Swamp stomps, The Moon Dwellers and a huge thank you to You (yes, you)
What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what's up. Should you wish to join, check out Jaime's or Erin's lovely blogs and sign up with the link widget at the bottom of the post.
WHAT I'M READING
I've been reading THE MOON DWELLERS by David Estes. I was very intrigued by the premise. I have a penchant for dystopian and I loved the idea of a society being forced to live underground and a caste system being formed based on the depth of the cities themselves. I have to say, however, that although I really liked the beginning, I just wasn't as taken by the rest of the book as I'd hoped to be. There is one advantage to this. I was able to put the book down and get some other things done this week. Which turned out to be a very good thing.
WHAT I'M WRITING
I'm still plugging away at ISIS. I can't wait to get out of the quicksand that is editing and start writing again. I have a bazillion new ideas and then there's shiny new (ish) MS that has been calling me like a siren. I can't wait for NanoWriMo! I am thinking I might finish the one that I started last Nano which is currently hovering around 40K or so.
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
Besides stomping around in some beautiful swamps (yes, I *heart* swamps...I even have the T-shirt) and practicing with the Band and organizing super awesome things for writer peeps... well...
I've been on the top of the world this week. There is so much awesomeness going on right now that I can hardly contain it. But instead of previous weeks where I felt overwhelmed to the point of drowning, this week it's starting to feel like I really can do it all. Trying to make your dreams a reality is scary and sometimes exhausting, but right now I'm at that zenith point where I think I'm going to make it happen. It's like I've tried to jump the Grand Canyon on roller skates and I'm at the top of the arc with a thousand feet of empty air beneath me and my brain is screaming, "I'm going to make it! I'm going to make it!" I'll let you know how it goes. And whether I'm going to need an ambulance. :)
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
You guys. I know I'm not the first person to post this in the Inspiration section, but man you guys have been a life raft lately. Keeping me on track. Keeping me afloat. Keeping me sane. (And yes, now we're floating on a track of some substance akin to sanity. Don't argue. Mixed metaphors are a specialty of mine.) I've met so many awesome writers online. I've made friendships that mean the world to me. And it seems like I'm meeting new and interesting writerly people every single day. You guys make me laugh and you make me think and you remind me that collectively "We can do this thing!"
I've been reading THE MOON DWELLERS by David Estes. I was very intrigued by the premise. I have a penchant for dystopian and I loved the idea of a society being forced to live underground and a caste system being formed based on the depth of the cities themselves. I have to say, however, that although I really liked the beginning, I just wasn't as taken by the rest of the book as I'd hoped to be. There is one advantage to this. I was able to put the book down and get some other things done this week. Which turned out to be a very good thing. WHAT I'M WRITING
I'm still plugging away at ISIS. I can't wait to get out of the quicksand that is editing and start writing again. I have a bazillion new ideas and then there's shiny new (ish) MS that has been calling me like a siren. I can't wait for NanoWriMo! I am thinking I might finish the one that I started last Nano which is currently hovering around 40K or so.
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
Besides stomping around in some beautiful swamps (yes, I *heart* swamps...I even have the T-shirt) and practicing with the Band and organizing super awesome things for writer peeps... well...
I've been on the top of the world this week. There is so much awesomeness going on right now that I can hardly contain it. But instead of previous weeks where I felt overwhelmed to the point of drowning, this week it's starting to feel like I really can do it all. Trying to make your dreams a reality is scary and sometimes exhausting, but right now I'm at that zenith point where I think I'm going to make it happen. It's like I've tried to jump the Grand Canyon on roller skates and I'm at the top of the arc with a thousand feet of empty air beneath me and my brain is screaming, "I'm going to make it! I'm going to make it!" I'll let you know how it goes. And whether I'm going to need an ambulance. :)
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
You guys. I know I'm not the first person to post this in the Inspiration section, but man you guys have been a life raft lately. Keeping me on track. Keeping me afloat. Keeping me sane. (And yes, now we're floating on a track of some substance akin to sanity. Don't argue. Mixed metaphors are a specialty of mine.) I've met so many awesome writers online. I've made friendships that mean the world to me. And it seems like I'm meeting new and interesting writerly people every single day. You guys make me laugh and you make me think and you remind me that collectively "We can do this thing!"
So I just wanted to say "Thank you". You guys are the cat's meow. I mean it.
Posts
Aw, nobody called me the cat's meow before. I'm all a-blush!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I will ensure there is a big pillow at the bottom of the Grand Canyon just in case! Doubt you'll need it though.
That first photo is soooooo preeeeetty! Wow <3
"Pillow at the bottom of the Grand Canyon"- Hahaha! Thank you! That could come in really handy.
DeleteAnd if anyone is the cat's meow, it's you! Stop blushing. :)
Every time I tell someone I think swamps are beautiful, they say "Swamps, really?!!"...so I'm very glad you see the beauty.
I love swamps. I haven't seen them often, but I always enjoyed them when there. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're on top of the world! You'll make it!!! Just don't look down ;)
Yay, another swamp aficionado!!
ReplyDeleteAnd don't look down...got it! :)
I'm with you - I have been SO inspired and encouraged by others I've met online. And I love the life raft analogy. And we can do it! All of us - we just have to keep swimming. Er...writing. And supporting each other.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Thanks Alison! And I couldn't agree more. I belong to a lot of different online communities and the Writing community takes the cake for being supportive and being just generally amazing. :)
DeleteLove that swamp pic! Editing is a necessary evil and having a new(ish) story can be just the right motivation to stay on task and get done faster.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your editing!
Thanks Natasha! Perhaps I should post a sign on my office wall with the new story title to motivate me further. :)
Delete…with the title and a pic of your main character.
DeleteAll of these awesome writer folks I've met are definitely inspiring and encouraging. :-) Glad you feel the same way!
ReplyDeleteThis past NaNo, I actually tackled a story from the previous NaNo year. The plan was to try and finish it, and while I didn't quite do that, I made awesome progress toward that goal. NaNo is an awesome excuse to work on something new, different, or an old story that you'd like to revisit.
Have a great week, Kris! :D
I couldn't agree more. I think more than anything Nano just made me sit down and write every day no matter how busy I was. I've tried to replicate that with ReadySetWrite, with some success, but boy does life get in the way sometimes. :)
DeleteI agree that the on-line writing community is fabulous! And mixed medaphors are fine by me, expcially in the swamp.
ReplyDeleteIt is,isn't it? We're an awesome bunch.
DeleteAnd thanks for allowing my metaphor mash-up. :)
Love the picture and wow, a T-shirt I heart swamps sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI confess, I made the T-shirt myself. I do that when I can't find something. Now I just need one that says, "Bride of Swamp Thing" to explain my hair in the morning. :)
DeleteI agree on the inspiration! Checking in each week has been motivating. Even the weeks where I told myself I was too busy to write, I squeezed a little in and was surprised by how much difference it made. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, even when I have off weeks, it motivates me to do better next week. :)
DeleteWhat a lovely post. It made me smile just reading it. I'm glad everything is awesome for you right now, long may it continue :)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree on the inspiration. Checking in here every week has been such a motivator for me.
Thanks Alexa, I'm glad it made you smile! And yes, the motivation thing is soooo important. :)
DeleteTHE MOON DWELLERS sounds really good. Thanks for the recommendation. Good luck with your writing goals. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy! Hope you have a great week too. :)
DeleteSeeing as I'm terrified of heights, your jumping over the Grand Canyon on roller skates metaphor scares the crap out of me, but that being said, I'm thrilled to hear you're at a high point right now! That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love the swamp picture! So green and beautiful! I always enjoyed swamp fieldtrips when I was a kid. We used to go orienteering and looking for bugs and frogs and cool plants. So much fun!
Hang in there with those edits! I hear ya about new ideas too. My idea folder is fairly bursting, but I can't work on more than one project at a time without going crazy. It's tough to stick with nitpicky editing when your imagination wants to be doing something more creative.
I agree that the writing community is inspiring! Even just today's comments gave me a much needed boost. I hope the awesomeness continues for you this week!
I love it that you love swamps! "bugs and frogs and cool plants", you're my kinda gal. :)
DeleteAnd I know, I can't work on two projects at the same time without my characters going to war with each other. Must. Finish. Edits.
Love the image of dreams and rollerskates and the Grand Canyon. I think that sums it up perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who used to say "cat's meow" and "bee's knees." I always liked those cute, throwback phrases :)
I think it's probably pretty obvious how many 1940's movies I watch that I say things like "cat's meow" without even thinking about it. If I could have been born in another time, I think it would have to have been the 40's. (If for no other reason than dancing to big band music.)
DeleteAnd by the way, you're totally the bee's knees. :)
Meeeow! :D Sorry THE MOON DWELLERS wasn't all you hoped it would be. I've not read it, so I can't say whether or not I agree with your assessment. But I will note your displeasure should I ever consider reading it. :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best with the writing projects this week, Kris! I'm sure you'll make it to the other side, no ambulance required. :)
Thanks Colin! Your confidence in my Grand Canyon jumping abilities means a lot!
DeleteHope your week is great too and good luck with WriteOnCon! :)
Your post seriously just made me smile. I can feel your enthusiasm through the internets, and THAT is inspiring. :D I'm so glad things are looking great for you and that you're pumped to do ALL THE THINGS. That is the BEST feeling!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a swamp, but that picture up there is GORGEOUS. Have you read CHIME? I think it's set in a swamp too. I haven't read the book, but my friend did and really liked it. One of the things she told me was that she never expected a swamp to be beautiful, but CHIME certainly made it sound that way.