Good Morning! I hope you’re all have a not so “stuck in the mud” humpday As a part of Ready. Set. Write. I’m participating in my first of many What’s Up Wednesday posts where I tell you what’s going on in my life 
What I’m Reading
It’s a great Adult Fantasy novel by
the fabulous Fantasy author Richelle Mead. It’s just the break from YA I needed. It’s reminding me how much I like Adult novels for what they do that YA doesn’t. This doesn’t apply as much since YA is becoming quite the crossover category, but I love the depth of this world, how Mead can feel comfortable to plunge us right into the world with no explanations whatsover…yes YA does that but not as well because YA readers aren’t that patient for the most part. Like seriously, I know almost nothing and I love it.
Here’s the blurb:
In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.
When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.
Check back for my review sometime this weekend!
What I’m Writing
My WIP — that I’m going to finish rewriting as a part of Ready. Set. Write. — BLOOD OF ISIS, a YA Contemporary Fantasy. The first draft ended at about 47,000 words with 58,000 in the latest. I suspect this draft will be longer as I know it’s going to include more things.
What changes have I made?
Well… while Aziza is still 17 & finds out she’s the descendant of the Egyptian Goddess Isis, the entire story now take splace over the course of four days…yikes! Also it’s all set in Egypt whereas before, Part One was at their boarding school in Boston and Part Two was in Egypt. I did this because I got some great advice that I needed to take out the convenient”ness” of everyone ending up in Cairo so now they’re participating in a pre-college, two-week summer program they’ve all been invited to attend
Blurb:
Getting killed isn’t likely for the first day of a pre-college summer program. But that’s exactly what almost happens to seventeen-year-old Aziza Harper when she receives a mysterious jewel, from an old woman in Cairo, and is attacked by a classmate who sprouts a lion’s head and turns into the ruthless Egyptian Goddess Sekhmet.
To make matters worse, her grandma disappears and Aziza is dragged from the trashed apartment by teenagers claiming to be descendants of Egyptian deities. They are the Peacekeepers, members of the Order of Ma’at — an ancient society charged with keeping the balance between the mortal world and the world of the gods. To her dismay, Aziza is the one they’ve been waiting for, the heir of Isis, the one to whom the Blood of Isis, an ancient jewel holding Isis’ blood — with the power to give and take away life — will appear. The descendant fated to defeat the power-hungry god Seth thus restoring peace to the cosmos by ending a centuries old war between the agents of chaos and those of the light.
Now Aziza her newfound companions have until her eighteen birthday — four days away — to find the Eye of Horus and Eye of Ra. Two amulets that when combined with Isis’ blood will have the power to lock away Seth’s body and soul, forever. But to succeed, defeating Seth is not all Aziza must do; she must learn to trust in herself and her companions to find the real source of the chaos, the one who try to destroy them all.
What Else I’ve Been Up To
Let’s see…I’m at my college all summer because I’m one of two students who are in charge of planning the first-year orientation, so that’s a bit exciting. However that means 1. This is my first summer away from home for the entirety (so it’s a little odd because although I attend a college far from home usually the summer is my time to reunite with the fam) 2. unlike inlast summer where I had a lot of free time and could write for at least half of the time I was at work now, during the week, I can only write when I get back to my dorm (a single…finally!!!) which means I end up staying up late to write since I just can’t stop thinking about my WIP! Luckily I have the weekends.
But yeah, it’s nice being alone but it’s kind of weird, especially after people leave my room/quiet down in the dorm and it’s just the sound of me, typing or talking to myself as I try to work through a scene.
It looks like I might get my tattoo this month (more details to follow). I’ve been thinking about it for a while, a Sankofa bird which means a lot to me and my family, on my inner wrist.
I’ve also been reading a lot, I have tons of books to read & review, and I need to get caught up on Game of Thrones, I’m on season 3, Episode 3 or 4 (…at least I’m on the most recent season).
I’m getting ready to start my summer health plan, it’s really important for me to stay/get in shape and eat healthy especially since I’m planning on a career as a writer, which although what I love to do isn’t necessarily a career that comes with a full retirement/pension/health care package. Also staying healthy is directly important now as a writer since the healthier and happier I am the more attention I can devote to my writing & reading
What Inspires Me Right Now
This quote:
It’s literally my writing and possible my life motto. As I promised myself in January, 2013 is the year of me, as such I have to not be afraid to fail. Failure is the true path to success. Rewriting this story has taught me so much. It’s taught me to not be afraid to start something one way then change it to another, better way. I really think writing has made me into a more adventurous, happier, and complete person.
This guy:
Yep, that’s my daddy. He’s one of the strongest, most amazing people I know. He, even if he was afraid, has never shown that fear to his children, and even at forty-something continues to follow and accomplish his dreams. You know, people really don’t follow their dreams, and me being a daddy’s girl and all I think if he hadn’t followed his I’m not sure if I’d be doing what I’m doing now. But he always has pushed me to do what I want to do and not force myself to follow a conventional path. Anyway…more on his awesomeness for my Father’s Day post, since I’m away from him and all.
And… my siblings, because as the oldest (of five!), it’s really important to me for me to build on my father’s teachings and show them that you really can do what you want to do with your life now instead of waiting until your old and gray and eighty…like does that make any sense??? Not to tell them that if you wait you’re going to fail, that’s false, but more to encourage them to ignore their fears (false evidence appearing real as my dad says) and go for their dreams!
What have you been up to lately?
Whimsically Yours,
PnC
–Don’t forget to wear pink!
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