Ghosts, Camp, and Forts

What's Up Wednesday is a writer's blog hop created by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk.  You can find out more about it and how to play along by clicking here.

What I'm Reading:  This week I read LIESL and PO by Lauren Oliver.  She is just an amazing writer and this MG Ghost story dealt with death and grief so beautifully.  I am trying to read more MG since that is what I most enjoy writing, so I would love any recommendations that you guys have.

What I'm Writing:  I worked on a two page synopsis for my MG Sci-Fi that I am about to query.  You all know that those two pages are sometimes more challenging than the whole damn novel.  But I think that it is probably ok enough now that it could be sent out if absolutely necessary.

What Works for Me:  I think I've mentioned before that Nano events really work for me.  I have written 3 out of my 5 finished works during some sort of National Novel Writing event.  My goals are to finish querying UNDER THE BLUE and get my next WIP outlined before April, so that I can draft during a Camp Nano session.  It is just super motivating for me to have a deadline and group of people that I am competing with... Uh, I mean encouraging.

What Else is Going On:  We are going a little batty around here.  The weather has been wintry and bleak.  The kids have made a fort out of the entire basement.

The sun is shining today, so I have plans to kick the kids out in the backyard for some much needed vitamin D!

The Love Post

Is it Wednesday already?  That must mean it's time for another addition of What's Up Wednesday, a blog hop created by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk.  For more info click here.

What I'm Reading:  I just finished A MAD WICKED FOLLY by Sharon Biggs Waller.  I had everything that I love in a great YA Historical Fic.  Love, Love, Love.

What I'm Writing:  I am in the fun and exciting part of writing wherein you don't actually write that much.  I have a shiny new idea, so I have been Pintresting, Wikapedia-ing, and daydreaming.  So far, I think I have a pretty good start.  This one is gonna be another MG, because me thinks that is my strong suit.  

I am also editing my MG Sci-Fi Adventure, UNDER THE BLUE.  I am waiting for comments from one more CP and one beta reader, and then that one should be ready to query.  

What Works for Me:  I am really trying to come up with a better way of outlining.  For real.  I don't like using Scrivener for it, because I need MORE ROOM.  I want my outline to be more detailed this time so I don't end up with 1500 words I am supposed to write about "Something bad happens..."  LOL.  

What Else is Happening:  My kiddos were some pretty sweet valentines.  Hope you had a day full of love as well!

Bootlegger's and Balls

What's Up Wednesday is a writer's blog hop created by Jaimie Morrow and Erin Funk.  To find out more and see how you can play along, click here.

So, I missed you all last week!  I was without the internets for THREE WHOLE DAYS.  It was like a third world country around here.  I just took naps and used my phone's 4G like it was going out of style!

What I'm Reading:  I read two great books in the last two weeks.  

 I thought WE WERE LIARS was beautifully written.  The story was touching and horrifying at the same time.

I am a huge groupie of anything Rainbow Rowell writes, and this book did not disappoint.  She has a way of creating these characters that are so darn real you'd swear you'd met them before.  This one would probably fall under the category of magical realism, but that's not why you'd want to read it.  The relationship between the married couple is raw and amazing, so that's why I gave it a million stars.  

What I'm Writing:  I finished THE BOOTLEGGER'S LETTERS!!!  WOO-HOO!  I think it might be a hot mess, but at least it is first-draft-done.  I worked on editing my MG Sci-Fi UNDER THE BLUE, and have passed it on to another round of Beta readers, including my BFF's 5th grade class!  Truth: That scares me more than sending it off to agents!  LOL

I am in the super fun brainstorming portion of a shiny new idea.  I think it might be MG for me from here on out.  I just really hate writing kissing scenes.

What Works for Me:  For my last three novels I have written the query letter before I started drafting. That is an easy way to tell if your stakes are high enough, and if your hook is strong enough.  Always start a new WIP by asking yourself.  Who is my MC?  What does he/she want?  What will happen if he/she doesn't get it?

What Else is Happening:  My handsome husband took me to the Policeman's Ball last weekend!  It was amazingly fun, and I looked super hot, if I do say so myself.  LOL.