What´s up Wednesday is the brainchild of Jaime and Erin. It´s a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what’s up. Should you wish to join, make sure to leave a link to your What’s Up Wednesday post in the widget on Jaime´s blog.
What I´m reading
What I’m Writing
My pointes show wear and tear of the years I’ve used them and no matter how much I scrub, there’s one smudge that doesn’t want to go away. Memories flash back when I slip them on: my father handing me a bouquet of lilies after each of my recitals, the crew from the School of Performing Arts sneaking out to get ice cream, the summers I spent here with my best friend Becca and my Nana, the hours at the barre, my piano lessons. Everything’s gone.
The pain in my knee is latent, reminding me of what I lost, but I clench my teeth and face the bench using it as my own personal barre. I slowly bend my knees, keeping them over my toes. Grounding my heels on the floor, I stretch down as much as I can but I don´t make it past a demi-plié. I warm up for ten minutes, losing myself in the familiar movements. Maybe the doctors got it wrong, maybe I´ll be able to dance on stage again. The stars reflect on the water, it could be the perfect backdrop for a production of the Swan Lake.
I try a grand jeté, but my foot isn’t angled properly, my knee isn’t used to carrying all my weight. Instead of gracefully landing with my left leg still in the air, I fall on my ass. Air leaves my lungs and the tears I’ve been fighting fall steadily on my face.
What else I´ve been up to
What inspires me right now
I can’t wait to check all your posts and see what you’ve been up to 🙂
Elodie Nowodazkij 
Your excerpt is wonderful! And I had to look up what shashlik is… sounds tasty! 🙂
Shashlik is super yummy 🙂 and so glad you enjoyed my excerpt!
I know your secret! And I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait for you to share!
I love SAVING FRANCESCA. Not *quite* as much as JELLICOE, but it’s pretty amazing. You should read THE PIPER’S SON soon. Same characters. 🙂
Have a wonderful week, Elodie!
Thanks, Katy ❤ Your support really means a lot! I´ll have to track down THE PIPER´S SON…:-)
What a great excerpt! Your character’s pain and frustration really come through. I’m very jealous that it’s even possible for you guys to barbecue in January. I think our barbecue is buried in a snow drift right now lol. Looking forward to hearing your news!
Amazing excerpt! Your character and her situation came over so clearly. *Wow*! 😀
Love the new layout! So pretty 😀
Love the new layout, it’s gorgeous!
Saving Francesca is my favourite Melinda Marchetta book, I just love it. Definitely read The Piper’s Son too, it’s Tom’s story. There are also rumours that she’s writing Jimmy’s story, which I would love!
Your expert is heartbreaking, and really good 😀
Have a great week.
Great excerpt, definitely makes me want to read more! Also, the secret news? I am SO intrigued, it’s actually what made me click the link. Keep us updated, OK? Also, enjoy Saving Francesca! It’s an amazing book and Jellicoe Road is an all time favourite if mine 🙂
Lovely (though sad) excerpt. Poor lassie!
The new site design looks soooo good. 😀
I’ve said it before, but it’s been a while so I’ll say it again, your command of English puts me to shame, Elodie. I know smatterings of other languages, but I’d love to have the command of *one* other that you have of English. Indeed, you write better than many native English speakers, and for that alone you should be well pleased. 🙂 I wish you every success with this story.
I’m intrigued to know what your news is! 🙂 I love the voice in the excerpt.
Exciting news is exciting! *waits with baited breath*
And your excerpt is lovely and heartbreaking. To be able to dance and then lose it like that. I can’t even imagine how difficult that would be.
Hope you have an amazing week!
Great excerpt! And I’m curious, excited to hear your coming news! I love the blog redesign, it’s cute and fun, with tons of personality. Have an awesome week!
Love the excerpt! The blog looks wonderful too.
As you know, I love the secret news! 😀 And I love the new excerpt, too! There’s a lot emotion there and you can really tell how hard it is for Nata not to be able to really dance anymore.
I’ve only read FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK and JELLICOE ROAD by Marchetta, but I loved both of them. Which reminds me that I need to move on to FROI OF THE EXILES. I’m in a total sci-fi and fantasy mode right now. 🙂
I really liked your excerpt. I took dance growing up and although I was never all that good, I still felt a connection with the character.
And SAVING FRANCESCA, love that book! Even though my HS was far more co-ed than Francesca’s, I still had more male than female friends as a teen. So I always love YA books with male/female friendships not just romance. And Marchetta is such a fabulous author she tells every story well.
Very intrigued to find out about your big secret! I love ONE TWO THREE and can’t wait to read more!
Thank you for sharing the excerpt. Lovely! We are BBQing in January too, in shorts and t-shirts, but we live in CA and are having an exceptionally warm winter. I would not have thought you could do the same in Germany! How nice!
Oooh, secrets!! I’m dying to know, Elodie! And I’m not sure if I’ve ever told you, but ONE TWO THREE sounds so awesome. Dance books are always a win in my mind, so I can’t wait to read yours someday. 🙂
I love ballet stories and you excerpt was awesome! I love Melina Marchetta’s Lumatere chronicles, one of my favorite series!
I also know your secret! *happy dance*
Love that excerpt! 😀
YAY 🙂 So glad you enjoyed my excerpt 🙂
Shashlik is new to me. It sounds delicious. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear your news!
Thanks, Sarah! Shashlik is really delicious 🙂 (and cant wait to share my news :P))
Ooh, I love the new layout! And I also can’t wait to hear your news 🙂
Cant wait to share! Hope youre doing well!
I loved your excerpt! I’d read anything with dance in it. In fact, I’ve had Bunheads sitting on my shelf for ages… maybe that book will be next.
Can’t wait to hear your news!
Thanks, Melanie 🙂 so happy you enjoyed it! Cant wait to share my news 🙂
That book sounds so great, and thanks for sharing your excerpt! Can’t wait to hear your news 🙂
Thanks Liz 🙂 I cant wait to be able to share 😛 Hope youre well!
Hiya
I’m checking you the books you are reading. A while back I wanted to read Jellicoe Road but didn’t get to it. Hopefully this year.
Love your excerpt. Your character comes across as determined, and in pain. Great piece.
Angel
Thanks a lot, Angel! (and hope you get to Jellicoe Road, such a great book!)
I love your layout! I also loved Melina Marchetta’s Finnikin of the Rock series. I didn’t know she wrote a more contemporary novel, but that sounds really interesting. I’m going to have to read ASAP.
Thanks, Kim! If you want to read a contemporary novel from Melina Marchetta, totally check out JELLICOE. Such a wonderful book!
Way cool design! And great inspiration. I need all I can get. 🙂
Thanks a lot Jessie!
So excited for you, Elodie! Great things are in store for you! 🙂
Thank you ❤
That excerpt is great. You convey her emotions and thoughts beautifully. And, as a former dancer, I’m a sucker for all things ballet. 🙂
Eep! So excited for your big reveal! The site looks great and the new snippet is awesome. Keep kicking butt!
Wooooo, fun secrets! And your excerpt is great!!! 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂