This will be my ninth round of 80 days. With each round, I try to start smarter, more effective. Well, effective for whatever my current mind space looks like, lol.
A Round of Words In 80 Days or ROW80 is the writing challenge that knows you have a life. Join in at any time. State your goals and check-in on Wednesdays and or Sundays.
ROW80 has helped me keep my eyes front and butt in the chair. Since starting ROW80, I’ve been published twice by the lovely Evernight Publishing, but I’m desperate to have a backlist. I’m also desperate to publish fabulous books. These two needs are warring with each other. For me, it takes time, lots of time, to polish my writing. Hitting send too soon is the worst thing I can do right now. I need to remember this as the pressure builds on the need for that coveted backlist.
To add to the pressure, the WIP that has my full attention has been giving me trouble for months. The ending has been changed three times and it’s still not right. Finally this week, I’m seeing some progress. A read through with a new end in mind has landed me in the middle of the WIP and things are finally coming together.
This pin caught my eye the other day. I need to remember to listen to my characters. They know the way. I’ll work at shoving away the outside stresses and allow my writing/editing time to be with me and my characters alone.
I’m trusting my muse this round and I’ll arm her with what she needs. Time and attention. I believe if I put in the work and commit to my characters, that backlist will be mine.
My goals this round will be much the same as last. I’ll continue to reach for focus and work on not letting the pressure bubble over.
My goals below are in addition to my evil day job, volunteer duties, and my family.
The Goals – Round 1 2014
- Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters
- Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting
- Take care of and be kind to myself
Here’s to a fabulous round of 80-days.
S.J. Maylee 
Short and sweet goals. Wishing you a very productive Round!
These ROWs are helpful aren’t they? I love your phrasing of “spending time with my characters”.
Good luck in round 9, S.J. I hear you. I want that backlist too. I have lots of plans for this year. I just nee the time to make them happen 🙂
Oh boy, can I relate. I so want to get more material out there, but I’m just not a fast writer. Some of that is due to things I can’t control, but some is just bad time-wasting habits. I want to work on productivity and making better use of my time, but habits don’t change overnight. Your goals are good, simple ones – good luck!
I find if I don’t listen to the characters I lose my way and end up in quicksand:( it’s a control freak thing they want to I resist but in the end one just has to listen:) all the best with your goals:)