Ready. Set. Write. 2015 Final check in and wrap up!

 Welcome to the final check in of Ready. Set. Write.   

How I did on last weeks goals:

• As this is really the last week of RSW I need to kick it into gear.  I'm aiming for 5K in my WiP- Score!  I did just over 5K, I don't remember the exact number and I'm too tired to get up and get my flash drive from my purse as I type this.
  
• Work on a description/summary for my WiP- Done.  I think I have something down, though only in writing I still need to work on 'talking' about it.
  
• Read 2 books- 50% I read one book completely but I have been working on a few others bit by bit.  I also posted my review for Another Day by David Levithan here

A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised:

            He didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence before mystery guy decked him.  Good right hook to the jaw that landed Andrew on the floor.  Everyone who had gathered around waiting for a fight whispered between themselves as Andrew sat there rubbing his jaw and blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

            Andrew never got up.  Mystery guy looked at her and gestured for her to follow him down the hall towards the exit.  Lexi walked away with him speechless.  He had just come to her rescue and then defended her honor.  It was sweet.

The biggest challenge I face this week: 
I was in pain for most of it with my back.  I still have no idea how I got my pelvis out of alignment given my normal level of activity is reading/writing and watching TV/movies but yeah it caused inflammation in my lower back and didn't really get better until Friday.  Still a bit sore in the mornings when I wake up but a quick stretch and I'm pretty good.  It just made it hard to do much sitting too long in one spot caused pain but then again moving spots hurt too so it was a long tearful week (I'm a wimp when it comes to pain).

Something I love about my WIP:   
This is our last week and I just have to say that I LOVE EVERYTHING!  I love my characters and my story and the little details that make it perfect to me.  But most of all I love all of you for inspiring me to push on and keep working at it and make me believe I can finish this one.

It looks like that is it for RSW2015!  I have no skills in painting my nails, seriously I can't even clear coat properly, so I won't be participating in the manicure and manuscripts but I look forward to seeing how everyone else did this summer.  Thanks for letting me be part of it.

Ready. Set. Write. Week 12

                Welcome to Week 12 of Ready. Set. Write.  Simple is the name of the game. 

How I did on last weeks goals:

• Transition to day shift!  I start back to days Wednesday so I have 1.5 days to adjust my internal clock- Done.  Didn't have a choice really but it went pretty well.  So far my body is really liking the adjustment. 
• Continue what I started last week, working on scenes I am missing.  I’m aiming for 5K- Fail.  I haven't done anything, this week was hard.  Work was busier than usual and I was crippled part of the weekend after sleeping wrong and messing up my back. 
• Read and work on my review for Another Day-  Read!  Took much longer than planned because day shift was surprisingly busy.  
• Revamp/Re-write my budget.  Rising power costs given the Hades like temps and other bills that flux and revamp my savings and trip fund- Did it!  But I need to revamp again as work is going to cut out OT (which we currently get every paycheck).  Should be much easier though. 
• Read 2 additional books (not counting Never Fade which should be finished by end of day)- Nope.  I didn't anything else, not even counting Never Fade. 

My goals for this week: 

• As this is really the last week of RSW I need to kick it into gear.  I'm aiming for 5K in my WiP
• Work on a description/summary for my WiP 
• Read 2 books

A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised:

I didn't get anything wrote L

The biggest challenge I face this week: 

Adjusting to being busier on the day shift.  Also I slept wrong or something because my back was killing me all day Sunday it hurt to move at all.

Something I love about my WIP:   

Love in its varying forms.

That’s it for this week.  Good luck this week!

Ready. Set. Write. Week 11

                Welcome to Week 11 of Ready. Set. Write.  Simple is the name of the game. 

How I did on last weeks goals:

I want to finish Never Fade! I give up.  I am an epic fail!  Okay so I read more of it and I only have like 100 pages to go and plan to finish it today but nope still not done. 

I'd like to get serious about my story and take a look to see what's left that I need.  I write in different parts, whatever scene is calling to me at that particular time.  So I need to start piecing it together and see what is missing, besides the ending- Yes!  I did start going through and found things I was missing, and I swear some of the scenes I remember writing them but they are not on my master copy so all I can think is they got typed and didn’t save L

Along with the above goal I'd like to not only find the missing pieces but write them up and work on as many as possible- So as many as possible turned out to be three.  Still proud it’s 9,711 words so I’m pretty proud!

I'd love to get a week ahead in reviews for my blog so that would be two for this week and next week- Nope!  I did my reviews I posted last week.  I did Truth here and Shadow and Bone here but I didn’t get as much of a head start on this week as I’d have liked.

Along with finishing Never Fade finally I'd like to read at least 2 other books I have on my TBR list for review- Done!  I read 3 books and a graphic novel!  Well I listened to one, I found audiobooks are good for getting reading done when it hurts to read because your eyes or head hurt. 

My goals for this week: 

All the time really but still!

Transition to day shift!  I start back to days Wednesday so I have 1.5 days to adjust my internal clock

Continue what I started last week, working on scenes I am missing.  I’m aiming for 5K.

Read and work on my review for Another Day. 

Revamp/Re-write my budget.  Rising power costs given the Hades like temps and other bills that flux and revamp my savings and trip fund.

Read 2 additional books (not counting Never Fade which should be finished by end of day)

A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised:  

                Shrugging off his jacket he slung it over her shoulders and helped her slip each arm in one at a time.  “Okay Lexi, I need you to help me here.  Where are your keys?”

                She almost fell out of his grip when she leaned back and lifted up her leg.  He readjusted his grip on her and guided her over to the parking lot and leaned her against her car.  Leaning so his shoulder helped prop her up he reached down and unzipped her boot and found her key, phone, and two cards.  Smiling he pulled out the key and zipped up her boot. 

The biggest challenge I face this week:  It was my last week on night shift (11pm-11am) I’m posting it still on nights but when I leave in a few hours I will be off until starting day shift Wednesday!  So I tried very hard to stay on the night schedule on my off days to make it go smoothly which worked for that but I don’t feel super motivated to do anything when waking up at midnight but lounge. 

Something I love about my WIP:  I’m doing everything thing I can to make it seem as real as possible.  Not gloss over something because it might not be something that will go over well or might be bashed. 

That’s it for this week.  Good luck this week!

Ready. Set. Write. Week 10

                Welcome to Week 10 of Ready. Set. Write.  Simple is the name of the game. 

  

How I did on last weeks goals:

• Finish Vicious and Never Fade- 50/50 I'm done with Vicious.  I never even picked up Never Fade again which sucks because I was really liking it.  I will finish it!
• Read Truth and Wednesday and work on my reviews-  Read both and started my reviews! 
• Finish 2 posts for this week and one for next week (see above):  I reviewed and posted This Shattered World here and participated in a blog tour for Lumière here.  So just didn't get the one for next week finished only started.
   
• Send my short story to at least 2 people for thoughts- Done.  Haven't heard back yet but I didn't get them sent out till Friday/Saturday. 
• Write 2 scenes in my WIP – Done!  So I ended up reading over my short one more time and added about  3k words or so to it.  I felt like it needed some more depth in it.  I felt it was too open in the ending and since I said I was finished I have felt there was something missing and this kind of came to me and I had to get it out there.  Plus I just finished up work on my 2 scenes before I posted.
• Finish my blog tabs (about me and my rating system) and get it updated:  Done!  I even added the Contact tab too! 
• Unpack- Done!  My suitcases haven't been put in the outside storage yet but that's in part because I'm unsure if I want to put it there again.

My goals for this week: 

• I want to finish Never Fade!
• I'd like to get serious about my story and take a look to see what's left that I need.  I write in different parts, whatever scene is calling to me at that particular time.  So I need to start piecing it together and see what is missing (besides the ending). 
• Along with the above goal I'd like to not only find the missing pieces but write them up and work on as many as possible. 
• I'd love to get a week ahead in reviews for my blog so that would be two for this week and next week. 
• Along with finishing Never Fade finally I'd like to read at least 2 other books I have on my TBR list for review.

A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised:  An added scene from my short.

                Ian watched her stare at the envelope for a few minutes in silence.  "Do you want me to stick around while you open it or would you rather be alone?"

                It felt heavy.  She had no idea what was inside but she knew from the moisture filling her eyes she was going to cry no matter what.  She looked up at him and shrugged, "I don't care.  I'm going to cry again for sure.  I figure you've had your fill."

                "Let's go inside and get some tissues then," he placed his hand on her back and guided her inside.  She sat down on the couch and curled her feet underneath herself as she looked at the envelope wondering what it would say.  She wasn't sure she was ready to see what was inside.

The biggest challenge I face this week:  Being motivated.  I just wanted to curl up on the couch with some TV/Movies and watch till I slept.

Something I love about my WIP:  I'm starting to get really excited and think I might actually get to finish this!

That’s it for this week.  Good luck this week!

Ready. Set. Write. Week 9!

                Welcome to Week 9 of Ready. Set. Write.  Simple is the name of the game. 

So let me just say I did horrible last week and don't expect to do much better this week.

How I did on last weeks goals:

• Classes- I'm in class this week with a co-worker.  So my plans are to not be late to class each day, pay attention, do well, and not fall asleep in them. – Done!  I was early each day and passed all parts of testing on the first go!  Also I only slept through one video as old as me but I had to lean against the wall to see it at all and then the lights went out and I was out for that wonderful 15 minute nap.
  
• Writing-I doubt I'll get anything done – And I was right!  Classes ran from 8-5 (or later if held up) then homework.
• Reading- I hope to finish my two books and at least one more for review- Nope!  I got maybe 100 pages of non-work related reading done the whole week.  It’s been horrible.  

My goals for this week: 

• Finish Vicious and Never Fade
• Read Truth and Wednesday and work on my reviews
• Finish 2 posts for this week and one for next week (see above)
• Send my short story to at least 2 people for thoughts
• Write 2 scenes in my WIP
• Finish my blog tabs (about me and my rating system) and get it updated
• Unpack!

That’s about it for me this week.  I’m sure I’ll spend most of today sleeping since I have been ‘working’ since last Sunday.  I’m just happy to be home with my bed and my bebe (my cat Keira) who missed me terribly!

A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised:  Didn’t write any.

The biggest challenge I face this week:  Staying awake in class and getting out of bed to go at all since I’m on nights and the class was during day time hours.  I haven't even unpacked my laptop yet.  Okay I haven't unpacked anything but the dirty clothes bag.

Something I love about my WIP:  That it will wait for me to return to it. 

Sorry I wasn’t able to go by and spread the love last week.  I posted quickly before leaving for class then was there all day and when I got back to the hotel had a ton of homework we worked on (after dinner in a nifty new place) until after midnight. 

That’s it for this week.  Good luck this week!

Ready. Set. Write. Week 8

                Welcome to Week 8 of Ready. Set. Write.  Simple is the name of the game. 

So let me just say I did horrible last week and don't expect to do much better this week.

How I did on last weeks goals:

Pack / Reserve Room / Plan- Done!  I’m currently about to finish getting ready leave the hotel for training class so I’d say I packed and am here.  I haven’t noticed anything I just completely forgot yet but it’s only Monday.

Have posts ready for Monday/Wednesday/Friday edited and on blogger so I can post from my phone if necessary. Done!  Clearly Monday was ready!

Writing wise I’d like to send my short story to a few people to get their thoughts and look into a few places that take short story submissions as a possible option.  If anyone knows of some good sites let me know in the comments or e-mail me please. I didn't send it. 

I also felt like I did better with scene goals rather than words so I’m going back to that.  I want to write at least 3 new scenes on my WIP. Nope.  I did one small scene and added to another but that was it.

I’m working on updating my blog and blogs FB page with adding tabs and such for things.  Finally!  I need to work on creating my rating system or more explaining the one I already use since it’s never been discussed and someone mentioned it would be good.  Also my contact page and all that fun stuff.  Slow but I love that it’s coming together.  Not yet.

Reading wise:  I’m reading Never Fade and Vicious as read alongs this week.  I also plan on finishing Paper Towns today (or tomorrow if I don’t finish it before leaving work and go home to crash) so I can be good to see the movie this weekend.  Hopefully more but that’s all for goals.  I finished Paper Towns and another book but my read alongs hit a snag on Wednesday and I haven't caught up yet and only made it about 45% and 35%.

See the Paper Towns movie next weekend and have the book and movie review down and ready to post while I’m in training class next week. Yes!  My complete thoughts should be up Friday!

My goals for this week: 

Classes- I'm in class this week with a co-worker.  So my plans are to not be late to class each day, pay attention, do well, and not fall asleep in them.

Writing-I doubt I'll get anything done.

Reading- I hope to finish my two books and at least one more for review. 

That's about it.  Low goals but I have classes M-F I came into town for them yesterday and when I get back Friday night I get to stay awake and be ready for worm Saturday night so I'll literally be 'working' til next Monday.

A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised:  Not enough done to share.

The biggest challenge I face this week:  Time as always. 

Something I love about my WIP: Everything!  Cheesy but that's all I got right now. 

That’s it for this week.  Good luck this week!

Ready. Set. Write Week 7

                Welcome to Week 7 of Ready. Set. Write.  Simple is the name of the game.

 

 How I did on last weeks goals:

• Exercise 3 times this week (upping it some)- Epic FAIL I only had 1 day off this week and it was spent sleeping after not sleeping between the previous two 12 hour shifts lol  Sleep schedule is not working with me. 
• Write 2,500 words in my WIP- I fell short only reached 1,586.
  
• Edit my short story-I ended up adding more to it.  I just felt there was another scene or so that could make it a bit better.  I’m not the best editor in the world, horrible really when it comes to my own work since I know what should be there I read over mistakes.  I’m going to send it to a couple friends to see what they think and go from there. 
• Finish The Darkest Minds, I mean seriously it will get finished!  Also finish the Grisha trilogy with the read-along group.  Also read two additional books, one of which being Paper Towns so I can have read it before the movie comes out.  I finished The Darkest Minds at the start of the week then Ruin & Rising the last of the trilogy with the read-along yesterday.  I also finished my review book and I’m starting Paper Towns as soon as I post this.  I also read another book in there so still met my goal #’s wise just not one of them I had intended.      
  
• Write 3 reviews, trying to stay ahead and keep a schedule-I typed and posted Escape From Witchwood Hollow and Alienated.  Did not get an extra one done.  

My goals for this week:  

• Pack / Reserve Room / Plan- I have a training class all of next week and leave Sunday for it so I need to pack…again.  I need to make sure I have things I need for the work classes and then also have things for after if we want to do something after, I’m a horrid over-packer if it wasn’t clear.  Plus prep some lunch and dinner items to take with to save money on eating out.
  
• Have posts ready for Monday/Wednesday/Friday edited and on blogger so I can post from my phone if necessary (unsure what the internet situation will be like sometimes hotels and wifi don’t always get along).  I have one review written but not formatted and I’ll have my RSW put on there and formatted Sunday before we leave.
  
• Writing wise I’d like to send my short story to a few people to get their thoughts and look into a few places that take short story submissions as a possible option.  If anyone knows of some good sites let me know in the comments or e-mail me please.
  
• I also felt like I did better with scene goals rather than words so I’m going back to that.  I want to write at least 3 new scenes on my WIP.
  
• I’m working on updating my blog and blogs FB page with adding tabs and such for things.  Finally!  I need to work on creating my rating system or more explaining the one I already use since it’s never been discussed and someone mentioned it would be good.  Also my contact page and all that fun stuff.  Slow but I love that it’s coming together.
  
• Reading wise:  I’m reading Never Fade and Vicious as read alongs this week.  I also plan on finishing Paper Towns today (or tomorrow if I don’t finish it before leaving work and go home to crash) so I can be good to see the movie this weekend.  Hopefully more but that’s all for goals.
  
• See the Paper Towns movie next weekend and have the book and movie review down and ready to post while I’m in training class next week.

A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised:  Main character and her best friend since diapers talking via e-mail.

                She had a point.  She had been using that excuse as is to avoid talking about things.  As always you make a good point.

                But…

                She knew me too well.  I’ve already lost everything.  I don’t know if I could take falling for someone and losing them.

                There it was.  The real truth.  Sure all the practical reasons were there but the heart of the matter was straight forward.  Her response takes longer than the others which means she’s either stunned silent and has nothing to say or she’s writing a book.

The biggest challenge I face this week: Time.  Only one day off and having sleep issues between 12 hour shifts doesn’t leave much time.  When you can’t sleep it would make sense to write but if you’re trying to fall asleep sitting up to write or typing on the computer/phone seems counter-productive.  So restless lying in bed it is.

Something I love about my WIP: That my characters are real.  They act and think like people do, not always rational or sane but the ideas and feelings flow and influence everything.  Or at least that is my goal.

That’s it for this week.  Good luck this week!