Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Prologue:
I swear I have not given up on the experiment. I had a 3-week long vacation that lasted a little too long and produced all sorts of changes. I had to fight a few parenting battles, some still ongoing. I sometimes wonder if I will ever feel confident in the no man's land that exists between apathetic and overbearing. Nevertheless, I did accomplish some writing, and I am finding my story growing on its own. I am finding more stories as well. I have cracked open a previous journal of writing prompts and I intend to be faithful to it most evenings. I have always shied from forced habits, and yet I often grow when I engage in them. Maybe I will come to that, but I am not there yet. I am still feeling a little frenetic from all of the change, and I would rather let that settle through the natural paces of time and acceptance. One forced and rapid event that did happen during my vacation was the sharing of my book (not initiated by myself). I experienced shame and frustration and then acceptance, and now I feel that it is best that I allow others to read my work, even though patches of it make me cringe.

Word Count:
17,597

Scope:
Complete one manuscript and a synopsis for submission by April 2015 (55,000-60,000 words).

To do:

• No writing today - just a check-in for personal accountability
• Read Rocket Boys
• Big Black Book journaling
• Running
• Karate class for the little

Optionals:

• Pampering foot scrub
• Download and start Red Shirts

Current input:

• The Americans
• Rocket Boys

Monday, January 26, 2015

Prologue:
Feeling a little bit of cabin fever. I owe myself a run. I think my five-year-old might have a urinary tract infection, so I'm in watchful mother mode. Still, I have content that I need to cover, so it's a bit of a balancing act. Two weeks away from a mini vacation with my partner in crime. It is going to be well-earned.

Word Count:
13,900

Scope:
Complete one manuscript and a synopsis for submission by April 2015 (60,000 words).

To do:

• Add some movement towards the Sunday-Monday scene
• Depth of character for Sarah
• Shower
• Play with the kiddo
• Turn the TV off

Optionals:

• New puzzle
• Read Vienna 1914

Current input:

• Etta James
• Bomb Girls

Tuesday, January 22, 2015

Prologue:
Unexpected day to put some work in. Current word count is 11,700 - that leaves 48,300 to go.

Scope:
Complete one manuscript and a synopsis for submission by April 2015 (60,000 words).

To do:

• Complete chapter 8: what friends are for and set-up for chapter 9 restaurant party scene
• Dog walk (completed)
• Shower/stretch/self-pampering

Optionals:

• New puzzle

Current inspirations:

• Etta James
• The Fall

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Prologue:
First morning wake-up before 5 am. I will admit that it was an easy sell because of the company I had for coffee. Still, that's progress. I did not intend to work Saturdays (although I really am no longer a weekender in any way), but I have some catching up to do. All of my creative energies over the past week were spent on making birthday party favors. 

Scope:
Complete one manuscript by April 2015

To do:

• A solid 2 pages more of chapter 4
• Character outlining/brainstorming
• Morning gym routine
• Grocery store visit for cheese and juice pouches
• 11+ goodie bags and confirm cupcakes 
• 4 hours of shooting the breeze with fire wives 

Optionals:

• New puzzle

Current inspirations:

• Etta James

Everything Is Work

The past two weeks didn't go as planned. They started alright, with a concise yet chippy entry dated January 2nd. How am I only thirteen days after that original post and already facing down unanticipated hurdles?

Writing is work. I know this. I have known this. It took me fifteen weeks to produce 85 pages that I was satisfied could pass as a thesis, and I'll admit it was still a bit thorny. I guess I started last week with the idea that returning to something that I enjoy after doing something that was incredibly taxing would be a cinch. Cinch it is not. Duh.

Marriage is work. It is when I convince myself that having a long-term partner in my life is easy coasting that I tend to find the bumps. Enough said.

Parenting is work. I have a 5-year-old who can explain that I'm operating around a C+ average.

Dealing with loud and seemingly inexhaustible neighbors (who need to separate because they clearly hate each other and everything else this world has to offer) is work. I had no idea just how much I really did not want to know about the people with whom I share a wall until it now has become an offensively large portion of my day.

I was euphoric starting out last week. "Here Comes the Sun," played at the grocery store and I smiled, feeling giddied and reassured by happy coincidence. Yes dear, the sun has arrived, and everything is still work.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Prologue:
I remember when I used to be well-rested. I'm going to give myself a light January, in hopes that it means my body will jump out of bed come February. 

Scope:
Complete one manuscript by April 2015

To do:

• End chapter 3 with a bang
• Start chapter 4 (complete at least 4 pages today) 
• Keep on a schedule
• Grocery shopping

Optionals:

• Gym visit (start doing this to get more energy - or a quick workout at home)

Current inspirations:

• Dorothy Parker
• Homer Hickam
• mi-5

Friday, January 2, 2015

Intro:
This is the first post to a journal intended to aid in keeping a new writer on track.

Scope:
Complete one manuscript by April 2015

To do:

• Purchase Pokemon birthday invites and paraphernalia
• Upgrade dialogue in chapter 2
• Write apartment/one night stand scene in chapter 3
• Map new series concept; speak easy style, think Elroy and LA

Optionals:

• Gym visit
• Library visit

Current inspirations:

• Dorothy Parker
• Homer Hickam