#ROW80 Mid-Week Check-In 2013/06/05

WRITING:

JuNoWriMo and Kiwi Writers SoCNoC  Tweeting also using #JuNoWriMo and #SoCNoC hashtags. As expected, my daily word counts dwindled this week as opposed to the frenzied start over the weekend.

Fractured Fairytale Series Word Count: 12,909 words

I realized I never set a word count goal this time around. I think I’ll just leave it at 50K and just focus on the production rather than the deficit from a quota.

READING:

DREAMLANDER by the fabulous K.M. Weiland and KILL ME SOFTLY by Sarah Cross. I happily discovered that the 30 Books in 90 Days Challenge officially starts on June 23rd so it takes some pressure off. I haven’t start any other book yet but will probably do so tomorrow or Friday. These two books are exquisitely different but I love the description and how relatable the characters are. More books to come, but so far, I don’t have to pile on the numbers just yet.

The 48 Hour Book Challenge is June 7th to 9th. I’m reading DOUBLE VISION by the equally fabulous F.T. Bradley for sure, but will see what other middle grade marvels I can add to the list.

BLOGGING:

Updates galore on #ROW80 posts and check-ins with the awesome #wipmadness community on Kim Baccellia’s blog. It’s always good to see progress… and also the checklist of what has yet to be accomplished. (Read: When you sometimes forget what with all the simultaneous tasks, that deadlines are creeping up.) Yay for accountability!

Hope everyone had a lovely first June Humpday!

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Week in Review – 2013/05/27 – 2013/06/02

WRITING:

JuNoWriMo and Kiwi Writers SoCNoC are off to a good start. I’ve been posting word count updates on Twitter using the #JuNoWriMo and #SoCNoC hashtags. Great people chugging along doing sprints and giving each other support.

Fractured Fairytale Series Word Count: 6,752 words

READING:

I’m enjoying DREAMLANDER by the fabulous K.M. Weiland. It’s a testament as to why I keep going back to her writing blog and podcasts. As I know my word counts might suffer this week (though I love the Keysmashing Tots and I don’t consider it a loss), I’ll comb through my TBR list to find a second book to read so I can hack into as many books as I can for the 30 Books in 90 Days Challenge.

BLOGGING:

I believe I’m all caught up on my blog comments. WordPress ate my initial round. Aside from today’s #ROW80 post, I’ll be checking in with the lovely #wipmadness community tomorrow on Kim Baccellia’s blog.

It’s June, people. We’re past the halfway mark, the Mid-Point of the story that is 2013, if you will. Let’s make it a good one!

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June Writing/Reading Goals

Say hello to 2013, Part Two.

Half the year gone already? It’s unreal. To keep me grounded in the harsh reality of the quasi-masochistic writing life I’ve got some intense goals lined up for the month of June.

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(via http://bit.ly/1aMeINy)

WRITING:

1) JuNoWriMoLike Camp NaNoWriMo but not in April or July. Go fig. I’ve written at length of how awesome WriMos are so this is self-explanatory–and exciting. I can’t believe it’s already Day 01 and I’m here gushing about it instead of writing my novel!

2) Kiwi Writers SoCNoC. Southern Cross Novel Challenge. Much like JuNoWriMo, which is much like Camp NaNoWriMo… well, you get the idea… I’m not a Kiwi but they’ve welcomed me into the fold just the same. The SoCNoC also has mini-challenges throughout the month such as 6K in a day or for those who can’t complete 50K in a month, they can do 25K. Considering the next challenge below, I don’t think this will be an issue.

3) 25,000 Words in 7 Days. June 10th to June 16th. Last time I nearly reached 100 pages in 7 Days. Since I’m doing triple-duty for my Fractured Fairy Tale Series this month, I’m sure this’ll be a cakewalk, right? Here’s to hoping.

4) WRITE YOUR NOVEL THIS SUMMERJune 21st to September 21st. This will serve as a nice crossover into July’s Camp NaNoWriMo and yes, there’s a JulNoWriMo and an AugNoWriMo in my future. Go big or go home.

5) Just kidding. Do I really need any other writing challenges? Knowing me, I’d probably find some new challenge along the way and sign-up. I’ll keep ya posted.

READING:

So I wanted to continue the awesomeness that was #middlegrademay. Sadly, it is May no longer. The reading joy, however, continues.

1) 30 Books in 90 DaysI read ten for May, so this is possible… eeps. I came up with a list last night but it’s not set in stone. The first book I’ll be reading is DREAMLANDER by the fabulous K.M. WeilandThe second book is DOUBLE VISION by the equally fabulous F.T. BradleyI suddenly have the urge to create a penname with initials.

2) 48 Hour Book ChallengeJune 7th to June 9th. This challenge laughs in the face of 90 Days and orders me to read like mad for two days straight. And I say, bring it–well, maybe with some breaks and sleep and stuff.

Two’s good. We’re good here. Remember, I’m still writing in between the reading.

BLOGGING:

1) #ROW80It’s the last month for the check-ins every Sunday and Wednesday. After that’s over, I’ll still have my week in review each Sunday, but this has been a great way to maintain accountability. I can share my woes of reading through all my words and others and together commiserate and celebrate the beauty of storytelling.

2) #wipmadnessWe still have check-ins every Monday. Another group of wonderful people to help me keep accountable and sane in all things writerly.

BONUS:

For kicks, because, why not? I’m also making use of the treadmill while the Keysmashing Tots snooze. That’s until, of course, the weather improves. But since we live in Raincouver, treadmill it is. I say this looking out my window at a canvas of greys. For instance, there is gainsboro, light grey, silver, and dark grey, so far. But I digress. On the brighter side of grey, (every cloud has a gainsboro lining, it seems), this guarantees I have a minimum of thirty minutes everyday to devote to reading. Dontcha love multitasking?

Lastly, I’ve stopped using this wonderful app, but I might pick it up again. I love Duolingo and will continue with the Spanish lessons therein. I’d like to eventually learn all the languages they offer. Linguistics falls under the reading/writing scope and it’s also another fun way to fire up the synapses.

*phew* My fingers are tired from this post. I think I’ve got the second half of the year well in hand, yes?

Barring anything too crazy happening this month such as

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(via http://bit.ly/14hmxHH)

In the words of Joey Tribbiani, “How you doin’?”

#ROW80 Mid-Week Check-In 2013/05/29

WRITING:

July’s Camp NaNoWriMo is a month away. I decided to forego the extra masochism and NOT do JunoWriMo as originally planned. More worldbuilding, character sketches and plot development prep for Camp. I’m excited because I want to write the darned thing already–no. I will NOT join in JuNoWriMo… hehe (I have three days to decide. Man, I need to join WA: Writers Anonymous). *sigh* Something tells me I’m going to be doing JunoWriMo in some way or another especially with the challenge I’m about to tell ya about below.

In the meantime, there’s also WRITE YOUR NOVEL THIS SUMMER where we write our novel from June 21st to September 21st. I’ll give my current book in the series a tweak here in there while prepping for Camp. I love me some multitasking!

READING:

A few days left in the #middlegrademay challenge has me scrambling to read a few more titles. I still can’t believe I read seven books this month. *pats self on back* I’ll try for a couple more. I’m currently reading THE GIRL WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED FAIRYLAND IN A SHIP OF HER OWN MAKING by Catherynne M. Valente and INKHEART by Cornelia Funke. I’m excited that I’ve been such a reading machine. I’d like to continue the joy.

I’m ashamed and slightly appalled that I’ve read more this month than I have all last year. I mean, self kudos for the May Reading Challenge but super tsk tsk for letting the mental workouts slide. Reading is just as important to a writer’s arsenal as the act of writing itself. One enhances the appreciation for the other. It’s a symbiotic relationship that needs constant TLC. To that end, I’m considering a couple of reading challenges in June and will continue reading regardless of genre throughout the year because it’s the right thing to do.

==> 48 Hour Book Challenge from June 7-9 during which I shall read/blog like mad.

==> 30 Books in 90 Days begins June 1st. It’s pretty self-explanatory. Seeing my progress this month, I think I can up the ante and also vary the genres to keep things fresh. Oh, and I’ll still read more than one book at a time. LOL

BLOGGING:

The #ROW80 updates continue. Check-ins twice a week and also there are #wipmadness check-ins every Monday. I’ll keep everyone posted (and myself accountable) of my progress and my roadblocks.

Clear skies ahead… even in Raincouver! SO. EXCITED.

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#ROW80 Mid-Week Check-In & May Writing Goals

April was busy, crazy, hectic, awesome, draining, exhilarating and… over? 😦

Got some pretty badges for my efforts:

Camp-NaNoWriMo-2013-Winner-Lantern-Square-ButtonI ended Camp NaNoWriMo with 75,416 words. I had my ups and downs but writing sprints were super helpful. I also met fellow writers online. We supported each other through the sprints and gave moral support during times of brainstorming and times of utter frustration at getting those word counts! What’s great is that these writerly connections will continue on to future NaNos and other challenges in between. We’ll be beta-reading for each other, and maintain accountability for our goals throughout the year. I think that’s an even better prize than exceeding my word count targets. Mind you, I have many words to go in my Camp Nano fairytale mashup, but I’m excited at the prospect of worldbuilding and writing something outside my usual fare. I’m taking workshops to help write something this grand and hope that by the next Camp NaNo, I’ll have this story polished and will be ready to tuck in to Book Two in the series.

I also exceeded my word count targets for my Savvy Author April Boot Camp. I ended up with 75,145 words. I have more to go on this story, as well, and I can see heavy revisions for both in the near future. The Savvy Authors website is going under a revamp, so I’m not worried that we don’t have badges yet. I’m actually excited to see the new site that will be up soon. This story was also out of my usual genre, so I’m proud that I tried new writing projects in April.

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A through Z. Done. That was an interesting challenge. I started off ahead of the game but ran into some RL issues that kept me from hopping as much as I’d have liked. The blog topics themselves were interesting to brainstorm. As this is my first attempt at a blog, I think I got off to a great start. We’re asked to write a Blogging A to Z Challenge Reflections Post. Since today is a check-in for a pre-existing challenge and I have the next several Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays devoted to challenges, as well, I think I’ll do a special Reflections Post this Friday. I read that there is also an upcoming A to Z Road Trip Challenge. I’ll keep my eye out for something new like that. It’s a great way to use the alphabet as writing prompts and has helped me work on creative non-fiction. I’d say that’s an added bonus from this blogging challenge experience.

And now today, the first day of a new month of writing opportunities. Let’s have a run-down on what’s ahead for me:

1) Round of Words in 80 Days – Each Wednesday and Sunday I’ll be checking in to make sure I’m on track with my writing goals. Aside from the 100 Pages Challenge I’ll continue throughout the month with a focus on the fairytale mashup. If I can write more of the contemporary fic draft, I’ll do that, too. Camp may be over but the writing continues.

2) 100 Pages in 7 Days Challenge – 25,000 words from May 1st to May 7th. Today I wrote 3,872 words. If we count the standard 250 words to a page, that comes out to 15.488 pages. Just for fun, I’m going to round down and say I got 15/100 pages today.

3) Work on the blog. Blog at least twice a week. With these new challenges, I’ll be blogging at least three times a week. I might hold off on the aesthetics of the blog (i.e. web hosting, theme upgrade, etc.) and just work on building more content.

4) Read. READ MANY BOOKS with a focus this month on MG Lit. I had the good fortune of participating in March Madness, two years running. The hashtag and support continues throughout the year under #wipmadness. Last month, Ghost Girl (a.k.a. Mary Ann) hosted the weekly check-ins every Monday. After daily check-ins during March, I felt less pressure but just as much accountability, so it was a good thing.  This month, Deb Marshall is hosting and she also has a reading challenge for Middle Grade books. This is perfect to keep me motivated as I catch up on my reading. I’ll be posting and tweeting about that using #middlegrademay and it should be exciting. I miss reading fiction. I’ve been focused on writing reference and it would be good to dive back into the fictional world again.

So, this is me. May 1st, 2013. A lil’ bit o’ this. A lotta that. Writing, reading, and loving every minute of it. What’s your plan this month?

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