Remember that time I thought I could write two books in a year? With a full time job? And a family? And my neurotic need to revise and get feedback as I draft? *laughs maniacally*

Yeah. I like a good challenge. And I still haven't given up on it. Not entirely. Both stories have a pretty hefty start, but over the last few weeks, one of them has pulled ahead of the other. It's begging to be finished.

And so, when you don't see me around the blogosphere much these days, it's safe to assume you know where I am: The Writing Cave. Generally first thing in the morning. And if you happen to be on Twitter, definitely catch up with me there (@kristikay13). It's easier to meet new people and keep up with things there when I'm busy.

And guys? I'm having so much fun. Both on Twitter and with the writing.

There's a reason those of us that write DO THIS THING. And lately I've been remembering why. It fills us up in a way other things don't. The words bring about their own sense of peace when we get them right...when we tell that story that needs to live in a place outside of our own heads.

Yeah. That.

Happy Saturday, bloggy friends!

Wishing  you peace, love, books, and ALL the good words!

Guys, in case no one has told you today and you needed to hear it: YOU ROCK.

Yes, YOU. And, YOU. And probably, YOU. Ok, yes, even, YOU.

ALL OF YOU!!!

This community of people ~ whether you're a writer, a reader, a friend, a blogger, or maybe a person who likes to lurk in the blog corners, reading with anonymity ~ makes my heart happy. I think back to the beginnings of this blog and the amazing people I've met as a result (both in person and online), and just smile. For the most part, a good number of you, like me, are writers or book lovers, and the more I get to know you, the more we journey together, I feel like even at our most DIFFERENT, we are all very much the same.

For it is a truth universally acknowledged, that every writer in possession of a need to make words, must be in want of writer friends to journey with. (Ok, so maybe that's NOT quite how the quote goes, but I kind of like my version.)


A few writerly universal truths I've learned along the way:

1 - We're an INSECURE bunch.

Especially when it comes to our writing. I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter where in the process you are, whether you're writing a first draft/editing/polishing/revising/critiquing/querying/on submission, it's there. The fear that what you've written, what you hold most dear, won't be worthy, that *gasp* others won't see the beauty of the world you've created, that you're wasting your time, that < insert other self-depracating writerly thoughts here. >

And you know what? It's okay. It just means you're one of us. Embrace it. Bond over it. Laugh over it. It's a good fear. It's what challenges us to learn, to get better, and to excel.



2 - We NEED each other.

We do. I'm not sure I've met a writer yet who could do this thing alone. Whether it's a friend, family member, critique group, agent, editor, you name it...we need people in our corner, people who will read our words, tell us when we've got it right, and more importantly, when we've got it wrong. Writing is a solitary thing, something we each have to do alone, which makes it that much more important that we get over our insecurities in #1 so that we can achieve #2. Sure, it's SCARY as all get out sending that new project to your critique group/agent/editor for the first time, or to someone new who has never read your work, but you know what? That's the magic. There are people out there willing to share this journey with you. And you need them.



3 - Coffee/Tea/Cupcakes/Chocolate solves all manner of writer problems.

Trust me on this. If you've been around writers for any manner of time at all, you've surely realized one thing: we talk about caffeine ALOT. And food. ALOT. But not normal everyday food, no. SWEETS. Apparently most of us are into rewards. My critique group? Cupcakes. (Though, honestly, whatever sweet is nearby when the book is finished or good news comes, is a legit option. Pretty sure I celebrated with chocolate chip cookie dough filled flautas one time. And yes, they were AS DELICIOUS as they sound. I probably also gained 5 pounds after eating them. Which is why you should always reward sparingly.)



4 - Pretty sure most of us could be hermits.

Sure, we get out, we can be social, we occasionally DO things. But you know what? Most of the time we prefer to be at home. With our laptops. In our pajamas. Or sweats. We can socialize via the internet and stay inside for weeks on end (if we had the option and plenty of aforementioned caffeine). Let's face it: people who write novels that require thousands of words are perfectly okay with being alone. We have our made-up worlds to create.



5 - Benedict Cumberbatch

Okay, I really don't have a 5th thing but it seemed like I should, you know? Like a list of four is lame whereas a list of five is brilliant. And it's Friday, which is totally Benedict Cumberbatch worthy and rounds out my love of BBC television show theme. You're welcome.



Have a great weekend everyone!

Peace, love and books,

LIFE LESSON #1: ALWAYS BE YOURSELF

Cheesy, cliche, and simple, right?

But let's be honest. In today's culture of fitting in and juggling schedules and being busy...some days it's hard. Some days I'm too busy keeping up to remember who I am, what I like doing, and what makes me, "me". And sometimes, I suspect, for all of us, those sneaky little things we "think" we have mastered are really the ones we let slip through our fingers.

I've had this post half-written for awhile, but I was reminded yesterday just how easy it is in certain situations to get awkward, to stand there totally not okay in your own skin and have no words to say. Sure, it was a sad occasion where words are often hard to find, but instead of taking the opportunity to get to know new people or to even attempt to express the words I didn't have, to let them know my heart was aching for them, I melted into a corner amongst friends I already knew.

And it felt every bit as horrible as you can imagine. It's still bothering me. Because I was too scared, too intimidated, to just be me, for the fear, deep down, that I would say something wrong, that people wouldn't like me, and a million other tiny little things that, given the chance, win out over the happiness of just being. And that makes me sad.

My mantra has always been: Normal is boring. Be you.

So what if I said something wrong or looked like an idiot? It could have given someone a much needed laugh or I could have made a friend through the awkwardness.

I guess my point is that sometimes being yourself takes courage, most especially when you don't know how people are going to react. But if you never try, you never know. And if the past week has taught me anything, it's that when you ARE you, no matter how dorky and silly and honest that person is, people will respond to that kind of honesty. And it will feel AMAZING.

Some of my most favorite TV/movie personalities are the less understood ones, the ones that we all love that don't always quite have it together.

And so, in that spirit, I give you Napolean Dynamite.

If he isn't the poster boy for being yourself, I don't know who is. Also? I'm pretty sure he stole some of my dance moves.

Happy Wednesday guys!

Wishing you all Peace, Love, & Books!



PS-anyone else find it terribly ironic that I quit cable/satellite television and am now using clips in my posts?

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Description:
Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often—violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn’t just dangerous—it’s a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da’s death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

My thoughts:
Adored this book!

Not only is the plot/story unique, but the pace is perfect, keeping you moving along, needing to know what happens, all while falling for the characters more with each and every page turned.

Well written, intriguing, and a favorite. Can not wait to continue this series.

View all my reviews