New Novel and I Question Myself (Legit)(ft. Beautiful People)

HELLO HI I'M BACK AND SUPER EXCITED because today I am talking all about my new story idea... which finally came together after a bajillion years because #braindead.

So have some questions and some answers and eat some cheesecake or something. 

WHAT IS THE STORY'S AESTHETIC?

candles. rain hitting the window. faded t-shirts. broken glass. bruises. coffee. 
BEHOLD THE AESTHETIC BOARD





WHO IS THE PROTAGONIST?

Her name is Bella, she's nineteen, and she's one of those people who is quiet most of the time but you get nervous around her after a while because she's just got this look in her eyes like she's seen more darkness in the world than you could imagine. She's a poor, shattered soul and I love her to pieces and I get to mess up her life a bit because I'm just cruel.

Okay, so here is the August set of Beautiful People questions. 




What are they addicted to/can't live without?

Bella finds it hard to live without security. (And so naturally I throw her into a lot of insecure situations) She likes to know there's a 'safety net', she likes to have a Plan B, etc.

Name 3 positive and 3 negative qualities about your character

Pro: independent. thinks of others first. smart. 

Con: only sees the bad in people. lets herself be taken advantage of, even when she knows it. a very closed up person.

Are they holding onto something they should get rid of?

In a way, no, and that's her issue. She is too scared to hold onto anything, especially hope.

If 10 is completely organized and 1 is completely messy, where do they fall on the scale?

5. She's perfectly half-and-half. Organized when it comes to her thoughts, her ideas, and more important things; messy when it comes to her bedroom, the dishes, etc.

What most frustrates them about the world they live in?

How completely, totally dark it is. She only sees the darkness.

How would they dress for a night out? How would they dress for a night in?

Night out: nice jeans//grey t-shirt//green military jacket//Converse hi-tops//her brother's beanie

Night in: leggings and a t-shirt

How many shoes do they own and what kind?

Not many. She's got a few pairs of Converse, probably a pair of Minnetonka ankle boots, and not much else.

Do they have any pets? What pet do they WISH they had?

Nope, no pets. She likes dogs, though. 

Is there something or someone they resent? Why and what happened?

She basically resents most of the people in her life, because they all kinda backstabbed her in some way. Except her brother, who is too sweet for this world. She adores her little brother. 

What's usually in their fridge of pantry?

I mean, she's nineteen. Poptarts. Cup-o-Noodles. Eggo waffles. Coffee. Clif bars. Chinese take-out leftovers. Those super gross fruit cup things. I dunno, anything quick and easy. 

OKAY so she may have come off as a bit dark, but really it's not her fault, life's been incredibly mean to her. And her brother, another major character, sees more light in the world than she does and so they kind of balance each other out. 

I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS. Thanks for staying with me this far. Love you all <3

Two Weeks

Before I went off to my two-week college summer program, I had a handful of half-written posts I was determined to finish and post soon after I got home. Yet somehow now, they don't seem as important as I thought they were. The two weeks I spent at this amazing school in the California mountains with sketchy wifi, a big beautiful library, and the most incredible people ever seems more important to me now. 

Honestly I wasn't sure what to expect from this. I already knew I wanted to go to this school next year. I was going with some friends from school, and I thought I'd spend most of my time with them instead of branching out. Branching out sounded scary. It sounded intimidating. I mean, I was only going to know these people for two weeks--what kind of friendship can one form in two weeks? 

Apparently the best kind. 

The dorms were single-sex, and my roommate and I spent many nights up late talking. She liked to sing to herself and I liked to listen. Her aunt gave her a bunch of red roses to take with her, and she kept them on the table between our beds. She told me about home in Florida, and I pictured it in my mind. 

In the library, I sat across from a blonde girl on one of the first nights. We were supposed to be quiet, but we kept giggling for no reason. She made me an origami swan and I named him Jerry and kept him on my desk. She lived in the room across from mine, and I'd see her in the mornings with one earbud in, listening to Spanish music. 

One girl had basically my personality. We had a new inside joke every day and the laughter never stopped. Our minds were synced, and it was both creepy and amusing. We would race to the cafeteria for root beer a thousand times a day, and we talked about everything from our love of desserts to whatever was on our minds. 

I have deeper friendships with people I knew and lived with for two weeks than I do with some people I've gone to school with for years. Each one of them were so talented, unique, and interesting. And the memories I made with them will last for my lifetime. Whether it was figuring out the washing machines, studying Euclid on sugar highs, continuing our class discussions during lunch, jumping in the ponds, giving each other hennas, playing volleyball after class, or praying the rosary together, I finally discovered that in true friendships, time doesn't matter. You don't need seven years to make the best friendships. 

I had two weeks and I love these people to death. We brought each other closer to God. It really was one of the best experiences of my life. 

Quills in the Inkwell || Three Years and Counting

GUUUYYYYYS IT'S MY THIRD BLOGOVERSARY!! 

Legit, I'm so excited, but also super confused, A) because I don't understand how on earth it's been three years, and B) because I'm terrible at coming up with ideas for special blogoversary posts... xD 

JUST JUST JUST COME EAT OREOS WITH ME OK? OK. 

But honestly, this has been a wild ride. I'm so grateful to everyone who reads all this jumble of randomness. It makes me feel so happy that my voice is being heard, even way over here in this lil corner of the Internet. Because I have a lot to say, and the fact that you guys read my posts and comment and encourage me so much is unbelievable x) YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST. 

The world is big and scary and dark, and we've all been told to be careful on the Internet, but I know I've made some real, genuine, EXTREMELY SWEET friends through this blog. I've gotten to know so many girls who are on the same journey as I am; following God through the chaos and writing our freaking stories xD And you guys inspire me to be better! You inspire me to be a better writer, you inspire me to be a better Christian, and you inspire me to enjoy life in all its craziness. 

Thank you for reading. You mean so much to me <3

Hello August!

Wow, July is over! I can't really believe it...? Summer's 2/3 of the way to be done. School's almost here. SENIOR YEAR is almost here. 

Alright so right now I'm off having a wonderful time at COLLEGE WHAT. Nobody's freaking out though, it's ok *breathes heavily into paper bag* it's fine I'm fine we're all fine just at college whatevs. 

July was a BLAST of a month!! Legit, I've had so much fun this month, so let's talk about it. 

LIFE THINGS

Um I went to Palm Springs with a bunch of my family which was the craziest/funnest/EPIC-EST THING EVER (I like fake words). We rented this super cool, midcentury house with a bunch of my cousins and it felt so good to get away for a while, and the heat wasn't even that bad. It was like 107 degrees I think, but it didn't feel too bad. And I saw Spiderman Homecoming but I cant let myself talk about that because I'll probably just end up screaming for a long time because I just loved it so much...
Also, I went off to a college summer program, which is where I am now, and it's like up in the mountains with super sketchy wifi so I'm actually writing this ahead of time (July's not over from where I am haha hello The Future). But I suspect I'm having a great time right now because this is my dream school. But leading up to this program, I was getting super nervous, but it all kind of went away. I had fun getting everything I would need and packing and stuff and I went with a ton of friends. 

This July, I fell a little more in love with life, guys. 

BOOK THINGS

I read The Consolation of Philosophy and LET ME TELL YOU I think everyone should read this. The world would be a much better place if everyone took the time to read this book. 

Also I got yet another Agatha Christie mystery to add to my collection. What's your favorite of her books? 

WRITING THINGS

I've been working so hard this month on my new WIP!! I just recently sent the first chunk of the first draft off to my editor and I'm super excited. I'm actually planning a post all about it for the near future. Still unsure if I will be doing NaNo this fall, though I hope to. 

JULY WAS...

//palm trees swaying in the warm breeze

//jean cutoffs

//lemonade slushies

//new sunglasses

//peppermint tea

//bonfires

//bakeries

//a night sky exploding with colors on the Fourth 

FAVORITE JULY MOMENTS...

//sitting by the pool at night in the insane Palm Springs heat

//choreographing dances with my cousins in a small, crowded room

//binge-watching Downton Abbey and drinking milkshakes on a cloudy day

//going to see Spiderman Homecoming

//sitting around the bonfire

//watching the fireworks from my deck

LETS TALK! HOW WAS YOUR JULY?

"The Blood Race" Blog Tour || Interview with K A Emmons!!

I'm very excited to announce that I'm a part of The Blood Race Blog Tour!!! Guys, this book was seriously amazing, Kate did a fantabulous job!! I've got here a little interview with author Kate Emmons herself!! Enjoy!! 

1. Do you have a favorite character in your book?

That’s a hard one. The answer is yes, but more than one. I have a really deep attachment to Hawk, Icarus, Fin, and Sensei. Each character has taught me something from writing them, and each one has a little something special about them. In Hawk and Icarus, I see much of myself. Hawk in her personality, and how she strives to be strong in spite of her weaknesses, and Icarus in how he just longs to be who he was made to be-- and he’s frustrated when he feels like he falls short. He’s full of doubt, but there’s a heck of a lot of hope under that skin of his, too.

Sensei because… where do I even begin? There were many instances when I began to feel as though it wasn’t even me writing his character anymore, but that he was his own character speaking to me through the pages I was writing; giving me advice that I desperately needed to hear. During the editorial process, there were so many times when I would read back over a line I didn’t even remember writing, and think “wow… I needed to hear that.” There’s something divine about his character, and I feel that God put so many words in his mouth that I needed to hear. I hope perhaps they’re words that others may need to hear as well.

Fin because he is honestly one of the most beautiful people I have ever created. He’s constantly pumped up on hope, even when things are crashing down around him. He’s a loyal-till-the-ender type, a fearless fighter, yet no one will ever love as hard as he does.

2. How long did it take you to write the Blood Race?

It took me about five months, I believe. It’s funny, because I usually don’t keep track of time very well, and I really don’t pay attention to it when I’m on a roll with a book. But looking back, it was about a five month process from the idea’s inception to the finished draft.

3. Did you ever have days when you just didn't feel like writing? What did you do to get yourself back into the writing mood?

Oh, yes. I definitely had those days - don’t we all? Some days are just low energy days, or my head will be in a thousand places and I have a hard time pinning it down to the page. I find that doing something completely different usually helps get me back into my groove - and that tends to be anything that will get me out of the house. (#hermitlife). Grocery shopping, going out for coffee with my husband, or a hitting the track for a run, anything that gets my mind thinking about something other than whatever it is I may be stuck on.

I’m also a firm believer in talking it out, and my sister (a brilliant writer herself, and an unabashed creative) is usually instrumental in helping me get back into the right headspace I need to be in to write a story well.

And when all else fails, there’s British television.

4. What inspired the Blood Race?

Tough one to answer! I feel like it wasn’t really any one thing in particular. I was literally just sitting in my living room one summer afternoon and the idea for the entire story just “dropped” into my head, so to speak. And I was like “dang. I need to write that thing.”

Beyond that though, I’m incredibly passionate about the idea that we are powerful. That we are all warriors beneath the skin, just as Sensei tells Hawk in the novel. We all carry the potential to be who we truly are inside of us already. And who we are is beautiful, is enough, is capable, and is, heck yeah, powerful.

5. What tip can you give to all the aspiring writers?

Just write you. Stop listening to/reading/studying ALL the advice, stop all the self criticism, stop constantly critiquing yourself, and just write like only you can. Regardless of what anyone tells you, there is no right or wrong way to write; it’s an art. So make your art. Make it in a way that makes your heart hum. Make the art that only you can. If it’s bringing you joy? You’re doing it right.

Thank you so much Katie!! I hope you all go read this amazing book!!!!!!!!

MODESTY

n.


the quality of being relatively moderate, limited, or small in amount, rate, or level.

behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency.

So what is this modesty I speak of? It's hardly talked about in our modern, secular society. It's "old news". 

This is because the world has stopped asking the fundamental questions. 

Who are you? 

a child of God

To whom do you belong?

I belong to my Divine Creator

Why are you here? 

I am here to learn to know, love, and serve my Lord in this world and this life. 

What is your life about?

my life is about Him who loves me. 

My life is not about me. 

My life is not about me.

My life is about Him who is SO MUCH MORE than me. 

My life is about learning about HIM.

My life is about SERVICE TO GOD.

My life is about LOVE. Love for God.

People sometimes take this to an extreme too. They think it means we must hate ourselves. NO, of course not. How could we hate ourselves?? God looked at the world and decided it need YOU in it. The world, with the majestic mountains, the shimmering lakes and pulsing oceans, the stars in the sky--needed you. And so how could we hate ourselves? 

But we must remember that God created us. 

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about finding who God meant for you to be.

Life isn't about creating yourself. Life is about figuring out who God has already created you to be. 

You mean so much to Him. 

Don't throw it away by being immodest, in any sense of the word. 

Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who burns inside you. Your body is not yours to abuse. 

Pride cannot take over you. Anything good you've done or have in your life has come from the grace of God. 

And I don't say that to discourage. That should encourage. 

He loves you. Remember that.

Hello July!

Whoa what I PROMISE IT WAS JUST FEBRUARY! 

Also why is February spelled so weird. Feb-you-air-ee. Is that not how we pronounce it? Is that not how it should be spelled? 



Hi guys!! June is over and WOW AM I GLAD because, fun fact, July is my favorite month x). WHY, YOU ASK. Because it's the epitome of summer! Because fireworks and barbecues and beaches and pools and milkshakes and bare feet and hot sand and NO STRESS YAY. 

LIFE THINGS

June was freaking stressful! I wrote five essays for my college application. Five essays. It was difficult and I almost died, but no worries, because I finished the whole application and sent it in the other day! Also I have a job interview on Monday, praise the Lord, because I need a job badly. It's at this local cafe and I'm really excited x). 

I've been exercising more. I stopped putting sugar in my tea (AUDIBLE GASP FROM AUDIENCE). I tried an improv class? (I suck) I've been going to daily Mass with my brothers, which is so helpful, because not only is it just a good thing to do, it helps give my day a bit of structure. In the beginning of summer I was sleeping in until like ten or eleven. Blah. And then I would feel very lethargic for the rest of the day. NO SIR. I now make myself get up at eight and go to Mass and then I come home and go for a walk or go out to breakfast with my brothers or something, and then I GET THINGS DONE. Like crazy long applications or reading or writing or whatever. 

Also I've started watching Downton Abbey and I need someone to flail with. 

WRITING THINGS

So remember my plot-less book? It now has a plot!! And I've started writing it! And it's all very exciting. Updates to come. 

I also wrote five essays. 

Oh the joy of that sentence. 

But seriously I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a story. I'm still debating NaNo this coming November, maybe I'll do it but I just can never tell what my schedule will be like that far into the future (I don't even know what I'm eating for lunch yet.) I hope to do it though. 

BOOK THINGS

I received an ARC of the Blood Race from Kate! I have not finished it yet but I LOVE IT SO FAR, THANK YOU KATE FOR WRITING THIS!! 

I tried to read this book about the Salem witch trials, but I have such a huge TBR pile that I returned it to the library because I couldn't let myself be distracted. I have a bunch of books to read for this summer program I'm going to in a few weeks. 

BY THE WAY I will be gone next month, due to that, and won't be able to post a Hello August post, NOR WILL I BE ABLE TO POST ON MY BLOGOVERSARY! I'll be gone for my third blogoversary! But I'll post as soon as I get back, a few days after. 

JUNE WAS...

//foggy days

//coffee mugs

//sparkly tattoos

//eating ice cream straight from the carton

//burgers

//airplanes

//small crowded kitchens

//melted chocolate

//wet grass

//dressing up

//board games

//rap and crazy driving

//headlights on a deserted road

//early morning bird chirps

//butterflies

FAVORITE JUNE MOMENTS...

//toasting marshmallows over the kitchen stove

//baking with my friends and trying not to eat all the brownies

//watching my cousin throw his tassel and cap into the air

//curling up on the couch with ice cream, watching Downton Abbey

//hiding away in the corner of the kitchen with my cousins, dressed up from a fancy event, watching movies on someone's laptop

//looking out at an airplane runway and trying to figure out how we could steal one of the planes x)

//discovering new cafes

//running down a dirt road late at night, laughing too loudly

//exhaling as I finally hit submit and sent in the final part of my college application

LET'S TALK! HOW WAS YOUR JUNE?