Whether we're aware of it our not, we write what we know. Everyone's heard that, but most of us do it subconsciously. We hear about doing research for a novel. I've done research. Adding spices of what I'm unfamiliar with does add to the overall scope within my stories. But mostly, I find what sparks a story somewhere within me. Then I go looking elsewhere.
My amazing author friend (and one of my first official reviews and interviews on the Graffiti Wall), Susan Kay Quinn, gave me the heads up about A Round of Words in 80 Days. This is a challenge about setting attainable goals that will encourage and inspire us, moving us forward on our writing journey.I missed the first of two weekly check-ins, so I'm starting today. Here are my attainable goals for the next 80 days, minus the 8ish days I've missed.
#1 ~ to completely rewrite my YA novel, adding a new plot line and axing my cast of characters. (I've started on this and basically have to feed the new info throughout.)
#2 ~ complete 3rd draft of my picture book SWITCHING DAYZZZ... (which is almost finished, anyway.)
#3 ~ simply keep my mind open to thoughts for continuing to outline GYPSY DOLLS: Carnival of Souls as well as my MG Fantasy, MOTLEY EDUCATION.
The deadline is JUNE 14TH. Susan and I have decided to track each other's progress, sharing and brainstorming together. I'm pretty excited about it. I think we can do it, and with Susan and I cheering each other on, I'm sure it will be a great success.
So stay tuned and come back to see our progress every other Tuesday. Feel free to join us in the CHALLENGE. You're writing anyway, right??
Let me ask you: how do you JUGGLE your writing life?
Good luck! My system is to carefully plan out what I plan to doover a week, how many hours I can set aside each day, and then I watch as my timetable falls apart within the first couple of days and I scramble to get anything done at all. Works for me.
ReplyDelete-mood
Moody Writing
There are alot of jugglers out there today in the A-Z world. My philosophy is that the more you think you have to juggle the harder it is.
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazed at how productive you are. I can finally say that I am writing again. My daughter's swimming and school obligations have finally slowed down and I'm getting the hang of blogging which is taking more time than I thought even blogging once or twice a week.
ReplyDeleteSo funny, I'm talking about juggling fiction and nonfiction today. Still not sure exactly how I do it, but it seems to be working. ::crosses fingers::
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea. Recently, I've started making 'contracts' with friends to help me achieve goals. They ain't nothing like a deadline.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals! Juggling life and writing life is always a challenge. I drop the writing ball all the time.
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome idea and having someone in your corner always helps too! I juggle in bits and pieces, doing what I can when I can. Every moment counts.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've got a good idea of where you want to be in 80ish days! Sounds like a fun challenge. I'm off again on again with my current writing situation. I've got a new wip with one chapter and an outline that I'm moving around and fixing up every now and then. I don't want to jump into this story without a good idea of where I'm going. I'd like to spruce up my first two books as well and try and get them back into circulation.
ReplyDeleteSetting goals that you can meet is so important. Being unrealistic about what you can do in a certain amount of time only creates more stress and disappointment.
ReplyDeleteThese are some great goals. The juggling writer life has become very tricky for me of late. I wonder about what is worth it and what I should be cutting out. I think this is the important thing to prioritize what is truly important to us and then to work off those things. Great post
ReplyDeleteNice work setting up goals and having a partner for accountability! Good luck! :D
ReplyDeleteI almost used JUGGLE for today's word too. We all juggle so much to be able to write. I love your challenge! Sounds wonderful. Wishing you best of luck on those rewrites. You can do it!! :)
ReplyDeleteThose are great (and ambitious) goals. You can do it! Jugging writing and life is kind of hard for me. While I'm revising or writing, life kind of gets put on hold, as evidenced by my ginormous laundry pile. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat word. I completely forgot about it when I was thinking on my post. I love how you have such a great partner to help keep you on track with your WIP.
ReplyDeleteHello from a fellow ROW80-er! Welcome to the challenge. :) I'm doing it for the first time and so far I've pushed myself harder than usual and I'm getting a lot done. Good luck with your goals!
ReplyDeleteYay! Another post about "juggling". My juggling act has gotten a little off kilter with the A to Z Challenge as I'm mostly just juggling blogs. Writing needs more focus after April. I need to draw up an agenda like you've done. Good job!
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Twitter hashtag: #atozchallenge
Ooh thank's for the link, I think I'll join the challenge. What a great way to stay focused and get those goals accomplished!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I have learned to Juggle at all yet. I try to stay balance the best I can...trip and fall a lot, pick myself back up and try to keep going. It's a process. Keep up your great progress. I am rooting for you.
ReplyDeleteLofty goals! Good luck in acing them.
ReplyDeleteI just posted over at my blog about trying to read all of the books on my bed table and kindle. I will have much more time soon when my teaching semester ends. So, looking forward to reading what I want, and more writing time!
You are juggling a lot. I wish you luck reaching your goals.
ReplyDeleteMothers juggle so much. Mother-writers, even more.
I wish I were writing now. I'm subbing now, waiting for the difficult class. Then I have a class I also had earlier in the day. Then I can pick up my kids and go HOME. Until Taekwondo. And I need to make dinner and do laundry.
Tomorrow I'm off for my son's concert. I plan to write some after that.
We're supposed to juggle? Ack! I get such serious tunnel vision and can only do one thing at a time. I am pretty good at then picking up the NEXT thing (usually--my last round of editing--2 works, 2 rounds each in 3 months) sort of threw me in the gutter and my current writing project has come slowly) Mostly though, I have to dangle what I WANT to do out there and tell myself NO until the current thing is done.
ReplyDeleteThat ROW 80, though, still sounds like a great idea... I may have to join that--it can be done serially, yeah?
Congrats and good luck, Sheri! I see you made 600 followers...YAY! That's amazing!
ReplyDeleteI force myself to write between blogging, life, and checking my emails every few minutes. It's an obsession.
Juggling is tricky. My kids come first - the rest of the time is for writing. Each day looks a little different but the big picture remains the same.
ReplyDeleteGood luck meeting your goals!
Oh I didn't know you were in ROW80 too!!! Can I join you and Susan in your closer team effort??? (hint, I'm the one who gave Susan the idea to join)(so we are kind of like an idea chain) (and you are in my Crusader group too) (and I'll shut up now before I really annoy you!)
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of the ROW80. Thanks for the link and the reminder to get organized. I've been a bit lax in keeping a schedule the last few weeks. I'm glad you and Susan are pairing up. She's awesome!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your goals. You can do it.
ReplyDeleteI do something called "chunking" – focusing on one task at a time, rather than everything. Seems to work.
ReplyDeleteshew, I confess. I'm a terrible juggler! I'm losing it right now w/all I've got going on--stuff dropping everywhere~ :D But I like that 80 day thing. Best of luck to you w/it! :o) <3
ReplyDeleteI have no idea. Honestly, I don't really accomplish everything I want to, but somehow I never fail miserably either.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals!
ReplyDeleteJuggling my writing life with everything else is hard work, especially as blogging is a real time drainer. With work and other responsibilities I'm finding it hard to concentrate on my novel. However, I may have some exciting news about that soon - I think I will be taking a break from work this autumn! It's called a lifestyle break and I can have up to 12 weeks off, unpaid. Some of it will be holiday I'm owed and the rest will be paid for by selling some shares. Mr. G is happy for me to do it as well. Imagine 12 whole weeks to work on my novel!
Ellie Garratt
I wish I was better at the juggling! Ugh. I always feel like I'm not doing my best on at least one part of my life.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your goals, you can do it! Juggling the writing life isn't always easy. I carry a notebook and hand write everything first. That way I can write anywhere, anytime and not miss out on life!
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to have a system--whatever that might be--that works for you so as to avoid the dreaded P-word: procastination. Glad you found support and a plan that works for you.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals! Isn't it great to have a good friend cheering you on?
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