Momentum Might Be Returning…

Sometime in June (I can’t find the card atm), I set a goal for myself of 1,000 words a day, no excuses.  When I first sit down to begin writing each day, I write the date on an index card, and the number of words currently in my manuscript. Once I reach 1,000 words more, I get to put a little star next to the number. On the rare occasion I write 2,000, I get to put a second star.  If I go over, that’s awesome, but it doesn’t count toward the next day. Later, if my word count reaches what it should have reached by a certain time, I can put a checkmark on the day I missed, but the opportunity for a star is lost.

Silly, I know.  But the system of goal-setting worked miracles for my momentum, and I finished the rough draft of my manuscript for Dusk Gate on July 16. My writing is definitely at its best when I’m writing at a speed of at least 1k a day… that’s when the magic starts happening, and my characters take over and make decisions for themselves. (Yes, I am a lunatic, why do you ask?)

After the sixteenth, I got wrapped up in revisions and edits and beta-readings, and website building, and lost my momentum for continuing the story in Book Two. By the end of July, I had only 596 words of it written.

So I started fresh on August 1. Dutifully wrote down 596, and tried to write. Didn’t make it. August 2 started at 904, tried to write. Didn’t happen. August  3 and I’m finally getting somewhere.  I started the day at 1,430, and I’m currently at 3,767.  That’s two stars, and two checkmarks.  I’m crossing my fingers that this means the momentum is back!

Happy Saturday

Saturdays are almost always happy, aren’t they? Even in the winter, I like Saturdays. A summer Saturday is just icing on the cake. And there was cake today, and much rejoicing. Today we celebrated the 18th birthday and the high school graduation of a dear family friend, Casey. Such an exciting time to see him happy and launching into the “adult world” (if you ever figure out what that means, Case, let me know!).

It makes me feel terribly old, though, because I distinctly remember being in the car on the way to the hospital to see and hold him on the day he was born. My mom was driving, which was an odd sensation at the time, because I’d had my driver’s license for almost exactly two months at that point and I had been doing most of the piloting. (And now, I’ve just told every math-literate person in the world EXACTLY how old I am).

Of course, I also remember holding him and cooing over him and being so, so grateful for his arrival to parents (and family and friends) who so desperately wanted him. It has been an honor and a privilege to watch you grow up, Casey. Congratulations!

Not so productive on the writing front today, unfortunately, but I suppose that not every day can be.  I do actually have followers on Twitter now — I guess I need to figure out what to do with them!

I did get to share a little bit of Dusk Gate at the party with one of my favorite, very enthusiastic, almost-eighth-graders, GD!  She said she loves it, which is encouraging me to finish with the prepublication stuff and get it out. 🙂

My Original Second Post – from the other blog!

Wow!  Actual comments on my first post. 🙂  I feel loved! I guess it’s time for a second one.

Yes, yes, I know. I’m going to have to get more creative with my blog titles.  There is just no room in my head for that yet between all of the reading about book marketing, and finishing editing, and beginning the second book, and KIDS.  Oh yes, my house is overflowing with children. My own Little Goose has been quite socialized this week with her cousin visiting from Nebraska (and MAN, does that girl have a social life for a nine-year-old who spends all of one week a year in the state! She has more friends here than I do.)

Aside from the Fantastic Cousin K, and her entourage, Little Goose has been spending time with my nephews, AND the kids that I watch, AND daily playdates with our sweet little neighbor. Our little home is one hopping place these days, and it’s wonderful.

At some point, I am probably going to have to attack Mount Laundrymore and actually do some folding, and the sand situation on the front porch is becoming desperate — I think I saw a camel poking around out there last night. (FWIW – a sand table is NOT a tidier option than a sandbox. Nor does it stop any small child from sitting in the sand and getting it inside his or her diaper/underwear) For right now, though, I’m just grateful to actually be completely absorbed with things that make me feel good and right and happy. It’s the first time in a long time, and it is amazing.

My first book, Dusk Gate: Seeds of Discovery is in the exceptionally fun stage – revising!  (No, really… I’m a compulsive editor/reviser — THIS is the fun part for me.) I’ve even seen some preliminary work for cover design.  And, I’m in the middle of the first chapter for the second book.  These days, I wish I didn’t need to sleep.

Thank you so much for the comments on my first post!  Kristy, I’m on my way over to your blog in a few minutes! www.kristykjames.com  Soon, I promise I’ll be reading The Reluctant Guardian — it’s my very next non-book marketing/designing/editing read!