Mid-week Check-In and WIPpet Wednesday

Mid week check-in for ROW80 finds me enthused about writing and writing more in the past few days than all of last week. I finished the first draft of “Catching Fire” today – yeah! A little bit late but it is now onto revisions – beginning March 1, when I will be taking part in Revision month through Janice Hardy.

My goals for this round are listed, with my progress (or not) in bold following.

1. Write daily – at least 500-1000 words a day **** YES – I’ve been writing more each day
2. Take courses. Working on Male POV thru RWA & A Novel Idea
3. Read at least 3 books on the craft of writing as well as articles online. Read articles
4. Finish the first draft of “Catching Love” –YES! Finished last chapter today! First draft done!
5. Finish the first draft of my MG novel No – but working on more plotting
6. Write at least one picture book a month Still working on revisions
7. Enter competitions and twitter pitch parties –No
8. Take part in Write1Sub1 and 12 X 12 –worked on pb revisions
9. Fulfill duties of mentor at ROW80, visiting my team 2x a week –YES
10. Write at least 2 blog posts a week (other than ROW80) –Yes

WIPpet Wednesday

Time to share a snippet from a work in progress. Today I finished the first draft of “Catching Love” and this snippet comes from Chapter 5.

The WIPpet is based on the date:

2-25-2015 – so: 20 -15 = 5 so – Chap.5

25-2= 23 so, 23 lines

  “Don’t you think you should have told me you were a baseball player? I felt like an idiot for not knowing.” 

     “I guess I assumed you knew and I really didn’t want to discuss that part of my life.”

     “How would I know?”

“Newspapers, T.V., the internet.”

“I hate baseball. I tune it out.” Emma turned away from him.

     “Gee, thanks. A huge part of my former life, and you hate it.”

     Flynn started the car then and drove to Emma’s apartment. He couldn’t speak. He had blasted her for hating baseball. And yet he couldn’t even watch a game now. He was angry with himself. He had kept silent about his past, and then got angry when Emma was honest.

     He pulled up in front of the building. As Emma made to get out of the car, he held her back.

     “I’m sorry Emma. It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have gotten upset. Baseball was a huge part of my life for years. But after I got hurt and then retired, I didn’t want any part of that life or life style. Forgive me.”

     Emma slid along the seat towards him and put her hand on his cheek. “I liked your parents Flynn. I just felt so small, that I didn’t even know the most important part of their son. It was like you didn’t trust me with that knowledge.”

     “It was everything at one time. Not now.”

     “But still…”

     “No, I’m done with baseball. There are so many other things to explore. Like kissing.”

     Emma laughed and slide back. “Not tonight. Once was enough, I think.”

     “Okay, but I wouldn’t mind exploring it more.”

     “You are incorrigible. But for the record, what I said about hating baseball wasn’t accurate. I don’t hate it, I just don’t know much about it. I was angry with you and I said the first thing I could think of, more to hurt you than anything else. I’m truly sorry.”

     “Apology accepted.

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Slice of Life Tuesday

Today we share our slices of life at “Two Writing Teachers”, a meme that encourages us all to write about something from our lives.

When I bought the three spring plants on Saturday, I was just thinking of an inexpensive centrepiece for a dinner party that night. Each pot was just $2.oo.

But this morning, as more tiny blooms opened, I felt blessed.

In this cold, cold winter, a sight of spring warms the soul and lifts spirits. Crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths – such lovely flowers.

Only a few more weeks til the spring bulbs we planted last year will actually begin to bloom. In the meantime, I will keep my eye on these sweet flowers.

 

Sunday Check-In ROW80

Each Sunday and Wednesday posting one’s writing progress (or lack thereof – which was this past week), really helps focus on our writing and what goals we want to achieve. The ROW80 community is such a supportive one. Just want to give a big thank you to those who help us all move forward – even if it is just tiny steps (as it has been the past few weeks for me).

Here are my stated goasl and my progress for the week in bold.

1. Write daily – at least 500-1000 words a day **** some writing each day, minimal
2. Take courses. Working on Male POV course from RWA and A Novel Idea
3. Read at least 3 books on the craft of writing as well as articles online. Read articles
4. Finish the first draft of “Catching Love” –having challenge with chap. 23 –it’s just not working
5. Finish the first draft of my MG novel No
6. Write at least one picture book a month Won a critique and worked on revisions of it
7. Enter competitions and twitter pitch parties –submitted one pitch
8. Take part in Write1Sub1 and 12 X 12 –worked on pb revisions
9. Fulfill duties of mentor at ROW80, visiting my team 2x a week –YES
10. Write at least 2 blog posts a week (other than ROW80) –Yes

Here’s another writing quote to inspire – or at least nudge.

30 Words Thursday/ Sky Watch Friday

A Winter’s Day

Blue sky

Not a cloud in sight

Snow drifts

Piled on cedars and railings

Freezing cold

-20C, windchill  feels like -29C

Closed schools

Frostbite in minutes, stay home

Polar vortex!

Linking with

30 Words Thursday – the fun weekly writing meme at “Treasures Found”

and

Sky Watch Friday – sharing skies from around the world!

Mid-Week Check-In ROW80 and WIPpet Wednesday

Here are my goals for this round plus in bold my progress (or lack thereof!) in bold. Row80 forces me to be more accountable, but in a supportive way.

1. Write daily – at least 500-1000 words a day **** I haven’t been writing much the past week – more catching ideas and some research
2. Take courses. Still working on Male POV thru RWA
3. Read at least 3 books on the craft of writing as well as articles online. Read “Show and Tell in a Nutshell” by Jessica Bell. Read articles
4. Finish the first draft of “Catching Love” –no writing on this
5. Finish the first draft of my MG novel No altho worked on more plotting
6. Write at least one picture book a month Worked on revision of a story and submitted it for a critique that I won
7. Enter competitions and twitter pitch parties – Not this week
8. Take part in Write1Sub1 and 12 X 12 –worked on pb revisions, on planning for a new story
9. Fulfill duties of mentor at ROW80, visiting my team 2x a week –YES
10. Write at least 2 blog posts a week (other than ROW80) –No – missed Sunday’s check-in

This past week has been all over the place – with little actual writing done, although I read more, did some plotting on several stories, worked on my course, took part in “Mini WOW” (creating ideas for non-fiction pb), captured some new ideas for stories and spent more time with my hubby. The cold kept us in more but we had a couple of extra days together which was nice.

My goal this week is to work on my WIP romance and finally get it finished!

WIPpet Wednesday

This is a chance to share excerpts from your current WIP, based on the date.

Today is 2/18/2015

Therefore – Chapter. 5 (20 – 15= 5) with 16 lines (18 – 2) from “Catching Love”

Emma and Flynn are visiting Flynn’s parents when Emma learns a new truth about Flynn.

“The tabloids pasted a photo of us kissing and Emma almost lost her job over that photo. We knew the timing was right.”

“I don’t read those papers. If it was anything like the one I just saw, it must have been something.” Flynn’s mother chuckled.

     Emma felt her cheeks getting warm.

     Flynn’s dad then spoke. “What do you do Emma?”

     “I’m a teacher. I teach fourth grade, here in the city. This is my second year.”

     “We’re going to see her principal tomorrow to get this all resolved.”

     “I’m sure you will get it things straightened out.” said his mom.

     “Did you ever see Flynn play?” asked his dad.

     “Play what?”

     “Baseball of course. He won MVP two years in a row. He was a great catcher.”

     Emma turned to look at Flynn. How could he have avoided telling her this most important information about his past? Now she looked like an idiot.

     “We’ve only known each other a month. I guess we just had other things to talk about.” What a stupid answer. She was burying herself more and more.

     Flynn took her hand. “I wanted to shelter Emma from all that for awhile. But she ended up getting caught up into it anyway.”

 

Slice of Life Tuesday

Sharing a slice of life is a special writing challenge hosted at Two Writing Teachers.

This weekend we celebrated Valentine’s Day on Saturday and then on Monday, Family Day – a provincial holiday here in Ontario. With the extreme cold lately, it was a good day just to relax, read and spend time together.

My husband had booked a half day off on Friday to give him a long weekend, and then just days before he was booked for a sleep study on Friday night. Being alone never bothered me when I was younger, but since I’ve remarried, I really don’t enjoy it. I hear every sound. It was well past two before I even tried to go to bed.

Saturday was a lovely day though. We spent the day together, had a romantic meal at home and then watched “Valentine’s Day.”

On Sunday we took my husband’s son and his family out for his birthday supper to Swiss Chalet – one of my favourite restaurants. We ended the evening watching SNL40. I can still remember many of the skits from the first few years. We laughed so much! Jimmy Fallon and Justn Timberlake should host more shows! At times though it was hard to see the passing of time in some of our favourite comics. Sad even. Time sure does pass for us all.

Mid-week Check-In ROW80 and WIPpet Wednesday

Once again, Wednesday rolls around much too quickly. I was ill Monday so little was accomplished on that day, but I did make progress..

Time for the mid-week check-in.

My goals are listed, with my progress (or lack thereof) in bold.

1. Write daily – at least 500-1000 words a day **** YES – some writing each day
2. Take courses. Working on 2 courses – one from RWA
3. Read at least 3 books on the craft of writing as well as articles online. Read articles
4. Finish the first draft of “Catching Love” –finished part of another
5. Finish the first draft of my MG novel No
6. Write at least one picture book a month Working through “Pix Book Magic” course to flesh out new story idea
7. Enter competitions and twitter pitch parties –not this week
8. Take part in Write1Sub1 and 12 X 12 –Yes
9. Fulfill duties of mentor at ROW80, visiting my team 2x a week  –YES
10. Write at least 2 blog posts a week (other than ROW80) –Yes

WIPpet Wednesday

This is a chance to share excerpts from your current WIP, based on the date.

Today is 2/11/2015

Therefore – Chapter. 5 (20 – 15= 5) with 13 lines (11 + 2) from “Catching Love”

            * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

     At his parents’, Flynn got out and went around to help Emma out. Her hands were chilled and she still looked worried. He shut the car door, then held her hands in his, as much to warm them as to assure her. “Emma, my parents will like you. Just be yourself. We can do this.”

He leaned down then and kissed her lips. He had wanted it to be a quick, reassuring kiss, but as with the other kisses, he was drawn to her. Her mouth opened and his tongue sought hers. He let go of her hands, encircled her with his arms and drew her closer to him. Her arms went around his neck.

“Flynn? Flynn!”

His mother’s voice. He had lost track of where they were. He had been so caught up in the sensations spiralling through him. He looked down at Emma, a blush once again staining her cheeks and her lips slightly swollen, because of him. That kiss was even more explosive than the ones before.

He whispered to her. “Sorry Emma. I couldn’t help myself. I can’t seem to kiss you small.”

Emma smiled then. He was glad to see she wasn’t upset with him.

“Well, at least they’ll know I can’t keep my hands off you. Mom probably saw the kiss. I didn’t plan that Emma. really.

Slice of Life Tuesday

Two Writing Teachers hosts the weekly writing challenge “Slice of Life Tuesday”. The SOL community is a supportive one and offers a rare chance to focus on slices of our life.

As I got on the scales yesterday, I was surprised/upset to see that I had gained five pounds since Christmas. This has been a stressful few weeks and I know I was eating more comfort foods. But I was hoping I hadn’t gained weight.  I know I have to do something and soon.

I had borrowed “The Writing Diet” by Julia Cameron  from the library last week, but it had been sitting in the bag. I took it out today and began reading. I am glad I did.

Her statement that over-eating was a self-destructive act really hit home. I have to do better. My daughter keeps telling me to get healthy, that she wants me to live a long life.

I had read and worked through her “The Artist’s Way” last year and loved it. From “Morning Papers” to “Artist’s dates, there were so many ways to encourage and grow our creativity.

“The Writing Diet” uses some of the same tools to help encourage “clean eating, clean living”. Morning papers are encouraged as well as keeping a food journal.

One chapter really struck a chord with me – taking one day at a time:

“Our days are built of days. Each day, well lived, builds upon the next. “

“When I began to focus on one day at a time, my life started to be far more fulfilling…. I began to pack more living into each day’s passage.”

So, I will begin, one day at a time, taking care of myself, loving myself and focusing on clean eating.

Sunday Check-In ROW

Today is the perfect day to read or write – which I have been doing. The weather has been icy and cold., with more freezing drizzle expected tonight.

Here’s the tree in our front yard, iced over.

Row80 offers us a way to have accountability yet great support.

I have been working on my goals and achieved several, especially the working towards finishing the first draft of “Catching Love”. My goal is to be finished by Valentine’s Day. Then I will put it aside for a few weeks and then start to edit and revise it. My goals are listed, with what I have achieved (or not) in bold.

1. Write daily – at least 500-1000 words a day **** YES – some writing each day
2. Take courses. Working on “Male POV” through RWA, as well as “A Novel Idea”
3. Read at least 3 books on the craft of writing as well as articles online. Read articles
4. Finish the first draft of “Catching Love” –finished one more chapter -5 to go!
5. Finish the first draft of my MG novel No
6. Write at least one picture book a month No
7. Enter competitions and twitter pitch parties –No
8. Take part in Write1Sub1 and 12 X 12
9. Fulfill duties of mentor at ROW80, visiting my team 2x a week –YES
10. Write at least 2 blog posts a week (other than ROW80) –Yes

Here’s another writing quote – simple but effective.

Mid Week ROW80 Check-In and WIPpet Wednesday

Once again, Wednesday rolls around too quickly. Time for the mid-week check-in.

My goals are listed, with my progress (or lack thereof) in bold.

1. Write daily – at least 500-1000 words a day **** YES – some writing each day
2. Take courses. Working on “Male POV” through RWA
3. Read at least 3 books on the craft of writing as well as articles online. Read articles
4. Finish the first draft of “Catching Love” –finished one more chapter
5. Finish the first draft of my MG novel No
6. Write at least one picture book a month Generated several ideas
7. Enter competitions and twitter pitch parties – Not this week
8. Take part in Write1Sub1 and 12 X 12 –worked on pb revisions
9. Fulfill duties of mentor at ROW80, visiting my team 2x a week –YES
10. Write at least 2 blog posts a week (other than ROW80) –Yes

WIPpet Wednesday

This is a chance to share excerpts from your current WIP, based on the date.

Today is 2/4/15

Therefore – Chapter. 4  with 17 lines (15 + 2) from “Catching Love”

Flynn has proposed Emma and him get engaged and now has a reporter from the tabloid in his office to share the news:

“That will be the reporter.” Flynn walked to the door and opened it. “Come in Carter.” he lead the reporter into his office.

“This is Emma Andrews.” “Thought you’d want an exclusive, even before we put the announcement in the newspaper. Emma and I got engaged this weekend.”

Emma held up her hand to show the ring and then Flynn took her hand and kissed it. Emma looked at him.

“Awfully quick wasn’t it?  What will Maggie say? Thought you were dating her.”

“We broke up for good over six weeks ago. But we’d been drifting apart long ago. Emma and I met thirty-two days ago, at a dinner with my brother and her good friend, who are also dating. We hit it off right away. Been together ever since.”

“How’s it feel to have captured this heart throb?”

“Lucky. I love  him so much.”

“Well congratulations. Can I get a picture of the two of you?

Flynn nodded.

The reporter took a couple of pictures, including one  of the ring.

“Well, thanks Carter for stopping by.” Flynn stood and escorted the man out. He shut the door and returned to Emma. She was sitting, hands in her lap, playing with her ring.

The game had begun. They’d have to play it with sincerity. The kiss they’d just shared had aroused him as much as the first one. He wanted more, but he had to remember it was a game and Emma’s reputation and job were on the line. They had to win this.