My goals are:
1) Do 30 minutes of something writing related each day.
2) Test mile - 250 words a day
3) Read two books a week for 100+ reading challenge.
4) Review one book a month (DONE FOR THIS MONTH!)
5) Exercise twice a week.
This week I am pleased to say I have met all my goals!
I have done something writing related for 30 minutes each day and managed my test mile of 250 words each day. I have found some reading time each day and am on my 8th book of the year which I am enjoying. Technically I haven't read two books this week but as I am on track with my reading I am counting this as an achieved goal.
I have managed to exercise twice! Along with my dance class I walked 20 minutes today even though I was offered a lift to my destination. On the way it was downhill and on the way back uphill so I am counting it as exercise. My knee is still clicking and generally being a pain so I am investigating knee supports but when I went to the shop you needed to get the right size and strangely I don't know my knee measurements off by heart so I will get this next weekend hopefully.
I wasn't able to join in with the #row80 sprints on Thursday and friday as I was late home from work and at my parents on the Friday. Hope to join in this week on some days though. I have also read the majority of Will write for shoes - How to write a chick lit novel. It is a really informative book and has certainly made me think an AWFUL lot about my chick lit WIP. It sounds very 'fluffy' but it really is good and has lots of useful ideas. One point I like is the suggestion you map out your characters houses as you can tell a lot about a person from their house. The way it is organised, the colours, the books they have, the ornaments or souvenirs on shelves all give an insight into the person. I believe Nicole is going to review it and thank you again Nicole for the tip. I haven't read it all as I want to read the editing part before I start editing and the bit about agents and publishers.....well that can wait a while!
I hope to check-in on Wednesday but in all likelihood it will be Tuesday or Thursday as I will be turning 29 on Wednesday and have plans with friends in the evening. I am tradtionally someone who loves birthdays but I have to say 29 is not an age I am looking forward to! 30 is atleast a big milestone (remind me of this next year) whereas I see 29 as the waiting room for 30. But I have decided to enjoy the last year of my twenties whatever it may bring!
I hope everyone has a great week since it is my birthday week!
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
ROW80 Check-in 25th January 2012
Here are my goals:
1) Do 30 minutes of something writing related each day.
2) Test mile - 250 words a day
3) Read two books a week for 100+ reading challenge.
4) Review one book a month (DONE FOR THIS MONTH!)
5) Exercise twice a week.
So far this week things are going well.
Monday
878 words in 30 minute sprint
Tuesday
583 words in 30 minute sprint (interrupted by phone call with sister!)
Wednesday
Just under 300 words in 10 minutes.
22 minutes reading 'Will Write for Shoes - How to write a chick lit novel.' as recommended by Nicole
Dance class - One Hour
I have managed to join in with two sprints on the #ROW80 this week even though I only sprinted for 30 minutes. I love writing during sprint times as I find I focus and get inspired by all the people around me typing (or writing) away. I hope to join in tomorrow aswell.
Dance class was good even though my knees are killing me. I need to get some knee supports or something as they were hurting during the class and they are hurting now. But I want to keep going and I need to exercise again this week.
I don't think I will get to any check-ins tonight but I will try and visit tomorrow. I hope everyone is having a good week.
1) Do 30 minutes of something writing related each day.
2) Test mile - 250 words a day
3) Read two books a week for 100+ reading challenge.
4) Review one book a month (DONE FOR THIS MONTH!)
5) Exercise twice a week.
So far this week things are going well.
Monday
878 words in 30 minute sprint
Tuesday
583 words in 30 minute sprint (interrupted by phone call with sister!)
Wednesday
Just under 300 words in 10 minutes.
22 minutes reading 'Will Write for Shoes - How to write a chick lit novel.' as recommended by Nicole
Dance class - One Hour
I have managed to join in with two sprints on the #ROW80 this week even though I only sprinted for 30 minutes. I love writing during sprint times as I find I focus and get inspired by all the people around me typing (or writing) away. I hope to join in tomorrow aswell.
Dance class was good even though my knees are killing me. I need to get some knee supports or something as they were hurting during the class and they are hurting now. But I want to keep going and I need to exercise again this week.
I don't think I will get to any check-ins tonight but I will try and visit tomorrow. I hope everyone is having a good week.
Sunday, 22 January 2012
ROW80 Check-in 22nd January 2012
Quick recap of goals:
1) Do 30 minutes of something writing related each day.
2) Test mile - 250 words a day
3) Read two books a week for 100+ reading challenge.
4) Review one book a month (DONE FOR THIS MONTH!)
5) Exercise twice a week.
I nearly achieved all my goals this week. I have done the equivalent of 30 minutes of something writing related each day and have always exceeded my test mile of 250 words. I have been reading as much as possible and am on track with the 100 books in a year challenge as I am currently reading book number 7. So yes, you guessed it. I have failed on my exercise goal.
I did go to my dance class on Wednesday and since then I haven't been feeling great. Combination of things such as the start of a cold I am trying to keep at bay and very achy knees from dance class meant that I haven't had the motivation to exercise. I am annoyed at myself about this but I am determined that this will be the only week I fail on this goal. Keep me accountable please!
Here is what I have been up to since Wednesday's check-in.
Thursday
40 minutes writing my WIP 1,002 words
5 minutes reading a blog about writing reviews.
Friday
30 minutes writing WIP 940 words
7 minutes looking for photos to make my character profiles more detailed (this worked well for me during NaNo.)
Saturday
Day with friends - no writing but a lovely time!
Sunday
One hour sprint (whilst Lauren did a chore sprint!) 1,879 words.
The sprint I did earlier might be my personal best for an hour sprint. The words just flowed today even though my MC went wedding dress shopping with a friend instead of having a hard discussion that I think I will be writing tomorrow instead. Sprinting works for me and I need to try and organise my evening so I can join in with the nightly sprint on the ROW80 hashtag as often as possible.
Before I go I just thought I would share my word count total. When I stopped wriitng this particular book in September I was on about 33,000 words. Since the start of this round I have added nearly 10,000 words as I am on 42,707 words. I must keep better track of my word count as it can be so motivating.
Ok, that is all from me. Hope to see lots of you sprinting this week and hope this round is treating you well :)
1) Do 30 minutes of something writing related each day.
2) Test mile - 250 words a day
3) Read two books a week for 100+ reading challenge.
4) Review one book a month (DONE FOR THIS MONTH!)
5) Exercise twice a week.
I nearly achieved all my goals this week. I have done the equivalent of 30 minutes of something writing related each day and have always exceeded my test mile of 250 words. I have been reading as much as possible and am on track with the 100 books in a year challenge as I am currently reading book number 7. So yes, you guessed it. I have failed on my exercise goal.
I did go to my dance class on Wednesday and since then I haven't been feeling great. Combination of things such as the start of a cold I am trying to keep at bay and very achy knees from dance class meant that I haven't had the motivation to exercise. I am annoyed at myself about this but I am determined that this will be the only week I fail on this goal. Keep me accountable please!
Here is what I have been up to since Wednesday's check-in.
Thursday
40 minutes writing my WIP 1,002 words
5 minutes reading a blog about writing reviews.
Friday
30 minutes writing WIP 940 words
7 minutes looking for photos to make my character profiles more detailed (this worked well for me during NaNo.)
Saturday
Day with friends - no writing but a lovely time!
Sunday
One hour sprint (whilst Lauren did a chore sprint!) 1,879 words.
The sprint I did earlier might be my personal best for an hour sprint. The words just flowed today even though my MC went wedding dress shopping with a friend instead of having a hard discussion that I think I will be writing tomorrow instead. Sprinting works for me and I need to try and organise my evening so I can join in with the nightly sprint on the ROW80 hashtag as often as possible.
Before I go I just thought I would share my word count total. When I stopped wriitng this particular book in September I was on about 33,000 words. Since the start of this round I have added nearly 10,000 words as I am on 42,707 words. I must keep better track of my word count as it can be so motivating.
Ok, that is all from me. Hope to see lots of you sprinting this week and hope this round is treating you well :)
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
ROW80 Check-in 18th January 2012
Quick recap of my goals:
1) Do 30 minutes of something writing related each day.
2) Test mile - 250 words a day
3) Read two books a week for 100+ reading challenge.
4) Review one book a month (DONE FOR THIS MONTH!)
5) Exercise twice a week.
Things have felt calmer this week (famous last words!) and I feel writing is becoming part of my daily schedule. I managed to join in with half the sprint on the ROW80 hashtag and I forgot how much I love writing alongside others even though I only took part for the first 30 minutes. I will try to make 7pm (my time) my writing time so I can write with my fellow ROW80ers more often.
Here is how the week has looked:
Monday:
30 minutes writing WIP (during sprint) 1036 words
Tuesday:
30 minutes writing WIP 846 words
Wednesday:
One hour dance class.
I haven't managed to do any writing today as it has been one of those days and the dance class eats into my evening time so I will make up the half an hour over the next few days. I found the dance class much harder tonight, I don't know why. I tend to withdraw from situations which make me feel unfit and uncomfortable but I am determined to see it through as it is only by going that I can get better!
I posted my first review on Sunday just before my ROW80 check-in and thank you for all your kind comments. I wanted to be very careful not to spoil the book for anyone and am glad people seemed to like it! I have read 6 books this year so far so I have made a good start with the read 100+ books in a year.
Plan for rest of the week is to keep writing more of my WIP and make up the 30 minutes of writing I didn't do today. It is nice to sit down and write for 30 minutes on my WIP instead of plotting and doing bits and pieces. I am happy with the direction things are going in but the cloud of editing is hanging over me. Think it will need alot of work but for now I am happy to keep plodding forward!
Hope everyone is having great weeks!
1) Do 30 minutes of something writing related each day.
2) Test mile - 250 words a day
3) Read two books a week for 100+ reading challenge.
4) Review one book a month (DONE FOR THIS MONTH!)
5) Exercise twice a week.
Things have felt calmer this week (famous last words!) and I feel writing is becoming part of my daily schedule. I managed to join in with half the sprint on the ROW80 hashtag and I forgot how much I love writing alongside others even though I only took part for the first 30 minutes. I will try to make 7pm (my time) my writing time so I can write with my fellow ROW80ers more often.
Here is how the week has looked:
Monday:
30 minutes writing WIP (during sprint) 1036 words
Tuesday:
30 minutes writing WIP 846 words
Wednesday:
One hour dance class.
I haven't managed to do any writing today as it has been one of those days and the dance class eats into my evening time so I will make up the half an hour over the next few days. I found the dance class much harder tonight, I don't know why. I tend to withdraw from situations which make me feel unfit and uncomfortable but I am determined to see it through as it is only by going that I can get better!
I posted my first review on Sunday just before my ROW80 check-in and thank you for all your kind comments. I wanted to be very careful not to spoil the book for anyone and am glad people seemed to like it! I have read 6 books this year so far so I have made a good start with the read 100+ books in a year.
Plan for rest of the week is to keep writing more of my WIP and make up the 30 minutes of writing I didn't do today. It is nice to sit down and write for 30 minutes on my WIP instead of plotting and doing bits and pieces. I am happy with the direction things are going in but the cloud of editing is hanging over me. Think it will need alot of work but for now I am happy to keep plodding forward!
Hope everyone is having great weeks!
Sunday, 15 January 2012
ROW80 Check-in 15th January 2012
Things are good this end and I have met all my goals!
1) Do 30 minutes of something writing related each day.
2) Test mile - 250 words a day
3) Read two books a week for 100+ reading challenge.
4) Review one book a month.
5) Exercise twice a week.
I have struggled to get time to do writing related things this weekend as I have been away with friends but I have made up the time and the word count so I have accomplished my goals over the week. I also posted my first ever book review of Lindsey Kelk's 'I Heart Vegas' just before posting this and any comment swould be very very welcome! I really enjoyed looking at the book with a review in mind although I think it is a skill I do need to develop.
Writing on my WIP is going well and I am coming up with plot bunnies and ideas for scenes all over the place which feels great!
Hope everyone has had a great week and hope week 3 treats you well!
1) Do 30 minutes of something writing related each day.
2) Test mile - 250 words a day
3) Read two books a week for 100+ reading challenge.
4) Review one book a month.
5) Exercise twice a week.
I have struggled to get time to do writing related things this weekend as I have been away with friends but I have made up the time and the word count so I have accomplished my goals over the week. I also posted my first ever book review of Lindsey Kelk's 'I Heart Vegas' just before posting this and any comment swould be very very welcome! I really enjoyed looking at the book with a review in mind although I think it is a skill I do need to develop.
Writing on my WIP is going well and I am coming up with plot bunnies and ideas for scenes all over the place which feels great!
Hope everyone has had a great week and hope week 3 treats you well!
Book review: I Heart Vegas by Lindsey Kelk
I first picked up a Lindsey Kelk book when I was looking for a light-hearted beach read to take on holiday with me. 'I Heart New York' looked like it fit the bill and since then I have read and enjoyed all the other 'I Heart' books; I Heart Paris, I Heart Hollywood and most recently I Heart Vegas. Kelk is an English writer who lives in New York and she also recently released 'The Single Girl's To-Do List' which is separate from the 'I Heart series' and is also a great read. The 'I Heart' series follows the life and loves of Angela Clark starting when she discovers her fiance cheating on her at her best friend's wedding. Her gut instinct is to get away immediately and away she goes to New York. From this point her life is never the same again. I Heart Vegas is the fourth installment of her story and sees Angela settled in New York but facing a whole new set of problems....
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...
Angela Clark loves her life as a Brit in New York. Unfortunately, she's also a Brit who's lost her job. And when the immigration department gets wind of this just before Christmas, Angela needs to find a new job urgently. Or a husband. And she doesn't think her boyfriend Alex will be keen.
A girl's weekend in Vegas with her best friend Jenny seems the perfect way to forget her troubles. From the minute their arrive Angela is swept up in a whirl of cocktails, outrageous outfits, late nights and brushes with the chapel of love. But soon, rather than escaping trouble, Angela is up to her neck in it...
I read this book in a day. Honestly. I read it on the 1st of January when I was having a lazy day and as this is the fourth book of the series I really enjoyed finding out what was happening to Angela. She is a great main character who is flawed like all of us but in a funny, endearing way. She drives me crazy one minute (usually when she is not communicating with her amazing boyfriend) and has me sighing in empathy the next. I think it takes great skill to make a likeable character that people care about and can identify with after four books about their life but I for one always wants to know what happens next. Kelk is really good at leaving a book not necessarily on a cliffhanger but just after something amazing has happened so you are hungry to know more. I won't reveal the ending of this book so I don't spoil it but it ended with me wishing there were more pages for me to read. I follow @LindseyKelk on twitter and from her tweets I know she is busy writing 'I Heart London' so Angela's story is not finished yet!
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...
Angela Clark loves her life as a Brit in New York. Unfortunately, she's also a Brit who's lost her job. And when the immigration department gets wind of this just before Christmas, Angela needs to find a new job urgently. Or a husband. And she doesn't think her boyfriend Alex will be keen.
A girl's weekend in Vegas with her best friend Jenny seems the perfect way to forget her troubles. From the minute their arrive Angela is swept up in a whirl of cocktails, outrageous outfits, late nights and brushes with the chapel of love. But soon, rather than escaping trouble, Angela is up to her neck in it...
I read this book in a day. Honestly. I read it on the 1st of January when I was having a lazy day and as this is the fourth book of the series I really enjoyed finding out what was happening to Angela. She is a great main character who is flawed like all of us but in a funny, endearing way. She drives me crazy one minute (usually when she is not communicating with her amazing boyfriend) and has me sighing in empathy the next. I think it takes great skill to make a likeable character that people care about and can identify with after four books about their life but I for one always wants to know what happens next. Kelk is really good at leaving a book not necessarily on a cliffhanger but just after something amazing has happened so you are hungry to know more. I won't reveal the ending of this book so I don't spoil it but it ended with me wishing there were more pages for me to read. I follow @LindseyKelk on twitter and from her tweets I know she is busy writing 'I Heart London' so Angela's story is not finished yet!
The 'I Heart' books are great chick-lit books and I find the writing quick and witty and often chuckle or grimace as I read the situations Angela gets herself into. I would recommend you read the books in order so you see Angela's life chronologically as each book builds on the one before but you could pick this book up and enjoy it as a stand alone story. I can't wait for 'I Heart London' to be released so I can find out what happens next.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
ROW80 Check-in 10th January 2012
The start of the week has gone well this end. I tried (kind of!) to join in with a sprint on twitter on the good old ROW80 hashtag on Monday but as I was in a bit of a funny place in terms of what I was doing it didn't work so well! But I was there and I tried.
Here is what I have been up to:
Monday:
15 minutes reading the rest of my old WIP which I have now finished reading.
7 minutes spent doing my test mile of 254 words towards my WIP.
12 minutes spent outlining the next steps in my WIP - I have done this loosely to the end of the book.
34 minutes in total.
Tuesday:
20 minute brisk walk by the river listening to Adele. Was brilliant!
40 minutes writing 1,333 words in my WIP
20 minutes looking at reviews online to get an idea about how I want to do my book reviews.
An hour in total spent on writing activities.
Wednesday:
1 hour dance class
10 minutes 333 words to WIP
20 minutes towards book review
30 minutes total spent on writing activities.
I have decided to put my shiny new idea to one side for now and focus on my chick-lit WIP. That reminds me, I really must think of a title for it. My shiny new idea since Nadja asked involves a girl who enjoys matchmaking all her friends. It will be chick-lit and set in current times. I am not sure of the location. I can't really say more than that at the moment as it is not all square in my head and I need to put it to one side as I am really enjoying my WIP at the moment and since reading it I am able to carry on writing (now I have a loose outline) and will go back and edit at the end. What a task that will be!
I have already managed to exercise twice this week and the dance class is a great addition to my quest to get fit. As soon as it started I got that panic of 'I am not fit enough for this' but I did most of the class and really enjoyed it! I have signed up for the next 9 weeks and paid in advance so I am hoping that in itself with motivate me to go! I am sure I will ache tomorrow but it was great fun and I am looking forward to getting better at all the moves and seeing my fitness level improve.
I did extra writing time on Tuesday as I am out on Thursday and away at the weekend so may not have a chance to do much on those days. I love being busy but at the moment I feel I am juggling everything and I am trying so hard to keep all my balls in the air!!
I hope everyone is having great weeks!
Here is what I have been up to:
Monday:
15 minutes reading the rest of my old WIP which I have now finished reading.
7 minutes spent doing my test mile of 254 words towards my WIP.
12 minutes spent outlining the next steps in my WIP - I have done this loosely to the end of the book.
34 minutes in total.
Tuesday:
20 minute brisk walk by the river listening to Adele. Was brilliant!
40 minutes writing 1,333 words in my WIP
20 minutes looking at reviews online to get an idea about how I want to do my book reviews.
An hour in total spent on writing activities.
Wednesday:
1 hour dance class
10 minutes 333 words to WIP
20 minutes towards book review
30 minutes total spent on writing activities.
I have decided to put my shiny new idea to one side for now and focus on my chick-lit WIP. That reminds me, I really must think of a title for it. My shiny new idea since Nadja asked involves a girl who enjoys matchmaking all her friends. It will be chick-lit and set in current times. I am not sure of the location. I can't really say more than that at the moment as it is not all square in my head and I need to put it to one side as I am really enjoying my WIP at the moment and since reading it I am able to carry on writing (now I have a loose outline) and will go back and edit at the end. What a task that will be!
I have already managed to exercise twice this week and the dance class is a great addition to my quest to get fit. As soon as it started I got that panic of 'I am not fit enough for this' but I did most of the class and really enjoyed it! I have signed up for the next 9 weeks and paid in advance so I am hoping that in itself with motivate me to go! I am sure I will ache tomorrow but it was great fun and I am looking forward to getting better at all the moves and seeing my fitness level improve.
I did extra writing time on Tuesday as I am out on Thursday and away at the weekend so may not have a chance to do much on those days. I love being busy but at the moment I feel I am juggling everything and I am trying so hard to keep all my balls in the air!!
I hope everyone is having great weeks!
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