Wednesday, June 12, 2013

What's Up Wednesday/Ready. Set. Write!

First off, on a slightly unrelated note, this is my 100th post on Always Write! I made this blog a few years ago and have had so much fun talking about books and writing. Here's hoping for 100 more posts! :)

Now, on to What's Up Wednesday!


What I’m Reading
I just finished THE MOON AND MORE by Sarah Dessen, and since there’s no better time to read her books than summer, I picked up THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER for the 849758943709437th time. This is the book that really made me realize what I wanted to accomplish as a writer (and that I could actually do it). So this book is close to my heart and I love it just as much every time I read it. <3

I’m also working my way through ANNA KARENINA. I started it last summer and read 300 pages before falling away from it once school started. I’m picking up where I left off (after refreshing my memory with a few online summaries). Let’s see if I can make it to the end this time!

 What I’m Writing
I’m participating in Ready. Set. Write! The idea of the challenge is to set attainable goals for yourself all summer and update others on a weekly basis to hold yourself accountable. This came at the perfect time because my WIP is just starting to get off the ground and gain momentum (Wow…no pun intended…my story is about airplanes…). So, dun dun dunnnnnn, here are my goals for the next week:
-Write at least 3,000 words for my WIP, The New World. (I’ve been trying to do 500 a day, so this leaves some wiggle room for a day off or a lower word count day)
-Fill in gaps in The New World outline where necessary. (The last third of the book has a bare-bones outline, if that.)
-Write at least four entries in my journal. (I’m trying to keep a running log/journal of my life, just for me, to keep me self-aware.)

 
What Inspires Me Right Now
I’m still riding the tail end of my Sarah Dessen-inspiration wave I wrote about last week. I’m also having such a fun time writing my WIP this week because some of the scenes are based on my own life. It’s fun to relive my past and have the power to alter it as I see fit.

What Else I’ve Been Up To
Working 8-5. Contemplating a classic Disney movie marathon for this weekend. Pinning up a storm on Pinterest. Trying to exercise regularly so I’ll have rocking-looking arms and legs by the end of the month, when I’ll be wearing a strapless bridesmaid’s dress in my friend’s wedding. (This basically means I do pushups during commercial breaks while I’m watching TV, but whatever works, right?)

 
What about you? What does your Wednesday look like?

16 comments:

  1. Hi Kaitlin, I am dropping by through the What's Up Wednesday link. It's nice to meet you! I also love THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER (but my favorite is SOMEONE LIKE YOU). I read Sarah Dessen's new book but I skimmed 90% of it - I've come to realize her new stuff, for me, isn't as enthralling as her oldies (TRUTH, SOMEONE, THIS LULLABY, DREAMLAND)... Oh well! Good luck with your goals *waves pom poms* You got this!

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  2. I think I read Anna Karenina in about 3 weeks, though I'd have to check back in my journal of the time to make sure. I had a kind of crummy, outdated translation, which probably contributed to how long it took. (I only took 19 days to read War and Peace, in comparison). Having a good translation makes all the difference.

    Good luck on your writing goals!

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  3. Happy 100th post!

    That pushups during commercial breaks sounds like such a good idea! We always end up fastforwarding them, but they could be put to better use. This post is making me want to pick up some Sarah Dessen. I've only read one of hers, but I have a bunch on my shelves. Must get reading them! I think your writing goals are perfect. I overshot this week, so I've got my work cut out for me! :)

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  4. I love Sarah Dessen anything and also just finished The Moon and More, and yup, as a writer if i can accomplish half of what she does through her writing, i would be very happy. It's awesome when you have FUN writing!

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  5. I love your journal-writing goal! Such a good idea.
    And pushups during commercial breaks totally counts. :)

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  6. Oh, that's *plenty* of exercise!

    Have a great time taking part in Ready. Set. WRITE! :D

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  7. Awesome goals for the week! I'm right there with you!

    Also this: "It’s fun to relive my past and have the power to alter it as I see fit." LOVE that!

    Have a great writing week!

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  8. Ah, I feel the same way about The Truth About Forever. The voice in that novel is just unforgettable. I'm so excited to read The Moon and More!

    Love the title: The New World!

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  9. Haha, that accidental pun made me laugh! I love Sarah Dessen--DREAMLAND is my favourite, but I do love Wes and Macy too :)

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  10. Working out during commercials DEFINITELY counts. :0) I just ordered a Sarah Dessen book. Love her. So excited you're also doing R.S.W! Can't wait to see what everyone accomplishes.

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  11. Oh, oh, oh, I love the title of your WIP! So glad you're having a great time with it!

    (Also - I totally owe you an email. I've been so consumed with writing this week, but I promise to get back to you over the weekend ... and to give you some additional reading material ;) Yay!)

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  12. Confession: I have never read a Sarah Dessen novel before, I know the shame. But The Moon and More sounds really good, I think that's about to change.

    Good luck on your writing goals and Disney movie marathoning weekend!

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  13. Good luck with your Ready. set. WRITE! goals. I'm aiming for around 500 words a day too. And can I just say you're very ambitious to do push-ups on commercial breaks. Once I plant myself on the couch, I don't usually have much motivation to get up again! :)

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  14. A classic Disney marathon movies sound like a great way to spend the weekend! :-)
    I love Sarah Dessen's book so I can wait to read her latest one!
    Best of luck for your Ready. Set. WRITE! goals :-)

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  15. Watching classic Disney movies is a great way to kickback! I LOVE Sarah Dessen, she was just at my local bookstore, talking about The Moon and More, life, and writing...I honestly can't believe I missed it. Good luck with your writing goals :)

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  16. You can never go wrong with classic Disney movies!

    I haven't read any Sarah Dessen, which I think is probably some sort of YA fail. I own one of her books (I don't even remember which one) and I've been contemplating putting it on my summer reading list.

    Good luck with your writing this week!

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