I know in the lead it may seem they might be
But no matter what they doin’ they don’t do it like me
Like a G I hold it down for the town I’m at
And I flash like that recognize I’m back!
“I’m Back” T.I.
Image source: Flicker.com by Ben Husmann
Woot! That song always gives me a kick to get back up again and find a fighting spirit. It has been a scrappy last few weeks for me with some people pretending right in front of my eyes and blocking pathways. Whatever. If it is uphill, then up the hill we shall go. I’ll do what I can do, keeping my eyes on the goals.
ROW80 Goals Progress
Completed Round Goals
- Complete assignments for From Plot to Finish master class with Laurie Schnebly Campbell (first two weeks of April). – Goal complete.
- Complete two novels via reading at least one chapter a week. – Goal complete by reading “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay.”
Still Ongoing Round Goals
Writing/Craft
- At least one hour of WIP writing time five days a week. – I did good over the past few weeks carving out multiple short stints at different times of the day (e.g., 30 minutes at lunch, 10 minutes in the morning, an hour in a coffee-house while enjoying a beverage), but it has been on short story work and not my novel. *side eye*
This week, I hit just one day. I’ve been super slammed at the day gig getting things advanced before I head to a writers workshop. My drive to focus on short fiction also makes sense because that will be my concentration at the workshop. All writing is good, forward motion, but I feel squiggly being “off track” on my novel-writing since it isn’t where I wanted it to be by early summer. I will keep telling myself it isn’t a race so I can stave off the inner critic.
- Complete one craft book via reading at least one chapter a week. –Not done. I’ve been reading more fiction. Since my last update, I’ve finished the “Fifty Shades” trilogy, “Alone” by Lisa Gardner and “13 Reasons Why” by Jay Asher. All great examples in pacing (which I need) and how to keep readers intrigued.
- Complete one book of short stories via reading at least one chapter a week. – Done for the week. I have just four stories left in “2oth Century Ghosts.” I plan to finish it this week so I can focus more on the collection “All Things, All At Once” from Lee K. Abbott. And also clear this goal as done. 🙂
Social Media
- Complete ROW80 sponsor duties via reading and commenting on assigned blogs each week. – Reading and commenting posts done.
- Share contents of other bloggers via link backs from each of my posts. – Since this is my first post since the end of Idol, I’ll say this is more miss than hit.
- Check Triberr at least once daily. – Been off Triberr and hitting social media irregular.
- Join and learn Pinterest. – Done. I see how the pinning can get addictive. I built a few boards and pinned a few items. I’ve also connected to some people I know and am setting aside time to check out more of their boards. Gotta pace this one.
Healthy Happy Living
- Cardio exercise three times a week. – *Bam* That is me hitting a wall on this goal. I’ve been averaging one day a week.
- Look for yoga/meditation course option each week. – Done. I did a gentle yoga class on Saturday and was the only one in class, so it was like a way cool private session.
- Complete neck exercises every day. – Done.
How are you doing with your goals at our midway point? Be sure to check out the ROW80 updates of others via the blog hop.
Other Related Tidbits:
- A. Victoria Mixon’s 5 Ways Writing is Like Gardening speaks to the work and passion we have as writers.
- Don’t the Strawberries and Cream Biscuits from the Smitten Kitchen look divine? Eat several of these and then head to gym or out into the community for a brisk walk.
- Great Writers Believe in Themselves (So Should You) from Jeff Goins says it all.
Barbara McDowell 
I tried Pinterest and lasted an hour. Think I’ve joined too many social networking sites to keep up with them all.
I’m with you, Emma. I tried Pinterest and lost over two hours to it. It was fascinating and I like the creativity, but I don’t want to lose myself and procrastinate. So, I’m going to set up a schedule for myself. Thanks for stopping by!
good to see you here again, Barb. congrats on the writing.
Thanks, Louise! I’ve been busy and away from the blog, but I didn’t realize how long until eyeballing the date. I haven’t mastered blogging via my tablet yet. I like being able to see what I’m doing and maneuvering on my big laptop screen.
i’m with you – i like my tablet, but my laptop is better.
Way to go, sista! I love that quote from the song. You keep on up that hill. Pretty soon you’ll be standing at the top thinking, wow, that wasn’t so bad. Let’s do some more!
Thank you for your comment at my place! Uphill uphill uphill….that is my week at the moment. So many goals and you are doing so well with them, well done!
Thank you for your comments on my post, and great job with your goals! We actually share a lot of goals that I didn’t have as official ROW80 goals (maybe I should add them for the next round). I’m right there with you on the cardio and the neck exercises, and the fiction reading. You’ve done a much better job with your goals than I’ve done with mine, so I’ll take heart from your successes and tell myself to keep trying 🙂
Impressive list of goals, Barbara, and a well rounded list they are, which I do believe ROW80 helps us view and view again. As you say, sometimes it just is a hill but as long as we are in the moment, whatever it requires, we find a bit more of our being, and that is always a reward. It is this quality that so many of your blog posts recognize.
Have a great week, Barbara.
Karen
Thanks, Karen. Yes, it is hills, valleys and mountains at times. I love ROW80 because even if I wander off path, I have a plan of where to come back to. Thanks for stopping by!
To much social sites to work on. I cut back and try to minimize my time on them. Felt like they were dragging me down. I could see the hands reach out of the screens and try to pull me in. But good for you if you can do it. Now I can complete 4000 words per day on my WIP and feel much better.
Love that image about the hands pulling, David! Yes, they pull and suck away time. It started to feel like I would never “keep up,” but it isn’t about keeping up. To me, it is more about sharing, supporting and learning from joining in, and I will when I can. Thanks for commenting!