What's Up Wednesday: 10.16.13

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! 

Wow, it's been for-ever since I've posted a WuW post!!!! But I have good reason for being on hiatus, I promise!

WHAT I'M READING:

I recently used an Amazon GC to buy several book series I've been waiting to read, until all of the books were released -- and a couple of weeks ago, they all came in the mail:

All three titles in Melina Marchetta's FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK series (reading now)
All three titles in Kerstin Gier's RUBY RED series (CANNOT wait to read this one!)
All three titles in Rae Carson's THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS series

Plus ALL OUR YESTERDAYS, NOT A DROP TO DRINK, and so many others (including ALLEGIANT coming in the mail next week!)...you can say I have plenty to read for the rest of 2013! 

WHAT I'M WRITING:

I finished all of my revisions for WTWF in August and actively started to query in September. And I have to say, I'm thrilled to see the responses I've received! More on that to come soon!

I've also been working on my outline for my new WIP that I'll be writing for NaNo next month -- and I'm super excited about this one!

Oh! If you're in need of some inspiration to write - join the YA Buccaneers Word Sprint! Two rounds, one hosted tonight from 6-7pm PST, and one tomorrow night from 4-5pm PST on Twitter! #YABWordSprint

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW:

Our beautiful summer here in Seattle...and the gorgeous fall we've been having.

I so didn't want summer to come to an end. We really lucked out here in Seattle...and had one of the best summers EV-VER (and I had the good fortune of having the time off to enjoy it!) -- I'm already missing the sunny skies and warmer temperatures. And not looking forward to the months ahead of dreary, rainy weather.

At least while it was still nice out, my husband and I did manage to run in two races:

The Zombie 5k - Run For Your Lives

And The Color Run in Portland, OR.

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO:

My husband and I went down to Mazatlan, Mexico last week, for 8 full days, to celebrate our 8th Anniversary!

While the weather was gorgeous, I managed to spend an entire 24 hours in my room, sick as a dog...we're still not sure if it was something I ate (or drank) or if it was from the Mexican OTC Aleve I took, thanks to a severely strained calf muscle issue. Either way, it wasn't pleasant...but at least it was in the middle of our vacation, so we still had time to enjoy the pool!

But now we're back and it's cold (although it is sunny, so there's that!)...and I'm already missing the palm trees and pool. Oh well. We'll see the sunny weather again next June!

Other than that, this fall has managed to be a tad crazy with a few other fun things that I'll share at a later date. Let's just say that when it rains...it pours. And I'll take it.

SO, WHAT'S NEW FOR YOU TODAY?

It's #TalkLikeAPirate Day Today!

Yep, a day for all us sea lovin' swashbucklers, today is Talk Like A Pirate Day!

And to celebrate a day made just for the YA Buccaneers, we're giving away some RRRRRRRRRR-mazing prizes and critiques to anyone deemed worthy of the best pirate speak tweet!

Think you can throw down a pirate book mashup? 

Think you can give us your best pirate speak query advice?

Well we'd love to see it!

Don't forget to include #YABPirateTalk so we can read all your fabulous creations -- and stop by to see all the great tweets we've amassed so far!

Check out our post today over on The YA Buccaneers for all the deets!

I hope you'll join us, after all, it's not every day you get to Talk Like A Pirate!

What's Up Wednesday: 08.14.13

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'm currently reading a great friend and fellow CP's, YA Contemporary manuscript. This is my second read - her revisions being those requested by her agent - and I can honestly say, I'm loving this story even more than the first time I read it!

It's full of great one-liners, heart-ache, and tears -- oh, the tears...there are actually passages that break my heart. And it's truly become one of those stories that has stuck with me, long after I finished reading it the first time.

I'm so thankful to have any part of her revision process and I can't wait to see this one on the shelves at my bookstore...believe me, you're gonna wanna read it when it's ready, I promise!

WHAT I'M WRITING:

Most all of my CP's have made their way through WTWF and I'm now just finalizing the last of my revisions. I hope to be done in the next week and have this sucker ready to go out into the land 'o queries.

And I can't wait.

Writing goals for this week:

1. Finish revisions.

Oh! If you're in need of some inspiration to write - join the YA Buccaneers Word Sprint! Two rounds, one hosted tonight from 4-5pm PST, and one tomorrow night from 5-6pm PST, hosted by yours truly, on Twitter! #YABWordSprint

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW:

WriteOnCon!

Yes, it's that time of year again, and I've submitted snippets of WHERE THE WATER FALLS for critique and review!

My first 250 just went up - you can find it here! And my query letter also just went up, which you can read here!

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO:

Some of you may have noticed, I've been a little absent as of late. I'm seriously on the job hunt and my focus has been there -- it's a tough process but definitely has been great, and has led to some pretty spectacular job interviews. Hopefully more news to come on that, soon!

But unfortunately, I have also not been feeling well. At all. And I haven't been able to run in almost two weeks.

Early last week, I started feeling super dizzy. By Saturday, that sensation was coupled with one of the worst migraines I've had in years. Sunday, I almost passed out, after getting out of the shower -- the room would not quit spinning, and it would keep starting over, kinda like a broken record. Monday was more of the same and I was concerned about driving myself to the doctor, so I stayed in bed (which didn't help the spinning) or found myself sitting on the floor on more than one occasion. But yesterday, I made it to the doctor...

And found out I have a viral inner-ear infection that causes severe migraines and vertigo. 

Vertigo? Me?

Yep, me. And it's been horrendous. One of the worst sensations I've ever experienced in my life. But...they gave me some great medications and I'm already feeling a bit better. And I can't wait to get back to my running!

SO, WHAT'S NEW FOR YOU TODAY?

What's Up Wednesday: 07.24.13

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'm almost finished with WANDERLOVE by Kristen Hubbard for YA Buccaneers July Reading Mutiny challenge -- and I'm absolutely loving it! So many wonderful things I can totally relate to, but I'll save all of that for my review.

If you'd like to join us for the Reading Mutiny challenge, we'd love to have you (just click here) - and of course, there are prizes involved!!! 

Also, while I run, I'm reading Jennifer Echols THE ONE THAT I WANT. I thought FORGET YOU was okay, but I liked ENDLESS SUMMER and GOING TOO FAR more.

WHAT I'M WRITING:

Writing Goals for this past week:

1. Relax. 
2. Send WTWF off to my CP's to have at it with their red markers! 

I sent off WTWF to my second round of CP's finally on Monday -- and I'm looking forward to their feedback.

The feedback I've received from my first round of CP's has all come in, and they've provided some really great suggestions. I worked on what I thought would make WTWF stronger over the weekend while my husband was out of town...and I'm very happy with all of the little changes I've made. 

Writing goals for this week:

1. Work on revising chapter 18 & 19.

Oh! And if you're in need of some inspiration to write today - join the YA Buccaneers Word Sprint! Two rounds being hosted on Twitter tonight - the first is at 5pm PST and the second at 6:15pm PST! #YABWordSprint

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW:

Ronin chillin' in the kiddie pool.Summertime!

The running joke for all us Pacific Northwesterner's is that summer doesn't show up around Seattle until July 5th. Well, we lucked out and summer arrived a little earlier than that...and it hasn't left yet!

I love the sunshine, the warm days when wearing shorts and a tank top are the perfect attire, and there's nothing but blue skies forever.

Everyone is just in a better mood around here - me included - when the sun is out...which means Seattle can be an awfully grumpy place for 9.5 months out of the year!

So while I've got it, I'm out in the sun enjoying every moment!

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO:

I took a stab at writing a round of Flash Fiction for YA Buccaneers Walk The Plank challenge (see my post below). I've only done flash fiction a handful of times, but I've had so much fun every time -- especially when there are obstacles in place that you need to try and adhere to. 

If anyone else wants to join us, I'd love to see what you all come up with!

SO, WHAT'S NEW FOR YOU TODAY?

Walk The Plank: YA Buccaneers Flash Fiction Challenge

Over at YA Buccaneers, we're drumming up excitement around writing flash fiction, something I've only ever attempted a handful of times -- but every time, I've enjoyed the unique challenge and outcome it brings.

Walk The Plank is our monthly Flash Fiction challenge - in other words, write a short snippet that makes the biggest impact. The goal: Write a story in 200 words or fewer, excluding the title, around the monthly theme.

And this month's theme? ADVENTURE!!!

Think you're up for that? Well, there are a few rules that apply:

1. Write a short flash fiction story in 200 words or fewer, excluding the title, around this month's theme of ADVENTURE!
2. For an extra challenge, begin your story with the words, “I set sail” (these three words will be included in the word count).
3. And for an even bigger challenge, use the same beginning words and end with the words: "my adventure continues!" (also included in the word count).
4. For those who want to prove their Flash Fiction prowess, hit all of the above challenges, PLUS, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!

I'm always one for a challenge, so I knew I'd give this round of Walk The Plank a go. And I'm happy to say, after a lot of finagling, I hit all 4 of the rules.

Without further adieu, my submit for July's Walk The Plank flash fiction challenge on adventure:

THE BUCKET LIST

I set sail on a gray day, the ocean a vortex of choppy waves.

This isn’t helping my stomach that I left in my room, on the 12th floor of my hotel. Nor are the saltines I’ve been consuming by the boatload.

But then the sun breaks and the water calms, as we sail further out. And now I’m more anxious than anything as I don my wetsuit. Around me, others wriggle into their own, strapping on various pieces of gear.

I’m finally doing it, number forty-eight on my bucket list: scuba diving.

As one of the crew helps strap the weighty air tank to my back, I panic. I’m a Taurus for crying out loud. A land lover, preferably with my feet solidly in dirt.

But then he smiles, a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

With one last shaky breath, I pull my mask into place and wait for the thumbs up.

Then I plummet down, down, down into the warm ocean, as water swirls around me. Fish are everywhere; turtles, too. The water is so clear, I can see all the way to the sandy bottom.

And as I swim through unchartered territory, I know my adventure continues!

So, do you have what it takes to Walk The Plank? I think you do. And I can't wait to read it! Stop on over at YA Buccaneers when you're finished and let us know - don't forget, prizes are up for grabs, too!

What's Up Wednesday: 07.17.13

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'm participating in the YA Buccaneers Reading Mutiny Challenge for July - our version of a themed monthly bookclub - and this month it's around books all about ADVENTURE! So I picked up several from the list and just started reading WANDERLOVE by Kristen Hubbard on Sunday. If you'd like to join us, we'd love to have you (just click on the link for YA Buccaneers above!) - and of course, there are prizes involved!!! 

While running, I'm reading Jennifer Echols GOING TOO FAR. I'm really enjoying her books - perfect summer reads!

WHAT I'M WRITING:

Writing Goals for this past week:

1. Relax. 
2. Send WTWF off to my CP's to have at it with their red markers! 

I sent off WTWF to my first round of CP's last week and have already received feedback from a couple of them that finished it SUPER FAST!

It's all exciting stuff and of course, I've received some great comments so far!

I plan on sending it out to my second wave of CP's this week, if not early next week!

So, writing goals for this week remain the same:

1. Relax. 
2. Send WTWF off to my second round of CP's to have at it with their red markers!

Oh! And if you're in need of some inspiration to write today - join the YA Buccaneers Word Sprint! Two rounds being hosted on Twitter tonight - the first is at 5pm PST and the second at 6:15pm PST! #YABWordSprint

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW:

All the amazing feedback I've been receiving from my CP's on WHERE THE WATER FALLS.

Each one of us has those moments where we wonder why it is we're even doing this silly thing called writing -- and sometimes it takes the encouraging feedback from others, to keep us going. 

That moment was happening for me over this past weekend and it just happened to be around the same time one my CP's left me a voicemail -- she had read my MS in one day and rushed to call me. And I kid you not, her voicemail actually made me well up with tears. Everything she said was so awesome and I loved every second of it...and needless to say, I'll be saving that one for those days when I wonder why it is I'm even attempting to write. <3.

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO:

Today is my wonderful CP and fellow YA Buccaneer, Heidi Sinnett's birthday!!! So a BIG shout out to Heidi - I hope you're having a WONDERFUL birthday today!!!

In other news, my husband is headed out of town for a couple of days on a guy's trip - which will leave the house here pretty quiet - but, he'll be back early Sunday morning just in time for us to venture into the city for the Bite of Seattle! A weekend where all the restaurants of Seattle converge and offer up their fares of great food, all in one location! And it's awesome. 

SO, WHAT'S NEW FOR YOU TODAY?