This week in review. I’m finally feeling a bit better physically. I hope this will improve my productivity. NaNoWriMo started this week and I got a bit of a slow start. This weekend and Election Day will also put a damper on my word counts because I am a volunteer for one of the campaigns. In recognition of that I’ve decided to wake up two hours before usual to get my writing done. I managed 1.5 hours early this morning and I got a lot done before Steve awakened.
I am reading a book called Atomic Habits by James Clear. The information isn’t startlingly new, but the way he has organized it makes the scientific recommendations easy to implement and easy to see how it applies to one’s own life. I’m starting to use one of the habits he mentions, which is to set up the physical environment to make good habits easier. I set up my office space last night so that when I woke up early I could just go to my office and write without friction. I placed my tea and teapot ready to make tea and cleared everything off my computer and desk except things that would help the writing process. It really did make things smoother.
Time for Gratitude!
Every week I experience things that make me better and that I’m grateful for. Some are books, podcasts, websites, or videos. Some are simple experiences. I share them here.
First up is an article from Medium by Jeannette Ng called Cultural Appropriation for the Worried Writer: some practical advice
In it she gives advice to writers who are worried about appropriation and writing outside their identities. My favorite part of this is the comfort she offers to those of us who worry excessively. It’s a good piece.
“So you, worried writer, are not alone in this.
We all worry and I sincerely believe this is a good thing. It is what keeps us honest. It is what makes us do better.” — Jeannette Ng
Primary Novel Goal: 12,500 words per week
Additional Writing in Secondary Novel, Short Story, Farland or DWS Class Assignment, or Sea History Adventures blog: 1000 words per week
Primary Novel Editing: Half of the Book by January 1, 2019 and complete by January 16.
First three chapters of the Primary Novel sent to Eric Flint for review on December 6, 2018.
Healthful Unprocessed Diet through December 31, 2018.
NaNoWriMo started this week. While I am doing my best to start strong, I am somewhat limited in time before November 7 because I’m helping with the Get Out the Vote effort. Please don’t forget to vote this upcoming Tuesday.
If you’re in the Midsouth and want to join me in a few writing sprints this November, I’ll be at the Panera Bread in Germantown this Wednesday morning from 10am to 1pm and I’d welcome the company!
Here is where I stand as of today:
Whomsoever Saves One Life (Primary Novel): 35,760 words
Ten Reasons the Pirates Always Win (Secondary Novel): 15,125 words
Completed Sea History Adventures Blog Entries: 2
Short Stories Completed: 2
Writing Assignments (This Week): 2,491 words
Healthy Eating Streak (started on Sept. 27, 2018): 37 days