Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Camp NaNo, Packing, and Deaf Movie Night || April Recap

I could start this post by moaning and exclaiming over how I have no idea where the month went. Which would be an honest reply to how I greeted the first hours of May 2018 seeing as how I went to bed shortly before 1 AM. But since I do that every month... well, we'll just skip it altogether and move right into what y'all are actually here for.



|| Life. || 


>> I attended a Deaf movie night for an American Sign Language assignment and it was SUCH A COOL EXPERIENCE. Are we foreseeing interpreting as a future career choice for Faith? Ya never know...



>> Many days this month were spent planning, talking about, and packing for the trip next month. (Not sure what I'm talking about? See this post.) I'm sure we'll all be running around like a pack of crazies this weekend, but I feel...pretty much prepared?? xD


>> I finished my chemistry textbook and it was SUCH an amazing feeling to cast that thing aside. (Okay, more like add it to a stack of rubbish on my desk because finals are this week so #studying O.O)


>> Spring finally found us. We had some cold days and our fair share of rain, but this warm weather, y'all. <33

We heartily approve of summertime. But half of 'we' does not like pictures. 



|| Books. || 


// Reads 

Into the Sunset compiled by Susan K. Marlow -- 4 stars
The Proving by Beverly Lewis -- 4 stars -- Review HERE.
The Women of Easter by Liz Curtis Higgs -- 5 stars
Love Finds You in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts by Melody Carlson -- 4 stars
Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? by Richard Maybury -- 5 stars
Happy Day by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars
Where Trains Collide by Amber Stokes -- 4 stars -- Review to come.

I also read the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Timothy. :D

// Books 


Into the Sunset -- contest win
In Bloom -- review book
A Question of Courage -- purchase



|| Writing. || 


Writing was rather grand this month. With Camp NaNo, a short story, other short story ideas, and the tingling inspiration to seek out possible publishers (!!!), it was a month it which I felt like a writer. Loveliness. <3


As y'all already know, yes, I competed in Camp NaNoWriMo this month. It was an amazing experience, as always. My cabins mates were so much fun to sprint, chat, and hang out with, and the month flew by quickly!

My goal was to edit 60k words of A Soldier's Freedom. This novel is about 64k words currently, so that would be editing most of it. (I ended up counting nearly 3,000 words of a short story toward my goal, but still... I'm nearly through with the first edit of ASF!) I'm hoping to finish the edit this week. :D

Speaking of stories... As y'all already know if you've read my Camp updates, I wrote a short story during the first few days of the month and I'm SO tickled over how it turned out. It rates high of the list of favorite things I've written. Or, it would, if there were such a list.... Anywho, I'm looking forward to sharing my little darling with y'all soon! =D



|| Blogging. || 


// Favorite Posts 

Flights from the Aerie ~ Reintroduction

A Purpose and a Promise ~ Made for Another World

Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Girl ~ With Them You are Wanted

Ivie Writes ~ Your Words Matter// Spread the Light

Wonderland Creek ~ The Note on the Wall


// My Posts 









|| Goals. || 


// April Goals 

>> Read 8 books.        Nailed it.

>> Edit A Soldier's Freedom.      I'm technically not done, but nearly so. :D

>> Win Camp NaNoWriMo.     YUS!

>> Finish my Math and Economics courses.      Yup.

>> Finish trip planning.      Pretty much. xD


// May Goals 

>> Take a break.

>> Travel across the continent.

>> Read for pleasure.

>> Write if I feel like it.



Announcement time... I'm going on another blogging hiatus for most of the month of May. I'll be popping in a few times toward the end of the month with some blog tours for some amazing books, and I'll post a May recap (TRIP PICS, Y'ALL! <3), but other than, I'm taking a break.

I know I just took one in January, and I honestly didn't think I'd be doing it this soon, but I need it. But meanwhile, I'll be reading y'all's posts and planning some awesomeness (think: new stories + giveaways + anniversaries) for June... so stay tuned. ;)


How was your month? Any special plans for May? Are you excited for summer? :D 

~Faith

22 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a good month! And the trip you’re going on sounds like fun!
    Congrats on completing your goals!
    April went pretty good for me - just flew by! (Of course I probably say that about every month)
    I’m soooo excited for summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's going to be fabulous! :D
      Thanks! <3
      (Haha, I say the exact same thing. xD)
      Me too!! Like, c'mon summer, we're ready for you. <3

      Delete
  2. The Deaf movie night for an American Sign Language sounds amazing! So glad you got to have that experience!
    Your month seems like was a good one. Congratulations on finishing Camp NaNo and getting so much done!
    Enjoy your break, and have a fabulous trip! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was seriously so cool!! I'm glad I did too. It was awesome. <3
      Thanks so much on all counts, Rae! <3

      Delete
  3. Wow, you've been busy!

    This past month was great! I finished edits on my 4th book (3rd in a series) and will hopefully be releasing it in June! This month, I'll be adding editor corrections, plotting the rewrite of my next book, taking part in my piano recital :/ and turning 20 something! :) lots of good stuff!

    Have fun on your trip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, yup. ;D

      Ohh, congrats!! That's so exciting! Wow, sounds like lots of amazing things happening this month as well. Blessings to you, with all that! <3

      Thank you! :)

      Delete
  4. I've been thinking about ASL and possible trying to learn it. Personally, there are some moments where I just don't feel like talking (and this is coming from a often chatty, extravert person) and sometimes I wish I could just give a few hand motions to get my point across. (However, I also volunteer at a therapeutic riding center, and ASL might come in handy there, as well.)

    Congrats on NaNo!! I worked on my edits, which was...aggravating as well as tons of fun. (I have such a love/hate relationship with editing...)

    Have an awesome, relaxing, refreshing hiatus!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, you totally should, Julian! Yeah, I use ASL around the house sometimes...it confuses my mom, although she does know a few signs. xD (Oh, definitely! That would be awesome.)

      Haha, totally relatable there. xD My edits are going...pretty well, though. Hope yours are too!!

      Thanks so much! :)

      Delete
  5. April really seemed to fly by. I usually think that about the other months too, but April just seemed especially fast. ;)
    That deaf movie night sounds like such a cool experience.
    Getting ready for a trip is always fun, but definitely can be crazy too!
    Yay, spring found you! It’s found us too.
    It looks like you read some fun books! =) I just love “The Proving”. I need to read my copy of “Into the Sunset” sometime. I only read one story, which you already know, and it was amazing. ;)
    I really like that writing quote! The writing part doesn’t exactly apply to me, but if I switch out the word writing for a passion of mine…I love it! :)
    I can’t wait to read that short story!
    Great recap, Faith! I need to post mine today. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hehe, I think that like...every month. ;) April always seems to go by fast though. So does February.... :P
      It was great!
      Haha, quite crazy!! ;D
      Yay! This warmer weather feels sooo nice. I love winter too, but I'm ready for summer. :)
      "The Proving" was so good! Awww!! *wink* <3
      Yep! I found that on Pinterest and really liked it. :D
      I hope you enjoy!
      Thanks! I'm going to hop over and read yours in just a second. ;)

      Delete
  6. Oooo a deaf movie night. That does indeed sound like a good experience. Congratulations on winning Camp Nano. Sounds like you have a lot of plans for this month. Good luck!

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    1. It was really fascinating and so neat. :D Thanks, Addyson! Blessings! <3

      Delete
  7. Great post! Looks like you had a amazing April!
    I'm so happy for you that you got so much writing done! You did awesome on your goals!! Your May looks like it will be lots of fun and relaxing;-).
    Thanks for posting!!!
    -Brooklyne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Brooklyne! :D
      Aww, thank you!! Yes, I'm hoping for a month of relaxation before tackling June and all that will come with it. ;)
      Thanks for reading! <3

      Delete
  8. Planning for trips is so fun!! Ahh yes, casting away textbook's is awesome. =)
    Thank you so much for mentioning my post! <3
    *High five on your goals for April* I love your goals for May! =D It sounds awesome; enjoy the break! I hope you really get to relax and enjoy your time away.
    My month was pretty good. I was really happy about the writing progress I made. Also, I got to go on a writers retreat, which was SO fun! =D My big plan for this month is to finish my Camp project, and edit a couple novellas. =)
    Enjoy the break!
    -Mikayla-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sooo much fun!! :D Haha, yup!
      Thanks for *writing* it! <3
      *high five back* I hope so too! Thank you! <3
      That's awesome! Ooohh, I heard about that. Sounds like y'all had a fabulous time! Eepps, good luck! :D
      Thanks, dear!

      Delete
  9. What a fun but crazy month! I’ll skipped out on my april recap XD. A deaf movie night sounds like a fun smart idea. A Soldier Freedom! Yuss! When will you be releasing War Tears?!?

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    1. Haha, that sums it up pretty well! Yup, it was great. :D Oooh, good question. I've hit a few roadblocks with that one, but I'm still hoping for a winter release. ;)

      Delete
  10. Ooohhh are you still taking classes with Mr. Dally? How is it going? And sounds like a lovely and busy month! Hope you have a nice blogging break and trip!! ^_^

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    1. Yep! :D I took ASL 2 this past year, and I'm taking ASL 3 this fall. ;D Are you? Thanks so much, Blessing!

      Delete
  11. Tag, you're it, Faith! (If you're interested that is. ;)) http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-hallmark-movie-tag.html

    ReplyDelete