Vignette, Part III.

Friends. Neighbors. People of the world wide web. Let me tell you that I AM SO BEHIND! With blogging, with laundry, with writing, and basically with life. But you know what? I'm not even bothered by it. Because instead of checking things off my list at warp speed, I have literally spent 90% of my time outside playing baseball with Boston. Or feeding the ducks with Camden. Or walking around the park with Jord, just talking about life.

And you know what? It's been pretty stinking wonderful.

I apologize for the lack of posts lately, but actually, life is pretty great right now. So I hope you'll forgive me. Because summertime is here! And I just can't help but soak it in.

But in the mean time, I have exciting news!! The third edition of "Vignette," the art and poetry collaboration that I've been working on with the talented Lauren, is up and running on monologging.org! Lauren's art is so gorgeous, and it never fails to directly inspire my poetry. I seriously feel so lucky to collaborate with such a talented artist.

We are still working towards a book, with hopes of releasing it by the end of the year. Which, hello. A BOOK! I still can't even contain my excitement about that one. So be on the lookout for more info about that in the future, but in the meantime, go check out the latest edition of "Vignette", over on monologging.org!

"Begonia", by Lauren Elyse

**Also, don't forget to enter the Paisley Lane Design giveaway! It ends Friday, so head over to THIS POST really quick, and leave a comment!**

Published, part II.

Friends!

Some great news for an otherwise average Wednesday!

Remember back here where I told you about the awesome collaboration that Lauren and I did for monologging.org? Well, we have been working hard to crank out some more awesome stuff, and the second part of our Vignette project is now up!!

You guys, I can't tell you how awesome this project has been for me so far. Lauren and I are working towards putting a book out, and I seriously can't wait. She is an INSANELY talented artist, and I feel so fortunate to be working with her. (Check out more of her stuff, here!) And Jeffrey Barken, the brains behind this operation and founder of monologging.org, has been SO awesome to work with too, and so helpful in moving this all along.

I can't even say how fun this has been for me. I feel like I have grown so much as a writer, even in this short time on the project. Seriously, though. What a great experience!

So if you have a second, go check out Vignette II, and let me know what you think!

Sank you sank you. Youda best.

"Carnation", by Lauren Elyse

writer's block-aaaaage.

So, I'm stuck.

You probably figured by the title of this post. But you know. Just thought I would hit you again with it. Guuuuuuyys. Does anybody out there have tips of cracking through writer's block? I'm really pushing to get a bunch of writing done, and I am hitting like a million brick walls everywhere I turn. Please tell me you know the feeling.

I kind of took it as a sign the other day when my computer started spontaneously combusting. I'm not even kidding a little bit. I was sitting there, feeling great about writing and animals and life, (I lied about the animals part. I just never want a pet. Is that so bad?)...when suddenly my computer literally started smoking. Like smoke was pouring out of the keys, the screen was blinking black and white, the whole bit.

Apparently the universe is against me. Or at least it wants me to suck at writing, is what I got from the whole ordeal.

But and so.

Someone once told me (probably a writing teacher? Thank you Mr. Spell!) that if you ever hit a point where you feel stuck, you should do a free-write to get the juices flowing again. You know, no pressure, no expectations, but just let your fingers fly on the keyboard and let whatever happens, happen.

So I'm doing that. Right now. Buckle up, kids, this could get cray-cray. (a new favorite hipster word I learned on instagram. Oh instagram, you old devil.)

LETS FREE WRITE UP IN HERE:

-I just ate onions and now my hair and hands and actually, whole house smells like a huge onion bomb. Onions are the best, and the worst.

-Why do they have to put so many raisins in rasin bran? I ate a bowl this morning and had about a zillion raisins in my bowl in the end. I mean, raisins are fine. Don't get me wrong. But I think I might be turning into an old person because now I apparently prefer the bran to the raisin? I seems so rash writing it out like this, but I guess it's who I am now.

-I didn't know I had such strong opionions on raisin bran until I just wrote that.

-I want to move to the beach. (THIS WEATHER IS KILLING ME SLOWLY)

-I'm in a love-hate relationship with poetry right now. I love it, but I hate it, too. That didn't really clarify, I know. But it's just how it is right now.

-How did we live before netflix?

-We have approximately thirty-thousand baby toys all over our living room floor right now, and half of them are kitchen utensils. Camden prefers a spatula to a light-up, singing piano. What the? Babies are the weirdest.

-I feel like the biggest rebel when I leave dishes in the sink overnight. It was always a huge deal growing up to clean up dinner immediately, do all of the dishes, put them away, and then get on with life. And then suddenly, I am the grown-up. And I'd rather eat marshmallows and watch the Biggest Loser with Jord (I know, I know. I see the irony too. So sue me.) (I hate when people say "so sue me."). So boom. There's that.

-Speaking of Biggest Loser. DID ANYONE CRY DURING MAKEOVER WEEK?? I had legitimate tears. This is my first time watching a season of the Biggest Loser. Why did no one warn me about the emotions??? Oh, and don't even get me started on Parenthood. I am way too invested in the Braverman family right now. I can't even.

-I could really go for a frosty right now. Too bad I'm trying to be healthy.


Welp, I'm pretty sure that free-write got me nowhere. But as my little sister once wisely stated,

"YOLO."

Peace and blessin's!

Writing, ramblings, and some stuff in the works!

So, December.

It's almost over, and I can't even remember most of the month. How did this happen?? From the 15th on, it's all kind of a wrapping paper- sugar cookie- Santa sighting- three hour wal mart line- jingle bell singing blur. But a good blur! A super fun, family-filled, sugary, good blur.

And so, people of the internet, I have so much catching up to do. Hopefully before the new year hits! Bah. Don't hate.

But for now. Some exciting news!!

Right after I graduated in April, I found out that a piece I submitted to BYU-Idaho's art and literary journal was accepted for publication. I was thrilled! I just received a hard copy of the journal in the mail, and it was like Christmas! (actually, it was. Like, Christmas Eve, to be more specific.)

^^My poem, "It's Life"^^

It is so fulfilling to see my words in something other than my ripped up spiral notebook. And to know that my stuff is getting out there. It makes me want to bust a move to Ke$ha all night, you guys. I mean that's how happy I am about it.

And on that same vein! (The writing one...not the Ke$ha one.) Remember the art/ poetry collaboration I told you about, back here? Well, the project is still in action! We are continuing to work together and are so excited about our newest venture...A BOOK.

Guys, a book! Like a book that you buy and hold in your hands and look at and flip through. I can't WAIT! Lauren is an extremely talented artist, and I am so honored to be working alongside her for this awesome venture.

Jeffrey Barken, the editor who is behind this exciting collaborative effort, has been a huge inspiration with his recently published book, This Year in Jerusalem. I have a copy of my own, and I suggest you get one too. It's a series of short stories that will completely suck you in, and make you want to get on the next flight to Israel. (As if I needed something else to propel my desire to travel. Ha!)

And so. Hopefully I'll get cracking on some updated blog posts. And get caught up with laundry. And cleaning. And writing. And life. 

But in the mean time! You should read This Year in Jerusalem. (Find it here!)

And I will post more updations (?) (I don't even.) on the progress of my writing, hopefully soon!! 

Peace and blessin's.