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Ready. Set. Write! 2015 Week 4 - Jessica Leake

Jul / 06

Ready. Set. Write! 2015 Week 4

By / Jessica Leake / 17

RSW6

 

How I did on last week’s goals:

I haven’t made a ton of progress on my WIP, but I’ve decided not to push myself too hard since I’m still technically on break after meeting deadline for THE ORDER OF THE ETERNAL SUN and completing another book while I wrote ORDER.

I finished P.S. I STILL LOVE YOU and loved it–maybe not as much as the first one, but I just find Lara Jean’s voice so addictive. I also finished reading THE WRATH AND THE DAWN, and I can see why everyone is raving about it–I love the setting and lush descriptions, but for a while, the dialogue was driving me nuts–particularly between Shazi and her handmaiden. It didn’t feel very authentic, particularly because I doubt a Thebian slave would speak to her calipha that way upon first meeting, but the story is just so beautiful and rich and full of conflict that it didn’t bothered me enough to stop reading.

The kids have been spending a lot of time reading, and I more than met my exercise goals–so yay for staying on track there!

My goal(s) for this week:

1. Continue working/plotting my WIP

2. Read another book

3. Help the kids with reading

4. Exercise at least 3 days

A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revise:

I like these lines from the end of the chapter where the MC realizes she’s traveled back to the middle of the Civil War.

I don’t need to ask him what year it is.
I already know.

The biggest challenge I faced this week:

Being okay with taking a little hiatus from writing! I’m almost ready to get back into it, but my mind still needs a little vacation–I need time to “refill the creative well” I think.

Something I love about my WiP:

The fact that I can do all the research for it in my own state–can’t wait to take some field trips to nearby plantations! Why didn’t I think of this before?? Pretty sure it’d be a tax write-off ;).

Comment (17)
  • Jaime Morrow / July 6, 2015, 3:44 pm  

    I love when snippets of writing make me ask questions. Yours definitely makes me want to know more! Writing research trips are the best! I got to do that with two of my WiPs. Well, one was kind of in reverse because the story idea was inspired by the trip. Hope you’re able to learn all kinds of things and find inspiration. Have a great week, Jessica!
    • Jessica Leake / July 7, 2015, 12:55 pm  

      Thanks, Jaime! I just love when story ideas come from trips–it’s a great idea to remember them :).
  • Erin Funk / July 6, 2015, 5:17 pm  

    Time to “refill the creative well” is so important. I’ve never been good with taking breaks either, but it’s good to let that itch to write build up again, I think. It’s so cool that you’ll be able to do research in your own state. Enjoy those field trips and your hiatus, even if you are sneaking in a little work here and there! 😉
    • Jessica Leake / July 7, 2015, 12:55 pm  

      “It’s good to let that itch to write build up again”–YES. This is exactly what I’ve been trying to do. And thanks! 🙂
  • Carrie-Anne / July 6, 2015, 7:10 pm  

    Your research sounds really fun! There’s nothing quite like writing a book set in your own city or state, since you don’t have to do copious amounts of outside research. Good luck with your goals in the coming week.
    • Jessica Leake / July 7, 2015, 12:54 pm  

      Thanks, Carrie-Anne! I’m looking forward to the research for sure.
  • Crystal Schubert / July 6, 2015, 8:04 pm  

    Oh, hey! So you JUST finished PS I LOVE YOU, haha… awesome. I totally agree that you need time to refill the creative well sometimes. I didn’t get much done last week either. Hope you feel a little more refreshed and rock out your goals this week! 🙂
    • Jessica Leake / July 7, 2015, 12:54 pm  

      I did! Like–just the other day, haha. And thank you!
  • Alison Miller / July 6, 2015, 10:18 pm  

    Refill the creative well–LOVE IT. And yes, I think we all need that mental recharge. Sounds like you have been BUSY so relax, let the mind wander, and good luck with all the goals this week!
    • Jessica Leake / July 7, 2015, 12:53 pm  

      Thanks, Alison! Hope you meet all your goals this week, too :).
  • Katy Upperman / July 6, 2015, 11:38 pm  

    Enjoy your writing hiatus — it sounds like it’s well deserved and doing you lots of good. I totally agree about Lara Jean’s voice. Those reviews that call her “too young” drive me nuts. My teenage self relates to her character so completely! Best of luck with your goals this week, Jessica. Rooting for you!
    • Jessica Leake / July 7, 2015, 12:53 pm  

      Thanks, Katy! And that’s ridiculous about the reviews that call her too young–I actually think, for once, she’s a character who SOUNDS 16. We’re all so used to YA characters who aren’t acting any where near their age. I’ll defend you, Lara Jean! ;).
  • Leandra Wallace / July 7, 2015, 12:59 am  

    Visiting plantations sound like a great trip! I’d love to visit one someday. Have fun filling your creative well back up again- we all need to do that from time to time!
    • Jessica Leake / July 7, 2015, 12:47 pm  

      It’ll be fun–I’ve been before, but this is the first time I’ll be going with research in mind :).
  • Carrie / July 7, 2015, 1:41 am  

    Oooo your WIP sounds awesome! Good luck with the research. How exciting 🙂
    • Jessica Leake / July 7, 2015, 12:47 pm  

      Thanks, Carrie! I’m looking forward to it :).
  • mandie baxter / July 7, 2015, 4:31 pm  

    I want to come visit plantations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And see ghosts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀