Hi Andrea! I just wanted to say that your vlogmas has been such a wonderful constant for me to have this year. I have bipolar disorder and fell into an extreme depressive episode this holiday season and your videos help me feel like I have an hour of the day where I don't feel so alone. I appreciate that you just show your life just as it is instead of trying to edit it to look super cleaned up or flashy. Independent Hearts has also kept me company on nights where I can't sleep. :) Thank you for all you do!
I'm so glad that my videos have been able to bring some comfort and constancy to your life right now and help you feel less alone. I know a lot of us here in this little community are struggling with different things, big and small, so please know that you are not alone and we're all here to send a virtual hug. And omg, thank you so much for reading Independent Hearts! I hope they've helped make your nights a litlte more cozy when you can't sleep. :)
Your hair looks beautiful!!! I agree… December goes by too fast. I want so badly to feel the holiday magic, but life & work is just always too busy and full to slow down. Loving your cozy vlogs. I hope you’re feeling recharged and rested after your fun adventures with Tamzin. I look forward to your vlogs everyday. My favorite Christmas song is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” particularly the version by James Taylor. ❤️🎄 😴🥱
😪 I think "Rockin' around the Christmas tree" is my favorite. It's very classic. I liked your advice given about reading to become a better writer. I've heard that before and think it's good advice.
First, I love that there's a fellow Cecilia viewer here lol. Second, omg I wasn't even paying attention at first and then I realized how tipsy she'd gotten. Her drunk baking video is my favorite every year. :) I didn't want it to end.
Keep up the good work, this is more like Vlogmax than Vlogmas. The good news is that your effort qualifies for Festivus' Feats of Strength. Favorite holiday song: Sleigh Ride. It's an orchestral bop.
Lol, I wish I'd thought of Vlogmax at the start of this! And omg, Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride is the best. I crank that in my car whenever it comes on while I'm driving.
😴🥱My favourite Christmas song is "The First Noel" - 'NSYNC's rendition on their "Home For Christmas" album is such a treat to the ears (in fact, the entire album is always a staple in my Christmas playlist!). Thanks so much for answering the question, such great advice! Reading more is one of my New Year's resolutions (Amazon Kindle and Audible are my constant companions). I get inspiration from everywhere: Anything from a Kpop music video concept to a book of "Spanish Fairy Tales". For instance, my spooky middle grade collection was inspired by R.L. Stine's Goosebumps books, Nickelodeon's "Are You Afraid of the Dark" TV show, and the "Hocus Pocus" movies. I've also infused my own local Trini / Caribbean lore so my stories are unique to my perspective :)
😴😴😴 I'm still working until next Friday. My school district still only does 2 week vacations, though all of our neighboring districts have switched over to 3 weeks. I'm feeling very tired too! This time of year always tends to go by so fast for me as I tend to catch up on a lot of work as the teachers slow down their pace in anticipation of the break. I've always been curious how writers navigate getting into a niche setting or story that feels like it's been done and rehashed. Somehow writers still find a way to make these similar stories fresh and also familiar. Two of the prompts for the 52 Book Club this year were to read 2 books with similar plots. And seeing how many books are homages to earlier books like And Then There Were None, or Jane Eyre, or other classics, really does highlight how we're all reading the same story, but its how the author handles the character choices that creates new stories. Growing up, my dad had a record of the Alvin and the Chipmunks singing "Christmas Don't Be Late" that he would play for us. I don't celebrate Christmas any more, but that brings me such joy to me when I hear now! "I still want a huuuulaa-hooooop!"
Yes, I think the fact that there's so many retellings of Jane Austen's stories alone show that no two authors will tell the same story, unless someone is deliberately trying to copy someone. It's always worth being mindful of copyright and making sure your idea is different enough, but look at all the romantasy books about dragons and fairies kicking around right now lol! Or all the mysteries that revolve around a recovering alcoholic divorced detective. And readers who are fans of these types of books eat it up, they want more of the type of book they love the most. I love classic novels like all of Jane Austen's works or Bronte's Jane Eyre, so if I see a book marketed as a "new take" on those, I'm sold. And omg, the Chipmunk's Christmas Don't Be Late is one of my favorite kids classics. I will still sing along as loudly as possible in my car to the hula hoop lyric. :)
I used to get inspiration from dreams but with a change of medications I've lost that. So now I'm working on getting back to reading more. I have several stories that are in the beginning stages of becoming manuscripts and I have ideas rolling around in my head so I just write them as I get to them. 🛌😴
Every now and then I have dreams that give me ideas for scenes and then I wake up and fill in the rest of the basic plot idea. But it's pretty rare. I think it's happened twice? Maybe 3 times. I'm still kicking the ideas around but one of them I'd really like to write one day.
I will add it to the schedule then! I'll probably do it in January after Vlogmas. I also plan to rearrange all my bookshelves soon, so I can do an updated bookshelf tour. :)
I love Carol of the Bells: th-cam.com/video/V7nSKqfBk6k/w-d-xo.html . But Angels We Have Heard on High by the Piano Guys is a lot of fun to watch: th-cam.com/video/n543eKIdbUI/w-d-xo.html . Appreciated this talk about writing today. I haven't considered picking up something non-fiction in a while and I'm now thinking about picking up a Scottish history book I purchased a while back and haven't got around to yet. It is on my bucket list to one day write one romance set in historic Scotland and one romance set in Colonial America but I have research to do on both subjects. Maybe now is a good time to start.
Carol of the Bells is one of my faves! I'm so glad the chat about writing helped. Both of your book ideas sound great, the research for them would be fun. :) I love reading non-fiction, it gives me so many ideas, either for story/plot or for character development. :)
Hi Andrea! I just wanted to say that your vlogmas has been such a wonderful constant for me to have this year. I have bipolar disorder and fell into an extreme depressive episode this holiday season and your videos help me feel like I have an hour of the day where I don't feel so alone. I appreciate that you just show your life just as it is instead of trying to edit it to look super cleaned up or flashy. Independent Hearts has also kept me company on nights where I can't sleep. :) Thank you for all you do!
I'm so glad that my videos have been able to bring some comfort and constancy to your life right now and help you feel less alone. I know a lot of us here in this little community are struggling with different things, big and small, so please know that you are not alone and we're all here to send a virtual hug. And omg, thank you so much for reading Independent Hearts! I hope they've helped make your nights a litlte more cozy when you can't sleep. :)
Your hair looks beautiful!!! I agree… December goes by too fast. I want so badly to feel the holiday magic, but life & work is just always too busy and full to slow down. Loving your cozy vlogs. I hope you’re feeling recharged and rested after your fun adventures with Tamzin. I look forward to your vlogs everyday. My favorite Christmas song is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” particularly the version by James Taylor.
❤️🎄 😴🥱
Aww thank you! I'm loving this hair color so much. I'm so glad you're enjoying the vlogs Amber! :)
😪 I think "Rockin' around the Christmas tree" is my favorite. It's very classic. I liked your advice given about reading to become a better writer. I've heard that before and think it's good advice.
Such a classic song! I'm glad you enjoyed the writing advice. :)
love the cozy vlogs, thank you for sharing your thoughts on how you write! it was super insightful!
So glad you enjoy the cozy vlogs! :)
Cecelia's tipsy baking had me laughing my head off.
First, I love that there's a fellow Cecilia viewer here lol. Second, omg I wasn't even paying attention at first and then I realized how tipsy she'd gotten. Her drunk baking video is my favorite every year. :) I didn't want it to end.
Keep up the good work, this is more like Vlogmax than Vlogmas. The good news is that your effort qualifies for Festivus' Feats of Strength. Favorite holiday song: Sleigh Ride. It's an orchestral bop.
Lol, I wish I'd thought of Vlogmax at the start of this! And omg, Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride is the best. I crank that in my car whenever it comes on while I'm driving.
😴🥱My favourite Christmas song is "The First Noel" - 'NSYNC's rendition on their "Home For Christmas" album is such a treat to the ears (in fact, the entire album is always a staple in my Christmas playlist!). Thanks so much for answering the question, such great advice! Reading more is one of my New Year's resolutions (Amazon Kindle and Audible are my constant companions).
I get inspiration from everywhere: Anything from a Kpop music video concept to a book of "Spanish Fairy Tales". For instance, my spooky middle grade collection was inspired by R.L. Stine's Goosebumps books, Nickelodeon's "Are You Afraid of the Dark" TV show, and the "Hocus Pocus" movies. I've also infused my own local Trini / Caribbean lore so my stories are unique to my perspective :)
Thanks for such a great question! I had fun answering it. Your middle grade collection sounds amazing! And the NSYNC Christmas album is so good. :)
Oh my goodness--I thought I was the only one who loved the NSYNC Christmas album! Haha
Lol, I wasn't even a huge NSYNC fan but I love their Christmas album. 98 Degrees also did a great Christmas album. :)
😴😴😴
I'm still working until next Friday. My school district still only does 2 week vacations, though all of our neighboring districts have switched over to 3 weeks. I'm feeling very tired too! This time of year always tends to go by so fast for me as I tend to catch up on a lot of work as the teachers slow down their pace in anticipation of the break.
I've always been curious how writers navigate getting into a niche setting or story that feels like it's been done and rehashed. Somehow writers still find a way to make these similar stories fresh and also familiar. Two of the prompts for the 52 Book Club this year were to read 2 books with similar plots. And seeing how many books are homages to earlier books like And Then There Were None, or Jane Eyre, or other classics, really does highlight how we're all reading the same story, but its how the author handles the character choices that creates new stories.
Growing up, my dad had a record of the Alvin and the Chipmunks singing "Christmas Don't Be Late" that he would play for us. I don't celebrate Christmas any more, but that brings me such joy to me when I hear now! "I still want a huuuulaa-hooooop!"
Yes, I think the fact that there's so many retellings of Jane Austen's stories alone show that no two authors will tell the same story, unless someone is deliberately trying to copy someone. It's always worth being mindful of copyright and making sure your idea is different enough, but look at all the romantasy books about dragons and fairies kicking around right now lol! Or all the mysteries that revolve around a recovering alcoholic divorced detective. And readers who are fans of these types of books eat it up, they want more of the type of book they love the most. I love classic novels like all of Jane Austen's works or Bronte's Jane Eyre, so if I see a book marketed as a "new take" on those, I'm sold.
And omg, the Chipmunk's Christmas Don't Be Late is one of my favorite kids classics. I will still sing along as loudly as possible in my car to the hula hoop lyric. :)
I used to get inspiration from dreams but with a change of medications I've lost that. So now I'm working on getting back to reading more. I have several stories that are in the beginning stages of becoming manuscripts and I have ideas rolling around in my head so I just write them as I get to them. 🛌😴
Every now and then I have dreams that give me ideas for scenes and then I wake up and fill in the rest of the basic plot idea. But it's pretty rare. I think it's happened twice? Maybe 3 times. I'm still kicking the ideas around but one of them I'd really like to write one day.
I would love a video of the books you didn’t buy. Would also love tours of your bookshelves, where you bought them and did you like them.
I will add it to the schedule then! I'll probably do it in January after Vlogmas. I also plan to rearrange all my bookshelves soon, so I can do an updated bookshelf tour. :)
😴🥱 Silent Night is one of my favorites.
Silent Night is one of my top favorite classic carols.
I love Carol of the Bells: th-cam.com/video/V7nSKqfBk6k/w-d-xo.html . But Angels We Have Heard on High by the Piano Guys is a lot of fun to watch: th-cam.com/video/n543eKIdbUI/w-d-xo.html .
Appreciated this talk about writing today. I haven't considered picking up something non-fiction in a while and I'm now thinking about picking up a Scottish history book I purchased a while back and haven't got around to yet. It is on my bucket list to one day write one romance set in historic Scotland and one romance set in Colonial America but I have research to do on both subjects. Maybe now is a good time to start.
Carol of the Bells is one of my faves! I'm so glad the chat about writing helped. Both of your book ideas sound great, the research for them would be fun. :) I love reading non-fiction, it gives me so many ideas, either for story/plot or for character development. :)
I'd love to see all the books you didn't buy! 😴
I will add it to the list then, probably for January. :)