Updates

October Update

Melanie Noell Bernard

updates

IRL (In. Real. Life.)

Dang! And I thought September was bad, but October was a nightmare! Alright, I did manage to get my fellowship application in on time (barely!) I was struggling with writing sciencey instead of … you know, fictiony? Yeah. Apparently, I use too many words to say what I mean. Hahaha! Oops. :p But it’s done! Woo! And now I have a mid-term, an exam, and a final project to get my butt working on. No pressure! I only have… two weeks?! 0.0 PANIC!!!

On that note, I have been way busy lately and some of you may have noticed my posts going up… incomplete. Truth is, I schedule all of my posts ahead of time because I so am not going to be at a computer on time in order to get that post up. However, I apparently also don’t always have time to come back to said scheduled post and actually, you know… fill it out? :/ *sigh* It’s a problem. Granted, October had soooo many blog posts, it’s a miracle I got them all up in general. But I want to thank everyone for being patient with me. I can’t guarantee November is going to be any better time/schedule wise, but I will try to be more conscientious of my posts. Empty posts are kind of lame after all, right? :p

Writing

First off, I want to thank everyone for the congrats and amazing support for my very first publication! 😀 It was such a blast doing a Facebook Takeover and seeing all the wonderful blog posts for the tour. I really can’t thank you guys enough. It means the world to me that I get support from all of you and that my writing may not be quite as awful as I think. 😉

Speaking of writing, I… am such a fail. Okay. Not entirely true. I was writing in October, but I was not writing fiction. Rather, I was writing my Graduate Research Fellowship Application (ie I had to come up with a research project and put all the important details about how, why, etc, into two pages + I had to write a 3 page personal statement on why I should be the one to receive the fellowship.) Oh! And did I mention that if awarded, I would be funded for grad school for the next three years?! Yeah, no pressure. But that’s what all my writing time went to in October. Good news is, I submitted it. Now… to get back to… studying for exams. *headdesk*

OH! Before I pop off to the next section, anyone doing NaNo this year? I kind of want to do it (because I really need some motivation to get back into writing a new novel), but I’m not sure I’ll have the time. November is always awful for exams during school and I’ll be doing a lot of lab work. :/ But I’d love to hear about your NaNo stories and to chat about writing!

However! Even if I don’t manage to find time (because finding a plot is so the least of my worries. Too many to count really. It’s kind of a problem :/ ), I will be focusing on my query again. I got a few rejections (straight-up. Harsh!) which means my query SUCKS! In fact, Mindy McGinnis thinks so, too, because she critiqued my query on her Saturday Slash newsletter. Hahaha! I guess that real talk was what I needed and I’m working on drafting a new version. Fingers crossed, please! (Or you know, offer to read my query. 😉 )

Reading

Books? Did I… actually read any books this month? Honestly, I don’t even know. If I did, that’s a miracle in itself (and I literally would spend all Saturday scrambling to finish the book in time to write a Sunday review. Gosh, reading slow sucks!) But I have solidified my review schedule for November and the books I’ll be reading will be a little shorter. So, hopefully no problems!

But that’s the future! Let’s talk about the past! I managed to read…. 3… books… this month. Womp womp! I know. Pathetic! But hey! October was crazy! Y’all understand, right? I still got book reviews up. That’s what matters, yeah? :p

  

Blogging

So many posts! So little time! October was insane! I barely managed to make it through and get posts up appropriately, but I think we all survived and I even got to host another guest blogger event, Hallo-WE-en, (which I hope was as much fun for my readers as it was for the bloggers who participated.) Thank you to everyone!

In case you missed my post yesterday (and like all of my posts in October 😉 ), Hallo-WE-en wrapped up yesterday! It was such a success and I’m so grateful for everyone! Check out all the Hallo-WE-en posts with some absolutely epic supernatural creatures!

Thank you soooo much!
1,000 Total
-866 Current
134 Followers in 60 Days!

Book Reviews
{REVIEW} Dark Breaks The Dawn by Sara B Larson {4 Stars}
{REVIEW} Truthwitch by Susan Dennard {4 Stars}
{REVIEW} Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter {1 Star}
{REVIEW} Berserker by Emmy Laybourne {3 Stars}
{REVIEW} Devils & Thieves by Jennifer Rush (ARC) {4 Stars}

Audiobook Reviews
{REVIEW} The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen {1 Star}
{REVIEW} The Awakening by L.J. Smith {2 Stars}
{REVIEW} Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake {2 Stars}

Discussions
Discussion Highlights: Blacklisting Authors
{DISCUSSION} Likable Main Character
Discussion Highlights: Likable Main Characters
{DISCUSSION} Fiction Rating System
Discussion Highlights: Fiction Rating System
{DISCUSSION} Shelf Overflow
Discussion Highlights: Shelf Overflow
{DISCUSSION} Genre Overload
Discussion Highlights: Genre Overload

Miscellaneous
Best Paranormal Novel
THE MIDNIGHT DANCE Blog Tour & Author Q&A!
SO NEAR THE HORIZON Blog Tour!
27 HOURS Release Blitz!

Hallo-WE-en
Chupacabra
Pixie
Gargoyle
Will o’ The Wisp
Nocnitsa
Furies
Fairies
Vampires
Nordic Trolls
The Mothman
Banshee
Kraken
Aliens
Loch Ness Monster
Razgut
Angels
Ghosts & Poltergeists
Danish Church Grims
Sirens
Mermaids
Ghosts
Werewolves
Unicorns
Witches
Minotaur
Zombies
Cthulu
Ghouls
Dragons
Brownies
Succubus

Updates
Mirrors & Thorns Anthology Release Day!
September Update

29 thoughts on “October Update”

  1. Wow, and I thought September was incredible for you! I’m amazed you got all the Hallo-WE-en posts and book reviews and reading done in October! Honestly I had a hard time catching up to your posts, and that’s saying something. 😆
    Also, good luck with your application and exams and congrats on your publication! 😀💪🏻📝📖📚

    Well, I’m certainly doing NaNoWriMo this year, but as always I’m a rebel! Instead of starting a new novel, I’m once again continuing my current work (for the 4th year in a row!), and instead of writing an original novel I’m writing a fan fiction, or specifically a novelisation of an older video game that I think could have been executed better story-wise. It’s a Wild-West-themed save-the-world fantasy adventure story with three adolescent / young adult protagonists. The demons are invading and the protagonists seek out the Guardians of the world for help… but the Guardians barely has enough power to support the world because the human hearts are too weak. I like this story because it has a big emphasis on the heart, facing one’s fears and such. 😀

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    1. Hahahaha! Thanks. And most of those Hallo-WE-en posts were set to go in September so I wouldn’t have to worry about them in October. Hahahaha! :p And I understand how difficult it can be to keep up on other’s blogs. I feel so bad but I don’t have time to read anyone’s anymore. 😦

      BAHAHAHA! I’ve actually been debating continuing a project if I get around to working on NaNo, as well (because I have this novel that I REALLY want to write, but grad school hit. Blerg!) And honestly, I don’t think it should always be about starting a new novel. It’s good to sometimes finish a project, too :p

      Oo! Fanfiction. Haha! I’ve actually been thinking about getting back into that, too. (You know… in 10 years when I have time again. 😉 ) But I do miss it. There’s something rather fun about fanfic and I think that sounds awesome. What really matters is that you are excited about your project and if NaNo motivates you to work on it, more power to ya! 😀

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      1. I understand you’re super busy, so no worries! Do continue writing your fun posts. 😀

        Haha, yes! That’s why I chose to rebelliously continue a current project during NaNo, especially when I take ages to finish one. Plus if I were to start a new novel every year, I’d have lots of projects started but none finished. 😅

        Yeah, fanfiction! I’m more of a novelisation kind of person than a “What happens next?!” kind, but I’m still excited to write it and I’m like 3/4 through now, almost done! 📝📖📚

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        1. My fun posts? Which ones are those? Hahahaha!

          :p Um… I’m that person who has lots of started projects but very few (if any) finished projects. Oops! :p Working on it.

          I always made OCs in my fanfiction because every time I used a canon character people kind of jumped down my throat for it. >.> So not worth it. Hahahaha!

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          1. All of them! I think you have a fun writing style, which makes everything seem, well, fun. 😆

            Haha, I’m one of those people too, you should have seen my Stopped Stories folder! That’s why I chose to be a NaNo rebel the past few years; by hook or by crook, I’ll get a novel done! 📝📖💪🏻📚

            That’s sad, everyone has their own way of writing, canon or otherwise. I’m the type to prefer to stick to canon and expand on them rather than introducing an original character; I prefer to save my original characters for my original stories! Though I’m open to reading fanfiction with OCs, it might be interesting in a way I wouldn’t expect. 😀

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            1. Hahahaha! Well, thank you, Nicolle. I’m glad you think all my posts are fun. :p (And I’m happy to hear my writing style has finally made it to interesting. :p Level: One-step-shy of Expert 😉 )

              Yeah… I haven’t touched NaNo. I haven’t had time. I’ve been… making some life decisions this month now that I’m no longer working on my fellowship application. :/ Sitting and thinking takes up a lot of time and energy. :p

              See, I always liked the world more than I liked the characters. I could see my own characters set in someone else’s world (god. I’ve been world-builder forever! Hahaha!) :p Though, I don’t personally like to read OCs myself. Ironic, I know.

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              1. 😆😀

                Haha, sitting and thinking certainly take up a lot of time! No worries, hope your life decisions are going well and there’s always next year’s NaNo. 😀

                Ooh, interesting! I’m more of a character person myself so that’s probably where our difference lies. 😛

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                1. Ah! Yes, that would make quite a bit of difference if you prefer character over world. :p

                  Yes. I am hoping whatever life choices I make here in the next few months will allow me to get back into writing. I haven’t touched a novel since August and it’s kind of killing me (especially since I’ve come up with 6 new ideas since I stopped writing. UGH!)

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                    1. Hee hee! I have written a couple down and mentally plotting others. :p (I don’t always like wasting paper for ideas [despite the fact that I have a GAZILLION mini notebooks to use.]) So, I let my brain work with them for a while before writing them anywhere. Though, I will say that if it’s not in my main genre (scifi), I’m less likely to write it down. :/ Strange.

                      And thank you! It’s a WIP decision. Trying not to be rash (as my family is worried I am. :p )

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                    2. I get you on the notebooks! I have a tendency to get new notebooks before I finish the previous one, and then I don’t really use them because I prefer to type than to write. 😅

                      Its interesting you work on them before writing them down! I usually write them down the moment I find them interesting (usually after having an epic fantasy dream 😛) do they’re usually like 2 paragraphs long. 😆

                      Wishing you even more luck on the WIP decision! 🍀🍀🍀

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                    3. Hee hee! WIth all the luck you’re giving me, I might not even have to make the choice. It’ll just be made for me. :p

                      I tried typing my ideas down once… and then couldn’t remember where I put them. Oops! Hee hee! PRoblem with having new computers every decade. (ah. The troubles of being a modern student.)

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                    4. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
                      Haha, I get that problem, so now I dump all my writing stuff into Google Drive and one master file for all my ideas! So there’s no excuse for me to lose my ideas. 😆

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  2. I just found you and love your blog! Congrats on your publication! That’s so exciting 🙂 I am doing NaNo this month with a Cinderella retelling (Once Upon a Time and Marissa Meyer have me completely obsessed with them!) I would love to chat writing with you 🙂

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    1. Hi there, Megan! I’m so happy you enjoy my posts and thank you very much! 🙂

      Oo! Retellings are tons of fun and I would be happy to chat writing with you. Would you like to continue here in the comments or perhaps via DM on Twitter? Let me know. 🙂

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  3. Whoa you got a lot going on in your personal life right now.
    And that thing happening with your incomplete posts going online.. buwhaha omg I feel you! That’s happened to me a lottt as well. Now I use a calendar plugin so I can drag the articles to the dates I want them to be published, but I can still let them be DRAFTS,
    so they won’t go online unless I excplicitely click the Plan button. That’s really helpful I think. I now got a nice overview on each month and see what articles I want to publish each day, without having to be scared of them being published while being incomplete.

    And still reading 3 books in October is nice, though? Seeing everything you’ve had going on. I’m really curious about Berserker!! Truthwitch is waiting on my shelves to be read as well. Dark breaks the dawn sounds really good too and I’ve added it to my wishlist.

    And blogging-wise you had an awesome month! Especially loved reading the Hallo-WE-en articles!

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    1. Hahaha! Yes, my personal life is CRAAAZY. :p If only I got paid to blog. hahaha

      Oh! I wish I was using WordPress .org because WordPress .com doesn’t allow plug-ins! Rawr! I wanted the calendar plugin so bad!!!!

      I keep my scheduled posts on my calendar and have reminders the day before, but I’ve just been way too busy lately. :/ Real life sucks, man!

      Berserker was a bit of a let down. I had high hopes for the lore, but the story was kind of meh. 😦 But I do recommend Truthwitch and Dark Breaks the Dawn. 🙂

      Hee hee! Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed all the posts. 🙂

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  8. Despite me being anal and pointing out those times… Great job in keeping it all going last month! And again, congrats on being published! And if I get anal about posts, so what? It just means I actually pay attention 😉

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  9. Congrats and good luck on your whirlwind of an October-November!
    Today is day 1 of NaNo and I’m already procrastinating by reading posts on WordPress. THIS IS THE LAST ONE. THEN I’M SITTING DOWN AND STARTING. I MEAN IT. hahaha The hardest part for me is honestly shoving everything else aside and just doing it, but I’m pretty determined Lol.
    Oh gosh my query letter is probably utter garbage. I’ve read dozens and dozens of query letters, seeking out those from published authors I love and/or have had success. I’ve read lists and posts on query ‘do’s & don’ts’ and it frustrates me because for every ‘don’t’ there’s an exception anyway (like a popular one is don’t write your query from your character’s POV…unless you’re Pierce Brown then it’s okay and you’ll have international success LOL). Basically I’ve written so many versions of my query letters but to no success (yet). I just keep writing and hope that one of my query letters will pop up in an agent’s inbox at just the right moment and be about a book they were just hoping for and talking about a few days ago with their fellow agent buddies and that BOOM the stars will align and I’ll have an agent and a book deal and something worth putting on my post-college résumé haha I DREAM.
    Anyway, best of luck with your writing, blog, and school!

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    1. BAHAHAHA! TRUUUUTH! I see so much of the ‘don’t do this, but it worked for so-and-so,’ and it’s like… well, that’s helpful. And some agents like it in this format. And some like it in this format, but it’s near impossible to figure out which type they are since queries honestly are not thrown up on the internet for successful, published authors that much (you’d think there would be since they’re great resources.) :/

      Yeah, same here. Writing and re-writing and trashing and re-booting. It’s an endless circle, but it only takes ONE to reach success and I run my query by a ton of different people before I even think about sending a letter out. MAybe one day. :p Until then, just gotta keep writing. Besides, it’s often best to have other finished and/or in-progress novels if you send out queries because agents want people who will have lots of books to come, not just a one-and-done kind of writer.

      Haha! We all dream. It’s part of being a writer. 😉 That’s where stories are made, right? :p And thank you! Best of luck to you in your NaNo and life endeavors! Hope your stars align. Hee hee!

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