8 Things I’m Grateful For In 2018

1. My trip to the UK. Though it was not the best nor the most memorable, I finally visited Potterland of which I thought was impossible.

2. My novel, The Slave Prince, finally hitting bookstores after the arduous hours spent on fundraising and editing.

3. My 3/4 page feature in The Sun newspaper. Who knew I would be given that much print space? Certainly not me!

4. My whole CLEO experience—from the photoshoot to the luncheon—that pushed me into the most awkward social situations, which have now made me a little bolder and more willing to say ‘yes’ to social events.

5. The many times I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone, agreeing to ‘things’ I never thought I would agree to, to push my limitations both in my personal and work life. I accepted so many challenges this 2018.

6. Learning a lot from my day job that has helped me to map my personal plans for the future. I never knew I could take such a route on my authoring journey. I never knew I would be so fond of the words, ‘business’ and ‘consultant’. Simply being willing to learn has helped me to see the endless possibilities standing before me.

7. A life plan for 2019 and beyond that doesn’t just involve writing novels but has a more meaningful purpose. Finally, there’s more to do! And I cannot wait to share it with you. So be sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming posts!

8. My friends, especially the (unlikely) people who are so supportive of my plans and have offered a hand to help me make it happen. And my family, for still being a close unit—still going on family trips and spending Sundays together. Hopefully, next year won’t be that much different.

After all that has happened and that is to come, I have a feeling 2019 is going to be an amazing year. 2018 is just the start of my novel, and like all epic adventures out there…. it’s about to get exciting!

Is there anything in your 2018 that you’re grateful for? Make a list!

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Busy & Blessed

Let’s start with the blessed part of this post first.

I’m blessed to have all of your guys as my readers. Today, I’ve officially hit the 5,400 subscriber mark! A big thank you for all of your support and readership. I honestly don’t know what else to say, because there’s only gratitude for your subscription 🙂 I hope you will continue to support me in my future endeavours, as there are bigger adventures to come.

Now on to the busy part of this post.

I’ve been rather busy these past 10 days; contacting everyone I know, asking for funding for my crowd-funding project. I’ve exhausted my email and Facebook contacts, and I’ve even gone through 2,400 subscribers’ gravatar profiles in search for emails to send a personal message regarding the project. If you’ve gotten an email, please do consider funding me, if you have not, I’m so sorry. I could not find your email, but please consider funding me too! *I’ll still be going through the other 3,000 gravatar profiles, but it’ll take some time.*

So, how has the funding been going? Rather well actually.

In the first 10 days, today being the 10th day, I’ve hit 40% of my goal! So a huge thank you to all my family, friends and readers who have supported me so far. No matter what amount you guys gave, you helped me get this far in such a short period of time. For those who are still on the fence about backing this project, I would be so happy if you would hop on board and give me a hand. In other words, I NEED YOUR HELP! With your help, the project will be completely funded in no time! And that would mean a lot me 🙂

Click HERE to go to the project’s page.

The incentives have been tweaked to cater to smaller backers. Now, you can get an e-book for 5 USD and a paperback for 25 USD! If you would like to be the first few to read The Battle For Oz novel, don’t waste anymore time and visit the project page right now! Or at least check it out 🙂

Anyway, that’s all for this short post. Please do check out the project and thank you once again for all the support. Stay awesome guys and have a wonderful weekend!

Transitions & 5,100 Subscribers

First and foremost, I want to say a big thank you to all 5,100 subscribers.

If you are new here, thank you for giving my blog a shot. You might not know what to expect but I hope my work will impress you enough to keep you reading. If you have been here for quite some time, thank you so much for sticking around. Plenty of bloggers have come and gone, but you chose to stay. I really appreciate the support.

Seeing my subscriber count grow everyday is a huge encouragement. It reminds me to do my best for all of you. One reason I don’t give up on this blog is because I know I’m being read… and as a writer and blogger, that means a lot. I’m sure you all will agree on that.

So, thank you! Thank you so much!

Now, let’s talk about transitions.

Since I started my blog, it has gone through a couple of transitions. My blog first started as a place to promote my first novel, but it soon became a platform for me to deal with my post-potter depression; I started writing the Joanna Chen fan fiction and short fan fictions as a way to cope with the end of Harry Potter. But ultimately, it became a way for me to improve on my writing.

If you have been around long enough, you would remember the days where I don’t capitalize my i’s. Oh, wow. Jeyna, you cannot do that ever again! You would also remember writing or reading comments that brought to light my errors. Yes, I had plenty of those and I am very grateful for them. If no one said anything, I would not have improved at all. So old timers, thank you for being grammar Nazis.

Fan fiction was the focus on my blog for quite some time, until I decided to overcome my fear of being plagiarized and began publishing original works. I dropped the short fan fictions and began posting short stories and blog series’ such as Dr. Slubgob’s Letters and The Lucrative Business. I also tried a few reader interactive projects, but they failed. Well, one should not be ashamed of failure.

Now, I believe it has come to a point where another transition should take place. As some of you might have noticed, the FHB fan fiction is coming to an end. After which time, this blog will be completely focused on my own original fictional works. There will no longer be fan fictions. I’m sorry if that news disappoints some of you, but I think it’s about time I move forward. I am glad I started fan fictions and I’m glad many of you have come along for the ride, but I hope you would still remain on board with this new transition. There will also be a special project to kickstart this new phase, but I’ll write about it another time. This is actually one transition I’ve wanted to make for a while, and I would appreciate your continuous support. It means a lot to me 🙂

So, thank you in advance and thank you for reading this now. Also, thank you so much for all your comments, likes, shares, re-blogs, emails, and special features on your own blogs. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of readers and I hope that in the near future, I can look back and say, “Those early subscribers on my blog, they made a difference in my life.”

Thanks guys!

Poetic Milestone

What should I say on a day like today? What right words should I put into play?
I know a simple thank you cannot do. So maybe something else in a similar hue?

In all honestly, I don’t know how to thank you all. Five thousand subscribers! That number is not small.
I must add something different in this special post. I have to try to be a more grateful host.

Maybe I should just say what’s on my mind? I’m sure those words will come out fine.
So please bear with me a little longer. Here comes more words from an indie author.

Firstly thank you for your time, dear reader. You’ve kept the dreams alive in this dreamer.
Thank you also for sparing a word and a thought. The monster of doubt, together we fought.

I truly appreciate all the support you have given me. If not for it, where would I be?
Even with all the ups and downs, your presence has made a smile from a frown.

I hope you will continue to be by my side, even if this journey has an unpredictable ride.
Surely you know that there is no fun, if the dragon is slain by a party of one.

Alas, the climb to the peak is still a long way and my adventure is only starting today.
But I’m ready for whatever tomorrow brings, even if the bee stings at the late arrival of Spring.

I pray my words will inspire much more, as I try to be better than I was the day before.
My dream is not impossible and yours aren’t too. So believe in yourself and don’t let fear stop you.

Let’s continue to dream together. With our passion, we can always go further.
Let’s toast to a greater future, and thank you once again for supporting my endeavour.

 Signed, Jeyna Grace © 2014

More Subscribers, More Deadly Sins

Maybe, just maybe, I could end this year with more subscribers than I initially expected. At the awesome rate of you lovely people subscribing to my blog, I am just overwhelmed with joy that so many find me worth reading. Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much to all 3, 800 of you!

The reason I keep writing, the reason I’m smiling right now, and the reason I work so hard on my blog is because of you guys. I appreciate all the support and I hope to be able to be the best, both for you and myself 🙂 Again, thank you!

Now on to the next segment; I read this tag on a fellow blogger’s blog which she found from YouTube. Known as the 7 Deadly Sins of Reading, I immediately thought of how clever and fun it would be to do. So here I am doing it, on a blog 🙂

GREED: What is your most expensive and least expensive book?

Compilation of the Spiderwick Chronicles, RM80. Ouch! Is that a hole in my pocket I see? And The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes, RM5.

WRATH: Which author do you have a love/hate relationship with?

J.K Rowling. I like her for creating Harry Potter… but I don’t quite like her blurting out her little thoughts after the series has ended.

GLUTTONY: What book have you deliciously devoured over and over with no shame whatsoever?

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. But I think I read Psalms and Proverbs much more.

SLOTH: What book have you neglected reading due to laziness?

A Dance With Dragons. A laziness that came after spending too long reading A Feast For Crows.

PRIDE: What book do you most talk about in order to sound like a very intellectual reader?

Erm… I… don’t? Haha! I don’t really talk about books with people.

LUST: What attributes do you find most attractive in a male or female character?

Male characters that attract me are intelligent and have a way with words. I would appreciate if they have good looks too. And it doesn’t matter if they are villain or hero. That’s why I’m fond of Ender Wiggin, Tyrion Lannister, and even Tom Riddle.

ENVY: What books would you most like to receive as a gift?

Right now, I would really like to add the entire collection of A Series of Unfortunate Events to my bookshelf.

Well, that was fun! I’m sure you guys would enjoy doing it too, so when you do, leave me a comment of your blog post link down below!

I guess that is all for this ‘thank you’ post. Once again, thank you for your support and have a great weekend!

Valentines and Gifs

I’m feeling a little under the weather but I’m happy. Why? Because I’ve hit 3,700 subscribers! Yay!

Thank you to all of my subscribers for your readership. I appreciate your support and I endeavor to outdo myself with you guys backing me up 🙂 Your subscription means a lot to me, and I’m thankful for all of you. I really am!

So to express my gratitude, here’s a handsome thank you for all my female readers:

And here’s a sexy thank you for all my male readers:

I hope that puts a smile on your face 😀

Now moving to the next part of this post I’ve decided to add on a little Valentines Day tag, because yesterday (and today for some) was Valentines Day! The below questions were taken off the V-Day YouTube tag, but since I’m a blogger instead of a vlogger, I’m going to do it here.

1. Which is your favourite Valentines Day treat? Sweethearts or chocolate covered strawberries?
Haven’t tasted either. But by the sound of it, chocolate covered strawberries.

2. What was your favourite Valentines Day memory?
The unexpected card I got from my puppy love when I was 14. Let’s forget he cheated on me shortly after.

3. Twilight or Harry Potter Valentines?
Harry Potter. D.U.H.

4. What celebrity would you not mind having as your Valentine?
Tom Felton 😀

5. Do you have a special someone to celebrate Valentines Day with?
Nope, don’t need one.

6. Which restaurant would you prefer for a Valentines Day date? Cheese Cake Factory or Ruby’s?
Never heard of either, but Cheese Cake Factory sounds like a nice place.

7. Red or Pink lips on Valentines Day?
Red.

8. Dress or cute top to wear on a Valentines Day date?
Dress.

9. Perfect date; dinner and movie or dinner and walk on the beach?
Dinner and walk on the beach.

10. Hair up or hair down for Valentines Day date?
Hair down. Always.

What are your answers to these questions? Let me know in the comments below!

Well, I hope you all had a great and lovely day, and may your weekend be exceptionally wonderful! Thanks again guys!

*Current blog post schedule: A post every Thursday alternating between an original short story and a Harry Potter fan fic novel.

3500 & A Captive’s Choice

Oh my, what do we have here, another thank you post? Yes, yes, another one.

Like its predecessors, I just wanna say a big thank you to all 3,500 subscribers on my blog. Both old and new, I really, really, really appreciate your support by simply following and reading my posts. You guys give me a little space on the Internet that I can be proud of. Without any of you… I will eventually cease to exist on the blogosphere and the World Wide Web. Gasps*

You may not know it, but your presence and words help boost my confidence on days that I feel unskilled or untalented. Knowing that, ‘hey, people do read my stuff and are entertained or touched by them,’ helps me keep my posting schedule because I know people are looking forward to my stories. I’m just blessed to have you guys 🙂 So thank you, oh so much!

Anyway, for a little update: I will not be posting a story next Thursday because I would be celebrating Chinese New Year. As much as I want to, I’ll probably be internet-less and out for the day. So, I apologize in advance.

Moving on, I’ve decided to accompany this post with another blog prompt! I find that blog prompts really gives me a chance to show who I am without being boring. And since today’s WordPress prompt is not out yet (at the very moment I’m typing this), I’ve decided to do one that caught my attention.

You’ve been kidnapped and given a choice: would you rather be stranded on an island, dropped into an unknown forest, or locked in a strange building?

I did some thinking and I finally decided on ‘locked in a strange building’.

My logic is this, if I’m on an island I would probably die waiting for a ship to come to my rescue, if I’m in an unknown forest it would only be a matter of time before a bear eats me, but if I’m locked in a strange building I might just find a way out. That is if it’s a building that did not come out of a Stephen King novel.

Now I know what you’re thinking, there is a chance that the strange building is in the middle of nowhere. But… I could probably find something useful in it to help me find civilization once I escape. I think there’s more hope with that choice than the rest.

So what does that say about me? I don’t know. It’s an honest answer though 🙂

Which would you pick? Let me know your choice in the comments below, I would love to hear your rationale on it too!

Well, that is about it for this post. Thank you again for your support, and to those celebrating Chinese New Year, xin nian kuai le!

7 Things About Me

Hip hip hooray for 2,400 subscribers!

I just want to thank all of you, both old and new, for your readership. I can’t say it enough, and at the same time I’ve probably over said it. But you know what, there’s no overdose with gratitude. So thanks guys!

Recently I’ve been getting a few blog award nominations, and since my last ‘get-to-know-me’ post was when I hit 1,111 subscribers, I thought I should do another.

So here are 7 things about me (none repeated, of course):

#1 I have a brother, he’s 5 years younger than me. I’m glad that our age gap made us close. I’m also glad he has outgrown his angst-y years, cause we don’t fight anymore, yay!

#2 I secretly wish I could draw. Then I could paint my fictional characters and worlds as close to my imagination as possible. I also wouldn’t need to ask for favours all the time.

#3 I recently discovered Running Man and I love it. HaHa is my favourite! Now I want to learn Korean 🙂

#4 Apparently I’m allergic to a particular sunblock. And here I was thinking I’m not allergic to anything.

#5 I hate horror films; horror in terms of ghostly women with long hair and white robes that either crawl or contort. Let’s not forget their faces… after all, that’s the mission of horror films; horror at first sight.

#6 That being said, I don’t believe in ghosts. Demons yes, ghosts no.

#7 I love coffee and tea. I love them differently and I can’t choose one over the other. Don’t make me!

There you have it! Now you know me a little better 🙂

If you would like to support me further, check out the bookshop, follow me on twitter and like me on facebook! I would thoroughly appreciate it!

Thanks once again guys, I hope you have been enjoying my stories as much as I have been writing them 🙂

*Current blog post schedule: A post every Thursday alternating between an original short story and a Harry Potter fan fiction. On a side note, my picture storybook is almost done! Free download soon enough.

1.3K!

I believe that every new 100 subscribers is worth a gratitude post. To some it is just a number, but to me its an encouragement. You don’t know how happy I am every time someone new subscribes; it’s like someone saying, “Hey, you’re cool. I wanna stick around.”

In return, I would like to say thank you. Thank you for your subscription 🙂 If ever one day, I reach thousands of subscribers, I would remember how I first started and how you guys stood by my side. Though not physically, but the internet has built enough bridges to make it feel that way.  So, thank you!

Anyways, here’s a little update on myself and this blog:

1. I got a job 🙂 I’m currently working in a publishing house as a writer. They publish a free campus magazine for students every month, and I’m handling the online site/portal. I write and publish new content everyday and it’s a job that lets me do what I do best. Plus, this gives me an opportunity to ask for interviews from ‘famous’ people! And so far, I’ve landed an interview with Boyce Avenue, Alex Goot, David Choi and Swoozie 🙂

2. I’m really hoping to win the 30-hour novel challenge, which is now in the hands of Harper Collins. I know everything has it’s timing, but I really hope this is my time. Shortlist will be out on the 21st of March, so I’ll keep you guys posted! (If you are wondering what this is about, head on here.)

3. Once Dr. Slubgob’s Letters end (how is it so far?), I would be putting up a new fan fiction novel on this blog. I’m still cracking my head on what to write, but I promise not to miss a week without a new post. Do let me know if you prefer to read originals like Slubgob or fan fictions. I won’t put a price to all my works, and will always try to explore new things 🙂

That’s pretty much it for this post. Thanks for subscribing, and I hope you would continue to stick around 🙂 Have an awesome Thursday, or what’s left of it!