Miranda Atchley's Blog, page 44
February 8, 2016
Lately 2.8.2016
Reading:Little Women! I've really been enjoying the read along and it's been great fun chatting on Twitter with the others. I'm loving this and will really miss it when it's over. I kind of got ahead, so I read a bit of The Hobbit this weekend, which has been on my TBR for quite some time.
(This necklace came in the mail over the weekend and I love it so much. Purchased here.)
Listening:I haven't been listening to anything much different. Showbread, Eisley and The Like is primarily what I've been listening to. I guess one thing that's different is the song "Missing" by Flyleaf. I love the lyrics; they're very poetic. And the video is beautiful, too.
Watching:Still watching season 6 of Downton Abbey and loving it.
I'm still editing A Castle in the Sky. Things are really coming together and that makes me happy. I've picked out some stock images and my sister-in-law is working on the cover. I'm so excited! I'll definitely do a major cover reveal when it's all ready. P.S. If you'd like to reveal the cover on your blog, shoot me an email! mirandaatchley7@gmail.com
This photo really makes me think of Abi in A Castle in the Sky. The only difference is that this model's hair is red whereas Abi's is blonde. But with the old fashioned clothes and ocean and the fact that the model is holding a book, it totally reminds me of Abi! And it looks pretty similar to the cover.
So those are some tidbits from my life lately. Hope you enjoyed this post and have a happy Monday!
-Miranda Atchley
February 5, 2016
Favorite Word Friday #14 "Whimsical"
Whimsical
adjective whim·si·cal \ˈhwim-zi-kəl, ˈwim-\
:unusual in a playful sort of way: not serious
Whimsical is such a fun word. It's one of those words that you can't really be mad when you say it. It makes me think of fairies and castles and pretty things that dreams are made of. Yeah, whimsical is one of my favorite words.
Hope you all have a great weekend! See you all Monday.
-Miranda Atchley
(Definition taken from the Merriam Webster online dictionary)
February 4, 2016
Writing Because It Is Fun
"Writers don't make any money at all. We make about a dollar. It is terrible."-Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz
Indie authors don't make much money. Sure, I've heard of a few exceptions that make tons of money right out of the gate, but let me tell you, they are few and far between. I've always thought the above quote from Donald Miller was hilarious and sadly accurate. It can get depressing, but really, I think it's better to focus on the fact that I'm doing what I love rather than the fact that I can't afford a new car.
Hope your Thursday has been kind to you. See you tomorrow for Favorite Word Friday!
-Miranda Atchley
Indie authors don't make much money. Sure, I've heard of a few exceptions that make tons of money right out of the gate, but let me tell you, they are few and far between. I've always thought the above quote from Donald Miller was hilarious and sadly accurate. It can get depressing, but really, I think it's better to focus on the fact that I'm doing what I love rather than the fact that I can't afford a new car.
Hope your Thursday has been kind to you. See you tomorrow for Favorite Word Friday!
-Miranda Atchley
February 2, 2016
Book of The Week #31 "The Blue Castle"
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
Valancy Stirling is 29 and has never been married; never even had a hope of being married. She lives with her mother Mrs. Fredricks and Cousin Stickles and the two, along with a host of other family members, keep a close watch on Valancy and all that she does. It seems that every moment of her life is planned out for her by her mother and cousin and she is constantly compared to her beautiful and congenial cousin Olive. On her 29th birthday, Valancy is depressed by her sad life in the house on the hill and ends the day the way she started it; by crying. The next day, she decides to have the pains around her heart checked by a doctor (one that her family would disapprove of). Flustered by the fact his son has been in an accident, Dr. Trent leaves without telling Valancy what her condition is. Yet in a matter of days, Valancy receives a letter in which Dr. Trent plainly tells her she has angina and a limited time to live. Valancy is shocked by the news, sad that such a pathetic life will end before anything worthwhile takes place. Yet she might find a way to remedy that.....
This book was sogood. It's the second adult novel that I've read by L.M. Montgomery and I have to admit I enjoyed it more than A Tangled Web. The characters all seem so real and one can't help but become absorbed in the book. Thank you, Amber, for suggesting it! :-)
Valacny is a wonderful protagonist. In the beginning she's so pitiful and miserable and you just feel so sorry for her, but as the book moves along, Valancy learns to stick up for herself and really becomes her own person. I have to admit I wasn't so sure about Barney Snaith in the beginning, but he turned out to be perfect for Valancy. I won't give away any spoilers, but I will say the ending of this book totally surprised me; I did not see it coming (and I was surprised in a good way!).
All in all, The Blue Castle is a lovely read that I would recommend to all fans of historical romance.
I give this book a 5 out 5.
February 1, 2016
Hello February
(Image Source)Well, it's here! February, the shortest month of the year (yet a day longer this year) is beginning.
Things I'm looking forward to in February:
The Little Women Read-Along
More editing on A Castle in the Sky.
Working on a cover for A Castle in the Sky.
So there are some good things happening in February. I'm pretty excited about them. I hope you all have lovely February. Talk to you soon!
-Miranda Atchley
January 31, 2016
January in Review
It's hard to believe that this month is over. Even though January is long month, I have to admit this one passed off fairly quickly. This month has primarily consisted of me trying to get back on track with A Castle in the Sky and get some editing done, which I have, thanks be to God, as well as getting some blogging done. We haven't had any snow at my house in Arkansas, though Little Rock got several inches last week and there have been some places closer by that have gotten some snow. Maybe we'll get a dusting sometime in February.
Since the month is over, I thought I'd share some of my favorite posts from this month with you all.
Endless StoriesWork In Progress Update 1/25/2016Hello 2016A "Little Women" Read-AlongBooks I Want To Read In 2016Lately 1/11/2016Writing In A Winter WonderlandFavorite Word Friday #13 "Ethereal"
So there you have it! Thank you all for reading along this month. I look forward to talking to you in the new month. Until next time, January....
-Miranda Atchley
January 29, 2016
Favorite Word Friday #13 "Ethereal"
Ethereal adjective ethe·re·al \i-ˈthir-ē-əl\
:in heaven:resembling heaven; something to belong to another world:very delicate
Ethereal is one of my all-time favorite words. I love the way it sounds. I love the image it provokes when you think it or say it. An image of something beautiful and lovely; like a kingdom of ice ruled by a stately queen. It's such a lovely word and that's why it's one of my favorites.
Thanks for hanging out with me this week. I hope you've enjoyed it. See you Monday with more tales from a real writer's life!
-Miranda Atchley
(Definition taken from the Merriam Webster online dictionary.)
January 28, 2016
Book Series I Want To Finish
Hey everyone and happy Thursday! Hope your week has gone well, and if not, at least it's over after tomorrow. Ha!
I've been looking at the books I want to read this year and I've realized that there are several series of books that I've started and really enjoyed, yet haven't finished. That isn't to say I've lost interest in them or that they have "gone downhill" the further along the series goes; I just haven't gotten around to finishing them. So today I'd like to share with you three such series.
I've listed all the books in each series and put a strike through each one that I've read. Hope you enjoy!
The Chronicles of Narnia
Harry Potter
A Series of Unfortunate Events
I have no idea when I'll get around to finishing these series, but I imagine I'll get to them all eventually, lest I lose interest, and I will have fun in the process!
Have you read any of these series? Are there any series (book, movie, television show) that you haven't finished but would like to? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a good day. See you tomorrow for another Favorite Word Friday.
-Miranda Atchley
January 27, 2016
Bloglovin
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Currents
Currentsby EisleyCurrents is the fourth LP by Eisley. It has a very aquatic theme that I really enjoy; a lot of people call this album mermaid music and I love that. And really, I can totally picture a mermaid listening to this album. I enjoy the sea theme to the music on this album; it's very calming and soothing, making it great to listen to on stressful or sad days.The lyrics to this album are quite different than previous Eisley albums. Don't worry; you still get that trademark whimsy that comes with all of Eisley's albums, but I feel like the lyrics are deeper than on previous albums. On songs like Millstone you hear Chauntelle wonder about life and how short it can seem, yet how it also seems like time is moving in slow motion. I really love this album.
CurrentsI would part the waters if you said so | I would shift the current if you had to row
Blue FishWhen I was young | Oh, I found you in my heart | Oh, I found you in my smile
Drink The WaterI come from where you come from | I've seen what you've seen
Save My SoulSwinging from the background | Swelling from beneath | What was in the darkness blooming under me | Rising from the ashes | Waking all the dead | Tearing through the sadness | Ringing through my head
MillstoneTell me why I'm discontented | Will I die without the details in my hands | I feel these vines surrounding my heart | I fear I'm moving at a slower pace again
Real WorldAnd let's face it love | I'm a wreck without your help
Wicked ChildWait for a minute | Just don't toss me away | I'll be down in the trees | Just begging you please
Find Me HereI'm a watchtower in the morning | Waiting for the sun to rise | I've got riverbeds in my eyes | I'm a bonfire on a hillside | The wind whistles sharp through my teeth | I've been burning oil walking the streets and I'm crying
Wonder EnglishI will never let them tear us apart | No I will never
Lost Enemies
I have heard it said that you are a dancing crew | Who saved the world in thirty three
The Night ComesWhen the night comes | I'll be the one with torches | I'm shining on | And when your head hits the bed | That I'm lying on | I'll be your watcher through the night
ShelterOne day I will be safe | But for now you are my shelter
My favorite songs on Currentsare: Blue Fish, Save My Soul, Millstoneand Find Me Here
Hope you enjoyed this post! Thank you for stopping by. Talk to you soon.
-Miranda Atchley
