Time for another Ready. Set. WRITE! post for this summer’s blog hop on Wednesdays. It’s not to late to sign up! And you can find this week’s linky list of all the writers involved here.
This has been a great week for me to participate. Today marks the last day of a four-day writers’ retreat on Lake Champlain, and it has been an amazing mix of hard-fought struggling and brainstorming leading to a (hopefully) triumphant revision, as well as a chance to read, socialize, and relax with a group of fabulous authors.
What I’m Writing:
I set aside my outline for my huge project I’m planning to rewrite this fall to go back and revise my YA sci-fi at the retreat this week, and I’m pretty sure I’ve finally nailed my first 50 pages. My beta-readers will tell me for sure of course, but this is a huge head-start for me–I don’t get this sort of time to work so intensively at home–so I’m confident that I can continue with the rest when I return.
What I’m Reading:
I’m still struggling a bit with SERENA, but I’m willing to stick with it for a bit longer. I really love the setting and the characters, but it’s definitely a bit slower-paced than what I’m used to. Still, I think it’s worth it.
Last week I read SURFACING by Nora Raleigh Baskins. The cover and blurb totally drew me in, and it really delivered with a dark, haunting story, complete with a dark, haunting ending. I wanted to smack the main character at times, but she was so realistic that she totally jumped off the page.
Here at the retreat, we had a reading last night, with each of us sharing a three-minutes WIP snippet, and I already can’t wait to read some of these books–both from established authors reading from work under contract to newer writers looking for agents for their work. Totally top-notch.
What Inspires Me:
This week, it was all about the retreat, so I’ll share a photo I posted on twitter this morning that pretty much says it all.
What Else I’ve Been Up To:
Before I left for the retreat, I camped out in my backyard with my girls. We didn’t get much sleep, but we cooked outside, read by flashlight, and just had a lot of fun. We’ll have to do it again later this summer!
Author: kiperoo
What’s Up Wednesday? Week 4!
In case you missed it, I’m participating in the Ready. Set. WRITE! blog hop on Wednesdays this summer. It’s not to late to sign up! And you can find this week’s linky list of participating writers here.
What Inspires Me:
Last night, I got to attend one of my critique partner’s book launches for her new YA sci-fi, PARADOX! Ammi-Joan Paquette is multi-published already–our group has been together for eight years–but this kind of thing doesn’t get old. Three things really stood out to me sitting in the audience this time:
- I am so proud and happy for Joan. I was even a bit nervous! But no worries, the launch went off great.
- It was amazing to listen to her read that first chapter in its printed form and find it so similar to the very first version I read a few years ago.
- It was an inspiration to hear her talk about the problem-solving and research she did to resolve some of the issues her editor wanted her to work on once she had his letter. This book is sci-fi, and it’s got some pretty complicated aspects to its plot. I remember some of the emails that made my brain hurt as she was brainstorming, but in the end, both she and her editor were much happier with the changes.
What I’m Reading:
Last week, I finished another YA sci-fi ARC my friend Jen brought back from BEA. ENTANGLED is by Amy Rose Capetta, and what struck me most was the beautiful writing. I personally had some issues with the plot, but again, lots of gorgeous imagery in the writing.
I started reading SERENA by Ron Rash because I heard that Jennifer Lawrence is going to be playing Serena in the movie version. I’m having a little trouble concentrating in the beginning, but I’m going to try to stick with it. It’s a historical novel and there’s something a bit Hemingway-esque about the writing, so I’m hoping I get to an un-put-down-able point.
Two great research books came my way this week. I got THE GERMAN ARMY ON THE SOMME 1914-1916 from the library, and just spent $50 (on one book!) for BRIEFE AUS MUZOT 1921-1926, which are letters Rilke wrote, including several he wrote to my main character’s mother, so I’ve already read and marked those.
SURFACING by Nora Raleigh Baskin arrived yesterday, and I was just going to peek at the first page last night, but ended up reading the whole first chapter. I might need to finish this before SERENA. Totally gripping beginning!
What I’m Writing:
Last week, I did some more research that led me to the book of letters pictured above, and found out a few more details about some of the other characters, so that was pretty exciting. I also made some progress on pulling my new outline together, and even drafted the first couple of paragraphs that might become the new beginning. So, yay!
But I also got some more feedback on another ms and waded through all the comments I’ve gotten so far with a critique partner, and will be switching gears in the coming week(s) to do a little revising on that project.
Still, forward momentum is forward momentum!
What Else I’m Doing:
One of my best friends from high school was up for the weekend, and we all went to Chinatown for dim sum. I’m still drooling thinking of the dumplings and scallion pancakes. Still having an awesome summer playing and reading with my little girls in spite of all the rain, but I’m really looking forward to the writing retreat I’m going to next week. I’ll be there from Sunday-Wednesday so hopefully I’ll have a full-of-goodness post next week.
What’s Up Wednesday? Week 3!
Yay! Another successful week for the Ready. Set. WRITE! version of What’s up Wednesday!
What I’m Writing:
Actual progress this week! I finished plugging all the feedback I’ve collected into my WIP’s original outline in Scrivener, doing massive thinking along the way about what I need to do to resolve each issue when I start the actual rewrite. I probably sound like I’m on the slow road to nowhere with this approach, especially after letting the manuscript sit for almost a year, but with this particular project, I decided to give it all the time it needs, which is apparently a lot. But now that all my thoughts and ideas are in place, I decided I’m actually ready to start messing around with the new outline for this new version! I dug in yesterday and feel like I’m actually planning a new manuscript now. Yay!
What I’m Reading:
I’d started BELLE EPOQUE byElizabeth Ross last Wednesday and I only needed another day to finish it. What a beautifully-written, atmospheric read! If you like historical fiction that transports you to another place and time (like late nineteenth century Paris!), this book is for you.
I’m almost done reading the other ARC I borrowed from Jennifer Malone’s BEA haul. 🙂 ENTANGLED by Amy Rose Capetta is another YA sci-fi, and I’m hoping for a huge, satisfying ending, so I’ll find out soon.
I’m also beta-reading a wonderful historical fantasy for a new critique partner I met at NESCBWI. It’s so well-written that I know it’s going to find a home. Love that feeling!
What Inspires Me:
I spent a lot of time this past weekend in a couple of online German photo archives, and while I could probably spend weeks just doing this, even a couple of days were helpful too see the details of the time and place.
What did dance students wear in Munich in 1916? I found this image on http://timelineimages.sueddeutsche.de:
And this one of disabled veterans doing calisthenics (also relevant to my story) in 1917 on http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org (the image resides at the Preußischer Bildarchiv):
I’m trying not to spend too much additional time on research since I already did a boatload of research for my previous version of the manuscript, but as a history geek, it’s definitely part of the rush.
What Else is Going on:
Summer is in full swing, and I’ve been taking my small twins out to the beach, the pool, and the park as much as possible. They’re also really starting to love to read by themselves. One of my favorite moments last week was sitting on a blanket in our back yard with one of my girls while I read my book and she read hers. Bliss!
Looking forward to reading about everyone else’s weeks, too!
What’s Up Wednesday? Week 2!
So psyched to see everyone else who jumped in on Ready. Set. WRITE! last week. I’m loving the motivation to stay on track. Here’s where I’m at this week.
What I’m Writing:
I’m happy with my own progress for the week, but I definitely won’t be posting about huge word counts or chapters revised anytime this summer. I’m still preparing for a huge rewrite, which includes setting up my project in Scrivener, importing outline notes and brainstorming on those, and lots of Thinking. I did some of each of that this week, but I can already see how much more it’s going to take. Right now I’m just scratching the surface, but that’s totally fine with me.
In the meantime, some tangible progress:
What I’m Reading:
Since I’ve been spending more time Thinking than writing, I’ve also had more time for reading this week. I also got lucky with three fantastic reads in my TBR pile:
ONE by Leigh Ann Kopans. I breezed through this in one day–such a fun read! My twitter summary was “zippy, geeky, and romantic!”
THESE BROKEN STARS by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. This took me a little bit to get into, but I ended up loving it.
THE EXPATS by Chris Pavone. This is a spy thriller for adults (gasp!), but it was sososo good. Excellent plotting and so many twists it had my head spinning.
Then I finally cracked BELLE EPOQUE by Elizabeth Ross open this morning and I already don’t want to put it down. Love it!
What Inspires Me:
Since the inspiration for my novel was Rainer Maria Rilke’s poetry, I’ve been turning to it this week. I couldn’t help going back to his Sonnets to Orpheus, and this stanza, which provided the initial spark for me:
And almost a girl it was, who went forth
from this single joy from song and lyre
and glowed clear through spring’s fog
and made herself a bed in my ear.
Reading his work again reminds me of how beautifully he strings words together, and how much I love this series of poems. Can’t you just see the girl?
Ready. Set. WRITE!
What I’m Writing (and What Inspires Me):
Anyone who knows me knows I’m kind of always writing. I might take a random week off here or there, but for the most part, I get up crazy-early every morning and use that time for drafting, revising, plotting, or the like.
But things are a little weird right now. I’m querying one novel and had outlined a new one I was planning to work on next. Then one of my critique partners tweeted this:
I knew the answer to this question right away–and not because I was thinking about my freshly-outlined new project. It was a bit like standing at the altar with someone who’d recently swept me away and realizing I couldn’t do this, and more than that, realizing that my heart belonged with my one true love, and OH MY GOD, GET ME OUT OF HERE AND OVER THERE NOW!
Nope, it’s neither my new manuscript nor the one I’m querying, but my previous one–my favorite project ever. This one. It’s had a nice long rest, but I’m not content to let it sit in my drawer anymore.
So, goals: I’m planning on taking it slow, setting the manuscript up as a new project in my pal Scrivener and working through the big-picture issues in my outline to start with. There will probably be lots of Thinking, and I’m not planning to do any actual writing on it until the fall, at which point I plan to do a full rewrite from scratch. This definitely won’t be a quick, fun draft, but all I know is that if I could only write one more story, it would be this.
What I’m Reading:
I just finished THE 5TH WAVE, which is every bit as amazeballs as they say, and I’m continuing my Sci-fi kick now with THESE BROKEN STARS. I already know I’ll be diving back into some historicals after this though, since I just ordered BELLE EPOQUE today, and already can’t wait for it!
What Else I’ve Been Doing:
Preschool ended for my small twins last week, so we’ve already had a flurry of zoo visits, swims, walks, and picnics, all interspersed with tons of books, of course. Much more of the same to come for the rest of the summer!
A Moment in Brightest Midnight
Fun new game! Elodie aka Commuting Girl tagged me in a snippet-sharing blog post. Check out hers here. Definitely makes me curious to read more!
I’m sharing a snippet from my YA sci-fi, Brightest Midnight. The rules were: “Search the words “moment,” “forever,” “time,” or the like in your writing, pick your favorite chunk, post on your blog, and tag others!” I opted for “moment,” but it was a lot of fun looking for all three words.
“Come on, Finn.” I can’t tell if the mounting jitters in my belly are trying to tell me how much I want to see him or avoid him. Either way, I’m used to waiting for him. Keeping busy is the only thing I can do. I climb into the Haukur’s cockpit and prepare for departure by clicking through my pre-flight checklist.
Done. I’m submitting my flight plan to the tower when the buzz of Finnur’s vespu-racer drones closer. A glacial boulder rises up in my throat. I can’t put this moment off any longer. As he parks and turns off his engine, I start the ignition, open the Haukur’s throttle, and inspect the controls. My knees bounce non-stop as I wait for him to join me.
“Hi, Lilja.” He opens the door and climbs into the co-pilot’s seat beside me, his dark blond hair falling over the bridge of his nose.
That’s it! I’m tagging Michelle, Patty, and Beth. Can’t wait to see a moment in your manuscripts!
Inspired by … Beginnings
Polishing a novel and sending it out into the world is a wonderful feeling. It can take a couple of weeks to decompress after all those seemingly endless rounds of drafting, revising, and incorporating feedback. You took something that began as a tiny spark and blossomed into a full-length novel! You deserve a break.
But then that other feeling comes back, tempting, pulling, dragging you to the keyboard. That feeling that you might be ready to experiment with something else. A new spark has come to you and won’t leave you alone. You think, you think some more, and then you give in. You pull up a chair in front of your computer.
And you write.
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NESCBWI Conference: Top Ten
The annual NESCBWI conference in the spring is one of my favorite events as a writer. In my post-conference haze, I’ve been mulling over just how awesome it was, so here’s my top ten list!
10. Opportunities to fangirl. How often do you get favorite authors like Grace Lin, Sharon Creech, Nova Ren Suma, and Kate Messner together in one place? Um. It’s pretty cool.
9. Amaaaaazing workshops. There’s so much variety that there’s something for everyone. I absolutely loved Killer First Chapters with Nova Ren Suma and Real Revision with Kate Messner.
8. Great manuscript/query critiques. There’s always a nice full lineup of faculty offering up critiques. Definitely worth it for anyone about to query!
7. Bed-jumping. A new sport to me, but it was highly amusing to watch.
6. Making new friends. I’m definitely going to be stalking some of my classmates from Killer First Chapters to see if they’ll let me read more. 🙂
5. Meeting online friends in real life. This is just so cool, and it was awesome spending time with all of you! Check out Dee’s post for more about this and some fun photos of the gang.
4. The Blue Boarder dinner! Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture, but a bunch of us who frequent Verla Kay’s Blue Board got together for a fun dinner Friday night. Great way to start the conference off with a bunch of laughter and smiles.
3. Meeting and hanging out with Taryn, the one and only Girl With the Green Pen.
2. Getting my entire critique group together in one place. We’ve been working together for eight years now (gulp!) but this was the first time all four of us could get to the same event.
1. Spending extra time with my CP Monica. Some might refer to her as Minnesota Monica, but to me she’s my Monica. 🙂
Inspired by … the highs
Writing is filled with all kinds of highs: coming up with the perfect plot twist, nailing an amazing sentence, giving an unlikable character a tiny bit of humanity.
But there’s a special kind of high that comes when Good Things happen to your manuscript out in the world. We all know about the Bad Things that inevitably happen to every writer: rejection, bad reviews, bad timing, so it’s important to grab those Good Things and squeeze them close to you when they happen. This week, I’m grabbing some inspiration from that kind of high and tucking it away for later.
And while you’re at it, have a sundae. Because sundaes.
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Inspired by … home
Last time I posted as part of the Thursday’s Children blog hop, I’d just returned from a trip to Spain. My post was about the inspirational details that jump out at me while traveling.
This week, my city was attacked.
I didn’t take my kids into town to see the marathon on Monday, but I’d considered it. It’s the sort of thing we do. I love to go in and take advantage of the fun events available in town year-round. Boston is a great city with cool things going on all the time, especially in those few months where it’s warm enough to enjoy being outside.
This time, we were lucky we didn’t go. I feel the pain of those who know someone affected or who witnessed the chaos of the aftermath. I’m still in shock, and still horribly, horribly sad that someone would do this.
Still, Boston inspires me. Its people inspire me. The way people on the scene ran to help, the way doctors and nurses at some of the world’s best hospitals stayed as long as was needed to do all that they could, the way we stand together, not afraid to go into town.
I love you, Boston!
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