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Goals for 2021

| Ardin Patterson

Happy New Year!

Since 2020 definitely did not go as planned, I decided that this year I wanted to create some more realistic goals given our current state and circumstances.

I’m hopeful and excited for this coming year. I’m grateful that my family, friends, co-workers and cast-mates have remained safe during this pandemic. I’m truly thankful. By the end of the year it was all I wished for.

Reading Goals

Last year I completed my reading goals twice! I haven’t set my goal for this year but I think I’ll increase it somewhere to about 60 books, since I reached my goal of 30 two times. I tend to adjust an extra 5 books when I’m ahead of schedule. In just these past 3 days I’ve read 5 books. I haven’t been on a reading binge like this since…maybe high school?

On top of that my other goal is to read more diversely. This means finding new favourite authors in the genres I adore. I’ve already got a list of recommendations thanks to my lovely BookTuber/Bookstagramers along with the list I’ve compiled on my own. I’m really excited to check out all of these books!

I would also love to discover some new authors this year. As I am publishing my first novel myself, I’d love to see other’s work too and support it!

Lastly, I want to be accepted for more ARC reviews. I got my very first one of the year and I can’t wait to do more!

Writing Goals

Now onto my writing goals. Normally I don’t create a set goal of how many books to write in a year, however I think this year I’d like to try it. I think that I’ll try to officially complete 3 of the novels I’ve been working on over the years. By officially complete I mean have them heavily edited and cleaned up for publication. This seems like it’s a reasonable goal.

Other Goals

I’d like to post more on this blog and on my YouTube channel. I personally prefer blogging but I’m bad for creating music or other content for YouTube and not posting it. I’ll try to be a little more consistent with that this year, although I don’t know if I’ll create an uploading schedule or anything. It depends.

I’d also love to accomplish more on my list of voice over goals. I actually managed to meet some of them during 2020 which was a huge surprise, especially since the industry was shut down. The projects I contributed to were fantastic and I learned so much while working on them!

Another thing that I want to do this year is be a little more active. I used to be fairly athletic but stopped on and off during university. With the work that I do I find I’m either sitting or standing in one place for long periods of time. So, this year I think I’ll work on getting back into shape. Exercise helps me feel better and makes it easier for me to think. It’s great for relieving stress!

I also want to learn at least 3 new recipes. I haven’t decided what yet. Something yummy!

I’d like to get better at embroidery and draw more this year. It’s really calming.

Character Interview #2: Dianna

| Ardin Patterson

Question 1: Where is your favourite place to be alone and why?

I like travelling alone. I think better when I’m in motion. It’s not really one place or another. Any particular place I can think of is somewhere I enjoy spending time with my friends. I guess I’m not much of an “alone” person.

Question 2: What is your favourite holiday?

It isn’t exactly a holiday, but when I was a little girl we had to put on these Winter Pageants at school. My friends all hated them but I loved spending the month decorating, learning songs and dances. Afterwards we’d have a big dance with everyone and their families, and my cousin and uncle would come visit from out of town. If that were a holiday it’d be my favourite.

Question 3: Describe your family in 8 words.

Caring, overbearing, sweet, hilarious, stubborn, creative, idiotic, loyal.

We’re an odd bunch.

Question 4: What is something that people make fun of you for?

I used to get teased about how I did my hair. Now I get teased for my choice in men.

Question 5: What is the most memorable untrue rumour that has ever been spread about you?

Wow…well anything Connie has ever spread about has been somewhat truthful. I don’t think any of them were untrue. I guess it’s more gossip than rumours. I ran away to get married once. Never got married. For some reason people still think I’m engaged to the man.

Question 6: Do you have any nicknames? If so which is your favourite and which ones do you hate?

Let’s see, Freckles and Pigtails. Both nicknames I absolutely hate. I’ve never understood why anyone would nickname you based on what you look like. I used to wish people would nickname me something like Speedy or Lightning. I think I’ve outgrown nicknames at this point.

Question 7: What are 3 things that you would never do?

Elope (again). Eat bugs. Drink tea without milk and sugar.

Question 8: What’s been on your mind lately?

I’ve been living with a man who hates me, putting up with my cousin’s nonsense and still have yet to tell my parents I’m back in town. I need to get my own place.

Question 9: What is your favourite season and why?

Winter. It’s so much fun! The snow, the festivities, the hot chocolate! It makes me feel like a little kid again.

Question 10: What do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered as someone who made a positive impact in others lives. Even if it was something small. I’d just hope someone remembered me fondly…although I could care less about how that man remembers me. He’s stubborn. He’ll do as he wishes. He can stay miserable for all I care.

Although, if by some miracle I manage even a smile from him I think I’ll have done my job.

OC-tober Prompts for Blogging and Drawing!

| Ardin Patterson

For the month of October I wanted to start introducing my character’s. So on my instagram since it’s #drawtober I’ve decided that for 31 days I’ll be drawing my characters using a variety of prompts. Yesterday’s drawing wasn’t one that I really thought through. I ended up drawing something completely different that I’d initially planned, however going forward I’ll be sticking to my schedule.

I’ll also be doing a blog prompt OC-tober as well! You’re welcome to participate. I’d love to check your your posts, so be sure to leave links to them in the comments for me!

I’m very excited about this and I’m looking forward to taking a bit of time each day to do something creative.

Anyway, here are my prompts! The first list is for drawing and the second is for blogging (or vlogging, whichever your prefer).

OC-Tober

  1. Your OC

2. With a pumpkins

3. On their day off

4. Reading a book

5. With their best friend/squad

6. Eating their favourite food

7. With their family

8. As a toddler

9. Saying their catchphrase

10. Enjoying their favourite drink

11. In Love

12. As a villain

13. In mourning

14. Playing an instrument

15. In their happy place

16. As a student

17. Getting ready for bed

18. With their least favourite person

19. Scared

20. Being mischievous

21. Trying something new

22. At a Fall formal

23. Lost in the woods

24. With a black cat

25. Meeting a ghost

26. Singing their favourite song

27. As your favourite TV/movie character

28. Doing something crazy

29. In their favourite outfit

30. In a fun costume

31. At a party

As for my blog posts. I’ve decided to use some different prompts.

Blog-tober

  1. Novel Inspo board.
  2. Create character interview questions
  3. Character Mood Playlist: Chill Vibes
  4. Character Outfit Board: Fall
  5. Interview a character
  6. Write a poem about your character
  7. Describe one of your favourite moments in the book
  8. Which authors inspire you?
  9. Write a song about your character
  10. Interview another character
  11. What is your writing process like?
  12. Character Mood Playlist: Sad Vibes/What is your character thankful for?
  13. Character Outfit Board: Formal
  14. What is your favourite scene in the book?
  15. What are your top 5 quotes from your book?
  16. Interview another character
  17. Describe an average day in the life of your character
  18. Character Menu: If your character had a restaurant what would they serve?
  19. Do the 16 personalities quiz as one of your characters. Tell us the results!
  20. Character Mood Playlist: Romantic Vibes
  21. What was your character like as a child (if they’re a child what will they be like as an adult?)
  22. Who is the biggest influence in your character’s life and why?
  23. Character Outfit Board: Date night
  24. Write a brief scene between your character and someone they admire.
  25. Write a brief scene between your character and someone who hurt them.
  26. Interview another character.
  27. Character Mood Playlist: Angry Vibes.
  28. Character Bedroom Board (show us how your character would decorate their personal space).
  29. Character Bookshelf (show us what types of books your character might enjoy reading).
  30. Come up with a tagline for your book (if you don’t already have one).
  31. Create a Chapter Playlist and describe what your character might be doing today!

One Chapter Left Until The End

| Ardin Patterson

I officially have one chapter left to edit…it’s making me a little sad actually. I don’t know what I’m going to do after this, besides reading and work and watching superheroes beat up bad guys. Seriously though, every time I finish a piece of writing and I mean finish, finish…I just don’t know what to do with myself. I feel displaced.

I’m glad this book is apart of a series because at least I’ll have something to look forward to in the near future…but I also don’t like goodbyes. I’ve spent seven years working on this book. Writing, editing, playing around with voice and character’s and world building and…now it’s like, “Wow…this is the end.”

I’m going to be doing a full read through of the novel before I send it off to my publisher again but after that it’s just…like…wow.

I think it will also be strange because it’s becoming more and more clear to me that other people are going to know who these character’s are. I’ve kept them to myself for so long. Ah…

Well, back to work. I promised I’d take a break at 1:30 and I still have a ways to go before then.

Currently listening to:

Editing Update

| Ardin Patterson

I sent my scene to my editor. I ended up reading it over a few more times just to make sure it fit. Hopefully it works as a replacement…otherwise, that’s okay. I’m fine either way.

My goal for the rest of the day is to keep editing Chapter 22. I’ve made a lot of progress and I still have a lot to do on my reference journal but so far so good.

I’ve also been reading a lot this week and adding books to my wishlist. I think reading is actually helping me with my editing as well. The things that I see in the passages I read, really hammer in what my editor has been pointing out. I understand where my strengths are and where I need to improve.

Well, back to editing!

Oh! Since this is a short post, I’ll share a song.

I took this one from my character D’s playlist. I’m also a big fan of this album by Alizée. It’s fantastic!

Book Talk Episode 14: Nearing the Halfway Point

| Ardin Patterson

I’m on page 103 now in my edits. Obviously there’s much to do after I finish going through my editors notes, and corrections. This is only the first step of this revision process.

Since we are in our deep dive edits, which is now the 3rd revision, we’re really focusing on the content and making sure that everything flows properly.

My editor has a sharp eye, and has made so many wonderful suggestions.

There are one or two things that I’m set on keeping. Other than that, I haven’t had any issues with changing dialogue or building certain scenes.

I can’t believe I read this fast though. I kind of forgot how quickly I could go through text…luckily I’ve been going back to previous changes and double checking them. I’ll do a full read through after I finish as well, just to make sure I didn’t miss anything in regards to her notes.

I’ll have to take a break from editing to do some painting today. Luckily the area I’m painting is small, so I’ll be able to edit again while it’s drying. It will be nice to move around a little as well. My work area has gotten extremely hot…I have my fan going constantly, but it hasn’t been much help.