My Current Reading List

I always have multiple books going. Some of them take more brain concentration than others. I like to keep a good mix so I can focus during parts of my week and just have fun for the other parts.

Here is what I've been reading and indulging in for the past week.

I'm still reading Fire Up Your Writing Brain: How to Use Proven Neuroscience to Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Writer. I've been enjoying it but I'm moving slowly through it.

My next book (at least when we're talking about the craft of writing) is

Boone Brux recommended it to me so it will be my next craft writing book.

As for fun reading...  I recently read Risk Everything on It by K.A. Mitchell.

I enjoyed it quite a lot and I think I'm going to go back and read the first in the series.

I also went back and re-read one of my favorite books...Temporary Mark. I pretty much love everything Kim Dare writes but this is one of my go to books, something when I just need to connect with the characters. It does have a BDSM element to it but it's not overwhelming and the emotion in this book is amazing.  Love it!

Baby steps...

So at the beginning of the year I wrote about taking small steps to make some changes. I’ve called them New Year’s Initiatives.

Well, we’re just a month into the New Year so I decided to report on my progress. 

My goal for January was more tea/less soda. I’ve done pretty well. I still love diet soda. That desire hans’t gone away but I'm doing better (pats herself on the back).  I’ve been drinking 1-2 cups of tea a day and my soda consumption has gone down (a wee bit). I typically drink four to five 20-oz bottles (not kidding).  I’m down to about two to three. I figure that’s got to be progress. I’m keeping this initiative going to see if I can improve.

My writing improvement plan for the year is to read a different book about the craft of writing every month.

In January, I read  Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder.

I know it’s been around for a while but the principles remained true (even if some of the examples were from older movies). I think the author offers a lot of good plotting advice. Based on the book, I’ve put a list of items I want to remember as I get deeper into a story.

I’ve picked up a different kind of writing book for February…Fire Up Your Writing Brain: How to Use Proven Neuroscience to Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Writer. It’s about writing and neuroscience and how you can train your brain to be more creative and more productive. Sounded interesting. I’ll let you know what I think.

For February, I have one new health initiative: I’m going to work out every day. Now, this may seem huge but I was already working out 4-5 times per week. Then I felt myself slipping back into 3-4 times and then it would be good if I made it to the gym 3 times a week. So, back to it, I work out every day. I figured out for me, I just say to myself “when am I working out tomorrow?” There’s no “if” involved.  

Have fun and happy reading!