to the Bright Eyes podcast? I must run around to it soon. It sounds really cool.
- The amazing Silmarillion Awards took place and it was really a lot of fun! You ought to go check out the winners if you have the time. I am too lazy to go linking you to all the posts so just go here to Tracey Dyck's blog and you'll find the links at the end of the post :P
- And then there's Exiles coming out and I've been contemplating taking a full Internet hiatus until the hype dies down because I CANNOT STAND HEARING ANYMORE ABOUT THE AWESOMENESS OF THIS SERIES. I've staring at them on my tbr longingly ever since I first heard about them *cue sobbing*
Someone help.
I'm not going to give you a life update because there's nothing to say about my life. However-
- I've discovered Imagine Dragons and I've been going over and over their songs Bet My Life on You and Walking the Wire and I'm getting story inspirations. I always do from music.
Here's a list of post ideas and inspirations that I must do someday and feel free to steal ideas. How many ideas do you go through in a month? I go through few new ideas for writing every week. How many come to fruition is another matter all together.
- Liv wrote a post about 51 books she is ecstatic to read and I must do one also so that you can listen to me scream about my bookworm problems of not being able to buy them all. What do you say?
- Katie Grace and Jane did the #wipjoy tag and I must do it too sometime to introduce you all to my novel in more detail! And you should really think about doing it as well.
- I thought I should torture myself by doing posts about my top five favorite things in the book world - like characters, or ships, or covers, or titles, or something, but it could be very painful and problematic so we shall see...
Finally I redesigned this blog and what do you think? I'm also trying to sort our my fonts and post titles and pictures and color schemes, and just want to say thanks to Katie Grace for giving me a little bit of help finding template sites!
That's July at a glance!
Now you tell me what happened to you! Or if you are doing a recap post tell me about that and I'll come and read it and comment!
xx lisa
Very nice! My recap comes out tomorrow. I wasn't going to do one, for the same reasons you had, but they seemed like fun and I kind of wanted to start it up. But, I'm still trying to make it as unique as possible.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a fun month. I look forward to more of you posts. <3
iviewrites.blogspot.com
Oh okay, will be stalking you for the recap xD I know, I was like, "hmm everyone is doing this I don't want to do this just because of that", but then I tried it out for myself in personal life and wow it was nice! So I decided to go ahead. I should have put more pictures in *makes mental note to do so next time*
DeleteYes it was fun and hot and tiring but it was terrific :D Thanks <3
I think you had a great amount of pictures. I was trying to add more graphics to mine earlier and it was giving me a hard time. I guess after a certain amount, blogger wants to be picky. :D
DeleteWell that's good. Sometimes you are your own worst critique :D Ouch I know it can be tricky.
Delete"Sometimes you are your own worst critique." YES! I agree with this. The things I put myself through to get something perfect is awful. My perfectionism is a blessing and a curse.
DeleteHaha, it is true!! August 9 is the big day, we writers are busy behind the scenes in order to get this thing ready.
ReplyDeleteNice recap post, Lisa! Sounds like you've been busy in your corner of the world. Now that Camp is over, hope things slow down a bit for all of us.
Catherine
catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com
I'm so excited for the big day!!! I was thinking about putting a countdown on my blog to show my support.
Deleteiviewrites.blogspot.com
YES I'm super excited to see what you've come up with! *fist pumps*
DeleteThanks and yes let's hope the craziness dies down a little (I kind of doubt it thought because we have big August plans and full schedule :D)
*goes to check if I've followed Catherine yet*
@Ivie, you should (if you have time)! It would be very nice!
DeleteI tried to do one, but it didn't work. I'm going to try another one. We'll see if it works. *crosses fingers*
DeleteThis is so nice Lisa! I loved hearing about you and what has been going on :) Thanks for all the shares, you fit so much into one post XD <3
ReplyDeleteI hope you have an amazing August and stick around for that story ;) <3
Anna | www.worldthroughherheart.blogspot.com
Aww THANK YOU SO MUCH ANNA <3 <3 <3 Well, I tried ;) Personally I love reading others recaps xD
DeleteYes I'm totally stalking you ;D xD
Sounds like you had a busy but good month! :) I enjoyed hearing about your WIPs; best of luck with them! XD
ReplyDeleteThat's good Melissa! Thanks - I need it xD Lots of luck to you too *cheers you on with your writing*
DeleteJames Dashner wrote well with The Maze Runner trilogy! If you need another trilogy to fill the gap, may I suggest reading The Reckoners by Brandon Sanderson? It's basically a book about evil people granted superpowers and a group of vigilantes trying to take down Steelheart, the ruler of a post-apocalyptic Chicago. xD
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for you to see the Rebellious Writing site, Lisa!
xoxo Abigail Lennah | ups & downs
Yes I agree! I have the Reckoners on my tbr - thanks for giving me the basic idea (because I don't remember what it's about at all :P). I'll be reading it as soon as my tbr/time allows me! I actually had Steelheart borrowed once, but I had to return it before I had a chance to get into it :(
DeleteYes I'm really stoked for it!
Your new blog design is beautiful! I listen to the bright eyes podcast, it's really good.
ReplyDeleteThank you Skye! I'm glad you like it! I must continue with Bright Eyes - I listened to the beginning and it sounded terrific. I confess I really didn't know anything about podcasts until now but I think I'm going to like them :D
DeleteSounds like a good month! Camp went well for you, I see. ;)
ReplyDeleteHey - welcome to my place :D Sure was a good month and camp (which was my first Nano of ever) WAS splendid!
DeleteThanks for hopping over :D
I haven't read the Hobbit yet either! But I DO need to fix that soon. :)
ReplyDelete(ALSO BRIGHT EYES PODCAST AND THE BLOOD RACE AND ANDORAS FOLLY *heart eyes*)
and wow that is a lot of books you're working on! I enjoyed hearing about them. ;)
Hey we're in it together xD
DeleteOh yeah I knew you were 'in' on all of those xD It's tterrific isn't it to enjoy the accomplishments and wonderful work of your fellow writers!?
Well thanks I know it's quite a bit :D
So you did a wrap up post to? I tried my first wrap up post today as well! Wow you have a lot of WIP's going on! They sure do sound cool! So would you call it a productive month? I would call it a productive month.
ReplyDeleteYes this was my first wrap-up post too! I saw yours this morning actually and I was going to comment and sign up for your newsletter and all that but I was on my phone and typing is problematic :P Will run around to it in a moment! xD And yeah, I am always multi-tasking on my writings. Thanks :D Definitely a productive month for me! *runs to your blog*
DeleteSounds like a great, super busy month! And good for you for writing down all those short stories - sometimes getting distracted from NaNo with other stories works out perfectly :)
ReplyDeleteHey Maddy, thanks! You are right! Short stories are kinda 'my thing' :D And they sure helped me write all those words! Thanks for dropping by :)
Delete