Hailey Rose's Blog, page 11

2017’s Word

I’ve never done a one word goal for the year before, but since doing so is apparently a thing, I’m going to jump on the bandwagon and do it!

 

My word for 2017?

Why Focus?

I am the expert procrastinator. I get distracted so easily it is honestly embarrassing. I love doing as many things at once as I can just to feel like I’m getting a lot done.

But I rarely get much, if anything, done when I try to multi-task.

What do I want to focus on in 2017?

Relationship with Christ
Relationships with family and friends
College
Writing
Music
Enjoying life

 

Already, my schedule for 2017 is full. A nasty surgery that will force me to slow down for about 6 months, starting school at a local university, getting a second job . . . it all adds up. I know myself well enough to understand that I allow my brain to become overwhelmed. Not proud of it, but it is what it is. Just looking at what this year already holds, I’m seeing a lot of potential to get stressed.

I don’t want that to happen. I want to FOCUS on what’s important. I want to FOCUS on the good amidst the not-so-good. I want my main FOCUS to be on Christ.

 

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Do you have a word for 2017?

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NaNo Make-Up #1

Because I’m such a pathetic human and cannot manage to do NaNo the months it is actually running, I have decided to come up with my own times to do NaNo when it works for me. So, myself and Emily McConnell are hosting a NaNo Make-Up that will run from January 15th to February 15th.

 

You can set your own word count, or set a project/outline/editing goal–whatever you want! If you are going to join us, send me a message and I’ll add you to our group Google Hangout. Also, you can add your goal to the group Google Doc. Some of us will be using MyWriteClub for goal tracking. It’s not a requirement, but if you want to join that, feel free!!!

 

I hope you can join us this month! However, if it doesn’t work for your schedule, know that we will be doing a second Make-Up from March 15th to April 15th.

 

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INSTAGRAM!!!!

Seriously, Instagram is one of my favorite social medias to stalk. I lllooooovvvveee stalking my favorite authors/people and seeing all the beautiful pictures and videos they take. And now, I have my own!

 

*evil laughter*

 

*creepy voice* Come stalk me, if you wish. ;)

 

INSTAGRAM!!!

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Favorites of 2016

2016 was a fantastic reading year for me! According to Goodreads, I read 90 books, outdoing my goal of 70. I picked a few favorites to share with you!

 

Contemporary

Even Now by Karen Kingsbury

Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury

Diamond by Julia Erickson

 

 

Historical

God’s Will by Meghan M. Gorecki

Brothers and Betrayal by Sarah Holman

From the Dark to the Dawn by Alicia A. Willis

 

Fantasy

Samara’s Peril by Jaye L. Knight

Deny by Tricia Mingerink

The Ryn by Serena Chase

 

 

Futureistic/Dystopian

Counted Worthy by Leah. E. Good

A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes

 

Doesn’t-fit-in-any-category

Cloak of Light and Light of the Last by Chuck Black

 

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Have you read any of these?
What are your 3 favorite books of 2016?
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2016 in Review

I can’t believe it’s over. Seriously. Didn’t we just do this?!?

*clears throat*

 

2016 was an amazing year for me. It was full of new experiences, new joys, and new friends. Oh sure, there was a lot of crud mixed in there, too. But overall, 2016 was a beautiful year and I’m so blessed!

 

~Top Posts~

My thoughts on Pinterest (which I didn’t make a graphic for…bad me.)

I wrote a letter to my first novel, TORR. (Also, didn’t make a graphic.)

I did my very first (and very awkward) VLOG!!!

One of my most popular posts ever. (and to think I almost didn’t post it…)

 

I launched the Very Awesome Vlog Challenge

And last, but not least, I announce my new book

Also, I went from 6 subscribers to 42. How phenomenal is that?!? Seriously, guys, thank you so much! I would have no blog if it weren’t for you all!

~Writing~

I wrote, edited, and published The Old River Road in 9 months. (okay, yes, some of that was in 2015.)
I PUBLISHED MY FIRST BOOK!!!!!!!! That is my biggest, proudest accomplishment of this year. I can’t believe I actually did it. I never thought it could happen.
I wrote one full novel, called Ocean Hues.
I wrote a novella, called Left to Die.
I started the One Year Adventure Novel curriculum and became and OYANer.

 

~Life~

Lots of life stuff happened this year. Good stuff, just…life. And for the record, I really don’t like growing up. (I should do a post . . . “things I’d tell my 10 year old self”)

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Well there you have it, a pretty dull look at my very exciting 2016. Forgive my dullness. It really was a great year. At the moment I’m functioning on a lot of candy and a very little amount of sleep.

How was your 2016? What was your favorite part?

Happy New Year! I hope it is filled with many joys and blessings! :)

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Left to Die Blog Tour Sign-Up

Can you believe it’s time to do this again?!? I can’t. I feel like I JUST DID IT with The Old River Road…but that was 6 months ago. (Where does the time go?!?!?)

 

Sign ups will be open until December 31st. If you feel so inclined, please share this post with your friends! I will have a page in the header ribbon above so you can find these forms anytime.

 

Merry Christmas!!! :)

 

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The Very Awesome Vlog Challenge #3, Dec-Feb Edition

As always, here I am–fashionably late to the party.  -_-

 

 

Before I announce the new fun stuff for #3, make sure you peek at the amazing bloggers who took part in #2!

Rebekah Eddy @ Rebekah’s Remarks

Hope Ann @ Writing in the Light

Abigayle Ellison @ The Left-Handed Typist

Ivy Rose @ Lakeside Publications

 

Great job, everyone! I loved watching your videos, and I know your blog readers did, too! Keep it up!

 

 

Now, for the December-February edition

In one sentence, what is your goal for the new year?
What is your favorite restaurant?
What was the very first story idea you got?

 

Alrighty, let’s see those videos! Ready, Set, GO!!!!

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Book Review: Dana’s Valley by Janette Oke

Even though this is not a new book, or a book by an indie author, this story made such an impact on me I want to share it. (And it’s a great thing to add to your Christmas list!!! :) )

 

Dana’s Valley is my second favorite book of Janette Oke’s beside the Love Comes Softly series.  This is the only book I have read that made me cry pretty much all the way through.  It really gave me a glimpse into  what life is like when a loved one has cancer.

 

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From the back cover:

Erin Walsh thinks her family is as close to perfect as it can be. When one grim diagnosis is all it takes to shake her family to the core, she wonders if they can ever go back to they way they were. Erin’s attempts to go about life as usual feel empty and as each member of her family seems to struggle alone, she is about ready to give up on God. However, Erin has yet to learn that God will never give up on her.

 

This book was recommended to me by a friend, and I was more than happy to receive it as a gift. You can’t go wrong with this amazing story! But have a box of tissues nearby!

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Announcement and Reveal

*GASP*

Can you believe I’ve kept my mouth shut about a project for an entire four months?!?! Believe me, I don’t come from the strongest line of secret keepers. (*ahem ahem ahem* *cough cough* Love you, Mom!!!)

 

 

But yes, I have kept a secret. (My beta readers even kept the secret!!!)

 

Am I driving you crazy yet? I hope so. *evil author laugh*

 

The secret is…

A LOVELY NEW BOOK!!!

 

In a little less than two months, on January 23th, you’re all going to get a chance to read my latest baby. This sweet novella that is very dear to my heart. The topic is so precious to me, I can only hope some of that leaks out onto the pages. I love this story so much. But you’ll have to read the ‘author’s note’ in the back to learn what makes it so special to me.

(There, someone be proud of me. That was a very nice marketing slip. *pats self on back*) (*laughs at self* I’ll probably end up accidentally mentioning the reason at some point in time.)

It’s already been through beta readers, is in the hands of endorsers (or endorsementers…or endorsarinos…whatever they are called), and is headed to the editor this weekend. Talk about a whirlwind!

Oh, you probably want to see the cover, huh? *wink*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary:

     Lindy Greene’s life is perfect. Too perfect. But living as a missionary nurse, serving in a rural hospital in China, soon brings the disaster she fearfully anticipates. All of her well-thought-out plans for the future disintegrate after pulling a fatally ill, disfigured, abandoned child from a pile of trash. She doesn’t even like babies.

     Nathan Thomas can’t find balance. College suited him just fine until his cash ran out, forcing him to the Chinese mission field with his parents. The chaotic atmosphere in China does little to relax his agitated mind, and the pretty blonde nurse at the clinic does nothing to help him focus.

     The Chinese mission field isn’t for the faint of heart. Nathan wonders how he can survive his remaining time there, while Lindy struggles to help everyone she can. With different ideals pulling them in separate directions, there is one thing drawing them together: a tiny, sickly, crippled orphan who relies on them to stay alive.

 

 

(A shoutout to Willowy Whisper–if you need a cover done, go see Willowy! She’s a sweetie to work with, really fast, and totally affordable. And she does an AMAZING job!!!)

 

If you’re excited about the book, would you mind adding the book to your Goodreads?

 

I can’t wait to share this story with you all!!!

 

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Last Day!

Today’s the last day to get The Old River Road for $.99! Pick up your Kindle copy today!

 

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