Sunshine and SCBWI

Hello there, Wednesday Warriors.  Welcome to another installment of What's Up Wednesday, a writerly blog hop created by Erin Fun and Jamie Marrow.  Click here to learn how you can play along.

We need a springy-er button...

What I've Been Reading:  This week I read two terrific MG books.  First, The Magician's Elephant, by Kate Dicamillo.  This story is told from a whole bunch of different character's perspectives and all the different story lines tie together neatly.  I was going to give it three stars because I kept getting tripped up by the flowery language, but then one scene totally made me cry, so I bumped it up to four!

Next, I read Freaky Fast Franky Joe by Lutricia Clifton.  I loved this book.  The story was so heartwarming, and the pacing was great.  It's about a trailer park kid who moves to the country with his dad and half sibs.  A really fun contemp MG.

What I'm Writing:  All I've really been writing this week are pitches for #pitmad, which is today, and so far no love for Braya (UNDER THE BLUE, MG Sci-fi).  I guess the day is not over yet, so I should keep my chin up.  

What Works for Me: I love going to my local SCBWI conference in the fall.  The speakers and classes are so helpful, and you get to meet some agents and editors in person.  I highly recommend if you have never gone before.  It is also a great place to meet other writers and potential CPs.

What Else I've Been Up To:  SUNSHINE ON MY FACE.  Yay for no more snow drifts.  At least not this week.  In Missouri, you are not really safe until June. 

With a Pitch-Pitch Here and a Pitch-Pitch There...

It's what day of the week now?  Wednesday you say?  Well then, it's time for... "What's up Wednesday," a blog hop for cool writers such as myself.  If you want to know more about WUW or how you can join in the fun visit Jaime Morrow's blog.

What I'm Reading:  I am about half way through ABOVEWORLD by Jenn Reece.  I found it on a list of MG Sci-Fi, and I may end up using it as a comp for UNDER THE BLUE.  Does anyone have any other good recommendation for a middle grade sci-fi story?

What I'm Writing:  A whole lot of query letters!  It is actually making my brain hurt a little.  Especially the right side, which longs to write something more creative than "I look forward to hearing from you."

What's Inspiring Me Right Now:  I got really nice comments from my non-mentors for Pitch Wars, and they all pretty much said to just keep going.  Which I plan on doing.  I also got two requests from PitMad yesterday, so fingers crossed!

What Else is Going On:  My Kindergartener has lost two teeth in the last two weeks!  Tooth fairy has been working overtime!