What I’m Reading
What I’m Writing
I have officially started my new WIP! I wrote in previous
What’s Up Wednesdays about struggling to find motivation and establishing a
routine, but I think I’m getting it under control now. I’ve set a goal of 500
words a day. I wanted something that wasn’t intimidating, something I could
knock out fast if I put my mind to it. I’ve surpassed the goal several times
since setting it, which is just an added benefit for me. I think my initial
struggle with finding excitement with the novel is that I’m basing it closely
off a short story I wrote. So the first chapter is almost exactly like my short
story…so it’s not the most exciting thing to write because it’s ALL a rewrite,
pretty much. But now that I’m getting into brand new scenes, it’s getting a
little easier.
Last night was the first night I didn’t reach my goal,
because I spent my time after work buying/reading THE MOON AND MORE as well as
exercising on the treadmill. It was kind of an even trade because I needed to
work out, plus a Sarah Dessen pub day is kind of like a holiday! I felt okay
about it, though, because I got at least a little writing done, it was
something.
I’ve also started journaling. It’s in a Word doc, not an
actual handwritten journal (because I find I never keep up with those), and it’s
just my thoughts, things I’m worried about, things that happen during my day.
Not super exciting reading, but I’m hoping it’ll help me get over some
worries/troubles I’ve been having lately. Fingers crossed it works!
What Inspires Me Right Now
This is getting to be another Sarah Dessen-themed post, but
I’m writing with renewed vigor because I want to be like her. She’s always been
my author inspiration, and her life/career is my ideal. She’s still a normal
person, but she’s super famous within her writing community and goes on book
tours and shoots fun videos that get posted on the Penguin website. Plus her
books are great! She said she published her first book when she was 25…okay, I’ve
got three years. Tick tock!
-I recently learned how to operate the mail machines at
work, and they always lead to an interesting time. Yesterday the machine that
folds the letters and puts them into the envelopes jammed so often, my work
took double the time because everyone in the warehouse was trying to fix it. Pretty
frustrating, but when they work right, the machines are way cool.
-I’m realizing as I read over what I’ve written so far that
my life needs more excitement (at least more than driving anxiety and mail
machines). New goal: work on that! I always struggle during the summer to find
fun things to do in my town (I live in the country and it’s a 12-15 drive just
to get to WalMart), especially now that all my friends from high school are in
college or graduated and on to big kid jobs. Hopefully I can come up with something
exciting to do this summer!
I have THE MOON AND MORE on my TBR list. It sounds really good. :) Good for you for setting a word goal in your writing! I find one of the best things is when I surpass that goal—it makes you feel awesome. Something I do with one of my CPs is take a day off each week from writing and take one sick day a month, kind of like a real job. That's helpful because then we can plan to use our day off when we know we'll be busy with other things. So far it's working well.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I are trying to find things to do in our city that make living here more exciting. It's amazing what you can find! :)
Mm...I live out in the country near a very small town, so I know exactly what you mean! I love being here, but there aren't many people around or places to hang out. My summer project right now, aside from getting somewhere on my WIP, is learning how to use some old film cameras I rescued from my dad's garage. I hope you are able to find some exciting things to do!
ReplyDeleteAnd good luck on your writing! The word goals sound like a good motivator and a way to get that sense of accomplishment.
Ahh, Sarah Dessen is just so good. I love that her books are stand-alone. I love how reliable she is-- I have only read 3-4 of her books but I enjoyed them all so thoroughly. She is just an excellent model of a writer who does fantastic, consistent work. Can't wait to check out her newest. :0)
ReplyDeleteHave fun with your new WiP! And I hope the journaling works for you ^_^ A lovely friend of mine runs a journaling blog (http://journalgirl.com/) if you're at all interested ^_^
ReplyDeleteSarah Dessen is so delightful--I've only read a few of her books, but as others have said, she's reliable, so I always enjoy her work when I pick it up. Enjoy the new one!
ReplyDeleteJust gonna throw this out there again: I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOUR WIP! I hope you have a total blast writing it and I'm already looking forward to reading once it's finished. :)
ReplyDeleteWe are opposites with the driving anxiety: give me a narrow road over a multi-lane one any day of the week! I do know how intimidating it can be, though, and I hope you're able to work through it soon.
I think we all need an Ocean City day again this summer ... that would be exciting! ;)
The only Sarah Dessen book I've read so far is ALONG FOR THE RIDE. I liked it a lot, so I'll have to try out some of her other stories. My TBR list is just way too long and out of control these days. Congratulations on officially starting your new WIP! Five hundred words a day sounds like a reasonable goal. As for finding more interesting things to do, I totally get than, and hey, I live in a city. Not a huge one, but still. :)
ReplyDeleteSarah Dessen is the gold standard, isn't she? This is the first new release that I haven't run right out to buy, but that's because I'm on a book buying ban and I have so many books out from the library right now.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the journaling - I hope you find the answers you're looking for. I journaled for many years but that sort of stopped when I had kids. I hope you are able to get used to your narrow roads again and have a wonderful summer!
Oh I haven't heard of The Moon and More, sounds great though, I'll have to put it on my list!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on starting on your WIP, very exciting!
Re. driving - I've been through that. Just relax, try not to overthink it and that may help more than you'd think!
Good luck with your writing!
Congrats on starting in on your new WiP! I think starting a new project is my most favorite part of writing...meeting all my new characters and learning their quirks - I hope this is a great time for you, too!
ReplyDeleteI've only read Sarah Dessen's ALONG FOR THE RIDE, but have so many more of her books on my TBR list - I'll definitely have to add THE MOON AND MORE, so thanks for the reco!
Best of luck with your WiP - I look forward to watching your updates on future WUW posts!