So how are those goals going? I'm midway through the year, so the pressure's on.
1. Futuristic in Edit - First 3 chapters submitted. Watch this space! 2. Year of the Novel - I've done a lot of pre-writing - the plotting and thinking about scenes, but I parked this work (contemporary, sweet) to get the futuristic off. Now that's done, I'm back in full force AND I'm committing to writing a minimum of 20000 words in July. 3. Writing Day - I'm keeping it, but some days (like today) I've taken some time away for other things. Still writing though. And I completed some online courses on setting, scene and characters which were valuable. 4. Running - I can run 4km without stopping, dying after or being so stiff I can't run again for a week. That's progress, although my weekly totals are still a bit grim. 5. Balance - Some days I wonder if I'm going to spend the rest of my days juggling commitments. Probably. But its getting there. This week I spent a day at the farm. The above photo is the river, which flooded again in April/May and is now flowing steadily at a depth of about 30cm. I'm standing on the sandbagged bank restoration from last year, so that's a positive - its still there. Sadly :-( it does need some repairs, and the other side now needs bagging as well. The never-ending work at the river. All in all, June was a good month for my goals. Well, the year is almost half way through and I'm still plugging away at my goals. Here's how its travelling:
1. Futuristic in Edit - has been printed for its final edit. I've just finished a RWA online learning course on scene, and am enrolled in one on character, so I'm looking at it with fresh eyes. Deadline to send is 30th June. 2. Year of the Novel - course work is up to date and I have about 6000 words written. Finally, this one is starting to come together. 3. Writing Day - The backlog of appointments that has been plaguing me all year has finally cleared, and my writing day is actually a writing day. Cue treating it like any other work day and working all day. 4. Running - I was reading one of Denise Austin's books - one with a 12 minute workout each day and the requirement to travel 12 miles/week in gym clothes (running, walking etc). That's 20km for us Aussies. Over the weekend I downloaded a map and jogged from home to my favourite beachside suburb. It's 10.26km according to Runmeter. I needed a pickup at the other end, but I'm going to work my way towards making this one a return journey. 5. Balance - A few weeks ago, I added in a regular early morning walk. It means getting up an hour earlier, coaxing the puppy into her harness (she doesn't love her harness) and taking her first, then the senior dog. Somedays its chaos taking one and not the other, but regardless, that morning walk seems to set my day up for success. To make it work, I have to be more organised - with lunches, with breakfast choices, with ironed work clothes. So by adding in an additional activity, I've actually helped create balance in my already chaotic world. Who knew? Wish me luck with my futuristic. This time next month, I should be reporting it was submitted. So how did I go with my goals in March:
This checking in on the blog is working. I'm making progress with most of my 2015 goals. So here's February's update:
1. Little Gems - The judges are busy filling in score sheets, so we wait patiently. I haven't touched this story since I sent it, and its now in the queue for expanding to novel/novella. I love these characters so much. 2. Year of the Novel - Course work is all caught up and I've started writing the story. Haven't submitted all of the requirements, but its getting there. And I've started writing the story. 3. Futuristic in edit - Took the start back to my crib group and they're happy, so I keep going down this path. It's still like amputating a leg. 4. Protect my writing day - Yes, and the sense of achievement last week after a whole day spent writing was a feeling I'd like to bottle. 5. Running - A few more jogs, another 6km run - I'm wavering between making a non-negotiable plan and just running when I feel like it. I think the plan is the way to go if I want to improve. 6. Balance in my life - Yes and No. 2015 is not looking any less hectic than 2014, its just a different type of hectic. For now though, I'm happy to have a bit of down time when I can catch it. As we roll into Autumn, I'm looking forward to cooler weather, being better organised and letting the writing flow. So how are those New Year's Resolutions going, I hear you ask?
I'm going to report in each month, and hopefully this will keep me on track. Here goes:
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Fiona Greene AuthorWhen you set out on a journey and night falls, that's when you will discover the stars." Archives
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