Learning what I already know

You know, I always wonder why we (and when I say “we” I’m actually talking about myself) need to learn the same lessons over and over again.

Marianne’s new goal mirrors the conclusion I came to in early January. I need to work on my fiction projects every day. I need to give my writing the respect it deserves as a second career.

Writing is also very much like exercise for me. No matter what other outcomes, it always makes me feel better. I’ve removed the drama from getting my exercise in. I simply pull on my shoes and get it done. Same for writing. I’m making it something I do every single day--no drama, no fuss.

That said, my goals this month. I’m in the home stretch of The Fine Art of Holding Your Breath. But … I’ve done so much writing on it, so it’s not something that’s ready to go out the door. Once it’s complete (maybe by next week), I’m going to let it compost for a bit.

Then I’ll switch gears and work on the proposal for Dating on the Dork Side.
And that’s it. So for now, my February looks to be filled with words and snow--lots and lots of snow.

In which I post my intentions

My goal, which is pretty aggressive, is to have a revised manuscript I can email my agent by month’s end. I guess it wouldn’t be that aggressive if I didn’t work a day job, but since I do … I’m hoping JaNo will help keep me on track.

I have a pretty good start. I was off work all last week and built up some momentum and words. So, for the week, I’m up about 10,000 words, some new, some revised, and some blended. I’m working to integrate a new subplot, remove a few other plot threads, and I’ve combined a few characters, which means the relationship vibe between many of the characters has change.

If you’re thinking, wow, she must be crazy, then you might be right.

What Are Your Goals?

Hey all... I've updated that box on the sidebar with goals to include those of us participing this month, but I don't know specific goals (if you have them). Would you post a comment or post a POST about what you specifically intend to achieve this month? Then I'll add those to the bar.

I've decided to work on editing Stiller Creek, as much as new pieces are calling to me.

Happy New Year and Happy JaNo-ing!!

Okay folks... here's who I have

This is everyone I've heard from this month -- if I don't hear from you (even if you don't want to play this month), I'll go ahead and take you off the list of contributors so I don't bug you if/when I email. K?

Me!: 500 words/day
Sarita: 1000 words/day
Ceri: 750 words/day
Keri: sitting this month out
Melissa: 5000 words/week (?)
Kealie: Goal to be decided

That means that I didn't hear from:

Karen
Anne
Charity
Darcy
Jen
Tiffany
Joanie
Groovy
Amy

You guys still want to play? Take the month off and come back in June? Whatever... just let me know!

May?

Who's in for May? If you're in, email me your May goals... and y'all might consider doing a "wrap-up" post for April to let us know how you did for the month.

Thanks!

Walloped by Spring Break

For the first three days of April, I met my goals. I think. Then the weekend came... then spring break. And all this time that I foolishly envisioned I could structure for my writing goals was eaten up by mostly fun and exciting things (shopping for/trying to sell a horse) that meant we spent a lot of time in the car/truck/barn. And lots of state highways.

I fell off all wagons. Writing wagon. Exercise wagon. Eating right wagon. Even the laundry wagon.

But this wasn't a failure unless I stop here. A detour, possibly. Maybe even a trip into the ditch on the side of the road. But not a failure.

Come Monday, spring break is over. Then you'll find my behind in the chair. (Or my feet on the treadmill, working at my desk there.) And I'm going to keep showing up every day until I actually have changed my habits. Which means I'll keep showing up every day from then on.

Hallelujah amen.

New month, new gameplan

It's a new month! Hurray for April and spring and newness and all that wonderful Easter candy that has made me leave behind all my weightloss intentions until after the holiday! Hurray!

With the new month comes a new gameplan, especially since all of my family stresses seem to be finally resolving themselves. Life is good and a high word count is excellent!

So, to report my progress. Didn't get to write much on the 1st (had to still take care of one of those last family things), but I did get more than 500 good words written despite the day's running. And made my goal for the 2nd and 4th, with the 3rd coming in at more than double. So, for the first week of April...drumroll, please... a tiny bit more than 6700 words!

Still working on today's, but that, of course, goes into next week's word count total hopper.

Good luck to all!

April Participants so far - updated

Here's who I've heard from about doing JaNo in April:

Anne
Jen
Sarita
Melissa
Keri
Ceri
... and, yes, Jen... ME.

LOL...

I may have forgotten someone... I'm dopey from my cold... but feel free to leave a comment here or email me if you want to participate. I'm updating the goals on the sidebar this weekend.

new week, new words

I've made almost 3750 this week! Yes, that's just a little over half my goal, but after the computer crashed last week, I've been having to redo everything I did work-wise for both this week and last. I had to get extensions on two assignments, and my editors were both wonderful about it, so that's good. And when I finally got the postpartum depression article turned in, my editor emailed me the next day and told me it was the best article on this subject she'd ever received. So, the redo was worth it after all! I also had to teach a class of seniors this week that really kept me on my toes, and I'm still polishing my final late assignment--a big travel piece. So, I'm going to try to do better next week--only one interview on Tuesday, and a proposal due by Friday, so I hope to have a much stronger total that gets me closer to the words I lost in the crash. And I'm hoping to continue my streak of writing even better the second time around. Beyond that, Happy Valentine's Day to all, and I'm so glad this group continues to "be mine."