What's Up Wednesday

What I'm Writing:
Got in 2k last week and could have gotten more in, but I got some awesome notes from my CP for Fading and I'm frantically working on those in case I get any bites during Pitch Wars.

What I'm Reading:
Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken, the second book in The Darkest Minds trilogy. It was awesome. I"m so glad the third book is out now so I can go get my copy quickly. Also, Blue Lily Lily Blue, which, you know, was too amazing for words.

What Works For Me:
Writing for yourself. Often times I think we get sidetracked with the dream. You know, the publication dream. But when you step away from it and focus on just writing something for yourself, with no other goals attached to it, you get so much more done. I've been doing that with my latest WIP and it works. I want to write for myself and no one else.

What Else I've Been Up To:
Yesterday I voted for the first time ever. I became an official US citizen early this year an  it was great to put my civic duty to work. Also I'm trying to stay distracted since tomorrow is their alternates showcase for Pitch Wars! Eeep!

What's up with you?

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:
Just about to start The Bone Season and I'm pretty excited! I've heard many good things about it. Hoping they all hold up.

What I'm Writing:
After hitting 20k on Keepsake I hit a dry spell. Nothing seems to come to me and I've been so preoccupied with Pitch Wars, it's hard to get my head back in the game. But,on Monday I got 500 words down and it felt good, so I'm hoping the Mojo is back.

What Works For Me:
Working on two (or more) projects at once. It keeps me from getting bored and from feeling guilty if I'm not working on one thing because I have something else going on.

What Else I've Been Up To:
I've been in and out of town and things are finally settling down. Getting back on track with writing is also helping me get back in to the swing of things with 'real life'. And the weather is cooling down so I'm breaking out my awesome Fall wardrobe! I love me some boots and sweaters!

What's Up With You?

The Way Back Book Review: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Spears

It's been over fifty years since this book was first published, and sixteen since I first read it. Here's the description from Goodreads:

Orphaned Kit Tyler knows, as she gazes for the first time at the cold, bleak shores of Connecticut Colony, that her new home will never be like the shimmering Caribbean island she left behind. In her relatives' stern Puritan community, she feels like a tropical bird that has flown to the wrong part of the world, a bird that is now caged and lonely. The only place where Kit feels completely free is in the meadows, where she enjoys the company of the old Quaker woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond, and on occasion, her young sailor friend Nat. But when Kit's friendship with the "witch" is discovered, Kit is faced with suspicion, fear, and anger. She herself is accused of witchcraft!

I was in the sixth grade when I picked this gem up. It was the first book I'd read with a romantic subplot and I was done for right there and then. I'm not ashamed of loving love and kissing in books. But that's not the only reason this book has been my favorite for so long. It was my first walk into historical fiction . Reading about the going ons of the Puritan people and the discrimination against Quakers. It was fascinating learning about the way of life, the language, the history. This was the first book I really got lost in, the first time I truly discovered reading for pleasure, and for that reason this book is so much more special to me than most. If you haven't already picked it up, give it a go! 

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:
GOOD STUFF: NIL, holy crap, a perfect mix of Lost and Survivor. I've also seen it likened to The Maze Runner series, but I've never read those books so I can't say if it's true or not. Honestly, though, Lost is still one of my favorite shows of all time and NIL definitely held some similarities. The only issue I had with it was the insta-love. Usually I don't mind it because I really think such a thing exists, but it was a bit much in this book. I also read Between Shades of Gray, and river of tears. It got me. If you loved  The Book Thief, then you need to read this beautiful, heart breakingly honest book. Then there's Since You've Been Gone, which was a fun, cute, summer read.

What I'm Writing:
20k!!!! Yes! Now only like 40 or 50 more to go.

What Works For Me:
Taking time off. Seriously, stepping away from writing and taking a break is so important to the process. Unless you want your brain to fry, I suggest letting your imagination take a rest every now and then.

What Else I've Been Up To:
MIAMI! Loved it. Humid as nothing I've ever experienced (this coming from a girl who grew up in VA where humidity is a given), but the beach was beautiful, the water clear and warm, and the restort the husband and I stayed at was unreal.

This was me having a whole day to myself while the Husband was at his work conference. 

All in all an amazing time was had by me. Hope to go back soon!

What have you been up to?