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!
Well hello writing world! It has been FOREVER since I participated in a WUW post -- seriously. The last one was back in early December. Yikes.
See, I wasn't lying.
So bare with me as I dust off that WUW hot air balloon and remember how this all goes!
WHAT I'M READING:
I just finished the RAZORLAND series by Ann Aguirre yesterday. I thought the first book, ENCLAVE, was good - after all, I have a thing for zombies / mutants! The second book, OUTPOST, was even better - and we got to know the characters that much more. By the third installment, HORDE, I was totally hooked...and it's not often I actually like the third / final book in the series the best! If you're a fan of Carrie Ryan's THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH series, then this is another set of great zombie reads that won't disappoint.
I started in on IGNITE ME by Tahereh Mafi last night and I just have to say how much I love her writing style. Everything about her writing poetically flows and makes it so easy to get lost in the words. I have to admit that I can't quite remember how the last book ended...so I probably should have read the first two over again, before diving in to this one. *le sigh*
I've also started in on a new WIP from one of my CP's - and I can already tell I'm really going to like this one!
WHAT I'M WRITING:
I finally finished my agent / CP revisions for WHERE THE WATER FALLS and emailed it back to Agent Lisa on Saturday. And can I tell you how good it feels to finally have that done? Good. As in seriously good. Even great. Better yet, STELLAR!!!!!!!
It was my #YABbootcamp writing goal for March -- and I buckled down and finally finished the last couple of chapters...reread it to make sure I was happy, then sent it on it's way.
Now, it's in Lisa's hands. And I'll standby patiently to see what she thinks. If all goes well, I might actually find myself on submission -- words I've been waiting a very long time to say.
But before I get too excited about the possibility of submissions, I need to wait to hear what she thinks. So I'm here...waiting...yep, still here.
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW:
My awesome team from the YA Buccaneers Spring Writing Bootcamp:
TEAM RAINIER!!!!
I'm so utterly impressed with the turn out for the bootcamp and honestly, when Bridgid and I were first brainstorming ideas for what we wanted to do, I don't think either of us had any idea what we were about to unleash!
I'm excited to work with these ladies, along with everyone else, over the next 3 months - and I honestly can't wait to see what amazing writing feats take place!
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO:
My new job has been incredibly busy. So much so, that I've had to prioritize my time over the past couple of months to focus on work. But oh how I've missed everyone in the writing world -- and I realized that I truly am miserable when I'm away for too long.
The week before last, I had the opportunity of flying out to Hartford, CT. to open up Microsoft's newest retail store at the Westfarms shopping mall. It was seven very long days of prepping the store and getting everything organized before the actual curtain dropped on Saturday, March 1st. We even stayed to attend the store opening concert that Microsoft puts on, hosted by the ever entertaining FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE.
And even though it was sometimes 15 - 18 hour days, we did manage to make a trek over to see the homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe. It amazes me that two literary greats managed to live within twenty yards of one another -- and the houses? Amazing. That's a picture of Mark Twain's home up there to the left!
I was also able to snag limited edition copies of HUCKLEBERRY FINN, TOM SAWYER, and UNCLE TOM'S CABIN - so I was definitely a happy girl when all was said and done.
So what have you been up to lately? I'd love to hear all about it, since it's been waaaaay too long!
UPDATE: I was hoping to have my CP's manuscript done this past weekend, but with celebrating 90th birthday parties, ferry rides (see my chilly ferry pic there to the right!), and all kinds of other things, I didn't hit this goal - but I will get this finished, this week!
