What I’m Reading
I read a ton of books (or what amounts to a “ton” for me) in March: No Surrender Soldier, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Leading Man, The Secret Hum of a Daisy, The Ninja Librarians, and Push Girl. Now I’m back to Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior, which I reluctantly put aside when I was in the middle of a debut-author ARCapalooza.
What I’m Writing
I’m back to revising an old manuscript and doing some research so I can begin outlining a new one. I’d love to be finished with these revisions in the next week or two so I can focus on outlining. In truth, I am itching to get to the drafting stage of this new project. I’m one of those writers who gets caught up in counting new words–sometimes I need to remind myself that reading/researching, outlining, and daydreaming is part of the writing process–and that time “counts,” too.
What Inspires Me Right Now
I am knocking on wood as I type this, but I think it’s finally warming up! Thanks to longer days, I’m loving going home from work while it’s still light out. Hooray, spring. 🙂
What Else I’ve Been Up To
I finally got back to a yoga class, after a few months off due to an injury. It was kind of a bummer to realize how much I still can’t do, but it feels great to know that I’m making progress.
A quick note on an online event I’m doing this week: Booklist Webinars is hosting me and three other New Leaf Literary debut authors for an hour-long presentation on our books and the the debut experience. It’s free, and should be a fun conversation! You can register here: https://alapublishing.webex.com/alapublishing/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=662413562
So what have you been up to lately?
What’s Up Wednesday is a weekly meme that helps readers and writers touch base with blog friends. You can find the link widget (and cute buttons!) on Jaime’s and Erin’s blog posts.
Very cool about the online presentation! What you said about outlining and research, I agree it’s essential to the process, especially at the start, but there’s a gray area in when to stop and when it’s time to just start writing. Though I’m always antsy to get started and abandon outlining after making a few pages of notes.
We warmed up here for a bit and then SNOW SNOW SNOW and now it’s supposed to warm up again so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the snow will go for good. (It’s doubtful though).
Have fun with your online presentation!
I’m so inspired by the warmer weather, too! It makes me feel so much happier and productive. 🙂
Good luck with your projects this week!
I enjoy the planning stages, but I definitely feel the itch to get words down on paper (on the screen?) as soon as possible. Sometimes that means I jump the gun and start drafting before I should, which always causes problems for me down the road. I get caught up in counting new words, too.
I love the longer days. It almost makes up for the still chilly weather we’re getting. Oh, and tons of snow. Bleh. Spring will eventually come. This we know. Have a great week, Rebecca!
I am also a word count junkie. When drafting, taking time off to do much needed planning or research can feel counter productive to drafting. Must remember it is just as important.
Spring is magic after a long winter! Knocking on wood it stays that way in NYC!
I’m crossing my fingers for warmer weather for my friends in the northeast. I almost feel guilty enjoying our FL sun. I wish I could share! Best of luck finishing your revision. I know that feeling of just wanting to be DONE already! Have a great week, Rebecca!
I always get caught up in counting new words too, and inevitably I end up with way too many of them in the end. I like what you said about remembering the other parts of the writing process that “count.” Sometimes I make the best progress when I just take the time to think, or use a good old fashioned pen and notebook to brainstorm. Hope you get to do some drafting soon, and good luck with your online presentation!
That webinar sounds very interesting, I’ll have to register. I love the reading/researching/daydreaming part of the process. First drafts are so hard for me, I put it off longer than I should probably.
I must check out this webinar! And I hope your warm weather stays. So jealous of all your awesome reading! Have a great week, Rebecca!
*knock on wood* it’s spring in Virginia, too!
I think I spend as much time daydreaming about writing as I do actually putting words down 🙂
Yes, warmer weather does a lot to make me feel more productive. Yay for spring! I hope it sticks this time!