What's Up Wednesday

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme, started by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk, geared to help readers and writers touch base and let them know what's up. If you want join in, you can find the link widget on Jaime's and Erin's blogs!

Holy goodness, I've become a terrible blogger! Apologies, apologies! Here is a picture of Otto to make up for my laziness:


What I'm Reading
Harry Potter! On July 4th, I was flipping through the channels (as one does on a national holiday) when I found "Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban" playing on HBO. Of course, being the Potter-fan that I am, I just had to watch it! And afterward, I was in such a happy Hogwarts mood that I decided to re-read Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire...which led to me devouring Book 5 and Book 6 and Book 7. I simply couldn't stop! I loved immersing myself in this world again and longing for a book about Kingsley Shacklebolt. 'Cause I'm sure he has lots of adventures to tell.

What I'm Writing
I've actually been cheating on my YA sci-fi manuscript and working on a MG fantasy... Shh! Don't tell my other WIP! It has very sensitive feelings.

Honestly though, I've been in a bit of a writing pit. It feels like I've been treading water for days, but haven't gotten anywhere. So maybe switching genres and age groups is my ticket out of the pit? We shall see!

What's Inspiring Me Right Now
You guys! Thank you so very much for all of your comments and support in my previous blog post! I was so overwhelmed and verklempt by the response, and I feel so darned lucky to have you all as friends and readers! 

What Else I've Been Up To
Gosh, not much as of late! Since it is hot as Hades outside, I've been huddled in the house most of the day with Otto, thanking the gods for air conditioning. Seriously, how did people survive in DC before AC?! Especially when women were expected to wear ankle-length dresses and layers of petticoats. (So sweaty!) Did they faint all the time? 'Cause I totally would. Or maybe I would've moved to Canada.

In more exciting news, Justin and I are heading to the Netherlands at the end of the month! He's presenting at a conference at The Hague, and I'll be tagging along to do touristy things like taking pictures of windmills and admiring the canals and learning how to speed skate (or maybe not). It'll be a quick trip but I'm so looking forward to it!

So what have you been up to lately?