Category Archives: Writing Samples

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Try a Little…Artful Focus: ROW80 Update, May 19, 2013

Curious? Click here!

It’s been a different type of session, filled with new things and potential frustrations that I managed to turn into positives….it’s been fruitful, although not in the way I had intended.

Sometimes life’s like that.

On Wednesday, I joined #WIPpet Wednesday for the first time. It seems like the perfect way to post regularly to Trueborn Jottings, and get feedback on WIPs at the same time.

On Thursday, the children and I met friends at The Albany Institute of History and Art. It was our first trip, and we enjoyed it. On the way home, the strut that needed replacing gave up the ghost. Fortunately, we were close enough to limp home.

Then, I realized that I had erased several days’ worth of word processing, including many links for Sunday Sampler, and Annalise’s report. ACK!

Instead of freaking out, I took a couple of deep breaths, and decided to begin again, and get the reports done and submitted this weekend. I have many links, and,while I am sorry to have lost some, there will be others, I know.

All in all, a productive, if unexpected, session.

It’s Spring -even in the mall windows!

And now, a look at what I’ve done:

Noveling:

Complete To Be or Not to Be (double volume) by June 30.

  • (Will net two complete WIPs, once sorted).
  • Planned Chapter Twenty-Eight.
  • No new writing; kids’ reports took priority.
  • Pending.

A to Z post stories -Complete by June 30.

Brain and brain! What is brain?

Place stories into Scrivener files as expandable scenes.

  • Files created for both novels.
  • A-D stories placed, and highlighted for rough revision.
  • Pending.

Reread both; create to-do lists.

  • Rereading individual stories as I move them.
  • Will reread cohesively once all are placed and rough-revised.
  • Pending.

Blogging:

This session’s posts:

Continue throughout round:

Sharing posts from all blogs.

  • The sharing continues!
  • Target Attained!

Commenting according to my posted schedules.

  • Mostly. Laps into the overnight hours when I am nocturnal.
  • Pending.

Minecraft style!

Completed by May 15:

Create resource lists for all features, and add to them in an organic and ongoing way.

  • Templates have been created for all days except Thursday.
  • Dedicated resource files for Thursday – Sunday features.
  • Running a little late, but moving along.
  • Pending.

Completed by June 1:

Build scheduled posts two weeks ahead for each feature.

  • I have next week’s Saturday’s Share scheduled.
  • Monday-Friday posts are in various stages of completion.
  • Two more Saturday posts in progress, as well.
  • Making often sideways progress on this one!
  • Pending.

Networking:

Continue throughout round:

ROW80 updates and sponsor visits

  • Target attained!

Check weekly updates for blogs I follow, two Mondays each month.

  • Many blogs saved; some finding their way to various features.
  • Target attained!

Check WANA Facebook Group each Wednesday.

  • I remembered this – on Saturday!
  • Many links explored; some shared and/or saved for features.
  • Target attained – albeit a little late!

Comment on posts and share as inspired.

  • Yes and yes.
  • Target attained!

Use in features where appropriate.

  • Again, check. So much fun to share this way! =)
  • Target attained!

Create discussions around new thoughts.

  • Did this with several Facebook and Twitter items.
  • Target attained!

Zebra girl!

Facebook and Facebook Groups :

I fell away from my groups over the last months. Reconnect, participate, share.

  • Only minimal participation, as reports took precedence.
  • Still, I was present.
  • Target attained!

Twitter:

Visit each day; read, share, tweet, comment.

  • Not everyday – yet. I remembered on Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Tweetdeck is feeling more natural, and easier to navigate.
  • Pending.

Google +, LinkedIn, and Pinterest -

Visit each weekly for May, then evaluate by June 1.

  • I made it to Google +!
  • This feels like a HUGE accomplishment!
  • Pending.

Have fun with these – and, if not, let them go! =)

  • Google + was disorienting, but I could see it becoming fun!
  • Pending.

Real-life:

Continue participating in activities and connecting with friends. This tends to slide during busy writing times; take advantage of natural lulls to feed my social spirit.

  • Reconnected with Eden Mabee and her son. We all enjoyed a visit to a local art museum the kids and I hadn’t visited yet. Lovely art, and mummies, too! Photos pending.
  • Potential plans to meet another friend.
  • Annalise and I are planning a girls-only movie date to see Epic.
  • Target attained!

Anatomy of the human heart….

Return to WANATribe – by May 10:

Check back on WANA113 and Writing Moms class groups.

  • Downloaded all my missed lessons.
  • Read all of the WANA113 lessons.
  • Pending.

Explore other groups I have joined there.

  • A quick peek. Getting my toes damp.
  • Pending.

Other Writing:

Children’s Third-Quarter Homeschooling Reports: Due on June 1.

(Submit to district by May 25.)

  • Completed both reports.
  • They need proofing, and will be submitted before school opens on Monday.
  • Pending.

Revise three flash fiction WIPs using Sarah Selecky’s Deep Revisions exercises: (Complete all by end of round.)

  • Assessed where I am in each story.
  • Pending.

Queen of My Infinite Spaces (poetry volume):

Revise poems and end matter by end of this round.

  • Highlighting for future revision: 13 of 31 poems.
  • Pending.

My most recent fortnightly (or so) long term goals evaluation.

Progress on my Blogging Action Plan (updating Sunday night)

Progress on my Noveling Action Plan (updating Sunday night)

It’s a ROW80 BLOG HOP!

Heaven on Earth, Annalise style!

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Noveling Action Plan – 2013

April Camp NaNo – (April 1-30)

 

Novels pending completion (75,000 word goal exceeded) :

 

  • Sima Garo Provides – Complete!

 

  • Blood and Breath – Pending.

 

  • To Be or Not to Be – Pending.

 

In May:

 

Read through A to Z stories.

 

Revise, and create rough plans and story arcs the rest of Spock and Niaan’s Trueborn Warp and Weft stories….

 

  • These should carry both through the moment of truth when they choose their own destiny, by means of an act that cannot be revoked….namely, killing Kaitiiraan, and accepting appointment to Starfleet Academy.

 

Complete Sima Garo Provides, with a May 5 target date.

 

  • Completed!

 

Complete Blood and Breath, with a June 1 target date.

 

  • 86,072 of 100,00 words on May 15.

 

Continue To Be or Not to Be, with a June 30 target date.

 

  • 110,019 of 200,000 words on May 15.

 

In June:

 

Complete To Be or Not to Be rough draft.

 

Flesh out plans for the Trueborn stories (pending working titles); prepare for July drafting.

  • Spock’s story
  • Niaan’s story

 

Reread and create To-Do lists for:

 

  • Chameleon’s Dish

 

  • Bounded by a Nutshell

 

 

Once the lists are complete for these three, begin prioritizing the lists, so that August and September can be used for mass editing runs….with lots of focus available.

 

In July:

 

Camp NaNo, and plan to FastDraft (take the class before that!) both Trueborn Stories during the month (remembering that things may slow down during Rock the Campground).

 

  • Spock’s story: 50,000 words
  • Niaan’s story: 50,000 words
  • Total target: 100,000 words

 

Finish prioritized editing lists if not previously completed.

 

 

In August and September:

 

First Editing Run using To Do lists:

 

  • Chameleon’s Dish
  • Bounded by a Nutshell

     

 

In October:

 

Create a timeline if not already done, and note gaps for late 2013 and 2014 work.

 

  • The timeline should be both virtual and physical.
  • Brainstorm and explore projects that will fill these gaps, so that all portions of the saga will be in progress by the end of 2014.

 

Also create a plan (idea to plan) for King of Shreds and Patches (the ST:TMP to [near] STII:TWOK Spock storyline).

 

  • Collect existing scenes and experimentations, and possibly create new flash fiction for this novel.
  • Use this plan to create an outline.

 

Sign up for NaNo, and, if time permits, consider further the Kirana/Andrew and Tisira/Henry storylines….

  • Just play with these, for now…flash and freewriting.

 

In November:

 

COMPLETE a draft of King of Shreds and Patches….remember that it must ultimately fit around and through Sima Garo Provides.

 

  • I hope to complete what will essentially be a double NaNo…a complete 100 thousand word draft!

 

In December:

 

Wrap up Primary editing runs (To-Do lists) for:

 

  • Chameleon’s Dish
  • Bounded by a Nutshell

 

Sketch out plans for first half of 2014, which will include:

 

Beta readings of:

 

  • Chameleon’s Dish
  • Bounded by a Nutshell

 

 

Editing To Do Lists for:

 

  • Sima Garo Provides
  • Blood and Breath
  • To Be or Not to Be

 

Flesh out explorations/ play with flash fiction for remaining “gap” novels.

 

  • Use 750 Words, and a dedicated notebook.

 

Rough schedule for the rest of 2014.

 

  • Assess status of all existing and planned projects, and move forward with plnning.

 

WOW!!!!

 

That was a pretty comprehensive and exciting list! And now, I feel I have a direction to move in, and a focus.

 

Also, with the techniques I have learned, am learning, and will be learning, I believe this list is not only possible, but attainable with sanity…..and while blogging, working on Queen of My Infinite Spaces, and writing flash fiction and essays…..and while learning more about the business side of writing….and while continuing to be an active participant in the groups and communities that fit me, and while pursuing my other writing goals….

 

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Try a Little…Acceptance: ROW80 Update, May 12, 2013

Curious? Click here!

Today is a day of interwoven memory and emotion for me….a paradox beyond untangling.

It’s Mother’s Day, here in America, and I am the mom of three children – two living, and one not.

I have a mother. We are estranged. I would like things to be otherwise, but this is the most peaceful and healthy choice I see, now.

I’m learning to accept the paradox of these things, to let them be as they are.

Today has another reason to be special for me.

Sixteen years ago, in beautiful turquoise water deep within the Grand Canyon, a man named Jim held me in his arms and asked me to marry him.

I said yes.

Not every moment has been happy, or could be. We’ve had tragedy – Elijah’s death, more minor catastrophes like Jim’s motorcycle accident, or the time I lost the house payment…

There have been disagreements, arguments, disputes, and downright ugly fights – not too many, and tapering off as we two people who didn’t learn how to handle conflict healthily as children learn more and more to get it right.

We are partners, friends, lovers – the shadows of the hard times are contrast for the prevailing sunshine of peace, love, and passion.

Our Beautiful Tiny Tiger, Elijah James (July13-25,2003)

I choose to celebrate the joys, sorrows, and ambivalence of this day – to accept, and not hide from, the feelings it brings.

Resistance brings too much pain, as I struggle against realities I can’t change. Acceptance allows peace. It allows me to embrace what is joyful, rather than fixating on what is less so.

Are there difficult things you’ve learned to accept – or still struggle with? Has acceptance or struggle shaped your life?

There will be more about my own paradoxical relationship with Mother’s Day in tomorrow’s Coffee and Conversation post.

And now, a look at where things stand, ROW80-wise:

Noveling:

CompleteBlood and Breath by June 1.

  • Completed Chapter 16;Scenes 2 and 3.
  • WIP Total: 84,484 of 100,000 words.
  • Pending.

Complete To Be or Not to Be (double volume) by June 30.

  • (Will net two complete WIPs, once sorted).
  • Chapter Twenty-Seven – in progress.
  • WIP total: 109,216 of 200,000 words.
  • Pending.

 

In the hurricane booth…April 2013.

Blogging:

Continue throughout round:

Sharing posts from all blogs.

  • The sharing continues!
  • Target Attained!

Commenting according to my posted schedules.

  • I’m running a few hours late, and hope I will be forgiven.
  • Pending.

Completed by May 10:

Revise my blogging action plan and post.

  • Done (on May 11)! I will share it across all blogs, in the near future.
  • Target attained (just a bit later)!

Revise and post my blogging schedule.

  • Posted on May 12.
  • Target attained (a bit late)!

Completed by May 15:

Create resource lists for all features, and add to them in an organic and ongoing way.

  • Creating templates and resource files as I prepare posts.
  • Pending.

Completed by June 1:

Build scheduled posts two weeks ahead for each feature.

  • One week ahead forSaturday’s Share.
  • Next weeks’ posts in progress or scheduled.
  • Templates created for several features – adding organically.
  • Excellent blog building session!
  • Pending.

 

Joined hands, full hearts, open minds…July 4, 2010.

By End of Round:

Draft plan for website hosting expenses (where will money come from?).

  • I will be saving most of my spending money. Currently: $72 of $350 saved. On my way to a website of my own!
  • Considering a few other options…more on that later.
  • Pending.

Networking:

Continue throughout round:

ROW80 updates and sponsor visits

  • Current session done. Back visits nearly caught up.
  • Pending.

Check weekly updates for blogs I follow, two Mondays each month.

  • I checked my email this week, but haven’t been back to do anything with the many intriguing posts I found.
  • Pending.

Comment on posts and share as inspired.

  • Yes and yes.
  • Target attained!

Use in features where appropriate.

  • Again, check. So much fun to share this way! =)
  • Target attained!

Create discussions around new thoughts.

  • Did this with several Facebook items.
  • Target attained!

 

In the beginning….August 23, 1997.

Facebook and Facebook Groups :

I fell away from my groups over the last months. Reconnect, participate, share.

  • More Facebook time this session, to browse and re-immerse. Comments, shares, statuses, a bit of groups stuff.
  • Target attained!

Real-life:

Continue participating in activities and connecting with friends. This tends to slide during busy writing times; take advantage of natural lulls to feed my social spirit.

  • Reconnected with a friend. Trying to schedule a get-together for us and kids this month.
  • Surprise opportunity to meet a virtual friend in real-time next month! Wahoo! =D
  • Target attained!

Return to WANATribe – by May 10:

Check back on WANA113 and Writing Moms class groups.

  • Quick check on WANA 113 – I’ve missed a lot, there! I will be scheduling time to read and move through lessons in the next week or two.
  • Peeked at Writing Moms. Things to catch up on there, too!
  • Pending.

 

Smaller kids, same joy!

Other Writing:

Children’s Third-Quarter Homeschooling Reports: Due on June 1.

(Submit to district by May 25.)

  • Completed Annalise’s Writing/Spelling section;English Language Usage section nearing completion.
  • Pending.

Queen of My Infinite Spaces (poetry volume):

Revise poems and end matter by end of this round.

  • Highlighting for future revision: 7 out of 31 poems.
  • Pending.

My most recent fortnightly (or so) long term goals evaluation.

It’s a BLOG HOP!

Must be time for cheese and nuts! All of us, together, 2009ish sometime.

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General Blogging Action Plan (for all blogs)

General Blogging Action Plan (for all blogs)

Will complete during ROW80 Rounds 2 and 3; 2013

First Priority:

  • Develop and post Individual Action Plans through 2013.

  • Write and post Mission Statements.

  • Post Features Schedules.

  • Rewrite bio/abouts.

  • Build post and draft queues.

  • Resource lists and files for all features.

Second Priority:

  • Experiment with Image/Logo.

  • Tidy Sidebars.

  • Revamp Headers – a good space for trying out logos.

  • Evaluate pages.

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Wait a While: ROW80 Update, May 8, 2013

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I’m getting back into a more relaxed rhythm, after the intensity of April. I’ve resumed charting time and activities, and creating daily goals lists.

I love lists. I tend to like things simple, clean, and uncluttered. My lists and charts, tidily stored away in a notebook, allow me structure, with room to adapt and change and play around. They keep me happy, and productive.

I’m not fully into the swing of things with social media and flash fiction. I am in a semi- metamorphosis, after so much doing and creating. I’ve mostly been dropping in to share. I don’t need more, just now, and I am trusting that instinct. It will be followed by another period of social activity, and then another lull…

Ebbs and flows – there is an ease in riding their waves that I never felt when I resisted, trying to do and be against my tides…

My diverse and plentiful goals allow me to sample, nibble, or devour. They give me structure I to focus and strive, and freedom to flow with my energies and inspirations.

How about you? Are you a planner, a pantser, or, like me, a little of both? How do you approach your goals?

 

White birches against sky…

And now, a look at this session:

Noveling:

Revise my noveling action plan and post by May 15.

  • Pending.

Complete Sima Garo Provides by May 5.

  • Target attained!

CompleteBlood and Breath by June 1.

  • Reread current chapter-in-progress and outline.
  • Planned 2 scenes.
  • Wrote Chapter 16, Sc. 3
  • WIP total: 82,208 words.
  • Pending.

Complete To Be or Not to Be (double volume) by June 30.

  • (Will net two complete WIPs).
  • Pending.

A to Z post stories -Complete by June 30.

 

Letting sleeping cats lie…

Place stories into Scrivener files as expandable scenes.

  • Pending.

Reread both; create to-do lists.

  • Pending.

Plan WIPS.

  • Pending.

Blogging:

shanjeniah:

The Unfettered Life:

 

Nascent Irises!

Continue throughout round:

Sharing posts from all blogs.

  • Target Attained!

Answering comments according to my posted schedules.

  • Monday’s comments answered, overlapping with Tuesday morning.
  • Target attained!

Completed by May 10:

Revise my blogging action plan and post.

  • Pending.

Revise and post my blogging schedule.

  • Pending.

 

Squeak and “Baby” Achoo napping.

Completed by May 15:

Create resource lists for all features, and add to them in an organic and ongoing way.

  • Continuing while creating weekly features.
  • Created a template for Sunday Sampler.
  • Pending. 

Begin reviewing Trueborn Jottings – bring into alignment with current vision for this blog.

  • Pending.

Completed by June 1:

Build scheduled posts two weeks ahead for each feature.

  • Pending.

Completed by June 10:

Have two more posts for each feature in drafts queue.

  • Pending.

Maintain as additional safety margin.

  • Pending.

 

Annalise in profile – not quite 9.

By End of Round:

Draft plan for website hosting expenses (where will money come from?).

  • I will be saving my personal s allowance, when not used.
  • Pending.

Networking:

Continue throughout round:

ROW80 updates and sponsor visits

  • Pending.

Check weekly updates for blogs I follow, two Mondays each month.

  • Checked on Monday…will save to a resource file and read in coming days.
  • Pending.

Check WANA Facebook Group each Wednesday.

  • Pending.

Comment on posts and share as inspired.

  • Pending.

Use in features where appropriate.

  • Pending. 

Create discussions around new thoughts.

  • Monday’s post inspired quite a lot of conversation. =)
  • Target attained!

 

Life and death…

Facebook and Facebook Groups :

I fell away from my groups over the last months. Reconnect, participate, share.

  • A bit more dabbling, easing in.
  • Target attained!

Twitter:

Visit each day; read, share, tweet, comment.

  • Sharing more than anything, still….slow reintroduction.
  • Pending.

Google +, LinkedIn, and Pinterest -

Visit each weekly for May, then evaluate by June 1.

  • Pending.

Have fun with these – and, if not, let them go! =)

  • Pending.

Real-life:

Continue participating in activities and connecting with friends. This tends to slide during busy writing times; take advantage of natural lulls to feed my social spirit.

  • Nothing yet – getting ready to ease back in…
  • Pending.

 

Strong and happy!

Return to WANATribe – by May 10:

Check back on WANA113 and Writing Moms class groups.

  • Pending.

Explore other groups I have joined there.

  • Pending.

Post to WANATribe blog, and update page – by May20.

  • Pending.

Visit WANA friends….invite more, as inspired.

  • Pending.

Other Writing:

Children’s Third-Quarter Homeschooling Reports: Due on June 1.

(Submit to district by May 25.)

  • Annalise’s Reading section completed. Writing/Spelling section in progress.
  • Pending.

Revise three flash fiction WIPs using Sarah Selecky’s Deep Revisions exercises: (Complete all by end of round.)

“A Splash of Red” :

  • Pending.

“Morning Coffee”:

  • Pending.

“Peach Liqueur Love”:

  • Pending.

 

My girl. =)

Queen of My Infinite Spaces (poetry volume):

Revise poems and end matter by end of this round.

  • Poems 3-6 of 31 highlighted for later editing.
  • Pending.

Canvas for beta readers.

  • Pending.

Complete Ursula LeGuin’s Steering the Craft(by end of round).

Do exercises, using existing WIPs where possible, for efficiency. Complete by end of round.

  • Pending.

There….I think that’s a pleasing buffet enough, for now. I will revisit in a fortnight, and see how I feel about them then.

My most recent fortnightly (or so) long term goals evaluation.

It’s a BLOG HOP!

Two formerly feral felines.. at home on my bed. Peace.

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Try a Little…Change: ROW80 Update, May 5, 2013

Curious? Click here!

Okay, it’s May. I haven’t posted an update in a week and a half – I needed a breather after out of state travel and winning my fifth NaNoWriMo challenge. I kicked back and puttered. I celebrated the win, and took time for resetting, catching up on a few dangling ends, renewing, and evaluating where I am and where I want to be at the end of this round.

I left my charting notebook alone. I wrote no daily goals lists. I dabbled at this and that, enjoyed the lovely spring air, and recuperated from an intense month of writing and doing. It was lovely.

What I’ve done:

April CampNaNo – Exceeded goal of 75,000 words, split between 3 WIPs .

  • Originally hoped to complete all three, but that will take longer.
  • Moved all three novels further along, and am well pleased with the progress.
  • Final count: 78,251 words.
  • Target surpassed!

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge – Completed.

  • Received some great feedback on the stories, and attracted new followers.
  • Developed two more Trueborn Warp/Weft storylines.
  • Increased my visits and shares from 2012.
  • Target attained!

Blogging -More consistent than ever before, even with the challenges.

  • Some lapses in my intended schedule, but blogging remained a part of my weekly activities.
  • Gained insights that will prove useful in keeping up with future consistent blogging through challenges.

Ample time with my family.

  • Several outings, a large trip, and many times of family connection throughout the month.
  • Target attained!

Plum tree in bloom. Photo credit:kbowenriter, courtesy WANA Commons.

And now, a look to the future:

Noveling:

Revise my noveling action plan and post by May 15.

  • Pending.

Complete Sima Garo Provides by May 5.

  • Epilogue completed 12:20am, May 5.
  • WIP first draft: 110,659 words.
  • Target attained!

Complete Blood and Breath by June 1.

  • Needs approximately 20,000 words.
  • Pending.

Complete To Be or Not to Be (double volume) by June 30.

  • Needs approximately 90,000 words (Will net two complete WIPs, once sorted).
  • Pending.

A to Z post stories -Complete by June 30.

Place stories into Scrivener files as expandable scenes.

  • Pending.

Reread both; create to-do lists.

  • Pending.

Plan WIPS.

  • Pending.

 

 

Yellow blooms. Photo credit:Melinda VanLone; courtesy WANA Commons.

Blogging:

Continue throughout round:

Sharing posts from all blogs.

  • Target Attained!

Commenting according to my posted schedules.

  • Comments were off schedule for a while, but are now on track.
  • Pending.

Completed by May 10:

Revise my blogging action plan and post.

  • Pending.

Revise and post my blogging schedule.

  • Pending.

Completed by May 15:

Create resource lists for all features, and add to them in an organic and ongoing way.

  • Continuing this, and evolving.
  • Target attained!

Begin reviewing Trueborn Jottings – bring into alignment with current vision for this blog.

  • Pending.

Completed by June 1:

Build scheduled posts two weeks ahead for each feature.

  • Maintain as safety margin.
  • I scheduled two Saturday’s Share posts.
  • Scheduled through May 18.
  • Pending.

Completed by June 10:

Have two more posts for each feature in drafts queue.

  • Pending.

Maintain as additional safety margin.

  • Pending.

By End of Round:

Draft plan for website hosting expenses (where will money come from?).

  • Pending.

 

Yum! Photo Credit: Jordan L. Hawk; courtesy WANA Commons.

Networking:

Continue throughout round:

ROW80 updates and sponsor visits

  • Have fallen behind; will catch up.
  • Pending.

Check weekly updates for blogs I follow, two Mondays each month.

  • Pending.

Check WANA Facebook Group each Wednesday.

  • Pending.

Comment on posts and share as inspired.

  • Target attained!

Use in features where appropriate.

  • Target attained!

Create discussions around new thoughts.

  • Target attained!

Facebook and Facebook Groups :

I fell away from my groups over the last months. Reconnect, participate, share.

  • A smallish, getting-my-feet-rewet beginning.
  • Target attained!

Twitter:

Visit each day; read, share, tweet, comment.

  • Pending.

Google +, LinkedIn, and Pinterest -

Visit each weekly for May, then evaluate by June 1.

  • Pending.

Have fun with these – and, if not, let them go! =)

  • Pending.

 

Crocus loveliness! Photo credit: EK Carmel; Courtesy WANA Cammons.

Real-life:

Continue participating in activities and connecting with friends. This tends to slide during busy writing times; take advantage of natural lulls to feed my social spirit.

  • Long weekend with friends last weekend; still recovering from social intensity.
  • Target attained!

Return to WANATribe – by May 10:

Check back on WANA113 and Writing Moms class groups.

  • Pending.

Explore other groups I have joined there.

  • Pending.

Post to WANATribe blog, and update page – by May20.

  • Pending.

Visit WANA friends….invite more, as inspired.

  • Pending.

 

Wild beauty. Photo credit: LE Carmichael; Courtesy WANA Commons.

Other Writing:

Children’s Third-Quarter Homeschooling Reports: Due on June 1.

(Submit to district by May 25.)

  • I have begun Annalise’s report, and am moving through her Reading section.
  • Pending.

Revise three flash fiction WIPs using Sarah Selecky’s Deep Revisions exercises: (Complete all by end of round.)

“A Splash of Red” :

  • Pending.

“Morning Coffee”:

  • Pending.

“Peach Liqueur Love”:

  • Pending.

 

OOH! Photo credit EK Carmel; Courtesy WANA Commons.

Queen of My Infinite Spaces (poetry volume):

Revise poems and end matter by end of this round.

  • Highlighted passages and phrases for further attention – first two poems.
  • Pending.

Canvas for beta readers.

  • Pending.

Complete Ursula LeGuin’s Steering the Craft(by end of round).

Do exercises, using existing WIPs where possible, for efficiency. Complete by end of round.

  • Pending.

There….I think that’s a pleasing buffet enough, for now. I will revisit in a fortnight, and see how I feel about them then.

My most recent fortnightly (or so) long term goals evaluation.

It’s a BLOG HOP!

Splendor. Photo Credit: Dave R Farmer; Courtesy WANA Commons.

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Trying, Waiting, and Watching: ROW80 Update, 4/17/13

Curious? Click here!

Spring is here, and with it come transitions. I’m well into Blood and Breath, now, and Sima Garo Provides is a few scenes from completion. I’m getting the feel of how to manage the blogging with the intense noveling, and managing to get some of the smaller, easy-to-set-aside projects tended to, instead.

On Tuesday, I went to the Y for a swim. It’s the first time I’ve swum laps in several months, and I had almost forgotten how meditative that is, for me. After, I had a soak in the hot tub, and then headed home. Jim took the kids out for a few hours, to visit cousins and grocery shop, and I was alone in the house for the first time in three weeks. I sank into solitude, and appreciation for a spouse who cleaned before he left!

Now, it’s Wednesday. I didn’t sleep well, or long, and dreamed – in unsettled tangles (I have not been focused on the news, as I prefer to focus instead on peaceful intentions, but I feel the pain and fear keenly). I’ve been tired, achy, and seemingly on the verge of a cold all day. So, I am resting, writing, and puttering about the house with the TV on. Both kids are also tired, after a late night out. 9:30 pm, and Annalise has been asleep for an hour or so (Likely, she’ll wake and be up a while later, before sleeping for the night).

So, we have had a quiet day. The boy who lives on the corner came by for a while; he’s pleasant, and the kids enjoy playing with him, and he with our pets (he has none). We opened some windows, and the door to our enclosed porch, and allowed the air to freshen.

I’m enjoying this, and needing it. We have two activities planned for the weekend, and the kids and I will be traveling to see our New Jersey friends, next weekend.

So this is, in some senses, the calm before the storm….

How’s the “writing weather” where you are? Calm and cool? Hot and hectic? Changing every time you blink?

My  dream, in cans of food. New York State Museum, April, 2013

ROW80 Progress:

Blogging:

The Unfettered Life:

  • None this session.

shanjeniah:

Trueborn Jottings: Note: These posts contain adult themes and mild erotica. Discretion is advised.

Current Targets:

Gather reblog possibilities into resource files.

  • I am mostly throwing these on random posts, for now.

  • I have a plan in mind; will implement in bits and pieces in the coming weeks.

  • Pending.

All features scheduled on time, or a day ahead.

  • Still a bit tangly, but I am adapting.

  • Pending.

Fine-tune and streamline blogging prep– experiment and tinker.

  • More mild experimentation with prep work and resource gathering.

  • Decided to make an action plan for this.

  • Pending.

Annalise explores architecture at the museum.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge:

Current Targets:

Visit other participants as I can; share posts I like.

  • None this session.

  • Pending.

Update A to Z page with links; keep current.

  • Links updated during ROW80 update.

  • Target attained!

April CampNaNoWriMo:

Current Targets:

Update CampNaNo word count daily; page at end of each 10-day session.

  • Continuing site updating roughly daily.

  • Blog page updating pending.

Visit forums.

  • Pending.

Visit tentmates.

  • Pending.

Add word counter widgets/ participant badge to Trueborn Jottings.

  • Participation badges added.

  • Pending.

Art from the Eric Carle Museum…

Sima Garo Provides, NaNo 2012: Secondary WIP, nearing completion. (Focus WIP for April 1-10.)

Current Targets:

Continue writing. Aim for planning and/or 500 word/day, completed by April 21.

  • Sunday: 875 words.

  • Monday: 788 words.

  • Tuesday: 0 words.

  • Missed Tuesday. Workout, blog prep, Blood and Breath focus.

Continue updating outline as writing progresses.

  • Target attained!

Update NaNo page to reflect progress.

  • Pending.

Complete novel draft.

  • Currently: 98,106 words, Ch. 19,Sc. 2 pending.

  • Pending.

Mario can!

Blood and Breath, NaNo 2009: (Focus WIP for April 11- 20.)

Current Targets:

Continue outline expansion.

  • .Monday, Tuesday. Nearing the end.

  • Target attained.

Use 750 Words for story planning notes.

  • Monday, Tuesday.

  • I have been moving these to Scrivener, and revising and expanding the freewritings to draft each section. It seems to be taking up to an hour off the writing time for each scene.

  • Target attained!

Write 2500 words (two scenes) daily until April 21.

  • Sunday: 0 Words

  • Monday: 2646 Words (Chapter 13 , Sc. 1-2).

  • Tuesday: 2517 Words (Chapter , Sc. ).

  • Missed Sunday -family time.

Complete novel draft.

  • Currently: 67, 121 words, (Chapter 14 pending).

  • Pending.

Art appreciation, unschool style. =)

To Be or Not to Be, August CampNaNo, 2012: (Focus WIP for April 21-30).

Targets:

  • Move to Scrivener.

  • Complete freewritings for conclusion outline.

  • Pending.

ROW80  -

Current Targets:

Keep current with visits.

On-time updates:

  • Target attained!

Yup.

Deep Revision for Flash Fiction (Set aside for now)

Targets:

Resume current exercises for “Morning Coffee”

  • Nothing this session.

  • Pending.

Complete second setting exercise for “Peach Liqueur Love”

  • Nothing this session.

  • Pending.

Begin Part 3 exercises with “A Splash of Red”.

  • Nothing this session.

  • Pending.

Queen of My Infinite Spaces (poetry book) : (Will be begun after April)

Targets:

  • Revise poems.

  • Revise endmatter.

  • Canvas for beta-readers.

  • Pending.

My long-term goals and first Round 2 bi-weekly evaluation. Next evaluation will be posted on Sunday, April 18.

It’s a BLOG HOP!

That smile says it all!

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Wait a While – My 300th Post: ROW80 Update, 4/10/13

Curious? Click here!

Have you ever found that the best thing you can do is wait?

I’m waiting. I’ve decided to take on no new targets, this session, and to set a few aside for the time being, as I focus on my blogging, Camp NaNo, ROW80, and Blogging from A to Z projects.

May will bring a quieter space, but, for now, things were just a little too crowded.

Good thing “Wait a while” was one of the components of this session’s theme. Pretty smart of me to cut myself some slack that way!

I waited, too, with the marital turbulence of last week. Jim often needs time to open to my point of view. Tuesday, the atmosphere was right to explore what happened, and the deeper things beneath it. We spent hours. I wrote less than I had planned, but my marriage has grown deeper, more connected, and healthier (and I am blessed with a fulfilling partnership with my best friend, already).

Sometimes, waiting is the best thing we can do.

And, yes, this is my 300th post on this blog. That feels like an accomplishment worth a few moments’ personal celebration….shared with you, the people who inspire the posts.

Thank you! Thank you all! I’d tip my hat, if I were wearing one! =)

ROW80 Progress:

Blogging:

shanjeniah:

Trueborn Jottings: Note: These posts contain adult themes and mild erotica. Discretion is advised.

Current Targets:

Gather reblog possibilities into resource files.

  • Beginning with Time Machine Tuesday.

  • Experimenting with format.

  • Pending.

Continue on-time posts for all blogs, using reblogs where/when needed.

  • Reblogged a ROW80 sponsor post for this Monday’s Coffee and Conversation feature (late; see above).

  • Time Machine Tuesday on schedule.

  • Target (mostly) attained!

Fine-tune and streamline blogging prep– experiment and tinker.

  • Mild experimentation with prep work and resource gathering.

  • Pending.

Introduce Time Machine Tuesday.

  • This format is likely to evolve, but the inaugural post went out on schedule.

  • Target attained!

Curious? Click here!

Blogging from A to Z Challenge:

Current Targets:

Schedule all A to Z posts.

  • X is for: Xanaas the Healer and Y is for: Yearnings (April 27 and 29) scheduled.

  • 1 more to go!

  • Pending.

Visit other participants as I can; share posts I like.

  • None this session.

  • Will make a push once things smooth out a bit.

  • Pending

Update A to Z page with links; keep current.

  • Pending.

Curious? Click here!

April CampNaNoWriMo:

Current Targets:

Update CampNaNo word count daily; page at end of each 10-day session.

  • Not always before midnight, but before I slept.

  • Current word count is: 22,862 out of 75,000 words.

  • Target attained!

Visit forums.

  • Pending.

Visit tentmates.

  • Pending.

Add word counter widgets/ participant badge to Trueborn Jottings.

  • Pending.

,Sima Garo Provides,NaNo 2012:

Current Targets:

Complete expanded outline.

  • I completed this on Monday, April 8, with three days left to focus on this draft.

  • Target attained!

Updated outline daily.

  • Continuing…it really helps to set up the next day’s writing.

  • Target attained!

Continue writing 2500 words daily (roughly two scenes).

  • Sunday: 2628 words (Ch. 16, Sc. 1And 2) – best day so far!

  • Monday: 2511 words (Ch. 17, Sc. 1 and 2)

  • Tuesday: 2526 words (Ch. 17, Sc. 3 and 4)

Use 750 Words for daily writing notes.

  • So far, so good…this is a vital part of the plan!

  • Target attained!

Complete novel draft.

  • Due to be completed by midnight, Wednesday, April 10.

  • If not completed, I will continue to add words in bits and pieces, until finished.

  • I am approximately two chapters and an epilogue from the end.

  • Pending.

Blood and Breath, NaNo 2009:

Current Targets: (I will begin focusing on this WIP on April 11.)

Blend outline with story arc.

  • After rereading and prioritizing through outline, and skimming the story arc, I’ve decided to set the arc aside until I am ready for revisions, and work from the more concise outline.

  • Target attained!

Begin expansion, if necessary.

  • This outline is more expansive than the one for Sima Garo Provides; I will be able to flesh it out more quickly.

  • Pending.

Color-block document, according to priority.

  • Target attained!

Begin writing.

  • Pending.

To Be or Not to Be, August CampNaNo, 2012: (I will begin focus on this WIP on April 21).

Targets:

  • Move to Scrivener.

  • Complete freewritings for conclusion outline.

  • Pending.

ROW80  -

New Targets:

Complete and submit sponsor post.

  • Moving through extensive rewrites; getting closer.

  • Pending.

Get current with visits.

  • Caught up on Sunday.

  • Target attained!

On-time updates.

  • Pending.

Deep Revision for Flash Fiction (may be set aside for April)

Pending Targets:

Resume current exercises for “Morning Coffee”

  • Nothing this session.

  • Pending.

Complete second setting exercise for “Peach Liqueur Love”

  • Nothing this session.

  • Pending.

Read Deep Revision Part 3.

  • Completed the reading on Sunday.

  • Target attained!

Begin Part 3 exercises with “A Splash of Red”.

  • Nothing this session.

  • Pending.

Queen of My Infinite Spaces (poetry book) : (Will be begun after April)

New Targets:

  • Revise poems.

  • Revise endmatter.

  • Canvas for beta-reader

I will be posting my long-term goals, at my first bi-weekly evaluation, on Sunday, April 14.

It’s a BLOG HOP!

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Trustful Renaissance – ROW80 Update, March 24, 2013

It’s the end of Round One, and, yet, somehow, I feel like I’m at the beginning of things.

 I’ve never felt this way at the end of the round, before….and I like it. It’s breathing and ease and possibility into life that have been in short supply, in previous rounds, as I careened madly toward the finish line, fixated on those goal I hadn’t accomplished yet, trying to squeeze everything in before the “deadline”.

Now I see that that was a mistake, for me.

The deadline is arbitrary. Just a pause, a breathing space, a time to evaluate and make shifts where needed, and to rest a bit…something like a vacation – or, in this case, a long weekend.

It’s not a finish line or a report card. It’s me, striving toward the life I imagine, taking steps along the trail that is already carrying me there.

So, this time, I have a different feeling. It’s accomplishment.

No, I didn’t finish everything I set out to do. As a matter of fact, I gave my goals a near-total overhaul a few weeks in, as my focus and intentions became clearer.

Still, instead of worrying about the things that remain undone, I am going to carry the remainder into next round, and take this time to celebrate and enjoy all that I have accomplished – both the easily quantified goals, and the deeper shifts that are leading to a new place and understanding, not just as a writer, but as a person.

I feel like spring is coming, not just to the world around me, but within me. I am softening, spreading my branches, sinking my roots, unfurling my leaves, preparing to ripen….

My story worlds, too, are becoming richer, and more deeply felt. I am blogging with a new confidence, and I look forward to the time I spend in crafting and creating….

It’s a vibrant, happy, and somewhat time, this spring in my soul…

May you, too, be filled with the spirit of rebirth…

ROW80 Progress:

All goals marked “pending” will be carried over into Round 2, and worked on through the break.

WANA113 :

Previous Targets:

  • Postpone these until after I get all A to Z challenge posts revised and edited, and outlines for my three CampNaNo WIPs.
  • Pending.

WANA Writing Moms (and Dads,too):

Targets:

Complete Lessons and network as time and energy permit.

  • Read Week 3, Lessons 2-3.
  • Pending. 

ROW80:

Targets:

Reread and color block freewritings.

  • Done
  • Target attained.

Write revision notes.

  • Pending.

Continue on-time sponsor visits.

Reading:

Targets:

Continue reading items saved to Pocket.

  • Read for Sunday Sampler post.
  • Target attained. 

Craft reading and exercises.

Continue reading with kids, as desired.

Blogging:

Targets:

Continue scheduling regular posts at least one week ahead, excepting Wordless Wednesdays (schedule these by Monday).

Answer comments as scheduled.

  • Target attained.

Organize Blogging Action Plans by blog.

  • Pending.

Continue revision and scheduling for A to Z Challenge. Aim to be done by April 1.

  • I – M posts (through April 15; into Week 3) scheduled.
  • Pending. 

Prep final eval and peek ahead.

  • Pending.

Writing:

New Targets:

Previous Targets:

Continue Deep Revision Exercises, alternating stories in queue.

  • Nearing the end of the current exercises with “A Splash of Red.”
  • Pending.

Continue CampNaNo planning – Blood and Breath Outline, To Be or Not to Be reading, expand Sima Garo Provides outline.

  • Moving slowly forward on prepping for all three WIPs.
  • This will speed up when I get all the A to Z posts scheduled.
  • Pending.

Continue 750words, daily.

  • Yes, every day.
  • Target attained.

My final bi-weekly evaluation is pending, and can be found here beginning March 28, 2013.

It’s a BLOG HOP!

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Trust Settles – ROW80 Update, March 13, 2013

 

Curious?Click here!

The tumult of the last session has eased into a calmer, happier space. There is a new, fresher breath in the air, and we’ve begun moving more, which seems to have cleared out some of those dusty winter cobwebs. We’ve had reminders of winter, and harbingers of spring, and we seem mostly content.

I am still reading, and writing, and learning; still in the slack tide that comes before the surge, the place of neutral buoyancy. The foundations are being made strong, and inspiration is starting to waft in through the sometimes -open windows. It smells rich, like newly softening earth, and is laden with birdsong.

Life is sweetly flowing, and I pause, for a time, to stretch slowly and with presence, like a cat…the flash of sinuous motion is yet to come, and this is the time to prepare body, mind, and soul…

How about you? As we near the end of the round, are you feeling strong and certain, muddled and unsure, or something else? I love when you leave comments, and love it more when that sparks conversation….

Snowy boy fun!

ROW80 Progress:

WANA113 :

New Targets:

  • Read and comment on five word clouds.
  • Answer my word cloud comments.
  • Complete Grokking #4
  • Write a discussion for Grokkings #3 and #4.
  • Upload pics to Flickr.
  • Experiment with adding photos to WANA Commons.
  • Learn where to find missed webinar.

Previous Targets:

Read and comment on three word clouds.

  • Reading these is feeding me on a soul-deep level. So intimate and honest! So endlessly fascinating!
  • Target attained.

Answer any comments on my word cloud.

  • I have received kind and insightful comments, and it’s been a pleasure to reply to them.
  • Target attained.

Complete Grokking #3 and report.

  • I have begun my Youtube link list, and have topics and links set up for this Friday and next. Although not written, I have brainstormed new topics, and new ideas are flowing. =)
  • I did not report….yet. I’m feeling a little shy about speaking up.

Play with Picmonkey for this week’s Wordless Wednesday photos.

  • I had lots of fun playing here, and will probably upgrade. The results are here.
  • Target attained.

Watch missed class webinar.

  • I’m not quite sure where to find this, so no, not yet.

The view from our back yard, March 8, 2013.

WANA Writing Moms (and Dads,too):

New Targets:

  • Continue keeping Lesson 1 log.
  • Complete Lessons Two and Three.
  • Comment on these lessons.
  • Read new lessons as I find them.

Previous Targets:

Read and apply Lesson One -get three subject notebook.

  • I have been logging my activities. I adapted the log a little, to more adequately reflect my needs.
  • I have purchased a three-subject notebook, and began using it for the logging on March 13.
  • Target attained.

Read Lessons Two and Three.

  • Target attained.

ROW80 Sponsoring:

New Targets:

  • Freewrite on sponsor post topic at least once.
  • Continue on-time sponsor visits.

Previous Targets:

Complete one freewriting session, exploring possible sponsor post topics/ ideas.

  • Brainstormed ideas, came up with a list of fourteen topics.
  • I have chosen my topic, and have a blogpost and link to use as the framework.
  • Target attained.

Continue on-time sponsor visits.

Delightment in girl form!

Reading:

New Targets:

  • Continue reading with kids, as desired.
  • Resume reading and exercises for Steering the Craft.
  • Begin reading articles and posts saved to Pocket.

Previous Targets:

Complete APE and Wild Mind.

  • Target attained.

Continue reading Carnival at Candlelight aloud with children, as they wish.

Blogging:

New Targets:

  • Continue preparing themed posts, and scheduling.
  • On time posts on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday,
  • Post scheduled for Monday.
  • Complete A to Z Challenge page and post.
  • Answer comments.
  • Blogging action plans for shanjeniah and Trueborn Jottings.
  • Continue brainstorming for themed posts.

Jim,creating a banked and birmed snow run.

Previous Targets:

Schedule Monday and Wednesday themed posts.

Continue working on Friday and Sunday themes.

  • I have the links, and most of the in-line text set up for Friday Frolic.
  • I am gathering links for the inaugural Sunday Sampler.
  • Target attained.

Answer comments.

  • All comments answered.
  • Target attained.

Create A to Z Challenge page.

Sibling Silliness!

  • Page is pending and in my Drafts folder.

Blogging action plan next steps for shanjeniah and Trueborn Jottings.

  • Nothing, as yet.

Brainstorm lists for Monday and Friday queues. Write it out!

  • I have a list of fourteen written topics brainstormed for my sponsor post, which will become Monday posts.
  • I have two posts in progress for Friday posts. Nothing from my brainstorming has been written, thus far.

Writing:

Previous Targets:

Submit “A Splash of Red” (guest post).

  • Not yet. Soon, though.

Write A to Z rough drafts L-N.

  • Target attained.

Rough list of April Camp NaNo projects and next steps.

  • I have a rough plan for the rest of the year. Lots of writing, and lots of excitement that I have a cohesive thread to weave.
  • Target attained.

Continue 750 words, daily.

  • Target attained.

My most current evaluation can be found here.

Inspirations….Leonard Nimoy and Paul Simon.

It’s a BLOG HOP!

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