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What's Up Wednesday

Wednesday, March 26, 2014


What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk providing an easy way for readers and writers to share what's been happening lately and keep in touch. Add your link and join in the fun!

WHAT I'M READING


The List by Siobhan Vivian, which I finally got hold of it whilst on holiday (hooray for Barnes and Noble, Union Square. The YA section was excellent at this Barnes and Noble - like nothing I've seen over here in London, except for maybe Foyles. Waterstones people get over there and take some notes). It's a bit different to what I expected actually but in a good way. I'll post a review - probably, maybe - at some point.

WHAT I'M WRITING


I can finally do What's Up Wednesday because I have something to contribute to this section! As I said on Friday, this year I will be attempting Camp NaNoWriMo. Even though I've been trying to write this for so long and had a fairly up to date plan, I've been re-writing and updating the outline just for something to do before it all begins. Oh and I also spent far too much time trying to make a cover. Today I'm going to have a mess around with Ellen's amazingly brilliant character worksheet from her post over at YA Buccaneers

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW


I've been reading more and more about the diversity in YA problem - such as the Cake Literary tumblr and Tanya Byrne dropped a list in The Guardian last week. This has been eating away at me more and more every day. So much so it almost derailed my Camp NaNo project because I feel duty bound to at least attempt to contribute something that might help the problem but it would have to be GOOD and I'd need a lot of time to try and come up with something.

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO


I'm one week, one quiz, and one exam away from finishing my first Coursera MOOC entitled Understanding Europe: Why It Matters and What It Can Offer You. It has been quite enlightening. Despite being, although not necessarily feeling like, a European, I didn't know about 80% of what was covered in this course. 

I still need to find a new TV series to binge watch. I tried Person of Interest but wasn't keen on the third episode so didn't go back. At the moment I've resorted to re-watching Gossip Girl (it really was quite good in the beginning). 

Job hunting. Lots of rejection and radio silence this last week or two, so I've just been trying to keep busy to take my mind off it. Oh and listening to Shakira's new album has helped! 

8 comments

  1. Thanks for sharing that link to Ellen's post on YAB. I'll have to make use of the planning sheet she provided. We're pretty fortunate to have great YA sections at our Indigo/Chapters/Coles stores here in Canada. I like to just wonder the bookstore and stare at it all lol. I know what you mean about trying to find another good series to binge watch. I'm in that same boat. I keep reverting to old favourites while I'm hunting down something new.

    Best of luck with Camp NaNoWriMo! :-)

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    1. Oh I was looking forward to visiting Indigo before my trip got cancelled! I still don't think YA is taken that seriously over here but I might be wrong. Oh well, at least Game of Thrones is back soon - that should help quell the urge to find a new series for a little while!

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  2. THE LIST has been sitting in my TBR pile for way too long. Actually, I think it's in a pile under my bedside table, which might be why I keep forgetting to pick it up and read it already. I fizzled out on Person of Interest too. Lately I've been binge watching Veronica Mars, which I'm loving. Have you watched The Good Wife? It's got some of the best writing I've ever seen on TV. Definitely not your typical law show. Hope you find a new show that interests you! Good luck with your Camp NaNoWriMo prep!

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    1. Thank you! I love The Good Wife - this week's episode was just...wow. There are no words for it. I have a horrible feeling something similar is about to occur on Suits too.

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  3. Good luck with Camp NaNo! I do November's NaNo each year, but I've done Camp only once last July. I'll probably do it again this summer, but I'm still deciding for April. I better decide soon!

    Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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    1. Thanks Laura! Haha best of luck for whatever you decide!

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  4. Hey! Yeah, there's nothing like visiting bookstores while on vacation, is there? The book picks up all the emotional overtones of the trip for me. I actually went to Waterstones last time I was in England and picked up some of the Bartimaeus books in giant trade paperbacks, which I treasure. :)

    Best of luck with Camp Nanowrimo. Whatever goal you set, I'm sure you'll kick ass.

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    1. Thanks very much! Yes I love visiting bookshops whilst on holiday. My favourite was an independent bookshop on Sannibel Island or Marco Island (I can't quite remember) because the lady was so kind and helpful. We also visited a nice one somewhere between Breckenridge and the Silverthorne outlets- I think we missed a bus or something and ended up there!

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