Hello, there.

Yes, I know I took an unexpected/unannounced hiatus from blogging but believe me when I say this: I had a lot going on... Including NaNoWriMo. (Obviously, I have a perfectly reasonable excuse.)

A lot of you know/have participated in NaNoWriMo, but in case you haven't... NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month. Which is held every November and it challenges writers to write 50,000 words in ONE MONTH. It might not seem like a lot but IT IS. In short, in order to survive NaNoWriMo, you basically have to write 1,600 words a day. That's like two college papers in 24 hours.

And for what, you ask? Oh, well, self-fulfillment! The whole point of the challenge is to get you to actually write that thing you've been wanting to write. Plus, it's super inspiring knowing that you are writing alongside a bunch of other writers while telling the story you've been dying to tell.

It's great, I promise.

How To NaNoWriMo

This would be my third year participating (and winning) NaNoWriMo. My lil' sister and I did it together (#teamwork). Sure, I often make it to the word goal but I'm a terrible plotter so what I write is basically trash. But, hey, at least it's something!

And since I'm somewhat experienced, I thought I'd share a little wisdom I've gained over the years to share with y'all.

Before it starts...

And you can't run into any moments where you just DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE. Even though you probably will... The best thing to do is remember all the key scenes you want to tell in your story and WRITE THOSE. Write all the scenes you want to write then when you're stuck, go back and write filler posts. It doesn't have to make sense. Just put something down.

Make a vision board + playlist

And listening to music that reminds me of my book maKES ME WANT TO WRITE IT.

The day of...

This is the day most writers get a good amount of words in and maybe the most important day to do so. I've found myself way less overwhelmed when I meet the daily word goal on this day.

Sometimes other people don't even count this day as the start... But by the end of the week, you better wrITE YOUR LITTLE HEART OUT.

Treat yourself!

Take breaks

You might not realize it because you're trying to write ALL THE WORDS under a certain amount of time but in order to feel like you've successfully accomplished yourself-- you need to take breaks.

Go for a walk. Clear your head. Take a shower. Get excited to write the next scene. I guarantee you'll come back feeling a bit more refreshed.

Enjoy yourself

Okay, time to freak out!

Because life is crazy and you've probably had a million distractions/interruptions and you're so close to the finish line... But now you have to do all the steps but in intense writer-freak-out-mode.

You did it!

What's next?

TALK TO ME

Did you participate in NaNoWriMo? Have you done it before? What is some advice you'd like to share with your fellow writers? ARE YOU EXCITED NOW THAT IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME BECAUSE SAME. I'm listening to Christmas music as we speak. And I have my snow up on my blog so it can be extra festive in here! Let me know how you like it. And let me know about your current work-in-progress! I can't wait to know what you've been working on. <3 

xx Kenzie

A question that has been on my mind a lot and has been brought up to me a couple of times these past couple weeks is...

What makes a good book a good book?

"As soon as your feet are planted on the floor, the early morning that grasps that extra amount of time your sleep has sacrificed for you is put into action. Another individual may reach over and grab a stopwatch from their bedside, already working their body so that their muscles are prepped and ready for what the day has to offer. Instead, you grab anything with a keyboard, or perhaps the more traditional way of a notepad and pencil. You are supplied and ready, despite skipping the bathroom on your way to the kitchen because every second counts, especially first thing in the morning. Another person may start their day off with a breakfast that provides the proper nutrients needed to keep them healthy and strong in order to meet their goal. Instead, you stumble over to a small corner of the kitchen where the coffee pot is waiting, ready to be filled.

Your eyes are still fuzzy from those short six hours of slumber and your mind is foggy in regards to being used for so long the previous night. Your favorite mug is still steaming as you walk to your workstation, almost ready to become a fully functioning human. While the other person may slip on their trainers and take part of their morning to go around the block, you kick off your slippers and sit down into the comfort of a cushion. Your cup is still hot but your tongue has accustomed to its temperature because your mind craves to be fueled and it enjoys making the other parts of your body do what it desires. You rub out the last bit of sleep-induced haze from your eyes and take one more sip before opening the laptop. The screen flickers on almost immediately because you never fully shut it off ⎯ not when deadlines are creeping closer and the need for every spare moment to count is essential. Your drink is now abandoned because you remember exactly where you left off and you need to put the words down before they dissolve into your subconsciousness. Your fingers are put to action immediately, working their muscles just as hard as the ones used to keep the other person on their fifth lap; they have seven more to go before meeting their daily goal. This number may seem insignificant compared to your seventeen-thousand but the effort and work is all the same.

It has only been a short amount of time since you stepped out of bed, but as soon as your fingers touch the keys, your body has become rejuvenated and your senses are fully aware of their surroundings. You begin; either watching the numbers grow higher or ignoring the word count altogether because a story needs to be told and the protagonist has yet to meet the evil dragon. Slowly, numbers become inconsequential compared to the phenomena taking place within the screen or on the page; just as the stopwatch becomes meaningless when the jogger makes it to their final lap. Their muscles burn as your fingers ache, but you ignore the pain. With an deep inhale, you both take a breath because passion and perseverance outweigh the small voice inside your head that makes you question whether or not all of this is worth it.

Lately, I feel like I am in limbo. Sometimes, it's like I am going through the motions. I never knew what that really meant. Like, how could you go through the motions? I guess, now I know.

I feel like life is at full speed and it doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. Everything just keeps happening all at once and I'm having a hard time appreciating it all.

If you didn't already know, I love the slow life. I like not having plans and waking up, knowing exactly what I want to get done and having enough time to re-read my favorite book (I love being able to say that since I've actually re-read so many of my fave books!). I love getting excited over the small things like scrolling through my friends' blogs or writing in the morning. But lately (and often) it feels like I am forcing myself to do the things I love doing. Sometimes I feel like in order for something to be good I have to be excited about it.

And guess what? Sometimes I'm just not that excited.

Which stinks! Because I do have the privilege to do things that I love doing-- if only I could *cough* manage *cough* my time *cough* better.

But not being excited about something that does make you excited is the worst feeling ever. Trust me, though, it does not last forever. You will find out why in just a second.

I like planning but there comes a time when I linger away from my bullet journal.

But you know what? IT'S OKAY.

Do something you used to love instead.

Take a social media/blogging break.

READ.

Don't worry, you will love it again soon.

TALK TO ME!

Do you ever feel this way? AM I GETTING TOO DEEP ON Y'ALL LATELY? I guess the other side of my INFJ has been more apparent. TELL ME... Do you ever wish you could take time and just slap that big ol' pause button because SAME. 

xx Kenzie

It has been an extremely long time since I shared a bit of my writing with you beautiful people. Come to think of it, I haven't really shared much of my writing on here (FOR ALL EYES TO SEE) at all. Don't get me wrong, I love it when people read my writing (well, the writing I am proud of) but there is also part of me that is a little bit shy/hesitant/scared to share my work.

I've always been more motivated to write when there is an audience. 

But I've been doing a lot of work on my own. 

So this is why I want to share some of my current WIP for you!

SNEAK PEEK OF MY CURRENT WIP

"Dark Forest" 

What are some problems you come across whilst writing? WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT WIP? Tell me about it! I love hearing what people are working on. It inspires me. 

xx Kenzie

Occasionally, when I'm out in public or in a social environment I get in a daze and I lose myself.

Sometimes I forget I'm even alive.

I know that sounds weird. I don't know whether it's a "condition" or if it's just how I am... but for as long as I could remember, I've always had these moments when I forget I am in existence. The best way I can explain this is like having an out-of-body experience and turning into the fly on the wall. I forget that other people can see me. I forget that I'm actually supposed to be communicating. I forget because I'm too busy observing and trying to figure people out. I suppose that is why I did a lot of staring as a child.

Sometimes I lose myself in people. 

Sometimes I look at people and I analyze them to the point where I feel like I have them all figured out (usually I'm not even close but we won't get into that now).

And I look at them. And if they're talking about themselves or expressing how they feel, I begin to acquire those emotions and I feel as though I am them.

Sometimes I am a sponge and I absorb emotions.

I think that is why I lose myself in books. I become so invested in the story because I feel as though I have become that character. Their story becomes my story and when I've finished the book, it takes me a bit to dive back into reality before picking up another one.


Absorbing emotions isn't always a good thing. I find myself getting sucked into negative emotions just as easily as the positive ones. It seems daunting that I am unable to take full control of my feelings when I have this sort of ability. It is, in fact, rather daunting.

But I feel like it makes me understand humans better. I am able to give them empathy for the good and the bad. I suppose I should think of it as a superpower.

Sometimes I get so invested in the life around me that I forget I belong to this very world but sometimes I like that. It's like an escape from the realities of life and I can observe from the distance, where I am comfortable. 

TALK TO ME!

Have you ever felt this way? OR AM I THE ONLY ONE? Do you have a superpower? What is something that sets you apart from everyone else? Let me know! I want to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading! 

xx Kenzie

Lately, and far too often, I find myself feeling angry (even anxious) over certain things. Typically, they are things that are just out of my reach. Sometimes I feel like I'm not being heard or I don't understand what I am feeling and it forms into this ball of negative energy until I snap or break.

Why is this?

I'm a person who has a very difficult time understanding how I feel. I don't know what it is that I'm feeling until it's either too late or two years later. Oh, so that's why I was so nervous. Duh. 

Needless to say, it's frustrating. Sometimes I try to voice what I'm feeling and it comes out all wrong. And other times, I contradict myself by saying: "Never mind, I'm actually good. Let's forget we ever had this conversation. Hey, want some pizza?"

As an INFJ, I'm a naturally contradicting person. I'm hot AND cold all at the same time. And I think this makes it so hard to understand what you are feeling and how to interpret and understand why you feel the way you do.

WHEN YOU FEEL ANGRY

Anger is something that boils up inside you and wants to spill out. It's hard to control. It's even harder to control when you hold it in- because once you do that, it's more likely to explode.

The best thing to do is tame it. Kind of like taming your dragon. At first, it may seem like an angry beast that wants to eat your whole family when, in fact, it actually just wants to cuddle. o-o So, the best thing to do is befriend your anger. Ask it questions: Why do you feel this way? When did you start feeling this way? What happens when you start feeling this way?

Sometimes I snap when I get angry. Sometimes I yell. Sometimes my cheeks burn a bright shade of red to match my hair. And it makes me feel guilty. I shouldn't feel this way. I'm a happy person. Why do I feel this way? Well, #spoiler: not everyone is perfect. Plus, it's completely normal.

Embrace it

The best thing to do is accept what you are feeling- even if you don't know what it is- and embrace it. Let yourself know you are feeling these emotions, whether you like it or not, and you just gotta accept it.

Let it out

Here's are some ways to let out your anger in a composed manner:

Don't let it control you!

TALK TO ME!

What do you do when you're feeling angry? Or upset? Or anxious? Has there ever been a moment when you let your feelings get the best of you? Thank you so much for reading and allowing me to express my thoughts. I feel like a huge weight was just lifted off my shoulders. SO THANK YOU, FRIENDS. <3 

xx Kenzie

I DID IT, Y'ALL! YOUR KENZIE SURVIVED NANOWRIMO 2017! I say this calls for a pizza celebration! Who is with me? I'll get the plates.

My NaNoWriMo 2017 Experience

It was... n't that bad. I mean, I didn't rip out all my hair and I managed to get to the daily word goal*, which was about 1,660+ words. But yeah. I was able to write every single day for one whole month. Alone. All on my own. And... I WON I WON I WON. *insert dance party here*

Words: 50,560
Pages: 170




* minus the three days when I just couldn't, you know, write the words

What is NaNoWriMo?

But a lot more fun.

What is your novel about?

My General Experience

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If you've been in the blogging world for a little over a year now, you may be familiar with the Continuing Forever Trilogy. The first book, Continuing Forever, is written by my very good friend, Anna, and GUESS WHAT YOU GUYS? The second installment to the trilogy is now out and ready for reading!

What is the Continuing Forever Trilogy? And, like, why haven't I read it?

Meet Anna

Now, a super duper fun (with a dash of awkwardness from me) interview with the author!

Talk to me!

Have you read Continuing Forever? Were you one of Anna's beta readers? Did you ship Parker and Savannah in book #2? TELL ME I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE!