Weds night check-in: All keeps changing

Wish I had good news. DH's back is a little better; tomorrow morning he goes to the hospital for a procedure. So, maybe I'll have good news by tomorrow night or the weekend! 

Here's my almost late check-in for A Round of Words in 80 Days:

GOALS BY SUNDAY, May 1 

Blue = completed/reasonable progress. Red: Ouch! Nada.

1. Post daily for April's A to Z blogging Challenge. Comment on 15 blogs this week. Progress by Weds: Current with daily posts on my writing blog. Read 16 so far. Last week of this challenge (thank goodness!).

2. Write a minimum of 750 words and/or 4 hours of editing on Rivers of Stone. No progress.

3. Work on marketing: Set up 30-day marketing plan. Identify 5 action steps to take. Progress by Weds: Read two articles (one by Shelley Hitz on how to set up a 30-day marketing calendar), set up marketing goals, and began research for presentation on marketing (using blog hops & online interviews) next Thurs.

4. Delete at least 150 e-mails. Progress by Weds: Deleted 200, but those darn e-mails are coming in faster than I can process. Still hovering around 300.

5. Start reading book by indie writer for review. Manion: Springer’s Heart. No progress. But I'm doing a lot of genre reading this month, so far 13 books (and one review), most likely another form of stress management.

6. Be mindful to keep stress levels down. Continue exercise daily and quilt. Set up that next applique project; continue to work on the coffee cup comfort quilt. So far, so good. Bloomsday is this Sunday, that 7.5 mile walk. I think I can.

7. Set up WSQ program format and action list, and send out preliminary e-mails to gather content. Progress by Weds: Reviewed 40-page program, sent out prelim e-mails to 4 people requesting info/updates, worked on overall formatting.

8. Transfer photos from at least one of two dead computers. Nada.

What else is new? Not sure. Saw yellow-headed blackbirds earlier this week on my walk . . . along with a gaggle of fat Canada geese nesting down in a field of green, green grass, flocks of starlings, a robin or two, and one swallow. We still have lots of blossoms everywhere, but the pink cherry is nearly hidden by new green leaves.

If you want to see what I've been writing about for that A to Z Blogging Challenge, hop over to my writing blog. I've been writing about the research for my wip, Rivers of Stone.

And check in with those other ROW80 writers!

"First Iris"
Taken by a friend in Corvallis OR
(March 2016)

ROW80 Sunday night, seriously

No words of wisdom tonight. Just a reminder that the process of participating in A Round of Words in 80 Days does keep us working toward our goals -- even when we don't always meet them. That process seems comfortable now:

1. Clarify your dreams into specific goals.

2. Make a plan.

3. Commit to exactly what you will do and when you will do it.

4. Assess what worked. 

5. Tweak and continue.

Today, this moment brings opportunity. I used to smile when I worked with a very successful bank officer. He would say, "Seize the moment!" But that precious moment is what we have.

Here's my progress this week (goals will remain pretty much the coming week as Allen's procedure is Thursday). 

Progress by SUNDAY, APRIL 24 (with goals for next week):

Blue = Done. Making progress = Purple. Red = Not yet.

1. DONE: Post daily for April's A to Z blogging Challenge. Commented on 16 blogs this week.
2. Write a minimum of 750 words and/or 4 hours of editing on Rivers of Stone. No progress at all. For the coming week, I may not do any writing at all, but I've accepted this is OK, for I want to finish that blogging challenge. Most of these posts have eaten into my writing time but I keep gaining new insights.
3. Draft a newsletter, read the latest Writers' Digest, and set up a plan for running a promotion. Actually did read 2 articles on marketing. What's next: Start that marketing plan, using Shelley Hitz' 30-Day Marketing Plan. Identify 5 action steps to take.
4. Delete at least 150 e-mails. Deleted 180, but that inbox is still too close to 300, so much more decluttering is needed.
5. DONE: Reviewed book by indie writer. 

6. Be mindful to keep stress levels down. Continue exercise daily and quilt. Exercised x4 for the week, but cut my thumb badly. Luckily I only use my thumb for the space bar! Quilting: Set up that next applique project; continue to work on the coffee cup comfort quilt. Just not as interested in that applique . . . yet, but making progress on the smaller quilts. NEW: Set up WSQ program format and action list, and send out preliminary e-mails to gather content. NEW: Transfer photos from at least one of two dead computers.

And that's all for this week, folks. I'm more than ready for May! How about you?  

Life's not just for the birds!
Pelicans near Corpus Christi (Camp 2016)

Check out other ROW80 folks HERE. Let's make this a great week.

ROW80 Weds late night check-in

Wish I had better news this week. On the good side: Stress levels are down, temperatures warming up to the high 70s, and the double cherry trees are in bloom. 

Here's my quick summary with GREEN = pending, BLUE = done, and RED = dismal progress, but I still have a chance at redemption as we're only at Weds, right?  

OK so participating in that April A to Z Blogging Challenge has messed with the writing on my main wip, Rivers of Stone. But I'm really enjoying writing those daily posts about the research that underpins my story. You can read the latest about quilting on my writing blog, if you like. 

In many ways, the research now is a distraction from the story. I want to be thinking about relationships and conflict and the inner lives of my characters. Instead, I'm dreaming about the context of their lives. Still a rewarding process, so I'm committed to finishing out the month and then back to work on Rivers of Stone.

Suddenly my Kindle sales went flat. Amazon says nothing is wrong with their reporting, so I'm thinking about running a promotion. That may push me to work on marketing.

My goals BEFORE SUNDAY, APRIL 24 remain:

1. Post daily for that A to Z blogging Challenge.
2. Write a minimum of 750 words and/or 4 hours of editing on Rivers of Stone.
3. Draft a newsletter, read the latest Writers' Digest, and set up a plan for running a promotion.
4. Delete at least 150 e-mails.
5. Review Adria Cummins' The Creep Show.
6. Be mindful to keep stress levels down. Continue exercise daily and quilt (set up that next applique project; continue to work on the coffee cup comfort quilt).

And that's all, folks! May you have a very good writing week. Stop by to see what other ROW80 writers are up to HERE.

View from Hiking near Mount Edith Cavell last summer (Camp 2015)

ROW80: Rowing away!

Today's check-in. Short and sweet. Mostly. Just took a screen shot off my Daily Work file (summary for the week). Green = made some progress. Blue = met goals. Red = Aargh! Untouched by human hand.

Today at about lunch time, I'll be joining I don't know how many people at the Washington Legislative Caucus for a nice 3-4 hour discussion to decide who will serve as a delegate for the next round. In comparing this process to Oregon's open primary, I can say this is a big time sink, a fascinating process, and emotionally intense.

Last night I got a call from a Hillary campaign worker wanting to know why I worked so hard to get all the delegates (including Bernie supporters) information about today's caucus. Was I supporting the other side? What???? Isn't this supposed to be a rational, democratic process where we respect the votes taken at the previous caucus at the precinct level?

Anyway, people think I'm a little crazy for trying to train for the May 1st Bloomsday 7.5 mile run (at my age, I'm walking). It's all part of stress management. DH still has bad days, and I'm pretty helpless to do anything to ease his pain other than cook and fetch water or tea or Pepsi. So this morning, I'm making his favorite -- meatloaf.

So far this week, I've locked the car keys in the car, lost my wallet for 3 hours, and got the weekly grocery shopping done at 9 pm. The story of Rivers of Stone continues with someone getting falling down drunk (not me, as I generally don't drink at all). 

Spring continues to delight with such beautiful flowers everywhere. Here's what I'll be doing on May 1st . . . Maybe. Have a great week! Check out everyone else on ROW80, a writing challenge blog hop that knows we have a life!

Lilac Bloomsday Run/Walk in Spokane 2016
Source Wikipedia

ROW80 Weds check-in with babysitting

The week's been hectic already, especially today, as I babysat my favorite four-year-old and 1-1/2 year old! Here's my progress for A Round of Words in 80 Days so far:

Blue = Done. Purple = Some progress. Red = Not yet!

Goals for the coming week by Sunday, April 17:

--Writing: Revise Rivers of Stone 5/7 days. So far, 2 out of 3 days.

--Blogging: Post 6x for Blogging A to Z Challenge. Have had a blast posting I, J, and K on my writing blog. And I already know what Thursday (L) and Friday (M) will bring! What's most fun here is digging into and sharing my research for Rivers of Stone and stepping away a bit from revision.

--Continue as ROW80 Sponsor and comment on other blogs x20. So far this week: commented on 14 other blogs.

--Read/review Adria Cimino, The Creep Show (started today). Alas no progress on reading Writer's Digest, and The Writer, with specific attention to marketing. And no progress at all on decluttering my e-mail. But the taxes got done. Online. Does that count?

--Other: Quilt x4 and Exercise x5. One binding finished on one comfort quilt; another binding started. So far swam/walked 3/3 days. Biggest challenge right now is to stay positive every day in spite of continuing health issues for DH. The exercise is helping me, but cooking meals has suffered. 

My two happy grandbaby girls (April 2016)

Check out what other folks have accomplished this week HERE . . . and share your challenges and successes. Have a great week ahead.

Round 2: Not Quite Overwhelmed . . .

And we're rolling along into Round 2 for A Round of Words in 80 Days.  I keep wanting to simplify my check-in, so here's a slightly diferent format: 

Goals for the coming week:

--Writing: Revise Rivers of Stone 5/7 days.

--Blogging: Post 6x for Blogging A to Z Challenge.

--Continue as ROW80 Sponsor and comment on other blogs x20.

--Read/review Adria Cimino, The Creep Show, Writer's Digest, and The Writer, with specific attention to marketing.

--Quilt x4 and Exercise x5.

What happened last week:

--Revised Rivers of Stone only 3/7 days, partly because writing those blogging posts for the A to Z Challenge takes 1-2 hours each. But because the posts are about my research for ROS, I'm really enjoying the process of rereading and reflecting, even if it may delay my schedule to finish Section 05 this month.

--Yippee! Got my article in for ROW80's Round 2 in and posted article for first Wednesday of the month for IWSG (Insecure Writers Study Group).

--Posted snippet for Wednesday's WIPpet. Read x2.

--Finally back on schedule with exercise x4 (combo of walking and swimming). Found water shoes for $20/ at Costco.

No progress at all . . . yet:

--Haven't started to reread Mothers Don't Die. Waiting for beta comments.

--Haven't written any poems or worked on the image/poetry book. Still want to participate in Poetry on the Page weekly. 

--Want to send out quarterly newsletter by April 30.

--Latest copies of Writer's Digest & The Writer ready to read.

--Declutter e-mail inbox to <100. Now 268 in the inbox. I love reading advice from writing gurus and have subscribed to too many newsletters!

Bobcat near Tucson (Jeff Stemshorn)

What I learned this week: 

--That planning ahead can reduce stress. I now have topics for nearly all 24 letters of the alphabet and may write a few snippets to get a little head start. 

--That if I overextend in one place, I'll pay for it elsewhere. My writing got done, but meal planning didn't. Thank goodness, hubby likes hamburgers.

--That I can make lists, but not everything gets done. Biggest celebration this week: finishing the article for ROW80. Biggest regret? Not working on marketing.

That's all for now. What did you learn this week? Want to share? 

Not yet a part of A Round of Words in 80 Days? Why not check us out!

ROW80: Round 2 just checking in . . .

Oofta! April is THE most intense month. 

Here's my first check-in for A Round of Words in 80 Days, that online writing community, led by Kait Nolan (thank you!). If you are a writer, you can join ROW80 any time. The results? Ongoing setting of goals and measuring progress that leads to actually achieving your goals. Plus you get to find out what other ROW80 folks are doing. Below, my goals and progress so far these first few days of Round 2.  

Writing: Finish Section 05 of Rivers of Stone. Goal: Finish Section 05 by April 30. Revise 5/7 days. Read through Mothers Don't Die. Send both for beta comments; both scheduled for release before year end. PROGRESS: On track for Rivers of Stone. Sent Mothers Don't Die for beta read. Need to identify a few more beta readers. NO PROGRESS: Complete 2 new stories for The Mermaid Quilt. Write a few poems.

Community: Complete Blogging A to Z Challenge on writing blog through April (theme: reflecting on research for Rivers of Stone. Serve as sponsor for ROW80. Comment on other blogs 5x/day. Participate in Wednesday's WIPpet, Poetry on the Page, and Facebook groups IWSG (Insecure Writers Study Group) and 10 Minute Novelists. PROGRESS: Reading/commenting on other bloggers 5x/day. Posted snippet for Wednesday's WIPpet. Keeping current with that Blogging A to Z Challenge. NO PROGRESS YET: Still need to write motivational article for ROW80. Still need to participate in Poets on the Page once a week.

Reading/Reviews. Read 4 books/month, and post 2 reviews a month, especially for indie writers. PROGRESS: Posted review of Sue Eller's Meadowlark Madness, a cozy mystery that made me laugh out loud. So far for April, I've read 4 more books, all escapist and all entertaining (Diane Hender, Never Say Spy; Sophia Knightly, Wild for You; Donna Joy Usher, Cocoa and Chanel; and Sharon Hamilton, Ultimate SEAL Collection). NO PROGRESS: Read about marketing strategies; update marketing plan with specific goals set by month; send out quarterly newsletter. Read Writers Digest and The Writer each month. 

Other. Make 1 comfort quilt (wheelchair size) each month. PROGRESS: Putting bindings on two comfort quilts. Finished quilting & binding on baby quilt (Yippee!). Exercise minimum of 3x/week. PROGRESS: Finally. Yes! Swam 2x so far. NO PROGRESS AT ALL: Declutter e-mail inbox to <100. Now pushing 300 in the inbox.

Spring is finally popping. I hear frogs at dawn and twilight. The mystery tree outside my window has little white blossoms nearly ready to open. Have a great week . . . and here's a bit of detail from that hand-quilted panel/baby quilt.

ROW80 Round 2: Here we go!

Here we go again! 

I am ready to jump in Round 2 (April 4 through May 22) for A Round of Words in 80 Days, that process of setting goals and reporting in twice a week to share progress, triumphs, obstacles, and to cheer on those other intrepid Writers of the Round.

So, here are my pared down (?) goals to complete by the end of Round 2.

Writing: Finish Section 05 of Rivers of Stone. Read through Mothers Don't Die. Send both for beta comments; both scheduled for release before year end. Complete 2 new stories for The Mermaid Quilt. Write a few poems.

Community: Complete Blogging A to Z Challenge on writing blog through April (theme: reflecting on research for Rivers of Stone. Serve as sponsor for ROW80. Comment on other blogs 5x/day. Participate in Wednesday's WIPpet, Poetry on the Page, and Facebook groups IWSG (Insecure Writers Study Group) and 10 Minute Novelists.

Ready for spring, 2016!

Reading/Reviews. Read 4 books/month, and post 2 reviews a month, especially for indie writers. Read about marketing strategies; update marketing plan with specific goals set by month; send out quarterly newsletter. Read Writers Digest and The Writer each month. 

Other. Make 1 comfort quilt (wheelchair size) each month; start fundraising for quilting supplies. Exercise minimum of 3x/week. Declutter e-mail inbox to <100. Overall, cherish each day!

Speaking of motivation, consider reading Kait Nolan's "Bravery, Not Perfection" as you write those Round 2 goals.

Let's be brave. Make it a good round, one and all!