Some magic required

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
What was the best book you read in September?

I read a few books this month, as usual, and they were all pretty good. But the things that sticks in my mind most wasn't something i read but was read to me.

Last Tuesday i had one of those sweat-inducing days where my computer decided to

WIPE EVERYTHING OFF ITS HARD DRIVE!

I didn't breathe all day. What had I backed up? What had I missed? Stories? Pics? Important emails? yeah, so I wasn't a pleasant person to be around while I waited for hubby aka Computer Nerd to get home.

All this while entertaining my mil who was staying and prepping for my 7yo's 4th ear operation Wednesday. it wasn't something easily fixed and we had to leave it while we went with princess to the hospital.

I couldn't read. I couldn't focus for worrying. But then while we waited - for hours - Princess read to me. She's a really good reader and a really passionate one. I met the lovely Amanda Ashby at a RWAus conference and she signed the first 2 books in her Sophie's Mixed Up Magic series to my girl. And it made all the difference for Princess to persist with a book that she had to work hard to read.

So i sat in the hospital and listened to Princess read Wishful Thinking and was able to relax for a while. I really enjoyed the story. It was my definite fave book in September and I'd recommend it to any lovers of fun MG.

And for a happy ending, Princess can hear again and is reading Book 2 and Computer Nerd saved everything like a true hero.

What was your fave book in September?

Don't go changing...

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
What word processing program do you use to write you manuscript, and can you share one handy trick you’ve learned in that program that has helped you while you write?

Okay, this is one road trip i plan to follow with interest. because I am back in the old word dark ages. i see people using interesting programs but the thought of change...

*shudders*

The best trick is more about critting and it's not anything spectacular, but the track changes function is awesome. It's helped me to incorporate my CPs wisdom.

Also the simple find and replace has helped when I've inadvertently aussified something (the use of some Australian slang that NOBODY will ever understand outside of a stone's throw from where I live) and can check the rest of the doc for the same thing.

But I know other programs do even more. So tell me, what do you use and why?

Lucky me

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
Back to school time! What's your favorite book that you had to read for a class?

Love this topic. Have to say I devoured anything I was set at school. Didn't love it all but I'm a fast reader and just inhaled anything i was given. However the two I really, really enjoyed (don't get me wrong i really liked others so no disrespect) were by local Aussie writers.

The first... Tomorrow When The War Began by John Marsden. We had to read the first and I read the whole series. I've seen the movie and I think it was great. however after chatting on an earlier blog I appreciate that such real violence might not be appropriate in every school. our time/school was pretty fortunate and it was a wonderful book.

The second is now one of my fave authors... Looking For Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta. How lucky to have such a great author to read cos I had to. It's not my fave of hers but I really liked it!

What about you?