This Past Year: Looking Back on 2016

It's been one year.

And it's been a long year, at that.

2016 is over by midnight tonight. For a moment, I want to reflect back on the past year in three categories:

Writing

Blogging

Life

(Pictures from Pinterest)

Writing 

This has been a huge year writing for me. I've grown so much in skill and in figuring out where I want to go with it. Here are some notable times/things that happened:

January 2016: I finished typing the first draft of Survivor, the third book in my trilogy. That was the first time I'd gotten an entire series from notebook to Word-Doc.

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The Christmas Post

Hey everyone! How had your month been so far? Mine has just flown by. I looked at the calendar the other day and thought "no way, Christmas is only a few days away?!?" 

And today is also the first day of winter! (Unless you're in a different part of the world, in which it's probably something different ;-) )

(Pictures from Pinterest)

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Now Is The Time

 

What do you think of when the word gift comes to mind? Piles of wrapped packages? Multi-colored paper under a Christmas tree? A smile when you need it?

I think we all forget that we are given one of the greatest, most beautiful gifts of all time with every breath we take:

This moment.

(Pictures from Pinterest)

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Dear Word-Doc: What We Wish We Could Tell Our Office-Writers

('Cause I've wanted to do one of these ever since I started blogging XD)

The holidays are nearing. Whether we're eagerly awaiting for relatives to arrive or writing letters to faraway ones, now is the time of year when family and friends are often on our mind. The end of the year is nearing, and even with Thanksgiving over, we still find time to thank them for all they've done in our lives and for just being here.

So I thought this would be the perfect time to give a shout-out to our best friends, our encouraging companions who are there through every writing project we do, whether we call ourselves a novelist or not.

Our Word-docs.

Whether you use LibreOffice or Microsoft-Office or something I can't name, almost all writers (unless you use Scrivener or something like that) spend hours every week using a program like this. They all have their issues, and now, after Nanowrimo, I thought it would be a good time to write our lovely Office-writers a letter.

So....

Dear Word-Doc.... 

(Pictures from Pinterest. Yes, I know what a typewriter is XD)

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Blogging Updates

I know. Posts three days in a row :P This is more a news one though:

Blog Makeover

Yes! It's finally time! I've been having a lot of problems with this current theme, so I'm planning to upgrade to one I can customize. Meaning I'll be getting a new header and new fonts and change the entire look of my blog. *happiness*

I'm planning to make the big move between Monday and Thursday. So if you happen to stop by during that time and see strangely shaped pictures and random "this is a test" posts, know that I'm working away behind the scenes.

I'm also updating my pages with this makeover, so any comments on them won't be around any longer as I create new pages :( I wish I could transfer them, but I've been having a lot of problems with line spacing and formatting lately. Hopefully, this switch will help with that :)

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The Rebelution

I am a rebelutionary.

What does that mean? You've seen me describe myself as that and probably wondered if I made the word up.

It is made up. Just not by me.

Years ago, two brothers named Alex and Brett Harris started blogging about young people rebelling against low expectations. That's what a rebelutionary is: a young person who goes above and beyond what is expected for the glory of God.

I don't label myself as this to brag. It's become such a big part of who I am and my writing. Today, I'm going to share that story with you.

(Pictures from Pinterest)(No, that's not me :P)

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Follow Friday (1)

I just found out about something called Follow Friday. Check it out here and here. It's a wonderful way to get more followers and find new blogs!

I copied and pasted some of the rules onto this page, but you can get more on one of the hosts' websites


 

HOW DOES THE #FF WORK?

• The goal is to increase blog followers, make friends and have something to post.
• You create your own post using the post prompt.
• You leave your link and thumbnail in the linky list that links back to your post prompt.
• Once you have your post up and linked, visit other posts and tell them hi. The point is to FOLLOW them not just comment.
• If you see a post that just hit it to the moon, or just want to show appreciation to a fellow blogger friend, like their name on the linky list to show some appreciation.
• The person with the most likes gets chosen as the next Feature (you can be chosen every 90 days unless we are in need of features)
• It is required that if you participate that you have to follow the FEATURE. It is a big no-no to participate and ignore the feature. They are the special snowflake in this little blizzard.
• As a participant it is up to your discretion on how you want people to follow. Please post RSS, GFC etc if you have a follow of choice.

Specific RULES

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followedFollow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”

If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers

  
THIS WEEK'S POST PROMPT:

What is your favorite book with a "winter" world? 

MY ANSWER:

Wow, I haven't read any books with a completely winter world! I think the closest I can get is Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Picture from Amazon

 

 

<3

- Audrey Caylin

 

This Past Month: November

(a.k.a. craziest writing month of my life)

Welcome to the end of this beautiful month of November.

It's been a crazy month. Blogging, writing, school, living, being thankful....

I want to take a moment to reflect back on these past 30 days.

 (Pictures from Pinterest. One last fall leaf spam)

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Almost December!!!!!!!

First off, can you believe that!?! It's Christmas next month, people!! 2017 is almost here!!!!!

I know. I'm way ahead of the season right now.

*clears throat politely*

How was your Thanksgiving?

 (Pictures from Pinterest) (I know I'm spamming you with fall leaves right now)

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Happy Thanksgiving!

I hadn't planned to write this post (you may not even be reading it on Thanksgiving), but I just woke up this morning and looked around blogsphere. So many other people were spreading the joy of thankfulness, and I suddenly couldn't contain mine either. So I just had to write a late post XD

 (Pictures from Pinterest)

Everyone's with their family and friends today, and even if you aren't, here's a spreading of joy and thankfulness from me to you. Even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, take a moment to be thankful for something today. I think it's amazing how we can always find something to be thankful for: I'm alive, I walk the Earth, I have a family, I have a roof over my head....

2016 has been a huge year for me personally. I've tried to think up that one thing that I am most thankful. Finally, all I could came up with is

I am here.

I have made it to this point in my life. I never even imagined this point existed at this time last year. Isn't that amazing? So many times in these past months I've asked God, "Where are You taking me with all of this?"

He brought me here.

Here's to God bringing us to where we are now, and a bunch of other random things I'm thankful for, since I'm only allowed to list one tonight ;-)

(I'm going to ramble in a pretty random order)

- God

- Family

- My church

- Writing

- School

- The Bible   

- Blogs

- Inspiration

- Pinterest (Seriously, I've soaked up so many amazing quotes on there.)

- And all YOU people who are reading this. 

Happy Thanksgiving! (now go eat something yummy!)

<3

- Audrey Caylin

As I sit here listening to Christmas music already, what are you most thankful for this year? 

 

One Week Of NaNo

 So last week I started Nanowrimo eleven days in. You heard that I panicked and went insane, and you're probably wondering about my mental health after a decision about that. ;-)

Here it is:

.....

XD

That just about sums up how I am right now. I even decided to take the day off from writing because I'm so brain-dead and just can't do it today. But I'm proud of myself for surviving this late start. Here's a summary of what I got done:

55,035 words

Insane, right? 55,035 words and one week. *raises hands* check me for cheating, but I put a lot of things on hold to get this done. Like eating and sleeping and breathing... but I had a wonderful family that understood my desperation to write 50,000 words in a week. I created that deadline myself, something which I am infamous for. It was insane. I wouldn't do it again. Okay, I'll stop rambling and give you the blow-by-blow account. 

 (Pictures from Pinterest)  (No I did not go crazy on caffeine)

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I Think I've Gone Over the Edge = NaNo + Snakes? & A Storyboard Reveal

I have officially gone over the edge.

I've been talking about rest and waiting to do NaNo lately. But no. Apparently, the plot bunnies aren't going to let it go like that.

So let me tell you the story of how I decided to do NaNo after eleven days in.

It starts with snakes.

 (Pictures from Pinterest)

  

Snakes + Bunnies = NaNo

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A Time to Rest

It's ironic that I'm writing this during NaNo, but the topic of rest has been on my heart a lot this week.

 (Pictures from Pinterest)

(If you haven't already guessed from my use of references from the Out of Time series, I'm reading them right now. Awesome books.)

Rest

We writers really work ourselves hard. There are always stories ideas or editing worries or character arcs spinning around in our heads. Maybe you're an artist who's always planning your next masterpiece, or are just so wrapped up in life in general that you don't have a moment to breathe.

Please breathe.

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NaNoWriMo, Writer Rants, and Some Updates....

Yay!!!! It's National Novel Writing Month!!!! *throws confetti*

 (Pictures from Pinterest)

NaNoWriMo

To make a blogfession, I didn't know about NaNo until this past year (*horrified scream in background*). Once I looked it up and found that writers to NaNo is like cats to catnip, I was hooked. Then I looked at all my WIPs and groaned. So many ideas. So many unplotted novels. And a self-made deadline of finishing Found by the end of November. 

I plan to watch all the craziness this year and join in next time. I probably wouldn't sleep if I tried to work on two novels at once or set aside the vicious plot bunnies of Found.

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My Writing Process

My writing process... wow. That's a big topic. Over the past three years in which I've been 'writing seriously' I've learned a lot. I'm constantly changing it and trying new things, but here's a basic overview of how I spend my days write, in a few basic steps.

#1 The Idea

 

Aughhhhhh! *cue frustrated scream* For some reason, this is always the hardest part for me. I know, I know. The idea is the book. But I usually get stuck at this step for quite awhile when trying to start a new project. The reason why?

I force myself to get an idea.

What I've learned:

Good ideas don't come like that.

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Dream Writing

It's a total fact about me in my family: I have weird dreams. Sometimes I'm climbing down a cliff. Sometimes I'm almost getting in a car crash. Or sometimes... I think you get it. It's crazy.

 However, a little while ago, I had a dream that surpassed all others.

It involved those alien dudes from the first Avengers movie.

Now, I haven't watched that movie in ages (call me weird). So how did those guys get in my dream?!?

And how did a character from a book get in as well?

My mom let me do a creative writing assignment on that dream. I've changed some of the names so I don't give any spoilers. I cracked up putting this together. Hope you enjoy ;)

(Pictures from Pinterest)

When Fiction Comes to Life.... 

 

 I duck to the side right before one of the monster’s swords hits my head. I shouldn’t have left my weapons in that box in the garage. That was a big mistake.

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Welcome Post

 (Pictures from Pinterest)

Hi. Welcome to my new blog.

I hope you enjoy what you find here. But first, let's start with the basics. Why did I start this blog?

For a long time now, it's been a dream of mine to publish a book one day. Writing is a way of life for me. I can't imagine living without it. In my search for good books, I've discovered what I like and don't like, and set off to contribute my own works to the world, to change it, to help it.

I've been taking slow steps on that journey for awhile now. A bit of research. A lot of writing. A ton of learning. And starting this blog is part of that journey.

I didn't start this to just get my name and my writing out into the world. Writing is a ministry to me. I want to leave people feeling a little better than they did before coming here. Spread the love. Share some laughs. Make you smile. Here's what I hope to post here:

Writing Updates

On my favorite author sites, this is always important to me. I try and see if I can come up with something more interesting than word count ;)

Writing Advice

We're all looking for what works and doesn't work. I'd love to share some tips so you can avoid having as many disasters and discouragements as I've had. Even if you're a writer, I bet you'll find this pretty interesting as you get a peak at what writers go through. Yes, go through. 

Inspirational Quotes

I love seeing this sort of stuff on blogs, and I hope you do as well. We all need a little encouragement at times.

 

                                               (Pictures from Pinterest) 

         And anything else that comes to mind....

I'm sure I'll think of more to keep you entertained to. I've found that blogs are a great place to learn things and have a good laugh. I hope you find that here.

Thanks for joining me on this next step in my journey

 <3

- Audrey Caylin