Never Have I Ever Tag (Writers Edition)

I saw this tag on Jenna Terese's blog and it looked like so much fun I decided to do it! So here are some things that I have, and have not done as a writer!
Also, I finally updated my profile pictures and the ones in the "about me" page! The photos in this post are ones I had left over. =)

Never have I ever…

…started a novel that I didn’t finish…

Yes, but only once, and that's because it was a co-write that the other author did not want to finish. The only other novel that I have started and not completed is simply waiting for a few months until I get time to finish it. 

…written a story completely by hand…

No. Halfway through writing my very first story by hand I couldn't stand it and I switched to the computer. 

…changed tenses midway through a story…

I don't think so. But that's because I rarely ever use anything other than first-person past tense.  

…not researched anything before starting a story…

All. The. Time. I hate research. Most of the time I write contemporary stories that require little to no research. 

…changed my protagonist’s names halfway through the draft…

I feel like this is something I would do, but I never remember actually doing it. ;)

…written a story in a month or less…

Several times. Most of my stories are novellas, so writing them in a month is pretty easy. 

…fallen asleep while writing…

More times then I care to count. In a family of eight late at night is the quietest time, and one of my favorite times to write, but I don't normally stay up late so I fall asleep easily.

…corrected someone’s grammar IRL/online…

Only with my family, and most of the time just for fun because we never mind. I try to never do it online, or in person. Mostly because I believe it's really rude, but also I do not have fantastic grammar myself.

…yelled in all caps at myself in the middle of a novel…

Yes. Mostly on bad nights in the middle of NaNo. 

…used “I’m writing” as an excuse…

Yes. Sometimes during NaNo, or when I have a deadline I've set for myself, I will put other things off for my writing. 

…killed a character that was based off someone I know in real life…

No. I rarely ever kill characters, but when I do it's rarely the ones based off real people. 

…used pop culture references in a story…

Yes! But not often. Actually, it's been a long time since I've done that. 

…written between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m…

No. I do not like staying up past midnight and I am not really awake until seven at the earliest, and I don't really write before nine. 

…drank an entire pot of coffee while writing…

No. I hate coffee. I do not drink it at all. 

…written down dreams to use in potential novels…

I have actually written a story based off of a dream. But I do write down notable ones. 

…published an unedited story on the internet/blog/Wattpad…

Yes. I published a short story on my blog that was only edited by me. 

…procrastinated homework because I wanted to write…

Honestly, it's been a while since I've been in school, so I don't know. I don't think so, though. I always liked getting school done before writing. 

…typed so long that my wrists hurt…

All the time. My wrists are not super strong. ;D

…spilled a drink on my laptop while writing…

Once, a very long time ago I spilled a drink on my mom's laptop and ruined it. Now I never keep drinks near my computer. 

…forgotten to save my work/draft…

My word document automatically saves, so I never really forget. But I have had it incorrectly save before. 

…finished a novel…

I have finished two full-length (50K) novels and over thirty stories everywhere from 5k-40k. 

…laughed like an evil villain while writing a scene…

Absolutely. 

…cried while writing a scene…

Twice. But both of them were not actually that emotional, but I cry at weird times.

…created maps of my fictional worlds…

Once, I think. I keep a pretty good map in my head and it does not transfer to paper well. 

…researched something shady for a novel…

Of course! It also helps that my brother is a nurse, so all my stabbing/shooting/general medical questions can be directed to him.  

So, when do you normally write? Ever yell at yourself in all caps?

When Life Gets Crazy Busy

I'm used to a really laid back schedule in life. Really, really laid back. Up until recently, I would go out of the house at the most three days in a week, but most of the time just two.
I have now been out of the house every day for a week. And I won't have a home day for another full week. I accepted two more babysittings, so I am now working three days a week (all only a few hours at a time though), and I am trying to keep up with Bible studies, and church.

On Wednesday evening I was just about ready to cry. I do not like spending this much time out, even if it is for work. Some of the kids are not the nicest (go figure, they're human too), and trying to make sure I had enough food, sleep, time to relax, and time to work on my other projects was looking overwhelming.

I was sitting on my window seat, and I was thinking over all the stuff that I've had going, and I realized something: I wouldn't give it up even if I could. Even though it's making my life crazy busy, I'm learning a lot from these jobs that I would if I was just sitting at my desk all day.

The kids are definitely teaching me patience, and they're showing me that sometimes you just have to let go of your facade of control. I can't micromanage ten kids, and I was never supposed to. Admitting that has made my outlook on my job a lot better. Cause honestly, me thinking I controlled ten six through eleven-year-olds is rather laughable.

This week God has shown me so many ways that He is there for me. From giving me patience when I desperately need it, to sending people to help me, to just giving me little kids who want me to hold them. I've got just about the sweetest job ever, and I may not always be as grateful as I should be but I am so glad God gave me this opportunity to grow.  Life will slow down again, there will be new lessons to learn, but I want to thrive in this time God has given me.

My Top Ten Books of 2019

2019 was an absolutely amazing reading year. I read 130 books, which is no record for me, but it was so packed with good books. I read a big mix of re-reads and new books, so it was pretty easy to choose my top ten out of the new books that I read.

1. Lord, Change My Attitude

This book is one of the most lifechanging, amazing books I have ever read. It's convicting, and always points to God as the only one who can help you change your attitude. 

If you can get this book, do. 

Goodreads || My Review 

2. Unoffenable 

This book was a bit of a myth buster for me. It really talked about how we are way to easily offended and how it is so unnecessary and unbiblical. 

Goodreads || My Review 

3. Left Turn to the Promised Land 

This authors honest about her writing and spiritual journey are just SO encouraging. It's a great look at what it really means to be an indie author.

Goodreads || My Review

4. Firmament: No Man

This series is just about the best and this book was one of the most emotionally packed of the series. 

Goodreads || My review

5. Imagine Heaven 

This book gave such a powerful glimpse of what heaven will look like from people who have been there and come back. I was a bit skeptical going in, but this book is seriously amazing. 

Goodreads || My review

6. A Very Bookish Christmas 

With a combination of some of my favorite authors ever, this collection was amazing. Each one was a retelling of a classic book, and each one had a really good theme. 

Goodreads || My review

7. Plan to Fail 

 

The whole Emily Abbott series should be here, but this one was my absolute favorite. It's a really cool spy series with 0% gore, icky romance, or unlovable characters. It's pretty much the best. 

Goodreads || My review

8. The Protector 

So, funny story, I ended up reading this twice this year. It was amazing guys. I fell in love with the O'Malley series as I read in, and my sister got me the audiobooks so I could listen to it. Jack's book was by far the best. <3 

Goodreads || My review

9.  Cleftlocke

I was so excited to catch up on Nicole Sagers books, and this was by far my favorite. Not only does it have an epic tree-house living people, but the characters are incredible. 

Goodreads || My review 

10. Ember Rising 

Yes, this is a middle-grade book about warrior rabbits. Yes, it may look a little silly. Believe me, it's not. This series is super cool that kept me on the edge of my seat. Check it out, it's awesome. 

Goodreads || My review 

Have you read any of these books? What was your favorite book of 2019?

Decemeber Highlights

December was SO full I don't even know how to sum it up. My family did so much I am kind of still recovering from the breakneck pace. But it was awesome.

We went to two amazing walkthrough nativities. One was with repeating scenes that you walked past. The other was interactive, and you could talk to the characters! Both were super fun, and it was an amazing reminder of the reason for the season. 

My sisters and I attended our first Christmas Tree lighting in a nearby town. We got there and were looking around at all the booths... and missed the actual lighting. But it was super fun anyway. 

And probably my low point of the month; I scrapped my first car. I was pulling out of a parking spot, didn't pay enough attention, and ended up scrapping the car next to us pretty bad. The good news was it was at our church, and the family was really nice about it. =) 

We had our annual Christmas party and attended two more. So many fun people, so many good desserts. ;)

I did a lot more crafting this month than normal. I got to sew book sleeves and paint dozens of Christmas cards. I listened through several audiobooks and just had a blast. =D 

I did a couple of babysitting jobs, which was fun. Most of my jobs follow the school year, so I was glad to have the work, and I loved hanging out with the kids. Driving home at midnight with my sister one time after a job was interesting. 

My family went to San Antonio. The city is just about the best. We went to all the missions except the Alamo (it's honestly no fun), and then we went down to the river and walked for a while. They string Christmas lights on every tree that dangle down and just make the place feel magical. 

We celebrated Christmas early because my brother worked the 24'th and 25'th. So the Sunday before we opened presents, played a lot of games, and just hung out. It was awesome. 

We did a lot of light searching this year. We drove around with homemade hot chocolate and enjoyed people's light displays. My sister and I went to a walkthrough light show on a lake that was pretty awesome. 

And the last thing we did for the year was have a sibling Wii party. We shut it off just before midnight and heralded in the new year together with moderately quiet cheers because our parents were asleep. =)

Most of this months was re-reads. (Actual I only read three new books. Oops) So, my favorite new book was A Very Bookish Christmas and my favorite re-read was Happiness Hill and the Destiny Trilogy. <3

I'm Engaged Aria Lisette

Light has Come Totally Graced

Library People A Storynerds Life

Tongues in Trees A Farm Girls Life

12 Days of Christmas... Traditions Stories by Firefly

Fun Things to do When You're Sick Life without a Latte

Blogmas 2019 (The whole series is fantastic) Now All I Know is Grace

How was your Decemeber? What was your favorite part about Christmas?

Hello 2020 (Goals for the new year)

Happy 2020 y'all! I hope you've had a fantastic opening to this new year, I know I have. I had fun seeing the new year roll in with all my siblings sleepily piled onto our couch, playing Wii until just before it turned midnight. I thought it would be fun to start off the new year by sharing some of my goals for 2020. I don't typically share my goals, so this is a new thing for me.


1. I want to make a budget and stick to it. Now that I am working consistently outside the house a few hours every week, I've really seen the need to get back to budgeting really well. I used to be better at it, but somehow I have gotten out of the habit, so now I am going to try to get back to it.

2. Walk 10k step Mon-Fri. I have a fitness watch and don't take advantage of the step count nearly enough. I want to get myself back into the healthy habit of walking more.

3. Super secret but big plan that might involve something I've wanted to show y'all for awhile now. Yeah, I totally just put this in the frustrate whoever reads this. But I'm telling y'all, I'm excited.

4. I want to memorize 12 verses. It's a pretty low aim, but I figure 12 verses are better than the one or two that I normally do in a year, and I want to build a habit of memorization.

5. Write/edit four of my stories. I have three written, waiting to be edited, and one that I need to finish. I want to finish all of those projects up at least with the basic edits.

6. Learn the basics of piano. I have a sister who is a fantastic piano player, who is willing to teach me, and somehow I have never taken advantage of that. Feel free to bug me about this one.

7. Spend less time on my phone. I've noticed all too often I am out with my family, but I'm on my phone, and I want to stop that. So, I'm going to try to leave my phone in my room more, and just not pick it up as often. I've gotten to attached. =P

So that's about it. What are some of your goals for the year?