Wednesday, December 17, 2014

What's Up Wednesday Year End Spectacular!






It's the last What's Up Wednesday of the year! What's Up Wednesday is a blog hop created by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk, to help writers connect. Swing by other WUW blogs, get to know other writers taking part, and spread some writerly encouragement around.


WHAT I'M READING

I tore through Dahlia Adler's Last Will and Testament, which she self-published this month. This is one of the few New Adult category books I truly liked. The main character swears like a sailor, and this is pretty hot in a graphic way romance, so be forewarned if that is not your thing. The best part is the character development and story did not take a backseat to the romance.

Now onto My True Love Gave to Me holiday anthology.


WHAT I'M WRITING (+ ONE WRITING GOAL) 

I've been on a break writing-wise for my mental sanity, though today I actually had the thought "I should reorganize my Pinterest boards," so I guess that's my cue to get back to work. 

My goal is to begin some not-fun-for-me examination of several projects in need of revision. My plan is to read through Michael Hauge's screenwriting book gifted to me by one of my critique group. He's a frequent speaker at RWA conferences, and his teaching translates to novel writing. Think three act structure plus character identity and essence and blending those elements together. Author and uber-blogger Jami Gold has a few extremely helpful posts that dissect his teaching.

Also, I need to submit my manuscript to RWA's unpublished Golden Heart contest. I had a good streak with contests this year, and the Golden Heart is the mega one. Can't win the lotto if you don't have a ticket, right?

WHAT WORKS FOR ME


Seeing what's selling in Publisher's Marketplace gets me thinking plot stuff the most. My struggle now is turning ideas into sellable, high-conflict stories. 

WHAT ELSE IS NEW


Holiday everything! Early gift exchanges, parties, food, the All Of It. Also, while relaxing my writer brain I've been powering through Dragon Age: Inquisition. My husband and I are both the same way with video games; when we're in, we're in

Happy holidays everyone! And stop by the other Wednesday blogs.

6 comments:

  1. Haha! I often think I should reorganize my pinterest boards, but I never have. I think you're right--if I actually did it, that would be a sign I'm not writing enough. Still, there are pictures of people kissing in my recipe folders, and recipes where quotes should be. Happy holidays to you!

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  2. I keep meaning to pick up a Dahlia Adler book. Maybe I'll give her new one a look!

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  3. Enjoy the gaming! I'm a bit lost now I've finished all the Uncharted games... although I do have The Last Of Us waiting patiently... Hmm...

    Good luck picking a project, and have fun rearranging those boards ;)

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  4. Anything can spark an idea, but turning it into a sellable book is the tricky part! Enjoy the holidays! :)

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  5. Holiday everything is going on around here too. I love this time of year! :-)
    I'm just reading my first Dahlia Adler book (BEHIND THE SCENES), but I also purchased LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. I'm really looking forward to reading that one, and even more so now knowing that you enjoyed it. Best of luck as you sort through the revisions you need to make. Hopefully the solutions will jump out at you after taking this writing break. Have a very Merry Christmas, Stephanie! :D

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  6. I think it's totally fine to take a brain break this time of year. Those Pinterest boards aren't going to organize themselves, no?

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