Missy Kirtley

Oh my goodness, how much did I love Incredibles 2?? My girls had already seen it with my mother, but I didn’t get to go with them. They absolutely loved the movie and kept wanting to talk to me about it. I told them “No Spoilers!” And I’m glad I did! I took them for their second viewing (my first viewing) today, and it was … well, incredible. 😉 #sorrynotsorry “Auntie Edna” was probably my favorite part. And Jack-Jack is…

Starting School

June 21, 2017

I haven’t written a lot lately because I’ve been super busy! I’m starting back at school, getting my teaching credential. It’s taking up a lot of my time. I’ll probably be swamped for the next year. Or two. Or forever. I’m also teaching Fiction Writing at the adult school in my town. I finished an eight-week course in the spring, and am doing a Creative Writing Workshop in July. Then I’ll teach an eight-week course called “Novel in a Month”…

How Writers Write Fiction: Storied Women

October 19, 2016

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I did a really stupid thing and signed up for a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) through the University of Iowa. It started on October 11, and will end on November 21. (See why I’m a bit insane?) If I spend time doing assignments and watching lectures for the MOOC, it’ll take away from my NaNoWriMo time. But I’m trying to do both! Like a crazy person! So far so good. I’m enjoying the class. I’m running a bit late…

Book Review: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

October 12, 2016

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch I’m not sure how this book came to my attention. Perhaps it was recommended for me on my Audible list, or perhaps I found it randomly. With so many things going on in my life, sometimes it’s hard to remember how I come across things! I’m glad I did, though, this was a fun novel that had me intrigued from the start. It also gave me a lot of things to think about! Mental chewing…

NaNoWriMo 2016 Prep

October 8, 2016

Always intimidated by NaNoWriMo? I wrote a blog post here on how to Brainstorm and plot out your novel. Not exactly easy, though it’s broken down pretty well there. Here’s my thought process so far–I know I have (only) 23 days until NaNoWriMo 2016 begins! P.S. You can friend me on NaNoWriMo here. Please do! I’d love to keep in contact there! NaNoWriMo 2016 is just around the corner. So you know what that means. Everyone who’s a plotter (like me)…

Book Review: Nos4a2 by Joe Hill

September 19, 2016

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill I heard about this novel on the radio morning show that I listen to every day when I take my kids to school. And since I’ve had great recommendations from the show in the past, I put it on my Audible list. I gotta say, I’m glad I did. I really enjoyed this book. NOS4A2 is a supernatural suspense novel by a master of horror, Joe Hill. The story takes place over the course of a young…

Book Review: Codex by Lev Grossman

August 8, 2016

Codex by Lev Grossman I found this novel when I searched for other works by Lev Grossman. I absolutely loved The Magicians Trilogy, and have read those books at least a few times each. So I figured I would love other works by Lev Grossman, and I wasn’t exactly wrong. I wasn’t exactly right, either. The title Codex refers to a medieval text that has been lost to time. Edward Wozny, an investment banker, has taken a new position with his…

Book Review: The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey

July 25, 2016

The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey This is another title that they were talking about on my morning Radio Show. I should probably plug them every time. I love listening to Sarah and Vinnie on Alice at 97.3. They give the best book reviews! Whenever Sarah says she loves a book, I’m pretty much guaranteed to love it, too. And the fact that they’re local celebrities who promote reading is a big plus in my book.…

Back to the Future and Ghostbusters

July 18, 2016