What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme run by Erin L Funk and Jaime Morrow.
What I'm reading
I read Not a Drop to Drink, which is a great (and scarily realistic!) dystopian YA.
I also read The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black, which was sinister and scary as I expected! Definitely a unique take on vampires!
My copy of The Unbound by Victoria Schwab arrived from the Book Depository the other day! I loved The Archived, and the sequel didn't disappoint. Loved it!
What I'm writing
I'm still working on my YA urban fantasy. Progress has been a bit slow this week due to some confidence-knocking setbacks (and technological meltdowns!), but still more or less on the right track...well, I haven't deviated majorly from the outline yet, and I passed the 20K mark the other day.
But I've had a lot of knockbacks. Not with this book, but being constantly on the receiving end of criticism, be it on my published book, or through querying, has made me doubt every word I write and every idea I think of. It takes a lot to stop me writing...but this time I'm going to have to admit defeat and take a break for a few days. This is something I hate doing mid-project, but it's got to the point where insomnia and anxiety are affecting my ability not only to write, but to do pretty much anything else.
What else I've been up to
Dealing with said technological meltdown! My laptop, which has been driving me mental by crashing every few hours, finally packed it in - fortunately, I had enough warning to insert a memory stick and ninja-save all my books! But it made writing difficult because I had to re-download the scrivener trial onto my netbook in order to be able to work on my books, plus the version of Word Starter doesn't allow editing...argh. But it's OK now! I have a shiny new laptop, and I've spent the past few days setting it up and retrieving all my files. *breathes*
So, not a terribly exciting week! But I'm going to Swansea with my boyfriend for Valentine's Day, to celebrate three awesome years together (I have no idea how it's been three years since my first bizarre year at university...). I'm taking a kind-of-hiatus from the Internet over the next few days for my sanity's sake (reviews and rejections have the worst sense of timing, and I haven't had a decent night's sleep in over a week), but I'll be back to return comments in a few days. :)
What inspires me right now
This post from Claire Legrand. Also this from Natalie Whipple. Some encouragement for us struggling authors - we are not alone!
Ugh. Computer problems are the worst. Lucky you, though, getting to save your work! I'm really intrigued by NOT A DROP TO DRINK, though I'm hesitant to start any new dystopian series because I'm feeling a little burnt out on the genre. Do you think it's worth the buy?
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week, Emma!
I want to read Coldest Girl and also Not a Drop to Drink. Mindy and I share the same agent and I have a copy! I'll probably start it over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the laptop. We are hostages to technology!
As far as the confidence drain. It's okay. We all go through this. We are Writers.
Look to those you admire for support and inspiration. Also, just take a moment for yourself. Sounds like the trip to Swansea might do it.
Best of luck!
I heard great things about The Coldest Girl in Coldtown - I should probably get my hands on it. And the fact that it's a standalone appeals to me a lot!
ReplyDeleteOh, I saw that post from Natalie Whipple but not the one from Claire Legrand. Going to read it now. Thanks :)
Eek, that computer crisis sounds stressful. I'm so glad you were able to retrieve all your files. Here's hoping your new laptop serves you well.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is awesome until it breaks down and then it's like the world is coming to an end. It's the worst!
ReplyDeleteI just went through a big confidence drop lately and had a hard time getting back into revising. I felt like nothing I wrote was good. We definitely all go through it. Have a great break and then get back into it! You can do it!
Have a great time with your boyfriend! I hope your confidence returns. It sucks when something like that gets to us so much.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you managed to ninja save your work! Computer meltdowns are the absolute worst. I'm sorry it's been a tough week for you. When it rains, it pours, right? I really hope this week is a millions times better for you. Enjoy your hiatus and the time with your boyfriend! :)
ReplyDeleteI hate when my confidence starts to weaken on me. We can be pretty hard on ourselves. Glad you didn't let it stop you though! I bought The Archived on Kindle the other day and I'm loving it so far. Victoria Schwab is so freakin talented!
ReplyDeleteHang in there! Just gotta keep keeping on :)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the laptop. It's like having a chunk of your life cut away. So glad you managed to save your work.
Awww! I'm so sorry for all the woes of the past week, both technical and critical. By all means, take a break and enjoy the time away (happy anniversary!), but come back strong. If it helps, read some reviews of books you love by people who hated them. Get some perspective--not everyone will love everything you write. Heck, YOU won't love everything you write! But we learn to accept the criticism we respect, reject the criticism we don't, we grow, and we move on. One thing you know you can't do: give up.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful, refreshing, revitalizing week, Emma! :)
Sorry to hear you've been dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety lately. Maintaining confidence in your writing is one of the most difficult things. I can totally relate. I hope you'll feel encouraged this week. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you have a new laptop - and had the presence of mind to save your files before the old one bit it.
ReplyDeleteHiya
ReplyDeleteI hate computer problems. I have had a few on and off the last couple of months. I had to re-install which wasn't to bad, but I couldn't find some files that some how got eaten.
I am hanging out for a new laptop, but its going to be a while.
I hope you have a great week.
Angel
Wow you did a lot of reading :)
ReplyDeleteComputer troubles are the worst. I'm glad it didn't die with all your books on it at least. New laptops can be awesome. Hope yours is :)
Sorry to hear about al the criticism that's getting at you. I totally understand though. I'm getting ready to start querying again, and yet every contest I've entered it in so far (3) have been rejections. I know this doesn't mean much, because they are "subjective" (learning to hate that word) but it's disheartening all the same.
I hope you have a great next week!
I'm really dreading the day my current computer goes belly-up. Because that day is likely coming soon. Ugh! Not a Drop to Drink looks fascinating. Have a great week!
ReplyDelete