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. 
 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I didn't make much progress on my revisions of Garrett's story. I found a major plot issue that is going to require major rewriting. I'm torn between leaving it for now and doing the other edits first or doing the edits until I get to the area that will need the complete rewrite then going on to finish the rest of the edits. I'm worried if I do the other things first, then the major rewrite, that the rewrite might cause other things to have to be changed or rewritten as well. I'll have to think about it for a bit, but honestly, it makes more sense to do the big rewrite first then fix/edit anything that comes after that.

Motivational Quote:  "Even if we are busy, we have time for what matters. And when we focus on what matters, we can build the lives we want in the time we've got." ~ Laura Vanderkam (American speaker)

What I'm Reading:  I started reading The Summer that Changed Everything by Brenda Novak on Friday. It wasn't a book I had on my To Be Read list, but I saw it at the library and the cover caught my eye so I added it to the small stack of books I was already going to borrow.  

Random Things:  I came across the motivational quote above in mid-December. It almost seemed as though the Universe was trying to tell me something as I had been complaining to a friend how I never seem to have time to do everything I want to do or need to do without feeling like I'm always falling behind in something. As I mentioned in last week's post, I'm trying to be more intentional in how I spend my time. It's too early to tell if the changes I've made are working as it's only been about 2 weeks, but I am feeling less stressed. 

Random Photo:

I didn't get a chance to post photos of the coffee cup I bought to use in the month of December so I thought I'd post it this week before I put it in the back of the cupboard until next December.