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April accountability!

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So April was probably one of the biggest months of my life. I turned 30, had a baby, announced my first published novel—and as if that weren’t enough, I chopped 10″ off my hair last week.

2013-04-27 19.52.17 2013-04-27 21.04.09 2013-04-30 11.59.47
Before After How I do it

(I do this every year, except that I never got around to it last year.)

April accountability

So amid all that, I worked on my goals for April:

  • Finalize my presentation for LDStorymakers next month—DONE!
  • Get those last 12,000 words done? Maybe?—Looking back, that was actually 19,000 words that I needed to write. Ouch. I managed to squeeze in a couple thousand words (with some help from #writeclub on Twitter!)
  • Take care of business—Check! This also included working on the publication side of I, Spy.
  • Do a final read-through for each of my critique partners—fortunately, they complied, so check!
  • Finish inputting the paper edits and incorporate my critique partners’ feedback on my novella—Part A I finished earlier in the month; part B I finished on May 1.
  • Read!—Check! I knocked out six books (not including my CP’s MS) on my TBR pile!

Most importantly, of course, I’ve worked on keeping my four kids alive. (Clothed is a bonus.) My mom was able to stay until my baby was 9 days old, and then my youngest sister and her new husband came to help for another week (thank you thank you thank you!), but since then I’ve been on my own with a newborn, a toddler, a preschooler and a grade schooler. (Honestly, the hard part is making it to schools on time.) Luckily, my physical recovery is going EXCELLENT so I’m managing pretty well 😀 .

May goals!

  • Practice for and give my LDStorymakers presentation.
  • GET. THOSE. WORDS. DONE. For real, finish this novel. Considering my last three novels were written in a total of 8 weeks, and I’ve been working on this one for three months, it’s driving me nuts to still be working on it!
  • Business: finish the last couple steps for the publication side of I, Spy.
  • Plan & prep for launch party (more on this as it gets closer!)
  • Finish edits on novella
  • Prep the first part of my novel for critique
  • Read! There’s always something on the TBR!

How was your April? What’s coming up for you in May? Come share!

Is your writing any good? Join my writers' email group to find out how you can get a free edit & skill assessment!

 
News & Contests, Works

March-a-thon final report & April goals

I use the first Friday of the month as my writing goal accountability here—come join in!

March accountability

marchathon 2013So for March, I set some lofty goals to conquer as part of the March-a-thon I ran for my writers’ support/education group. Here’s my progress report:

  • Project A: incorporate feedback and take this to finished product. Verdict: took longer than it should have, largely due to technical issues, but accomplished!
  • Project B: finish first draft (~28,000 more words). Verdict: Weep. 18,000 words to go.
  • Project C (novella): get ready to send to critique partners Verdict: Finished the paper edit early in the month, but the type-in took forever. Still in progress.
  • Project D: blog posts! Verdict: I’ve gotten ahead in most of my series, so I’d have to say accomplished—but I’d never say no to a guest post!
  • Read my library books before they’re due! Verdict: accomplished!
  • SUPER SECRET PROJECT: Verdict: accomplished! Look for more about this on Monday!

I was also able to keep up with my critique partners, which was actually quite the feat this month. (I forgive you 😉 )

Though on any given day, it felt like these lofty goals were completely unattainable, I actually accomplish quite a bit! The daily pep talks from my group and our live chats & Twitter #marchathon Saturdays were a big help.

Lesson of the month: no matter how long it took in the past, everything can take longer than you expect.

April goals

After pushing myself very hard, I’m giving myself a break. So in April, I’m hoping to:

  • Finalize my presentation for LDStorymakers next month.
  • Get those last 12,000 words done? Maybe?
  • Take care of business (yay. taxes.)
  • Do a final read-through for each of my critique partners
  • Finish inputting the paper edits and incorporate my critique partners’ feedback on my novella
  • Read!

It sounds like a lot, but I’m hoping to limit myself to one or two tasks a day (not including reading; that’s not a task!).

Anticipated lesson of the month: sleep is really important.

How did you do in March? What do you hope to accomplish in April? Come share!

Is your writing any good? Join my writers' email group to find out how you can get a free edit & skill assessment!

 
News & Contests, Works

Get a jump on your goals with the March-a-thon!

Looking for a pick-me-up for your writing this month? Come join me in a March-a-thon—but first, how I did last month.

February accountability

marchathon 2013I was really hoping to finish this first draft in February, but (sigh) it didn’t happen. But I’ve been keeping careful track of what I did do:

  • Critiques for my CPs
  • Blog posts (yay!)
  • Newsletter
  • Travel for my cousin’s wedding and spend time with my visiting grandparents
  • First read through on the novella I finished last month
  • And, yes, I did write!

So, in the interest of accountability, how much, exactly, did I write in February? 31,275 words: not too shabby!

Saturday night, I made out a list of all that I need to get done in March, and the deadlines for each task. Then I did the math to figure out how much I need to write or revise or whatever to get it done on time. Woot!

But once again, I’m facing a lot of work. Luckily, I’ve got just the thing to push me onward . . .

March-a-thon!

For the second year in a row, I’m running a March-a-thon! It’s primarily for Authors Incognito, an online writers’ support group where I’m serving as Education Director. We’re setting lofty goals for March and encouraging others with pep talks and other fun events.

What does this mean for you? I’d love for you to join me in the “public” side of the March-a-thon. Come share your goals for March!

Here are mine:

  • Project A: incorporate feedback and take this to finished product
  • Project B: finish first draft (~28,000 more words)
  • Project C (novella): get ready to send to critique partners
  • Project D: blog posts!
  • Read my library books before they’re due!

Did I mention we’ve got more family stuff this month, so I’m looking to finish this all by the 23rd?

I’m crazy.

You can come be crazy with me! We’ll have regular check-ins here each week and I’ll keep you posted about public sprints on Twitter. Come join in!

How did you do last month? What are your goals for March? Ready for a March-a-thon? Come share!

Is your writing any good? Join my writers' email group to find out how you can get a free edit & skill assessment!