i recently gained a few followers in here and I just want to let you know that I don’t post here anymore. You can get the same content at my current blog, The book hugger. Click here to go to it!
Goodbye!
I am now blogging at The Book Hugger. It is the same content, just a new name and look. Click here to check it out. :)
Last Post Before I Move
This isn’t some great post. I just want to tell you that The Book Hugger Launch Party will be tomorrow. Attend for virtual food, hugs, and [possible] shoutouts. Don’t forget the part hats!
Goodbye Free As a Girl With Wings. <3
Feminist Fridays #5
This week in school, I found out some things about my peers’ POVs on LGBTQ+. And they were slightly surprising. I mean, lots of people use “gay” as an adjective to describe anything weird or strange or gross or scary or anything of the like. So I already knew that a) they don’t really understand how to properly sue the word “gay” and b) they [probably] don’t really like gay people.
One thing I learned is that some people—even some who are my good friends—are very homophobic. They think that you get to choose to be gay or lesbian or whatever. And they think it’s gross and unnatural. One of the reasons that I think people think this is that they’re uninformed. Maybe friends who have never known someone who was gay told them these things, and they decided it was right. Maybe their parents are uninformed or just very anti-gay. Whatever the reason, many people are homophobic, and it broke my heart to learn this.
It was during design class. I was telling my friend about my new novel because she’d read the first twenty-five pages and wanted to know if I’d written more. The boy next to me overheard and asked me what it was about. I described the main characters to him and the extremely basic root of the plot. Afterward, he kind of grimaced and said something along the lines of, “That’s weird. Having a gay character.” I proceeded to inform him that Jack was bisexual, not gay, which he still thought was weird. I asked him why he thought so and he said it was “gross” for two people of the same gender to be kissing. He said he didn’t like gay people and all that stuff.
I lectured him for a moment, and he kind-of-not-really listened. Then my friend who is a 120% ally came over and joined in. We had to go to our next class, and as we waited outside, I heard a few of my friends near me discussing how of course people choose to be gay.
UMMM. What the heck???
The second thing that happened went a little something like this. We were playing basketball in PE and I was “subbed out.” [Which means that we have too many players so one has to stay on the sidelines and switch out.] One girl whom I know and talk to was also subbed out, so we talked while they played. After a little bit of chatting, she told me about something really funny that has happened today.
Apparently, this one boy was walking around with his hands crossed over his chest [I don’t even know why] and someone had said that he was transgender and was covering up his breasts. And then someone joked that he was on his period. I know I should have said something, but I was kind of speechless at the sheer horridness of this, and I just kind of nodded and smiled a little and turned away to watch the basketball game. The girl was still chuckling to herself.
I’m not transgender. I’m not claiming to know exactly how trans people feel. However, not only am I an ally, I am writing a book in the POV of a transgender person, and this hit me kind of hard. People are now joking that others are transgender, and scorning them for it?
thoughts about this? tell me in the comments below.
Loony Literate Blog Hop!
Yes people I know I am very late for this but congratulations to Emily for going self-hosted! Her new blog is now called Loony Literate. You should follow her. [DUH.]
Anyway, I am participating in her blog hop to celebrate! Let’s get started.
1) What’s something a bit LOONY about you?
UMMM… Shall I make a list?
- I try not to step on cracks when I walk on the sidewalk.
- I try to step on crunchy leaves during fall and winter and I try to step on seaweed bulbs at the beach.
- I bought Taylor Swift’s physical album of 1989 even though I already had it on my phone for the polaroids.
- I like banana-flavored things and food that has bananas in it but I despise actual bananas.
2) Since I’m Australian – what’s your favourite book by an Australian author?
I heard that Markus Zusak is Australian, so The Book Thief obviously.
3) What’s your favourite kind of post to write, and why?
I like discussions a lot. It’s fun to express my own opinions while hearing others’.
4) Favourite genre of YA?
I’m a HUGE sucker for contemporary. XD
5) Biggest blogging goal?
To be as amazing as you, Emily! Otherwise, be able to post a “I Published a Book” post. :D
6) Name another blogger who has been an inspiration to you.
7) Trivia –
a) a 2014 contemporary YA release where the main character is called Emily (and I loved it, by the way). This author also wrote a book about a road trip.
I JUST READ IT IT’S SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE and my heart is dead.
b) Madam Rosmerta from Harry Potter makes lovely oak-matured what?
:) Mead. I already knew your last name though…
8) If you haven’t done this already, look up your full name (or your pen name if you use one) on an anagram finder. What’s the best anagram of your name?
Some of my favorites…
Shelby Rochester Moir
Tshombe Chelsie Rorry
Herby Chlori Somerset
Mobley Cherish Storer
Embolie Rochst Sherry [this is German…]
Embrocher Hier Stylos [and this is French…]
I want to do this with these names or one of them:
- Publish under one of these anagrams
- Name a pet with one of these
- Name a child with one of these
- Name a character with one of these
9) One thing you want to see more of in YA?
DIVERSITY. Specifics?
- more race diversity–I think this is very important so that everyone can connect to characters.
- setting diversity–I ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE USA. Tell me about Russia.
- sexuality diversity–I’m working on it, children.
- food diversity–Not everyone eats pizza 24/7. Even Americans!
10) And finally – are you excited about Loony Literate????
OMG YES TOTALLY
are you excited for Emily? have you done the blog hop? tell me in the comments below.
Book Review: Dreams of Gods and Monsters
Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor
Genre: YA Paranormal
Number of Pages: 624
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
Synopsis: By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.
Common enemy, common cause.
When Jael’s brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.
And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.
But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz … something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.
What power can bruise the sky?
From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.
At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?
Discussion: When I finished this book I closed it and stared at the cover for a solid ten seconds.
Be prepared for a sucky review. I can’t even.
The only way to share my thoughts is through GIFs.
WAIT…It’s over?
OMG BEST SERIES EVER MUST BLOG ABOUT IT!!!
Did it really satisfy me? But–but–I can’t even. This is so unfair.
Can’t deny my love for this series.
That’s the gist of it. I mean, it’s amazing. No more explanations.
One-Year Blogoversary
UM. MINIONS. IT’S HAPPENING! IT’S MY ONE-YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!
And I didn’t get any cake. -_- I am obviously living the wrong life.
I have been blogging for one full year now. On this day, in 2014, I typed up my first blog post on Free As a Girl With Wings and pressed “Publish.” On this day, in 2014, Free As a Girl With Wings began. My adventure of online friends, new books, and everything else fantabulous began on this day, one year ago.
And before I launch into a whole discussion, I want to say: THANK YOU. You, my minions readers, are the reason I am writing this post today. Without your comments and encouragement and all that support and love, I never would have blogged for one year, or even dreamed of blogging for longer than that.
A want to say some special thank you’s to the bloggers who have inspired me and helped me on this long journey.
Sam @ Bookish Serendipity: You are the reason this blog even exists at all. You were the first book blogger I ever met and you are my biggest inspiration. You will always have a special place in my heart. And maybe even one day we can meet each other at BEA. :) Thank you so much, Sam.
Evi @ Where Books Never End: Although we don’t talk as much as we should [maybe Pinterest messaging can change that :) ] you are the bestest bloggy friend ever. We have so much in common and you are so easy to talk to. I can’t wait to see your blog grow and change, and see our friendship flourish. A thousand thank you’s, Evi!
Engie @ Musings From Neville’s Navel: Your content is inspiring and totally unique. I am glad to have found a fellow atheist and feminist in the blogging community to talk to. Your posts bring up such good topics and you are absolutely hilarious. I aspire to be like you. Thanks a million, Wise Girl. ;)
Cait @ Paper Fury: I don’t know if you know this [you probably do] but you are the ultimate blogging goal for me. You are the queen of the blogging community. Your posts are perfection and your personality is beyond amazing. :) I think you are a wonderful person and role model. Thank you, Cait.
John @ Teens Can Write, Too: Your blog opened my eyes to the world of querying [is it quEEr-ee-ing or quER-ee-ing???] and publishing. All your content is done really well and it educational, but fun. I especially appreciate your friendliness on Twitter and all the conversations we’ve had, especially our latest one where you encouraged me about my writing and were a true friend.
https://twitter.com/ABoredAuthor/status/560236488169111552
I really appreciate all that you do.
Now that I’m done with the thanking, I’d like to share some of my experiences and what book blogging and the community has taught me.
- I’m not alone. I’m not the only crazy fangirl. There are others like me! This is one of the best things about the book blogging community; we’re all crazy. And we stick by each other through it all.
- Books and writing are a huge part of me that I should embrace. Before I was a book blogger, I read a lot and I loved it. But reading was just…there. Once I started blogging, I realized that I am a bibliophile. Bookish. Fangirl. It really opened my eyes and let me be who I really want to be.
- You’re not always going to be perfect. I mean, I kind of already knew this, but I have experienced this in book blogging. My first posts compared to now? O.O It’s not pretty. Blogging takes a lot of practice. And once I did get into the rhythm of things, I would always compare myself to other, more experienced bloggers. And I learned that although my posts may not always be as perfect and flawless as theirs, that’s okay.
- BE YOU. The blogging community is really great because no one is afraid to unleash their inner crazy, loony, weirdness. It’s the best. No one is pressured to confirm to some social norm–we’re all outcasts.
To wrap this *celebration* up, I’m going to show you some [embarrassing] screenshots…of my past “blogging” experiences. OMG.
The first blog I am going to show you as from just a couple years ago. It’s called “Olive and Valarie’s Hangout.”
I made it with my then-best friend. We used pseudonyms, as you can tell.
This was our homepage…
And our welcome message. *dies* I know, it’s bad. >.<
My bio. This was when I was very girly. I thought I was so cool… XD
And my “fashin” tips. I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT TYPO. BTW, these tips are totally…horrid. I can’t even.
Okay so what was I even thinking???
And now for “Authoress4Life.” It was kind of a writing blog…
DON’T JUDGE ME. -.-
This is an awkward guide-thing I started. *runs away*
I have gone so far from my first posts and these [horrid] blogs. Thank you to everyone who follows me, comments, and likes my post. You are all beautiful, wonderful people. DFTBA.
Schedule for February 2015 MHM
So, I was going to have a weekly wrap-up, but I’ve decided that starting next week, I will only be doing monthly wrap-ups.
I do have the schedule for February!
February 2:
February 9:
Ana @ Butterflies of the Imagination
Engie @ Musings From Neville’s Navel
February 16:
Bridget @ Stay and Watch the Stars
I will not be participating this month, sorry. I am just so busy with my new blog and everything.
Going Self-Hosted Very Soon
[Yes, I am aware that today is Friday, which means an FF. But because of my extremely busy schedule, I have not had the chance to plan out what to post, and I only want to write quality content. Expect one next week!]
I am going to be going self-hosted.
It’s happening! Very soon, probably in the next couple of weeks. I am guessing you have some questions, so here are a few I thought of.
What host are you using?
I am using Book Host, which is about twelve dollars per month and the product I’m buying comes with these features:
- It is completely free if you get the hosting package [what I’m doing]
- All the posts, comments, pages, menus, and widgets are transferred–which means I don’t have to!
- Free guide on how to transfer subscribers
Pretty awesome, right?
What will your name be?
I am changing it to The Book Hugger. My focus has changed since I started blogging, and my current name just doesn’t work any more. My URL will be thebookhugger.com, unless it is taken already.
Will there be virtual cake?
Glad *you* asked! The first fifteen people to comment on my first post on my new blog will receive:
- Virtual cake
- A shoutout on Twitter and my blog
- A personal, handwritten thank-you note from me, personalized and lovely.
So be sure to comment right away and try to be one of the first fifteen! It will be open for 48 hours ONLY.
Will there be a party/anything special that we can participate in?
Well of course there will be a party…complete with virtual cupcakes, chocolate, and fondue. [Fondue is really cool and fun to eat, am I right?!] And awesome printable party hats that you can take pictures of and share on Twitter with the hashtag #thebookhuggerparty and I will favorite ALL of zem.
I will also make a blog hop [if that’s what it’s called…] that you can participate in! Yay!!!
Along with this fabulous party and blog hop, I will be sharing my past of blogging. Because, believe it or not, I had a few blogs when I was younger. They were horrendous and I never kept up with them, but they seem like something you’d want to see. I will also be sharing a snippet of my hero’s quest novel for school that is very exclusive!
Be on the lookout for that wonderful party, my minions.
Are you excited as I am? I hope so! Share your experiences with self-hosting and any questions in the comments below.
My Hero Monday January 2015 Wrap-Up and Sign-Up
My Hero Monday Wrap-Up
[I’m so sorry I didn’t get this up yesterday like I was supposed to. I completely forgot. But here it is!]
This past month for MHM was a hero you just heard about.
Evi @ Where Books Never End did Emma Watson
Bridget @ Stay and Watch the Stars did Susan B. Anthony
Engie @ Musings From Neville did Tanith Low
Allthingswordy @ All Things Wordy did Irena Sendler
All the MHM’s were wonderful and informative. If you haven’t read them, click the linkies above because they’re awesome–and guess what? You’ll LEARN something. :) So. Click.
Sign-Up for February 2015 MHM
The theme for February is a woman who invented something. If you would like to participate, leave your name, blog URL, and any Monday’s that don’t work or that you’d prefer in the comments below.
Monday’s for this month:
2
9
16
Remember to please please please advertise this on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook–wherever. Thank you so much!
Free As a Girl With Wings 