Round 4, Check-in 8: Aaaargh!

I wish I could report better progress this last week, our first week home. But I'm beginning to realize the older I get, the more time I need to recover. Still haven't written those blistering letters to all concerned that led to a 3-hour wait while going through customs. Imagine 2,000+ people, most over 70, standing in line for 3 hours with no place to sit or go to the bathroom, some folks with walkers. This was NOT pretty, making me ever grateful we are back home.

Here are my Round 4 goals with updates:

1. Writing: Complete revisions and write wrap-around materials for Rivers of Stone by year-end. No progress yet. Organizing for NaNoWriMo. Some progress. Write at least 30 poems by end of October. Only 11 poems for the month, so far, with 3 days left. Did transfer poems from journal to Word file.
2. Blogging: Post in Writing blog x1/week (posted 3 poems) and ROW80 blog x2/each week (posted only once -- unless today counts). Read other writers x6 (read x3).
3. Reading: Read 10 books a month. Review 1 book each month. Still reading Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna (490 pages & about 48% through), but I'm far from other reading and reviewing.4. Marketing: Work on release of Rivers of Stone before the end of 2017. Work on marketing 3 hours each week. Still unpacking and trying to catch up, so no real progress here. I am in the middle of talking to a local book store about a book signing (tied to release).
5. Other: Write 2 articles a month/Wrote 1. Prep for writing workshop early November. Continuing: SASP Publicity (wrote article on NaNoWriMo for the newsletter; proofed new Anthology -- SASP's first!).
6. Personal: Quilt, exercise, maintain healthy balance with family, volunteering, and all else. Resumed exercise (water aerobics). Went to the advanced class by accident and really got a workout. Did buy a box of Trader Joe cookies, but all else OK. Lots of veggies and brown rice. Am appalled this morning by CNN's report of water-spread disease in Puerto Rico.

So, to keep things simple, here are my focus goals for the coming week:

1. WRITING: Write minimum 250 words a day. Keep writing poems through end of October. Proofread Rivers of Stone for e-pub.
2. BLOGGING: Same as always: 1x/ROW80, 2x/Writing blog (Include post for Insecure Writer's Support Group).
3. MARKETING: Work on my own marketing plan.
4. READING: Continue with Kingsolver. Will be lucky to finish mid-November.
5. SASP: Develop launch and marketing plan for our new Anthology.

This morning begins with dense fog, making me grateful for yesterday's trip with grandkids to Finch Arboretun for "Leaf Day." Finch staff piled up mounds of fall leaves for the kids to throw at each other and jump around on. 

Let's bring joy (and productivity) to the coming week! Check out what other ROW80 writers are up to on the BLOG or on FACEBOOK. Make it a good storytelling week!

ROW80, Round 4, Check-in 7: Home

We're baack! Two hour time change notwithstanding, after a 14-day cruise, the suitcases are unpacked, laundry is finally clean, and we've made one food run to the grocery store. I have renewed appreciation for internet, television news, and the daily paper. And privacy.

But the real question is: Did I get any writing done?  The short answer is yes! The longer answer is, as my three-year-old granddaughter would say, "Some." I'm working on Dylan and Moira's story. Have made great progress in organizing, plotting, and drafting a few scenes. Up to about 12,000 words and setting up for NaNoWriMo.

Here are my Round 4 goals:

1. Writing: Complete revisions and write wrap-around materials for Rivers of Stone by year-end. No progress here last 2 weeks. Prioritize writing projects (Prequel + Memoir). Done. Prequel taking front and center. Write at least 30 poems by end of October. Some progress. Wrote 10 poems in 2 weeks.
2. Blogging: Post in Writing blog x1 and ROW80 blog x2/each week. Read other writers x6. On hold last 2 weeks. No Internet.

3. Reading: Read 10 books a month. Review 1 book each month. Ooops. Probably read 6 books during last 2 weeks. Deep in Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna (set partly in Mexico) and loving this rich story that features Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

4. Marketing: Work on release of Rivers of Stone before the end of 2017. Work on marketing 3 hours each week. No progress last two weeks. Did hand out a few bookmarks.
5. Other: Write 2 articles a month. Prep for writing workshop early November. Continuing: SASP Publicity. Quilt, exercise, maintain healthy balance with family, volunteering, and all else. All these on hold until tomorrow!

Too much red above, but tomorrow beckons. What was the most exotic thing we saw during the trip? 

Toucans, parrots, and other mystery birds flying in the wilderness of a tropical forest. 

Orchids growing in a tree in a botanical garden.

The nightly towel-creature awaiting us in our room on the Norwegian Pearl. 

In Cartagena, flower-filled patios, but humidity and heat so high, we could barely walk.

Now, why not check in with other ROW80 writers to see what's up this week for A Round of Words in 80 Days? Have a great week!

ROW80 Check-in: Missing?

I'm not missing. This is my last check-in for ROW80 until after October 25.

1. Writing: Complete revisions and write wrap-around materials for Rivers of Stone by year-end. Prioritize next writing project. Write at least 30 poems by end of October. Progress: Good progress on all goals. So far, surprisingly, 12 poems written.
2. Blogging: Post in Writing blog x1 and ROW80 blog x2/each week. Read other writers x6 each week.  Progress: Because those poems (and the monthly post for Insecure Writer's Support Group) are posted daily, I'm well ahead in posting on the Writing blog, but I'm far behind in posting for ROW80 and/or reading what others have done. 
3. Reading: Read 10 books a month. Review 2 books each month. Progress: No reviews up this month. For September, read 10/15. October reading so far = 4/10, but one of the books involved lots of page skipping (erotica). Even though I was asked, and the book had terrific plotting, I just can't bring myself to review it. 
4. Marketing: Work on release of Rivers of Stone before the end of 2017. Work on marketing 3 hours each week. Progress: Steady progress here. Worked on SASP Anthology and set up a November workshop on 'deep revision' (this will be fun). Decided to set up Rivers of Stone for pre-order (a new skill).
5. Other/Personal: Write 2 articles a month. Continuing: SASP Publicity. Quilt, exercise, maintain healthy blood level/diet. Progress: So far, so good in all categories, though I wonder about that 'healthy diet' goal on a cruise ship. Found a way to exercise in water aerobics without hurting my feet. SASP Publicity done + two articles. 

Getting ready for this trip, even though it's only 17 days, feels a little like falling off the world as I know it. My laptop is ready. The suitcase is mostly packed. We drive to the airport at 4:30 am on Saturday, but I'm leaving behind all that is familiar. As well as those dear grands! 

My hopes for writing while away include digging into a new story (unicorns!) and somehow writing a poem a day. We've not vacationed for so long that we're both looking forward to a different kind of adventure. No internet while we're gone means not connecting with ROW80 until I'm back -- after October 25. 

Meanwhile, all you energetic ROW80 writers, persevere in the writing, and appreciate each day! CLICK HERE to see what everyone's up to or hop over to our group on FaceBook!

ROW80 Round 4 Goals: Am I SMART Enough?

Thanks to Eden’s recent talk about SMART Goals on our ROW80 website, I’m reviewing exactly what SMART means:

• Specific – target a specific area for improvement.
• Measurable – quantify or at least suggest an indicator of progress.
• Achievable – have the specific skills needed to achieve the goal.
• Realistic – state what results can realistically be achieved, given available resources.
• Time-related – specify when the result(s) can be achieved

I would like to do a better job of crafting my ROW80 goals so that they are more realistic (I tend to have longer lists than I can complete – though I don’t want to leave any area out). And I’d like my goals to have tighter deadlines, as the goals tend to slide into longer and longer lists! So, in Round 4, areas for me to be more aware of are:

1. Scope of my to-do list.
2. Identify more clearly what constitutes progress and IF I can realistically achieve the goal.
3. Set more specific deadlines (not the amorphous ‘by the next check-in’).

Eden points out that Scott Barry Kaufman, in Ungifted, suggests that scientists are looking at what motivates us to succeed. He identifies two types of goals:

Learning goals — these tend to be self-directed, usually involve a personal desire for self-improvement ⇒ lead to mastery.

Performance goals — these tend to be motivated by external rewards such as money, status, approval of others ⇒ can lead to fear of failure.

I’m not so comfortable with an either/or explanation for what drives us to write – or to be successful, though Kaufman’s learning vs. performance may help us move away from writer’s block. But I’m noticing that as summarized, learning goals lead to MASTERY (positive), while performance goals "can" lead to FAILURE (negative). For me, putting food on the table is not a negative goal.

Also, are the scientists suggesting that self-affirmations are more important than affirmations from others? For example, support from significant others (notably my DH) keeps me writing, but I don’t write for him. To be fair to Kaufman, I ‘should’ probably read Ungifted.

Also, notice how the first SMART goal (target a specific area for improvement) puts our SMART goals squarely in Kaufman’s LEARNING GOALS!

And, just maybe I’m motivated by performance goals as well, for I write for that zing when a passage, or a scene, or a chapter sings with truth and connects with my readers. Some days, too, I hope for that monthly deposit from book sales to be more than a token amount. For that seems like a nice form of external validation.

So, SMART goals work for me. What motivates me to succeed is that desire to tell a story, to write with discipline, and to achieve balance in my life. That means keeping my goals focused and simple. 

Here are my Round 4 goals:  

1. Writing: Complete revisions and write wrap-around materials for Rivers of Stone by year-end. Prioritize writing projects (Prequel + Memoir). Write at least 30 poems by end of October.

2. Blogging: Post in Writing blog x1 and ROW80 blog x2/each week. Read other writers x6.

3. Reading: Read 10 books a month. Review 1 book each month.

4. Marketing: Work on release of Rivers of Stone before the end of 2017. Work on marketing 3 hours each week.

5. Other: Write 2 articles a month. Continuing: SASP Publicity. Quilt, exercise, maintain healthy balance with family, volunteering, and all else.

After all this glorious planning, I'm going to be MISSING for much of October. 

Notwithstanding earthquakes, flooding, and devastating tropical storms, we are leaving for a 17-day trip October 7 at well before the crack-of-dawn. I will have my mini-laptop with me but will have very limited internet access as we meander down the coast of Mexico, cross the Panama Canal, and land in New Orleans for a few days before flying home. Maybe I'll find that next story along the way.

I just want you to know that I won’t be able to read what you post or put up any weekly check-ins for that time. But I will be writing, AND I wish you every success in this last round of 2017.

NOTE: Just in case you were thinking of donating, here's a link to an article by Global Giving (top rated by Charity Navigator) about their relief fund for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-maria-caribbean-relief-fund/ 

OK, so maybe I'm doing that walk of shame as somehow the last two check-ins for ROW80 have slipped right by me. I have two relatively big excuses (besides babysitting).

Revisions on Chapter 71 have taken up many hours in the last two weeks. Maybe, just maybe I'm closer. The next and last revision goes to writer's group this Wednesday. I don't like to argue with anyone at all, but my two main characters need to confront each other.

An opportunity for a radio interview popped up Monday, with recording on Friday. I learned a lot, had fun with an amazing host, and wrote about it HERE on my writing blog.

Meanwhile, here's the official check-in for Week 11 with Round 3 ending on September 21 (this week).

WRITING: Good but grueling progress on that last chapter of Rivers of Stone. Wrote another 1,000 words on the memoir and warmed right up with a poem this morning for OctPoWriMo (a poetry writing challenge that asks participants to write a poem every day throughout the month).

GOALS for the coming week: Write a poem a day. Write at least 400 words for afterword/book blurb. James Scott Bell has very useful 'how to' suggestions in his Marketing for Writers Who Hate Marketing (the shoe fits). Write at least 500 words on the memoir. Keep reviewing poems for poetry chapbook with goal to publish before summer 2018 (currently have 90 pages).

BLOGGING:  Posted 2x this week and read x14 what others posted. GOALS for the coming week: Post Weds for ROW80 and take a break to set goals for ROW80's Round 4. Read everyone who posts for ROW80 on the blog or in  FaceBook. Continue to post those poems daily on my Writing blog. Luckily I like short poems.

MARKETING: Steady but very slow progress in Bell's book. GOALS for the coming week: Firm up one pending workshop. Set up GoodReads giveaway. Keep pricing for Standing Stones and Years of Stone on Amazon at .99c through September.

OTHER: Finished a comfort quilt and already am excited to start the next one. Doing pretty good with exercise and diet (lots of salads), but it's time to see the doctor about those runaway blood sugars. PR for Spokane Authors on track. Still need more work on decluttering that e-mail.

READING: So far 7/15 for the month. I'm having fun reading April White's Marking Time: The Immortal Descendents, Book 1 (438 pp, 4.5 stars on Amazon with 1,200+ reviews). Saira Elian, a young girl whose mother abandons her routinely, is a tagger armed with a can of spray paint. Then she finds out she can time travel. And the plot takes interesting twists from there.

That's this week, folks. Hope all is well with you. If you haven't yet joined A Round of Words in 80 Days, please consider it. We set goals and try to achieve them with steady work and encouragement. Check out ROW80 writers on our website or on our FaceBook page.

Have a great week!

ROW80: Oops! Missed Wednesday.

There I was at the end of the day, just settling into writing my Wednesday check-in for A Round of Words in 80 Days, when the phone rang. "Help, Mom! I need a babysitter." Oh, this Gramie can move when needed. In under 5 minutes, I was out the door for a little over an hour. Did I say it was 9:45 pm?

So, this morning's (the morning after the night before) check-in shall be modest as we move nearly as fast to the end of Round 3 (only 14 days left!).

Weds Check in Round 3, Week 10:

WRITING: Goals: Write wrap-around materials for Rivers of Stone. Complete revisions. Prioritize writing projects (Prequel + Memoir). PROGRESS: Drafted back of the book copy. All else set aside for revision of the final chapter (more about that below).

BLOGGING. Blogging: Post in Writing blog x1 and ROW80 blog x2/each week. Read other writers x6. Post monthly for the Insecure Writer's Study Group. PROGRESS: Posting ROW80 today. So far, read 2. IWSG post due later today!

READING: Read 15 books a month. Review 2 books each month. PROGRESS: A little slow here, but finished 3 books and am rigorously deleting books off my Kindle (187 books is just too many). Have 14 on the 'must read' list.

MARKETING: Work on release of Rivers of Stone. Work on marketing 3 hours each week. PROGRESS: Actually feeling pretty good about this. Reading, reviewing, making lists. So far this week, about 4-5 hours.

OTHER: Write 2 articles a month. Continuing: Support Spokane Authors & Self-Publishers with publicity. Also continuing: Declutter! Everywhere! Personal: Quilt, exercise, maintain healthy blood level/diet. PROGRESS: Other than decluttering e-mail and sewing doll clothes for the grands, and being reasonably focused re diet and exercise, this goal is a back-grounder.

NOW TO THE REAL STORY about what I've been working on this week, or what some might call the rest of the story. I've talked about this a little here. That last chapter. My group had some comments, but not until I gave a copy to my live-in brilliant editor DH did I begin to "see" how to "re-vision" the last chapter.

His advice? To think about the chapter from THE POINT OF VIEW CHARACTER, what she wants and how she's feeling. My main character is strong, the actor rather than being acted upon. Even the revisions I'm working on can show you what this means.

OLD VERSION: "You must be Mrs. McDonnell," said Mr. Clark. "And a fine morning it is. Welcome to Oregon City. I'll get your husband for you. Just wait here." The tall, portly man gave her a lingering glance that made Cat wonder what Dougal had said about her.

Once again, Cat found herself pacing nervously in the Mercantile, her skirts rustling as she walked around the smalls tore. Had she come too early? Maybe she should have waited until later in the day. Or changed her mind entirely. What would she say to him She raised her chin. I'm here to say goodbye.

REVISED SO FAR WITH MORE TO COME: Cat dashed across the street in front of a team of horses. She shook her skirts out before entering Clark’s Mercantile and pursed her lips. Dougal has some explaining to do, she thought. And this time, he’s going to tell me everything.

Inside, she spotted Mr. Clark bent over a large accounting ledger. “Mr. Clark, I’d like to see Mr. McDonnell.”

“Good morning, Mrs. McDonnell,” said Mr. Clark. “And a fine morning it is. Welcome to Oregon City. I’ll get your husband for you. Just wait here.” The tall, portly man nodded and scooted out the back door of the shop.

Cat paced back and forth. She didn’t like waiting, and she didn’t like being in the closed-in store. How could he stand it after being on the trail? She raised her chin. That doesn’t matter. I’m here for answers. And if he can’t satisfy me, I will say goodbye. She turned back to the counter just as Dougal entered.

May you have a good week, productive and grateful for all that life brings you. If you're here from WIPpet Wednesday, hope you enjoy the snippet in progress. Find out what other ROW80 writers are up to on our WEBSITE or on FACEBOOK! Why not join in?

ROW80 Sunday check-in: Forward we go!

Ever since Thursday afternoon, I've been a bit at loose ends. Finished revising the last chapter of Rivers of Stone. Still celebrating a little. But now I'm organizing the how-to publish (which platform to use), and writing the wrap-around materials (forward, afterword, more words for promo). So, the progress feels a little convoluted this week.

Rachel shared a motivational quote: "Don't burden your future self. Do it now!" That's been my motivation this busy week as I look to the end of Round 3 coming up September 21. For my list of goals for Round 3 was long and, rather like a cactus, somewhat full of bristles.

Simply put, my goals for September, the rest of Round 3, and the coming week:

1. WRITING: Write wrap-around materials for Rivers of Stone. Complete revisions. Prioritize writing projects (Prequel + Memoir).
2. BLOGGING. Blogging: Post in Writing blog x1 and ROW80 blog x2/each week. Read other writers x6. Post monthly for the Insecure Writer's Study Group.
3. READING: Read 15 books a month. Review 2 books each month. 
4. MARKETING: Work on release of Rivers of Stone. Work on marketing 3 hours each week. 
5. OTHER: Write 2 articles a month. Continuing: Support Spokane Authors & Self-Publishers with publicity. Also continuing: Declutter! Everywhere! Personal: Quilt, exercise, maintain healthy blood level/diet. 

On the marketing front, I am somewhat in the middle of Denise Wakeman's 5-day challenge to create videos. Her Day 2 challenge was to create a video (or image) about who my readers are. Here's the result!

 

And last, but not least, here are three not-so-professional pictures of the wonderful quilt I made that honors the 50th Anniversary for two dear friends.

The Front

Detail of the front

The Back

Have a lovely holiday weekend. Find out what other ROW80 writers are up to on our WEBSITE or on FACEBOOK! Why not join in?