A bunch of bloggers around the internet are doing end of the year wrap up posts and surveys, and I'm just going to jump right along with the bandwagon.
I'm going to split this up into five sections:
1. WRITING.
2. BLOGGING.
3. READING.
4. LIFE.
5. SURVEY.
*pumps fist* LET'S DO THIS THING.
-
WRITING.
Writing was crazy this year. It was the first full year I became serious about writing and spent every spare moment typing furiously or marking up my manuscript with a red pen. It was also the first year I started editing. (And learned that I despised it with all my soul.)
I wrote two first drafts, one second draft, two third drafts, and started on a fourth draft.
I participated in both Camp NaNoWriMos (in which I wrote 50,000 words in two weeks) and NaNoWriMo. (in which I wrote 105,000 words in one month) They were both incredibly hectic and filled with messes of jumbled words, but at least they're words!
And with all the excess amounts of writing, I learned that I still really love it despite all the work it takes. 2016 will be a even bigger writing year, and I'm ready for it.
TOTAL WORDS WRITTEN IN 2015: 240,000.
Isn't that a cool number? ^
-
BLOGGING.
I'm not going to lie -- blogging was tough at times this year. I forgot about it. I posted inconsistently. I didn't really have a schedule until the last few months. But, I stuck with it. And despite the fact that it was hard at times, blogging is seriously so much fun. I got to meet lots of new people -- including my wonderful critique partner!
My most popular post this year was my post on "Why I'm Now Crazy Insane About Going to Writer's Conferences." Next popular was "Behind The Scenes Writing Tag." (<< Go read and find out allllll my writing secrets. Mwaha.)
The third most viewed post was "How You Can Help Your Beta Readers."
I also follow a bazillion blogs, and my absolute favorites are... To the Barricade, Nadine Brandes, Go Teen Writer's, Musings of an Elf, Gossiping with Dragons, The Everstorm Comes, and Words in my Soul.
I also follow a bazillion blogs, and my absolute favorites are... To the Barricade, Nadine Brandes, Go Teen Writer's, Musings of an Elf, Gossiping with Dragons, The Everstorm Comes, and Words in my Soul.
It's crazy to look at my blog now with almost 30,000 pageviews and 150 followers when I started off with 3k pageviews and 30 followers. So to all who have joined me this past year.... THANK YOU! Your sweet comments and emails make my day every time. :)
-
READING.
(Go friend me on Goodreads if you haven't already!
We'll have wonderful bookish discussions. ;)
Look at that! Eighty books. EIGHTY! I'm really rather proud of this accomplishment, sorry.
Books Read: 80.
Pages Read: Roughly 30,000.
Most Books Read In A Month: 14.
I also read five books in two days, sooo there's that. xD
FAVORITE BOOKS:
Books Read: 80.
Pages Read: Roughly 30,000.
Most Books Read In A Month: 14.
I also read five books in two days, sooo there's that. xD
FAVORITE BOOKS:
Yeah, I know I chose eighteen books for my favorites. And that's not even including all the favorites. I only did the first books of some series because I couldn't possibly fit all the books into one picture. :P So really I have about thirty favorite books.
(And one of my favorites (maybe even my favorite) is a book I beta read which had much steampunk awesomeness and tears and feels. But it's not published that so I can't really add it to the list above. :P)
(I got all giddy picking out my favorite books because I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! I'll try to refrain from shoving them in your faces... virtually... or something... :P)
-
LIFE.
IN 2015 I...
- Basically listened to Twenty One Pilots 24/7.
- Went to my first writing conference.
- Started watching LOST.
- Saw some amazing movieeees.
- my favorites:
- Mockingjay Part Two; Interstellar; Big Hero 6; Inside Out; The Book Thief; Bridge to Terabithia.
I'm not going to comment on the fact that all of these made me cry. - Got my permit.
- ATE LOTS OF PIZZA! :D
- Discovered a new love of hot cocoa. Mmmm.
- Was in a homeschool Shakespeare play.
- Had fun times with my AMAZING youth group.
- Went on a wonderful vacation with my family. :)
- Tweeted lots and lots on Twitter.
- Got to know some amazing friends through the online writing world. (Aimee, Kristana, Nadine, Sierra, Hannah, and Rosalie, I'm looking at youuu! <3)
-
SURVEY.
SURVEY.
Surveys are a WHOLE lot harder than you think to put together, people. But here it is, and it would be SO helpful to hear your answers!
But only answer honestly, please. If you hate my colorful sidebar, say that. If you love writing posts but not the monthly highlights, please mention it! Thank you so much, my lovely readers. <3
Here's the link if the embedded survey doesn't work: https://katiegrace.typeform.com/to/ak3GKJ
Powered by Typeform
Once again...
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS AN INCREDIBLE 2015! <3
- Katie Grace
Have you read any of the books on my list?
What were your favorite movies of 2015?
AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)
Have you read any of the books on my list?
What were your favorite movies of 2015?
AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)
I only read five books this year, a far cry from the goal.There is always next year though. Cinder is at the top of my list. Wow that is a lot of words, good for you!
ReplyDeleteAwww. Hopefully the books that you DID read were really good?
DeleteWhat's your goal for next year?
Well done with your writing! And reading! Happy new year :)
ReplyDeleteThank you and thank you! :D Happy new year to you too, Opal. <3
DeleteWow, good on you with all that writing! I noticed one of your favourite books was by Andrew Peterson - I've been enjoying his music lately. Have you checked it out?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, happy 2016 to you too! All the best with everything you've got planned for the new year. :) And keep up the fabulous work with blogging - seriously, we should be the ones thanking you. :)
Thank you, Jessica! <3
DeleteOoh, yes! I don't listen to his music too often since it's not as much my type, but I do listen to it especially when I'm in a mellow mood and want something soft to listen to. Isn't the name of his newest album amazing? I want to write a book with that title. xD
You are too sweet. <3 Thank you so much for being such an awesome person! :D
Wow. Sounds like you've had a really awesome year- glad to hear it!
ReplyDeleteIt was awesome, and I'm so glad we could talk through comments and your blog! Bookish and writing discussions are always fun. :D
DeleteThe entire Lunar Chronicles was just beyond amazing... and I've read the Go Teen Writers book and The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet, but about two years ago. :) (They're both awesome.) also: I really really really want to read Illuminae! EEP it looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteLUNAR CHRONICLES! They really need to be made into movies. Right now. I would pay so much money for that. xD
DeleteI have 200 pages left in Winter... I'M SO NERVOUS! Things are going anything but right for all the characters and my poor soul is shaking with nerves. :P
Ohmygosh Illuminae is just a literary masterpiece. It's huge, but eeep! There was this one part where I had to put the book down and started (internally) screaming. The plot twist... *ack* You'll have to post a review on your blog if you do read it or must tell me how you like it. :D
Okay, wow. That is a crazy amount of writing! Way to go!! I read The False Prince and The Forgotten sisters this year as well! Though The False Prince was a re-read. =)
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!
-Mikayla-
Ahh. Did you read the other books that come after The False Prince?
DeleteWhat did you think of The Forgotten sisters? Princess Academy will ALWAYS be one of my favorite, but I just didn't enjoy the others as much -- especially the second one. *shrug*
Happy new year, Mikayla! Thanks for all your encouraging messages and comments. <3
Yes. I re-read all three of them last week. The first time I read The Shadow Throne I didn't like it at all, but this time I really liked it. What did you think?
DeleteI really enjoyed it. I think I pretty much liked them all equally.
-Mikayla-
I actually only read the first one... *hides* :P I couldn't get into the second and didn't even try the third. Which is sad because soooo many people loved them! But it just didn't click with me.
DeleteThats okay, you can just enjoy the first one. ;D Did you hear that their thinking of making The False Prince into a movie?
DeleteWow so basically you did a loooot of editing this year. x.x That sounds exhausting. Also, speaking of editing, sort of... when are you going to be asking for beta readers? Because I want to read your booook.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to go to that writer's conference SO BADLY. Realm Makers was hosted only a couple hours from where I live but I couldn't attend. x.x And next year it'll be too far away.
I SAW MOCKINGJAY PART 2. FINNICK'S DEATH SCENE BROUGHT ON THE TEARS AND THEN I BASICALLY CRIED THROUGH THE REST OF THE MOVIE. OH MY GOODNESS. I mean, I knew all of that was going to happen, BUT IT HURT.
Also, words honestly cannot express how touched I am that my blog was listed up there. Seriously. Thank you!
I hope you have a great new year, Katie! ^_^
Yes. Editing. *collapses and groans* I don't even want to talk about how I'll need to do even MORE editing this coming year. xD
DeleteBeta readers. Heh. I'm HOPING late February/early March. That's the plan at least. :P *bites nails*
YOU FINALLY DID?! YES. OH MY GOODNESS. FINNICK. UGH. NO. OH MY GOODNESS. JUST. ACK. AND THE CAT SCENE. *tries to type in letters bigger than caps but fails* THE CAT SCENEEE! That part killed me. That's where I sobbed. Oh, my. Help. :P
Of course it's up there! The posts you've posted over the last month are so awesome and done in such an engaging way that there's no way I want to skip over them. So I'll keep mentioning your blog until people follow it. xD
I hope you do too, Anna! Filled with crying over Captain America Civil War... ;)
I have to start my third draft edits today... Here's to surviving this year of editing. *raises hot chocolate mug*
DeleteWell know that I will read it to death. Happily. I BET IT'S REALLY GOOD. Just saying.
YES I DID. THE CAT SCENE KILLED ME TOO. THAT PART... I WAS NOT OKAY. However, I am really happy with how the whole movie turned out. They did good. Especially by making Prim's death over-dramatic like I expected. *sniff*
Awh thanks! Seriously. I mean that. o.o
Well, of course.
Heyyy, I'm starting my next draft today, too! Draft four.. o.o Yeesh.
DeleteI HOPE IT'S GOOD! I'm trying my best at least. xD
It's one of my favorite movies ever. I really, really liked it. I'm so happy that I got to see it in the theater. ^.^
Katie! It sounds like you had a blast this year! I haven't been able to keep up with your blog as much as I would've liked in the past couple months, but hopefully I can get better at that this coming year. AND SO MUCH SANDERSON. MWAHAHAHAHA. (Even thought I've read only two books by him, I can say with certainty that he's amazing.) And my favorite movie was definitely The Force Awakens. So much epicness. *dies*
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, here's to an awesome 2016! *cheers*
Victoria! I, erm, haven't been able to keep up with your blog as great, either. I read every post, but I'm horrible at commenting. :P I'll get better at it this coming next year. xD
DeleteSANDERSONNN! Okay, but you need to read The Reckoners Trilogy and The Rithmatist. The Reckoners Trilogy practically killed me. And there's a plot twist that's just... Ack. Go read them. xD
Ooh, the Force Awakens WAS good. But I don't know that it was my favorite. I'm looking forward to the later Star Wars movies in hope that they have more of an original plot.
*cheers with you* Happy New Year!
Awwwww, I made it on there twice. *warm fuzzy feelings* (But please do not remind me of steampunk feels. I try to pretend that never happened.)
ReplyDeleteAh I'm so glad you exist, my darling Katie child, and I hope you have a wonderful 2016 and i hope that Josh and Tyler call you tomorrow and I hope that I get to read one of your books and I hope you like my book. ^_^
*takes deep breath after long sentence*
Um of course you made it on there twice.
Delete(... Yeah. Meh. *looks over at Aimee* *raises fist* *rages*)
Ahhh I'm so glad you exist, Krissy mother dear. You are quite awesome and someday we need to meeeeet. <3
I KIND OF HOPE SO TOO BUT ALSO THAT WOULD BE TERRIFYING. o.o
Ahhh of COURSE I'll like your book. Mine... Erm... Ha. xD It makes me nervous. :P
You did so many writerly things this year! YOU GO, GIRL! *fistpump* Most of my year involved writing, too. It is so much work, but so worth it!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I'm on your list of favorite blogs. YOU ARE SO SWEET. You're one of my favorites as well. I'm so glad I discovered you this year. You're totally the best! <3
Oooh, that is a gorgeous list of books. I've read quite a few of those myself. So good!
It looks like you had a great year. (PIZZA! :D) I hope 2016 is even more amazing. Happy New Year! <333
Thank you! :D You did amazing writerly feats, too. :D I REALLY WANT TO READ YOUR BOOK, OKAY?
DeleteEeep! Of course you are. <3 I looove your blog, especially after the snippets you shared that one time. They made me so happy. :D
(YES, PIZZA!) Happy new year! <3
i've read a few of these books. But spent way more time this year obsessing over Harry Potter. I finally finished the whole series(finished Deathly Hallows two days before Christmas). I hope to actually read more next year, i've never actually tried to keep track of how many i have read. I read four or five at the same time so it would be really confusing, not to mention that sometimes i reread a part of a book, but not a whole book(like ones that i've already read, and it was just a part that i really liked). I feel so guilty about doing it, but I guess it works out fine.
ReplyDeleteWell, Harry Potter is a good thing to obsess over. ;) I just watched the movies for the first time a couple years ago and they were epic. I'll have to reread the books pretty soon again here. :D
DeleteOne way to keep track of the books you read super easily is with Goodreads. I use it allll the time and it is very fantastic. I'd love to add you as a friend on there!
that does sound like a good way. I'll have to get an account
DeleteI did your survey. I must admit, it was the most fun one I've ever done. ;) :D
ReplyDeleteAww, you're too sweet. Thank you for your input! :D
Delete*all the hugs and pizza* Katieeee I'm so glad I got to know you this year. xD It's been a fun year of talking and word-warring and giving you all the feels and TOP and all that good stuff. *nodnod*
ReplyDeleteAimeeee it has been more than fantastic getting to know youuu. *hugs and pizza* Next year (this year?) will be just as fabulous but with Harvard feels (I hope) this year. xD
DeleteTwo first drafts, one second draft, two third drafts, started on a fourth draft, and 240,000 words?!?! You are wonderfully crazy, Katie :D.
ReplyDeleteEighty books?! FIVE IN TWO DAYS?! Good grief, how did you manage that? :D
Ooo, I saw some books on your favorites list that I read this year, too!
I am still SO jealous that you got to go to a writer's conference. I MUSTS go to a writer's conference at some point in my life.
You got your permit? How cool! Can't wait until I get mine :).
It's neat that you saw Big Hero 6 this year, my sibling and I watched it too. And we loved it :). I watched so many incredible movies this year it would be hard to pick a favorite, so I'm cheating. My favorite movieS that I saw this year were the Hobbit movies :D.
~Savannah Perran
I don't know. o.o It was on a weekend that I didn't have anything going on so why not? xD
DeleteYES! It would be quite awesome to meet up at a writer's conference. :D
I did! I think I got it in... July? End of July? Somewhere around there. I can't completely remember. :P When are you getting your permit?
Big Hero 6 is quite possibly the best animated movie EVER. It's funny, it's sad, the characters are amazing, the animation itself is amazing, and eeep. :D
Ooh, the Hobbit movies were well done. I'm slightly upset that they didn't follow the books very closely (at all...), but if I can ignore that they were good movies on their own.
I loved A Time to Speak! Anyway, I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteYay! So glad you liked it. :D
DeleteAww, thank you much, Rachael! <3 I love that you love it. ;)
HELLO NEW FRIEND
ReplyDeleteIM OBSESSED WITH TWENTY ONE PILOTS OHMYGOSH
TOP
YES
YOU ARE RAD
KEEP BEING RAD!
I hope we get to know each other because YES. yes.
also congrats on winning NaNoWriMo! you crushed it. I participated but didnt nearly do as well as you did. lol.
happy new year!
princessfaithm.blogspot.com
HELLO NEW FRIEND.
DeleteTWENTY ONE PILOTS OH DEAR GOODNESS I COULD TALK ABOUT THEM FOR DAYS AND THE LYRICS AND THE SONGS AND THE MEANING BEHIND EVERYTHING. *flails* DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE SONG? OR SEVERAL FAVORITE SONGS?
*cough* Ahem. I got really excited there. :P
Eeep, thank you! It was a crazy month and it's still just a blur in my mind. o.o
I totally get that. Life gets in the way and sometimes writing has to take the backseat. But you wrote something, and that's awesome.
Happy New Year, Faith! I hope we can get to know each other throughout this next year. :D
Oooh! I also started getting serious with my writing in 2015! I wrote three novella first drafts and two novel first drafts (a total of 200,000 words-ish).
ReplyDeleteAlso, eighty books. Wow-do you think you can get to a hundred this 2016? I made it to forty books this year.
I see Illuminae and I'm dying. I don't have it.... YET!
Whoah, that's AMAZING. o.o I'm seriously impressed.
DeleteI just made a Goodreads goal for 100 books. I'm half excited and mostly terrified. We'll see how it goes with writing, editing, blogging, school, and life shoved in there. :P
YOU MUST READ ILLUMINAE. IT IS SO AMAZING.
Twenty one pilots!!!
ReplyDeleteEeeep! It makes me so happy when other people share my love for my favorite band EVER. :D
DeleteEep! I'm so honoured to be on your list of favourite blogs for the year. It's been amazing getting to know you and reading your awesome blog this year. Seriously, it's an honour knowing you. Also, Cinder! That book is so amazing, isn't it? I just finished binge reading all of the Lunar Chronicles actually (except Winter because this poor bookworm can't get her hands on it yet Waaah!). They're soooo good! It sounds like you had an awesome 2015. I hope 2016 is an even better year for you!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had an awesome year! It was great meeting you in person! :D Mockingjay Part 2 was so good. I sobbed just sobbed. XD
ReplyDeletestoritorigrace.blogspot.com
It was totally awesome meeting you! :D
DeleteOh goodness I've seen it twice now and sobbed both times. xD Those scenes will always make me sob. :P