Wednesday, May 21, 2014

What's Up Wednesday?!

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly blog hop created by Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk as a way for writers to keep in touch by sharing what they've been up to. Be sure to link up on their site if you want to join in on the fun. 



What I'm Reading

I finished Wish You Were Italian and LOVED it. It was a sweet, fun, summertime read. I'm now 200 pages into Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson and just want to read all day until I finish. I've paused on the audio book of Days of Blood and Starlight. I'm not feeling it right now (which saddens me because I loved the first one so much). To stand in it's place I started The Program by Suzanne Young this morning.

What I'm Writing

Hit 25K today! I'm still on track to finish by June 30th. I really love where When the Wind Blows is going. It's taken a slightly different direction and that's okay. I plotted out some of the story and am letting the characters fill in the blanks. And it's fun! My CP/BFF Jessica assures me I haven't broken my book. She also decided to start giving me stickers through text each time I met a mini writing goal. I found it easier to spread out my word goal throughout the day rather than. At one point I said I'm going to write 200 words an hour for the next six hours. And I did. And then some! Who knew stickers were so motivating?


What Inspires Me Right Now

My dad. This weekend he graduated with his Bachelors in Science of Aeronautics. He was Summa Cum Laude, on the deans list AND in the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society. It's been a long road and an adjustment for him but so proud of him for finishing and doing so with honors.

What Else I've Been Up To

Busy week. Kiddo had a T-Ball game Friday. I had to leave work a little early for us to make it on time (which was okay with me).

Saturday was my dad's graduation. It was held at the Naval Air Museum on the Navy base about 45 minutes away. It was such an awesome setting for the graduation. It was nice since I haven't been there since I was in high school. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the museum. Kind of neat for the graduating class.




 My dad let me drive his 2012 Dodge Challenger after the ceremony and dinner. I was SHOCKED! I've wanted to drive this car since he got it a few months ago. It's a nice, smooth ride. I'm ready to go again!

Sunday we hung around my parents' house. My aunt and grandmother are in town for the week so we're getting as much family time in as possible.


Busy weekend and we'll have another next weekend. But YAY it's a 3 Day!

So what have you been up to?

16 comments:

Katy Upperman said...

Yay for your dad! What an amazing accomplishment! Love all the photos this week, and I'm super excited for you and your 25K. Moving right along, yes? Hope you find lots of time to write in the next week. :-)

Miss Cole said...

Congratulations on 25K! Wow, busy week! Those photos are awesome. Congrats to your Dad, too ^_^

Jaime Morrow said...

That's wonderful that your dad graduated summa cum laude! Great photos, too. You're kicking your story's butt! 25K is awesome! It's funny what motivates us, hey? For me, it was being able to check something off of a list. I love a good list. ;-) As for DAYS OF BLOOD & STARLIGHT...I felt much the same way you did. I loved the first book, but there was something that felt missing from the second book. Ah well. Happy to hear you're enjoying the other books you're reading, though. Have a wonderful week, Mandie! Oh, and a great holiday weekend, too!

Melanie Stanford said...

I didn't enjoy Days of Blood and Starlight as much either... I'm about to get Dreams of Gods and Monsters from the library and I'm actually not really looking forward to reading it. :/

Erin L. Funk said...

I was only so-so on DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT, which is why I'd hoped to enjoy the last book more. No such luck. I loved ANY & ROGER'S EPIC DETOUR by Morgan Matson but I have yet to check out either of her other books.

Congrats on hitting the 25k mark! Looks like those virtual stickers are paying off! That's such a fun idea btw. And a big congratulations to your dad too. Graduating with the honors he did is so impressive! Have a lovely week and best of luck with the new direction your WIP is going in! :)

Anonymous said...

Yay for 25K! You're smashing through that bad boy. It's always nice to have a cheersquad, complete with sticks, too! I'm yet to dive into Laini Taylor's work - I have DoSaB on my bookshelf but keep putting it off for some reason, maybe because I was waiting for the whole series to be out? *shrugs*

Congrats to your dad as well, what a wonderful achievement! Hope you enjoy the family time and have a great week, Mandie!

- Caitie from Tea & Knee Socks

Mandie Baxter said...

Thank you! And yes, seem to be moving right along. I'm hoping I don't jinx myself!!! :-)

Mandie Baxter said...

Very busy. And a few more to come! Thank you!!!

Mandie Baxter said...

Thank you and thank you! Very proud of him. And excited that I'm moving along on my word count. It's not usually like this. I'm glad I'm not the only one who hasn't fallen for Days of Blood and Starlight. I'll finish it one day.

Mandie Baxter said...

Thank you Catie. Very good week all around! It's not often I write this fast. I really loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Bummed I'm not into the second as much.

Mandie Baxter said...

Hate when that happens. :-/ wish the momentum had kept up.

Melanie Crouse said...

So much great stuff! I'm feeling inspired by your dad too, and by your awesome friend who rewards you with stickers. I need a friend like that in my life.

Mandie Baxter said...

Love Morgan Matson's books. Amy & Rogers is my favorite. Second Chance Summer was great but broke my heart so much!!!

Thanks Erin! Hope you have a great week.

Mandie Baxter said...

Thanks so much! I think I'll keep them both around.

Jessica Leake said...

25k!! Yay!!! Need to keep it up ;). Congrats again to your dad! It takes some serious drive to go back to school. I love these posts because you always have the best book recs. Of course, then my TBR list gets even more ridiculous, but oh well!

Mandie Baxter said...

Thanks Jess!! And no TBR for you! Write. (I should take my own advice)

Post a Comment