Hello!
*Waves*
Welcome to What´s Up Wednesday and to the third update (WOW already third!) of Ready. Set. WRITE!
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. 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!
What´s up Wednesday is the brainchild of Jaime and Erin. It´s a way to keep in touch in just four headings…
- Reread chapters 1 & 7
- Revised Chapter 8 AND introduced a major change during that particular revision.
I´m killing off a character tomorrow morning. And writing a kissing scene. #ReadySetWrite How about you?
— Elodie (@commutinggirl) June 24, 2013
I’m ALWAYS super scared of sharing non-edited/non-CPed/non beta-ed snippets but I also LOVE it 😛 So here is another snippet of my story, part of the Chapter 8 I revised last week.
The car closes in on us. It´s too small. There´s not enough air, my lungs hurt, my right hand reaches for the handle.
“Are you okay?” Malik´s voice comes from far away.
I crack the door open and stumble out of the car. Leaning against the trunk, my skin prickles as the wind pounds on, merciless. I close my eyes and concentrate on the noise and startle when Malik´s hands fall on my shoulders.
“Breathe, Erin. Breathe in and out. In and out.” He sounds so calm and his hands so warm. Droplets of rain fall on me and I open my eyes. My shoulders feel heavy and my mind feels like it´s been run over twice or three times since this morning.
My grandmother was run over. A wall bigger than the Chinese wall stands inside my chest, constricting everything. My Nana´s gone. She´s really gone. And my father…Thoughts rush in, unfiltered.
Shit. My breathing accelerates again.
“Pshhhh. You´re okay.” Malik doesn´t sound like I´m freaking him out which distracts me. Mama totally lost it the first time I had a panic attack and even Kelsey called 911 when I told her I couldn´t breathe properly.
Usually biting my nails until I bleed is enough to ground me, but there are times like now where I totally lose control.
“I can´t breathe,” I mutter the obvious.
“Of course you can. You´re hyperventilating and your carbon dioxide is going through the roof. Simply breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth.” He pauses. “Let´s do a few steps.”
“How do you know?” I gasp.
“My mom. She had a rough patch with anxiety when my dad lost his job a few years back.”
My fingers slowly stop tingling and I bring my coat closer to my body. The rain falls harder and I face the sky, drinking in the feeling of being alive.
Malik takes my hand in his and pulls me toward the tiny visitor center. It´s close since we´re off season but we can hide under there, right where the maps stand. He doesn´t let go when we fall on the bench that´s right by the entrance.
- Revise chapter 9: Introduce more depth to one character, bring on more tension and creepiness.
- Revise chapter 10: Pageant scene – new threat.
- Write down how I want to change one a later subplot to make it even more believable.
What inspires me right now
This post. Beth Revis: Failure is not the Enemy. Because yes failure happens.
This other post. Inspiration spots, bubbles, and ideal readers. Because Bubble Girl is a great reminder and because Rebecca has a beautiful way with words.
The support writers are giving each other for Ready. Set. Write! And what it means for their writing!
@katyupperman thanks! Definitely a good feeling. And I have #readysetwrite to thank for my recent productivity streak! 🙂
— Ghenet Myrthil (@Ghenet) June 24, 2013
I have finished reading my MS. I quite like it. I KNOW! Today, self-doubt, you lose! 💁#readysetwrite
— Rebecca Barrow (@RebeccaKBarrow) June 22, 2013
Just wrote a scene that has TWSS written all over it. But I did meet my word count goal! #yessss #readysetwrite
— Alison Miller (@alisonmiller20) June 24, 2013
@katyupperman @Ghenet Congrats on finishing!!!!! And I’m with you both on #ReadySetWrite. I’ve gotten way more done than I expected so far.
— Kip Wilson Rechea (@kiperoo) June 24, 2013
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 
Sounds like big things are happening in your story! Thanks for sharing another excerpt. I especially like this line: “The rain falls harder and I face the sky, drinking in the feeling of being alive.” I love rainy scenes! Best of luck on your goals this week!
😀 Thank you so much Erin! I am crossing my fingers I can really give justice to the story I have in my head…
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 7:02 AM, commutinggirl
I had to smile at your used of romance novels; they’re great for that kind of thing 😉
Great to hear you’re attacking your story, and I love your excerpt. Sounds like you’re on a roll. Good luck meeting those goals this next week!
Thanks Tonja! Romance novels are my go-to novels when Im feeling down or just in need of a good swoon 😀
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 9:07 AM, commutinggirl
I’ve just finished Code Name Verity. It took a while and during the time I was reading it I didn’t think it was as good as I’d heard it would be, but on reflection once I finished I thought WOW, such a great book! Can’t wait to hear what you thought!
Love that snippet of the story, would love to read more!
Thanks Samantha 😀 At the beginning of CNV, I also thought that maybe Id be disappointed after all the hype and it took me a bit to get really into the story but now Im all in 😀 Glad you liked the snippet 😀 Im definitely sharing more next week…
Ooooh, glad you’re getting to savor CNV. Can’t wait to hear what you thought when you finish! And good for you for doing some catch-up on the weekend after a busy week. That’s a heavy snippet. I love that it happens in the rain too. What great atmosphere!
Good luck with your goals this week!!
Thanks Kip 😀 Im going to finish CNV in the plane to Latvia. Im going for a business trip tomorrow evening and will be back on Thursday. I need a hard-copy book for take-off and landing 😛
Ready.Set.Write! is definitely helping me move forward with my revisions 😀 Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 1:09 PM, commutinggirl
Congratulations on what you achieved this week and good luck with your next week goals! I thought your excerpt was fantastic, I was really there in the moment with Erin.
Enjoy Glee and the end of Code Name Verity. I LOVED that book.
Thanks Alexa! reading those comments on my excerpt really help me move forward 😀 Were almost done with the first season of Glee and bought the second season. Were official Glee addicts now 😀 Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 2:03 PM, commutinggirl
I love, love, LOVE the excerpt! More, lady! And finish that revision so I can read it!
Also, yes – the support is VERY inspiring. I swear I would’ve achieved maybe 1000 words in the past two weeks if I didn’t have RSW. Now, I’ve written 12000. And thank you so much for all your support! So excited to see what the rest of the summer brings us!
And GLEE…maybe I’ll have to start watching again. I used to love that show! I hope you have a wonderful writing week!
Finally making the rounds to reply to the comments on my blog. They ALL make me smile so much and yours totally put a grin on my face Alison 😀 😀 😀 So glad you enjoyed the excerpt 😀
Hope your week is going well ❤
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 2:32 PM, commutinggirl
YAY– I love reading all the twitter love for ready set write. I have to remember to use the hashtag! I am an infrequent twitterer. LOVE the work you have shared here. It sounds like you are kicking some writing as*. I so hear you about CNV. It’s tough but so worth it. Such a great book.
Thanks Katharine 😀 The support on Twitter is definitely a big plus…and a great motivator…
So happy that you enjoyed the excerpt. Honestly, those comments really help me move forward. So, thank you!
Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 2:52 PM, commutinggirl
Love the snippet–the anxiety is palpable!
And VERITY will break your heart, but it’s worth it.
Thanks Rebecca 😀 Sometimes getting our heart broken by a book is indeed worth it. The power of words and of stories to make sure we remember history…simply amazing!
Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 3:32 PM, commutinggirl
That snippet was intense, I loved it!!
Thanks Fida!!! 😀
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 3:44 PM, commutinggirl
Oh, Elodie, I LOVE your snippet. You have such a beautiful writing voice! Sorry you didn’t meet your goals last week, but here’s to this week being productive and awesome!
Awwwwwwwwwwwwww thank you so much Liz. Really! So glad you enjoyed the snippet of my story 😀 Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 4:43 PM, commutinggirl
CODE NAME VERITY is on my TBR–and, hopefully, I’ll read it soon. All the best with your goals, Elodie. It looks like you’re making excellent progress. 🙂
Thank you Colin 😀 Hope youre doing well!!! And that youre making progress in your writing 😀
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 5:06 PM, commutinggirl
That’s exactly why I haven’t started Code Name Verity…I feel like I need to be in completely the right mood, I know it’s going to tear me apart. But good luck with your writing goals, the scene sounds beautiful 🙂 Lovin’ the supportive writer community as well!
Being in the right mindset sometimes is indeed important to read certain books 😀 Glad you enjoyed my snippet 😀 Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 6:33 PM, commutinggirl
Aww, thanks for including my tweets! The support and encouragement I’ve received so far through RSW has been amazing. And of course I’m happy to return the favor!
Nice work with your revisions this week. Your snippet is so intense! Love it. 🙂
Also I was a HUGE fan of Glee when it first aired. The first season is the best. The plot has gotten pretty terrible lately but I still watch the episodes to hear the music.
I love the Glee episodes with the 80s music 😀 Were almost done watching the first season and bought the second one 😀 Ill let you know what I think 😀
So happy you enjoyed my snippet! Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 7:43 PM, commutinggirl
I keep seeing Code Name Verity at my local bookshop. Maybe I should pick it up.
Killing a character and writing a kissing scene? That’s quite the juxtaposition!
I have to admit that I quite enjoyed writing very different scenes last week…and seeing how they still build up on one another 😀 CNV is definitely a book Id recommend 😀 Hope your week is going well!
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 8:26 PM, commutinggirl
Ahh! I ❤ excerpts. This was fantastic!
I've been sort of afraid of CODE NAME VERITY. I cry over my books, and I'm not interested in being a weepy mess right now. 😦
Good luck with your goals this week!
Being in the right mindset is quite important sometimes for certain books. I know Im going to cry for CNV…Hope your week is going well!
Glee is a good time. I think season 1 has the best Sue Sylvester line of all time. I don’t want to ruin it but it involves a kitty cat.
I hear you on Code Name Verity. That book is intense, even the writing style is a bit complex and not always easy to digest. I mean, it’s a YA book with torture and Nazis. No shame in breaking that up with some lighter fare. I tried to read a non-fiction book about North Korean refugees earlier this year, and it was wonderfully told in more of a journalistic style, but i found myself gravitating toward light comtemporary romances and never could pick up the North Korean book again.
Best wishes on your editing this week!
I LOVE your snippet! And I especially love how cool Malik is in the face of her panic attack. He makes light of it, which could have a very negative effect, but seems to be just what she needed. Love it!!
Looks like I need to add Code Name Verity to my TBR. I love books that impact you emotionally. Even more, I love the self-awareness it takes to know when you’re ready for something deep like that or not. As a therapist, I am ALL about self-awareness. I had that with The Fault in Our Stars. My cousin’s son had recently been diagnosed with cancer when I got it and I had to keep it on the shelf for a few months before I felt ready to tackle it. And oh man, it was amazing. But would not have been if I’d read it sooner. Yay for self-awareness! 🙂
Thank YOU Rachel 😀 Im so happy you enjoyed the snippet! This love for my writing really helps me move forward as Im trying to revise so that I have at least one-worthy-to-be-shared excerpt per week… 🙂 And you are so right about self-awareness when it comes to the books were reading! Hope your week is going well!
Hey, can’t wait to get my hands on that ms! Thanks for always being a great Ready. Set. Write! cheerleader!
Crossing my fingers to be done with this revision by the end of July so it can go into your capable hands soon after 😀 Hope your week is going well Sara!
We haven’t even seen that much of Malik and I already like him. Can’t wait for you to share more!
I totally feel you on the being busy because of work thing. That one bit me last week, too. I guess we’ll see how we do this week…good luck!
Thanks Stephanie 😀 Ill share more on Wednesday…It really pushes me to revise at least one worth-sharing excerpt per week. Lol. Work is keeping up the busy-ness but Im attacking some of my goals today so Im excited! Hope your week is going well 😀
Malik is pretty great 🙂 I definitely look forward to seeing this whole relationship develop.
And enjoy Glee–the first season is probably the best but even the seasons that make me groan have moments so wonderful they keep me coming back.
Thanks Jessica 😀 Malik is pretty fun to write…And Im trying to make him as layered as possible… Were almost done with the first season of Glee and I especially loved the episodes with the 80s music. So. Fun. Hope youre doing well!
On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 1:05 AM, commutinggirl
Malik is so sweet/supportive. I love him aleady even though I don’t know much about him.
Oh I love Glee! I watched it out of order, only catching a few episodes on tv here and there but it’s a great show.
Good luck with your goals for this week! I love that you know exactly what you want to do for each chapter.
Thanks Raven! 😀 Glee is definitely fun to watch – were almost done with the first season…Im going to attack a few of my goals today, very much looking forward to sitting down in front of the computer 😀 Hope youre having a great week!
On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 1:45 AM, commutinggirl
Ooh, nice excerpt! Malik seems like a really great person. Congrats on your progress!
Thanks Adrianne 😀 Malik is indeed pretty cool 😀 Hope your week is going well!
On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 5:07 AM, commutinggirl
Elodie, your day job is keeping you WAY too busy! You need to get back to writing so you can finish your WiP. The excerpt you shared is fantastic, and I can’t wait until you’ve got a story ready for reading. Best of luck meeting your goals this week, friend!
Thanks so much Katy! 😀 Im going to have an intensive writing session today to tackle some of my goals! Hope youre having a great weekend 😀
On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 5:12 AM, commutinggirl
Oh Elodie, I love this excerpt! Such a wonderful scene. More, please! 🙂
ps. I haven’t started CODE NAME VERITY for the same reason. I think I need to be in the right mood, which you pretty much confirmed here.
Awwww Tracey! Thanks so much 😀 Hope your week is going well!
On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 5:17 AM, commutinggirl
I had to do the same thing when I read Code Name Verity. But I also listened to the audiobook which made it really intense. I really enjoyed your excerpt! Good luck with meeting your writing goals for the week!
Oh wow I cant imagine what the experience of listening to CNV must be! I bet it was indeed intense! Hope your week is going well!!!
On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 4:28 PM, commutinggirl
I know what you mean about needing to put CNV down for a bit. You can feel something coming and it’s almost painful.
Loved the little peek into your MS. Good luck this week.
Wow, Elodie! I had to comment on your excerpt – I loved it! Thank you for sharing, and good luck with your writing goals this week 🙂
I’m so late getting around to these posts, but better late than never, right? You did a great job getting some serious work on your story done this week despite being busy. I really enjoyed your segment, too! 🙂
I have yet to read Code Name Verity. I have it here at home, but I wanted to be in the right mood. I may read it in the fall. Ahhh…
Love your snippet! Keep going, sister, you’ve got it!