SWAMPED Writer's Retreat & I Get a New Precious
WHAT I'M READING
I've been reading CROWN OF MIDNIGHT. But to tell the truth, I haven't been crazy about it. I have a hard time connecting to a main character to cares overly-much about pretty dresses and honestly just seems a little spoiled. Way to ruin the whole assassin part for me.
WHAT I'M WRITING
After finishing my rewrites on ISIS, I'm going back through the whole thing. Tweaking some of the writing in the beginning, that, let's face it, just isn't up to snuff. And of course making sure all my changes make sense. I made it through 85% of the revised MS this week so far and hope to finish it in the next few days. I know *gasp*...I'm going to FINISH something!!!
I also made some progress on LOVE AND OTHER CURIOSITIES. I broke the 40K mark which felt really good. I also wrote a very fun scene which I hope *crosses fingers* holds up. Because I don't want to kill that darling.
I also made some progress on LOVE AND OTHER CURIOSITIES. I broke the 40K mark which felt really good. I also wrote a very fun scene which I hope *crosses fingers* holds up. Because I don't want to kill that darling.
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
I've been organizing a Writer's Retreat here in Sarasota, FL. It's been in the works for months and months, but now it's just 20 days 15 hours and 53 seconds away!!! (You know, if anyone was counting or anything *grin*) So there is much excitement and much rejoicing and a WHOLE LOT of last minute things to do. Like bribing a friend with a Yacht to take us out boating on the bay and getting permits for the guided kayak trip and trying to find last minute room shares, etc. etc. We're hoping to make this an annual thing. (Because you know me, I'm a glutton for punishment) So if you're not coming to this one, you should definitely save your pennies/airline miles for next year. And if you can't wait for next year, and you're just dying to get out of the snow, you can email me at: krisfoliver@gmail.com if you are interested. We still have a couple slots available, and let's face it, writing on the Beach is just soooooo much better. :)
We're calling this one the SWAMPED Writer's Retreat and I CAN'T WAIT to see people in person (read: tackle hug them) and the spend the whole week doing nothing but talking about writing and laughing ourselves silly.
I've been organizing a Writer's Retreat here in Sarasota, FL. It's been in the works for months and months, but now it's just 20 days 15 hours and 53 seconds away!!! (You know, if anyone was counting or anything *grin*) So there is much excitement and much rejoicing and a WHOLE LOT of last minute things to do. Like bribing a friend with a Yacht to take us out boating on the bay and getting permits for the guided kayak trip and trying to find last minute room shares, etc. etc. We're hoping to make this an annual thing. (Because you know me, I'm a glutton for punishment) So if you're not coming to this one, you should definitely save your pennies/airline miles for next year. And if you can't wait for next year, and you're just dying to get out of the snow, you can email me at: krisfoliver@gmail.com if you are interested. We still have a couple slots available, and let's face it, writing on the Beach is just soooooo much better. :)
We're calling this one the SWAMPED Writer's Retreat and I CAN'T WAIT to see people in person (read: tackle hug them) and the spend the whole week doing nothing but talking about writing and laughing ourselves silly.
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
It's my birthday next week and so I splurged big time and got myself this new PRECIOUS! *hugs the new Precious*
I agonized over it for a week, because it was a fair bit of coin to part with and you know someone (not naming names) quit her day job recently. But it plays like a dream and I've really wanted a new guitar for quite some time. Not to say that I don't love the little guitar my dad bought me when I was 11, but it was probably time for me to have a real guitar. And this little beauty has inspired me in so many ways. I'm writing songs like crazy and my actual writing has picked up too. I don't know why, but getting my creative juices flowing in one direction, gets them flowing in all sorts of directions.
I agonized over it for a week, because it was a fair bit of coin to part with and you know someone (not naming names) quit her day job recently. But it plays like a dream and I've really wanted a new guitar for quite some time. Not to say that I don't love the little guitar my dad bought me when I was 11, but it was probably time for me to have a real guitar. And this little beauty has inspired me in so many ways. I'm writing songs like crazy and my actual writing has picked up too. I don't know why, but getting my creative juices flowing in one direction, gets them flowing in all sorts of directions.
Posts
Wow, the retreat sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeleteInteresting what you have to say about Crown of Midnight. I'm reading Throne of Glass right now and enjoying it. I hope I stay interested in the subsequent books.
That guitar looks sweet. I play bass and classical guitar!
Well, not the bass so much anymore. But I've been enjoying the guitar.
Good luck on finishing your MS.
Thanks! And for some reason, I liked Throne of Glass more than I liked Crown of Midnight. (I put it down to more swordplay and less dresses- think that's the tomboy in me)
ReplyDeleteAnd how cool that you play classical. I started out on classical guitar, but was never really any good.
Hope you have a great week!
Ugh... I'm so sad that I have to miss SWAMPED. Here's hoping it's a raging success so you guys will plan another, and hopefully extend an invite my way. Sounds like so much fun! I love the title of your WiP (LOVE AND OTHER CURIOSITIES). I would pick that book up in a book store any day. Best of luck with it, Kris!
ReplyDeleteI know! I wish you could make it too! But don't worry, if we do it again, I'll definitely make sure you are on the invite list. :)
DeleteAnd thanks for the title love. Doesn't help that I have a hard time spelling "curiosities" every time I type it. (World's worst speller over here) Thank goodness for spell check. ;)
Hope your week is glorious!
SWAMPED sounds like so much fun! There is no way I'd be able to make it this year, even though I'm totally jealous of everyone going. But I may have to aim to attend next year.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, and congrats on all the creativity your new treasure has inspired.
Thanks and congrats on COUNTING TO D! Very exciting.
DeleteHope you have an amazing week!
That's too bad that you aren't loving CROWN OF MIDNIGHT. I've heard others say they didn't like the dress/spoiled thing. I loved the book, but I just chalked that stuff up to Celaena sometimes wanting something other than the life she's made for herself. The book definitely does get less frou frou and more assassin-y, too, so that's good.
ReplyDeleteThat writing retreat sounds great. Hope you have a great time and get loads of writing done! And congrats on nearly finishing ISIS! What a great feeling. :-) You definitely deserve a shiny guitar. (Very pretty, btw.) In case I miss it, I'll wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY now! :-)
I love the assassin-y her. And I can totally see your point about her wanting to escape her old life. I'm going to have to finish it with an open mind. :)
DeleteAnd thanks so much for the early Birthday wishes. Hope it warms up again, because it's kind of a tradition to go swimming on my birthday and today it would be Brrrrrr-ific!
I enjoyed Crown of Midnight, but i know what you mean about the dresses. I did like it better than throne of glass, though. Keeping track of all your changes and consistency during rewrites can be such a pain, especially if you're as disorganized as I am, lol. Awesome progress on Love, writing a fun scene always makes it easier to push through, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! Half my edits were written out long hand, the other half in the file itself. I definitely need to get more organized. :)
DeleteHope you have a great week! :)
Beautiful guitar...I wish I knew how to play mine. I totally dig the title of your WIP, Love And Other Curiosities...way cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessie! And the only way to learn how to play the guitar, appears to be to actually play it. I'm learning that the hard way. (blisters on my fingers and all) ;)
DeleteAnd I'm glad you like the title! I was hoping it wasn't too long.
Have a great week!
Oooh, what a beautiful instrument! Well worth the purchase.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get past Throne of Glass because of the *exact* reasons you outlined. I feel like I'm out in the cold with my opinion as just about everyone else seems to have loved it.
A retreat sounds amazing! Wish I was on the right side of the pond.
Have a wonderful week! :D
Thanks! There are a few things that I am willing to spend real money on, and music is on that list. :)
DeleteAnd I'm so glad that I'm not the only one that thought that. Often, I pick up something that everyone loves and I'm all "meh". Helps to remember that books are so very subjective. I'm just hoping that what I'm writing will resonate with at least one person on the planet. (Seriously, I'd be happy with one.)
Hope you have a fantastic week!
Yup, that's a nice guitar you have. Gibsons will set you back a few pennies, but you get what you pay for. I have a Taylor, which are not a cheap make either--but mine was a Christmas gift from someone else. :) I hope it continues to inspire you, Kris.
ReplyDeleteHave a great writing week! :)
I'm seriously impressed that you recognized that it was a Gibson. I played a few Taylors before I bought this one. They are lovely guitars!
DeleteHope you have a great week too!
Happy Birthday for next week! I love your present, it's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYay for nearly being done with your rewrite. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel too. It's such a great feeling.
Have a wonderful time in your writing retreat. I wish I could fly over and join in!
A writer's retreat! That sounds like so much fun. And like it was crazy hard to plan :)
ReplyDeleteMy older brother went to college in Sarasota, FL. I always loved visiting him down there. The seafood is to die for. Hope your writer's retreat is awesome! And congrats on all your progress with revising one story and writing another.
Yeah, I think writing on the beach beats the heck out of writing in a snowbank, which is what I'd be doing if I took my laptop outside. Your writer's retreat sounds incredible!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you've been busy in the writing department! Rewriting and breaking 40k on a new draft is quite the accomplishment! Hope those creative juices keep flowing whether you're creating music or stories! :)
Happy (almost) birthday! I'm a Capricorn, too :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could make it to Swamped this year. I'll be shivering in the cold, living vicariously through all of you!
OH how I WISH I could make it to your retreat. It sounds amaaaazing and I'm sure it's going to be a blast!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being so close to finishing your revision. That's so exciting!
I love your guitar. I always thought that'd be a fun instrument to learn. Happy early birthday!
Hurray for the retreat! And your birthday! And the writing progress!! Just - YAYYYY. :) I hope you're having an amazing week!
ReplyDeleteA group writing retreat sounds super fun, though I suspect I would socialize rather than write. I get pretty withdrawn from everything when I write. I hope you and your group enjoy sunny, warm Florida! (and that it is actually sunny and warm given the weird weather the States has been going through).
ReplyDelete