What's Up Wednesday # 6

1. WHAT I'M READING
   I just finished A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller and it was awesome. I don't generally love historical fiction - for a lot of reasons - but this one was great. What I found shocking about it in some ways was how little things have changed for women in a lot of respects. It reignited the fiery passion I had about EVERYTHING when I was a teenager. Plus, art, fashion, and a very cute policeman.
2. WHAT I'M WRITING
   I've crossed the 41k mark on G4. I'm writing the shenanigans in the middle right now and loving it. Most recently, Mirella and friends went to a frat party. I've also written a lot of friendship based scenes lately which is always a blast because this book is 50% about friendship, 35% about musicals and only 15% about romance. Don't quote my figures though, I just made them up as I typed that sentence...
   I also started a short story that is garbage but I like the topic so I might explore it further. I'll keep you updated. :)
3. WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
   Inspiration is coming from the weather and music. The warm weather makes me want to sit outside and write - even though G4 is set in winter. Recently, I had to introduce my students to a great song I loved in high school but NONE of my students had heard (I talked about that experience more on TGNA last week) and it has sparked a nostalgic bout of musical stylings from the 00 years.
4. WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
   I recently took a huge step towards becoming more self-sufficient by learning to work on my own cars. I replaced the shocks in our truck and took the starter off my car. It's really liberating and empowering! I've been paying people for YEARS to do things that it only took me an afternoon to learn. #winning
   I also just finished (today actually) a long term substitute teaching position. It was a wonderful experience and I will miss my students a lot but I am ready to be done. There is something about another teacher's classroom that always keeps you on edge. My summer job starts Monday and once again, life is moving on faster than I can keep up!

When Did Reading Become Cool?

Today I asked a student what she was reading and she said “The Fault In Our Stars, it’s good but I don’t really like to read a lot. I know that’s weird and uncool or whatever.”

I was speechless. I stood there and blinked as I took in the fact that she’s just said NOT reading was uncool. When I was in high school, plenty of people hid the fact that they loved to read because it was considered boring, nerdy, and all around the antithesis of cool. Less than a decade later, a girl thinks the opposite is true.

Don’t get me wrong, I am all for reading being cool. (does that mean I'm official a cool kid?) But when did it happen?

It’s not just my students, now that I think about it. I read an article in Cosmo magazine last week by John Green and why adults read YA. IN COSMO. When I read magazines in high school there was almost no mention of books! It was make-up and kissing and clothes. And quizzes, lots of quizzes for everything.

For real, can someone tell me what has changed? Is it social media? Is it because I can now follow John Green on Instagram and Sarah Dessen on Twitter and Tessa Gratton on Tumblr? Are authors’ real lives more accessible to their readers so they find them cooler?

I have no clue. I am honestly asking for someone to clue me in here. I think it’s awesome but HOW!?!?!

In the meantime, happy reading!

What's Up Wednesday #5

1. WHAT I'M READING: I'm in the middle of Quattrocento by James McKean. The jury is still out on the whole book since I'm not done with it, but so far it's interesting enough to keep me reading but not so good I can't help but binge read it. 

2. WHAT I'M WRITING: Musical memories. There is a great scene in G4 in which the senior cast and crew members get together and reminisce about all their past shows. It might not get to stay in the final draft because I think it's a musical kid thing that might not appeal to the general audience but for now it is super super super fun to write. 

3. WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW: My first and forever CP Jenny Adams Perinovic recently started querying her first novel and I'm so excited for her I could die. She's one of the most talented people I know and also one of the busiest. She worked her butt off to finish this book and she is going to keep working until she finds it an agent and then a publisher. Her determination and hard work are incredibly inspiring as I struggle to finish Draft 1. 

4. WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO: I am in the place where two jobs meet and it's tough but I'm making it work. I also may or may not have recently purchased an old pick-up truck.   

What's up with you this Wednesday?

Real Life, Bragging Rights, and Hope

I've been a little MIA lately because "real me" started a new job and is training for another summer one. Oh, and my car is a drama queen. Who wants to be an adult anyway? Responsibilities? Gross.

Anyway, I'm making time today to pop back in because I have exciting personal news. The high school show for which I did choreography this season just won a regional award FOR CHOREOGRAPHY. I know, I know, I'm bragging. But, really. It's a big deal and I'm so freaking excited I can't stop smiling even though it happened in a big ceremony last night. 

I love doing musical choreography, I love being a part of shows - it's why I'm writing a novel centered on a high school musical. Being recognized for being good at something I love is truly an incredible feeling. I've been feeling pretty adrift for a while now and knowing that I can do what I love and be good at it and have people recognize that I'm talented was a serious morale booster. It also gives me hope for the other aspects of my life in which I haven't felt particularly successful or recognized. I am modestly confident that when the time is right people will recognize what I'm doing as worthwhile. 

Also, have a picture of me on stage at the ceremony (I'm the one in purple).