Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I worked on edits for Garrett's story. I didn't get as much done as I'd hoped. I found dangling plot thread that brought me to a screeching halt because I don't know how to fix it. I've been brainstorming with a fellow writing friend and think I have the problem solved. I'm hoping this week will be much more productive.

Motivational Quote: "Each day we have the opportunity to learn something new, apologize for our mistakes, and become better." ~ Lewis Howes (American entrepreneur)

What I'm Reading:  I finished Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen last night. It's the first book in her New York Legends hockey romance series. If you like hockey romance books, I highly recommend her books. 

Random Things:  To continue on my post from last week about the Dunkin' in my area offering pumpkin spice drinks around August 19th, I found Halloween candy on sale in one of the local Wegman's stores. I realize Summerween is really popular right now, but I'm not at all ready to see Halloween candy for sale in early August. It reinforces the fact that summer is coming to an end and winter will be here all too soon. 

Random Photo:

                           The Halloween candy display at one of our local Wegman's.
 

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My Current WIP (Work in Progress): Not a too bad week. I managed to revise 20 pages even though I had two appointments after work last week.

Quote of the Week: "Because reading is one of the joys of life, and once you begin, you can't stop, and you've got so many stories to look forward to." ~ Benedict Cumberbatch

What I'm Reading: I started reading Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen on Sunday evening. This is the latest book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series. 

Random Thoughts: Brooklynaire is an ebook which is fine. I don't have a problem with ebooks, but the earlier books in the series were published by Berkley where as this latest installment in the series wasn't. I have the three earlier books in paperback format. While Brooklynaire is available in paperback format, I hated the idea of paying $15.00 for it so chose to purchase the ebook. The only bad thing about it is that I can't put it on my bookshelf with the other books.

Random Photo of the Week:

I

I managed to peel an apple keeping the entire peel in one piece. 

My mom can do this all the time, but for me, it's a rare feat.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My Current WIP (Work In Progress): I'm a little behind with the revision process. I had a couple of appointments last week after the day job that cut into writing time. I'm hoping to get myself caught up this week. 

Quote of the Week: "Do what feeds your soul, what you're meant to do now. There is never an ideal time" ~ Ana Suarez 

What I'm Reading: I'm finishing up Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen. I started it a bit ago, but since I own it, I set it aside to read library books. I'm hoping to finish it up by the end of this week. 

Random Thoughts: This weekend I'm going to bake cheese bread for the first time using a sourdough starter. I'll have to make the starter on Friday after work so it has time to ferment. I'll then make the actual bread on Saturday after I'm done running errands. 

Random Photo of the week:

                                        Mrs. Green pretending to be the television remote.

Borrow vs. Buy

I read quite a bit, usually whenever I have some free time though lately free time seems to be coming at a premium. I wanted to write that I read a lot, but I set a goal of reading 52 books last year and fell short. I only read 48 books so I can't say I read "a lot." My mom read 94 books so I guess she can say she reads a lot.

I happened to mention to a friend that I was going to the library this past weekend. She looked at me like I'd just said I was going to commit murder. She asked in an astounded tone, "You don't buy the books you read? You're a writer. I can't believe you don't support your fellow authors."

While I do borrow the majority of the books I read from the library or friends and family, I also buy about a third of them. It would be next to impossible for me to buy all the books I want to read. I do occasionally buy a new to me author especially if the author and/or book has been recommended to me by a friend or family member. For example a friend raved over the Brooklyn Bruisers Series by Sarina Bowen. I borrowed the first book from the friend, purchased both the first and second books, and when the third book came out, I purchased that as well. I do plan on looking into other books written by Ms. Bowen, but unless they grab me like the Brooklyn Bruisers series did, I most likely will borrow them from the library.

Most of the books I do purchase are automatic buys by certain authors. Whenever these authors release a new book, I don't even have to know what the book is about. I make a trip to Barnes & Noble or hop online to Amazon to buy that latest book.

Some of my auto buy authors are Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins, Laura Trentham, Jill Shalvis, Sarah MacLean, Lisa Kleypas, Laura Lee Guhrke, Laura Griffin, the Charlie Davidson series by Darynda Jones, and the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

Do you utilize your local library or do you purchase the majority of the books you read? What are some of your automatic buy authors?

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My Current WIP (Work In Progress): I got a slow start last week, only managed to do 20 pages of revisions. I also started meeting with my critique partner again.

Quote of the Week: Focus, gather your strength, work hard, and success will come.” ~ Unknown

What I'm Reading: I still reading Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen. I hope to finish it by the end of the week. 

Random Thoughts:Random Thoughts: The weather has been crazy in my area. Last Thursday it was 60 degrees and sunny. Friday was in the low 50's and overcast. Saturday, we woke up to 18 inches of snow and a high temperature of 18 degrees. This week the forecast is for highs in the 20's and a chance of some snow every day.

Random Photo of the Week:

                                 Somebody caught playing with his sister's new toy.
 

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My Current WIP (Work In Progress):  I started working on revisions of Honor Bound on Monday. 

Quote of the Week: "Make it happen. Shock everyone." ~ Unknown

What I'm Reading: I started reading Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen. This is the third book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series. I really like this series and am hoping it continues.  

Random Thoughts: It's been really hard to get my brain back on the editing/revision wavelength the last couple of days after taking so much time off from writing. I know it'll get easier as I get back into the swing of things, but right now my thoughts are hopping around from one editing thing to another making it hard to concentrate on one issue at a time.

Random Photo of the Week:

I came across this on the internet and had to use it as my photo of the week because it perfectly depicts how I'm feeling as I get back to work on my current manuscript. 

 

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress): I hate to admit that I didn't make any progress last week. Between working extra hours at the day job and a migraine that lasted 2 days that I suffered through work with, I didn't sit down in front of the laptop once.

Quote of the Week: "Difficulties exist to be surmounted." ~ Emerson (I'm not sure I agree with this. Sometimes they exist despite everything you do or try.)

What I'm reading: Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen. It's the second book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series. It revolves around a hockey team and the players.

Random Thoughts: I'm eagerly waiting for Spring to arrive. It's been in the low to mid 50's this week so far. I have tiny green shoots coming up in my garden. I did some really late fall seed planting so I'm interested to see what survived.



Random Photo of the Week:

Here's a photo of a birthday card I made for my niece. I missed her birthday so I had to mail the card to her late.

What's Up Wednesday

This week...

My current WIP (work in progress): Back to work on revisions. Doing pretty well. I was able to get through 6 chapters.

Quote of the Week: "Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change." ~ Unknown

What I'm reading: I haven't read a book in a couple of weeks. I've been trying to catch up on all the magazines I've let pile up. I just purchased 4 new books - The Shark by Mary Burton, Her Darkest Nightmare by Brenda Novak, A Scot in the Dark by Sarah Maclean, and Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen. Now I just have to decide which one to read first.

Random Things:  Monday I wrote about how September feels like the beginning of a new year and the changes I want to start making. I've feel like I'm doing pretty well. I'm back on track with my writing and I've eaten healthy all week so far. There's still the weekend to go which is usually my downfall. I can't exercise yet, but I hope to be able to start by mid-October.

Random Photo of the Week: 

I don't have a photo this week. I need to start taking some so I have something to post here. Here's a picture of Cookie Monster. Why? Because I like cookies as much as he does. :o)

He looks like he's thinking about cookies. Something I'm trying not to do since they don't qualify as healthy eating.