What's Up Wednesday: To the Cave! Edition

WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY

I'm catching the What's Up Wednesday hot air balloon from the blogs of Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. Go to Jaime's blog to add your link and make the rounds to get to know other bloggers!

WHAT I’M READING

I wrapped up my Miranda Keannelly book-a-thon and also read THE ELITE by Kiera Cass. This week I’m diving into a manuscript by one of my CPs and I’m super excited to read on!

WHAT I’M WRITING

Last Wednesday night the YA Buccaneers hosted their first Word Sprint (there’s another tonight! Join in!), and I figured that since it’s not always easy to rack up words while revising and I might end up with a negative number, I’d start on a new idea that’s been brewing for a couple of months. In one way, yay me! I kicked out 3,700 words that night, but in another way, bad idea. I was so taken by my characters and the setting that I kept at it for two more nights. I had to pry myself away from that story and get back to WFTS.

I’m happy to say that I once again met my Ready. Set. Write! goal of writing every single day.

My current path has been leading me back to TheWriting Cave and I can no longer prolong the inevitable. I’ve had trouble keeping up with your blogs and I’m sorry to have missed all your updates, but with a deadline and a family vacation nearing, it’s time to step away from the internet. It’s time to go full-on Writing Cave. I don’t plan to post here again until late-August and I’ll be limiting my twitter time to #ReadySetWrite dates, which have been SO ENORMOUSLY HELPFUL, especially when I need a drill sergeant to whip me back in shape (and get me off facebook).

See you around August 19 and at #ReadySetWrite.

WHAT ELSE I’VE BEEN UP TO

I’m up to my eyeballs in events at work. Swimming lessons are over and both kids passed their levels! Hurray! We spent Saturday and Sunday afternoon at my sister’s pool. 

This Friday HG and I are going with our friend Shawn to the Skyline Music Festival featuring the LP Tour at Target Field. Okay, I have to say that I’m completely geeking out about this. Some of my favorite bands from the 90s are playing their biggest albums.

The details - from the Twins website:

Soul Asylum performing Grave Dancers Union

Cited as one of the most influential bands of the 90s, Minnesota-native Soul Asylum's "Grave Dancers Union" sold more than three million albums. After spending 76 weeks on the Billboard charts, the album was certified triple platinum. The album features hits like "Somebody to Shove," "Black Gold," and "Runaway Train," which was awarded a Grammy in 1993 for Best Rock Song. Fans of the band will relish the chance to hear the album in its entirety live at Target Field.

Big Head Todd and the Monsters performing Sister Sweetly

From a band with a quirky name and a fabulously original sound, this breakthrough album went platinum, spending more than a year on the Billboard Top 200. The album launched with three hit singles "Bittersweet," "Broken Hearted Savior" and "Circle," all of which reached Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.

Matthew Sweet performing Girlfriend

Matthew Sweet's third album, "Girlfriend," has been called the "best power pop album of the 1990's" (A.V. Club). The album hit #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and went gold in the U.S. on the strength of its two singles "Divine Intervention" and "Girlfriend."

Gear Daddies performing various songs

Originally from Austin, Minn., Gear Daddies released three popular albums, becoming an important part of the Twin Cities music scene. "Boys Will be Boys" and "Zamboni" are classic tunes that helped put Minnesota on the 1990s music map.

I’m most excited for Matthew Sweet and Girlfriend – one of those definitive albums that, you know, changed my life and all that.

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW

I’m inspired by all you wonderful #ReadySetWrite writers. Thank you for keeping me in line! I’m inspired by me mates, those scallywag YA Buccaneers, who continue to work hard to make this project AWESOME!

Before I disappear into the Cave, tell me - What's up with you? What are some of YOUR definitive, life changing albums?

Here's some deliciously Sweet candy for your viewing and listening pleasure: