OMG is it What’s Up Wednesday again?

What’s up Wednesday is a weekly blog-hop created by sisters Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk, intended to help writers keep connected. Click on either link for more information and to sign up, if you want to join in!

I can’t believe it’s Wednesday again. But whatever. Here we go.

WHAT I’M READING

Business: (1) The last few books for a contest I’m judging. (2) The MS for Fool’s Gold. Yes, I’ve already turned it in, but I want to make sure that when the edits come back, all the ducks are in a row. So far I’ve found one or two little oopsies, but nothing that can’t be corrected in one word or less. And guys? I’m actually pretty impressed with how this one turned out. Best of the bunch, I’d say. (3) Chapters from my colleagues in my face-to-face writing group.

Pleasure: Nothing this week, folks. It’s all business.

WHAT I’M WRITING

Actually? I started a swords-and-sorcery story I’ve had kicking around my head for a while. Only there aren’t any swords. And there’s no sorcery. It’s actually a mystery. Big surprise. Most of what I write takes place in the 19th century, but I’ve been harboring a secret love for S&S since I was a teenager. I’ve been promising this little story that its time would come when the next contract was finished. That was two contracts ago. So now it’s time.

Also working on edits for Death and a Cup of Tea. Planning on a Black Friday release.

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW

The fear of falling into a cycle of entropic slackitude. Come on, admit it. Inspiration can’t always be kittens and shooting stars. If I don’t have a deadline hanging over my head, it’s easy to fritter the days away. That’s why the S&S story is having its day–the magazine has a tight and very specific reading schedule, so it needs to be out the door by the end of this month.

WHAT ELSE I’VE BEEN UP TO

Had a birthday. It was awesome. My sweetie built me an outdoor standing desk in the shade of our avocado tree. Is there a better present than that? I don’t think so!