So....I'm Writing a Book! Join me for the journey as a beginning author!

It's almost 2am (which is actually not that late for me #nightowl) but I can't sleep, because getting my brain to shut off lately is hard.  Really hard.

My dr thinks I may have ADHD...I don't like that they call it that now.  I feel like it's more like ADD cause this tired gal doesn't feel the H lol.  But alas, I jump from hobby to hobby and I have a lot of junk in my house to prove it and never enough time to do the smallest fraction of what I want.  I'm an INFP personality-I love to create.  Learn-Create-Share-Repeat.  That's why I've done Youtube videos so much for the last few years.  I love the challenge of doing new things, and sharing knowledge.  I don't plan to give it up, but I'm in a major lull.  I have ideas and supplies, I just don't wanna!  It's not the obsession de jour.  I have lots of footage just sitting on my SD card and laptop....oh boy...some day.  It's also why I got obsessed with escape rooms this year.  Creating my own.  It was tons of fun, lots of investment-time and money.  And then Covid happened :-/  and the locks and puzzles sit there unused and while I could use this time to productively create, my brain has moved onto the next thing.  I hope I loop back to my other passions, time will tell. 

What was I saying?  Oh yeah, easily distracted much?  so...squirrel...writing a book!  I'm excited and just finished the first rough draft of my first ever book.  I thought this may be a helpful thing to share (cause learn-create-share right?) for anyone else wanting to dip their toes in the water and ride the wave of authorship.  I'll do my best to explain my process (It's pretty darn thorough!) and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.  I may end up making YT videos on the topics down the road too.  But I can only wear so many hats at a time.... 

Firstly, background on my history and qualifications to write a novel.
Um....it's maybe a bit slim.  I have a Bachelors of Science degree...nothing to do with English and composition, though I obviously remember some of them.  I'll be honest, I didn't always love those classes.  Lord of the flies in high school?  Hated it.  While I can't handle the sin of wrong "their, there, they're" placement, I'm BFFs with run-on sentences and know the proper use of a semi-colon as well as I do my 1st cousin twice removed.  So....the technical stuff will be a struggle, especially when it comes to proper placement of dialogue vs narration.  All foreign, but I'm up to the challenge.  Learn-Create-Share-Repeat.  Should I change the name of my blog?  Probably.  Sorry, I'm not usually this crazy.  We're going to blame it on chronic exhaustion ok? 

Back to background...I am not a great book reader.  I have an impressive bookshelf full of books I never read.  I've read most of them but it has been years.  I had a window where I devoured books.  But like all of my interests, that one went away.  I can't imagine sitting and reading all day.  I feel like I'll get bored easily.  I guess I haven't given it a try recently enough, but I feel like I'd fall asleep.  I create or I blob, those are my two levels of energy.  So consuming as opposed to creating when I feel up to doing anything, it's a sacrifice I'm not usually willing to make.  That sounds like a horrible backstory for an author doesn't it?  Either way...it is what it is.  I'm honest and upfront to a fault if you can't tell.  As for my writing experience...I enjoyed writing for the school paper in high school and I've written poetry throughout the years.  I think that pretty much sums up my qualifications.  Does that sound pathetic to you?  Good news is that means you're probably not going to struggle as much as I will lol. 

Second...what to share?
I obviously don't want to give any spoilers or subject myself to having original ideas taken, so there will be some things I am vague on.  But there's a lot I can share.  (Trust me, friends are tired of hearing about it, so I'm glad I now have you to launch my process on that I'm so excited about lol) 

I would categorize my first book generally as science fiction.  More specifically post-apocalyptic.  But not dystopian.  I thought those were synonymous and boy was I wrong.  Not that I haven't enjoyed them, but Divergent, Hunger Games, The Giver, The Mazerunner....I just feel like that poor horse needs a break from being beaten.  In this first draft it dances closely to a classification in romance as well, but since the focus isn't to have two people get together, I'm not pegging it that way.  The relationships that form and how much they are in focus are most definitely a tool to tell the story.  If there wasn't love, there would be a way to get stuff done, I just wouldn't like the characters as much and I think it would make them limp, weak, and socially repugnant pawns.

I already know, this is not a stand-alone book.  I am expecting to write a series of 3.  While fun, it might not be as marketable in the story formats I have in mind.  I'm not planning a sequential format like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings where it is chronologically laid out.  I guess in a way it's more Narnia....ish.  Not the movies, but beyond that where you jump around and have different characters, different times.  There will be a minimum overlap of characters and the same scientific premise continuity to link them as a series.  But it's not book-sequal-prequal or anything like that.  The third is likely to not be written in traditional 3rd person at all. 

That being said, where did the idea come from?!  Not quitting my day job to become a full-time author and pump out books for a living, I'm not scratching at ideas to try and break the mold, be the next trend setter.  This book series is purely out of my dreams.  I have a sheet of paper that I wrote out some notes on a few years ago.  I have a lot of dreams.  A lot of times, to my detriment because I feel like I was running a marathon all night and feel completely unrested, or for more serious and terrifying ones, I can have a real bad funk hanging over my head all day.  I tried for a little while to do a dream journal.  I really should be more diligent about it because there are some vivid gems out there.  I have others that I know I want to write.  Either way, this particular one was all written on one page.  I took notes on the 2nd in the series on the back, but I don't remember if that was actually part of the dream.  The 3rd is just a concept that I have thought of while writing the first.  There are some very unique struggles that come with turning dreams into full books.  I think that will be the topic of my next post. 

I know this has been a crazy wacky post, but it gives some premise and I hope to see some writers joining me along the way :D

FREE Virtual Escape Room! 21 Day Lockdown!

It has been a hot minute since I've posted here....but I figured it's a good place to help get the word out during these crazy times when we're all stuck indoors.

I've designed a 21 day Lockdown themed escape room in my own home and am sharing it free virtually.  We're a few days in but you can get caught up fairly easily.  Each day's videos are between 3 minutes & 10 minutes.  Multiple rooms, different kinds of puzzles, riddles, and locks to figure out!

Join in on the fun HERE.

And please share :D

Amazon Beauty Haul!!! What to Buy? What to Avoid?

I was so excited recently to hit 100 subscribers on my vlog/beauty youtube channel!  I've been enjoying filming and sharing my life there.  Popular are travel, Lipsense videos, and Wish Hauls (I know 100 is not a ton, but it's a big mark for smaller channels, and having to restart last year was tough!)

I've enjoyed doing Wish hauls on my YouTube channel lately, but instead of hit or miss items, I thought I'd share some nice favorites in the beauty category from Amazon.  Additionally, I've been getting a lot of positive feedback on decluttering videos which seems counterproductive to just get a ton of cheap wish stuff that I'll need to get rid of lol.  With all that in mind, here are some nice quality items to give you that extra something-something :D

In total there are 5 items, for the full review, check out my video HERE.

One item is a makeup brush set-I had been needing another set since I embarked on my 58 makeovers towards being a Makeup Artist! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DCQFYHF

Another is a hair remover for a smooth face, I'm a big fan! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CZZ698Z

There are 3 other items included that I love as well, make sure to check it out!

*Some items provided free or discounted to review and share honest opinion.

ASMR for Anxiety, Depression?

This is a topic I've been fairly open about in my life on YouTube, but I don't think I've ever shared it here.  I've struggled with anxiety and depression for years, when I look back, for a good portion of my life.

About a year and a half ago, I started having trouble sleeping because of some increased stress in my life.  I turned to a white noise app and ASMR videos on YouTube to help me sleep.  Most nights I still use them.  After some encouragement from a friend, I started my own ASMR channel 5 months ago.  Some videos are whisper themed, or soft-spoken.  Some are no talking at all, but nature sounds like rain, crinkles, tapping, etc.

I'll be having a video up tomorrow featuring these cute little squishies

that I got free or discounted from a company to share.  I've set on a schedule to post every Monday (I mean, that's the most stressful day for many of us right?) so feel free to check it out and let me know what you think, is it helpful for you?!

Check out my ASMR channel HERE.

Decluttering, Meal Planning, LIFE!

Guys and Gals,

It has been a good, long time since I've blogged, sorry about that!  I've got a couple new things in life that I'm excited about recently.  In addition to the millions of hobbies I tend to have (lol!) I have become addicted lately to organizing my life.  #getittogether am I right? 

I've been binge watching (more of listening though) decluttering videos on youtube while tackling my own place.  I've always been a ......packrat....we'll say.  So far, it feels great! 

I've also taken on meal planning to help the budget and waistline.  I look forward to sharing my journey with these on my Youtube channels  Jen's Lemonade Life and Jenn's Creativity Corner!

Part of my clutter is FREE STUFF!  Over the last several years I have been an extreme couponer and a product reviewer.  Getting free or discounted stuff for review.....yeah, hard to part with all the pretties lol.  But some are going, some essentially brand new things included!  1 person only needs so much!  One item that I plan to keep (shameless plug as a product review ;) ) is this little hygiene kit.  Even more useful than I thought, especially for parents with little kids!  Feel free to check it out (and of course my Youtube channels!)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B8KXRQF

Merry Christmas! And an awesome announcement!

Hey folks!  I know it's been a little while since I've faithfully posted.  I appreciate you sticking around.  I've had a lot happen this year and the dust is finally settling, so I'm looking forward to more videos, tutorials, reviews, etc!  So stay tuned!!!!!!

My fun announcement is that Amazon.com let me set up my very own shop with them, pretty cool right!  Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-3174c381

What does that mean?

-Am I selling these products? 
No.  I'm not the seller, it's a shop under my name where I put my favorite things!

-Am I being paid by Amazon or the sellers? 
Yes and no.  Amazon pays a small percentage when you buy through my shop.  I ONLY list things that I really like, so it's not just a bunch of junk.  And I genuinely love Amazon's services.  I just get that small finder's fee, you pay nothing more.  I really appreciate your support!  Sellers do not pay me.  Some items that may be listed there I have gotten for free or discounted from sellers before to try.  If I tried it and added it to my shop, you'll know I'm hooked-I DON'T add just anything there!

-Why should you bother going through my custom store?
Because you love me?  And because you want good stuff!  I'm the kind of person that will spend 2 hours looking up reviews for a $15 tea kettle.  No jokes.  I make sure it's good before I get it, and before I add it to the shop.  Also, when I post DIY tutorials, I make it easy to find supplies that I use there :)

So please take a gander and see if there's anything there that catches your eye!  (There's still time to get things shipped before Christmas!)  Not a prime member and want free and fast shipping?  Get a free month trial on me!

Thank you again for your support :)

And here's a little Christmas Cheer Video I made from me to you :)

Shopping Lately

Here are some finds from amazon:


 http://amzn.to/2gTnbKY


 http://amzn.to/2gUnjKi

*Contains affiliate links