Wednesday, June 5, 2013

What's Up Wednesday!

I'm excited to be joining in on this new bloghop started by Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk.  Here are the details: What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what's up.


So if you wish to join in click on the links above!

What I'm Reading: Late last night I finished The Statistical Probability Of Love At First Sight by Jennifer Smith.
I have to say the writing was incredible, real, and I was fully absorbed in the story. There were a couple of things that irked me because I come from divorced parents myself, and have experienced much of what Hadley did, and some of her feelings really hit home for me, but other than that I think it was a great read. Next up is The Name of the Star By Maureen Johnson (I know, I'm a little late on this one). 

What I'm Writing: The first draft to Restoring Casey is pretty much done. It's exciting and also terrifying because now all the hard work comes into play. I have some serious editing to do in the next few weeks. I do have to say that I was surprised by what came out of writing this story. I'm head over heels in love with it and I love reading certain passages and thinking "I wrote that?" or "Where did that come from?". So yeah, looking forward to finishing it up. I do have to mention that I found a really old notebook I used to write in from about five years ago and...well. It was terrible. The writing was atrocious and embarrassing enough to make me want to burn it. However, I also realized that I've come a long way in my writing and have definitely gotten stronger. I can't wait to find another journal from today five years from now and think the same thing. As a writer, I always want to get better at what I do.

What Inspires Me Right Now: This quote: "I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say."-Flannery O'Connor.
Writing is like that a lot for me. I'll find myself writing a thought from the character, unaware that it is how I feel about something as well. I love discovering these new things about myself, and my characters through them. 

What Else I've Been Up To: Surviving summer break. It's only week one. Yikes. Although, it hasn't been all that bad. I'm sort of just panicking about all the things that might go wrong. I'm trying really hard to make sure my oldest works on his reading and math over the summer so he's not behind on anything by the time school starts, and also going over things with my other little guy who starts kindergarten in the fall. Then there are my girls, gotta make sure they're having fun and learning as well. All I have to say is I'm so glad I'm not a teacher, because my patience wears thin much too quickly. I admire anyone who goes into that profession, you are much braver than I. 

What have you been up to this week? Join in!


27 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about rereading passages that you wrote awhile ago and being surprised that you actually wrote them. What a great feeling, hey? I, too, want to be able to look back and see growth as a writer.

    I really enjoyed STATISTICAL PROBABILITY as well as THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE by the same author. Such good books! :)

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    1. I'll have to check out This Is What Happy Looks Like. And yes, seeing growth is always good motivation to keep going.

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  2. If I wasn't at the cabin with no wi-fi and spotty 3G cell service, I'd probably sign up 😁

    I just finished reading 'the sea of tranquility', which was awesome, next up is 'the raven boys', which you recommended 😜

    I've been writing a number of 'first lines' down for my toddling flash fiction experiment, and this morning I picked away at my Jay & Kell story a little.

    Swimming inspires me 😄 I've been swimming about 3 miles every day

    What else I've been up to... Getting sunburned, chatting with neighbors, some I haven't seen in 10 years since I haven't been up to the cabin much until this year, and just enjoying the peace and quiet 😁

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    1. You'll have to join in when you get back! Glad to hear you're having fun. And I really hope you like The Raven Boys, I just bought on my kindle for just $1.99!

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    2. I read it last night, you're right! It was good, although I didn't realize it was part of a series until the end... Where none of the big questions were resolved ;)

      Humph, I think I paid $12 on my kindle for it last month :( oh well, I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't think it was worth the price :)

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    3. Yeah, forgot to mention that. And it's supposed to be four books! My other favorite book by her The Scorpio Races is a standalone, you might enjoy that one as well!

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    4. Ah, I've heard good things about that one...

      Right now I'm about 70% through 'Above', by Leah Bobet

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  3. Thanks for the sharing that quote! So good...
    And being encouraged at my progress is one reason I've kept all my old scribblings. Aside from laughing at the humorous (and atrocious) writing, I get to be reminded of what I've learned so far.

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    1. I really love that quote! And yes, I did laugh some at the awfulness that was my writing.

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  4. Prerna-- I so hear you about the little ones in summer. I don't think I could be a teacher of small kids, either. It takes so much patience and good cheer. My boys are in school for two more weeks and then we're out. I so love the time outside with them, but it is tough work.

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    1. I hope you have with your kids this summer, hopefully we can find fun ways to keep them entertained.

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  5. Love that quote on writing... Makes perfect sense! And I thought that THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT was adorable, and I liked THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE even more. Jennifer E. Smith rocks contemporary YA. :-)

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    1. I'm trying to add more contemporary to my reading so TIWHLL will be on my list.

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  6. Congratulations on finishing your first draft!

    Good luck making it through the summer ;)

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    1. thank you! I'm excited to dive into revisions, although it's been said you should take a break in between finishing and revising. But I can't, I feel like i'm on a roll and should keep it going.

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  7. I third the recommendation for This is What Happy Looks Like! I enjoyed that one even more than Statistical Probability! And good luck with your kiddos--as a teacher and former camp counselor, I can say with some authority that I love working with kids from about the 3rd grade on up...the littler ones are so cute but SO SO SO exhausting. I'm very happy to be with high school kids these days. Good luck with yours :)

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    1. Yup, I'll definitely be picking that up! And yes, the little ones are very exhausting.

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  8. This is inspiring: "As a writer, I always want to get better at what I do." And so true! Also, I loved THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT! Great book!

    Have a great week! And hang in there with the little ones. They grow big TOO fast.

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    1. They do grow up so fast! I'll try to enjoy the little phase as long as it lasts.

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  9. I can relate to rereading old stories of mine and wanting to burn them. A few would be worth salvaging the ideas and rewriting, but for the most part they're terrible. Like you, I've come a long way yet know there's so much room to improve.

    I'll echo everyone who said they loved THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT and recommend THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE. I think I'll pick up anything Jennifer E. Smith writes now. :)

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    1. True, I do have a desire to rewrite some of my earlier stuff, especially one story that has sort of been on my mind since HS.

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  10. I loved THE NAME OF THE STAR! I'm sure you'll enjoy that one. It kept me on the edge of my seat and thinking about ghosts the whole time. Good luck with your revising! :-)

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    1. Yay, glad to hear it! I'm excited about it, and I know the sequel is either out or going to be out soon.

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  11. I absolutely love that quote and find myself feeling the exact same way! Sometimes I'll go back and read something I wrote and I'm shocked that 1.) I wrote it and 2.) that it resonates so deeply with what I feel. On the days where I think all my writing is horrible, I love the feeling the above brings and constantly have to remind myself!

    And I really enjoyed STATISTICAL PROBABILITY - and don't worry, I'm so behind on reading anything from Maureen Johnson. :)

    Best of luck with your upcoming revisions!

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  12. Hi! I loved LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT! :) Congrats on moving into revision territory - it's scary and wonderful at the same time, isn't it? It's my favorite.

    Good luck with your summer break - I have a 10yo boy and 6yo girl and today is their last day of school as well. Yay for summer!

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  13. Summer break is right around the corner for us, too. Glad to hear about your revision. Keep going!

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  14. I loved Statistical!

    Revision is definitely the best part of writing, so enjoy the process as magic happens :)

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