Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Wednesday Weekly: Um, Miracles Much?

Last week:
The Goddess of Vengeance Wore Pink Galoshes...12,685 words.

This week?
The Goddess of Vengeance Wore Pink Galoshes...27,755 words.

For a grand total of 15,070 new words this week.

Um, miracles much?

I also read. A lot. I'm not allowed to bring a computer to my job for security reasons, but I also don't have a whole lot to do most of the time. It's a weird job for this week and half of next, but I'm not complaining, as I'm being reasonably well-paid to keep an eye on things, take some notes and read novels!

So,  this week's reads:
The Stolen Heart: A Novel of SuspenseLand of a Hundred WondersLock and KeyGet Lucky: A NovelLarger Than LifeDevilish
Some serious love for some of the books I read this week - Katherine Centers' Get Lucky: A Novel, Lesley Kagan's Land of a Hundred Wonders, Sarah Dessen's  Lock and Key and Maureen Johnson's Devilish were all impossible to put down. Which explains why I read while I was at work, then read during my lunch break, then came back to my hotel and read on the treadmill. Yes, you can do that if you're a very dedicated bookworm concerned about your jean size as I am - not running, but putting the treadmill at something like a 10-12% incline and walking at 3-3.5 MPH will burn a lot of calories while you read. I'm trying to be a fit geek, here. So far this year, I've read 59 books - not bad for a girl with a day job!

Hopefully, I'll get some reviews up later this week, because I have to gush about some of my faves. :)

I feel good this week. I love writing. I love my story. I love books - love to escape into someone else's world like I'd almost forgotten, as a grown-up who no longer usually gets to read multiple books in one day. I'm driving to work and back in my red Chevy Cobalt rental, rocking out to the Glee soundtrack (three CD's worth) and feeling just on top of the world for no good reason. I'm not even yelling at other drivers, even the guy who braked suddenly and caused me to brake and send my Arby's curly fries flying on to the floor, which caused me to wonder who was sneaking Xanax into my yogurt. But no. I'm pretty sure it's just the magic of the written word. (Also, I've become 200% cheesier than I was before, which is quite a feat).

Writing is full of ups and downs, and I know this won't last. But I'm going to enjoy it while it does.

18 comments:

Anne Gallagher said...

Enjoy it baby, feelings like this don't come around everyday.

And go you! 15 grand in a week! Pah, I thought I was doing something with 2k a day.

I'm envious with your book reading. I can read like that too but not while I'm writing, and I'm currently writing so not much reading.

Stina said...

I love LOCK & KEY. It's one of my favorite Sarah Dessen books. That and ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

Neurotic Workaholic said...

Wow, 59 books in a year! That's impressive. So is your weekly word count! I wish I could read at work. I tried bringing a book along to read once when my students were taking their final exams, but I could barely get through one chapter because they kept interrupting me with questions about their exams.

Stephanie Thornton said...

Holy cow! I'll admit it- I'm totally jealous!

I'm shooting for a book a week this year. I started with 100 books as my goal, but that's just not going to happen. But one a week I can manage.

Congrats on your word count- that's awesome!

Old Kitty said...

My goodness!! I am in AWE at your prolific reading!!!! AWE!!

And not to mention the treadmill and the WIP!!!

Wonderful - and well done you!! Yay!!

It's so good to know that the written word has a calming effect too. :-)Who needs prozac?!!?!? LOL!

Take care
x

Ellen Brickley said...

Wow, you're being productive! Well done! And I love the treadmill idea.

And Glee is love :D

Moll said...

I am speechless. How are you getting so much done? What is the secret?!

Chris Catledge said...

I'm impressed that you're able to read so much while putting out hefty word count. The more I write the less I read.

Andrea Coulter said...

wow, 15k in a week? Awesome job!

I need to try the treadmill & reading thing; I usually love long walks but I'm getting bored with just music to entertain me lately.

Anonymous said...

That's a nice jump in word count.

I'm only at 29 books so far for 2010. I don't think I'll make my 100 goal.

冠宛君中 said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Natasha said...

I never tried reading on the treadmill, but maybe I should. Specially since my knees have told me to stop running and start walking on an incline.

Guinevere said...

Piedmont, I know... I'm waiting to find myself staring at a blank screen and frantically eating M&Ms like they provide inspiration (not that I've ever done that...). And 2k a day is stellar - that's more than I can usually manage (It's harder to write at home then when on travel for work... I blame MJ).

Stina, I'll have to check out ALONG FOR tHE RIDE. Thanks for the rec!

Neurotic, I don't usually get to read at work (except when I take the rare mental health break to read in the ladies'... if others get cigarette breaks, I think I can take fiction breaks), but it's definitely a nice treat to be doing it this month!

Guinevere said...

Stephanie, I think reading a book a week is great too! I think what really matters is being a bit mindful of our reading... otherwise, I've found, I just sort of forget to read in the midst of everything else in life. That's not good for us writers (Or for anyone, really).

Aw, thanks Old Kitty! You're the nicest cheerleader (and you have such a pretty kitty... so far away from my kitties, it's nice to see Charlie and read about his antics).

Thanks, Ellen! I got the treadmill idea from a friend of mine who was Miss SomeState in a beauty pageant... she said one of the other Miss States would get on a treadmill, turn the incline up, and stick her nose in a book and couldn't imagine how she did it.... I immediately wondered, "Could I do that? That would be awesome."

Rebecca, I think a business trip far away from hubby & friends is the secret... after I finish my work day, there isn't much to do but write and work out. I miss home, but there's something to be said for being away, I guess!

Guinevere said...

Chris, I hear that a lot... maybe I'm odd, but generally my writing time increases with my reading time. It's like reading reminds me that I should go write something myself. lol. Of course, when there's no time (and sometimes there isn't) for either, there's no time... then I'll settle for getting a little reading in.

Thanks, Lynn! I highly recommend reading on the treadmill if it works for you. I enjoy the treadmill a lot more this way, instead of just being impatient and looking at the time for when I can be done.

Medeia, maybe it's time for a new goal? There's definitely no prize for getting to 100 except for having read 100 awesome books, but having read 50 awesome books is just as good, as long as you're enjoying yourself.

Guinevere said...

Rayna, it's my back that doesn't love running, but I hear you! I'm still trying to get out a few times a week, but I'm not running 6 miles a day like I used to in my "youth" (ha). So the treadmill at an incline with a novel in one hand... definitely something I can lean on for calorie burning while I try to get my back sorted out.

notesfromnadir said...

CONGRATULATIONS! You are making a lot of progress. I'm glad you're so happy w/ your writing & you're also getting a lot of reading [learning] done, too. & getting paid for it!

Keep it up, I think you have a lot of fans here who want you to finish that book of yours soon! :)

prashant said...

That and ALONG FOR THE RIDE.
Banner Advertising Network India