What's Up Wednesday: 05.15.13

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by my ever-so-lovely YA writer friends, Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk. The idea? Well, it's a great opportunity to touch base once a week with all of our blog friends and let them know what's up. Should you wish to join, head on over to Jaime's blog and sign up with the link widget at the bottom of her post! 

WHAT I'M READING:

I am very fortunate to be writer / Twitter buddies with the ever amazing Sarah Ockler of FIXING DELILAH, TWENTY BOY SUMMER (one of my absolute FAVORITE YA contemp reads!) and BITTERSWEET greatness. Sarah graciously had her editor over at Simon & Schuster send me an ARC of her upcoming newest title THE BOOK OF BROKEN HEARTS which is set to release on 5.21.13! And let me tell you, I already know this one is going to tear at my heart after the first 100 pages I've read so far, but I truly am LOVING it!!! Stay tuned...I hope to have an interview with Sarah if timing permits, and of course, my review of THE BOOK OF BROKEN HEARTS.

Oh, of course, I'm still reading Abbi Glines while running and I'm now on to her new series, EXISTENCE. 

WHAT I'M WRITING:

I'm still working on my YA Contemporary WiP, WHERE THE WATER FALLS and made quite a bit more progess over the past seven days! I only have a few more chapters to go, before diving into revisions of course, and then it's off to my CP's to rip apart!

THE LUCKY FEW is still out with a handful of agents right now, which is ever so exciting! But...I think I'm going to dig back into this one and relook the entire beginning. I know, I know, crazy pants over here just can't stop revising this one, but it's only because I know this story has so much potential. And the beginning has been something that's bothered me for quite some time, it deserves to be written right! 

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW:

Senior Prom with BFF Kristy (May 7, 1994)This is one of my most ABSOLUTE favorite times of the year to write. And why is that? Well because it's prom and graduation time, but of course!!!! I love seeing all the kids dressed up in tuxes and formal dresses out on the town - it brings back so many great memories for me - not to mention all the graduation parties that will no doubt be popping up soon. And all of it definitelyKentridge High School Graduation Class of 1994 (June 9, 1994) makes my creativity soar!!!!

Of course, why wouldn't I share some pics of my own Senior Prom and Graduation??? That's me over there on the left with my BFF Kristy, just before we left for our Senior Prom...man what a night that was! 

And I'm also over there to the right (first one on the left) just before we were about to walk out for graduation. 

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO:

Still running, of course - and loving every minute of it (I'm late to go run as I type this!!). Oh, and something I shared with a few of my wonderful CP's on what happened on Monday:

So I was running on the treadmill. I'm running...and I'm tired - just not really feeling it - and it's pissing rain outside and the wind is howling. Trees are whipping every which way and branches are literally flying around the parking lot. So weird, because it's been sunny and gorgeous here for the past 10 days! And all of the sudden? Yeah, the power goes out and my treadmill just stops. Doesn't gradually slow down, it just plain out STOPS. And I go flying off like nobody's business. And make all kinds of racket in the process, as I swear out loud, loudly. 

There's a guy - probably around early 20's that comes every day and walks on the treadmill and he's blind. I've seen him the past 7 or so weeks I've been going, but haven't ever said anything to him. Yeah, he's surprised because his treadmill stopped, but turns and says, "Are you okay? Did you just fall off the treadmill?" His face shows he's super concerned, when I know most people would totally laugh (cause I sure as hell would!). I told him the power went out and that's what stopped our treadmills and yes, I'd flown right off.

After reassuring him I was okay and that it was okay if he laughed, he smiled and said, "Man, if I could've seen that, I would have laughed!!! But I'm glad you're okay though!" It was so sweet and literally made my day, regardless of the situation! 

So, what are you up to this fine Wednesday? Would love to hear all about it, so won't you join today's What's Up Wednesday???

What's Up Wednesday

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by my ever-so-lovely YA writer friends, Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk. The idea? Well, it's a great opportunity to touch base once a week with all of our blog friends and let them know what's up. Should you wish to join, head on over to Jaime's blog and sign up with the link widget at the bottom of her post! 

What I'm Reading:

Well, I just finished reading Erin Bowman's TAKEN early this morning and then started in on Justina Chen's NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL. And while running on the treadmill in the mornings, I read all things Abbi Glines, and right now I've just started in on her FALLEN TOO FAR series. I love reading Abbi while I'm running - I mentioned in my last post, how I almost flew off the treadmill during one particular section - and that's exactly why I like reading her while I run!

What I'm Writing:

I'm still cranking away on my YA Contemporary WiP, WHERE THE WATER FALLS and I just added the little blurb on what it's about, to my PROJECTS tab. This one has been a lot of fun to write and as of yesterday, I'm about 2/3 done with the first draft. 

Of course, I've still got TLF brewing on one of my burners and last month I dug back in on book #2 in that series. Since I switched over to Scrivener, it's been so much easier to outline, which has kept me more than busy.

What Inspires Me Right Now:

Running.

I know I've mentioned it before, but seriously, running every day has helped so much to clear my mind and allowed me to focus. I never imagined it could be like this, but now, I'm not sure how I'll ever go without it. 

It took one day to for me to decide to lace up my shoes and go. I never thought I had it in me to get back to a place where I loved running so much. But how wrong I was. And I don't like it when I'm wrong. 

What Else I've Been Up To:

Well, at some point I'll need to realize I need to start looking for another job. Technically, I'm okay until September, thanks to the severance package I received, but still. I figure I'll give myself through May before I really start to dig in and get serious. I'm just not sure what I want do, but I know I have a lot of options.

I could stay in Marketing / Merchandising - there are a number of great companies here in Seattle: Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Expedia. Or I could get back into Apparel Merchandising / Buying: Nordstrom, REI, and Zulily are all right here, too.

Yes, I'm very fortunate to have so many great companies right in my city, and even more so, that I have two separate career paths I can go down. But I'm just not sure what I want to do. Honestly, I wish more than anything I could just write, because this is where my passion is. So...perhaps I might check out what Amazon has open in regards to positions in their publishing side of the business. You never know, right? 

So, what are you up to this Wednesday? I'd love to hear all about it - come on, you know you wanna join us in What's Up Wednesday?

Blog Me MAYbe: What Inspired You to be a Writer?

It's Wednesday - and for today's Blog Me MAYbe post, I get to learn something about all of you!

There are many reasons why we all write. Plenty of us have always wanted to be a writer, ever since we could hold a #2 pencil in our hands. For some, it's because of an amazing author or teacher, that sparked the creativity inside ofOh, so true... us. For others, maybe it wasn't until more recently that we realized writing can be an amazing way to express our creativity.

Whatever it is that made you decide, I'd like to know:

What or who inspired you to become a writer? 

Blogging from A to Z Challenge: Day 13 - Letter M

The letter M is up in today's Blogging from A to Z Challenge - and my topic:

Muses

Many authors believe in drawing their creativity from a devine source. A space perhaps otherworldly, that houses all the wonderful ideas of the universe - just waiting to flow through you, and onto your pages.

And you access this place of infinite creativity, by the works of the amazing muse. 

But what exactly is a muse?

According to The Free Dictionary.com, here is how they interpret the term muse: 

Muse  (myz)

n.

1. Greek Mythology Any of the nine daughters of Mnemosyne and Zeus, each of whom presided over a different art or science.

2. muse:

  a. A guiding spirit.

  b. A source of inspiration.

3. muse: A poet.
4. (Literature / Poetry) a goddess that inspires a creative artist, esp a poet

[from Old French, from Latin Mūsa, from Greek Mousa a Muse]

Many of our talented predecessors believed in the muse - and even included her in their works. For example:

Homer, in Book I of The Odyssey:

"Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns driven time and again off course, once he had plundered the hallowed heights of Troy." (Robert Fagles translation, 1996)

William Shakespeare, Act 1, Prologue of Henry V:

Chorus:
O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention,
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!

I am a believer in my muse. She's wonderfully talented and incredibly creative...but she also likes to vacation more than I do.

Not that she doesn't deserve a good vacation, because when she's here to work, she rolls up her sleeves, ties her laces tight, and is ready to run - often times allowing me to easily crank out anywhere from 20,000 - 30,000 words in a weekend. It's almost as if my fingers are unattached from my own body, as they fly across the keyboard and craft this potentially wonderful story - just waiting to be polished and fine tuned. 

But when my muse has packed up her bag and is off traveling to who knows where, here are a few tips that help me get through the funk:

1. Read. Read as many books in your genre, as you possibly can. A writer can never stop learning the tricks and trades of the business - and like a fine wine, the craft of writing only gets better with age.

2. Step away from your work. Sometimes you've been staring at the same chapter, same page, same paragraph, same sentence - same word - for who knows how long...but it's obvious that it's been long enough. Walk away from your writing - take a break and let your mind drift. Because when you try to force it, your Muse will never come out to play.

3. Spend time doing one of your favorite hobbies - go for a run, take a yoga class - perhaps an art lesson? Often times it's when you're participating in something else creative, that tempts your muse to come on home.

4. Talk to your writerly friends / CP's / Beta Readers - they understand what you're going through, sometimes better than your family. And sometimes, it's just what you need to get the creative juices flowing again. 

5. Jump on-line. Check out your favorite writer / author blogs. Stop by and read the latest post from a site you haven't been to in awhile. Stay connected.

My muse is kinda hanging out right now - she's patiently waiting in the cozy chair in the corner, feet tucked up underneath her, and reading a gossip magazine (she likes to do that, as do I). We're waiting for some feedback from Mr. Agent Man in the next week, to really dive in to all those re-writes I have ahead of me. I wonder if there's a way I can get her to write them for me. :)

So, do you believe in the writing muse? What do you do when she's not around? 

By the way, I wrote this post from the Maple Valley library. Yep, I said I'd come here today - and I did. And it's a beautiful space - not to mention, nice and quiet (although their YA section - while bigger than I expected - could still use a little help!). Plus, the view from my cozy table is so pretty - check it out:

And just a reminder: the polls are still open to vote for your favorite book blog via Goodreads! If you'd like to support my blog and all the book reviews I post (and thank you very much!), please click on the voting button over there to your left (just above my Twitter and Linky sections). Thanks again!!

Blogging from A to Z Challenge: Day 9 - Letter I

The great letter I is up in today's Blogging from A to Z Challenge - and my topic:

Inspiration

Inspirtion can come from many different places. And thanks to my passion for writing, I'm constantly looking for sources that inspire - here are some great places I go, for writing inspiration:

The Internet:

1. Pinterest
2. Google
3. Twitter
4. YouTube
5. Blogs

In Nature:

6. Going for a long drive
7. Opening my front door and taking a 5 minute walk
8. Watching a child swing at the local park
9. My garden

In my home:

10. Where I write
11. Where I cook
12. Where I watch TV
14. Where I read 

Out and About:

15. A great bookstore
16. The mall
17. The library
18. A sporting event
19. A previous vacation
20. Sitting in traffic

So many places can provide inspiration, if you just stop for 5 minutes to look at what surrounds you!

I find I get much of my inspiration for my writing, from my travels and the pictures I've taken. Not only do the pictures bring back great memories, but they give me a visual image to focus on. Here are a few pictures I've taken that I like to keep on hand: 

Anniversary in Kapalua, MauiBusiness trip to Machu Picchu, PeruHoneymoon in Italy

Inspiration: where do you find it?

Also - today the polls are open to vote for your favorite book blog via Goodreads! If you'd like to support my blog and all the book reviews I post (and thank you very much!), please click on the voting button over there to your left (just above my Twitter and Linky sections). Thanks again!!

Where, Oh Where, Has My Little Muse Gone?

Suffice to say, I've been pretty non-existent on all of my social media sites lately - Twitter, Blogger, QueryTracker, etc. I seem to have written myself into a corner and allowed my muse to take a quasi-permanent hiatus...that, or when I returned from my vacation from Maui last week, my muse decided not to come home with me (wouldn't blame her there, as Maui is a much better place than Seattle, right now).

I simply cannot write. I turn on my computer and just stare at it...waiting. And waiting. Yup...still waiting. Waiting for some type of inspiration to strike, something to get my creative juices flowing again...something, anything...but there simply is nothing.

Now I've heard this happens and I'm pretty sure it's normal...however, after four plus years of writing, this is the first time I've been at such a loss, for so long. As of today, it's been 6.5 weeks since I've written more than 150 words. And in my book, that's pretty pa-thetic.

I'm not quite sure what the reasoning is, behind my lack of creativity...it could be that I received two rejections from my top two agents on my current manuscript, within the last month. The first one was from Writer's House...they've had my full since May and the response - while I'm so grateful was personal - was nonetheless, a rejection...even though she was "on the fence". The other was from Laura Rennert (she reps Jay Asher - THIRTEEN REASONS WHY and Maggie Stiefvater - SHIVER series), who was definitely a personal fav. for me, without question. And while I get rejection comes with the territory, it still doesn't make it any easier.

So, what to do? I've been reading - currently, I'm enjoying THE BOOK THIEF, by Markus Zusak...outlining my potential attempt for NaNoWriMo (which at this point, seems absolutely crazy...because I'm thinking if I'm going to be writing, it should be for my current WIP...but we shall see)...outlining potential changes to my current WIP...re-reading and revising my current WIP chapters...and simply, not doing anything at all, that relates to writing.

I guess my question to anyone else out there that's had this same problem - what did you do? How did you get your muse back? At this point, I'm open to suggestions...anything to coax my creativity back onto the pages of Word.

And once she's back...well...she better sit down and hang on!

Until next time...