Mariella Hunt's Blog, page 4

A Gentle July

Aside from the extreme temperatures that can make it difficult to sit outside, I have found that June and July have gentle on my soul. I have not had a ‘cruel summer’ (as a Swiftie, I must get the reference in); where there was occasional unrest, matters settled quickly, and I have enjoyed the sunset every day.

This month, July, I accidentally found myself writing a new book. Well, not ‘accidentally;’ it was my entry for the Vellys competition, and I was going to keep updating it weekly. I can say that I didn’t expect to finish it this very same month.

As I type this, Davy Jones’s Daughter has reached 62,000 words. I predict that it will be finished in only a few more chapters.

I enjoy experimenting with novels where there are multiple POVs. It has been fun to explore the minds of characters Ewan and Keira as they await a visit from Captain Davy Jones, Keira’s father—and later, when they strike a deal with him. Does Ewan dare to captain the Flying Dutchman for ten years?

Read the story here.

It will also be available, eventually, as a novel. I see at least three novellas following these characters, but don’t want to bite off more than I can chew.

After I finish Davy Jones’s Daughter, I must get back to writing book 3 of my mermaid series. I also have the wood witch novel which I finished and forgot about. I’ve improved as a writer since then, and will probably cringe when I get back to it.

If I can keep up an adequate schedule, I’ll have three manuscripts by the end of the year, and at least one of them will be published.

A new addition to my library. I love a good pirate story, and a story where the parent-child relationship is strong!

This summer, I dusted off an old dream of mine: I want to learn the ukulele. I own two, but always become distracted before I can build any learning habits. My favorite ukulele is my baritone. It reminds me of a guitar, with a deep, rich sound.

Learning chords, I’ve discovered, is easy; singing along is difficult, not only because I am self conscious, but it’s hard to sing and keep rhythm. However, I intend to develop the skill this time, even if I only use it to entertain myself.

The songs I’ve been playing with on ukulele include Enchanted by Taylor Swift and Riptide by Vance Joy (a truly underrated artist). I know I’ll learn faster if I am playing songs that I like and am familiar with. This might also make it easier for me to sing along while strumming.

We have entered the hottest stretch of summer, which means (naturally) that I am anticipating autumn: leaves, pumpkin spice, cups of apple cider. Autumn is my favorite season, but we have something to learn from all of them. I accept with gratitude the lessons summer offered this year, and the stories I encountered along the way.

How has your summer been?

Do you play an instrument? Do you have any advice for me on this journey?

Two Ways of Writing

I’ve been thinking about the writing process—specifically, that of storytelling, finding the thread of a tale and pulling to see where it might lead.

The magic of writing, when that art becomes one’s true love, is that it willingly takes the storyteller to places they had never in the past imagined.

Storytelling is the gift of opening a wardrobe and wandering into a world unlike that which we know. Right now, my mind lingers on the choices we make after entering the wardrobe.

I have met some authors who cannot tell a story if their writing process is not shrouded in secrecy; they require privacy in order to examine the details of the world that they’ve discovered.

I’m not one of these writers. I’ve discovered that I better appreciate the world in question if I have a kindred spirit with which to explore. I can write alone if I must, but I overlook much if I do not have someone with me to point out the contrasts.

It is akin to taking the hand of a fellow traveler before we enter a dark forest. This brings with it excitement as well as anticipation. I notice butterflies; I take note of them on a page, and my fellow traveler helps me work these notes into something usable.

Worlds unfold more quickly this way. Plot twists make themselves known, characters reveal things about their past that make them bolder, and—perhaps most importantly of all—I write faster, because I know where the story is headed.

I am not alone in the forest; I’m not lost.

Neither of these writing methods is better; neither can be touted as superior. People who prefer to write in privacy can, and do, produce stories that captivate. But there is a sense of peace in understanding the way that my own mind works.

What matters most, in the end, is that our readers enjoy the journeys we share and that our crafts improve. Whether we write in privacy or with a companion, we grow all the same.

Both methods result in long stories and short, escapes from the monotony of real life and trouble by allowing us to slip between pages. As writers, it is important to understand how our creative processes work; when we know how to harness our skills, we tell better stories.

As a writer, have you figured out whether you’re a “secretive storyteller,” or a writer who adventures with others? Perhaps a mix of both?

I would love to hear about your process and how it has affected your work!

The Aftermath of Decluttering a Bookcase

In a previous post, I spoke of how I’d decided decluttering would be beneficial—not only for my room, but also for my creativity, mental health, and motivation. I started digging through my collection, creating a keep pile and a donate pile, and I was constantly surprised by books I owned that I had outgrown or forgotten about.

By the end of this, I saw myself doing something I had never imagined doing: I filled five boxes with books (a significant portion of my TBR!) and donated them to a thrift store.

Was it challenging? Yes. Was it worthwhile? Absolutely.

A thrift store haul (irony!)

It was such a satisfying feeling, each time I dropped off a box of donations. Not only was I leaving books for people who would enjoy them (as opposed to hiding them in their shelves, like I had been doing) but I got to return home and look at a bookshelf I found familiar to me!

You see, after I had removed the “noise”—as in, the books I wasn’t going to read—I saw melody in the titles I’d read in the past and enjoyed. It taught me about my preferences in literature. Just as importantly, the process taught me a lesson about who I am.

I’m a storyteller who sees value in every tale, but that doesn’t mean that I need to hoard every book. Doing so creates physical clutter that reduces the value of the titles.

Simply put, I know what I like to read; I know what I’m probably going to read. There’s no direct benefit in owning things I know I will not read. There is no moral need for me to keep all the books (at least, not until I can upgrade to a library the size of Belle’s; then there wouldn’t be a problem.)

The result?

I now have a shelf designated for black-and-white Penguin classics, something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve got shelves featuring works of YA fiction and fantasy. I’ve got a nonfiction bookcase, where I keep my tomes about history and nature. My favorite religious works have a designated corner.

Best of all, I have a shelf for my own journals, where I have recorded my thoughts over the years. These, in particular, will be interesting reads one day, when I am old and gray.

I wish I could capture in a photo how lovely it feels to know what and where everything is. I love these stories more now that I’ve figured out which ones I need, and what they can do for me.

If you’ve been thinking about decluttering your space, particularly against the challenge of books, this is your sign to give it a shot. Don’t feel guilty: someone else will buy and read them. You’ll have more space for your own self. And your room will be free from chaos; you’ll know what to read next.

I am optimistic that this will reflect in my writing. I’ll be able to tell clever stories, craft storylines that aren’t all over the place, and create worlds similar to those that I adore in books.

Have you ever cleared out your book stash?

Did you learn about yourself in the process?

Have you got any tips to share for other readers who might be considering this?

Decluttering a Bookcase

It has been a busy summer.

I cleared out all of my bookshelves this week in order to donate things I was no longer interested in or those which I had read and did not like. The process taught me much about myself: in seeing the books I chose to keep, I learned what I am truly interested in and the topics which ignite in me fascination.

It is also fulfilling to know the donated books will someday be in the hands of people who will love and enjoy them, rather than being stuck at the back of my bookshelf, forgotten. Books deserve to be loved.

Of the books I kept, they were mostly Penguin classics, my favorite mystery series, fantasy novels I know I will read again, and some of my favorite works of literary fiction that helped me discover how beautiful the English language can be.

Of course I also found a new series to read at the thrift shop! I’m excited to read about Jane Austen the sleuth! Have you read these books before?

I’m not done with the organizing yet; there remain plenty of books to sort through, as well as other knickknacks that I no longer need and which will be useful to someone else. I can still celebrate the achievement of declutterring and discovering the sort of reader I truly am.

Have you ever decided to clear up your bookshelves? Did you find it to be a learning process, or was it mostly a drag to you? Was it easy for you to decide which books to keep and which should go? I want to hear your stories!

Declutterring a Bookcase

It has been a busy summer.

I cleared out all of my bookshelves this week in order to donate things I was no longer interested in or those which I had read and did not like. The process taught me much about myself: in seeing the books I chose to keep, I learned what I am truly interested in and the topics which ignite in me fascination.

It is also fulfilling to know the donated books will someday be in the hands of people who will love and enjoy them, rather than being stuck at the back of my bookshelf, forgotten. Books deserve to be loved.

Of the books I kept, they were mostly Penguin classics, my favorite mystery series, fantasy novels I know I will read again, and some of my favorite works of literary fiction that helped me discover how beautiful the English language can be.

Of course I also found a new series to read at the thrift shop! I’m excited to read about Jane Austen the sleuth! Have you read these books before?

I’m not done with the organizing yet; there remain plenty of books to sort through, as well as other knickknacks that I no longer need and which will be useful to someone else. I can still celebrate the achievement of declutterring and discovering the sort of reader I truly am.

Have you ever decided to clear up your bookshelves? Did you find it to be a learning process, or was it mostly a drag to you? Was it easy for you to decide which books to keep and which should go? I want to hear your stories!

Review: EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES by Heather Fawcett

Stories featuring female sleuths always have a particular charm. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries has a specific enchantment to it: her career is dedicated to studying the fair folk, gathering information about them and seeking close encounters with them for the sake of research.

She is fearless and often reckless in her resolve to make contact with these faeries, which vary from the tiny pixies to beautiful but dangerous faerie kings. To her, every risk is worth taking, because she is writing a book—one in which she hopes to present her findings to the world and be lauded as the foremost name in faerie lore and study.

Her greatest nuisance, Wendell Bambleby, is an annoying source of logic and assistance, one that she cannot escape. He is eccentric and has a particular skill with a needle, mending the most hopelessly damaged bits of clothing into frocks worthy of queens. The letters he sends her have a peculiar feature of refusing to be destroyed, no matter what she does—almost as if they are charmed to be indestructible. And he has a way of finding her, no matter where she is, particularly if she is in a place where she does not want to be found.

Visiting a tiny village of the name Hrafnsvik, Emily struggles as usual to be understood by the suspicious townsfolk and make a favorable impression on them. She is there for the sole purpose of carrying out research, going for long walks in the snow and learning what she can from the ‘magical wildlife’ living there.

It was her plan to do all of these things alone, but of course, Bambleby is impossible to avoid. Soon he, also, is hauling his trunks of fripperies into the small cabin where she expects to spend a few weeks in study; soon he is doing research of his own, also on the topic of faeries, but in his own particular style: flirtation and charm.

Emily has a strong suspicion that Wendell Bambleby is one of the fair folk. She has noticed some very peculiar behaviors in him, including his ability to charm, the spells he seems to cast with ease when he thinks she is not looking, and the fact that he has knowledge regarding faeries that one would not be expected to possess unless he had been around them at some point. Bambleby’s input in the writing of her book is priceless, which is why Emily finds him to be such a nuisance. She can’t get rid of him if she needs him. And he knows all too well that she does.

During their visit to Hrafnsvik, they encounter many things, from changelings to a kidnapping to snows that make the simplest of tasks impossible to carry out. It’s not until Emily and Bambleby visit an ancient tree, one steeped in the oldest of faerie lore, that the real trouble begins. Emily, bewitched by a faerie that has been imprisoned to live in the tree, finds herself involved in a scheme by said faerie to free himself and once more trap the mortal world underneath his cold reign.

When Emily is taken by this faerie in form of thanks—thanks or a kidnapping?—she finds herself in a cold place where she has no notion of time. She knows nothing except that the faerie plans to marry her in order to thank her for having released him. Such a wedding would seal an eternal winter over the people of Hrafnsvik.

It’s one of those moments where Bambleby’s expertise and tracking skills would come in useful; can he find Emily and free her from the well-meaning but misguided faerie before it’s too late?

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is a unique book written in the format of journal entries, some from Emily’s viewpoint, others from Bambleby’s. Footnotes at the end of each chapter provide additional context, creating a fully immersive world reminiscent of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. I devoured this book in a day.

If you enjoy light reads, faeries, and strong world-building, I highly suggest that you give this book a try. When you do, comment and tell me: are you team Emily or Bambleby?

Buy it on Amazon here!

Review: THE MAGICIAN’S DAUGHTER by H.G. Parry

Lately I have been alternating between Mermaid-obsessed and Witch/Wizard-obsessed. I’m also heavily favoring books that are poetic and feature magic.

The Magician’s Daughter has become one of my new favorites. The cover alone is enough to make one stop and look at it, but you soon fall in love with the characters. Biddy (Bridget) is the adopted daughter of a wizard named Rowan, and they live on a hidden island called Hy-Brasil where magical creatures (such as the Púca) also reside. They are accompanied by Hutchincroft, Rowan’s animal familiar, a rabbit with personality.

Rowan is a wonderful character with a fresh sense of humor who is determined to gift magic to the people who truly need it: the poor, the ill, the broken. He has a Robin Hood reputation, because the magic council are trying to keep it locked away, but he goes off in the night – taking the form of a raven – and does this work against their will. Good things happen to people who are gifted with touches of magic.

Sixteen-year-old Biddy is not a wizard, and she has always known it. But when one of Rowan’s missions goes wrong, she’ll discover there was more to her than just a girl who was adopted. Being a magician’s daughter, something is bound to rub off – and the heart is a mysterious thing! It soaks things in like a sponge, sometimes.

My mind is caught in this book—in the sweet father-daughter moments, or flying as a raven, or laughing at Hutch’s reactions. Morgaine is also a wonderful character. Rowan’s fiancée from long ago, I expected her to be an enemy. Instead, she winds up being the friend that Biddy needed.

And even the tortured soul, Storm, who seems ruthless and evil on the surface, had a moment of redemption. I did feel for him. I did wish he’d had a better life. Those are the best antagonists.

My only gripe is that there was not more of the island, Hy-Brasil, and its lore. I’m sure that the place is filled with wonder, and in my mind, I can imagine all of the adventures that will take place there, especially after the events in this book. Ah well – I can always write adventures into a new magical island of my own. The perks of being a writer!

I got an ebook copy of it, but loved it enough that I’m thinking of getting it in paper for my shelf. It’s a light read with powerful moments and no spice. It’s a great gift for your magic-loving friend. I would give this story 4 stars!

Starting Something New

It is always daunting to take on a new project.

There is the hesitation before starting a new book (reading or writing). Is it truly such a great read as people keep claiming? (I just finished Throne of Glass, for instance, and while I enjoyed it, I expected more. But I’ll blog about that later).

(I enjoyed it. Truly. I did!)

There is the cold sweat before you reach out to someone in the hopes of being friends with them. (Yes, I do this sometimes!) In these instances, you find yourself wondering if they’ll see something wrong in you and turn away. Most of the time, we as people are keenly aware of our own failings.

It’s difficult to overcome the fear of starting something new, but most of the time, taking that step is a most rewarding experience. Like some creatures that live inside of shells, as long as we are alive and living, we will outgrow our portable homes. We need new shells. To fit in the shiny new shell, we must venture out of our old one.

Those instances in between shells can be terrifying.

In 2024, I plan to try new storylines—to attempt a bit of world-building—to meet new friends and readers. Putting myself and my books out there is unnerving. I’m always mindful of the fact that no one else will love my story as much as I do…and how it would hurt if they made that fact clear!

But I want to grow as a writer and a person. I see lots of new shells out there that I’d like to try out, and I’m going to brave those in-between moments, because those are when the human spirit really grows.

Three specific things I wish to do next year are:

– Venture into new genres, both reading- and writing-wise. Fantasy is and will always be my favorite, but I’ve also got some ideas in other categories that have great potential. I’ll elaborate on that later, when I’ve got more of a plan.

– Read more indie books. There are thousands of wonderful stories written by indie authors like me; it’s only a matter of finding and making them known to the world! Bookfunnel is one great place to find indie reads that are edited and of good quality.

– Read more popular books. I’ve often balked at the thought of picking up what’s popular in my genre, but am coming to realize that one great perk about it is that I connect with my audience by sharing an experience with them. So much of the writer-reader experience lately is connecting. If that means reading a mediocre bestseller – well, there are worse things to do!

The list goes on, but these are my primary goals.

Do you have a list of things to achieve in 2024? I would love to hear about it!

Book Review: The Two Bells of Christmas by Joanna Barker

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. In my opinion, one of the best parts about this season is the literature. Christmas-themed books turn up across genres, and these stories bring in the festive mood so well!

Regency Christmas novellas are among my favorite books to read in this time. I’ve got plenty in my Kindle, and on occasion revisit old favorites.

This year, I read The Two Bells of Christmas by Joanna Barker. A quick read, it gave me that happy romantic feeling, and my day was much better after I finished.

Cassandra and Vivian Bell are identical twins. When they attend a party with the purpose of Vivian finding a husband, this plan is derailed when Vivian falls ill and becomes bedbound as she waits for recovery.

However, Vivian must attend the dinners and parties, lest her intended become interested in the other ladies who have attended vying for his hand. She asks Cassie to go in for her instead and pretend to be her twin, only until she feels better.

This couldn’t possibly go wrong, could it? Could a game of hearts be unwise?

I found the story a bit predictable, but it was enjoyable enough that I did not mind at all. The sweet scenes made me happy. It was exactly the sort of read that I needed on a cold December day.

If you like short, clean, sweet romance, I recommend you give this one a try!

Review: Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro

Difference, children, is not monstrous. It is nature at work.

from Ordinary Monsters

The first time I saw Ordinary Monsters, it was in eBook form. I had clicked the ad on Facebook because I loved the cover–covers do make an enormous difference–and when I saw on the Amazon page that it was a deliciously long book, I knew I had to read it sometime.

However, there are so many books in my wishlist that, by the time I got to the bookstore (big books deserve to be paper copies!) I completely forgot what the title of the book was. “I’m looking for a really thick book,” I said, “one with a black cover…it was a fantasy…” At the bookstore, they stared at me blankly. “Where is the fantasy section?” I inquired (the bookstore had been recently rearranged). I found the book quickly once I got myself there.

I confess that when I first started reading Ordinary Monsters, I found that it dragged. Past the introduction, which I thought remarkable, chapters one through three were a puzzling assortment of POV-switches, and I could not quite grasp what the plot was. However, since it’s a long book, I was determined not to DNF it, and I’m glad that I pushed through. Once the action picked up, it was a true page-turner.

The use of ‘talents’ and a special school brought me pleasant nostalgia for Harry Potter. I appreciated the diversity of the ‘students’ and the creativity with which their talents are portrayed. Also, Ordinary Monsters has the only scene in a book that’s made me want to cry in all of 2023. Out of one hundred novels, this one alone has been able to crush me, and while I cannot tell you what happened because it’s a spoiler, I assure you that there are feels in here.

Some books require a bit of patience. Once you push past a rocky beginning, you’ll be rewarded with a memorable adventure. Ordinary Monsters was one of those books, and in the end, I’m glad that I remembered ‘the book with the black cover’ when I went to Barnes and Noble.

My rating is 4 stars out of 5.