Wow. Can you believe we’re only two days away from the end of January? Can you believe that at the beginning of the month I wanted to be finished editing beta reader comments for Sparrow Singing?
lol neither can I. XD
Highlights of the Month:
January has flown by. This semester I’m doing a dual credit Earth and Science class. It’s been interesting, to say the least, and so much different than the Spanish class I took last semester.
Another fun life fact, I went to audition for my co-op’s play, Alice in Wonderland.
Okay, story time. These plays my co-op puts on usually aren’t ‘little productions,’ by any means. They’ll run for two hours or more, have set change after set change, costumes, and it will even be recorded and put on DVD. I’ve never done it before, of course. Me, the introvert? On stage saying lines? Um, no. That is not me.
Last year I worked on the crew, and helped with props n’such. But it was so fun getting to be around all of my friends and seeing a play come to life…So this year I decided to audition. When I arrived I was shaking and well… we won’t go into details, but it wasn’t pretty.
Some friends pulled me out of the bathroom with just enough time for me to audition. Later that night I got a call back from the three ‘directors,’ and apparently, I’m Alice. Well, one of the two Alice’s (it’s a big role and they didn’t want to chance having one Alice and her then getting sick)
So that goes to show you: Try new things. Don’t be too worried about stepping outside your comfort zone, even if your whole body is screaming at you to: a) continuing hiding in the bathroom, b) get your keys and drive home and never come out from under the covers c) take the easy route out and do the small job. You have to let go of your worry and anxiety and trust God.
9 But He said to me, βMy grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.β Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10 That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
You may regret it later on, when you look back on all those chances you had that you didn’t take. Especially if you’re in highschool. As highschooler, do you even realize how many opportunities there are to do all kinds of things? Yes, even if you’re homescooled like I am! Trying new sports, taking dual-credit college classes, learning new languages, learning an instrument, getting into conferences for cheaper prices, or trying out for drama.
You don’t have to become a professional basketball player or a flutist or major in Russian… but you probably won’t have another chance to try those things after highschool if you don’t.
Anyway, rant over. Onto books and other writerly things. XD
Books read:
I read some great fantasy and some great historical fiction… however, another short story:
I’ve been reading more of the Lunar Chronicles this month. Unbeknownst to me, when I finished Cress I was supposed to read Fairest. I went to the library and got Winter, even though Fairest was sitting right there on the shelf like it had been for months… I asked twitter and yes, Fairest is 3.5 and Winter is 4, so I needed to got back and get Fairest.
I went the next week and Fairest was gone and I asked the librarian what happened, fairest isn’t even in the system anymore, and apparently in that one weeks time their only copy was lost/destroyed/broken. -.-
So I’m stuck until the inter-library loan arrives. But this is such a first world problem. I should be thankful I’m even capable of reading and have access to books. XD
Blogging:
I thought about changing my blogging schedule back to twice a week, but since I’m in a play, we’re going to stick to once a week. Every Sunday, if all goes well. XD
Writing:
At the beginning of this month, I set out to finish editing my Beta reader’s comments. I’m about 67% of the way through. It’s my own fault for not getting it done sooner. I’ll get stuck on one thing or just look at Scrivener and think “meh” instead of writing.
My newish deadline is February 5th. Then:
Only nine more chapters left to edit of #SparrowSinging
… that is, before I print the whole thing out and edit it again. π
β Jeneca Z. (@jenecawrites) January 28, 2017
In February:
*releases breath.* 1/12 of the year done. Five months until my birthday, until summer… I shouldn’t be thinking about Summer.
Well, in February I’m hoping to keep plodding along with school and then memorizing lines. Prayers would be appreciated, as my knowledge is limited in this area. XD
I’m also hoping to finish the Lunar Chronicles! I need more Cress and Thorne…. and Kai and Cinder… and you know, Wolf and Scarlet. And Iko. π No spoliers, please.
How did the first month of YOUR year go? How’s school, writing, life, reading, blogging, breathing, going for you?
CONGRATULATIONS on getting Alice!!
I love Laurie Halse Anderson’s historical fiction.
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Thanks so much! I’ve enjoyed it as well. I’m excited to get the next book in the series. π
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It’s really good. π
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LOVED reading this – the end of the month is so fun, because everyone’s wrap-up posts get posted :D. And OH MY you get to be one of the two Alice’s? THAT’S EPIC *highfive*. I’ve never auditioned for a play before but it sounds like SO much fun.
OH, beta comment edits. These are hard. And exhausting. I speak from experience ;P. *decides you need motivational cookies* *gives you come* xD Hope all of your editing goes well for you, Jeneca!
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Ahahaha thank you! *gladly accepts motivational cookies* and yes, end of the month posts are so great, especially if you don’t get to read every single post of every blog you follow (me π)
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Congratulations on getting into a play! I tried out for my school’s play last semester even though other times I hadn’t got in. I had a minor role and also made lots of new friends and had a lot of fun. I totally agree about trying new things! (Although side note: my homeschooling experience was living in a himalayan village where the only other kids around who spoke english were my siblings. I stopped before high school, but I think I would have liked homeschooling in a place where there are co-ops, etc. Anyway, fun story XD)
You can totally understand Winter without reading Fairest! While it does give you more context, if you read it later you’ll figure it all out, and it’s set about 10 years or so before the other books. Also, I’ve been on holiday this entire month (I read 18 books yaaaaaassss) so I missed some of your posts π *waves*
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Thank you! And oh yes, homeschooling is a little more enjoyable with co-ops and other activities. XD But that’s /seriously cool/ that you were homeschooled in a Himalayan village. O_O Really.
Congrats on reading eighteen books and on a one month holiday! Both of those things sound incredible. XD
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Oh my goodness, you’re Alice?????????? CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! I am so freaking proud of you! That’s amazing!!!!!
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Thank you so much!! β€οΈ
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Waaaaht. I DIDN’T REALIZE THAT YOU GOT THE ROLE OF ALICE WHEN YOU MENTIONED READING THE SCRIPT OVER TWITTER. DUDE. THAT’S AWESOME. And scary. But you got this. Eeep! π β€
katie grace
a writer’s faith
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Hehe, thanks! β€οΈ and yes it is very scary… I trying not to think about that. ππ
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Congratulations on getting Alice!! That’s so awesome. I totally sympathize with the library book thing, haha! I hate it when they don’t have the book I want. =P
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“You have to let go of your worry and anxiety and trust God.” –So true! love the verses you quoted, too.
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Thank you! They’re some of my favorites. π
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CONGRATS on getting Alice! That’s so awesome!!! I’ve had a few years of acting experience (just minor roles) and as far as line memorizing goes I always find it helpful to cover the line before yours, except for the last few words, and see if you can say your line without your full cue. Also, just keep reading and reading over the script until you know the story inside and out. As far for acting onstage, I find it super helpful to think about what your character wants in each scene, just like in writing, and adjust your body language to fit that motive. And make sure to never put your back to the audience!
That was long haha, but hopefully it’s helpful! π
I’ll be praying for you, and prayers for me starting my new school tomorrow would be really appreciated. Have a great month! XD
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I mostly definitely will! And thank you for all the tips and suggestions… I really need it XD It’s good to hear from you again after your hiatus!!
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Congrats on getting the role!
You know, I really needed to hear what you said about trying new things — I’ve been considering starting doing drama with a local Christian theater group, but I’ve been hesitating. I really need to be more confident and do it.
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