Rachael Arsenault's Blog
January 30, 2023
A Month of Five-Star Reads | January 2023 Wrap-Up
Kicking off the year with a bang! January was full of five-star reads, the much anticipated return of my favourite show, and some fun nerding out on my end.
Also, this will be the last time I post this wrap-up to Goodreads. Instead, I’m pivoting to Tumblr, where I’ve revived my old blog and am using it to promote my writing, cheer on other creators, and geek out. It’d be awesome if you join me there! You can find me under the handle rachaellawrites.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
This book had me in a chokehold. If I had the time and freedom to binge read this book in one sitting, I would have. Bree is such an incredible protagonist, and I loved loved loved seeing her and Sel’s relationship explored. Plus, the way the worldbuilding and magic system was expanded on was incredible. Magical speakeasy, anyone?
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Fjord Stone by Kevin Burke and Chris Wyatt
Look. Fjord is my precious baby. He’s easily one of my favourite characters of campaign 2, and the fact that we got so few details about his backstory has haunted me since the campaign ended. But now we have answers! And they’re terrible! Fjord is adorable and sweet and earnest and so, so tormented. He needs a one-shot special entirely dedicated to receiving hugs.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
This book was so warm and sweet and cozy and made me want baked goods. I loved the characters, and the simplicity, and how deeply invested I felt in Viv’s success and happiness. Absolutely recommend picking this up if you’re looking for a light read and/or like D&D-style worlds.
Other
The Legend of Vox Machina
We’ve only had a few episodes of this show so far, but WOW are they incredible. The CR cast and their team are really using the three-episodes-at-a-time upload format to enact psychological torment, and it’s awesome. So stoked to see more of my favourite moments from the livestream brought to life on the show, not to mention the creative ways they transform this story into something new and unexpected.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Genius Changes Made to Season 2, Episodes 1-3 of The Legend of Vox Machina
More Clever Changes Made to Season 2, Episodes 4-6 of The Legend of Vox Machina
I am nothing if not a nerd. I am nothing if not obsessed with Critical Role. So… I gave myself an excuse to gush about The Legend of Vox Machina by writing these little articles. Hopefully I’ll find inspiration for similar pieces about every three-episode batch released for season 2!
Other
Starting the Year Strong - Bloodmarked, Mighty Nein, and Legends & Lattes | JANUARY READING VLOG
Pretty self-explanatory - a vlog of my reading throughout the month. If you want more off the cuff thoughts about these books as I was reading them, here's the place to go!
-
And that’s about all from me this month. As I said before, this will be the last time I upload one of these wrap-ups here on Goodreads, as I’m instead pivoting to Tumblr. I hope you join me there!
Also, this will be the last time I post this wrap-up to Goodreads. Instead, I’m pivoting to Tumblr, where I’ve revived my old blog and am using it to promote my writing, cheer on other creators, and geek out. It’d be awesome if you join me there! You can find me under the handle rachaellawrites.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
This book had me in a chokehold. If I had the time and freedom to binge read this book in one sitting, I would have. Bree is such an incredible protagonist, and I loved loved loved seeing her and Sel’s relationship explored. Plus, the way the worldbuilding and magic system was expanded on was incredible. Magical speakeasy, anyone?
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Fjord Stone by Kevin Burke and Chris Wyatt
Look. Fjord is my precious baby. He’s easily one of my favourite characters of campaign 2, and the fact that we got so few details about his backstory has haunted me since the campaign ended. But now we have answers! And they’re terrible! Fjord is adorable and sweet and earnest and so, so tormented. He needs a one-shot special entirely dedicated to receiving hugs.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
This book was so warm and sweet and cozy and made me want baked goods. I loved the characters, and the simplicity, and how deeply invested I felt in Viv’s success and happiness. Absolutely recommend picking this up if you’re looking for a light read and/or like D&D-style worlds.
Other
The Legend of Vox Machina
We’ve only had a few episodes of this show so far, but WOW are they incredible. The CR cast and their team are really using the three-episodes-at-a-time upload format to enact psychological torment, and it’s awesome. So stoked to see more of my favourite moments from the livestream brought to life on the show, not to mention the creative ways they transform this story into something new and unexpected.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Genius Changes Made to Season 2, Episodes 1-3 of The Legend of Vox Machina
More Clever Changes Made to Season 2, Episodes 4-6 of The Legend of Vox Machina
I am nothing if not a nerd. I am nothing if not obsessed with Critical Role. So… I gave myself an excuse to gush about The Legend of Vox Machina by writing these little articles. Hopefully I’ll find inspiration for similar pieces about every three-episode batch released for season 2!
Other
Starting the Year Strong - Bloodmarked, Mighty Nein, and Legends & Lattes | JANUARY READING VLOG
Pretty self-explanatory - a vlog of my reading throughout the month. If you want more off the cuff thoughts about these books as I was reading them, here's the place to go!
-
And that’s about all from me this month. As I said before, this will be the last time I upload one of these wrap-ups here on Goodreads, as I’m instead pivoting to Tumblr. I hope you join me there!
November 30, 2022
November 2022: Queer Fantasy, Everywhere You Look!
I considered waiting a month and combining November and December into one wrap-up, because I felt like I didn’t do much… But I read three books! Four, if you count a reread via audio. The issue, I guess, is that I didn’t write – or rather, publish – very much, so this particular wrap-up is very top heavy. But hey! Sometimes that’s just how the month works out.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
In Deeper Waters by F. T. Lukens
This was such a wonderful read. Tal and Athlen were delightful, both as characters and a couple, and I loved how complicated the conflict got as the story progressed. There was a sense of history to the world, even though we only see a small part of it over a relatively short period of time. Lots of good foreshadowing and payoff, as well.
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
Everything about this was delightful. I loved the high stakes of the trials, all the clever little details in the world-building and character work, the diversity and how queer-normative the world was, and that TWIST. So cruel, but so perfect. Absolutely elated that this is a duology and there’s more of this story to read, and can’t wait until I can get my hands on the conclusion.
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
I’ve been dying to read this book since it came out, but I needed to reread Black Sun before I could dive in, which itself was a significant undertaking. But I finally did it! And it was great! While Fevered Sun definitely feels like a middle book, it’s still a strong and enjoyable read. I loved all the unexpected directions it took, the internal/emotional journeys the characters went on, and the new conflicts and players introduced in the build-up to book three. So, so pumped to see how this trilogy concludes.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How Many Ways Can You Fly in 5e Dungeons and Dragons?
I love doing these weird little thought experiments with D&D character building, and this one… has an unexpected result. Like, I might actually play the character build that came out of this!
Like I said, a bit top-heavy this time around. But definitely a very enjoyable month of reading!
If you want to see more of what I’m up to, follow me on social media! My handle is @rachaellawrites on Instagram, TikTok, Medium, YouTube, and… Tumblr. Yeah. Yeah, I jumped back on to Tumblr because of the rapid collapse of Twitter. So you should follow me over there! It’s fun!
And keep an eye out on my YouTube. I vlogged as I read this month and I'm hoping to have that video up on the weekend.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
In Deeper Waters by F. T. Lukens
This was such a wonderful read. Tal and Athlen were delightful, both as characters and a couple, and I loved how complicated the conflict got as the story progressed. There was a sense of history to the world, even though we only see a small part of it over a relatively short period of time. Lots of good foreshadowing and payoff, as well.
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
Everything about this was delightful. I loved the high stakes of the trials, all the clever little details in the world-building and character work, the diversity and how queer-normative the world was, and that TWIST. So cruel, but so perfect. Absolutely elated that this is a duology and there’s more of this story to read, and can’t wait until I can get my hands on the conclusion.
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
I’ve been dying to read this book since it came out, but I needed to reread Black Sun before I could dive in, which itself was a significant undertaking. But I finally did it! And it was great! While Fevered Sun definitely feels like a middle book, it’s still a strong and enjoyable read. I loved all the unexpected directions it took, the internal/emotional journeys the characters went on, and the new conflicts and players introduced in the build-up to book three. So, so pumped to see how this trilogy concludes.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How Many Ways Can You Fly in 5e Dungeons and Dragons?
I love doing these weird little thought experiments with D&D character building, and this one… has an unexpected result. Like, I might actually play the character build that came out of this!
Like I said, a bit top-heavy this time around. But definitely a very enjoyable month of reading!
If you want to see more of what I’m up to, follow me on social media! My handle is @rachaellawrites on Instagram, TikTok, Medium, YouTube, and… Tumblr. Yeah. Yeah, I jumped back on to Tumblr because of the rapid collapse of Twitter. So you should follow me over there! It’s fun!
And keep an eye out on my YouTube. I vlogged as I read this month and I'm hoping to have that video up on the weekend.
October 31, 2022
September & October 2022: The Good, The Bad, The Apocalyptic
Okay, so I didn’t update with my reading and writing from September. It’s not that I wasn’t reading – I just wasn’t enjoying what I was reading enough to be worth sharing. October was also a minimal reading month, in part because I had family visiting for a week and a half.
But I do have quite a bit of writing to share! And something a little new. 😉
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan
This book was equal parts sweet and heart-rending. Watching Karina struggle to balance her dreams for the future and the expectations of her parents was so difficult, and I can only imagine how hard that representation must hit for readers who come from a similar family background. On a lighter note, Karina’s best friends were a delight – I loved reading their group chats, which felt true to life. And Ace was a total sweetheart. The anxiety rep was also much appreciated; I could deeply relate to some of the scenes were Karina was on the brink of an anxiety attack and struggling to hold it together until she was in private. Overall, a super excellent book. Well worth the read.
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
Great little book. It was a quick read and super easy to follow – highly recommend to anyone who’s looking to learn more about trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming folks, and especially to those wanting to be a better ally.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Create a Style Guide for Your Novel
A style guide is one of those tools I didn’t realize I needed until I was basically halfway through my series, A New Age of Magic. But I swear by it now. It makes so many nitty-gritty details and elements of editing WAY easier.
Fall Book Recs for Readers Who Don’t Love Horror
I love fall, I love books, but I don’t often love fall book recommendations. The ones I’ve seen tend to lean pretty hard into horror – which I get; it’s Halloween season. But as a reader who isn’t a fan of horror, I can feel a bit left out of the excitement. So I decided to make my own book rec list!
Academia, Tradition, and Love: A Review of Braiding Sweetgrass
I knew from the moment I read this book that I wanted to write a long-form review and encourage others to pick it up. It was just hard to find the words to describe a reading experience that was honestly… kind of perfect? Robin Kimmerer Wall not only has an incredible wealth of knowledge when it comes to botany and traditional teachers, but she very clearly loves nature. I think everyone could benefit from reading this book.
Not Good Feminist Fiction, Not Good Apocalypse Fiction: An In-Depth Review of ‘Into the Mist’
This book, on the other hand, I immediately knew I would be writing a very lengthy, very negative review about. As has been the trend with this particular author’s works, Into the Mist is rife with harmful representation and misrepresentation, despite being praised and promoted as feminist fiction. I always think it’s important to encourage discussion about when and why certain media is harmful, and that’s what I aimed to do with this review.
Other
Not Good Feminism, Not Good Apocalypse Fiction | INTO THE MIST by P.C. Cast [Vlog Review]
But wait! There’s more! While reading this book, I had so many thoughts that I couldn’t wait until I was done reading to share them, so I vlogged my thoughts as I read. The result is this very long, ramble-y review, which hopefully gives a more off-the-cuff display of my first impressions.
And that does it for September and October. Keep an eye out for my next wrap-up, as I have high hopes for my two current reads. 👀
But I do have quite a bit of writing to share! And something a little new. 😉
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan
This book was equal parts sweet and heart-rending. Watching Karina struggle to balance her dreams for the future and the expectations of her parents was so difficult, and I can only imagine how hard that representation must hit for readers who come from a similar family background. On a lighter note, Karina’s best friends were a delight – I loved reading their group chats, which felt true to life. And Ace was a total sweetheart. The anxiety rep was also much appreciated; I could deeply relate to some of the scenes were Karina was on the brink of an anxiety attack and struggling to hold it together until she was in private. Overall, a super excellent book. Well worth the read.
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
Great little book. It was a quick read and super easy to follow – highly recommend to anyone who’s looking to learn more about trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming folks, and especially to those wanting to be a better ally.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Create a Style Guide for Your Novel
A style guide is one of those tools I didn’t realize I needed until I was basically halfway through my series, A New Age of Magic. But I swear by it now. It makes so many nitty-gritty details and elements of editing WAY easier.
Fall Book Recs for Readers Who Don’t Love Horror
I love fall, I love books, but I don’t often love fall book recommendations. The ones I’ve seen tend to lean pretty hard into horror – which I get; it’s Halloween season. But as a reader who isn’t a fan of horror, I can feel a bit left out of the excitement. So I decided to make my own book rec list!
Academia, Tradition, and Love: A Review of Braiding Sweetgrass
I knew from the moment I read this book that I wanted to write a long-form review and encourage others to pick it up. It was just hard to find the words to describe a reading experience that was honestly… kind of perfect? Robin Kimmerer Wall not only has an incredible wealth of knowledge when it comes to botany and traditional teachers, but she very clearly loves nature. I think everyone could benefit from reading this book.
Not Good Feminist Fiction, Not Good Apocalypse Fiction: An In-Depth Review of ‘Into the Mist’
This book, on the other hand, I immediately knew I would be writing a very lengthy, very negative review about. As has been the trend with this particular author’s works, Into the Mist is rife with harmful representation and misrepresentation, despite being praised and promoted as feminist fiction. I always think it’s important to encourage discussion about when and why certain media is harmful, and that’s what I aimed to do with this review.
Other
Not Good Feminism, Not Good Apocalypse Fiction | INTO THE MIST by P.C. Cast [Vlog Review]
But wait! There’s more! While reading this book, I had so many thoughts that I couldn’t wait until I was done reading to share them, so I vlogged my thoughts as I read. The result is this very long, ramble-y review, which hopefully gives a more off-the-cuff display of my first impressions.
And that does it for September and October. Keep an eye out for my next wrap-up, as I have high hopes for my two current reads. 👀
August 31, 2022
August Wrap-Up: Sapphic Mechs, Scrappy Squires, and A New Release
This month featured four consecutive DNFs, so to say it was a rough reading month is a massive understatement. But I still managed to pull out two great reads! And my own book came out! AAAAAH.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
I adore the little chaos gremlins that are Eris’ Gearbreaker crew, how they’re constantly at each other’s throats but also absolutely ride or die for each other. And the Windup takedowns were INCREDIBLE! The tension between Eris and Sona was also delicious, first as enemies turned tentative allies, and then as friends with blossoming feelings… Just so good.
Squire by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh
I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while, and it finally became available through my library. I’ve been following Sara Alfageeh and her art for a while now, so seeing a whole book of it was truly delightful. And the story was great, too – I loved Aiza, her friendships, and the exploration of patriotism and disillusionment.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
When We Lie
The third book in A New Age of Magic came out this month! It’s the penultimate book in the series and I’m so, so excited for everyone to read it. Editing and publishing it after having a baby wasn’t easy, but it was worth it
Articles
Female-Led Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books That Are Living Rent-Free in My Brain
I love SFF, I love female-led books, and I love when both are married together into a masterfully badass narrative. So here are just a few of my recommendations for such books – with hopefully more lists like this coming in the future.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
I adore the little chaos gremlins that are Eris’ Gearbreaker crew, how they’re constantly at each other’s throats but also absolutely ride or die for each other. And the Windup takedowns were INCREDIBLE! The tension between Eris and Sona was also delicious, first as enemies turned tentative allies, and then as friends with blossoming feelings… Just so good.
Squire by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh
I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while, and it finally became available through my library. I’ve been following Sara Alfageeh and her art for a while now, so seeing a whole book of it was truly delightful. And the story was great, too – I loved Aiza, her friendships, and the exploration of patriotism and disillusionment.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
When We Lie
The third book in A New Age of Magic came out this month! It’s the penultimate book in the series and I’m so, so excited for everyone to read it. Editing and publishing it after having a baby wasn’t easy, but it was worth it
Articles
Female-Led Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books That Are Living Rent-Free in My Brain
I love SFF, I love female-led books, and I love when both are married together into a masterfully badass narrative. So here are just a few of my recommendations for such books – with hopefully more lists like this coming in the future.
August 1, 2022
July Wrap-Up: Disability Rights, Queer Chefs, and Sapphic Vampires
It should come as no surprise that my July media was pretty queer, since that is my ideal kind of reading month. But we’ve also got some much needed education on disability and disability rights during Disability Pride month, and a healthy dose of good ol’ fashion nerdiness. Enjoy!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc
I haven’t read much work centering disability and ableism, and I really need to change that. This book was an eye-opening step in that direction, and even helped me rethink my own condition and whether or not that technically marks me as disabled (I have a depth perception impairment that prevents me from driving). Definitely worth the read.
Chef's Kiss by TJ Alexander
This was so cute! And, well, infuriating on behalf of the characters at times, but mostly cute! I loved how vividly food and cooking were described, Simone is an oblivious and precious bean, and Ray was an absolute delight. Lots of great queer rep. Highly recommend.
Articles
Quidditch Becomes Quadball to Distance Itself from J.K. Rowling
We hate TERFs here, but we love taking elements of a fandom or world that have grown bigger than their creator and turning them into something even better. The fact that Quadball has a long history of trans and non-binary inclusivity and is taking such a firm stance against J.K.’s bigotry fills me with spite-fueled delight.
Other
First Kill
It took me FOREVER to find time to sit down and watch this, largely because it’s not the sort so how I can put on while my toddler is playing in the living room. But I’m so glad I got around to it, because this was a delight. It’s not a perfect show to be sure, but I really enjoyed it. The world-building is interesting, the characters are dynamic and well-realized, and seeing a sapphic romance play out on screen like this is just very refreshing.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
When We Lie
Okay, so it’s not technically anything new I’ve put out in July, BUT When We Lie comes out on the 17th (*cue screaming*) and I’m very, very, very excited! I’ve also been sharing some promotional photos and graphics over on my Twitter and Instagram (check my WWL Edits highlight), so go check that out! I’m @rachaellawrites on both.
Articles
How to Make Any D&D 5e Class into a Healer
Back to my weird D&D pieces, though this one isn’t focused on stacking extremely specific abilities. Instead, I wanted to see how different classes could function as healers, outside of the typical cleric, paladin, druid, etc. Turns out there are a lot of options to play with!
What were you enjoying in July? Are there any books, movies, TV shows, etc. that you think I should check out?
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc
I haven’t read much work centering disability and ableism, and I really need to change that. This book was an eye-opening step in that direction, and even helped me rethink my own condition and whether or not that technically marks me as disabled (I have a depth perception impairment that prevents me from driving). Definitely worth the read.
Chef's Kiss by TJ Alexander
This was so cute! And, well, infuriating on behalf of the characters at times, but mostly cute! I loved how vividly food and cooking were described, Simone is an oblivious and precious bean, and Ray was an absolute delight. Lots of great queer rep. Highly recommend.
Articles
Quidditch Becomes Quadball to Distance Itself from J.K. Rowling
We hate TERFs here, but we love taking elements of a fandom or world that have grown bigger than their creator and turning them into something even better. The fact that Quadball has a long history of trans and non-binary inclusivity and is taking such a firm stance against J.K.’s bigotry fills me with spite-fueled delight.
Other
First Kill
It took me FOREVER to find time to sit down and watch this, largely because it’s not the sort so how I can put on while my toddler is playing in the living room. But I’m so glad I got around to it, because this was a delight. It’s not a perfect show to be sure, but I really enjoyed it. The world-building is interesting, the characters are dynamic and well-realized, and seeing a sapphic romance play out on screen like this is just very refreshing.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
When We Lie
Okay, so it’s not technically anything new I’ve put out in July, BUT When We Lie comes out on the 17th (*cue screaming*) and I’m very, very, very excited! I’ve also been sharing some promotional photos and graphics over on my Twitter and Instagram (check my WWL Edits highlight), so go check that out! I’m @rachaellawrites on both.
Articles
How to Make Any D&D 5e Class into a Healer
Back to my weird D&D pieces, though this one isn’t focused on stacking extremely specific abilities. Instead, I wanted to see how different classes could function as healers, outside of the typical cleric, paladin, druid, etc. Turns out there are a lot of options to play with!
What were you enjoying in July? Are there any books, movies, TV shows, etc. that you think I should check out?
July 19, 2022
FREE ebook Sale!
Hey everyone!
As part of the lead up to WHEN WE LIE releasing, the first two books in my A NEW AGE OF MAGIC series are on sale on Amazon!
SHE WHO RISES: free from July 18th-22nd
➡️ https://amzn.to/3uZoxun
THOSE WHO FALL: free from July 22nd-26th
➡️ https://amzn.to/3AXRCdl
WHEN WE LIE releases August 17th!
➡️ https://amzn.to/3yNfG02
Spread the word so others don't miss out on the sale! It's the perfect way to get caught up on the series before the third book releases 🥰
As part of the lead up to WHEN WE LIE releasing, the first two books in my A NEW AGE OF MAGIC series are on sale on Amazon!
SHE WHO RISES: free from July 18th-22nd
➡️ https://amzn.to/3uZoxun
THOSE WHO FALL: free from July 22nd-26th
➡️ https://amzn.to/3AXRCdl
WHEN WE LIE releases August 17th!
➡️ https://amzn.to/3yNfG02
Spread the word so others don't miss out on the sale! It's the perfect way to get caught up on the series before the third book releases 🥰
July 4, 2022
June Wrap-Up: Queer Short Stories, Collaborative Tragedy, and Tips for Narrating Your Novel
Who thought it was June 28th three days in a row and has lost all concept of time? This girl!
Yeah, sorry for posting this so late. I genuinely did not process the fact that a new month had arrived, even though I’m Canadian and we have Canada Day on July 1st. 🙃WE’RE DOING GREAT.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction by Joshua Whitehead et al
I’ve been meaning to read this collection for a while, so I had to snatch it up when I saw the ebook available through my library. It’s fairly short – there are nine stories featured – but it still manages to pack a punch while exploring a variety of perspectives on queerness, indigeneity, and the future of our planet.
Out Now: Queer We Go Again!by Saundra Mitchell et al
Another queer short story collection seemed fitting for pride month, and this one included an impressive variety of stories, both in terms of the characters featured and the genres explored. There were a whole boatload of 4- and 5-star reads in here for me.
Other
EXU: Calamity
This mini campaign ripped my heart out and poured salt into my gaping, bleeding chest wound, and I said, “Thank you, that was lovely.” Seriously, even if you’ve never watched a Critical Role campaign before or explored much in the world of actual-play TTRPG shows, I highly recommend this one. It’s a masterclass of storytelling, roleplaying, improv, and good ol’ D&D. Just be sure to bring tissues.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Queer Books Everyone Should Read
Pride month means it’s time to celebrate queer books (though, if we’re honest, it’s always time to celebrate queer books). So here’s a list of some of my top recommendations! Hopefully next pride I’ll have even more.
How to Choose the Right Narrator For Your Novel
I feel like it’s been a while since I published any writing advice, so this month I’m offering some tips on picking a narrator and POV style. It might sound like a simple choice, but there’s actually a lot to consider!
And that does it for June! Hopefully July will find me more coherent with regards to the passage of time, but who knows? Everything is on fire all the time.
Yeah, sorry for posting this so late. I genuinely did not process the fact that a new month had arrived, even though I’m Canadian and we have Canada Day on July 1st. 🙃WE’RE DOING GREAT.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction by Joshua Whitehead et al
I’ve been meaning to read this collection for a while, so I had to snatch it up when I saw the ebook available through my library. It’s fairly short – there are nine stories featured – but it still manages to pack a punch while exploring a variety of perspectives on queerness, indigeneity, and the future of our planet.
Out Now: Queer We Go Again!by Saundra Mitchell et al
Another queer short story collection seemed fitting for pride month, and this one included an impressive variety of stories, both in terms of the characters featured and the genres explored. There were a whole boatload of 4- and 5-star reads in here for me.
Other
EXU: Calamity
This mini campaign ripped my heart out and poured salt into my gaping, bleeding chest wound, and I said, “Thank you, that was lovely.” Seriously, even if you’ve never watched a Critical Role campaign before or explored much in the world of actual-play TTRPG shows, I highly recommend this one. It’s a masterclass of storytelling, roleplaying, improv, and good ol’ D&D. Just be sure to bring tissues.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Queer Books Everyone Should Read
Pride month means it’s time to celebrate queer books (though, if we’re honest, it’s always time to celebrate queer books). So here’s a list of some of my top recommendations! Hopefully next pride I’ll have even more.
How to Choose the Right Narrator For Your Novel
I feel like it’s been a while since I published any writing advice, so this month I’m offering some tips on picking a narrator and POV style. It might sound like a simple choice, but there’s actually a lot to consider!
And that does it for June! Hopefully July will find me more coherent with regards to the passage of time, but who knows? Everything is on fire all the time.
May 31, 2022
May Wrap-Up: Science and Tradition, the Right to Retell, and the Best and Worst Books
This month I come to you with actually a pretty decent mix of things. A non-fiction book, a fantasy book, a sci-fi YouTube Original, glowing recommendations for contemporary fantasy books, and a scathing review of a self-help book. I think that offers a little bit for everyone, don’t you?
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This book was just so incredibly wonderful. Beautifully written, full of expertise, and incredibly kind and hopeful. I absolutely loved how seamlessly the author was able to blend traditional knowledge with studied ecology. Highly recommend.
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
This was such an epic, heartbreaking, and astounding story. Wang did an amazing job making me fall in love with the characters, even long after I had decided I hated one of them. I loved the worldbuilding and the way different elemental powers were presented (though I would have loved to see earth and fire explored more), especially with how cultural bias and ideas of supremacy came back to bite characters in the ass. Definitely worth a read, and definitely one I want to reread in the future.
Articles
Every King Arthur Retelling is Fanfic About Who Gets to be Legendary
An important and enlightening examination of Arthurian lore and its lack of cohesion, specifically in regard to challenges to the legitimacy or retellings/reimaginings centering POC. Also, the author is brilliant and you should go read her book, Legendborn, which I raved about in a previous wrap-up.
Other
In Space With Markiplier [Part 2]
I not only watched Part 2, but I went through all the options, and I went back through Part 1 and did all the options there as well. Such a weird and fun story; definitely makes the most of the medium and Choose Your Own Adventure format. Part 2 in particular will be a ton of fun if you’re familiar with Mark’s other work, since it has references galore.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
When We Lie (A New Age of Magic #3)
IT’S HERE!
Okay, well, it’s not here quite yet, but it is available for pre-order! The ebook can be pre-ordered off Amazon (linked above), and the processing for the paperback is underway. I’ll be posting links and updates to my social media leading up to the release date, so keep an eye on @rachaellawrites in Twitter and Instagram!
Articles
My Top 5 Contemporary Fantasies (So Far)
I know I already gush about books I loved each month in these blog posts, but I wanted to share the love even further, so I’ve started making these book recommendations lists. This one is focused specifically on contemporary fantasy, but I’ll be focusing on other genres, tropes, themes, etc. in the future. If there are specific kinds of recommendations you’d like to see from me, please let me know!
Minimal Research and Minimal Care: An In-Depth Review of “Minimal” by Madeleine Olivia
Another detailed review, unfortunately of the negative variety. I had considered not even reviewing this book, since I wasn’t sure I would have much to say, but I ended up writing 4,000 words about it. Also, I felt obligated to say something about it, if for no other reason than to highlight two very dangerous pieces of advice offered in Minimal.
First: Olivia advices readers to avoid non-recyclable items, and includes medical needles in that list. Do not ever avoid or skimp on medical treatment or safety in the name of sustainability.
Second: Olivia says readers can disinfect their cutting board by rubbing a lemon on it. Lemon juice is not a disinfectant. Following this tip could give you food poisoning.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This book was just so incredibly wonderful. Beautifully written, full of expertise, and incredibly kind and hopeful. I absolutely loved how seamlessly the author was able to blend traditional knowledge with studied ecology. Highly recommend.
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
This was such an epic, heartbreaking, and astounding story. Wang did an amazing job making me fall in love with the characters, even long after I had decided I hated one of them. I loved the worldbuilding and the way different elemental powers were presented (though I would have loved to see earth and fire explored more), especially with how cultural bias and ideas of supremacy came back to bite characters in the ass. Definitely worth a read, and definitely one I want to reread in the future.
Articles
Every King Arthur Retelling is Fanfic About Who Gets to be Legendary
An important and enlightening examination of Arthurian lore and its lack of cohesion, specifically in regard to challenges to the legitimacy or retellings/reimaginings centering POC. Also, the author is brilliant and you should go read her book, Legendborn, which I raved about in a previous wrap-up.
Other
In Space With Markiplier [Part 2]
I not only watched Part 2, but I went through all the options, and I went back through Part 1 and did all the options there as well. Such a weird and fun story; definitely makes the most of the medium and Choose Your Own Adventure format. Part 2 in particular will be a ton of fun if you’re familiar with Mark’s other work, since it has references galore.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
When We Lie (A New Age of Magic #3)
IT’S HERE!
Okay, well, it’s not here quite yet, but it is available for pre-order! The ebook can be pre-ordered off Amazon (linked above), and the processing for the paperback is underway. I’ll be posting links and updates to my social media leading up to the release date, so keep an eye on @rachaellawrites in Twitter and Instagram!
Articles
My Top 5 Contemporary Fantasies (So Far)
I know I already gush about books I loved each month in these blog posts, but I wanted to share the love even further, so I’ve started making these book recommendations lists. This one is focused specifically on contemporary fantasy, but I’ll be focusing on other genres, tropes, themes, etc. in the future. If there are specific kinds of recommendations you’d like to see from me, please let me know!
Minimal Research and Minimal Care: An In-Depth Review of “Minimal” by Madeleine Olivia
Another detailed review, unfortunately of the negative variety. I had considered not even reviewing this book, since I wasn’t sure I would have much to say, but I ended up writing 4,000 words about it. Also, I felt obligated to say something about it, if for no other reason than to highlight two very dangerous pieces of advice offered in Minimal.
First: Olivia advices readers to avoid non-recyclable items, and includes medical needles in that list. Do not ever avoid or skimp on medical treatment or safety in the name of sustainability.
Second: Olivia says readers can disinfect their cutting board by rubbing a lemon on it. Lemon juice is not a disinfectant. Following this tip could give you food poisoning.
May 1, 2022
April Wrap-Up: Space Adventures, Sapphic Poetry, and How Not to Self-Publish Your Book
What’s this? I actually have something to share within one month of my last wrap-up? AMAZING . strangely enough, you can thank my child’s intense, month-long bout of teething, since there were several nights he refused to sleep without cuddles and there wasn’t much I could do except read.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Sappho: One Hundred Lyrics translated by Bliss Carman
I’ve been trying to broaden my horizons and read more poetry, and I thought it pertinent to read some work from the sapphic queen herself. Which turned out fruitful, since there was some excellent title inspiration in these poems. 👀
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho
This novella was fantastic – I literally read it in one sitting. I loved the queer rep and the fact that it was a queernormative world, the fantastical elements were teased out just enough to add a level of wonder and mystery to the story, and the characters were just perfection. Definitely recommend if you’re ever in the mood for a quick read.
Other
In Space With Markiplier [Part 1]
I wasn’t sure what I expected from this, but I was pleasantly surprised. Mark did a really great job balancing his absurd humour with actual drama and stakes, and the Choose Your Own adventure style of storytelling gives this tons of replay value (I’ve only done one route so far myself, since it’s hard to really focus and explore the options while playing with a one-year-old.) Plus, spotting other YouTubers sprinkled throughout and catching Easter Eggs/references is always fun. Worth checking out if you’re in the mood for something lighthearted and weird.
And, of course, I need to find time to watch Part 2 because of COURSE that wasn’t actually the end.
What I’ve Created
Articles
5 Reasons to Self-Publish Your Book – And One Reason You Shouldn’t
There’s a lot of discussion around the validity of self-publishing, so I wanted to share some examples of especially good reasons to pursue this route, as well as an example of a more… naïve perspective, let’s say.
How Many Times Can One Character Turn Invisible in D&D 5e?
I love writing these weird explorations of entirely impractical character builds. It’s just good ol’ nerdy fun, and hopefully it can give you some ideas about absurd things to do with character builds in your next campaign.
And that’s all for April! I’m trying to adjust to a different reading schedule now that my baby is finally (FINALLY) sleeping through the night semi-consistently, so hopefully I’ll find a pattern that works and be able to get back into the swing of reading a couple books each month. And I might even have an exciting publishing update in a few months. 👀
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Sappho: One Hundred Lyrics translated by Bliss Carman
I’ve been trying to broaden my horizons and read more poetry, and I thought it pertinent to read some work from the sapphic queen herself. Which turned out fruitful, since there was some excellent title inspiration in these poems. 👀
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho
This novella was fantastic – I literally read it in one sitting. I loved the queer rep and the fact that it was a queernormative world, the fantastical elements were teased out just enough to add a level of wonder and mystery to the story, and the characters were just perfection. Definitely recommend if you’re ever in the mood for a quick read.
Other
In Space With Markiplier [Part 1]
I wasn’t sure what I expected from this, but I was pleasantly surprised. Mark did a really great job balancing his absurd humour with actual drama and stakes, and the Choose Your Own adventure style of storytelling gives this tons of replay value (I’ve only done one route so far myself, since it’s hard to really focus and explore the options while playing with a one-year-old.) Plus, spotting other YouTubers sprinkled throughout and catching Easter Eggs/references is always fun. Worth checking out if you’re in the mood for something lighthearted and weird.
And, of course, I need to find time to watch Part 2 because of COURSE that wasn’t actually the end.
What I’ve Created
Articles
5 Reasons to Self-Publish Your Book – And One Reason You Shouldn’t
There’s a lot of discussion around the validity of self-publishing, so I wanted to share some examples of especially good reasons to pursue this route, as well as an example of a more… naïve perspective, let’s say.
How Many Times Can One Character Turn Invisible in D&D 5e?
I love writing these weird explorations of entirely impractical character builds. It’s just good ol’ nerdy fun, and hopefully it can give you some ideas about absurd things to do with character builds in your next campaign.
And that’s all for April! I’m trying to adjust to a different reading schedule now that my baby is finally (FINALLY) sleeping through the night semi-consistently, so hopefully I’ll find a pattern that works and be able to get back into the swing of reading a couple books each month. And I might even have an exciting publishing update in a few months. 👀
March 31, 2022
February and March Wrap-Up: An Unfortunate Dry Spell With Hope for the Future
I know I missed a month, but I have a very good reason for that: I haven’t read a single thing I genuinely enjoyed.
Yeah. It sucks.
I’ve also been struggling to find time to read, and the book that I am enjoying working my way through is over 600 pages long and only available to me in paperback, which means no reading on my phone when the baby falls asleep on me. I’m not sure when my reading will pick up again, or how long it will take me to finish my current read.
That being said, I do want to continue posting these wrap-ups and sharing what I’ve loved reading and writing recently. So, with that in mind, I might shift to posting these every two or three months unless I happen to have a busy month for reading or writing.
Now, let’s get into this rather short wrap-up, shall we?
What I’ve Enjoyed
Other
The Legend of Korra
Yeah, yeah, I’m about ten years late to that bandwagon. But I’m glad I finally decided to check it out! While there were certainly flaws in the series (let’s all just agree not to talk about season 2, am I right?), I really enjoyed it! The characters were fun, I loved the new ways bending was explored, and seeing how the world had grown and changed in the years after A:TLA was really fascinating. Plus, getting to see some old favourites pop in now and then was delightful. Definitely look forward to rewatching this sometime.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Acceptable Targets and Miscellaneous Misrepresentations in House of Night
Continuing on with the essays I was sharing in my last wrap-up, this is a collection of mini-essays on a variety of topics that I either couldn’t expand into full-length solo pieces, or didn’t have time to do so in a manner that would do the subject justice. The length of this piece might look daunting, but because it’s a collection of essays rather than a single standalone essay, you can actually dip in and out and read sections as you see fit.
Aging Poorly vs. Being Harmful: A Final Look at House of Night and the Works of PC Cast and Kristin Cast
Summing up my thoughts on all of this was hard, not least because the subject is so expansive. But I did my best to convey why the problematic and harmful content in these books is not just an example of something aging poorly or being outdated, while also showing that these issues exist throughout the authors’ body of work, not just within this one series.
How to Write a Book Series as a Pantser
I had a hard learning curve when it came to mapping out and effectively executing a multi-book plot as a pantser (well, plantser, really), and I decided to share some of the tips and lessons I had learned along the way. Hopefully it will make that journey a little easier for other writers out there.
Buzzword Feminism and a Legacy of White Saviours: An In-Depth Review of Spells Trouble
When I say my reading has been bad lately, this is a prime example. Normally I don’t do straight-up book reviews outside of Goodreads and Storygraph, but I’ve decided to experiment with lengthy ones like this for books that I have a lot to say about. In the future, I hope those reviews can be more positive, but that sadly is not the case for this first one. If you’re interested in seeing my thoughts on the world-building and writing of Spells Trouble, as well as my opinion on how the authors’ handled representation of queer characters and POC, then definitely check this one out.
And that’s all I have to share for now. If you like my content and want to see more regular updates from me, follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and/or Medium. I’m @rachaellawrites on all of them.
Yeah. It sucks.
I’ve also been struggling to find time to read, and the book that I am enjoying working my way through is over 600 pages long and only available to me in paperback, which means no reading on my phone when the baby falls asleep on me. I’m not sure when my reading will pick up again, or how long it will take me to finish my current read.
That being said, I do want to continue posting these wrap-ups and sharing what I’ve loved reading and writing recently. So, with that in mind, I might shift to posting these every two or three months unless I happen to have a busy month for reading or writing.
Now, let’s get into this rather short wrap-up, shall we?
What I’ve Enjoyed
Other
The Legend of Korra
Yeah, yeah, I’m about ten years late to that bandwagon. But I’m glad I finally decided to check it out! While there were certainly flaws in the series (let’s all just agree not to talk about season 2, am I right?), I really enjoyed it! The characters were fun, I loved the new ways bending was explored, and seeing how the world had grown and changed in the years after A:TLA was really fascinating. Plus, getting to see some old favourites pop in now and then was delightful. Definitely look forward to rewatching this sometime.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Acceptable Targets and Miscellaneous Misrepresentations in House of Night
Continuing on with the essays I was sharing in my last wrap-up, this is a collection of mini-essays on a variety of topics that I either couldn’t expand into full-length solo pieces, or didn’t have time to do so in a manner that would do the subject justice. The length of this piece might look daunting, but because it’s a collection of essays rather than a single standalone essay, you can actually dip in and out and read sections as you see fit.
Aging Poorly vs. Being Harmful: A Final Look at House of Night and the Works of PC Cast and Kristin Cast
Summing up my thoughts on all of this was hard, not least because the subject is so expansive. But I did my best to convey why the problematic and harmful content in these books is not just an example of something aging poorly or being outdated, while also showing that these issues exist throughout the authors’ body of work, not just within this one series.
How to Write a Book Series as a Pantser
I had a hard learning curve when it came to mapping out and effectively executing a multi-book plot as a pantser (well, plantser, really), and I decided to share some of the tips and lessons I had learned along the way. Hopefully it will make that journey a little easier for other writers out there.
Buzzword Feminism and a Legacy of White Saviours: An In-Depth Review of Spells Trouble
When I say my reading has been bad lately, this is a prime example. Normally I don’t do straight-up book reviews outside of Goodreads and Storygraph, but I’ve decided to experiment with lengthy ones like this for books that I have a lot to say about. In the future, I hope those reviews can be more positive, but that sadly is not the case for this first one. If you’re interested in seeing my thoughts on the world-building and writing of Spells Trouble, as well as my opinion on how the authors’ handled representation of queer characters and POC, then definitely check this one out.
And that’s all I have to share for now. If you like my content and want to see more regular updates from me, follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and/or Medium. I’m @rachaellawrites on all of them.
