Hello all. Just me. Popping for a quick December recap. And by quick I mean, I'm gonna try and keep stuff brief because I have a Farewell 2016 post coming soon...followed by a Hello 2017. XD
There will be a lot of screenshots, because my month was basically just one big conversation, so YES. *pretends this is a good intro and moves on*
// Life. //
>> Um, okay, so my family had fake afros one night. Like, we got this fruit basket and Tucker took all the crimped papery stuff out of it and sat the big mess on his head. And then everyone else's in turn. We laughed SO hard. :P
>> Y'all. I went to 2nd and Charles. THAT IS THE MOST AMAZING PLACE IN THE WORLD LIKE WHAT EVEN. If you haven't been, GO NOW. And buy some books for me. XD
>> This convo with Emma W....
>> I had a 'profound' convo with a friend late one night. About writing and why we write. I'm pretty sure we both ended up crying, and it was just so amazing. I'm not sharing screenshots from that one though...just too special. <3
>> Also, Christmas happened. I got books. Had an awesome time with friends and family. Sang at a candlelight service at church. Went caroling and Dad nearly fell out of the back of the truck. It was fab. God is so good to us. <3
>> Tucker asked who Mercy Miles is. Mom told him that Mercy Miles was Hark Herald's brother, but he didn't seem to believe her. I can't figure out why. (If you didn't get this, go listen to Hark the Herald Angels Sing. On repeat. Until you get it. Then come back and laugh with me.)
// Books. //
I read thirteen books this month! :D I'm hoping to finish three books that I'm currently reading today and hit 130 for my total for the year. :)
Christmas Union by Karen Anna Vogel -- 2 stars
Let's Keep Christmas by Peter Marshall -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
A Christmas Peril by Diane Moody -- 5 stars
Our Christmas Bear by Sarah Brazytis -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
The Lopsided Christmas Cake by Wanda Brunstetter -- 4.5 stars
The Acts of the Apostles -- 5 stars
Joy to the World by Colleen L. Reece -- 4 stars
Twice Loved by Wanda Brunstetter -- 5 stars
One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg -- 4 stars
Destroy by Tricia Mingerink -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado -- 5 stars
White Fur Flying by Patricia MacLachlan -- 5 stars
Last Wish: A Short Story by Valerie Howard -- 5 stars
I also beta-read Lydia's amazing mystery. :D
And...BOOK HAUL! :D As mentioned above, I went to 2nd and Charles...and got books for Christmas...so here ya go.
Amish Prayers by Beverly Lewis
This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof
Spring's Gentle Promise by Janette Oke
The Measure of a Heart by Janette Oke
Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris
I'll be Home for Christmas by Julie L. Cannon
Dare and Defy by Tricia Mingerink
No Better Friend by Robert Weintraub
// Writing. //
Word count of the month: 11,957 (and I'm hoping to write another thousand today and that will put me to nearly 13,000. WHAT WHAT.)
Okay, so, writing went really well this month. I had planned to finish two shirt Christmas stories and hit 72k in War Tears.
But none of that happened. Instead I started and finished a completely different Christmas story and I wrote 22 words in War Tears. *dies*
Allllssoooo... I started a new story. *covers eyes and ears* I know. I say that a lot. But stop laughing. I'm serious this time. I've been writing over a thousand words a day since the 26th. :-O
If the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise (I'm kidding. The creek has nothing to do with it whatsoever), I will be calling for beta-readers for this novella in a couple of months. And – publishing? Well...we'll see what the year brings...
// Music & Movies. //
I WATCHED SO MANY MOVIES THIS MONTH OH MY GOOODDDNEESSS. *ahem*
A couple of them were just 'meh', but a lot of them were awesome, and so yes. Also, lots of re-watches. XD
And then music. Loads of Christmas music (OF COURSE) and a MercyMe concert...
And a new Lawson Bates CD. (Basically, this is the soundtrack to my new novella. <33)
// Goals. //
December Goals.
>> Read twelve books. (Yes, I have great expectations...) Did it!!
>> Hit 72k in War Tears. Ehh...no.
>> Survive the rest of tree harvest. Yaayyyy!!
>> 12 Days of Christmas linkup! Click here for details and how to join in the fun! :D Yes! It was awesome!
>> Go to a MercyMe Christmas concert. SIX DAYS YALL. *squeals* IT WAS FAB YES.
>> Have a lovely, family Christmas that's focused on giving, not receiving, and reflecting the light of Christ... :) Hehe, I believe so. ^_^
January Goals.
>> Read 10 books.
>> Finish one beta-reading project and start alpha-reading another.
>> Finish Dandelion Dust.
>> Write at least two quality posts for Chosen Vessels.
Happy New Years! :D Will you be staying up tonight?
~Faith
(So much for keeping it short, huh?! XD)
OMW YES. SECOND AND CHARLES. THAT IS ALL.
ReplyDeleteYES OHMYGOODNESS IT WAS FAB. Glad you agree. XD
DeleteWow 13 books in one month is pretty impressive! And I love Do Hard Things! Probably one of my favorite books :) Thanks for the post Faith!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ashley! :D It ended up being 16 by 11:00 last night. That one sounds great! I need to read it soon. :)
DeleteThanks for reading!
I'm so jealous of your book haul. LIKE GIVE ME PLEASE. And Faith, YOU NEED TO LET ME READ YOUR STORY. Seriously, I feel like a terrible friend bc I haven't read any of your stuff meanwhile you're beta reading a storm for me. <3 So, give me something to fangirl over. ;)
ReplyDeleteHope you have an awesomely fabulous 2017!! God bless! :)
*beams* NO SORRY THEYRE MINE. Awwww, that's so sweet of you, girlie! <3 (Also...sorry I'm so behind on TP&I! I'll finish this month. PROMISE, OKAY.) Hehe, okay! Think you'd like to beta-read Dandelion Dust somewhere around March/April...?
DeleteYou too!! :D Thanks for stopping by!
Eek, so many books! Books books and more books! xD I've heard LOTS of good things about "Do Hard Things." It's been on my to-read-list for awhile, and maybe next year is the year I finally read it :D
ReplyDeleteI hope your 2017 is absolutely epic! :D <3
katie grace
a writer's faith
Eeeps!! I know, right?! XD Haha, same for me. Maybe now that I've got it ill actually READ IT. :P
DeleteSame to you, Katie! Thanks for commenting! :)
I relate to the starting a new story...it happens all the time. XD best wishes with it!
ReplyDeleteLovely books. :D
Nope, I did not stay up till midnight. I'm not a night person. At all. I made it till 10:30 because my Mum, sis, and I were doing something, but then...fell asleep as soon as I got in bed. XD Happy New Year!
Yes...with me too...thankfully this one is actually going places...hit 8,000 words last night. Thanks! :D
DeleteHehe, aren't they?!
Well....I'm very much a night person. Night owl allll thhheeee wayyyy. XD Hehe, that's about the time my parents went to bed. Tucker and I made it until 12:30 or so. :P
Happy New Years to you too! ^_^
Yay! That's so exciting!! I love when stories prove to be a success!
DeleteHaha, a lot of people are! ^.^
Thankee!
*beams* Aww, thank ya so much, Rae! :D
DeleteHehe, yep. XD
I’m looking forward to reading your Farewell 2016 and Hello 2017 posts! I have similar posts planned. ;)
ReplyDelete2nd and Charles sounds like such a fun store!
That’s great that you read 13 books in December! :) Did you get those other 3 books finished and hit 130 books? “The Lopsided Christmas Cake”, “A Christmas Peril”, and “Twice Loved” are so good! I just got “Destroy” and “Last Wish”. I’m looking forward to reading them. :)
Book hauls are so fun! I have “Amish Prayers”, “Springs Gentle Promise”, and “The Measure of a Heart”. I can’t wait to start that last one tomorrow! :D
I watched a lot of movies in December as well. Mostly all Christmas ones. ;) Out of that stack of movies I have seen: Loves Christmas Journey, the Little House Christmas ones, Christmas in Canaan, It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas with a Capital C, Christmas Comes Home to Canaan, Christmas Child, The Christmas Card, Samantha, 23 Blast, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. :)
I’m so glad that you had fun at the MercyMe concert =)
Great wrap-up post, Faith! :D
Aww, thanks, girl. :) Looking forward to yours too!
DeleteIt was epic!!! :D Ahh!! You must tell me if you ever go to one. xD
Hehe, yes, I did get those last three in! I finished "Cherish", and read "5 Secrets of Story Structure" and "CinderEddy" all by 11:00 last night. :D Those are all great! Ooo, yes! I'd love to hear your thoughts on "Destroy" and "Last Wish"! :)
Haha, yes they are!! :D I'm looking forward to reading all of those, especially that one tomorrow!! :)
*grins over your list* ALL those are amazing!! :D Haha, Christmas movies are the bestest. ;)
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed! =)
*doesn't understand you people with your ton of story ideas* jeeaallouuuss. XD but yes keep writing on everything DON'T SHOVE IT ON THE SHELF *random advice from the person who doesn't understand the drowning in plot bunnies thing*
ReplyDeletehappy 2017, Faith!
sarah » the introverted extrovert
*laughing* Sorrryyyy... ;P YES YES I WONT. I SHALL CONQUER THIS THING. *laughing all over again* Thank ye for the tip, Sarah!
DeleteYou too! Happy New Years, girl! :)
Hahah great recap, I always enjoy these posts :D And I laughed way too hard at Hark Herald and Mercy Miles 😂.
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks, Lauren! :D Glad you enjoy. Hahaha, isn't it great?! I'm pretty sure he knew the truth, but Mom's quick comeback was fab. XD
DeleteOkay, so apparently I didn't know Lawson Bates was a *country* singer. Now I must have all his CD's and...yeah. xD
ReplyDeleteHaha, I loved that screenshot conversation! And Mercy Miles...*nods* Your mom is awesome! ;)
Aw, you posted about our conversation. <3 That was a highlight of the month for me, too. So special.
AND YES "DANDELION DUST"!!!! :D So excited for this story, has already signed up to beta-read and edit and anything else you might need. xD
Whaaaa??? You didn't know this?! XD You poor little misinformed child. *shakes head* But yeah. He sings country with some Christian music and there's a couple love songs on this CD. (ITS LEGIT RYDER AND CHARITY OKAY.) *is listening to it right now because song is blah*
DeleteHaha, great, huh? *grins* She is. Tucker didn't know what to say. :P
I diiiddd. <3 Yeah. It was amazing. Very special. *hugs*
YES YES EEPPSS!!! :D Awww, you're so sweet. *add Jess to the awesome list* Aw, man, she was already on it... ;)