I finally got back into my groove - the groove I was in last winter and the winter before that when I was writing or editing every day while my small person was at preschool, many evenings while my older kids did homework, and on the weekends every chance I could get.
I'm back. And I feel very happy.
My plan for October was to edit a chapter a month of my last WIP - hopefully final edits - or at least close to final edits.
It's going very well. Today is the 8th and I'm editing chapter 7 today. On my calendar where I jotted down my goals, I didn't include weekends. I only included a chapter a day Monday through Friday. I thought a chapter would take me an hour, but it's taking me more like two hours sometimes more.
I feel great about my progress. And about the edits. The chapters I have finished feel done - done enough to submit. I'm having a little bit of writer's high, so I may revoke that statement later and opt to revise again.
I do feel like I'm going to be ready for NaNoWriMo next month. I'm making my writing a priority and am blocking out chunks of time. I'm not making excuses...at least not as many.
I have an hour left today...now or never. I'd honestly rather sleep, but it's time to write.
Huzzah! I'm sure I'll have some editing to do this week. Argh.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least we aren't alone.
DeleteGood stuff, Tonja!
ReplyDeleteAn hour left today? Where on earth do you live?
I live in Mommyland where preschool ends at 11:30. Husband is out of town AGAIN. No chance of free time tonight.
DeleteNothing to be jealous of - I'm just burying myself in work.
ReplyDeleteOne day at a time, right? It's amazing how it adds up to a great distance traveled. And when we enjoy the journey? There are no words for how wonderful it is. Good luck with the rest of your edits! :)
ReplyDeleteExactly. One day at a time. Sometimes (today) one hour at a time.
DeleteCongrats! You're much more disciplined than I am. Glad you've been so productive :) I'm working on getting my butt into gear to do the same.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm actually really disappointed I didn't do more over the summer.
DeleteA plan works well, and at least keeps us close to our goals. I use a writing calendar by my desk, to record what's due (posts), and what I want to do that week with WIPs. Then I can see progress and what's been left undone. This works for me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked fulltime, I got up early to write and stayed up late sometimes, but that was something I did for me to carve out that time. There will be time to sleep later...
Putting daily goals on my calendar - a calendar just for writing - helps me a lot. If I write down detailed daily goals for more than one month at a time, it gets to be too much. I have my calendar open to October and refuse to look further.
DeleteI think that thing about sleeping later is an urban myth....
Yes. Editing can take a little longer. I know. Its good that you've made yourself some goals and that you're sticking with them.
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate,
Shelly
Congratulations on getting back into a groove. I bet it feels so good!
ReplyDeleteIt does feel good - I feel hope.
DeleteYAY! Good for you getting back into your routine! I am still not quite there, but feel myself sliding in a little.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hart. I'm definitely not up to the speed I was working at a year ago - I was writing 2 chapters or more on four or five days a week. One chapter a day seems like a reasonable pace for now. Maybe I'll pick it up next month...maybe this is good enough.
DeleteIt's always the opposite for me, as a teacher. I write like crazy over the summer, and then lose most of my writing time in the fall. However, this year I am trying to write SMARTER in the time I have. If I've only got a few minutes to squeeze in here and there, I will spend it on blogs -- like I'm doing right now. I will reserve my real writing for blocks of time when I can be more productive.
ReplyDeleteI think it's about working smarter. I have blocks of time during the school year, but that's hard to find in the summer when my kids are running around. Nice to know they need me, I guess.
DeleteThat a great groove to be in. Hope you keep it going.
ReplyDeleteI'm about to work on Chapter 8. I'm one chapter behind what I had committed to in my mind. But on my calendar, I only wrote in chapters for weekdays. So if I look at my calendar, I'm ahead of schedule.
DeleteWhat's your secret? I've been in a funk lately. I really hope I get out of it soon. Very frustrating!
ReplyDeleteMy secret is I signed up for NaNoWriMo and feel a compulsive (maybe OCD-like) need to get to a stopping point on November 1.
DeleteThe thought of NaNo right now totally stresses me out, but I am starting to feel a little better and I think my computer is ok too :)
Deletecongrats to you!! and good for you..cause when you're hot, you're hot!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's more like luke warm. :)
DeleteI'm finding my grove after taking the better part of two months off. Good luck to you and your editing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stephen. I took most of the summer off (without planning to) and am just now feeling back to normal.
DeleteI'm trying to get to all of your posts, but my internet connection is moving at a snail's pace. I'll try later this evening - time is getting away from me....must type edits to chapter 8.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll be participating officially in Nano. It just falls during a time of year when my aging parents demand a lot of care and attention. I will have to travel out-of-state for a week and then prepare a Thanksgiving dinner and sit with them for a few days talking about whatever it is they want to chat. But I do plan on writing some on my sequel. I've been story boarding it, but haven't really done much beyond that.
ReplyDeleteI'll attempt Nano too. It's so hard with the fam, but I'll try it. I'm glad your in the groove! Keep it up!
ReplyDelete