Heyyyy! Okay, I’m a couple of weeks late for Round 3 of A Round of Words in 80 Days, but I finally made it. Anyone have a cool drink to share? I need something to keep me cool during these unexpectedly warm summer days. 😛
It’s been a crazy few months, as most of you have been able to tell. But I’m happy to report that I’ve managed to wrangle at least few things in my life into some semblance of order. As far as the dissertation is concerned, I’ve completed almost all of my archival research, and my committee has approved my proposal. I wrote my very first academic journal article (whoo-hoo!) and while it still needs to undergo the review process, I got an early thumbs-up that eases a lot of my anxiety. And as far as my creative writing goes, I’ve finally been able to dig into TELL ME NO LIES, my steampunk romance/murder mystery/thriller that I’ve been trying to finish for two years now.
Things are definitely coming together.
With that, here’s my list of things to accomplish during Round 3:
WRITING:
- Complete edits for Act I of TELL ME NO LIES, and create a detailed outline for Act II
- Participate in July’s Camp NaNoWriMo, and write 15k towards SOMEWHERE IN THE WEST
DAY JOB:
- Finish archival research
- Complete dissertation proposal edits
- Start analyzing all the data that’s already been collected
- Draft dissertation chapters 1 and 2
BLOGGING:
- Aim for 1 ROW80 check-in and 1 regular blog post each week
- Visit and comment on at least 5 blogs each week
- Brainstorm changes for my blog, to put into action during Round 4
My biggest goal for this round, I think, is to ease back into things without crippling myself with anxiety or fear or any of the other things that have been holding me back this year. I’m feeling a lot more positive and excited about the work I have before, so hopefully that’ll translate into getting lots done!
July 14, 2013 at 6:21 am
Hi Lena! And well done on getting all the various branches of your life under control – not an easy task!
I hope July CampNaNo is going well for you and your 15K goal.
Best of luck with it all and have a good week. 🙂
Lisa recently posted..A Bug, a Book, 4 Barriers and Mindfulness
July 14, 2013 at 7:42 pm
Lisa, thanks so much for popping by! I’m excited to jump back in and start getting things done.
Have a wonderful week!
July 14, 2013 at 6:50 am
I hear you about easing back into things. I’ve been doing that too because I totally slacked off during Round 2. I’ve been moving slowly with my goals, trying to stay organized so I don’t get overwhelmed (again!). Good luck with your goals as well as with Camp NaNo. We can so do this!! 😀 See you in some of the #ROW80 sprints and have a great week!
Kat Morrisey recently posted..The Sunday Post [2]
July 14, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Ooof, I totally hear you about slacking off during Round 2. I think moving slowly and building up gradually is the best thing that we can all do. Looking forward to sprinting this week!
July 14, 2013 at 7:01 am
I think you have a good plan. It is great to make progress and feel like you are not like George Jetson waling the dog on the space treadmill.
July 14, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Haha, that is quite the apt metaphor, Joe. Thanks so much for stopping by!
July 14, 2013 at 8:36 am
Right with you on easing back in. After a couple of rounds off I’m finding that simple, flexible goals, carry the least stress for the productivity. I’m glad to hear your dissertation is moving forward with positive comments. Always a bonus. Good luck throughout the round, Lena. Great to have you along for the ride!
Gene Lempp recently posted..Rowing in a Circle
July 14, 2013 at 7:46 pm
Gene, so glad to see you! I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who’s taken a little time off to get things back on track. I’m looking forward to ROWing with you once again. 😀
July 14, 2013 at 9:42 am
LOL @ your post title – I missed week one, and used the same title on my post last week! Sounds like you are getting life back under control – and good idea to ease back in slowly. That’s what I’m doing, too. Good luck, and have a great week!
Jennette Marie Powell recently posted..A Little Sunshine, and ROW80
July 14, 2013 at 7:46 pm
Love it, Jen! Great minds, right? Hope your week goes well too!
July 14, 2013 at 11:54 am
Yay for coming back even if it is late! It’s always good to have you around. Good luck with your goals this round.
Fallon recently posted..Writing Wednesday: Staying on Track
July 14, 2013 at 7:48 pm
I’m so happy to be back, too! Hope you have a great week, Fallon!
July 14, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Need a cool drink? Try a basil mojito. Cheers!
Emily Jean Roche recently posted..Staying Strong in Writing Goals #ROW80
July 14, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Ooooh, now *that* sounds super tasty. I’ll definitely add that to the summer drink list, Emily!
July 14, 2013 at 6:47 pm
Great to see you checking in, Lena! I wish you joy in the process, both day job and creative stuff. Have fun! 🙂
J.R. Pearse Nelson (@jrpearsenelson) recently posted..Sunday Update: Squashing My Goals, at Least for This Week
July 14, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Thanks so much, JR! I’m looking forward to having a great round. 😀
July 14, 2013 at 6:59 pm
I’m impressed! Go for it all, Lena.
July 14, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Thanks a million, Patricia!
July 15, 2013 at 12:20 am
congrats on the dissertation work – must be good to have the approval and be able ot move foward on that – other goals sound do-able, sensible to keep eye on anxiety levels they certainly can cripple creativity – take care and all the best for this coming week:)
alberta recently posted..creative cooking challenge ahead:)albert’a check in
July 21, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Thanks a lot, Alberta! Hope your week has gone well. 😀
July 15, 2013 at 7:10 am
Welcome back! And a dissertation is a great excuse (at least I have to think that way, since I did so little creative writing while I was working on mine!) Thing is, my theory at least, academic work also taps into the creative side of you, and you have less left for fiction — not to mention time and energy!
So take it easy, keep your goals realistic, and take care of yourself.
Have a great week!
Ruth Nestvold recently posted..A research dilemma: new archeological discoveries at Caerleon. (And an update).
July 21, 2013 at 12:17 pm
I definitely agree with your theory, Ruth. There’s so much that gets expended with academic writing, especially trying to figure out the best ways to structure arguments and such.
Thanks a ton for swinging by!
July 15, 2013 at 7:12 pm
Good to have you back and it sounds like you’ve got clear goals, well balanced between work and writing and that indefinable sense of belief in our work that keeps us going! May it be a good week, one filled with insights and moments of sheer celebration!
Beth Camp recently posted..Oops: Monday morning Sunday check-in . . .
July 21, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Beth, thank you for such a lovely comment! I’m so glad to be back amongst friends, and focusing on my work. It definitely feels good. 😀
July 20, 2013 at 10:44 am
Running in a bit late to things here, Lena, but just wanted to cheer you on for jumping back into the ROW80 and for that great dissertation news.
Slow and steady goals here…. and something (camping experience here) to consider regarding getting back into the swing of things:
— when you’re working with a lower powered boat on a lake and it seems everyone is whizzing past you… turn into the waves those huge boats make. Ride the waves, take the bounces and jolts. It’s choppy for a moment, but you aren’t as likely to capsize.
It works for righting too. Face the choppy, rough spots head on, and then turn back into the flow once your way is clear. You get further, faster, and you can stay the course easier.
Eden Mabee recently posted..Quick apology post
July 21, 2013 at 12:22 pm
Oh, that’s fantastic advice, Eden. I’ll most certainly keep that in mind.
Hope you’re having a great week!