What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress): Still working on revisions. It seems to be a slow process lately. I'm still jotting down scenes and dialogue snippets as they pop in my head for the next book.

News from the publishing world: For those of us who mourned the loss of locally owned bookstores, this article is great news. Link: Indie Bookstores Aren't Dead

Quote of the week: "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." ~ Mark Twain. This is for those rough days when the last thing I want to do is sit down at the laptop and write.

Health news: According to researchers from the University of British Columbia, strength training helps boost associative memory (such as putting names to faces). Cardio exercise helps boost episodic memory (such as remembering what's on your shopping list). Working out helps increase the blood flow to the brain, most importantly to the hippocampus where memories are stored. Exercise also increased growth factors in the brain which promotes cell health.

Random things: Now that the weather has grown colder with highs in the low 50's and the nights even colder, I've started crocheting in the evening. I'm currently finishing up a blanket. The really nice part is that it's big enough to cover my legs while I'm working on it.

Random photo of the week:

Here's my cat helping me keep track of my yarn while I'm crocheting.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress): I didn't do as well as I'd hoped last week - only 11 pages of new material. I'm pretty sure I've written myself into a corner or at least am some place where my characters don't think they should be. I going to back track a bit and see if I can't pick up the momentum again.

News from the publishing world: Any author will tell you finding ways to promote their books that actually work is hit and miss. Here's an article that may help. 3 Ways Indie Authors Can Use Social Media to Attract Readers

Quote of the week: "Infuse your life with action. Don't wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope..." ~ Bradley Whitford  This reminded me of something a friend would always say when I would get a case of the "I wish..." this would happens. She would say, "Pray to God, but row for the shore."

Health news: According the the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, women who eat 2 large bananas a day lived longer than their counterparts who eat less of the fruit. Bananas are high in potassium and vitamin B6 which are essential to a healthy heart. Vitamin B6 also helps regulate sleep patterns. (I think I'm in trouble - I absolutely hate bananas. :(  )

Random things: I recently discovered the Tara Holloway series by Diane Kelly. Each book is titled Death, Taxes, and (then something). The first book in the series is Death, Taxes, and A French Manicure. The main character is an agent in the IRS' criminal investigations division. The books are upbeat and sometimes laugh out loud funny. And just what I needed. 

 Random photo of the week:

 This is a picture a friend sent to me. She found it on the internet. I love the picture, but can't imagine how painful it was as it runs up the person's spine.