If you want to learn more about #WriterRecharge, just click here. The short story: brainchild of Sara Biren, it´s a way to keep motivated during the month of February. Your hosts and cheerleaders: Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Sara Biren and me. Every Monday in February, update your progress via your blog or twitter. Link your blog posts at Sara’s Monday posts. And throughout the month, don´t forget to use the hashtag to connect with other writers, have writing parties, and cheer one another on!
How did I do during my second week?
I´m still amazed by the on-going support: THANK YOU! I haven´t done as much as I wished this week. As most of you know, I announced my self-publishing adventure…I I took a bit of time to work on my Facebook page and made sure to reply to all amazing comments on my little blog, on Facebook, on Twitter or per email. Really, I´m so grateful!
So, here´s what I did:
- Revised 1 a chapter of my YA thriller: DADDY´S LITTLE GIRL (a bit less than planned but progress nonetheless)
- Wrote 1000 words in my new YA contemporary: ALWAYS SECOND BEST (not as many as what I wanted. But I did do some planning which will help.)
- Worked out two times (I had planned three. Doh!)
- Wrote or revised 4 days during the week (yay!)
Here´s an excerpt of ALWAYS SECOND BEST. It´s in drafting mode, i.e. not yet edited. It´s the companion novel from ONE, TWO, THREE…and will come out in October 2014.
“I´m so happy you´re here! I´m trying something new and you need to taste it!”
I shrug off my coat and she eyes me up and down. “Actually, I´ll give you two, you look too skinny.”
I shake my head. While I pay attention to what I eat, that´s another thing playing against me: I don´t have the typical ballerina body. I´m slim but not that thin and I´ve got boobs. “One will be fine, Nonna.”
“Two.” She frowns. “I saw a movie on Lifetime the other day about a ballerina who was throwing up everything she ate. You don´t do that, right?” She takes my face between her hands. “Because you are beautiful. Bellissima.”
It´s hard to articulate, when she holds my face like this, so I mumble. “I don´t.”
My Nonna´s addicted to Lifetime movies. My Nonno used to say he came fourth in her heart. “First, the bambini. Then, the movies from that channel she loves, third the restaurant and forth…me.”
I believe he always came first.
“Come.” She pulls me into the kitchen and my mouth gapes open. There´s a guy there. In my kingdom. Sunday morning´s my time with Nonna.
“You need to meet Lorenzo. His cannelloni are to die for.” Nonna winks at me. She´s either matchmaking me to yet another Italian American or he really is a good cook. Nonna only winks for love or for food.
What are my goals for this week?
- Revise one chapter of my YA thriller
- Write 3000 words in my YA contemporary ALWAYS SECOND BEST
- Work out 3 times (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
- Write or revise 4 days this week
Can’t wait to cheer you on! 🙂
Elodie Nowodazkij 
semaine bien studieuse … bon courage … bisous
Merci maman 🙂
On Mon, Feb 17, 2014 at 8:42 AM, Elodie Nowodazkij wrote:
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Rock on, Elodie! 😀
🙂 Trying to 🙂
On Mon, Feb 17, 2014 at 9:57 AM, Elodie Nowodazkij wrote:
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This excerpt is AWESOME. I can’t wait to read ONE TWO THREE again and I am super excited about this one too! Good luck with your goals this week, Elodie! You can do it!
Thank you SO MUCH!!!! 🙂 I am really enjoying drafting ALWAYS SECOND BEST and I cant wait for you to read ONE TWO THREE again :-)))
On Mon, Feb 17, 2014 at 12:12 PM, Elodie Nowodazkij wrote:
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Wow, you are working so hard! Great excerpt! You are an inspiration! I’m going to try to check in more online this week (I tend to bury myself in my cave), so I’ll look for everyone to cheer on. 🙂
Thanks, Kip 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Looking forward to seeing you online!
On Mon, Feb 17, 2014 at 1:20 PM, Elodie Nowodazkij wrote:
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Awesome! way to go!
Thanks, Kim! 🙂
On Mon, Feb 17, 2014 at 1:51 PM, Elodie Nowodazkij wrote:
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Awww…I like Nonna a lot! And I have also seen that Lifetime movie 🙂
Good luck with your goals this week.
With the self-pub announcement, you deserve a break on the goals–or maybe you should incorporate that into your goals. Publicity and networking are important,too! Well done that you still managed to make progress amidst all the excitement. Perhaps not as much progress as you hoped, but it sounds like you’re doing well to me!
Have a great week, Elodie! 😀
four days of revisions or writing is great! Working out twice is also awesome. You’re making progress and that’s all that matters.
Aww, this excerpt is so sweet! I’m such a sucker for grandparents in YA, especially when they’re as well-written as this. Also, as far as your goals go, it looks to me like you got TONS done. Way to go, lady!
You had an amazing week. Hope this one’s just as good!
So excited for ONE TWO THREE! And huzzah for working toward goals!
Nice job balancing multiple projects 🙂
Good for you for fitting in physical exercise along with the writing.
I love Italian desserts, so if I were the protagonist in your story, I’d try Lorenzo’s cannelloni first before I pass judgement. =)
Wait, wait, wait. I missed your big announcement! Sorry! I’ve been off the interwebs. But CONGRATS on self-pubbing!! That’s what I’m doing and I commend you for it 🙂 Also, I’m working on fitting exercise into my goals as well!
Got lots of writing stuff done. I need to work on my FB page.