Remember Me?

Hey everybody!  It has been while since I caught you up on all the goings on around here, so I'm gonna get you up to speed!

What I'm Reading:  Summer is the BEST time for reading, don't you think?  I listened to some awesome audio books while driving to Colorado, sunning on the beach and hanging by the pool.  And since I wasn't doing any drafting, I let myself indulge in some adult reads!  

I read THE HUSBANDS SECRET and loved it!  I especially loved how the author used the epilogue to let the reader in on some secrets that even the characters didn't know!  I also got to meet Laura

McHugh, fellow mid-west writer, this summer at the Woodneath Library.  Her book THE WEIGHT OF BLOOD was a real page turner!

What I'm Writing:  Right now I am about 50% done with the second round of edits on my MG Swiss Family Robinson Retelling.  I hope to have it off to CPs by the end of the week.  The only other writing work I got done over the summer was editing the MG fantasy I wrote back in February.  I'm really having trouble with it, though, so have decided to shelve it until inspiration strikes.  I am also trying to come up with an idea for this year's Nanowrimo.  I'm thinking contemp MG, hopefully something funny.  So wish me luck!

What Else is Going On:  BOTH KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL AND IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY!  My little guy will be in pre-K for three whole days per week, and my daughter is now a big second grader (eeeek!)

Fingers A' Flyin'!

Hullo my lovely writer friends!  Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but I've been pretty busy being productive over here.

(Not my actual laptop)

What I'm Reading:  Somebody suggested I might like a new series.  Anybody a fan of OUTLANDER?  It's pretty much awesome and quite the departure from the kid lit i usually read.  I just finished book two and I can't wait to start book three!  I also read another adult book this last week (two in a row!) called AFTER I DO by Taylor Jenkins Reid.  The characters in this book reminded me a lot of my husband and I... until they did what they did.  LOL.  

What I'm Writing: So back in February I drafted a MG Fantasy called THRICE STRIKEN, and I have spent this month revising it.  It's a little bit cleaner now, but still need a bunch of work.   Lots of time between rounds of editing is the key.  It helps you read each draft with fresh eyes.

What Else is Going On:  Last night I hosted a SCBWI critique group at the library.  We had seven (!) people show up, and everyone brought stuff to be critiqued!  It was a really good group and we had a fun mix of YA and MG.  Also, there were scones.  

Until next time, may the writing muses smile on you!

Drafting and Vampires

Hello Lovely Readers and Writers!  I hope you have been well in my long, long, looooong absence!  Let me catch you up on what I've been up to!

What I'm Reading: I have just finished THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN by one of my favorite authors, Miss Holly Black, and she did not disappoint.  This was a vampire story but kind of post-apocalypse.  Very cool! (See what I did there???). 

Last night I started this little gem...

And wow, what a start!  Sucked me right in!

What I've been writing:

I just finished drafting a MG fantasy that involves a lot of lightning and music and sisterly bonding.  It was really fun to write!  Now I'm letting it rest while I turn my attention to my next project, which will be another retelling.  I'm going to be knocking that one out in April Nano!  And then this summer shall be the summer of editing!

Tonight is my local library's writer's group and I can't wait to talk books and writing with my fellow scribes!  Until next time!