Ready. Set. WRITE! Week 6

I was invited to participate in Ready. Set. Write! by my CP and best friend Mandie, which makes sense since we’ve already been checking in with each other on our WIP goals. It’s been so helpful have some accountability and encouragement, and that’s what Ready. Set. Write! is all about–writers encouraging one another this summer to meet their goals. This year, it’s hosted by Katy Upperman, Jamie Morrow, Alison Miller, and Erin Funk. Check out their blogs for more information and be sure to link up each week.

How I did on last week’s goals:

I actually had to add several goals for the week after a brainstorming/game planning session with my agent, but I managed to get them all (for the most part) finished.

I got the PDF proofs for Arcana, and it was SO exciting and surreal to see them. I made it feel so real. Now I’m desperate to see the ARCs!

My agent did get the editorial letter on my WIP to me last week, but after our game planning session, we decided to put it aside for a week or so while I finish getting together the first 3 chapters of a Top Secret Project ;). If all goes well, I’ll be juggling two projects this summer (3 including Arcana).

I’m reading two books at the moment (Burning Skies and Shadow and Bone), but I only finished Shadow and Bone (I LOVED IT). It seems like I’m getting the most reading done on my Kindle while I nurse, so I keep finishing my Kindle books long before I do my hard copies.

I caught up on emails last week, but it’s like laundry–never-ending. 🙂

Goals for this week:

Get the first 3 chapters of my Top Secret Project polished and sent to my agent

Come up with a title for said Top Secret Project (I’m the WORST at titles, so this will be a challenge)

Possibly start work on the edits for my WIP–I’ll have to work chapter by chapter on these, or I’ll get overwhelmed.

Finish reading Burning Skies and the new book I started on the Kindle, The Falconer

Favorite Lines from Arcana:

I haven’t shared any of the fantasy elements of Arcana yet, so here’s an excerpt from chapter one:

Too fast, her legs fold beneath her weight, dragging my brother down with her. I drop the reins and sit up straight in the saddle. My arms reach toward Robert as though I am trying to catch him. A deep tug at the core of me, and my power unfurls, sliding over my skin like silk. The familiar smell of energy releasing washes over me, like the refreshing scent of the earth right after it rains.

Golden light pours from my fingertips and bathes Robert and his horse in brightness. Robert squints as the light glitters around him, illuminating his mop of unruly blond hair. The arcana stops Serenity’s fall and suspends her inches above the ground.

The biggest challenge I faced this week:

Working on multiple projects and having to suddenly switch gears from my WIP (11th century  Ireland) to my Top Secret Project (totally different time period). It actually caused a lot of hair-pulling and general angst. I couldn’t get into my writing, and everything I wrote seemed to come out wrong. I quickly became frustrated, and if it wasn’t for supportive critique partners who were willing to look over my work, I probably would still be sitting and rocking myself.

Thanks for all the encouraging comments! I hope everyone has a productive week! 🙂