Short and sweet is all I got today. I am feeling unbelievably overwhelmed by the stuff that is going on in my life right now. I have still been making time to devote to the story by plotting in Hiveword, but not nearly as much as I would like to.
ROW80 Rundown:
1. Write at least 500 words per day on plotting or blogging.
Monday: 278 words
Tuesday: 324 words
Wednesday: 298 words
Thursday: 195 words
Friday: 324 words
Saturday: 363 words
Sunday: 272 words on this post.
2. Check out at least 5 posts from each new ROW80 linky before the next one comes out.
Nope I've been a bum. I need to get around...Wait that didn't come out right, but you know what I mean.
3. Use Twitter at least once per day.
I only tweeted last week when I posted here.
4. Post on my author Facebook page at least 2 times per week.
So much no and I am now beating myself up.
5. Read 5 books in round 2.
Still working on The Wahls Protocol.
In conclusion I have made basically no progress. I am planning to reevaluate my goals, not just the writing ones. I will get back to you. Leave me a comment, but also make sure to let me know where you are visiting from so I can follow you back. How do you decide when to chop goals? What things feed your strengths?
Photos by Pixabay.
It does sound like you are at the end of your rope. Just tie a knot and hang on. Things will get done when they are supposed to get done. In the meantime, just chill for a while. It's really ok to do absolutely nothing for a while. Go get some fresh air, maybe with your favorite beverage in hand.
ReplyDeleteIn my blog post today, http://writingwhaticanwhenican.blogspot.com/2015/05/despair.html, I fell into the pit of despair too. But a walk/run around my lake snapped me out of it. Life will go on.
Tying a knot in the end is a great idea. That way the rope won't come unraveled while I try to hold on.
DeleteHey hon!
ReplyDeleteJust dropped by when I saw your post title on the #ROW80 linky! Long comment!
I have to reevaluate my goals every week. If I didn't reach my projections, I try to figure out why. Am I feeling overwhelmed? If so, I trim some of the unnecessary stuff from my list.
For years I hit fail after fail when I had daily word goals. Recently I started using writing time instead of word counts, and it's made all the difference.
I use what's called the pomodoro technique. 25 minutes on a task, 5 minute break. Rinse and repeat. If you work through four sessions, that last break should be at least 15 minutes long.
Anyway, I decided that ,instead of 500 words a day, I would try one pomodoro a day? Or two? Almost everyone can carve out at least one 30 minute uninterrupted session. I've worked up to 4 per day on writing (and not at the same chunk of time).
I spend five minutes prior to my writing session jotting down a short bullet list of what I want to happen in the scene I'm about to write (Get her from the car to the diner. Make sure you engage all five senses. Diner description: neglected). I then start my timer, and write for 25 minutes straight. Then, when it's done, I spend five minutes stretching and/or jotting down more notes (If I made it through that scene already).
I don't keep track of word count until the end of the night when I fill in a spreadsheet I built forever ago. I just put in the new word count and it automatically subtracts the new one from the one the day before.
Per week: I carve out 4 pomodoros for website updates. At least 2 per day for writing (14). 15 for promotional material/image building (it takes me a long time to do this). 2 pomodoros for Facebook updates. You could easily add a pom or two for checking in with other ROWers. Tacking on a tweet should be super easy as well.
And then, when you're done with all that writing work stuff, you can just spend your free time (since you won't be stressing a word count), reading. That way you enjoy it more!
I know this doesn't work for everyone, but my heart aches after reading your post. I've been there SO MANY TIMES. You're not alone, hon. Good luck with this week's new set of goals!
https://dawnmontgomerywrites.wordpress.com/2015/05/10/1601/
Well I've never tried this method, but what I'm doing is not working for me so what the heck. I'm going to give pomodoros a try. Hugs and thanks.
DeleteHopefully it helps! I look forward to seeing how it goes! Good luck!
DeleteHey, any writing is good writing. Between 200 and 300 consistantly, that awesome. I haven't been so lucky, after finished NaPoWriMo and A to Z, plus the theatre stuffs have been nil. I am just glad I can return to visiting and my writer friends. The goals will come, and remember small goals will lead to bigger goals. :-) Have a better week, Milady!
ReplyDeleteThat is true getting back in the habit of smaller goals will hopefully allow me to get back where I was before my hospital stay.
DeleteI had a down week - Mother's Day and having lost a child in infancy aren't easy bedfellows. SO much not that I fell on the dog and banged up my leg...
ReplyDeleteSo I've slowed down. I also just got rid of the one goal that persistently filled me with a sense of dread. Who needs goals that make you feel icky?
I tend to cycle between goals, with some days more about new words, others about revision, others about blogging or social interaction. It's always a shifting blend depending upon the specifics of life as I know it...
Usually, though, if I'm not getting to something, and resisting it besides, it's a good sign that I need to step back, evaluate, adapt, or drop it at least temporarily.
Hope something in there helped.
I'm sorry for your loss. It is a wound even time can not heal. I will definitely be stepping back and evaluating, everything not just my writing life.
DeleteHuge hugs, @Shan!
DeleteI agree with the others - any writing is a step forward. Some weeks see less but that's okay - just keep at it and you'll get there. All the best in the week ahead
ReplyDeleteI think I may put "any writing is a step forward" on my mirror so I see it every day or maybe a post-it on my computer.
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