Wednesday, April 9, 2014

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:
Some really great stuff. I finished Charm and Strange, which completely broke my heart. The writing evoked a lot of emotions in me, which is what we all want as readers. I also read Cruel Beauty, a truly unique take on Beauty and the Beast. I definitely fell in love with the writing in this one as well. Then there's OCD Love Story. I wasn't a great fan of the MC, but still appreciated the story and gained a whole new perspective on the disorder. The other day I got through Lovely Dark and Deep, which was also all sorts of heartbreaking with the kind of poetic writing I'll never be able to accomplish but can wholly appreciate as a reader. The ending left me a bit unsatisfied, that's my only complaint.

What I'm Writing:
Being in the query trenches has had me down a little bit, I'll admit. I still have requests out with agents and am anxiously waiting for their responses, but there's been plenty of rejection as well. It's put me in a funk. Thankfully I have YA Buccaneers keeping me in line. After a Saturday session weeding I felt reinvigorated and realized I'm not giving up. I'm moving on by revising Fading and will continue writing until I land that mystical dream agent.

What Inspires Me Right Now:
Good health. Since I'm in recovery mode and it has been nice to function properly again. I was sick two weeks ago and got better, but was still feeling a little under the weather, then this weekend it hit me again. I'm hoping this time around it stick.s

What Else I've Been Up To:
We're looking to buy a new family vehicle. Either a truck or a larger SUV (not too much bigger since I would be afraid to ever get behind the wheel). It's exciting! We're having fun test driving our options and discussing which route we'd like to take for our family.

What have you been up to?

17 comments:

  1. The query trenches is a tough place to be! I've been having a bit of a rough week of it, but I guess all we can do is concentrate on other things! Have a great week! :)

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  2. I keep meaning to get my hands on a copy of Cruel Beauty, I keep seeing it pop up everywhere! :) Good luck in your search for an agent and have a lovely week!

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  3. Oooh, test driving sounds like fun :D

    Querying's tough, but it'll be worth it when you sign with an agent. Have a great week!

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  4. Oh, I hope the sickness stays away this time! How crummy that must be. :( I enjoyed the prose in CRUEL BEAUTY, but overall it wasn't my favourite "Beauty and the Beast" retelling. I have LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP on my shelf and *still* need to read it. I love great prose, though I doubt I'll ever be able to write it to the extent that I would like.

    I hope you get some good news soon with your queries. It sounds like you're making good use of your time in the meantime. I think that's the only way to handle the querying process without losing your mind. Have a great week, Prerna!

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  5. Oh my god, Charm & Strange was SUCH a book. It was just a mad emotional journey.

    The query trenches are rough. Keep your spirit up, you can do it!

    Good luck car shopping!

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  6. Sounds like you read some great books this week!
    Don't let the querying get you down.
    Have fun car shopping. I wish I could trade in my caravan for a shiny new SUV but alas, it's not going to happen anytime soon. Oh well. ;)

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  7. You've read some awesome books lately! I'm a big fan of CHARM & STRANGE, OCD LOVE STORY, and especially LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP. I adored that story -- such gorgeous writing. Best of luck with your outstanding requests. I'm sending you lots of positive vibes, Prerna!

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  8. My reaction to LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP was exactly the same as yours. I loved the story, the prose was gorgeous, but I felt the ending was too abrupt. It was so close to perfect. Ah well.

    I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, and I hope you have some good luck on the querying front soon!

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  9. Hope you're feeling better soon, and buying a family vehicle is very adventurous. You'll have to let us know what you decide for.

    Don't let the query trenches get you down. I enjoy reading all those stories about people who can literally wall paper their living rooms with rejection letters, and then do hit the right agent (2,000,000 years later) and end up with a best seller. Always encouraging.

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  10. Wasn't the writing in Cruel Beauty just breathtakingly beautiful? And I can't believe I haven't read Charm and Strange yet. I need to get on that.

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  11. Loved CHARM AND STRANGE! And I hear ya on the query trenches. Not always fun, is it? But it can be very exciting and full of the one thing I think we all heart as YA writers - hope. Good luck! I wish you all the requests!

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  12. Really hope you feel better now. And as far as the writing/agent search goes, just keep pushing. So easy to say, but it's true: you can do it! Go ahead and be down for a second, but then get back up and keep trucking--eh, querying. I can't wait to read your books:).
    Ninja Girl

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  13. One word: minivan! haha, seriously, I gave in and I freaking love mine. Just saying.

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  14. It's hard not to get anxious during the query stage, especially when requests are not as forthcoming as one would prefer. I hope you can focus on new ideas, and not worry too much about agent responses. I learned a lot from my first attempts at querying. While I wish you every success, I hope this is also a learning/growing experience for you. :)

    Have a wonderful week, Prerna! :)

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  15. A new vehicle - how fun! Have a blast test driving. Glad to hear you are feeling better. There's nothing worse than a bug that just won't go away. Good luck with the querying and don't let the negatives get you down. It only takes one "yes"!

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  16. All the books you read are on my TBR-list, one of these days I'll get to them!

    I know how you feel about the SUV - the last time I drove one I felt like I was navigating a tank. And I can't drive my dad's truck because I'm too short to push in on the clutch and shift at the same time :)

    The query trenches can be a stressful place to be, I'm about to jump in there myself. I'm cheering you on and hope it's good news soon!

    Also, hope your good health is here to stay - have a great weekend!

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  17. Ohh, querying sounds like such a trial! :( Not looking forward to it. I have heard that keeping on writing is the best (only) thing you can do though, so good job!! Glad to hear you are in good health now. And I liked Cruel Beauty, too. :)

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