By: Jessica Marie
Happy June my lovely readers, I hope 2021 has been treating you well. I cannot believe it is June already. Time is passing so quickly and it is truly astounding. How much life has changed for all of us and the many ways various events have allowed us to grow and adapt. I never imagined my life would be where it is, how it is, and the way it has all came to be. But in so many ways I have found the most joy and peace I have ever felt. Personal Update That joy and peace is something I am taking to heart right now. I am not sure if it comes from external factors, or due to my willingness to see everything as a blessing. Perhaps both. But I have dramatically changed my mindset over the past year or so to see the silver lining versus the dark lining. Most of my life I looked for the negatives, and while I still have my days that I cannot let those negatives go. On the whole, I intentionally seek out the positives. Another new thing for me is I am feeling a pull towards slow living. I don’t even have a definition of this at the moment, as I haven’t looked into it yet. But it keeps coming into my mind when I go for walks, I am looking forward to learning more about this and reporting back on it next month. Brand Update Last month, I came to terms with my social media presence. The fact that I am putting all of my effort into my blog, podcast, and my writing (outside of work) so I am letting social media go. I am taking the Marie Kondo method to my social media presence, if it brings me joy (to post) then I will do so. Outside of that, I am going to release the pressure to be present there and constantly posting. I am not going to let the ‘shoulds’ decide this area at this time. I am open to change, but I am learning boundaries for myself and my work, and this is how I am enforcing them. Writing update I am currently at chapter 8 or 9 of my novel. I have taken a step back from writing the actual story content as I feel I need more backstory work. I had several pages of various aspects of backstory before I ever began writing. But in the process of writing, I have found I need more. I want to really dive deep into the world. The many aspects and technicalities of it. How the government works, the major religions, the history of everything, and how all of these elements intertwine. I had the bare bones but now I am adding the tendons and muscles to these elements and many more. So, while I don’t foresee my word, page, or chapter count increasing much in June I am ok with that. I am having a wonderful time getting to know these characters and the planet on which they reside in this backstory format. I have two Districts in the political system that are particularly interesting that I could write a short story on their formation one day. When the little voice that tries to speak of word counts pokes its head into the room, I remind it the word count will be utterly useless without this history. A rich world doesn’t happen on accident. It comes from how much I know. And even if what I write backstories that never come out, it can still be felt in the final product. I have also been writing a short story for a writing competition. The competition deadline is June 30th. I started this project mid-May and I have a first draft completed. Now, I am working on revisions and edits. No matter how the competition goes, I am having fun with these characters and the story. It is completely unrelated to my novel or my other short story series. It is a world all on its own. But I’m loving it. Books I read in May reviews: Staff of Nightfall by Selina R. Gonzalez: This was a great book! It was an absolute adventure to read. Full of plot twists and turns I never saw coming. The characters stayed true to who they were from the first book (Prince of Shadow and Ash) and they flowed together seamlessly. Her heroes are relate-able, flawed, and human. Her villains are horrible (in the best way) and gosh darn did I sit on the edge of my seat for a lot of this book. Well-paced, I never got bored, and I read it quickly (for me). It can often take me a month or more to read a book, this one I finished in about 2 weeks (and it is not a small book). If you like medieval settings, YA genre, magic, believable characters, and realistic reactions to trauma, you’ll want to check this out. Discover Your Dharma by Sahara Rose: This was a wonderful and enlightening book. I am not one for re-reading books, even self-help type books, but I can see myself re-reading this book once a year. So much knowledge and wisdom in this book, exactly when we need it most. I think I'm on my dharmic path right now, but as life shifts and evolves, Sahara has so many great tips and ideas for helping you to keep moving forward. To keep progressing, to keep evolving in your dharma. So grateful for this book. I bought a second copy and gave it to a friend for her birthday. Note: All books I purchased myself. I read and reviewed of my own accord. I was not paid, prompted, or promoted to read or review these works in any way. I do not receive any money or other stipends from these reviews. Books I am Currently Reading: The Lost Years of Merlin by T. A. Barron Earth and Other Ethics: The Case for Moral Pluralism by Christopher Stone Thank you for reading this June 2021 Monthly Catch-Up. An overview of what is happening for me personally and with the Wayfaring Jessica brand. As well as updates on how my writing projects are faring, books I have read and am currently reading. I hope you have a wonderful June, and I look forward to seeing you next Monday for my next blog post on: Much Love, Jessica Marie
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AuthorJessica Marie Cunningham - Intentional lifestyle blogger, aspiring author, and podcast host. All things Slow Living, Books, Writing, Art, creativity, Christianity, and personal stories. Archives
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