I am back to the Meme-ing thing. You would think it'd be easy to remember that every Wednesday is What's Up Wednesday by the lovely Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. Well, it is easy to remember, but seriously, my weeks have been so crazy.
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What I'm Reading: With the end of the school year coming and our school being transformed into a literal prison of 100+ restrictions, there is no time to read. But, I am working on a blog post (hopefully ready for tomorrow) that incorporates some TFIOS quotes. I read this novel about a year ago, so technically, I have been re-reading portions of The Fault in Our Stars to find the right quotes. If I have to choose one quote that I deem to be one of the best pieces of YA writing, I would definitely have choose "You die in the middle of your life, in the middle of a sentence." Here I am 40 years old, and guess what folks? Most of us will not even make it to 100 years of age. So how true is it that life literally ends while we are still living in it?What I'm Writing: As I said already, I am working on a blog post for Thursday Trailer tomorrow. And, I never finished my post about plotters and pantsers because I wrote other posts instead. Here is a brief preview of my opening:
If The Fault in Our Stars had been out in 1988, it would have been a hit...like totally (typical 80's/90's lingo). All I remember reading back then was twisted V.C. Andrews and the stuff--the classics--I was forced to read for high school English. Brave New World, anybody?
As for my country star novel, well, I have thought about it a lot. Yes, I know the number one thing that keeps me from being a published author is not writing continuously. One day, I will get it together--the working, the mothering, the wife-ing, and the writing. I am in the middle of my life.
What inspires me "write" now: Teaching high school can be pretty amazing when you have the "write" mix of students. I have the best high school/ college students in the world. They have finished all college coursework, they have taken the darn AP exam, and they have done an o.k. job with their Gatsby skits. So, what is left? Well, let's just say we have been listening to a lot of I Heart Radio while they studying or pretending to study for other classes. So, here is the latest song that I've had on my mind--don't laugh!
Beauty and a Beat
We gonna party like it's 3012 tonight
I wanna show you all the finer things in life
So just forget about the world, we're young tonight
I'm coming for ya, I'm coming for ya
Cause all I need
Is a beauty and a beat
Who can make my life complete
It's all about you,
When the music makes you move
Baby, do it like you do
Not the best lyrics in the world, but they work well in this song that is meant to get you ready for #turnup (to use modern teen lingo.)
But what I love is just that phrase of "a beauty and a beat." How amazingly creative and fresh! I think of my MFA poetry workshops, I think of how easy it is not to be cliché, I think about slant rhyme. I think I feel inspired to write right now!
Here is my 10 minutes of writing work today:
In a beauty and a beat
the world comes to an end.
That swell beyond the sand
that Atlantian explosion
all at once like a beast. Then the beauty,
then the beat.
I have to say Wow to myself. Just so Wow!
What Else I've Been Up To: Here is the rundown. Little League Games for Son #2, Son #1 Honor Banquet, Son #1 Two Day Trip for Texas State Solo and Ensembles, Waking Up at 4AM to Retrieve the Son, Grocery Shopping, Dropping Daughter Off at Church Youth Group, Eating Pizza and Choco-Flan (delicious cake with a decadent, rich layer of sweetness) During Forbidden Classroom Parties, Grading Reflective Personal Essays, and Enjoying the Mexican Cartel Version of The Great Gatsby in Class. All this is like half of everything!
And of course, a lot of country music on my 20 minute ride to work and my 20 minute trip back home. Beauty and the Beat in between, wishing I could be Beast writer like John Green.
And for your musical enjoyment! This is so cool! Like Totally!
Fictionally Yours Siempre,
Minerva
My teacher friends say the end of the year can get pretty crazy. Hopefully in summer you can find more time to write! I like how you said your students pretend to study...haha
ReplyDeleteI know that sounds really bad--that they pretend, but I am being completely real! These are 17 year olds after all. LOL!
DeleteNever ever feel like you have to write constantly - you have to do whatever works for you ^_^
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Thanks for the bit of encouragement--I needed that!
DeleteHi, Minerva! I haven't yet read The Fault in Our Stars. Actually, I haven't read anything by John Green yet. I must get on that ASAP!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything you have going on!
Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
Yes, you must get it out of your To Read pile! To be honest, it is really the only Green book I have read completely. It is his best in my opinion.
DeleteI know what you mean about writing more and improving as a writer. Logically, I know that too, but life just really makes that tough sometimes, doesn't it? It sounds like you have a lot of stuff keeping you busy right now, especially with the school year winding down. Here's hoping you can find some time to write soon. :-)
ReplyDeleteVery busy--just like everybody else posting on What's Up. Feels good knowing we all go through similar struggles and we can all get through!
DeleteWhat a fun, jazzy song! That added some much needed pep to my afternoon! I loved TFIOS too, but I have to confess that I won't be seeing the movie at the theater. I know I'll bawl my head off, so I'll wait for the bluray to see how they've translated John Green's book to the screen.
ReplyDeleteWriting continuously was my biggest challenge until the last few years. I only became consistent because my insomnia got worse and I used the time to write, and because my sister took up writing and provided much needed accountability. Being in the middle of life is tough. I totally hear you on that. Have a great week! :)
I already reserved my daughter for this event. She has gotten into this thing of seeing movies I am dying to see with her friends rather than me. But, no, not this time! Glad you enjoyed the vintage version of Justin Bieber!
DeleteI love post-modern Jukebox. Good luck with the end of the year stuff at school.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jana! They have a bunch of these vintage version videos!
DeleteI also loved the Fault in Our Stars... would love to see your post of favorite quotes :)
ReplyDelete