What’s Up Wednesday
I’ve been on a bit of a blog break for the last week, so I’m taking this opportunity to catch you up on what’s been going on, courtesy of Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk‘s What’s Up Wednesday meme.
What I’m Reading
I’m currently reading THE DIVINERS by Libba Bray, and I can see why it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. The first part is a little slow as she introduces us to the characters and sets the atmosphere. Personally, I’m enjoying it, and that’s largely due to the fact that it’s well written. She’s avoiding a lot of info-dump but giving a good sense of place and character. And despite the relatively slow pace, there’s sufficient action in the opening chapters to keep the reader interested. I have high hopes this will be one of the better books I’ve read this year.
What I’m Writing
I’m still plugging away at the WIP revisions, and wavering between “this is good,” and “this is not good enough.” But what I think of it isn’t important right now. First, I need to finish revisions. Then I’ll worry about whether it’s worth taking to the beta reader stage. In the meantime, the YA Buccaneers have posted their latest Walk the Plank flash fiction challenge. I’ve had one idea for a story based on the theme and the opening words, but I’m afraid it will take more than 200 words to develop. We’ll see. I have a few weeks to come up with something.
What Inspires Me Right Now
You people! I really needed to take a blog break over the past week, and didn’t have time to visit many blogs for What’s Up Wednesday a few weeks ago. I thought that would mean no-one would visit my blog either (seems fair). But no! You lovely people still stopped by, commented, visited, and so on. Thank you so much. It’s nice to know you all still check in on me even when I’m not around the blogs for a while. That encourages me to keep this blog thing going. I’ll try to do better over the next week or so to stop by your blogs.
What Else I’ve Been Up To
This past weekend, my oldest turned 20. She got a lovely swanky new camera, so she’s now the official family photographer. Aside from reading and writing, there’s buying Christmas gifts, and the various activities around that. I’m also trying not to get sucked into playing Doctor Who: Legacy on my iPad (also available for Android). I warn you–it’s very addictive. And speaking of Doctor Who… only one week until the Christmas Special, and the regeneration, the end of Matt Smith’s era… yes, it’s a huge deal for Whovians. Don’t get me wrong, Christmas would be awesome even without Doctor Who. The Christmas Special is the cherry on the cake, though. If you like cherries–which I do.
What have you been up to this week? Don’t tell me in the comments–blog about it! See Jaime’s blog for details on how to participate. Meanwhile, tell me what’s your favorite (or favourite for my Commonwealth friends) thing to do at Christmas?
I really enjoyed The Diviners. It does start off slow but it’s a great story!
I love the Doctor Who Christmas specials. Watching it has become a family tradition!
Good luck with the revisions and have a great Christmas and New Year! 🙂
Thanks, Emma! As a life-long Whovian, I’m so pleased the Christmas Specials have become a part of people’s traditions. When I was young, we didn’t have such things. Indeed, Doctor Who would take a *break* over Christmas!
I enjoyed The Diviners. She did an amazing job with all the characters and setting up the world brilliantly. I thought it was a great book. Enjoy!
I can’t believe you have a 20-year-old. My oldest just turned 10 and I thought that was crazy! 🙂
Thank you, Melanie! I’m so glad you can’t believe I have a 20-year-old. 🙂 Frankly, neither can I. The time goes too quickly. It doesn’t seem that long ago since she was 10. But I don’t need to tell you that. You’re probably wondering where the time when when your oldest was in diapers.
I read the first couple chapters of The Diviners a few months ago but then set it aside when I got distracted by something else. I was intending to come back to it, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Maybe I should get on that. Libba Bray is one of my favorite authors, so I fully expect to enjoy it once I do settle in and actually read it.
Happy Holidays and Happy Reading.
If Libba Bray is already one of your favorite authors, then you should read it. THE DIVINERS is my first Libba Bray, and I’m enjoying it. I can only imagine how much someone who’s already a fan would like it.
Merry Christmas to you, Kate! 🙂
The Diviners is on my Kindle and I will get to it asap. It sounds so fascinating.
Happy Birthday to your eldest! Have an amazing Christmas ^_^
Libba has certainly taken an interesting approach to this book, introducing each of the characters with their own storylines, told from a third person perspective. I’m sure these lives will intersect at some point soon, but right now, it’s like reading different stories about people with, it seems, a common thread between them that they don’t even realize yet. All set in 1920s New York.
Thanks Cole–you have an awesome Christmas yourself! 🙂
Hello, Colin! My favorite thing to do at Christmas is eat, drink, and be merry! Hahaha. Actually, I love putting up and decorating Christmas trees. The tree is my favorite Christmas decoration!
Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
There’s a lot to be said for eating, drinking, and being merry (though not too merry–not too much of the egg nog! 😉 ). There’s such a lot of good food around this time of year. In our house, the Christmas tree has become FirstBorn’s job, and she does a very good job of it. I don’t know if she still enjoys it as much as she used to, but she gets on with it, and takes a certain pride in it, I think.
Have a wonderful Christmas, Laura! 🙂
happy belated birthday to your oldest! I’m one of those who wasn’t the biggest fan of The Diviners, although I didn’t actually finish reading it. I can’t even remember how far I made it before I quit. Perhaps I was too hasty. Good luck with revisions!
Since I haven’t finished THE DIVINERS yet, I can’t comment on whether you gave up on it too soon. All I can say is I’m enjoying it so far, so it might be worth another look sometime.
Thanks, Prerna! 🙂
Best of luck with your revisions, Colin. I have those waiting for me next month. Fuuuun. 🙂 I hope you decide that your story is beta reader-worthy!
Enjoy the holidays! I’ll be looking forward to reading your flash fiction story. 🙂
Thanks, Bridgid! I hope it does end up being beta-worthy. If it isn’t, it won’t be time wasted–every novel is a learning experience. But it’s such an interesting idea, it would be nice to share it. 🙂
Have a great Christmas! 🙂
Good luck with your revisions! I’m starting mine on my NaNo novel in January – I actually can’t wait.
Thank you, Laura. Revisions can be fun, an opportunity to really dig into the craft of writing. I hope that’s what you find in January. in the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas. 🙂
No more Matt Smith *sob* although I felt the same when David Tennant left and I do like the new Dr.
I loved Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle books so I must check out The Diviners
Good luck with the revisions and Happy Christmas!
A new Doctor always takes some getting used to. I remember when Tom Baker regenerated–I couldn’t imagine how anyone else, let alone Peter Davison, could be The Doctor! It’s going to be really interesting to see Peter Capaldi’s take. He seems like an excellent choice.
Thanks for the encouragement, Alexa. I hope you have a great Christmas, too! 🙂