Taking a break from reading romance. I finished reading John Green’s book, Hollywood Ending, really quickly the night before our trip. I’m probably going to reread it at some point. I don’t typically like rushing through a book, but I didn’t want to leave it hanging while I was gone, and I didn’t have room in our bags to pack it and lug it around Orlando. I really enjoyed it, though. I think I like Kai more than Juniper. I think Kai is given a more important role in the story. But I’m not going to spoil it. You should check it out if you’re interested.
Now that I’ve finished, not that it’s really a romance (I certainly wouldn’t call it one,) I’m taking a break from reading romance novels and catching up on some of the books I’ve been neglecting. They’re all appropriately Halloween-themed, actually, so that works out. I’m still working my way through reading Burr by Gore Vidal. It’s my purse book, and man is it falling apart. I apologize to whoever gets it off the little free library when I finish it. I want to finish House of Leaves soon. I’m caught in the weeds in the appendices at the end, so I just have to be patient and get through it. I’m also reading In Cold Blood, and I should graduate it to being my living room book as soon as I’ve finished HoL, because as a before bed book it’s not getting a fair chance, because I’m usually too sleepy. And I also have Dracula…That’s not a great before bed book either. What am I doing to myself? Anyway, those are the books I’m currently reading. I may break and start reading a romance book soon. Mainly because their pacing is snappier.
Some more thoughts on our Disney/Universal trip. Time went by too quickly, as it often does. The three resorts we stayed in were very nice, the Skyliner was fun (even though it did stop at night once, and that was scary, but there were humorous ladies in it with us who kept me from panicking about the height and swaying,) the meals were great as I mentioned in my last post…The worst part about these trips is that they have to end.
The week of our anniversary is actually so busy at the parks. We stood in several long lines, some of them worth it and some of them not so much. I told Luis the other day that a highlight, for me, this time was spending time together at the resorts. Maybe it’s a sign that we’re older? Anyway, I’m already looking forward to going back to Disney, of course. The Universal Epic Universe is nice, but I wish it had more rides. We did ride Monsters Unchained three times. That ride is right up my alley.
We didn’t ride Rock n’ Rollercoaster starring The Muppets because it went down while we were in line and we didn’t want to devote too much time to waiting for it. Same goes for Slinky Dog Dash. That line is super long, and it’s in the sun, so I wasn’t too broken up about not doing it this time. So we have things to do when we go back! However, I am pleased to announce that we did ride several roller coasters I was previously too nervous to try: Space Mountain, Tron Lightcycle Run, Expedition Everest, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. All of them are amazing, and I’m so glad I now know that I not only can handle them but I actually enjoy them. We also rode the Tower of Terror which I talked myself out of last time even though I rode it a bunch when I was younger and loved it. I forgot how short the ride actually is. I was laughing as we rode it.
I’ll only watch a 3-hour documentary if it’s directed by and featuring Nathan Fielder. Last Saturday, we saw You Can See Everything, about Elizabeth Holmes (the Theranos lady) and her husband Billy, who is pretty awful. It’s kind of a documentary, but also kind of just a weird movie. If you’re familiar with Nathan Fielder, you probably know what to expect. It’s very well-filmed, and I don’t want to give anything away, but I was laughing a lot. There are some elements in it that I didn’t anticipate but they make so much sense if you’ve seen his other work. Luis and I have been calling Elizabeth Holmes’ husband “Billy Theranos” because he sucks. He comes across very badly. Not that Elizabeth Holmes is a good person either. She’s a master manipulator. I feel bad for their kids.
Writing update. My latest novel draft is still going well. I’m currently at around 72K words, so heading into the final 10K or so. It feels a little surreal. I know it’s going to need a lot of editing and revision, but the process has been so smooth compared to other novels I’ve written. I’m looking forward to reading it through in January, after giving myself a suitable break for the holidays.
Meanwhile, as often happens, I’ve been getting a few ideas for other stories. I previously wrote that I have some fresh ideas for my Nerdfighters-inspired novel, and I’ve continued to develop them. Maybe I’ll be working on that next year, once I’ve begun work on editing the story I’m currently writing. My ideas move the Nerdfighters story a little further away from the truth, which I think is a good thing. Who knew that writing romance with magical realism elements could be so fun?
Which reminds me: I need to get my hands on a copy of Ashley Poston’s The Seven Year Slip. Because of reasons.
