ROW80: Slow but steady wins the race
It’s that time again! ROW80 check-in time! For those of you that don’t know what ROW80 is, it stands for A Round of Words in 80 Days. It’s a challenge done four times a year, and it’s meant for people with lives that can’t do a strict challenge like NaNoWriMo. Learn more about ROW80 and sign up on the website.
Basically, how I do my goals is that I have an overall blog post at the beginning of the round detailing what I want to accomplish this round. Then each week, I do three sections to each topic: what I meant to do, what I did, and what I will do. That’s me stating what my goals were, what I did to accomplish them, and what I’m going to do for next week. Because I’ve learned that if i don’t beat myself over the head with things, I don’t get it done.
I missed last week’s check in. I’ve been working hard at getting this new contemporary erotic romance done. But… Let’s get on with the goals and stuff. So this week I’m updating for the last two weeks.
Writing
What I meant to do last time:
Continue working on the new contemp, which needs a title. I have about four for it right now. Need to decide on one. Ideally, I’d like to have another 10k in on this for the week.
Get through two more chapters of Full Circle. I’m slowing down a little on this one because I’m balls to the walls on the contemp right now. It’s not often I get a burst like this, so I’m just riding it out.
What I actually did:
I’m up to about 23k on the new contemp. Zero draft is looking like it’ll end up right around 40k or so. Which is normal for me. My words breed during revisions.
I got one more chapter on Full Circle. I’m having to stop on that one a lot to resituate myself. The ending is changing a bit, so it’s requiring new words.
What I will do for next week:
Ideally, I’d like to finish the new contemp. I’m not sure if that will be possible though, so let’s work on getting another 10k. I think that’s doable.
I’d also like to get another chapter on Full Circle.
I’ve also been thinking about another old story, but I’m holding off on taking that out right now. I burned out horribly on that story, so i think I’m going to let it marinate until I’m ready to play with it.
Blogging and Social Networking
What I meant to do this week:
Three posts for the week.
Edit and schedule a few of the old posts from the old website for future weeks.
Continue with my Facebook stuff. I’m kind of treating it as an experiment to see if it’s something I can do long term. So far, I kind of like it, so I’ll keep at it for a bit.
What I actually did this week:
I missed a lot of the posts for last week, though I got the week before. So half accomplished.
Did no scheduling, but I am compiling a few of them for a book, but I still need to write new stuff to go with it.
What I will do for next week:
Three more posts. I can do that.
Schedule next week’s as well.
Make a list of topics to write about.
What I’ve noticed lately on Twitter is that it’s become some sort of a link playground. People promo and link to their stuff, their friend’s stuff, and all that. No one seems to be having conversations anymore. So I’ve started unfollowing those that promo excessively or link too much, because while I do like following other’s links, it doesn’t seem like they’re putting too much effort into enhancing their content with them anymore. So, if I’m following you and you promo a lot, and don’t really engage your followers, I may be unfollowing you soon. No offense, but I’m there for the conversation.
Publishing
What I meant to do for last week
Still waiting on submissions that are out right now. I’m getting close to time, so I think I’ll hear something super soon.
The anthology I’m in, Spells and Swashbucklers, comes out at the end of the month. I’m considering promo ideas.
What I actually did:
Spells and Swashbucklers is out! It went live on Amazon early and the ebook version is part of the Kindle Select program, which means if you’re a Prime Member, you can download it for free.
Refreshed my email a lot.
What I will do for next week:
Continue to refresh my email a lot. I’m supposed to hear back on almost all of them this week.
Not too much on the publishing front right now. I’m concentrating heavily on content creation, so not much is going out.
Crafty Stuff
What I meant to do this week:
I want to work on and finish two pre-fab book covers.
What I actually did:
I actually finished the second pre-fab cover last night. So yay for that.
What I will do for next week:
I want to do two more covers, which means I need to buy some more stock art and images.
Fitness and Health
What I meant to do for this week:
Work out three times.
Stock more fruit to eat.
Go to GNC and see what they have for weightloss.
What I actually did:
Got some more fruit in the house. It’s my new favorite snack food.
Didn’t make it to GNC, but I’m not too worried about it.
Working out has been difficult. I’m not integrated into my routine yet, so it’s been hard to get moving and get to the gym.
I’ve lost two pounds since I started WeightWatchers, so it’s another slow, but steady thing.
What I will do for next week:
Workout three times.
Plan out at least three meals.
Overall
Still slow but steady, but I like the progress I’m making. I’m not usually patient enough for “slow, but steady” but I’m seeing results now, so I think I need to keep going with this and maybe I can push the speed a little bit, not much but a little.
This weekend is my local RWA meeting, so I’m really trying to finish my book so I can put my name on the “I completed a manuscript” list that they have. It’s the small things that motivate me.
