Book Tag – A Book & A Beer

The NaNoWriMo 20 Questions Tag!

Posted on October 23, 2019by J.W. Martin

The NaNoWriMo 20 Questions Tag!

NaNoWriMo is just around the corner, and I’m SO excited. Coming off of last year’s “win”, I’m also feeling quite optimistic about it. And thanks to Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner I can let a little of that excitement leak out with this tag. Enjoy!

Rules

Thank the awesome blogger who tagged you!
Link back to the creator of this tag, Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner. (I want to hear about your NaNo novels!!)
Feel free to use the NaNoWriMo 20 Questions Tag graphics!
Answer the questions.
Tag some friends who are also doing NaNo this year.
And have fun!!!

Tell me about your NaNoWriMo project this year! Give me a blurb!

Hmmm. I usually don’t come up with the blurb until the end, but let’s give this a shot.

A serial killer is loose in a small town and his motive goes far beyond riches, fame, or revenge. The Darwin Killer picks victims with weak genes. Defects, genetic time bombs, and any kind of disease that can spread biologically or socially. There’s no line this monster won’t cross and it’s up to Special Agent Miles Wallace to catch the killer or only the strongest will survive.

What’s the genre?

Crime/thriller.

Describe your MC in three words.

Expert, confrontational, grieving.

Without spoilers, describe your villain in three words.

Self-righteous, brilliant, monstrous.

What is your goal? (the traditional 50K? 20K? 5K? or……. 100K?)

The classic 50k!

Is this your first draft? Second? Third?

Blank page, draft 1. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the first draft of something! (probably about a year)

Are you starting a new project (or draft), or continuing an existing one?

Brand new. The idea has been with me for a while, but I’ve never written anything beyond the outline.

What is your favourite time to write in the day?

I’m a night owl. I’ve tried getting up early and I just can’t function, let alone put a sentence together.

Where are you going to write?

Probably at my kitchen table. Maybe on the couch (yes, in front of the TV) if I’m ahead of my word count.

Computer or paper?

Computer all the way. I used to outline on paper, but found so many good ideas hit me when I least suspected and moved everything to digital formats.

NaNoWriMo is a huge commitment!! How are you going to make time to write?

Less sleep. lol. Seriously. Once the kids are in bed, the dog is walked, and lunches are packed, that’s when I’ll sit down to write.

Are you going to participate in local or online NaNoWriMo events? (e.g. kick-off parties in your city, write-ins, virtual writing sprints…)

Probably not. I always say I’m going to, and I really do want to, but the timing just never seems to work out.

Do you write from beginning to end or skip around?

I’m very linear. I can write a scene knowing it might move to another place in the book, but I can’t jump around much more than that.

Planner or pantser? (or plantser?)

Planner. That doesn’t mean unplanned scenes won’t pop up or that I won’t follow one of my characters down a rabbit hole. That usually happens at least a few times. (does that make me a plantser?)

What will be your go-to NaNoWriMo snack?

Left over halloween candy. My wife and I buy always buy WAY TOO MUCH knowing that we’ll need the sugar boost for all those late nights.

Choice of caffeine? (or no caffeine?)

Pepsi or Dr. Pepper.

Any rewards for milestone achievements? For finishing NaNoWriMo?

No. I just get pumped about having a big word count. I usually tell myself I’ll buy a winner’s t-shirt, but I’ve only bought one out of the three times I “won.”

Share a tip for other NaNo-ers!

Just do a little every day. Even if you don’t have time to hit your daily target, write every single day. Even if it’s just a little.

How are you feeling about NaNoWriMo? (Excited?! Nervous!? Terrified?!)

Excited! I’m always pumped this time of year. I wish I could write 50K every month!

Share an aesthetic for your NaNoWriMo novel!

If you’re doing NaNoWriMo this year and you want to give this tag a try, consider yourself tagged!!

Fun fact about this post: Normally, I’m not a fan of these types of novels, but I can’t get this story out of my head!

All Book Tag

Ringing in the… New Year?

Posted on January 21, 2019by J.W. Martin

So Meeghan (of Reads and Bakes fame) has resurrected a 2017 End of Year tag and repurposed it as a Start of 2019 tag. And then tagged me. It might be getting a little late in the month for a ‘New Year’ tag, but I wanted to squeeze it in!

Rules:

Link to the person who tagged you (Meeghan)
Link to the creator of the tag (Bookmark Chronicles)
Answer the questions below (check)
Tag friends (or not if you don’t feel like it)

Questions:

Best book and/or series read in 2018?

ONE book?! I’m going to pretend it said 3 (and even that was tough to narrow down!)

Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett

Bag of Bones by Stephen King

Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton

Authors that you’ve recently found and would like to read more of in the new year?

Robert Jackson Bennett

Preston Norton

Celeste Ng

Joe Hill

Alexandra Christo

Jo Nesbo

Adam Silvera

Most anticipated book turned movie/tv show?

I only learned that there was going to be a Raven Boys show from Meeghan’s post, so now I’m really excited about that. Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens is up there, too. I actually haven’t read the book yet (though it’s on my 2019 TBR) but anything Neil Gaiman is right up my alley.

Name a character that you wouldn’t mind sharing a kiss with at midnight (if there is one)?

Princess Lira from To Kill a Kingdom. That might end up being my death, her being a siren and all, but what can you do?

What’s on you TBR for 2019?

So much. Some of the most recently added entries are:
All Systems Red, Hounded, and Scythe

How many books do you hope to read in 2019?

Last year I hit 65, so I set this year’s goal at 70.

Will you participate in the Goodreads Reading Challenge or any others?

Kinda, sorta. Goodreads, for sure. And I’ll kind of be doing the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge again. I didn’t complete it last year, but I find it’s a great way to decide what books to read.

Any New Year’s Resolutions?

Ugh. I’m not great with resolutions. I began the new year trying to work out 5 days a week, which hasn’t been working out thus far. I’d also like to blog a little more consistently and get more creative writing done (at least 1 novel and a handful of short stories)

Fun fact about this post: I took a break in the middle of writing this post to play a round of HQ and was embarrassingly eliminated on the 4th question.

All Book Tag

The End of the Year Book Tag

Posted on December 20, 2018by J.W. Martin

I saw this one over on Once Upon a Spine. And while Kiersten didn’t tag me directly, she’s not the boss of me. I do what I want! (please don’t tell her I said that…)

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

Always. I guess the only one that I NEED to finish is The Ape That Understood the Universe. It publishes on the 30th, so I’m hoping to have it done and reviewed before then.

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

Nah. The seasons/time of year very rarely has any impact on what I read.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

The Ape that Understood the Universe by Steve Stewart-Williams, Slayer by Kiersten White, and… I don’t know. Something with words and maybe a red cover. Or blue.

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year?

Nope. Seems very, very unlikely.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2019?

I guess… I don’t do too much in the way of planning, though I do have a buddy read for Armada all lined up for early January…

Fun fact about this post: It’s Sunday night as I write this, and this is 4th post I’ve written tonight. I feel so ahead of the game!

All Book Tag

Naughty or Nice Book Tag

Posted on December 13, 2018by J.W. Martin

Thanks to Shanah for tagging me on this one. Apparently I haven’t been feeling guilty enough about my reading habits lately. Never fear, the Bionic Book Worm is here!

RULES

Tag & link the person who tagged you
Tag and link me/this post (if you would be so kind, I love reading your answers!) – Jenn
Tick/cross off the ones you’ve done
Tag another 10 people!

1 – RECIEVED AN ARC AND NOT REVIEWED IT:

Only once. It was a prequel to a series, and claimed that it was perfect for both fans and new readers to the series. But I didn’t find that to be true at all. I felt like I was missing out on something the entire time and eventually gave up. I didn’t read enough to feel like I could review it.

2 – HAVE LESS THAN 60% FEEDBACK RATING ON NETGALLEY:

NOPE! I didn’t even know this rating existed until a few days ago. Luckily, I’m at 70% with the majority of outstanding books due out in 2019.

3 – RATED A BOOK ON GOODREADS AND PROMISED A FULL REVIEW WAS TO COME ON YOUR BLOG AND NEVER DID:

Ugh. Constantly. I really have to get a handle on this. Can’t imagine how many are out there.

4 – FOLDED DOWN THE PAGE OF A BOOK:

Nope. I almost always have a bookmark handy. If not, a piece of paper, a receipt, my son once used a kleenex (unused, I promise!)

5 – ACCIDENTALLY SPILLED ON A BOOK:

No. Some of my books have been spilled on, but I am not the spiller.

6 – DNF’D A BOOK THIS YEAR:

Yup. But just one. Same book from answer 1.

7 – BOUGHT A BOOK PURELY BECAUSE IT WAS PRETTY WITH NO INTENTION OF READING IT:

Nah. I’ve bought books because of a great cover, but still intended to read it.

8 – READ WHILST YOU WERE MEANT TO BE DOING SOMETHING ELSE (LIKE HOMEWORK):

I’m only human!

9 – SKIM READ A BOOK:

Yeah. Sometimes it’s the only thing that saves a book from a DNF.

10 – COMPLETELY MISSED YOUR GOODREADS GOAL:

This is only my second year setting Goodreads goals, and I’ve hit my goal both times. Maybe I need to set a more aggressive one??

11 – BORROWED A BOOK FROM THE LIBRARY AND NOT RETURNED IT:

Not since I was a kid.

12 – BROKE A BOOK BUYING BAN:

Never been on one. I’m pretty responsible with that. I don’t buy too many books (as if there was such a thing) and I don’t pay outrageous prices for them.

13 – STARTED A REVIEW, LEFT IT FOR AGES, THEN FORGOT WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT:

HA! No. I may forget small details here and there, but no.

14 – WROTE IN A BOOK YOU WERE READING:

What am I? An animal?!

15 – FINISHED A BOOK AND NOT ADDED IT TO YOUR GOODREADS:

I don’t think so.

16 – BORROWED A BOOK AND NOT RETURNED IT TO A FRIEND:

I can’t remember the last time I borrowed a book. I do have some friends that borrow mine and tend not to return them. Just a little annoying.

17 – DODGED SOMEONE ASKING IF THEY CAN BORROW A BOOK:

Nope.

18 – BROKE THE SPINE OF SOMEONE ELSE’S BOOK:

Never broke a spine. Period.

19 – TOOK THE JACKET OFF A BOOK AND ENDED UP MAKING IT MORE DAMAGED:

Ugh. Yeah. I usually put them between to other books for “safe keeping” but somehow they end up underneath books with an odd fold or crease.. or several.

20 – SAT ON A BOOK ACCIDENTALLY:

I don’t think so… Who’s out there sitting on books?

FINAL SCORE – 6/20

Does that mean I’m 30% naughty? Such a prude.

Not tagging anyone since I’m pretty sure I’m the last blogger on the internet to do this tag. If by some chance you haven’t done it… TAG!

Fun fact about this post: IT’S ALMOST FRIDAY! YAAAAAAY!

All Book Tag

Good & Bad Reading Habits Tag

Posted on December 6, 2018by J.W. Martin

Okay. So this is actually two different tags, but don’t they just beg to be put together in one post? Especially since it was the always-entertaining Ally @ Ally Writes Things to tag me in BOTH the Bad and Good. Thanks, Ally!!

Some of these might end up being a little controversial, but what fun is the world without a little unpopular opinion every once in a while? Let’s do this!!

GOOD

Never hesitating to read when finding a few minutes during the day

Waiting for an appointment, long commute, lunch break. Doesn’t really matter if it’s 5 minutes or an hour. I always have at least two books on the go. One physical and one digital. That way I don’t even have to carry my physical book with me to make use of found time. I’m always preparing to whip it out and have a go! (I was talking about reading! What did you think I meant?!)

BAD

Reading When I Should Be Social

I often think I’m contributing to a world that doesn’t talk to each other anymore. Instead of having my nose in a book, maybe I should be giving a strange an awkward nod and saying something obvious about the weather. I don’t know. I don’t like small talk and it’s very unlikely to have a life-altering conversation with a total random.

GOOD

Making use of my local library’s services

Physical books I only borrow on occasion, but I use the digital resources my library offers on a daily basis. Overdrive and Hoopla are a great source for audiobooks, and you just can’t argue with that price!

BAD

Never Reading New Releases

Since the bargain section of bookstores don’t normally have new releases and I tend to go after the ‘available now’ titles from my library, I’m usually a few years behind with what I’m reading. I’m not what I’d call a trend-setter. People much better than me are diving into mountains of books and coming back to tell us all which are great and which aren’t.

GOOD

Buying books that are on sale

I’m not talking about the books that are 25% off, or even 40% (well… sometimes.) I love the browse the bargain section of bookstores. The place you can discover hidden gems for $5. And that’s usually the price of a hardcover! Not sure I’ve ever found an AMAZING book there, but I also don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed either.

BAD

Buying too many books because they were a good deal

The other place I love to buy books from is kindle. Especially when they’re on sale for a buck or two. And once in a while, a really interesting book is offered for FREE!! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! The problem quickly becomes obvious when your digital library has about 100 titles that you haven’t read, and yet you’re still looking at what eBooks are on sale! eBooks Anonymous? Is that some kind of newsletter that will tell me about discount books?!

GOOD

Using a bookmark instead of dog-earing

Okay, okay. Dog earring a page isn’t that big of a deal. It’s not going to destroy a friendship or anything, but I’ve always got a bookmark handy. A while ago I printed a bunch of images off and cut them into strips. Cheap, plentiful, and a great variety.

BAD

Counting Pages

Is there anything that doesn’t do this? Sometimes you just have to know if you should keep turning pages or put your bookmark in mid-chapter. Not the best reason to push on and finish a chapter, but sometimes it just HAS TO BE DONE!

GOOD

Listening to suggestions of others for what to read

Easily one of the greatest things about being in the blogosphere is the sheer number of high-quality recommendations. It’s a community that takes all of the books in all of the world and distills them into a list of the absolute best books ever published!

BAD

Reading books based on Hype alone…

I’ve now read a fair number of books based on hype & recommendations alone, never once bothering to find out what the book was about. Seriously. I’ve read books without even glancing at the synopsis. So far, it hasn’t let me down, but how long can that last?

GOOD

Always remembering to add an interesting book to my TBR

If you hear about a book that sounds good, and you’re going to want to read it, don’t wait. Pull out your phone, write it on your hand, or have the cover tattooed on your bicep. Don’t assume you’re going to remember it, because there’s a good chance you won’t.

BAD

Adding Books to My TBR Knowing I’ll Never Read Them

Every book I add to my TBR sounds interesting. Otherwise, why add it. But there are times when I’m adding one that sounds “kind of” interesting, knowing that odds aren’t good I’ll ever get to a book that sounds “kind of” interesting.

BOTH

Reading ARCs when I really want to read something else

Sometimes there’s a book on my shelf that’s calling to be read. But often times (especially this past year) I chose to ignore the book I really wanted to read, and stay on top of my ARCs. That’s good, because I’m staying responsible and giving priority to the books I’ve been given in exchange for a review, and bad, because I’m not listening to that inner voice that gave me my passion for reading in the first place.

I tag: EVERYONE!!

Fun fact about this post: Before I wrote this post, I never considered any my reading habits to be good or bad. Just habits. Now I get to feel guilty about certain things. Thanks again, Ally!!

All Book Tag

The Fall Book Tag 2018

Posted on November 7, 2018by J.W. Martin

I did this tag last year, but the tag’s creator, Shanah the Bionic Book Worm, has brought it out of retirement for 2018. I was a fan of it last year, so I thought I’d do it again, but making sure to use different books than last time.

CRISP FALL AIR – A BOOK THAT FELT FRESH AND NEW:

Grim Lovelies

Finished this one pretty recently, but I was just blown away at how everything seemed familiar yet new and fresh at the same time.

HOWLING WINDS – AN ENDING THAT BLEW YOU AWAY:

The Final Empire (Mistborn, Book 1)

Again, maybe it’s because I literally just finished it and it’s still fresh in my mind, but it was awesome. And not awesome. But, still, awesome.

COMFY SWEATERS – A BOOK THAT GAVE YOU THE WARM AND FUZZIES:

Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe

Probably because Neanderthal feels like a brother from another mother. When something good happens to him, it’s like something good happening to myself or someone in my family.

BRIGHT COLOURS – A COVER WITH RED, ORANGE, OR YELLOW:

The Fireman

LEAF FIGHT – A BOOK WITH NON STOP ACTION:

Gemina

Yes, I’m a little behind. No, I still haven’t read Obsidio, BUT I WILL! Promise.

PUMPKIN SPICE – YOUR MOST ANTICIPATED READ:

This was a tough one, so I picked two. That’s a lot better than picking 14 like I wanted to!

Fun fact about this post: I centered everything except this line, thus infuriating people with OCD everywhere.

All Book Tag

The Halloween Creatures Book Tag

Posted on October 31, 2018by J.W. Martin

The Evil forces that rule Halloween really wanted me to do this tag.

Sam @ Modern Witch’s Bookshelf tagged me, and I swear I was already planning on doing it! But the evil forces don’t put all their eggs in one basket. I was tagged again by The Orang-utan Librarian just to make sure I got the message. Thank you for the tags. OK, evil spirits, I’m all over it.

Rules
• Answer all prompts.
• Answer honestly.
• Tag 1-13 people.
• Link back to this post.
• Remember to credit the creator. (Anthony @ Keep Reading Forward)
• Have fun!

Witch: A magical character or book

I just finished Grim Lovelies, so it’s super fresh in my mind. With elements of Harry Potter and Cinderella (yet still standing completely on its own) this one was a magical adventure worth every minute.

Werewolf: The perfect book to read at night

Nevernight? I don’t know. I very rarely get time to read during the day, so every time I read, It’s at night.

Frankenstein: A book that truly shocked you

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson starts out making your mouth fall open and your eyes go wide. And that’s just in the PROLOGUE!!

The Devil: A dark or evil character

Dolores Umbridge is detestable is just about every way. One of the little talks between Harry and Voldemort should have been Voldey saying: “I know I want to take over the world and enslave pretty much everyone on the planet, but that Dolores is a bitch, isn’t she? Just not a nice person.” Seriously. Have you ever seen someone enjoy the suffering of other more than her?

Grim Reaper: A character that never should have died

NO SPOILERS, but I’ll say it happened in Morning Star by Pierce Brown. Those who have read it know who I’m talking about.

Zombie: A book that made you hungry for more

To Kill a Kingdom. As it stands, it’s a one-shot. In a world of trilogies, this amazing book comes along and says, “That’s all you get.” That’d be like going to a concert, and this incredible band hits the stage and belts out one of the best songs you’ve ever heard and then says, “That’s it for us. Good night!“

Gargoyle: A character that you would protect at all cost

Enzo from The Art of Racing in the Rain. What can I say? I love dogs. And they need saving more than most humans. There are so many dangers lurking. People, other dogs, cars, and chocolate.

Vampire: A book that sucked the life out of you

The Graveyard Book made me want to curl up in bed. It still kind of does.

Ghost: A book that still haunts you

Hex! The stuff the Black Rock Witch does is bad enough. But it’s the things that you realize about the people that really sticks with you.

Demon: A book that really scared you

The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer. There isn’t much that scares me, but this non-fiction told me of all kinds of things that actual people have done to actual people. Knowing the kinds of things that real humans are capable of is terrifying.

Skeleton: A character you have a bone to pick with

John/Number 4. STOP WHINING! Seriously, bro. I don’t even know what else to say. Just stop.

Mummy: A book you would preserve throughout time

Ready Player One. You knew I was going to put it in this list somewhere! Preserving RPO wouldn’t just be protecting one of my favourite stories ever, but also lots of pop culture from the decade of my birth. Seems worthwhile.

Creepy Doll: A cover too scary to look at

I was going to go with The Vivisector but I didn’t want people vomiting while reading my blog. So, as a close second, I’ll go with Despair. Creepy AF.

Seeing that Halloween is TODAY, I’m not going to tag anyone and me them feel like they have mere hours to pull a post together, even if it was a really fun one!

Fun fact about this post: Seriously. If you want to see a creepy, cringe-worthy cover: The Vivisector. It’s very disturbing.

All Book Tag

THREE-DAY LYRICAL CHALLENGE: DAY 3!

Posted on October 27, 2018by J.W. Martin

Well this is new! I don’t think I’ve been part of a tag like this before. But when Taylor of Nerd Narration tagged me (THANK YOU, TAYLOR!) I thought, yup, this makes sense to do a tag like this.

There are so many songs that I love because of the message. There might songs with a better bridge, or a catchier melody, but if I don’t believe in a song’s message, it won’t last with me.

So! How about this challenge:

HOW IT WORKS?

*THANK THE PERSON WHO NOMINATED YOU.*
*SHARE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS/LYRICS (ONE AT A TIME) FOR THREE DAYS.
*NOMINATE THREE OTHER BLOGGERS EACH DAY.

On the 3rd and final day of this challenge, I chose a song that feels like the anthem to my goals.

ME, MYSELF, AND I by G-Eazy

Yeah, lonely nights I laid awake
Pray to Lord my soul to take
My heart’s become too cold to break
Know I’m great, but I’m broke as hell
Havin’ dreams that I’m foldin’ cake
All my life I’ve been told to wait
But I’ma get it now, yeah, it’s no debate
Yeah

Oh, it’s just me, myself and I
Solo ride until I die
‘Cause I got me for life
(Got me for life, yeah)
Oh, I don’t need a hand to hold
Even when the night is cold
I got that fire in my soul

Most of you know, my life goal is to be a full-time author. It’s a long road, and even though there are people that would help me on the path if they could, it’s a solo trip. There’s no real part of that journey where I need to depend on someone else. It’s all on me. As one of my favourite motivational speakers, Eric Thomas, says: “No one else is going to do it for you. It’s your dream. Get up and make it happen!”

Day 3, I tag: The Orang-utan Librarian, Alexandra, and Nicki

Fun fact about this post:

All Book Tag

THREE-DAY LYRICAL CHALLENGE: DAY 2!

Posted on October 26, 2018by J.W. Martin

There are so many songs that I love because of the message. There might songs with a better bridge, or a catchier melody, but if I don’t believe in a song’s message, it won’t last with me.

So! How about this challenge:

HOW IT WORKS?

*THANK THE PERSON WHO NOMINATED YOU.*
*SHARE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS/LYRICS (ONE AT A TIME) FOR THREE DAYS.
*NOMINATE THREE OTHER BLOGGERS EACH DAY.

On Day 2 of this challenge, I’ve selected an artist that I didn’t like at first… for no reason what-so-ever. I think maybe it was just because he’s never on the rock stations, which is what I mainly listen to, but as I get older pop sounds better and better to me all the time.

So as I started hearing more and more songs for Shawn Mendes, I started thinking, I LIKE this guy’s music. Day 2’s song is In My Blood.

IN MY BLOOD by Shawn Mendes

Help me, it’s like the walls are caving in
Sometimes I feel like giving up
No medicine is strong enough
Someone help me
I’m crawling in my skin
Sometimes I feel like giving up
But I just can’t
It isn’t in my blood

It isn’t in my blood

IN MY BLOOD is about Mendes’ struggle with anxiety, but whether you struggle with mental illness on the daily or not, I think we’ve all felt like this. Overwhelmed, stressed out, mentally exhausted, and just wanting to walk away from everything. But this song is about not giving up in the face of all that adversity. Since discovering this song I’ve had days where I tell myself, It isn’t in my blood.

On day 2, I tag: Ally, Brittany, and Sophie

Fun fact about this post: Shawn Mendes is Canadian. ME TOO!

All Book Tag

THREE-DAY LYRICAL CHALLENGE: DAY 1!

Posted on October 24, 2018by J.W. Martin

There are so many songs that I love because of the message. There might songs with a better bridge, or a catchier melody, but if I don’t believe in a song’s message, it won’t last with me.

So! How about this challenge:

HOW IT WORKS?

*THANK THE PERSON WHO NOMINATED YOU.*
*SHARE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS/LYRICS (ONE AT A TIME) FOR THREE DAYS.
*NOMINATE THREE OTHER BLOGGERS EACH DAY.

I’m going to start of by ~~stealing~~ taking a page out of Taylor’s book, and picking a song from Hamilton the musical. If you haven’t heard this soundtrack, let me send a link to rock you’ve been living under. THIS WHOLE ALBUM IS AMAZING! And this from a guy who’s not usually a fan of musicals.

MY SHOT by the Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton

And I am not throwing away my shot
I am not throwing away my shot
Hey yo, I’m just like my country
I’m young, scrappy and hungry
And I’m not throwing away my shot

We’re gonna rise up! Time to take a shot!
Not throwing away my shot
We’re gonna rise up! Time to take a shot!
Not throwing away my shot

For any who’ve experienced the musical (or just know American History) Alexander Hamilton is talking about independence for America and him becoming a major player in achieving that. When I hear this song, though, I can’t help but think of my own goals. Mainly writing.

‘Throwing away my shot’ is sitting on the couch and playing video games or watching Netflix when I should be writing. Which I still do a little too often, but I’m working on it.

For this first day, I tag: Sam, Kiersten, and Shanah!

Fun fact about this post: Lin-Manuel Miranda, writer of Hamilton, also wrote the songs for Moana, which also get stuck in my head all the time. You’re welcome!