What's Up Wednesday

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, put on by Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk. If you'd like to join click on the links above!

What I'm Reading:
I have to say since last week I haven't read as much as I would like. I did, however, reread an old favorite The Witch of Blackbird Pond. It brought back so many memories. I first read it in the sixth grade and fell in love with the setting, with Kit, Hannah, and Nat. It is such a sweet story that reminded me of a much simpler time even though the characters are going through some not so simple trials.

What I'm Writing:

I got my fifty pages done! 99 percent of it was yesterday when I finally found time after a very long Fourth of July weekend. There was one scene in particular that I had breakthrough with. I had two versions of this scene, which is also a catalyst for the story, so it was pretty important to get it right. I'd been putting it off for some time because of that very reason and I honestly didn't think I'd get to it until the end. There were things I loved about both versions and combining the two was a harder than I  anticipated. I've been thinking about sharing an excerpt and thought now might be a good time. So here goes nothing:

The man and woman in front of me gasped in disbelief, staring at Dad and I in horror and shame. I was sure our delicate use of the English language was the cause.

            “Watch your tongue!” The man stepped forward and tried to cover my ears. I managed to scramble away, brows furrowed in confusion. “Is this what you have been teaching my granddaughter all these years?”  The man waved a finger at Dad. His voice was deep and thick with his accent, giving away his origins. Well, that and the fact his skin tinged darker than mine.

            But that didn’t erase the fact that I now appeared to have stepped into a Bollywood movie. Standing in front of me were an older couple, gray hair and small wrinkles edging around their faces. The woman was wearing a traditional deep green sari with a red bindi in the middle of her forehead, her dark gray hair pulled back in a bun. The man wore some khaki pants and a white dress shirt tucked in tightly above his waist, much less traditional. Then there were the flip-flops.

            At the bottom of the steps, surrounding their feet were more bags. This was not happening. My mouth parted and then shut again. I never before had a chance to use the word flabbergasted to describe an event in my life, but this was one occasion where it seemed appropriate. I was so shocked I even ignored Dad’s cursing. I hadn’t heard him slip up once in almost six years.

            My Mom’s parents, my Naani and Naana, were standing in front of me, and I was starting to think I had hit my head during the fall. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hands, but when they came away, the two strangers were still there.

It still needs some work, but this scene sets everything in motion when it comes to Casey's relationship with her father and her unresolved feelings from her mother's death. 

What Inspires Me Right Now:

Did you guys notice all the amazing contests going on right now? There's PitchMas, Xmas in July, and Like A Virgin contest to name just a few. It's amazing how we all gather together and support each other in this way, that writers who have achieved their goals are willing to help those of us who are still on that journey. Truly awesome.

What Else I've Been Up To:
I'm taking part in Natalie Parker's crit camp (if you want to learn more about it click on the link) and I've already learned so much about the art of critiquing. I have the opportunity to critique the first 10,000 words of the other participants manuscripts and I am in awe of, not only their skills, but their concepts. All I have to say is that future readers have nothing to worry about, there are still amazing stories coming from the twisted imaginations of writers around the world. I look forward to reading them myself. 
What have you been up to?