It's official. Winter is on the way. We've had some pretty chilly mornings here at home, and our first "minus" temperature overnight out on the southern downs. The maple tree up the end of the street was valiantly holding onto its leaves, but over the last few days they've turned and started to fall.
I don't mind the cooler temperatures during the day, but the late sunrises are my undoing. I'm not fabulous at getting up on the cold dark mornings, especially if its to exercise. And if its raining, like it was this morning, there's no chance I'm heading out. I should have expected the rain. Tthe local sports ground holds an annual fair (Crackerjack Carnival), and no matter what weekend they move it to, it rains the week before. Fingers crossed for a fine weekend - the volunteers were out this morning setting up in the drizzle. We'll definitely be stopping by for a steak burger and a bag of fairy floss at some time over the weekend. I thought I'd share my writing goals for 2013 with you. I am very goal-driven and while I'm not flash with spare time, I find breaking the big ones down into manageable chunks is what keeps me on track. Having said that, I'm also really good at perfectionism procrastination - not wanting to start/work on/finish unless I'm certain the result is going to be perfect. Which is a problem when you're a writer.
So my technique to overcome this - I can do ANYTHING for 15 minutes with willingness and enthusiasm. It's a mental trick, but it works for me. I don't have to keep going after 15 minutes - but generally I do. And I can't approach it with a negative attitude - that's setting yourself up to fail. Whenever I think maybe I can't - I have a look at these dudes (above) who sit in front of my keyboard. In particular, the diamond (fake of course). Two years ago, I signed on to co-ordinate the RWA Diamonds are Forever conference, not knowing a single thing about organising a conference. On August 20th 2012, I put the diamond table scatter I'd kept from the Awards Dinner in front of me - living proof that I could achieve anything I wanted - by enthusiastic chunks of 15 minutes. So, here's what I'm aiming to achieve with my writing in 2013: 1. Submit a Little Gems Entry - done 2. Edit Man and Wife prior to RWA Emerald Single Title first round results - done 3. Research publishers, edit and submit The Colour of Love by 31/12/13 - started 4. Put together a website and a blog - done 5. Research publishers, edit and submit Man and Wife by 31/12/13 - started 6. First draft of a new futuristic romance by 31/10/13 - this one is the one that's looking shaky 7. Enter RWA Selling Synopsis competition with my finished manuscripts - still on track 8. Complete NaNoWriMo (50K in 30 days) in November 2013 - still on track 9. Attend Fremantle Conference in August 2013 - Registration is done! Now, the other things on my desk - the cat and dog were gifts from a very special friend who I met at work in 1992, and who despite her moving all over Australia, is still one of my best friends. And the green stone found me (so the lady in the shop said) on my face to face critique group's writing retreat in February this year. |
Fiona Greene AuthorWhen you set out on a journey and night falls, that's when you will discover the stars." Archives
November 2022
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