Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Edits/revisions on Garrett's book are moving forward. I'm happy with my progress but wish I was further along. At the same time, I don't want to rush the process and turn in a sub-par book to my editor. 

Motivational Quote:  "I do the very best I can to look upon life with optimism and hope." ~ Rosa Parks (American civil rights activist)

What I'm Reading:  I started reading The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score yesterday afternoon. I didn't get a chance to read this during the Christmas season so I decided to read it now while it's still cold and snowy outside.

Random Things:  The temperature reached 50 degrees in my area this past weekend. It was bright and sunny and "warm." Warm being a relative term but since we've had days where the high temperatures were in the 20's or lower, 50 almost felt like summer. I'm hoping winter is winding down. 

Random Photo:

 

I meant to include this photo in my 2/16 post. This is a bouquet of roses there were available for purchase at one of our local grocery stores for Valentine's Day. I'm not sure how I'd feel if someone gave me black roses. 

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I hit the 100 page mark in revisions. I still have two-thirds of the book to go. Despite that, I feel like I'm making good progress. I'm trying to do the developmental edits and line edits at the same time. I usually do them separately but this book is so far past its original publication deadline that I want to get my edits done so I can send it to my editor and beta readers by the end of March at the latest.

Motivational Quote:  "At the end of the day, you can't have it all. And if you take care of your mental well-being first, the rest will fall into place." ~ Simone Biles (American gymnast)

What I'm Reading:  I'm not reading anything at the moment. I'm going to the library this afternoon to pick a few books that I requested that have come in.

Random Things:  It was cold and snowy over the weekend so after I finished the usual Saturday housework, I did some baking. I made focaccia bread (our new favorite homemade bread) and tried a new recipe for peanut butter muffins. I love peanut butter so I had to try out the recipe. After I finished baking and cleaning up the kitchen, I curled up on the sofa with a book and a cup or two of tea. It was a nice way to spend the weekend.

Random Photo:

                                  Here's how the peanut butter muffins came out. 
 

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  It was a good week. I feel like I made good progress adding more words than I deleted while I worked on revising the first section of Garrett's story. 

Motivational Quote:  "Power is the ability to achieve purpose." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. 

What I'm Reading:  I started reading The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer yesterday afternoon. I haven't read anything by Ms. Thayer before.  

Random Things:  The quote above seemed really appropriate after last week. I used my power to get things done especially since I think I have a case of the winter blues. I didn't feel like doing anything but cuddling on the sofa with a book and a blanket and one of the cats last week. Despite feeling like that, I still made writing or I should say revising Garrett's book a priority and of course doing the every day things that life requires (cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping). Once I finished everything that needed to be done, then I indulged my desire to lounge on the sofa. I'm hoping this feeling of not wanting to do anything passes soon. 

Random Photo:

                                 I hope you had a fun and happy Valentine's Day

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I found a solution to a major plot point problem in Garrett's book. It'll require significant rewriting but I think it'll make the conflict between him and Dotty (the female main character) a lot stronger. I didn't get much editing done but still feel like the week was productive. Now that I know how to fix the big plot issue, I'm hoping the rewriting will go much quicker.

Motivational Quote:  Allow yourself to be human. Look around you. Celebrate the little wins. Accept the downfalls with as much grace as you can muster. ~ Molly Burford (American writer)

What I'm Reading:  I didn't read much of Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey last week. It wasn't a book for me. I'm currently reading The Reality of Everything by Rebecca Yarros. This is the fifth and final book in her Flight & Glory series. I should finish it this evening.

Random Things:  Most people in my area were disappointed that the groundhog saw his shadow on Feb. 2nd. Yes, I'm as tired of winter as everyone else, but it didn't matter to me whether the groundhog saw his shadow or not. We always have at least six more weeks of winter. Winter has never ended in February in my area. We're lucky if winter is over by mid-April or early May.

Random Photo:

  Mrs. Green was fascinated with the rotating circle of white dots during a Windows update
 

 

Monday Check In

 No post today. It's been a week. I sure hope the groundhog doesn't see his shadow.

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I've completed the edits for the first 65 pages or so of Garrett's story. I've hit the point where the first of the major rewrites will take place to close the gaping plot hole I found during my read through of the entire manuscript. I'm not certain how much writing I'll get done as there are a number of appointments this week. 

Motivational Quote:  "You get to pick what your life has time and room for. Be discerning." ~ Taylor Swift

What I'm Reading:  I'm going to start reading Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey this evening. The book has an interesting premise so we'll see how it goes. I've never read anything by Ms. Posey so I don't know what to expect.

Random Things:  I signed up for a class on hand lettering. I always wanted to learn calligraphy. The class will teach a much more basic form of it. I'm hoping with consistent practice I'll be able to master it enough to use on my handmade holiday and birthday cards instead of always relying on a stamped sentiment. 

Random Photo:

I'm not sure which thing Mrs. Green was happier about - that the Chewy order with her treats arrived or that she had a new box to take over.