Spring Cleaning Writer Tag Challenge

Hello, bookish friends! Today I'm coming to you with the Spring Cleaning Writer Tag Challenge! And I'm super excited about it. ^_^ (*whispers*: I've been wanting to give an update on my writing and this made for the perfect chance.)

I was tagged by the lovely Deborah O'Carroll, who is the creator of this tag. (Awesome job, by the way, Deborah!) Thank you, my dear! <3

Alright. Without further ado, let's get onto the tag!

The Rules:

• Link back to the person who tagged you
• Share the picture
• Answer the questions (naturally…) or even pick and choose which ones you answer
• Tag 3 other writers and inform them that you tagged them (via comment/message/email or hey, even carrier-pigeon or smoke signal; I’m not picky)

The Questions:

1. Dust-bunnies and Plot-bunnies: Reorganize Your Writing Goals (Or Make New Ones)

Writing update! Yay! *cheers* *ahem* So ... *cheering fades away* I have not been a good little author. Or even a good little writer. As an "author", I have not used the best marketing tip, which is to publish another book. As a writer, I have not been writing every day. Eek. Not even close. Almost all of last year was just a bad writing year for me.

However, I did make some writing goals this year, at least pertaining to blogging. I'm going to post at least once a week on this blog and every Tuesday and Saturday on Lady Grace. I've been doing well with that.

Not so much with novel-writing. *sad face* But at least I've been writing something. And I'm learning sometimes writers just have to take breaks and put their WIP aside for awhile (maybe even months upon months).

That all being said, I want to rise up to the challenge and make goals pertaining to novel writing, as this tag asks. I've been feeling my storytelling-self awakening at long last, so I want to get back into writing.

The good news, I wrote some on a story last week! *all the happiness* It was a lovely feeling.

The bad news, I've been taking on perhaps a little more than I can handle when it comes to writing/reading/studying/bookish stuff. I'm part of two Bible studies, which I really want to be invested in. I have two blogs to maintain. I have review books and book launches. Booktube. And I don't even know what all else. Just a lot of writing stuff. So ... *feels a tad overwhelmed when thinking of adding writing epic fantasy worlds to the list*

Perhaps I shall write up a schedule. (I think I actually thrive on those, even though I cringe at the thought of them.) Schedule in working on novels! For now I'm going to try to work on my story at least once every week. #newwritinggoal Perhaps the Sundays when I don't have Bible study. Which would be this coming Sunday ... keep me accountable, fellow writers! *winks*

(Okay. I think I over-answered that question. Oops. Onto the next!)

2. Which Stage Are You At? Expound!

a. Remodeling layouts (planning the story)

b. Painting the walls in colorful hues (writing)

c. Polishing the windows and scrubbing the floors and putting flowers in vases (editing)

d. Blueprints (not to the cleaning or remodeling yet … just drawing up plans for the very beginning inklings of a story)

e. Some combination of those things (cleaning out a closet)

Alrighty. I believe I would be somewhere between A. and B. Well, mostly B. – writing! But also a little bit of A.—planning the story—because I don't exactly have everything figured out. I'm currently working on Diamond's Quest, the sequel to Silver Rose. I started writing it a few years ago and got about 50 pages in on Microsoft Word before I realized it just wasn't working. I ended up changing the main character and basically starting all over. Then I tweaked it again. And again. So I think I finally have it to where I can really start writing, but I have notes and scenes all over the place that I need to get into order ...

I'm also a little bit at C.—editing—because Silver Rose is *still* in the editing stage! I'm looking into getting a professional opinion. And I have been reading through it here and there, doing some more of my own editing. I really, really hope that I can start the publishing process this year. Get it published, at last, late this year or next year!

I could also say D. – inklings of a story. For I have been vaguely plotting out and dreaming up scenes from book three in my fantasy series. (Which happens to be about Ivory, for those of you who've read Silver Rose.)

So basically, all of the above? hehe #writerproblems 

3. Treasure From the Back of the Closet (Share one to three snippets you love!)

So the first two snippets are from a random story I started awhile ago. I just unearthed it today and felt a yearning within to continue writing it! (Wait, Shantelle, I thought you were working on your Silver Rose trilogy?? *facepalm*)

The third snippet is from the recent work I've done on Diamond's Quest.

I'm not sure if this is good writing, folks, but it makes me happy. Being with my characters. Feeling their feelings. Going on their adventures. <3

3.5. Bonus: Do Some Actual Spring Cleaning of Your Writer Self! (and share a picture!)

I'm an organized person. I love organizing when I start it. I thrive on organization. *laughs* Plus I dislike having a lot of stuff and/or clutter. So I generally keep my writing space and bookish documents on my laptop pretty neat. Every few months I probably go through stuff and clean and organize and rearrange and get rid of things and all that. *grins*

My writing space ... well ... I don't exactly have one. Sometimes I write at the dining room table, on my laptop. Or a notebook. Most times I'm probably in my bedroom. Here's a picture ...

I Tag:

LaKaysha @ Calico and Lace

Hannah @ My Bookcase and I

Liv @ Liv K. Fisher ~ Living & Breathing Words

***

So there's that! Once again, thank you so much for tagging me, Deborah! It was good to get the push to dust off the novelist deep down inside. ^_^

Comment and let me know what you all think!

Blessings, dear readers!

Summer Reading List + Doings

Hi all! I'm sorry my posting schedule has been rather sporadic ... I don't even really have an excuse for it. Just, life is full of commotion and busyness and plans and ... and ... I find myself kind of distracted from blogging, both physically and emotionally.

Anyway, I decided today I could sit down and write before doing a History lesson with my younger siblings, checking the laundry, continuing on with Silver Rose's read-through/editing, and maybe getting in a chapter or two of my Bethany House review book, Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette.

(isn't this cover gorgeous??)

• READING

So, without further ado, my summer reading list!

Summer Reading List 2017

• Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette
• First Date by Krista McGee
• Girl Defined by Kristen Clark & Bethany Baird
• Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
• Life After: Huntress by Julie Hall
• Illusionary by Desiree Williams
• Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar
• Grounded Hearts by Jeanne M. Dickson
• The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep
• Close to You by Kara Isaac
• Waking Rose by Regina Doman

So there it is! This is just a tentative list, and I have no idea if I'll get to them all this summer, but I definitely will get to some.

* Wings of the Wind *, as I mentioned above, is a review book I signed up for through Bethany House Blogger Review Program. Need to get that read and reviewed this month.

* First Date * is a used book I found for $0.81 on Amazon and bought with an Amazon gift card I won! I should be receiving it in the mail today and might start it, because it sounds like an easy, entertaining read.

* Girl Defined * will be a re-read this summer. It's a Christian Living, with questions to go along with each chapter, so I'm planning to do it as a Bible study with two of my younger sisters. Yay for studies about Biblical womanhood! We might start today.

* Edenbrooke * will also be a re-read for me. I read this humorous, sweet, Regency romance in 2013 and have been wanting to read it again! So when my sister, friend, and I decided to start a Summer Book Club, I eagerly recommended this book. I think it will be perfect and can't wait to start reading!

* Life After: Huntress * is a book I won in a giveaway, along with a $10 Amazon gift card and $5 Starbucks gift card! Yay! I don't know much about this book, but it sounds like some sort of fantasy, and I've been itching to pick it up!

* Illusionary * is another giveaway win! It's fantasy/realm-travel, and rather a short-ish book. So I'm hoping I can get to it some fair summer day. ^_^

* Bread of Angels * is a review book I signed up for with Tyndale Blog Network. So excited to get it in the mail and review it (for the month of June, I believe?)

* Grounded Hearts * is a review book from Litfuse Publicity. I'm to review this one on my blog in July. I believe it's a debut novel, and set during the WWII era. I'm really excited to give it a try!

* The Captive Heart * I found for really cheap on Amazon ($3.42) and used my gift card. I love the Revolutionary War era, so couldn't pass this one up. I'm so excited about it, and think I will find time for it this summer!

* Close to You * I also found on Amazon for cheap ($4.58)! I've been wanting to read by Kara Isaac, because her books sound so fun, unique, and perhaps even relatable! Contemporary YA romance with main characters who love "The Hobbit" and "The Chronicles of Narnia". YES. ^_^ 

* Waking Rose * I found for $1.84 on Amazon. (Go, Amazon!) In case I run out of books to read this summer, or just need something familiar and suspenseful and fairy tale and absolutely delightful, I have this beauty on hand to re-read!

***

Have you read any of the books on my summer reading list? If so, tell me what you thought of them!

• WRITING/EDITING

Well, I've started my first read-through of my fantasy novel, Silver Rose. Keeping track of my progress on Goodreads. I've heard back from four of my second round of beta readers, went through their edits and suggestions, and then uploaded the shiny new version of Silver Rose to my Kindle Fire.

So now I'm reading it and editing as I go. It's pretty exciting! And I must say, I'm even enjoying the story! ^_^ Reading your story on a Kindle instead of a Microsoft Word page on your laptop makes all the difference!

I can't say when publication will be, but hopefully soon! I'm still waiting to hear back from three beta readers and I'm very interested to hear what their opinion of the story is.

• BOOKTUBE

I just uploaded a new video! My April Wrap Up and April/beginning of May BOOK HAUL! *all the heart eyes*

I won't be doing new videos regularly, because it's too hard to find quiet time to film every week. But I still hope to do wrap ups, book hauls, and occasional book tags and fun stuff.

• WATCHING

I've been watching some episodes of Leverage here and there. They are quite humorous. The characters are like, perfection. They make me laugh a lot, which is good. ^_^ (Note: There is some language and questionable comments now and then.)

Also, hoping to start the TV series, Anne with an E, soon! It comes on Netflix tomorrow, the 12th! (I have a month of Netflix). I loved the old Anne of Green Gables movies, so looking forward to a fresh take! <3

And, my mom and younger siblings have been watching episodes of one of Pastor Matt Chandler's series, called "To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain". It's about pursuing God with passion. Knowing Him. Loving Him. Realizing He is everything. I've watched/listened to some of them, and they are so good. I highly recommend! Matt Chandler is an awesome speaker, a relatable guy, humorous, and just has zeal for the Lord and His truth! I love it! <3

(This is the promo for the series. I recommend looking up the episodes! I think there are twelve.)

• OTHER LIFE

Um, I'm excited for summer! A busy time is coming up for my family ... we're going to be moving into a new house! But first we have to do some renovating, so lots of work ahead! Hopefully then I'll be able to get a bookshelf and have all my books shipped here! ^_^ But it's okay. I'm learning to live without all my books. They aren't, by any means(!), the important things in my life - though they are special to me. *smiles*

Ready to live one day at a time, relying on God's strength and truth and love. <3 He is faithful.

How are you, my friend?

A Bit of This and a Little of That

     ***Updated Version***    

     Hello dearest readers! :-) Just wanted to do a bit of an update post today... since I feel like I've been doing nothing but book reviews these days!

     My writing is not going as well as it could (should) be. But I have hopes that I'll find some quiet time to write today. Diamond Dark is currently at a count of 15,617 words. I keep getting ideas for it, but I usually end up just jotting down notes, since it all happens later on in the story!! Grr. I'm struggling with the whole, How is it going to measure up to the first book?? thing too. But... I have hope!
     Here's some inspiration pictures (found on Pinterest) for the main characters of this story:

ARIANA

 

MIRABELLE

 

EAGLE

 

KARALEE

     Hopefully those pique your interest! Perhaps they'll urge me to get back into the story too! ;-) In truth, I am happy to be once again with my dear characters from Book One, Silver Rose; and to be meeting some new ones as well! It's all grand fun, though a bit nerve-wracking at times. Ha!

 

     Speaking of Silver Rose, editing is going well. After I started reading Silver Rose to some of my younger siblings, I felt the uncontainable urge to re-write the beginning. ...It was just, bad. So I did, and my editor was very gracious about it all! :-) I'm so thrilled to see this story coming together so beautifully!! I really need to start thinking seriously about the cover. EEP! I just can't wait to share Karalee and the others' stories with you all! :-) :-)

Here's a short, unedited snippet:

     Don’t panic! Karalee turned in a full, dizzying circle. All around her a looming, gray forest stretched as far as the eye could see. Her heart picked up its beat until it was fluttering wildly against her chest. This feels too much like— Karalee squeezed her eyes shut, cutting off the thought. No. Don’t think about it. She breathed in deeply and turned in a slower circle. Yes, she was in a gray forest. Lidepia had vanished into thin air. Something strange was definitely going on.

     The crack of a stick sounded a few yards away.

     Karalee’s skin prickled. She peered into the dark foliage, but couldn’t make out anything threatening in that direction.

     Another crack.

     Everything is fine— Wait, was that a shadow looming behind the bushes? A scream caught in Karalee’s throat. She started running before anything else could happen. Her heart thundered in her ears, chest constricting painfully.

     Ghostly footsteps echoed behind each frantic, fleeing step she took.

     “King Adonai!” she gasped, reaching out to slap aside gray branches in her way, “I don’t know what to do!”

     A huge, fallen tree seemed to appear out of nowhere in the middle of her path. She lifted her skirt and pushed off the ground with her feet, leaping over it at the last moment.

     Gray fled past her vision. Heavy breathing seemed to sound all around her.

     Karalee.

     Karalee did scream then. Her stricken voice echoed over the forest.

     In the next moment, she ran head-on into something solid, dark, and unmovable.

     Another terrified scream pierced the air.

(From Silver Rose by Shantelle H.)
 

     Reading. I'm about halfway through Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman, and I've been enjoying it so far. After I'm finished that book, I'm so excited to get back in King's Warrior by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt, which I briefly started. Lovely books.

 

 

      Ooh, and while we're on the subject of novels, I should mention a FREE book! Waltz into the Waves by Sarah Holman is a kindle freebie for the next few days!! :-)



 

     Forgot to add this the first time around. I re-organized my bookshelf recently, doing it according to date. What fun!! I totally fell in love with this new system! :-) Of course, the fantasy just have their own special section, and the self-help type books...

My lovely bookshelf. Sometimes I could just look at it and sigh for hours... ;D

Some of the books didn't have dates, so I'm not sure if I have them all in exactly the right order. But I did my best. And its surprising how many books actually do have dates!

First and second shelves...

Second and third...

And last. That my American Girl Felicity doll that I got at nine-years-old... thence came my love of the colonial/Revolutionary War era!! :-)

 

     Hey!! I recently got a twitter account: @shantellemary! I've been told its good to be on all those social media sites, to kind of get your name out there and all. So I went ahead and signed up for twitter... even though I had pretty much no idea what it was. Haha. I think I've learned a bit since then, ;-) :-)

 

     Well, I think that's all for updates today. I hope everyone has a good book in hand, :-), and that all the other things of life are going considerably well.

 

     Blessings! <3

 

     "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

A Dash of Randomness

     So the first month of the new year has gone by. Already. Wow. No wonder I’m one book behind schedule on my book-reading challenge on goodreads. Time flies, :p

     Some of you perhaps read my post about Garbanzo Bean Fudge, and noticed my Health Food and Fashion tabs. I do fully intend to get some more yummy, healthy recipes on here! But it just turned out that my family came down with a nasty flu right after my great inspiration for health, and so I haven’t been baking much lately. However, that should all change soon here, :) :D So be on the look-out for healthy cheesecake, sugar-free chocolate chip cookies, Greek-yogurt, flourless pancakes, and things like that!! :)

     As for Fashion, well yeah, I’ve been meaning to get that started too. Probably I’ll just be sharing little, modesty tips and some outfits I’ve put together, for the most part.

     Reading. I’m currently in the middle of Winter Queen by E. Kaiser Writes. And quite enjoying it, I must say. I also have bookmarks in Every Tear by Molly Evangeline (which is also a grand tale so far), and Thunder by Bonnie S. Calhoun (this one’s a bit confusing at the moment, but still good!). And I have a kindle full of exciting tales just WAITING to be read…!!

     ...To name just a few.

 

     ...And a fair amount of books on my bookshelf also waiting, expectantly. I’m a little overwhelmed, and try not to get caught in their accusing gazes, lol.

 

     Oh! And Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s Beauty and the Beast contest has come to an end! I didn’t make the top five, but I thought I’d share the results…

     I am really excited to read this new collection!! :) Although, by the story descriptions, I fear that some of them might be a bit spooky for my taste, haha, :p We’ll see. Anyway, coming out Summer 2015, so be on the lookout, fairytale-lovers!

 

     Writing. My novel, Silver Rose, is currently being edited by a wonderful blogger friend; and one of my dear friends is also doing a bit of editing work while she reads it. I am so, so grateful for their willingness to take on this project!! :)

     I started writing the sequel, and had a couple days of lovely inspiration, putting me at a word count of 10,642 words. Then I just, stopped. Writer’s block, you know. :/ But I shall start writing again!! Erm, hopefully. (Let’s not mention that I got distracted on a rather deep and personal retelling of Rapunzel, :p) Anyway, I’ll share a few pictures from pinterest that lend me inspiration for Diamond Dark:

 

DESPAIR...

 

...CLASHES WITH HOPE...

 

...AND BLACK BEASTS HAUNT THEM ALL...

 

 

...IS THE LIGHT MORE POWERFUL?

 

 

     And… one movie I’m looking forward to watching this year? Beyond the Mask. I can’t tell you how excited I am for this Christian, independently-made, Revolutionary War drama film… Eek!! Check out the trailer here. It’s going to be epic! :) :)



      Last, but of course not least(!), a verse that was especially poignant to me this fresh year of 2015: Ephesians 4:29-32

^29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. "

     Praying God’s blessings on you all, dear readers! May your readings and writings go well, and may we all grow ever closer to the King!