I just discovered What's up Wednesday and I thought I would jump on board. I think it is very important to share our progress and encourage each other as we balance life and writing.What I'm reading: I am reading "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein. I will hopefully finish it today. Stay posted for a reveiw! I never just read one book at a time so I am also reading "Looking for Alaska" by John Green.
What I'm Writing: I am still revising my first novel. I will be at it for some time ,I think. I'm also working on "Simmer" my YA dystopian story that runs parallel to my first book (but this one has pirates!). I am going to draft the rest of it during JuNoWriMo. I wrote one short story for a children's magazine. Now I need to get brave enough to submit it and write another one so I can meet my goal of writing two stories for magazines this month.
What inspires me right now: I am finding the end of the school year and the warm (hot!) weather to be inspiring. It makes me want to slow down and enjoy the summer with my children. I am also inspired by the online writer's community. You guys help me stay on track!
What else I've been up too:
- I have been trying to carve out some time for crocheting. It is so relaxing and sometimes my brain needs to do something that isn't word related.
- We are almost done with school for the year. We have one reading lesson and a few math pages, then we are done!!! The extra time will hopefully be spent at the beach and the pool. I also really want to make a "rainy day" tote full of craft supplies that only come out when we are stuck inside. I am so excited that my kids are old enough for more crafts now.
- I've been working on replacing most of the foods on our pantry with the healthiest version possible. We are eating lots of fresh ingredients and much less processed food. I struggle with finding time to work out so I've been fitting small routines in during the day as much as I can.
Interesting that your WIP runs parallel to the novel your revising. Normally, series run in sequence, not parallel. That's a very interesting idea. :)
ReplyDeletePlaying piano is my idea of a word-free break. I think you're right--so much of a writer's life is spent with words, it's good to get away for an hour or so.
I hope it works! I was going to write a sequel but this parallel story was stuck in my head so I decided to go with it.
DeleteWow lots of writing going on over there, that is awesome. I am also trying to do less processed foods, it is not so easy, but at least we are moving in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteIt takes more planning ahead, I think. Its worth it though!
DeleteCODE NAME VERITY is wonderful! I don't usually read much historical, but I loved that one. And LOOKING FOR ALASKA is one of my all-time favorites! Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteIt took me a bit to get into it but I'm loving it now. Looking for Alaska is my first John Greene book so I am excited about that.
DeleteYou're the second person today to mention CODE NAME VERITY, and I have it sitting on my shelf, so I should probably get around to reading it. I also have (but haven't read) LOOKING FOR ALASKA. Sometimes I feel like my TBR shelf is about to drown me. ;-) The nice weather is definitely inspiring me too. I feel like my day is so much longer (I'm in Alberta), and that makes me want to make the most of it and get tons done.
ReplyDeleteMy TBR shelf is huge... It never shrinks either. I just keep adding to it!
DeleteI love the longer days :)
Writing a parallel sounds fascinating! It's got to be neat to write about a world/events you've already "experienced", just from a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteIt is very fun!
DeleteWait, you're reading Code Name Verity AND Waiting for Alaska!! How amazing. What an exceptional pair of books. I read CNV just a few weeks ago and loved it-- so smart and well written. And YAY for less processed food. We have been trying to do this, too, and it's so much easier and cheaper in the summer when local fruits and veggies are abundant.
ReplyDeleteCNV is well written. Its so unlike an other YA book I have read, which is great.
DeleteIt is easier in the summer. I have been haunting all the local farmer's markets :)
Summer and end of another school year definitely deserve some extra attention. I'm currently crocheting a skirt for next fall that I pick up almost every time I watch t.v. It's one of those no rush projects that's fun to work on when I have nothing else to do - like that ever happens around here. Love your goal of submitting 2 stories p/mth. You go girl!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI love to work on a project while I watch tv.
I love the whole concept of two novels that run parallel to one another! Such a great idea! Good luck with the writing and with the end of your school year. I homeschool as well, and this time of year always feels like a three ring circus to me when we're trying to finish everything up. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! A three ring circus is an excellent way of describing it!
DeleteAs with so many households, so much going on! Good for you, finding time to write, and homeschool, and work on improving your family's health!
ReplyDeletethank you :)
DeleteOoh, I love both CODE NAME VERITY & LOOKING FOR ALASKA!
ReplyDeleteCool idea of two novels that run parallel to each other - that's really unusual!
Yay for summer days at the pool! I just got back from an overnight visit to my parents' and spent some time this afternoon splashing around in their pool. So fun!
Thank you!
DeleteNothing says summer like splashing in a pool.
Looking for Alaska is one of the best books I've ever read. I hope you love it!
ReplyDelete