Gratitude and Life Update

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians! And if you aren’t having Thanksgiving today, then Happy Monday!

Now, I am a big believer in being thankful all day, every day… but it is nice to have a day where everyone is in this together and trying to be as positive as they can.

Also – I am very aware of this day having some problematic underlying annotations… I really don’t participate in it in that sense. It’s more being appreciative and positive.

I decided to list some things I am truly thankful for this year (although let’s be real it was a rough one):

• Health! Oh gosh, I am sooooo freaking thankful for the health of my loved ones and myself. It has been a tricky year, but being safe and healthy and seeing those around me being just as cautious makes it better in knowing we are all trying our best.

• All the Essential Workers and Medical Staff! 100000% thankful for these people. The ones who have kept us going and safe. The ones who have encouraged us and stuck by us during the unprecedented times. So grateful for all their help and I am thinking of ways to make that more known! If you have any good tips on how to safety thank our essential workers and medical staff, let me know! I would love to give back in any way I can!

• My Family! I am really grateful for all the ones in my life that love me and continuously support me. I am definitely family oriented with my parents and siblings being my entire life! Of course, not everyone has a good standing relationship with their family, so whether you have your chosen family or the family that you are born with, I hope you also have an incredible support system in your life!

• This Blog! I am so beyond thankful for having this outlet to connect with readers and writers alike. It just makes me so happy to log into here and see what everyone is enjoying and read all about their lives and how literature has made it what it is!

• Books! I mean this one was a pretty obvious one… hehe. I am thankful for all the authors who have written and are writing the books that will continue to shape my life, be such a joy to read, and have taken me away from all the negativity in this world… even for a moment.

Speaking of books, one of my major achievements this year was finishing up my first ever draft of my WIP. Since October 1st, I have been in the editing process. It is both a little more difficult and a bit more easier to navigate this. Has anyone gotten to this stage? Any tips and tricks is very very welcomed! I am currently in the brainstorming stage. After knowing what the story is consisting of, I am going back to the drawing board to see how I can make the world more attainable, the characters more solid, and the plot more rigid. I found that having that information now rather than during drafting is going to help make the story stronger with what I already have.

I am a little sad to admit that despite all the Autumn goodness going around, I have not been in the Autumn spirit this year. If anyone knows me, they know I thrive during this time of year. I go all out but this year has been a little quieter. Buuut, writing this book or should I say editing it is putting me in more of the October spirit! I have been all over Pinterest (I added a few sneak peak photos as to what to expect) and Spotify. This one score has been on repeat during the brainstorming period… I think it is the base of the entire book.

My Life Currently…

Reading: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E Schwab (loving it so far and not able to put it down!)

Watching: Emily in Paris (was hesitant at first but have become full on obsessed), Schitt’s Creek (the final season is up on Netflix and I may or may not have been crying through each episode), and all the classic Halloween movies!!!

Doing: Editing! Taking night walks and journaling a lot more. Can this year just be over?

Listening: Obliviate from the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow’s Score performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (basically been on repeat during the brainstorming sessions and the opening score of my Book 1 playlist!)

Other than that, just taking it day by day.

Let me know what you’re thankful for! Whether there is a Thanksgiving or not! And please let me know what books you’re reading and shows you’re all watching! I need some new recommendations for my list!

Have a wonderful start to the week!

xx