Hello all!!

In spite of the 4 tags that are clamoring for my attention, I thought it high time to have a real post.

However, after checking my spare post ideas, I've decided that I'm going to do...none of them. For reasons. Most having to do with various things that I've done recently.

Which got me to wondering.....

Why is it that I've never really done a monthly wrap-up?

Upon thinking it's because....mostly because I don't...do anything. *cringe*

Most bloggers use monthly wrap-ups to relay miscellaneous announcements or talk about the books that they read, or share their writing stats. And for the past several months, I've been a terrible reader, done almost no writing and have led a rather boring existence.

That is, until this month rolled around.....must be the new year or something...or the fact that I'm currently here at home with no job and nothing to do....*shrugs*

(enough rambling, Catherine. Get to the point)

Right then! Let us be off then....


I've read a grand total of 12 books this month!

To be honest, that is really unusual - I chalk it up to the fact that I was suffering from insomnia one night so I read and read until I fell asleep.

Exit Betty by Grace Livingston Hill
Cranford by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskill
Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl
Pippa of Lauramore by Shari L. Tapscott (I really really need to do a proper review of this book because it is super duper awesome!!)
Rose of the Oath by Hope Ann
Prairie Brides Series 1-5 by Kit Morgan (re-reads, first reviews)
After a Fashion by Jen Turano (re-read, need to review)
Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergen (re-read, first review)




My family has a tradition of getting movies and TV show seasons for Christmas. This year, we got all TV shows: Blue Thunder, Knight Rider, Hogan's Heroes, Gilligan's Island and an 1970s anime sci-fi show called Star Blasters.

So far, I love Knight Rider. It has a very strong male lead whose name is Michael Knight. (I could do without having him picking up a new girlfriend every episode though....).

Photo credit: Catherine Hawthorn

But the main reason why I like the show is KITT - the heavily customized black Trans Am that Michael drives...sometimes. (MK, you would love KITT, he is sassy as anything. Oh yes, I forgot to mention, KITT talks too).

Blue Thunder and Gilligan's Island are okay - there are several things in each that I don't particularly like. Star Blasters was just weird, I didn't like it.

I also got DVD copies of the 1982 Scarlet Pimpernel and Letters to Juliet recently. (I would not recommend Scarlet Pimpernel for under 16, there were two bedroom scenes in it, which I forgot about. *mea culpa*)

My family also just got Airwolf, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Yankee Doodle Dandy (impulse purchase *grins*)





Annoucement #1: Project Canvas.

Check it out HERE

At the urging of my alpha reader/blog and IRL friend Mary Katherine, I guest-posted on Project Canvas last week!! My post was all about pen names (tips, reasons, etc.) and how to create a good one. You can check it out via the link above (and while you're there, please go stalk the other posts on there, they are super duper helpful).


Annoucement #2: The Shared WIP Tag - hosted by Julian Daventry

I'm actually participating in this tag this time! In this month-long collaboration, I'll be introducing my newest WIP, "The White Rose" (TWR) that I mentioned in my last post. Initially I was going to introduce TWR via another Meet the Books post - I may do that anyway, but I don't know when that will be.

The tag posts will be published throughout the month of March, and I'm super pumped to write them!


Annoucement #3: Wattpad!!

I've now got a Wattpad account!! I initially got it in order to access a story that someone asked me to critique on Goodreads. After checking it out, I think it's going to be a great asset for my writers platform.

Now, for you old followers on here...

Do y'all remember that story called "Rose of Culmore"? The one about the the "backstory" of the song "The Maid of Culmore"? The one that I hyped up last spring and was forced to table it without any snippets for you guys because nothing was working on it???

Well, the first section is up on Wattpad!!

You can view it HERE.

Also, for those of you who have been waiting for it, the first two sections of my POTO story "Shattered Chandelier" are also on Wattpad!

You can view it HERE.

Annoucement #4: Fellowship of the Uncooperative Muses

After chatting with some great gals from Goodreads, I've found that I'm not the only one with a chronic story-hopping problem. I have since decided to start a Goodreads group as a support for my fellow writers and myself who have this problem. Feel free to check it out HERE!


*looks back on monster post*

Okay, so I did do something this month after all....

I can't tell how much longer that is going to last though - job hunting is going to be in full swing come February....which is tomorrow. *cringes* Wish me luck!

Scribblingly yours,

Catherine

Hello all!!

It's be a fair bit since I posted last!

I have a valid excuse...actually a couple of valid excuses. One being RW business - things have been hopping over there!

Speaking of hopping....the biggest reason I haven't been blogging lately is that the Muse has been at it again.....I've got ANOTHER WIP.

I officially have a problem. I swear, you guys are probably so confused, I'm so sorry.....WHY CAN'T MY MUSE BE AN ORDINARY MUSE????? *pounds head into desk and cries*

I promise, I'll introduce the new WIP properly before *too* long - but if you're curious, go check out my Muse's Works in Progress page! (Hint: you can find it currently under the "Novellas" section.)

In lieu of the fact that my muse is still sore from the last word marathon (2003 words!!), and the fact that my Tags-To-Do list has grown again mysteriously, I've decided to a "squishing" (to borrow a word from Lia) of a lot of little tags!!


I love quotes so much. I wish I could pull out a quote for every time I had to explain a complex idea, because they do it so much better than I can.

My darling friend Belle Anne @ World of Ink and Paper tagged me for this little challenge. You can view her post HERE. Thank you dear friend!!

Ze Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Post a new quote consecutively for three days.
3. Nominate three bloggers every day of the challenge.

I'm going to follow Belle's example and break the rules on this one. Because ain't nobody got time to hunt up quotes and nominate three bloggers everyday for three days. Nobody. *nods sagely*

Hence, I will post three quotes right here, right now, snagging them from my Goodreads.

Quote #1:

"There is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature." ~ P.G. Wodehouse

AHHH this is so true. This is also true for movies, music....other entertainment....it makes for excellent conversations, that is for sure!!!




Quote #2: "No one is useless in the world who lightens the burdens of others" ~ Charles Dickens

Even if someone is an invalid or has a disability, every single person on this Earth has a purpose. And for some, it is bringing sunshine and joy in the world.




Quote #3: "Do not be so open-minded that your brains fall out." ~ G. K. Chesterton

I love how politically incorrect G.K. Chesterton is. Hurrah for common sense, the modern superpower!!!

Sarcasm aside, I greatly enjoyed this challenge. Quotes are such timeless pieces of wisdom and so.....

Versatile.

That's the word.



That was a horrible transition, wasn't it....*facepalm*

An embarrassingly long time ago, my Camp NaNo buddy MiddleEarthMusician tagged me for this little blogger award. You can find her post HERE. Belle Anne @ Worlds of Ink and Paper also tagged me for this. You can find her post HERE.

Thank you so much, you two!! *gives giant hugs*

Ze Rules:

1. Thank the person(s) who tagged you.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself.

3. Tag 10 bloggers

4. Notify your tags via comment on blogs, etc.

The Seven Previously Unknown Facts about Catherine: 

Fact #1: I don't like doing the dishes.

Fact #2: I'm a supporter of the Second Amendment, and of concealed carry. (Hope to get mine soon!)

Fact #3: I love horses. I've both ridden and driven horses, and honestly I like doing both. My favorite color horse is black...like the one in my sidebar <3

Fact  #4: I love dairy products. By that I mean I love cheese, yogurt and ice cream. Milk on the other hand....doesn't agree with me for some strange and obscure reason.

Fact #5: I don't wear makeup. Even though I have acne, I don't wear it unless it's a formal occasion. A. I want people to love me for me and not because I have any physical beauty and B. I either scratch or sweat it off. YICK.

Fact #6: I'm a modest dresser. I wear mostly skirts - all of which are knee-length or longer, usually paired with t-shirt, hoodie and tights. I also like wearing boots :).

Fact #7: I'm claustrophobic. I can't stand feeling trapped or caged. It gives me panic attacks. Literally. Not joking. Found this out the hard way.

*clock tolls*

Oh drat! I forgot I was hosting a dinner tonight!!! *scurries to dress, scattering papers everywhere*


I stole this tag from Lilah @ The Singing Writer originally (You can view her post HERE). And then Faith @ The Writer's Song tagged me officially not too long ago! You can view Faith's post HERE. Thank you both!!

There seems to be no rules attached to this one! (Except the rules of good breeding, of course...)

Which is good, because I have some hungry guests in the other room. Allow me to introduce them!

From Goodreads.

From Goodreads.

From Goodreads.

From Goodreads.

From Goodreads.

From Goodreads

From Goodreads

And so concludes my ridiculously long tag squishing post!! *collapses in chair* 

For sanity and memory's sake, I'm going to leave these tags open. Take one, take all, I don't mind in the least!

Have you read any of these books? Were you surprised at any of the facts I shared about myself? Do you like quotes? Chat with me in the comments!!

Scribblingly yours,

Catherine

Hello all!

Okay, remember when I said that I hadn't written any of "Caoimhe" back when I did the Motherly Writer's Award last month?

Guess what...

I LIED.

I forgot that I HAD written a few scenes for that WIP previously. They were hiding on my computer, completely off my radar. *facepalm*

I've been kind of itching to work on this WIP again, for some odd reason. SOI has kinda reached a standstill right now. And for some odd reason, as I was searching for music and aesthetics, I kept finding ones for "Caoimhe"....

I thought that it was high time that I talked about some sort of writing around here anyway (even though I have 4 tags that are waiting to be completed). And "Caoimhe" really has not been properly introduced...even in my WIP page.

So I thought I would kill a few birds with one stone and do a page for the "Meet the Books" link-up.

What is "Meet the Books", you may ask? This is a blog linkup that has been started by Belle Anne @ Worlds of Ink and Paper. It is similar to Beautiful People, but it introduces the whole book rather than the characters. Which is honestly much better for my situation!

The rules are really simple - just answer the questions, and link back to Belle, which you can do on her latest "Meet the Books" post HERE.

And now, onto the questions!!!

1. What is the genre?

High fantasy. Because of the fact that it features a cave portal, a language of it's own, still has knights and kings, has a teen protagonist and is inspired by Tolkien...I figured that that fantasy was the best fit for it.

2. What is the title?

Hahaha...

It didn't have a "title" until a couple of days ago. It was simply known as "Caoimhe" for a long time.

But I'm pleased to announce that I finally found a good title for it.

May I introduce to you....




3. How is it written? What is the POV? Are there multiple or single POVs or MCs?

Third-person omniscent/omnipotent, which is my "normal" POV to work from. There is a single MC, but plenty of other characters.

4. What gave you the idea for this book?

I couldn't sleep one night, so I turned on Adrian von Ziegler's first 2 hr compilation of his Celtic music.



My imagination went wild...I saw vivid scenes in movie form. I managed to get snatches of it on paper, and I've been working heavily on my characters and creature races ever since. I really should work more on my plot...since well, that's what the worst part is....

Needless to say, I've been a fan of Adrian von Ziegler ever since.

5. Who are the characters?

Ummmm....this is a highly detailed section, be advised!!


6. What is the setting? The time period?

The setting is in the mytical land of Aistaraina (eye-stah-rye-nah). The name is Elvish and means "blessed and gracious". It was originally a colony of a kingdom of ancient Elves, and it was named for an Elven princess.

The time period is thousands of years after the creation of this fantasy world. It would be contemporary with the Middle Ages of our world. I haven't quite figured out the "reckoning" of this world just yet. 

7. Who is your favorite character so far?

Probably Gail/Caoimhe. If you'd like, you can read her BP profile HERE.

8. What is your favorite scene so far?

I haven't written that many scenes. I must say, that of all the ones I did, Caoimhe's "adoption" scene is one of my favorites so far.

9. Any themes of music for this book?

Um....yeah. About 2 hours worth. *Refers you up to the 2 hr video previously mentioned*.

There is also a playlist on my Spotify devoted to this WIP, that is currently about 5 hours long.

10. Any drawings or asethetics?

Besides the potential cover that I shared, I also have a secret Pinterest board that I store all of my image aesthetics on. I'm an "okay" artist...but I don't hold a candle to my lil bro. I haven't had him draw anything for this book yet....I gotta finish writing it. (He did help me with the cover though!!)

11. Any snippets?

Well, if you insist, I'll share a couple:



12. Strong point in the story?

Umm...I think my characters are probably the strongest thing I've got going for me right now. The world-building actually is coming better too - which is really unusual because world-building is not easy for me.

13. Weak point in the story?

The plot....

Oh my goodness, the plot.

I have some themes, and some good conflict points. But they are not meshing...like at all. So far, it's turning into a really cliche fantasy/Tolkien/Lewis like plot.

14. What are your plans for it?

Well, the first plan is to finish it. And then hopefully publish it.

15. Any particular habits that you only do for this book?

Ummmm, not particularly. Except spend hours and hours looking at language and linguistics (if that can be called a habit).

Oh by the way, here is the website I got all of those Elvish names from: http://www.arwen-undomiel.com/elvish.html

16. If this book was going to be made into a movie, who would be your ideal cast?

Well, now that's an interesting question...

Because all the actors/actresses that I think would probably fit the roles are either dead or too old.

And I can't even imagine any actors that I know taking the role of my characters.....

(Hey,maybe ya'll can help....does any of my characters remind you of any actors/actresses you know??)


And with that, I finish my lengthy introduction of my first "proper" novel, and my favorite WIP.

Now, I'm off to fix that horrible little blurb that I put in that WIP page of mine...

What do you guys think of From the Cave? The blog link-up? Chat with me in the comments! 

Scribblingly yours,

Catherine

This is the mate to the post that I posted on Working by Candlelight today with my personal goals for 2018. If you're curious, feel free to click the link!!

On this post, I will be outlining my reading, writing and watching goals for 2018. It will be broken up into separate categories. Without further ado, let's get started!



1. Complete my first Goodreads Challenge
I started a Goodreads Challenge of 100 books this year. We'll see how this works!!

2. Read at least 10 books off of my TBR list
I do want to start tackling my Goodreads TBR list



3. Keep up with my goal that I set up on the Year-Long NaNo group - write at least 50 words a day. I know, such a pitiful small little goal. But I haven't been able to hold any kind of a goal lately, so let's try to see if we can get this small one, huh? So far, it hasn't been going so hot....

4. Enter both Camp NaNos and do a proper NaNoWriMo. Due to my disaster in grad school, I never participated in NaNo this year. I want to change that.

5. Actually enter my writing into something other than my blog or RW. Whether that means entering a blog post into Project Canvas or entering a writing contest. Just get that blooming writing out there!

6. FINISH ONE WIP from my WIP list that is on the blog. I don't care which one, just finish SOMETHING this year...



7. Cross off at least 10 movies off the To-Watch list. 
Lia and I have a running list of all the movies that we haven't watched together yet (which is over 100 now....). This year, I wanna start crossing them off.

8. Get The Greatest Showman and Rogue One on DVD.

9. Watch Seasons 4 and 5 of When Calls the Heart. 


I'll tell you what, these goals were a lot easier to put down than the other set was...


How bout y'all? Have you made any goals this year? Chat with me in the comments!! 

Scribblingly yours,

Catherine