I have been reading Abbie's blog for over 3 years. I'm pretty sure she didn't know I existed for most of that
time but I still freaking adored her. Her enthusiasm and writing style and videos are all so awesome. A lot
of her stuff (especially on youtube) is geared more toward fiction writers and doesn't exactly interest me
but all of her posts on scheduling and productivity are so crazy inspiring. So when she said she was
releasing her first book I absolutely had to read ittttttt. I was gifted an arc ebook copy (but all thoughts are
of course my own. This post is going to be an interview with Abbie, my thoughts on the book, and a
giveaway at the end!
Mini Review
If you want a full summery of the book you can check out the good reads page but basically it's about a
poetry blogger named Tessa that gets in a car accident and loses her eyesight for 100 days. So that she can
keep writing, her grandparents hire a teen boy named Weston to help her type. Because she is blind she
doesn't know that Weston has a disability as well. He doesn't have his legs and he makes everyone promise
not to tell her.
poetry blogger named Tessa that gets in a car accident and loses her eyesight for 100 days. So that she can
keep writing, her grandparents hire a teen boy named Weston to help her type. Because she is blind she
doesn't know that Weston has a disability as well. He doesn't have his legs and he makes everyone promise
not to tell her.
This book was absolutely amazing and honestly not what I expected at all. Weston is one of my favorite
humans on planet earth, I love that Tessa is a blogger, you get so much background insight on the
characters that makes there actions that much more meaningful, and it's just honestly adorable. If you want
a cute little love story with a whole lot of meaning, than this is the book for you.
humans on planet earth, I love that Tessa is a blogger, you get so much background insight on the
characters that makes there actions that much more meaningful, and it's just honestly adorable. If you want
a cute little love story with a whole lot of meaning, than this is the book for you.
Interview Time!
What has been the hardest part of self publishing?
Indie publishing is a lot of work, which is one of the big reasons why a lot of people choose not to go
indie. Unless you hire a team (or bribe unsuspecting siblings and friends into helping you out) you're
juggling this whole book-publishing thing alone. And that's a lot to take on.
indie. Unless you hire a team (or bribe unsuspecting siblings and friends into helping you out) you're
juggling this whole book-publishing thing alone. And that's a lot to take on.
I always tell aspiring indies one thing: really research the indie publishing process and get a good
understanding of how much work you'll have to do. Make sure you're willing to put in that work, or else
your book won't be the success you dreamed of. The whole process is a major learning curve and a lot of
work.
understanding of how much work you'll have to do. Make sure you're willing to put in that work, or else
your book won't be the success you dreamed of. The whole process is a major learning curve and a lot of
work.
I fell in love with stories when I was growing up. My mom would read tons of books with me and my
sister, and English was my favorite subject in school because of all the reading I had to do. I think that’s
what first inspired me to become a writer – I was amazed by the way stories can transport you to another
world and make you feel. It struck me as being pretty darn magical, and I immediately wanted to write
stories of my own.
sister, and English was my favorite subject in school because of all the reading I had to do. I think that’s
what first inspired me to become a writer – I was amazed by the way stories can transport you to another
world and make you feel. It struck me as being pretty darn magical, and I immediately wanted to write
stories of my own.
What’s your favorite thing about your work?
I love being creative every day. It’s so fulfilling to be able to create and express myself in my work, every
single day. Even if I’m doing something more technical like graphic design or video editing, it all requires
creativity – and it’s awesome!
single day. Even if I’m doing something more technical like graphic design or video editing, it all requires
creativity – and it’s awesome!
How do you get over writer's block?
By doing something totally different. Whether that’s another creative expression, exercise, road-tripping
somewhere, or just taking the day off to go see a movie or take a long drive -- anything that breaks the
cycle. I find the best way to get inspired is to break free from the habits and routines we lock ourselves
into. Doing something adventurous and fun may seem like “a waste of time”, but sometimes it’s the very
thing you need to boost productivity!
somewhere, or just taking the day off to go see a movie or take a long drive -- anything that breaks the
cycle. I find the best way to get inspired is to break free from the habits and routines we lock ourselves
into. Doing something adventurous and fun may seem like “a waste of time”, but sometimes it’s the very
thing you need to boost productivity!
Favorite thing: being able to create new worlds and stories and emotions out of thin air!! It’s amazing. I’ve
always had a bit of an overactive imagination and writing is the perfect thing to get all those ideas and
feelings out of my head. Telling meaningful stories is the most satisfying thing I’ve ever done.
always had a bit of an overactive imagination and writing is the perfect thing to get all those ideas and
feelings out of my head. Telling meaningful stories is the most satisfying thing I’ve ever done.
Least favorite thing: self doubt!! It happens to every creative, that little annoying voice in the back of your
head questioning if the thing you’ve created is really good enough. But I’m learning to shove that
self-doubt monster out of my mind and just do my best. :)
head questioning if the thing you’ve created is really good enough. But I’m learning to shove that
self-doubt monster out of my mind and just do my best. :)
If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be?
Be confident. Never, ever be afraid to be yourself. You have an incredible future and you should hold your
head up high, girl. Listen to your heart. Enjoy every single breath, every single heartbeat of this journey.
head up high, girl. Listen to your heart. Enjoy every single breath, every single heartbeat of this journey.
What’s the first story you ever wrote?
Oh gosh. I wrote lots of books as a kid, but the first novel I finished was called “Izzy” (about a girl named
Izzy! So clever!) and it was terrible. I think I was thirteen years old. I’ve written over a million words
since then, and I’m happy to say that I’ve improved a lot. Haha!
Izzy! So clever!) and it was terrible. I think I was thirteen years old. I’ve written over a million words
since then, and I’m happy to say that I’ve improved a lot. Haha!
Who is your biggest writing inspiration?
So many people inspire me! But my mom, sister, and dad have to take first place for the most inspiring
people I know. They constantly encourage and uplift me, and give me confidence when I need it most.
people I know. They constantly encourage and uplift me, and give me confidence when I need it most.
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Nabila! It was a pleasure chatting with you about
all things writing. :D
all things writing. :D
Ahhhh you're amazing!! Thanks for being on my blog Abiee!
Giveaway Giveaway Giveaway
And now finally it's giveaway timmmmme.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I hope you enjoyed this post and good luck if you entered the giveaway (it's incredibly worth it)! Comment down below your recent book fave!
