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Rated: ASR · Book · Parenting · #2096144
Insights into the writing life of an exhausted mom of three 5 and under.
Hey! You! Yeah, you! Could you bring this momma some coffee? *Laugh*

I'll be sharing my struggles and triumphs as I try to pin down inspiration while juggling an 2 year old, 3 year old, and 5 year old (oh, and also navigating my chronic illness). There'll be lots of humor, probably more than a little complaining, and just all around good times.

I hope you'll come along for the journey! (Don't forget the coffee; I'm serious about that! *Coffee*)

*CoffeeV*AlyCatAuthor*Wind*
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April 21, 2023 at 9:02am
April 21, 2023 at 9:02am
#1048546
Hey guys! Aly here. Just a little bit of an update here as spring begins to bloom all around. :)

PERSONAL LIFE

Things are slowly settling down. As many of you may know already, our family suffered a tremendous loss at the end of 2022. It's been a slow process to try and regain a sense of normalcy, especially as probate drags on and estate decisions are put into our hands. However, we are trying to look ahead to the future with hope, for our own sake as well as for our young kids.

We were able to pay off all of our debt due to the legacy of our dear loved one who left us too soon. While we'd rather have her here, we know we can't change reality, and we're choosing to make the most of what's in front of us for the betterment of ours and our children's future--just like their Gammie would want.

We've decided to sell the home which will be inherited by my husband and save the proceeds for a home closer to our church. This has been a dream of ours for a long time--to move closer to our church family and enroll our kids in the school there. The home desperately needs some updates before it can be sold, however, so those logistics are the brunt of what we're dealing with now on the practical side of things.

On the grief side, some days are better than others, and some moments find you buried under a mountain of sadness you had no idea was lurking around the corner. The oddest things trigger memories and little tearful moments, but in a strange way, I'm glad for them. It reminds me that love lives on even when the person we long to share it with is no longer here with us. And it's a sad, strange, and beautiful thing.

WRITING

I've been really digging into my writing as a creative way to cope with my intense emotions lately, so I've gotten more done, not less.

A brand new idea has come to the forefront of my mind, one that's well under way and may start trickling out either alongside the third and final installment of the "Kingdoms of Saelyn" series in June, or perhaps after. I haven't quite decided yet.

I'm still steadily ghostwriting and have almost finished my first series. It's been a really fun ride so far, and I'm thinking ahead to the future about what I want to do moving forward. Do I want to leave more time for my own books and series, or do I want to keep making a steady income until we're settled closer to church? I'm not sure at the moment, and I'll be sure to update you guys when I come to a decision on this.

NEW IDEA

The new idea I mentioned above is a young adult urban fantasy romance series I'm tentatively titling "Hanna Skye and the Sons of Thunder." The premise is that a 16-year-old girl finds out she has ice manipulation powers and is enrolled as a trainee with a mysterious organization called "The Sons of Thunder." She then falls in love with the youngest of four brothers who train weather magicians like herself. This premise came to me in a dream and was so full of potential I immediately started jotting down ideas for how to expand it.

It's since taken off, and I've almost got the entire first book written. Did I mention I had this dream only a few months ago? It's crazy how this idea has simply latched onto my subconscious and DEMANDED to be written. The two main characters and their stories came to me so readily, along with names, descriptions, and their relational dynamic. All I've had to do is let my fingers fly over the keyboard. I love it when that happens.

All that to say, you'll want to keep an eye out for this series if any of the following tropes or concepts are your cup of tea: enemies to lovers romance, high school marching band shenanigans, I-would-die-for-you friendships, found family, secret identities/disguises, weather magic, forced proximity, touch-her-and-I'll-unalive-you, hidden powers, corrupt organizations, and love squares with alter egos.

Also keep in mind that though this particular story is a little more heavy on the relational subplot, there's TONS of high-stakes adventure, fun high school drama, mystery, and an overarching redemption vibe that I think elevates this beyond your basic fantasy romance.

FANFICTION

I'm taking a hiatus on fanfiction right now while my original stories take over the pilot's seat. Expect lots of new story news in the next few months!!

KINGDOMS OF SAELYN

The third book is in the drafting stage, and the second book is going to final edits and formatting. My tentative release date for the Amazon Kindle edition is June 14 (my birthday!) so keep an eye out for official announcements on my social media and through email (if you're on my newsletter list). I'm getting so close to the end of this series, and I can't wait to finally have it finished and in your hands/on your e-readers!

I think that's about all I have for updates. I know it's been a while--February and March were hard months as far as getting back on the horse with all the admin work of being a writer. Hopefully I can stick with it from here on out and be more consistent with my updates.

Thanks for reading and for putting faith in me and my stories. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. *Heart*

Until next time,

Aly

January 28, 2023 at 9:38am
January 28, 2023 at 9:38am
#1043787
Aly here with another monthly author update!


LIFE NEWS

It's been an eventful start to the new year, to say the least. We lost my beloved mother-in-law at the tail end of December, and this month has been a whirlwind of grieving and estate logistics. My husband will be inheriting his mother's house, and we intend to move in during the probate process to do upkeep and reap the benefits of her paid-off mortgage (which means no rent or house payment, and more savings!).

I'm sure the moving and estate process will mess with my creative flow, but I'm also determined to live this season in a state of giving myself, my kids and my husband tons of grace. We need it more than we need to be productive. I refuse to pile my plate high with responsibilities when I know I can't reasonably expect myself to perform them in this season.

One thing I am working on doing is getting myself healthy. Being strung out on sugar or constantly in pain because of eating inflammatory foods is no way to go through something this life-changing. The healthier I can be, the better I'll come out on the other side of this, and the more creativity I'll have when I'm ready to get back on the horse more completely.


BOOK/SERIES NEWS

SERIALS
I still plan on releasing new chapters each week of my two main projects, "Invalid Item (Disney Fanfiction) and "Invalid Item (second in my Kingdoms of Saelyn series). The books are already done, for the most part, minus some minor edits and incorporating beta feedback. My hope is to have Kingdom of Destruction available for purchase on Amazon in either Q2 or 3 of this year. Look for another update when it's live on Amazon!


NEW PUBLISHING STRATEGY?
I'm also thinking of moving my books to Kindle Unlimited, since I don't publish anywhere but Amazon (and my website) currently. Still puzzling out the terms to make sure I can keep up my current model of publishing to my website and other places around the web for free. Whatever I find out, I'll let you guys know for sure.


KINGDOMS OF SAELYN
Kingdom of Revelation, the third book of the series, is currently in the drafting process and is coming along painfully slowly, but I'm allowing it to. There are other priorities on my time and energy right now, and that's okay. Not every season is one for insane productivity, like 2022 was for me.

DAY JOB WRITING
I'm almost finished with my ghostwritten series, and I'm invested in giving it the epic ending it deserves. Hopefully, I'll be able to start a new project with the same company. They've been wonderful to me thus far, and the process of writing quickly has actually made me realize I've prepared for this role my whole life haha. I CAN write on a deadline, and produce something mostly readable, which is an encouraging thought as someone who's been an author and has studied stories for 15 years.

GOALS FOR 2023

I've had to rethink some of my goals for this year. My word of the year is "healthy", and that can incorporate a lot of things.

Most obviously, healthy means taking care of myself. I have a chronic illness that controls what, when, and how I eat most days, and I ignore it to my own peril. In the past, I've been stubborn about eating what I want, when I want, but always paid the price. Now, I'm trying to lean into grace more, trying to get outside and breathe fresh air more, and keep myself hydrated. I think much more clearly when I do all three of these things, and inflammation isn't making my brain hurt.

Healthy also means putting boundaries around my time. I've accomplished a lot in 2022, but it came at a price. I overstepped time I should have given to my family in order to move forward on my goals, and that's not something I want to do moving forward. It may mean scaling back goals and allowing a lot more breathing room in my schedule. As an overachiever, I don't like the thought of not accomplishing more, but I know it will benefit me and my family in the long run.

As far as publishing books and advancing my career, I still want to take some steps forward. I'll be doing lots of research, revamping my author strategy, and evaluating what I can reasonably expect myself to keep up with. For the time being, though, my ghostwriting "day job" takes top priority. It brings in income our family needs to reach our financial goals, is training me to trust my story instincts, treat my writing time as a discipline, and helping me produce stories I never thought I was capable of producing.

I'm certainly NOT giving up on my stories. They just may grow and come into existence at a slower pace, and I'm okay with that. It's consistent effort that makes the most difference. I'll be glad I kept going 2, 5, and 10 years from now. I've already seen a huge difference in my own consistency over the last several quarters, thanks in no small part to Sarra Cannon's wonderful HB90 goal setting system.

FREE E-BOOK!

If you sign up for my author newsletter, you can claim your very own FREE copy of Kingdom of Illusion, just for being a subscriber. It's my welcome gift to you for hopping on board. *BigSmile* Just visit this link: http://subscribepage.io/aXHkk5 If you'd rather just read the series here on WDC, that's totally cool, too! Here's the link: "The Kingdoms of Saelyn Series .

Not in the mood for fantasy? How about fanfiction? Come check out "Invalid Item, a Disney crossover fic featuring Cinderella, Pocahontas, and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, or "Invalid Item, another crossover featuring Alice in Wonderland and Treasure Planet!

Thanks for coming along for the ride, dear readers. May God bless you and your brand new year!


** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **
December 19, 2022 at 9:13am
December 19, 2022 at 9:13am
#1041923
Hey guys! Aly here with your regularly scheduled monthly update.

The medical crisis with my mother in law has calmed down signficantly. She is now being cared for in a long-term nursing facility and seems much happier there than she had been in the hospital. Her mind is slowly slipping away due to the aggressive brain tumor she has, but the kids and I were blessed to be able to come love on her in a calmer moment, where she was able to at least recognize the kids and let them kiss her. We got photos and all of us really treasured that visit. Hoping to have another one around Christmastime, though it truly does depend on the day and even the moment that we visit. Her mood and energy levels can turn on a dime.

We're prepping for the holidays besides trying to visit all of our family, as I'm sure many of you are. Gifts must be wrapped, the house must be decorated, and since my husband's now on break from school for Christmas and New Year's, we're also squeezing in appointments we couldn't otherwise go to and catching up on maintenance for the cars and house. Busy time of year. Filled with joy, and more than a hint of bittersweetness as we prepare to lose my mother in law, but we are taking it day by day and enjoying the little moments as they come. It's important to let yourself feel joy, especially when it comes to you unexpectedly like a gift.

Progress on my writing projects is going well. I've turned in Book 6 of my ghostwritten series and I'm not due to turn in anything else until well into January. A well-deserved break is in order, and I'm filling my well by diving deep into my own stories, getting in some drawing and winter stargazing, and generally just enjoying the sights and sounds of the season.

"Invalid Item, the first book in my unreleased young adult epic fantasy series "The Mending Series, has been tugging at my heartstrings lately. I reoutlined it, then reoutlined it again, and now I'm piecing together the ideas I like from both stories, which are quite different in detail but similar in the character arc. Sometimes I overwork a story to the point I just confuse myself, and this is certainly one of those times. This story was the first one I ever drafted to completion, was my first original novel idea, and has been in the works for the last 15 years, and the perfectionist in me just wants to do it justice. Still, if I focus too much on perfection of story structure and don't write the story that I want to read, it won't really have been worth it.

I've had my practice books to work on carefully fitting together the puzzle pieces of character arc, plot points, and story structure. Writing these ghostwritten books has also revealed to me just how deeply imbedded in my writing "muscle memory" these concepts are, so I feel it's probably best for me to just let go of those skeletal details and let the story that I want to write make itself known. Then, if there are points that need to be made stronger (and there usually are), I can go back and tweak rather than completely overhaul the entire thing.

The third book in my "The Kingdoms of Saelyn Series has also been outlined and is ready for drafting, though I haven't felt as strong a pull to start writing it yet. I have got a start on it--about 4K words or so--but the narrative isn't flowing very well. I find that with my own stories, it feels very patchwork-y the first go round. Then when I come back for revisions, I usually have to add (which is worlds better than having to take away in my opinion). Trying to trust my own process on that story as well, and since I have no definitive release date in mind for it yet, I'm going to try and just make sure my well is filled and work on it as I have the inspiration to do so.

In other news, fans of my Disney Fanfiction will be glad to know I've had an idea for a sequel to "Invalid Item, my crossover fanfiction involving Alice Kingsley from Alice in Wonderland and Jim Hawkins from Treasure Planet. I can't reveal many details without spoiling the ending of the first, but just know that idea is simmering in the background. :)

I think that's it for this update. Things are calm at the moment as we take things day by day and seize little moments of joy. My hope for you, dear reader, is that you can also snatch moments of joy out of your days, whether they are busy or quiet or somewhere in between. I wish you all the best during this season of light and grace, and Merry Christmas.

*CoffeeV*AlyCatAuthor*Wind*
November 15, 2022 at 9:51am
November 15, 2022 at 9:51am
#1040681
Hey guys! Aly here with your monthly update. :)

So far, this month has been less stressful than last month. It's also gotten a lot colder, a lot faster than I expected haha. We've had to break out all the winter gear pretty suddenly after enjoying temps in the 60s the past few weeks. It actually feels like the seasons are behaving for once here in the Midwest, in some ways.

The reason why things have been less stressful is quite bittersweet. We are moving toward hospice care for my mother in law, who is now suffering seizures and has limited cognitive abilities. She can no longer feed herself, and her daily radiation treatments are not seeing any progress made towards fighting back against the tumor--and she's over halfway through them. After my husband spoke with his family, we all feel it would be best to move toward hospice in the very near future and to stop treatments. Her cancer was very advanced to begin with, and the surgery to remove the tumor bought her about a month before the tumor regrew and started to cause issues. She spent that month battling the after effects of a massive internal hemorrhage caused by too high a dose of blood thinning medication, followed by a mysterious liver infection that came and went seemingly out of nowhere.

Needless to say, she has been through hell and back multiple times and at this point, it seems rather ridiculous to continue treatment despite no improvement and worsening cognition/seizures. This has been a horrendous decision on my husband's part to have to shoulder, and although we know it's the right one, it's still extremely difficult to come to terms with the fact that we have to stop fighting and let her go.

That being said, the logistics of everything have calmed down, and all that is left is to move her into a private nursing home closer to us and spend as much quality time as we can with her while she is still here.

On the topic of writing, I'm steadily making progress on "Rattle the Stars," my Disney crossover fanfiction featuring Treasure Planet and Alice in Wonderland. I've also sent "Kingdom of Destruction," Book Two in the Kingdoms of Saelyn series, out to beta readers and I'm eagerly awaiting their feedback. Meanwhile, you can check out a new chapter each week of BOTH stories over on my website, Wattpad, Royal Road, or Writing.com.

I've been drawing up a storm lately, in hobby-related news. They're mostly character drawings and I'm having LOADS of fun designing characters and playing with colors, expressions, outfits, and all the rest.

Winter stargazing is going well, too. While the nights have grown cold, that means I won't have to fight bugs whilst I'm standing out with my binoculars or just staring at the Winter Hexagon from my porch. It's been fun seeing Orion rise in the East shortly after sunset, and seeing the beautiful Pleiades rise as well. If you happen to look up after sunset, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are all together for the moment, stretching across the ecliptic overhead from East to West. Go have a look, if you never have. It's quite relaxing. :)

I think that's all the news I have for the month of November, other than to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate. Despite the storms in our life, there is much to be grateful for.

*CoffeeV*AlyCatAuthor*Wind*

October 21, 2022 at 8:36am
October 21, 2022 at 8:36am
#1039503
Hey guys! Aly here with your regularly-scheduled monthly update.

October has come and gone so fast, but to its credit, it's at least FELT like October here. Fall, well, FELL quite abruptly on us here in the Midwest this year. We've been enjoying the rusty foliage, pumpkins, and apple cider with the kids. Our yearly trip to the orchard was a success as well. The kids loved the petting zoo and the hay stacks for climbing. My youngest fell in love with the toddler swing and did NOT want to be taken out of it.

As far as updates on the medical situation with my mother-in-law, she's been on a steady downward trajectory since the initial diagnosis. The surgery to remove the tumor went well, and she had recovered quite a bit of motor function in the immediate aftermath.

Once we'd had her home for three days, though, she went in to the ICU for internal hemorrhage, which could have been MUCH more consequential than it was, considering it was an artery. One complication led to another, and now she is on antibiotics for a systemic infection until the beginning of November. Our hope is that we can have the logistical and legal preparations done by the time she's released from the hospital, so we can adequately care for her or make sure she is cared for once she's no longer in the hospital.

Hopefully things will calm down with her condition, though we do know from the last MRI that her tumor is recurring, meaning it's growing back just in the six weeks since the surgery. She has also been losing cognitive function and has been refusing radiation treatments while in the hospital, so it's unclear whether we will continue to pursue that treatment for her or simply move to palliative. It's a hard decision--the doctors have made it clear that radiation and chemo for this type of cancer is pretty much only palliative. It will not cure it, and if it's causing her more pain than help, it may very well help her quality of life to simply discontinue the treatment and let her live the remainder of her prognosis without it.

So many hard decisions to think about, but our family is handling it about as well as we could hope, I think.

As far as writing goes, I'm continuing to make excellent progress with both my ghostwriting stories and my own books. Kingdom of Destruction's draft is officially done with initial revisions, and I've started posting the chapters here on my website, as well as around the interwebs on Royal Road and Writing.com. My hope is that I can get some feedback for the chapters while it's in the semi-revised stage, and by the time it comes to releasing it on Amazon, I'll be able to incorporate that feedback and really give it a last, good once-over. If you're interested, the first chapter is here, and the first book is also here if you haven't caught up yet ;)

I do have some other good news to share! I've recently upgraded some things in my office, not least of which is a new mechanical keyboard to replace the basic Apple keyboard I've been using. Not knocking the Apple board AT ALL. I've had no fatigue or pain while using it, and I've written like six books using it, so…it's a dang good keyboard. Simple, minimal, etc. And with the touch ID, it's great!

I was just feeling something different to switch between, so I ended up getting a Keychron C1 with the Mac layout. All my function keys work as they should, meaning I don't have to take my hands off the keyboard to change the song while I'm writing (VERY KEY to my process lol). And the switches are Gateron Browns, which are sufficiently clicky and tactile without being obnoxiously loud like the other keyboard I have, which is a Blue switch.

I'm also delving into the world of fountain pens with the TWSBI Eco. I currently have a Cross Bailey that my dad bought me, and I've liked that one okay. Once again, just felt it was time to try something new. This one has a clear barrel with the piston ink system already built in (had to buy that accessory separately for my Bailey). I'm looking forward to jotting down notes and ideas with my new pen when it arrives.

Aside from the obvious medical issues, and the logistics that come with it, I feel that personally, I'm doing okay. I've been on a routine with the kids, and while it's been hard to be without my husband for several nights or days in a row, or only see him at bedtime before he rushes off to work the next day, I know I have it way easier than he does right now.

I sometimes have a guilt complex surrounding that, like perhaps I should be doing more, or feeing more sad. I have to remember, though--my kids need me to be strong, and they need to see me smiling throughout this storm. It's okay, and even necessary, for me to find joy and experience it fully.

And I think my husband benefits from it as well. If he came home to a miserable wife, I feel it would just make his situation even harder than it needs to be. So I'm trying hard to remind myself to take time to appreciate the little things, take things one day at a time, and fully be in the present, joyfully taking time with the people I love most in this world. If anything is going to get us through this storm, it's going to be that.

I think that's all the update I have for now, and I thank you for taking the time to walk through it with me. I'll be back in November with more updates (hopefully good ones). Remember to hold your loved ones close and take nothing for granted.

Until next time,

*CoffeeV*AlyCatAuthor*Wind*

October 3, 2022 at 12:20pm
October 3, 2022 at 12:20pm
#1038540
Hey guys! Aly here with a (belated) monthly update for September.

A lot has happened this month. We really got to share in Our Lady's Sorrows for the month of September, which has kind of a poetic resonance. My beloved mother in law was taken to the hospital with what we thought was a stroke. But her diagnosis was much worse. In the span of two weeks, we learned she has a rare form of brain cancer that has given her about one year to live.

As if that weren't enough, she returned to the hospital only a few days after her discharge with life-threatening internal bleeding, likely from the high doses of blood thinner she was taking after her surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. As of today (October 3rd), she is still in the ICU being monitored for low blood counts.

This is the reason for the banner on my website and for the posts on my social media accounts. Each day brings some new challenge for our family to work through, and so my posts will be inconsistent at best and non-existent at worst. Still, my writing has been a blessing during this trying time. It's comforting to know I can still access my creativity even through immense amounts of pressure. And that creativity has been a balm for my soul and has kept me sane, along with lots and lots of prayer.

This diagnosis has pretty much taken over all of our lives, although I'm trying my best to maintain a familiar routine for myself and the kids. And it's helping a lot. I mostly worry about my husband, his mother's only child, who has had to take on the full burden of making decisions about her care, finances, health, etc. mostly alone. He has help from other family members, but the bulk of everything is on his shoulders. We're hoping we can get back to some sense of normalcy in the coming weeks, as she hopefully comes home from the hospital to be taken care of at home, by a combination of hired caregivers, my husband and her sister.

With that in mind, I end my updates for September. Remember to hold your loved ones close and never take anything for granted, friends.

Until next time,

*CoffeeV*AlyCatAuthor*Wind*
August 30, 2022 at 1:05pm
August 30, 2022 at 1:05pm
#1037107
Hey guys! Just popping in with a quick update on my stories and general life happenings.

My dark mermaid fantasy "Invalid Item is up to 23 entries now, and my Disney crossover fanfiction "Invalid Item is at 21 entries. This is all as of August 30. Come take a look if you haven't yet!

Starting in October, I'll start posting a couple chapters a week from the sequel to "Invalid Item, so be on the lookout for those chapters! I may also start posting another Disney crossover fic, OR I may start rewrites on "Invalid Item. Not sure which yet. Both are looking kind of appealing to be honest.

On top of that, I'm getting all kinds of brand new ideas for a story I've been working on LITERALLY FOREVER: "Invalid Item. So it may also be getting a complete overhaul soon. *FacePalm* If one of my stories could stay the same, I'd be grateful haha.

In life news, I've been recovering from the Illness-Which-Shall-Not-Be-Named this week, and I'm just starting to get my energy back. I've also planned out my next 90 days using a really cool method called the HB90 method. I have a beautiful kanban board all set up with sticky notes, so that's always fun.

My oldest is about to turn 5 in September, so I'll have lots of party planning to do very soon. And my youngest just turned 2 in July. All my babehs growing up *Sad* Wish they'd stop doing that.

I'm still ghostwriting that YA fantasy series, and I'm TOTALLY in love with it. I will legitimately cry when the series is done. I get so attached to characters, it's ridiculous.

But yeah. I'm still very excited about all the creative ideas floating around in my brain, though I wish I had more time to execute them all. I'd rather have this problem, though, than not have any ideas OR energy to execute them, so I'll take it.

Anyway, that's all the update I have time for. My youngest is demanding more sandwiches. *Laugh*

*CoffeeV*AlyCatAuthor*Wind*
July 11, 2022 at 11:55am
July 11, 2022 at 11:55am
#1035032
Finally coming back to WDC after a LONG hiatus… it feels really good! I’m already starting to meet some new people I didn’t know before. I’m also regularly updating two of my stories (my mermaid fantasy novel, "Invalid Item, and my Disney crossover fanfiction "Invalid Item), as well as working on the sequel to Kingdom of Illusion.

I’m also publishing some of my stories to Wattpad and Royal Road, but a lot of my stories/snippets will stay exclusive to WDC. I’m only really publishing the more complete or edited stuff to those other sites.

What else is new? My youngest is now almost 2 (will be 2 this Friday!). I’ve got a new office/craft studio setup in my bedroom, with mostly galaxy themed decor. I’m finally out of my years-long postpartum depression and have definitely got my writing groove back in a big way. I fully realize my energy might take a nosedive in the future, if any other kiddos decide they’d like to come along *Wink* But I’m fully enjoying being in full possession of my creative energy once again. It’s been so long since I’ve felt so inspired and creative.

One thing I’m doing with my creative energy is monetizing it by way of ghostwriting. As per the nature of ghostwriting, I can’t share really any details of my work, other than that I’m writing a young adult fantasy series AND I’m having a great time doing it. It’s amazing, because I’m putting out 10K+ words a week, a figure I could have never imagined even a year ago. On top of that, I’m filming videos for my YouTube channel (Color and Plan With Aly) and working on my own stories, mostly as a fun way to relax and stretch my creativity outside of my ghostwriting work.

As far as hobbies go, I’m really into art right now, especially watercoloring and just regular coloring, which is what I talk about on my YouTube channel. I also do what’s called “pretty planning” where you decorate your planner’s weekly spread with various types of themes. I have been doing the planning for years now, and have finally got somewhat of a system going which is keeping me productive AND creative without obsessing too much over my stickers or wash tape (or awful handwriting haha).

Another hobby I REALLY enjoy is stargazing. I purchased a telescope and a pair of binoculars last year, and it’s probably been the number one thing that has brought me out of my postpartum depression and back into my zone of creativity. It requires nothing of me except that I go outside and look up. I’ve already learned so much about the differences between skies in each season, what constellations to look for, and when the planets typically can be seen. I can now go outside pretty much any time of year and know what I’m going to see and where things are in the sky, which gives me such a sense of stability and peace. I know where I am in the universe. I know where the Earth is, and I know what lies beyond the reaches of our atmosphere. I’ve seen the beautiful band of the Milky Way twice now, which is a feat considering I live on the East coast where light pollution abounds. Just this quiet, meditative practice of going outside for 15 minutes on a clear night and pointing out the stars and constellations I know brings my anxiety levels WAY down and helps me feel more restful and creative.

One big astronomy event this year was the total lunar eclipse in May. I thought clouds were going to ruin the show, but I got just enough of a clearing to see the moon turn coppery red through my binoculars. Such a cool experience. Not as cool as the total solar eclipse we got to see in 2017, right before my oldest was born. There will be another total solar eclipse in 2024, and the path of totality cuts pretty close to us once again, which is pretty awesome. I feel like it has to be somewhat rare that that happens twice in such a short span of time.

I also do some singing on a karaoke app called Smule. That’s a great way to relax and wind down in the evening, especially when the skies are cloudy and I can’t stargaze. I actually minored in voice when I was in college, and music is just another way I express my creativity, so it’s nice to have that as well.

As far as my own personal writing goes, I have so many ideas running through my brain now that I can’t keep track of them. All the self care I did when my youngest was in his first year is really paying off. I did nothing but reinvest in creative hobbies and indulge in the things I hadn’t been able to do for years due to depression. We even went on vacation right before he turned a year old, and that was the first time I saw the Milky Way, on my birthday, actually. And now that my well has been refilled, I’m bursting with new ideas and projects that all want to be done at the same time. *Laugh* That can be a problem for an overachiever like me, but it’s a good problem, and I wouldn’t trade it for the depression for any amount of money.

So anyway. That’s been how my last couple years have been. I’m really happy to be back on WDC and actually updating my stories and adding new ideas. Lots of WIPs right now, including another Disney fanfiction, the second and third books in my Kingdom series, that Lion Heart story I started, gosh, 12 years ago? And other things that are still just nebulous ideas awaiting more material in my brain.

How are things going for you and your writing? Let me know in the comments below—I do my best to respond to every single one, and I love hearing from you guys.

*CoffeeV*AlyCatAuthor*Wind*
July 7, 2017 at 2:12pm
July 7, 2017 at 2:12pm
#914904
+J.M.J.+

Hey, Aly here! We were waylaid with an unexpected house-sitting adventure recently, which totally threw me off my groove. But our little side adventure produced a healthy side-effect: namely, the desire to READ MORE BOOKS! Especially books in my preferred genres, fantasy and young adult.

So today, I thought I’d show you guys my new “summer reading” list!

If you know me, you know I really stink at consistency. (I’m working on that!) And one of the many resolutions I’ve made—and failed to keep—has been to read more. I’ve enlisted many different tools to help me get on track, from downloading the Kindle app on my phone, to keeping a book beside the sofa at all times.

It really hasn’t worked all that great. The Kindle app gets buggy, or someone calls me and makes my whole phone crash while I’m reading. The books on the side table just don’t get touched and start gathering dust until I give up and put them back on the bookshelf. I never seem to finish a book that I start, and it’s really starting to depress me.

With the baby coming soon, I’m hoping to change that. My midwife actually suggested loading up a Kindle with all kinds of good books. While I’m learning to breastfeed and be a mom, I’m going to have a lot of down time in a comfy glider. Which, of course, means I have no excuse NOT to read. Good thing my hubby got me a Kindle for a late birthday present. *Laugh*

With all that being said, here’s my to-read list for this summer! I’ve already purchased and downloaded these books, so they’ll be the first things I cross off my to-read list, hopefully before the baby even gets here. Maybe you’ll find your next summer read among these jewels!

*StarB*By Darkness Hid (Jill Williamson): This was a recommendation from a writer friend, and I snagged it during a free promotion. I’m still in the first act but already loving it! If you like fantasy and are interested in a glimpse into what medieval life and culture was really like, this is the book for you.

*StarG*Storming (K.M. Weiland): A great read so far. It’s full of high-flying action, family drama, and charming accents with just a touch of whimsical fantasy. I just need to finish it finally and leave a review.

*StarB*Rose of the Oath (Hope Ann): A writer friend actually WROTE this book, and it’s a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I haven’t started reading it yet, but let me tell you, I am STOKED!

*StarG*Mist Falcon (Ryan Doughan): I’m guilty of laziness on finishing this one. The writing is compelling and the story—part epic fantasy quest and part allegory— is getting so good! I just keep slacking on finishing it. *slaps own wrist*

These are the four I’m starting with, and I have several others waiting in the wings or in my Amazon wish list. Once I prove to myself that I’ll devour these like I’m supposed to, I’ll treat myself to more. But not until then. *Wink*

Here’s to renewing my love for reading, and if you have your own summer reading goals, I invite you to share them in the comments below. I’d love to encourage, recommend books, or just simply chat about great books and writers.

Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you next post!
May 9, 2017 at 1:05pm
May 9, 2017 at 1:05pm
#910778
+J.M.J.+

Well, it seems this is all I've been able to do. *Laugh* Updates, updates, and more updates.

At least I'm not completely absent...

Anyway, since the last post, I found out I'm having a little boy! He's been kicking up a storm and reminding me that from now on, I'm never really alone. *Laugh* With that said, it's been hard to focus on writing and marketing my book, "Kingdom of the New Moon," what with all this baby fever going on over here.

I'm also going through a bit of a struggle trying to identify myself as both a new mom and a professional writer. Do I have the passion and the energy to pursue both aspects of my calling? That's a question I'm struggling to answer as I wander through the aisles of Babies R' Us, test driving strollers and avoiding Geoffrey the Giant Giraffe at all costs. Mommy brain is taking over, and it's all I can do to focus long enough to eat or finish the laundry, much less block out a decent hour of time and force myself to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).

For all you parent-writers out there, HOW DO YOU DO IT? My little one isn't even here yet, and he's taking over my brain. Ever since I found out I was pregnant, it's been extremely difficult to think of much else. I'm happy to be so excited, and I'm thrilled to be able to take on a brand new role, one I've dreamed of since I was little. I'm just afraid the writer part of me is going to get lost in the fray, buried under baby bottles and piles of onesies needing to be washed.

How do you keep the creative, day-dreaming, fantasy-loving, word-producing part of you alive when a little human depends on you for literally EVERYTHING? How do you write through the mommy or daddy brain?

I'd love to hear your opinions and experiences on this. I've dealt with writing and being busy before (having worked to pay rent and gone to college full-time), but this is a whole new animal. My brain doesn't even want to deal with writing right now. All it can think about is how much I want to go in the second bedroom and bury myself in all the cute baby clothes we have stockpiled in there. Or, it's frantically making ten thousand lists of things that need doing before baby gets here.

*Headbang*

Tell me: For those of you with kids, how do/did you write and fulfill your responsibilities as a parent? I'd love to chat and hear from you in the comments below!

*CoffeeV*AlyCatAuthor*Wind*

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