How's everyone's summer going? Mine has been pretty crazy so far. Unlike most teachers, since I work in the education/tourism industry, summer is peak season, so I haven't been able to slow down and relax at all. Throw in weddings and wedding-related activities, birthdays, festivals, author events, etc., and you can imagine how exhausted I've been lately.
Unfortunately, that's definitely affected my writing. I started this blog after I got sick of staring at my manuscript and needed a break, but wanted a way to write every day, even if just a short blog post. Somehow even that has become a bit of a chore, as all I want to do when I get home is lie on the couch with a cup of tea, a book, and an episode of The Great British Baking Show in the background.
I'm trying to get out of my funk, since I really want to finish the first draft of my novel by November, but it's proving to be a bit of a challenge. What do you guys do when you get in a writing funk?
In better news, I got two packages yesterday: one was a book I won in a Goodreads giveaway and the other was the cutest tea infuser ever. Nessie will definitely brighten up my reading time ^^
 |
| Seriously, how cute is that? |
 |
| Cup of tea, zucchini bread, and a suspenseful read |
Hosted by Diane @ Bibliophile by the Sea
Every Tuesday, I share the opening paragraph(s) of my reads for the week.
First up is the book I won on Goodreads, and also the August read for the Women of Mystery group.
Behind Closed Doors; B.A. Paris
MIRA - 2016
PRESENT
The champagne bottle knocks against the marble counter, making me jump. I glance at Jack, hoping he won't have noticed how nervous I am. He catches me looking at him and smiles.
"Perfect," he says softly.Ooh, so simple and yet it already hints at so much.
Next up is my NetGalley pick for the week:
The Book of Beloved; Carolyn Haines
Thomas & Mercer; 2016
In Savannah, George, two things could be counted on without question - the heat of summer and Alfred the mail carrier's regular arrival six days a week. I had come to anticipate his knock at four each afternoon, as regular as the milkman and the daily newspaper delivery. I looked forward to Alfred's arrival, not because I carried on a great correspondence with anyone, but because I needed regularity, routine. Death had taught me the power and stabilizing influence of routine. Alfred's arrival meant the world continued in an ordered fashion.Hmm, a bit of a slower start, but there's potential.
Lastly, a book that I won during the Save Our Cozies Readathon:
Terror in Taffeta; Marla Cooper
Minotaur Books - 2016
The sea-foam green bridesmaids' dresses had been a mistake. Not for the obvious reason - that seafoam-green bridesmaids' dresses are almost always a mistake - but because they added a sickly tinge to Nicole Abernathy's three very hungover bridesmaids.
I'd warned them not to overindulge the night before the wedding, begged them to have their bachelorette party back home instead of waiting util they got to San Miguel de Allende, but no one listens to the wedding planner when it's time to start drinking.Always gotta throw a cozy in the mix, and for once, not a culinary cozy. I won this one in the Save Our Cozies Readathon, so here's hoping I can give it a positive review.
______________________________________________________________________
What books are you most looking forward to? And don't forget, give me your tips on how to break out of the writing blahs!
