So, I got a job

Yes, it happened.

I, a college graduate (with a creative writing degree) got a job that actually utilizes my degree. So yeah, I'm kind of a unicorn. I get to work with fashion, designers and editors. I get to be creative in my writing and I feel like I know what I'm doing.

In this job I've been writing a book on the side and working with a designer to make the cover. I have loved that experience so much that I've begun asking fellow writers and friends if they want to publish anything. So far I have a friend who wants me to put together her poems into a book. I can't wait! So the dream job has now become clear: books and publishing. And editing them. You know what, pretty much the whole process of getting a book from someone's head to your hands.

Shameless plug, if you have a novel idea or one in progress or hell, one done, I can help you get it printed. Basically I can design the interior (trust me, cover art is NOT a talent I possess) and put the novel together and off to the printer for you. And of course help with the writing of it, should you want that. But anyway. Dreams over. You may not read this blog just to know about some random girl's life. You probably come here for the other stuff. (jk, I'm just pretending to have a big audience because it helps me sleep at night.)

More posts coming soon, because I'm trying to be adultier. In my own way, thought.

3 unavoidable things that happen in Arkansas summers

It's Arkansas. It's summer.

That combination usually doesn't mean anything even close to comfortable, and this year isn't an exception. The crazy heat didn't start until later this summer, so that was nice, but now it's hitting with all its force. And if you've never experienced a southern, humid summer, come on down and suffer with us!

I honestly don't know how people survived before air conditioning. I really don't. Every time you open a door to the outside world the heat just meets you all at once, from your head to your ankles. Immediately the sun starts to melt you, and it really feels that way because within minutes your face is dripping and you can feel the delicate epidermis start to crisp up. It's like subjecting yourself to the open oven but not using common sense and backing off. I've lived in Arkansas my entire life, and there a few things that happen every summer in Arkansas that are just unavoidable.

1. Yard work=impossible

Unless you do it superearly or superlate. Even if you do that it's still hot and uncomfortable. Yesterday, I had to move about 800+ pounds of mulch and rocks from the front yard to the back so the lawn could be mowed. I was told this around 1:00, and it needed to be done by 3:00. With the cruddy, rocky wheelbarrow I could haul maybe two loads of rocks or a load or two of mulch before I felt close to collapsing and had to rush inside to press my burning body onto the cold tile. Seriously, I was working in like, four minute spurts. There was a heat warning yesterday, but it had to be done. I finished it, but it literally took almost two hours because I had to take constant long breaks to keep from overheating.

That's not water. 

Then the guy that mows our lawn didn't show up until 8:00 p.m. I felt pretty stupid then.

2. Clothing is scarce

I don't mean it's hard to find. There's just very little of it because you'd die wearing something modest. Or at least want to die. Forget those long pants and cute jackets and stylish light scarves and say hello to bathing suits, ponytail holders, shorts, and crop tops. I work in an office setting right now, which means shorts aren't really on the menu. But I don't have to spend more than two minutes outside at a time while wearing it. If someone does venture outside (or God forbid spend the whole day outside), it's the time for crazy short shorts. And usually you'd feel self-conscious, but it's so hot you really do not care how bad your stretch marks look. Or is that just me?

See? People stop caring because it's too damn hot.

When I have to go somewhere I pick what's cool, not what looks good. If I cared how I looked in the summer I would pass out after a few minutes in the sunlight. So whip out the short shorts and tank tops and bathing suits. It's too hot for modesty. 

3. Leaving anyone or anything in car pretty much ruins it

So the other day I was with my dad in his car, and we needed to fill up the tank. In the backseat, my two year old brother sat, adorable as could be. That sweet, sweet AC is cranked and we pull into the gas station, and the car turns off. Now it's about six o'clock at night right about now. Dad get outs and fills up the car, leaving me and the brother trapped inside the preheating oven that is a black-interior car.

Immediately the heat is back, no longer kept at bay by the cool air of the fans. And it's back with a vengeance. I'm pretty sure we baked in that car for those six minutes. Sweat was dripping down my cheeks. My cheeks. I felt like a was half liquid when the car finally started again and the AC came back on, fighting off the heat.

I used to have this old classic black iPod with 30GB. I had tons of music on it and one day I made a mistake. I left it in my car. For a day. The next day I get back in the car and there are cracks on the iPod, like the sun dried it out and made it shrink back in pain. It wouldn't turn on and it just died of heat stroke. I've also got some nice water bottles warped by the heat that are now unusable since they were left in the oven that is my car. So while you get out the kids, grab your valuables. They won't be if you leave them in a car that stays outside. Trust me. :( 

Stay cool. Don't go outside, ever. That's my advice for making it comfortably through an Arkansas summer. 

A new Series!

In case you aren't informed, I will help you. Netflix is going to be turning Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" into a show.

Take a deep breath. This is real.

Just yesterday, a video was posted on YouTube by user Eleanora Poe claiming to be the teaser trailer for the upcoming series. Watch it below and feel your nerves fire up in anticipation.

FYI, the song is Dresdon Dolls' "Missed Me."

This is obviously a well made and expensive trailer. But get this - Netflix denies any involvement with it. Apparently, this trailer is fan made.

I believe that about as much as I believe my body is made from Play-Doh.

If you know anything about the book series, it's that Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) is a sneaky man who likes to make his characters real as possible. Daniel didn't write the books, Lemony did. So what I believe is that Netflix is denying this trailer in a rather brilliant marketing stunt. And damn if it isn't working. I've seen this trailer more than fifteen times by now.

Your move, Netflix.

Things are happening, folks

I have quite a bit of news for you, readers. I shall put it into bullet points for the curious and small-attention spanned readers.

• I am an intern at a local publishing group.
• I absolutely love it here.
• I wrote a full novel and have printed it.
• Like, in book form. 
• I'm saving up and taking donations in order to pay for an artist to do the cover art for me.

And here's the more detailed version!

I started interning May 26th. I was given my own desk, computer and phone and my own special email address. I work for Soirée, a Little Rock magazine, and assist in whatever needs assisting. So far, that's cataloging older issues, editing and writing profiles to be used in the magazine, working with the social media and updating the website. And more little things. It's been great! The downside... well, this isn't a paid internship, like all of the other internships here. Which is perfectly fine, I love working here and getting experience! It's just that I can't do it forever. Lately I've been more vocal about employment here. Not pushy, though. Just enough, I hope, to land a dream job.

This year I've written a young adult novel and lately finished it. I just need to do a bit of editing here and there. But it's done, and that's what's important. I used the brilliant site Blurb.com to format and create the book and have it professionally printed, so now I have a copy of my book! It's pretty exciting, tbh. 

The printed book. I designed this cover and you're right, it is terrible.

I am not a designer. That's just not a skill I am advanced in. And in the world of book publishing, especially young adult, the cover is ridiculously important. Luckily, I have found an amazing designer, Kerry Ellis, via 99designs.com. She has my exact aesthetic in mind. I just need to be able to pay her. It'll only be $400! For the full rights to a beautiful cover! And with a professional cover comes the selling. As a self-published author (so far) I can print it in my own time, on my time, but also on my dollar. I'm hoping to get it circulating to some capacity on social media, and I definitely have interest from friends and family. I just need to broaden the audience. 

After the new edition is printed up I am going to be taking it to the local libraries and donating copies for checkout. I'll check all stores that sell books and try to get them to carry my book. It's definitely an exciting time, even if I'm just waiting for the funds to get it done. 

Among other things, this is my life right now. Career and dream focused! I'll keep you posted. 

Be part of the magic!

">

It's Almost All Over

College is, I mean. Not life or anything drastic. College. That thing I started going to about four years ago and have been struggling and succeeding and everything in between. I graduate with a BA in creative writing May 2nd. Crazy, right? Yeah, I know. But it's happening, and I'm getting there. Oh, and did you know I wrote a book? Well, it's a book, and I wrote it, but it's not a novel. Yet.

I have to make a portfolio to graduate, with some stuff from my school year in it. Writings and samples, you know. So I decided, using Blurb, to make it into a book. So I did! I made it a book! I wrote every word and designed the cover and did that contents and everything except print it. It's coming in the mail in a week!

Right Dream, Wrong Time

Have you ever wanted something really, really bad? And have you ever gotten that thing and then had to say no because it's the wrong time? I waited my whole life for this thing. When I saw it was within my reach, I was very conflicted. It was what I always wanted, something I knew would make me happy. But it was the wrong time, the complete wrong time for it. I had to deal with the euphoria of having it so close, but I had to push it away.

It's a tough feeling. Sometimes I go back to the moment when I had it, just to remember what it feels like to have a lifelong dream realized. I remind myself often and tell myself it will happen some other day, when I'm ready. Because no way am I ready for this opportunity now. I couldn't take it. I'm still conflicted about it. I regret some days, but I know it was the right choice. It's a good thing in theory, but giving that dream up for now was the best decision for me.

When I had that dream right in my hand, I felt like I was starting my life. Every second I felt conflict, though, because keeping that dream alive would not be good for me right now. And now that I gave that dream a rain check, I find I am even more impatient to start life and have that dream for real this time. I have dreams pretty often about it. I'm happy in those dreams. I feel like I was given a chance to taste it until it actually happens.