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It's Not Rebecca Thirstin's Blog, but a Girl Can Dream

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Favorite Author Education Finds: January-April 2026

Introduction Welcome to a new series! I wanted to start this because I am always finding great articles and other information around the internet that is free author gold. I want there to be a place for you to come find information on interesting topics, the latest trends, or latest self or trad publishing news. As a bonus, this also helps me keep these resources organized for myself rather than saving them all in chaos to my bookmarks bar. Lol  Happy Learning!  My Favorite Resources  BookBub Partners Blog The Authors Guild Written Word Media Reedsy Kindlepreneur Ingram Spark David Gaughran Writers Helping Writers Joanna Penn The Fussy Librarian-Newswire for Authors Jane Friedman The Finds BookBub Partners Blog 9 Go-To Self-Publishing News Sources for Authors -Starting off strong, this is a great blog post on the best resources to find self-publishing news on! If you don't look at any other links below, you'll stay up to date on all the big things by following/subscribing...

March 2026 Recap

  March 2026 Recap Introduction: Hey everyone! I hope you had a great month! Spring is here! My March was slower than February, and I really got to enjoy it and savor the changing weather, new blossoms, and time outside. I am loving this new series where I recap each month to keep track of my year from the small stuff to the big stuff, so when January 1st 2027 gets here I'm not left thinking "What the heck happened in 2026?" It also helps me to stay on track with my goals and I mainly want to build a consistent writing habit along with healthier habits. If you missed January's recap where I explain more on this process and how I'm keeping track, you can read that  here.   And if you missed February's recap you can read that here.  Recapping in Four Parts: Writing, Reading, Health, And Other Life Stuff Writing Habit Tracker:  26/31 writing days. That's 84%! Woo Hoo!!! Writing is my priority, and I'm really proud of myself for showing up most days. I eve...

February 2026 Recap

  February 2026 Recap Introduction: Hey everyone! I hope you had a fabulous month! My February flew by, but I enjoyed every moment and was intentional with almost every day! I am continuing on in this new series where I recap each month to keep track of my year from the small stuff to the big stuff, so when January 1st 2027 gets here I'm not left thinking "What the heck happened in 2026?" If you missed January's recap where I explain more on this process and how I'm keeping track, you can read that here.  Recapping in Four Parts: Writing, Reading, Health, And Other Life Stuff Writing Habit Tracker: 20/28 writing days. Although the other 8 were still writing days for me. If you know, you know. Lol  Last month I told you I started a new book, and I am currently still drafting that book. I am making good progress and have been showing up daily to get in my word count! I have been back to my roots doing word sprints and that has really helped as well. Woo hoo! I am ...

January 2026 Recap

January 2026 Recap Introduction: Hey y'all! This year I was inspired by Lindsay Puckett over on AuthorTube to really take control of my year by keeping track of everything going on in my life. I'll link her 2025 recap video here so you can see what I'm talking about, but when she posted this, I realized that I had no clue what had even happened in 2025 let alone what month it happened to me. I also know if I don't write something down it's lost forever. Grocery lists, story ideas, you name it.  Thus inspiring this new blog series that I hope to do indefinitely.  My format is also inspired by Lindsay's Monthly Coffee Chat videos! Here is her latest video. If you aren't subscribed to her channel, I highly recommend it for all writers who want a positive cozy space to be in.  How I'm Tracking:  I am keeping this new habit short and simple. I keep a note on the Notes App on my phone for each month of the year. I write a little something everyday, or when som...

Where Have I Been? A Journal Entry on The Last Few Years

Introduction: Hey everyone! Happy New Year! I'm back! I know I haven't posted in over a year and I am here to tell you all about why and what's been going on. I hope your holidays went well, your writing and reading has been joyful, and that you are smashing your goals for the month already. I hope you are doing things you love that bring you happiness and may this year be the best for you! Things Didn't Go As I Planned... Here I am in 2026, not published, not a lot of my goals met that I have set year after year. Some new and some old. Putting out all my words of wisdom, writer advice, and failing at it myself. Story of my life. Lol  I know the secrets, but doing them for myself is a whole different ball game. I've been on a journey these last 5 years since I started writing and I've learned a lot, experienced a lot, and grown up a lot all on the road to success. It will happen for me. Just a few years later than I planned, and that is okay. My writing journey ...

2026 Goals

  Introduction Happy New Year Y'all!  I hope you had good holiday season with family, friends, or maybe just one special person even if it's your pet. I know the holidays can be a tough time of year so I am sending you hugs and know that you are here and made it through! I am proud of you!  I know it's been a while since I've posted and if you want a further explanation on where I have been, where is my book at, etc.  It's really all due to life, mental health, and personal growth. You can check out this journal entry for more details.  This year I took a full two weeks to really think about what I want. What would make me happy? What would make me feel the feelings I want to feel? Happy, proud of myself, successful, and more. I brainstormed, sat with all the ideas, chose a word of the year, made a new vision board. The whole shebang. It was an amazing time and it really focused me for the year. What I ended up with feels amazing and aligned with who I am now. I...

My Top 3 Fall & Winter Background TV Shows

Hey writers. Today I'm sharing my current top 3 background shows with you. And what do I mean by a background show?  For me, a background show is something I can put on my tv on low volume to fill the silence and provide a comforting ambience to my writing time. It can set the mood or tone of my home, and for those that don't like working alone, it can make you feel like you have some people around. My background shows work for me, but they may not work for you. What qualifies as a good background show? 1.) Something You've Seen Every Episode of Before  Ideally it needs to be something you've seen at least 1 time through before and you don't have the urge to re-watch again, or you've re-watched it so many times you don't care to pay attention to it anymore. This is key, or you will end up actually watching tv and not writing. A good thing to do is make sure it isn't still airing either so you don't have anything new to look forward to and distract yo...