#ROW80 Final Check-in 6/9/19

I’ve been so busy that it’s been almost impossible to do weekly check-ins. I know I probably won’t be able to post my final check-in in 11 days, so I decided to end my round a bit early.

I’ve been trying to get on a consistent writing schedule, and that’s been a challenge with work being so busy. I’ve also been trying to work better hours, which is going okay so far.

My surgery recovery is coming along. I’m still doing PT, which has been helping a lot. My recent re-evaluation results were not bad. My foot was pretty strong in some places, but weak in others.

The Achilles’ tendon, unfortunately, seems to be a problem still. When I saw my foot doc on Friday, she said the swelling was worse than before (and it’s still very sore). She prescribed a special orthotic that I’ll need to wear for 3 months to help it heal. Getting the orthotic however will be an adventure. They have to be custom made and Binson’s is extremely booked up right now (it’s summer, people are going out there and hurting themselves!) so I won’t be able to start the process until the 19th. And then it takes 2 to 5 weeks to make. Yikes! But unfortunately that’s all that can be done, so I will deal.

Writing wise…making slow progress on The Vanishing. I’m up to 10k now, and I got unstuck recently, so yay! I also have about 3 or 4 ideas for other books hitting me so I could theoretically switch projects if I need to.

Final standing:

~Participate in Camp Nano with a modest goal of 10,000 words. ~I amended my goal to 5,000 and did not make it. I got halfway: 2,505 words. However, in the bigger picture, I was able to start The Vanishing, so I am happy about that. Overall progress on The Vanishing: 10,000 words. 

Continue placing ads for 3 of my books each month. Also, do a free run with Reaper Girl. ~May 1st was my last paid ad. I have since made the decision to back off ads for a few months and just do newsletter swaps. I’ve decided to hold off on the free Reaper Girl run due to lack of time to stack ads. (I need an assistant, lol!). It’s still happening at some point.

~Progress on more sane work hours. Includes taking Sundays off. ~I’ve taken a few days off here and there when things are slower. I have also decided on a quitting time. It’s working better now. (And I am working only a bit today so progress?)

~Start Survivor Rewrite ~Have not started, but I’d like to.

~Accountability partner check-in ~I keep forgetting to mention this. I’ve been checking in with my accountability partner every week. It’s been fun and helpful. 🙂 

~Final chocolate consumption report: Chocolate mug cakes, hot chocolate, Hersey’s kisses. Junior mints, chocolate cupcakes…I’m probably missing stuff. I’m pretty sure I’ve eaten more than that. 😉

I’ll be back for Round 3!

#ROW80 Final Check-in 3/20/19

Oh, wow, I was actually able to post on a Wednesday! Holy crap!

Just kidding. It’s Tuesday. I wanted to get a jump on it. Since I hardly updated this round, I wanted to at least do the final check-in.

As you probably know, I am recovering from my foot surgery. This Friday will be 3 weeks, halfway through. It’s been feeling like forever, and I can’t wait to walk again. The pain isn’t too bad, but today I had to take some motrin because it was a bit worse than the past few days. It fluctuates.

The surgery more or less killed the quarter/round for me, but I was able to get a fair amount done and I am very happy that I got anything done at all. I’ve been working, but I’ve also been very tired—more so than usual. So that effected things as well.

Here’s the rundown:

~Loosely plot Immortal I kind of abandoned the How to Think Sideways stuff for the time being. I pretty much know the set up and the main plot. But not much else which is not necessarily a bad thing as I like to have mystery.
~Book ads for Gain with Pain, Reaper Girl, and Fey Touched. Put together a tracking system. Up to April on ads. Been getting some sales from the ads and newsletter swaps. I think I’m up to 30 sales this month, whereas I’d be in a huge slump at this time of the year. So, win.
~Start manifestation journal (first entry: 1/5/19)
~Put together modified Kanban board for Q1 Abandoned the Kanban journal and will be repurposing it after I’m walking again. I’m not spending much time in my bedroom (except to sleep) so I haven’t updated it at all. Will be starting with a Kanban board as soon as I can use my office again.
~Purchase Energy Oracle deck. Started strong but petered out toward the end. They aren’t feeling the same as Tarot cards, which is not a bad thing, but it’s an adjustment.
~Progress on Oubliette or finish ~1,103 words. I’m calling that progress.
~Do All The Things related to TDP Anthology (to be released sometime in Q1) ~Yes! The anthology, Love Shines Through: A Fractured World Anthology, is out now! Grab a copy here. My story, Of Poison and Promises, is a f/f story about best friends who become something more while fighting for their lives.
~Begin rewrite of Survivor. Continue working on it on Sundays. ~Never happened, but I am very close to starting.
~Catch up up on ARCs:
Go Manifest Yourself
Cure for Chaos
The Ones Who Left ~Still reading
Hell’s Hinges
Queen Takes Camelot
Alpha Legacy 1-5
~My Fair Millennial books 1 & 2 ~Started #2
~Take Sundays off work when possible ~Tried really hard to do this. Mostly worked, though, or worked a half day.
~Start back on MyFitnessPal. Log food 5x a week minimum. ~Nope, didn’t log beyond the first few days. I did lose those 8 pounds though.
~Water 5x a week 

Accountability partner: This worked out very well for me. I’m big on accountability.  My partner is really nice and talking to her every week was fun. 🙂 I missed a few Fridays due to my surgery, but as of last week we are back at it. I vote we continue this for sure. 😀

So I think I did okay, all things considered. Will definitely be back for Round 2/Q2.

Final chocolate consumption report: Chocolate cupcakes, Andes Mints, Oreos, hot chocolate, chocolate “mug” cakes, chocolate chip cookies, mini Junior Mints, Regular-sized Junior Mints, Hersey’s minis…is that enough? 😉

#ROW80 Check-in 1/27/18

The past two weeks have been a bit crazy, but things are calming down, finally. I am able to finally take a Sunday off, whoohoo!

I haven’t mentioned this before, but I recently tore a ligament in my right ankle. I’m not even sure how or when this happened; I actually found out by accident while investigating Achilles tendonitis. I’ve been in a boot for just over a month now, which means I’ve been working upstairs instead of in my basement office. 😦 My pain level is considerably low when in the boot. I am supposed to be weaning myself off it and unfortunately, I’ve had pain each time I’ve tried to go without it. My doctor initially said  I may need surgery on both the ligament and my Achilles tendon. I am hoping that doesn’t happen. 😦 Anyway, this week was an extremely frustrating week with my ligament. I am hoping things get better.

Here’s the rundown:

~Loosely plot Immortal Faeborn ~Calling it Immortal to prevent confusion with my Fey Touched books
~Book ads for Gain with Pain, Reaper Girl, and Fey Touched. Put together a tracking system. ~Created a spreadsheet in Google Sheets. Booked January ads and 1 ad for February.
~Start manifestation journal (first entry: 1/5/19)
~Put together modified Kanban board for Q1 ~Turned it into a journal instead; also added a section for Tarot readings. Been keeping it updated.
~Purchase Energy Oracle deck. Start pulling cards daily and journaling.~Been pulling/journaling hit and miss.
~Progress on Oubliette or finish ~I plan on writing some today
~Do All The Things related to TDP Anthology (to be released sometime in Q1)~Finished revisions on my own story; need to copyedit another story by 2/1.
~Begin rewrite of Survivor. Continue working on it on Sundays.
~Catch up up on ARCs:
Go Manifest Yourself
Cure for Chaos
The Ones Who Left
Hell’s Hinges 50% in, due 2/28. I am going to be late, ugh
Alpha Legacy 1-5
~Take Sundays off work when possible ~I am taking today off!
~Start back on MyFitnessPal. Log food 5x a week minimum. Started; been logging hit and miss.
~Water 5x a week 

Chocolate consumption report: Dark chocolate Dove hearts (from hubby), Mini York peppermint patties, chocolate/peppermint cookies, s’mores hot chocolate, chocolate cupcakes….yeah, I haven’t exactly deprived myself, regardless of my decision to try to limit candy/chocolate/junk food.

#ROW80 Final Check-in 3/18/18

Round 1 of #ROW80 officially ends on March 22nd, but because I will be busy on that day, I am ending a bit early.

This round went pretty well for the most part. There are things I couldn’t do due to things beyond my control. I also had a ton of freelance work, and that was wonderful, but not so good for other things. All in all, I did okay and I am happy with my progress.

I will be participating in Round 2 for sure.

So here is my final rundown:

~2nd round edits on secret project. ~Final update: still waiting for betas, but did start editing it. Finished 37 pages.
~Revisions on Fireborn ~ Update: I should be receiving them on April 1st. So nothing done this round.
~Covenant words ~Don’t have wordcounts handy at the moment. Maybe 1,000 new words? I’ve stopped working on this book due to being stuck. I am working on an older novel, Oubliette, and it’s up to 25k now.
NEW GOAL ADDED: Get to halfway point on Oubliette ~I’m at 31.9k right now; 37k would be halfway.
NEW GOAL ADDED: Get to 50k by the end of the round  ~Update: up to 57k!
~Survivor Sundays (Survivor my book, not the TV show) Have not started yet. 
~Poke at Fireborn cover?~Yes, although it’s not working as well as I’d hoped.

Non-writing stuffs:

~Read 1 book a week ~Finished Blood Fury by J.R. Ward. Finished Painless by Marty Thornley. Final update: Did this mostly, but missed a few weeks here and there.
~Water 5x a week
~Print out test roll pics in darkroom Nope. But have been pondering this.
~Poetry, maybe? Nope. 
~Housewalking 3x a week Nope. 
~And everyone’s favorite, chocolate consumption reports YES! Final report: Dark chocolate bar, mini Kitkats, and hot chocolate!

How did you do this round?

#ROW80 Check-in 3/4/18

I have been swamped with freelance work, which is a good thing. However, I haven’t had any time to post till now!

I’m doing okay. I’m still amazed that it’s March already, and my birthday is coming too! (March 27th).

Here’s where I am at:

~2nd round edits on secret project. ~Update: still have not received the last two betas, which is fine. I still hope to release it sometime this year. Releasing it this month is not going to happen.
~Revisions on Fireborn ~ Update: I should be receiving them on April 1st.
~Covenant words ~Don’t have wordcounts handy at the moment. Maybe 1,000 new words? I’ve stopped working on this book due to being stuck. I am working on an older novel, Oubliette, and it’s up to 25k now.
NEW GOAL ADDED: Get to halfway point on Oubliette ~I’m at 31.9k right now; 37k would be halfway.
NEW GOAL ADDED: Get to 50k by the end of the round ~Update: up to 55k!
~Survivor Sundays (Survivor my book, not the TV show) Have not started yet. 
~Poke at Fireborn cover?~Yes, although it’s not working as well as I’d hoped.

Non-writing stuffs:

~Read 1 book a week ~Finished Blood Fury by J.R. Ward. Now reading Painless by Marty Thornley
~Water 5x a week
~Print out test roll pics in darkroom Nope. But have been pondering this.
~Poetry, maybe? Nope. 
~Housewalking 3x a week Nope. 
~And everyone’s favorite, chocolate consumption reports ~ Hot chocolate, KitKat minis,  and Hersey’s chocolate kisses!

#ROW80 Check-in Jan. 10th

I can finally do my first post of Round 1! Been busy, and struggling with TN pain. I recently had to have dental work done (prep for a crown) and that was miserable. I am glad the hard part is done, though.

Here’s the rundown:

~2nd round edits on secret project (I am contemplating releasing it around my birthday in March. We will see how things go). ~I  haven’t received the last two betas yet.
~Revisions on Fireborn ~Haven’t received my edits back, either.
~Covenant words ~Don’t have wordcounts handy at the moment. Maybe 1,000 new words?
~Survivor Sundays (Survivor my book, not the TV show) Have not started yet.
~Poke at Fireborn cover? ~Waiting to finish Cover Workshop I am taking

Non-writing stuffs:

~Read 1 book a week Finished both Midnight Rain by Kate Aeon and Die for Me by Dan Rix (ARC).
~Water 5x a week
~Print out test roll pics in darkroom Nope.
~Poetry, maybe? Nope.
~Housewalking 3x a week Nope.
~And everyone’s favorite, chocolate consumption reports 1 whole bag of Hersey’s Kisses (not in one sitting, though!) and lots of hot chocolate. Chocolate minis, too!

#ROW80 Final Check-in 12/17/17

Technically, the round ends on the 20th, but I will be busy with Christmas prep so I am, as usual, ending a bit early.

So, how did I do?

~Finish rewrite of Fireborn, revise it, edit it, and submit it for Dec. 1st deadline. ~ DONE. That was the priority. I get edits back on January 1st.
~Transfer Survivor outline to notecards, for reals this time ~NOT DONE. Started, but my hand started complaining so I had to stop. I will try to do this between now and the beginning of Round 1 2018 so I can maybe start writing on Sundays again.
~Participate in NanoWriMo with an amended goal of 30k (Survivor) ~ NOT DONE. Between Fireborn, freelance jobs, and helping my mom, I’ve had no extra time at all. I am still considering a “Nano” of my own at some point.
~Begin edit of Secret Project ~DONE. Editing done and it’s now with betas. Two got back with me. So far, the response has been very positive, which is encouraging.
~Decide on next project and start working on that (Covenant and When She Sleeps are the top contenders) ~DONE. I chose Covenant, and I have 1,578 words already written.
~Finish In Flames cover or hire someone to do it  ~DONE. A writer friend generously offered to make me a cover. Cover reveal soon!

Non-writing stuffs:

~Water 5x a week~DONE, with a few exceptions.
~Read 1 book a week ~DONE, for the most part.
~Chocolate consumption reports, of course! ~DONE! Lots and lots of hot chocolate, dark chocolate M&Ms, and dark chocolate minis! 

I will be participating in ROW80 next year (so weird to be saying that!) so see you all next round!

And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

#ROW80 Check-in 12/3/17

Here I am again!

Honestly? I’ve been exhausted. Too much too soon for too long. However, I am finally somewhat free so I can update and rest.

Here’s my update:

~Finish rewrite of Fireborn, revise it, edit it, and submit it for Dec. 1st deadline. ~ Submitted on Friday 12/1!
~Transfer Survivor outline to notecards, for reals this time ~Started, but my hand started complaining so I had to stop. Still not finished.
~Participate in NanoWriMo with an amended goal of 30k (Survivor) ~ Nope. Between Fireborn, freelance jobs, and helping my mom, I’ve had no extra time at all. I am contemplating doing my own Nano once Fireborn is submitted.
~Begin edit of Secret Project  I am 17% in
~Decide on next project and start working on that (Covenant and When She Sleeps are the top contenders) ~Most likely Covenant, with When She Sleeps as a secondary. Also toying with the idea of restarting Survivor Sundays.
~Finish In Flames cover or hire someone to do it  ~A writer friend generously offered to make me a cover. Cover reveal soon!

Non-writing stuffs:

~Water 5x a week ~Did not drink water for 2 days. Bad Erin! No cookie!
~Read 1 book a week ~ Finished Cold Memory by Harvey Church and also FirstLife by Gena Showalter. Started Broken Glass by V.C. Andrews and Lifeblood, sequel to Firstlife by Gena Showalter.
~Chocolate consumption reports, of course! Hersey’s kisses and dark chocolate mini’s! And lots of hot chocolate!

#ROW80 Final Check-in Round 3

It’s that time again. I’ve been so busy, I have’t been able to do any updates for awhile. The round officially ends on 9/22, next week, but per my usual tradition I am posting my final check-in early. (Weekdays are really hard for me to update these days).

So, the round went pretty well. I got a lot done. I have been battling the trigeminal neuralgia pain and have been trying to get a handle on it, so that affected things somewhat. But despite that I am still happy for what I did get done.

Here is the rundown:

~Continue with Fireborn rewrite. DONE! I’m at 47k of a projected 60k. On track to finish for deadline. 
~Finish secret project. It is currently almost half done. NOT DONE, but damn close! I have one more section to write.
~Continue participating in Camp Nano. I have two projects I am flip-flopping between, Oubliette and When She Sleeps. Should keep me busy! DONE. I worked on both books. I finished with a total of 12k which made my goal of 10k. Final stats: When She Sleeps, 5,700 words total. Oubliette, 20k (added 8k).
~Start plotting Survivor into Scrivener (Survivor is my Nano project). NOT DONE. Ran out of time yet again.
~One glass of water 5x a week. DONE mostly. I may have missed a few here and there, but I’ve been consistent for the most part. 
~Continue with FYFB class. DONE and NOT DONE. Class was being switched over into a new program so I had to download everything I hadn’t watched or worked on. I got that part done, but nothing else, regrettably. 
~Continue with chocolate consumption reports DONE!

Chocolate consumption: chocolate cannolis, chocolate cupcakes, mint cookies, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, marble cake. 🙂

I believe that is it. See you next round!

#ROW80 Check-in 8/16/17 – Back again

I’m baaaaaack!

A lot has happened since I last posted. I’ve been so busy, it’s not even funny. And the hubby and I are going camping this weekend. And summer’s almost over!

Eye pain has been completely unbearable, so I have been forcing myself to take computer breaks. I am seeing the neurologist next week and I hope we can get me a dosage of meds that works!

Okay. so here’s the rundown:

Secret project – 2,334 new words since I last posted! I’m closer to finishing the first draft!

Fireborn Rewrite – Up to 32k now (10,215 new words written since last check-in! Mama mia!)

Water – Most days drink one glass, a few days managed two!

Camp Nano – Finished with 12,542 words! (Goal was 10k!)

FYFB class – Apparently it is being rolled into a new program so I have to download everything I haven’t watched yet as I cannot afford the new program (even with a deep discount). So that’s going to have to be a priority.

Survivor Outline transfer – Nada, but hope to at least start it before the round ends!

Chocolate consumption: Chocolate Devotion ice cream sundae at Cold Stone Creamery today (and it is divine!), hot chocolate, chocolate donuts/donut holes, Twix bars, GF Breakfast bars, GF chocolate animal crackers, Twix minis… is that enough??

How’s everyone? Catch me up!