Here's a fun writing warm up, create a short quiz centered around your characters. The quiz will force you to know in-depth descriptions of your characters. It's also just a fun way to start your full day of writing. This idea struck me earlier this week so I decided to act on it. 

*All races of mer are a product of my imagination

I performed in Carnegie Hall... again!
Okay so I realize much of my audience's interests may lean more heavily in the "admiring famous authors" direction as opposed to the "admiring famous opera singers" direction but I find myself in both circles of interest. I did a post about my first trip to Carnegie Hall which was amazing and I am pleased to say that it was even more spectacular the second time around. They moment we arrived it was off to the races. I think now is a good time to point out that the invitation to go to Carnegie Hall was extended to my schools choir not just me (sigh). Our performance, Dreamweaver, consisted of Dreamweaver and Song of the Universal by Ola Gjelo followed by an orchestral middle and was wrapped up by a different choir singing Jubilate Deo. Due to some rather strict rules I wasn't able to film anything inside the hall itself but I did get to film the rest of New York!

(The NY Zoo... but there were no lions or tigers and the bear was really shy)

Confession time, I have done very little reading this past month. Since I decided to make writing a book a serious goal of mine I have had very little downtime to read. But difficult and impossible are two very different concepts. I'm hoping to have a review up at least every month. I will alternate between video reviews and written reviews. If you would like to keep up with my adventures in writing then check out my Youtube. 

​How far would you go to save your sister? 

In a town made of ghosts and dreamers there are only three rules to which one must oblige:
#1 Never go into the forest alone.
#2 Never talk to the ghosts. 
#3 Never make deals in the dark.

Ophelia Danger broke the first two rules not thinking of the consequences and now her sister has disappeared. 

To save Resa, Ophelia has no choice but to make a deal with the devil.

​Long before historians added “the Great” to his name, Alexander stated, “I would rather live a short life of glory than a long one of obscurity.” He certainly lived up to this ambition, conquering most of the known world in just 13 years before his death at age 33. Though undefeated in his lifetime, Alexander died unsatisfied--he always wanted more. His ambitious personality comes as no surprise considering his upbringing: born to powerful parents, he studied under Aristotle and grew up believing himself a descendant of the Greek heroes Achilles and Heracles. His parents and tutors raised him to believe he had something to prove, and this book serves as an account of what he accomplished.

​​Alexander the Great: Student of Aristotle, Descendant of Heroes tells the story of Alexander the Great as its title suggests. The reader follows Alexander through his incredible life. We get see both the man and the legend. The book is a wonderful non-fiction historical novel that pulls in the reader with interesting facts about one of the most famous historical figures in the world.
This book is informative like a standard history book; however, it is engaging and interesting. The audiobook (which is the copy I received via in60learning) is only an hour long. This is perfect for a quick read or for someone researching Alexander the Great. As a blogger who is constantly logged on to either my phone or computer I can appreciate this minimalistic approach to teaching. I finished it within a day and was able to read it while working.
This is easily one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read. It is also easily one of the most educational. The author grabs the readers interest by pulling them in with the legend of Alexander the Great then follows up with the facts behind each legend. I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read more from in60learning.

​While young Wendy and her brothers were taken to Neverland by Peter Pan, Alice fell through a rabbit hole and the Pevensie siblings crossed over to Narnia, another boy was taken to another fantastic place: his own heart.
Great losses crumble the worlds of even the steadiest individuals. In The Imaginarium of the Innocent, ten-year-old Tobias Young’s sense of home is torn from him in one night of wartime devastation in Belgium. Instead of security, love and peace, Toby now faces deep despair and cold numbness. In the aftermath of the destruction of his soul, he is crippled and orphaned in London.
Not only does Toby struggle to accept his handicap, he battles the will to be happy. With the help of a magical soaring eagle, Eoloswing, Toby enters the endangered Imaginarium as the Nightingale—a young man destined to save his newfound friends from the evil of the Hopeslayer. As Toby searches for answers and happiness—with his new roommate and his sister—in both the orphanage and the gorgeous and captivating floating island of dreams, he must learn to address his own heart and remember to retain his own Spark of Elan.

(non-spoiler)

​Written by author H. A. Betancourt, The Imaginarium of the Innocent is children’s book similar to that of the Chronicles of Narnia. The book follows ten-year-old Toby on a heart warming adventure. The readers accompany young Toby through the tragedies that build and shape him as a young boy to the fantastical adventure that molds him as a young man. This book is inspiration both in its story telling and in its characters.
              Toby is a unique character in that he lacks the characteristic of being able to relate to his readership but manages to hold interest. Everything from Toby’s demure manner to his boyish charm pulls the reader in. Our curiosity regarding the main protagonist is sparked by his tragic beginnings. Right from the start readers will empathize if not relate to Toby and want him to succeed.
              Overall this book was good. The author built an incredible world filled with magic and wonder. However none of the characters stood out enough to make me want to re-read this. I would recommend this book as a rainy day read. It is definitely worth your time and will fill your heart and mind with both entertainment and wonder.

...since I last posted. I found myself so caught up in school and building my Youtube that I nearly forgot I had a blog as well! However I am back and can't wait to share some amazing books with you all. A lot has happened in my life since I last posted so I thought I would take the opportunity to update you guys.

Lastly I wanted to let you all know that I am currently working on my first YA novel. This book has been in the works for a couple of months. I am posting daily updates on my writing progress via Snapchat. You can follow me @pink.ninja511 for more on where I am as far as editing and publishing goes.
I just recently began a freelance editing service on fiverr. I made this service to support new authors working on a budget. For more information click the button below. 

Happy holidays everyone! So many posts planned for the coming year! Featured book reviews coming in 2018 include the following:
• Chimera
• The Magicians Workshop Volume 2
• The Chronicles Of Narnia
• 1 YA Fantasy novel to be announced at a later date!

Let me know what you want for Christmas in the comments below!

Win a signed copy of The Secrets of Islayne!
Instructions:

• Follow the link below and you will receive further instructions,
• https://www.karilynnwest.com/giveaways/win-a-signed-copy-of-the-secrets-of-islayne/
• This Giveaway is U.S. only...sorry
• Thats it! Have fun!