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. It was created by created by Jaime and Erin. Want to join the party? Go right ahead, and remember to leave a link to your What’s Up Wednesday post in the widget on Jaime´s blog.
This is the second CampNaNoWrimo edition of this weekly blog.
What I’m Reading
This has been a week of powering through beta reading, but since I can’t talk about all those awesome projects, I’ll talk about the one published book I did read: A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness.
It’s THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE meets THE FAULT IN OUR STARS meets WONDER with snarky tree monsters and so many, many feelings. So many.
It’s a true gem of a book. Read it.
(I read the ebook, which was great, but I’ve heard the illustrated physical book is even better.)
What I’m Writing
I’m currently at 15,000 words written this month.
My CampNaNo goal of 35k is looking like it’s going to be tricky to meet. aNo surprise there, since it was over-optimistic back when I first set it. Still, I’ll try to hit it. I’ve got about 30 notebook pages scribbled down over Eastercon to type up, so that’ll give me a good boost forwards.
Anyway, the wordcount isn’t the most important thing. The important thing is that the work I’m doing (a rewrite of BROKEN THINGS) seems to be fitting together much better and making a lot more sense. I’m getting more and more excited about this project the closer it gets to being ready for beta readers.
I’m cautiously optimistic that this edit might actually be DONE by the end of April. That would’ve seen impossible back at the start of the month.
What Inspires Me
I was at Eastercon this weekend, a sci-fi/fantasy convention running in Glasgow over the long weekend, and it was a nice break where I could focus on reading and writing. Seeing writer-friends in the flesh as well as various new faces and industry professionals is an energizing experience, and it’s definitely spurring me on this week!
What Else I’ve Been Up To
Eastercon adventures! It was great to see Rob and Jenny Haines, Laura Lam (who has a great con recap here), Andrew Reid and his partner @Miyulinka, @CamJohnston, Lisa, Den Patrick, Juliet Mushens and many others.
The weekend was really, unseasonably sunny, which confused the heck out of me and my rucksack full of jumpers. But I survived, and also discovered the wonders of Bier Halle, everyone’s favorite Glaswegian restaurant (and post-apocalyptic hangout spot, since it’s deep underground and could withstand almost anything).
Look at this tastiness:
Also, shout out to the lady dragging a cross through St George’s square on Saturday. You confused the living daylights out of me, but it was an interesting march.
How has your Easter weekend been?
I loved A Monster Calls! I heard they’re starting to film the movie this year, and I think it’d be amazing to watch on the big screen! Tissues might be needed, though…
Glad to hear the rewrite’s going well, and Eastercon sounds like it was a lot of fun! :)
Oooh, a movie? That sounds amazing! Can’t wait! :D
A MONSTER CALLS sounds intriguing. The last book I read that I felt would lose something in ebook format was MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN by Ransom Riggs. It was a good book, but the layout of the book–the photographs, the paper quality, the artwork–also made it a physically enjoyable experience to read.
All the best with your writing this week, Emma. You’re right–word-count isn’t everything. The fact that you’re feeling good about where the novel’s going is priceless. :)
I really need to read MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN. I’ve heard only good things about it.
I’d love to read A Monster Calls – I found a copy for just £2 in The Works but it wasn’t the pretty illustrated copy, and I’d much rather own that edition.
Eastercon sounds like it was a lot of fun. :) It’s been ages since I last went to a convention.
Good luck with the rest of your rewrite, have a great week!
It definitely seems like it’s worth waiting to get the illustrated version, I’m tempted to buy that version as well.
Hope you have a great week too!
I have the hardback of A Monster Calls and yes, it is absolutely beautiful… and possibly tear-stained now ^^;
Eastercon sounds like so much fun! I really should’ve put some thought into going, given that my brother lives in Glasgow :P
YAY THIS BETA READER IS READY :D :D :D
Have an awesome week!
Ah, you should’ve come to Eastercon! That would’ve been amazing!
Eeee. Thank you for being an excited beta reader. :D That keeps me psyched to get this thing done!
That mix of comps for A MONSTER CALLS sounds fascinating! I would never have imagined there was a book that felt like a combo of all three of those. I might have to check that one out sometime.
You’re making awesome progress on your story from the sounds of it. That would be fantastic if you met your goal of finishing it by the end of the month. Best of luck! :-)
Thank you Jaime!
Okay, a sci-fi/fantasy convention in Glasgow sounds like my dream trip. Glad you had a great time! Good luck with the edits and keep plugging away at that Camp NaNo goal!
Thank you Erin!
The cover of A Monster Calls looks lovely. It sounds intriguing…
Anything called Bier Halle (Beer Hall) has got to be good, right?? Anyway, I don’t think I’ve frequented this site before, so hello. :) I admire you for attempting Camp with such an ambitious goal.
Hello Laura, welcome to my humble home on the internet. :D I hope to see you around!