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.
It’s been a busy few weeks and still is, but I’m still alive and posting!
What I’m reading: A couple of things. Have been reading the Dog Whisperer middle grade series by Nicholas Edwards for research. The setup: a psychically-connected seventh-grader and her rescued dog use their bravery and smarts to save people from car crashes, natural disasters, etc. What I like: African-American female main character, Brave Girl Doing Brave Stuff, and always a good dog story. Also liked that the psychic aspect isn’t presented with too much woo. What I would do differently: maybe some more sensory descriptions, but otherwise it’s really enjoyable.
Have also just finished If We Shadows by D.A. Atwood. A little out of my usual reading, it’s a story about a transgender (f-t-m) teen trying to juggle hormone treatment, school, being in a play, and a developing crush. It’s exquisitely plotted, and the transgender aspect is treated realistically rather than romantically. The characters are complex and well-drawn, and the entire thing is just really, really well done. Highly recommended.
What I’m writing: Have turned in (finally!) the edits for Fool’s Gold. I took a little extra time going over the editor’s revisions, just because in finishing out the story arc, I wanted to do a good job. I could have turned it in earlier, but I think part of me just really didn’t want this part of the story to be over =)
Death and a Cup of Tea is coming along well. All the stories are through me and through the copy editor, with only one remaining outstanding. Time to get the author-flog =)
Am finishing up a short story for a sub call ending Oct. 31, and I think it might actually be done by then. Hope they like it =)
What else: Turnbull House made the finalist list for the Rainbow Awards. Yay! It’s getting some good reviews, but could always use more. So if you’ve read it and liked it, please give it some Goodreads love! (And if you’ve read it and hated it, please go review something you did like =)) And if you haven’t read it at all, what are you waiting for?
Got my clock cleaned in a tournament over the weekend. It was all in good fun, though. Our school hosted the tournament, and all the competitors were both amazing martial artists and amazingly good sports. I reffed in the morning and it was a blast. Not so crazy about getting up at 5:00 in the morning to do it, but once I had some coffee in me, I was having fun.
That’s about all the news that’s fit to print. How’s your week going?
Jess Faraday 
Man, I totally forgot it was Wednesday today. I need to put WUW on my calendar or something.
You’re reading MG stories? Are you looking into writing one, perchance? Also, I cannot wait for Fool’s Gold.
I think middle grade is what I want for my Haunted Zoo story. I have one chapter written, but have been too busy with other stuff to get much farther with it.