reading

2018 and onwards

| Emma-Kate Writing

So this is my second to last post for 2017, and it’s pretty exciting. This is also my 20th blog post, meaning 20 weeks of consistent posting (which is a pretty big deal for me, because I usually lack consistency and follow through). I’ve actually already scheduled my final post of the year, so I wanted to take this post to sort of chat about some of the directions I would like to take my blog, social media, and writing next year.

One really big thing I want to focus on is really tying Goodreads into my blog. Goodreads is a pretty important thing for authors- I mean, rates and reviews are massive if you want your book seen and noticed. My intention is to read as much as I write next year, with a minimum goal of a book once a fortnight (two a month is nothing but gotta keep that minimum low, just in case). I really want to put a focus on Indie and debut authors though, so I’ll be reviewing ONE of those at least once a month, with my first book being Keeper by Kim Chance which I preordered (out 20th January!). I also intend to review The Savior’s Champion by Jenna Moreci upon it’s release, which should hopefully be soon.

These are only two books though, and I posted on twitter, but I am seeking call outs for indie published books I can access easily on kindle, as well as debut books. So, if you or a friend has something- feel free to link me! I want to give a shout out to other authors and hopefully help garner them attention. In addition to the Goodreads review, I’ll be dedicating a blog post that month to that author and book, linking their social media, etc. I have a few other plans to go with that, but we’ll see if I can manage them.

I also want to force myself to write more, so I’ll be showing something from my work once a month. It might be some back story, or an excerpt, or some artwork I’ve commissioned, but I WILL be showing something in preparation to hype myself up to finish. There might be some form of giveaways thrown in there, too.

Wising you all a happy holiday, I’m sure you’re all doing something this weekend/week. Thanks for hanging around, and hopefully 2018 I will have a lot more for you all.

Happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo

2017 reading list and 2018 targets

| Emma-Kate Writing

So one of my goals for 2017 was to get back into reading regularly. Between numerous hobbies, life, work, education and the like, reading dropped as a priority. Someone introduced me to Goodreads in August though, and that has definitely encouraged me.2017books.png

This isn’t all of the books I read sadly, but these are the ones I remembered to list! I’m still finishing a few on my kindle right now too, but for the sake of this blog I didn’t care to rush them. It’s not a great effort on my part, honestly.

This brings me to 2018 and my goals. I plan to read 26 books in 2018 as a minimum challenge. This means one book a fortnight. And of those books, I am planning to read at least ONE indie/debut novel a month. That means one blog a month will be dedicated to that book too. So if you know someone that’s written a self published book, or have one yourself, or you’re a debut novelist- feel free to hit me up with a link in the comment section, or on my twitter!

Sorry for the short and sweet post, I’m sadly very busy right now, but 2018 will be a lot more exciting on my end.

Happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo

Goodreads

| Emma-Kate Writing

Today I want to make a quick blog about something that is as equally important as writing- reading! I used to be such a little bookworm, but as I get older, I realise like any hobby like writing, or video games, it can be a little hard to muster up the energy to read a book. It makes it harder when I can’t just binge the novel in one sitting because silly adult things get in the way (my boyfriend needs kisses every ten minutes, alright?).

Even though I struggle with concentration and being organised more as I deal with external issues, I am still heavily a type A. I plan, and I goddamn love planning. So one way that I’ve kept myself on track reading is through Goodreads. I had no idea it was a thing until one of my favourite vloggers mentioned it.

I started my list in late August, so I’m way behind where I want to be, but I’ve been consistently reading at least one book a week. Way slower than I like, but not terrible. At least I’m reading instead of just saying “eh, I can go play Dota.”

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Now, as someone that loves tracking systems (because I need a visual representation of achievement), Goodreads is amazing for me. It feels like a competition, and well…I am definitely the competitive type. There are a few benefits I’ve found:

  • Easy to use, management system means I can see what books I’ve read, in case I forget! BAM!
  • Tracking system means I can feel accomplished about reading. Yeah. I struggle with feeling unproductive, hence my extravagant list making. This makes it feel like I’m ticking off something I need to get done when I finish a book!
  • Being able to see what my friends are reading/have read sparks conversation!
  • There’s a want to read list so I can see what sparked my interest
  • Also, checking off books means I read through my literally massive to read list before buying more books

Do you use Goodreads, or would like to? Want to compare books? Find me here! I’m still trying to decide what my next book is why I wait for The Beauty of Darkness to get to me!

Happy writing,

Emma-Kate xoxo