Busy Week, But Easy Running

The post-marathon recovery has been taking longer than I originally thought it would.

Normally, after a half, I'm back to my normal running schedule after a week of recovery runs. This time, though, I wasn't even able to run due to pain for 4 days after the marathon, and now, even though I don't hurt anymore, I'm still doing recovery runs. I think I'll know when it's time for me to start training normally again once I don't feel like this in the middle of my recovery runs:

I'm not even running all that fast! Argh.

Anyway, this last week I was able to take part in WIFYR, and it was amazing! I attended a potluck dinner with some of the other faculty (HAHA! They think I'm mature enough to be faculty!) and then, the next day, I was on a panel for new writers, representing the middle grade demographic.

It was a great conference. I wasn't able to attend every day, but when I did attend, I learned so much, especially about things I can do as a writer to better interact with my readers.

Yes, I know interacting with readers is a marketing thing. It's good for selling books. But, honestly, it's my favorite part of being a writer. I love meeting the kids who read my books, and even those who don't but might. I love school visits and I really enjoy talking to my readers. The thing is, those readers are mostly middle school-aged kids, so outside of school visits, I don't get to interact with them much. They're not on social media (or at least they're not allowed to be, if I know social media site rules).

So...I'm thinking of starting a YouTube channel.

This is terrifying to my awkward self, who gets even more awkward in front of a camera.

But I've been mulling it over, and I think it could be a lot of fun. One thing I enjoy so, so much about writing my books is the way I can solve the mystery before anyone else gets to. What if I did a weekly YouTube bit with some puzzles or codes for others, like my readers, to figure out? A weekly challenge, if you will. Some riddles, some puzzles, some codes and ciphers, and maybe some challenges that would require you to think like a retrieval specialist or detective.

Sound fun?

I think it is. But then I'm a huge geek, so not everyone agrees with my idea of fun.

In other news, I saw Incredibles 2 this weekend, and it's really good!

The plot is predictable, but it's solid and honestly I wasn't there for the plot. I adored every scene with Jack-Jack and I thought the movie was heartfelt and fun, with the same great family dynamics we loved in the first one. Edna Mode and Frozone's wife are also back.

And the short before the movie (it is Pixar, after all) is sweet and meaningful. I do highly recommend.

I still need to see Solo and Ocean's 8 because, you know, thieves and heists and all. Maybe I'll get some ideas for puzzles for my channel!

That will likely launch later in the fall, once I figure out what I'm doing. If you have any ideas or suggestions for me, I'm happy to listen.

Also, here's an NPR article I found about hanger. It's interesting, and I thought I'd share it with you.