2013 – The Year of my Me Time

I’m a writer. We all know that. I’ve been writing and blogging since 2008. A few years ago I came across Kait Nolan’sRound of Words in 80 Days and discovered a vast network of fellow writers who are darned adept at cheering each other on while we all try to meet our writing goals.

Well in 2013, even though I managed to write and publish two books that brought my YA Contemporary series, Wings from Ashes to its conclusion, I slacked off.

That’s right.

I don’t honestly think that I hit an actual road block or a writers’ block, it was more like a sudden need for down time.

For the past three years, I was writing every night, almost nonstop. Either I was blogging or working on that next book.

Looking back at this past year, after publishing Along Came Neil, I lost the need to write with fervor. I no longer feel as though I need to hurry and get it done. It will get done when it is ready. Who knows, maybe my word count will be longer on this work than the past works.

Is this a sign of maturing as a writer?

I thought that the #wip I was working on for my Na No Wri Mo was going right into that slush pile of unfinished works. It didn’t after all. Instead, I have slowed my writing pace down to a hundred words or two here and there. Add a sentence there, maybe change a paragraph there.

The story is not growing at the pace I was writing at in the past. But it is growing.

I have almost hit the half-way point. Then today I thought about some additional plot points and how to work them into the story line to make it more appealing.

This new, careful way of writing brings me hope for the future of the remaining works in my slush pile. Maybe they can be saved after all. I have two other stories that remain half written and may have to be tackled next. I hate leaving anything unfinished.

Besides writing this year will continue with my Me Time. This is the time I will set aside to do other things I like doing, as in my crocheting, computer gaming, quilting, reading, and gardening.

In 2014, I will follow each completed project, whether it is a written project or a crafting project of some kind with a follow up photo to share with all of you, even if it is a book I just finished reading.

This is the sweater I made for my grandbaby two years ago. My daughter is keeping it even though she has outgrown the sweater. She says it is now an heirloom.

Sweet!

I made Jas a new sweater for Christmas this year. I will post the picture of it as soon as I get one of her wearing it, in a couple of days.

Next up is an afghan that my son has already laid claim to. I never expected that. When I’m done with that, I may need to make a quilt. I haven’t quilted since writing and publishing Friends of Choice. It is long overdue.

It feels right to find my Me Time again.

Do you set time aside for your Me Time?

What do you do with your Me Time?

Stop by and Share – I’d love to hear about your other projects.

Cyber Shopping Done – #ROW80 Check-in

Christmas is right around the corner. There are 17 shopping days left. Are you done with your Christmas Shopping?

I think I am. It will be the first time in years that I am done before the last minute shoppers hit the stores. It is a lovely feeling too. I did sacrifice my NaNo Wri for Xmas Shopping.

My plot was hitting a bump. I wasn’t sure it was going to work out right or that there would be enough action or conflict. All the shopping down time helped me work things out with my plot, and it seems the story is back on track. The first draft is 35% complete. That’s almost halfway there. If I have another strong weekend, plus the vacation I will be taking Christmas week maybe I will finish this story by the end of the year.

I do average 90 days when it comes to first drafts on manuscripts. Maybe, if I’m lucky, my ADD will stay at bay, and I will be able to keep working on this story past the 50k minimum mark. It would be neat to have a work that is a bit longer than normal.

It surely will be an adult only read. All I can say is Kings + Pirates + Maidens = Oh la la.

I’ve been listening to Celtic Music while working on this piece. It seems to help me get into the set time. This may not be our world, or it maybe. I’m thinking an Arthurian Period of someplace that is not here. Maybe add some magic, music and dance to the story to spice it up more. In time, we will see.

You’ll just have to stay tuned to learn more.

ROW80 Check-in:

I did not write at all during the week. I was glued to the Walmart site hitting all their Cyber deals.

Today I did 3k words. Yup that equals my average of 400 words a day that NaNo said I averaged. This is still within my target range. Now, if only I did the 400 words every day during the week, I would be done ahead of schedule with the addition of the 3k on the weekend. That is probably asking too much. Who knows what will happen as I get deeper and deeper into the story.