What I'm Reading Wednesday - Ruin and Rising, Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Finally reading the third one :). 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (audio)

Mmm so good. 

What I'm Reading Wednesday - The Calling, The DUFF, Daughter of Smoke and Bone

 Late again! Argh.

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

I've actually already finished this one. Can't wait to get my hands on the third. 

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Looooove the romance in this one, even if it is kind of predictable. It makes me swoon. 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (audio)

I'm really getting into this, it makes me look forward to my drive home. It also makes me wonder why I've never considered writing this genre. Part of me thinks maybe I'm not creative enough. I mean, a magical demonish lair headed by a chimera type monster who collects teeth (I CANNOT wait to find out why)?!? Brilliant. 

Also, I'm sensing a theme in the covers this week. Girl's faces. Each really does speak to the tone of its book. 

What I Wrote 2015 - Week 3

This week I...

Met with my critique partner
Wrote 1,894 words (most of which were outline)
Outlined a lot (I'm trying out the snowflake method to organize my novel more and it's awesome)
Finished one scene

I'm considering adding to my resolutions: Write for 15 minutes, 3 weeknights a week.
I need to get into the routine of writing in the evenings when I'm exhausted from work, and I'm hoping that starting slow like this will do the trick. I think I'll try it out this week and see how it goes before adding it to my list of resolutions.

What I'm Reading Wednesday - Wonder, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and The Positive Trait Thesaurus

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

My fourth graders read it this year so I figured it was time for me to read it as well. 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (audio)

I just started this one today. 

The Positive Trait Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi

I started this book to help me understand my characters better and create two distinct pov voices. I plan to read it all the way through, though that's not necessarily how it's meant to be read. I also plan to read The Negative Trait Thesaurus next. 

What I Wrote 2015 - Week 2

This week I...

Met with my critique partner
Wrote 1,049 words
Edited/Wrote 3 scenes

Slow and steady wins the race.

What I'm Reading Wednesday - Will Grayson, Will Grayson; The Registry; and The Gathering

A little late, but I'm getting back into the swing of things!

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Loving her YA stuff. Almost done with this one so I need to go get the next one asap. 

The Registry by Shannon Stoker (audio)

I'm loving the plot of this book but hating the writing. It's all tell and no show. Ugh. But I can't stop. 

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan

Actually finished this one earlier in the week. I liked it. Didn't love it, but it was a good read and toward the end I couldn't put it down. It did make me want to go find something else written by David Levithan to check out. 

What I Wrote 2015 - Week 1

This week I...

Wrote 1,071 words
Edited/Wrote/Rewrote 4 scenes

I keep telling myself it's not good enough. But it is.

My Write Club

In honor of New Years, my critique partner Megan introduced me to this awesome website I wanted to share.

It's called My Write Club, and it's a place where you can create and track writing goals, as well as connect with friends and watch them meet their goals too. 

My username is jessicawrites if you want to connect with me!

My 2015 Resolutions

This year I've thought hard about making some resolutions that I think I can actually accomplish.

Resolution #1: Finish the first draft of TGITP

I will finish this year. I will.

Resolution #2: Read 70 books

Last year my resolution was 52, and I read 65, so this year I'm bumping it up to 70.

Resolution #3: Write at least 1,000 words a week

Yes, I understand that only 1,000 words a week will not create an entire book. However, 0 words a week is even less likely to create a book, so I'm holding myself to at least 1,000.

Resolution #4: Play an instrument once a week

Again, not a huge change, but doable. It's the little things in life.

Resolution #5: Do 5 pull-ups a week  

These will be assisted pull-ups at first, since I can't even do one at the moment. By the end of the year I want to be able to do 3 pull-ups without help.

I think that these resolutions are much more reasonable and easy to meet, (Except number 1. It's scaring me. But I will succeed.), so here's to the new year!