What’s Up Wednesday is an easy and fun weekly blog hop that’s hosted by Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk. All you do is answer the four main questions, then visit the other participants’ blogs to see what they’re up to this week. Join us! Jooooiiiin uussss!
WHAT I’M READING
I’m 130ish pages into Dreams of Gods and Monsters and it is divine. I know a lot of people have commented on the slow pace of this book, but so far it doesn’t bother me. That’s actually pretty common–others feel like a book is sluggish, when it doesn’t bother me much. The reason is this: PLOT is the not very high on my list of WHY I READ. CHARACTER, WRITING, and EMOTIONS/INTROSPECTION (which, I know, are totally a part of character) are, though. So when one or both of those are on point, I forgive a lot. And not even consciously, like I’m making excuses for them. I just get so wrapped up in those that I don’t notice pacing issues until I finished the book (and even then I’m like, meh whatever). I think it’s also due to my mom only allowing me to read the classics for much of my childhood, and then my MFA/literary training. So I’m pretty biased. But this is why I enjoyed Mockingjay and Ignite Me much more than others. (Although the Adam thing still irks me to no end.)
WHAT I’M WRITING
I read through the latest draft of FR and yep, my beta readers were right. Definitely pacing issues. So, my next step is to write a one-line summary of each scene onto one notecard each, then start moving things around to see what will work. I have a basic idea of what things should go where, but I need to know where each scene will go. I considered doing this on Scrivener, but I think handling the cards will aid in the process. Plus, it’ll be easier to move them. Sometimes the electronic version doesn’t beat the physical one, you know?
Also, pleasant surprise: I still love this book. I was worried I’d be somewhat resentful towards it, since I’m putting the book of my heart on hold to do this draft, but I quickly fell back in love as I read it. So yay!
WHAT INSPIRES ME
Bought some flowers today for my front stoop and they are so beautiful and vibrant I couldn’t help but smile and feel inspired. Also, my book. Reading it made me excited to make it better. Aaaand I’ve been doing research on literary agents, which is exciting and inspiring. One step closer!
WHAT ELSE I’M UP TO
So, it snowed on Sunday and Monday. SNOWED. IN MAY. And not just a skiff–serious accumulation. Mother’s Day was actually lovely because after church we had absolutely nowhere to be so we donned our jammies, napped, ate on the couch, watched TV, and generally vegged. It was wonderful. And I don’t mind snow in May that much, because it’s better that unseasonably hot weather. (I’d rather have just perfect weather, but given the choice … ) And, as I knew would be the case, it was all gone by yesterday afternoon. That’s Denver for you.
I’ve got something up my sleeve that I hope to show y’all next week. I’m very excited and very nervous about it. Eeeep!
How’s your week, lovelies?
Kristina Atkins 
“Although the Adam thing still irks me to no end.” Lol – I totally agree! So happy to hear you are still in love with FR. You should be! It’s a great story – great characters. Your totally relaxed Mother’s Day sounds amazing. That’s how every Mother’s Day (or maybe every Sunday!) should be. :) Have a great week!
Definitely every Sunday.
Wow, that is a lot of snow O_O Go home, weather, you’re drunk.
Enjoy your book no matter what anyone else says! You’re the one that matters. DO WHAT YOU WAAAAANT!
Have fun with the revisions. Go, go, goooooo!!!!
“Go home, weather, you’re drunk.”
HAH! You win the comment-of-the-day award. It totally made me laugh out loud.
OMG, snow! I wish. In VA, it’s been in the 90s and our AC broke so we had a crappy free-standing unit and were basically boiled vegetables by the time they finally fixed it… ugh.
And ITA, “Sometimes the electronic version doesn’t beat the physical one, you know?” I love doing the notecard thing on the floor. To me, it needs to be that tactile experience or it doesn’t really help in the same way. I need to be able to move things around physically, so I’m glad I’m not the only one that feels that way!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who likes to physically handle the scenes! You get me. ^_^
Snow! That’s crazy. The napping and vegging sound great, though. Looking forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve:)
It’s been postponed a bit by my trip, but I’m hoping to have it for y’all in June.
Pacing is my weakest area, for sure. The rejections I’ve gotten so far that gave me any feedback have mentioned pacing, so that’s something I’m really going to focus on in my revisions for my current WIP. Researching agents, though…that’s exciting!
I took the longest nap yesterday, and it was glorious.
Pacing is so hard! And unexpectedly so. Definitely give K. M. Weiland’s STRUCTURING YOUR NOVEL a look-see*. It’s amazing.
*Looksy? Looksie? Hmm..