What's Up Wednesday: NoNaNo Edition
What's Up Wednesday hails from the blogs of Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk.
Go to Jaime's blog to add your link - it's a great way to share what's
going on in your life and to make the rounds and get to know other
bloggers!
WHAT I'M READING
I just finished reading THE NEAR WITCH for the YA Buccaneers' Reading Mutiny Challenge. There was much that I admired about this book - the setting, the language, the shivery, mysterious atmosphere - but ultimately, the book did not grab me as I hoped it would.
I also read JUST ONE YEAR by Gayle Forman in just one sitting and very much enjoyed it. I loved hearing Willem's story, loved his voice.
I'm now reading ALLEGIANT - slightly behind the times, I know, but I've managed to avoid the spoilery and drama. I'll report back next week.
WHAT I'M WRITING
I've got 30 pages due to my writing group soon, so I've been working on my new WIP, KEYS. Sadly, I've been writing all over the place, so those first 30 pages aren't done. My goal is to write like mad until October 31, and then November 1st...
...not start NaNo.
I'm very sad about it, but I've decided not to do NaNoWriMo this year. However, I plan to adopt a NaNoTude and aim for a specific goal for the month of November. Drum roll, please:
In November, I plan to complete the first round of revisions for last year's NaNo ms, BEAUTIFUL BIRD, SING ON.
This is a rather lofty goal considering the shape it's in, but I'm excited about it and have a lot of NaNo/NoNaNo buddies who will be working very hard in November as well and I know there will be a lot of encouragement floating around twitter and such.
Are you doing NaNo? Or not? Buddy me: JRMinnt.
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
Halloween prep. Football viewing (you win some, you lose some. Happy to report that the Bills have actually won some this year Well, only three. And they're playing the Chiefs Sunday, who are surprising undefeated, so...). And I may have watched Rubinrot a time or two or twelve.
Halloween prep. Football viewing (you win some, you lose some. Happy to report that the Bills have actually won some this year Well, only three. And they're playing the Chiefs Sunday, who are surprising undefeated, so...). And I may have watched Rubinrot a time or two or twelve.
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
For my WIP, I've been inspired by images of the Florida Keys, hockey, metalheads, and That Metal Show.
At the moment, on this crazy writing journey, I'm inspired by my friends, CPs, and other writers who have not given up on their dreams, who have worked hard and not given in to the Dementors of Discouragement that suck out your very soul. It's good to have friends around who will cast a Patronus charm when you're feeling weak and can't manage your own.
If you haven't already, stop by Dawn Klehr's website to congratulate her on this month's release of her YA debut, THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR; then pop over to throw confetti for Erin Schneider, who signed with an agent!
So, what's up with you this week?
At the moment, on this crazy writing journey, I'm inspired by my friends, CPs, and other writers who have not given up on their dreams, who have worked hard and not given in to the Dementors of Discouragement that suck out your very soul. It's good to have friends around who will cast a Patronus charm when you're feeling weak and can't manage your own.
If you haven't already, stop by Dawn Klehr's website to congratulate her on this month's release of her YA debut, THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR; then pop over to throw confetti for Erin Schneider, who signed with an agent!
So, what's up with you this week?
I'm about to start Allegiant myself and I've also luckily avoided spoilers. Good luck with your NaNo goal! I won't be writing, but I'll be cheering everyone along.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of copping a NaNotude! Since I already started a WIP, that's what I'm doing this November as I try to either add 50K or finish it, whichever comes first.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at "Florida Keys" with your WIP. Good luck revising!
Yes! NaNotude is just as good as full-on-NaNo. And we are friends for it, so feel free to grumble or cry for support.
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you in the "Writer friends make it possible for me to write on" camp. Love your fully carried out Harry Potter metaphor, my dear. Fabulous. I think my Patronus is a fox. I've been told that is my spirit animal.
So depressed that I can't watch that movie. Why can't you buy a subtitled version??? Not cool.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Allegiant yet either and I probably won't for awhile, but I'm okay with that. I'm just starting Just One Day by Gayle Forman and then I'll get to Just One Year.
I've never done NaNo, though since 2010 I've started books during November. This year I'm still working on the book I began last November, and there's no way it'll be done within the next few days to start something new in November. Good luck with your revisions.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing NaNo for the first time this year, though I'm kind of rebelling because I've already started the project. The NaNoTude and general atmosphere of the month will hopefully motivate me to finish it! Good luck revising your book! (and LOVE the Dementors reference. It's so appropriate!)
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ReplyDeleteI love your November revision goal! You'll definitely have to join Alison and me in our revision goal-setting. I've got big plans for my messy first draft too. I'm glad you enjoyed JUST ONE YEAR... I thought it was beautiful -- I loved it even more than JUST ONE DAY, which really surprised me.
ReplyDeleteHope you and your family have a wonderful Halloween, Sara!
Well, I'm not reading Allegiant, maybe I'm the only one in the YA community who isn't... haha. I had a lot of trouble getitng into the second book, but it's more that dystopian YA is not for me. I think I'll be fine with some spoilers and trust everyone's judgement on the final installment of the trilogy :)
ReplyDeleteNano is a tough choice--it's very consuming and not for everyone. I am going for it again this year. I try different approaches every time, and I'm getting antsy!
I had to click over to see The Metal Show. At least VH1 has a show that's actually ABOUT music! What was the show on Mtv ages ago? OH: Headbangers Ball. Hahaha!! That was like 20 years ago. Personally, I miss 120 minutes from Mtv. They brought it back maybe 5 years ago I think, maybe I'm remembering wrong. There was some form of indie music video show on and it was glorious to see actual music videos that weren't just the pop music drivel that usually takes center stage. Now I suppose it's all filtered through the internet.
Good luck on your November goal :) I wish I could do NaNo too, but aaah these edits lol.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear what you thought of Allegiant!
I've managed to avoid the spoilers and drama around Allegiant as well, which is good because I won't be able to start reading it until tomorrow or Friday.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with revisions! I wish I could do NaNo as well, but too much classwork and revisions to be done.
I'm sad about not doing NaNo too, but I'm revising and plan to make you guys hold me accountable! Don't you love me?
ReplyDeleteAnd I am saving JUST ONE YEAR for a little while even though I'm DYING to read it. It's my incentive for getting to my midpoint. This should make me work super fast. :)
And yay for wonderful news for writing friends! Have a great week!
"NaNoTude" Haha! Love it! I'm kind of doing the same thing. Using the NaNo energy to finish up last year's NaNo book.
ReplyDeleteAnd Rubinrot, um hello time travel and lovely lads with long hair. I must add this to my Neflix queue nowish. (I'm a sucker for time travel...and long hair)
Good luck on busting out those 30 pages!! Rooting for you over here. :)
I'm doing NaNo this year. I added you. I seriously I cannot believe that the Kansas City Chiefs are undefeated. I feel like we entered an alternate universe. Ha. Good luck with your revisions. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteA NaNoTude! This is the word I have been looking for all October. Thank you for that. (And it sounds like a lot of people are taking this approach. I guess it's hard not to be motivated when you know that many writers are writing THAT much in one month...)
ReplyDeleteYou read Just One Year in just one sitting. Heh.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I get where you're coming from with The Near Witch. I loved Victoria Schwab's writing and the setting, but didn't connect with the characters like I wanted to.
I can't believe the Chiefs are still undefeated. I'm sort of glad we're not playing them this year...almost losing to the Rams on national TV was more than enough.
Good luck with your revisions!
I've decided I'm in the NoNaNo group this year. BUT that's because I will also be rocking the revisions this year. I'm feeling inspired to finish INDELIBLE LIES. I predict many cups of coffee will be consumed.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with BBSO!
I'll be doing Nano this year so I have added you as a buddy I am on there under my full name Jossie Marie Solheim. I love your NaNoTude idea though that's great. I hope your editing goes well and you have a lovely Halloween and week :)
ReplyDeleteI'm reading ALLEGIANT now (almost done!) and I've also managed to avoid spoilers. I'm excited to see how it all ends! I have a copy of JUST ONE YEAR and I can't wait to read it very soon.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your November goal! I decided not to do NaNo this year because it stresses me out but I plan to start drafting a new MS, so I'll be embracing the NaNoTude! :)