Quote of the Moment

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

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Been Sick

So, the weekend after my last post a nasty cold took over my body. =( I still have the cough and some fluid in the upper part of my lungs, but I'm getting better.

This means, I haven't gotten any writing stuff done. Boo. Eight more weeks left of my pregnancy too, and trying to sleep at night has become a chore! Some of the house has been picked up, but still a lot to do so it's in decent condition when the little one comes.

In other words, my goals are pretty much getting pushed back. I should have seen it coming. I'll do what I can, when I can, but I know I need to rest up now because when the munchkin is here I will get none at all! I know I shouldn't feel guilty - writing just has to take a back seat for a bit since I'll be a mom soon. That doesn't mean I won't try to get writing done - just that I need to not feel bad if I don't. Being pregnant is no picnic, to use a horrible cliche - lol.

Of the three queries I sent out a few weeks ago, I have already received back two rejections. I should probably send more queries out soon.

I hope everyone else's writing life is going well - happy writing!

Friday, January 11, 2008

A Little Progress

So, I didn't get 20 hours worth of writing stuff done this week. I think I tend to expect too much of myself - really need to start making those goals less daunting.

I'd say I spent about 2 hours this week preparing 3 query packages and sending them out. One small step. =) I'm happy to have some queries out there for Mind. I also sent a follow-up e-mail asking about the status of a story I submitted 6 months ago. And I'm actually posting on the blog - a little obvious, I know.

It seems every time I look at the house and think of what needs to be done, I freeze up. Then I spend far too much time reading pregnancy/baby forums and doing small research things for when the little one is here. So, the house is still a disaster. The ever expanding belly and exhaustion don't help either. =/

Since the house is still a cesspit, next week I likely won't meet all those dated goals I had posted (this weekend I have natural birth class and it's hubbie's b-day...plus I must make my peppermint ice cookies before the peppermint ice really is on the iffy side - lol). I hope to at least get some of my completed stories into some slush piles, and update my website.

I also wasted some time this week learning how to make blinkies - I made 2, and probably will only use them on the pregnancy forums I'm on, but I think they look neat. And they are more writing/fantasy related! This will be the only time I annoy you with them I promise:


OK, that's all for this week. A little at a time, right? Hehe. Happy writing!

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Happy New Year! - Goals and Status Update

Yes, I promised updates more often, but I was working my butt off to make up for time missed when I had the morning sickness. The wonderful thing is, now I'm done working! As of December 21, done, done, and done. I didn't want my third trimester to be even more agonizing with even less sleep from getting up so early and the long commute. Need to get as much sleep as I can now before the little one comes!

Anyway, since I am done with work, I now have about 2 months at home. Which means I can hopefully get this house in some semblance of order. And it also means I can get some writing done! So, I'll be cleaning, and once the house looks halfway decent, I'll work on writing - will take a bit to get back in a rhythm - have to oil the gears. Then when the little one comes, I'll be allowing myself a 3 month reprieve from writing until I can work around the munchkin's routine. =) I will be baby-wearing, so I predict most writing will be done with little one in a sling or my Moby wrap.

I'll try to update once a week again (if anyone comes here anymore...). Here are my current writing goals for this year (yes, I still haven't finished those novel rough drafts):

- Finish rough draft of Shepherd of Dreams by March 15
- Finish rough draft of Daina’s Dance by November 1
- Finish 2nd or 3rd draft of Shepherd of Dreams by December 31
- Track Word Count/Productivity
- 20 hours a week of writing related things - Starting January 7, up to a 3 month break when the little one comes
- 5k of new material each week (when working on rough drafts) - Starting January 14, up to a 3 month break when the little one comes
- Begin and complete 6 short stories
- Revise current short stories
- Keep all completed short stories in circulation
- Query agents and editors for The Mind Behind the Mind
- Critique 1 to 2 items a week - Starting January 14, up to a 3 month break when the little one comes
- Blog once a week
- Update website once a week - Starting January 14, up to a 3 month break when the little one comes
- Rekindle writing groups
- Maintain writing groups
- Keep up with writing listserves
- Back-up Files once a week, flash drive back-up every hour
- Read writing newsletters, magazines, and books

Only a few edits from last year, really. My priorities are pretty much going to be the little one first, then writing second. The hubbie will be working full-time, but he's already said he'll try to help me get some writing time in (and some house cleaning assistance - lol).

That's all I have to report for now. I hope everybody has started the New Year off with a bang (mine was spent being woken up by a naughty kitty - pfft). Happy writing!