Hello 26, Let’s Do This.

After my little blogging hiatus, my birthday is next week, and I’ve officially hit that age (basically any age after 21, am I right) where every birthday is less fun and usually comes with a dose of existential dread.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my life and all the amazing experiences I’ve had that brought me here.

But there are moments where I’m like “woah, I’m closer to 30 than I am to 18” and that’s seriously terrifying. In many ways, I’m happy with where I’m at. And in other ways, I feel like I’m way behind. That might just be the way things are, perhaps a bigger commentary on the human condition as a whole. Whatever it is, I feel it big-time whenever another birthday rolls around.

But this year, instead of feeling sad, I plan to fully emerge myself in all the blessings I’ve experienced recently. Having an attitude of gratitude is the way to go, right?

Right. Okay cool.

That’s why I decided to spend my birthday blog post this year with thankfulness. Thankful for the blessings I’ve been given and all the blessings yet to come.

There are too many to post, but alas, here are my top 5:

#1: New publishing opportunity

A recent book I read to help me develop my story!

This one I can’t talk about a whole lot yet, but it’s going to be the secret sauce that makes Breakup Queen the epic saga that I know it will be. If you’re newer to my blog, you might not know that I’ve been publishing books since I was in college (and my debut novel was published when I was 19). So this is going to be an amazing milestone for me and my creative work, and it’s going to happen this year when I’m 26.

#2: More freelancing work

I also am self-employed, and recently I’ve gotten more gigs that are getting me closer and closer to hitting my personal financial goals — and that’s a really exciting thing. If you also graduated from college semi-recently like me (class of 2019, what’s up), then you probably know the job struggle all too well. But things are looking up, and networking like crazy actually paid off. I’m so happy with where things are at and all signs point to more work and opportunities on the way. My professional life is blooming, and I’m so grateful for it because I know it was a steep climb to get here, and there’s still so much more I want to do.

#3: Boyfriend ❤️

Aren’t we so cute? I adore him so much.

This one appeared out of nowhere (jk, we met online but it still felt super sudden). But Andrew, is very possibly, the best thing that ever happened to me. He’s the most kind-hearted, mature, and sweet family-oriented guy I’ve ever met, and can’t wait to see what’s in the future for us. Oh, and did I mention he’s in the national guard? It’s impressive, for sure. I wouldn’t be brave enough for something like that, but I’m so grateful God makes people who are ❤️

#4: Friends both near and far

While I sadly don’t have many local friends, I am so grateful for the friends I do have that are only a text or call away. I know it takes a village, and I count myself so blessed to have people all over the country that care about me. Even one or two in other countries, isn’t that wild? Distance is no problem with technology, and I’m so glad to have met these kind souls any way I could.

#5: Never Growing Up

Back when I had pink hair, pictured with one of my crocheted unicorns and very apropos Yarn Punk leggings.

I’ve been so surprised at the value and joy I get out of re-connecting with my inner child. Sticker books have been one way I love relaxing when I’m stressed, or watching shows that take me back to a simpler time (Gilmore Girls, I’m lookin at you). And I think anytime a birthday rolls around, it’s so important to connect with the younger version(s) of you too. Before you were twenty-something, you were 18. And 16. And 12. And so on, and so forth. A birthday is a wonderful time to give yourself a hug from every era, in preparation for your next eras and adventures to come.

Anyone else with a birthday in March? Let me know, we can share ideas and celebrate!

Science Fiction Meets Romance – Where to Start?

Unless you’re new here, you’re probably aware that science fiction and romance are my bread and butter. Not only are they what I specialize in, but the two blended together is one of my all-time favorite genres to read. That’s also why for my next book, Breakup Queen, I’ll be doing just that. Sure, it’ll be a fake-dating rockstar romance, but I recently came up with a loose science fiction twist that should crank it up to the next level.

I really think it’s going to heighten the stakes and make the story a lot more nuanced. Whenever you’re writing a new concept, you’ve got to have the stakes high enough that the reader actually cares about the outcome. I know that sounds obvious enough, but it’s something I think a lot of authors accidentally overlook. That’s why I’m reading Cinder by Marissa Meyer to get myself in the mindset for the kind of story I want to build.

So this month, I wanted to share 3 ways I think sci-fi heightens the stakes more than a story without it:

• Life versus Death: While some heartache feels like it could kill you, everyone knows it can’t literally end a life (assuming the absence of a Romeo and Juliet situation, of course). With a science fiction or even dystopian twist, your characters could literally lose their life over the course of the story.
• Bigger world implications: Is there an evil overlord threatening to take over the tri-state area? Well, unless they’re as innocent and harmless as Dr. Doofenshmirtz, your protagonist could have a serious issue on their hands. Bonus points if the story also makes some bigger points about real-society outside of the story.
• Extra Plot Complexity: Suddenly, it’s not quite as simple as telling the guy you loved him the whole time; now you’ve got cyborgs to fight off. That’s a silly example, but I’m sure you get the idea.

Some of the best parts about contemporary science fiction is that while it’s situated in society as we know it, there are twists and new complexities that the reader maybe wouldn’t have expected. At the end of the day, we just want that escape from reality, right?

I know that’s why I’ve written my science fiction books. Whether it’s time travel or dystopian thrillers, there’s always an escapist quality that I’ve seen readers really connect with.

Happy reading and writing!

NEW Website Launch (Basically Me, but Online)!

Seriously, I finally have all my stuff in one place and it feels *amazing*.

If you’ve been hanging out online with me enough, you probably know by now that I’m not a typical author. Sure, I’ve published six books and talk a lot about those (and you can read my latest time-travel coming-of-age duology HERE). But I’m also an editor, freelancer, blogger, copywriter, and journalist. It’s really hard to market yourself in those capacities with everything scattered around all corners of the web.

Well, it would be… but not anymore. My cousin introduced me to her dynamic and talented friend Olivia Bolger who is an incredibly talented web designer. And the rest, was history. I’m so psyched to get to share the fruits of our labor with you now: angelinasinger.com

This website is everything I’ve built in the past couple years since graduating college, all in one neat package. On this website, you’ll now find:

• Latest event announcements + where you can meet me
• Freelance journalism articles on various platforms
• Where to buy my books and leave reviews
• Contact form to reach out anytime for editorial consultations
• Signup form for my mailing list
• and more!

How cool is that? And I really do have to thank Olivia for doing all the work she did. I really never would’ve figured out how to make it navigate as smoothly as we did. If you need a website, definitely hire her!

Recent photo from my first book signing in a while 🙂

I am so thrilled to see how this website helps me expand my approach in the coming months. All I ever wanted to do in life was write, and I have a feeling this website launch was a massive step in the right direction.

So now, you can check there for all the latest event news and updates. You can even access this blog from there as well (so I’ll do my best to keep both platforms up-to-date). Thank you for all your continued support, and keep doing that whole whale-watch thing.

Oh, you didn’t know? I’m giving away a signed copy of The Rewind Duology at the end of the Summer to one of the sighters of a whale in the wild. Read this recent post on my Instagram page for more on that and how to enter HERE.

Hoping to see you soon at an upcoming event! And if you check out the new website, feel free to let me know what you think in the comments below. I really love your feedback 🙂

What I’m Thankful For

Author life isn’t usually as glamorous as you might think. And with all the varied levels of uncertainty in the world right now, it’s so hard to stay focused and peaceful in the midst of the storm. So ahead of my favorite holiday of the year (Thanksgiving Day, DUH), I thought it would be high time to tell you about some of the things I’m grateful for. Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list – I’ve just picked a handful of things to share. The real list would probably be way too big to share on a single blog post. And the biggest thing, is obviously Jesus – whenever I’m scared, I know He’s got my back and sees the whole picture, especially when I can only see what’s directly in front of me.

#1: Creativity

The ability to build worlds on paper is sheer magic. I honestly love how I can bring a story to life effortlessly. It feels like a superpower some days! Then again, it’s probably because I’m epically bad at anything math or science related. I guess Jesus knew that my brain would have to be good at something, so He made me extra artistic and creative. I am definitely not complaining! So whatever you’re good at, and whatever you love doing – just keep doing those things when times get hard. You’ll be surprised at how mediative and relaxing hobbies can be.

I’m also a big fan of music, and I’ve been studying guitar in various capacities for over 12 years now. My hope is to be able to teach guitar someday, but for now, I’m just really enjoying honing my skills.

#2: Home + Family

Yes, my parents drive me nuts sometimes (read, all the time) and I’d say Only Child Syndrome is largely to blame. But they love me so much, and they’re always there for me. Especially after losing my grandfather recently, they’ve really been an amazing support system for me even while they were obviously saddened by the loss also. If you’re grieving a difficult loss, you can read about my grappling with this in this post HERE: https://angelinasingerauthor.wordpress.com/2020/10/01/where-creativity-meets-grief-managing-emotions-in-the-wake-of-loss/

So I guess what I’m saying is, hug your loved ones tight, this season and always – you never know how much time you have left with them.

#3: My Friends

When OCS (Only Child Syndrome) sets in with a vengeance and I really need to talk to someone not blood-related to me, friends are an amazing alternative. When I was a kid, I didn’t have many friends I could depend on. That was probably compounded by the fact that I was always a bit more mature than other kids my age. Plus, it didn’t help that I exclusively attended private schools miles away from my hometown. Add in a good dose of bullying, and ya girl had it pretty rough. That’s why I’m so beyond grateful for the friends I found in high school and college. They fill in the gaps of friendships I was lacking in the past in the most honest, wholesome way. I even got to meet a long-distance friend IRL for the first time this year, and you can read about that surreal experience HERE: https://angelinasingerauthor.wordpress.com/2020/08/25/when-writers-meet-closing-the-distance-from-800-miles-apart/

But this isn’t meant to be a sympathy post – no. What I’m trying to show you is that no matter how bad things get, time and life experience fix most things. I used the struggles I had to write my latest book – Forgetting What I Couldn’t Remember – all about overcoming bullying and the long-term damaging effects it can have. All fictionalized, of course – the story is about Vera Bartlet who travels through time and meets her younger self. Navigating some romance and estranged relatives in the mix too, this is a story you don’t want to miss! Grab a copy before the sequel, Forgiving What I Couldn’t Change is released mid-2021: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084QK6DFW?pf_rd_r=5TKMY5SCHQFM95MN0S40&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee

So no matter what your holiday looks like this week, I truly hope that you find time to thank God for all that He’s given you, big or small. Even the tough things always happen for a reason, and that understanding is getting me through so many of my struggles. Things will get better soon! And until it does, counting your blessings is a great place to start ❤

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

P.S. – Although in person events are obviously cancelled right now, I’m participating in the digital Rhode Island Author Expo on December 5th. Click this link to see the events I’m in, and register for free if you’d like to virtually meet me!

https://sites.grenadine.co/sites/authorexpo2020/en/rhode-island-author-virtual-expo-2020/person/96/Angelina%20Singer?fbclid=IwAR1jN_iVQarAHEsysSm_wWcMuSWcHAYdtHVOWZj1qA-wWm30zTNdtTdn0uc

#authorexpo #whatimthankfulfor #thanksgiving #foodie #localauthors #fiction #struggles #thankyouJesus #thistooshallpass #youngadultbooks #newadultbooks #writers #novelists #localauthor #timetravel #comingofage #thrillers #editing #writing #holidayseason #hugyourlovedones #reconnectwithfamily #friendships #antibullying

Rolling with the Punches – How to Cope When Plans Get Derailed

My biggest dreams are to be a bestselling author and a world-renowned music journalist. Of course, I’m well aware that the first thing is probably about as likely as becoming a pop star and the second thing takes years to accomplish.

Since those ideas obviously fell through (shocker, I know right?), I’ve been looking for remote work through all the typical job finding sites, preferably for something like copywriting or marketing. And due to probably a bunch of different variables, that just hasn’t happened for me yet either.

And I’m not giving up, but I’ve come to the realization that I might have to accept that there will be detours in my professional planning. No matter what happens in the future, I gotta be okay with where I am now (very zen-like of me, isn’t it?).

So here’s where I’m at, and what I’ve been doing lately to make the waiting productive and not a waste of time:

#1: I’ve embraced freelancing as a legitimate option.

At least for now, working for myself has been really really great, and I’ll be able to pad my resume for later. Hopefully the world stops imploding soon enough, and at that point, I’ll land a full-time gig. Or hey, if the freelancing thing goes well enough, maybe I won’t even have to at all! As my uncle put it once, I could work for someone irritating and make less money, or work for myself and make more money. The choice is pretty obvious!

As far as what kind of freelancing I’ve been doing, it varies. Sometimes it’s an article for Motif Magazine, Inkitt Writer’s Blog, or an edited manuscript for a client. No matter what it is, I’m totally busy enough with whatever I find and it’s actually really fun! I’ll attach some links to my work below if you’re curious about it.

Motif Magazine: https://motifri.com/author/angelinasinger/

Inkitt Writer’s Blog: https://degfhkjgfjhf.inkitt.com/author/angelinasinger/

I’ve also still been working on my latest book, Forgiving What I Couldn’t Change (Book 2 of The Rewind Duology), but I’m not expecting that to be a full-time venture anytime soon necessarily. So I’m diverting my attention to these gigs full time (for now).

#2: Trust God.

‘nough said, right? My faith in Jesus plays a massive role here, because it helps me remember that even when I’m convinced my life is spinning out of control (or worse yet, not going anywhere at all), He’s got it covered. It’s a pretty good feeling, once you retrain yourself to think through struggles that way. So just hang in there best you can until things start to change 🙂

#3: Be nice to yourself.

Lilly’s not worried – you shouldn’t be either!

Don’t blame yourself for not having a job yet (especially these days). There are so many totally valid variables that are making the job search harder than it’s ever been. Maybe the company you want to work for isn’t hiring right now. Or the one that is being extra picky in their hiring process because as it is, they have a shoestring budget. But the overwhelming consensus us that it’s not you. Everything is just tough right now, and that’s okay.

In the meantime, fill your time with productive action steps that could lead to getting out of your rut sooner versus later. As for me, I took a leap of faith and joined the Editorial Freelancers Association – a paid database that connects freelancers with people who need their services. It was a bit more expensive to join than I typically would have been okay paying for, but I think it was a smart investment. Point is, do things that are productive, even if it feels like a tangent.

In my limited experience, sometimes side quests end up leading you right back to the main path anyway 😉

#freelancing #writers #writerlife #selfcare #blogging #articles #music #authors #reading #fiction #breathe #staycalm #thistooshallpass #pray #trustGod #faithinJesus #focus #grace #kindness #businesses #investments #mindset #taketherisk #leapoffaith #gethired #opentowork #workforyourself #copywriting #editing #clients #rollingwiththepunches