Must Do’s 4th to 10th February

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Vikki Thompson

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:

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

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Vikki Thompson

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.

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

what are your writing plans this week?

Monday Must Do’s 14th to 20th Jan

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Vikki Thompson

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!

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…..

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?

New Years Resolutions?

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

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?

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!

The Two Most Common New Year’s Resolutions and How to Keep Them (herfitnesshut.com)
Goals and Resolutions…Part 1 (allthingsmidcoast.com)
While Thinking Of New Year Resolutions (sunnysodday.wordpress.com)
New Year’s Resolutions – think big and eat more chocolate (earlyinitiative.wordpress.com)
Points I’m Taking Into 2013 (journeytomoksha.wordpress.com)

Don’t Break The Chain

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

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!

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?

The To Do List 17th to 23rd December

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I didn’t have a bad week last week, even with the stresses of Christmas fast approaching lol

1. Finish Beta reading BN’s piece. Unfortunately, nope 😦 My reading has sunk to an all time low and I don’t know why.

2. Faber homework. Done!

3. Continue with Nigel Watts book. Still doing!

4. Edit and prepare The Last Word Cafe Synopsis for Thursdays event. Done!

5. Continue making notes on The Last Word Cafe and do a section in 3rd person. Still Doing. I spent a couple of hours last week working on a timeline lol.

6. Go through Faber notes re The Last Word Cafe. Done!

I’m going to be very easy on myself this week (especially as today is the last Faber session until after Christmas) in the run up to 2 weeks off! 🙂 Not 2 weeks off of writing but 2 weeks off from having a list of goals.

Look at that clear diary! 😉

1. Continue with Beta Reading BN’s piece.

2. Continue with Nigel Watts book.

That’s it! Lol….I will make some notes on The Last Word Cafe if the mood takes me, but I’m not gunna beat myself up. This week is gunna be busy enough as it is, getting prepped for Christmas!!!! I still have a couple of pressies to buy, and some last minute bits of food. The plan is to be totally done by Saturday so that we can shut ourselves away in the warm until the 27th. Wish me luck!

So what are your plans for the week?

The To Do List 10th to 16th December

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I spent most of yesterday trying to catch up with all your blogs and e mails. I’m sorry, but I made much use of the “like” button lol 😉

I’m feeling a bit worn out at the moment. I think I’ve just been over doing it, so I’m looking forward to a break at Christmas.

Last weeks To Do List was more successful than I thought it would be now I’ve a tally gone through it again 🙂

1. Print out Sorrento Sunrise and file (for editing at a later date). Done!

2. Finish BN’s manuscript – Beta reading. Still reading 🙂

3. Faber homework. Done!

4. Do a review of Richard Skinners book and Start Nigel Watts one! Done!

5. Continue making notes on new version of But Not Forgotten. Need to decide on POV etc. if it goes well, make a start! Ive made a start. Written 500 words, the beginning, in 1st person POV….now, I just need to do the same piece in 3rd person and see which works better.

6. Print off and file Nano short stories. Done!

This weeks list looks like this…..

1. Finish Beta reading BN’s piece.

2. Faber homework.

3. Continue with Nigel Watts book.

4. Edit and prepare The Last Word Cafe Synopsis for Thursdays event.

5. Continue making notes on The Last Word Cafe and do a section in 3rd person.

6. Go through Faber notes re The Last Word Cafe.

I have a really busy week coming up…I’m out Monday night, Wednesday Night, Thursday night and then all day Saturday and most of Sunday….so wish me luck! Lol

What are your writing plans this week?

The To Do List 3rd To 9th December

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Firstly a huge thank you to Bridget Whelan for looking after my blog these last couple of days. I feel like I’ve had a mini holiday! Lol 😉

I hope you’ve found Bridget’s tips useful, I know I have. My advice is to print them off and stick them in your notebook, that’s what I’ll be doing 🙂

The 3rd and final part of Bridget’s Editing Series will be on her blog today. So do pop over to Bridget’s Blog to read the final part – Six Tips To Help You Get Your Nano Novel Ready For A Reader

Ok, now lets crack on….

It’s been a funny old week, I’ve found it hard to focus. Too much spinning round my head I guess from the Faber Critique last Monday. So the to do list was neglected 😦

1. Print out rest of Sorrento Sunrise and start padding. Nope! Didn’t touch it, but, to be fair, my printer cartridges only arrived on Friday lol

2. Read BN’s manuscript (a friends Nano story). Halfway through, I am a bad Beta reader 😦

3. Sort out notes from critique of But Not Forgotten. Ha ha ha, what notes? I didn’t make any!

4. Read next Faber critique piece. Done!

5. Continue with Richard Skinners book. Done!

6. Start an ideas notebook for But Not Forgotten. Done! I have made some notes, got some ideas, will share later 😉

7. Print off and file Nano short stories. Nope! Due to printer having no ink and being lazy lol

So not a very productive week this week 😦 My only excuse is not being mentally 100% with it. Which means there will be some stuff carried forward 😉

1. Print out Sorrento Sunrise and file (for editing at a later date).

2. Finish BN’s manuscript – Beta reading.

3. Faber homework.

4. Do a review of Richard Skinners book and Start Nigel Watts one!

5. Continue making notes on new version of But Not Forgotten. Need to decide on POV etc. if it goes well, make a start!

6. Print off and file Nano short stories.

Also, I’ll be going back to writing my daily prompts in my notebook, which I’m actually looking forward to 🙂

so what are you up to this week?

The To Do List 26th November to 2nd December

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’m sorry I’m so behind with reading and commenting on Blogs. Will try to catch up today.

Today I will be attending my Faber class, as I do every Monday, but, today, they will be critiquing the first 4,500 words of ‘But Not Forgotten’ *gulp* I will tell you all about it in a separate post. Think of me, I am so bloody nervous! Lol

Let’s get back to the list. Last week, this is what happened…

1. Finish Nano by Friday (23rd) Done! I finished on the 22nd 😉

2. Upload words to Nano. Done! And I have a purple line and certificate to prove it!

3. Print off Sorrento Sunrise and start padding lol. Hmmmm, I only managed to print out 25 pages….because….my printer ran out of ink. I’ve got some on order and it should arrive by Tuesday at the latest. It’s a real pain as I can’t even print off the piece they’ll be critiquing in class tonight…Grrrrr 😦

4. Start new book….an eBook. I did start something, but only got a little way in 😦

5. Continue reading Richard Skinners book. I’m still reading it lol

6. Print off But Not Forgotten and READ IT! Couldn’t do it, because of the printer 😦

So this weeks list:

1. Print out rest of Sorrento Sunrise and start padding.

2. Read BN’s manuscript (a friends Nano story).

3. Sort out notes from critique of But Not Forgotten.

4. Read next Faber critique piece.

5. Continue with Richard Skinners book.

6. Start an ideas notebook for But Not Forgotten.

7. Print off and file Nano short stories.

So what plans do you have for the week?

The To Do List 19th to 25th November

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’m exhausted! Lol…..what with Nano, Write In’s and Faber, it’s all beginning to take its toll….I’m constantly yawning! 😉

So how did I do last week?

1. Edit, the piece for Faber & hand in *gulp* Done! It will be handed out to my fellow students tonight!

2. Keep up with Nano word count – try to get ahead a bit more. Done! Not too bad. As of last night I’m at 40,019 so aiming for another 2000 today. Need to finish by Friday as I’ve got a heavy weekend coming up.

3. Finish current read – Don Delillo Done! gave it 2 stars.

4. Finish Richard Skinners book. Not done, will continue with it this week.

5. Print out and read Faber Guest Tutor stuff – FOR MONDAY! Done!

6. Clear inbox – which means catching up with all your blog posts from the weekend. Kind of done! Got it down to about 20, so if I owe you an e mail I WILL get to it over the next couple of days 🙂

So what’s on my list for this week?