Quote of the Moment

"What's Past Is Prologue." - William Shakespeare

Monday, January 24, 2005

Pretend it's Sunday

Okay, I know I said I would post on Sunday. The day flew by, and now it's Monday. Pretend it's not, and I'm a good, faithful writer. :p

Anyway, I revised another 7k last week. Pretty descent amount, in my opinion. I hope the revising goes up exponentially as I get used to doing it everyday. I will graduate, really I will. *looks around nervously*

Don't ask about most of the other things on my goals list.

I did write two more scenes for the rough draft of another novel I started a few months ago. One of my friends and I are setting an hour aside everyday to sit down and write new material. Since we both have to do it at the same time, and then have to check in with each other, it's going well. Only two days in, but I have hopes we'll keep it up. :)

So, I'm going to make this short because I'm not feeling too well and plan on going to bed early. Sleep beckons, so I have energy to revise tomorrow. Happy writing!

Monday, January 17, 2005

Almost recovered from residency

I know I should have posted last week, but I was still recovering. So, I'm posting now, and I'll probably post again this coming Sunday.

The residency was a whirlwind, as usual. I came back crammed with more knowledge and another list of recommended books that I can't afford, but purchased anyway promptly when I got home. I also came back with motivation. Sadly, it's motivation to work on other things besides the novel revisions, and since I told myself I can't work on other things since my revisions hold precedence... I'm sure you can discern that circle.

I have done some writing. I wrote up my new Prelude, and I'm quite happy with it, until my mentor and critique group tear it apart. And I worked on the next chapter which needed revising, and it happened to be two new scenes. I'm not so sure about the scenes right now. I look forward to feeback on them. I feel they're necessary, but I might have rushed the scenes too quickly. I'm sure that chapter will need special attention in my second revision.

Anyway, the list of things I need to get done by April is making me sick. Here's hoping I get everything done so I can graduate in June. I will get everything done (Goal 27). Okay, that's all I've got for now. Happy writing!

Monday, January 03, 2005

It's a New Year...

And it'll be a better year than last year (yes, optimism - one of my yearly goals - see below). It has to be. Insert the long speech about it being a fresh start, yada, yada, yada. :)

With the new year, I have a long list of goals that I hope to accomplish (writing and non-writing alike). I figured I'd post them all here. If I seem to stop working on the goals (or if it seems I'm about to fall off my mark), admonish me all you please - it'll help. :) Here's the list:

Goals for 2005

1. Yoga - 30 minutes a night, at least 4 times a week - build up to doing the Sun Salutation every morning

2. Wicca - read and work on spiritual things once or twice a week for 2-5 hours

3. Overall writing - spend 60 hours a week on writing (this includes researching, writing, revising, and critiquing) Note: When I find a part-time job, the required time will be dropped down to 40 hours, and if I get a full-time job, the required time will be dropped down to 25 hours

4. New writing - spend 1 hour everyday, at least 5 days a week, writing something new

5. Revising thesis novel - finish 2 revisions and one edit by April 1

6. Revising short stories - spend 5 hours a week polishing short stories (or any other writing that isn’t my thesis novel)

7. Submissions - write up a query letter for my thesis novel and send “package” to agents (“package” depends on submission guidelines); submit at least 1 short story a month, trying to keep all my unpublished stories in circulation at all times

8. Critiquing - critique 1 or 2 things each week

9. Keep track of all financial expenditures for writing

10. Blog - update my blog once a week, making sure I have progress to report

11. Website - complete the unfinished pages, streamline the html so Macs can view my website, update it once a week at least with what I’m currently reading/working on, and update the hints/tips area once a month

12. Organization - keep everything in order, including the house, so I can find things when I need to

13. Back up - make sure to back up my files once a week, and jump drive back up while writing every hour

14. Video games - play less - in other words, pull myself away from Everquest

15. Reading - read at least one novel a month

16. Weekly goals - set weekly goals and meet them

17. NaNoWriMo - don’t fail it next November

18. Cleaning - keep the house decent

19. Move - try to get into our own house, instead of funneling all our money into rent

20. Writing groups - organize writing groups I belong to, and possibly drop some - I should be spending no more than 4 hours a week dealing with groups other than the one I’m listmom on

21. Writing magazines and newsletters - I buy them or subscribe, so I should read them

22. Eating - stop skipping meals

23. Sleeping - get on a better sleep schedule

24. Role-playing - start a role-playing game like I’ve been promising everyone

25. Cross-stitching - finish some of the projects I started

26. E-mails - respond within 2 days

27. Be more optimistic, especially with writing (this might also fall under having more confidence in myself)

It's a long list, but I can do it (#27)! The list will actually go in effect on the 11th, since I leave tomorrow for my week-long residency, which I'm not prepared for. So, that's all I have to say, since I have so much other stuff to get done before I have to be at the airport at 5:30am. :p I'll be oh so tired. I'm already tired just thinking about it. Happy writing!