August 23, 2019

Hi there.

A lot has happened in the last year of my life.

Some of you are new to my work, while many readers remember me from the original Emily Rachelle Writes on Blogger — or, before that, Thoughts of a (Maybe) Teen Author. I’m the author of World of Shadows, available on Amazon, as well as poetry collection Rain in December and debut novella Sixteen (both no longer in print; that’s a story for another post).

In June 2018, I stepped away from the blog I’d been writing for over eight years to focus my time on pressing real-life matters. After a while, I decided to leave that site behind permanently, though it’s still online for anyone interested in reading my old posts.

As to what’s happened in the meantime…

…here’s a little background to catch you all up:

May 2018

the author in graduation cap and gown with song lyrics on the cap
I graduated from university with a bachelor of arts in public relations.
close-up of degree

June 2018

waterfall in the smoky mountains of tennessee
Vacationed with my family in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
the author's brother posing during a hike in the smoky mountains
My brothers, Dad, and I took a hike in the Smoky Mountains.
Check out my brother Nick’s YouTube channel.
Mom and I toured a winery and saw the room where new flavors and varieties are made.

Oh, yeah, and for the readers who followed my old site: didn’t get married.

July 2018

Started a job reporting at the Marion Chronicle-Tribune newspaper.
And fell into a new relationship. (image/poetry by Rupi Kaur)

August 2018

Moved in to my first apartment.

September 2018

My baby nephew was born. (I got to meet him in November.)

October 2018

I pulled together a Black Widow costume for Halloween.

November 2018

Ended the summer relationship. (image/poetry by Rupi Kaur)
I tend to get into the holiday spirit a little early.

December 2018

A little Christmas montage…

Also!

A new tattoo!
The large flower is a protea, symbol of change, transformation, and courage.
The surrounding blooms are gladioluses, signs of strength.

January 2019

I turned 23 🎉

and met someone new. (poetry/image by Rupi Kaur)

February 2019

A Valentine’s rose.

March 2019

I made an impromptu visit home, thanks to some expiring travel vouchers…

…and a new project took root.

April 2019

My alma mater hit national news due to its (divisive) choice of (politically controversial) 2019 commencement speaker. I started a (short-lived) new website/blog project (haven’t decided yet whether to keep up with that one). I bought an Xbox off a coworker with laundry quarters for the express purposes of playing L.A. Noire and Just Dance.

May 2019

Adventures with boyfriend!

Also, I quit my job.

June 2019

I was so excited to go to Indy Pride this year, with one of my best friends.

July/August 2019

That brings us to this summer. I’m working a “day job” now to support my writing. My boyfriend and I live together in the Lafayette, Indiana area. I’m on a gluten-free, dairy-free diet that’s helping me to better manage my health.

I spend my days writing, watching ASMR YouTube videos, and scrolling through Pinterest wedding feeds; my nights watching movies and trying new recipes with my boyfriend; and my weekends on day trips to Indy, Fort Wayne, and hiking trails. Once all the boxes are unpacked and the dust has settled from the move, we hope to do a little more swimming and bike riding, too.

What’s next?

After all the roller-coaster and Ferris-wheel changes in my life this year, I’ve decided to focus my time on two things: my newly established life in Lafayette, and my writing.

At home, I work four days a week and spend the extra workday doing household shopping, cleaning, and cooking. It’s a balance that will hopefully work well with my boyfriend right now, while he works 40-50 hours a week and takes classes. With the move finalized, I plan to spend my social time at the local library and St. John’s Episcopal Church.

My primary writing goal is to finish the Narnia fanfiction I started in 2013. Say what you will about fanfiction, but that project has meant a lot to me and really helped shape me and my voice as a writer. Once that’s complete, I have two books in the works that I hope to have out within the next two years.

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