Throwback Thursday – Rory

Lately, I've been doing a lot of reflecting on my past. It's not nostalgia, it's more just remembering things because I've felt like it. Maybe it's like trying to make sense of it all, in an attempt to piece together how I got from 'there' to 'here', and how I got so lucky.

So, I've decided to start a Throwback Thursday thing. Okay, I know it's already a big thing on social media, especially for teens. But I realized a lot of people that I know who blog don't really say much about their past. So…I guess this is a way to learn about me and that's it haha.

So today, I just wanted to do a little throwback to my 17th birthday.

My 17th birthday was my second best birthday so far. (The best was my19th).

September 15, 2013 was the second best birthday for me because that was when I got Rory.

(Rory at 8 weeks old)

My sister and I named him after Rory Williams from Doctor Who. He was only eight weeks old when we adopted him, and even though he caused trouble sometimes, he was a really good puppy.

In February of 2015, I was admitted to a hospital for malnourishment and I was in a full day treatment program for four months. Things were hard, but no matter what, Rory seemed to be able to tell whenever I was sick or not feeling well, and he was always there to help.

(Rory sitting in my lap)

He's almost three years old now, but he's still the best dog I could ever have wished for. He's still a bit suspicious of my boyfriend sometimes, but they get along now.

Do any of you have a dog? What's your story?

–Jess

IWSG – I'm Trying

Today is the first Wednesday of the month, meaning today is the Insecure Writer's Support Group day! I have not participated in this in years so I'll try and make sure this post doesn't turn into a novel.

I'm actually a very confident person. I don't always show it, and sometimes my "being humble" can come off as insecurity. I used to be insecure about my looks and that sort of thing, but I think that's normal when you're in your younger teenage years.

At the age of 19, I love myself very much. I'm not being self-centered, or trying to brag, that's just the honest truth. I know I'm not perfect, but I love how I look and who I am. And anyone who doesn't like me for who I am can get out of my life. (There's actually a hell of a lot I had to go through to get to this point, but I feel like that's not really relevant to this particular post.)

Despite all my confidence in myself, that has not yet translated over to my writing. Let me say, I'm not a 'timid' writer. I let all my words come straight from my heart or my soul or wherever words might come from. But when I'm getting ready for publication, my whole story seems to turn into a huge mess. I find myself thinking, "What the hell is this? Who turned my beautiful story into this crazy nonsensical disorder?"

As of yet, I have not found a solution, so…I mean I was going to try and make this post a bit hopeful, but I guess this part isn't haha. Not yet anyway.

The second part of this post is that I'm also a bit insecure about getting back into blogging. It's been so great being able to post here again, and see what everyone has been up to, but as I've mentioned in the past couple posts I wonder if I'm just shouting out into the darkness. Is anyone listening?

What are you insecure about this month?

–Jess

Feeling Sorry For Myself :)

I feel like blogging has become kind of awkward for me. I think it's because I feel like I fell off the face of the blogging earth for a little while, and now I'm back, which is great, but I've missed out on so much and the blogging earth has just continued on revolving without me. I have no idea what's going on these days.

Like David Powers King has a book out now, I don't know how long it's been available for, but it looks really cool!

A lot of other people have stopped blogging completely, or taken long breaks like I have, and a lot of the old blogs I used to visit aren't active anymore. Some don't even exist.

For those of you who have continued blogging, I feel like I'm that one friend who disappeared for three years, and then came back expecting everything to be the same but now people hardly recognize me.

Basically, this is me feeling sorry for myself that no one is reading my posts anymore. My plot for world domination seems to have been put on hold for now, seeing that I barely have an audience, but oh well! I'm hoping that changes very very soon.

Anyway, I've signed up for the A to Z Challenge this year, and I'm really excited. Since the world has continued on without me, I probably don't need to give you a link for it, but just in case, if you haven't signed up for the challenge yet, you can sign up for it here: Blogging from A to Z April Challenge

Any ideas on what your A to Z Challenge theme will be about this year?

–Jess

MY SECOND BOOK IS PUBLISHED!!

Sooooo I have some kinda big news. If the title didn't give it away, yes. I finally got my second book published!

Sadly, no, it's not The Inferiors, the sequel to From the Ashes.

It's actually a completely new book, a short eBook in fact that I wrote just in time for Valentine's Day. It's not fiction, more of a 'how to' guide.

It's called How To Get A Guy To Kiss You!

It's a book aimed at young adults, middle school through high school aged girls, so if you know anyone who could use this book, please feel free to share this!

The biggest reason why I wrote this book wasn't just to explain "how to get a guy to kiss you", I also touched a bit on the subject of self confidence. Because to me, being confident in yourself should come before you get into a relationship, and I've noticed how confidence can also effect the quality of a kiss.

I've had friends with very low self-esteem who want to be in a relationship just because they want to feel wanted. And in the end, their relationships become destructive and they end painfully.

I think I'll touch upon this again in another blog post soon, but I'm actually really exhausted right now and I'm not thinking straight!

Anyway, please check it out if you'd like on Amazon.com. Here's another link for it: How To Get A Guy To Kiss You! by Jessica McKendry

I hope you have all had a lovely weekend!

Happy Monday!

–Jess

HELLO AGAIN

Dearest readers,

Today is a really really big day for me. If you hadn't guessed already, it's because YES. This is the first blogpost I've done in a little over a year!

So for some catching up…HAPPY NEW YEARS (like twice?). And some crazy shit has been going on. Like if you're in America, is anyone else asking why Trump is running for president?

And honestly, I really have missed you all.

I'm going to do my best to start posting again, at least once a week if not more.

I'll also have you guys know that I'm kinda starting up a bit of an editing business…I actually wouldn't go so far to call it a business, more of a hobby that will make me a little bit of money. I won't be charging much, though price will depend on word count and quality of writing. (So if you're in your first draft, I'll charge more than if you're closer to your final draft.) I'm also totally cool with just looking at a chapter or two (or as many as you like) if you want.

Keep in mind, I'm a 19 year old, but I definitely have more of youthful mindset. So if your book or story is intended for young adults, I'm happy to give you an idea about how your audience might receive your book.

ANYWAY. If you'd like me to take a look at something just email me at violingirl4036@gmail.com. Yes, that's still my email address, I don't know when I'm going to change it.

Also let me thank Nicole Zoltack for helping me come up with how to set a price and everything, she's an amazing editor. She edited From the Ashes for me at a great price, and I'll be having her look at The Inferiors my second novel once I've finished editing it.

ANYWAY YES I'M BACK SO PLEASE TELL ME HOW YOU'RE ALL DOING AND HOW MANY OF YOU ARE STILL ALIVE OUT THERE!!!

Peace

–Jess

Hello and Thank You

Hello everyone, I'm so sorry I haven't posted in so long! I have just been so busy, and blogging took up a lot of my time for writing…I'm a senior in high school so it's just been so crazy recently.

I just wanted to thank all of you so much for commenting, and for remembering me! Hopefully I will be able to start blogging again sometime soon.

Miss you all!

And once again, thank you so much, you are all the best.

–Jess

Also, my book is going on sale on October 3rd for 99¢, please go check it out HERE!