You may have noticed that the comments are disabled...

Or not, since I'm on hiatus...

But I've been getting a lot of spam comments.

Here are some of my favorites:



My Fall TBR Pile and Playlist:
Peter Gale Godalming: "This is my first time reading this."

Reading this what? This post? Cheers you for mate.



Should You Read Reviews Before You Read the Book (A guest post by the lovely Lila Kims)

Actually, all of the comments on this one are pretty funny...

Sir Jack Brabham Son: "Of course I read the book first, that makes sense."

Ok, Mr. Sassy. First of all what is up with that name?




Dual Book Review: Open Road Summer and PS I Like You

Dr. Christian Farthing: "I want to read this book. Seems like a good book."



They seem to all be commenting on posts from September...But because I don't have time to go through and delete them (which is what I was doing) disabled the comments. :(


MK

Project Canvas Post Live!

READ IT HERE!

Sadness! Regret! Hiatus!

Y'all know how this entire blog is based around books I've read and books I'm writing?

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And y'all know how I haven't written anything in over two months?

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And how I've only read one book?

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Yeah...makes it kind of hard to post things...And I know I tired the very desperate and very fun guest post party in an attempt to keep myself from going on hiatus and in hopes that I'd get back in the writing groove?

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I'm leaving.
*sad face*

Don't worry. I'll be back eventually. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone...right now my plan is to take off October and November and possibly December. Possibly do a partial hiatus in January? I don't know...

I will be back at some point in January.

And it IS possible I'll come back in November or even late October...

But whenever I come back, expect a lot of VERY interesting snippets!

-MK

*waves and runs off mysteriously into the night*

WIP Board for Yet Another Secret Project

Ok...so I haven't had much time to write since college started...

But, I have been working on my stories. It's mainly been plotting.


And yes, by plotting I mean I've been working on the WIP board on pinterest.

 This is an abridged version...

It is filled with crazy old ladies, huge libraries, and beautiful landscapes.

Enjoy

Four Authors I'd Love To Meet

This prompt was inspired by That Artsy Reader Girl's Weekly Prompt: Top Ten Tuesday

Leigh Bardugo

 Leigh Bardugo wrote two of my all time favorite books: Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom.

 I've read several of her other books (Wonderwoman: Warbringer, The Grisha Verse trilogy, and the Language of Thorns) While I didn't love all of them quite as much as the Six of Crows dulogy, I am super excited for Prince of Scars. 

I am obsessed with Leigh Bardugo's characters. So I would probably ask her about them if I met her. Oh who am I kidding. I'd probably be prying for information about the rumored third SOC book...

 

Roshani Chokshi 

Roshani Chokshi wrote The Star Touched Queen and A Crown of Wishes. If you haven't read these yet...DO IT. They are the best fairy tale retellings I've ever seen. They're so beautiful and MAGICAL and I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH! I FEEL LIKE I'M READING A FAIRY TALE.

 

JRR Tolkien 

 

Yes. I realize he is dead. But hush. Its not like I'm meeting any of these other people... J.R.R. Tolkien wrote THE BEST EPIC FANTASY NOVEL EVER. The world building! The songs and poems scattered throughout! *sigh*

Though, if I met him I probably wouldn't talk about books...I'd probably be walking with him quietly through some nice garden looking at trees or we'd be getting into wild shenanigans. 

Apparently at one point he dressed up as a polar bear and chased other scholars.

 

Stephanie Garber  

  

Stephanie Garber wrote Carival and Legendary. And lets be honest...if I met her, it probably wouldn't be at a meet and greet. More of a "I'll let you go when you tell me the ending to Finale."
Which would actually be a really terrible plan...since she'd probably refuse to tell me (as authors do) and she wouldn't be able to finish it because she'd be kidnapped...so I'd just make the wait longer. 

Oh. And kidnappings illegal and I'd probably go to jail.

Who would you want to meet? 

-mk

Time Flies When You're Panicking and Have a Ton of Homework //End of September

BLOGGING:

This Months Posts:

Dual Book Review: Open Road Summer and P.S. I Like You // Guest Post by Lilah 
2018 Summer Reads (My Favorites) // Guest Post by Gray Marie
The Importance of Creating Friendships // Guest Post by Ivie
5 Archtypes of College Students And How To Write Them // Guest Post By Catherine
Should You Read Reviews Before You Read The Book // Guest Post by Lila Kims
My Fall TBR Pile + Playlist 


I did a guest post on Project Canvas! The post isn't live yet...I think it comes out tomorrow? Maybe? Will update this post with a link directly to the post (probably) when its up.






READING:

Guys. I read WAAAY more then I did last month!

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One book. I read one book.

I haven't even read a whole book for school, because we've been jumping around and reading bits and pieces from the textbooks

And it was Forever and Always by Jenny Han. And yes, I did read this because I watched To All The Boys I've Loved Before. 



Other Happenings:

Not too much is going on here other then that. Keep your eyes out for some interesting posts coming your way in October.

-mk

My Fall TBR Pile + Playlist

As my adorable guest post saga comes to an end, I'm making an appearance on Project Canvas with a blog post on writing in college. It goes live tomorrow, so be sure to check it out!




FALL TBR

For A Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig
Shadow of a Fox by Julie Kagawa
The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody
A Thousand Perfect Notes by Cait Drews
Nothing Left to Burn by Heather Ezell


Which is a rather short list...given the fact that I've read a total of one book in the past two months, I'd say this might be stretching my abilities a little.




FALL PLAYLIST

Burning Man by Dierks Bently + Brothers Osborn
Angel Eyes by Love and Theft
Maria Maria by Kendji Girac
Tequila by Dan + Shay
Anywhere With You Is Home by Sam Tsui, Alyson Stoner, KHS, and Kia Rio
Take Me To Church Cover (Cover by Simply Three)
Unforgettable by Thomas Rhett
What Ifs by Kane Brown
Bright by Echosmith
I Believe In You by Michael Buble
More Girls Like You by Kip Moore

Should You Read Reviews Before You Read The Book // GUEST POST BY LILA KIMS

Ok...for once I'll just let the guest author introduce herself. Check out her blog, The Red-Hooded Writer!

Hello there, readers of Sarcastic Scribblings! I’m excited to be here, as a guest-poster on MK’s corner of the Internet. Previous guest-posters claim to have “taken over” her blog, but not to worry - I’m not as devious as they are. (In that respect, at least. *cough*)

Also, I’m nowhere near as sarcastic as MK normally is on here, so don’t expect too many “sarcastic scribblings” today… XD

ANYHOO, I want to talk about reading reviews of a book before you read the book itself. You know, in anticipation of the book. Should you look up reviews before you start the lucky story you’ve dug up from the depths of your TBR?

This, my friends, calls for a pros-and-cons list.


Pros:

1. Looking up reviews will often bring you to trigger warnings or other content notices that will help you decide whether this is a book you would feel comfortable reading.

2. If you have friends on Goodreads with whom you share similar taste in books, reading any of their reviews for The Book may be helpful in deciding whether or not this is a story you think you would enjoy.

3. Reading up on others’ opinions of The Book may enhance your reading experience by prompting you to view the story from angles you probably wouldn’t have viewed it from if you hadn’t read those reviews.


Cons: 

1. Reading reviews in anticipation of reading The Book may take away from the enjoyment, because sometimes you don’t realize how much information about the story is included in a review. It’s often more exciting to plunge into a book knowing next to nothing.

2. Looking up reviews can also influence your expectations in such a way that it negatively influences your reading experience. Maybe your friend on GR has raved about The Book, and their review lifts your expectations sky-high. But then when you read the book, it doesn’t meet those review-manipulated hopes. (Sucks, doesn’t it?)

3. Similar to #2, reading reviews beforehand may influence your overall opinion of The Book. Your opinion may not totally be your own - like other painters subtly swiping their brushes across your canvas, if that makes any sense. “He liked THIS about The Book, whereas she hated THAT about The Book. That’s what I think too!” (<< Maybe it doesn’t seem like your brain would say that, but… our brains go behind our backs sometimes.) It’s kinda hard to explain, but refraining from reading reviews before you read The Book actually helps you to form your own opinions - opinions un-influenced by the views of others.


I hope this pros-and-cons list has helped you decide whether or not you should read reviews of a book in anticipation of reading the book itself. As for me, I definitely lean toward NOT reading reviews soon before I start a book. I have done it, however, and when I do (which is rare) I like to make sure I read a pretty balanced number of positive and negative reviews. Normally, though, I refrain.

But what’s your opinion? :D I’d love to hear what you think about this situation in the comments below!

Thanks again for having me, MK! *smol bow*

The Lord’s Truly,
Lila Kims <3

5 Archetypes of College Students and How To Write Them // GUEST POST BY CATHERINE

*flies in with frizzy hair and notes sticking every which-way out her backpack*

Now there’s an entrance for you. BUT, since I’m running close to being totally late with this post, 
we’re just gonna roll with it.

Hello everyone!

In case MK didn’t introduce me before….my name is Catherine Hawthorn, and 
I’ll be your substitute blogger for today.

Today, I’ll be lecturing about Realistic Characterizations - a topic near and dear 
to my heart. I think it’s safe to say among this group that we all hate it when authors
 totally botch the characterization…especially, when it’s your own age group!

Being a recent college graduate, I’m always interested in a book with college characters.
 In all the books that I’ve read that feature a cast of college characters, I’ve noticed one thing:
 While the “person” characterization seems to be spot on, the “student” characterization is often 
very lacking. Sure, school is often boring - but oftentimes…..a college student’s life REVOLVES
 around school.

So, to help my fellow writers out, I’m creating a “Write What You Know” post of “student”
 archetypes. These will answer the questions like: how does the student interact on campus?, 
What are their study habits?, etc. I’ll give a general overview, some realistic and unrealistic 
ways that the archetype can be portrayed in a story, and an example character profile.

And yes, I totally hijacked one of MK’s trademark posts and made my own version - in true
 substitute teacher/blogger fashion. #sorrynotsorry

There are 5 different archetypes of students:

1. The student leader. They are the ones who involved in various clubs, 
   fraternity/sororities - often holding officer positions. They also hold work-study jobs 
   and in honor societies as well. In spite of their busy schedule, they are everybody’s friends.
    They’re at most, if not all, the campus activities. And yes, these are the ones at the top of 
   their class.

Where are they found out of class?: They could be anywhere on campus. And I do mean
 anywhere. It depends on what their schedule is and what social habits they have.  

Realistic Characterizations: tutor to other students, leader/officer in clubs, leader in class
 discussions. Also share a lot with the “studious” students.  

Unrealistic Characterizations: Giving that “one” piece of advice that changes a character 
(unless it’s indirect, like in a graduation speech), dating one of the party animals, never 
having any down time or problems. Being always in a crowd.

Things of Note

• These are students that are going to be recognized by a large amount of students, 
  at least by name if not face. They are the type that give student speeches at
   graduation, graduate summa cum laude, etc. They are more often than not, extroverts.

Character Profile: Autumn, aged 22. Senior in college, majoring in Communications. 
Is taking a full load of classes, involved in Kappa Delta (a sorority), is president of the 
Photography Club, plays flute in the pep band, is on the Student Activities Board, and is 
also part of the Psi Sigma Psi Honor Society. She also has a work-study position at the 
college library. GPA is 3.94.  

 

2. The studious students. They are at the top of their class, the brainiacs. They do the extra
    credit. They are great friends of their professors. Often there on academic scholarships.
    Their involvement in campus activities can vary, but most of the time, it is little. They
    are mostly likely going to be involved in the special interest or “major” clubs, like 
   music groups or International Club, Aggies, etc.  

Where are they found out of class?: Most of the time, it is in their room or in the library
 - depending on where they feel comfortable studying. Sometimes, they are in a 
professor's’ office (just to chat) or they are outside.  

Realistic Characterizations: being asked what the reading is for the next class period, 
reminding roommates of assignments, devoting 3-4 hours a day to studying or reading, 
leaders in group projects, being alert and paying close attention in class and taking 
detailed notes, A and B grades (almost always).   

Unrealistic Characterizations: walking dictionaries or textbooks (they don’t know
 everything, guys!), not going to any social events, being teachers’ pet.

Things of Note:

• Most of these students are introverts by nature.  

Character Profile: Thomas, aged 20. Sophomore in college, majoring in English. 
Besides taking the maximum credit limit of courses, and being involved in the 
Poetry Club, he is involved in a service organization that provides meals for the
 homeless once a week. He is working a work study position as office assistant to
 the Department of English. GPA is 3.86. Is attending on a half-tuition scholarship,
 awarded via a scholarship competition.

  

3. The average student. These students balance full or part-time work and school and
    social events. They do fairly well, for the most part. Involvement in campus activities
    varies, depending on their priorities and interests. They drink and party occasionally,
    but not nearly as much as a party animal.

Where are they found out of class?: Like the student leader, it depends on what their 
schedule is and what social habits they have.

Realistic Characterizations: participating in class, groaning at assignments or tests,
 going out with friends to a restaurant like El Dorados or to the cafeteria.   

Unrealistic Characterizations: one-upping the class leaders, getting high grades all
 the time, frequent partying.  

Things to Note:

• These students are often the easiest college characters to write, and the ones 
  with the most variety. Play around with them!

Character Profile: Cindy, aged 21. Junior in college, majoring in Business. She takes
 the minimum course load, and is part of the International Club. She also works
 part-time as a waitress at The Grand Hotel Restaurant in town. She likes to go to 
sports games to cheer on her boyfriend. GPA is 2.75.

4. The student athlete. They often skip class due to practice, or a game. They tend to
    be average students, and their involvement in campus activities can vary - though 
   they usually are involved in something. They also are often there on scholarships - 
   athletic ones to be exact.  

Where are they outside of class?: Practice, gym, room, or cafeteria. Sometimes go 
to the library to study.  

Realistic Characterizations: working around the sport schedule, being in the gym 
often or working out, eating multiple plates of food, boys can be a little rowdy.

Unrealistic Characterizations: being fawned over and popular 
(THIS IS NOT HIGH SCHOOL), sports are not a free ride out of doing work 
(often, there is extra work!), superstar athletes,

Things to note:

• Sports are divided by seasons - fall and spring. Football, track and field, 
  basketball, etc are considered fall sports. Swimming, lacrosse, volleyball etc. 
  are considered spring sports. Designations can vary from campus to campus.    

Character Profile:  Ethan, aged 19. Freshman in college, majoring in Biology. He 
takes a medium-heavy course load, is part of the Tau Kappa Delta fraternity, and 
works a non-work study job as a groundskeeper on campus. He is attending university
 on a basketball scholarship, and he plays for the university basketball team as a 
shooting guard. GPA is 3.0.

5. The party animal. These students are often the worst in their class. They often ask 
   for extensions and frequently don’t show up to class. The thorn in most students’ and 
   professors sides. They are great at cramming, BSing, drinking alcohol...you get the idea.  

Where are they found out of class?: In their room, their friends’ rooms, or at the Greek
 Houses is where you are most likely to find them. IF they are even on campus, LOL.

Realistic: skipping a morning class due to a hangover, rushing to do a paper at the last 
minute, moving their car around so that they avoid getting ticketed for not having a permit,
 watching Netflix more often than not, constantly eating junk food, bringing friends over 
without permission, very loud music (pop for the most part).    

Unrealistic: Alcohol bottles everywhere (unless it’s the immediate aftermath of a party), 
getting everything wrong or always giving shoddy work in class, totally brainless, total slob.
 Also not necessarily the class clown (class jerk is another story).

Things to note:

• Because of a loophole in Housing searches, illegal alcohol is hidden from plain
   sight - in sock drawers, closets, and even under beds.

Character Profile: Harper, aged 19. Sophomore in college, majoring in International 
Studies. Inactive member of the Delta Omega Theta sorority (due to her grades),
 but actively around the Greek houses every weekend. Is never without her phone, 
and has a more boho style of clothing. Works at a retail place near campus. Is on 
academic probation (again, due to her grades), GPA is 1.5.

While this may seem stereotyping, it really helps to have these types in mind as you build 
your college characters. Your character’s priorities and work ethic are going to influence a 
lot of decisions that the character comes across - especially the nitty-gritty ones.

As you may have noticed, some of these archetypes can overlap. I basically categorized them 
by “main priority” but it is possible to have athletes that are also student leaders, etc.  

Each of these college student archetypes can apply to both males and females equally, and 
at any age or year in college. Experiment with a character arc that goes from party animal 
to average or studious, or studious to student leader - how does that happen?

Also, knowing these types will help build roommate and friend relationships. A lot of 
tension can be built from a roommate relationship between a party animal and a 
studious student!

Remember, while knowing what kind of student your college character is can tell you 
a lot about them, it doesn’t tell you everything about their personal character. Explore
 especially their religious and political views - these can have a huge effect on their
 college experience!

Your turn to talk!

Those of you who were/are in college, have you found these “archetypes”
 around your campus? Did I miss anything major/minor?

Those of you who are not in college, did this help at all in understanding 
a little about college life? I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have!

Scribblingly yours,

Catherine

The Importance of Creating Friendships // GUEST POST BY IVIE

I was going to write you an intro, but this is too funny.  So I'll just stick the link back to her blog in the intro and let her go!

...

Hello.

It's me.

You may be wondering (unless MK gave a whole explanation above, which would totally make this less funny, but whatever.) why I'm here.

Well, the short answer is MK kidnapped me, tied me up, and forced me to write this post for her blog while she sits in college classes, learning stuff. 

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I'M KIDDING!

I've actually taken over MK's blog while she wasn't looking, so now y'all are stuck with me. 

Let's also ignore the fact that I am writing this post last minute. Well, not really last minute, but I should have had it ready a long time ago.

Today's topic is Creating Friendships.

Many of us on this blog have blogs of our own. And one thing I think is the BEST thing that came out of my blogging experience is the true friendships I've made. I used to be a big believer that you couldn't make real friendships with people online because you don't know them and they don't know you. But then I entered the blogging world, only expecting a couple followers and a few comments. Actually, I expected mostly hate comments because my blog's original purpose was going to be rants. 

(High five if you remember by ranting days.)

But, I found a lot of people who I consider great friends now. 

And I think it's important we remember that a person behind the screen is a person. They have blood in their veins and dreams in their heads. They have feelings, thoughts, ideas, passions, hopes, goals, fears, and so much more. They are more than just a comment on the screen or a number in your followers list.

Now, that doesn't mean that every person who follows your or comments will be your friend. But you will find some who you are close to, who mean a lot to you. I know I have. 

I think it's important to create friendships with people online.

It is VERY important to be careful. People aren't always what they seem. Use your gut instinct. You have one and if you aren't in touch with it, maybe it's time to take a break from the internet for a little while and redirect your focus.

Anyway, back to the main point. 

Yes, some people online may be mean, but there are so many nice people as well. People who will have your back and you'll have theirs. 

(Is this sappy, or what?)

I feel very blessed to have formed some AMAZING friendships with people I know from blogging because, for a while, they were the only friends I had. Now that I'm out at work most days, I have friends, but I know I can always turn to my blog friends for conversations about books and Biblical topics, things that not all my friends from work are interested in. 

So tell me, have you formed any meaningful friendships through your blogging experience?

--

~Ivie Brooks

Living Life for Jesus//Author//Dreamer//Taking the Road Less Traveled 

1 Timothy 4:12