It’s Sunday, which means it’s time for another ROW80 update. This week was a little hit and miss for me; I had a lot of grand ambitions, but only a few of them ended up happening. I’m in the midst of a two week break from my work in the archives, so I don’t have all that many excuses for my lack of productivity… So let’s just blame it all on my cat, shall we? He’s been planting himself right in front of me every time I have the urge to work.
How can anyone say no to this face?
Before I get to my check-in, I just want to point your attention to a very exciting, very shiny new opportunity hovering on the horizon: the awesome anthology of writers’ success stories that I am planning with my friend and partner-in-crime, Chad Carver. I posted our call for submissions on Friday, but if you missed it, here’s a description of what we are looking for:
We want to hear real success stories from writers who didn’t give up.
It’s tough to be a writer. Most people quit. But some people do not, or cannot, and those people change the world, whether for many people, or simply for themselves.
Whether you’ve published, are still chipping away at your magnum opus, have written the book that freed you from a demon, or have simply scratched the itch that all writers know, we would love to hear your stories of strength, hope and success in a world that is so often painted as hopeless, and foolish – the writer’s world.
I’ve created a new page with all of the submission details, so swing by there (or check out Friday’s post) for more information. It would be absolutely wonderful to be able to include essays from my fellow ROWers–y’all have done some amazing things in the time that I’ve been involved with this community, and I know you all have great stories to share.
Now then, onto the week in review:
DAY JOB:
I haven’t finished reading any of the books that I added to my to-do list last week, but I did succeed in (1) scheduling research dates for my next two archives and (2) adding a fourth member to my dissertation committee. This week’s goals are the same as last week’s:
- Type up notes from my last round of data collection.
- Schedule meetings at 2 more convent archives.
- Finish Spirited Lives and start Across God’s Frontiers: Catholic Sisters in the American West, 1850-1920.
WRITING:
I didn’t get any poetry written this week, but I did finally sit down with my steampunk WIP. I spent a few days this week rereading and flagging spots for improvement, as well as making a prioritized list of edits. By the end of the month, I’d like to have the following done:
- A synopsis draft, ready for the “beta readers” who are going to help me figure out plot problems (“beta readers” is in quotes because this stupid novel isn’t finished, and so therefore they are just reading all my nonsense gibberish at this point).
- A complete Act 1, free of empty spots and placeholders.
This week, then, I’ll be focused on poetry and edits. Good stuff, all around.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Aside from the 10 or so ROW80 blogs I visited last Sunday, I haven’t visited any others since. One of the things I am trying to work on is being much more focused and deliberate in my online wanderings, so that is on the top of my list this week: fewer hours spent pointlessly poring over Facebook and Pinterest, more attention paid to bloggy things.
As far as my blog is concerned, I did post 2 non-ROW80 posts: Friday’s call for submissions and Monday’s vlog with me reading one of my favorite poems, “The Dangerous Weird,” dedicated to all the wacky, wonderful, delightfully odd people I know. I fell behind on responding to blog comments, but today I will be playing catch up. For this week:
- More blogging.
- More commenting/promoting.
- Less time spent on shiny internet timewasters.
SELF-CARE:
This was an odd week in that a change in my workout routine (20 minutes of Pilates added to my 1.5 mile run/3.5 mile walk) left me totally wiped out each day. I only succeeded in reading half of May Sarton’s memoir, PLANT DREAMING DEEP, but I did do things like spend a couple of mornings laying around in the sun and listening to jazz music. I also had two excellent in-depth journaling sessions, which have left me with far more clarity and a renewed sense of peace. For next week:
- Finish PLANT DREAMING DEEP.
- Keep on journaling.
Whew, so that was my week! It’s not too terrible, though as always, there is room for improvement.
How are the rest of you doing? I hope everyone has managed to stay warm and healthy. If you’ve been sick, then I hope that the illness passes swiftly. 😀 Don’t forget to wave hello to the rest of the ROWers checking in this week!
January 20, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Sometimes just getting something done is doing a lot. And well, yeah, DAT Face! (I used to have a kitten named Cous-Cous that would try eating my notebooks on me when I was writing. I totally get it.)
Eden Mabee recently posted..Short sweet and pretty
January 20, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Hah, Cous-Cous tried to eat your notebooks? That is hilarious. Napoleon sticks to sleeping on top of them, hanging out on my keyboard, and batting at my pen in his more playful moments (he is getting rather old and lazy), but he hasn’t tried nomming on anything. Yet. 😛
Good to see you, Eden. Hope you have a great week!
January 20, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Sounds like an interesting anthology! I’ve bookmarked the call for submissions — now I just have to remember to write something for you guys. 🙂
Quite an impressive list of goals, no wonder if you feel like you came up short here and there. Don’t worry, you did good. *g*
Have a great week!
Ruth Nestvold recently posted..Considering a new title: Playing with Lulu’s Titlescorer
January 20, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Awesome, Ruth! I’ll be posting reminders over the new few months, just as an FYI. It would be great to have a submission from you.
And thanks for the reassurance! It is good to hear that I have done better than I imagined. 😀
January 20, 2013 at 2:29 pm
You’ve got a great list of goals. Best wishes on them. 🙂
Diana Beebe recently posted..Because Cockroaches Aren’t Strong Enough?
January 20, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Thanks so much, Diana. Hope you have a great week to come!
January 20, 2013 at 2:43 pm
You rock, Lena!
January 20, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Thanks, Chad!
January 20, 2013 at 2:58 pm
not a bad week at all:) – younger cat likes to sit just where the hot air comes from machine and knock my glasses off – older cat likes to sit on my arm and leave her tail on the keyboard:) all the best for this week:)
alberta ross recently posted..The good and the not so good:alberta’s week
January 20, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Awww, that sounds so precious, Alberta. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful week!
January 20, 2013 at 4:08 pm
You’re doing great, Lena! And now you’re even more focused. The anthology sounds exciting, and I’m jumping up and down that you’re getting your steampunk WIP ready for betas!! Have a great week, my dear!
Lauren Garafalo recently posted..Picking Up Steam
January 21, 2013 at 10:57 am
Thanks, lovely! Hope you have a good week as well. 😀
January 20, 2013 at 6:55 pm
Pilates is hard work! I used to do it, with the machines, you know. Loved it!
Yay for a great week! And here’s to another! <3
Juliana Haygert recently posted..#ROW80 check-in 01/20
January 21, 2013 at 11:02 am
I have an at-home Pilates chair that I use, and oh boy, does it kill me. It’s such an amazing workout, though, that I get cranky when I miss it (even if I AM ready to die after only 20 minutes!).
Thanks so much for swinging by, Juliana. Have a great week too!
January 20, 2013 at 10:01 pm
You do so much and I totally agree regarding focus and social media. I begin one thing then realise an hour later I’ve wasted all that time and still haven’t completed my original task. Kudos for your concentrated efforts. Best f luck in the week ahead. X
Shah Wharton recently posted..The Lesson of Perseverance and Determination
January 21, 2013 at 11:03 am
I’m so glad to hear that I’m not the only one who was problems focusing when it comes to social media. Facebook and all the rest are so tantalizing, aren’t they? 😛
Hope you’ve had a lovely weekend, and a great week to come!
January 21, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Sounds like you’re doing a lot, really. And your anthology sounds great! Not something I would be able to contribute to right now (but I dream of a day when I have a success story!) but it is an anthology I would LOVE to read. Good luck with it all!
January 24, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Hi Lena, it looks like Kait has hit some trouble and we have no mid-week check-in. So no one is left out, please come over to our Facebook group and leave a link to your check-in post and we will be over to visit. The page address is https://www.facebook.com/groups/row80/ Alternatively, email me at katiecrcole@gmail.com and I’ll pass your post on. I know Facebook isn’t everyone’s cup of tea!
Should we have no Linky on Sunday, we’ll just keep working this way until things sort themselves out.
Cheers!
Cate (Round 1 Sponsor)