UNSOULED in The Fountain City

Is it Wednesday again?!?  That means it's time for WUW!  What's Up Wednesday is a weekly blog hop created by Jaime and  Erin Funk, to help connect writers on this writing journey. Visit their blogs for more information!

WHAT I'M READING:  This week I finished Neal Shusterman's UNSOULED, the third book in the Unwind Series.  It is a major testament to this series that even though I read books one and two a LONG time ago, I still remembered the main characters and most of what was going on.  I can't wait to read book four, which comes out soon.  Or maybe it's already out, but the dang library didn't have it yet.  Neal's acknowledgments hinted at movies to come, which would make me pretty excited.  

WHAT I'M WRITING:  Banging out that rough draft for THE WAR IN CABIN 12.  I actually got away to the library last night and got 3,000 words further down the road.  I am getting close to the end, so hopefully I can type THE END pretty soon.

WHAT'S INSPIRING ME RIGHT NOW:  Tonight I get to go see THE FAULT IN OUR STARS on the big screen with some good friends.  I know, I know, I am probably the only card-carrying John Green Fangirl that hasn't seen it yet, but I was waiting for a few people to read the book first.  Which they didn't.  Cause that's how book clubs go.  Can you imagine writing a book that gets made into a movie?!?  How amazing would that be!

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO:  Well the float trip last weekend was amazing.  At least the parts I can remember.  Probably shouldn't be saying that since I am supposed to be a YA Author.  Sorry future publicist.  And this weekend I get to see two of my besties from high school who have since moved to California and Colorado respectively.   I feel a lot of pressure to hype up Kansas City to these girls...  BBQ and Boulevard it is!

French Kissing and River Floating

Hey Writers and Readers!  Hope you had another productive week out there in aspiring author land!  This is another fantastic addition of Niki's "What's up Wednesday", a blog hop sponsored by Jaime and Erin.  You can find out exactly what it is and how you can join by checking out Jaime's blog here.

What I'm Reading:  I just finished ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins.  I know, I know, what took me so long, right?  I am not usually big into contemporary YA (I love me some Sci-Fi, Dystopia, Paranormal, etc.) but man oh man the voice on this one was right on.  The only reason I didn't give it five stars on Goodreads instead of four was that I didn't like the message that was subtly portrayed that if you are in love with someone you can't help but make out with them.  Sorry teens, but that isn't how life works.  Sometimes you have to control yourself even if you are SUPER in love.  I am the romance killer and make-out party pooper.  But other than that, I loved it.

What I'm Writing:  I am still plugging away at my camp story (which is contemp YA despite what I said above, lol).  Not sure that  I am going to have a complete first draft by the end of June like I had hoped, though.  I still have about 20-30K to write, and my sessions have been sporadic at best lately.  Maybe I can work in some library nights next week to try and knock some of that out?  I'd like to have it tucked away in a drawer with a big bow on top before I start my next project (Camp Nano in July).

What's Inspiring Me Right Now:  Um, has anyone else been binge watching  season two of Orange is the New Black???  Cause I have.  Even though the setting of my book is summer camp and not prison, I have been stealing some fun character traits from our girls in orange.  Also, I learn so much about prison from that show...

What Else Is Going On:  The only other thing that has been on my brain this week is FLOAT TRIP!!!  My husband and I get to spend this weekend leisurely floating down the Niangua River, drinking lots of "adult beverages" and having a crazy fun, kid-free weekend!  YAY!  I can't wait to drop those little angles off with the grandparents and meet up with some of our zany friends.

So that was my week!  What have you been up to?

Rain Rain, Stay Away!

Hey all you What's Up Wednesday Writers!  I thought I might hop on board this gravy train, and try and keep myself on schedule for blogging!  If you want more info about WUW, check out Jaime's blog.   So here goes...

WHAT I'M READING:   I just started reading GUSTAV GLOOM AND THE PEOPLE TAKER, it is a creepy/funny MG with amazing personality.  I sometimes sit the fence on whether I would like to write YA or MG.  

WHAT I'M WRITING:  I recently picked up a half finished attempt at a YA camp story, that is entitled THE WAR IN CABIN 12.  Rereading it made me chuckle, so I am currently trying to finish it up.  Had a few plotting problems this week that resulted in me taking naps instead of writing.  Oops.

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW:  We finally have some sunshine here in KC, after a few days of rain.  I am much more energized when it is sunny outside.  

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO:  My son, Roman, just turned two AND A HALF.  Every time another half year goes by, I am always shocked.  We are deep in the middle of the terrible twos around here, but that's okay.  Sometimes I have to laugh at my son so that I don't throttle him, ya know?