Wednesday, July 10, 2013

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?

12 comments:

  1. Yay for finishing your fifty pages! And for joining in Natalie's crit camp. I'm sure you will learn a lot in her capable hands.

    Have a fantastic week!

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  2. I'm hoping to get a spot in the "Like a Virgin" contest. It looks so fun! and I loved your line about being flabbergasted. I totally want to use that word in real life too!

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  3. Way to go with your fifty pages... I'm so inspired seeing everyone meeting their goals! Best of luck with the Crit Camp. Good CPs are hard to come by, so I think it's awesome that you're taking steps to better your critiquing skills. I bet you're learning so much! Best of luck with your writing this week, Perna!

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  4. There are some pretty awesome contests going on, aren't there?! And I loved the excerpt! The whole Bollywood set up has me intrigued. I used to watch SYTYCD religiously and the Bollywood numbers were always some of my favorites. :)

    Also, yay for fifty pages! That's awesome! I hope this week is just as productive!

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  5. Wow, Prerna! Really nice work. Loved reading your excerpt. And contests can be way fun. They are a great way to motivate and inspire! So excited for you. Keep pushing!

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  6. Congrats on finishing your 50 pages! That's fantastic.

    I read Witch of Blackbird Pond in gradeschool too. I might have to reread it, because it has been so long.

    And I know, there are sooooo many amazing contests going on right now.

    Hope you have a great rest of your week!

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  7. Congratulations on hitting your target and working things out. The snippet is definitely interesting with a lot of potential.

    Have a great week!

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  8. Good for you for meeting your goal! It's great to hear you had a breakthrough with an important scene too. I love it when a story just finally clicks like that. Thanks for sharing this excerpt from your WIP. The family dynamic is very intriguing, especially with the way it opens. Have a great writing week!

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  9. I'm checking out crit camp, for sure. Yay for hitting your goal this week. I loved how your MC rubbed her eyes to make sure her grandparents weren't a mirage. I'm still forcing myself to ignore all the awesome contests until I have something polished. Hopefully, I can accomplish that (or most of it) during RSW.

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  10. Nice excerpt. I'd love to know how it develops. Thanks for the heads up on all the contests. I wasn't aware there were so many out there.

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  11. I'm really curious about what's going to happen next in the snippet you shared from your WIP. Thanks for sharing it with us. :) And that's awesome that you got 50 pages done. Good luck with your writing this week! :)

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  12. Congrats on your progress and thanks for sharing.

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