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 finished reading THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME. I promised myself that I would start tackling this growing TBR on mine and I wasn´t disappointed. The voice was amazing and the story surprised me. Full review to come soon.
What I’m Writing
It´s the last week of Ready Set Write. Can you believe it? You guys have been awesome and so supportive. Thank YOU so much!
RSW Giveaway: We (Alison, Katy, Erin, Jaime and I) would like to thank you for participating and we want to celebrate your success by offering fresh pairs of eyes on your work. While we all agree that we’re no experts (i.e. agent, editor, freelance editor…), we know how helpful beta readers can be. So each one of us is offering feedback on the first ten pages of your story. Yes–that’s FIVE critique giveaways! The same rules apply as our last giveaway: Open internationally to RSW participants only. It runs until Tuesday, September 3rd and the winners will be announced during What’s Up Wednesday the following day. Click below to enter.
Weekly update: I revised a bit less than one chapter. But…I´m so so happy with the way this chapter worked out. Plus, I made the stakes a bit higher and I have one BIG chapter to revise next. it´s going to be a tough one but I think one that will make the reader even more connected to the story.
What else I´ve been up to
Hubby and I were in France last weekend…and had a great time (and a yummy one too :-))
Yum!
My hubby got me a new Kindle. Yes, my husband is awesome!
What inspires me right now
Working out again! No, really, it´s about time 🙂
My husband training for his first 10k. His dedication is very inspiring.
I can’t wait to check all your posts and see what you’ve been up to 🙂
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What´s up Wednesday is the brainchild of Jaime and Erin. It´s a way to keep in touch in just four headings…Go check out Jaime’s blog to add your link if you’re participating…
Ready Set Write Surprise: We’re organizing something special for you next week! RSW ends in one week. I know, crazy. The summer passed by quite quickly and so many things happened in just a few months! We (Alison, Katy, Erin, Jaime and I) would like to thank you for participating and we want to celebrate your success by offering fresh pairs of eyes on your work. While we all agree that we’re no experts (i.e. agent, editor, freelance editor…), we know how helpful beta readers can be. So each one of us is offering feedback on the first ten pages of your story. Yes–that’s FIVE critique giveaways! All you have to do is pop in next Wednesday (August 28th) and enter via Rafflecopter. The giveaway will be open internationally but only to RSW participants 🙂
THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH!
And now let’s tune in to your regular programming…
What I´m reading
I’ve just started a new book (thanks to Netgalley) called POOR LITTLE DEAD GIRLS. I do find myself analyzing the plot and structure a tad more than usual. Like my writer brain is focusing on the details I might normally overlook because it’s in full revision mode. The start is a bit slow but I’m intrigued and am looking forward to find out more about the story.
What I’m Writing
I revised one chapter this week! Yay! I know it’s less than what I wanted to achieve BUT getting back to my manuscript felt great and I feel like this revision is taking my WiP to a better place.
What else I´ve been up to
Last week, the Chemical Engineer and I were in Tuscany. It was simply gorgeous (see pictures here).
Sunday I celebrated my birthday. My amazing hubby took me out for a great brunch..
Hmmm Kir Royal 🙂
Yesterday we celebrated our wedding anniversary…We’ve almost been together for 10 years (married for two) and this is the man I want to grow old with. The one who makes me laugh, think, smile, who challenges me and supports me. My best friend. My love.
Every single time I look at this picture, I smile!
The Chemical Engineer brought me flowers on the eve of our Wedding Anniversary 🙂
What inspires me right now
Getting back on track with my revising.
I can’t wait to check all your posts and see what you’ve been up to 🙂
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What´s up Wednesday is the brainchild of Jaime and Erin. It´s a way to keep in touch in just four headings…Except today it´s going to be only one for me.
VACATIONS
There was no reading and no writing.
So my Ready, Set, Write goal of this week will be to revise two chapters once I´m back home.
I was in the South of France last weekend. Hubby and I got to spend some time with my sisters, their families and go to Saint-Tropez. We are now in Tuscany until the end of this week. We´re having a wonderful time and I´ll share more pictures once back (I´ve been using my camera a lot :P)
I hope you´re all doing well!
Saint TropezFirenze
Firenze…
Pisa…
The beautiful view from our hotel 🙂
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Basically another week passed that reminded me prioritization is important and that I love spending time with my husband 🙂 If you’re reading this, hubby, I love you!
What´s up Wednesday is the brainchild of Jaime and Erin. It´s a way to keep in touch in just four headings…
What I´m reading
Well…I’m beta reading a WONDERFUL manuscript by Erin. Really, talent runs in this family because both Erin and Jaime are a delight to read. They have different styles but I get so engrossed in their story and their world…loving it.
I’m also reading another non-fiction book, still researching for my novel: THE SOCIOPATH NEXT DOOR by Martha Stout.
What I’m Writing
One step at a time.
Slowly but surely.
All those apply to my revision…and my goal to revise one chapter a week is getting me there. Thanks Ready. Set. Write! for kicking my butt to sit on the chair.
What else I´ve been up to
Re-learning how to prioritize and…looking forward to our vacations.
What inspires me right now
This. If you haven’t seen it yet, Christa’s work is inspiring and I know I want to help raise funds for this.
The rain.
No, really, the fact that the temperatures cooled down is pretty cool 🙂 That was the view from my office yesterday as the wind slammed against the buildings.
Beta reading.
The memories we’re creating.
I can’t wait to check all your posts and see what you’ve been up to 🙂
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This week has been busy and not entirely easy…And it has been also a reminder to try to balance things a bit better. So this What´s up Wednesday which comes on a Thursday in my time zone is a bit on the light side. I´ll make sure to do the rounds and cheer you on 🙂
What´s up Wednesday is the brainchild of Jaime and Erin. It´s a way to keep in touch in just four headings…
What I´m reading
A non-fiction book. Gasp. It´s a book that my hubby highly recommended and I love discussing with him the different points. And…I think it will help my revision a bit.
I cannot wait to send this manuscript for feedback.
I´ve done one chapter last week and I think that will be my goal for the rest of the summer. It will be slow but steady progress. Revise at least one chapter a week.
What else I´ve been up to
Refocusing a bit and spending time with my husband.
What inspires me right now
This post by Jessica Love. Because she describes perfectly how I feel sometimes…
And many more….
I can’t wait to check all your posts and see what you’ve been up to 🙂
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*Waves* *Smiles* . If you´re participating in Ready. Set. Write!, 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…
And before moving on to our usual program, here´s the winner of our Ready. Set. Write! giveaway:
Congrats!!!! We will send you an email shortly with more details….
What I´m reading
I´ve been diving into Romantic suspense novels (Adult ones *gasps*) – it´s helping me with my writing at the moment…
What I’m Writing
Okay 6 chapters might have been a *tad* too much to revise. Just a tad. But I did revise 4 chapters!!! Which right now feels BIG. Plus these revisions are kind of a lot of rewriting since I changed something at the beginning that made me add a LOT. Since my first drafts are usually on the short side this is good…
And I got to write a kissing scene, are you ready? Please remember: it´s totally a draft!
Malik grabs my hand and pulls me toward the lockers. My back´s pressed against one and he puts his hands on both sides of my body. He´s so close that if I wanted to, I could simply lean forward and kiss him.
“You were saying?” I try to sound flirtatious but my tone´s husky and expecting.
“I used to think you were hot.”
“Huh?”
“And funny. And okay pretty smart.”
“In that order? Really? Smart comes last? I beat your ass so much during practices.”
His fingers stroke my jaw and I shut up. He smiles, his half-smile, that shows only one of his dimples and there´s a pressure in my chest, the good kind, the kind that makes me feel full despite everything.
“But you know what else? You´re simply wow!”
I giggle at this word. “Wow. Not gorgeous, beautiful inside out, amazing, strong…”
His hand gets lost in my hair and he pulls my face closer to him. We´re totally going to be sent to the principal´s office for PDA.
He whispers “Nope. You´re wow.” And his lips find mine. One of my hands rests on his chest while the other finds its way to his shoulder. He presses into me a bit more and the kiss deepens but oh too soon the bell rings.
My goal for next week? Revise two chapters.
What else I´ve been up to
Last week, I mentioned on my blog my idea of a “Writer´s Appreciation Pledge” and I´ve heard great feedback! I´ll try to come up with a button soon and maybe we can spread the word. I´ve sent two emails already and one of the writers replied. I can´t tell you how happy this made me! But this pledge isn´t about getting answers (even though it´s simply WOW when it happens), it´s to remind the writers whose works we loved so much that they´re appreciated and that their words mean something to us…
And these news…really these news make me SO happy and really inspire me to move forward with my dreams. And I already pre-ordered Push Girls! Congrats again Jessica!
Pshhhh….did you hear about our Ready. Set. WRITE! Giveaway? **The Writer’s Care Package Giveaway is open to Ready. Set. WRITE! participants only, but it’s open internationally!!!** It will be open through 11:59pm EST on July 23rd when one winner will be selected to win a surprise package of writing-related goodies from all five of us. That means you’re getting packages from 5 different places, 3 different countries! ☺
The winner will be announced on our blogs in our What’s Up Wednesday posts on July 24th.
If you´re participating in Ready. Set. Write!, 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…
What I love about this trilogy? The perfect mix of family dynamics, heartbreak, hope, love, siblings, kisses, beach…While I was reading, the back of my throat burned, I held my breath and I fell all the emotions rushing through me. When this happens, I know I have found a story that will stay with me for a long time.
What I’m Writing
I did it! I revised one chapter! Actually I revised a bit more than one chapter but I’m so happy to get back into the swings of things. Sometimes this revising feels like deleting way too many words but at the same time I’m glad I upped the tension and I feel like the story is flowing much better that way.
My goal for next week?
Revise 6 chapters. Yes. You read correctly 😛 Hubby is going on business trip Saturday morning which means I can use the entire weekend to revise. And I will. Hold me to it!
What else I´ve been up to
My parents and my mother-in-law visited this weekend…which means we spent some time walking around, discovering new places or enjoying old ones and ate a lot of wonderful yummy food.
The last picture is a door behind a fortress from the 17th century…
What inspires me right now
The encouraging comments you posted on my blog last week when I felt bad about not writing. Thank you!
The time I got to spend with my family, reminding myself to slow down and to enjoy those moments.
Reading novels that remind me how I wish people could get lost in a story I create.
Sign up here for Ready Set Write!:
I can’t wait to check all your posts and see what you’ve been up to 🙂
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*Waves* *Smiles* We have a giveaway going on and it’s quite amazing, just scroll down to access the Rafflecopter link.
If you´re participating in Ready. Set. Write!, 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…
What I´m reading
I beta read an awesome manuscript. Yes for beta reading! And I’ve started THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY. I’m in dire need to Summer books…set at the beach 🙂
What I’m Writing
I have a confession to make. And it pains me to say it but I didn’t write anything. Well I did but it was for work…I feel like the most-awful-host-of-any-writing-intensive ever. No, really. Ever.
Basically I was too caught up at work and my writing time became extra working time…I know excuses excuses 😦
This week, I will get back to it – I will revise at least one chapter.
What else I´ve been up to
This weekend I attended an amazing concert (thanks again hubby!). I danced and sang so loud I almost lost my voice. It was just a great moment and will stay in my mind as a wonderful memory to look back to.
The hubby before the concert started
Zaz – love her!The crowd as the evening started to settle…and people started to dance…
What inspires me right now
Smiles.
People working toward their dreams.
Dreams.
And it’s GIVEAWAY TIME
We’re approaching the midpoint of Ready. Set. WRITE! which means it’s time for an awesome giveaway! **The Writer’s Care Package Giveaway is open to Ready. Set. WRITE! participants only, but it’s open internationally!!!**
It starts today and will be open through 11:59pm EST on July 23rd when one winner will be selected to win a surprise package of writing-related goodies from all five of us. ☺
The winner will be announced on our blogs in our What’s Up Wednesday posts on July 24th.
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 🙂
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…
What I´m reading
I’m almost done reading CODE NAME VERITY…and I have a weird feeling, like I put up a wall between myself and this book, because I know I didn’t want to cry and to let myself go. It’s strange and I can’t explain it. I’m reading very slowly and it’s like I’m not emerging myself in the story but not because I am not ‘feeling’…just because I don’t want to feel ‘too’ much. Yeah. Weird and strange. So I will re-read this book most likely in the Fall. Don’t get me wrong, my heart pounded while reading and I gasped and I shook my head at the horrors humans are capable of and loved the love humans are capable of but I still know it could have affected me more if I had let it happen…
So anyways…on an happier note, I am super duper excited to dive into Ghenet’s revised manuscript. I’ve read it once already and LOVED it so beta-ing it is really something I’m looking forward to.
What I’m Writing
I revised my Chapter 9: YAY! And…started revising my chapter 10 but there won’t be any pageant scenes…the pageant scene will need to come later. I love love love when my characters take me unknown places…
Here’s a short excerpt from my chapter 10 (remember it’s non edited, you’re the first ones to read those words!)
Mama frowns and smoothes the bed sheet before sitting down on the edge close to me. “I know you’re angry but you were little, you don’t remember how hard it was on you, on all of us.”
I blow air in my cheeks and expel it forcefully. “Of course I remember. I remember the bruises on your face. I remember leaving in the middle of the night. I remember Nana coloring your hair and crying as she cut mine. I remember much more than what you think. You know what else I remember?”
Her eyes widen and she shakes her head.
My chest constricts as if my entire squad was standing on it. “I remember walking into that Seven Eleven with him. Seeing both Laura and Mona. Laughing. And then whispering as they looked at him. He gave them a smile, crouched down to me and asked me to choose which one looked like a princess.”
“I know you remember that.” She sighs and glances away.
My head sinks deeper into my pillow and I close my eyes. “But do you know I remember the smell of the hot dogs on the counter? The slight perfume of Mona as she picked up something for me because I couldn’t reach it and he was too busy planning how he would kill her, her voice as she told me I reminded her of her little sister.” I pause, open my eyes and rub the back of my neck. “I saw what he did to her.”
“What?” Mama cries out.
My goals for next week?
Finish revising chapter 10
Revise chapter 11
Revise chapter 12
What else I´ve been up to
I’m currently in Riga for a business trip and the city is beautiful!
Beautiful Riga
What inspires me right now
Others. Have you seen the incredible website launched by a bunch of amazing ladies? The YA Buccaneers sounds like it’s going to be wonderful to “hang out” with…
Going outside and feeling the sun.
My husband.
Oh and if you want to join Ready. Set. Write!, you can still sign up and check out who’s participating below! And if you are posting an update today, don’t forget to put your link onto Jaime’s website
Sign up here:
I can’t wait to check all your posts and see what you’ve been up to 🙂
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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 🙂
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…
What I´m reading
I’m still reading CODE NAME VERITY…Let me tell you something, I know this book will break my heart. I stopped halfway through and had to put it down…I know this book will affect me and I got scared a bit. So for a few days I read some NA contemporary romance novels.
I needed some time. I’ve picked it up again and am deep into the story again. So much that I know this time I won’t let my fear of getting my heart broken stop me.
What I’m Writing
Before I update you on my writing, I wanted to mention some exciting opportunity: if your want your first page critiqued by teens, check out this post over at YA Confidential. I´ve done it and it was VERY helpful!
I didn’t achieve my goals. Work got very very busy last week. But over the weekend, I picked up the pace and managed to achieve:
Reread chapters 1 & 7
Revised Chapter 8 AND introduced a major change during that particular revision.
After sending random tweets to Alex, this happened:
I´m killing off a character tomorrow morning. And writing a kissing scene. #ReadySetWrite How about you?
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.
My goals for this week are more manageable I think:
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 else I´ve been up to
Work. Work. Work. And spent a lovely weekend with my dear hubby.
Oh and watching LOTS of GLEE. We just started watching the show so I’m on season 1 – but we really enjoy it. (yes the Chemical Engineer also loves it :-))
That…and my hubby surprised me on Sunday by getting us tickets for a concert. Have you heard of Zaz? One of her songs reminds me of JUST ONE DAY – at least when both protagonists thought it was “just” one day…
Elodie Nowodazkij 