I'm participating in Ready. Set. Write! this summer, a blogfest type thing where we all set writing goals and hold each other to them. I've tried for a long time to find a good way of setting concrete goals that I can stick to, and this will help me.
Weekly Writing Goals:
- Finish writing the revamped scene/section of The Book. I have about 500 words to go, so that's doable in a week. CHECK! I finished it Monday morning.
- Get back to editing the rest -- but only after the new part is done.
- Write at least two more Examiner reviews this week.
- Post here 3 times a week.
What I'm Reading
I just finished The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, and I am now sufficiently depressed.
I also bought four ebooks for my NOOK on the computer, and I plan to raid the library later this week. I just finished reading House of Many Ways and The Game by Diana Wynne Jones, Stolen by Vivian Vande Velde, and the Paranormalcy trilogy by Kiersten White. Bleep, I loved those books. Although I did get a bit exasperated with Evie's unwillingness to do anything "wrong." That's par for the course for the hero, I suppose. That's why characters like Vivian exist, to do the hard things the hero can't.* And I was REALLY happy that Jack came back for the last book. And I even started to warm up to Reth, especially when he pointed out how selfish Evie is as long as she's happy and content. But I love it when characters have real flaws. Oh, look at me. I'm totally fangirling out, aren't I?
I have reading goals as well: Read all of Diana Wynne Jones's books (that I can get my hands on), and read more classic sci-fi. I'm easing into the sci-fi with Partials by Dan Wells, which I absolutely LOVE.
What I'm Writing
I'm editing, as usual. I just finished writing the new scene. Instead of going on a boring side trip to a jungle and failing at life, a character gets kidnapped in the jungle side trip and fails at life in much more interesting ways. Don't worry; I saved the old version in my "Discarded and alternate material" file. That's a lot of text to just delete. I'm still not sure whether either version fits in the fabric of the novel or whether the whole idea is a side trip waste of time and words.
I also wrote a practice piece for The Write Practice.
What Else I've Been Up To
I have a new job. I've been writing book reviews for Examiner. I'm also waiting on my cello to be fixed. While driving it to my lesson, it slid forward and bashed against the back of a seat, jarring the bridge and soundpost out of place. Luckily, it's an easy fix.
My blog, much to my surprise and delight, was also featured on Twitterific. They linked to the post, "Writing the Dreaded YA Love Scene." I recommend checking out their list of twitterific writers and blogs. It's a diverse list with something interesting for everyone. I particularly enjoyed the post about knives as murder weapons.
What Inspires Me Right Now
Gardening inspires me; I've always had a green thumb. I planted a seed I found in my grapefruit, and holy crap, it's actually growing. Good books are inspiring, though sometimes oddly discouraging. Occasionally I read something brilliant and sadly wonder if anything I write will ever have the power to move others as I was moved by it.
My cat is also inspiring. I firmly believe in his dream to become the next Pawvarati, although I wish he didn't have to practice at three in the morning.
*Also, Batman.
Weekly Writing Goals:
- Finish writing the revamped scene/section of The Book. I have about 500 words to go, so that's doable in a week. CHECK! I finished it Monday morning.
- Get back to editing the rest -- but only after the new part is done.
- Write at least two more Examiner reviews this week.
- Post here 3 times a week.
What I'm Reading
I just finished The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, and I am now sufficiently depressed.
I also bought four ebooks for my NOOK on the computer, and I plan to raid the library later this week. I just finished reading House of Many Ways and The Game by Diana Wynne Jones, Stolen by Vivian Vande Velde, and the Paranormalcy trilogy by Kiersten White. Bleep, I loved those books. Although I did get a bit exasperated with Evie's unwillingness to do anything "wrong." That's par for the course for the hero, I suppose. That's why characters like Vivian exist, to do the hard things the hero can't.* And I was REALLY happy that Jack came back for the last book. And I even started to warm up to Reth, especially when he pointed out how selfish Evie is as long as she's happy and content. But I love it when characters have real flaws. Oh, look at me. I'm totally fangirling out, aren't I?
I have reading goals as well: Read all of Diana Wynne Jones's books (that I can get my hands on), and read more classic sci-fi. I'm easing into the sci-fi with Partials by Dan Wells, which I absolutely LOVE.
What I'm Writing
I'm editing, as usual. I just finished writing the new scene. Instead of going on a boring side trip to a jungle and failing at life, a character gets kidnapped in the jungle side trip and fails at life in much more interesting ways. Don't worry; I saved the old version in my "Discarded and alternate material" file. That's a lot of text to just delete. I'm still not sure whether either version fits in the fabric of the novel or whether the whole idea is a side trip waste of time and words.
I also wrote a practice piece for The Write Practice.
What Else I've Been Up To
I have a new job. I've been writing book reviews for Examiner. I'm also waiting on my cello to be fixed. While driving it to my lesson, it slid forward and bashed against the back of a seat, jarring the bridge and soundpost out of place. Luckily, it's an easy fix.
My blog, much to my surprise and delight, was also featured on Twitterific. They linked to the post, "Writing the Dreaded YA Love Scene." I recommend checking out their list of twitterific writers and blogs. It's a diverse list with something interesting for everyone. I particularly enjoyed the post about knives as murder weapons.
What Inspires Me Right Now
Gardening inspires me; I've always had a green thumb. I planted a seed I found in my grapefruit, and holy crap, it's actually growing. Good books are inspiring, though sometimes oddly discouraging. Occasionally I read something brilliant and sadly wonder if anything I write will ever have the power to move others as I was moved by it.
My cat is also inspiring. I firmly believe in his dream to become the next Pawvarati, although I wish he didn't have to practice at three in the morning.
*Also, Batman.
Good work, Laura! Keep up the writing!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :) Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteGreat job finishing that scene. Sounds tricksy!
ReplyDeleteYour fangirling over the Paranormalcy trilogy really piqued my interest. I've seen it around but it's never stuck out to me as something I'd want to read. I might actually check it out now :)
Thanks! It took me longer than I expected. I tend to drag my feet more the closer I get to the end.
DeleteYou should totally check out the first book! Borrow it from the library if you're not sure, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. :)
I loved Paranormalcy and for some reason never read the rest of the series. Too many other books to read, I suppose. Very cool that you've been writing book reviews too. I hope you stay encouraged with your writing goals this week!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am very nearly finished with them, in fact. :)
DeleteAs for the next 2 books in the Paranormalcy trilogy, I hope you get to read them eventually!
Pawvarati lol. I've been having kind of a crappy night but that just made me laugh. It's the little things :P
ReplyDeleteand it's exciting how far you are with your book. Go you! :)
Glad to make you laugh :) "Purrvarati" was another pun I considered, haha.
Delete