Hello, friends! The end of March is upon us (this is the last day of the month, to be exact). March seemed to go by fairly slowly... Which was fine; all in all, it was a lovely month. So let's get into our monthly wrap-up, shall we? ... I finished listening to Black Powder War and started the fourth Temeraire book, Empire of Ivory. I also read some of In Six Days for school, and began Persuasion by Jane Austen. My April TBR:
Editing, editing, editing. That's mainly what I've been doing this month in the writing world. However, I am spending a few moments every now and then working on a new writing project; you'll be seeing something about that within the next couple of months. :) Coffee. Calligraphy pens. Organizing. Hamilton. Writing quotes from books on my Converse. The library. Finally replaced my backpack. Flowers. Warm weather. SPRING. (Except for the pollen. Ugh.) Fun things from this month:
Yayy, April! Let's do this.
On the blog this month, I'll (most likely) be debuting the new writing project I mentioned above. (You get three hints: Witty Banter. Rom-Com. Sci-Fi.) I'm also planning to film a video for you guys...eek. I've been wanting to get back into making some "vlogs"... My original thought was that I'd do one a week, but I decided to start with a more reasonable goal and shoot for one video per month for right now- and we'll see how it goes from there. I also have a few DIY posts in mind, and a character introduction post in the works. :) How was your month? What are you most looking forward to in April? Have a great day guys. xx -Anna
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Hello everyone. This past week, my family and I were cleaning out one of our barns- dusting, getting rid of cobwebs, sweeping, etc. It was one of the first really warm days we've had in a while. Therefore, wasps who had turned this building into their Winter dwelling were just starting to wake up and emerge. As soon as they were able to fly, they went directly to one of the many windows. The problem is, those windows are all screened. The wasps were grabbing into the screen, looking for a way to get out and go about their business... But there wasn't a way out. They could see outside into the sunlight, see the grass and sky and trees and budding flowers. But they couldn't quite reach it. Nevertheless, they kept trying. If the wasps had let go of the screen and flown around the building, exploring a bit, they'd find the wide open doorway and be able to free themselves and enjoy the outdoors. But through the window was the only way they could see to get out, and so that was the only way they wanted to go. Forgive me if this "wasp metaphor" is a little too weird, but in all honesty... I kind of relate to the wasps. I have a hard time letting go of plans; if I find a way to do something, that's the way I want to do it. I don't want to explore other more difficult/scary/unknown courses of action. I like the plan and I like sticking to what I know. But, when I can talk myself into letting go of "the screen"... the "door" is usually so much better than I could have even imagined. Harder, yes, sometimes. Not always as familiar... sometimes I feel like I'm groping my way through a dark room. But, in the end... It's usually worth it. If you're in kind of a "dead end" place right now, clinging to your "screen" because you're scared to look for your "door"... Letting go is freeing. Changing the plan is hard. Exploring a new way to get something done can be rewarding. And believe me, I know it's often terrifying. But I find that when I look up from a situation, glance around, reevaluate, and keep myself open to possibilities other than what I can see right now... It usually works out okay in the end. Better, even. Thanks for reading, guys, and good luck with your "screens". <3 -Anna Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Hello, friends! It's March, which means that I am diving into the first round of "Continuing Forever II" read-throughs and revisions. I thought I'd share the first revised piece with you, which is a prologue (prologue one of two, may I add) written from the point of view of Sophia. (Remember her from the first book? Lovely character if I do say so myself.) Without further ado... Please enjoy. Prologue- Sophia If I were not so deep in thought, I think the look on my face would frighten me as I glare at my reflection in the rain-flecked window. My brow is furrowed; my mouth is in a thin, hard line. My eyes look as if they have hurricanes inside of them- but in actuality, the hurricanes exist in my mind. “Care to share?” I almost jump out of my seat as Rowan comes out of nowhere. “Don’t startle me,” I snap. “And what exactly do you want me to share with you?” He shrugs. “Just your thoughts. You’ve been sitting there nearly every day for the past week, ever since-” He pauses, and makes the intelligent decision to stop his sentence there when he notices me staring him down, daring him to say the words that I don’t want to hear again. “I’m just curious,” is what he decides to finish with instead. Now it is my turn to shrug as I turn back to my window-gazing. “What can I say? I’ve had a lot on my mind, and there is nothing to entertain it.” He laughs, low and ruefully under his breath. “Ah-ha. But, Sophia- we both know that your mind does not stay bored for long. And whatever you’re scheming...please don’t do it.” He knows me too well. I now see fury in my window reflection. He notices it, too. “I only mean that we need to use caution,” he insists, lowering his voice. “We’re surrounded by danger. You know that, Sophia. One false move, one misguided word-” I hold up my hand wearily, stopping him there. “I know. Gosh, Rowan, you’ve told me that so many times. I know. You’re right: I am thinking, and I am planning. I am merely deciding a course of action.” He tries to break in, but I plow through. “But I am using caution. I will not act hastily. They will pay, and I will collect that payment when the time is right. But the time…” I pause, listening to the sound of the rain hitting against the window, the sound of Rowan’s breathing, the sound of busy movement elsewhere in the house. “The time is going to come soon,” I finish. Neither of us speak again after that. This is an original work of fiction and rightfully belongs to Anna McAuley.
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