tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46912508258337298372024-03-05T03:36:32.443-08:00Writer Emily MundellINFJ, chronic dreamer/overachiever with an urge to create through writing and art. Lover of horses, stories, oceans, cozy rooms, used books, little adventures, fantasy, and mountains.Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-89822760557696478582022-09-16T09:01:00.001-07:002022-09-16T09:01:16.067-07:00Sign-Up to Beta Read My First Sequel - THE SORCERESS AND THE SOLDIER<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Well! Long time no blog, an unfortunate fact that is unlikely to change. Sadly, this platform has taken a backseat to others for getting myself and my books out there, but that doesn't mean I won't be occasionally popping back on, especially for announcements like this one!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18sEbKd9phSrNWBxUFeAt4_gpBm6wzhvZZ-kbL6w0Gv9fcaHCwrLk5NLOPWRhk5rBiWthjuQYK7hY1kKHutshW5hh6CdDmjLhMGvJ-t4l9ObZcPfgGKxOrW1JsTD2nIL0ODInwEPpbmaUgoxIOQGk5w_n1redyKaaJXT8c2qHmxLUk092Sj1cLsDv/s2000/The%20Sorceress%20and%20the%20Soldier.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18sEbKd9phSrNWBxUFeAt4_gpBm6wzhvZZ-kbL6w0Gv9fcaHCwrLk5NLOPWRhk5rBiWthjuQYK7hY1kKHutshW5hh6CdDmjLhMGvJ-t4l9ObZcPfgGKxOrW1JsTD2nIL0ODInwEPpbmaUgoxIOQGk5w_n1redyKaaJXT8c2qHmxLUk092Sj1cLsDv/w640-h512/The%20Sorceress%20and%20the%20Soldier.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Today is a very exciting day, as I'm finally, finally ready to accept some beta-readers for <i>The Sorceress and the Solider</i>! This is the sequel to my debut, <i>The Sorceress and the Squid</i>, and it has been a HOT MINUTE since the lovely beta readers on that project joined me. I'm really looking forward to sharing this universe with you guys once more, and watching you guys experience new adventures with our favorite sorceress and soldier pair! </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I have the sign-up form linked down below, and I would love it if you could join me! All the details will be at the link, with a synopsis, a timeline for the project, and a questionnaire for those interested. I will be ready to send the book out early next week, so sign up quickly!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> If you want to keep up with me more regularly, check out my bookstagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/writeremilymundell/" target="_blank">@writeremilymundell</a></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJMlaQ91gkmUIl5ff51BNwztYLGzW4iJgQsQDHxysXBdO3DQ/viewform?usp=sf_link" target="_blank">THE SORCERESS AND THE SOLDIER BETA READER SIGN UP</a></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/04/camp-nano-surprising-sequel-exciting.html" target="_blank">Camp NaNo: A Surprising Sequel + Exciting Announcement</a></span></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK.</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>Did you have a good summer? Have you been on the blogosphere much? And are you hoping to beta read with me on this project? :D Let me know in the comments below!</i></span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-33979233174767670972022-05-02T08:53:00.002-07:002022-05-02T08:53:22.127-07:00What I Wrote for #CampNaNo2022<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I have not been on the blogosphere much in 2022, and that is probably not going to change unfortunately. My life has been absolutely nuts the past couple years and my writing platform has suffered. However, if you want to see a bit more regular writing/book content from me, you can follow my writing account on instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/writeremilymundell/" target="_blank">@writeremilymundell</a> and I will keep to more regular posting there. On here, I am probably going to just post about projects as they come up, and publishing things, with the occasional life post to keep updated. I have so much going on these days that something needs to take a backseat and blogging has already been doing that anyways. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> With that being said, I thought I'd share about my #CampNaNo project with you all! I was pretty excited for it at the beginning of the month and though I did not finish and became incredibly swamped (as I usually do in April), I have a direction for another manuscript and a several thousand words written so I'm happy with that. The rest of spring will be dedicated to rewrites (check out the end of the post for an announcement there).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aux9F-1KEYMNEos8lOgoFCZh3g3w4caHsFuzTqU4L_A3FMn9Y1-QkVoyU0G3sM6aHlFSGud4iHePwAi1ginVAyP_7tAMwrvggKKhq27_d1YB3FM_TtXl4AVGWmXAL_QiD7sRC_rlMxkJDkGUeW0nyivfX5qMs75k_rQpdoV6UYg-O51WGRlnsUpi/s2000/calvary2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aux9F-1KEYMNEos8lOgoFCZh3g3w4caHsFuzTqU4L_A3FMn9Y1-QkVoyU0G3sM6aHlFSGud4iHePwAi1ginVAyP_7tAMwrvggKKhq27_d1YB3FM_TtXl4AVGWmXAL_QiD7sRC_rlMxkJDkGUeW0nyivfX5qMs75k_rQpdoV6UYg-O51WGRlnsUpi/w640-h512/calvary2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">CALVARY</span></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">New Adult sci fi // "Faithless" sequel</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>"Do you remember the moment? The moment you knew the world was cruel?"</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Segen Karemi is a seventeen year old freedom fighter, a young woman of a generation destroyed by mass genocide. Her brother was killed by the enemy when she was very young, along with every other male of her people. Over a decade since the horrific destruction of her tribe, Segen has joined the rebel army in hopes of overthrowing the oppressive Katarian regime that seeks to destroy their country and people. Segen and her friend Medya come across a man on a routine surveillance mission, the first man they’ve ever known outside of enemy forces, Damien Sparr, a member of the Zephyr Resistance and a Katarian. The two young women must come to terms with their nation’s history of violence in order to spare Damien’s life and stop a decades-old war. </i></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Similar to November's NaNo, I picked this story from my plot bunnies with just a couple weeks to go before NaNo, and because I was busy writing "The Revenge" in March, I didn't do like, any outlining, lol. So that's been fun, kinda nice just seeing what comes out of my brain in the moment.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>What inspired Calvary?</i></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> A few years ago (quite a few actually lol) I was inspired to write a story about women soldiers in a desert-type setting, because of the Kurdish Women Freedom Fighters, who were common in the news at that time. I thought it was amazing and badass of them to be fighting ISIS in a part of the world that the rights of women are still so contested, and I wanted to honor that in story. I also combined this idea with the story of the Israelite infanticide in the book of Exodus, where Pharaoh demanded the killing of all the newborn baby boys. I thought that this paired really well with the idea of women warriors fighting for their country, being the only ones left to defend it after the men and boys of their nation are wiped out by genocide.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Additionally, I got the idea to bring this into the Faithless universe by linking Damien to the story of these two girl soldiers, Segen and Medya, thus giving us a better glimpse into Damien's world, as well as the world beyond Katar and Saagar's experience. I've been pretty excited to delve back into this universe and to discover more about this world.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>Who is/are the MC('s)?</i></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> The POV MC is Segen Karemi, a seventeen year old girl from the decimated nation of Zaretha. She is the daughter of General Sarya Karemi, who leads the remaining women and girls of the nation in the defense and planned revenge of Zaretha. Segen suffers from extreme guilt for the death of her little brother, Kessar, and lives under her mother's disapproval, longing to make up for what she can never forget. She is reserved, sad, and impulsive, committed to helping her people and restoring them to something better, as well as doing the right thing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Other MC's are her best friend and companion, Medya, a slightly older girl, orphaned in the Slaughter. Medya is beautiful, practical, and an excellent shot, but of the two girls, she is less keen on breaking the rules for the good of their people. Third is Damien Sparr, who we already know from <i>Faithless. </i>He is a Katarian rebel soldier, the instigator of the civil war in Katar, who finds himself lost in Zarethan territory, and ends up traveling with both Segen and Medya into Tronus, the capital of Tokar.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>What is the target audience for this story?</i></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Like it's predecessor, I'm aiming for new adult with this one, it might be a little lighter than Faithless content-wise, since it's focusing on some younger characters, but it's still set in a brutal world, full of brutal people.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>What is the opening sentence?</i></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>"When Segen looks at the bloody knife in her hand, she thinks of him."</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I'm lowkey proud of this sentence though I literally just opened the new document and BOOM - this came out. The whole opener I quite enjoyed. This book has been so funny cause it's the literal definition of "trust the process." I've had no idea what I'm doing at any point.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>What do I think of the characters and who is my favorite to write about?</i></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I mean, I still love writing about Damien. I don't know why, something about him as a character has always intrigued me, so I'm really glad to learn more about him through this book. I'm also really enjoying getting to know Segen, and by extension, her mother. They have been a really interesting pair. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> So far, I think they're all turning out to be fairly interesting people? It'll be cool to see where it goes from here, cause like I said, I have no idea. </span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>What are my plans with this story?</i></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Eventually I'd love to publish this one, but finishing it first would be ideal, lol.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>What was my NaNo writing process? And did I win?</i></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> My writing process was a HOT MESS. I did not have an outline, just an idea, and every new chapter has absolutely surprised me. I don't know what's coming around the corner, I'm writing this essentially like I'm reading it for the first time, and I love/hate that.<br /><br /> And no, I did not win, but that's not a surprise for me this time of year. It was still fun to explore the story and I passed the halfway mark, so there's that!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/12/what-i-wrote-for-nanowrimo-2021.html" target="_blank">What I wrote for #NaNoWriMo 2021</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/12/nanowrimo2020-what-i-wrote-and-how-it.html" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo2020 - What I Wrote And How It Went</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/04/camp-nano-surprising-sequel-exciting.html" target="_blank">Camp NaNo: A Surprising Sequel + Exciting Announcement!</a></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> As per my announcement at the beginning of this post, my rewrite news is that I'm dedicating May and June to diving into the rewrites/edits of <i>The Sorceress and the Soldier</i>, my sequel novel to <i>The Sorceress and the Squid</i>! I'm pretty excited to get back into this after writing it for last year's CampNaNo, and I'll be sure to keep y'all updated on the process!</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK.</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>Did you do #campnano this year? Or are you working on any writing projects this spring? What do you think of more books set in the Faithless universe? Let me know in the comments below!</i></span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-12351131239625727622022-02-14T09:58:00.000-08:002022-02-14T09:58:02.756-08:00How to Set BALANCED Goals in 2022<span style="font-family: helvetica;"> We may already be a whole month into 2022, but that doesn't stop me from thinking about my yearly goals! I tried something a little different this year, dividing my life into 4 different tenets and setting goals from there. Today I thought I'd walk you through this process, so if you have yet to set your new year goals, or you're curious to know what this new method might be, dive in with me below!</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWAVsjINy0I9qWeQ42kqvfO04kCPeDfrpC_WElZ2_YCxTbUhXx05FPRo2appUagD0W0Xj7H25QhdCZtg4p-8aj3PGfI0RPQEs0lgpMgm34yj12fVc0CHOYFIGPasBM4gCMJluNlUALqM1x_zppwV1ImMiJ37PrqBWpTFsK5jCIm-ofHuwp4E9vPow4=s810" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWAVsjINy0I9qWeQ42kqvfO04kCPeDfrpC_WElZ2_YCxTbUhXx05FPRo2appUagD0W0Xj7H25QhdCZtg4p-8aj3PGfI0RPQEs0lgpMgm34yj12fVc0CHOYFIGPasBM4gCMJluNlUALqM1x_zppwV1ImMiJ37PrqBWpTFsK5jCIm-ofHuwp4E9vPow4=w640-h356" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">WHAT ARE THE 4 TENETS?</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> For all intents and purposes, I have compartmentalized my life into these 4 tenets or sub-categories. Overall, the four categories encompass all the different areas of my life, and though you may need to tweak them as you see fit for yourself, generally speaking, they are pretty all-around. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> So, the four tenets I chose are as follows:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <b>GROWTH </b>(things I want to do to develop as a person, mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <b>WORK </b>(things I want to do to advance my career(s), make money, and have opportunities)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <b>PLEASURE </b>(things I want to do just for the fun of it, things that bring me joy)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <b>OTHERS </b>(things that bring me closer to people, and things I can do for those in my life and community)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE TENETS</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Having 4 wings is all about <b>BALANCE. </b>Helping me to recognize areas that need re-balancing is one of the most useful parts of this system. Each month I can dip into my goals and see which area I'm lacking in, and *hopefully* do something to set it straight. Especially at the beginning of the year, mapping out my goals this way really showed me where I was putting the most weight in my life, and what needed some extra propping up. If I am able to utilize this pro of the system, I think it will really help me manage the craziness a little better, and hopefully stave the burnout that hovers on the edge of my adulthood, hahahahaha. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> The compartmentalizing is also super helpful in how it keeps everything organized and straightforward. It makes goal-setting a lot easier when I have a picture of each area of my life.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">SO, WHERE TO START?</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I sat down with my planner, some of my leftover to-do lists from 2021, and a big ol' whiteboard. From there, I sketched out the quadrant of tenets and began to list different things under them, like so...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhybMoj8l7rbSzCxDyUSkED574xAgxfnPeBR6IOZ4JRoxZaDYgENi3N9fhM01SOk6DgeZTNyRQU9VTM7mj8PakFAWZs1jypmLcmOHzvABNGCFF4a0el7G7Mq6dtqN7loXRL0nYoeSKOWdaWd_XP25WiADE2qab9ae-35M8J3e3JpOpUK4wSYjcvrKfg=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhybMoj8l7rbSzCxDyUSkED574xAgxfnPeBR6IOZ4JRoxZaDYgENi3N9fhM01SOk6DgeZTNyRQU9VTM7mj8PakFAWZs1jypmLcmOHzvABNGCFF4a0el7G7Mq6dtqN7loXRL0nYoeSKOWdaWd_XP25WiADE2qab9ae-35M8J3e3JpOpUK4wSYjcvrKfg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> From there, once I had each section filled out with general things I wanted to work on, I got out my notebook, and went a little deeper, breaking down those general ideas into smaller, more actionable steps I could take, things that you could check off and accomplish throughout the coming months of 2022.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYeFYWy-CfQ6Q_gw-4T27jrdHbVZ4hOjp997tseZHN75An3I01PPUJ9MvGCo7730EH1hzY_Q4hJNcBkesxnhBPJ9BnQJNebvyfmmDWpcHilPJ-y8NUV6UIW5PfwR3s4nfI5v16qd9kK9QMz54QA2wYpDKu4ZW7lEZC8NrEYSOKJplm1W0NF4TTfivD=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYeFYWy-CfQ6Q_gw-4T27jrdHbVZ4hOjp997tseZHN75An3I01PPUJ9MvGCo7730EH1hzY_Q4hJNcBkesxnhBPJ9BnQJNebvyfmmDWpcHilPJ-y8NUV6UIW5PfwR3s4nfI5v16qd9kK9QMz54QA2wYpDKu4ZW7lEZC8NrEYSOKJplm1W0NF4TTfivD=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> And voila! Just like that - goals for 2022! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/01/plan-your-new-year-like-boss.html" target="_blank">Plan Your New Year Like a Boss</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2019/04/time-management-tips-for-hopeless.html" target="_blank">Time Management Tips for the Hopeless</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/01/how-i-plan-my-writing-year.html" target="_blank">How I Plan My Writing Year</a></span></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>LET'S TALK.</b></span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>I know it's already February, but if you try out this method, let me know how it goes for you! You could even do it in a monthly goals format if you chose! What is your goal-setting method? And how are your 2022 goals coming so far? Let me know in the comments below!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-72395052291702668642022-01-05T12:31:00.001-08:002022-01-05T12:31:40.603-08:002021 Quarterly Update #3<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> A bit late, but here we are with a recap of the final quarter of 2021. Definitely not too sad to be putting this year behind me, and thankfully December was a good, hard rest and reset in a lot of ways - but I'm getting ahead of myself...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1eooXyUDtZAVPIkWoakXz6fLT1SsANl8TearawCgRkMpdYlAb5fcVOX7bJk7-Kp9s93OeHCsWqoP1o5c35Eejo3V_G3DSJdB7LJ5tckGzF3XR8tb7ZF95_A3LK0K9TvQlznKxYK9SGi-kIm6sgz-c-vjV5f20mtc_r4YCOt0ehCPU7kPNNRmMx64x=s810" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1eooXyUDtZAVPIkWoakXz6fLT1SsANl8TearawCgRkMpdYlAb5fcVOX7bJk7-Kp9s93OeHCsWqoP1o5c35Eejo3V_G3DSJdB7LJ5tckGzF3XR8tb7ZF95_A3LK0K9TvQlznKxYK9SGi-kIm6sgz-c-vjV5f20mtc_r4YCOt0ehCPU7kPNNRmMx64x=w640-h356" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">WRITING</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> My fall writing may not have been quite as hectic and productive as spring, but I did manage to win #NaNoWriMo by reaching 50,000 words with my YA sci-fi novel, <i>Quarter Past Midnight</i>! That was pretty exciting and a really enjoyable NaNo month (unlike last year *cries*). I also finished writing <i>The Promise</i>, which is the third book in my medieval fantasy series, <i>The War of the Three Crowns</i>, and now that the New Year is fully upon me, I'll be working on drafting and then beginning book four, <i>The Revenge</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Other than that, I took time off of all my projects in December after wrapping up NaNo, as per usual, and enjoyed some time off to reflect, reset, and prep for 2022!</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">MEDIA</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I finished my reading challenge this year at 32/25 books, ending 2021 with <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> (highly recommend). I read a lot of great stuff this year, and I got a TON of new books for Christmas, so I'll have even more to read in the New Year as well. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> We watched s2 of <i>The Witcher</i>, saw <i>Hawkeye</i>, and began the millionth rewatch of LotR during the holiday season. Still haven't seen <i>Spiderman </i>to my great dismay, but I've seen just about every spoiler there could be, so I guess that's almost as good *eye roll*</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LIFE</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Fall was fairly crazy but thankfully December slowed RIGHT down, which was much needed after the wild year I endured. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>WORK.</b> I worked A LOT in the fall. I had camp horses to attend to, fields to farm, horses to work with and sell, photo shoots, and more and more. Much of it was good, and I enjoyed being outside to soak up the beautiful fall we had, but it was definitely exhausting, and I'm feeling more than a little burned out after the whole of 2021. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4HEmcxEQ3YtoG61ugtPDYIHHZsImlPEF0VXSik0NlhsdeJkXSiDObRPEpl22qOen5NK8_hgK2AP2fBF2LhBvA3y740ha8bPetIUPJ7YmscLzQn7Us8izPOJiLwzKfurDk13UpHP276Mj-TPehiUhXnMgA6ZdnuTYc_73i2CTXKTKxPFFTRkh3e8zb=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4HEmcxEQ3YtoG61ugtPDYIHHZsImlPEF0VXSik0NlhsdeJkXSiDObRPEpl22qOen5NK8_hgK2AP2fBF2LhBvA3y740ha8bPetIUPJ7YmscLzQn7Us8izPOJiLwzKfurDk13UpHP276Mj-TPehiUhXnMgA6ZdnuTYc_73i2CTXKTKxPFFTRkh3e8zb=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tractor video calls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>HIKING</b>. We got out on two real hikes, one rainy and one snowy, and I went exploring out west another time with SIL and friend. All beautiful days and great memory making!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTA7T5dJgnowuKqn0omqxJf1ylKavwwadYWUJqdt8YA84Os_owrPxRgmX-FhVXbwxNA4js_Htu8qacnkQ4FKQ2u5cKJX74LnR8wurLrbwifl9reoG9GqWGQxyxb8XDto2hRi5m6UEab8m2iz-A4L9N3QDjtrE3klOkMYjn6IPnM4R1DLP2em3Rw1Ac=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTA7T5dJgnowuKqn0omqxJf1ylKavwwadYWUJqdt8YA84Os_owrPxRgmX-FhVXbwxNA4js_Htu8qacnkQ4FKQ2u5cKJX74LnR8wurLrbwifl9reoG9GqWGQxyxb8XDto2hRi5m6UEab8m2iz-A4L9N3QDjtrE3klOkMYjn6IPnM4R1DLP2em3Rw1Ac=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>PHOTOSHOOTS.</b> I did quite a few fall shoots, lots of family photos (including ours), a grad session, and a special shoot for a friend and her horse in the weeks before he was to be humanely euthanized. Special sessions all around, and I'm kind of proud of how my photography is growing and improving. I didn't get as many chances for fun, personal pleasure shoots this year, but definitely lots of client ones, which was awesome!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHrt-uHVhM1ALonfb2isdxZlRcJVfNf-JU8zY8MtuypDDY-7HUVqRhUy42liaVSnORxe2PRdQeZaap6-SkbJblUFa0qAvhO5vPObReVCpz10POGC2BuI3KsNCu9RQCdynZR_LG4wzyQOONpuIDQYzqVbN5XqYBHaHSte81dyARwq8jqeY2B19svRaU=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHrt-uHVhM1ALonfb2isdxZlRcJVfNf-JU8zY8MtuypDDY-7HUVqRhUy42liaVSnORxe2PRdQeZaap6-SkbJblUFa0qAvhO5vPObReVCpz10POGC2BuI3KsNCu9RQCdynZR_LG4wzyQOONpuIDQYzqVbN5XqYBHaHSte81dyARwq8jqeY2B19svRaU=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>CHRISTMAS.</b> The Christmas season was so, so welcome this year, and I was so happy to get to put stuff on pause and slow down for a few weeks. It has been bitterly cold since mid-December here as well (anywhere between -25 to -50 with windchill) so I've been on a bit of a forced vacation from work as well. Spending time with family was really nice, as well as getting to read and paint a TON. I am always so thankful for Christmas.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCLjj8xJmDyferzwO-CUQkPQP-0psJv9DG2yPnEMOF0PSS4TSJHkzqZner2DworczCRK30KlOqMa4bDNXACWp8LtuKqU59u_eoJq0AoNrXkm8JXjNfdHciBxDMcgC8oUf3d19zorgegZfUCCPlre1XBCWPhd5Ay8dux--wujdB0nO8T170BTM6mE4D=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCLjj8xJmDyferzwO-CUQkPQP-0psJv9DG2yPnEMOF0PSS4TSJHkzqZner2DworczCRK30KlOqMa4bDNXACWp8LtuKqU59u_eoJq0AoNrXkm8JXjNfdHciBxDMcgC8oUf3d19zorgegZfUCCPlre1XBCWPhd5Ay8dux--wujdB0nO8T170BTM6mE4D=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/05/2021-quarterly-update-1.html" target="_blank">Quarterly Update #1</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/09/2021-quarterly-update-2.html" target="_blank">Quarterly Update #2</a></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK.</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>How was the last bit of 2021 for you? And how was your holiday? Were you able to get relaxed and refreshed for a New Year? Let me know in the comments below!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-20799119189784537822021-12-29T17:51:00.006-08:002021-12-29T17:51:55.369-08:00My Favorite Books of 2021 (and some old favorites)<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;"> As we wrap up another year in the book world, I can't neglect to reflect on this year's Goodreads Reading Challenge, and particularly on the books that I really really loved from 2021.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I had a pretty good reading year this year (one of the only areas of good, lol) as opposed to 2020 and 2019 respectively, surpassing my challenge of 25 with 30 - which I'm super proud of. I only hope I can keep up this momentum into the 2022!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> So, if you're on the hunt for some new books for your 2022 TBR, take a look below to see if any of my favorite reads this year grab your fancy!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">(click on the links below to learn more about each individual book!)</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAnIr-9BOX2ijMsF0In_O1knW0Z4hi3kZhS8FgNOAm9y_YMwiu3V1t4Q_cz-etpQs5-eXKfdABIjmyHym8kzYGKAvS0hRt2ddRppf92RbIctk2pSaRzE9VGeDuAOJABAbVelhAWNhGRKkkv9hf4TJdH1lGvvd7j3bL5V-e3Yw4UEY8Vm7OrjbfZOTB=s473" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAnIr-9BOX2ijMsF0In_O1knW0Z4hi3kZhS8FgNOAm9y_YMwiu3V1t4Q_cz-etpQs5-eXKfdABIjmyHym8kzYGKAvS0hRt2ddRppf92RbIctk2pSaRzE9VGeDuAOJABAbVelhAWNhGRKkkv9hf4TJdH1lGvvd7j3bL5V-e3Yw4UEY8Vm7OrjbfZOTB=s320" width="215" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23437156-six-of-crows" target="_blank">SIX OF CROWS and CROOKED KINGDOM by Leigh Bardugo</a></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I am definitely late to the hype train on these, but they were certainly worth it! I was absolutely pulled into the world of Ketterdam, of Kaz and Inej and their crew, they quickly became those "can't put down" type books. I loved the fantasy teen gang and the fantasy heist aspect, also that these stories and Bardugo's other installments are set in a fantasy world inspired by Imperial Russia, very unique and highly enjoyable! I've been recommending these ones most highly from this year. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjE56SznAWOMN3Ni0Piah8p0zehkhjgv2k9q2lxHQmnS0yCxRdnAmxJeQSsDGzpx5OZa-HbluWCAVoZqePSa1gyCt747vSopxCVUPR0FTEza_hldAGhM-YXoe-wCjZhiXSEfAhkvZr1f1HMuVCtv_rUv8FFSCcjhoZgg7wLwYNWB_mQm8PaWb3dPSVH=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjE56SznAWOMN3Ni0Piah8p0zehkhjgv2k9q2lxHQmnS0yCxRdnAmxJeQSsDGzpx5OZa-HbluWCAVoZqePSa1gyCt747vSopxCVUPR0FTEza_hldAGhM-YXoe-wCjZhiXSEfAhkvZr1f1HMuVCtv_rUv8FFSCcjhoZgg7wLwYNWB_mQm8PaWb3dPSVH=s320" width="214" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26032825-the-cruel-prince" target="_blank">THE FOLK OF THE AIR trilogy by Holly Black</a></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I absolutely devoured these books right away at the start of the year (in the dead winter months when reading time is the finest). I have never super been into the enemies-to-lovers trope until these books, and I was hooked into the trilogy from reading <b>HOW THE KING OF ELFHAME LEARNED TO HATE STORIES</b> first, a shorter story from the other MC's perspective. I loved, loved, LOVED Cardan and Jude, and even though I'm really not big into urban fantasy (like at all) I quite enjoyed the world Holly Black created as well. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjU2a6pnqQELs1xE6U0IPHLxo3taUOXLPGNfs8OVRWT_1aI0E2sYZfleYhaTXwrPd0YThQ_6sH07tDwlP-CFwaIvIKatoDJ7SGiLJxnCJmhvXmmiG_KHwV4kbaKculUHsofU14fAyGty6k58qLp9-gC23skJP-RLCflLxFoPohbjxWVwZIyhDxXRdwf=s457" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjU2a6pnqQELs1xE6U0IPHLxo3taUOXLPGNfs8OVRWT_1aI0E2sYZfleYhaTXwrPd0YThQ_6sH07tDwlP-CFwaIvIKatoDJ7SGiLJxnCJmhvXmmiG_KHwV4kbaKculUHsofU14fAyGty6k58qLp9-gC23skJP-RLCflLxFoPohbjxWVwZIyhDxXRdwf=s320" width="223" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/688191.Everlost" target="_blank">THE SKINJACKER TRILOGY by Neal Shusterman</a></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This was one of the trilogies I devoured over summer, even while working a pretty busy summer at camp, I would take every spare minute and every evening I could to read these and wow! The concept was so incredible and the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat the whole ride, not to mention it was so unnervingly dark for MG/younger YA? But I loved it?? Having these things dawn on you as you read, feeling breathless by the actions of children in the afterlife, it was such a thrilling series. Each Everlost book was utterly amazing and I would absolutely throw them at anyone walking by and demand they read them.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3aJGbhsqvMRQbZx9stlsDjoGQYzUdJWY0oQ4KiqoNvYuZw7145Gv623XkFmZimccgjQBPJRmeqlmvfzc5mtsIoLY0LoLqzwOEnPO-vtAHRWM7llGegC1LwIdDweiKdiGqvBl77QXshcKVge1dTYbNBTZhV5sewrG5N378hFuvVG6kHb4qDnV1igpd=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3aJGbhsqvMRQbZx9stlsDjoGQYzUdJWY0oQ4KiqoNvYuZw7145Gv623XkFmZimccgjQBPJRmeqlmvfzc5mtsIoLY0LoLqzwOEnPO-vtAHRWM7llGegC1LwIdDweiKdiGqvBl77QXshcKVge1dTYbNBTZhV5sewrG5N378hFuvVG6kHb4qDnV1igpd=s320" width="212" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13477819-who-could-that-be-at-this-hour" target="_blank">ALL THE WRONG QUESTIONS by Lemony Snicket</a></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I really, really love A Series of Unfortunate Events, and of course the whole Lemony Snicket style, so I was super pleased to discover (I believe last year) that he had another (albeit much shorter) series in the same universe, from the mouth of Mr. Snicket himself. They were short, easy reads but filled with signature Snicket moments and one particular passage that really stuck with me through the year...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>“You cannot wait for an untroubled world to have an untroubled moment. The terrible phone call, the rainstorm, the sinister knock on the door—they will all come. Soon enough arrive the treacherous villain and the unfair trial and the smoke and the flames of the suspicious fires to burn everything away."</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrM_SVqVchghfj4ichikI51bWvToV1HC8FydImxMkiAJSp9xJ8yLSUEoa_WKk_hceuy9m1N9xIW5sBn64HVZdhHBy0VsZ9aS9_jfGGAWNToE6UHBx9BRs-sZURVGG7SY9u-iiFu6BI75NeGwwUjwlqBaqnSsJI8a73B-tV50zHe7RBfiI-5I5wcP1v=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrM_SVqVchghfj4ichikI51bWvToV1HC8FydImxMkiAJSp9xJ8yLSUEoa_WKk_hceuy9m1N9xIW5sBn64HVZdhHBy0VsZ9aS9_jfGGAWNToE6UHBx9BRs-sZURVGG7SY9u-iiFu6BI75NeGwwUjwlqBaqnSsJI8a73B-tV50zHe7RBfiI-5I5wcP1v=s320" width="212" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50175239-burn" target="_blank">BURN by Patrick Ness</a></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> It wouldn't be a complete reading year without a Patrick Ness book. I read three new-to-me books by him this year, and I liked them all, but I loved this one. It was a weird mash of stories, concepts, and genres which is something I personally adore but not everyone else does. Dragons, the 50's, cults, it was quite a voracious mix and I gobbled it up. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghu3_dl90uNdVEvYa1vJzOaHpjtRvbcz_7CbXKJ7VSr7ES3Dew89QCPs91inq8hBPJO_Mdtt6Huze4_ms2VzZV9aI-_1n3pEcLV8N6KNuwnvDx6-pE4wbqsgc0MegbtxmU43L5SZl0BqDxyYeV0dbzzr7LdZ3d441A2QeOobUjqobkDczdBcNfAqmX=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghu3_dl90uNdVEvYa1vJzOaHpjtRvbcz_7CbXKJ7VSr7ES3Dew89QCPs91inq8hBPJO_Mdtt6Huze4_ms2VzZV9aI-_1n3pEcLV8N6KNuwnvDx6-pE4wbqsgc0MegbtxmU43L5SZl0BqDxyYeV0dbzzr7LdZ3d441A2QeOobUjqobkDczdBcNfAqmX=s320" width="207" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12813630-the-coldest-girl-in-coldtown" target="_blank">THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN by Holly Black</a></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Vampires aren't really my thing, but I loved Folk of the Air so much despite it being urban fantasy, that I figured I could give Holly Black the benefit of the doubt in this area. She did not disappoint. She has a real, amazing talent with horror, and how to create deep, visceral fear in the reader, and yet somehow make you feel for the same characters you are afraid of. The plot drew me in, and the characters compelled me, all in all, definitely worth a read, especially if you like vampire fiction.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDqdu_s-me0dKdclDgd8f-QJQBZ0kg6Z90KcJoq3noMQqSaXBLeGWbl9jnsvz0EDVhbmVbIOPxKJIkgVkADp0TE4gi9r_yBY1hC1xn61AAHf1JgWAQ7WuEDd-KvFWrlYANR-xXnsbD0GG1KJ4ZypBF5m7jpc0Dsg0N-yi-uQLB78IWRRWEaKoGfcsO=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDqdu_s-me0dKdclDgd8f-QJQBZ0kg6Z90KcJoq3noMQqSaXBLeGWbl9jnsvz0EDVhbmVbIOPxKJIkgVkADp0TE4gi9r_yBY1hC1xn61AAHf1JgWAQ7WuEDd-KvFWrlYANR-xXnsbD0GG1KJ4ZypBF5m7jpc0Dsg0N-yi-uQLB78IWRRWEaKoGfcsO=s320" width="212" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075662-our-dark-duet" target="_blank">OUR DARK DUET by Victoria Schwab</a></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I finished off this duology early in the year, and I definitely shed some tears at book's end. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't the ending Ms. Schwab delivered. It's not the first time I've cried in her books, and I'm sure it won't be the last seeing as she has a new release coming in March this year. Suffice to say, Kate and August have my heart and deserved a life outside of monsters and menace and death. But the best books make you feel something and Our Dark Duet and its predecessor certainly do this.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And, last but not least, some old favorites that I was blessedly able to reread this year...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4joqjRaa0kNCsViZb9aGAO9vsPlplKvrH5UDbpGnOlvN1tH-lHx8BsvNc37u7fE9EEzJq59eHcyS_0uDfLezBCZe3C7u_ZXK8Wiu5f3E7RgaFGyRQ0z4pJLV0qxUuvzUVabkAoqAw5XTZJTXJhUXUDIMhw_ZlAOrfmW6yveU7wIieC89BhzQ4zRud=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4joqjRaa0kNCsViZb9aGAO9vsPlplKvrH5UDbpGnOlvN1tH-lHx8BsvNc37u7fE9EEzJq59eHcyS_0uDfLezBCZe3C7u_ZXK8Wiu5f3E7RgaFGyRQ0z4pJLV0qxUuvzUVabkAoqAw5XTZJTXJhUXUDIMhw_ZlAOrfmW6yveU7wIieC89BhzQ4zRud=s320" width="212" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8130077-the-screwtape-letters" target="_blank">THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS by CS Lewis</a></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Aside from Narnia and The Great Divorce, this is probably my most favorite Lewis novel, which is saying a lot because he's written a lot of seriously awesome stuff so it makes it very hard to choose. The first time I read this was probably nearly a decade ago (yikes) and it still resonates, perhaps more a second time around, particularly since we were going through it in a Bible study setting. If you're a fan of CS Lewis but you haven't gotten to this one yet, definitely bump it to the top of your TBR. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjd-u7-it9F8vbnWMzdF-e-ZL6ltLoGSThru-EL7rRyu5moTMTX1cEnGJWWzdKoHH-_TSstUPkNXOk_95rwn34jNCT5Ly2foEkKhlZd-kyy0lq-wjZ9aKhacQ1rMiiDeYpzv7Vnf9IcqUbUc9cW3IXG1VKCse65LQNCR7LTDONfdaRUhCwvfr-60uPj=s475" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjd-u7-it9F8vbnWMzdF-e-ZL6ltLoGSThru-EL7rRyu5moTMTX1cEnGJWWzdKoHH-_TSstUPkNXOk_95rwn34jNCT5Ly2foEkKhlZd-kyy0lq-wjZ9aKhacQ1rMiiDeYpzv7Vnf9IcqUbUc9cW3IXG1VKCse65LQNCR7LTDONfdaRUhCwvfr-60uPj=s320" width="191" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3263607-the-fellowship-of-the-ring" target="_blank">And THE LORD OF THE RINGS by JRR Tolkien</a></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This is my 7th reread of these beloved fantasy classics, the books that largely made me the person I am today. It's been awhile since my last go-round in Middle-Earth as recent years have been harder and harder to find reading time for new books, nevermind old, but I'm so thankful to have taken the time to dive into these again. My mental health went up SIGNIFICANTLY at the beginning of December when I started Fellowship, and I just finished Towers in a matter of days over Christmas. I'm about to jump into RotK again and I'm extremely excited but also sad to be coming to the end of this grand fantasy adventure yet again. IF by some unhappy chance you haven't given these books a go yet, I absolutely implore you to do so. The movies are incredible, but the source material is more incredible still, and rereading it again I'm noticing so much so, and noticing in deeper, more meaningful ways. So read it, goshdarnit!</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/12/my-best-books-of-2020.html" target="_blank">My Best Books of 2020</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2019/12/my-best-books-of-2019.html" target="_blank">My Best Books of 2019</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/02/why-i-decided-to-create-reading-habit.html" target="_blank">Why I Decided to Create a Reading Habit (and How You Can Too)</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2017/03/have-you-read-enough-cs-lewis.html" target="_blank">Have You Read Enough CS Lewis??</a></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK. </span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>Whew. Another year nearly over already! It feels like 2020-21 have passed in a barely discernable blur, but looking back at the books I've been through helps add some depth and space to that time. What were your favorite reads from 2021? And will you be adding anything from this list to your TBR? Let me know in the comments below!</i></span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-40921968789263366922021-12-01T12:20:00.004-08:002021-12-01T12:30:28.889-08:00What I Wrote For #NaNoWriMo 2021<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Long time no blog! I had a crazy fall season, but I am <b>SO THANKFUL</b> to be heading into December - a time to relax and recuperate from a...less than stellar 2021 year. I'm particularly excited to dive into Christmas and into a Lord of the Rings reread. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <b>BUT</b>, before we can have holidays, we have #NaNoWriMo! And what better way to rejoin the blogosphere than with a recap of my '21 NaNo project...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2q7oVS0s-myFm7xx67WQy9e5Eb6paA0cktJYZDFBkg9RwzAKnnBQ-z4qvgqTcKEIsGhqgF0zMj60b-HbOevcC0saWirViAo1wK90gnIMNUTtuxF5YfEg5dD_4iKqjl2lL97sSXWKbj4/s2000/quarterpastmidnight.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2q7oVS0s-myFm7xx67WQy9e5Eb6paA0cktJYZDFBkg9RwzAKnnBQ-z4qvgqTcKEIsGhqgF0zMj60b-HbOevcC0saWirViAo1wK90gnIMNUTtuxF5YfEg5dD_4iKqjl2lL97sSXWKbj4/w640-h512/quarterpastmidnight.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">QUARTER PAST MIDNIGHT</span></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YA Sci-fi // Standalone</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>A boy who never misses a shot.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>A girl who can kill with a wink. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>An enemy who will stop at nothing to control them and keep them from the truth.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Jasper Harker is a professional hitman, the nephew of Marcus Russo, notorious leader of Las Vegas’ Panther gang. Though born into a Gifted family and surrounded by Gifted mobsters, Jasper has never developed powers of his own, and longs to prove himself to his hardened uncle. At his insistence, Jasper is given a mission to kidnap the daughter of rival gang lord, Peter Andromeda - the Spider. But complications arise when Jasper learns that Mia too is Gifted, with a nearly unstoppable power, and she has her own mission in mind. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Thrown into a disastrous, wild road trip down the California coastline, Jasper and Mia quickly learn that the criminal underworld they have grown up in is not all it seems, and the allies and enemies they have always understood may be hiding more than they ever knew.</i></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I picked this out of my plot bunnies last minute, so it was uh, interesting to say the least trying to figure out what I was doing with just a few weeks of October left to prep.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b>What inspired Quarter Past Midnight?</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This was a combination of inspiration. A bit of <i>Pulp Fiction</i> aesthetic, with the idea of gang members inheriting superhuman powers and how that would play out in 90's California/Nevada. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b>Who is/are the MC(s)?</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> My POV character is Jasper Harker, nephew of notorious leader of the Panther gang, Marcus Russo. Though Jasper is an experienced hitman and member of his uncle's mob, he is not Gifted like the majority of his uncle's men, and has spent his life proving that he is the equal of Gifted individuals after the loss of his parents to gang violence. He accepts a job to kidnap Mia Andromeda, the daughter of rival gang lord, Peter Andromeda, and that's where our secondary MC comes in...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Mia is the daughter of Peter Andromeda, leader of LA's Spider gang. Unfortunately for Jasper, Mia is Gifted, and far more powerful than he knew, with telepathic and telekinetic powers. The ensuing roadtrip down the California coast as uneasy allies is full of soul-searching and survival.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b>What is the target audience for this story?</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I'm aiming for older YA! It's got a sci-fi/action blend going too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b>What is the opening sentence?</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>"It was still too warm in the hitman’s car, even with the windows down, even with the sun sunk below the horizon."</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This is the current opening sentence but in my writing I realized I may have to go back and start a little earlier in the story, but these were the first words I put down for NaNo.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i>What do I think of the characters and who is my favorite to write about?</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I've honestly really been enjoying writing about Jasper and Mia both. Especially the slow-burn relationship they developed over the course of the story. It's really fun working with a character who can read minds and move things with her own mind, and how that affects their relationship and level of trust, as well as how they go about surviving their situation as fugitives of both the law and their gang families.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Jasper himself has a host of personal issues that have been fun to explore through the prism of a couple on the run. You can even get a bit of a Bonnie and Clyde vibe going in this story.</span></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i>What are my plans with this story?</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Publishing someday! I haven't fully finished the draft so who knows when that will ever happen as I have quite a few other things in the works before this one. But I am super happy that it's out on the table and ready to go in the future when I have the time for it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i>What was my NaNo writing process? And did I win?</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> It was mostly pretty good! For the majority of the month, up until the last week, I was fully on track with my 1600 words per day and keeping a good rhythm. I had several incredibly busy days near the end of the month but finished up strong with the almost 8k I had fallen behind on doing a write-in with a friend. I was so glad to get it finished yesterday and hit the 50k! Though I'm not actually finished the story, I am definitely ready for a breather through December. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</b></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/04/camp-nano-surprising-sequel-exciting.html" target="_blank">Camp NaNo: A Surprising Sequel + Exciting Announcement</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/12/nanowrimo2020-what-i-wrote-and-how-it.html" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo 2020 - What I Wrote And How It Went</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2019/11/what-im-writing-for-nanowrimo2019.html" target="_blank">What I'm Writing for #NaNoWriMo2019</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>LET'S TALK.</b></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Did you participate in NaNo this year? And are you ready for the holiday season? Let me know in the comments below!</span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-71610893474980876172021-09-03T16:04:00.001-07:002021-09-03T16:04:04.548-07:002021 Quarterly Update #2<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Long time no post! Due to my crazy schedule and a feeling of burn out earlier in the summer, I fell off the blogging bandwagon a little earlier than my normal summer hiatus, but it was probably a good idea to remove one more thing from my plate. My writing platform as a whole has felt fairly neglected in 2021 - which, speaking of, isn't it crazy that we're almost through another whole year? Time is flying at a concerning speed.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9E0TNY_gbemb5xu6PI9g1wkoAu2o5vozsZe2vqd5aaaukZvYEfY5v3N5XGU2KHI__hsx0lWPWheB7UW60luAPAAdZSflGFU-Fr-cGJkvVz5560TlGftAtvtt-qqq4fwhCFbhAi89foU/s810/2019+quarterly+update+%25232+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9E0TNY_gbemb5xu6PI9g1wkoAu2o5vozsZe2vqd5aaaukZvYEfY5v3N5XGU2KHI__hsx0lWPWheB7UW60luAPAAdZSflGFU-Fr-cGJkvVz5560TlGftAtvtt-qqq4fwhCFbhAi89foU/w640-h356/2019+quarterly+update+%25232+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> WRITING</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Early 2021 I had quite a bit of success on the writing front, but the summer was, as usual, mostly void of writing. As it stands, I now have just 3 chapters remaining in The Promise, so I will soon be finished that and ready to start on a new project. I'm currently debating between a few so we will see what I end up deciding on. </span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> MEDIA</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> My reading picked up through summer (getting nine new books for my birthday certainly helped) and I just crossed the mark of my Goodreads goal of 25 books for the year. I'm excited to be able to go above and beyond that goal, and I've also been enjoying the books I've gotten my hands on this year. Summer was full of series: <i>All The Wrong Questions</i>, <i>The Skinjacker Trilogy</i>, and the <i>Shadow and Bone</i> trilogy. I've also even been reading a few very interesting non-fiction books, which is not usual for me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Jonathan and I went through <i>The IT Crowd</i> series (a very funny British comedy), and recently started <i>Community</i>. I watched the <i>Shadow and Bone</i> show on Netflix and thought it was pretty good, though it did drift from the book a bit in ways I didn't quite understand the point of. Jonathan, my siblings, and I watched <i>Loki </i>in June when it came out (and loved it), and we went to three movies in the theater this summer, <i>Black Widow</i>, <i>The Suicide Squad</i>, and <i>Free Guy</i>. Prior to that I hadn't been to a movie in theaters since seeing Little Women in January 2020!</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> LIFE</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Well, it was a crazy summer to say the least. Definitely not the best one I've ever had. There was quite a bit of tears and quite a bit of stress, but also some nice stuff mixed in there too. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>CAMP.</b> We got a mostly full summer again since Alberta's covid restrictions were lifted for summer. It was my first year running the horse program at camp entirely and while it was definitely a cool experience there was a lot of stress involved, mainly because we were understaffed and there was a lot of pressure on me. Still, I'm glad for the opportunity and there were definitely cool God moments in the chaotic weeks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>HIKING.</b> I only managed to get out on one hike this summer so far, up Mist Mountain to a small hot spring with some friends. It was a really cool hike cause we got to go swimming at the top, very refreshing after a hike.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAazYwj4Aaga9Hz_On4_EeezOHf1rYSZ9wTzb0DRTqT8HDTX-On-WiAWvTPeWf6Icr97So-pOW86fJqv178mBPL-hOLvNXHcRCdRXnzi22mzyYsp0bXT-eXBgeEj0XSgmNrC5B5TOl4P0/s2048/20210615_101921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAazYwj4Aaga9Hz_On4_EeezOHf1rYSZ9wTzb0DRTqT8HDTX-On-WiAWvTPeWf6Icr97So-pOW86fJqv178mBPL-hOLvNXHcRCdRXnzi22mzyYsp0bXT-eXBgeEj0XSgmNrC5B5TOl4P0/s320/20210615_101921.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>NEW PONY.</b> I bought myself a project pony in June to train and eventually rehome. His name is Nemo and he's a 6 year old, bay, Welsh cross gelding. So far he's been kind of a rascal but super sweet and easy to work with.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4fUY5fuEdSpWZzJZHe46M1zdMWjm3DIqD6frlphsc47wNQcnDo-TuPNsIRtvtDJYelj25BpTanFv0BXgZt-GoxWTs0VpWOiK_OnCraIJs-VIFUA9RgdV1ObER1iD0I0zLKA9XX1odSA/s2048/20210602_133117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4fUY5fuEdSpWZzJZHe46M1zdMWjm3DIqD6frlphsc47wNQcnDo-TuPNsIRtvtDJYelj25BpTanFv0BXgZt-GoxWTs0VpWOiK_OnCraIJs-VIFUA9RgdV1ObER1iD0I0zLKA9XX1odSA/s320/20210602_133117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>RIVER TRIP.</b> End of June we went on an overnight river trip with Jonathan's family, camping right in the middle of the river on a gravel bar and canoeing/kayaking the North Saskatchewan. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-VFiVnvxR3V5tDLGDihbijWdiaz1IdjiKtOgmpWEE-cj_U3y9iubzTQzGZx9KXNGKzRYUGYQyGpk-_CJpLlgs8Lp6OhM3g5tSmL6L-TTzt1LUGtO4d8AoWasvxeNdy3vZbTsnHdW6Vs/s2048/20210627_095514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-VFiVnvxR3V5tDLGDihbijWdiaz1IdjiKtOgmpWEE-cj_U3y9iubzTQzGZx9KXNGKzRYUGYQyGpk-_CJpLlgs8Lp6OhM3g5tSmL6L-TTzt1LUGtO4d8AoWasvxeNdy3vZbTsnHdW6Vs/s320/20210627_095514.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>HEATWAVE.</b> In July there was a week of horrible, horrible heat that just wouldn't stop. It was among the hottest temperatures I'd ever experienced. Even getting up at 5am to go to work, it was too hot by 7:30. My house wouldn't cool off at all, even lying on the couch doing nothing I would sweat. One of the days we took to the lake to try and beat the heat.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C3yVzXPP_HmYJ4RNFp7OkEl10V-MmxVXnblYnplzjMJ5kQhVMslVBR_LL7h4g-KkZ_2EsQ44JUdx1ABvKbgqSMAdcHLokMccVsP3l6vpeVIhm48Ki0WTnBY8_hZRPJE_3ijj-heFKmU/s2578/20210628_153110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2578" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C3yVzXPP_HmYJ4RNFp7OkEl10V-MmxVXnblYnplzjMJ5kQhVMslVBR_LL7h4g-KkZ_2EsQ44JUdx1ABvKbgqSMAdcHLokMccVsP3l6vpeVIhm48Ki0WTnBY8_hZRPJE_3ijj-heFKmU/s320/20210628_153110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>BRO-IN-LAW'S GRAD.</b> Jonathan's youngest brother graduated which was kind of crazy to me, since he was only 10 when we first met. o_o Regardless though, it was a cool day and definitely awesome to celebrate this milestone with him.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-hM-88HrLsji_MAvDARkWIhr4wS683aDYbRiqg3Bip5rMjfHpLmpQVZ42nVglR4B3H3p7h3GBu-aebXD99MDdS5e58YNJSBEcvye2godhmtMu92bytmM8ORj80fAx8ahby_r_2w9zgs/s2048/20210703_155438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-hM-88HrLsji_MAvDARkWIhr4wS683aDYbRiqg3Bip5rMjfHpLmpQVZ42nVglR4B3H3p7h3GBu-aebXD99MDdS5e58YNJSBEcvye2godhmtMu92bytmM8ORj80fAx8ahby_r_2w9zgs/s320/20210703_155438.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>BEYOND THE RIDE 2.0</b> I didn't get to attend the full week of horse camp this year, but that didn't hold me back from spending the time I did get to spend out in the mountains with the horses and many of the same faces from last year. Definitely a highlight of the summer!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu__IfPOXWgsYxOrPUxJ7AVB-6J230sfj-mVNHAnCrb4DElkFiWOSjPuQwpD_8crZrQc-9puOy1YeQ0MMBJW6ER-skcOHwXqK_0G8Eu0FFQqp9pzLLZuytY56rmKhgFYe80j1jwo-5Qo/s2048/20210725_121758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu__IfPOXWgsYxOrPUxJ7AVB-6J230sfj-mVNHAnCrb4DElkFiWOSjPuQwpD_8crZrQc-9puOy1YeQ0MMBJW6ER-skcOHwXqK_0G8Eu0FFQqp9pzLLZuytY56rmKhgFYe80j1jwo-5Qo/s320/20210725_121758.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>GOODBYES.</b> The biggest heartaches of the summer and 2021 as a whole was the loss of our beloved family dog, Willow, and one of the oldest camp horses, Nichi. We lost Willow around my birthday and Nichi in the middle of August, right in the middle of one of the camps. In both cases it was hard and sad and there were a lot of tears shed.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb1hSkskrTiqx9mTDRKDyMkpYEodOw21LYm3NI6j5A2f5np8qGJOlWEnm-Vl0fH0nQz5X4Zmshx_qlAP3mNDz1-ydB8o8dfK7lLj_dkK3TaVUHwffykKOIpC_D1_hSj0WktaaNWIvGIg/s2048/20210622_210328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb1hSkskrTiqx9mTDRKDyMkpYEodOw21LYm3NI6j5A2f5np8qGJOlWEnm-Vl0fH0nQz5X4Zmshx_qlAP3mNDz1-ydB8o8dfK7lLj_dkK3TaVUHwffykKOIpC_D1_hSj0WktaaNWIvGIg/s320/20210622_210328.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>ANNIVERSARY TRIP.</b> After camps had wrapped up, Jonathan and I had the opportunity to take an anniversary trip which was much needed after the summer we'd had. It was certainly a welcome break to head west and see some pretty sights.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht74owupNl7cQscqIfv7OGSgIJwuZhSpuQ6OkMlb2yiGvboZ29GQ_CE9YgE_kolatRgqDyD-IIYiGIy9mZHThV1hUzwlkA-b24EJEVLNJpNkYZmidvoxHnhFywiujD0gkLU9AOVIj1kNI/s6000/DSC_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht74owupNl7cQscqIfv7OGSgIJwuZhSpuQ6OkMlb2yiGvboZ29GQ_CE9YgE_kolatRgqDyD-IIYiGIy9mZHThV1hUzwlkA-b24EJEVLNJpNkYZmidvoxHnhFywiujD0gkLU9AOVIj1kNI/s320/DSC_0101.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/05/2021-quarterly-update-1.html" target="_blank">2021 Quarterly Update #1</a></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK.</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>How was your summer? Better than mine, lol? Are you looking forward to fall/winter? What plans do you have for this new school year? Let me know in the comments below!</i></span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-1260159146619932782021-06-01T06:50:00.000-07:002021-06-01T06:50:13.474-07:00By My Own Betrayal - Release Day<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This is a <b>SUPER </b>exciting day on my blog! Not only is there a new book coming out by a talented indie author, but I know this author personally! Cydnie is a young wife, mom, musician, Christ-follower, and now author who I had the pleasure of getting to know through church and our summer camp! I am super proud and happy that she is releasing her debut today, and I implore you all to check it out below, and don't click away from here without buying it!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9FJOXyF1k9Ri0WsRt5B0wGNifPqHEMmahsdXSpLaYFqoGmQ5i7TVivHqkasW5_ZuivMCjfpTAkYP4V9dORDpHpi8phyphenhyphen_Bf6qtezL9v-ar7mj8gxirQbO2-bFErIu-vFeqDU0URu_Ao8/s2048/By+My+Own+Betrayal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9FJOXyF1k9Ri0WsRt5B0wGNifPqHEMmahsdXSpLaYFqoGmQ5i7TVivHqkasW5_ZuivMCjfpTAkYP4V9dORDpHpi8phyphenhyphen_Bf6qtezL9v-ar7mj8gxirQbO2-bFErIu-vFeqDU0URu_Ao8/w426-h640/By+My+Own+Betrayal.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>“You’re a girl with no background, no proof, and no motivation to be in Washington, in this chair, right now.”</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>“I’ve left the craft. They’ll want to kill me. That leaves me here.”</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i> Raised as a skilled assassin, the young and ambitious Sadie Black knows nothing else; her only way to live is for someone to die. Doing otherwise would betray her sole support network and leave her at the wrong end of a gun—which is exactly where Sadie has landed herself.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i> Forced to abandon the life of a hired killer, Sadie must work with a self-reliant FBI agent and his cryptic superior to secure her freedom before a vengeful family can steal her back to the career she’s desperately running from. Or they execute something a bit more...fatal.</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> By My Own Betrayal releases <b>TODAY</b>, June 1st, and is a YA/NA novel <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0965TCZC4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_6Y7WCV68BSYH3VTH19AE" target="_blank">available on Amazon here</a>, <a href="https://www.cydnietrenholm.com/writing/" target="_blank">or through Cydnie's website here</a>, in both e-book and paperback formats! Personally, I cannot WAIT to get my hands on this...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Congratulations, Cydnie! Enjoy your book birthday!</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/04/sins-sons-and-siren-songs-cover-reveal.html" target="_blank">Sins, Sons, and Siren Songs Cover Reveal</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/07/behind-act-cover-reveal.html" target="_blank">Behind the Act Cover Reveal</a></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK. </span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>What do you think of this awesome cover and blurb? Are you ready to head over and buy your copy right now? What indie books releasing this year are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments below!</i></span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-73543981313849902932021-05-30T09:41:00.000-07:002021-05-30T09:41:10.656-07:00Why You Should Write Poetry and Short Stories<span style="font-family: helvetica;"> In my last post I talked about why we as authors should feel free to step into the realm of fanfiction, and this week I'm going a similar direction, exploring why we should write poetry and short stories! Not only is it mentally challenging, creatively stretching, and beneficial to our writing skills, but both poetry and short stories have a lot of fun things going for them! Let's dive in!</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMhsRz2DaBUYSXqrbT_L_MvLpRxLFFyhZIGvqKlOWhgjbzp_LaaB-ynFbTDEeiWIf8H2OakPdjjoZp4U_Y6LROcBv-lRgSmEcJR80TtrVFow9QoVqv82_9F2tSE8mHXcP2u-DhMUJJ6E/s810/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMhsRz2DaBUYSXqrbT_L_MvLpRxLFFyhZIGvqKlOWhgjbzp_LaaB-ynFbTDEeiWIf8H2OakPdjjoZp4U_Y6LROcBv-lRgSmEcJR80TtrVFow9QoVqv82_9F2tSE8mHXcP2u-DhMUJJ6E/w640-h356/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">SHOWING, NOT TELLING</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Of course we've all heard the old "show, don't tell" adage time and time again from various sources, but did you know that this is the <b>STRENGTH </b>of poetry and short fiction? If you are trying to capture an image, a moment, or an entire wild character in just a few paragraphs of poetry or a 1500 word short story, you literally can't rely on the sort of narrative that <b>TELLS </b>the reader what to see. It won't work with a word limit, you will run out of room! The beautiful and often most helpful aspect of poetry and short prose is that you are forced to <b>SHOW </b>the audience this piece of life you're trying to capture, no two ways about it. Poetry especially forces you to see language differently, more intimately, and to pick your words so precisely and evocatively, that your reader can't help but be emotionally stirred.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">EXPERIMENTATION</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Similar to my previous post, a venture into poetry or short stories can really open up whole new worlds of writing for you, and you may even find you like it more! There are tons of options for publishing poetry work and short stories, and trying your hand in these genres may open up new doors, allowing you to see and do things you never could before! You can dabble in other genres, with much less of a commitment level, you can submit your work to anthologies or poetry collections, getting a taste of the publishing game, and more! Don't pass up the opportunity to really open up new doors and avenues for yourself, just because it's something new to you! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">PRACTICE STORYTELLING</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Short stories and poems present the <b>PERFECT </b>opportunity to practice and perfect the art of storytelling in a more limited, short-form way. You have to be really clever and clear with your beginning, middle, and end, your internal conflict of the subject, and, once again, with your word choice as you have only so much space to get this right. The skills you learn through writing poetry and short stories will absolutely carry over into your novel-writing, helping you develop as an author and writer all around.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">INSPIRATION</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Sometimes a poem or short story may just be the landing page for something <b>BIGGER </b>in your imagination. For instance, I wrote a poem about Cleopatra, and that inspired a plot bunny that I have yet to get to, lol. Or maybe in your poem/short fiction you scribble down a phenomenal line, just a beautiful treasure to read, and you are able to put it in a full-length story somehow. That is *chef's kiss*</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/05/a-case-for-writing-fanfiction.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/05/a-case-for-writing-fanfiction.html" target="_blank">A Case for Writing Fanfiction</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/02/6-ways-to-conquer-writers-block.html" target="_blank">6 Ways to Conquer Writer's Block</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/03/6-ways-to-feel-creatively-refreshed.html" target="_blank">6 Ways to Feel Creatively Refreshed</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/03/6-ways-to-feel-creatively-refreshed.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Before you go...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Next month will be the <b>4th Bookaversary of <i>The Sorceress and the Squid</i></b> (which is freaking unbelievable, when did this happen??)! In honor of my first published work, and the fact that I just finished writing its sequel this spring, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/writeremilymundell/" target="_blank">I am hosting a Q+A session on my instagram!</a> AND to give back to some of the awesome fans of this little fairy-tale franchise I've penned, <b>each of you who submits a question to the Q+A will be entered into a draw to win a copy of the first chapter from <i>The Sorceress and the Soldier</i>!</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Yup! Five lucky people will get their hands on this brand-new glimpse into the world of Perth, and get to reunite with Estrella and Jalen yet again. To have a chance to re-enter the world of <i>The Sorceress and the Squid</i> before anyone else, drop your question here, or through instagram and while you're there, make sure you're following me so you can see your question answered! I'll be hosting the Q+A on June 18th, so be sure to swing over to check it out and see if you're a winner!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK.</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i> Are you a poet? Or interested in crafting short stories? Has this post convinced you to give it a try? Let me know in the comments below, and you can check out some of <a href="https://vvittaee.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">my own published poetry here</a> if you're interested. ;)</i></span></div>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-63765804283143456652021-05-16T13:17:00.005-07:002021-05-16T13:17:37.016-07:00A Case For Writing Fanfiction<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Like many, much of my earliest writing that was even reasonably good was within the realm of fanfiction. I am a huge fandom nerd, especially for <i>Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Marvel, ATLA</i>, etc, and delving into someone else's world with characters of my own or my own takes on their characters was fun, refreshing, and pressure-free. <b>BUT</b>, most seriously committed writers have a fanfiction "phase" that they grow out of, whether by moving on a little from fandom culture or becoming to engrossed in their own stories. Well, I'm here today to posit that there is a case to be made for writing fanfiction, and it will actually benefit your writing in the long run! Let's dive into it below...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8m2vMSCGJuJKqIk9EyTmN7WvR8RilMbSv3OlUXPKLW_4buReRiyYjoc_QNDWva-YL1f_4ae_-mQ977daxomDkDdfO9xWKPARlYd05YoziVGM217cTXcntsjYxy2VxbXQIiEPcrcyFBQE/s810/Faithless.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8m2vMSCGJuJKqIk9EyTmN7WvR8RilMbSv3OlUXPKLW_4buReRiyYjoc_QNDWva-YL1f_4ae_-mQ977daxomDkDdfO9xWKPARlYd05YoziVGM217cTXcntsjYxy2VxbXQIiEPcrcyFBQE/w640-h356/Faithless.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 1. THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY STORIES</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One of the most helpful aspects of fanfiction is the opportunity you have to study stories, particularly stories you already know in-depth. If you love a universe enough to write fanfiction about it, chances are you love it enough to know it inside and out. When you know a story as well as the typical fangirl or fanboy does, it becomes very easy to unpack and dissect it from the ground up, especially when you start writing about it. You can train your eye to be critical of plot and character development, as well as all the subtle nuances of storytelling as you develop and retell aspects of someone else's story in a new, fresh way.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 2. RECEIVING HELPFUL FEEDBACK IN LOW PRESSURE ENVIRONMENTS</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Writing fanfiction was always such an encouraging era of writing for me, I found it much easier to receive feedback and everyone I interacted with was so incredibly kind and excited! Not only that, but because of the community that is often part and parcel with individual fandoms, you will find support and fans super easily. People are already looking for content in a fandom, so you don't have to generate that same rabid fanbase to participate in the hype, it is part of the deal when it comes to fanfiction creation. When you join a site to share your fanfic, it is super easy to find readers and followers who love the original story as much as you do. </span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 3. FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Because this is someone else's story, and you likely as not won't ever be publishing it, you have all the freedom in the world to experiment with different voices, crossovers, genres, plots, characters, and everything in between. Especially if you don't share your fic (though I highly recommend it) you have the total freedom to do whatever you want in someone else's universe. It's honestly super fun and so, so refreshing to just sit down in a world you love and see what happens.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 4. REBOOTING YOUR WRITER BRAIN</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Similar to above, when we start to take our writing too seriously we can get in a slump, our minds fill with sludge and get slow and burnt out. Sometimes simply slipping into a familiar, established story can really re-ignite your passion for creating and can give your brain a much-needed break, some relief from your regular grind. Most of us wrote fanfiction simply for the heck of it and even getting back into that carefree mentality, where writing was for our own enjoyment and nothing more, can do a lot to re-align us back into a creative headspace.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 5. RECEIVING UNLIKELY INSPIRATION</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Occasionally, diving back into old notes, old fics, or other stories can lend you some of the greatest and deepest points of inspiration you may ever receive. I can't count the number of times another piece of literature has totally inspired my writing. This, by the way, is not a bad thing, but rather a natural part of the creative process. You cannot create without some consumption, of story, of art, of beauty, of life. So taking the time to write from a totally different place can really fill your cup and set your mind afire again. </span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/03/battling-imposter-syndrome.html" target="_blank">Battling Imposter Syndrome</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/01/my-most-beloved-fictional-tropes-and.html" target="_blank">My Most Beloved Fictional Tropes (And Why They're Amazing)</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/02/6-ways-to-conquer-writers-block.html" target="_blank">6 Ways to Conquer Writer's Block</a></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK. </span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> If you're a writer (or not), did you write fanfiction once upon a time? What was your preferred story to write in? Did you have a genre you liked? Personally, I was really into fluffy hobbit romances, particularly Merry/Estella ships. It awoke in me a whole appreciation for soft romance, and certainly has been the inspiration for many a creation since. As a special surprise, <a href="https://www.fanfiction.net/u/2684124/imagineandsoar" target="_blank">here's a link to my fanfiction.net site</a> - check out some of my very old work and let me know in the comments below if you have any of your own to share! </span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-2612750971363042882021-05-02T11:54:00.002-07:002021-05-02T11:54:34.691-07:002021 Quarterly Update #1<span style="font-family: helvetica;"> The first part of 2021 is incredibly already behind us. This time last year COVID-19 was a fairly new thing still, and we had only been in global shutdown for a little over a month. It's a little disheartening to look back and see how things haven't changed much in a whole year on a global scale, but that's not to say there hasn't been light and beauty in this first bit of 2021...</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXAyMw_BOG0CAkAz0u_QbJw0W5DanwJ_P3pKKDNgKBARCt9SZqXV0tTzpeQSTBZROz1kUT882UFsEkDHVAOUWI7yp7kY47OJnyKtAPSmjytFqHhIRhTcGurlDAe8LyWhmDNRBA68m25Y/s810/2019+quarterly+update+%25232.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXAyMw_BOG0CAkAz0u_QbJw0W5DanwJ_P3pKKDNgKBARCt9SZqXV0tTzpeQSTBZROz1kUT882UFsEkDHVAOUWI7yp7kY47OJnyKtAPSmjytFqHhIRhTcGurlDAe8LyWhmDNRBA68m25Y/w640-h356/2019+quarterly+update+%25232.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">WRITING</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Even though I have felt burnt out on the regular and way behind on all my regular tasks, I actually have been getting a TON of writing done this year. I started off January, February, and March writing the first 15 chapters of Part Two of <i>The Promise</i>, reaching my goal of finishing that before Camp NaNo. I still have 15 chapters to go but then I'll be finished the <b>THIRD </b>book in my medieval fantasy series and ready to outline and move on to the fourth one in fall (fingers crossed). In March I also started my sequel to <i>The Sorceress and the Squid </i>called <i>The Sorceress and the Soldier</i> (which you can read more about in <a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/04/camp-nano-surprising-sequel-exciting.html" target="_blank">this post</a>), wrapping up the first draft for Camp NaNo over April. I am pretty happy with both of these projects, and also with how much I was able to write during a time of pretty much endless responsibilities and little in the way of energy. Sometimes just showing up even when it's hard is truly all it takes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I have more first drafts to pen in the rest of the year, but for now, I'm pretty happy with my writing journey in 2021. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">MEDIA</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I started off the year really strong in the reading department but I've taken a turn for the worst in April. *hides* It gets so much harder to stay on top of reading when the sun comes out and dries up all the snow so early and the days get long. However, I've already read some pretty great stories just a third of the way through the year and I'm excited to get to more on my tbr as soon as I can!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Jonathan and I binged <i>The Good Place</i> (awesome) and my siblings and I have of course hopped on the Disney+ Marvel show bandwagon (eg; <i>Wandavision </i>and <i>Falcon and the Winter Soldier</i>). I cannot say enough good things about all these shows (especially because I'm a Wanda and a Bucky stan) but I REALLY loved watching Wandavision in particular and I highly recommend it for even casual or non Marvel fans. </span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">LIFE</div></span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> It's been a time, lol. I've been working nonstop since March with my year only just now taking a turn for the busiest season. I already have no energy on the daily so it will be interesting to see how that goes as spring wears on into summer. There has definitely been some cool stuff keeping me going despite it all...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>WORK</b>. I dumped the awful weekend barn job early on in the year, which did wonders for my mental health, and have more or less become a horse trainer full time (possibly the worst idea). I spend 3 days a week as an assistant trainer at my barn where we have recently had an enormous influx of horses, go to camp every other day where I have been hired as barn manager, and of course work my own horses and personal client horses inbetween those times. Spring is coming as well which means farming will shortly be upon us.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_QI0MG1bQnuJ-cbfmyd5o1bxa_oyvdxniJk1q6q1lecKwDr8F9o5qOoI4IEDAV_EulrVnb6pKgh6UvZs2zbQAlTA2-arOwVWWWBnv4MnhyphenhyphenDiDUTSFxAqPfoE2QeAJIeAl4u-CHYHiE/s2048/20210501_143659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_QI0MG1bQnuJ-cbfmyd5o1bxa_oyvdxniJk1q6q1lecKwDr8F9o5qOoI4IEDAV_EulrVnb6pKgh6UvZs2zbQAlTA2-arOwVWWWBnv4MnhyphenhyphenDiDUTSFxAqPfoE2QeAJIeAl4u-CHYHiE/s320/20210501_143659.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>NEW CAR</b>. I had to get a "new" car due to the transmission dying in the lovely white one I so generously received in 2019. My new transportation runs nicely but is the same age as me and a serious downgrade from the other one in all but how many kms it had. While I've had lots of people tell me it's perfectly fine, most of them are driving cars made in the current millennia, so I am not above complaining about it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo32Ujp76l3pb2LVQLnAjfgU5h1mZDFNl9k-QaIf600jBBOJbX7ChSgpF0p6dNhbWl7Gr68e4tv6m4xJWpvLSeO1MROVU_2jEUOo5vDP-K5J2bCh0yRjD9MNPtPJ7lJybtz43JZlKY2RQ/s2048/20210403_100235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo32Ujp76l3pb2LVQLnAjfgU5h1mZDFNl9k-QaIf600jBBOJbX7ChSgpF0p6dNhbWl7Gr68e4tv6m4xJWpvLSeO1MROVU_2jEUOo5vDP-K5J2bCh0yRjD9MNPtPJ7lJybtz43JZlKY2RQ/s320/20210403_100235.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">saying goodbye to ol' whitey</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>ABRAHAM LAKE</b>. I've already been on hikes out here twice this year which is pretty exciting, though I haven't done much hiking at all due to the busyness of my schedule. Both times the views were spectacular as always, if not cold and windy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZRkc4XYqnMUEngOtIr9sZ0FKb2nmdcLtzd_xBTH5PkcdhBzU271gcNR0JWuEhEZbLQu1laGkjM99LBTSCrK-RvHRiqrBMb5bISfwI0nYncrVuOSyaGvNJRjyJ2AEw0FZ2iDCXAVrFB0/s2048/20210302_173922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZRkc4XYqnMUEngOtIr9sZ0FKb2nmdcLtzd_xBTH5PkcdhBzU271gcNR0JWuEhEZbLQu1laGkjM99LBTSCrK-RvHRiqrBMb5bISfwI0nYncrVuOSyaGvNJRjyJ2AEw0FZ2iDCXAVrFB0/s320/20210302_173922.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>SKIING</b>. The cross-country skiing this winter season was pretty abysmal due to a much less than normal snowfall, but we still got out a few times and I got to try the new skis I received from Jonathan for Christmas. We even went out to Kananaskis which was fun but also very difficult since I wasn't at all used to my skis. It made for a lot of falls.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1oVO_AjgMlfceHNAMxpDigRqKvh8WFajlJvE_JLXIfMzThaG6o5mbsOcYz-ROi4YS9VCnbsNTUUI5ruBvU6esp21nqfw5vEDt6ha3o8CIeMVs4hmWsBaXH7fkFAhhgrya6jwUOnXNfw/s2048/20210220_110610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1oVO_AjgMlfceHNAMxpDigRqKvh8WFajlJvE_JLXIfMzThaG6o5mbsOcYz-ROi4YS9VCnbsNTUUI5ruBvU6esp21nqfw5vEDt6ha3o8CIeMVs4hmWsBaXH7fkFAhhgrya6jwUOnXNfw/s320/20210220_110610.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>YA HA TINDA</b>. A couple friends and I took a drive out to Ya Ha Tinda in March to hike around. We saw some pretty cool views and a lot of wildlife, including a huge herd of wild horses which we got to walk amongst. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqPlbsU9DD5CecsYpo7opysP1Kcc08wx88oKRoIF_duNErlEXIwfODDkpR_zO9S-k0g0PZrvpAQY4y5xObPev93UyZQ_ctaR1KrPzrcnLxXovOGadfHQqhDh7FY2tikWMpRu5txgl5Vw/s2048/20210327_163152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqPlbsU9DD5CecsYpo7opysP1Kcc08wx88oKRoIF_duNErlEXIwfODDkpR_zO9S-k0g0PZrvpAQY4y5xObPev93UyZQ_ctaR1KrPzrcnLxXovOGadfHQqhDh7FY2tikWMpRu5txgl5Vw/s320/20210327_163152.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/01/2020-quarterly-update-3.html" target="_blank">2020 Quarterly Update #3</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK. </span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> How was the first chunk of your year? Are you still in a high-functioning headspace or are you feeling the drain like I am? And did you participate in Camp NaNo this year? Let me know in the comments below!</span></div>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-56445586424536176722021-04-18T11:24:00.002-07:002021-04-18T11:24:48.555-07:00Sins, Sons, and Siren Songs Cover Reveal <span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I am UNBELIEVABLY late to this party but better late then never I guess? Though I've been taking kind of a break from blogging due to Camp NaNo and my regularly scheduled busy April season (hence why this post was so late in coming) I am popping in today to make sure everyone here knows ALL ABOUT the cover reveal and upcoming release of <i>Sins, Sons, and Siren Songs</i>!</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleGl5xXsmQRz3UVErMjqXirdziTEgpMOdwzHR0Vps-_CNsqadm5wqKQXLqsJEPgeGJfTs3oFr7CNoWmpP_aRDU207kCssk_q5DsI5Ke177h5qyox7vuZ_OkErCmAuHZefWw_vq4uY9qI/s657/Sins%252C+Sons%252C+and+Siren+Songs+E-Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleGl5xXsmQRz3UVErMjqXirdziTEgpMOdwzHR0Vps-_CNsqadm5wqKQXLqsJEPgeGJfTs3oFr7CNoWmpP_aRDU207kCssk_q5DsI5Ke177h5qyox7vuZ_OkErCmAuHZefWw_vq4uY9qI/w420-h640/Sins%252C+Sons%252C+and+Siren+Songs+E-Book+Cover.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Isn't it gorgeous? I love the design and the colors and how well it matches book one! Check out the blurb below!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i></i></span></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>A song on the wind.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>A broken crew to mend.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>A family’s honor to be upheld.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Leading a crew is harder than Adi thought. Six months after she took up the mantle of captain, she finds herself facing more problems than she bargained for: a grieving crew and rumors of sirens attacking local ports. But the crew of the High Dragon might have finally found their match in the mythical people of the sea.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Ravin’s life was almost normal, until he finds an assassin lurking outside Master Jermaine’s shop and is forced to flee once more. But Treynair del Mankayl cannot be avoided forever and Ravin has to decide his fate: to run for the rest of his life or stand up and face his greatest nightmare by fighting his father. Only this time, he isn’t just trying to save his own life, but that of another as well.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>When Adi and Ravin’s paths cross once more, they are thrown into a storm of myths,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>assassins, and consequences. But will they be able to weather it with the crew tearing at the seams?</i></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I am going to be so excited to get my hands on these books in the near future! Book two will be out on <span style="font-size: large;"><b>MAY 4TH, 2021</b></span> so mark that day in your bookish calendar and make sure you have your hands on the first book (<i>Ships, Secrets, and Survivors</i>) too!</span></p><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>Sins, Sons, and Siren Songs</i> was co-written by Sarah Rodecker and Helena George, get to know them in their bio below:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Sarah Rodecker and Helena George have done countless crazy things together since they first met in 2005. One such thing was write Ships, Secrets, and Survivors on a dare. It went so well, they decided to expand it into a series and publish it together.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> To learn more about Sarah and Helena and their projects, check out their website for <a href="https://www.orderofthepenpress.com/" target="_blank">The Order of the Pen Press here</a>. You can also follow them on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theorderofthepenpress/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Now for some pre-order goodies...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJ2y73WINjpJCfUExmOVHmZXd0BT1oQIU5B4c0Vxb851opPQbInibKCFOrs14hl2uLsbwOfr7yWRQw5KRdwpvZUcv7kjwRuMX8g-v3fythhPKX1q5TM8UHGSA3J2-OzUKew8Ci1kpo2Q/s600/Ships%252C+Secrets%252C+and+Surivors+Bookstagram+Challenge+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJ2y73WINjpJCfUExmOVHmZXd0BT1oQIU5B4c0Vxb851opPQbInibKCFOrs14hl2uLsbwOfr7yWRQw5KRdwpvZUcv7kjwRuMX8g-v3fythhPKX1q5TM8UHGSA3J2-OzUKew8Ci1kpo2Q/w400-h400/Ships%252C+Secrets%252C+and+Surivors+Bookstagram+Challenge+%25281%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBZAhTcXtieTj3cViXmB3g4-4CKxZiqQ-lC5AR0_JRK257qg/viewform" target="_blank">Goodies Pre-order</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Siren-Songs-Pirate-Hunter-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0917V6JS3/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sins+sons+and+siren+songs&qid=1617798640&sr=8-1" target="_blank">E-book Pre-order</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <a href="https://www.orderofthepenpress.com/product/sins-sons-and-siren-songs-signed-paperback-/4?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false" target="_blank">Signed Physical Copies Pre-order</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> LET'S TALK. </span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Congratulations to Sarah and Helena on this new release! Are you excited to dive into some pirate-y goodness? What books releasing in 2021 are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to pre-order your copy of <i>Sins, Sons, and Siren Songs</i>!</span></div>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-46142725239555280762021-04-05T09:29:00.000-07:002021-04-05T09:29:14.796-07:00Camp NaNo: A Surprising Sequel + Exciting Announcement!<span style="font-family: helvetica;"> It's April already (and EASTER as well), and that means #CampNaNo2021 is here! I have never participated in camp before, but I'm really excited to this time around for a couple of reasons...</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> First, that it's my first time, and after a pretty successful #NaNo month in November, I am raring to go. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> And secondly, the WIP I am attempting to finish this month is incredibly exciting and near and dear to my heart. You may have guessed from the title of my post exactly what project I'm working on, but officially, <span style="font-size: medium;">I am announcing that a sequel to <i>The Sorceress and the Squid</i> is officially in the works!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEOYXbY4NX7Kqn7YlPajSHbKDiSijon721kCSKfBsiV8xT67z_3xuvcf94RrEwliz-XEWmqUV5iBfjL7tWsQ9UaGdkcfzMNQv4Br6ePCHMy9XGj0-ClzqMSbvnoibJSxlEbYzRdbanKU/s2000/Copy+of+Untitled+Design.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEOYXbY4NX7Kqn7YlPajSHbKDiSijon721kCSKfBsiV8xT67z_3xuvcf94RrEwliz-XEWmqUV5iBfjL7tWsQ9UaGdkcfzMNQv4Br6ePCHMy9XGj0-ClzqMSbvnoibJSxlEbYzRdbanKU/w640-h512/Copy+of+Untitled+Design.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I've been sitting on this since last fall, with only a few people privy to the secret, and I have absolutely been DYING to share it with all of you! But yes, it's true, TSATS is getting a sequel, and today I'll be revealing the title, the working synopsis, and sharing how and why I decided to dive back into the world of Perth after almost 4 years away. Let's get into it!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yvUSDHKslbxgfzkUw8YQBhgy0Cl4R5v1Zqy34VLVPp0gn0OI0UOKSRn942ZL-oNacsDArSIQG6G3hCKmmz6CBDPeDCk743OQBgeCpJFENEVSH8UAhwYccfmqNZZ0dW7zANuxGjH7gpY/s564/db8edc22f02f8d6c98c6c92d00602438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yvUSDHKslbxgfzkUw8YQBhgy0Cl4R5v1Zqy34VLVPp0gn0OI0UOKSRn942ZL-oNacsDArSIQG6G3hCKmmz6CBDPeDCk743OQBgeCpJFENEVSH8UAhwYccfmqNZZ0dW7zANuxGjH7gpY/s320/db8edc22f02f8d6c98c6c92d00602438.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>THE SORCERESS AND THE SOLDIER</i></span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Three years after the Wizard’s fall, Princess Rosalin - the eldest daughter of the former king Hubrik - is about to ascend Perth’s throne. Jalen, now Commander of the Tower Guard, and Estrella excitedly arrive at the palace for the ceremony. However, before the princess can be crowned queen, they are attacked and the princess kidnapped by a strange pair of mysterious magic users. With Rosalin’s life on the line and Perth’s future in the balance, Jalen and Estrella, along with their friends, set out to the Northern Mountains to rescue her. But when disturbing truths regarding both their pasts and the pasts of those around them are brought to light, it will take more than the raging magic within Jalen and the dwindling powers of Estrella to save the princess, and Perth itself."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div> Above is the official title for this sequel project, chosen to reflect and pay homage to the first book while noting where the main characters of Estrella and Jalen are now (mainly, no longer in squid form, lol). I initially was going to go with something along the lines of 'The Soldier and...' so that it would reflect more as Jalen's book this time around, but this title came to me and I liked it right away - it just fit! I also have the working synopsis above, a story that just came to me in a flash, and that I'm super excited to finish and share with you guys in the future!</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> Why I Decided to Write a Sequel...</h3><div><br /></div><div> Despite the hugely positive feedback from the first book, I never had any plans or intention of writing a sequel in this universe. At the time, I felt Estrella and Jalen's story and major arcs had been accomplished, and that to delve further would be unnecessary and trivial. I honestly had no vision at the time of how the story would move beyond what I had already penned. I thought perhaps a prequel could happen, but it would eliminate the relationship between Estrella and Jalen, which is the central part of the story and the glue that holds it all together. So I simply discarded the idea of a sequel anytime it was brought up, turning my sights to my other projects, <i>Faithless </i>and beyond, while simultaneously pining after Perth and my favorite Sorceress and Soldier pair. </div><div><br /></div><div> Fast forward to last fall, I think around October, and I was suddenly hit with this brain wave. The idea of Princess Rosalin's kidnapping came over me, which would throw Perth in jeopardy and cause Jalen and Estrella - both now prominent figures in the kingdom - to have to go on a new quest. I had the barest bones of a story forming, but there were still a few kinks to work out. Mainly, who were the kidnappers and antagonists? How did they fit into the bigger story? How could I grow Estrella and Jalen as individuals on another tenuous quest? And now that Estrella was a paraplegic, how would I get her through the mountain journey without resorting to magical 'outs' and while staying true to the struggle of someone in her position? For the answers to these questions, you'll of course have to read the book when it is eventually released, but suffice to say, they have been difficult!</div><div><br /></div><div> So, in short, even though a sequel was never really in the cards, I am so thankful that this idea jumped into my head, so well-formed and entirely on its own, and I now have an excuse to play with some of my favorite characters again! I hope that this excites you half as much as it does me, and that you'll keep your eyes peeled over the next year or so as I write, rewrite, edit, and publish. Who knows, if you're really keen there will probably be an opportunity to beta read and/or ARC read in the future too!</div><div><br /></div><div> Here are some hints of things to come in the book to get you pumped:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Some new characters!</li><li>This time around, it's not just Estrella and Jalen going on a quest, but many of their favorite friends/some of your favorite side characters as well</li><li>Trolls</li><li>Unspoken secrets that lead to trouble</li><li>Estrella dealing with the loss of her limbs and her magic</li><li>Jalen dealing with guilt for Estrella's suffering</li><li>More of the princesses - and them being kinda epic</li><li>New magic users??</li><li>Major backstory reveals</li><li>And MORE</li></ul><div> I have already started the book's first draft and am aiming to finish it for Camp NaNo. If you'd like to follow along with that, you can <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/participants/emundell97" target="_blank">add me on the NaNo website</a>, or follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/emundell97" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/writeremilymundell/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/e_mundell" target="_blank">Twitter </a>for updates through the month and beyond!</div></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</h2><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2019/06/bookaversary-coming-soon.html" target="_blank">Bookaversary + Coming Soon</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-sorceress-and-squid-release-day.html" target="_blank">The Sorceress and the Squid Release Day + Blog Tour Kickoff</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/10/meet-my-cover-artists.html" target="_blank">Meet My Cover Artists</a></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">LET'S TALK. </h2></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>So! Are you as pumped as me for this sequel?? What are you most hoping to see in this book? Is there a character you really want to see get more page-time? And are you doing #campnanowrimo? I hope everyone had a great Easter, let's get each other pumped up for April in the comments below!</i></span></div>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-29868045932456287062021-03-28T09:59:00.001-07:002021-03-28T09:59:31.516-07:00Review: WandaVision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacfzBoodtnaYdeo91cbL-SzCrVH7QVnio8NEPHUqz_wPeU66xm6CJ5MIf4G0-a0wAa6t5W9_6rP91IQayHa2nT07wbzpTKOxuEKSOcIVI0StYjGWdwloc4NlPPsnNj4Tf1ts67V0NW2s/s810/Faithless.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacfzBoodtnaYdeo91cbL-SzCrVH7QVnio8NEPHUqz_wPeU66xm6CJ5MIf4G0-a0wAa6t5W9_6rP91IQayHa2nT07wbzpTKOxuEKSOcIVI0StYjGWdwloc4NlPPsnNj4Tf1ts67V0NW2s/w640-h356/Faithless.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>This will be a *mostly* spoiler-free review of the MCU's WandaVision, streaming now on Disney+. If you haven't yet watched it and want to experience it all genuinely for yourself, I recommend doing that first before reading further. If you are on the fence about it and you need some encouragement - read on!</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cvK53aow5mgW_PmBqX0bFYA1nVuwgBm3qah4qbcAlULi4HVeBfHgL3JvU66KJmG_RL6fDeZ4lFPKDgwhqYOx5ZjFQNF1O9Ljog6jOs6ERPzi2tLwrScSOq7Y7TePPcGcTlDMHcB7s9o/s500/agnes.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cvK53aow5mgW_PmBqX0bFYA1nVuwgBm3qah4qbcAlULi4HVeBfHgL3JvU66KJmG_RL6fDeZ4lFPKDgwhqYOx5ZjFQNF1O9Ljog6jOs6ERPzi2tLwrScSOq7Y7TePPcGcTlDMHcB7s9o/s320/agnes.gif" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> We're now a couple weeks out of the finale of Marvel's grand episodic experiment that is WandaVision, and I have certainly had some <b>THOUGHTS</b> on the show which I will try to coherently share with you today. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Marvel has always been a bold endeavor, simply by nature of its decade-long run with interconnected stories spanning multiple movies and series both on the big and small screens. But Marvel's first genuine venture into the television universe is possibly even bolder. It takes everything you think you know about Marvel and turns it entirely on its head. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCxyIA4xDpu1cKoRqqwzVZRBHMMhCp7UZiR9F51gyaAkAq0300cMhptJDiNIvB4sDCbcEpqJT6u6fRw5VpjnQW3wQ7Rx7rB_Zkszhk35hfJSo4bHw3NqMxZXIgd1a5F0sJNBZ7suR3Xk/s540/anigif_sub-buzz-16241-1611007502-4.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCxyIA4xDpu1cKoRqqwzVZRBHMMhCp7UZiR9F51gyaAkAq0300cMhptJDiNIvB4sDCbcEpqJT6u6fRw5VpjnQW3wQ7Rx7rB_Zkszhk35hfJSo4bHw3NqMxZXIgd1a5F0sJNBZ7suR3Xk/s320/anigif_sub-buzz-16241-1611007502-4.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> "<i><span style="font-size: medium;">WandaVision blends the style of classic sitcoms with the MCU, in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision - two super-powered beings living their ideal suburban lives - begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems."</span></i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> If you don't know much about the title characters (Wanda and Vision respectively) than you can <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/01/wandavision-everything-you-need-to-know-beginners-guide" target="_blank">follow a basic MCU history of the two here</a> in order to brush up on the characters before diving into the show. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> When we catch up with the characters of Wanda and Vision, we are transported into a black and white, 1950's style world with a catchy theme song, old timey special effects, and even a live studio audience to chuckle at the multiple suburban mishaps that seem part and parcel with this type of television. As Wanda and her synthezoid husband muddle their way through an afternoon and evening of crossed wires and grouchy dinner guests, the audience may be wondering what on earth is happening here?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Especially if you've checked out the recap above and know (<b>SPOILERS</b>) that Vision is certainly very dead, this idyllic suburban reality may come across as strange at first and, if you hang around long enough, almost a Twilight Zone level of creepy as the audience slowly awakens to the knowledge that something is very, very wrong in Westview, New Jersey, and there is someone behind this uncomfortable and familiar sitcom world. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju8KQcwxNwvANJvc6QBSEQo2-wWhxVZVSyubwkOYrXn2YmKq3iSP1Hu-0uXFe8muWku6D3L1WiIj1exHyHkdlYJr83dN49y1OeCT4tyQjoLQG1R1A8GjkTdirIl6yDEN2-s_g5ICoUng/s500/tumblr_a4108aebb7f722b6bd44fb4e7338f4d2_576e028a_500.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju8KQcwxNwvANJvc6QBSEQo2-wWhxVZVSyubwkOYrXn2YmKq3iSP1Hu-0uXFe8muWku6D3L1WiIj1exHyHkdlYJr83dN49y1OeCT4tyQjoLQG1R1A8GjkTdirIl6yDEN2-s_g5ICoUng/s320/tumblr_a4108aebb7f722b6bd44fb4e7338f4d2_576e028a_500.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Each new episode rings in a different decade in American sitcom history, from 1950's <i>I Love Lucy</i> style, to a typical 2000's mockumentary, the audience is guided through this homage to sitcom television, each episode rife with Easter eggs, oddities, and an undercurrent of tension as the audience is frequently reminded in the subtlest ways that something is very, very wrong. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> While Wanda and Vision are dancing through the decades and playing house, the audience receives glimpses into the lives of a completely different set of characters who are hard at work to understand and deconstruct what exactly is happening in Westview. Some of these are new to viewers, like Captain Monica Rambeau and Director Hayward of SWORD. While others are old friends, Agent Jimmy Woo (from <i>Ant-Man</i>) and Darcy Lewis (of <i>Thor</i>). Each of these individuals is on their own personal quest into Westview, desperate for answers to the anomaly of this strange TV universe, and some with their own motivations. But they are not the only ones who may not be acting entirely upfront. Westview's own citizens are more than a little dodgy at times, and even Wanda herself, powerful as she is, is not entirely sure of them.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS26CjGtaxNKgytpX5OcMG0ZJoVxpViGyPd_Fszhxf2gpSgkYezgn4zNPwxKnXVHzns0oqh2OxCRJjWYxI34sayUplZt5nhobhSo44k32MFYUnCAw6fG_ii6hxhvlsfmMzRFoJ4lcE6F4/s356/200.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS26CjGtaxNKgytpX5OcMG0ZJoVxpViGyPd_Fszhxf2gpSgkYezgn4zNPwxKnXVHzns0oqh2OxCRJjWYxI34sayUplZt5nhobhSo44k32MFYUnCAw6fG_ii6hxhvlsfmMzRFoJ4lcE6F4/s320/200.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> As we rip through television history at what often feels like a break-neck speed for both audience and characters, we experience nostalgia, heartbreak, humor, huge 'aha' moments, and some super meta content for the eagle-eyed viewer. Coming to the super-charged finale after some surprising twists and turns, <i>WandaVision</i> watchers can be sure that not only will they be experiencing something totally unique and original, but also getting a good dash of good old everyday Marvel content. There is really something for everyone in this show.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXtodi-w5ebJnwLlwd8Lk0maXQr98lFRgeN95RENxiSd_yPc-QgyXWIEuPKuQxwaqgMfOwCIXeWkwtJH8EZd-5urk40vvdcimiupfHPXG4Xbgaqdo7wPfnJh1-TuYMw8kuT-bC9kM6fU/s720/tdovwbxoxtdo6pm7v7et.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXtodi-w5ebJnwLlwd8Lk0maXQr98lFRgeN95RENxiSd_yPc-QgyXWIEuPKuQxwaqgMfOwCIXeWkwtJH8EZd-5urk40vvdcimiupfHPXG4Xbgaqdo7wPfnJh1-TuYMw8kuT-bC9kM6fU/s320/tdovwbxoxtdo6pm7v7et.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Personally, I absolutely loved <i>WandaVision</i>. I have always had a soft spot for Wanda's character, particularly as Elizabeth Olsen plays her, and it was so, so nice to see her get to shine in her own show alongside Paul Bettany's Vision. One of the biggest problems with the MCU as a whole is that there are so many amazing characters who get sidelined by the larger plot at hand, one of them being Wanda over the last 4 movies she was part of, and I was definitely excited to see her in her own show. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I watched weekly as episodes were released alongside my siblings and I am so thankful that we did. Though I'm usually a binger, having to wait a week and theorize alongside the rest of the internet was super exciting and it made the cliffhangers stronger and more agonizing to deal with. I can recall at the end of one episode where all five of us audibly shouted "NOOO!" when the credits rolled. With the average of 30 minute runtime, the end of each episode came way too fast. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Watching the first two episodes which were released together, we were all more than a little confused, and it was such a fun experience to have each week reveal more and more of the mystery until the epic finale in which Wanda got to really shine and step into her alter ego as The Scarlet Witch.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkL4PMqk2T_5Vgnj7X8giVdbwzRdDi7Rd5UD5J27G8UkSS6FqJ0lJ_6KJwl0-Uz_KZJvaNjRGlLjb595CFaiY1Ov6BlQRdNxIrvZJI_HtPFiw4YQbLStdzvRVyUvfdM59Gq9pSaDO_is/s360/anigif_sub-buzz-6990-1614987264-3.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="149" data-original-width="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkL4PMqk2T_5Vgnj7X8giVdbwzRdDi7Rd5UD5J27G8UkSS6FqJ0lJ_6KJwl0-Uz_KZJvaNjRGlLjb595CFaiY1Ov6BlQRdNxIrvZJI_HtPFiw4YQbLStdzvRVyUvfdM59Gq9pSaDO_is/s320/anigif_sub-buzz-6990-1614987264-3.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> There is a multitude of things I loved about the show, and some things I still haven't quite come to terms with. It was awesome seeing Wanda's children Billy and Tommy, on the big screen, the "recast" of Pietro, the old characters like Darcy and Jimmy coming back, a flashback episode of sorts where we get a behind the scenes look at Wanda's life, and so many more hilarious and heartbreaking little details through every episode. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>I laughed, I cried, it moved me, Bob </i>(a VeggieTales reference, for those who may be unaware). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> To summarize, I would have to say one of the main reasons I enjoyed this show so much was its mismashed content. It was a mixed bag of sitcom bliss, trauma and grief, horror, an unexpected crossover, magic, and of course Marvel goodness. Not everyone likes the blurring of genre lines, but for me, this was cinematic gold and a huge draw of the show. If you want to see something totally original, totally epic, and totally moving, <i>WandaVision</i> is the show for you!</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2019/07/review-what-star-wars-prequels-missed.html" target="_blank">Review - What the Star Wars Prequels Missed</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2017/03/logan-movie-review-feat-spoilersshould.html" target="_blank">Logan: Movie Review</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2017/07/andoras-folly-blog-tour.html" target="_blank">Andora's Folly Blog Tour</a></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK.</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>Have you watched WandaVision yet? What were your thoughts? What more obscure Marvel character would you like to see get their own show? Do you love classic American sitcoms or are you more here for the more regular Marvel content? Let me know in the comments below! </i></span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-22631720498832711672021-03-15T09:45:00.002-07:002021-03-15T09:45:14.414-07:00Battling Imposter Syndrome<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Mid-March already? 2021 seems to be flying by. How are you feeling about the year? Hopeful, anxious, uncertain, excited? What about as a writer or creative? For me, this is often the time of year when my mental health is at its lowest, and a large part of my struggle comes from this lovely thing called IMPOSTER SYNDROME. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKeTwLp21FGcZazPhplaOzUQnkx51Fo0kByD4KU7UHXAw_amB3R7yXUNEOAZkjMqLc9p8DsRP8ijhrNonIjbpjgVS0U7E6vQ6vF9Sn2LDTt3NGL669Uyn7U0qCkwH-GuO-wgwuQloLIc/s810/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKeTwLp21FGcZazPhplaOzUQnkx51Fo0kByD4KU7UHXAw_amB3R7yXUNEOAZkjMqLc9p8DsRP8ijhrNonIjbpjgVS0U7E6vQ6vF9Sn2LDTt3NGL669Uyn7U0qCkwH-GuO-wgwuQloLIc/w640-h356/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> If you're unfamiliar with the term, Google defines imposter syndrome as: <i>a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. 'Imposters' suffer from chronic self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of their competence. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Some symptoms of imposter syndrome include:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">self-doubt</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">attributing success solely to outside factors</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">holding yourself back from new responsibilities or in your work performance</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">job dissatisfaction and burnout</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">hyper-focusing on tasks and goal-setting/achievement</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">impact on mental health (anxiety, fear of being a fraud, depression, frustration, lack of self-confidence, and shame)</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Maybe you suffer from this too? If so, we are not alone! Imposter syndrome is prevalent among artists, writers, and other creators. After all, the very nature of creative work sets us up to be vulnerable to the opinions of others. Art is a subjective and very public business, and requires us to prove ourselves over and over again with every new book, painting, or song. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> My personal battle with imposter syndrome has been ongoing through most of my teen and now adult years. Especially since getting into publishing, being hired for paid photoshoots, and working as a horse trainer more, this feeling that I am somehow lying to everyone, not good enough, in over my head, can become deafening. Imposter syndrome is working hard, doing your best, creating and putting things out into the world, hearing good things from others, and the inner critic in your head rising up to cut you down. Again and again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Every day when you get up and think you'll never be great</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>You'll never be great, not because you're not, but the hate</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Will always find a way to cut you up and murder your faith</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnlJw9H0xAM" target="_blank">The Search, NF</a></i></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i></i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> It is decidedly one of the hardest things I have to do, ignoring this voice in my head constantly telling me that I'm not good enough, not doing enough, asking too much, not worth it. It takes a lot mentally to push through this constant merry-go-round of criticism from my own brain in order to do the things I need and want to do, the things I love. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This month has been personally pretty hard for me for this. Thankfully my writing and creative space is very private right now, but my work life has been very stressful. I have a lot to do, I feel like I don't have what it takes, and others are relying on me to do it. It's tough. I have this cloud of dread hanging over me every time I wake up until I go to sleep at night, with little respite, and I have felt the claws of panic sinking into me on more than one occasion. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> So what is a sufferer to do? Well, I can tell you I do not have the cure for this (clearly, from the above paragraph). But I wanted to share some things today that I've found helpful in battling imposter syndrome, hopefully they will help you too!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>#1 RECOGNIZE SYMPTOMS</b>. The first step to fixing a problem is knowing you have one! If the above symptoms sound familiar to you, you might be a sufferer. The good news is that when you know what is going on in your own brain, you can take steps to stop it from happening. When you can feel that little voice hissing criticism from the back of your mind, you can remember it's your head playing games, and it becomes easier to refuse to participate. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>#2. TALK ABOUT IT.</b> This one can be hard, but sharing with a trusted friend or family member that you are really struggling with self-doubt can be really helpful. If you can trust this person in other facets of life, you can trust them to be honest with you, to listen to your challenges and put negative thoughts to bed. Often those closest to us are much better judges of the quality of our work, and they are usually proud of us and eager to tell us so!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>#3. CHALLENGE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS.</b> Like I touched on in the first tip, when you can see yourself spiraling and are aware of the criticisms your subconscious is lobbing at you, you can be better equipped to fight them. If you catch yourself saying, "wow, I can't believe I thought that would be good enough" simply stopping that thought with a "I'm doing the best I can with where I am at right now" can be beneficial. Be gentle on yourself, but be harsh on that little voice, shout and scream at it if you have to. Don't give it the time of day.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>#4. ACCEPT THAT PERFECTION IS IMPOSSIBLE.</b> For the perfectionists out there (like myself) this does not come easily. On the outside, it seems like everyone else has it all together, that people you see on social media, at school, work, or other activities have really made it while you're floundering and hoping nobody notices how you've fought to prop yourself up. Sometimes it's really hard to remember no one is perfect. Sometimes it's hard to accept ourselves with strengths and flaws, and be comfortable to simply work to improve them, knowing that is a lifetime endeavor. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>#5. KEEP GOING.</b> This is sometimes the trickiest of all. When we are neck-deep in self-loathing, in a cycle of self-pity, negative thoughts, and wanting to give it all up, putting one foot in front of the other can often feel impossible. But it's pivotal. If we stop, we are letting the negative voices win, if we cease to pursue our work and our dreams, where does that leave us but defeated and nothing to show for our fight? I don't want to let my past, future, or even present self down but giving into the worst parts of myself. The things I create, do, and love are more important than that. </span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/02/6-ways-to-conquer-writers-block.html" target="_blank">6 Ways to Conquer Writers Block</a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/03/6-ways-to-feel-creatively-refreshed.html" target="_blank">6 Ways to Feel Creatively Refreshed</a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2019/10/5-simple-ways-to-be-more-productive.html" target="_blank">5 Simple Ways to be More Productive</a></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK. </span></h2><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Do you suffer from imposter syndrome? How do you feel with this draining, daily self-battle? How have you experienced victory in this area, big or small? Let me know in the comments below!</span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-50299652701029103162021-02-28T10:02:00.000-08:002021-02-28T10:02:45.703-08:00Why I Decided to Create a Reading Habit (and How You Can Too)<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Hello all! Happy end of February! I am so glad that I am writing to you now with our coldsnap done and over, and that the days are warming up and getting longer, giving me waaayyy too much hope for springtime. We still have March to go so I really shouldn't get too excited about the snow melting and temperatures rising just yet. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> But despite some of the bone-chilling cold, the global pandemic still wreaking havoc in most people's daily lives, 2021 has so far been an overall successful couple of months on my end. I've got a lot of work to keep me occupied in my day jobs, and I'm actually AHEAD in my writing goals, I've even been getting regularly into my sketchbook again! But one of my favorite accomplishments from the year so far has been the amount of reading I am getting done. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbP_Q3b0mWU-jDyJWqURIqLDALHQ8jLoiHNGfVyjasbuKxaTPnbQ0_3j3ERpiRSAwW41HjNAGj-_Yo6_v_lOtQNKysMWXlW-lu8BPb-990SP2OvAm2SB6NIlp2GvFPsa64Nx9FXHuYMT8/s810/Copy+of+2019+quarterly+update+%25232.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbP_Q3b0mWU-jDyJWqURIqLDALHQ8jLoiHNGfVyjasbuKxaTPnbQ0_3j3ERpiRSAwW41HjNAGj-_Yo6_v_lOtQNKysMWXlW-lu8BPb-990SP2OvAm2SB6NIlp2GvFPsa64Nx9FXHuYMT8/w640-h356/Copy+of+2019+quarterly+update+%25232.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> The last couple of years have been pretty dismal for me on the reading front, which has disappointed me to no end. In 2019 and 2020 I didn't even meet my very manageable Goodreads goals. Well, I decided this year that was going to change. Though I set my Goodreads goal to a meager 25 books, I fully intend to surpass that. By how much? I have no idea! I know the year will only get busier as the weather improves and my workload piles up along with it, but I am confident that I will not only accomplish my goal, but go far beyond it!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I have started off strong with 10 books completed and an 11th in motion, and I have definitely felt a lot better for it. I am a bookworm. When I get sucked into a book, not much can break my focus. Especially when I was young and had the luxury of simply reading constantly, with no interruptions from work or adult life. There is honestly something so therapeutic in that, and so relaxing. I am incredibly thankful that I made this change in my life. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> So, why the change?</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I changed my reading habit simply because I decided to. Honestly, when it comes to habits, that's really all there is to it. I want to read more, so I am. But why have I even bothered trying to read more when there are so many other things in my life I need to do?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Well, there are multiple reasons why I decided to do this:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Because reading is part of writing.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Because reading helps me focus, and retrains my brain from the endless scrolling and short-term entertainment from phones. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Because there are so many stories I want to read.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Because there are so many stories I want to reread.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Because there are things I want to learn. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Because it helps me "escape" in a healthy, constructive way.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Because it fuels my creativity.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Because my TBR will kill me if I don't start making a dent in it.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Because I want to challenge myself. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Because I want to be inspired.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Those are just a few of the reasons I decided to pick up my reading habit once again. And I can already see a huge improvement in myself in just these couple of months, making a dedicated effort to fit more and more books into my schedule. I have also already discovered some pretty awesome new series and authors, and that is it's own reward (Holly Black's <i>Folk of the Air</i> trilogy, anyone???) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> But how do you create a reading habit?</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Well, after you decide that you really want to do this, here are a few of my biggest tips for making a reading habit, and more importantly, making it stick. </span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">#1 SET GOALS </span></h4><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> A Goodreads goal is a great place to start! Make it as big or small as you like, record what you've read, and feel the dopamine rush as you begin to fill your quota for the year! I love having a Goodreads goal and keeping track of my books on there, it streamlines everything and really helps you get pumped up to read and read. </span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">#2 READ WHAT YOU WANT</span></h4><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> The quickest way to kill a reading spree is to attempt to force yourself into or through a book that you really don't click with. If you're struggling to get through your TBR, and the next book you pick up is <i>Les Miserables</i>, you might have a hard time getting through it (unless you're a weirdo who really likes giant, wordy classics and reads them as compulsively as others might read crime novels). If you're having a hard time getting yourself into a reading mode, don't try to do it with a book you won't enjoy. If there's something catching your eye, read that! Read whatever you want to and don't try to fill some mysterious expectation of your own making.</span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">#3 READ WHAT YOU LOVE</span></h4><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> If there's an old favorite that you've been through a dozen times, don't hesitate to pick that up when you're in a slump! Don't feel bad for going back to something familiar, a reread is still a read! As long as you're reading, who cares that you've already read it 27 times?</span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">#4 BETA READ</span></h4><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> If you have a bit of an eye for editing and are up for new adventures, why not try beta-reading or ARC reading a brand new release? If you love seeing things before anyone else, this could be a great option to get you really excited and into a book. Bonus points: you'll be seriously helping an author put MORE books out into the world. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that process?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">PS. I am often on the lookout for beta and ARC readers, so if you like anything I've written, I would love to have you on my team someday. ;) </span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">#5 BE INSPIRED</span></h4><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Follow other book-worms on your social platforms and keep an eye on what they are reading! This is 85% of how I find out about new books, which ones to try and which to avoid, plus seeing people's reviews, bookstagram photos, and bookish merch always gets me ramped up to dive into a new story! Let yourself go where the wind, and the tides of bookstagram, take you!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/01/my-most-beloved-fictional-tropes-and.html" target="_blank">My Most Beloved Fictional Tropes (And Why They're Amazing)</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/12/my-best-books-of-2020.html" target="_blank">My Best Books of 2020</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/08/favorite-tropes-to-read-guest-post-by.html" target="_blank">Favorite Tropes to Read - A Guest Post by Hanne T</a></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK. </span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> There you have it! The whys and hows of my new and improved Reading Habit! How has your reading life been in 2021? I assume that if you're here, you are also a bookworm, haha. Do you have a favorite read from this year already? Let me know in the comments below!</span></div><p></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-20530565586608740202021-02-15T09:58:00.000-08:002021-02-15T09:58:34.691-08:006 Ways to Conquer Writers Block<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I'm writing to you from the midst of the coldest week of the year here in Alberta so far, with temperatures regularly dipping below -50C with the windchill factor. Why do I mention this, you ask? Cause since basically all I've been able to do is write and attend to other indoor activities, I thought it would be the perfect time to explore some ways to conquer writer's block, so that if you ever get stuck inside for a week like me, you can make the most of your time!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Let's dive in!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvhd2F7434UalklJLKkilAL0Ye98q_NsvcTWJyyQBYCRlDjrR2LLZS3gY30_InewJcyDYm8iC51y_tGrC0rwiDIJJiQmyUnx-3ppdaoNqH6BECWYsT2Cu795kPrHiy3ty0W9Fp2KrjdQ/s810/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvhd2F7434UalklJLKkilAL0Ye98q_NsvcTWJyyQBYCRlDjrR2LLZS3gY30_InewJcyDYm8iC51y_tGrC0rwiDIJJiQmyUnx-3ppdaoNqH6BECWYsT2Cu795kPrHiy3ty0W9Fp2KrjdQ/w640-h356/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1. WORD SPRINTS/DAILY WORD COUNTS</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> One of the best ways to smash writer's block that I've found is to give yourself daily word count goals when you're working on a project. For instance, I have often employed writing at least 300 words per day into my busiest seasons to keep me moving forward. Yes, 300 seems like nothing, but is it 300 more words than you had yesterday? Then it's not nothing after all, is it? Depending on the amount of time you have to write in your daily life, it can be as little as 100 words to as much as 3000, whatever a reasonable goal is for you!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Another great tool is the 'word sprint.' Especially if you get friends involved, word sprints are great ways to get through a lot of words in a shorter amount of time. Simply set a timer for 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes, and dedicate that full run time to writing and writing ONLY. The ticking clock will keep you on track, especially for shorter bursts. And even better if you're doing this with a buddy to keep you accountable. </span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2. CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER OUTLINE</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> For my large fantasy series, I employ a chapter-by-chapter outline strategy, simply because I would be lost without it. I'm not a complete pantser, but I often do go into my books a little blind, and though it usually works out (see <i>The Sorceress and the Squid</i> or <i>Faithless</i>) it definitely makes the process longer, harder, and more convoluted. However, for the <i>The War of the Three Crowns</i>, I have dedicated myself to detailed outlines for every chapter, and that is probably all that has kept me going through this series <span style="font-size: x-small;">*cries in tired writer*</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> So, if you tend to struggle through a first draft because you lack direction, I would highly recommend getting yourself a chapter-by-chapter outline, or a three act story structure, or just <b>SOMETHING </b>to help you move forward. It's a guaranteed lifesaver and slayer of the Writer's Block. </span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">3. GET OUTSIDE</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This is a big one for me. I know a lot of writers are indoorsy people by nature, but trust me when I say that the outdoors fills your soul and spirit in all the right ways so that you can continue pouring creatively into your manuscript. Fresh air, sunlight, and movement are all key pieces of maintaining a healthy body and brain, and so even during weeks like mine, where it's colder than some places in Antarctica or even Mars, prioritize just a few minutes of outside time to allow your spirit to be refreshed and revitalized. And, when it's warm, try 30 minutes, or a few hours. A hike, a bike ride, a walk in the park, swimming, just something to get you away from your screen and into your body and mind in a new and invigorating way.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">4. WRITE SOMETHING ELSE</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> If what you're writing is really dry and has you totally stuck and unsatisfied, who says you have to keep pushing through right now? Come back to that sentence, that scene, that chapter, or even that book another day and focus on something that drives and excites you instead! Whether you have another project you can swing over to, something to write or end, a piece of fanfiction you've been meaning to pen, a plot bunny that won't stop bouncing around your brain, or you're more interested in writing a scene two chapters from where you are now - that's all great! Just <b>DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING</b>, else for awhile. You can always come back, perhaps with some new perspective from taking a short break.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">5. CHANGE IT UP</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Are you not sure where to go from here? Maybe you've written yourself into a corner you can't escape, or nothing makes sense anymore and your character isn't going to weasel out of this. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Try doing the last thing you'd expect, and wrestle with the consequences. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> After all, this is your story, and it doesn't need to make sense...yet. Why not try something totally out there, kill off a main character, add aliens to the mix, throw in some romantic subplot that came from nowhere, and just see what happens! Whether you keep or even like the results, you can guarantee that something will be happening, and sometimes we just need the confidence of that to push us through a roadblock.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">6. ACT IT OUT</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I have employed this since I was young, but it rings true even now that I am decidedly old. When in doubt, act it out! Step into the shoes of your character, visualize the scene before them and act accordingly. Pretend you are there, in the thick of it, exchanging witty banter with the villain, confessing your love to someone, deciding whether to take up the mantle of hero or not, and just see what happens. More often then not, the wheels in your head start turning and you get carried away with the ideas now springing up around you. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Plus, I find it is a great way to sharpen your dialogue, pretending to have a conversation with your character, as your character. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/01/my-most-beloved-fictional-tropes-and.html" target="_blank">My Most Beloved Fictional Tropes</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/09/soft-vs-hard-worldbuilding.html" target="_blank">Soft vs. Hard Worldbuilding</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2021/01/how-i-plan-my-writing-year.html" target="_blank">How I Plan My Writing Year</a></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK. </span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>When was the last time you suffered writer's block? And how did you deal with it? Are you a weirdo who pretends to be their own characters for *inspiration*? Let me know in the comments below!</i></span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-42462126630509753372021-01-31T20:55:00.000-08:002021-01-31T20:55:22.779-08:00My Most Beloved Fictional Tropes (and Why They're Amazing)<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Happy End of January, all! I'm not about to reiterate the tired old "wow, I can't believe that time keeps rushing forward at a terrifying rate and is marked by every time I post on here." Oh wait. I just did. Whoops!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> That aside, today on the blog I'm bringing up some of my absolutely to-die-for fictional tropes, and making sure y'all know just what exactly makes them so amazing. Check them out below and see if any of your favorites are on here!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9gy0TtJAparbQpC2iyjk_ywngrIrvZFceZ_kOoeGeSXeTFyaAyq3f8Vh4I8ZSEnJPTHo21keF_DhnDDyK4y5ZndjbANMxxSiuYDZiT65IX3rr2mu4Uk8WjbGLPJ7Iz0i2N-EDFIuiNA/s810/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9gy0TtJAparbQpC2iyjk_ywngrIrvZFceZ_kOoeGeSXeTFyaAyq3f8Vh4I8ZSEnJPTHo21keF_DhnDDyK4y5ZndjbANMxxSiuYDZiT65IX3rr2mu4Uk8WjbGLPJ7Iz0i2N-EDFIuiNA/w640-h356/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, in no particular order...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">CHOSEN ONES</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Yes, yes, this is a raging cliché. But it's my cliché. My absolute most favorite cliché of all time. From Anakin Skywalker, Harry Potter, and Frodo Baggins, some of the most pivotal and influential characters of the last hundred years have been chosen ones. And let's be honest, guys, there is absolutely something to be said for this trope, that's how it became a cliché in the first place. Who doesn't love watching the unprepared protagonist thrust into a life-changing journey to fulfill a prophecy, defeat a villain, or save the world? The angst, the adrenaline, the humanity! </span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">SMALL CHILD IS ACTUALLY THE MOST POWERFUL CHARACTER</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This one, guys. This one. From <i>Stranger Things</i>' Eleven to <i>Avatar: The Last Airbender's</i> Aang, the fictional world is full of these child prodigies and mini-badasses. I relate to this one on a feminist sort of level, as being a small female I understand how it feels to be looked down upon by those bigger and stronger, and can only imagine the satisfaction in being able to prove yourself a formidable foe. Who among us can't relate to this trope in some way? It's a common twist on "the underdog," which is such a significant trope because of how it transcends past cultural barriers and individuals to affect almost every one of us.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">FOUND FAMILIES</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Typically beloved by all, there are few things as heart-warming as characters shunned by society, by families, by the world who find family with each other. Often a slow process that sneaks up on readers and characters alike, giving us all the feels and turning our hearts to mush. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I think of the gang in <i>Aurora Rising</i> as a perfect example of this trope!</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">SUDDEN BETRAYAL BY BELOVED FRIEND WHO SAVES THE DAY AT THE LAST MINUTE</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This one always sends me for a loop. It's always a rollercoaster of emotions as a character you thought was good and solid ends up betraying the hero the in the worst way possible at the critical moment, only to have a change of heart and save the day just at the last second. This is often accompanied with dramatic death, so neither you nor the characters quite get the chance to process your emotions about it all until it's far too late. Boromir is a great example of this, one of the finest and most heart-rending instances in fiction.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">CHARACTERS REUNITING WITH SOMEONE THEY THOUGHT WAS DEAD</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I will never cease to become deceased by this trope. When the believed-dead-character comes limping in through the smoke, catching the living character's eye, and ALL the emotions pass across their face. Shock, hope, the resurgence of grief, the explosion of joy, and they run into each other's arms. That is just *chef's kiss*</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Bonus points if it's a return like Bucky Barnes in <i>The Winter Solider</i>, when the character has returned, but at what cost?</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">USUALLY COMPOSED CHARACTER LOSING THEIR COMPOSURE</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> You know the one, the silent, stoic guy or the calm, rational gal, the one in the group who is unflappable, who's been carrying everyone's emotional baggage since day one, comes to the very end of their long, long rope and just can't take it anymore. They explode. They shout, they cry, they swear, they throw stuff, and we as an audience along with the other characters are totally sidelined by this sudden, violent side of them. This is a trope that gets my blood pumping, and may even make your heart skip a beat when it happens.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">HERO HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO SIDE WITH A MINOR ANTAGONIST</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> The frustration and snark that comes from this trope is truly devastating. One cannot help but enjoy being irritated by the presence of a minor antagonist (who totally deserves to get beaten within an inch of their lives) and the fact that they and the hero are now locked into an uneasy alliance to achieve both their ends. This usually doesn't end well for one or the other, as tensions become too high and maybe the antagonist is only going along with the hero in order to do them dirty again later. Sometimes though, it actually works out for the best. Like in <i>The Mandalorian</i> s2 (I won't say more for fear of spoilers).</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">ONE ROMANTIC PARTNER/FRIEND MUST FIGHT THE OTHER DUE TO MIND CONTROL, TIME TRAVEL, ETC</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This one is always a major 'oof', right in the heartstrings. See Elastigirl vs. Mr. Incredible in <i>The Incredibles 2</i>. Or Bucky vs. Steve in <i>The Winter Solider</i>. When the person in their right mind is doing their best to defend themselves without hurting the other...ugh. What a cataclysmically emotional set of events!</span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">TENDER BROMANCE</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This one is not often seen in fiction, because men need to be tough and manly and whatever, but definitely the finest example of tender relationships between male friends is seen through <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> trilogy. Tolkien knew his stuff when it came to solidifying and really making this a thing in the first place. The relationships between Aragorn and Legolas, Legolas and Gimli, Boromir and Aragorn, the Hobbits and Boromir, Merry and Pippin, and of course, Sam and Frodo, are unparalleled. I can only imagine the kind of friendship that these titanium figures of literature possessed.</span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/10/finding-your-characters-voice.html" target="_blank">Find Your Character's Voice</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/09/how-to-write-good-antihero-guest-post.html" target="_blank">How to Write a Good Antihero</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/08/favorite-tropes-to-read-guest-post-by.html" target="_blank">Favorite Tropes to Read</a></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK.</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> What are your absolutely to-die-for tropes? Did any of them make it onto this list? Let me know in the comments below!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-46586370636780409052021-01-18T11:16:00.002-08:002021-01-18T11:16:25.293-08:00How I Plan My Writing Year<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">And once again it is THAT time of year, the the time of year in which we are setting goals, making resolutions, and - if you're a writer - planning yourself a year's worth of projects! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> So how do you go about deciding what to write, edit, plot, or publish when heading into a New Year? Well today, I'm here to show you MY process, and how you can emulate it to stay on top of your writing plans in 2021!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdDOQn3it-_d8boHHAzpwdMNfi6I-2ekKwbxape_EwkiHjzIW4TegOGEwE-dSk8OJNlR6bbMv3L9Z80aTx5_CzjrdH1PGrt4UC-CgCzFFj4ZbiX1XkRlnwNZzB2FbuelZ-Pdv6EuADkc/s810/Copy+of+2019+quarterly+update+%25232.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdDOQn3it-_d8boHHAzpwdMNfi6I-2ekKwbxape_EwkiHjzIW4TegOGEwE-dSk8OJNlR6bbMv3L9Z80aTx5_CzjrdH1PGrt4UC-CgCzFFj4ZbiX1XkRlnwNZzB2FbuelZ-Pdv6EuADkc/w640-h356/Copy+of+2019+quarterly+update+%25232.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Here are the <b>4 Steps</b> I take to determine what realistic goals I can set for myself in 2021:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 1. MAKE A LIST OF WHAT TO (IDEALLY) WRITE</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This is the step where your imagination, hopes, and dreams can run their wildest! Of course taking into account projects you might already have on the go, what do you want to accomplish in this shiny new year? Maybe you want to finish the first draft of this manuscript, maybe start editing another, maybe you want to publish! Whatever the case may be, write all this stuff down now and don't be afraid to go big. We haven't set our goals - yet! This is just a brainstorming session. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I told myself I wanted to finish the last 30 chapters of <i>The Promise</i> this year, write a totally new (and for now, totally secret) manuscript, finish the first draft of <i>Don't Insult the Witch</i>, write something for NaNo, and write ten new poems. For me, this is a pretty ambitious list, so don't be afraid to be pretty ambitious too!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 2. DIVIDE THE YEAR</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> After I get my list down, I take the new year and divide it into three parts: January-April, May-August, and September-December. Each of these seasons of the year are very different for me and will enormously affect my productivity for different reasons. You might be in a similar boat if you, for instance, have a seasonal job, are in school, etc. But when you divide your year, be sure to keep these things in mind for the next step...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 3. TAKE AN OBJECTIVE LOOK AT YOUR CALENDAR</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Along with the aforementioned school and/or work schedules that affect your day-to-day life, there are usually other "real life" things that will influence your timetable, productivity, and availability to your writing work. Things like vacations, holiday seasons, extra-curricular activities, moving, big events, etc can all affect your writing output and interrupt your list of goals, so it's important to recognize and plan for them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> At this step I like to pull out my calendar, taking into account what's been planned out (like a vacation), recalling the change of each season that life brings me, and keep it all in mind for step four.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> For myself, I usually have a very hectic May-August season, taking July and August off of writing almost completely to allow for the summer adventures and work I am usually neck deep in. I also always take off December as my down-time of the year, time to use my free time to relax, de-stress, recharge, and reset for the coming year. January-April is a good writing work season for me, as it is usually gross and cold in Alberta and easy to take lots of time inside in front of your screen. </span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 4. PLAN! PLAN! PLAN!</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> And now we get to the good stuff! Taking everything above into account, I get out my big ol' whiteboard and dry erase pens and get to planning! With my year divided, I jot down everything I want and can reasonably expect to do in that timeframe, and getting everything fit into the best possible place. This usually takes a little bit to figure out, especially if you have a lot of projects on the go (and even moreso if you have a lot of non-writing things going on too), so give yourself a good amount of time to figure it all out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> My own writing goals for the year followed this method and left me with ample time to do what I listed I wanted to do, all so long as I follow one more step. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> The fifth, bonus step is...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 5. STTDP</span></h2><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> What is STTDP? It's an acronym used by the people in my horse circle, which stands for Stick To The Damn Plan! And while very applicable for horses, it is equally as applicable for writing too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> What's the use of weaving together this whole, well-thought out and established plan for your goals if you're simply going to throw in the towel when the going gets tough? Believe me, I know better than anyone how easily life can derail the best laid plans, but if you want results, if you want the satisfaction of holding your finished book in your hands someday, then you're going to have to stick it out!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> And of course that doesn't mean that your plans are set in stone, or that you can't change your mind, or that things won't come up. It doesn't mean you should feel bad or guilty if you don't make it all the way through the year and succeed at everything. But so long as you're committed to doing your very best, you are guaranteed to have a successful writing year in 2021. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/02/how-to-quickly-and-completely-organize.html" target="_blank">How to Quickly and Completely Organize Your Month</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/01/plan-your-new-year-like-boss.html" target="_blank">Plan Your New Year Like A Boss</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-outline-fantasy-novel.html" target="_blank">How to Outline a Fantasy Novel</a></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK.</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Have you planned your 2021 writing season yet (probably, it's halfway through January already lol)? What are some of your big goals for the new year? And what methods do you have of setting them? Let me know in the comments below! </span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-75893545989451956922021-01-04T10:33:00.000-08:002021-01-04T10:33:47.631-08:002020 Quarterly Update #3<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> Well, we made it through the year 2020, mostly in one piece? It was definitely an interesting and whirlwind of a year, and somehow we're already at the end of it. I, for one, am completely ready for the Christmas season, curling up inside and just relaxing before 2021 can begin. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FGDBeslsTGh2o7SMmBi0l1M31AIQOhAK1-MT6lwdov0VwpCBZ6YWF6UEbeJtRpMh8kAZbfIML8EN-pxWUlx56Op-_17dpTbSGyNR5fHhGp_cv0KOfKXykqrA2LxCvxn31nEYLNqFvNY/s810/2019+quarterly+update+%25232+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FGDBeslsTGh2o7SMmBi0l1M31AIQOhAK1-MT6lwdov0VwpCBZ6YWF6UEbeJtRpMh8kAZbfIML8EN-pxWUlx56Op-_17dpTbSGyNR5fHhGp_cv0KOfKXykqrA2LxCvxn31nEYLNqFvNY/w640-h356/2019+quarterly+update+%25232+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">WRITING</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> I finished Part One of <i>The Promise</i>, which is the third book in my medieval fantasy series, which you can find a little bit about under the <a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/p/about-my-writing.html" target="_blank">Upcoming Projects header</a> on my blog. I powered through and finished in September/October, just in time to write <i>Don't Insult the Witch</i> (or most of it) for NaNo in November. <i>The Promise</i> came quickly and easily, and left me excited to delve into Part Two in 2021, while <i>Don't Insult the Witch</i> was a little more difficult to say the least. *laughs nervously*</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I started a new weekend job in November (from 6:30am - 5pm) that definitely put a kink in my word count. I was maintaining a good flow for most of the month but the missed words on the weekends definitely caught up to me. But it was my first official participation of NaNo and I still managed to get down 35k that I hadn't had before, so I call it a win. ;)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I'm very much looking forward to what's going to come in the new year, and I can't wait to share with you guys my one (so far secret) project that I hope will get my readers really excited! Keep your eyes peeled for that announcement in early 2021!<br /></span><div><h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">MEDIA</span></h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> I didn't get as much reading done as I would like, but you can see all my favorite books of the year in my <a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/12/my-best-books-of-2020.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> Aside from books, I started watching <i>How I Met Your Mother</i> (and am currently in season 6), saw season 2 of <i>The Mandalorian</i> (which was WOWZA!), and season 4 of <i>The Crown</i> (because I'm a simp for Princess Diana). <i>The Mandalorian</i> season finale got totally spoiled for me by the internet but it was still amazing, and just an amazing season in general (SPOILERS: </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-small;">ahsoka, amiright??</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">). I am so pumped for a season 3! It's going to be...</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwqzcr4w5u1GGoVFCHvFUp9w8QyoA_-lSoW67wMA-pJFuXSjLg5s7qnOuqwwHfgmPWcQlgonBRBUnorjAsbMh_XYNhccTOOgETBX6u97hQgeGZ2nbDq58J_jrpXUYTlXHK18bKZWb-8c/s636/7da4f8cf2776ee99b29f8c48de81e271.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwqzcr4w5u1GGoVFCHvFUp9w8QyoA_-lSoW67wMA-pJFuXSjLg5s7qnOuqwwHfgmPWcQlgonBRBUnorjAsbMh_XYNhccTOOgETBX6u97hQgeGZ2nbDq58J_jrpXUYTlXHK18bKZWb-8c/s320/7da4f8cf2776ee99b29f8c48de81e271.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(a <i>How I Met Your Mother</i> reference)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;" /></span><h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LIFE</span></h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> Life was well...life. The latter quarter of the year has been harder than the rest I think. Recently my province went back into lockdown, which has kinda sucked. At least we had a bit of a reprieve from such stringent rules for the summer months anyway. But other than that, the fall/winter/school year transition has been a little hard. I've mostly been working with very little in the way of socializing (obviously) and have felt generally discouraged. However, there have definitely been positives in the last four months!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b>WORK.</b> Of course not all of my work is a positive, haha. While I love my training job, my new weekend job has made me have an existential crisis on more than one occasion. However, to focus on better things, at the barn we have had quite a few really nice horses coming through, including my horse Arthur's baby brother just this past weekend! Very excited to see how he goes. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYYEOEZEEp9JJnmi75SBYQk7o3MqKALSTMET7Uniz0VEkgQ5Ro-7TwiXvRju1_jZ9v3rmpigX6Phlfq4-Mz69ncqwnJ5RznW99MkTawg0Ko6PEoigHX4IquC49G7IHtTfLYwqSTWL6aI/s1380/119937304_2835605559874710_77244409966799309_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1380" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYYEOEZEEp9JJnmi75SBYQk7o3MqKALSTMET7Uniz0VEkgQ5Ro-7TwiXvRju1_jZ9v3rmpigX6Phlfq4-Mz69ncqwnJ5RznW99MkTawg0Ko6PEoigHX4IquC49G7IHtTfLYwqSTWL6aI/s320/119937304_2835605559874710_77244409966799309_o.jpg" /></a></div><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b>WEDDING.</b> My cousin Hayley was married at the beginning of October in a beautiful outdoor ceremony and my sister was one of her bridemaids in an absolutely gorgeous plum dress that I definitely want to steal. This was definitely one of the highlights of October, and I'm so thankful that we were blessed not only with beautiful weather, but no heavy restrictions to ruin the day.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YcqkW48TuJWr0pQert2-OtuNh0v20tHSYeWKfPXHSWcTT_7pxUtaWOLsGjE9lFT4IcspH-FnlnMtYw0e4If4RsU6Oi3R3wt5_QzXGhYvCL2NorvZhGq0lUeW4a3J9vWCnl9aVJbdkg4/s2048/DSC_1347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YcqkW48TuJWr0pQert2-OtuNh0v20tHSYeWKfPXHSWcTT_7pxUtaWOLsGjE9lFT4IcspH-FnlnMtYw0e4If4RsU6Oi3R3wt5_QzXGhYvCL2NorvZhGq0lUeW4a3J9vWCnl9aVJbdkg4/s320/DSC_1347.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b>CANMORE.</b> I went and stayed in Canmore twice this fall - once for Hayley's Bachelorette Party and once with Jonathan's family for a sort of Thanksgiving trip. Between the two trips we took in a couple of hikes, relaxed in the condos, and had some delicious meals (one Thanksgiving dinner and one Banff Springs Hotel brunch). </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-I3Yk-ec_33tDyZ4Ni7GJJE50f7bAZ3id2rxIwjlJCFrROxnOr_QiYnhOYec-TlxQSQxcNtsBwL5ISSedQOFTp3Sb4sKs_OYvuOYUXqsGTbLPDBef_gYJDNgKjNlJrmzvsoQCPNNHWw/s2048/DSC_0017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-I3Yk-ec_33tDyZ4Ni7GJJE50f7bAZ3id2rxIwjlJCFrROxnOr_QiYnhOYec-TlxQSQxcNtsBwL5ISSedQOFTp3Sb4sKs_OYvuOYUXqsGTbLPDBef_gYJDNgKjNlJrmzvsoQCPNNHWw/s320/DSC_0017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b>PHOTOGRAPHY.</b> I got quite a few photography gigs in the earlier part of fall, some family shoots, a grad, portraits, etc. It kept me busy editing and definitely fed my creative muse! Hopefully once the restrictions here ease up I can get back into shooting more regularly. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V3go3HjrWgNs8oW2UHeo1zrdCrBZ9DKVVIEjLt_tkss_P6C4iJ99Trr2Pt65O-RS7RrBfUuJsQWDtTSw9qhdJGUT3Az4hTjMUhF8i3GlU1el8-T31uo-0tUCdOUOZeBPVec8PIEg3e0/s2048/DSC_0833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V3go3HjrWgNs8oW2UHeo1zrdCrBZ9DKVVIEjLt_tkss_P6C4iJ99Trr2Pt65O-RS7RrBfUuJsQWDtTSw9qhdJGUT3Az4hTjMUhF8i3GlU1el8-T31uo-0tUCdOUOZeBPVec8PIEg3e0/s320/DSC_0833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b>FIRST RIDE.</b> I finally put the first official rides on Phoebe and I am so proud of this little mare and how far she has come since I first met her. Even though we just wandered around I can already feel what a powerhouse she is, and I cannot wait for our future together!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9vZujuULV-SoJDWqX_2VwsYJ0CWSX-G_QRrdlFUYAIXtUgu5eEcMVLxHAwkjkW-mQfOE6c_rLuUL8I9tMivGKcXRuQl6OgIViWXABmy4_UMHZudHFmmW273awuyiOw81naFlBPR65LQ/s1000/120203182_3404453863112298_4781992442140938223_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9vZujuULV-SoJDWqX_2VwsYJ0CWSX-G_QRrdlFUYAIXtUgu5eEcMVLxHAwkjkW-mQfOE6c_rLuUL8I9tMivGKcXRuQl6OgIViWXABmy4_UMHZudHFmmW273awuyiOw81naFlBPR65LQ/s320/120203182_3404453863112298_4781992442140938223_o.jpg" /></a></div><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b>CHRISTMAS.</b> And, with much relief, the end of the year and the Christmas season came upon us! I cannot express how much I was longing for Christmas by the time December rolled around, how much I wanted to be done working and just be home, spending time with my family. We had a quiet Christmas with family and I'm so thankful for the days off, the gifts, and the time we had together.<br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;">TOP 10 HITS OF 2020:</h2></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Getting a puppy! Our little Percival has been wreaking havoc in our lives since February!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Celebrating 6 years together with Jonathan (yikes, I am an old lady)!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Publishing Faithless!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our many hiking and camping trips this summer!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Horse Camp in August!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2 Beautiful Weddings!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Putting the first rides on Arthur and Phoebe!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Having 1 week of summer camps!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Participating in NaNoWriMo and finishing <i>The Promise</i>!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Developing my photography portfolio even further!</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;" /></span><h2 style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: </span></h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span face=""><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/04/2020-quarterly-update-1.html" target="_blank">2020 Quarterly Update #1</a></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;" /><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/08/2020-quarterly-update-2.html" target="_blank">2020 Quarterly Update #2</a><br /></span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;" /></span><h2 style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK.<span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></span></h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;" /><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span face="" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> <i>How was your 2020? What was the highlight? Did it drag or fly by for you? Are you optimistic or pessimistic about what 2021 will bring? And what are you most looking forward to in the New Year! Let me know in the comments below!</i></span></span></div></div>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-25807829371407604452020-12-14T09:32:00.000-08:002020-12-14T09:32:19.214-08:00My Best Books of 2020<p> Wow, we're flying through the last month of 2020, which has simultaneously seemed like both the longest and shortest year ever. I can still hardly believe that it's just about over?</p><p> I am also in denial about the fact that I have to read 9 more books to meet my pitiful 2020 reading goal, but if I don't say anything it's fine, right??</p><p> In the interest of procrastinating that goal, I thought I'd hop on the blog and share some of my favorite books from the year because even though I maybe haven't read as MUCH as I should have, I have definitely read some great books this year. Check them out below! And also follow the link in the titles to check them out on Goodreads if they intrigue you! ;) </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOdgbm-_US5QnUlJLOhoXbkt5oNo84TJGDi_SqNqt8-8Jiop61VaQomCHSl3fePUS8vdwFlQA4aCG63nUrnAhnpFzMWQNUVuE8dp1O-8Q8PwM0tghbJoGP9O1iY3fgTDUxE2hsp1zjQE/s475/20758104._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="303" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOdgbm-_US5QnUlJLOhoXbkt5oNo84TJGDi_SqNqt8-8Jiop61VaQomCHSl3fePUS8vdwFlQA4aCG63nUrnAhnpFzMWQNUVuE8dp1O-8Q8PwM0tghbJoGP9O1iY3fgTDUxE2hsp1zjQE/s320/20758104._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20758104-the-knife-of-never-letting-go" target="_blank">THE CHAOS WALKING TRILOGY by PATRICK NESS</a></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him -- something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn't she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd's gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is.</i></p><p> This series, this book, OH MY WORD YOU GUYS. My husband has been recommending them for ages, and yeah, he was super right about how amazing they are. I took the first one on our family camping trip at the beginning of July and yes, every spare minute I had was spent poring through it. I did the same with the second book at horse camp, and the final book on another camping trip in August. Let's just say, don't start these books if you're planning on getting anything else done before you finish them. If you take nothing else from this post, PLEASE add these to your TBR, you will not be disappointed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTuH6MhVvS07t7kN-I8npqA2OEzzK8ic3oRQdahvzl3VVSPi3LlsCaGdd2RPDmY1jVx96-FZyWDUhl7UmqiYiN4On_1EerPZPilmd2HoquGdg_4fcbivu18Vj3jMriH3iKz6sJWvL4YQ/s2048/50623864.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1347" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTuH6MhVvS07t7kN-I8npqA2OEzzK8ic3oRQdahvzl3VVSPi3LlsCaGdd2RPDmY1jVx96-FZyWDUhl7UmqiYiN4On_1EerPZPilmd2HoquGdg_4fcbivu18Vj3jMriH3iKz6sJWvL4YQ/s320/50623864.jpg" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50623864-the-invisible-life-of-addie-larue" target="_blank">THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by VE SCHWAB</a></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget.</b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.</i> </p><p> A close second of best books of 2020 goes to this piece of absolute perfection. VE Schwab long ago cemented herself as one of my favorite authors ever, but this book just solidifies it even further, if possible. I know some people thought it was a bit slow, and they aren't entirely wrong, but there is so much magic and existential drama here, not to mention I was actually full out sobbing in front of my husband at the end (and am even tearing up to think about it). Please, please get this on your TBR, it was my most longed for book of the year, and totally met all my expectations. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWx4Ug6udwqPupDajbGpeXDRNQMw_Udch9JjM_tys2DEM_V1PN-vJsCNl0p5JMzItj32Id5Fyl7fJ3vP4In21I6c3obRO2PAeA5dzg9wRKG-fKkpaFBTMCoTJtX2_RJmIsmEczIiFS_Co/s475/1934._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWx4Ug6udwqPupDajbGpeXDRNQMw_Udch9JjM_tys2DEM_V1PN-vJsCNl0p5JMzItj32Id5Fyl7fJ3vP4In21I6c3obRO2PAeA5dzg9wRKG-fKkpaFBTMCoTJtX2_RJmIsmEczIiFS_Co/s320/1934._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1934.Little_Women" target="_blank">LITTLE WOMEN by LOUISA MAY ALCOTT</a></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Generations of readers young and old, male and female, have fallen in love with the March sisters of Louisa May Alcott’s most popular and enduring novel, Little Women. Here are talented tomboy and author-to-be Jo, tragically frail Beth, beautiful Meg, and romantic, spoiled Amy, united in their devotion to each other and their struggles to survive in New England during the Civil War.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>It is no secret that Alcott based Little Women on her own early life. While her father, the freethinking reformer and abolitionist Bronson Alcott, hobnobbed with such eminent male authors as Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne, Louisa supported herself and her sisters with "woman’s work,” including sewing, doing laundry, and acting as a domestic servant. But she soon discovered she could make more money writing. Little Women brought her lasting fame and fortune, and far from being the "girl’s book” her publisher requested, it explores such timeless themes as love and death, war and peace, the conflict between personal ambition and family responsibilities, and the clash of cultures between Europe and America.</i></p><p> Yes, I had never read <i>Little Women</i> until this year, and yes, I only decided to give it a shot because the new 2019 movie with Saoirse Ronan was such literal perfection and I had to. Of course, I found that I should have read it a long, long time ago. So if you're like me and haven't read this classic yet, you should probably get on that. And, if you need something to inspire you to do so, try watching the 2019 movie because it's absolutely beautiful. </p><p>(also, I am a Laurie/Jo stan forever)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fOjkH_3ZKKu3VQyxyLZcYThhGTd64GkOTjtHj-TVxlDbOt-bay23Xxabp6uf4Ibnof3tgLkLhLDqwLZne84qI6atGYDg-oa0oZ8DsN1NaAfHfGQPqlTpUb5ur-m12z9teyqpTa4EF7c/s475/13477819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fOjkH_3ZKKu3VQyxyLZcYThhGTd64GkOTjtHj-TVxlDbOt-bay23Xxabp6uf4Ibnof3tgLkLhLDqwLZne84qI6atGYDg-oa0oZ8DsN1NaAfHfGQPqlTpUb5ur-m12z9teyqpTa4EF7c/s320/13477819.jpg" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13477819-who-could-that-be-at-this-hour" target="_blank">ALL THE WRONG QUESTIONS #1 by LEMONY SNICKET</a></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><i>The adventure began in a fading town. Far from anyone he knew or trusted, a young Lemony Snicket started an apprenticeship for a secret organization shrouded in mystery and secrecy. He asked questions that shouldn't have been on his mind. Now he has written an account that should not be published that shouldn't be read. Not even by you. Seriously, we recommend that you do NOT ask your parents for this, the first book in his new ALL THE WRONG QUESTIONS series.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Lemony Snicket, in case you don't already know, grew up to be the author of A Series of Unfortunate Events series.</i></p><p> This book was tiny, but mighty, and I'm so glad that there is a whole other Lemony Snicket series I can dive into, it's just a matter of finding the rest of the books in this series, which has been exceedingly difficult. They are rare finds! I love Lemony Snicket's way of writing, everything about it, and if you haven't read this or his staple <i>Series of Unfortunate Events</i>, then you should probably get on that like, yesterday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEU8Z7lE7oKMAYVC2i6NCpavzwVlC8fbznUFY5GXe9Vh4K78W72X1ayDg7C4580t4YyOtATQ8BBTnf5dUBQ7rRXcHA2-o5bYiyYZhv0m85d1ru1fD5DlAOgEQMg9g2iz7K-4MIfAX48Y/s475/23299512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEU8Z7lE7oKMAYVC2i6NCpavzwVlC8fbznUFY5GXe9Vh4K78W72X1ayDg7C4580t4YyOtATQ8BBTnf5dUBQ7rRXcHA2-o5bYiyYZhv0m85d1ru1fD5DlAOgEQMg9g2iz7K-4MIfAX48Y/s320/23299512.jpg" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23299512-this-savage-song" target="_blank">THIS SAVAGE SONG by VE SCHWAB</a></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><i>There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.</i></p><p> I'm currently on the second book in this duology, and I am loving it as much as this one. Ms. Schwab is a force to be reckoned with in all her various books and genres, and her stories are powerful and visceral, this one no less so. I am very much looking forward to seeing the end of Kate and August's stories, and really that's what I ought to be doing today (reading) instead of making this post. XD</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuWCUX3wiN2Oc9OLKxk6oEhmasOKxDv4qqtP7uRuQ6l7rDJx2FMcVwLu61MKA2Ev-JlTbxehS69lf-VaSgLfGoT8xXzIyMI7XYHnWdfw0watG_OW6YX-xl0ZYuYSYeSt-aR4fspDBYRo/s475/21969786.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuWCUX3wiN2Oc9OLKxk6oEhmasOKxDv4qqtP7uRuQ6l7rDJx2FMcVwLu61MKA2Ev-JlTbxehS69lf-VaSgLfGoT8xXzIyMI7XYHnWdfw0watG_OW6YX-xl0ZYuYSYeSt-aR4fspDBYRo/s320/21969786.jpg" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21969786-more-than-this" target="_blank">MORE THAN THIS by PATRICK NESS</a></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><i>A boy drowns, desperate and alone in his final moments. He dies. Then he wakes, naked and bruised and thirsty, but alive. How can this be? And what is this strange deserted place?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>As he struggles to understand what is happening, the boy dares to hope. Might this not be the end? Might there be more to this life, or perhaps this afterlife?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>From multi-award-winning Patrick Ness comes one of the most provocative and moving novels of our time.</i></p><p> I must say, this book rocked me. It was not what I expected in any sense, and Patrick Ness was the perfect person to explore the important, powerful themes presented in this book. I started reading it over my husband's shoulder and then basically stole it from him until I'd finished. It was one of my first books of 2020, and remains one of the most powerful. </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</h2><p><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2019/12/my-best-books-of-2019.html" target="_blank">My Best Books of 2019</a></p><p><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2019/02/my-favorite-books-of-2018.html" target="_blank">My Favorite Books of 2018</a></p><p><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2018/01/my-best-reads-of-2017-and-books-im.html" target="_blank">My Best Reads of 2017 (and Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2018)</a></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">LET'S TALK. </h2><p> Wow, 2021 is almost here and that seems impossible somehow. How many books did you get through in 2020? What were some of your favorites? Have you read anything on this list? Let me know in the comments below!</p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-47681573406652065552020-12-01T11:14:00.006-08:002020-12-01T11:14:56.709-08:00NaNoWriMo2020 - What I Wrote and How It Went<span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> It's December 1st, everyone! I've been completely MIA over November, due to not only a hectic personal schedule, but the event writers everywhere both love and hate - NANOWRIMO! </span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo for short) is a worldwide writing event taking place every year throughout the month of November, where participants are challenged to write 50,000 words (the length of the novel) in the span of 30 days. This year was not my first year joining in, but it was my first time participating through the actual NaNo website. So today I thought I'd catch you all up on the story I've been working on this month, and how the experience went for me!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> First things first, I've kept most everyone in the dark about my project, so what exactly was I working on this year?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIh9jH5yUsvrE2s6QF1QbYvKqHsJ2psQ2Q91n-BS5IqxNSZtNI1rGhrrSA1GFML1L_2K5xVUrmxppqhkduLBU3a1HGA8q38QwgdrTkmfs7Z5NHRZ6pTXQc_M1JrtuAScv84T98mxmY_dw/s2000/Don%2527t+Insult+the+Witch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIh9jH5yUsvrE2s6QF1QbYvKqHsJ2psQ2Q91n-BS5IqxNSZtNI1rGhrrSA1GFML1L_2K5xVUrmxppqhkduLBU3a1HGA8q38QwgdrTkmfs7Z5NHRZ6pTXQc_M1JrtuAScv84T98mxmY_dw/w640-h512/Don%2527t+Insult+the+Witch.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> DON'T INSULT THE WITCH</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YA Fantasy // Standalone</span></h4><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">“It’s bad luck, to have a witch ask for you by name.” </span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-dd614659-7fff-bc09-f6b3-265c88e128ac" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-dd614659-7fff-bc09-f6b3-265c88e128ac"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Peter Carver seems to be an ordinary citizen of the ordinary village of Merit. However, both he and the town have secrets. Merit has a witch wandering the nearby woods, and Peter himself has no memory of his life before five years ago, when he first arrived in Merit.</span></span></span></span></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-dd614659-7fff-bc09-f6b3-265c88e128ac" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Though the witch is shunned by the citizens of Merit, the villagers know that they can go to her for potions, for apocatheries, and sometimes for even more. But when the witch approaches Peter, offering him a deal of her own accord, Peter is forced to choose. Continue his ordinary life in Merit, his past a mystery, or, accompany the witch on a mysterious quest, and she will return the memories he lost five years ago.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><i> </i>Exciting, eh? ;) This is a relatively new idea to me, and I was pretty interested in discovering more about the characters, the world, and who Peter Carver really was before losing his memories. So this year, I attempted to answer those questions by writing! Though I had a very bare outline going in, I was definitely hit with twists, turns, and surprises as I went - and I'm still not finished, so there can certainly be more to come!</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><h3 style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><i>What inspired Don't Insult the Witch?</i></span></span></h3><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> I saw a writing prompt on tumblr a few years back. I can't actually reveal it all due to spoilers, but the basic premise of a witch approaching a villager with an offer to restore their lost memories in exchange for their help on a quest is the gist of it. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><h2 style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><i>Who is/are the MC(s)?</i></span></span></h2><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> Peter Carver is the main character, and he is a villager from Merit, who has been living in the company of his blacksmith friend, Seth. Five years ago, he arrived in the village with no memory of who he was or where he'd come from, and only the clothes on his back. Since coming to Merit, Peter has taken up a job as a farmhand but feels increasingly distanced from Seth, who is ready to get married and start his own family. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> The witch, Dinah, is the second main character, though she has no POV in the book. Peter knows very little about her, other than suspicious stories from friends and neighbors. He has never seen her in person, not until she comes looking for him. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><h2 style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><i>What is the target audience for this story?</i></span></span></h2><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> I was aiming for YA as I was writing, so I could include some darker, more violent aspects, lol. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>What is the opening sentence?</i></span></span></h2><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"> "<i>The day the witch came into town, Peter Carver was not at home.</i>"</div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"> These were the first words that came into my head while settling in to write, and I'm hoping they do well to set the scene for the novel!</div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>What do I think of the characters and who is my favorite to write about?</i></span></span></h2><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> I have really quite enjoyed getting to know both Peter and Dinah. Peter is very lost, uncertain, and lonely in the world, feeling empty without any tethering identity. And Dinah, though a very powerful witch who seems as cold as ice on the surface has skeletons in her closet, haunting her every action, pushing her, and a somewhat unwilling Peter, along on their quest. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> I'm only writing from Peter's POV, so I do enjoy the chance to dig deeper into identity, memory, and what makes us who we are. But I also love Dinah, and the irony of being so talented and indomitable, but struggling with a sense of not being good enough, of not doing enough, of feeling outcast. Angsty themes, yes, but ones I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>What are my plans with this story?</i></span></span></h2><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Well, first I need to finish it up! I am mere chapters away from the climax and from there it's just a matter of wrapping it up. Once I'm finished? Well, editing of course, and the whole road to making it the best possible story it can be! I'd love to publish this one someday. I really think people will enjoy it a lot. When that will be? Who knows! My best case scenario would be in a year or two, but I have so many projects and plot bunnies and plans, both in writing and in my personal life - so who knows what will come in 2021 and beyond?</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>What was my NaNo writing process? And did I win?</i></span></span></h2></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I started off with the simple aim of meeting the daily goal needed to hit 50k, which is about 1600. I was doing great with that for the first half of the month! Unfortunately, due to a new job requiring me to get up at 5am and not get home til 5pm, I was quite derailed. I work best in the morning, but couldn't bring myself to get up any earlier than 5, so I definitely faltered, and no, I did not hit 50k. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <b>HOWEVER</b>. I surpassed the half-way point, making it to almost 35,000 words! And honestly, I'm pretty proud of that. Sure, it would have been great to win, and of course that was the aim, but ultimately 35k is far better than 0, and when I was meeting the daily count and in the thick of it, I actually found it quite easy! Next year I will try again with even more fervor, and will definitely <b>NOT </b>be working a job that gets me out of bed at 5 (fingers crossed). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h1><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2019/11/what-im-writing-for-nanowrimo2019.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What I'm Writing for #NaNoWriMo2019</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">LET'S TALK. </span></h1><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Did you participate in NaNo this year? What did you write about? Did you meet your goals? Are you happy with the outcome? How was your November? Let me know in the comments below!</i> </span></div>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-60002510507802131132020-10-25T17:17:00.002-07:002020-10-25T17:17:40.382-07:00Finding Your Character's Voice<span style="font-family: helvetica;"> With NaNoWriMo soon to be upon us, there are probably many of you out there looking at the overwhelming prospect of spitting out 50,000 words of a first draft. Though there are many, many things to think about in the novel writing process, one thing that often gets overlooked is <b>CHARACTER VOICE</b>. What is it and how do we find it? Continue reading to get my tips on the process!</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJyPuLxSz-Y_j8WaOqMULcmD3yl23Z8JgvXq_oX6ctw7tJXSZHN_kaZ0zd4pcWR27umFPwfRwhphT8J-dHD0F4q-oEGSeSKnPWZQdyMcHtilS-sffoZ5orrfVLsz-hX9HXnf76CzKRRo/s810/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJyPuLxSz-Y_j8WaOqMULcmD3yl23Z8JgvXq_oX6ctw7tJXSZHN_kaZ0zd4pcWR27umFPwfRwhphT8J-dHD0F4q-oEGSeSKnPWZQdyMcHtilS-sffoZ5orrfVLsz-hX9HXnf76CzKRRo/w640-h356/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Before we look at how to find our character voice, we need to answer another important question, what is character voice? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> According to a Google definition: <i>Character voice refers to the unique way that a character in a novel or short story expresses themselves outwardly and inwardly. A character's voice can be communicated through a character's personality, a character's thoughts, and the way that character sounds.</i><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Now that we understand that, let's look at some ways we as writers can develop our character's unique voice...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">#1. PERSONALITY TYPING</span></h2><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> One of my favorite ways to better understand my characters (or even people I know in real life) is through personality typing. My favorite system is Meyers-Briggs, but I also love the Enneagram. If you're not familiar with these systems, you can look up <a href="https://www.16personalities.com/personality-types" target="_blank">MBTI types here</a>, and <a href="https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions" target="_blank">Enneagram types</a> here. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> An aspect of this that I find hugely beneficial is making sure I'm not just entirely drawing from myself when it comes to creating characters. I don't know about you guys, but when I write, there is often at least a small aspect of myself in the MC's, and of course that's hardly able to be helped, and not a bad thing at all, but I find it important to make sure I'm writing beyond just myself. Diving into other types can really help with this.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">#2. DEVELOP A SOLID BACKSTORY</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> While there's not necessarily a need to go overboard with this step, making sure you know your character's history as well as you know where they're going in the story is fundamental to getting a good grasp of their voice. A person's history is largely who they are, their experiences have shaped them, whether it's their parents, their hometown, their culture, scholastic experience, traumatic experiences, etc. All of this adds depth and layer to a person, and will only serve to strengthen the voice of your character throughout your novel. It will help you write them accurately, true to their self, and will give you direction when they come upon moments of action/reaction, helping you know where their responses are coming from and why. This is probably the most valuable aspect of the process, I really can't stress enough the importance of knowing your character's history!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">#3. CRAFT SPEECH PATTERNS</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> This is something that dresses up the top of all the other development work you will do. Once you know who a person is, where they come from, what their formative years were like, and the personality they have, how they speak comes easily. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> For instance, someone who had a happy childhood in southern USA will sound very different than a hardened street kid from Brooklyn. Likewise, an elf from Rivendell will sound drastically different from an orc out of Barad-dur. These are obvious differences, but oftentimes, speech patterns and behaviors are much more subtle. People can even be from the same family and speak very differently. One sister might be very outgoing and exuberant, while another has always felt like she was in that sister's shadow, and is quiet and monotonous in response. Don't be afraid to develop your character's by how they play off of others too!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Your character might also have specific phrases or sayings that they use often, these can be hallmarks and calling cards to help the reader identify them. BUT beware of overusing phrases or accidentally giving them to every character. For instance, you might have a character who swears a lot, but if ALL the characters swear a lot, then it's going to take away the punch of the one in particular who REALLY swears a lot. Balance is key!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">#4. WRITE EXTRANEOUS SCENES</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I find it really helpful to write "beyond the story." Going back to write some backstory scenes that will never make it to the book's pages, or writing things that happened between the pages of the book, can really help you discover more about the person you're writing. The more you know, the more you can show through the subtlety of your prose. Exciting, right? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> So don't be afraid to write outside of your manuscript. It's not a waste of time! It's an investment, it's practice, it's deepening your knowledge of not only your character, but your craft as well!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">#5. ESTABLISH THEIR BELIEF ABOUT THE WORLD </span></h2></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Going right alongside tip #2, a major part of developing your character's backstory is understanding their fundamental beliefs about the world. Often false beliefs, or what they hope for the future, this gives your character direction not only in how they think and feel, and thus, how they will speak into the story, but also direction in the plot. What do they really want out of life? How do they really feel about the things that have happened to them? Answer these questions, and you are practically guaranteed to have a strong character voice!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/09/soft-vs-hard-worldbuilding.html" target="_blank">Soft vs. Hard Worldbuilding</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-outline-fantasy-novel.html" target="_blank">How to Outline a Fantasy Novel</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://writeremilymundell.blogspot.com/2020/06/using-prophecy-as-plot-device.html" target="_blank">Using Prophecy as a Plot Device</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> LET'S TALK.</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i>How do you develop character voice? Do you find it easy or more like pulling teeth? Are you working on something for NaNo next month? Let me know in the comments below (and be sure to add me on the NaNoWriMo website @emundell97 if you are)! </i></span></div>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-41292482695412227752020-10-12T16:50:00.001-07:002020-10-12T16:50:39.014-07:00Meet My Cover Artists<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> It's an exciting October day on the blog! I recently sat down with Mette and Micah Jonsson, the sibling duo who each designed one of my book covers (and each did a phenomenal job I might add). I wanted to ask them questions about their art, their process, and their thoughts on creating a book cover for the very first time. If you're an artist looking for inspiration from other artists, or an indie author hoping to freelance a book cover design, this post is for you! Let's dive in!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6b8yuxVT4gHkfD16MjzYw1FhQw-KXCNxEpqVcZzgs7w6XeosLr9SbBRQz0Y67vzZglIMMnKMqRkczq_pYFDJeAnk8xkd0GQbFfoWB73hEOaUzDLFfumzbtD8Wcl3r8R5l6KhPZh9xKY/s810/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="810" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6b8yuxVT4gHkfD16MjzYw1FhQw-KXCNxEpqVcZzgs7w6XeosLr9SbBRQz0Y67vzZglIMMnKMqRkczq_pYFDJeAnk8xkd0GQbFfoWB73hEOaUzDLFfumzbtD8Wcl3r8R5l6KhPZh9xKY/w640-h357/5+Ways+to+support+your+local+indie+author.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>E: Let’s start by introducing yourselves, tell us who you are!</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: <i>Mette Jonsson, 3rd youngest out of 7, art enthusiast!</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> MI: <i>My Name is Micah. </i></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I am an illustrator and painter with an interest in character design. I live and work in Alberta.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: What drew you to art and how old were you when you really began to get serious about it?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ME: <i>I’ve been drawing since I could h</i></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>old a pencil, but only really started developing my skills around age 15 when I discovered a knack for realism and painting.</i> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>Art was always a big part of my life, but I never considered it as a career option until I joined a theatre group at the age of 14. Every year after a show I would draw all the actors in character on a big poster and sell prints to make a little extra money on the side. I took a fascination to the costume designs and attention to detail required to make a poster of 20+ people on a yearly basis, I’ve since stopped making them on account of my other job. But I’m hoping to work as an artist full time. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: Do you have a specific process when it comes to starting a new project?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: <i>I need to find the motivation before anything else, if I force myself to paint I can’t create something I’m proud of. Focusing the mind on all the positives helps.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>My process involves a lot of warmup sketches. I work on quick sketches to warm up then take one of the sketches I’m particularly happy with and put more detail on it. I basically just keep drawing whatever comes to my mind until I think about something I’m happy with. Drawing digitally requires a lot of reworking, first there’s sketching, line work, colouring, shading and finishing touches are all spaced out into different segments. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: What drew you to the idea of designing a book cover, and what was the most exciting part for you?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: <i>I never considering the option before Emily approached me with the idea. I can fall into assuming my talents won’t be more than for my own happiness, so I wouldn’t have reached for this goal on my own. The idea of creating art that so many people will see, and visualize in their mind while they read this story still amazes me to this day. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>Honestly I hadn’t considered illustrating a book cover until I was approached by Emily. But I’ve always been drawn to the unique visual interpretation an artist can adopt from a book. My favourite part was trying to capture a grand yet intimate nature of the story. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: What aspect of the cover design was the most challenging?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: <i>Developing an idea that captures Emily’s vision. I had a lot of doubt that my portrait would not meet the vision, and capture the essence of the story. I’m so glad the finished product has been well received!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>The most challenging part of the book was sending it in. Once I finished the illustration I noticed elements that I would have changed, I noticed little details that weren’t quite right, but I knew that I had to send it in anyway because if I let myself try and fix something over and over again I’ll never get it finished.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: How did you find inspiration for the cover art?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ME: </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I was provided with a sort of “mood board” that gave me wonderful ideas and interpretations. I particularly thrived in painting in black and white.</span> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>I was inspired by concept art found in art books from movies, video games, and a little bit of Dungeons and Dragons. Inspiration comes from anywhere you just need to know where to look.</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: As siblings, you both have shared creative space growing up, what has drawn you, Micah, to practice more digital mediums, and you Mette to traditional ones?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: <i>Each one of us siblings grew up using the exact same medium: pencil and paper. As we grew older and our personalities developed, our style and motivations developed along with them. We’ve all experimented with each other’s chosen medium; Micah with painting, me with digital art, but we chose what worked best for us in the end. Can’t really tell why.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>I was obsessed with the clean slick style that digital art can produce. I also couldn’t afford new paints every time I ran out so digital media was the most financially viable option. However now in my current art career I try to replicate the style of traditional painters digitally; using minimal layers and paint over mistakes instead of simply pressing undo. Art can be expressed a million different ways as long as the artist is genuine. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: What are your favorite materials/brands you love and would recommend to other artists?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">ME: <i>I really enjoy using oil paints, I don’t have experience with brands other than Gamblin, but I would recommend it. I also often choose to paint on Masonite instead of canvas. It can be found at most hardware stores and you can get 4’ by 2’ for only $5. Easy to frame, easy to store and the canvas texture isn’t as important to me as what I put on it. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>I’m currently using the Wacom 16, a cheaper drawing tablet, it has it’s problems, I’d recommend either that or the Wacom to those trying to break into the digital scene. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: What would your advice be to indie authors looking to recruit freelance artists to design their book’s cover?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: G<i>ive as much detail as possible to help the artist capture the image, but make it known that you trust the artist’s instincts and know that they are doing everything in their power to read your mind, hah so go easy on 'em!</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>Know what you want. Have a list of ideas, preferences, designs and personal inspiration to draw from, and communicate it clearly with your artist before they start work. We’re here to bring your vision to life so don’t be afraid to tell them exactly what you want. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmQRWUep57D4LlZcZfeFrFX3kEi1SMorXd4a4WQhleUs5UnVOgbFVl5Kqld3mW_VRujE5ubGb7yfuI4VA4zAIwEviOvNZSeqNgt0eMUmWzRQklMOaseGSNVRrYrTdpsAqTJq0VNkG738/s959/64594332_2447768915496274_1656309512992194560_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmQRWUep57D4LlZcZfeFrFX3kEi1SMorXd4a4WQhleUs5UnVOgbFVl5Kqld3mW_VRujE5ubGb7yfuI4VA4zAIwEviOvNZSeqNgt0eMUmWzRQklMOaseGSNVRrYrTdpsAqTJq0VNkG738/s320/64594332_2447768915496274_1656309512992194560_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(c) Mette Jonsson</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: What would you say has really made you grow as an artist over the years?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: <i>Knowing that copying others is not necessarily stealing. Taking inspiration from artists you admire is what makes you a good artist. Don’t feel bad if it takes a little longer to build your own style and technique.</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>What’s really helped me grow over the years is my sibling rivalry. I have a whole family of people who love to draw so naturally I have to be the best.</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: Did either of you take art lessons when you were younger? Or were you self-taught?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: <i>Mainly self taught. We took a family art class for a year when I was around 10, but most of my learning was from copying my older siblings and practicing every day.</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>We took a couple classes when we were younger, but honestly a lot of my skill is attributed to YouTube tutorials, there’s so much free information on the internet to exploit.</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: Who is your favorite artist?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: <i>Micah. Hah also there is this artist I recently have followed named Layton Scarbrough. His art and technique amazing me. He combines realism with his own creative expression and I love it. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>I don’t have a single favourite artist. But I’d have to say my favourite at the moment is Max Grecke. His shape language is just amazing. </i></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNf6h6IJwbjeo2TMDy62whyXDqHT9wRB56kFID38ncl_ovu3yGulacyKBcJ-fUF3pfmHchRo1VAFdDPLTqGZfZjC55wGH8Mz9UzYyjA-1BUrd82tLwxMGfvgwdffPKWVaQF2iveQ1uMgw/s600/Untitled.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="594" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNf6h6IJwbjeo2TMDy62whyXDqHT9wRB56kFID38ncl_ovu3yGulacyKBcJ-fUF3pfmHchRo1VAFdDPLTqGZfZjC55wGH8Mz9UzYyjA-1BUrd82tLwxMGfvgwdffPKWVaQF2iveQ1uMgw/s320/Untitled.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">(c) Micah Jonsson</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b><br />E: Do you have an ideal creative setting that you set up to work on projects? Favorite room, favorite playlist, favorite snack or beverage, etc?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ME: </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">There are a few things I’ve found work for me; I need to be in a room with other people around (their presence gives me energy) my easel is stationed right beside Micah and Cristian’s art table. I need certain other senses to be distracted (I.e. listening to broadway musicals in headphones) as to focus more on my hands.</span> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>A lot of coffee. I sit in the corner of a room with a lot going on because I still like to be a part of things. While having YouTube on in the background. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: What is your favorite and least favorite part of being an artist?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: <i>Best part would be seeing the reactions and positive feedback from my friends and family. Worst part is not reaching my own highly set standards, hah!</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: </span><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">My favourite part of being an artist is the peace of the process, nothing to worry about. I can put all my effort into the page and let the rest of the world wash away. </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">My least favourite is how much time I have to dedicate to doing anything other than drawing.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: Would you design a book cover again?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: <i>Absolutely! I would jump on the opportunity if I came to me again.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>I would absolutely design a book again! The possibility of seeing your work associated with an amazing story that affects readers of all walks of life for years to come is inspiring.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>E: And finally, who or what has most inspired you in your artistic journey?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> ME: <i>My siblings have all gone into this journey with me, seeing them fall and get back up again, I know I can do the same. That and the positive affirmation really motives me to create.</i> 😉</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> MI: <i>What inspired me the most has to be the people who I love, my brother Cristian, my sisters Mette and Anja, and the rest of my family are all artists. We all help each other learn new things. (Also cartoons. I love them.)</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><i> </i>Thank you, Mette and Micah, for the interview! And of course for the amazing book covers you crafted for me, I fall in love with them a little bit more every time I look at them. Thanks for sharing your process with us!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> Follow Mette (designer of the <i>Faithless </i>cover) on social media:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MJ-Art-Page-2070306893242480/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">MJ Art Page // Facebook</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/m.e.j_art/" target="_blank">@m.e.j_art // Instagram</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sunnyrivieres/" target="_blank">@sunnyrivieres // Instagram</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Follow Micah (designer of </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">The Sorceress and the Squid</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> cover) on social media:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><i> </i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/oy_oy_its_chaboi/" target="_blank">@oy_oy_its_chaboi // Instagram</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><i> </i>Follow some of their other very talented siblings: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maybe_an_eclair/" target="_blank">@maybe_an_eclair</a></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jadarien_ink._/" target="_blank">@jadarien_ink._</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>LET'S TALK. </b></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> <i>Are you a young artist? Or maybe an indie author looking for book cover options? Did you enjoy this interview? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to follow these phenomenal young creatives on social media to keep up with their beautiful art!</i></span></p>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4691250825833729837.post-14414155097322388192020-09-27T09:24:00.001-07:002020-10-21T10:04:09.877-07:00How to Write a Good Antihero - Guest Post by Lisa <p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to Write a Good Antihero (inspired by Trollhunters)</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-73981461-7fff-faf8-89c7-fd5a66b78e10"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3ZagCxoZo4pbJ2hd27FTuVEC47r4Cg134L1IpyyqmOH_gb-eAoT6RqDerh_ZQhWSh5MSlsvDH9xat3rsdxoRsl3FQ2gt0ZIJAFS5CdgmqiMZerIui-zEo9xcacAVOTaIgaSG5w4gf9g/s564/76c6b31af8f9cb7f882265d1a375dded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3ZagCxoZo4pbJ2hd27FTuVEC47r4Cg134L1IpyyqmOH_gb-eAoT6RqDerh_ZQhWSh5MSlsvDH9xat3rsdxoRsl3FQ2gt0ZIJAFS5CdgmqiMZerIui-zEo9xcacAVOTaIgaSG5w4gf9g/s320/76c6b31af8f9cb7f882265d1a375dded.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi people! I’m so happy to be visiting Emily’s blog. Truth be told it took a lot of dragging our feet to make this collab happen as we’ve both been quite busy *glance at Emily* at least I have! While she’s posting about <a href="https://thisinkwell.blogspot.com/2020/09/light-and-dark-benefits-of-writing.html" target="_blank"><i>The Benefits of Writing Different Stories</i></a> on my blog, I’m here to talk about one of a writer’s favorite topics—characters.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lately I’ve been gravitating towards anti-hero characters far more than I can understand, which has prompted me to ask, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">why</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Perhaps it’s because they’re not as clear cut as heroes (mainly good) or villains (mainly bad). Perhaps it’s that they are so complex, such a chaos of darkness and light, and absolutely perfect for the redemption arc (one of my favorite tropes). Perhaps, because they are so much like we are. One of the best anti heroes I have seen in a long while came to me in Dreamwork’s Netflix original series, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trollhunters</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I had no intention to end up calling their antiheroes my favorite characters, but all the same, I did. Loving them so much, I set out to analyze what made them so endearing, and I’ve compiled my conclusions for you to be inspired too. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That being said, if you are watching </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trollhunters</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or plan to do so, this post contains spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But first, allow me to introduce you to my favorite antihero, Mr Strickler. He appears to be an extremely pleasant, understanding, mild history teacher at the school of the main character, Jim Lake, but think again. He’s actually a changeling troll, a few hundred years old, and a spy for the evil underlord Gunmar—and his main purpose in life to help break Gunmar free from the darklands where he has been living in banishment. Over the course of the series, Mr. Strickler does some pretty nasty things, including —trying to kill Jim Lake, manipulating Jim’s mom, pretending to be interested in her, dating her, giving her a concoction that binds their destinies together, stealing the powerful and Very Important amulet from Jim, unleashing an evil monster on Jim, and yeah, you get it. But when his plans start going downhill … *dramatic pause* … he decides to take over the world himself!! And you thought there was a redemption arc coming, didn’t you? </span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e4/c1/1f/e4c11f594069e6499b3fd467dc32e280.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="540" height="360" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e4/c1/1f/e4c11f594069e6499b3fd467dc32e280.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just kidding, he does get a redemption arc, but ONLY after that fiasco.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now the question remains - why do I love him so much? A fifty-something, gray haired, skinny, large nosed history teacher who is actually a green bony troll with a collar made of knives? How did he become my favorite character? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First of all, even as a villain, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he exhibits good qualities</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which are really important! I believe that all villains should show some good qualities, even those who have no redemption arcs, but especially antiheroes, whom we want our audience to love. Heroes tend to do the right things for the right reason; villains tend to do the wrong things for the wrong reason. But anti heroes are fascinating because they often do the wrong things for the right reason, or the right things for the wrong reason. Mr. Strickler seems to be like this. Somehow he manages to appear nice, calm, collected, humorous, and caring even when he's using these qualities to deceive the main characters. (Plus he’s just so darn smart!) And yes, that's quite despicable. But because he exhibits this </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ability to show some goodness,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> we as the audience are more likely to </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">like </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">him, even though we </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">know </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he's a villain. If he were all out evil like Gunmar, I wouldn't be writing this post.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://orig08.deviantart.net/2497/f/2017/165/3/2/tumblr_ok9q0ruwt31w3ge4do2_540_by_pastellturtle-dbcqaur.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="480" src="https://orig08.deviantart.net/2497/f/2017/165/3/2/tumblr_ok9q0ruwt31w3ge4do2_540_by_pastellturtle-dbcqaur.gif" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Secondly, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he also has weaknesses and fears</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Not the sort of physical weakness or obvious fear that allows the hero to defeat him (we’ve seen that over and over), but one that allows the audience to see his humanity (or, shall we say, their soft hearts). Even Gunmar, the actual ultimate villain, shows weakness and fear. And that's why Gunmar makes a good villain, and that's why Trollhunters is such a good show. But that's a story for another day (actually, just go watch the whole series). Mr. Strickler's fear isn't this one, big weakness that we can pinpoint—like, "oh yeah, he's terrified of death". I mean, he is afraid of death, but not until it confronts him. He's actually afraid of all the evil villains whom he serves, but you don't see it at first. But when the time comes, he's downright terrified. And as the audience, I never felt, "poor Mr. Strickler," like you probably assumed I would. No, I thought, "good riddance, you deserve it." But at the same time, the fact that he exhibits weakness (like the main characters often do) shows that he's not completely a monster.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://d.wattpad.com/story_parts/715273997/images/15924a5f5034324169530341139.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="540" height="356" src="https://d.wattpad.com/story_parts/715273997/images/15924a5f5034324169530341139.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Third, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it’s very important, imo, for antiheroes to have a backstory</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, even one that the audience doesn’t get to know completely. But if </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as the author know it, the story will be that much more solid. I don’t know Mr. Strickler’s full story, but from the glimpses we are given in the series, we can piece together the most important parts. Gunmar is his master; he was sent as a spy from the very beginning; he is neither fully troll, nor fully human, and thus is hated by both species.He wants to care for his own, even if he’s going about that all wrong. And while we recognize that he’s all wrong for most of the show, we can understand a bit more of who he is and where he comes from.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/3e534d6f2177c9a437f02f84f6ac8a6f/tumblr_otv3tjSAFO1w6a6yso1_500.gifv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="360" src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/3e534d6f2177c9a437f02f84f6ac8a6f/tumblr_otv3tjSAFO1w6a6yso1_500.gifv" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The final point is one we all know, and love the best—</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">antiheroes need to grow and change</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Actually, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">everyone</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> needs to grow and change over the course of the story, but the only one who needs to have an arc as much as your hero is your villain-with-a-redemption-arc. This doesn’t mean he needs to turn all out good (that really depends on his role) but he has to come our a little bit different at the end of the adventure. Mr Strickler does get his redemption arc, but it’s subtle. It’s full of irony and pain. It’s a mix of falling in love when he had no intention to, seeing the goodness and nobility in Jim, understanding that there is only death and destruction on the dark side, and being shown kindness and mercy when he deserves none. And this is an important point too. Many times antiheroes change just because they fall in love with the good guy. *facepalm* While there’s nothing wrong with that, it has to be done just right. Turning from the dark side to the light side is a very complicated delicate journey, and it usually takes more than just one factor to persuade a person he’s wrong. Give your antihero a gentle arc. And I don’t mean literally gentle, as in, nothing bad happens to them. I mean, allow them to grow slowly. Because, at the end of the day, don’t we all? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/1063ce4e3766a6745be555be2331242e/tumblr_pudy2xBkUf1rk9c31o2_500.gifv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="360" src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/1063ce4e3766a6745be555be2331242e/tumblr_pudy2xBkUf1rk9c31o2_500.gifv" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I haven’t written a post in so long; so that felt really good. Let us know below if you have any great tips for writing antiheroes. I have one in the works right now and he’s too much fun to write! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a lovely weekend, guys. Peace out,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lisa </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.16; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ps. be sure to check out Emily’s post on my blog!</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Emily Mundellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996417090806539667noreply@blogger.com0