Today is an extra special What’s Up Wednesday…as it’s also the post where I’m setting my goals for Ready. Set. Write! (you can still sign up if you want to, just click here)
What´s up Wednesday is the brainchild of Jaime and Erin. It´s a way to keep in touch in just four headings…
What I´m reading
Well. Right now I’m reading GUILTY. My YA romantic suspense novel. (more explanations below(
What I’m Writing
Disclaimer: I’ve been procrastinating when it comes to the revision of GUILTY. It’s like I’m standing in front of a mountain and I really want to climb but I’m afraid to fall on my butt and break all my bones (dramatic I know).
It’s funny because I know the story is good, I know my writing is good (for a first draft) and I want to make it better, I want to make it amazing…I’m just scared.
- Goal for the summer: Send off my manuscript to my CPs aka finish this revision. Add the layers I need to add, up the tension, up the stakes, make the romance more sizzling and the story even more dramatic.
- Goal for this week: finalize the actual revision plan, finish re-reading it, add comments and nice colors into the document and revise one chapter.
Oh and if you’re wondering about what GUILTY is about, check out this post (and please note I officially suck at blurbing my own novel).
What else I´ve been up to
I’m currently in Finland…on a business trip until tomorrow…
I was interviewed by the lovely ladies over at DiversifYA...I’m talking about being European and I do mention food somewhere in there.
Otherwise, I enjoyed a lovely weekend with my husband, including an impromptu lunch date.
And….we got a piano! Even though it’s a digital one, the sound is great and it’s pretty and I can finally play again! So happy!
What inspires me right now
The amazing response we got for Ready. Set. Write!
It’s really amazing and humbling and exciting and did I mention amazing?
You can still sign up and check out who’s participating below!
Sign up here:
I can’t wait to check all your posts and see what you’ve been up to 🙂
Elodie Nowodazkij 
You’re in Finland right now?! How cool. 🙂 Can’t wait to read more about GUILTY. I’m so excited for Ready. Set. Write!
Yep 🙂 Business trip. I arrived yesterday and leave tomorrow. It’s my first time in Finland…I won’t get to see much of Helsinki but it’s still very cool to be here 🙂 Can’t wait to know more about your project too Zanne!
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 6:18 AM, commutinggirl
Have a great time in Finland (even if you’re there on business)! Love the pics of your lunch date. Best of luck with your revising goals this week, and I hope you enjoy playing your new piano! 🙂
Thanks Erin 😀 So far so good in the revision process!
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 8:31 AM, commutinggirl
I suck at blurbing my stories too. I have a pitch/query right now with a LOT of blanks. 🙂 Also, MUST check out this interview! Sounds awesome!
And yes – VERY inspired by the participation in RSW!!! Thank you for hosting with me!
Haha 😀 Glad I’m not alone in the sucking-at-blurbing department 😛 (even though I can tell you the blurb you sent us sounded pretty good already!)
Afraid of falling from the revision mountain? Me too … But I’m tackling them, starting today! Let’s do this!
Enjoy Finland!
Wow, what a beautiful piano!
Thanks Juliana! We’ll conquer that mountain 🙂
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 2:27 PM, commutinggirl
My revisions are scaring me, too. Big time. I feel like Ready Set Write is the hand-holding I need right now to get it done. 🙂
Have fun with the new piano!
YES for hand-holding 😀 RSW is already helping me get more focused and a tad less scared 🙂 Glad it’s helping you too! (oh and I just started CODE NAME VERITY – I think I remember you reviewing this book a few months back, no? I am already in love with the voice and writing!)
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 3:43 PM, commutinggirl
Yay to getting a piano! One of these days, my husband and I will get one, which I’m sure our apartment neighbors will love 🙂 Enjoy your time in Finland!
The good thing about a digital piano is that I can use headphones so my neighbors don’t ask for us to be evicted 😛
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 4:01 PM, commutinggirl
I definitely know the feeling you described regarding revisions, and I’m pretty sure I’ve used that exact metaphor to describe it (but I’m prone to exaggerating, so.)
Yay for getting a piano! I tried to teach myself a long time ago, but I didn’t have the patience for it 🙂
I think a mountain isn’t exaggerating at all 😛 It’s the Himalaya staring down at me 😀 Ready. Set. Write! is already helping though and I’m taking baby steps…
I used to play the piano when I was younger, I think from the age of 5 to about 15/16 and I always turned back to it when emotions were running high 😀
So I’m excited!
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 4:04 PM, commutinggirl
Revision is scary. For me it’s seeing the terrible first draft and thinking: this isn’t great and I wrote it. So how on earth will I know how to make it better?
We’re all ready to motivate each other! =D
It helps to know I’m not alone in the revision valley 😛 What is good and motivating it’s when you find some sentences that you really loved and you stop for a second realizing you’re the one who wrote them 😛
Cheering you on from Germany, Robin!
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 4:11 PM, commutinggirl
I can’t blurb my stories either. Sounds like you’ve got some great goals for this week. I worry that I went overboard on mine now that I look at them.
That’s so cool that you got a piano! I have a digital one too, which is nice because you can wear headphones or just turn the volume down. Happy playing! And revising! 🙂
The headphones will most probably come very handy in the near future both for my hubby and the neighbors 😀 I’m so exciting to start playing again regularly!
How is your revising/writing going? I’m looking forward to knowing more about your secret project when it’s less secret 😀 and your new SNI 😀 😀 😀
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 4:14 PM, commutinggirl
That’s awesome that you’re in Finland. I’ve been learning Estonian, which is very similar to Finnish, and sort of understand some written Finnish by proxy. Good luck with your revisions.
Thanks Carrie-Anne 😀 I didn’t see a lot of Finland but still enjoyed my stay there…Are you finding learning Estonian difficult?
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 4:52 PM, commutinggirl
Estonian isn’t as difficult as I’d always heard, partly because I have some background in German and Russian. I’ve found quite a few German and Russian cognates. It also helps to break down the 14 cases by thinking of them as standing in for prepositions at the end of a word, and that many of them never even apply to most words. You’d never say, for example, that you turned into a car!
Wow, Finland! That’s awesome. And i know exactly how you feel when it comes to revisions, the amount involved almost cripples my writing capabilities. Here’s hoping we both survive!
😀 Once in a while I’m sure we’ll come across sentences we love and that’ll help our revisions 😀
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 5:40 PM, commutinggirl
I enjoyed reading your blurb! And how you came up with it really piques my interest. Good luck with your revisions! You’re not alone on the climb. 🙂
Thank you so much Rae! Knowing people are interested definitely helps me to climb that revision mountain 😀 Hope your writing is going well!
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 5:47 PM, commutinggirl
Ooh, congrats on your pretty new piano! How did I not know you play?
I’ve been at the bottom of that revision mountain before, and it is terrifying. The only thing you can do is take those first scary steps… You can do it, friend!
😀 Thanks Katy 😀 I always loved playing the piano. I played from the age of 5 to about 15/16 and always turned back to it when feelings were running high…
I think you’re right about those scary steps, I’m starting with baby ones and it feels nice…
Hope your drafting is going well!
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 6:23 PM, commutinggirl
I think it’s normal to be scared. But just think about how awesome you’ll feel when you’re at the top of the mountain looking down…er…okay, I might have to give up on this metaphor. What I’m saying is, imagine what it’ll be like once you get through it and you’re looking back on all you’ve accomplished. You can do it!!!
Thanks Rebecca for the encouraging words! After spending some time this morning in the train planning my action plan for the rest of the week, I already feel better 🙂
Hope your writing is going well!
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 7:46 PM, commutinggirl
Yay for the piano! I’m a new violinist and I find playing so relaxing and fun! Have a great time in Finland!
Playing an instrument is definitely a nice way to simply think about something else, express emotions and have fun 😀 I always wanted to learn the violin but never did! 😀 Can you play a bit already?
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 8:52 PM, commutinggirl
I can, yes! I started learning in November 2012 and I think I’m doing okay ^_^
The piano looks great, I keep meaning to learn on ours, but never quite get round to it, one day 🙂
Good Luck with your revisions, it can be terrifying can’t it, but small goals help!
Thanks Alexa 😀 Playing can be so soothing…and inspiring at the same time. The little tiny steps I’m taking towards my revision do help 😀 Thanks for the encouraging words!
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 9:03 PM, commutinggirl
I completely understand how you’re feeling about revising. I’m feeling the same way about working on my second manuscript–just, nervous about getting it right. But the only way out is through! You can do this!!! If you need a beta reader at the end of this road, let me know. I’d be happy to help. 🙂
Thanks Ghenet! 😀 It definitely helps to know I’m not alone in this scary place – makes it more manageable somehow 😀 And thanks for the offer, I might take you up on it 😀
Ahh, I love Finland– what a beautiful time to be there. I’ve only been to Helsinki and Tampere, but I enjoyed every moment! Have a wonderful trip!
Thanks 😀 Even though it was a business trip, I did enjoy seeing a bit of Helsinki. I’m thinking about going back with my husband at some point 😀
Oh, I kind of love the crazy mix of things in your WIP! I mean beauty pageants AND serial killers? Probably a genius idea!
I’m so excited for the whole Ready.Set.Write! thing. Thanks to you and all the other lovely ladies for hosting it! Good luck with your revisions!
Thanks Krispy 🙂 I am trying to make it interesting…crossing my fingers I can turn it to something exciting 😀
So glad you’re joining us in Ready. Set. Write! 😀
On Thu, Jun 13, 2013 at 1:59 AM, commutinggirl
Please note: Last year I read ONE TWO THREE during my beachy-lake vacation. I have a beachy-lake vacation planned for the first week of August this year and that should be just about the time you’ll be finishing up those revisions, right? Hint, hint.
You can do it! You ARE a strong writer, you have great ideas, and you find ways of putting the ideas down on paper in a beautiful, meaningful way. Revisions will only serve to make your words even more beautiful.
p.s. I also live about three miles from a beachy-lake, so really, anytime is good. 🙂
Thank you SO SO SO SOOOOOOOOO much Sara! Really your comment made my week!
On Thu, Jun 13, 2013 at 2:25 AM, commutinggirl
Sizzling romance sounds like fun! Hope you enjoy the rest of your Finnish journey.
Thanks Diana 😀 It’s definitely fun to write!
On Thu, Jun 13, 2013 at 4:22 AM, commutinggirl
Guilty sounds AWESOME!!!!! Good luck with revisions. I think they’re my least favorite thing about writing. Er, no. I take that back. Waiting is! Haha. Hope you have safe travels tomorrow!
Thanks Mandie 😀 I hope it turns out well 😀 I do enjoy revising I’m just very scared I’m going to make a big mess out of my manuscript 😀 Hope you’re doing well!
On Thu, Jun 13, 2013 at 5:15 AM, commutinggirl
GUILTY sounds like such a cool story idea. I love situations like that, the complex ones that aren’t commonly explored in novels. Best of luck with your revisions! 🙂
Thanks a lot Kaitlin! I hope I’ll manage to make something great out of GUILTY 🙂
On Thu, Jun 13, 2013 at 2:36 PM, commutinggirl
Oooo… Finland! I’d love to visit Finland. I hope you’re having a great time. And congrats on getting the digital piano–I know how much you’ve missed playing.
All the best with your Ready. Set. Write! plans, Elodie! 🙂
I did miss the piano, so I’m super excited about finally being able to play again 🙂 Hope you’re doing well! How is your own revising going?
On Thu, Jun 13, 2013 at 3:18 PM, commutinggirl
Finland sounds fabulous! I’d love to travel more and write about it…enjoy and good luck with your goals!
Thank you so much Amy 😀 Finland was nice and I’d love to go back there to visit with my hubby 😀
On Thu, Jun 13, 2013 at 7:42 PM, commutinggirl
Like Sara, I have fond memories of reading One Two Three (or at least part of it!) on vacation last year–I’m hoping to have the same privilege with Guilty this year :). It sounds like such a great story!
And that piano looks lovely–digital is smart. Your neighbors/future neighbors thank you. (The teenage son of our landlady, who lives upstairs, plays the piano. He’s actually quite good, so it can be fun, but when he’s first starting a new piece it can be a bit much.)
Awwww! Thanks Jess! My husband was also very happy we bought a digital piano 😀 I wonder why lol You’ll definitely get to read GUILTY, I just need to revise it until it shines enough 😀
On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 4:59 AM, commutinggirl
I LOVE the idea of your wip. Beauty pageants + serial killers? That sounds like a wonderfully original story. Good luck with adding things to the story/ meeting all of your goals.
Thanks so much Raven 😀 I’m excited about my story, now I just need to tie everything together and revise to make it better! Hope your writing is going well!
On Fri, Jun 14, 2013 at 6:58 AM, commutinggirl
Ah! Revisions woes! I know what you mean about the mountain and the bone breaking 😉 Hope all goes well and you reach your goal! Good luck!
Your WIP is intriguing! I’m excited for you and I’m right there with your with revision woes!
My daughter has expressed an interest in piano and I’m doing a little research right now on starter keyboards appropriate for lessons. If you have any suggestions, please throw them my way! I don’t want to be in over my head with cost in case she doesn’t fall in love with the piano. My other children play the clarinet and the viola, so she’ll be the only one who may ever get to play it. 🙂
I wish you luck the rest of this week!!
I can’t wait until my WIP is ready to hand off to a critique partner. Or wait… that’s when the hard work starts. I love adding in-line text notes for other writer’s works, even though it takes forever I’ve benefited so much from critiques. good luck on your week’s goals!