The Rose Code : My Wattpad Blog

D: September 26, 2020 Decisions

This blog post was supposed to be a book review. But it's not, because I couldn't make myself write one. I did decide, however, that I would start a book review book in 2021, focusing on sweet, clean, contemporary teen fiction and a few fairytale themed fantasies. What should I name my new Wattpad book? The Rose Code Reviewer? I could rate with roses instead of stars.

If you read my last blog post, you may remember my desire to learn how to shoot a gun. This month, I did. My family bought me a 9mm, and on Labor Day weekend, I went to my uncle's cabin, and we had target practice. I'm proud to say I hit the target, not in the kill zone of the heart or the head, but good enough to do some serious damage if someone attempts to break in and try to hurt me again. I feel confident about being able to defend myself if necessary, and I'm not as scared anymore. I may even get registered to carry. Men have been following women and their kids around our local Walmarts. We aren't even safe going grocery shopping these days. Have you ever fired a gun? It's so loud. You definitely need ear plugs.

I'm happy that it's finally autumn, my favorite season. The changing leaves are so pretty, and the crisp, cool air is so refreshing after the hot, humid summer. I've been working on a Christmas story for the local newspaper. My writing group does it every year, but writing short stories is difficult for me. I only have half a page done. I doubt it'll be completed in time.

I found a motivating quote by Winston Churchill: Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.

It's so true. Do you have a quote that helps you keep trying when you feel like giving up?

I have given up on critiquing on Critique Circle for the rest of the 2020. I've tried networking with the other writers, but I just havn't clicked with anyone. I've critiqued so many stories, but few people return the favor and even fewer write sweet, clean teen fiction. It's so frustrating. I'm taking a break from the site for a while. I'll have more time to write OTWT, but the edits on Forever Remember won't be finished this year. :(

I've read 64 books so far in 2020. I've surpassed my goal of 60. How many books have you read this year? What was your favorite? I'm always looking for good books to read. I have a dozen or more on my Kindle TBR pile. I started about five of them, but had to DNF them. They were free on BookBub. You get what you pay for sometimes.

I watched Homecoming on the Hallmark channel today. It's a great family move. I cried a few times during it. When the characters cry, I cry. I can't help it. I feel so much for the kids. Their mother abandons them in their car at the mall for days. They run away from the police and have to walk to their aunt's house, but their cousin wants to separate them, so they take a bus to their grandmother's farm. She doesn't want them either. They do everything they can to convince her to let them stay. I've also read the book with the same title by Cynthia Voight. It won a Newberry Medal. I'll probably write a book review for it next year. Is there a book that you would like me to read for a book review?

Is anyone doing anything special for fall? I love corn mazes and pumpkin patches.

Stay safe and well!

Elle