Spring Is Here!

It's April, and in Michigan that generally means that spring is here. And not just because the calendar says so. The weather warms up, although there is always a chance of an unexpected ice or snow storm. But the sun is out more often and it's lighter longer.

Last year, in May, I talked to my counselor about things I hadn't told anyone else. It's been a very long, very difficult time as I've tried to process things and have begun to heal. What I've realized lately is how hard of a time I have managing everything. I'm developing new skills and taking a step back from things. Which has been very freeing, even if it's been difficult.

I've been working on the edits for Behind the Masque for several months, and every time I think I'm finished, I read or listen to another bit of craft advice that has me questioning what I've written so far in an attempt to make it better. I'm hoping it will be ready to submit by the end of May. It needs edits and both beta and sensitivity readers. I want to make sure I get things right.

From The Writer's Desk -- Almost March!

The temperatures are starting to warm up and stay up. It's still probably a little early, which mean summer could really suck this year. The warm weather means we've gotten rain instead of snow and the snow we did have has melted. The city has parts that are flooded because the rivers and creeks are over flowing.

So, over the last two weeks, I have written about 450 words. in 1.5 hours. I do have a section to add. And figure out how I'm going to do a couple of things. I may be rewriting part of a scene to make everything work before I continue on with the story. I have my notes for revisions when I begin those. Then it will be out to beta readers before submitting it to my publisher.

I had every intention of finishing my WIP by February 21st, because I want it done. It's taking me long enough to write. Oi. But, between having to work late and home stuff that simply didn't happen. Hopefully, in March I can take back my writing time. I liked writing on my lunch break, but sometimes I need to do something else because the stress level keep rising. My laptop also doesn't travel anymore. I don't mind writing long hand, it's a nice change, but some of the story on the computer and some in a notebook makes continuity more challenging.

So my goal for March is to Finish Behind the Masque.  

My goals for this week:
* Write 15 minutes a day
* Spend 2 hours on research for BTM.


I hope you're successful at your goals this week.

Simone.

From the Writer's Desk -- Looking Ahead to July

 July brings parades, picnics, family get togethers, and fireworks. If you live in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere it means that the summer is almost over and fall will be here before you know. Before the month is out the stores will have their back to school merchandise covering the floors.  This year my neighborhood instituted a firework ban on anything that left the ground. As a result, it's been quiet around here, which I'm grateful for.

I have projects I need to finish this month, starting with my latest book. I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of the month, that means I really need to not miss any writing days. I've missed 4 out of the last 20, which isn't too bad. 1 day I simply didn't feel like it, 1 I was dealing with something that took prescience. Yesterday, I woke up with a headache and this morning, R went to see their godparents.

My big goal is to finish Behind the Masque this month. Other than that, my goal is to write every day. I don't have a daily word count goal at the moment, although ideally I'd like to hit 7,000 words over the next 7 days. There is some non-writing stuff I need to do to, but that shouldn't take too much time. Since I have no plans for the Fourth, I will hopefully get some writing done.

Blessings,
Simone.

From the Writer's Desk -- Trying Something New

It's mid-June, Summer Solstice is today. Twenty days ago my only child graduated from high school. In ten days I send them to Orlando for a month long visit with their Godparents. I have never had more than a week without R, so this will be an experience. One I know I am ready for.  It's hard to believe the year is half-way done.

I think everyone has a limit they reach and say that's it - I can't do this any more - whatever their 'this' might be. I hit that point about three months ago. And hung on longer without really knowing how. I had heard of a book, mostly in passing, without any real conversation on what it was, that piqued my interest. Enough that I went and looked at it time and again. Then I bought it. Started reading it the next day or a couple of days later. Now, I've finished the book and started it again.

What I needed was to change my way of thinking. I was going to ask my counselor for anti-depressants, as my stress, anxiety, and depression sky-rocketed. I decided to try this first.

The book -- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. I was about a third of the way through the book when I decided to try it out, mostly because I woke up to use the bathroom about an hour before my alarm clock should ring and decided to give a try.  Eleven days later, I haven't missed a day and it has been an exciting, eye-opening, sometimes painful few days. I love it. One of the things I realized is that I would rather give my most productive energy to my writing not to my day job. So, I decided I needed to write for an hour every morning, which means I need to be up earlier. That's what I've done. The only day I didn't write since I started was Sunday and on that day I was working on spreadsheets and websites and other writing related things before we had to leave for my step-sister's.

I'm getting used to waking up at 4 am, which a good friend of mind keeps telling me that no, I've got it all wrong 4 am is bed time.

So, I'm writing for an hour or there-abouts every day and am finding it easier to write, to figure out what is going to happen next. I have other ideas for more stories too.  I also happened across this book, which will be one my next investments...

The Miracle Morning for Writers.  It looks interesting. I enjoy the quiet part of the morning, it was also my favorite part of the night. But R is a night owl, so there is less quiet. And really, I wouldn't change that. I couldn't be prouder of my kid and the young adult they are becoming.

My goal is to finish BTM by the end of the summer, preferably by the end of July. I'm about half-way there, so that is doable. After that I have several books I want to write, but I have yet to decide on what will be next.

Weekly Goals - To write everyday and finish updating my website.

Wishing everyone a Blessed Summer.

Simone.

From The Writing Desk -- Rambling

Just about two weeks ago, maybe a bit longer, I renewed my commitment to myself and to my dream of writing full time.  I've been sidelined by a respiratory infection that took more out of me than I thought, but also by bad habits I have to change.  It didn't take any sort of self-analysis to figure out where most of time was being spent -- computer games...build this city or empire, find the candy matches, catch the killer by looking for random items in a picture filled with weird crap that doesn't belong. So, I deleted them. Left the candy one, because some times easy games are good.

To recap - my goals last week were:

Writing:
Research/Story Development/Character Development: 4 hours
Writing - 3 Times at 500 words each
WIP: Behind the Masque

Non-Writing Goals:
Create Organization and De-clutter Plan
Read at least 30 minutes a day (I really got away from reading)
Walk around block/neighborhood 3 times this week

I wrote twice this week, I didn't clear 500 words either time, but I did reread and change a few things here and there before adding more words. I worked on Behind the Masque this week, and will until NaNo ends.  My NaNo project is titled Forbidden, and is a fantasy novel.  I did do a little bit of research and some brainstorming on Forbidden, I didn't keep track of my research hours, but that's less important to me than getting my butt in front of my computer and writing is anyway.

I don't know if setting a goal to have my office and bedroom de-cluttered and organized by the full moon in December counts as an organization plan, but I have written out my re-design plans for a good portion of my house.  De-cluttering is key though, I definitely feel better after getting rid of crap. 

I did read this week, I'm about half-way through Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.  I found a layout for tracking books to read and that have been read in a Bullet Journal on Pinterest and decided that sounded like a fantastic idea. Except I need a whole journal just for reading.  Starting with the list of Classics on the back of the Barnes and Noble edition of Mansfield Park, I want to read all of them.  I also found a list of books read by Rory Gilmore on the Gilmore Girls, which I haven't watched, but the list looked fascinating.

I've set an overall goal to read one non-fiction and fiction book each month.  More would be nice, but baby steps.

There was no walking around the neighborhood.  I did, however, walk as a band chaperone Friday and Saturday.  Senior Night at the football game, and a band competition.  Two more competitions and the season is done.  Weird when I think about it, but not sad or disorienting.

This week's Goals:

Writing Goals:
Research/Story Development/Character Development: 4 hours
Writing: 3 Times at 500 Words Each
WIP: Behind the Masque

Non-Writing Goals:
Read at least 30 minutes a day
Walk around the neighborhood 3 times
Go through 3 boxes in my office - sort (keep, toss, sell) and find a home

Simone.