What's Up Wednesday was started by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. It's "a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what's up."
Also, I am participating in
and we are going to update each week with these What's Up Wednesday posts.
Since I desperately needed a push to get back to writing, and I hardly ever update on here, it sounded perfect to me! So here we go.
WHAT I'M READING
I just finished the latest Pretty Little Liars book, Crushed.
Will we ever find out who A is? Who knows. Before that, I read All I Need by Susane Colasanti. Up next is either All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue or Amanda Knox's memoir.
WHAT I'M WRITING
I plan to work on my WIP for Ready. Set. Write! The same WIP that I've been working on for like 2 years or so. I would love to finish it this summer, spending some time revising it, and maybe query sometime this year. Big goals, I know. But maybe that will motivate me? (or completely NOT motivate me.) And at some point this summer, I plan to reveal what my book is about. I've only told a few people and everyone is really positive about it, but I get so nervous about sharing it.
The other day, my copy of Valpo magazine arrived. I noticed there is a part called "Alumni Ink" where they list books that alumni have written. I said to my dad, "If I ever get published, my book will be in the magazine!" He said he's pretty much given up on me ever writing a book. :( It was really hard to hear that since my dad has been pretty much my biggest cheerleader in writing a book. For years. It's like HIS lifelong dream that I write a book. So to hear that he's given up on me... well, it made me feel really shitty.
So what is my problem? Why can't I just write the darn thing? I want this. I want to write the book and I feel like I have a good story to tell. Am I just lazy? Am I afraid of rejection? I don't know. But I've decided that my goal is to write a book. Getting an agent and/or getting published are things I can't control. But I can at least finish the book.
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
I'm surrounded by inspiration. I have so many creative, talented friends. I work in a creative industry. Two things in particular that are inspiring me right now are the show Push Girls and singer/songwriter Tony Lucca. Some of you may recognize Tony Lucca from season 2 of the Voice (and he returned to the show last night to perform his new single!) Well, I went to one of his shows back in April and was just really impressed when he talked about his songwriting process. It was a small, intimate show and even though I was exhausted from a long day at work (new website launch!) plus a long drive, I was just blown away by his performance and it's stuck with me.
The show Push Girls inspires me on many levels. It came out last year, back when I was actually working on my WIP, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Plus, the girls on the show are pretty amazing.
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
Tap dancing! Our recital was a couple weekends ago and it was so much fun. Our song was "Miss Otis Regrets" by Bette Midler. I don't want to post a picture of my class, but here's a picture of our costumes:
I had such a great time. I love my class. Summer session starts up tomorrow night!
Well, that's about it!
I'm so glad you're joining us for Ready. Set. Write!, Zanne. I think it's going to be a great summer of writing. Best of luck meeting all your goals! <3
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear your dad seems to be giving up on your dream of writing a book. That is hard. And hearing that doesn't help much with the motivation, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteBut no, I don't think there's something wrong with you. You're not lazy. Writing is hard. There could be plenty of things getting in the way of you finishing. I like what you said about focusing on what you can control: writing. Who knows what will happen, but you CAN finish your novel.
Good luck!
I think it's great you're joining us, Zanne! Whatever you accomplish through this process is progress, right? It's too bad you aren't receiving the support you need at home, but we're all here cheering you on. You can totally do it! And to echo what Rachel said, writing is hard and that doesn't make you lazy. Hang in there! :)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog's background! Such pretty stars! ^_^
ReplyDelete*hugs* Write for yourself and worry about the rest of it later if you decide to. The blogging community has got your back! :D
You tap dance?! That's awesome! I've danced since I was four and am really hoping that my teacher gets a class back together for adults next year. It's SO fun! Also, that costume is ADORABLE!
ReplyDeleteAnd so sorry about what your dad said. HUGS! I've tried very hard to not listen to naysayers and focus on the positive support, but man - that's tough. Maybe he's trying to see if an indifferent attitude will motivate you (guys are like that - jeez), but meanwhile I am so glad you are joining us for Ready. Set. WRITE! and I hope you make oodles of progress this summer!
oooh, the Amanda Knox story is pretty fascinating. I hope to hear what you think of her book! So glad you're joining R.S.W! I say stick with your goals!
ReplyDeleteThat costume is so cute! I hope the show was a success :)
ReplyDeleteI think what you say about just writing a book is a great way of looking at it--yeah, we can't control agents or editors or "trends", but what we can control is actually getting the story on paper. So I'm rooting for you to reach that goal :)
I think it's great you're setting big goals for yourself, and that your ultimate goal is to finish a book, because you know that's the only part of the process you can really control. So true! After years of shelving manuscripts, I only just finished one this past year. You can totally do it! I'm glad you decided to join us for Ready. Set. Write! Best of luck with drafting this summer!
ReplyDeleteTap dancing always looks like so much fun :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you're joining us for Ready. Set. Write! Looking forward to hearing about your progress (and your book :-))