I missed last week’s check-in due to the week leading up to it being busier than most, and having very little to report. I met my writing goal every day, but that was it. This past week has been a lot better, though.
- Write at least one page in notebook or 100 words on the laptop every week day. Consolidate this on the weekends.
I wrote four days out of five. Usually I would make this up on the weekend, but I’ve been trying to get as much done on my uni work this weekend (see below) so no writing has happened. I’m drawing to the end of Operation: Sugarplum, which is both scary and exciting. I don’t really know what I’m doing with my final climax, but I am basically just trying to write something each day. I’ve been making some notes for the second draft as well, though this one will really need to be put away for a while before I work on it again. I’m a bit sick of the sight of it.
Since it’s the first of the new month, let’s have some stats. During October, I added 3352 words to Operation: Sugarplum, plotted another 294 words and wrote 357 on non-WIP things for a total of 4003 words during the month. Not huge, but about 1000 words a week, which right now, is about all I am hoping for. There were only three week days during the month when I didn’t write, and I made up for two of them on the weekends. I wanted to make up this week’s, too, but my essay breaks were made up of not writing things because I was sick of it.
One more week of uni (my final paper is due on the 6th) and then I’ll up this goal to account for having way more time to devote to writing.
- Write one book review a week and queue them up on the blog.
I wrote two this week, for Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson, which was my lead-up-to-Halloween read. I’ve actually got enough reviews scheduled now that I’m into the new year. I did consider making them weekly, but I don’t think I write enough of them to quite manage that. I did also consider just posting them on the Friday of the week when I write them, but I like schedules too much for that.
- Spend one evening and one weekend afternoon on uni work.
I actually organised to have Wednesday off work, and I spent the day working on my final essay. I went through all the books I had from the library, and made lots of notes in the morning. In the afternoon, I got about 400 words written. I’ve also worked on it both days this week and I have about 1750/2500 words.
- Send three Postcrossing cards per week/maintain maximum total cards travelling.
I’ve got a bit behind on these, but I will buy some more stamps on payday this week and send some more. A few of the ones I sent at the beginning of the round have started arriving, which means I’ve got more I can send.
- Ride bike to work or walk into the city after work at least three times a week.
This hasn’t been happening as often as I’d hope. With luck, once uni is done and I’m not worried about getting into work as early as possible so I can leave as early as possible, I’ll have a bit more wiggle room for riding in or taking my time getting home.
If you’re unfamiliar with ROW80 (A Round of Words in 80 Days – the writing challenge that knows you have a life), you can read more about it on the website. It was the brainchild of Kait Nolan and it’s hugely beneficial for a lot of people. I’m going to head off now and have a proper break from the computer, I’ll see you all later!
A Keyboard and an Open Mind 