My master plan has been brewing for quite some time now. I bet some of you thought I would forget about this blog by now. I dip in and out and I seem to never quite commit. Well, well, well, I’ll have you all know that The Book Raven is back. Ohh, and 2023 is going to be my most productive, fun filled, and insane year yet!
A year of early mornings to stream as StarsWolfe on Twitch and daily writing and posting on here in the nights. That’s right. I will be writing in 2023. I will also be reading and reviewing books in 2023.
I’m very excited to announce I have created a VTuber model for streaming and I’ve figured out how to set it up so that I can use my model and stream from my PlayStation at the same time. I can’t wait for you guys to meet her.
January is going to be me figuring out a new balance with streaming, reading, schooling, and writing. It’s going to be a whole new year with a whole new me to go along with it. I can’t wait to see what comes.
2023 is going to be packed to the brim in so many ways. Surprises and new beginnings galore. Thank you all for deciding to join me on my journey. Happy New Year!
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
I feel like for the longest time now I’ve been just living my life without forcing myself to do or act or say anything I don’t want to. I do have to be honest because one of the things I hadn’t wanted to do was blog. I’d think that I wanted to, but it would urge on a sense of anxiety in my body to try and recreate that old routine of a time that is nothing like now.
However, I miss this. I also feel like it’s the place where my thoughts would be settled instead of chaos and where I connected with so many amazing people. So here I have returned.
One of the biggest changes of my life recently is becoming more of a gamer then any other hobby. I wanted to have the future of this blog reflect that. This month I was to talk about games and my journey into getting platinum trophies and explore that side of myself I’ve been having the most fun with recently.
A goal I have for this month is getting the platinum trophy in Batman Arkum Asylum. Next post I make is going to be detailing what I’ll have to do and my experience with it so far.
I’ll always love reading and writing and I know I’ll try to figure out how to add more of that to my schedule and balance my life more. However, I’m not pressuring myself to do any particular thing. Just what makes me happy. What makes me happy right now is to play video games.
The most important thing for me right now is to stay on top of my school work. So my classes will take number 1 priority. I’ve been trying to wake up early to do class work and it does help a lot with giving me more time in the day for other things.
All in all, September is going to be a test of a new era of blogging for myself. Talking about gaming and other things that I love and not forcing myself to do any one thing.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
After way too much time, I have returned to set my goals for July 2022. I remembered that I had the most success in my goals when I’d write them down here and remind myself of them every day. Consistent progress that would lead to me actually finishing the projects I would set out for myself.
For reading I am going to restart Beyond the Surface. This time it’ll only be up on my blog and the main focus would be for me to read a book every month featuring a character dealing with their mental health.
For July, I will be reading The Art of Starving by Sam J. Miller.
I have chosen this book for this month because I have been desiring to read it for so long and I no longer want to make any excuses for not reading it.
I will also be reviewing the books that I’ve read this year that I have put off reviewing. I’ve been so behind in my reading and reviews that I feel super bad for accumulating such a large back log. It’s time to slowly chip away at it and not accumulate any more books till I have a lot of what I already have read.
In writing, I really want to finish an actual book. I’ve also put that off time and time and time again. It needs to be done. I really don’t care about a specific word count daily this time around, but I need to put something towards my book till it gets done.
The other daily thing is I need to start to exercise and I also don’t care if it starts at 10 minutes a day, but I need to move my body. I need to lose some weight and I miss fitting into a lot of my old clothes. Most of all I want to do some awesome cosplays and I need to loose a bit of weight and get in shape for that. The added bonus of being and feeling healthier will be amazing too.
Starting July 6th, I have the next two classes in my pharmacy technician course. I’m starting to get into more specific pharmacy tech classes and I am excited. I need to organize my classes a bit better so that I balance it to where I get everything done.
Another super exciting thing is that I got myself a ps5 a few months ago. I also took very big advantages of the PlayStation sales that have gone on. I’ve purchased a ton of really awesome games and I’ve been loving many of them. However, I haven’t really been doing a lot of completing any of these games. So my goal for this month is to work towards completing Dark Souls.
So far I have played 25 hours of dark souls. I have made it 8% of the way through the achievements. I am currently trying to make my way through blight town. My goal this month is not to complete dark souls, but at the very least to make any amount of progress on it daily provided I’ve completed all my other tasks for the day.
Also Man of Medan is coming to PlayStation plus in July and I am absolutely going to get my boyfriends to play through the entire game with me. I haven’t played a game with him in a good while and I’m excited to experience something new with him.
Also the main thing I want to do is organize my time better. I want to have nights available for myself to relax watch Stranger Things (my sole tv show to complete goal for the month) or to play video games without worrying that I have all these other things to do and complete for the day.
I also will have a decent amount of days this month set aside for family and friends. These days are the days that are the most peaceful to me.
All in all, there’s a lot I want to do in July. I will make sure I keep the main things I want to complete done and as long as I do, this month will be a success. If I do achieve all my goals this month I’ll let myself buy the game Stray to play next month because I’ve been so excited since it was announced.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
I have thought about what I wanted to do for this year for a good long time. I gave myself December to relax and feel good and prepare myself for 2022. I want to do a lot this year. In a very focused and determined way. I’m so excited.
The first thing I wanted to focus on was going back to school and become a pharmacy tech to make enough money to better support my family. At the same time after doing that working towards being a pharmacist.
In writing I wanted to focus on writing four first drafts this year. So one draft every three months. Starting with a pseudo paranormal horror that I’ve had in my brain forever. Which also means I’ll be watching some fun paranormal horror movies over the coming months to immerse myself in that mindset.
Also in writing I wanted to see if I could write a poetry book and self publish it. As of right now I’m not sure what theme it will have, but I’ll figure it out soon enough.
The last thing in writing I wanted to blog post every day. Which I feel like will actually happen this year because I’m going to have a monthly gift to myself for accomplishing my goals for each individual month.
As for reading I would like to start reading much more often and I hope to complete reading at least 50 books in 2022. To help with this I’m doing a monthly book exchange with a friend sharing our favorite books. For January I’m lending her Starfish and I can’t wait to hear what she thinks. Other then the book she’ll lend me, I will also be reading The Assignment by Liza Wiemer, Replica by Lauren Oliver, and Jack Kerouac is Dead to me by Gae Polisner. As well as two DC comics I was behind reviewing.
My other goal is exercise and it has my favorite prize attached to it if I keep it up all the way into September which is this super awesome Harley Quinn “Kill the Justice League” cosplay that I will buy and feel like a badass in should I keep my fitness goals throughout the year.
For January if I keep my goals I want to get myself this custom Red Riot Sweater. Something that I know I’ll never want to take off and that I’ll feel like I can do anything in. Which will be the perfect thing to wear over the year I want to do so much in.
This year will be about staying positive and motivated and progressing forward and embracing my life. I know that life happens and it can get difficult but I’m so ready to take on this year and do the best I possibly can.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! Let me know what your goals are for 2022!
A long time ago I talked about my dad being very sick. I haven’t mentioned it in a long time mostly dealing with it on my own, but the other night and yesterday afternoon my dad had two episodes that seemed to indicate new mini strokes. I don’t know for sure if that is exactly what it was he didn’t want to be taken to the hospital, but it reminded me all the same that my time on this earth with my dad is limited.
I don’t know how much time I have left with my dad, but I know I want to make the best of it. I know there are certain parts of my life he will never experience by my side. However, one thing I hope he does experience is me writing a book and seeing if I can get it published. My dad is a big part of why I love stories and it’s funny too because he doesn’t like books. Growing up he used to tell me all these fantastic stories.
The other love he taught me was for animals. Especially for insects and among them most importantly to have a love and respect for bees. So, I really want to write and dedicate my bee book idea to my dad.
I know my dad will most likely never read it. He’s blind in one eye and further loosing vision in the other due to his strokes. He never had much patience for reading, but I want him to know that I wrote something for him. Inspired by the love he passed down to me.
Yesterday when I got home from work he talked to me and called me his Angel. That morning he had told me to think positive. So as hard as that is for me I will try. I will put my dad energy into doing something that will make him proud. At the very least have a first draft I can print out and put into his hands. So he would know how much his love has always meant to me.
I love my dad so much. I know cancer and the strokes have changed him so much, but nothing has ever changed his love for me. Even when he’s mad at my mom or wanting someone or something to blame for his illness when I come into the room he still treats me like his little girl.
I know my dad wants me always to remain strong. To always think positive no matter what and to pursue my dreams. So that’s exactly what I’ll do for the rest of my life. During my time on earth with him and during the time he passes on and I will carry him living inside my heart forever more.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Writing this brought me to tears, but it also helped me feel a sense of resolve. My one wish is that this post inspires those reading to be there for their loved ones now and to think positive. Thank you all for being here.
Sometimes it’s much easier to start new habits at the beginning of the month. It gives you a chance to set your intentions and to not make excuses and just go for what you want. This month I want to write. I want to read everyday. I want to wake up early and stay up so I can commit to everything I want to get done.
One of the biggest fuels to my anxiety has been trying over and over to recommit to my blog and not sticking to my commitment. Well, this month that all changes. I am ready.
This month my very first goal is to write a blog post everyday. I’ve been able to blog more and more frequently and I have plenty of posts ideas to get me started. There are also three different DC Comic Releases this month that I will be reading and reviewing that I am very excited about Whistle, Unearthed, and Beast Boy Loves Raven.
The other thing I’m actually going to do and stop stressing about is exercise. I’m going to watch some shuffle dance videos since at the moment I am very much focusing on treating my wrists and that’ll be a stress free way of allowing my body to heal and still keeping active. As well as the 100 squats / 100 sit-ups daily challenge.
Another thing I wanted to do is revisit writing in my write this story book and make that my routine for before I start my novel writing for the day: 10 to 20 minutes of writing a short story and then going into writing / researching my novel. I want to spend at least 30 minutes a day focused on writing my ‘bee girl’ novel.
My focus towards learning will be Duolingo and Khan Academy. I’ve been really wanting to take a chemistry class since I never took one in high school and so I’ll be taking one on khan academy doing a little lesson everyday.
When it comes to reading I know at the very minimum I am going to finish reading Spinning Silver no matter what.
I have been so close to done for a long while now. If I do things right I may even finish it today and write my review for tomorrow. However, that remains to be seen.
As far as games, I am committed to Fortnite right now. I’ve played pretty much daily and I’ve unlocked all the skins from season 7 (only thing left is literally 15 alien artifacts). Season 8 is very close now and I will be happy to do my routine to unlock all the skins all over again.
At the end of the month my goal is to feel proud. To feel like yes I did and enjoyed so much this month. That I enjoyed reading and I enjoyed writing and I spent quality time with my family and enjoyed times with my friends too and with my lovely boyfriend. With my hours at work now more manageable to give my wrists a chance to heal I want to heal some of the mental issues that have been plaguing me as well as feel more then my fair share of joy this month. I’ve spent too long in the opposite feeling.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
I have tried this experiment without directly saying I was doing this experiment on several occasions before and pretty recently too. Ultimately exhaustion and emotional turmoil in my personal life have been what kept me away from being able to actually post on a daily basis.
I keep trying because I’m curious about two things. 1. What would my stat growth look like posting daily for a year? And 2. What kinds of things would end up happening and becoming available for me to do in life after deciding to post on a daily basis?
Blogging in general has opened so many doors for me in my life. I have gained so many opportunities and friendships and had conversations with authors directly in a way I never would have had otherwise. Blogging is an amazing experience.
I remember how wide eyed and excited I was when I first started blogging. Getting my first few followers and deciding I wanted to do this all the time and joining Netgalley and doing so many tags and completely enjoying the experience.
What I didn’t expect was eventually life itself would have me take a step back to the point that I had forgotten what it was to enjoy this part of my life. The insatiable reader who kept going at it and loving stories and wanting so badly to give birth to a story of her own.
I have missed this. So here I am. I am back. I have a new plan. I might write the posts daily and I might write extras on my days off. Whatever the case I’ll have a consistent daily upload time. 1 pm everyday. It feels like a good idea to me to be able to schedule my posts and it be consistent. I’m so used to doing it whenever I finish writing a post.
Also I’ll be taking my stats from before this starts and at the end of the year to see the change and how much I’ve grown and who knows maybe this will be a thing for years to come?
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
I feel like I am in a place where I can take back my life and move forward in a way where I end each day incredibly proud of myself. I feel like I have moved past the most recent period of exhaustion. I have some really awesome goals for June and I know I have the means to do really well with it all.
My Most Important Goal
Studying and getting the written exam done for my drivers license. I have been thinking about getting my drivers license for a long while and I’ve put it off a lot, but I think its time to sit down and do it. So everyday I have the chance I will sit down and study for it with my sister. Then, when we both feel confident apply for our license and go take the test.
Reading Goals
There’s quite a few books I’ve been meaning to read for a good long while. A lot of them are physical books that I own and then a lot of the others are for Netgalley.
Physical books
Horns by Joe Hill (I just want to read this in bite sizes a chapter here and there. If I read four or five more chapters of it in June I will be happy)
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth (same as Horns I want to read a chapter here and there its sad for me and so I read it sparingly)
Always and Forever Lara Jean by Jenny Han (The movie has been out for a while so I want to read the book soon and watch the movie as I’ve done for all the previous books)
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (same as the previous I want to read the book and watch the show)
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (My boyfriend got these two books for me on separate occasions through a blind date with a book at Barnes and Nobel. I want to let him know how much I appreciate these and share what I think)
Replica by Lauren Oliver (I’ve already started reading this and I hope its a book I finally finish in June)
Crazy House by James Patterson and Me Before You by Jo Jo Moyes (been on my tbr for ages and I should have already read these. May not get to them, but I will definitely try)
Library Book
All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders (Been on my tbr for a long while and since I have this borrowed already I will finish it in June)
Netgalley Books
Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me by Gae Polisner (Already started reading this book and it is by an author I adore. I will definitely finish this book in June.)
It Came From the Sky by Chelsea Sedoti (Ive read both books from this author previously and loved both. I may not get to this in June because all my physical books are ahead in the reading order of my tbr, but if I do it will be a pleasant surprise)
Bookstagram Goals
For Instagram I want to post everyday and join the #bookhitchhickersjune21 challenge by @ books.are.42 on Instagram. All about celebrating pride month!
Writing Goals
Write for an hour daily. When my blog post is finished time left over will be towards my horror novel.
Gaming Goals
New season of fortnite begins and I am so excited! Want to aim for getting next seasons enlightened skins and so I want to play daily.
All in all:
I am so excited for June! There’s so much I want to do and enjoy. Gunna be reading a lot more this month. Feeling a lot more myself these days.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
This month has already started well. I started on doing my Instagram posts again for my books. I’m excited about this month of reading! I have many books that I’m going to get to this month.
The two books I’ll be finishing reading for sure are:
The Lamb who Slaughtered the Lion
And
Saints and Misfits
Both of these I have limited time to read so I’ll definitely be getting to them first.
Other Goals:
Writing. I want to start writing again at least 15 minutes a day. So that’s what I will start doing.
Exercise. My right wrist is completely shot right now. So I’m going to start doing some standing exercise videos at least until my wrist feels better. So tonight after I finish work I’m going to start my new routine.
Instagram. I want to do an insta post everyday this month. Doing a #Marchreads challenge.
To feel good. I want to enjoy everyday and so far today has felt good and I’ll love that to continue throughout March.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
What I want for 2021 has very little to do with any sort of thing I want to obtain or do in the tangible accomplishment kind of way. More in a mental change kind of way.
2020 felt like a building up of a lot of things to be fearful and anxious of. I want to instead use that as a reason to turn into myself and panic to start turning outward and enjoy the things I have in my life now. Loving more. Laughing more. All of course in a safe and socially distant manner. Enjoying the games I’ve come to love. Reading more again. Being happier.
I want to be one who celebrates all the good things in my life instead of complaining about what’s bad. Cause falling into despair only causes hurt and 2020 had enough of that.
My goodreads challenge this year is 1 book. I am not putting pressure on myself to do anything in particular. Just to enjoy and love more and decrease my life’s stresses.
Any goals this year I won’t be making right now. Whatever, accomplishments I make will be bonuses. This year I just want to feel like I can breath.
I hope that for all of you, your 2021 is a better year. We all deserve it.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
The Book Raven 