Christine Smith

Know the Novel 2021: Part 1 // Introducing Night’s Shattered Stars

Post published:October 25, 2021
Post category:Writing
Post comments:70 Comments

ONE WEEK, GUYS. Just one more week and then it's NaNoWriMo time!!! But before we dive into the month-long writing insanity, I want to actually, you know, introduce you to my NaNo 2021 novel! This will be my twelfth NaNoWriMo and just...my mind can hardly comprehend that fact. I have grown and learned more than I could probably ever fit into a single blog post over the course of my eleven NaNos. It's been such a vital tool in my writing journey. I will never forget the magic and wild rush of that first NaNo and how it propelled me…

The End of the Beginning Part 2 // Faylinn #13

Post published:October 18, 2021
Post category:Prompts Writing
Post comments:14 Comments

As promised, I bring you the next Faylinn story and the FINALE of this story arc! Yes, my dear readers, it is time. It is been long in the making but, finally, the last installment of this first Faylinn story arc is HERE. For Newcomers These continuing short stories started out as pieces inspired by fairy tale prompts, but rather exploded on me and have now turned into a whole continuous story. The tale follows Raylinn, a wingless fairy, Finn, a banished prince, and their tag along sassmaster Zayd the genie as they traverse the world and have all sorts…

The End of the Beginning Part 1 // Faylinn #12

Post published:October 11, 2021
Post category:Prompts Writing
Post comments:10 Comments

It is (finally) time for me to present the next "Faylinn" short story! I promise I did not plan to take so many months to write the next installment! A big editing project, a hiatus, and LIFE happened and...yeah. I've gotten so bad at writing these consistently. BUT I was absolutely determined to finish this story arc I've had going since *checks* January 2020??? (good grief) before the year is out. With NaNo (meep) and holidays (more meep) coming I knew I needed to get it done, otherwise it would not happen before next year. *nervous laughter* BUT I HAVE…

Know the Novel – Part One: Introduction // A Writer’s Linkup

Post published:October 4, 2021
Post category:Writing
Post comments:62 Comments

Happy, happy October! We have officially reached NaNoWriMo prepping month which means it is time to bring back the annual writer's linkup: Know the Novel! Um. Okay. But. How is National Novel Writing Month ONE MONTH AWAY??? PURE INSANITY. Not gonna lie though, I've sort of been counting down the days since the end of last NaNo. (Yes, I am that crazy.) NaNo 2020 may have been my favorite NaNo of all time and I truly cannot wait to dive into yet another year of late nights, too much coffee, and, most importantly, mad writing! I know so many of…

The Silmaril Awards 2021 Ceremony: Most Magnificent Dragon

Post published:September 28, 2021
Post category:Reading
Post comments:37 Comments

Welcome, friends (fictional or otherwise), to the 2021 awards ceremony for the Most Magnificent Dragon! Fifty-eight dragons were deemed magnificent by their readers, five proved their true worth and rose to the top, and today only one will walk (fly?) away with the resplendent lifetime award. So settle in (preferably with some fire extinguishers on hand) and let us begin today’s ceremony! The sun shines bright upon the field, glimmering across the lake and warming the heads of the great audience. Of course, the dozens of dragons intermingling with the crowd are providing plenty of warmth as is. Thank goodness…

The Silmaril Awards 2021 Voting: Most Magnificent Dragon

Post published:September 13, 2021
Post category:Reading
Post comments:36 Comments

The nominations have been gathered, the tallies have been counted, the TBRs have exploded to dangerous levels, and we have now entered ROUND 2 of The Silmaril Awards 2021! Welcome back, everyone! Last week we called upon all you great questors and fantasy connoisseurs to nominate and second all your most beloved (and perhaps unbeloved, in some cases) literary fantasy characters. And what a rollicking week it proved to be! The ENTHUSIASM. The sheer amount of CHARACTERS. The delightful new books discovered and discovering of friends who shared favorite reads. It was a grand ol' time and us hosts are…

The Silmaril Awards 2021 Nominations: Most Magnificent Dragon

Post published:September 6, 2021
Post category:Reading
Post comments:202 Comments

Come one, come all to a quest of great excitement and renown! Prepare thyself for much jubilation, anticipation, merriment, and celebration (and fangirling/boying). Yes, indeedy, another year has rolled around and now that we have entered this most prestigious ninth month it means the time has at last come for... THE SILMARIL AWARDS! IT'S HERE, GUYS. The sixth annual Silmaril Awards opens TODAY. And ohohoho are we gonna have a fantabulous time giving all our beloved literary fantasy characters the recognition they so rightly deserve. Now. If you've clicked on my blog and are thinking, "What's happening? Where am I?…

Book Review // Third Winter’s War by M.L. Little

Post published:August 23, 2021
Post category:Reading
Post comments:8 Comments

The third and final book of M.L. Little’s Seventh Realm trilogy is HERE and goodness gracious me, WHAT a finale. I may never recover. Some of you may remember my reviews for the first two books, The Book of Secrets and The Warden of the West March. Both of which I LOVED. I’ve been anxiously awaiting this finale and it. did. not. DISAPPOINT. In fact, it quickly swept in and became my top favorite of the three. Though I have utterly fallen in love with all these books about the Draven siblings in their modernized fantasy world of wonder and…

I Have Returned // What I Did & What’s Next

Post published:August 9, 2021
Post category:Life
Post comments:52 Comments

Happy August, my elflings! I am officially back from my hiatus and my GOODNESS have I missed posting and talking with you all! July zipped on by like it had somewhere to be and couldn’t be bothered to linger long, while at the same time it feels as if it’s been positively ages since I’ve posted and been on any semblance of a routine. My task-oriented self is rather pleased to be settling back into a more productive schedule, but it was a good hiatus. Like a really good hiatus. So today I thought I’d simply share some of the…

July Hiatus Notice

Post published:June 30, 2021
Post category:Life
Post comments:31 Comments

Hello, dear elflings! I come to you on this random Wednesday to let you know I'm going on a hiatus for the month of July. For the past 3 years I've made a habit of going on a posting hiatus during July and, hey, why break tradition? Okay, okay actually, I've discovered stepping back from things here at the middle of the year is a fantastic way to rest up from the first half of the year and get all refueled to tackle the second half. 10/10 Recommend I know I've not talked much (if any?) about my writing and…