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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

What's Up Wednesday!


Although I haven't been very good about this, but today it's time for another What's Up Wednesday post! This is a weekly hop sponsored by the lovely duo, Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk, which helps us writerly/readerly folk to come out of our caves, blink at the bright light of day and touch base with each other.

So, this is what's up with me. . .



What I'm Reading. . .

Not much. I was on a reading high all winter, but the last few weeks have been slow in this area. I read The Crystal Keeper by Laurisa Reyes, which was enjoyable. And I have to start reading The Princess Madeline Trilogy by Kirstin Pulioff - I'm actually looking forward to this one but have to sit my backside down in that chair and do it. See, my reading needs to be forced at that moment. Oh well.


What I'm Writing. . .

This is probably why my reading's in a slump because I am in the revision cave...really deep. I thought this round would be easy, since I'm simply reworking something that's already been revised and I just pulled off the shelf. Ha! But I have a really good feeling about it and love how it's developing.


What works for me. . .

Can I just say my awesome CP group? This is the first time I've worked in a group like this and...wow. Each member (by accident) has a different area they notice things on, and it's simply amazing. But compared to sending out the MS to one or two CPs at a time, it feels like a dump truck unloading on the paper. It's great. Really, I just can't say how awed I am by the input, but it's a heavy load to sort through and get straightened out. One things for sure, this MS is nothing like it once was. My baby's growing up!!!


What else I've been up to. . .

Everything and nothing. At least, that's what it feels like.

This last weekend of warm weather meant the chance to finally straighten out the flower beds a little. I didn't plant anything new. Not yet. But my fingers are itching to. We also had to clean out the barn after having the cows in there during all the ice storms. What a mess!

I was able to put the first coat of paint on one of the rocking chairs I'm refurbishing. It looks so shiny, but no pics until I'm done. Which will be awhile, since I'm weaving the cane seats and backs too. So don't hold your breath yet.

Hubs has been 'laid-off' for a couple of weeks. His company is more seasonal, so it isn't a big surprise. He works 1-2 days a week until end of this month, and then it's back to full time. Having him around is nice, but definitely throws a loop in my routine.

Oh, and I'm working on a new project, something inspired by our library book sale. We have a table of free books, ones with breaking spines or ripped covers. Anyway, I saw a picture somewhere here on the web of paper roses made out of old book pages...and those in a wreath. I looked up the different techniques and, of course, decided on the most time consuming one. So now, my table is filling with roses. Silly? Yep. And perhaps a waste of time (it's not like I don't have other things to do). But one should be silly sometimes. It's good for the soul!



And what about you? Read any good books lately (I could really use some suggestions!)? Are you in the revision cave or out in the freshness of a new draft? Pulling out your hair because of difficult words? Are you planning a garden? (I love garden talk!) What's Up with you???

15 comments:

  1. Oh God, the revision cave. Only the most dreaded place in the universe. I hope you get out of there soon.

    My What's Up Wednesday post.

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  2. I agree, being silly is very good for the soul and I don't think there's anything more relaxing than a good old hobby or craft.

    Best of luck with your revisions and have a great week!

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  3. Best of luck with all the revisions! :)

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  4. Glad you found a good critique group.
    Are you saying your husband is distracting you? Because that's usually what my wife means by that.

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  5. Your projects sounds like a lot of fun! And best of wishes with your revisions!

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  6. I've been waiting on a second round of revisions notes, but my editor told me there was going to be a delay because of something urgent that came her way. So I started working on my option proposal, which requires an outline (not my strength). Then I realized I would also have to turn in sample chapters. I decided, "Go for it!", and dove into a first draft.

    SO much easier to write an outline if I already have a draft ...

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  7. Being silly IS good for the soul. Rose petals in general are good for the soul. ^_^

    My reading likes to slump when I'm editing. Maybe because editing requires so much reading? I'm always jealous when I hear about great groups. ;) I am glad it's working out so great for your writing!

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  8. I love all the beautiful creations people have made with old books, but at the same time I know I'd have a hard time cutting into the pages of a book. LOL Happy to hear things are going so well with your WiP and your CP group. Hope you have an awesome week, Tonja! :)

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  9. I have a picture of a bouquet made from book pages somewhere on my laptop, and I think they're gorgeous! I've said before that if I was planning my wedding again, I'd walk down the aisle with a literary bouquet instead. Have fun making that, and I hope you're good and cosy in your revision cave!

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  10. Glad to hear your revisions are going so well! Personally, I always do the dump truck method. Less time-consuming and fragmented. Plus, there's the old pulling-off-a-bandage analogy . . .

    I in no way envy you for having to clean up after cows.

    Sorry for hubby's temporary lay-off situation. On the bright side, maybe he can help you finish that chair now . . . or build a kitchen. ;0)

    Oh, so you can't show us pics for the chair you're refurbishing because you're BUSY MAKING OTHER PARTS OF IT BY HAND?? That's like saying you're can't let us in the kitchen while you're cooking because first you have to build the kitchen. I don't know how you do it all.

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  11. Hope revisions are going well! Oh men and their distractions... :) Looks like an awesome week!

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  12. I find revision to be the most laborious part of the process :P

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  13. Love the sound of all your projects! I can't believe you are caning your own chairs. Can't wait to see pics. And I'm with you, silly messy art projects are good for the soul. :)

    And ah the revision cave...it's dark in there. *sends cookies* They help, really they do. (it's Science!)

    Hope you have a glorious week and get to enjoy some of your nice weather :)

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  14. Critique groups are great! I do miss being in one. As for having the husband around more--my husband and I both work from home in a 800 square foot house. We're looking for a bigger place now! He travels for work a lot, so it goes from being just me and the dog to me, the dog, and the husband 24/7! Quite a big difference.

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  15. I love the awesome things people make out of old books. One of my friends made her wedding bouquet out of old books, and it was so pretty!

    Oh, revisions. They always seem to make themselves more challenging than they should be, right? I hope they've gone well for you this week!

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