Welcome to another What's Up Wednesday, hosted by Jaime and Erin! I'm back from my summer writing program and ready to get back into the swing of things. So here's what I've been up to lately!
What I’m Reading
Before leaving for my writing intensive, I read the second
and third books in Chris Colfer’s The Land of Stories series, THE ENCHANTRESS
RETURNS and A GRIMM WARNING. They were both beyond wonderful!
I’ve also started
The Selection trilogy because one of my friends read it and wanted someone to talk to about
it. I’d heard mixed reviews so I went into it doubting I’d like it, but I’m
really enjoying it so far. I’ve read both THE SELECTION and THE ELITE. I found
a copy of THE ONE at my Pittsburgh Target and it was signed by Kiera Cass, the
author. How cool is that? Can’t wait to read it soon! I’m also reading THE
GLASS SENTENCE by S.E. Groves, a middle-grade adventure story.
What I’m Writing
I wrote a ton of short stories during the writing intensive.
They were shorter than I normally write (3-6 pages) but I wound up generating
five or six drafts to work with. I’m very happy with the work I did, and it’ll
give me some more thesis material for fall. Hooray! Now I’m getting back to
TALLYHO, the manuscript I was working on before I left. So excited to work on
it again…I missed it!
What Inspires Me Right Now
My workshop at the summer class was with Pam Houston, a
famous short story writer. I read one of her books a few years ago and was so
excited to find out she’d be teaching my section. She taught me so much and
gave me confidence throughout the program, even telling me she truly liked my
work and that she’d watched me improve over the week! It was very validating to
hear that from someone who is so successful in the field I’d like to enter. If you like smart and funny short stories, check out her short story collection COWBOYS ARE MY WEAKNESS. It's one of my favorite collections!
What Else Is New
I’m back home for about three weeks before my fall semester
starts. I’m getting ahold of the books for a children’s literature course I’ll
be taking, and the book list sounds amazing: CHARLOTTE’S WEB, PETER PAN, THE
WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ, TREASURE ISLAND and so many more. I’m pretty excited
for this class!
Hope you all are having a great week so far!
