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

Jun / 29

Ready. Set. Write! 2015 Week Three

By / Jessica Leake / 16

RSW6

How I did on last week’s goals:

Much better this week! All that rest after meeting my deadline did me some good, and I went back to my WIP with the words flowing easily again.

I haven’t finished a book since I was in the middle of reading PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG when I finally got my hands on P.S. I STILL LOVE YOU, and then I basically dropped everything to start reading it–I’m finding it just as addictive as the first one!

As for helping the kids with reading, my agent was awesome enough to send a care package with a bunch of amazing books, and the kids (even the 15-mo-old) have been reading them like crazy!

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My goal(s) for this week:

1. Write another chapter on 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 because it’s when the reader realizes the story isn’t just about a Southern girl with an overbearing mama.

I lean around the horse to get a better look, and a man dressed as a Confederate soldier steps into the light. My first thought is that it’s just one of the men from the reenactment, but then I really take in his features. His face is haggard and gray, his body gaunt and skeletal. The fine hairs on my arms stand up, and a chill washes over me as though someone suddenly put a wet washcloth on the back of my neck.

The biggest challenge I faced this week:

Making myself write–now that I’m not under a deadline and daily word count quota isn’t a necessity, I’ve been slacking.

Something I love about my WiP:

The challenge. The Civil War is not something I really wanted to write about, but this idea just refused to leave my head.

Comment (16)
  • Alison Miller / June 29, 2015, 3:36 pm  

    Oh, your WiP has me all kinds of intrigued. I love that excerpt you shared! Also, it sounds like you have an AWESOME agent! Good luck this week with your goals! Cheering you on!
    • Jessica Leake / June 30, 2015, 1:05 am  

      Thanks, Alison! She’s definitely an awesome agent–the kids and I were SO excited to get the book care package :).
  • Carrie-Anne / June 29, 2015, 3:58 pm  

    It can be challenging to write when we’re not under a deadline. I’m looking forward to Camp NaNo, since I’ll be compelled to be more productive every single day, and can watch my word count meter going up multiple times a day.
    • Jessica Leake / June 30, 2015, 1:06 am  

      So very true!
  • Jaime Morrow / June 29, 2015, 4:11 pm  

    Wow! That was really sweet of your agent to send your kids books!

    Love the snippet you shared! It’s the kind of snippet that makes me want to read more and know more. 🙂 Hope this is a productive week for you!
    • Jessica Leake / June 30, 2015, 1:06 am  

      Thanks, Jaime! And wasn’t it? She’s the best!
  • Erin Funk / June 29, 2015, 6:06 pm  

    What a thoughtful agent! Those pics of your kids reading are so great. It’s awesome to see kids getting hooked on books at such a young age.

    I really enjoyed the excerpt from your story, especially the bit about feeling like there’s a wet washcloth on the back of her neck. Great description! And I love that you felt compelled to work on this story even though you never pictured yourself writing a book about the Civil War. I think those are the best ideas, because they stretch you as a writer. Good luck with your goals this week!
    • Jessica Leake / June 30, 2015, 1:08 am  

      She’s pretty much the best agent ever :). And I made it my mission to hook them on reading basically as soon as their eyes could focus on the pages! So glad you liked the excerpt–very true about it stretching me as a writer–it’s a tough subject matter to tackle!
  • H.M. Shander / June 29, 2015, 11:07 pm  

    Reading to children is a great goal! Get them started early and they’ll have a lifetime of reading love.
    • Jessica Leake / June 30, 2015, 1:09 am  

      Thank you! That’s what I’m hoping for–so far, we have 3 for 3 hooked, and I hope it continues :).
  • Elodie / June 30, 2015, 3:38 pm  

    Cute pictures 🙂 And yay for your agent sending you books, that’s so thoughtful! Congrats on all the progress. Cheering you on 🙂
    • Jessica Leake / July 2, 2015, 8:01 pm  

      Thanks, Elodie! Cheering you on, too 🙂
  • Karyne Norton / July 1, 2015, 9:52 pm  

    I know Hooked on Phonics gets a bad rap but I love it! My 5 year old is so excited about reading and I love that he’s going into kindergarten with a huge head start. Totally worth the purchase! Have a great week!
    • Jessica Leake / July 2, 2015, 8:02 pm  

      Oh my goodness–I didn’t realize Hooked on Phonics still exists! We’ve been teaching them phonics, of course, but I’ll have to check it out!
  • Katy Upperman / July 2, 2015, 7:14 pm  

    How cool of your agent! Also, I totally agree with your thoughts on PS I STILL LOVE YOU. I adore Jenny Han’s books. Best of luck with your goals this week!
    • Jessica Leake / July 2, 2015, 8:02 pm  

      Thanks, Katy! I adore her books, too :).