June 26, 2017

I'm a YouTuber! / Monthly Mishmash



YouTube - I never thought I'd say this but...I'm a YouTuber! 


I even have a YouTube Channel!

I need 100 subscribers to create a custom URL. 

Would you please subscribe?


Right now, I'm sharing videos about marketing.


Thursday I'll be sharing my 3rd video about Amazon.



DEPRESSION - I am happy to report that since April, I feel as though I am back to my old self. I know that depression will always be part of my life and that it can pop up at any moment, but I am strong. Actually, I am stronger. I believe that each time I beat my depression, I get stronger. This last bout lasted 7 months and was the worse case I've ever had, but I learned from that experience and now I have weapons for the future.



WRITING - Yes, but am I writing? That's the big question, isn't it?

And I am! Well, not for what I should be writing...the final book of the Disaster Crimes Series, but I've been revising an old WIP. Half of it needs to be rewritten to reflect the changes I did in the book that comes before it. This is a huge step. I haven't written since November!



READING - I've been reading a lot of books, (this was part of my depression recovery) mainly African American, Wiccan, and feminism literature. I've felt like I've grown as a human being, so I wanted to share my favorite reads so far this year that have 4-5 star reviews from me.


My Favorite Reads (so far) 2017:

- Your One Word: The Powerful Secret to Creating a Business and Life that Matters by Evan Carmichael

- Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the Selma Voting Rights March by Lynda Blackmon Lowery.

- The Goddess is in the Details: Wisdom for the Everyday Witch by Deborah Blake

- The Color Purple by Alice Walker

- Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

- Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

- Moranifesto by Caitlin Maron

- Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott

- To be a Slave by Julius Lester

- Chapter After Chapter: Discover the Dedication and Focus You Need to Write the Book of Your Dreams by Heather Sellers (and also her book Page After Page)



QUESTIONS: Will you subscribe to my YouTube channel? I'm thinking of doing a giveaway when I reach 100. One random subscriber may get something nice. :)

What good books have you read so far this year?


49 comments:

  1. I've not read any of those books.
    I'll subscribe!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad to hear you've got your depression under control now. I've been struggling with depression and other mental health issues for a long time too, and even though I hate how my parents shanghaied me and essentially forced me to come to SC instead of moving back to Pittsburgh, at least now I no longer have such unhealthy sleep and eating cycles, nor do I have the option of spending the entire day in bed and not going anywhere all day.

    One great book I recently read was fellow Pittsburgher Chip Walter's Last Ape Standing, about how anatomically modern humans became the only survivors among the 27 known hominin (not hominid, as we previously thought) species. It's very readable, and explores how so many seemingly little things created big evolutionary changes and upped our longterm survival odds. Another great book was The Neanderthals Rediscovered: How Modern Science Is Rewriting Their Story, by husband and wife team Dimitra Papagianni and Michael A. Morse. It's a bit more academic (esp. in the sections about stone tool-making), but overall was very enjoyable.

    I'll subscribe to your channel!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A healthy sleep and eating cycle is important.

      That sounds Luke a unique and fascinating read.

      Thank you! :)

      Delete
  3. Glad you're feeling better and writing again! When I was a teenager my depression was pretty bad but I think I've got a good handle on it now. I have more problems with anxiety now, though.
    I'll go subscribe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My depression started as a teen, too.

      Anxiety sure sucks.

      Thank you! :)

      Delete
  4. Sure got me topped on those reads. Great you are feeling good and writing away. Subscribed too at our bay.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wish I had time to do videos.

    Last good book I read was from the author I just signed. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did two videos a day for five days, but that was all I did those five days, so they do suck up time.

      Well, that's good!

      Delete
  6. Good luck with your You Tube I know it will be a success.
    About the depression, I can relate to it as I went through a dark patch in my life years ago......it can and often does return but it still can be overcome again Good Luck.

    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't have any doubt my depression will return at some point, but I hope to continue getting stronger from it.

      Delete
  7. I went to subscribe and a box popped up to tell me I was already subscribed. I don't remember signing up before, so I hope everything is okay with my subscription. On the last Friday of each month, I join The Cephalopod Coffeehouse (hosted by The Armchair Squid) to describe the best book I've read that month. One of my favorite books of the year is Mommy Tried To Kill Me by Suzy Soro.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't see you listed but that could because you hide your subscriptions. Maybe you did it years ago. ;)

      Delete
    2. I don't even know how to hide a subscription. Maybe I did it by accident.

      Delete
    3. That's okay. If YouTube says you're subscribed, you must be. :)

      Delete
  8. I'm so glad you have won the battle and you are feeling much renewed. You read a ton of books and they sound like they helped you through these bad days no months. I will see if I can subscribe because I never even knew one could do this....yes...I am that naive( thought I would write dumb eh??) hahahahaaaa. I follow a blog who has such uplifting blog reports...her name is Vidya Sury

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah. There's red buttons on YouTube channels with the option to subscribe. I hadn't noticed them before. Haha

      I do know Vidya Sury, but it's been a long time since I've seen her blogs posts.

      Delete
  9. Just subscribed. Glad you are feeling so much better. I still don't feel like my new self completely since all my life changes but I'm getting there. Reading more adult books and starting to write again at least for me is helping.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! And I'm sorry. I hope every day you get a little bit better.

      Delete
  10. Congrats on your YouTube channel.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good to hear a newsy post from you Chrys! I'll join in the Tube party.
    Visit me @ Life & Faith in Caneyhead. 😉

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I plan to do short videos of life tips, too. :)

      Delete
  12. Hi Chrys - so glad you've got through that last period ... it must be difficult - but you were prepared to learn the lessons you felt able to help you deal with the next bout: good for you.

    That's wonderful to see you on YouTube ... I've just subscribed and I like the introductory video - well done ... cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! It took me a few videos to get used to talk to a webcam.

      Delete
  13. Done! Congrats on the YouTube and great job. I look forward to seeing more.

    sherry @ fundinmental

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Chrys,
    Great job on the Youtube channel. I just subscribed! I've been thinking of trying this, too, so I'll be looking forward to your updates. And, if you like Alice Walker check out her other novels either The Temple of my Familiar or Meridian (about women in the civil rights movement).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for subscribing, Michelle!

      I am interested in reading Meridian. :)

      Delete
  15. Lots of good books on that list! Some of my favorites have been Hunter Shea's We Are Always Watching, Chuck Wendig's Blackbirds, Jenny Milchman's Cover of Snow, and the Grape series by Laura Bradbury.

    Congrats on your new channel!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A few books you listed are ones I want to read. :)

      Thanks!

      Delete
  16. Aw, I just wrote a long comment and it didn't post. So, I'll make this one short LOL. First, I've already subscribed to your channel!! Second, your overcoming depression and being stronger really shows on you. Your accomplishments and energy in the last few months are inspiring. Last, I have to get my summer reading list started, so I can tell you I've read something mind blowing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for subscribing!

      I am glad it shows. I've been working hard at it, and at my recent goals. :)

      Delete
  17. I'm proud of you and how you are dealing with your depression! I'm not on You tube, so I don't know how to subscribe? But, I wish you all the best!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      There's a red "subscribe" button if you click on the link, but that's okay. No worries. :)

      Delete
  18. So happy to hear how well you're doing with your depression. You are one strong lady and I'm glad to see you triumphing over it. Congrats on the YouTube channel - I've subscribed :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! Your comment means a lot to me. :)

      Delete
  19. I saw you had a video and plan on watching it eventually. Currently, I'm getting sidetracked by Vidcon drama. >.>

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No rush. It'll be there when you're ready. :)

      Delete
  20. Congrats on the youtube channel! I so admire you for doing that. I think talking on camera is so hard! I hope the channel is a huge success! I've never subscribed to a channel before to be honest but I will give it a go LOL.

    Even better that you have beat back your depression. So glad to read that. Take care and I hope you just keep feeling stronger and stronger. You rock!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Talking on camera...even a webcam is hard, especially in the beginning. I had never subscribed to a channel before now, but it's surprisingly easy. I had never noticed the red button before. lol

      Thanks! <3

      Delete
  21. Sorry to hear about your depression. I didn't know. But glad to know you're doing so much better.

    Good job on your YouTube channel. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't usually talk about it, but recently I've been more open, to help others.

      Thanks!

      Delete
  22. Subscribed and liked! Looking forward to seeing what you put out there.

    I suffer from depression too, and I like your attitude about always coming back stronger. I feel much the same. Being depressed sucks, especially over long periods, but I always come back feeling ready to face the world, stronger than ever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      Depression is tough, especially when it's hard to shake quickly. It seems that when you can't shake it fast enough, the harder it is to get over it. But the effort it takes to do that requires a lot strength. That's why we get stronger each time. :)

      Delete
  23. Glad you're back to writing, and put this bout behind you. I'm a subscriber! You're climbing the charts! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete