Tag: thoughts

Posted in updates

The Journey Taken

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

As I’m halfway through my Masters program, I’ve thought about my journey to get here. Although it taken me awhile to get to this point, I’m glad to have come this far.

Working on my thesis project has been so much fun. I’m thankful for all the feedback and critique I’ve received from my peers and professors. Though I think to myself, ‘I should have started earlier,’ what matters is that I started.

I began writing many years ago and dreamed of becoming a full-time writer. Authors like Brian Jacques, Erin Hunter, and K.A. Applegate were my goals. I wanted to create amazing worlds, adventures, and characters but as we know, life throws us curveballs.

While I kept writing, I wasn’t publishing though not for the lack of trying. I recently had to put away a novel I’d been working on for a while due to rejections. There were a lot of rejections. It was difficult to remain optimistic. I know the time I spent querying wasn’t a waste of time. I learned a lot but I also knew it was time to move on.

These days I look back to when I first started writing my terrible fanfiction to now. Though I do regret taking so long to be published, I have to remind myself that this isn’t a content. It’s not a sprint but a marathon. I’m in a much better place than before – mentally, financially – you get the picture.

So, I’ll keep moving forward because at the end of the day, writing is what make me happy.

Posted in updates

2025 Update

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

Life has been very unexpected since the last time I posted.

I’ve lost a dear friend, stared grad school, endured two very stressful school years, welcomed a new family member, and even moved to a new location. Every day has been filled with challenges.

My publishing journey still continues as that has been my main focus. Starting graduate school has been very exciting and kept me busy. I’ve learned a lot about my writing and myself. It has also helped me realize that it’s time to change careers but it won’t be too drastic. Instead of teaching primary, I want to teach higher education.

My goals for publication has somewhat changed. I tried publishing a certain manuscript awhile back and due to the many rejections, I decided to put it away and work on the next projects.

I’m still posting on Wattpad, however, I’m not very proud of that current work. I realized that it wasn’t ready to be published but I’ll finish posting it because it is a story I want to tell. It taught me a few things that I need to work on. I’ve been planning the next work I want to post on Wattpad as well.

Speaking of Wattpad, I have decided to move forward to self-publishing my original trilogy I had posted. While that had been my plan, I was very hesitant since I hadn’t made my changes in the original. I didn’t want it to be a direct copy and paste. Now, I’ve had plenty of time to think about how I can keep the original essence of the novel but make it new for newer and returning readers.

I’ve also been working on an original dark fantasy work. While it’s the first draft, I’m really enjoying how it’s turning out.

While there are many projects I’m tackling this summer, as well as my thesis, I’m looking forward to what the future may bring.

Posted in Uncategorized

Trying My Best

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

It’s been close to a few weeks since my last post and a lot has happened since then. Quite frankly, it’s been very tiring. Not to mention the end of the school year is near and everyone is feeling it. So much to do and so little time.

New things are happening going forward. Some have stayed the same. Query letters are being sent but I haven’t heard anything back (other than rejections). I decided to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo this July. It’s been a while since I participated in July but I have a novel idea that I want to get on pen and paper. More details to come closer to the start date.

I also started up my Dungeons & Dragons homebrew campaign. I can only managed every two weeks right now, but I think that works for all my players as well. That’s not all. With the new Avatar tabletop RPG game released a few months back, I was lucky to get invited to a game by a friend. So, that’s happening every other week as well.

I have definitely added more to my plate but the games have been helping me manage my stress. They offer me a break from work and let me enjoy myself with friends. I see it as a win-win situation.

Despite everything that has been going on, I’m still writing and still trying my best. Right now, that’s all that matters.

Posted in Uncategorized

A New Year (2023)

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

It’s been a month or so since I stopped writing on the blog. Everything got away from me this past month. I hadn’t been able to properly manage my time. However, I want to start the new year with goals. Why not a resolution?

I think of a resolution like a decision. You decide to do or not to do something. In the grand scheme of things, it’s great but it hasn’t worked for me. Maybe I didn’t put too much effort into it. Saying this, a goal is something I can work toward. They can be measured.

Some of my goals are aimed at creative writing, and some are aimed toward daily life, etc.

For Creative Writing:

  • I want to write more on the blog. If not weekly then bi-weekly at least.
  • I want to finish the first draft of my second novel (in a series)
  • Start sending out queries for the first book in a series
  • Become more active on social media e.g. more daily posts (3 or 4 a day)

For Daily Life:

  • I want to be healthier which means exercising a bit and eating healthier e.g. choosing yogurt over a donut
  • Manage household chores a little better

Creativeness:

  • Continue drawing
  • Keep learning digital art
  • Crochet and finish more projects

The best thing to remember is to break it down into manageable steps for each goal. That way, I won’t become overwhelmed with everything I want to accomplish in the new year. But, first and foremost, enjoy the little successes.

Posted in updates, Writing

Adjusting

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

It’s definitely been a few weeks since I posted any updates. Overall, I think I’ve adjusted to the new school year. A few students withdrew so it makes it easier. I’m not as stressed anymore and I find myself crocheting and writing more so that’s always a bonus.

On the writing side, as I might have mentioned before, I am no longer seeking to publish my Wattpad story at the moment due to some exciting news coming in October (keep your eyes peeled). So, for now, it stays on the platform.

Since my Wattpad story is out of the picture, I’m working on another story that I’m getting ready to send out. I’ve sent this story out before – a long time ago – I think I’m ready to try again. However, I’ve made some manages to the story and how I wrote it. I’m hoping I’ll finish it by the end of October.

I’m well aware Nation Novel Writing Month is coming up, but I’ll make a different post about it later. For right now, I’m not sure if I’ll participate. I am working on world-building for a novel I’m planning on writing, but it’s still too early to tell.

Here’s hoping I’ll be a bit more consistent on the updates. Until then, take care.