Welcome to another Wednesday. It was a nice one in my neck of the woods, but that is about to change. We are waiting on Snowpocolypse 2021. One to three feet are hitting this weekend. Sigh. Guess news and music distractions are definitely in order.
The optional question this month is – Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?
I definitely read widely. Contemporary, fantasy, sci fi, thrillers, etc… In truth, though, I think I go through little obsessions. When I find an author or niche that I adore, I will inhale books from that corner of the publishing world for a while, grow tired, and then find another corner to fixate on. Even though I’m currently enthralled with a small YA fantasy fixation (Wicked Saints, The Thief, etc…) I had a major obsession over Seanan McGuire’s stuff last spring into summer. Middegame is what started it, but Every Heart a Doorway continued it. I am a reader first and foremost.
I’m motivated to the greatest degree by strong/interesting characters, but the overall intersection of the plot arc(s) and emotional arc(s) make the story hit me hard. I need to feel growth or change. If I feel the world and the moment, the author has me. 🙂
Time for news nuggets and a song to round out my Wednesday.
Here’s a taste of Kansas to end things. Grew to love them from watching Supernatural. Have a great rest of your week, and I’ll see in seven. https://youtu.be/P5ZJui3aPoQ
It is Wednesday once again, but in place of my Weekly News, I’m turning over my blog to Kate Larkingdale. She is an amazing contemporary YA writer whose latest book drops February 26th. Check it out!
CHASING THE TAILLIGHTS Lucy and Tony share nothing except genes. Tony’s the champion diver destined for greatness. Lucy’s biggest concern is getting Cute Guy from the burger joint to ask her out.
After an accident kills their parents, the siblings are forced to rely on one another—and decide whether to reveal their secrets.
Lucy can’t tell Tony what she knows about the accident for fear of destroying the tentative bond between them. If she doesn’t confess, she might lose her mind. If she does, she might lose the only person she has left who loves her.
Tony has problems too. Between diving practice, classes and concealing the crush he has on his best friend Jake, Tony needs to find room in his life for his sister, but his own stability dwindles with every passing day.
As the siblings struggle to overcome a lifetime of past conflicts and jealousies, they discover they might have more in common than a love of rock music.
Having spent a lifetime travelling the globe, Kate Larkindale settled in Wellington, New Zealand fifteen years ago. A film marketing executive and mother to two sons, she’s surprised she finds any time to write, but doesn’t sleep much. As a result, she can usually be found hanging out by the nearest espresso machine.
She is the author of contemporary YA novels Chasing The Taillights, The Sidewalk’s Regrets, An Unstill Life and Stumped along with several others that no one is allowed to see. Yet. She has also written one very bad historical romance, which will likely never see the light of day. She is working on several more YA novels that may or may not ever be finished.
Her short stories have appeared in Halfway Down The Stairs, A Fly in Amber, Daily Flash Anthology, The Barrier Islands Review, Everyday Fiction, Death Rattle, Kissed Anthology, Just Me Anthology, Drastic Measures, Cutlass & Musket and Residential Aliens, among others.
He steps into the room, his huge frame filling the doorway. He starts toward the bed then stops, his lips pressing together into a thin, white line. He drops his brilliant blue-eyed gaze to the floor for a moment and swallows hard before he looks up again. The scruffy beginnings of a beard shadow his chin.
“Hey, Lucy.” He tries to smile as he crosses to the bed, but his lips tremble too hard for it to be convincing. A muscle jumps in his jaw like a tiny fish trying to escape. “Thank you for being here, Peter.”
“I wish I didn’t have to be.” Peter gets up and gives Tony a brief hug. My brother’s arms don’t move, just hang stiffly at his sides, hands clenched into fists.
Peter lets go and moves aside to let Tony sit next to me. “I’m going to get some coffee. I’ll be back soon.”
Tony watches him go, not turning back to me until Peter’s tall, lean figure has vanished into the hallway. When he does, his eyes are red-rimmed and exhausted. Purple crescents lie beneath them. He looks like shit, but something about the way he’s studying me makes me certain I look worse.
“Oh, Jesus, Lucy.” He shakes his head, a pleading expression on his face. “I have no clue what I’m supposed to say right now.”
I blink up at him. I need him to tell me what happened. I need him to explain it to me. I try to form the words, but they won’t come. My mouth, stitched up like a quilt, won’t shape what I need to say.
“Dad?” I manage after a long battle. “…Mom’s…” I can’t say it. If I speak it aloud it’ll be true.
I’m holding my breath. My chest aches and I let it out in a gasp. The pain is back, sharp and stabbing at my side, a dull throb in my neck and shoulder. Tony reaches out and touches the side of my face. I flinch, hating myself for it when his fingers are as gentle as rain.
“They’re dead, Lucy. They’re both dead.” His eyes lock onto mine and I know he’s telling the truth. The bleak, stunned look on his face tells me more than any words could. A sob escapes him and he starts to turn away.
Welcome to another Wednesday, cats and kittens. February is racing away, before we know it March will be in like a lion. Until then, we could all use a bit of entertainment. To that end, I have picked a couple of stories and a song. Enjoy!
The optional question this month is–Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?
I have. I’ve participated with IWSG for years now, and through it, I have built a web of relationships with several writers, relationships I value. IWSG is a truly great place to connect, Writer’s Digest was absolutely correct to name it one of the 100 Best Websites For Writers.
Happy Wednesday! January is racing away, sending us all careening toward February. Do you feel yourself careening? I do. And since it is absolutely inevitable in our current crazy timeline, some news and a song to make it more enjoyable.
Hi all! It has been a while. I had intended to be back last week, but whoa boy! If you’re not in the US, um…last Wednesday was something else. Since I don’t want to miss any more time, and we could all use something fun/funny, time for some news and a song.
kimlajevardi 