Despite my best intentions, I have yet to revisit my 2009 NaNoWriMo novel.
After writing more than 60K words in a 30 day period (that fell just before finals week and in the midst of holiday knitting), I told myself I would take a break from the novel during December and revisit it for revision and heavy editing in January.
Well, it’s an hour away from February 1, and I haven’t even opened the file.
My goal for February is to revise and edit the first third of the novel. I have the ideas swimming in my head, I just haven’t been very good at sitting down and adding them to the store.
..maybe this signifies that I need to hang out with writing friends more. I need to find a writing group maybe. Something to keep me motivated and focused.
Also, I think I’m going to get a book with writing prompts. If I can try to write something every day, no matter how short it may be, maybe I can get more of a writing mindset.
I used to write everyday. If I wasn’t writing for me, I was writing for an RPG (oh yes, I did RPGs, and I freaking loved them…but alas, they all died). I wish I knew what happened that made me stop all of a sudden.
February Goals (Got this idea from Cid’s latest blog post)
Writing Goals:
- Write something everyday.
- Revise/Edit first third of “Tangled Dreams”
Crafting Goals:
- Dye a skein of yarn each week.
- Knit a small project each week.
- Finish fingerless gloves.
- Make lots of soap.
- Finish KrisKnits Jan. KAL
- Add something to YP store each week.
Wedding Goals:
- Finish downloading music for reception.
- Organize music list/special dances.
- Order cake topper.
- Finish paying florist.
- Finish paying minister.
- Finish paying venue.
- Go to Mom’s house one weekend and finish wedding favors.
Social Goals (cause I need to get out more):
- Go to Sunday afternoon knitting group every week.
- Find a writing group.
- Start extra knitting night with Jen, Candace and anyone else who wants to join.
Academic Goals:
- Just keep up with the reading/notes/homework.
The all-year-NaNo-Writing-Group thinggie is pretty good (@theshadowboxer runs it). I only went to the last one, but I really enjoyed it and want to make it a staple. If you have time on Tuesdays, the critique group has lit a fire under my butt for revising, and you get to see what other people do. I’m working through Gail Carson Levin’s book, Writing Magic, and I love it! It’s the book I got the prompt for the kid’s knitting story, LoL. It’s small, but has about 30 or 40 chapters with prompts in it. This coming Sunday we’re gonna do the Write Your @ss Day (the 6th) at my apartment if ya wanna come!!! Aaannnnnddddd I’m always up for group knitting! LoL. I’m not amazing, but I’m enthusiastic ^__^
What time does the Nano group and the critique group meet? I’m really interested in the critique group to help me improve a lot since I’m just getting back into writing. I have a late afternoon class on Tuesdays, but it’s over with by 5pm.
I have one prompt book called “The Midnight Epiphany”, by Brian Kiteley. which I like, but I need to get in the habit of using it daily. He has a sequel to it called the “3am something something”. I forget.
And I am all signed up for “Write Your @ss Day”! Is there any foods in particular I need to bring? Are we bringing food-food or snacking-food?
I started joining a Sunday knit group that meets from 1p-4p every Sunday, and they’re really nice, but I’d definitely like to try to squeeze in another, in addition to your monthly craft days (heehee)…I just find that I knit loads more when I’m with others.
I think the NaNo group meets at like 1 or something. I remember it was fairly early or something. We should be meeting in the downtown Ft Worth area this time.
The critique group generally kicks off between 6:30 & 7, depending on when we all get there.
We’re trying to start reading stuff earlier because there’s more people since this last NaNo that we’re having problems getting everything read. I’m just going to start bringing shorter pieces to read.
Hmmm, I might have to look into the Kiteley book!
Food? Um – anything you wanna bring!! I’m scraping the barrel on cash this week so I’ll have a few things there, but not much. :-/
Where is the Sunday knitting group? Sunday’s are usually really relaxed for me and that could be really fun!!!
Crap! No edit button
There are google-groups set up for both of the writer’s things. If you’re interested in joining the NaNo one let @theshadowboxer know, and if you wanna join the critique group one I can email Derrick with your email address to add you. Neither are extremely active.
Having monthly goals is so important! I jot them down in my planner on the dates when I want them accomplished, with a couple reminders written in there along the way. Good luck! You’ve got quite a list!
In April, Allyson, I plan on making my first sweater — I haven’t forgotten about your challenge, it just makes more sense for me to start it after the wedding hullabaloo has died away.
Cid, the knitting group meets off of 360 & GreenOaks/Carrier in Arlington, I’ll send you a link.