Tag Archives: My Week In Review

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 8

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for another weekly check-in! This week I’m happy to be back to my normal routine, and I can offer you a proper Week In Review post…

Quote and Film of the Week

the-great-gatsby-leonaro-dicaprio_1

“I was within and without. Simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.”

The Great Gatsby by Francis Scott Fitzgerald. Film by Baz Luhrmann.

To me, The Great Gatsby is a masterpiece because of its writing, not because of its story. Thus turning the book into a film is incredibly hard. I enjoyed Baz Luhrmann’s interpretation because that’s what it is: a vision of the book.

TV Show of the Week

World Without End

World Without End (Channel 4)

I missed this show when it aired in September. I played catch-up this week because I love The Pillars of the Earth and this is the sequel. However I was a bit disappointed: the plot is exactly the same and therefore very predictable.

Good News of the Week

I bought my first Kindle! I resisted peer pressure for a long time, because I love reading paper books. But I travel all the time and my bookshelf space isn’t unlimited, so I finally gave in and got the Kindle Fire. Any tips welcome!

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week again I managed to write

2 days out of 7.

With my WIP in the hands of beta-readers, I basically took the week off writing…

Links of the Week

I was interviewed by the ever awesome Serena Lawless about my Work In Progress. You can read it here.

On my blog I posted my reasons for writing Lily In The Shadows.

On There And Draft Again this week, it’s giveaway time! Our group blog has reached 100 followers and we’re giving away Fantasy books to celebrate. Make sure to enter here.

The Like a Virgin Contest has been announced! It will be held in July 2013. It is co-organized by Rhiann Wynn-Nolet and Kristina Perez, the ladies behind the weekly Thursday’s Children blog hop. It will be open only to manuscripts that have yet to go through the online contest trenches. They want your fresh, sparkly and new manuscripts. How exciting is that?!

Next week

Next week on my blog I will be sharing my latest readings…

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review

Hello gentle reader,

Happy Easter! I hope you had a wonderful week… Mine was eventful!

Picture of the Week

EM Castellan - SCBWI Euro Con

If you follow me on Twitter, you already know I was in Paris this week, where I attended the SCBWI Europlitan Conference. It was incredibly inspiring and interesting. If you write Picture Books, Middle Grade or Young Adult Books, I stronly suggest you attend such a conference.

Word Count of the Week

This week I added 8500 words to my Work In Progress!

Links of the Week

On my blog this week I shared a snippet from my Work In Progress. I also guest posted on Sydney Aaliyah’s blog.

On There And Draft Again this week, Kate gave tips to research your Fantasy novel and Rachel explained How to write villains.

TV Show of the Week

Game-Thrones-Season-3-Character-Posters

Tonight Game of Thrones is back on TV. I. Can’t. Wait.

Next week

Next week on my blog I will post a recap of the SCBWI Con and share with you the most helpful tips I heard during the two-day conference.

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 11

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for the last ROW80 check-in for this round! Where did the time go?… I hope you had a more productive week than I did…

Quote of the Week

   “We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”

J.K. Rowling, 2008 Harvard Alumni Association Commencement Address.

Picture of the Week

 EM Castellan - Paris

I was in Paris this week (for my day job).

ROW80 Check-In

 ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week, the day job was crazy, and I only managed to write

2 days out of 7.

Word Count of the Week

This week I added 3000 words to my Work In Progress.

Book of the Week

 Skylark

Skylark by Meagan Spooner

This one had been sitting on my TBR pile forever. I won a copy a few months ago thanks to a giveaway organised by the lovely Ayesha Schroeder.

Good News of the Week

This week I entered my YA Epic Fantasy THE LAST QUEEN in the Write On Con Pitch Fest and got a nice comment from an agent. It is also a contest, and results should be announced this week…

Links of the Week

On my blog this week I celebrated my birthday with a book giveaway (still accepting entries!) and I explained the genre of my Work In Progress: Gaslamp Fantasy.

On There And Draft Again this week, Kathi discussed first drafts and Raewyn explained tropes in Fantasy.

On her blog, YA writer Amanda Foody wrote a hilarious post about her Perceptions About Writing.

And Thirty Seconds To Mars (did I mention I adore them?) have a new single out and you can listen to it here.

Next week

Next week on my blog I shall share a snippet from my Work In Progress… if you’re interested.

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 10

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for another weekly check-in! I hope you had a great and productive week…

Quote of the Week

    “Richard had noticed that events were cowards: they didn’t occur singly, but instead they would run in packs and leap out at him all at once.”

    Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

This week was indeed very eventful in my corner of England…

Picture of the Week

M.LIN Light

Light by my friend M.LIN

ROW80 Check-In

 ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week, the day job was crazy, but I still managed to write

5 days out of 7.

Word Count of the Week

This week I added 2800 words to my Work In Progress.

TV Show/Movie of the Week

veronica-mars

Veronica Mars

Thanks to an incredible 24-hour Kickstarter campaign, the once cancelled TV show Veronica Mars is to become a movie in 2014. And this is awesome news!

Good News of the Week

This week the amazing Kat Ellis organised a pitch contest on her blog. I entered my Work In Progress Lily In The Shadows and won not one but TWO first-pages critiques, by Jani Grey and Bridget Shepherd.

Links of the Week

On my blog this week I finally revealed the title and plot of my Work In Progress.

On There And Draft Again this week, new member Rachel explained how to draw inspiration from other genres when writing fantasy.

On the Corsets, Cutlasses and Candlesticks blog, YA Author Jennifer McGowan explained How and Why She Fired Her Writing Process (an got published).

On the YAvengers blog, Amanda Foody wrote a great article on how to show, and not tell.

Finally I also recommend YA writer Carissa Taylor’s blog, full of writing tips and books recommendations.

Next week

Next week on my blog I will celebrate my birthday with a book giveaway! Come back on Tuesday to see which books you’ll be able to win…

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review and ROW80 Check-In 9

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for another weekly check-in! I hope you had a great and productive week…

Quote of the Week

    “Once again…welcome to my house. Come freely. Go safely; and leave something of the happiness you bring.”

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Basically my blogging philosophy.

Picture of the Week

M.LIN Lights

Lights in London by my friend M.LIN

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week again I managed to write

6 days out of 7.

Word Count of the Week

This week I added 2680 words to my Work In Progress. I also edited it a lot, and wrote a synopsis for it.

TV Show of the Week

vikings-tv

Vikings (History Channel)

Honestly, I watched this show because of its title. I LOVE Vikings stories. The first two episodes aired this week and they were quite enjoyable, if you don’t mind a slow start and ridiculous hairstyle. I know I don’t, as long as there are, you know, VIKINGS.

Good News of the Week

 I had again a lot of good news this week! First a fellow member of There And Draft Again, Kathi, awarded me the Very Inspiring Blog Award. If you recall, I have already received it twice (!) so you can read my acceptance post here. Then the awesome Veronica Park offered (!!) to critique my synopsis and she gave me some amazing feedback to improve it. And finally after 4 months of silence, my wonderful CP Jessica Montgomery started blogging again! Go and follow her here! She’s awesome, I promise.

Links of the Week

On my blog this week I celebrated World Book Day and I introduced you to the main character of my YA Historical Fantasy novel set in Victorian London.

On There And Draft Again this week, Mara shared tips on finding the perfect Critique Partners and Jessica reviewed her favourite Fantasy book.

Also YA author Laura Lam blogged about How To Help Debut Authors.

Susan and Tyler Rose over at The Feather And The Rose celebrated their 200th post with a Mysterious Giveaway.

Finally you should check out Serena Lawless’s awesome Tumblr. And while you’re at it, you may want to follow her on Twitter. You won’t regret it.  

Next week

Next week on my blog I will (finally) reveal the title and plot of my Work In Progress!

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 6

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for another weekly check-in! I hope you had a great and productive week. Mine was… crazy.

Quote of the Week

“I think I’ll try defying gravity.”

Wicked, The Musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman

Trying to get traditionally published sometimes feels like trying to defy gravity. This week I received one too many rejections and was tempted to throw my flying broom in the fire. But then I didn’t, partly thanks to the support of Jessica Montgomery, Rhiann Wynn-Nolet, Kate Michael, Rachel O’Laughlin, Juliana Haygert and Rachel Horwitz. These ladies are awesome and I’m so grateful I have them…

Picture of the Week

EM Castellan- Russell Hotel

Hotel Russell, Russell Square, London

I went to London this week, and I stayed at a beautiful Victorian hotel. That was quite fitting, since I’m working on a novel set in Victorian London…

Word Count of the Week

This week I had some time off work and I added 9000 words to my Work In Progress, which means it is now at 18,000 words. I’m very pleased with that.

TV Show of the Week

DowntonAbbey

Downton Abbey (ITV)

Slowly but surely, I am catching up on the latest seasons of this awesome show…

Film of the Week

Warm Bodies

Warm Bodies

I went to see it last Friday and I loved it! Such a fun, adorable and thought-provoking movie.

Good News of the Week

This week, Rachel O’Laughlin decided to self-publish her Epic Fantasy and wrote an excellent post about it.

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week again I managed to write

4 days out of 7.

Links of the Week

On my blog I posted about movies that taught me something about writing, and I added pictures of handsome actors. It was Valentine’s Day after all this week.

On There And Draft Again this week, Mara shared some World Building Resources and I gave advice on how to write a 200-word pitch for a Fantasy novel.

On her blog, Emily Wenstrom interviewed the awesome YA writer Aimee L. Salter about her creative process. Worth a read!

Literary agent Carly Watters posted about When to revise your manuscript and when to keep submitting It was exactly the post I needed to read this week.

And YA author Maggie Stiefvater revealed the cover of the sequel to The Raven Boys here.

Next week

Next week on my blog I shall take part in the Thursday Children meme for the first time. It’s “a weekly blog hop where writers come together to talk about whatever inspires them.” I’m very excited about it…

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 4

Hello gentle reader,

So I’m trying something new today. Instead of my usual ROW80 Check-In + Inspiring Writer’s Story, I’m starting a new series of posts. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know in the comment section!

Quote of the Week

“Watch your step. Keep your wits about you; you will need them.” The Crimson Petal & the White by Michel Faber

Especially if you’re attempting to write a YA Historical Fantasy set in Victorian London, like me.

Book of the Week

cover_ruby_in_the_smoke

The Ruby In The Smoke by Philip Pullman (YA Historical Fantasy set in Victorian London)

Read in your genre, they say…

Picture of the Week

M.LIN St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral – London (by my friend M.LIN)

My WIP’s opening is set in St Paul’s Churchyard…

Word Count of the Week

As of yesterday, my WIP is at  6000 words. Also it has a secret title and my MC has a name. It’s taking shape! I’m hoping to add more words today.

TV Show of the Week

Spartacus-War of the Damned

Spartacus – War of the Damned (Starz)

This show has its flaws, but I’m addicted. And this is the last season…

Good News of the Week

The ever-awesome Amanda Foody got an agent and celebrated with a hilarious post. Go and congratulate her!

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week I managed to write 4 days out of 7.

Music of the Week

Les Miserables Musical 1985

I’ve been listening to this on repeat. If you’ve read this post, you know why.

Links of the Week

On my blog I discussed how to write unforgettable secondary characters.

Over on There And Draft Again Raewyn talked about Magical Creatures in Fantasy and Rachel gave some advice on writing fantasy without clichés.

On the Writer Diaries Blog, Vicky Leigh posted a great post about the querying process – with Gifs

Dahlia Adler did the same, but without Gifs

Next week

My blog is so close to 300 followers I have decided to thank you by giving away a book! Stay tuned 🙂

What did you do this week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!