Friday, November 13, 2015

Coffee Shop Chats: Interactive Reflection of the Week!



I love blogging, but sometimes I wish there was a way that I could connect with each of you. Personally. Perhaps over a cup of coffee. 

We could share the highlights of our week, discuss the books we've been reading, what God is doing in our lives, and even share any prayer requests we may have. 

So, I came up with the idea of Coffee Shop Chats.

Instead of my Currently posts, I'm going to post this reflection of the week (or month). You are welcome to participate as well! I want this to be a way to learn more about each of you and how I can pray for you. Maybe this will help you meet other blogger friends as well. =) 

I will post a reflection on Fridays; however, I can't guarantee that one will be posted every Friday. It could be posted once a month, or once a season. 

Whatever the case, you may post your Coffee Shop Chat whenever you'd like! Just be sure to add your link to the latest Coffee Shop Chat link-up at the end of this post. (That way, we can all interact with one another.)

Rules & Guidelines:

  1. No, you don't have to be a coffee fan to participate. =) 
  2. Add the link to your Coffee Shop Chat post in the latest link-up (which will be listed on the latest Coffee Shop Chat post).
  3. Include the link to this post so your readers can understand the rules.
  4. Before you post, make sure that you comment on at least one other blogger's post. (The point of this is to begin forming relationships and interacting with one another, as if we were in an actual coffee shop. ;) )
  5. Include the below image on your post. 
  6. Be nice and have fun!

How to post: 

  1. Use any of the LISTS PROMPTS located at the end of this post. Feel free to add your own!
  2. Everyone who participates must answer at least 2 questions listed under CONVO STARTERS posted by myself or another participant.
  3. At the end of your post, include 2 - 5 questions/convo starters for your readers to answer as well!
Questions? Let me know! It sounds complicated, but it's actually pretty simple. ;)




What I did this week:



This past weekend, I visited one of my best friends and fellow YA author, Caroline George, in Nashville. I was able to tour her campus {Belmont University}, go to her favorite coffee shops, and walk around Centennial Park.


The next day was the premiere of PROVIDENCE, the film I worked on this past May! I worked on set as an actress and a production assistant. The film is a love story, portrayed without dialogue and accompanied with indie music -- similar to a music video. Watch for it in theaters February 2016!


I was also able to meet up with my other best friend, Erica! She lives in Kentucky, so we only visit each other about once a year -- sometimes less. It was very special to have both of my best friends at the premiere, especially since I rarely see either of them anymore. =)



Pictures Taken:


Here are a few pics I've taken so far this fall . . . 


View from my window at the Blue Ridge writer's retreat!

My second novel (currently unpublished) placed in the top three in four categories at the Blue Ridge Writer's Retreat. =) 

{View on Instagram}



More pics from the conference!
{View on Instagram}


Annual Halloween tradition -- carving pumpkins at my cousins' house!
{View on Instagram}

In Nashville, enjoying an actual "coffee shop chat" with Caroline!
{View on Instgram}
Okay, so maybe Caroline and I enjoy a little too many coffee shop chats . . .
{View on Instagram}
At the Providence premiere with Erica and Caroline!
{View on Instagram}

Drinks I've enjoyed:


{View on Instagram}

Too many lattes to count!

{Okay, don't worry. I really only drink one cup of coffee a day. Sometimes two. And sometimes decaf. It's just, when I visit a new town -- especially a big city -- there's no way I can't take advantage of the many coffee shops the area has available. My small town can only have so many.}

Oh! I've really enjoyed Starbucks' salted caramel mocha this fall. It's the first year I've tried it, and honestly, I think it might have PSL beat just a tad . . . ;) 

Grateful For:

  • Fall! <3 comment-3--="">
  • The opportunity to work on set of Providence.
  • The fact that the rewrites to my second novel are complete! Now time to start writing the sequel to Purple Moon . . . =) {Any suggestions or ideas? Email me! Seriously. What do you want the sequel to be about? Let me know!}
  • The certificates I received at the writing retreat -- and the fact that I was able to attend.
  • The opportunity to teach teens Creative Writing through my 3-month course, WRITE NOW
  • A few more writing-related opportunities that I've been offered. I can't wait to share it with you guys. =) {Make sure you're signed up for my newsletter and like my Facebook page so you won't miss the announcements!}

Books I'm Reading:




Music I'm Enjoying:



  • This fall, I've been listening to Lauren Daigle's debut album on repeat. I can't get enough of it!
  • I'm starting to listen to Christmas music as well. =)

Scriptures I'm Enjoying:




"For I am about to do something new.
    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."
~Isaiah 43:19 {NLT}


"How joyful are those who fear the Lord
    all who follow his ways!

You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
    How joyful and prosperous you will be!"
~Psalm 128:1-2 {NLT}

Looking Forward to:

  • My entire family being together for Thanksgiving!
  • My 22nd birthday. =)
  • A book signing on December 5th. {Check out my schedule for upcoming events.}
  • Going to Florida next month for a Christian conference. 
  • Christmas!

Flashback Friday:


This time last year . . . 


Caroline and I filmed book/writing-related videos on YouTube. =) {Click here for the videos!}
{View on Instagram
We also visited homeschool groups to discuss our writing journeys
and encourage teens to pursue their dream. Love this part of my job!
{View on Instagram}


On my blog {last fall} . . . 


What has your week or month {or season} looked like? Post your own coffee shop post! You may include any of the below list prompts. Feel free to add your own as well!

  • What I did this week
  • Pictures taken
  • Drinks I've enjoyed
  • Music I've enjoyed
  • Movies I've enjoyed
  • Food I've enjoyed
  • Grateful for
  • 3 awesome things that happened this week
  • Prayer requests
  • Currently loving
  • Currently working on
  • Currently hoping
  • Books I'm reading
  • Scriptures I'm enjoying
  • Quotes I'm enjoying
  • Looking forward to
  • Flashback Friday



CONVO STARTERS FOR YOU!


** Each participant MUST answer 2 - 5 convo starters posted by myself or another participant. Make sure to include convo starters for your readers as well!


  1. If you could be a character in any book, who would you be and why?
  2. Do you think it's okay to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving?
  3. Name your favorite Christmas song/album, movie, and novel. =) 
  4. Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? How much progress have you made?
  5. What foods does your Thanksgiving meal usually consist of? 



ADD YOUR POST BELOW:




Is there a specific Blogger who you'd like to invite to join the conversation? Comment on their blog with the link to this post or your own!

Happy reflecting and chatting! =)


post signature

14 comments:

  1. This looks really fun, Tessa! It's a great idea:) And Providence looks really good! I can't wait to see it :D

    -Maddie

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Maddie! I've had the idea of Coffee Shop Chats for a while now, I just haven't figured out exactly what it could involve. I think it'll be a great way to update all of you on my life, but also learn more about each of you as well.

      Thanks! Providence was a beautiful film. You'll definitely enjoy it. =)

      Tessa

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  2. Ooo, I like your coffee shop chat idea, Tessa! I would join in, but I don't have a public blog :). Still, I'll have fun looking at other coffee shop chat posts.
    Providence sounds amazing, I bet you had a lot of fun being a part of it!
    You're listening to Lauren Daigle? I love some of her songs :). And the time of year when you can listen to Christmas songs is a wonderful time of year, I love Christmas music!
    Ooo, you're going to be 22? When's your birthday?
    Thanks for doing this post by the way, I had a ton of fun reading it :).

    ~Savannah Perran

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Savannah! Yes, I had a great time working on set of Providence. It was such a beautiful film!

      In my opinion, listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving is perfectly fine. It doesn't take away the fact that we still celebrate Thanksgiving--it just helps to make Christmas seem even longer. And that's never a bad thing! ;)

      My birthday is December 2nd. Thanks for asking!

      I'm sorry you don't have a blog, but feel free to participate through the comments. =)

      Tessa

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  3. I definitely think it's ok to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving! My family doesn't pull out the decor and all that, but no one objects to me singing "Little Drummer Boy" at the top of my lungs. And I did pull out my Santa hat...

    My favorite Christmas novel is probably The Christmas Bus by Melody Carson. My favorite Christmas movie is Elf. I love the Christmas album Tis the Season to be Gotee Too, produced by Gotee Records. The Capital Kings and Jamie Grace songs on it are my fave!

    I'm not doing NanoWriMo this year, but am instead writing a historical fiction novella to enter in a contest.

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    Replies
    1. Haha exactly! There's nothing wrong with listening to Christmas music a bit early. It spreads the holidays out a bit more and puts me in the Christmas spirit. =) In my opinion, when Starbucks releases their seasonal lattes, then it's officially okay to begin the Christmas festivities. Lol!

      Oh, I have that novel by Melody Carlson! I haven't read it yet, but now that you mentioned it, I might add it on my to-read list for this Christmas. I love Elf! That's definitely one of my absolute favorite Christmas movies too, haha. =) Is Tis the Season to be Gotee Too a Christian Christmas album? I love both Capital Kings and Jamie Grace.

      Again, I look forward to reading your novella next month as apart of the Write Now course!

      Tessa

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    2. Lol! For some reason, I was surprised that Starbucks has already started their holiday/wintery drinks. I have onviously been in Europe for way too long...

      Tis the Season to be Gotee Too is a Christian Christmas album. Honestly, I don't think I listen to anything other than CCM.

      Thank you!

      Delete
  4. I really like this post and the idea of Coffee Shop Chats! Thank you for hosting this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you like it, Micaiah! Thanks for participating! =)

      Tessa

      Delete
  5. If I could be a character in any book ... ooo, that's tough :). I would really like to be one of the elves from LOTR, but it would take me half a year to really settle my mind on who I would want to be :D.
    One of my favorite Christmas songs is 'Marshmallow World' by Francesca Battistelli (no clue if I spelled her name right), it's one that always makes me think of Christmas, no matter when it is being played!
    No, sadly I'm not doing NaNoWriMo this year, but I'm hoping to be able to do it next year!
    ~Savannah Perran

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    Replies
    1. I love Francesca Battistelli's Christmas album! (Don't worry, I had to do a Google search to see how her name is spelled. Lol!)

      Don't feel bad about NaNoWriMo. Honestly, I've yet to participate at all! It always sounds like a great idea, but it never comes at a good time. The past couple of months I've participated in my own NaNoWriMo to finish my second novel. And now that it's complete, I'm having to get caught up in some other work, take a little break from the writing cave, and brainstorm for Purple Moon's sequel. You can have your own NaNo any time of the year! =)

      Tessa

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  6. I did a post, but I'm afraid I misunderstood the "convo starters" questions and answers some there... Whoops... I'll answer the ones I didn't here in the comments. ^^
    #2: I don't have any problem with people shopping for Christmas or singing carols early, but I do think Thanksgiving needs the proper amount of attention- meaning, before we get to the giving-and receiving, we make sure to see and be grateful for what we have.
    #4: I did/am not participating in NaNoWriMo this round, though I have before. It just didn't work in my schedule this time.
    #5: My Thanksgiving meal is pretty traditional... turkey, potatoes, gravy (and MORE gravy), vegetables, and PIE.

    That's so neat that you got to participate in that film. I'm curious to see it!
    And thanks for a fun, blog-community-tag-thing. I'm looking forward to participating and meeting some other bloggers!

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Joni! You can answer the convo starters on your blog or through the comments; it doesn't matter. =)

      Oh, that's a really good point you made about Thanksgiving. Although I do see both Thanksgiving and Christmas as holidays in which we express our gratitude for our friends and family, it is important that we don't become so eager to receive our Christmas gifts that we "skip" Thanksgiving and neglect to realize how blessed we already are. Thanks for pointing this out!

      Don't worry -- as I mentioned to Savannah, I've yet to participated in NaNo. Lol! I love the idea, but it's never come at a good time in my writing journey.

      Ohhhh yum!! That sounds amazing. Now I'm really looking forward to the Thanksgiving meal, lol!

      No problem, Joni! Thanks for participating. =)

      Tessa

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  7. This post is such fun, Tessa! And I agree; it'd be amazing to get together with so many bloggers we've met through this journey. :)

    Looks like you've enjoyed some fun experiences latest. Plus, how exciting to learn you have another novel coming. Congrats - and best of luck with that third novel. Hope it's a smooth journey for you. :)

    Thanks so much for your recent visits to Dreaming Under the Same Moon. You're always welcome. :)

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