I Should Be Writing...

[yolandiehorak]

YOU KNOW A KIDS' BOOK IS GOOD when it comes with its own map. Kayla's having a sick day, but The Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight by Elli Woollard and Benji Davies really cheered her up. #kidsbooks #kidsbookswelove #kiddielit #thedragonandthenibblesomeknight #map #fantasymap #favourites #bookstagram #bookgram #bookstagrammer #bookgrammer #booknerd #bookaddict #read #bookaholic #bookphotography #booklove #booksofinstagram #igreads #libraryfind https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw22Hyfg3TE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9c0ob0ggiyqi

[yolandiehorak]

PRE-ORDER Oh my goodness, I can't believe we're at this point. The pre-order for my debut novel, A Study of Ash and Smoke, is officially a go (link in the linktree). This is surreal, folks. After 5 years of blood, sweat, tears, and fountains of coffee, my book baby is almost here. The book follows 5 viewpoint characters. A queen held hostage by a killer in her court, a slummer threatened by a plague, a warrior weary of battle, a physican drawn into a web of lies, and an apprentice who must hide at all costs. If you're a fan of New Adult science fantasy, a lover of steampunk, or enjoy medical dramas, this might be right up your alley. #astudyofashandsmoke #fallofthemantle #debutnovel #bookone #preorder #comingsoon #watchthisspace #newadult #newadultfantasy #indieauthor #indiewriter #indie #na #nafantasy #steampunk #steampunknovel #debut #thephysiciansapprentice https://www.instagram.com/p/BwmnLa6lEnS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1s4w7bqpyky9z

[yolandiehorak]

PRETTY⁣ ⁣ My goodness, I love this book's cover. The vibrant red spoke to me from across the floor in Chapters, and I honed in on this book like a magpie to glitter (apparently magpies don't really collect shinies, but for the sake of this argument pretend they do).⁣ ⁣ Sadly, I reached page 24 then gave up. This story isn't for me. The book's still pretty though.⁣ ⁣ Have you left a book unfinished lately?⁣ ⁣ #snakewood #adrianselbly #red #coverlove #gorgouescover #prettycover #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookgram #bookgrammer #bibliophile #bookphotography #lovereading #readersofig #instabooks #instareads #map #fantasymap #cartography #scentedcandles https://www.instagram.com/p/BwclzORgn9m/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4bpjv8e25snq

[yolandiehorak]

BOOK HANGOVER⁣ ⁣ I can't begin to tell you how much I loved these books. Six of Crows is awesome, but Crooked Kingdom is next level.⁣ ⁣ All the intrigue, all the action, all the feels. And everything I pick up to read now seems meh.⁣ ⁣ What have you read lately that ruined you for other books?⁣ ⁣ #leighbardugo #sixofcrows #crookedkingdom #ya #youngadult #thieves #crows #brekkersgang #ketterdam #grishaverse #bookstagram #bookgram #bookstagrammer #bookgrammer #bookblogger #bibliophile #bookphotography #booklover #wordnerd #reader #igreads #goodbook #goodreads #lovereading https://www.instagram.com/p/BwXa9qwA7ne/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1p33gqktn4nje

[yolandiehorak]

ABSTRACT⁣ ⁣ I'm not an abstract painter. It's one of those things I struggle with to no end. I don't know how to place the colours so they look like a coherent mess, nor do I know how to make the lines that make people go oooh.⁣ ⁣ Still, I wanted something that brought a snap of subtle colour into my otherwise grey bedroom. I adore grey, okay. I tried to randomly dab paint and came up with this set of canvasses.⁣ ⁣ It's not particularly good or exciting, but I like the way the light catches the gold paint, and I'm okay with the blending of the colours.⁣ ⁣ I want to share things that didn't go quite as planned too. We tend to share only the staged, those things immaculately placed on the clean side of the table, while the truth is hidden outside of the frame. The kid's lunch dishes and all the crumbs strewn around her seat at the dining table. The husband's shop vac in the corner of the kitchen, because we don't have a place to store it yet. My half-finished cup of coffee, ice-cold now because I got distracted to take a photo.⁣ ⁣ So here's something mediocre for you. Unstaged. Creased bedlinen. If you look closely, you might even find a hole in the wall, ringed with chipped paint. Welcome to my life.⁣ ⁣ #painting #abstract #artistsofinstagram #thisismyhome #bedroom #grey #home #artist #artistsofig #colours #blue #gold #purple #green #blend #tryingsomethingnew #art #itried https://www.instagram.com/p/BwVKxNKgz4b/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=iqp7hkkd4wct

[yolandiehorak]

BURN BABY BURN⁣ ⁣ Okay, that was a weak play on A Torch Against the Night's title. 😐 I tried. After Ember, I couldn't wait to begin with this one. It's a good book for sure, and I really enjoyed it, but it didn't scratch that itch left by Ember quite as well as I'd have liked. Still, as I said, it was good. I'm really, reeealy hoping A Reaper at the Gates makes my heart bounce like Ember did.⁣ ⁣ Read any sequels lately that let you down just a smidge? #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookgram #bookphotography #booklover #bibliophile #atorchagainstthenight #atatn #sabaatahir #youngadult #ya #fantasy #speculativefiction #laia #elias #helene #tea #cookies #scentedcandles #hazelnutcream #lovereading #bookblogger #blogger #igreads https://www.instagram.com/p/BwU6adjgQvS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=o9zrwmcyouou

[yolandiehorak]

READING Don't know if I'll be able to get off the high of Crooked Kingdom, but I'll try with Snakewood. What are you reading? #bookstagram #bookphotography #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookgrammer #booknerd #bookaddict #read #reading #snakewood #adrianselby https://www.instagram.com/p/BwSvQcjAfo6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wltlm6lmre0c

[yolandiehorak]

MIDWEEK⁣ ⁣ It's been one of those *can it be weekend yet* weeks for me. How have you been faring?⁣ ⁣ If you're looking for a get-me-to-the-weekend read, I highly recommend An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. I've been late to the party with so many series born in the last handful of years, and series like Ember are to blame.⁣ ⁣ I loved this book so much, and though book 2 and 3 are already out (I've read the second one) we must wait for the rest of the series to be published. I can't stand it! Haha.⁣ ⁣ I'm really scared to read King of Scars for this very reason.⁣ ⁣ Do you fall into the 'wait and binge a series when it's complete' camp, or the 'I don't give a damn, I'm reading it now' camp?⁣ ⁣ #anemberintheashes #aeita #sabaatahir #ya #youngadult #goodbook #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookish #bookphotography #cookies #tea #bibliophile #scentedcandles #hazelnutcream #laiaandelias #igreads #reader #bookblogger #blogger https://www.instagram.com/p/BwFg-uwg2vS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ucoou7daqhsm

[yolandiehorak]

RAMDOM SELFIE Just to show you my new hair. You wouldn't believe this is the face of someone who has a chest cold. The power of makeup, eh? Feeling fine other than an annoying cough and a sore throat. How are you today? #selfie #newhair #newhairdontcare #redhead #pixiecut #shorthair #butfirstaselfie #squareeyes #indieauthor #indieartist https://www.instagram.com/p/BwFAmHSHqNR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=g1qnxcghsxbm

[yolandiehorak]

PRECIOUS⁣ ⁣ Around this time last year, my daughter wore her debut story. She wanted to make something special for her dad's birthday, so we made it our secret mission. ⁣ ⁣ She worked on this book for days, drew all the pictures and told me what I had to write. Her biggest feat, IMO, was keeping all of this a secret until her dad's birthday, about two weeks later. She'd been so excited to share it with him, and I reckon it's one of the most precious things we own.⁣ ⁣ She's still so proud of this one. Took it to school the other day to read to her class. I love seeing her so confident in the things she creates. I wish I had that childlike belief that what I make is enough. I think we can all learn from kids.⁣ ⁣ #precious #mykidmadethis #proudmommy #proudmummy #debut #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #unicorns #booklover #kiddielit #kidbooks #childrensbooks #art #handmade #homemade #oneofakind #ooak #bookphotography #reader #readersofig https://www.instagram.com/p/BwCzwJ8nj6r/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18nx65sbjxa8d

[yolandiehorak]

FREE ARC COPIES⁣ ⁣ I'm so excited to announce you can get your hands on a free e-copy of Ash & Smoke by signing up for @skolionwriters or @tallulahlucy's newsletters.⁣ ⁣ #astudyofashandsmoke #fallofthemantle #debutnovel #arc #arccopies #advancedreadercopies #freecopies #skolionwriters #indieauthor #indie #writer #writersofig #writersofinstagram #instawrite #author #novel #newadult #na #fantasy #speculativefiction https://www.instagram.com/p/BwAR5HLHiRB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10x8kunc7v0t4

[yolandiehorak]

SUNDAY READING I'm sick and it's cloudy today, so what else is there except video games with the kidlet, comfort food, and a good book? Still obsessed with Six of Crow's cover. This is my entire life's colour palette. What's your favourite colour? #sixofcrows #leighbardugo #redandgrey #ya #youngadult #fantasy #gorgeouscover #coverlove #booklover #bookphotography #bookgram #bookstagrammer #bookgrammer #booknerd #bookaddict #read #bookaholic #bookphotography #booklove #booksofinstagram #igreads #instabooks #bookblogger #reader #amreading https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv9wJ6pnk6J/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1d3vxvstdu6ll

[yolandiehorak]

BARGAIN BOOK HAUL It always makes my day to pick up books at a bargain. This deal was even sweeter for the $5 extra we got off. Stoked about the Trudi Canavan, I'm such a fan. Still searching fot the Black Magician trilin their original covers. I seriously hate the new ones. Do you do that? Not buy a book you love be2yoy want a different cover? Ps. Anyone ever read Adrian Selby? I LOVE the cover of his book. #haul #bookhaul #chapters #chaptersindigo #indigo #booklover #bookphotography #bookgram #bookstagrammer #bookgrammer #booknerd #bookaddict #read #bookaholic #cookbooks #nonfictionbooks #speculativefiction #trudicanavan #adrianselby https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv7YqziHOLK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j22xex2sod5

[yolandiehorak]

FULL SHELF When we migrated for the first time, I had to empty multiple bookshelves. Books are heavy, so we simply couldn't ship them all. I kept a few that are irreplaceable, but had to find book-loving homes for the rest. I basically mariekondoed my life before it was a thing. #trendsetter 😂 When we mlved again from Germany to Canada, I was relieved I wouldn't have to give up all my books again, because I hadn't bought any while living in the small apartment in, Germany. In the last year, we've moved again, from Toronto to Calgary. At least it's still in the same country this time! But I feel safe to grow my book collection again, because I know we're done now. No more long distance moves for us. And for the first time since leaving South Africa, I have a full bookshelf. It doesn't look loke much, but it means so much to me. Can't wait to fill up the rest of them too. What's your favourite collection? #selfie #bookstagram #booklover #bookphotography #bookgram #bookstagrammer #bookgrammer #booknerd #bookaddict #read #bookaholic #shelf #immigrant #southafricanlivingabroad #newhome https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv4eUP1lMcR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qm3fkr9t9api

[yolandiehorak]

NEW ART One of my March goals was to make new art for my etsy store (link in the linktree). This is what I made. The store has been updated, but I'll continue making art and try to update regularly. Any requests for art? #artist #artistsofinstagram #artistsofig #watercolour #watercolourpainting #art #watercolours #bookmarks #galaxy #nebula #mountains #snow #albrechtdurer #watercolourpencils #farbercastell #cotmancolours #winsorandnewton #etsy https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv1vcNCF0Ea/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=97zo2dj5sq82

[yolandiehorak]

SEQUEL I can't begin to tell you how in love I am with the Ember in the Ashes books! Sabaa Tahir is a wonderful writer. I'm already 30 pages into this one and didn't want to put it down to start dinner. Which series has you hyperventilating? #sshimreading #reading #amreading #sabaatahir #atorchagainstthenight #atatn #booklover #bookphotography #bookgram #bookstagrammer #bookgrammer #booknerd #bookaddict #read #bookaholic #bibliophile #ya #youngadult #bookish #instabook #goodbook #series https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvz9OQDn5cY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=r2aui1z872hy

[yolandiehorak]

CURRENTLY READING I don't have much more to say than I'm seriously enjoying this one! #anemberintheashes #aeita #sabaatahir #ya #youngadult #bookish #instabook #bibliophile #bookstagrammer #booknerd #bookaddict #read #bookaholic #bookphotography #booklove #booksofinstagram #igreads #instabooks #bookblogger #reader #booklovers #readersofinstagram #bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BvxZc_tHBd7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=116mmbnuvk4k