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
So, the day after I said I was enjoying The Devil’s Highway I stopped reading it. On page 55. Why? Well, it was technically written very well and the topic was interesting and I know next to nothing about it (illegal immigration through the Sonoran Desert) but it was So. Stinking. Dry. I was reading while making rice pudding and had to put it down to finish the pudding, and when it came time to pick it back up, I just couldn’t. I literally cringed thinking about reading on. And then I had an epiphany about why I love YA so much–it’s all about the feels, and I am allll about the feels, man. So if something has no emotion in it, I’m done.
So now I’m reading Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone. I’m really excited about this one–it’s been on my TBR since it came out. High fantasy? Yes please. YA high fantasy? Mos def! YA high fantasy that’s not Medieval Western European based? Hells yes! I’m halfway through and loving the Russian-ness.
WHAT I’M WRITING
Jaime did the My Character Bloghop and tagged whoever wants to do it, so I considered myself tagged! Iwill now share 5 things about my main character.
1. She has had three names through the life of this story. Violet/Vi then Melia/Lia and now Elitsa/Elle. I’m so in love with Elitsa. It fits her beautifully. I needed something that sounded ancient but not too exotic. Bonus points for it lending well to a nickname because Elle is a nickname type of girl.
2. Elle has an eye on a career in public service and is active in model United Nations. In fact, during the book she’s in a prestigious model UN workshop at NYU.
3. She thinks she’s losing her mind at the beginning of the book when she starts having memories of the past, but not her past if you know what I mean. Think WWII, the French Revolution, and even ancient Egypt.
4. She’s modeled partly after Leslie Knope–I was very inspired by Leslie’s optimism and steam rolling. ^_^
5. She recently dated her brother’s best friend, unbeknownst to said brother. She also just might date him in the future … tsk tsk!
I love this girl, and good thing since I’ve been living with her for 5 years now.
WHAT INSPIRES ME
Reading YA! It’s become such a fuel to my fire for publication. Especially since I’ve had several moments of Maybe I should give up on this book since this draft will be another big one. But I know it has a good shot and reading other YA novels keeps me hungry.
WHAT ELSE I’M UP TO
On Thursday Turbo tripped at the park and chipped and cracked his tooth. So badly, in fact, they had to pull it. The top front left one, so it’s really noticeable. It was a sad day and his smile won’t be the same for several years, but I think I’m getting used to it. He got over it pretty fast–he’s such a trooper!
We’ve made more progress on the backyard! The Mister put in French doors onto our new patio while I was gone, and he finished up the last of the trim work last night. It looks awesome and I love all the light the doors let in (there was a window there before). I love being married to such a handy man.
Tomorrow we head up to the mountains–Breckenridge, CO–for the Fourth! I’m so excited for this little vacay with my little family and some of our closest friends. We’re going to swim, and hike, and play lots of games, and just enjoy ourselves. The Mister and his friend are doing a mountain bike race on the Fourth so we’ll cheer them on. And it will be much cooler up there–almost 20 degrees cooler. Yessssss.
For the Character Bloghop, I tag Kitty, Bridgid, and Angelica, but anyone feel free to participate.
Have a Happy Independence Day!! And if you’re Canadian or English, have a happy normal fourth of July anyway! :)
Kristina Atkins 
I love what you shared about your MC! Your story’s premise sounds fascinating! And you know, I don’t think I’ve really heard about a YA with the whole past lives thing as a premise. Very cool! As for your thoughts on reading and YA, I wholeheartedly agree. I’m all about the feels too. Hope you have a wonderful week! :D
The little one I look after chipped one of her top teeth right after it grew in. Her snaggle tooth smile is adorable ^_^ Glad to hear Turbo’s coping so well.
I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only person who renames characters. Sometimes, something better comes along. And the memory thing sounds AWESOME :D
Have a great week!
So I totally read THE DESERT HIGHWAY a couple of years ago, and I drank ALLLLL THE WATER while I was reading it. I really loved that book. Not for the feels, exactly, but I definitely found it good as a journalistic-style book. And I learned so much about border-crossings. So. Much.
I love your character bloghop thing! And you tagged me! Whaaaaat? Does this mean I actually have to blog? ;)
I’m glad your little guy isn’t letting the tooth thing phase him. :( That must have been quite the experience for him AND for you. I bet he’s adorable with the missing tooth though!
Hurrah for mountains! We’ve been going hiking in the La Sals a ton. It’s soooo much cooler up there. Sounds like you’re having an amazing summer!! :)
I chipped a front tooth when I was younger. Still have it, still chipped.
Aw, poor little Turbo! But, kids are so resilient. It was/is probably more upsetting to than him!
I love your character profile and I love the new name Elitsa! It’s funky and original and yet you can “modernize” it with the nickname Elle. Thanks for tagging me! I will totally take that challenge. :)
Have fun in the mountains. I’ll just be in my backyard on the 4th, being eaten live by gnats.
Oh, poor Turbo! Glad it worked out, though, and that he’s not too traumatized. And I looove Leslie Knope! She’s one of my favorite characters on TV. Those character details really made me want to read your book! :)