What's Up Wednesday is a weekly blog hop created by sisters, Jaime Morrow & Erin L. Funk. It's a great way to keep everyone updated on, well, what you've been up to! For a full list of participants or to link your own post, please visit either of their blogs.
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Carrie:
What I'm Reading:I recently finished Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. This was the first book by Rowell that I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books. I’m currently reading my newly finished manuscript.
What I'm Writing:
What I'm Writing:
This past weekend I finished the first draft of my manuscript for Shattered Angel! I’m now in revise mode and I’ve started the beta read process. I’m supposed to have cover concepts this Friday—I can’t wait to see what Scarlett Rugers comes up with this time!
What Works for Me
When I finish a manuscript, I usually go through it once quickly on the computer to look for errors or changes. Then I take a short break by reading something else, or I finish reading a current book. The short break gives my mind a chance to recharge and detach a bit from the story. Then I send my finished manuscript to my Kindle for a more in depth review. I find that I read it differently when I read it on my Kindle versus on the computer. It seems to put me in ‘reader mode’ rather than ‘author mode’ and I catch a lot more that way.
What Else I’ve Been Up To
It’s holiday season, so I’ve been putting up decorations and shopping. I finished the 10 week challenge for my fitness program, and now I’ve joined the one year challenge. I have a long road ahead of me, but I’m excited for the possibilities.
Kimberly:
What I'm Reading
When I finish a manuscript, I usually go through it once quickly on the computer to look for errors or changes. Then I take a short break by reading something else, or I finish reading a current book. The short break gives my mind a chance to recharge and detach a bit from the story. Then I send my finished manuscript to my Kindle for a more in depth review. I find that I read it differently when I read it on my Kindle versus on the computer. It seems to put me in ‘reader mode’ rather than ‘author mode’ and I catch a lot more that way.
What Else I’ve Been Up To
It’s holiday season, so I’ve been putting up decorations and shopping. I finished the 10 week challenge for my fitness program, and now I’ve joined the one year challenge. I have a long road ahead of me, but I’m excited for the possibilities.
Kimberly:
What I'm Reading
Oh man, I just finished Blue Lily, Lily Blue, the third book in the Ravens Boys quartet and it was ah-mazing. Maggie Stiefvater is my author hero, especially when it comes to characterization. I cannot stop thinking about the book. I recommend the Raven Boys to everyone I know. The first book is on sale on Amazon for $2.99. You're welcome.
What I'm Writing
What I'm Writing
I'm still working on my novella. I took a vacation when my friend was here visiting from the UK. But now, I'm back at it and the thing will be drafted by the end of the year.
What Works for Me
What Works for Me
Right now, nothing. I have a hard time focusing. Snow days and vacations mean our routines are all screwed up and my kids are watching a lot of TV so that I can work. It's not ideal. I need to live where it doesn't snow.
What Else I've Been Up To
What Else I've Been Up To
Not much, other than shopping online for the holidays. And trying not to eat all the chocolate in my house. Because there's a lot.
Beth:
Beth:
What I'm Reading
Just started the latest Shopaholic novel by Sophie Kinsella, Shopaholic to the Stars!
Just started the latest Shopaholic novel by Sophie Kinsella, Shopaholic to the Stars!
What I'm Writing
Still drafting my NA WIP. I hit about 60,000 in draft mode and now I’m starting to piece the beginning together.
Still drafting my NA WIP. I hit about 60,000 in draft mode and now I’m starting to piece the beginning together.
What Works for Me
Nothing inspires me to write like reading. And if you know me, you know how much I adore Sophie Kinsella, so reading anything by her is always the biggest chick-lit writing boost!
Nothing inspires me to write like reading. And if you know me, you know how much I adore Sophie Kinsella, so reading anything by her is always the biggest chick-lit writing boost!
What Else I've Been Up To
Getting set for Chanukah! And happy to be able to enjoy it, stress-free, because we just got the news a few days ago that my dad’s 18 month post-stem cell transplant bone marrow aspiration came back clean!! (non-medical speak: he’s healthy and Amyloidosis free 1.5 years following treatment.)
~Carrie, Kimberly, & Beth
Getting set for Chanukah! And happy to be able to enjoy it, stress-free, because we just got the news a few days ago that my dad’s 18 month post-stem cell transplant bone marrow aspiration came back clean!! (non-medical speak: he’s healthy and Amyloidosis free 1.5 years following treatment.)
~Carrie, Kimberly, & Beth
Carrie: Congratulations on completing a 10 week fitness challenge! That's amazing! Good luck with the year long challenge.
ReplyDeleteKimberly: I'm on page 7 of Blue Lily, Lily Blue! I'm glad to hear you liked it. I have the same problem with snow days and trying to write. Good luck making it all work!
Beth: I'm so happy to hear about your dad! My mother was not so lucky, but every time I hear about a success story, I heal a little bit inside. A bone marrow transplant is a crazy hard thing to go through, and I'm so happy for your family!
thank you! the transplant was literally a nightmare, and I am so sorry to hear about your mom! <3
DeleteCongrats also on the fitness program!
DeleteThanks, Melanie! It's an intensive program, but worth the effort. Let's just hope I can make it through the year!
DeleteCarrie: Congrats on the finished draft. I love reading them off my Kindle, too :D
ReplyDeleteKimberly: Good luck with the novella!
Beth: Glad to hear your Dad's doing well :)
thank you! :)
DeleteThanks!
DeleteCarrie: Congrats on finishing your draft :) So. Exciting!
ReplyDeleteKimberly: I still need to finish the series of The RAVEN BOYS...might be next on my TBR. Good luck with the novella!
Beth: So happy for your dad and your family!
thanks Elodie! :)
DeleteThis is gonna sound random but Elodie is one of my most favorite names ever.
DeleteThanks! I'm very excited about this one :-)
DeleteGive me the chocolate. There, you see? I'm a problem SOLVER.
ReplyDeleteI'll fight you for it - Saturdays are my Fun Days and I can eat whatever I want. That is almost always chocolate. I can stock up so I'm ready to go when Saturday rolls around :-)
DeleteI try to take a break after a first draft, too. It works! Good advice from Stephen King!
ReplyDeleteSometimes my challenge is not taking too long of a break! And Stephen King is one of my long time favorites. I used to 'borrow' my brother's King books all the time. Brother wasn't too happy about it...
DeleteSpeaking of wonky snow day and routines, I'm trying to work while a squirmy 7 month old crawls across my bed. I keep dragging her back by her ankle. This can't be productive.
ReplyDeleteBeth -- glad to hear your Dad has a clean bill of health.
Ha, I bet she's loving it though! =)
Deletethanks! :)
DeleteDefinitely glad to hear about your Dad, Beth! Illness like that is so scary. Bet this does really make your holidays even brighter! =)
ReplyDeletethank you!! yes, if we had to wait until after, the stress of not knowing and worrying would have put a damper on the whole season!
DeleteLove Rainbow Rowell, Maggie Stiefvater, and Sophie Kinsella! The only one I haven't read yet is Shopaholic to the stars. I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI'm on page 63 and I've laughed out loud on each page, no joke. So far it's classic Sophie at her finest!
DeleteGood luck with all your writing projects. Looks like you made some progress, so keep up the good work :)
ReplyDeleteMy Blog
I hate to admit that I'm unfamiliar with the Raven Boys books. They sound intriguing though, so I'll have to check them out. I've read only one of the Shopaholic books and thought it was a fun read.
ReplyDeleteKimberly - I know what you mean about snow days. I'm dreading the ones that I know are in my near future! Love the time with my daughter, but cabin fever sets in quick!
Beth - so happy to hear about your Dad! That's wonderful news.
thank you!! :)
Deletethe Raven Boys sounds amazing. And Carrie I LOVED Eleanor & Park. I loved all her books. I still have to read Landline though!
ReplyDeleteCarrie- Congrats on the 10 weeks!
ReplyDeleteKimberly - Snow days are impossible to write on. I'm already cringing at what I'll get done during Christmas break too. But who wants to give up those precious hours? ;)
Beth - Congrats to your 60,000! And to your Dad. That's great news!
thanks so much! :)
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