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.
I’m still revising my YA thriller and drafting my YA contemporary romance novel. I´ve been sick a bit so unfortunately this had an impact on my productivity, but I think I can catch up to my weekly goals.
What else I´ve been up to
The Chemical Engineer–aka my amazing husband–organized a Valentine´s Day weekend. By the Rhine. In a gorgeous hotel. With yummy food.
And fun excursions just the two of us.
Basically, it was amazing!
What inspires me right now
So many things…but I´ll focus on this quote
(even though I posted it last week on my brand new Facebook page :-))
This conversation with my husband. I think it might deserve an entire post at some point. He´s very encouraging and was mainly joking but it got me thinking, hence future post
Me to hubby "Wow, can't believe 65 people added my book on Goodreads in less than a week." My hubby: "You better not choke." #nopressure
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! 🙂
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I´m not often left speechless (at least according to my husband and family), but I have been overwhelmed in the most positive way by the kind and encouraging words I´ve received on my decision to self-publish.
I mean, look at the tweets below ❤ and this doesn´t even show all the retweets I got. On top of it, so many people already added my book on Goodreads, liked my Facebook Page or signed up for my newsletter…Those who didn´t know I write are also very supportive…
First of all: Hello to everyone who just clicked on this little blog for the first time and who most probably had no idea whatsoever that I´ve been using my commuting time for the past 5 years to draft stories… And hello to everyone who has been supporting me and cheering me on!
As the title may suggest: I have some news.
Some pretty incredible news…
And warning this is a long post 🙂
I decided to self-publish my young adult contemporary romance novel ONE TWO THREE.
ONE TWO THREE isn´t the first book I wrote but it´s the first one I felt like I wanted to share with the world (scary) and that was getting so many lovely reviews by the ones who read it. I got very close to getting picked up by a literary agent several times, I received great feedback from beta readers, critique partners and through contests but…the magic door stayed close.
In the past months, I read a lot of books that I know would do so well with readers but for x or y reason haven´t hit the shelves yet. That´s when I realize that I could choose my own magic. That doesn´t mean I don´t have to work hard on it, or that I didn´t revise, and revise, and revise with the help of my critique partners and beta readers. My book will still go through the necessary work of editing, copy editing, proofreading…And there is no guarantee.
If all goes well, the publication date of my novel will be June 26th, 2014 – the 40th wedding anniversary of my parents because they´re all kind of amazing and encouraged my love for books.
I´ll be sharing my journey in the self-publishing world on this blog, explaining more in details why I chose this path…and so on.
I can already tell you I have those moments:
It would be a lie to say I´m not scared because I totally am. People are going to read my book(s). People are not going to read my book(s). People may hate my characters. Others may love them.
But mainly I´m excited. And happy. And looking forward.
Yep, lots of emotions. Luckily I have a very patient and supportive husband 🙂 I´m also working on a release calendar for my additional novels. There will be a companion novel to ONE, TWO, THREE in October 2014, anotehr one in February 2015 and I plan to release my first YA thriller in January 2015.
If you want to receive my newsletter with updates on new releases, excerpts, fun stuff (like the favorite pelmeni recipe of my main character), you can sign-up here.
And…you can already add my book on Goodreads!
In a nutshell:
Title: ONE, TWO, THREE..
YA contemporary romance novel
Publication date: June 26th, 2014
Tagline: When seventeen-year-old Natalya’s dreams of being a ballerina are killed in a car accident along with her father, she must choose: shut down—like her mother—or open up to love.
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 first week?
Honestly, WriterRecharge kept me motivated. Waking up to tweets of people encouraging one another is pretty awesome and did push me. So, THANK YOU!
Revised 1 and 1/2 chapters of my YA thriller: DADDY´S LITTLE GIRL (a bit less than planned but progress nonetheless)
Wrote 1500 words in my new YA contemporary: ALWAYS SECOND BEST (yay! new words!)
Worked out three times (I had planned two so :-))
Wrote or revised 5 days during the week (yay!)
What are my goals for this week?
Revise two chapter of my YA thriller
Write 2000 words in my YA contemporary
Work out 3 times this week (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
Write or revise 4 days this week
Can’t wait to cheer you on! 🙂
Found this post interesting? Don't hesitate to share it.
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
I’m halfway through THE PIPER’S SON by Melina Marchetta and I fell hard for this book.
Award-winning author Melina Marchetta reopens the story of the group of friends from her acclaimed novel Saving Francesca – but five years have passed, and now it’s Thomas Mackee who needs saving. After his favorite uncle was blown to bits on his way to work in a foreign city, Tom watched his family implode. He quit school and turned his back on his music and everyone that mattered, including the girl he can’t forget. Shooting for oblivion, he’s hit rock bottom, forced to live with his single, pregnant aunt, work at the Union pub with his former friends, and reckon with his grieving, alcoholic father. Tom’s in no shape to mend what’s broken. But what if no one else is either? An unflinching look at family, forgiveness, and the fierce inner workings of love and friendship, The Piper’s Son redefines what it means to go home again.
What I’m Writing
Thanks #WriterRecharge (more info here if you want to join), I’ve been quite productive these past days:
I have 1000 words of my new WiP ALWAYS SECOND BEST and I’m in love with the characters already
I revised one chapter of DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL.
And on Sunday, I finished a round of revision for ONE TWO THREE, and sent it off to a certain someone 🙂
What else I´ve been up to
So many things. Some of which I still cannot say. I thought I might be able to announce it on Friday but it looks like it’s going to be next week. Stay tuned.
I’ve helped celebrating the launch of ALIENATED by Melissa Landers yesterday and you can still win a NOOK here 🙂
What inspires me right now
My friends who also happen to be writers 🙂 and who I have been pestering with emails these past two weeks. Thank you! ❤
#WriterRecharge which comes really at a perfect moment of time.
Today I have the pleasure of hosting Melissa Landers and her book ALIENATED for her book launch and a NOOK Giveaway! I loved this book and hope you will too 🙂
ALIENATED Launch & NOOK Giveaway!
Hey, fiction lovers. I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m thrilled to announce that my debut YA sci-fi romance, ALIENATED, is finally available from Disney-Hyperion! Cue the dancers and toss the confetti, because it’s been a long wait!
In a nutshell, ALIENATED is the story of valedictorian Cara Sweeney, who gets more than she bargained for when she agrees to host the nation’s first intergalactic exchange student, the gorgeous but emotionally-stilted Aelyx (pronounced A-licks) from planet L’eihr. The tone is light and humorous, but I explore some deeper themes as well.
What do reviewers have to say?
“The storyline is out of this world and character development paired with authentic voice is superb. Filled with intrigue and suspense, this book will appeal to both sci-fi and contemporary YA fiction fans.” –VOYA
“Interstellar relations heat up in this start to a new romantic science fiction series. Landers [explores] larger social, ecological, and ethical issues in this tense, fast-paced read.” –Booklist
“The perfect blend of sizzling romance, action, and suspense.” –#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout
“Smart, funny, and epic. I am now awaiting contact from planet L’eihr.” Julie Cross, bestselling author of Tempest.
“Intergalactic exchange students? Yes, please! I fell in love with this story and couldn’t put it down.” Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate
If you like hot, swoony science fiction as much as I do, I hope you’ll give ALIENATED a try. It’s now available in stores and online.
To celebrate my book birthday, I’m offering one lucky winner a Nook Simple Touch. I’ll even throw in a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble so you can fill your new e-reader with whatever you want!
Now for the fine print: This giveaway is open to US residents only. (Sorry, international friends, but you need a US billing address to buy digital content on the Nook.) Due to sweepstakes laws, entrants must be 18 years or older to participate.
Best of luck, and happy reading!
Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds.
A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives outside Cincinnati in the small town of Loveland, “Sweetheart of Ohio.” For more information, or just to say hello, visit http://www.melissa-landers.com.
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January is in the books and you’ve had to deal with:
a) polar vortices
b) ice storms
c) mountains of snow
d) gray skies and general malaise
e) all of the above
We thought our writer friends might be in need of a little boost. A jump start, if you will. A recharge.
We’d like to invite you to join us for Writer Recharge 2014, a month-long motivational challenge similar to last summer’s Ready. Set. Write! So many of us benefited from setting goals, connecting with other writers, and social media-based accountability. So, hey, let’s do it again! Whether you’re delighting next to the crackling fireplace of a Shiny New Idea with a warm cup of tea and a sleepy puppy at your feet or spinning out on the ice-covered roads of revisions in an attempt to avoid the snow-packed ditch, we want to write with you! What do you want to accomplish this month? Hit a daily word count? Revise a certain number of pages or chapters each week? Complete a draft by the end of the month? Let’s get this party started!
Every Monday in February: Update your progress via your blog or twitter. Link your blog posts at Sara’s Monday posts.
Throughout the month: Use the hashtag to connect with other writers, have writing parties, and cheer one another on!
February 28: Post your final update via your blog or twitter.
Anyone who uses the hashtag or links their blog posts will be entered to win one of 5 query or 3-chapter critiques.
Sound easy enough? Set your goals and get started! We’ll see YOU at #WriterRecharge.
My goals for the month?
Follow a writing schedule (I need to write 5 days a week)
Revise 8 chapters of my YA thriller DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL (two chapters a week)
Write 10 000 of a new YA contemporary romance (companion of ONE TWO THREE) called ALWAYS SECOND BEST (I need to update my projects’ page very soon).
I need to work out at least twice a week. How is this writing related you may ask? Well…my word for 2014 is balance and making sure I get some exercise in will help me with my balance and thus, with my writing. 🙂
Can’t wait to cheer you on! 🙂
Found this post interesting? Don't hesitate to share it.
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
I just started SAVING FRANCESCA by Melina Marchetta. Her book JELLICOE ROAD is one of my favorites (Really, pick it up if you haven´t already read it)
Francesca is stuck at St. Sebastians, a boys’ school that’s pretends it’s coed by giving the girls their own bathroom. Her only female companions are an ultra-feminist, a rumored slut, and an an impossibly dorky accordion player. The boys are no better, from Thomas who specializes in musical burping to Will, the perpetually frowning, smug moron that Francesca can’t seem to stop thinking about.Then there’s Francesca’s mother, who always thinks she knows what’s best for Francesca—until she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling who she really is. Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her social life and—hardest of all—herself.
What I’m Writing
I’ve been looking again at ONE TWO THREE, writing a new story and revising DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL.
So busy busy.
Here´s an excerpt – I just added it so it´s not yet edited – from ONE TWO THREE (my YA contemporary romance)
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
I redesigned my website…and have been working on a few things behind the scenes.
I cannot wait to let you all know what those are.
Stay tuned.
Oh and my hubby decided to grill shashlik in T-shit in January, as one does (they were yummy!)
What inspires me right now
So that email I was telling you about earlier that I sent to some wonderful ladies. Their answers are making me tear up a bit. ❤ ❤ #lucky
Elodie Nowodazkij 