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.
You can participate by going to Jaime's blog here. Or Erin's blog there.
Mmm apples...
What I'm Reading
I'm back from vacation--and I'll do a reading wrap up post soon, but I've hit that 105 books read mark! This week I'm reading an eARC of Jennifer Niven's ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES and ohhhmygosh it's so good!
It's being pitched as The Fault In Our Stars meets Eleanor & Park, which I think is a really lofty comparison to live up to, but definitely worthy. The book is so good. I hope this one gets more pick up as the pub date grows closer. I'm definitely going to put Jennifer Niven on my list of authors to watch for in 2015. Check it out on GoodReads.
What I'm Writing
I did that thing where I wrote a complete first draft, and then had to rip it up and completely replot the middle and end. I actually had to sit down and rewrite out:
- What is the problem?
- What is the solution?
- Who are the antagonists? What do they want and how does it conflict?
What Works For Me
When I used to paint, we were taught to always take steps back to look at the whole picture. I feel it's the same way with writing. I can focus on a scene or a section, but I have to keep taking steps back to look at the whole picture.
That's why my plotting post-it method works so well for me. It sucked having to rip them all down and start over, but I think I'm going to have a stronger story for it.
That's why my plotting post-it method works so well for me. It sucked having to rip them all down and start over, but I think I'm going to have a stronger story for it.
From this:
To this:
What Else I'm Up To
I'm back from vacation! We traveled from Miami down to the Virgin Islands and then up to the Bahamas. We hit up St. Thomas, San Juan, and Grand Turk. I read many books and got quite a bit of sun (as much as my pasty self can!) and ate much chocolate cake.
Want to see some pictures?
Want to see some pictures?
Have an awesome week--see you next Wednesday! <3
Your vacation looks great! I am jealous ;-) I am also in awe of your Post-It note plotting. *runs away from plotting* That book has a great cover and I hear that there is a movie already in the works - the book isn't even out yet. The comp titles are a little too lofty for me but I love the cover and the premise sounds good so I will definitely pick it up in 2015. (feels so far away but isn't :P )
ReplyDeleteI love your method with the post-its. It reminds me of how Kinsey Millhone (sue grafton's character) works out her detective cases! :) and I'm jealous of your vacay!
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing your vacation photos -- they're gorgeous and your trip looked like so much fun! Also, I'm crazy-jealous of your big plotting bulliten board. As much as I love Scrivener, I wouldn't mind using a more hands-on method sometimes, too. Best of luck with your revision, Valerie!
ReplyDeleteSome books really need a radical restructuring and rewriting, though it's so difficult to slog through it most of the time. The author is the person who knows best if a book is need of radical surgery, and how best to fix it.
ReplyDeleteYour vacation looks awesome.
Congrats on hitting your reading mark!
ReplyDeleteI really need to get my hands on a pinboard for my room - it'd definitely come in useful!
Have a lovely week!
Hope you had fun on your cruise! I did that exact one a few years ago and getting the itch to cruise again!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a beautiful trip! Very sunny ^_^
ReplyDeleteThose are questions I should probably ask my first draft... ;)
Have a great week.
Wow, your plotting corkboard is so organized! I use the corkboard on Scrivener, though it's not nearly as pretty. Love your vacation photos! I might be just a tad jealous... :)
ReplyDelete