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Showing posts with the label writing goals

Writer's Wednesday: #AmWriting

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I am writing. At this point about 200 words at a sitting, once or twice in a day, and my story is growing. It's not a very good story; continuity is about what you'd expect. But that's not the point. I'm writing, and for 5 or 10 minutes at a time I am losing myself in the story, struggling to visualize a truly alien alien. I have also made notes on two more chapters of Death By Donut, which brings me close to the end. I'm making notes on a part of the book I think will need a complete rewrite, but at least I'm getting clear on what I have and what will need to be kept, moved elsewhere, or otherwise modified. I have also done routine maintenance on the blog, adding links to my posts from 2020 on the appropriate pages in the header. I'm still eying the mess those long lists are and thinking about organizing them--you know, reviews alphabetical by author, that sort of thing. The truth is, that's about a likely to happen as me color-coordinating my sock dra

Writer's Wednesday: Time evaporates

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In the interests of putting things back to normal, at least as a writer/blogger, it's time for my regular "Writer's Update." As my title suggests, this might be a little embarrassing this week. Seriously, how can it already be a week since last Wednesday and the IWSG post? Based on the amount I've gotten done (of anything productive, not just writing), it's been about 36 hours, and I've been asleep most of it.... I'm not going to beat myself up over that. We've been readjusting our household, not to mention going through the mental lag I always experience after extended travel. But I am going to use this to hold myself accountable for the coming weeks. That's right: I'm setting some deadlines. By the end of the week: edit and prepare my WEP post edit an additional story I worked on aboard ship edit 3 more chapters of the new Pismawallops PTA mystery, Death By Donut For a larger deadline, I want to have DBD ready for Beta readers by mid-May.

Writer's Wednesday: Looking Ahead to 2020

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The future is approaching at light speed... Last Wednesday for the IWSG I did my review of 2019 accomplishments and failures. This week, it's time to set some goals for 2020! The first challenge: decide if I want to set aspirational goals or realistic ones (solution: set both, but know the difference!). So my realistic goals: 1. Revise, edit, polish, and publish Pismawallops PTA #5, Death By Donut. The draft from November/December is open on my laptop, and I've begun the first stage (notes). 2. Write a flash for each of the six WEP posts. Even if I'm traveling. 3. At least one blog post/week, even when traveling. Ideally, I'd manage one review and one flash per month. I've already missed that one, but we can start from here, right? 4. Find at least one local event to sell books. I think that's it for goals that I have really no excuse for missing. My aspirational goals: 1. Submit one story/month for publication, minimum. Can average this, and can use the same st

IWSG: Long-term Goals

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It's a 4th of July IWSG! Posting a day early so we can all enjoy the holiday. If you don't live in the US, you can enjoy it anyway--just eat some hot dogs or burgers, and make a bunch of noise. Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to the IWSG page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your av