#ROW80 Check-in 7/22/15

Things have been a bit rough for me the past few days in terms of getting writing done. But I think I’m back on track, and that’s what counts!

The BIG HUGE HAPPY NEWS is that I finally have an answer as to why my eye has been hurting me for almost 3 years. It is a facial nerve condition called Trigeminal Neuralgia, and it can affect the eyes (well, typically one, as most cases are on one side of the face only). My new neurologist put me on a new medication that’s great for TN. Had a bit of a rough start (nausea), but 5 days in, my pain has decreased dramatically. I still get a bit, but so far it hasn’t been that bad or that often. My dose may need to be adjusted, but we’ll see.

I cannot tell you how happy I am to have an answer, and hope for my future. I blogged about it here if you want to read about it.

Okay, so ROW80!

Here’s how I’ve been doing:

Fireborn – Hit 20k today! 1,117 words written since last check-in.
Covenant – Broke 8k. 522 words written since last check-in.
Survivor – Worked on the re-outline this past Sunday and have been doing research.
Camp Nano – Still going strong! 8k!
Camera – Getting fixed within the next few weeks (as soon as things calm down!)

I’ve been more tired than usual – I suspect it’s the new medication — so I’ve been going to bed at the right time for the past three days (well, I was pushing it sometimes 10 or 15 minutes…but it makes a difference!) but I’ve still had issues staying awake while waiting for the bus. This is a bit worrisome, but I am hoping I can adjust and be more alert soon. Because of the fibromyalgia, I’m tired anyway so this is not good. But, 5 days in. We’ll see. 😉

We have 2 family birthdays + a weeklong camping trip within the next month so I will be busy!

Chocolate consumption report: Hardly anything! I got hooked on “fried bread” (basically donut holes) while camping last weekend. Because of the weather, there were no s’mores, alas. All I’ve eaten lately is my WW Sundaes and WW chocolate-caramel thingies. Guess that’s good on the weight losing side, huh? (But damn, I miss it!)

Ready. Set. WRITE Goals

So I’m joining this challenge a bit late, but I figured I’d jump in and get moving. I need a serious kick in the pants this summer, and between this and ROW80, I should be in good shape. I hope. 😉

So here are my goals:

~Finish Fireborn, my fantasy novella, episode #2 in my Reaper Girl Chronicles.
~Outline Ever Touched (Fey Touched book #3) in Hivemind. (I do not do much outlining at all, so this will be light. But I’d like something laid out to follow)
~10k or more on Covenant, my dark fantasy project (stealthily writing now)
~Continue to work on Survivor on Sundays (Survivor is a psychological horror novel I started waaaay back in 2004 and wrote it only on Sundays. Over the years, I got out of the habit — although I had finished the book — and wanted to try it again with the rewrite.)
~Participate in Camp Nano July session/pick a project

Non-writing goals:

~Create a name for Etsy shop (still noodling)
~Find manual 35mm camera and see if it still works. If it does, shoot test roll.
~Read (2) books for review and post reviews by August 31 or sooner
~Organize office

I have been working through chronic excruciating eye pain (left eye only) for the past 2 years with no real relief or a diagnosis. Still working on a diagnosis, have some theories. Some days are better than others, and the meds help a bit. It’s been a real struggle, but writing helps keep me focused and sane. 😀

Looking forward to having some fun and lots of writing!