Category: writing inspiration

Sundays are for Writing #92

Another solid writing week—a bit busier than usual—that I’m happy with. Four book reviews, finished up the new story snippet, worked on the Chasing Shadows revision, and started planning for NaNo.

Because yes, I decided to do NaNo this year–but it’s going to be a modified version, with my goal of 25,000 words instead of 50k (which is still loads more than my normal + a vacation in there, too).

Book Review: Sing Like No One’s Listening, by Vanessa Jones

sing like no one's listening
Image belongs to Peachtree Publishing.

Title: Sing Like No One’s Listening
Author: Vanessa Jones    
Genre: YA
Rating: 4 out of 5

Nettie Delaney has just been accepted into a prestigious performing arts school–the very same school her superstar mother attended. With her mother’s shadow hanging over her, Nettie has her work cut out for her–and everyone is watching. To make matters worse, Nettie hasn’t been able to sing a single note since her mother died. Whenever she tries, she just clams up. But if Nettie’s going to survive a demanding first year and keep her place in a highly coveted program, she’ll have to work through her grief and deliver a showstopper or face expulsion.

All may not be lost, however, when Nettie stumbles upon a mysterious piano player in an empty studio after class. Masked behind a curtain, can Nettie summon the courage to find her voice? Or will the pressure and anxiety of performing come crashing down?

This was a fun book! I know nothing about professional dancing or singing or performing, so I can’t say if it was accurate there, but if felt accurate. The author did an excellent job of connecting the reader to Nettie’s struggles and investing them in her journey.

The secondary characters were larger-than-life and a lot of fun, and I enjoyed seeing Nettie conquer her fears—all of them, not just the singing—and grow into her own person. A fun, inspiring read.

Vanessa Jones lives in Rome. Sing Like No One’s Listening is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Peachtree Publishing in exchange for an honest review.)

Sundays are for Writing #85

Cheers for another solid writing week:  four book reviews, two fiction-writing sessions, two lessons in the Stiefvater class, and a brief brainstorming session on the revision of Chasing Shadows. (Think I’m going to just bite the bullet and start this, so I don’t get too bogged down in procrastination.)

I hope everyone had a good writing week!

Sundays are for Writing #84

This week, I wrote four book reviews, did two fiction-writing sessions, two lessons in the Stiefvater class, and worked on writing a synopsis of Chasing Shadows to give me some story clarity. It was a solid writing week!

Happy writing1

 

Sundays are for Writing #83

This was a good writing week. I wrote three book reviews plus my Best Books I Read in July post. I did a couple of lessons in the Maggie Stiefvater class and wrote a short outline of the first chapter of the story I’m editing. And, I got in two fiction-writing sessions, so I’m happy with my writing this week.

Happy writing!

Sundays are for Writing #80

This hasn’t been quite as busy a writing week:  two fiction-writing sessions and four book reviews, but I didn’t get anything done in my writing class or in my revision. It’s still progress, so I’ll take it.

Happy writing!

Sundays are for Writing #79

It was another solid writing week:  two fiction sessions, six book reviews (I wanted to get another one written, but it took me quite a bit longer than I expected to read the book), two lessons with Maggie Stiefvater, and a bit of brainstorming on the re-write of Chasing Shadows.

Happy Writing!