My focus has been on writing recently, so I’m late posting this, but better late than never!
My Goings-On in September:
Here are the things that stand out to me this month:
- A finished draft! Like I said, I’m late posting my wrap-up this month because I was working hard on finishing the latest draft of my WIP, and I promised myself I would focus on writing and not post anything until I was done!
- School-year stress – Not mine, but Danielle’s (which transfers to me in a lot of ways, let’s face it). Swim season is crazy busy – they have practices 9 times per week (3 days they have early morning and afternoon practices), plus 2 or 3 dry lands (weight room) as well. Combine that with 5 AP classes, an extra-curricular higher-level choir, and college application time, and her life is pretty much packed. I try to help her in whatever ways I can, and I end up staying up with her while she finishes off homework. I think we’ll both be relieved when swim is over (even though she loves it).
Features & Discussions:
September 2021 Discussion Challenge Link-Up & Giveaway
It’s Time for the Cybils Awards: I’m a Round 1 Poetry Judge!
September 2021 Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up Link-Up & Giveaway
My 2021 Reading Progress:
I read 8 books in August, putting me at 79 books so far this year. As of right now, I’m still 3 books ahead of being on track for my Goodreads goal of 100. Since my focus has been on writing lately, I don’t feel like that’s too bad.
I’m still at 9 manuscripts read for the year.
September 2021 Reviews
- Squirrel Do Bad by Stephan Pastis | Review
- The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith | Review
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig | Review
- Renegades by Marissa Meyer | Review
- Archenemies by Marissa Meyer | Review
- Supernova by Marissa Meyer | Review
- The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor by Shaenon K. Garrity | Review
September Best of the Bunch:
(Best of the Bunch is hosted over at Cocoon of Books. We link up our favorite reads of the month!)
Since I reviewed so few books in September, I’m only choosing one favorite, The Midnight Library. This book definitely lived up to the hype!
2021 Goals Progress:
The Discussion Challenge is my one and only goal for 2021.
Progress: 6/21-30 Discussions (Chatty Kathy)
The only “discussion” I posted this month was my post about being a judge for the Cybils (which is barely a discussion, but I’m counting it.)
It’s Time for the Cybils Awards: I’m a Round 1 Poetry Judge!
How to Create Book Page Art. (And a Peek at Mine!)
The Joys of Verse Novels, Graphic Novels and Other Very Quick Reads. Let’s Discuss!
Balancing Spending on the Blog, Making Money, and All the Moral Dilemmas that Go Along With It
I’ve Been Stalking Your Goodreads.
2020 End of Year Book Survey (& Year in Graphs!)
Unbiased Reviews: Is There Such a Thing?
HOST/SIGN-UP LINK – Feed Your Fiction Addiction & It Starts at Midnight
Wrap-Up Round-Up!
Don’t forget to link your August wrap-up posts up to the Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up. And enter the giveaway!
I have to commend your daughter’s dedication to swim. Good for her! I totally remember those hectic schedules. Mine danced 15 hours a week over 6 days, cheerleading, mathletes, school play. It was a lot, but so worth it.
Ahh congratulations on finishing a draft of your WIP, that’s exciting! And wow, Danielle’s schedule with swimming seems a bit hectic, but I’m glad to hear she loves it 🙂
Take care and have a lovely October! 🙂
Thank you! I’m hoping to send the book to my agent by the end of the year, and I think I’m close!!
Wow, that’s A LOT of swimming. I was a lazy teenager and couldn’t have handled that schedule. Congrats on finishing your WIP. I hope you’re having a great October!
I did theater, which had a crazy schedule sometimes, but swim is way crazier!
5 AP classes??! Yikes, her life does sound packed! But congrats on finishing the draft 🙂
Yes, it’s more than a little crazy! But not even odd at our school.
I’m glad that you thought The Midnight Library lived up to the hype! Since I bought it I started to hear more mixed things, so now I’m a bit nervous to start reading it! Also, I ADORE The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor! What’s really cool is that I recommended it on one of my Bookshop lists about graphic novels, and I’ve noticed that’s one of the books that people have purchased the most from the list. I’m so glad that I’ve somehow convinced people to pick it up!
I hope you’re having a great month!
One thing I will say about Midnight Library is that it’s not a super plot-driven book, so I could see some people being frustrated about that. I really enjoyed the characterization side, though, and I do think the “plot” picks up about midway.
Hugs to Danielle!!! Her schedule sounds like my bestie’s sons schedule but now they have 3+ hour practices after school and no more morning sessions. Our swim season is year round, so that’s amazing she’ll get a break once the season is done woohoo!!! I’d be counting down if I was her LOL ♥.
She can swim year-round with club swimming, but the high school season only runs until mid-November. She used to do gymnastics in the winter and then track in fall and then pick swim back up again in the late spring/summer, but I don’t think she’s going to do gymnastics or club swim this year. We shall see!
Oh my goodness, that schedule is impressive! I’m always so amazed what kids are capable of, I was such a slacker in comparison LOL! I snowboarded in the winter and wake-boarded in the summer but didn’t do organized sports. So, so, so impressed at kids that have that motivation ♥.
Yeah, she does a lot more than I ever did. I did theater and no sports at all, so I’m kind of in awe of her abilities and dedication in that area.
Oh wow, that’s a lot for Danielle- and you too!!
Congrats on finishing the draft of your WIP. I’m not officially doing NaNo, but I do think I’m going to try and get a first draft finished of the book I started – get back in the groove and all that, since it’s a good time to find motivation. ha
-Lauren
I’m debating doing a rewrite of my last NaNo book in verse for NaNo this year. I think I just prefer writing in verse. Not sure how I’d work that out as far as tracking goes, but it’s something I’m definitely thinking about.