Tag Archives: Goals

Must Do’s 18th to 24th Feb

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I’ve had a pretty bad week 😦 Not much writing, feeling a bit uninspired to be honest, or am I just tired? Focusing seems to be an issue.

So last weeks Must Do’s were a bit if a disaster 😦

1. Faber homework. No class = no homework.
2. Edit first 5000 words of Still. I did some of it, but my critique has now been put back until March so I’ve been very lazy and left it 😦
3. Submit to Faber. See above!
4. Keep up with 1000 words a day. A complete wash out! *sighs*
5. Catch up with other blogs. I was up to date but I’ve fallen behind again.
6. Tidy desk (again!). Nope and now it’s worse lol

Well, I haven’t had a week that bad in ages! I’m even behind replying to your comments on my blog! I’ve really gotta pull myself together, somebody kick me up the arse 😉

This weeks list looks like this:

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But I’ve got a really busy week…..

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Keep your fingers crossed for me that I can pull myself out of the mood I’ve found myself in.

What are your writing plans for the week?

Must Do’s 11th to 17th Feb

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Well, last week was a complete mare as you probably know. Much angst about the WIP which is now in it’s 3rd metamorphosis. I think it’s going to work well with the new structure so I’m relieved lol 😉

Last week, the To Do List looked something like this:

1. Go through TLWC and make notes – where I need to add stuff. Well, I did start to do that and it was as I was reading through it, yawning, I realised that there was something missing 😉
2. Keep up with 1000 words a day. Yep, I did 🙂
3. Do some studying. Nope, too stressed lol
4. Read more. Read more this last week than I have for a while, but still not enough really 😦
5. Finish Draft Blog posts. Done!
6. Sort out and finalise guest blog posts. Nearly done, just got to add a couple of links to one of them 🙂

So it didn’t really go according to plan, but I did have a lot on my mind he he he!

This weeks list looks like this:

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I’m going out Saturday night, The Hubster is taking me out for a Valentines Day meal. Can you beleive he’s deserting me on Valentines Day and playing chess? Lol…Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he makes it up to me at the weekend 😉

I’ll also be trying to do some character sketches so I’ll post one of those every week 🙂

Have a good week guys….What are your writing plans this week?

Must Do’s 4th to 10th February

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A quick reminder to those of you who enjoyed part 1 of Janet Govers Media Workshop. Part 2 went live yesterday 🙂

So how have I done this week? Not very well (be prepared for a really whiney IWSG post on Wednesday). I’ve discovered what my problem actually is, now I just need to work on overcoming it lol. So yesterday I printed off the whole of the WIP, and now, I just need to read it lol. It kinda feels like editing, but it’s not, I’m not actually gunna touch it. Just work out where I need to add things.

So last week the list looked like this:
1. Go through Mels Critique of TLWC. Done! Thank you honey 🙂
2. Keep up with 1000 words a day. Kept up, as such, but not on the WIP 😦
3. Catch up with e mails and blogs etc. Done! But I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle lol. It’s a bit like when you have kids and tidy up….5 minutes later it’s messy again lol
4. Prep for the weekend (Writing Retreat). Done! Although, I didn’t get as much writing done as I’d hoped.
5. Sort out Blog Awards and prep post. Half way there, still working on them lol.

This weeks looking like this:

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Looking forward to Sunday and a trip to the seaside 😉

What are your writing plans for the week?

Must Do’s 28th Jan to 3rd Feb

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I’ve struggled a bit this last week, although the WIP (The Last Word Cafe) now stands at 24,000 🙂

But first, let me tell you about the RNA meeting I went to on Saturday. Good food, good company, and a fantastic workshop all about dealing with the media conducted by Janet Gover which was thoroughly entertaining and very interesting. Although, it will be a loooong time before I find myself being interviewed lol 🙂

If you’d like some advice about how to deal with the media (as a writer) pop over to Janet’s blog post where she gives valuable advice and tips. Part two will be posted next Sunday.

Ok, so how did I do last week?

1. Get first 5000 words of The Last Word Cafe edited. Done!
2. Faber homework (reading) Done!
3. Keep up with 1000 words a day. Have struggled a bit this week but I think that’s because I’ve been editing so much, so I’m kinda worn out lol
4. Catch up with e mails and blogs. Done!
5. Do Synopsis. Done!
6. Clear Desk. Ha ha ha….nope 😉
7. Prep for mini writing retreat. Well, the RNA meet was a last minute thing so I didn’t actually have the mini writing retreat.

This week is really busy…Faber, a book launch and then The Hubster is away for the weekend.

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What will I do with myself for the whole weekend? 😉

what are your writing plans this week?

Monday Must Do’s 21st to 27th January

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Thank you to everyone who voted in my poll on the last post 🙂

I’m behind, way behind 😦 Because I went away for the weekend and I promised myself no blogging, no FaceBook, no e mailing and no, wait for it…..writing! I managed it, and although it was nice to get away, chill, I’ve found that coming back has me stressing when I look at my inbox (300+ e mails) and I’m beginning to think that something has got to give. But what? How on earth do I fit everything in and not feel that I’m chained to the laptop/iPad?

I also had an e mail from Faber, telling me all the things I need to have done and sent to them and deadline dates *gulp*

Just ignore me, I’ll be the mumbling heap in the corner while you read this post.

Last weeks list was ok:

1. Edit first 5000 words of The Last Word Cafe. Done, well, kind of, it’s still a mess so I’m going to give it another edit this week.
2. Faber homework, 3 pieces to critique. Faber was cancelled on Saturday, and I think it will be today too. So I didn’t read the 3 pieces (make that 4 now inc Mondays one).
3. Keep up with 1000 words a day. Yes and no, but only because I had days off when I wanted them. I’ve been away this weekend so had 2 days off, which has stressed me out, but I’ll make it up tomorrow.
4. Catch up with 300 odd e mails and about 4 days of blogs. I did, but going away for the weekend has meant I’m behind again 😦

So this weeks list looks like this:

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So nothing too bad I guess and not much in the way of appointments next week. Hubby has a county match on Saturday so I’ll be having another mini writing retreat. I should be able to get it all done, shouldn’t I? Especially as this is now the view outside my window, so I won’t exactly be going anywhere lol 😉

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Photo taken last night whilst I was writing this post. It snowed all day yesterday.

I think Faber will be cancelled again tonight so expect something un-Faber-like tomorrow.

What are your writing plans for the week?

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Monday Must Do’s 14th to 20th Jan

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My Mini Writing Retreat on Saturday was a resounding success 🙂 I netted myself over 7,000 words writing to prompts. Gave the old grey cells a real going over!

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So the list for last week ended up like this:

1. Keep up with the 1000 words a day challenge. Done and exceeded!
2. Do the daily ‘small stones’ Done
3. Send off my RNA form Done
4. Keep up with my resolutions and daily timetable. Well, the timetable has been a complete disaster 😦 I worked out that if I do everything I need to it will take me 12 hours every day! Hmmmm, it’s just not gunna happen, I can’t live my life like that *deep sigh* So any suggestions on time management will be gratefully received lol
5. Faber homework There wasn’t any this week
6. Order ink cartridges. Done and received 🙂

I don’t struggle in motivation, by any means, I just need a 24 hour day to be much longer! Lol

So here’s this weeks list…..

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I have 2 Faber sessions (including an all dayer) and a book launch mid week which should be fun!

What are you up to this week?

50 Things

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I am now officially 2 days behind with reading Blogs, about 3 days behind with e mails and poor old Bel (I’m so sorry honey) is still waiting for her prize. The last 2 days have been a mare and the next couple of days don’t look much better! I will catch up, even if I have to do an all nighter!

And now I’ve got that off me chest, some of my keen eyed readers may have noticed a new page thats appeared above? No? Ok, well I’m shamelessly stealing Paula Actons idea 😉

I have a 101 list, of all the things I want to do in life, a bucket list, but I very rarely tick anything off lol. So perhaps if I try to do 50 before I hit 50, I may stand a better chance? After all, I’ve got 5 years 5 months lol.

That’s 10 a year right? Ooooo, errrr, I think I better get moving! 😉

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Courtesy of Keerati/freedigitalphotos

Go have a peek at my 50 Before 50 list and let me know if there’s any there you’ve done…. Would love to hear about your experiences or whether you have your own “bucket list”

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Monday Must Do’s 7th to 13th Jan

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Before I go into one about all that’s coming up this week I have an announcement to make don’t I 😉

The Hubster has been reading all your stories about what I got up to at 4am, and he’s chosen his favourite. But first, a special mention to CC who took up the challenge on her own blog, writing a piece of Erotica that made both Rob and I blush and giggle. Especially as I read it to him on the steps of the Victoria & Albert Museum whilst we were queuing to go in last Wednesday morning. I had to lower my voice in places I can tell you!

Do go and have a read, it’s brilliant….but bear in mind, it is Erotica ok, you have been warned! 🙂

Between Us

But * drum roll* the winner is……. Bel Anderson The hubster liked this piece the best 🙂

Hours of anxiety on top of three quarters of a bottle of red had made her tongue as dry as a nun’s gusset. Despite the uncomfortable twisting of her heart, she had to smile. That was one of Dylan’s favourite sayings. Dylan… Foolish tears burned the corners of her eyes. She had to move on, but it was almost too hard bear. Silently, so as not to disturb the gently snoring form of her husband, she swung her feet to the floor and tip-toed out onto the landing. The stairs creaked slightly on her way down, reminding her of all the times they’d crept up and down in the early years, their hearts in their mouths for fear of waking the grizzly, lightly-sleeping children. Things changed; things had to change. In the moon-lit kitchen she fumbled in her bag for her mobile. No messages. Vikki stared at the screen, biting her lip. His was the last number she’d called, wishing him a Happy New Year. If he’d sounded happier to hear from her, perhaps she wouldn’t be feeling so anxious now. What if that unsatisfactory exchange turned out to be the last they ever had? The lump in her throat doubled in size. He was eighteen. He had his own social life. Not coming home didn’t mean he was lying bleeding in an alley. The phone landed back in the bag soundlessly. The glass clinked a little against the tap. Vikki stepped out of the kitchen.

CONGRATULATIONS BEL! I’ll be emailing you honey to get an addy to send your prize. Thank you so much, everyone! We really enjoyed reading your ideas and stories 🙂

So that’s the first “must do” of the week….the 2nd is to thank Pat Wood for nominating me for my 10th star in the Blog Of The Year 2012 Awards 🙂 Thank you so much Pat!

This only blogging 4 days a week malarkey is hard lol

Ok, so my plans for the week…..

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As you can see I’m keeping it simple lol 🙂 The WIP is coming along well, thanks to the 100K challenge (see page above for my daily word counts) and some of the resolutions have been going well….note that I said some *sniggers* Should really do an update once a month on that shouldn’t I 😉

Off up to Faber tonight for the 1st class since before Christmas!

What are your plans for the week?

New Years Resolutions?

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Or should they be called goals?

No, no To Do List today….this is my 2nd week off 🙂

Ok, I make a list every year (don’t we all?) but I can’t share with you last years list as I don’t know what I’ve done with it lol. I thought I’d stuck it on my blog, but I didn’t 😦 I think that means we can safely assume that I didn’t stick to them lol

So, what am I planning this year?

1. Read a fiction book a week/a writing guide each month. I’m so fed up not being able to find the time to read, well, that’s what I tell myself, that I don’t have time 😦

2. Have at least 1 writing session per week “out” somewhere. Go to a coffee shop, or the library, anywhere to get me out if the house to write!

3. Tidy and declutter the house. *groan* but it really needs doing.

4. Continue with the diet. I lost a stone, but half of that has gone back on (what can i say, its Christmas! lol) but I need to keep going to get back to what I was in 2008 🙂

5. Go to the gym more. Isn’t that on everyone’s resolution list?

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courtesy of Stuart Miles/freedigitalphotos

6. Write every day! I’m use to this, I’ve done it for a whole year already. Plus I’ve joined Sally Quilfords 100K in 100 Days Challenge.

7. Get WIP finished by the end of Faber course. First 5000 words of The Last Word Cafe needed for February.

8. Go out somewhere once a week. We use to do this, I’m not too sure why we stopped lol

9. Cut down the smoking. *gulp*

10. Keep a “Writing Journal.” Like Jill Dawson described.

I have a few other goals like drink more water, have a Peter Jones style Boxing Day once a month, plus cook more lol. But the 10 above are the ones I really wanna stick to 🙂

Wish me luck! What are your Resolutions/Goals for 2013?

If you’re off out partying tonight, have a good one. It’ll be a quiet one here on the sofa as hubby’s not very well. Not that we’d planned anything anyway lol 😉

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Don’t Break The Chain

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Continuing on from yesterday’s post about committing to daily writing I thought I’d share with you this wonderful resource 🙂

Jerry Seinfields Dont Break The Chain which I actually discovered last year.

Seinfeld’s method for success: Each January, he hangs a large year-at-a-glance calendar on his wall and, for every day he writes, he has the pleasure of drawing a big red “X” over that day.

Drawing those Xs is fun and rewarding, so he keeps doing it. Soon he creates a chain of red Xs.

The idea is to never break the chain.

This programs your body and mind to sit down and write daily – but it also motivates you to continue the beautiful string of big, red Xs. If you don’t write one day, you don’t get to draw the X.

It doesn’t matter what you write. Blogs, articles, fiction, your memoir. It can be anything, as long as you’re actively and daily pushing yourself and more importantly, writing every single day!

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So if you want to give it a go (I will be again this year) you can download your copy of the calendar from the Writers Store here! It’s free of charge and once you’ve downloaded it once, you can just print it off every year.

I failed miserably with mine last year (I think I got to March lol) but that was probably because I didn’t have a desk or a wall I could stick it on (I was using my dining room). But this year, now I have my own little corner I have somewhere to put it 🙂

Fancy it?