Ah, Valentine's. A time of year that splits society down the middle: do you love it or hate it? Either way, I've compiled below a masterlist of how to enjoy (or at least survive) Valentine's Day!
1. If you're single, go out with other single friends. I've always considered Valentine's to be a day for all sorts of love--appreciate all the other great relationships you have in your life!
2. If you're in a relationship, write a romantic short story. Hopefully, after Valentine's you'll have all sorts of inspiration flowing!
3. If you're single, write a romantic short story. Wallow.
4. If you're single, stay in bed as long as possible. Get yourself yummy food for breakfast and write in your journal or write a story by hand. Start your day creatively.
5. If you're in a relationship, convince your significant other to watch your favorite Jane Austen movie, or read a few passages from your favorite novel together.
6. If you're single, get together with a single writer friend and work with them on your stories while eating something delicious and extravagant. You may not have a significant other, but that doesn't mean you aren't going places in life.
7. If you're in a relationship, buy a lot of candy. Write a story while eating said candy.
8. If you're single, buy a lot of candy. Write a story while eating said candy.
Well, there you have it friends! I tried a little bit to be humorous, but in general, these are some pretty legit suggestions. I'm not a cynic when it comes to Valentine's Day. It really is a day for all sorts of love: romantic love, platonic love, familial love, and self-love! Make the most of the day, whether dating or single!
Much love,
Kekai
Friday, February 12, 2016
Thursday, February 11, 2016
3 Easy, Comfy Winter Writing Looks
Hey everyone! If you know me in real life, you know that not only do I love writing, but I also love fashion. I tend to take pride in my skills, And as a writer who loves fashion, I know the importance of wearing something chic but comfortable when you're writing. Here are three looks that I wear on a regular basis!
For Days When You Have to Go Out: Dress + Earrings + Leggings + Bun
For Days When You're Writing In: Sweatshirt + Jeans + High Ponytail
I was very lucky to find a picture on Brandy Melville that perfectly encompassed the look I'm going for here! Effortless and comfy, the high ponytail makes this whole outfit look more put together than it actually is. The sweatshirt can be found here.
For Days When You're Doing a Bit of Both: T-Shirt + Leather Jacket + Skinny Jeans + Braid
Ah, the power of the leather jacket. It can manage to make even the most basic outfit look presentable! The addition of the braid also makes it look like you tried. This outfit will surely help you give a chic and effortless vibe, and transitions well from a casual day to a more dressy evening (when you let your hair down and add some makeup)!The t-shirt can be found here. The jacket can be found here. It seems the skinny jeans aren't available anymore, but they were from Closet Candy!
I hope you enjoyed these--honestly, these are my go-to outfit combinations! Please tweet me @m_kekai if you try one of these, or comment and tell me which is your favorite!
Comfy writing,
Kekai
For Days When You Have to Go Out: Dress + Earrings + Leggings + Bun
I love wearing dresses because they're (mostly) comfortable and take little effort to put on, but instantly make you look like you put a huge amount of effort into your look! The bun means your 2nd-day hair won't be as noticeable, and a scarf pulls the whole look together.
For Days When You're Writing In: Sweatshirt + Jeans + High Ponytail
I was very lucky to find a picture on Brandy Melville that perfectly encompassed the look I'm going for here! Effortless and comfy, the high ponytail makes this whole outfit look more put together than it actually is. The sweatshirt can be found here.
For Days When You're Doing a Bit of Both: T-Shirt + Leather Jacket + Skinny Jeans + Braid
Ah, the power of the leather jacket. It can manage to make even the most basic outfit look presentable! The addition of the braid also makes it look like you tried. This outfit will surely help you give a chic and effortless vibe, and transitions well from a casual day to a more dressy evening (when you let your hair down and add some makeup)!The t-shirt can be found here. The jacket can be found here. It seems the skinny jeans aren't available anymore, but they were from Closet Candy!
I hope you enjoyed these--honestly, these are my go-to outfit combinations! Please tweet me @m_kekai if you try one of these, or comment and tell me which is your favorite!
Comfy writing,
Kekai
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
The Cast of Sorcera: Part I (+ Their Hogwarts Houses!)
Welcome! I was thinking that this might be a good time to introduce you all to some of my characters from my currently-being-rewritten (on my second draft) novel, Sorcera, which I have previously mentioned in this blog post.
For those of you who may not know, Sorcera is a young adult/urban fantasy novel about a coven of witches named Sorcera (what a surprise!). This coven is made up of 3 young adults living in New York--however, their world is turned upside down when their coven is made "Complete" by a fourth fire witch, and they're thrown into a highly-public battle against another coven, prompted by an archaic prophecy.
As you might expect, I have 4 main characters. If you would like me to tell you about my four antagonists, or any of my other characters, I would be happy to--just let me know!
Character 1: Rebellious Hot (:P) Fire Witch: Adele Esperanza!
First up is Adele, the fire witch who turns the rest of the coven's world upside down by showing up in New York City at the worst possible time. I loved Adele from first write because she manages to have attitude without being a total dick to people. She likes to pretend she's aloof and dangerous, but deep down she's just a sweetheart looking for a girlfriend. Definitely a Gryffindor!
Character 2: Mama Spock: Nicole Kwon!
Next is Nicole--initially seeming cold and rational, Nicole has strong motherly instincts and is incredibly loyal. She loves learning, and the other witches most often find her with her nose in a book. Nicole sometimes has trouble admitting she's wrong, and hates messing up in any way. She is through and through a Ravenclaw.
Character 3: Down-to-Earth Mediator: Malone Vaccaro!
Malone is the moral heart of the group, always working for everyone else's well-being and trying to steer the coven in the right direction. He's definitely a people person, and inherently cares about everyone--however, his trust sometimes leads him in the wrong directions. Obviously, Hufflepuff!
Character 4: Shy Ditzy Air Witch: Bambi Lachapelle!
Bambi is the baby of the group; not only is she the youngest, but she's also incredibly introverted and deals with anxiety. Bambi is scared of her powers, and tends not to use them unless she absolutely has to. She loves video games, TV shows, animals, and generally anything but magic. Despite her shyness, everyone loves Bambi--she has an inherent goodness rarely found in the witch community. Once again, she's a Hufflepuff!
I've been working with these characters for about two years ago, and my love for them grows every time I sit down to write--I feel like they're my family! By far, my favorite part of Sorcera, a character-driven story from the get-go, is writing these four characters and their interactions with each other. How many of you also love writing character interactions?
There's my little post for the day, I hope it entertained you a little bit! Let me know which character seems most interesting to you. Maybe I'll do little focus pieces on each of them in the future!
Kekai
For those of you who may not know, Sorcera is a young adult/urban fantasy novel about a coven of witches named Sorcera (what a surprise!). This coven is made up of 3 young adults living in New York--however, their world is turned upside down when their coven is made "Complete" by a fourth fire witch, and they're thrown into a highly-public battle against another coven, prompted by an archaic prophecy.
As you might expect, I have 4 main characters. If you would like me to tell you about my four antagonists, or any of my other characters, I would be happy to--just let me know!
Character 1: Rebellious Hot (:P) Fire Witch: Adele Esperanza!
First up is Adele, the fire witch who turns the rest of the coven's world upside down by showing up in New York City at the worst possible time. I loved Adele from first write because she manages to have attitude without being a total dick to people. She likes to pretend she's aloof and dangerous, but deep down she's just a sweetheart looking for a girlfriend. Definitely a Gryffindor!
Character 2: Mama Spock: Nicole Kwon!
Next is Nicole--initially seeming cold and rational, Nicole has strong motherly instincts and is incredibly loyal. She loves learning, and the other witches most often find her with her nose in a book. Nicole sometimes has trouble admitting she's wrong, and hates messing up in any way. She is through and through a Ravenclaw.
Character 3: Down-to-Earth Mediator: Malone Vaccaro!
Malone is the moral heart of the group, always working for everyone else's well-being and trying to steer the coven in the right direction. He's definitely a people person, and inherently cares about everyone--however, his trust sometimes leads him in the wrong directions. Obviously, Hufflepuff!
Character 4: Shy Ditzy Air Witch: Bambi Lachapelle!
Bambi is the baby of the group; not only is she the youngest, but she's also incredibly introverted and deals with anxiety. Bambi is scared of her powers, and tends not to use them unless she absolutely has to. She loves video games, TV shows, animals, and generally anything but magic. Despite her shyness, everyone loves Bambi--she has an inherent goodness rarely found in the witch community. Once again, she's a Hufflepuff!
I've been working with these characters for about two years ago, and my love for them grows every time I sit down to write--I feel like they're my family! By far, my favorite part of Sorcera, a character-driven story from the get-go, is writing these four characters and their interactions with each other. How many of you also love writing character interactions?
There's my little post for the day, I hope it entertained you a little bit! Let me know which character seems most interesting to you. Maybe I'll do little focus pieces on each of them in the future!
Kekai
Friday, January 29, 2016
Young Writer Pet Peeves
We all know that person who says some snide comment about our career choice, either demeaning us, embarrassing us, or simply patronizing us. I've always hated being patronized by people who think they know better than me. Without further ado, these are some of the things I've heard throughout the years about young writers that have bugged the heck out of me!
1. "I've always wanted to write a book too!"
Okay, yeah, we get it. Everyone wants to write a book. But there's a difference between you and me that you don't seem to be getting: I'm actually writing a book. I will encourage anyone to work hard towards their goals and dreams, but I hate when people say this because it makes me think that they seem to think of me as some dumb kid who is never really going to write a book.
2. "You're still an amateur."
Yes, someone has actually said this to me. I'm generally not a fan of a person if they judge me without really knowing my credentials, and this is definitely the case with writing for me. Sure, I may not be published yet, but I will be--and I don't need your negativity in my life.
3. "You might want to major in something other than English..."
I'm always ready to fight anyone who wants to talk with me about college. People often treat students going into English-based fields with disdain, and it pisses me off to no end. First of all, it's no one's business but mine what I chose to pursue in life. Second of all, my college major is no indication of my worth, skills, or talent. Chill out.
4. "It's hard to be a writer!"
Yes. It is. I know. This bugs me because as a young writer, I have been talked down to many a time by many people. There may be some young writers who don't know what they're getting themselves into, but I'm not one of them. Let me do my thing, and you go do yours.
Rant over! I guess what this really comes down to is that I think people should either be encouraging and give thoughtful advice to young, impressionable, and motivated people, rather than talking down to them or discouraging their dreams. I'm going to be a writer with or without your help, so I would much rather you be a positive in my journey than a negative!
Kekai
1. "I've always wanted to write a book too!"
Okay, yeah, we get it. Everyone wants to write a book. But there's a difference between you and me that you don't seem to be getting: I'm actually writing a book. I will encourage anyone to work hard towards their goals and dreams, but I hate when people say this because it makes me think that they seem to think of me as some dumb kid who is never really going to write a book.
2. "You're still an amateur."
Yes, someone has actually said this to me. I'm generally not a fan of a person if they judge me without really knowing my credentials, and this is definitely the case with writing for me. Sure, I may not be published yet, but I will be--and I don't need your negativity in my life.
3. "You might want to major in something other than English..."
I'm always ready to fight anyone who wants to talk with me about college. People often treat students going into English-based fields with disdain, and it pisses me off to no end. First of all, it's no one's business but mine what I chose to pursue in life. Second of all, my college major is no indication of my worth, skills, or talent. Chill out.
4. "It's hard to be a writer!"
Yes. It is. I know. This bugs me because as a young writer, I have been talked down to many a time by many people. There may be some young writers who don't know what they're getting themselves into, but I'm not one of them. Let me do my thing, and you go do yours.
Rant over! I guess what this really comes down to is that I think people should either be encouraging and give thoughtful advice to young, impressionable, and motivated people, rather than talking down to them or discouraging their dreams. I'm going to be a writer with or without your help, so I would much rather you be a positive in my journey than a negative!
Kekai
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Fostering a Writing Routine: The Journey So Far
After going through a rough bout of depression and finally getting on some meds just in time for the new year, I've been pushing myself to start getting more seriously into writing again. For me, this meant making one of my resolutions to try and write every single day (see my full list of resolutions here!). I made my goal modest: only ten minutes.
The first few days went quite well--I started bringing a notebook to school and writing in my free time, and I woke up wanting to write every single day. Considering I had woke up hating everything for the past couple months, this was a nice change of pace!
Since then, things have gotten a little less intense--I'm not writing every day, and I don't always feel excited. However, thanks to that first week of intense dedication and passion, something has changed within me (something is not the same...name that song!). I'm writing 3-4 times a week, which is pretty good for someone with a school schedule as stressful as mine, and I'm thinking about my writing and achieving my goals all the time!
It really goes to show that with a little hard work, you can really start to push yourself towards something you really want to do. I still have a long ways to go--I need to start writing every day, and hopefully for more than ten minutes, if I want to finish Sorcera by my self-established deadline (Want me to post about my new and improved writing goals? Let me know!). I'd also like to start creating a space for myself that I use only for writing, and maybe setting a time I write every day--which is incredibly difficult with my school schedule. However, I think it's important to enjoy the little victories. For me, that's getting over my depression's lack of enthusiasm for my passions, and starting to love my writing again. That's pretty good for a few weeks of work!
I'm so excited to see what this new year holds for me and my writing. I hope you are working hard at your goals. I know you can achieve them if you put in the time and passion that you absolutely have!
Lots of luck,
Kekai
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Reinventing the Wheel: On YA Fiction
I have a lot of feelings about young adult fiction. I read it. I write it. As a young adult myself, I sort of live and breathe it! There's been a lot of debate, criticism, and joke about young adult fiction for the last couple years as it's become a more and more popular genre to write for. Some criticize YA for being cliche and pander-y to the young female teen demographic; others say that it's just completely poor writing. But what really is YA? It's not a ploy to take money from little girls who want to feel as pretty as the characters in the books--it's just a category focused on the lives of young people, be it realistic fiction, romance, or fantasy.
I will be the first to admit that there are some not-so-good YA fiction books out there. There are many that don't have great writing, many that give girls self-esteem issues, and many that are just plain offensive (inaccurate, sugar-coated sick lit or most books that often use trauma as merely a plot device). However, the same can be said for every literary genre--who hasn't read a shitty romance, science fiction, or historical novel? There are always blemishes, and no book is ever as perfect as we'd like it to be.
However, I think there's something really important that a lot of people forget about YA fiction. YA fiction has become a big place for young girls (and people of all ages and genders, but it definitely does appeal to the female demographic), and stories about girls and people their age encourages girls to read! Maybe the stories can be a little predictable, but there's nothing I love more than young people getting involved and passionate about literature. This goes hand-in-hand with the upsurge in female characters in Young Adult lit; girls are starting to see themselves represented in ways that they haven't been in fantasy and science fiction until recent years.
Another thing I find interesting that could be considered good or bad, is that YA fiction has been a front for a lot of different social issues in recent years. I've found YA to be one of the more diverse literary genres, with a push for MOGAI characters, characters of color, and disabled characters. Sometimes these attempts at diversity backfire, and end up being offensive characters, but I've seen some great representations as well! I think it's good and relevant that a genre aimed towards young people is starting to represent more people that seem real, more people that actually are like who we see around us. YA is teaching young adults to be more accepting and understanding of those around them, and I dig that.
This isn't to say that I don't think YA doesn't need some improvement. The same old ideas get stale and boring--I know I have trouble finding the diamonds in the rough when I'm at the bookstore! However, genres are constantly changing, and I have no doubt that YA will always be finding a new trend to interest and engage us. In the meanwhile, try and appreciate it for what it is; a fun genre that doesn't need to be high-browed to be interesting, encourages kids to relate to lit, and also gives kids some much-needed representation in books.
If you agree with me, hit me up with a comment! If you don't, hit me up with a comment! Hope you all are having a lovely weekend. :)
Kekai
I will be the first to admit that there are some not-so-good YA fiction books out there. There are many that don't have great writing, many that give girls self-esteem issues, and many that are just plain offensive (inaccurate, sugar-coated sick lit or most books that often use trauma as merely a plot device). However, the same can be said for every literary genre--who hasn't read a shitty romance, science fiction, or historical novel? There are always blemishes, and no book is ever as perfect as we'd like it to be.
However, I think there's something really important that a lot of people forget about YA fiction. YA fiction has become a big place for young girls (and people of all ages and genders, but it definitely does appeal to the female demographic), and stories about girls and people their age encourages girls to read! Maybe the stories can be a little predictable, but there's nothing I love more than young people getting involved and passionate about literature. This goes hand-in-hand with the upsurge in female characters in Young Adult lit; girls are starting to see themselves represented in ways that they haven't been in fantasy and science fiction until recent years.
Another thing I find interesting that could be considered good or bad, is that YA fiction has been a front for a lot of different social issues in recent years. I've found YA to be one of the more diverse literary genres, with a push for MOGAI characters, characters of color, and disabled characters. Sometimes these attempts at diversity backfire, and end up being offensive characters, but I've seen some great representations as well! I think it's good and relevant that a genre aimed towards young people is starting to represent more people that seem real, more people that actually are like who we see around us. YA is teaching young adults to be more accepting and understanding of those around them, and I dig that.
This isn't to say that I don't think YA doesn't need some improvement. The same old ideas get stale and boring--I know I have trouble finding the diamonds in the rough when I'm at the bookstore! However, genres are constantly changing, and I have no doubt that YA will always be finding a new trend to interest and engage us. In the meanwhile, try and appreciate it for what it is; a fun genre that doesn't need to be high-browed to be interesting, encourages kids to relate to lit, and also gives kids some much-needed representation in books.
If you agree with me, hit me up with a comment! If you don't, hit me up with a comment! Hope you all are having a lovely weekend. :)
Kekai
Friday, January 22, 2016
My Top 5 Favorite Books (+ Why!)
Good afternoon everyone! I've been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, and my love of books prompted me to want to write my own. Today, I thought I'd share my favorite books with you!
1. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Mariller
Daughter of the Forest is a Celtic retelling of the fairy tale of the Seven Swans. This book is the first in a series, and my mom suggested it to me a couple years back--I've only read it once, but it will always hold a place in my heart as one of my favorite novels! The best description I can give of this novel is one of chocolate cake: each page is rich with warm, delicious storytelling. I read this book over the course of two months, reading a couple pages each day and savoring it. Don't worry though, Daughter of the Forest is anything but boring! The details are made interesting with poignant plot twists, great dialogue, and meaningful characters. The climax of the novel had me in hysterics at about one in the morning. Truly an incredible read!
2. The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
I love Harry Potter. You love Harry Potter. We all love Harry Potter. Do I really need to explain?
3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
I was suggested this book by a friend of mine, and I'm so thankful that I picked it up! With a lot of unoriginal YA fiction around these days, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is enchanting and vivid, with characters you really want to root for. It centers on Karou, a girl caught between two worlds--our own, Earth, and another filled with monsters and angels. Her world is turned even further upside down than it already is when she meets Akiva, her love interest (surprise!) and someone she feels drawn to for reasons she can't explain. The detail in this book is incredibly intricate, and this book manages to be touching without being overwrought, romantic without being predictable, and exciting without being annoying. A true win for YA fantasy!
4. The Engelsfors Trilogy by Sara B Elfgren and Mats Strandsberg
I picked up the first book in this trilogy, The Circle, in Traverse City on a weekend trip when it was suggested at the bookstore--I read the summary, and when I found it had six female main characters that were witches, I knew I had to read it. Despite it being a huge book, I finished it within days, and was hungry for more. The Circle focuses on a group of girls who gain magic powers after the "suicide" of a boy at their school. Set in a small town in Sweden, Engelsfors, these girls' use their powers for good, evil, and just about anything in between. With a rotating perspective, you get lots of time to understand and sympathize with ever character. The writing is vivid and interesting, making you feel incredibly involved with the plot. I suggest this book to anyone looking for a fresh new read!
4. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
You know a book is good when you read it as a kid, and then when you read it again a few years later, it's still good! Lemony Snicket's morbid and dry humor makes the outlandish stories of three orphans and their terrifying stalker even more fantastical than they already are. With resourceful, sympathetic main characters, an incredible villain, and a plot that always keeps you guessing with the sheer unfortunate-ness of it all, A Series of Unfortunate Events is truly exciting, with morals and themes that people of any age can appreciate.
5. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
I read How I Live Now when I heard about the movie (which I've actually yet to watch), and I've held it close to my heart ever since. How I Live Now centers on a girl, Daisy, and her trip to visit cousins in England--a terrorist attack happens soon thereafter, and she and her other female cousin are split from the boy cousins. She and her sister trek across the English countryside to try and find them again. Touching and poignant, How I Live Now paints a disconcerting yet somehow mellow portrait of a family separated, as well as youth issues and a coming of age story. Very interesting!
If you've read any of these and want to tell me what you thought of them, or plan to read any of these, please let me know in the comments or tweet me (@m_kekai)! Happy reading!
Kekai
1. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Mariller
Daughter of the Forest is a Celtic retelling of the fairy tale of the Seven Swans. This book is the first in a series, and my mom suggested it to me a couple years back--I've only read it once, but it will always hold a place in my heart as one of my favorite novels! The best description I can give of this novel is one of chocolate cake: each page is rich with warm, delicious storytelling. I read this book over the course of two months, reading a couple pages each day and savoring it. Don't worry though, Daughter of the Forest is anything but boring! The details are made interesting with poignant plot twists, great dialogue, and meaningful characters. The climax of the novel had me in hysterics at about one in the morning. Truly an incredible read!
2. The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
I love Harry Potter. You love Harry Potter. We all love Harry Potter. Do I really need to explain?
3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
I was suggested this book by a friend of mine, and I'm so thankful that I picked it up! With a lot of unoriginal YA fiction around these days, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is enchanting and vivid, with characters you really want to root for. It centers on Karou, a girl caught between two worlds--our own, Earth, and another filled with monsters and angels. Her world is turned even further upside down than it already is when she meets Akiva, her love interest (surprise!) and someone she feels drawn to for reasons she can't explain. The detail in this book is incredibly intricate, and this book manages to be touching without being overwrought, romantic without being predictable, and exciting without being annoying. A true win for YA fantasy!
4. The Engelsfors Trilogy by Sara B Elfgren and Mats Strandsberg
I picked up the first book in this trilogy, The Circle, in Traverse City on a weekend trip when it was suggested at the bookstore--I read the summary, and when I found it had six female main characters that were witches, I knew I had to read it. Despite it being a huge book, I finished it within days, and was hungry for more. The Circle focuses on a group of girls who gain magic powers after the "suicide" of a boy at their school. Set in a small town in Sweden, Engelsfors, these girls' use their powers for good, evil, and just about anything in between. With a rotating perspective, you get lots of time to understand and sympathize with ever character. The writing is vivid and interesting, making you feel incredibly involved with the plot. I suggest this book to anyone looking for a fresh new read!
4. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
You know a book is good when you read it as a kid, and then when you read it again a few years later, it's still good! Lemony Snicket's morbid and dry humor makes the outlandish stories of three orphans and their terrifying stalker even more fantastical than they already are. With resourceful, sympathetic main characters, an incredible villain, and a plot that always keeps you guessing with the sheer unfortunate-ness of it all, A Series of Unfortunate Events is truly exciting, with morals and themes that people of any age can appreciate.
5. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
I read How I Live Now when I heard about the movie (which I've actually yet to watch), and I've held it close to my heart ever since. How I Live Now centers on a girl, Daisy, and her trip to visit cousins in England--a terrorist attack happens soon thereafter, and she and her other female cousin are split from the boy cousins. She and her sister trek across the English countryside to try and find them again. Touching and poignant, How I Live Now paints a disconcerting yet somehow mellow portrait of a family separated, as well as youth issues and a coming of age story. Very interesting!
If you've read any of these and want to tell me what you thought of them, or plan to read any of these, please let me know in the comments or tweet me (@m_kekai)! Happy reading!
Kekai
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