Getting Things Done

I am in for a marathon. Of course. 

I also would love to go to a reading and hear everyone’s writing. I would LOVE it. In fact, I wish I was rich so I could own a writer’s house where I hosted retreats and had readings and wore glasses and drank lots of hot chocolate.

Here are two ways to get rich: Number 1 and Number 2. 

If you were a criminal, which would you choose? It’s a very interesting question. 

What would your MC choose?

As for books, I have been writing consistently at least two hours a day for the past two and a half months. This is a record for me and I’m sort of amazed it’s happened now, at the tail end of my pregnancy. There are many factors that have played into that I’d like to share:

1. Deadline. I have an revision due soon. Very very soon. And I’d like to get it in even sooner than soon because I also have a baby on the way.

2. Baby on the way. At the beginning/middle of my pregnancy, I had little desire to do anything, let alone write. Somehow I recently got a new burst of energy as far as writing goes (not so much as far as cleaning and laundering goes). I have been taking advantage of the burst and also the looming baby deadline. I know from experience that once Mr. Baby #4 comes, I won’t be much good. At anything. For a long long time. It’s kind of nice to know there is a great surprise coming up and I’ll be able to take a break for a bit. 

3. Support from friends. It’s always better to have outside encouragement and cheerleaders. Like I’ve said over and over again, writing can be lonely. When I find ways to make it less lonely, I become less depressed and more productive.

4. A schedule that works. Somehow I’ve finagled my baby to sleep and my four year old to have “quiet time” daily. This mean I get to write mid-day rather than at nine at night. The difference in my stamina and productivity has been amazing. Again, this is all going to change once the baby arrives. But it’s worth it. 

5. Happiness. I like what i’m working on. I think it’s fun. And though I still have to talk myself into it somedays–bribe myself with treats and dreams of one day watching shows again with my husband–I’ve found that I really like getting into the stories that I’m writing. and that’s made all the difference.

The only thing I know for sure is things will change. My productivity will change. My mood will change. My schedule will change. My kids will change. So I am just doing the best I can with what I’ve got. I have a few weeks left and I’m going to try to keep the momentum going as long as I can.

How is your writing going? What keeps you motivated? When is the best time for you to get things done? 

Writing Marathon and What?

It’s coming up on that time again when we should have another writing marathon. I think our first one together was in March, long, long ago.

I haven’t talked this over with Ann Dee yet, but I have been thinking of doing something like a half NaNo. So rather than a full month, we’d work hard for two weeks.

Anyone interested?

First, I have to finish my novel that I am on now (I am getting close to done on it, but life has gotten in the way. Weird, isn’t it, that if I were a dentist, I would still go in to work, but because I am a writer I don’t work the same way?).

How about March 17- 31? From St. Patrick’s Day till the end of the month?

Are you in?

You can start a new book or complete the one you are on. You can do a rewrite or see if you can complete a rough and dirty draft in two weeks. There is no word limit. You make your own goals.

I’ll keep thinking of how to make this work for us.

We will end with a few prizes AND with a reading and lunch for those that join us in person. Sound good?

Also, guess what, I am reading The One Minute Millionaire.

Plus, this isn’t as fun, today I go to the doctor. Last time I went because of the Eternal Cough (that I still have). Now it’s something different. But because of the EC, I am looking to move. We need a place to buy. A place to settle down. Financially, I don’t have a lot of money (Yet. See title of book I am reading) but the girls and I have moved far too much. And I think this house we’re in has contributed to my illness. Certainly to my stress. The gas bill has been over 300 $ one month, 200 this month. And electricity is just as bad. Yes! For a one story home.

Do you know a place that someone might be selling? Or a place that someone wants to rent long term? Let me know. 🙂

Exercise: What if you wrote a book about a girl who’s dad is always trying to make the family rich, but falls short all of the time. So they have to move constantly. And he’s reading The One Minute Millionaire. Then Mom ends up sick. What would be the first paragraph of that novel? Remember, Richard Peck says we are no better than our first line, so make it a doozy. In fact, make all the lines of that paragraph amazing.

Feel free to share.