I know it’s been forever since I last posted something here. It used to be that I would post here regularly. Then time passed and things changed. It seemed as though there were more important things to fill my time with then writing a blog post. Eventually, it even became something I skipped out on when I had a cover reveal, sale, or even a new release.
For that I’m sorry.
In 2017 I will try to be more regular about using this space for keeping you all updated with those things. I can’t make any promises because, let’s face it, sometimes life happens which makes promises hard to keep. However, I will try. For you.
However, I will try. For you.
As I sit here typing this it’s 8:30 am on a Tuesday morning. My kids are just now rising and I’ve already been up for hours. I’ve had my morning tea, read something inspirational, fixed myself breakfast, watched the sun rise, showered, and dropped my dog off down the street at the groomers. Now, I’m trying to think of what to write for this post I told no one but myself I would.
The best of 2016.
Why do I feel so much pressure to write this? There should be none. After all, this was my year. It should come easily. What happened in this year that made it the best? Is that what I should write about? How about I list the best books I read? Or even the best books on craft I read?
Do you care for any of that or will it just become another blog post lost among a sea of similar ones you’re sure to stumble across at some point in the next few days because it’s what everyone else is doing?
Do I sound like Debbie Downer?
Because I’m not.
I’m just in a strange place. A place where I’m unsure I want to write the same old thing. Maybe I shouldn’t title this “Best of” but instead “Books That Changed My Life In 2016” because that’s what they did. One way or another these are the words that were so beautifully crafted together they changed something in me. Not that they were all poetry or romantic, but that they shifted something inside of me for one reason or another. Some of them even touched me so deeply tears were shed and impactful feelings were left behind. Not all of them were sappy, but they each did make me feel something.
Isn’t that the end goal as an author…to make the reader feel?
Doesn’t matter what. We just want them to feel. Because really that’s what we all want, right? To feel.
Okay. Enough. Here’s my list…
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendra Blake – this book had me falling back in love with YA paranormal stories again. It’s a place I plan to stay in 2017.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert – OMG, this book. I have no clue why I waited so long to read it. This book made me want to travel the world even more than I did before devouring its pages. It made me want to ride an elephant in Bali. So yeah, that’s now on my list of things to at least once in my lifetime.
Red Hill by Jamie McGuire – Because if you know me at all then you know there had to be at least ONE zombie book on my list. Heart pounding suspense. Romance. Sadness. Hope. This one had it all.
Always Room For Cupcakes by Bethany Lopez – Because sassy, sarcastic female MC’s are nice to see in a novel, especially when they are done right. This one was.
Never, Never by Colleen Hoover and Taryn Fisher – Because YA young love rocks. Plus, this was the most original plot I’ve ever read.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn- Because thriller books make me feel so dang much. They are a roller coaster of emotions and adrenaline while reading and I oh so wish I could write one of my own.
Frenzy by Casey Bond – Another zombie(ish) novel…like I said, if you know me then you knew to expect at least one more in that genre. Another incredibly original plot.
Origins by S. M Boyce – Creepy. This story gave me goose bumps. When was the last time you read something so chilling it gave you goose bumps?
Fault Line by C. Dreire – This book stuck with me. Even now. Powerful is the only way I know how to describe it. Oh, and again, YA reads rock!
What about craft books and non-fiction? Yeah, I read some of those too. 2016 brought me closer to my soul as a person and an author.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – So inspirational. Her thoughts on inspiration still awe me.
Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas – because we all want to be a lucky bitch, right? Her views on mindset and money blocks blew me away. She forever changed my way of thinking about money.
The Body Book by Cameron Diaz – The woman is inspiring. Truly. She’s smart, sexy, and fierce. This book got me drinking more water daily. I feel better. I look better. Which of course are both great things.
Dictate Your Novel by Monica Leonelle – Yes, do this! I went from writing on average 2k-3k words a day, which generally was a 4-5 hr day. To writing 4k-7k a day. 4k in about 2-3 hrs and 7k in about 5 hrs. Plus, I no longer have issues with my hands and wrists killing me afterward. Yes, rough drafts REALLY suck, but aren’t they supposed to? I write in 25 min sprints with myself now. It’s awesome! Dictating will change your life, if you’re a writer that is.
The Miracle Morning For Writers by Hal Elrod- Take time for yourself, that’s what this book taught me. It’s not healthy to open your eyes and check your email first thing in the morning. Now, all of that begins between 8-9 am when I’ve been up for hrs already and focused on me or my family.
The Desire Map by Daniella Laport – Just finished this one over the weekend and it completely changed my view on goals. It’s not about what you want, it’s about how having what you want will make you feel. It’s all about the feelings. Isn’t that true when you look at life? Life is about all the feelings we’ve had or wanted to have all strung together. They are what make our best memories worth hanging on to. I want more of that- those feel good feelings- in 2017.
And there you have it. Here’s to reading more thought-provoking, awe-inspiring books in 2017 that give us all the feels. And of course, here’s to writing them as well. 😉
See you later 2016.
Hello 2017.