literary living

March 5, 2019

A Writer’s Whim

Skimming the stories I loved so, I saw the growth of a writer. Glimmers of the novel I am drafting now and the woman I am becoming shine out in those early pages of limping syntax and predictable plots. Every now and then, a good sentence or single word stands out and says, “There is… Continue reading

literary living, Musings

Book, drafts, portolio, practice art, stories, write, write night, writer, writer goals, writer problem, writer problems, writer struggle, writer’s block, writers despair, writing, writing advice, writing expectations, writing humor, writing is hard, writing practice, writing problems, writing process, writing struggles, writing victory
January 2, 2019

New Year, New Journal…But how to choose?

One of the great recurring dilemmas of my life is how to pick the perfect journal. Honestly, when it comes time to shop for a new journal, it feels like going on first dates: there are some options that look good but are boring, some that are perfectly nice but no spark, and some that… Continue reading

literary living

diary, humor, journal, new year, new years resolution, resolutions, writer, writing
December 17, 2018

12 (Truthful) Thank-yous for my Roommate

Sites like Odyssey feature posts like “12 Things to Thank your Roommate For” is “13 Reasons You and Your Roomie are Basically a Couple.” Well, these are sweet and all, but they’re not nearly as relatable as you’d think… at least not for my roommate and me, being rather odd, creative souls. And so, inspired… Continue reading

literary living, Musings

dorm, Odyssey, roomie, roommate, thank you
November 26, 2018

Dear Mr. Dickens: An Open Letter

My dear Mr. Dickens, I hope you are well and not at all rolling over in your grave. (It is, after all, nearing Christmas and renditions of your famous holiday tale are promenading before audiences who are mostly wondering whether they actually turned off the oven or whether the turkey they pretend to like is… Continue reading

literary living, Literature, Musings

a christmas carol, amreading, author, blog, bookish, books, bookworm, charles, charles dickens, christmas, david copperfield, dickens, dickensian, humor, inspiration, journal, literature, mr. dickens, open letter, pickwick, pickwickian, reader, Reading, writing
October 16, 2018

Lessons from a Tired Tuesday

This week, I am feeling the burnout of a senior music major. All I want is to curl up with chocolate and cry over old movies. Even on this tired Tuesday, though, the little things continue to remind me that beauty and order endure despite my messy life. Here are a few; maybe they will… Continue reading

literary living

happy thoughts, inspiration, silly things, tuesday
June 26, 2018

Method…Writing?

Method acting is a key point in my novel. One of the characters is an actor who has become “stuck” in the role that he last performed. He has lost himself into the character he was contracted to play. There are obviously a MANY problems that arise from this (many dark moments for this poor… Continue reading

Faith, literary living, Musings

advice, Art, artistic process, blog, create, creating, design, inspiration, method acting, method writing, musician, role, thought, word, work, write, writer, writing, writing method
June 2, 2018

Phone Finds: Leaving

My phone storage is full due to my incessant note-taking…although I carry a notebook on me constantly, I somehow still find bits of poetry, philosophical musings, and novel brain-showers caught beneath the screen. Here’s one from my final morning in Scotland last summer: Continue reading

literary living, Musings, Poetry

brainstorming, forgotten poem, little snippet, notes, phone notes, poetry
May 23, 2018

Re-re-re-reading

I just finished reading Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind for the fourth(?) time, though, honestly, I’ve probably read parts of that book three times, parts of it six. I just can’t seem to stay away from it and end up rereading at least half of it every late spring/early summer. Whatever the exact number, I can… Continue reading

literary living

books, gone with the wind, margaret mitchell, reader’s response, Reading, reading and eating, rereading, scarlet o’hara, summer reading
May 4, 2018

Sit

I might just sit here for a bit. Here, where I am at once everyone and no one. Where I can hear men talking, dog-walking. Where I can watch mothers and children- ducks, squirrels, human. Where I can trace the birds’ antiphony from tree to tree. Where I am just another flower refreshed by a… Continue reading

literary living, Poetry
April 29, 2018

A Thank-You Note to Public School

Aside from social studies, mathematics, English, sciences, fine arts, physical education, and leadership development, one huge thing I learned during my years of schooling is to write thank-you notes. It doesn’t matter if it was a small favor like lending a book or a huge favor like driving me to school every day, it deserves… Continue reading

literary living

#redfored, arizona, arizona schools, arizona teachers, red for ed, school, walk-out
February 15, 2018

Fairy Dust

I am a firm believer in dandelion wishes. Now, I don’t mean to say that I think they always come true, but I know the joy that comes of finding the perfect, fuzzy blossom, squeezing my eyes shut tight, and whispering a little prayer as its petals dance away on my breath like pixie parasols.… Continue reading

literary living
December 31, 2017

Year in Review: The Arts

This year was crazy and everyone seems to be bidding 2017 good riddance. However, there are so many beautiful things that I discovered and enjoyed this year! Though Facebook tried to make my “year in review” (and somehow managed to gather all of the photos I am least inclined to post), my true year in… Continue reading

literary living