Writing // Reading // Reviewing Updates.

Reading and Reviewing Update.

As of late, I have not been doing a lot of reading. And there are several reasons for this monstrosity. First being that I have been really stressed out lately, adulting is hard. Especially when you don't have a job and live in an area where there aren't many job opportunities. I'm looking for a job currently and I haven't been very motivated to read. That doesn't at all mean that I will stop reading, listening to books and reviewing them. The no job thing leads me to my second reason, money prioritizing. No money = no new books. Lol. The third reason for this reading slump is that (in all honesty) my eyes are bad. #OldPeopleProbs I probably need to wear my glasses. Reading for more than a page or two really strains my eyes and causes severe migraines. Even when I do wear glasses. SO. LAME. Like what even? 

Due to the previous statements reviewing has slacked. And I don't like that at all! As soon as I read something interesting enough I'll review it! Promise! 

BUT with all of this said, I have a big TBR (To Be Read) list and I want to finish it up! High up on that list are Riders by Veronica Rossi and Passenger by Alex Bracken.

Writing Update!

My current writing project is the same as the last time I mentioned it Here! Currently it is just over 44,200 words, which by some standards bumps it up onto the fantastic category of Novels! Right now I am working on my third draft and I don't expect that it will be the last draft. I still plan on traditionally publishing if I can. I am on the fence about self-publishing. If you don't know or need a recap of what my book will be about keep reading for a very brief synopsis and character descriptions! 

Short Synopsis:

When Sariah Kent and her two best friends are caught vandalizing the Commander's home they are given the ultimatum, death row and a public hanging or exile to a foreign planet along with three other criminals.

Main Character Descriptions:

Sariah Kent: (Pronounced like Aria but with an S on the front!) Dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. Medium height. She is the type of girl who rolls with the punches. Some might say she is a leader type, others might say she is reckless. Crime: Vandalism...and a few other things..oops!

Taaria Kent: (Pronounced like Aria but with a T on the front!) Dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. She is a Keplar Project sibling. Little sister to Sariah. Her personality is spunky and ambitious. She loves her older sisters more than anything!

Nixon McCoy: Black hair which curls at the tips and Jensen Ackles green eyes! Mysterious personality. Observant. Crime: unknown. (of course I know what it is! lololol)

Luke Cramer: Tall, Brown hair and eyes. Snarky personality. Some would call him the class clown, others would say he is a pest. Crime: Contempt and Disorderly Conduct

This story is fictional, yes but is inspired a real place! Nasa's very own Kepler-186f! I have tried multiple times to get in touch with someone there about copyright information on using the planet's real name in my work but unfortunately never got a response from Nasa. Hence my planet's name change. This honestly breaks my heart not being able to use the actual planet name. I wanted a novel that was dystopian // sci-fi but actually plausible. A real, tangible planet that exists out there. I wanted a space boot that has a real setting other than Mars. But after a process of thinking and praying about it I have settled, reluctantly, on Keplar-518e. (Pronunciation: Kep-lar + Five Eighteen E)  Yeah, yeah I know it's really similar to the original name, and I wanted it that way so that it would still seem like a plausible, familiar planet! I have done A LOT of research on Kepler-186f and something I want my future readers to know is that there is a planet out there that could very well be EXACTLY like the one in my story, Keplar-518e! 

I don't know how long it will be before this is a physical or even digital book which will be out there because I don't right now, have any reliable creative//critique partners to work with and bounce ideas off of. I have had some really great help so far but its a busy time of year and I'm going at this pretty much alone. This round of editing is all about details, be it punctuation, plot related or conflicting points. I am hopeful that whenever I do get it finished that it will be out there in some format and you all will be able to read my work!

That's all for now! Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Sarah!

Writing Project Update!

I had posted on my older more personal blog, ThroughTheRough.blogspot.com that I have been writing my own books and stories. The following is just an update on the subject since my last post on my other blog!

Hello all!

I am so incredibly bad at posting regularly on here but I wanted to post an update since my last post telling you all about my writing project.

First I should probably tell you that in the year that I have been working on it I have settled on the name Life in the Pines. (Although that may change at some point, but for now that is what we are calling it. :) ) I am STILL editing. I have found that I pretty much retained zero information I learned about grammar in school and my manuscript is filthy, littered with little errors that need fixing. 

Editing, if were honest, is a pain in the butt. It is hardcore. It is brutal and makes me want to throw a temper tantrum. It would be so much more pleasant If I had a personal editor! However I do love my characters and my story and I want to share a little about the book with you all and maybe a little excerpt! Here is a little bit about the story...

Fear of death and uncertainties have been the ruin of Luna for most of her life. She struggles to see the positives that are all around her every day but her long-time lover, Drift, is always there to pick her up and brush her off again. Together they live in what used to be known as America. After the world war that destroyed the planet, tribal communities were formed in order for the human race to survive. Luna and Drift live in the Pines, a tribe whose main export is lumber. Life in the Pines has been predominantly peaceful and happy but lately things are becoming curious. The unpredictable rainstorms are getting stronger, wolves threaten to move in, and a peculiar visitor is thrown into the mix, creating an even bigger storm in Luna’s mind. When true tragedy strikes, Luna and Drift find themselves venturing out into the unknown in the search for safety for them and their family.

I'm so excited to get to share this stuff with the world, with YOU! This book writing journey is so much more than I thought it would be. I have met some of the best people through entering the writing community on Instagram. I am so stoked to keep this going!  Below is an excerpt from my book! I hope you like it and stay tuned for more in the future!

Photo by Payton, @Laugh_Surf_Smile || IG

  ~ Thunder sounded in the distance ruining the enchanted moment created by Drift’s kiss. Luna turned to see ominous clouds, churning all shades of deep gray. She guessed the storm was twenty to thirty miles offshore. Lightning flashed in the clouds here and there, once or twice touching the water underneath. Luna let out a disappointed sigh and turned to Drift, who was still looking at her. He gently tucked a lock of her pale hair behind her right ear.

   

   “Do you see that? It’s coming this way,” Luna said, wearing a worried look on her face. She moved off of his lap and plopped back down on the blanket to his right.

  

  “It might not. Let’s hope it’s not anyway,” Drift tried to reassure her. He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Her skin grew warm there and it spread to her heart. She didn’t want their date to be over but there was no chance of continuing it. The distraction didn’t last long and her focus was back on the storm again.

   “It is coming this way. I can see it. We have to go.” Luna wasn’t doing well at being positive like she knew she should but warning Drift that they needed to go before they got fried by lightning bolts was better than freezing up and thinking of all of the bad things that could happen. ~

Okay guys! Hope you liked that little taste of my book! Hopefully I will be able to post more soon!

Thanks for reading!

Catch me on Instagram in the meantime! @AskSeekKnock

Sincerely,

Sarah