Hi, all! I hope you’re enjoying the spring weather as a much as I am. It’s been a beautiful April here in Georgia. 💙
What I Did
1.) After lowering my CampNano goal, I barely managed to scrape out this draft of In Darkest Starlight. It’s still in for another round of revisions before other eyes can see it but it’s much less trash than the first draft so that’s good. 😂
2.) I turned 28 this month which is really weird. I wrote at my favorite local cafe and went out to dinner. It was nice. 🙂
I also went hiking earlier in the month. A five-mile hike around a lake. Really fun. And had Easter lunch with family. 💙
3.) I’m still working on the Wolf in the Whale. I just haven’t been reading as much as I’d like but I’m hoping to finish it soon!
4.) I’m hard at work on my Etsy shop and I made my first two sales this month. I know this isn’t much but I’ve gotta start somewhere!
The Geeky Department
1.) The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance – I’m one of the many kids who was traumatized by the original Dark Crystal movie as a child, but my friend Cadi convinced me to give the Netflix prequel Age of Resistance a try and I surprisingly found that I liked it! The puppetry is phenomenal as well as the acting and the worldbuilding and plot are really good!
2.) Nancy Drew – After having a conversation with one of my Instagram followers, I wanted to play some Nancy Drew games so I’ve been playing a few games that I haven’t played in years and that I’ve never played like “The Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake” and “The Ghost of Thornton Hall.”
3.) The Breadwinner – I’d heard of this movie for a few years, but I hadn’t decided to give a shot until last week when I needed a movie to watch while I sculpted. It’s a film about a girl living in Taliban Pakistan and her having to disguise herself as a boy to support her family after her father is sent to prison. It’s a really hard-hitting film and my heart goes out to all the women who endure such sexism and misogyny around the world.
What I’m Going to Do
1.) I’m going to take a short break from writing and then I may start doing a read-over and revisions. I just feel creatively burnt out in the writing department. Maybe a rest will help reignite my spark.
2.) Unless something crazy happens I’m going to the local renaissance fair with a friend. It’s my first festival I’ve done in over a year so I’m really excited to go! Just not looking forward to wearing a mask in the hot sun. -_- But I hope it will be worth it. I’m also going to be visiting family for a few holidays and events. I haven’t seen them since Christmas so I’m looking forward to seeing them again. <3
3.) I’ve started reading Circe by Madeline Miller and it’s really interesting so far!
4.) I will be sculpting as much as I can, especially in preparation for a big promotional event going on for my shop Mary 17-24! Each day you’ll have the chance to win a custom figure! Check out my Instagram to be posted for updates!
Last Month on Wanderer’s Pen …
Book Review and Writing Lessons: The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan
So Your Character is From Iceland …
So Your Character is From Slovenia …
Writing Lessons from Video Games: NieR: Automata
Book Review and Writing Lessons: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynn Jones
Coming Soon to Wanderer’s Pen …
I may have some countries posts going up this month but I’m not completely sure. XD
May 7: Book Review and Writing Lessons: Dune by Frank Herbert – I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book which I will explain in this post!
May 11: Book Review and Writing Lessons: Snow and Rose by Emily Winfield Martin – This is such a charming book and I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you on it!
May 14: Writing Lessons from Movies: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance – Like I said before this book impressed me and I’ll go into more detail in this post!
May 21: Book Review and Writing Lessons: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – Another great read!
May 28: Monthly Wanderings: May 2021 – In this post, I’m going to be particularly discussing some changes going on for the blog.
Conclusion
I feel like I’m on the precipice of my life changing. This wasn’t the direction I’d planned for it to go, but it seems like this is where the river of life is taking me. I’m really nervous and a little sad because this is not how I wanted to be at 28, but I hope overall school and the Etsy shop will mean my life getting better.
I’ve been meaning to watch The Dark Crystal. Congrats on finishing your draft!
Hope you have a good writing break, you’ve earned it.
You need to! It’s so good! 😀
The weather in April was seriously SPECTACULAR. I definitely enjoyed some good outdoors time. Very refreshing for the soul. ^_^
Congrats on getting In Darkest Starlight drafted!!! I know this hasn’t been the easiest draft, and I so admire you for pushing through. You’ve been working so hard! But ugh, those creative dry spells are the worst. I do hope a good rest will refuel your energy. You have absolutely earned it. *hugs*
Oooh, a renaissance fair! I’ve always wanted to go to one of those. I hope you have the best time!
I’m so sorry some changes have you feeling down. I’m constantly having moments myself where I’m freaking out thinking about how I’m almost in my THIRTIES and yet feel like I haven’t done anything with my life??? I’ve actually been dealing with those fears a LOT just here lately. But then I have to remember God puts us where He wants us, and even when it FEELS like we’re not doing His work or where we need to be, we are, and it all has a purpose. You’re always doing amazing things and constantly inspire me, and I know whatever the future holds, you are going to rock it and God will do beautiful things through you. You’re always in my prayers, sweet friend! <3
Yessss! Temperate weather always helps my mood. <3
Aw thank you so much!
You would love it! Lots of people in costume and dudes in armor on horses. 😉
Aw thank you for your kind words, Christine. You’re seriously an amazing cheerleader and I appreciate you encouraging me. <3