*Cough, cough*
*Clears throat’
Before returning to your regular What´s Up Wednesday programming, please find below a Ready. Set. Write! public announcement.
Ready.Set.Write! started last week and woah! we were blown away by the response we got. You guys rock! For those of you on Twitter, we created a list of writers who are doing Ready.Set.Write!, if you´re not on the list just tweet me and I´ll add you. Oh and don´t forget to subsribe 🙂
Tweets from @commutinggirl/ready-set-write
Of course, you can still join us for this wonderful and flexible Summer intensive, see all the details here. Oh and if you´re participating, don´t hesitate to add the link to your What´s Up Wednesday post on Jaime´s blog here. From there, you can also discover new blogs and encourage other writers!
*Blog fades*
Welcome to What´s Up Wednesday…The Second Ready. Set. Write! edition
What´s up Wednesday is the brainchild of Jaime and Erin. It´s a way to keep in touch in just four headings…
And…I revised my chapter one. Again. This little snippet comes from that revision round.
Kelsey´s eyes dart from me to Malik. I need to say something. He can´t dig up the truth. If the media knows where we´re hiding, they´ll be back faster than the birds in that Hitchcock movie Kelsey and I watched twice already.
They´ll pick at us until we have no brains left.
No matter how hard Mama and my grandparents tried to shield me, paparazzi had gotten pictures of me. Most of them come from the day I testified against my father. I was six years old, tears were running down my face. The lawyer and counselor were pulling me toward the court. People stood on the sidelines and screamed we should die too. The room smelled like old tobacco. My father watched me as I walked up to my seat. Watched me as I told the jury what I´d seen. Watched me as I repeated his words. And he smiled when I glanced his way. His Daddy-loves-you smile but then his index finger ran across his neck.
I inhale and exhale, focusing on Malik, his smile, his eyes.
- Revision goals for this week:
– Finish revising Chapter 1.
– Take another look at Chapter 7.
– And…change subplot…
– Add one pageant scene.
What inspires me right now
You. All of you.
And….being very very very very happy for a writer friend. Very. Happy. Really, the type of happy where I could actually smile despite the train being one hour late after a long day at work and the scorching heat.
This writer friend inspires me to believe and to work even harder.
Plus, I´m simply so happy for her. Did I mention that? 🙂
I can’t wait to check all your posts and see what you’ve been up to 🙂
Elodie Nowodazkij 
Go revise, go win!!!! Sounds like you are doing a great job on your Ready.Set.Write goals and that is AWESOME. 😀 And I have yet to read Code Name Verity. I just need the right time and headspace to read it lol. 😛
Thanks Rachel 😀 Ready. Set. Write! is really helping me to get focused on my goals so that’s great 😀 😀 😀 Code Name Verity is definitely one of those books where headspace is needed. ❤
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 6:05 AM, commutinggirl
I’m having so much fun with Ready.Set.Write! — and it’s providing some much-needed motivation. You’ve achieved so many goals so far, wow!
Thanks Diana 😀 Like you Ready. Set. Write! is definitely providing me with a lot of motivation 😀 Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 6:10 AM, commutinggirl
Excellent blog. I too commute, but I have no train so I have to drive for three hours each day when I could be writing. I sometimes talk into a tape recorder but it is often not worth it by time I listen to it again. anyway it is nice to read blogs like yours where other writers talk about their writing
Thanks 😀 I am in the train about 2h30 per day (used to be 4!), and it’s true that I can enjoy some “me time” during my commute. I either write or I read and getting lost in a book is simply wonderful.
Do you listen to audiobooks?
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 6:45 AM, commutinggirl
yes I am so glad that my library has audiobooks that I can download to my ipad and listen to in my car.
I can’t believe you get up at 5:00 am to work on your story! Now that’s commitment! I’m a total night owl though, and I guess it’s just as crazy for me to stay up writing until sunrise. 😛
Awesome job meeting your goals last week, Elodie! Hope you’re able to get just as much done this week! Oh, and loved the excerpt! That last bit is so creepy! I think you’ll definitely hook readers in with it!
😀 I used to wake up before 5am to go to work cause’ I used to leave even further from my workplace 😀 I guess now waking up early is an habit that I get to use to write 😀
But….I couldn’t write until late in the night 😀 I’d be asleep at my desk while you’re typing those words away 😀
I’m so happy you like the excerpt, I always get VERY nervous posting bits and pieces of my writing online so encouraging words like yours are always a highlight!
Thanks Erin! and hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 6:47 AM, commutinggirl
Oooh, I can actually read some of that music! Exciting times 😀
What an adorable notebook! Congratulations on hitting your targets. What a sinister father you’ve created too!
5am? I applaud you! I wish I was more of an early riser so I could get more done.
Have a fantastic week!
Thanks 😀 The father is definitely a sinister character…and I’m trying to make him as creepy as possible while still having some character development for him. Tough 😛
Waking up early is something I’ve gotten used to, I used to wake up before 5am in order to make it work around 8am when I had more than 2 hours of commute 😀
Hope you’re having a great week!
Yay for making your goals! I love the phrase – ‘raise the stakes’. I’m going to chant it all week 😉
Good luck attacking those revisions. It looks like you’ve got it totally under control.
Thanks 😀 😀 😀 I think I want to have a poster with “raise the stakes”” 😀 Hope your week is going well!
LOVE the excerpt! And congrats on reaching your goals this week! And I LOVED CODE NAME VERITY! Started out slow for me too, but I LOVED it!
Also, I am most curious about the current inspiration.
And I know all about the 5 AM writing thing. With two kids, that’s sometimes the only time I get to write. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful writing week!
I hope I can share the GREAT news about the current inspiration very soon 😀 😀 😀 As you know my writing week hasnt been as productive – yet. But I still have three days and I intend to use them to their full potential.
So glad you loved the excerpt! 😀 😀 😀
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 1:02 PM, commutinggirl
Love your MOTTO this week! Congrats on meeting and surpassing your goals.
Thank you SO much 😀 😀 😀 Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 2:29 PM, commutinggirl
CODE NAME VERITY is in my stack to read – I should get to it next week. Like you, I’ve heard so many great reviews, I just had to get it!
It really is an amazing book! Cant wait to hear your thoughts on it 😀
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 3:18 PM, commutinggirl
What great progress, Elodie! You are an inspiration. 🙂 I loved CNV too. I agree it’s a bit slow to get moving, but once you’re hooked, it’s as unputdownable as excellent. Good luck with your goals this week!
Thanks Kip!!! 😀 😀 😀 CNV is really amazing. Im reading it slowly as well because it is breaking my heart. Powerful and emotional! Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 3:44 PM, commutinggirl
I’m impressed you get up at 5am to write! I also commute (my commute is 2 hours each way 😦 but it involved a car, train, two subways, and a long walk so it’s hard to do any kind of revising there. I can sometimes get first drafting done if I bring my alphasmart. I often do this during NaNoWriMo). Unfortunately, my long commute means I wake up at 5:15am as it is! So I do most of my writing on the days I work from home when I normally would be commuting.
Teleworking also helps me get some writing done 😀 Do you get to listen to audiobooks or read a bit during your commute? Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 4:11 PM, commutinggirl
That’s awesome that you got so much done on your story this week! You’ve set some pretty great goals for this week too. That piano music is more complicated than I am to play, but I bet it sounds fantastic. I still have to read CODE NAME VERITY. I got it for Christmas but haven’t gotten to it yet. Guess I should, right? 🙂
Thanks Jaime 😀 CODE NAME VERITY starts out a bit slow but then totally hooked me. I did stop reading it for a bit but simply because I have the feeling it’s going to get my heart utterly broken and I don’t know if I’m up for that kind of intense reading right now…
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 4:17 PM, commutinggirl
Wow. 5 AM? *gulp* I know I need to do that…but I always use the excuse that I’ll write in the evenings (which often get filled up with other things).
And that motto…I think I need to Sharpie that all over my writing space. 😛 Thanks for the inspiration!
😀 Putting these words in Sharpie might be the solution for me too…My hubby does get up even earlier so it helps to motivate me in the morning 🙂 Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 4:17 PM, commutinggirl
Congratulations on your writing and revising progress! I couldn’t imagine getting up at 5 AM unless I’d just gotten back from a faraway trip and had jet lag. At least it’s progress that I’m no longer going to bed at like 2-3 AM.
😀 I wouldn’t be able to stay up until 2/3am 😀 I’m more of a morning person so getting up super early to write works out quite well… Hope your week is going well, Carrie-Anne!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 4:34 PM, commutinggirl
Elodie!! That line!!! (The daddy-loves-you smile while slicing his finger across his throat line). OMG! Chills. I don’t know a Tom about this book but that there makes me want to read it!!!!!
I have code name to read but haven’t. I think it’ll be a “winter” book. I’m all for the summer ish reads right now.
Thanks Mandie 😀 😀 😀 This revision is tough but I do think my book is getting much stronger thanks to it 😀 I actually paused CODE NAME VERITY right now because I know my heart’s going to get broken and I need to find the right mindset to continue reading…
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 4:51 PM, commutinggirl
Ooh, I love the creepiness of this excerpt! This is shaping up to be a fascinating story! (And more power to you for getting things done at 5 am! Yikes.)
Thanks so much Jess! 😀 One of my goals during my revision is to “up the creep factor” so I’m happy it’s working 😀 😀 😀
Getting up at 5am has become a habit ever since I started commuting…My commute used to be 2 hours each way which meant I had to get up at 4.45am…Now that it’s a tad over one hour I get to use that extra time to write or work out…
Hope you’re having a great week! And hope you’re going to share an excerpt this Wednesday 😀
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 6:30 PM, commutinggirl
Okay, I just added my name to the Ready. Set. Write! list – I know I’m late to the game, but I’m gonna give it a shot…even though I’m having the worst bout of writer’s block right now. Because it eventually has to go away, right? I also subscribed to your Twitter list – and I’ll tweet you in a second to get added, too! Thanks for wrangling that!
I have a copy of CODE NAME VERITY sitting on my nightstand that I can’t wait to read. I’ve got a few other books in front of it, but soon…I hope you enjoy it, I’ve heard so many great things!
And congrats on hitting your goal last week on your writing! Excellent job – and I love your submit, too! 🙂
Also, I share in your happiness for our mutual friend. So exciting and you couldn’t be more right – such an inspiration to work harder!
Happy Wednesday, Elodie!
So….so so excited for our mutual friend 😀 Can’t wait to scream the news to the world!!! 😀 I’m happy you’re joining us for Ready. Set. Write! And I’m sure you’ll conquer your writer’s block. One step at a time…. Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 6:45 PM, commutinggirl
Nice work on your goals this week!! I love that excerpt. I’m so impressed that you’ve been waking up at 5!
I really want to read Code Name Verity. I keep hearing good things. I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it overall.
I’m DYING to know details on this inspirational friend!!
Thanks Ghenet 😀 I cannot wait to share details on my inspirational friend 😀 😀 😀 And…congrats again on finishing your revisions!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 7:21 PM, commutinggirl
Love your excerpt, Elodie. Your writing always feels so fresh and authentic… Awesome! Looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts on CODE NAME VERITY. It’s one I haven’t picked up yet, but now that it’s in paperback (love that cover!) I just might have to get it. Oh, and like Ghenet, I’m super curious about your inspirational friend. Hoping to hear good news sometime soon! Way to go on all your Ready. Set. Write! progress, and here’s to even more in the coming weeks!
Awwwww Katy, you have no idea what your comment on my excerpt meant to me. Totally made my entire week 😀 😀 😀 Hope your writing is going well!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 7:37 PM, commutinggirl
Love your excerpt! Oh, boy did I love Code Name Verity. It was my favorite book of last year. I cannot wait for Rose Under Fire that comes out in September. Good luck with your writing goals for this week!
Thanks so much Amy 😀 I actually got approved on Netgalley for ROSE UNDER FIRE and I’m looking forward to it. Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 8:14 PM, commutinggirl
I am impressed you get up at five. I couldn’t manage that!
I do go to bed quite early 😛 And I used to wake up even earlier when my commute was longer…I guess it became a habit 😀 Hope you’re doing well!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 9:22 PM, commutinggirl
The stakes can almost always be raised. Great reminder! And congrats to your writer friend.
Thanks Rebekah 🙂 I cannot wait to share the great news about my friend….So excited for her!
On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 9:32 PM, commutinggirl
Ugh. Now that it’s summer, the LAST thing I want is to get up at 5 every morning. So many kudos to you for doing that to get some writing in!
I loved the emotion in your snippet, especially since it was so short and you managed to pack so much in. I hope we get to read this someday!
Good luck with your revising this week!
😛 Well…I used to get up earlier when my commute was longer so I think waking up early became some sort of habit…but I do go to bed quite early 😀
So glad you enjoyed the snippet! This revision is going quite well and I’m excited about it!
Hope your week is going well 😀
Congratulations one exceeding your goals this week, Elodie! Way to go 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think about Code Name Verity – I have heard so many wonderful things and have been wanting to read this one for a long time. I also love your motto about raising the stakes – so good and so true; thank you for the inspiration. Cheering for you this week and absolutely LOVED your writing sample!
I love the excerpt that you shared! Good Luck with your goals this week.
Code Name Verity was one of my favourite reads last year. I’m so glad you’re enjoying it.
That excerpt gave me chills. Wow.
Good luck with raising the stakes and hopefully your revisions to continue to go well.
Totally got goosebumps from your excerpt. Awesome. I loved Code Name Verity, but I listened to the audiobook, which was read with this wonderful accent. It was a slow listen for me, too, but when I was finished I thought it was amazeballs with awesomesauce.
Good luck with your goals this week.
Great excerpt! I definitely want to know more. Code Name Verity was slow for me too but the payoff was worth it. Good luck revising!
Great job with your goals Elodie! I admire you for waking up at 5am and editing with such dedication. Hope you have a great week!
Code Name Verity is so amazing. ❤ It starts slow, though — I nearly put it down before I hit the middle. But then it just gets amazing.
I loved Code Name Verity. One book that really lived up to the hype. And go you on making your writing goals!! 🙂
“Raise the stakes” needs to be my motto this week, too! And go, Elodie! for making your writing goals.
Congrats to your writer friend!
(Oh, and you can add me to the Twitter list if you want!)