Personal Reflection 1/20/21

So I am halfway done with my YA. It just needs the middle section fleshed out a bit but the whole story is built, the main scenes are written and the set up is done. I’m putting together an outline for the remaining scenes then finishing it. I am researching some topics such as antiracism and the deconstruction of faith movement for conversations within it. I’m also rereading Man’s Search for Meaning as it is discussed in the book. It makes Ever want to be a therapist one day who uses logotherapy.

My other books are also in the works!

This is Payton’s playlist from the YA of songs she sings/performs. She hums Fur Elise not sings it obv. But that song affected me as a kid. I was like wow it’s beautiful! So I put it in there.

Click: Playlist

My favorite song right now is Give Me Jesus. It soothes me when I’m down and helps me to write. I would say I listen to music literally all day. lol. It’s my therapy. I think that’s why I want Payton to be a singer at heart.

I’m wrestling with a conversation in the YA where my characters discuss purpose. Ever and Payton have coffee shop talks where they discuss all sorts of things. It’s the bulk of the book now! Or going to be. :) I have my Forbes articles as inspiration too! He ends up being silly with her and making her live life (rather than just philosophize about it). This touched me so much! Having them be awkwardly in love with each other but not saying it is another touch of my humor. It’s funny how they are so close to “I love you” then both become bashful.

I know this book is working because it’s also breathing life back into me as well. When Ever tells Payton to let loose a little, I too am taken under his wing. It’s amazing how a book can do that. My greatest dream is to give emotional support to teens with it. Well to anyone!

My favorite YA right now is The Librarian of Auschwitz. Wow it is powerful. It’s about Dita Kraus who is a teen in Auschwitz who hides books from the Nazis as they conduct a school within the concentration camp. It’s amazing! She puts her life at risk even as she is targeted by Dr. Mengele or Dr. Death the man who tortured twins and people in the name of science. He says he is watching her. She has to be more diligent and secretive.

To me, this book was better than Harry Potter.

It’s made me think about a lot with my own writing. Am I doing enough to bring in light and morality?

This book challenged me to try harder at doing good and writing good things. I want to be like Dita. She is my rolemodel now. She kept some aspect of humanity alive in inhumane conditions.

Corrie Ten Boom brought a bible in with her to the concentration camps that got through searches. She led talks on God and accepting Jesus. It was interesting this was never found out.

All of this pulls at me to dig deeper, be more authentic. What more could I be doing to help the world? Help people? Help myself? Help animals? etc. etc.

I have a friend named Kristen who is going to beta read my books. I am excited about that! It will be nice to get feedback.

Lastly, I’ve beaten Wordle 3 times now! EEE. Okay that is all. Random ADD thought tangent lol.

Thank for reading!

Sarah