What's Up Wednesday: Vitamin D Edition
I'm catching the What's Up Wednesday hot air balloon from the blogs of Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk.Here's how it works:
WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY
WHAT I'M READING
I'm going to have to buy this book.
Next up: finish my re-read of THE OUTSIDERS.
WHAT I'M WRITING
I have to admit that I haven't been writing much over the last week unless you count press releases and newsletter articles for work. Which I don't. I started reading through BEAUTIFUL BIRD and have been doing more thinking about it than actual revision. For instance, because this was a NaNo book and I pretty much pantsed the whole thing, the opening doesn't really work. Not only was it long and somewhat aimless, whole conversations occurred that hadn't actually occured farther into the manuscript. I have been able to determine at which point the story begins, however, which is a major accomplishment.
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
Spring has finally arrived in Minnesota! We've been enjoying warmer temps and sunshine and guess what? Mt. Plowzer is GONE!
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| Birdy on Mt. Plowzer's last day |
Birdy started gymnastics again last week, so we've been juggling that with Toad's Cub Scouts and piano lessons. Saturday she had a birthday party at roller rink in town that still looks exactly like it did back in the 80s. While she was there, Toad and I spent some time searching for treasures at Half-Price Books and Goodwill. He scored an awesome classics comics collection and I found FIFTEEN by Beverly Cleary and FOREVER by Judy Blume.
I've also been busy formulating a plan - a business plan, that is. I've decided to offer freelance editing services. Right now I'm going to focus on YA and NA fiction to start, since this will be a part-time gig, and go from there. I'm very excited for this new adventure and have already booked my first client. More details soon.
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
Spring. Lovely weather, warmer temperatures, delightful breezes. Birdsong, especially from the chickadees. Birdy pointing to the trees in the backyard and calling, "Look! Leaves!" Sunshine, oh, especially the sunshine (although it won't be long, I'm sure, until I'm longing for a dreary, gray, rainy day or a thunderstorm).
This has been such a long winter. I'm so grateful to finally be able to sit out on our front porch and drink in the world around me.
So tell me, what's up with you? How's the weather where you are?
Hah, I've got an 80s roller rink near me, too. So glad you're finally getting warmer weather!
ReplyDeleteI think it would be fun to rent out the place for a grown-up birthday party and make everyone dress 80s. :)
DeleteI'm feeling inspired by spring, too! Congrats on the demise of Mt. Plowzer!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We have connections with the city, so we sort of asked for Mt. Plowzer. All the neighborhood kids LOVED it... but I'm so glad to see it go.
DeleteWe've had a cooler Spring than usual so far here in Eastern NC, but none of the extremes you've been getting. It's trying to warm up a bit now, and I daresay we'll be toasting under a Summer sun before too long, and complaining about the heat... :)
ReplyDeleteHa! I will be the FIRST person to complain about the humidity, guaranteed! Here's to moderate, lovely spring temperatures - at least for a little longer.
DeleteI think sometimes just thinking about your story is exactly what you need to do instead of revise. You wouldn't to start making changes without first knowing what you need or want to change.
ReplyDeleteI think we've been experiencing much the same weather between Alberta and Minnesota. That pic of Birdy on the pile of snow in flip flops is awesome. That's exactly what it's been like here: snow one day and then 30C (80F) temps the next. Just bizarre! After the winter that wouldn't end, I'll take all the sunny days I can get. :-)
The trick about thinking about your story... is that you have to be able to write down your thoughts somewhere. I often have brilliant ideas while I'm driving Birdy to school. It doesn't always work out for me.
DeleteIf I could wear flip flops everyday for the next few months, I totally would.
The picture of your daughter on that snow pile is the coolest! I'd love to read THE ATTACHMENTS. I'll have to follow your lead and look for it at the library because like you, I adored E&P. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week, Sara. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katy! ATTACHMENTS is different from E&P in a lot of ways, and I admit it took me a while to really get into it, but oh, you will miss them when they're gone.
DeleteI'm sorry you haven't been feeling well lately, Sara - but I hope the Spring sunshine and a little vitamin D is just what you need!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you're back at BEAUTIFUL BIRD. You know I'm always game for a read, when it's ready to share. :)
And the weather here? Gorgeous. We have so been spoiled the past week with low 80's and bluebird skies. It's a little overcast today, but it's supposed to burn off.
Feel better, S. - sending big hugs and more sunshine your way!
Can I just say how much I LOVE that you just wrote about bluebird skies? If I had to pick a different title for WFTS, it would be BLUEBIRD SKIES.
DeleteI'm glad you're having beautiful weather! Not a bad season to have some extra time on your hands, huh?
I agree with Jaime, thinking about your story is part of the revising process :D
ReplyDeleteWhenever you need eyes on it, you know where to find me!
The rays of sunshine are definitely inspiring and that pic of your daughter is simply awesome!
Hope you feel better, Sara <3
Thank you! :) And yes, I know where to find you - it might be a while, though! I mean, look how long it took me to finish revisions on WFTS! I think I need to set some serious goals and deadlines for this one.
DeleteSpring inspires me, too!
ReplyDeleteIt's my favorite season. We should have lilacs everywhere by now... it's all delayed but green is popping up so quickly now!
DeleteThe weather and sunshine is definitely inspiring. :)
ReplyDeleteI love to sit out on my porch with the laptop. There's something about the breeze and the birds. :)
DeleteI really enjoyed ELEANOR & PARK too, so I'm definitely going to have to check out more of Rainbow Rowell's books. Love the photo of your daughter playing in the snow in her flip-flops. The snowbanks in my yard have finally disappeared too, but for a few days it was a weird mix of summer weather and melting snow. Good luck with your revisions and business plan!
ReplyDeleteThank you! There's a new Rowell book coming out, too -- FANGIRL. September 10th. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16068905-fangirl?ac=1
DeleteThe weather here has been crazy, but it seems like it's FINALLY settling in the seventies. And good luck to you with your editing business! Sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think I will have to look into THE ATTACHMENTS. I LOVED ELEANOR AND PARK!!!
Thank you! Enjoy your nice weather, too! :) And ATTACHMENTS, of course.
DeleteCongrats on starting a new venture with the editing. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAnd like you, and am excited about spring. I got in the garden last weekend and did a lot of work.
I think all of our gardens are going to be majorly delayed this year!
DeleteThanks for your well wishes!
The snow picture of your daughter is adorable! I love Rainbow's writing as well. I can't wait for spring to finally take hold.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's going to be the Best Spring Ever after the craptastic winter we've had!
DeleteOh, I'm excited to hear how the editing goes--good luck!
ReplyDeleteSpring is so inspiring--but I'm in the Bay Area and I feel like we skipped it and went straight to summer. It was over 90 last week! I felt so cheated.
Thank you! So do you get the humidity with the high temps? That's the part I can't stand.
DeleteThis is also the reason why I love summer. 'Coz I am not having any problems when it comes to vitamin d3 deficiency. Thank you by the way for your wonderful and helpful post. People need to read a lot of articles such as this.
ReplyDelete