March Progress / April Goals

March was amazing. I figured out the writing schedule and I got my goals done. Of course, I did revamp mid-month, but that's par for me and goals. Goals are guidelines and I tweak them in order to get stuff done. I have more deadlines in April, but they are spaced out, thankfully.

March results:

• Viable Paradise application and submission story
• Rise of the Tiger Princess: drafted, revised twice, submitted
• The Lonely Orchard: revised and submitted
• Watering the Black Violas: revised
• Shadow of Blood: rereading novel-in-progress

April Goals:

• Watering the Black Violas: revise and submit by 4/15
• Nighthunter's Bite: revise and submit by 4/30
• Shadow of Blood: read, review world notes, complete neccessary worldbuilding, and continue the writing at 500 words daily for a weekly goal of 2,500 words. Estimated completion date is July.

February Progress / March Goals

February was a trying month, but also a huge learning experience. Black Violas has been an extension edit, and I'm covering in one long revision what would have taken me several versions as well as multiple critiques to correct. Now I'm seeing this stuff on my own.

February Results:
* Hunter's Honor - revised and submitted
* Black Violas - revised, revised, revised
* 1 critique
* started VP letter
* story research
* market research

March is going to be insane. I've set myself some potentially record setting goals in regard to short story revision, but I think I can do it. Several of the stories are in cleaner versions, except for one, which I need to actually write.  I'm borrowing a method from a writer friend and working on it in small bits--250 words daily--while working on my revisions. The deadlines I have are 2 stories for my VP application (asap), trianguation anthology (3/31 via email), parsec contest (4/15 via postal mail), WotF (3/31 via postal mail). If I need to, I can drop the story for WotF, but I'd hate to waste the quarter if I can get a story in decent shape.

March Goals: (edited for submission changes)
Black Violas: revision (contest entry, will be retitled later) 4/15 deadline
Tiger Princess: draft and revision and submission 3/31 deadline
Nighthunter's Bite: revision  5/14 deadline (aiming for 4/17 submission)
The Lonely Orchard: revision and submission 3/31 deadline
VP application
Crits -- 2

Yes, I'm insane. But it'll be a good test for deadline handling. I've blocked off four 45 minute writing sessions to do while I'm still at work but off the clock. I may take a personal day toward the middle/end of the month if my progress isn't far enough along. I'm also employing a dual-project goal for my evening writing to see if it helps my brain by swapping projects when exhaustion starts setting in.

I wanted to try waking up an hour early and writing then, but I already get up at 5am for work. So, I'll try it for a few days and see how it goes. At this point, I just want to get through all this madness. :)

January Progress / February Goals

It's been an interesting month to say the least.  I lost the first week to family travel, and the next three weeks were struggles between being sick or taking care of the sick. I lucked out with a day off work that daycare was miraculously open, and I spent the day on a writing project that saved me two weeks worth of evening writing time.  I have decided for sure, I'm taking one personal day off from work each month and committing myself to a day of writing.  I'm pleased with my work, even though I have several "in progress", but I did complete a story that's been haunting me for years. 

I am disappointed I didn't get to the novel revision, but I have four short stories that have submission deadlines of March 31st, and I'd really like to get them in the best shape I can.  The novel may have to wait until April.

January Progress:

* Nighthunters Bite - first draft written and a full revision done.  (By evening time standards, this is a good three weeks worth of work).

* Black Violas - revision in progress. (Rewrite, actually, in regard to POV).
* Hunter's Honor - revision in progress.
* Tiger Princess - research done, outlining and worldbuilding in progress.
* Reading - still working on Federations, and rereading some of the stories that appeal to me (and have POVs that deal with my current stories).

February Goals:

* Hunter's Honor - revise and resubmit asap
* Fading Light - minor revision to ending
* Tiger Princess - first draft
* Black Violas - revision
* Nighthunter's Bite - revision

2008 Accomplishments / 2009 Goals

2008 In Summary


Consistency was my goal, and for a while, I did well. Life jumped aboard and broke that down, but Life required my attention and I could not divide myself between these responsibilities.


Accomplishments:

* 3 Stories Edited (multiple times)

* 4 Stories Written

* 1 New Short Story Submission

* 5 Short Story Submissions

* 6 Novels Read

* 4 Critiques Completed



2009 Goals


My 2009 goal will be Balance. With an infant and a two and a half year old, and dealing with recovery from surgery, I've got my hands full. I've got two writing classes in progress, and a few short stories in the editing-for-submission phase. I need to clean this up, reorganize, and move forward. My January goal is to get myself and my family on a schedule to allow myself some writing time. Any writing time. February through April will be to solidify that and get some editing done, with at least one new submission. May will be devoted to the Story A Day challenge. June through December will bring a return to editing and hopefully one more new submission.



2009 Goals In Summary:

* 2 New Short Story Submissions

* 5 Short Stories Edited

* 5 Short Stories Written

* 2 Writing Courses Completed (Adv Fiction / Think Sideways)

* Novel Reading - 6

* Crits - 6 to 12



Here's to Balance. May she play nicely with my Muse.

August Results, September Goals

My primary goal this year has been of a dual nature: Consistency, and short stories. While August was not a phenomenal month, I did maintain this basis of my goal formation.

August Results

• Short Stories Edited: 1 (Sunguard)
• Short Stories Written: 0 (Nighthunter's Bite is still in progress)
• Crits: 1
• Novels Read: 2 (Plague of Memory and Wolf Who Rules)

What I didn't get done was based on time constraints, the physical need to not be on a computer 12 hours a day, and changes in my family. I know these things will balance out.

September Goals

• Story Edits: 1 (Sunguard!)
• Story Writing: 1 ('Bite, preferably)
• New Submission: 1 (if Sunguard is ready)
• Adv. Fiction Class: 0/1 (low priority, I have a year to complete 5 more lessons)

July Writing Update / August Goals

Where did July go? There was a good deal of editing, some struggles to write a new story (more on that), a few days on vacation, and a few crazy days at work. I came very close to meeting my goals, and I am satisfied with my progress.

July Results:

• New Submission: 1/1 (and submitted to a second market by month end)


• Stories Edited: 2/2 (Sunguard and Treischan Strength, with edits in progress for Orchard, Eve, and the next draft of Sunguard).


• Stories Written: 0/1 (too many ideas, not enough focus)


• Adv. Fiction Class: 1/1 Lesson


• Read: 1/1 Novel (Tinker, by Wen Spencer)


• Crits: 2/2

August Goals:

• New Submission: 1 (Sunguard)


• Story Edits: 2 (Sunguard & one other)


• Story Writing: 2-3


• Crits: 2


• Adv. Fiction Class: 1 Lesson


• Read: 2 Novels

The short story writing has proven problematic in July because I've been in deep edit mode, and the stories I was trying to write, were not truly sincere attempts. I've been letting them simmer, which is fine, I like when things simmer, but I never really sat down and gave it my full attention. Once A Thief is actually 2 different stories I have to pry apart, and Stone Forest needs some more focus. However, they're going to sit on the back burner for August. There are a few anthologies I'd like to try and submit to before the end of the year (October deadline for one, December deadline for another). I've got a working title of "Radio Silence" for once, but that will change, and the other is Nighthunter's Bite, a short I started a few years ago, but lost interest in. I'm going to revamp it with the theme of the anthology in mind, and that seems to be sparking some creativity for me.

As far as editing goes, I'm aiming for Sunguard to be the next submission, so it needs one more good edit (after a few crits). Eve is on my mind, and so is Orchard, but they both need a decent amount of attention. I'll have to pick one as I get closer.

I'm looking ahead to August, the writing should be fun, but there are time constraints I have to consider. I'm away for the first three days of the month, and then my folks are coming in town for possibly a week or an extended weekend, so I need to make sure I'm using my time right.

Celebrating 10 Years of Me

The 28th of this month marks the ten year anniversary of my adulthood. I'm not talking about legal adulthood, I'm referring to the day I left home. I left my family, left the city I'd grown up in, and moved to a strange new place where I had to fend for myself. Sure, I had people to fall back on, and I did rely on them, but this is when I truly became an adult. Let me tell you of the things I learned.

• Proper finance handling
• Car buying (and lemon trading)
• Moving cross country
• Job hunting and keeping
• Marriage, and what it really means to have another half
• Motherhood (one beautiful daughter, and a little boy on the way)
• the meaning of Time
• the importance of being me and enjoying my own activities

That last one hit me as soon as I moved out. I went from living in a house with three other siblings, two parents, a grandparent, a dog and two cats to occupying a one bedroom apartment by myself, in a town where I knew no one. I couldn't afford cable tv, and really, this is when I learned not only that I loved writing, but that I was good at it, and the dream came alive for me. Ten years ago, I decided I wanted to be a writer. Seriously.

In that time, I've researched and taken classes, and read everything I could get my hands on. The results? Take a look below.

Novels

• 3 Completed (1 of which has been edited a few times)
• 2 in progress
• 7 in various stages of worldbuilding and outlining
• 35 viable ideas (with at least 1 paragraph of notes) in 5 genres

Short Stories

• 1 published
• 1 in submissions
• 31 complete (2 are intended for novel conversion)
• 6 shelved (they were learning experiences and need to die)
• 25 awaiting edit (Yes, that's 25 worth spending time to fix!)
• 10 started but not completed (a project for 2009)
• 3 in progress

Articles

• 2 published
• 10 ideas (being researched or in outline form)

So you see, I've had a busy ten years. I've learned much, and am continually learning. I've surrounded myself with positive people, and learned how and when to laugh at myself. That lesson I learned from my husband.

Tell me - either here or in your own blog - what have you accomplished? Celebrate yourself.

June Results, July Goals

I know we have one more day left in June, but there's no time in my schedule for writing tomorrow, so my June 2008 writing is as complete as it will ever be.

All in all, the month went quite well. The writing didn't quite go in the places I decided exactly, but the amount of writing I did balanced out very well. My goals were to edit 1 - 2, of which I edited Treischan Strength twice, and am in the progress of editing two more. I wanted to write 2 short stories, and wrote 1 (Eve), with another one moving forward (Once A Thief). I took part in FM's Emotion's workshop, and signed up for an online advanced fiction writing class of which I already completed (or at least, turned in) the first assignment.

I'm stepping up July goals as my system seems to be working, but keeping each goal "area" light, so I don't overhwelm myself with one task. This'll allow me to be flexible in what I do, and where it can be done. I tried to leave some "extra" time in there, to deal with any inspiration that tends to hit me when my muse is tied up in multiple projects. The most exciting thing is getting Treischan Strength submitted. A new submission -- yeah!!

My July goals are:
* New Submission: 1 (Treischan)
* Short Story Edits: 2 (Orchard, Sunguard)
* Short Story Writing: 1 (Thief)
* Crits: 2 (these are good for me!!!!!)
* Adv Fiction Class: 1 lesson
* FM Dialogue Workshop
* Reading: Tinker

Last year, I burned myself out by piling on too much work, specifically crits. When those pile up, I get stressed out. I also tend to take on too many "big" projects when I don't have the time or energy for it. Sticking with the small ones - short storying writing and editing - should fix that.

I intend to keep my writing active through July and push into August. I want to break the cycle of hope/failure I've created for myself in the past. Now is the time. I'm going to do it.

Consistency, 2008, and January Goals

I've been "seriously" writing since 1998, with seriously meaning intent to edit and publish. When I lived alone, I wrote a lot. When I married my husband and we lived in our little condo, I wrote a lot. When we grew our family into three, my writing become sporadic. Instead of writing being my outlet, it become a chore. Whenever stress levels rose, I avoided the writing, despite my love for it. When I needed an outlet, I turned toward other hobbies. Writing found its way onto the back burner.

In 2007, I wrote from May until mid July with an obsession. I wrote 10 short stories, edited 4 of them (twice each), started a novel edit, and outlined/researched a new novel idea. Then I burnt out.

I have to choose: (1) downgrade my writing to a hobby; this way I don't have to stress when the writing doesn't come, or I'm stressed out, or I'd rather read or play that video game; (2) focus on a method to get the writing done without stressing.

Since my muse is obsessed with me (she's awfully demanding), option 1 is never going to fly. Trying it will only land me into a depression of 'why can't I do this?' which is fruitless and dangerous. I have too much positive in my life to spend my time being depressed. Option 2 seems like a good idea, if I can pull it off. To do that, there are a few key items I need to consider.

First, I have to stop overplanning. Each hiatus from writing has a pattern: obsessive and productive writing over a short period of time; planning oodles of writing to be completed over the next twelve months; joining critque circles beyond my ability (in producing critiques, not the writing ability); freaking out over the number of critiques and edits that must be done; and then the dreaded avoidance of writing.

Second, I need to start enjoying the writing. I love novels, but they are a huge committment in time and energy and brain power. Short stories have come a long way for me. I've figured out how to write them and enjoy writing them. The edits are still tough, but the writing is usually lots of fun. More importantly, the time committment to editing a short story is more manageable than the time required for a novel edit.

Third, I need a *reasonable* plan. Small goals in the short term. So I planned out January.

Implementation: Now. Let's look at 2007 really quick, and then move on!

2007 Writing Accomplishments
* 10 Short Stories Written (Apotheosis; The Lonely Orchard; The Knot; Storm Song; The Crossing; Knights of the Scarlet Rose; Kalila's Veil; Treischan Strength; The Dragon's Bard; Immenence)
* 4 Short Stories Edited (The Crossing; Treischan Strength; The Dragon's Bard; The Lonely Orchard)
* 1 Novel Prepped: Researched and outlined (Winter Warrior)

2008 Writing Goals
* Consistency: writing should continue through each month of the year. Breaks for sickness/family issues and good stuff are acceptable, but one thing needs to be done each month.

January Goals
* Short Story Writing - 2
* Short Story Editing - 2

July Writing Update / August Goals

July Writing Accomplished:

* Forgotten Star: New Chapters - 1
* Forgotten Star: Edit Chapters - 1
* The Dragon's Bard: Short Story Edited
* The Lonely Orchard: Short Story Edited
* Winter Warrior Worldbuilding - casual
* Critiques - 1

Not too bad considering one week I was off on vacation and I had computer problems the following week.

August Goals:
* Forgotten Star: Edit 4 Chapters
* Critiques: 8
* Winter Warrior: Worldbuilding in four phases:
--characters
--races & culture
--maps & drawings
--outline
The intent here is to be ready to start the first draft by the end of August

June Writing Update / July Goals

June was rough with teething-baby/mommy-zombie, and pet issues. Still achieved a significant amount of writing.

June Writing Completed:
* The Crossing: Edited
* Treischan Strength: Edited
* Forgotten Star New Chapters B & C: Written
* Silver Griffin Crits: 3 completed
* Winter Warrior Worldbuilding underway


July is looking busy and will be a challenge, especially considering I'm taking a week off for vacation in sunny Florida. I am optimistic however, and will do my best. The editing (shorts and the novel) are priority.

June Begun Tasks Needing Completion in July:
* Forgotten Star: Chapter D (write)
* SG Crits: EST Crit (half done)

July New Goals:
* Forgotten Star Chapter Edit A - B (0/2)
* Edit Short Story "The Dragon's Bard"
* Edit Short Story "The Lonely Orchard"
* Silver Griffin Crits: 0/3
* Winter Warrior Worldbuilding

6/17 Update

Treischan Strength is still only half edited, it's been a busy couple of days. I completed a crit for my group, and have been thinking a lot about Forgotten Star. I'm implementing some character changes which makes a low level support character now very important. It really is important, because it'll explain some things about Crystal. I have to get to that this week.

That baby's birthday was a smashing success. She had a fun time and received cute gift. She really needed new toys so the timing was perfect. :) And today is Father's Day, so there will be little writing time...

6/09 Update

Tons of complications this week, but I still managed to get a lot done.

* June Challenge: SF story scene Midnight Rainbow done (and it's got the potential to be a children's story)

* Winter Warrior: decent amount of "casual" worldbuilding, this character is talking to me while I drive.

* Forgotten Star: came up with a different name for Korin's sister, which is still holding me back from completing this chapter.

* The Crossing: two edit passes, doubled the story length; however I'm still having issues with the opening paragraph.

* Silver Griffin Crit: took a lot longer than I would have liked, but I'm almost done. I need to finish some notes and review my line edits before I can post it for Myrddin tomorrow.

Next week is going to be rough on writing, but I'll do what I can. Baby's birthday party is on Saturday, so I have tons of house cleaning and such to handle before then. :)

May Writing Update / June Goals

I'm pleased with my progress this month. Not only have a successfully made the leap back into writing regularly, but I've surpassed my Story-A-Day success. Previously, I've only written 6 for the challenge. Go me!

May
*Participated in the May SAD Challenge [10 stories written]
*Located and joined fantasy novel crit circle to sharpen up my analytical skills for the Forgotten Star edit [2 crits completed]

June Goals
*Edit Short Story "The Crossing"
*Edit Short Story "Treischan Strenth"
*Forgotten Star: Write new content chaps "B" and "C" as well as additional content throughout the novel;
*Silver Griffin Crits: 4 crits

2005 In Review

It's been a crazy year, not that it's over yet, but there isn't too much more that I'll be able to complete before New Year's. I looked over my work for the year and am fairly pleased, considering the chaos that plagued my life.

My 2005 Writing Accomplishments:
* 3 New Short Stories (Lambs To The Slaughter; The Perranti Deception; Fading Light)
* 3 Short Stories Revised (Lost Tower of Corienth; For I Have Sinned; Fading Light) and several other stories in the process of being revised (For I Have Sinned, Hunter Hunted, and Comets' Kiss)
* 1 Article written and sold to Vision (Research On-The-Go)
* 1 Story in submission (Sinned, to 3 markets)
* Participation in my writing community to the tune of 10 critques, not including the novel critique I am still working on.
* Shadow of Blood with 40,000 words; still going.

I had some personal accomplishments as well. We sold our condo, spent the summer with my husband's parents, bought our new townhouse, welcomed a nephew into the world, and are now expecting our first child.

I realize that many of my accomplishments are due to the special people in my life. I am fortunate to have such loving family and friends and I appreciate every last one of you, even if I have not told you as much. Thank you for being you.