New Challenges

This week, I begin a course in Fiction Writing through Continuing Education at a local University.  There is potential to earn a Creative Writing Certificate if I take 5 other classes including one required class. 

I chose to take this class because I needed something to motivate me to write.  And I needed something to confirm whether I should even bother or not.  I still feel like I need to write, and I want to write, but I don't find myself writing or making myself even want to try.  By taking the class I'm challenging myself to do what I've talked about doing for my entire life.   Write.

I plan to post things that I've written for the class here.  I'm not looking for encouragement or critique - I just want to make sure that I'm actually doing something with the writing.

As of Wednesday, I will be a practicing author again.  Let's see how this goes.

I read: The Pledge

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting  
(Book 1 in The Pledge trilogy)

Another dystopian series, which I would describe loosely as a combination of any other dystopian series with the twist of The Selection added in.   It's an interesting concept, and I was carried easily through the novel - I did read it in one day, so it's either that easy to read, or I was just that motivated to find the ending.

I read: A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying

A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong 
(Book 1 in series of same name)



Written by one of my very favourite authors, I had no doubt that I would enjoy this book.  It is a bit different than other things she's written, but it's enjoyable and still has well-developed characters and a plot that you know is headed somewhere big, even if you don't know exactly what that will be.

I read: Becoming

Becoming by Michelle Obama

I don't have a lot of say about this book, except that I continue to be impressed by how transparent Michelle Obama continues to be.  She shares, seemingly sincerely, from portions of her entire life and candidly writes about how she wasn't initially in favour of her husband's political career.  She shares struggles and dreams, fears and hopes and everything in between.

I read: Freedom

Freedom: The Ultimate Tribute 1963-2016

Mostly a coffee table book, with some great concert photos, this book gives a glimpse into the life of George Michael, starting from the beginning and going right to the final days.

George Michael was one of my first celebrity crushes.  Honestly, I don't even think I knew that's what it was at the time - but I knew that I loved Wham!  And the music wasn't the only thing.

I read: Signs Point to Yes

Signs Point to Yes by Sandy Hall

I picked up this one because I had so enjoyed A Little Something Different by the same author.  This one didn't disappoint.

It's a super quick but satisfying read, with an adorable love story and some personal dram in the midst. 

I read: Playing to the Gods

Playing to the Gods  by Melanie Rawn
(book five in the Glass Thorns series)


I've been a fan of Melanie Rawn since I first read the Dragon Prince series.  I had never in my life read an entire series of books straight through without breaking it up with other side things to keep from getting bored.  But I devoured those books, breathing them in like they were air.

The Glass Thorns series has been a very different experience because I was picking them up as they were released, and having to hunt for them because they didn't seem to be on any regular schedule.  But I still enjoyed every minute spent reading them.