Books, Books, Books

I have over forty books, in my possession, that I need to read this year. I can do it. I will do it.

Sometimes I wonder if I should just toss my social life completely out the window. I always joke about quitting my day job so I can be a full time reader and writer. Of course, I'd never actually do that. I need money, I need social interaction, I need responsibilities. 

Forty books is an easy goal. I aim to read a hundred actually. 

Bring it on.

Christmas

Christmas is my favorite holiday, but it seems to have lost some of its luster. People used to be happier this time of year. Less and less houses are lit up.

Still, these things are small compared to what Christmas really means to me. Of course, I love presents. I love giving them, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't more than happy to receive. The spirit of giving is wonderful to have, and I'm going to try this upcoming year to keep it with me the other eleven months. 

I want to focus more on my spirituality, too. Celebrating the birth of our Savior has made me want to feel the Spirit in my heart more. 

This is a wonderful day, but it doesn't have to end on December 26. I can figure out how to have a similar attitude all year long. 

(Also, I just bought myself more books with a gift card I received, and I have over 40 novels in my possession that demand being read. Oh dear. Say goodbye to my social life--if I had one to begin with, teehee.)

Giveaway

I'm running a giveaway on Instagram and Facebook for my book, Out of Orbit. It'll run until Christmas Eve and includes fun goodies! I have three copies available and I'm excited to see who's interested. 

New Idea

I've always wanted to write a novel including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, since it has played such a huge role in my life. Had a wonderful book idea (at least wonderful to me) that could incorporate it, and I'm really excited to eventually start working on it. Emphasis on "eventually", because before I can work on anything else, I need to finish my NaNoWriMo novel so I can edit/rewrite it. 

Goals

I've been trying to think of some goals I could have for myself, to progress in the writing world. Maybe it's time I take a writing class--it's been forever since I've had one, my junior year of high school back in 2010. Perhaps I should research agents and actually go the traditional publishing route. But most importantly, I should finish another novel. At least to where I can have beta readers go through it. Time to get serious.

Winner!

I won NaNoWriMo! That's 50,000 words I didn't have before. I can't wait for the next NaNo. I'm really proud of myself.

Self-Publishing Blues

Sometimes I ask myself why I published my own book instead of trying for an agent, dreaming about a big publisher, reaching for the stars. It's hard to market your own work, especially when you don't have that loud of a voice anyway.

But I'm proud of what I've done nonetheless. Would obtaining an agent and publisher likely be the better route? I can't say for sure; my success right might have gone up. There are so many amazing things to being an indie writer, from deciding my own book covers to being in control of what I do with my novel.

My only wish at this moment is that more would give my book a chance. I write for me, but I would like to share my writing with as many people as possible. Not for the money, though it tends to make the world go round, but to spread my stories, and yeah, it would be wicked awesome if a lot of people liked what I had to say.

Writing is wonderful, having a physical copy of my book is incredible, and I need to be patient as I take baby steps to the next stage of my journey.