What I’m Reading
Still on READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN and loving it! The section on the Great Gatsby is my favorite, obviously (you can read about my Gatsby obsession here), and I underlined and starred quotes like crazy (I’m normally not a write-in-books person unless they’re textbooks, but I felt like I had to here). I have fifty or so pages left, and once I’m done I’ll post my favorite quotes and a commentary on each. This book is seriously cool!
What I’m Writing
SO. 25k didn’t quite
happen this week. My word count landed at just under 23K. I just wasn’t as
motivated to write this week. I think it was because my story is going in a
bunch of different directions right now, and I’m struggling to find its focus.
Also I find that I don’t reach my goals as quickly when I don’t have my
Saturdays to write (I went to DC all day Saturday, which would’ve been my major
writing day) and instead have to squeeze in writing time during my lunch breaks
at work. I’m going to try again for 25k this week after going back and cleaning
up my outline a little bit.
What Inspires Me
Right Now
Honestly, I haven’t
been too inspired this week. Another reason my focus lagged the past couple
days is because of how shaken I was over the death of Cory Monteith. I’ve been
a fan of Glee since the beginning, and although I stopped watching partway
through the most recent season (after the original kids graduated, the quality
hasn’t been the same), I still adore the show’s concept and messages. I can’t
stop thinking about Cory because for so long I watched him every week, listened
to him on my iPod, and read his tweets (I read a tweet of his a day or two
before he died, and it’s the first thing I thought about when I heard the
news...he was JUST posting on Twitter the other day). One minute he was here,
and now he’s gone. (That sounds cliché, but I never really GOT the scariness of
that until now.) Also, he was so young. :( All the entertainment news stations
are airing old interviews with him, and it’s eerie to watch them, almost like
he’s still here. It’s really shaken me up. Rest peacefully, Cory. <3 
What Else I’ve Been Up To
-Celebrated my mom’s birthday on Thursday with a cookie-cake and a trip to see The Heat at the movies!
-My mom, brother and I went to DC on Saturday. My only goal was to see a dinosaur, and I definitely accomplished that in the Museum of Natural History. If you can only go to one museum in DC, I recommend that one! There’s just so much to look at! My family and I have never been the type of people who can stand and read the information on every exhibit’s nameplate…we kind of stare at the exhibit for a minute and declare, “Okay, next one!” And Natural History was perfect for that. We also saw the Hope Diamond (PRETTY!), mummies, and they had an entire exhibit on Africa (I found lots of stuff about South Africa, which made me really homesick for it! I spent a few weeks there last summer, for those of you who don’t know).
Happy Wednesday to everyone! :)
Mmmmm, donuts for breakfast... I think you just gave me an idea...
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you had a great time in DC.
It's a terrible shame about Cory Monteith. I've never watched Glee, but it's always horrible to read about a young person dying before their time.
Donuts are TOTALLY part of a balanced breakfast. :p sometimes they're necessary to liven up your day!
DeleteMy story is at that point too which is why I lowered my wc goals this week and am trying to reestablish said focus. 25K will come eventually!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I was just numb for a while the other day after learning of Cory's death. Glee was one of my favorite (and only) shows for many years, and while I stopped watching it too (got too dramatic), I was a huge Finn fan and was very saddened by his way too early demise. So incredibly sad.
In happier news - DC is a wonderful place to visit! And yes - I'd pick the Museum of Natural History as my go-to visit too.
I hope you have a great week!
Good to know I'm not alone in this! I just reworked a section of my outline, and I think my next few chapters are clearer now.
DeleteCory's death is just so terrible, and my heart is breaking for the rest of the Glee cast who will have to walk back on set without him in a month or so. :( I honestly don't know how Lea Michele is going to do it. </3
Good luck with your writing this week, Alison! I hope you're able to find your story's focus again soon. :)
That news about Cory Monteith was definitely shocking. I wasn't even aware that he struggled with addiction. He was born in Calgary, Alberta, which is only an hour south of where I live. It really does make you think about the brevity of life, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great time in DC and a great week all around. Don't worry about not writing as much this past week. It'll happen when it happens. Life stuff is important too. :)
Death definitely puts everything into perspective, especially such an unexpected passing. :( I'm sending all my energy to his family and friends...I can't even imagine what they're going through.
DeleteAnd thanks, Jaime, sometimes I need a reminder that life stuff is as important as writing stuff! :) Have a great week!
I need to work at your office so I can have free Dunkin!! SCORE :)
ReplyDeleteLOL the guy who brought them is from the company who supplies our chairs, and they'd given us really awful service lately so my dad sent him this mean email and then the guy brought apology donuts! It was awesome! :)
DeleteI loved seeing your beautiful photos from DC. Looks like you guys had a blast! And best of luck with your writing goals this week. I'm super impressed with all the progress you're making, Kaitlin!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katy! I'm just trying to keep up with you, you're a writing machine lately and it's awesome. :D
DeleteWe had such a fun time in DC. We were all like little kids in the dinosaur exhibit!
Sounds like you had a great trip to DC. I'm with you. I never read the plaques at museums. I just wander around looking at all the cool stuff.
ReplyDeleteMy uncle is that person who reads EVERYTHING on EVERY SINGLE EXHIBIT. We don't go to museums with him anymore...haha!
DeleteI feel the exact same way about Cory. He was just so young and honestly like you said ... he was just GONE. Just like that. It is so scary what can happen in just an instant. I'm watching my Glee dvds now just as like a remembrance and am really trying to get past it but it's so hard. He was just such an amazing singer, actor, and person.
ReplyDeleteI still feel a little stunned about it. I'm waiting for Lea to officially release a statement, something more than her rep saying, "Lea is grieving with Cory's family." I honestly don't know how the Glee cast is going to be able to walk back on set without him. :(
DeleteOK, so you didn't make 25K, but 23K is close enough--especially when your week had other life-stuff happening. Getting something done is better than nothing, and hopefully you'll find your focus soon.
ReplyDeleteAll the best with your writing plans for the week, Kaitlin. :)
I'm happy with 23k for now. It's a step in the right direction, that's for sure. I've found my focus again, so I think this will be the 25k week!
DeleteGood luck with your writing this week, too, Colin!
23K is amazing! especially considering your main writing day was spent doing something else. I feel like (for me) I have some writing heavy weeks, some less so-- and it works out over time. I so know what you're saying about Cory Monteith. It's just so sad. Someone so talented with so much life in front of them. It is heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteI agree, some weeks I can fly through my writing, while other times it's downright PAINFUL. I hope this week is a great one for you! :)
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