Friday, 24 February, 2012
7

The F-Word We All Love and Hate

QOTD: What are your long-term goals, and how do you stay focused on them?

No, I’m not talking about that f-word. There’s another one I’m talking about, and lately this little f-word has gotten my heart pumping, the thoughts in my mind racing and my palms sweating. (It’s still not that one, you guys.)

The f-word I’m talking about is future.

As we think about the future, it’s easy to love when we know what it entails. We may not know where we will be in 10 years (alert: hallmark interview question), but if we’re on what seems to be the right pathway and love what we’re doing, then the future seems a bit more promising. But when we have absolutely no idea what our future holds, a fear develops inside of us. It’s frightening, not knowing what’s going to happen or if things will be okay. And what’s scariest of all is thinking that the things you are doing now are a waste of time and won’t help you get to the next step toward your goals.
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Tuesday, 21 February, 2012
2

Meeting Author Chad Harbach: “The Art of Fielding”

QOTD: What’s your favorite way to organize your desk?

This past Friday, award-winning author Chad Harbach came to UNC-Chapel Hill and held a discussion called “The Art of Publishing.” The New York Times named Harbach’s ‘baseball book,’ The Art of Fielding, one of the top novels of 2011. After attending the discussion and listening to Harbach talk about his career and the writing process for his book, I had the privilege of meeting Harbach himself at his own book signing! 

He said that he does his best to develop characters based on just as they are and not how they should be be perceived. 

“I try not to color the reader’s perspective of the character or focus on if the reader likes or dislikes the character,” Harbach said. “I try to stay out of that relationship.” 

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Tuesday, 14 February, 2012
8

Happy Valentine’s: Making the Best Out of a Hallmark Holiday

QOTD: What are your thoughts on V-Day? Is this a special time for everyone to tell their loved ones how much they care, or is Valentine’s just another Hallmark holiday?

Happy Valentine’s Day! <3 Bought myself a pretty paper rose :)

You can be sure that love was in the air today–all over campus. Students of all types of organizations were selling merchandise in the Pit: Purple-dyed carnations, candy, pink-and-red hearts, paper roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, the works. And it seemed as though there were more couples than usual holding hands and cuddling together. I even spotted one couple behind the dining hall, nuzzling against each other with their noses touching. I forgot to say “AWWW!” as I passed by. Oops…then again, they probably wouldn’t have wanted me to interrupt. 

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Monday, 13 February, 2012
1

The Pizza Model: Guest Blogging at Literary Jam & Toast

QOTD: What’s your favorite type of pizza? Note your choice of special toppings, type of cheese and the thickness of crust. ;) 

Happy Monday, everyone! Today, I’m guest blogging over at Literary Jam & Toast ,a blog by Miss Mia Hayson on writing and zombies and glitter, about The Pizza Model. What is The Pizza Model, you ask? You’ll have to visit to find out! 

Come join in on the fun and let’s talk about PIZZA! I mean, who doesn’t love pizza? :) 

Special thanks to Mia Hayson for having me as a fellow guest blogger. Follow her for your daily dose of writing tips, cool stories and laughter!

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Sunday, 05 February, 2012
3

Happy Bliggity Birthday: The Best of the Blog Year 2

QOTD: What is your favorite type of sinful cake, the cake that you only eat when you feel really wicked? (Mine is red velvet! Mm…yummy)

Happy Sunday, everybody! It is a very grey day here in North Carolina, but I am in a spirited mood and am so excited to say that it’s TRA’s Blog Birthday/Anniversary! Can’t believe I’ve kept up this blog for two years already…I guess when you’re having fun and loving what you write about, time flies. 

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Saturday, 21 January, 2012
5

New Year’s Resolutions 2012

QOTD: What is the longest amount of time you have spent writing a single blog post?

I hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend so far! First I wanted to start out with some news that is circulating around the blogosphere: 

Mia Hayson is requesting guest bloggers over at Literary Jam and Toast, one of the funniest and best writing blogs ever. This is a great way to meet some new bliggity friends, share your unique skills and knowledge with others, and meet the lovely Mia! Over at Confessions of a Bookaholic, there’s a giveaway for all you To Kill a Mockingbird lovers! Finally, a good friend of mine has started her adventures as a journalist at The Constant Interview . Caitlin Byrd is an amazing writer and has always been an inspirational role model to me. Check it out–you will learn so much from her. 

In fact, I found this on her blog: 
Let’s all try to keep this in mind as January gradually draws to a close and we start to embrace the second month of 2012. It’s strange…I don’t even feel like 2011 is over yet. I don’t think it has hit me. Perhaps I’m still caught up in everything that happened last year–all the things that changed who I am and all the things I did or didn’t do. 

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Sunday, 15 January, 2012
4

Winter Break Recap: Harry Potter World 2012

QOTD: If you could donate one million dollars to any organization, which would you choose and why? 

Happy Sunday, everyone! I apologize for my unexpected absence from the blogosphere. I’ve spent the last week and a half mostly bedridden due to a nasty virus I picked up over winter break. I have literally felt like a walking snot burger (so unattractive, I know). Good news is I’m back now and hope to catch up with blogging, schoolwork and writing! This is not a great start for my new years’ resolutions, but better to start late than never, right? 

So how are you doing with your new years’ resolutions? Have you gotten into a regular daily routine of working out/gardening veggies/meditating/whatever-you-resolved-to-do, or are those goals already long-forgotten? (And if the latter is true, I don’t blame you. I can’t even remember my weekend homework assignments.) 

Whether you’re struggling to keep up with your resolution plans or have already worked them into circadian habits, check out my Resolutions Guide to make sure you’re on the right track! 

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Tuesday, 03 January, 2012
5

“A Mustard Moment”: 3rd Annual No-Kiss Blogfest

Thanks to Frankie, 55 bloggers and I have had an awesome opportunity to participate in the 3rd Annual No-Kiss Blogfestyesterday! My apologies for posting my entry one day late, but better late than never, right? The idea of the blogfest is pretty self-explanatory–

“Write a scene or post one from your favorite books, movies, or tv shows that show the almost kiss — the rising, crushing, excruciating, longing, tension that comes when two characters get oh-so-close to kissing that you can just feel it, want it, NEED it….and then…they don’t!”


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1

Happy New Year!

Yayyy we’ve survived another 5,250,600 minutes. Here’s to you, 2012! Wishing all of my followers an amazing year. I have a feeling this is going to be a special one (and not just because it’s a leap year ;)). Happy New Year everybody!

Also – my entry for the 3rd Annual No Kiss Blogfest, hosted by Frankie, will be posted sometime today. Check back soon for my blogfest entry, followed by a reflection and page updates. Thanks so much for your patience!
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Tuesday, 20 December, 2011
6

My Experience as a Critique Partner

QOTD: For the first person to come to mind, think about why you appreciate and are grateful for that person. Feel free to share! 

Quick Announcement: I will be starting my own editing service (completely voluntary on my part, so don’t worry it’s free) post-Christmas. Come back soon for more updates! 

I used to think that I didn’t need anybody. At least when it came to writing. I have always been either too insecure, too stubborn or too fearful to let others critique or even look at my work. I just wanted to do my own thing. I think all of us as writers tend to have this mindset in some way…writing is, after all, as much of a service to ourselves as it is to our readers. But lately I’ve come to realize that when we decide to put our fears aside and allow yourself to be exposed to feedback, we can learn so much from others and improve ourselves as writers and as people. And when it comes down to it, nobody should have to go through the writing process (specifically revision) alone. 

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