It would be remiss of me to avoid the sad truth: I have not put effort into remaining vigilant in regards to this site. Which is an injustice to myself and anyone who may have been interested in my writing journey. I will not list the countless excuses for why I have been absent, but just know that life is hard. It’s busy. Sometimes we must let go of something in order to retain our grip on others. For me, this blog and website was what I had to let go of. But I have reached into the shallow pool where all relinquished threads end up, riffled around in the cloudy waters, and rescued this one.
So, what have I been up to in the past year? Well, I’m glad you asked!
First, let’s start with my writing journey. After 8…maybe 9 drafts of revisions, tears, laughter, and so, so much love, I sent my manuscript fto a developmental editor. I got wonderful feedback, made some changes, crafted a better story. So draft 10 (or something) was sent off to have a Manuscript Evaluation, because I wanted to see if the changes I made helped the story feel more complete. It did.
I then sent it to Beta Readers (after another draft or two of course) and got the feedback every writer wants to hear. They loved my story. They gushed about characters—debating who their favorites were—what theories they had for the coming story, the plot twists I’d agonized over. In fact, they had a fan cast ready and waiting for me, already envisioning my story as a television series or movie! I mean…this thing I thought up over a late night phone call with my friend, and nurtured into the fully realized project it is now, was something these strangers were excited about!
Once this life-changing feedback was complete, I finally felt I had the confidence to send it off to agents. So, my last update is that I’ve begun querying. Two batches so far (meaning I’ve sent two batches of five queries spaced apart by about three weeks, for those who don’t know the writer jargon), and even though I’ve gotten two rejections and nothing more, I’m still hopeful.
On a personal note, outside of the writing world, life’s hard you guys. I mean, with inflation, this recession, continuously rising gas prices, and my job refusing to pay me a livable wage (because yes, I’ve been writing a book while trying to juggle working full time), I had tough choices to make. I work in human services and behavioral health, with the homeless, with those struggling with mental illness, with minority communities. I love my work, but it was coming at the expense of my own stability.
So, I’ve earned my health and life insurance license and will be transitioning to a hopefully higher paying position that is remote. In the comfort of my own home, with my pets beside me, in comfy pants and my own food and no gas prices to worry about for a 30 minute drive to work everyday. This was a hard decision. But sometimes, we can’t help others if we ourselves are near drowning.
This has been a very long-winded, sluggish return to my blog posts, but I hope to dedicate more time to this in the coming months.
Thank you if you’ve read this far. It means more than you know.
And if you keep coming back, even better!
Some things to come: Writing Groups and Critique Partners: Necessary or Not?, Character Profiles for A Fury of Blades, Beta Reader Best Practice, Snippets from A Fury of Blades, & maybe some book reviews!
Don’t forget to follow my instagram for more frequent updates, link can be found in the right-hand side margins!
And subscribe to my blog here!
Or my Newsletter here! (Updates will be bi-monthly during my career transition)
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Being in the thick of the holiday season, and with Christmas in particular looming ever closer, I thought I might use this weeks’ blog post to talk about some last minute gift ideas for that friend or family member who loves all things book related. Or, if you’re anything like me and have family members asking for a list of ideas but you always seem to draw a blank when asked what you want unless you’re looking at it right in front of you, maybe one (or some) of these things will strike your fancy. Maybe, you might just want to buy them for yourself, because, ya know, self-care is important! If you like something and have the reasonable means to obtain it, buy that shit!
You DESERVE it.
1. Anything from Lumos and Luster
My best friend introduced me to this shop. And let me tell you, if you enjoy supporting small, women owned business, and are a Harry Potter fan but don’t necessarily care for the author (for reasons I hope I do not have to explain), this is shop is for you. Not only do they have cute products, but the owner is speedy and efficient and accommodating. I have nothing but praise for this shop, and if we’re rating businesses, this one gets 5 stars from me.
Here are a few examples of their products, and I’ve provided a direct link for you. Although this shop specifies that their deadline for Christmas shopping was November 19th, it was still worth mentioning to you all! And I hope you love her products as much as I do!
If you’re interested in shopping with Lumos and Luster, CLICK HERE!
2. Piper and Ivy!
Now, this shop is on elf my PERSONAL favorites. As an avid reader, coffee drinker, and plant lover, Piper and Ivy has everything. They have a wide selection of graphic t-shirts and sweatshirts, book and plant themed jewelry, and cute stickers. This is yet another women run small business (I hope you’re picking up a trend. It was absolutely intentional), and everything ships from Florida!
Being a small business, I’m sure you can understand if things arrive slightly late for Christmas, but regardless, it’s just a great shop to have. And you can always the pull the ‘ole “picture of a gift on the way in a box” routine if necessary.
Again, here are some examples of their products, and a link to their shop!
Interested in shopping with Piper and Ivy? CLICK HERE!
3. Briarwick Candles
Alright, everyone. This is one of those products where everyone has their own shop that they like to get them from, but I personally love Briarwick. It’s an Etsy shop which focuses solely on creating unique scents for our favorite book characters. Whether you want to know what the Darkling would smell of (hint: it’s blackberries, sandalwood, and musk), know the comforting smells of Terrasen, or channel your inner Austen heroine as you imagine yourself walking the halls of Pemberley, this shop has them all. I mean, the selection feels endless. Just when you think you’ve seen all their scents, there’s more.
Now, full disclosure, they’re a little pricey and they ship internationally from the UK, so I apologize for yet another suggestions that may or may not arrive before Christmas, but it deserved an honorable mention.
Full disclosure, I don’t actually own this, but it’s been in my Etsy cart for awhile now because I think it’s so interesting and unique. Therefore, if you are searching for something interesting and unique as a gift, this might be what you’re looking for!
You can personalize this wire bookmark with whatever name you need, as well as the topper. Selections include the heart (show in the provided image), a bird, a wine class, an arrow, etc.
If you’re interested in shopping for this item, or any of the other items from her shop (she does tons of wire art which is really cool in my opinion), CLICK HERE!
5. Literary Wine Charms
Now, there are SOOOO many places you can buy wine charms, and so many different kinds out there that it can be a bit overwhelming. Though, if being overwhelmed by options is the worst problem we have right now, then so be it. It would be a refreshing change from the state of the world nowadays.
ANYWAYS, below I will provide you with several of my favorite options, both on Etsy and independent shops, as well as Amazon since we’re on a time crunch nowadays. But I have to say this here and now, and listen up because it’s important.
EVEN IF IT TAKES A LITTLE LONGER FOR YOUR THINGS TO ARRIVE WHEN YOU ORDER FROM A SMALL BUSINESS, IT IS WORTH IT. THEY NEED THE ORDERS MORE THAN AMAZON DOES.
That being said, I also recognize that we’re two weeks away from Christmas, but still. Consider the “picture in a box” method I mentioned before. Sure it’s not as exciting as having the physical thing, but seriously support small businesses.
If you have a Jane Austen lover, wine drinking friend, CLICK HERE for Austen inspired wine charms!
Or perhaps they’re just a general Classics lover. CLICK HERE or HERE for two different classic literature inspired wine charms!
And finally, if there is a cat loving, wine drinking, bibliophile in your life, CLICK HERE!
Alright, in case you any of these options don’t work for you, whether you’re in need of something before Christmas and the shop can’t ship it to you in time, or you just prefer Amazon as an option, HERE IS A LINK for what is, in my opinion, the best option on Amazon
6. Custom Library Stamp
THIS is something I have always wanted, and if I don’t get it as a gift this year will be buying for myself. My library has grown at a steady pace over the past year, and with it comes the requests from friends and family to borrow books. Plus, my organizational brain and previous experience working in a book store which causes a need to catalogue and categorize and alphabetize my library, tells me I NEED THIS.
Below are some options and different shops and listings on Amazon in case you have someone in your life, who, like me, likes to feel their book collection is official, organized, and professional looking.
2. This Etsy shop has an elegant library stamp for $8.99
3. And this gorgeous stamp option can be found at this Etsy shop for $19.99!
7. Or Alternatively, A Custom Book Embosser
Okay, here’s the thing. We all have that ONE friend who likes their things elegant and fancy and maybe slightly old-fashioned.
It’s me. I’m that friend.
So, for that person in your life that a library stamp just won’t cut it, get them a personalized embosser. Trust me. They’ll geek out over it.
If you want this specific embosser, HERE IS THE LINK to the Etsy shop!
Or, if you want to browse Etsy for the perfect one, CLICK HERE!
Here’s the thing….
No matter what you get someone as a gift for the holidays, if you put thought into what they like and what brings them joy, it’s going to be a knock out. Seriously. If someone were to get me anything related to one of my favorite books or the fact that I’m a writer, I would probably instantly sob. Because what it does is show me that this person cares enough to consider who I am, what I love, and my passions.
And what I’ve suggested are based on things I either have or have wanted for a VERY long time. There are so many other cool things out there, because the world is full of readers and dreamers. So find those small businesses built by the people just like you and I who love stories and storytelling and fantastical worlds we all wish existed. Find the people who love dragons and magic and finding themselves between the pages of a book, and buy their shit. Because honestly, the people who make the best products, are the people who love it as much as you do.
If you want any more suggestions, I am ALWAYS available! Fill out the contact form, or click the mail link on my contact page.
If you’re interested in following my blog and coming on this wild journey that is being a writer with me, subscribe below!
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This is rather strange for me. I would have never considered myself a blogger, but here we are. Life’s funny that way.
Whether you’re here because you are one of my cherished friends and family members, or you just happened upon my page: welcome, and thank you for being here.
When I decided I wanted to be a writer, I was a small girl with stars in her eyes and no concept of what adulthood would be like. I simply loved to write. There were so many stories in my heart, and during the age when it was socially acceptable to play pretend, I spent hours every day reenacting my favorite heroines: Hermione, the Charmed Ones, Elizabeth I, just to name a few. If there wasn’t a female lead, I made one up, inserted her into the story as if she’d been there from the start. It was probably maladaptive, but GOD did I have fun. As an adult, this has influenced my own stories. I want to write those strong, female characters that inspired me as a child, with the hopes that they too will inspire the next creative minds of our world.
As I said before, these were the dreams of a child. As I matured and realized just what the weight of adulthood felt like, I stopped writing. I convinced myself that I needed to choose a more practical career, one that was more of a guarantee. So I went to college, and after several failed attempts at selecting a major (I’m sure those of you who know me personally are laughing hysterically at this. Business Marketing was the start of this terrible and alcohol influenced journey through chaos), earned my degree in Psychology. I think even as an adult, my love of stories fueled this decision. I mean, aren’t we all composed of stories? We each have one, and I’ve discovered that one of my greatest joy’s in life is discovering a person’s story, understanding and empathizing with it when appropriate. One of my favorite book quotes is from The Song of Achilles. I am made of memories. Our memories are our stories. They shape us.
Now, you might be wondering how a woman with a BS Psychology who works in human services found her way back to writing. To be honest with you, it was a whirlwind, impulsive, and the most daring decision I have ever made. I am not a brave person. I wish I were, it’s just that risk frightens me. I like to joke that my entire body rejects change, which might be the anxiety and depression talking, but I digress.
Anyway, so imagine this: a very un-brave person who loves books more than people, is discussing on the phone one night how she wishes there were more specific stories in the world, a particular sub-genre of fantasy. And this person and their friend begin haphazardly throwing out ideas. It begins as a joke, but slowly, tentatively, this person realizes that they want to read this story, and the only they can is if they write it. Which is crazy, because this person works full time (often putting in overtime hours) and just adopted a puppy, who requires all the attention in the world and then some. Yet…they verbalize their intention, putting it out into the universe. There’s a witness, so they can’t take it back. They need that, another person, to hold them accountable. Because sometimes an entire world is created somewhere between friendly, late night whispers and hope.
I will not sit here and tell you the long, arduous process of world-building and character creating and plotting and research of different writing styles and tone and voice, and everything else that goes into writing a book. But I did it. It took me six months, but I did it. Then it was time to write, and I will tell you that I have never been more afraid of anything in my entire life than when I wrote my first sentence. I’m pretty, if memory serves me correctly, I open and closed the document at least five time before I had the courage to begin. Writers often talk about what imposter syndrome feels like, and maybe this is me personalizing, but I couldn’t help but feel it was SO much worse for me because I had just begun writing again. It hadn’t been a part of my life for nearly ten years, and here I was…believing I could write and ENTIRE book. I mean, that’s crazy. I felt crazy. Who was I to think that this was something I could accomplish? What gave me the right to think ANYONE would want to hear what I have to say, to read 500 pages of it? What if I failed? What then? There were so many people I’d already told about my plans and dreams. And while I received SO much, INCREDIBLE support, I saw the look in some people’s eyes when I told them what I was doing, what I hoped it would become.
Doubt.
And that doubt…it crept into my mind the way childhood monsters creep under the bed.
BUT, here I am, a year and a half later, with a completed manuscript that will be sent out to my editor within the month. Here I am, a NaNoWriMo 2021 winner, having already begun the first draft of the sequel. HERE I AM. A writer.
I guess the point of all this is twofold. One, this is me. If you found your way to my page, I can promise that there will only be kindness and honesty here. I will let you see into my process, my dreams and goals, the dark bits in between. And two, if you are a writer, or want to become one, DO IT. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that it will bring you success or money, but just as readers find themselves between the pages of a book, so a writer discovers their soul within the lines of their manuscript.
K.A. Earnest 