The Monday Page
February 5, 2008 by Miranda
Welcome to The Monday Page. This section of the blog is for posting your weekly goals and progress. The point of this page is to help you focus at the beginning of each week and set a target to meet. Writing your goals down and posting them publicly creates a sense of accountability that for some of us is more effective than mulling our ambitions over internally.
The comments on this page are to be kept short and sweet (”Just the facts, Ma’am.”) Our main blog page is the place to talk process and share ideas and challenges.
If it isn’t Monday and you’d like to post your goals, please do. We have a rolling admissions policy 
And for your first comment, don’t worry about last week’s goal (unless you had one). Here’s what to post as a comment:
1. Your name and the date
2. Last week’s goal (page count, time quota, chapter or section milestone, etc.)
3. Last week’s outcome (achieved goal, didn’t achieve goal, partially achieved goal)
4. This week’s goal (page count, time quota, chapter or section milestone, etc.)
5. Schedule for accomplishing this week’s goal (can be anything from “in ten minute stretches when my kids allow” or “between 10:00 and noon every day”–whatever is realistic)
And if you think someone is going to check up on you, you’re right!
(If the comment format becomes too laborious, we’ll work out a different structure–but for now, let’s see how this works.)
Miranda
christammiller
Betsy G
caseycairo
bluestalking
Bethany
jennymomof4
brittanyvandeputte
Lisa Damian
kerry
ninanewton
gaijinmama
mummymania
katehopper
Miranda 2/5/08
Last week: 1) Complete draft of agent query letter and 2) Finish revising story for Iowa contest and postmark by deadline.
Last week’s outcome: Completed both goals.
This week’s goal: Spend at least four hours revising the first two chapters of book.
Schedule: Three hours Friday morning and one hour squeezed in on Wednesday or Thursday.
Jenny 2/5/08
Last week: I just got here.
Just get something on paper!
Last week’s outcome: Story outline complete.
This week’s goal: Finish note taking on uncontested divorce judgements in NY state (anyone who can help with this let me know!) and a bit of victorian architecture. Complete a re-read of On Writing by Stephen King (this was useful in the past). Dig out The Elements of Style (I know it’s here somewhere) and look it over. Write an opening page (or two or three…
Schedule: None yet, just working in time each evening before bed.
Christa 2/5/08
Last week: Anything fiction-related was a goal.
Last week’s outcome: I outlined one of the short stories I’d been struggling with - it’s close to done, but I gave it a structure I’ll need to finish it. I also wrote a few sentences on the new novel. Not great, but forward, right?
This week’s goal: Um… again, anything fiction-related. I’m going to shoot for either that short story, or finishing the second chapter draft of the novel.
Schedule: Bits and pieces of time wherever I can find it.
1. Bethany Hiitola 2/5/08
2. Last week’s goal: Finish non-fic proposal and sample chapters
3. Last week’s outcome: finished/polished the proposal, drafted the chapters
4. This week’s goal: finish polishing those chapters and get agent query letter ready and query away!
5. Schedule for accomplishing this week’s goal: Fit it in between kids, day job, and household stuff.
Status as of today (Tuesday)– chapters 1 and 2 done. 3 needs polishing. Query letter, um, drafted. Roughly.
1. Brittany 2/6/08
2. Last week’s goal: Finish novel by Valentine’s Day
3. Last week’s outcome: Wrote another chapter and a half.
4. This week’s goal: Finish the climax chapter of my book.
5. Schedule for accomplishing this week’s goal: During Sam’s nap time (and during play time if he’ll let me).
Status as of today (Wednesday)– I’ve written several pages of the chapter I’m working on, but I don’t like it and think it’s redundant. I will probably start from scratch today.
1. Jenn 2/3/08
2. finish the rough draft of tsunami
3. by the skin of my teeth, worst chapter yet, but yes, it’s “done” in rough draft format and sent to my students
4. PART 1 of the book is done in rough format: the interior of the earth. Now, pick ONE chapter, the best one, and get it in the shape to send to editor. Eek!
5. CRANK on Monday (1:30 - 3:30), Tues (10:00 - 11:30), and Wednesday (all day minus class preps). Figures and tables, interest boxes. Crank and PRAY.
Christa 2/11/08
Last week: Anything fiction-related was a goal.
Last week’s outcome: I finally committed to one novella, and damn, the output! It’s absolutely flowing. I am halfway into the second chapter and have roughly outlined the rest of the story. I am soooo psyched!
This week’s goal: Finish Chapter 2, start Ch. 3.
Schedule: Probably nights, along with the bits of time I can snatch during the day.
Miranda 2/11/08
Last week: Spend at least four hours revising the first two chapters of book.
Last week’s outcome: Completed (spent about seven hours).
This week’s goal: Complete chapter 3 by late Friday.
Schedule: Four hours Friday morning and two hours on Wednesday or Thursday.
Lisa D. - 2/11/08
(Note: Don’t the comments default to giving our names and the date?)
Last week: Didn’t expect to do much writing because I was in Austria
Last week’s outcome: Posted on my blog about my trip, turned in a book proposal, and drafted an entirely new short story… Wow, didn’t expect that!
This week’s goal: Write chapter two of the history book (at the very minimum), preferably chapters three and four as well.
Schedule: I am chaining myself to a desk all day Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Lisa–The comment function does include screen name and date, but for some people their screen name and real name are different (see Jenn/caseycairo for example). As for including the date, I think that typing out the date yourself is part of sticking your stake in the ground! May also help old folks like me who can’t read that pale gray font very well
but feel free to format however you prefer.
–Miranda
Brittany 2/11/08
Apparently this works, Miranda. What a week I’ve had!
Last week’s goal(s): Finish novel by Valentine’s Day and
finish writing the climax chapter of my book.
Last week’s outcome: Rewrote the climax chapter from scratch, finished it, and then wrote another chapter and a half on top of that today. According to my outline, I have five and a half chapters to go in the next three days.
This week’s goal: Finish my novel in the next three days.
Schedule for accomplishing this week’s goal: During Sam’s nap time (and during play time if he’ll let me). I have also excused myself from all household interaction this week. When my husband comes home, we will eat dinner, and then I will lock myself in my office all night.
Oh crap, it’s Monday!
Though, well, I got my week’s goals done!
1. Bethany 2/11/08
2. Last week’s goal(s): Get Intro, Ch1, Ch2 done, query letter done and out there to an agent or so
3. Last week’s outcome: achieved. Even got a request for the proposal and sample chapters.
4. This week’s goal: Hmmm, plot out this new novel idea I have before I “lose” the idea. This means outline and first chapter. It sets tone and tells me when I pick the idea up again where I need to be.
5. Just going to fit it between the day job (the corporate one) and the family. I
1. Christa 2/18/08
2. Last week’s goals: Finish Chapter 2, start Chapter 3
I had some paying stuff that needed attention early in the week, and then Wed. night we LOST POWER for 12 hours due to an ice storm, had to spend the night at my in-laws’, and that totally threw me off. I did manage to write a little, but mostly token stuff, and what I really need is just to dive into it…
3. Last week’s outcome: HAHAHA. Who was I kidding? No, really. I totally lost momentum.
4. This week’s goal: Same as last week. Rain Dog has his school vacation this week, and he’ll be around to take the kids off my hands so I can work.
5. Schedule: I’m hoping for one day to myself where I can really get back into a groove. Otherwise, wherever I can fit in time.
Miranda 2/18/08
Complete chapter 3 by late Friday.
Last week: Complete chapter 3 by late Friday.
Last week’s outcome: F (Had first showing on Saturday and open house Sunday; end of week was utterly dedicated to house and attending kids’ talent shows at school. Didn’t even open my manuscript file).
This week’s goal: (If at first you don’t succeed…
Schedule: Four hours Friday morning and two hours on Wednesday or Thursday. Hoping to meet Betsy G. for writing stint Friday a.m.
Lisa D. 2/18/08
Last week: Write another chapter of my history book
Last week’s outcome: Wrote 2-1/2 chapters
This week’s goal: Draft the final chapters of the history book and share with historians for fact checking; Work with publisher to choose a cover, and begin designing the photo layout. Also, register for Writers’ Institute in Madison, WI. Anyone care to join me?
Schedule: Half day Wednesday, all day Thursday, half day Friday, and half day Saturday
Brittany 2/18/08
Last week’s goal(s): Finish my novel by Valentine’s Day.
Last week’s outcome: Almost made it, and would have if wasn’t such a perfectionist. I’m finished except for one chapter I need to research and a cohesive final chapter.
This week’s goal: Finish research and finish writing the chapter that needed the research.
Schedule for accomplishing this week’s goal: Same as always–during naptime.
This outta show you how my week has gone, it’s Wednesday and I am now just posting Monday’s goals. Nice. Real nice. Here’s the skinny:
1. Bethany 2/21/08 (it’s been 10 DAYS!)
2. Last week’s goal(s): Outline new book idea and write first chapter.
3. Last week’s outcome: Ummm, I plotted. Sorta. At least the high level concept. Rest is still perculating.
4. This week’s goal: Start writing SOMETHING. Anything really. Will likely be book 1 idea or book 2 (this new one).
5. Honestly, if I get one page done in any book between now (granted tonight it is already 9pm) and Monday morning, I’ll be happy. How I fit that in, is like always. Whenever I can squeeze it in.
1. Jenn 2/23 (posting a little early)
2. Whoops, forgot to post last week!
3. Yes and no. Did finish all 9 rough draft chapters, but didn’t get a finished chapter to the editor.
4. Aimlessly bide my time while waiting for next week, Spring Break. Then the plan is 1 finished chapter a day to the publisher, 9 chapters by 3/10. So I guess fart around with these chapters now, getting them all a little less rough.
5. YAY, no kid for Sat and Sun (today and tomorrow), so do a bunch of writing this weekend. I’m liking the aimlessness for now, it’s working. Soon it won’t work. Just one week?
Brittany 2/25/08
Last week’s goal(s): Finish research and finish writing the chapter that needed the research.
Last week’s outcome: I started writing that chapter, but then spring cleaning and house reorganization took priority. If naptime is successful today and tomorrow, should finish quickly.
This week’s goal:
1)Finish chapter I’m working on and final chapter
2)Edit first 50 pages and really get them polished so that I can contact agent who requested them.
Schedule for accomplishing this week’s goal: Naptime. May also bring gigantic baby pen in from garage and see if Mr. Toddler will play happily in it for any period of time.
Miranda 2/25/08
Last week: Complete chapter 3 by late Friday (second shot).
Last week’s outcome: D+ (mysterious health issue required two lengthy doctor’s visits; then when I had a writing window yesterday afternoon I passed out on the couch–husband says chalk it all up to pregnancy but still disappointing). I did spend a little time revising the chapter while watching the Oscars last night, but not exactly quality creative time.
This week’s goal: Complete chapter 3 by late Friday.
Schedule: 1.5 hours on Thursday and 4 hours on Friday. Have put this time in my calendar. Will fit in more time if opportunity arises.
Lisa D. 2/25/08
Last Week’s Goal: Complete draft of history book; Meet with historians to fact check; Meet with publisher to choose cover; Meet with graphic designer to plan photo layout. Register for writing conference in Madison, WI.
Last Week’s Outcome: Accomplished most of the above, but still have one more chapter to go, and need to register for the conference (although I did review the program and fill out the reg form). Also outlined an idea for a new short story this morning.
This Week’s Goal: I WILL finish the Trout Valley book. (No choice about it; it’s due to the publisher on Thursday.) I will also register for the writing conference before the late fee deadline. I’d like to find time to rewrite a short story before my writers’ workshop this week too.
Schedule: Meeting with publisher and graphic designer today. Writing this afternoon, all day Tuesday, and all day Wednesday. Meeting with the publisher on Thursday to turn in the Trout Valley book. I hope to spend a couple of hours rewriting my short story for writers’ workshop on Thursday night.
Christa 2/25/08
Last week’s goal: Finished Chapter 2, start Chapter 3
Last week’s outcome: I did it! I did it!!
This week’s goal: Whatever I can manage. I have a ton of freelance work plus I need to do taxes….
Schedule: Probably evenings. I have to do better at turning off the TV.
Look, it’s Friday night and I am now posting my Monday update.
Oh, the hell with it. Let’s just call it a truce and I’ll post early for this COMING Monday, shall we?
1. Bethany 2/29/08 (10 days again. It must be my thing)
2. Last week’s goal(s): Start writing SOMETHING
3. Last week’s outcome: oh this is good. First 3 chapters DONE. And I am raring to go. And yes, i did ALL of it before Monday of this week. I swear.
4. This week’s goal: 500 words to 1 chapter. Aiming low this week. I’m tired.
5. Whenever I can squeeze it in. Trying to avert this nasty cold that is lingering.
Lisa D. 3/2/08
I’m posting a day early this week because I’ll be spending all of tomorrow on a flight to Beijing.
Last Week’s Goal: Finish local history book. Register for writers’ conference. Rewrite short story.
Last Week’s Outcome: Completed all of the above, and turned my book into the publisher. Yippee! I already approved the cover mock-up. It’ll be titled “Trout Valley, the Hertz Estate, and Curtiss Farm.” I’ll post details with a link later.
This Week’s Goal: Read books for review. Get back to my novel. I’m not going to commit to specifics about how much I’m going to write, since I’ll be traveling and dealing with jet lag on the other side of the world.
Schedule: Maybe a little on the plane or when I’m awake at 3:00am in Beijing due to the time zone change, if I can find a plug that will work.
Brittany 3/2/08
Last week’s goal:
1)Finish chapter I’m working on and final chapter
2)Edit first 50 pages and really get them polished so that I can contact agent who requested them.
Last week’s outcome:
1) I finished my novel and wrote a final scene that I’m really extraordinarily proud of.
2) Started editing the first pages and am up to page 43.
This week’s goal:
1) Finish editing through chapter 4.
2) Compose draft of letter to agent.
3) Figure out definetively what font my manuscript should be in. (Anyone know? Courier or Times Roman? I keep reading different things)
Schedule for accomplishing this week’s goal: Naptime. Brought gigantic baby pen in from garage and Mr. Toddler immediately figured out how to climb over it. Can be pacified with animal crackers and juice if need be.
Miranda 3/03/08
~Last week: Complete chapter 3 by late Friday (third shot).
~Last week’s outcome: C+ (did have some good creative flow during writers’ date on Friday, but it wasn’t enough to finish revising the chapter).
~This week’s goal: Complete chapter 3 by Sunday.
~Schedule: 1 hour on Thursday and 4 hours on Friday (another stint with Betsy); make-up time on Saturday. Scheduled time in my calendar. With house on market, showings can throw a big wrench into the schedule–not to mention two kids home sick (still/yet/again) but I’ll keep on trying.
(Brittany–I’d go with Times Roman. It offends no one and is mandated by many. To lots of folks, myself included, Courier is too old-school typewriter.)
Jenn 3/5/08
2. submit 1 chapter to editor
3. didn’t achieve goal until yesterday (tues)
4. LOFTY goals for the week: Finish chapters 1 - 9, 13, and 14, e-mail to editor; sketch out chapter 14
5. Spring break this week, so my days are open for this. Monday I did little; Tues I submitted Chapters 1, 2, and 3; Today I submitted Chapters 4 and 7 and worked on the other chapters a good bit; Tomorrow: submit chapters 5, 6, and 8; Friday: submit 9, 13, and 14. Sat and Sunday while kid naps or EARLY AM, sketch out Chapters 15 and 16. Gulp.
Lisa D. 3/10/08
Last Week’s Goal: Return to my fiction in some form.
Last Week’s Outcome: Rewrote a short story, and submitted for a writing contest.
This Week’s Goal: Read book for review. Complete publisher’s marketing questionnaire for history book. Work on novel.
Schedule: Thursday morning, Saturday morning, and when kids are sleeping.
Brittany 3/10/08
Last week’s goal:
1) Finish editing through chapter 4.
2) Compose draft of letter to agent.
3) Figure out definetively what font my manuscript should be in. (Anyone know? Courier or Times Roman? I keep reading different things)
Last week’s outcome:
1) Edited through chapter 15
2) Didn’t get to it–I’m putting it off because the thought terrified me.
3) Changed font back to New Roman (Thanks, Miranda!)
This week’s goal:
1)Edit to chapter 30
2) Buckle down and write agent letter
Schedule for accomplishing this week’s goal: Naptime and any other time Adventuous Toddler sleeps.
1) Jenn 3/11
2) Finish chapters 1 - 9, 13, and 14, e-mail to editor; sketch out chapter 14
3) Accomplished all except send chapter 14 to editor (70% done)
4) not a darned thing
5) I need a break, we’ll talk next week!
Jenn - for March and April
2. nothing
3. goal achieved, hurrah!
4. Goal and schedule for the rest of the semester to submit to publisher: this weekend (3/16) 10- 12 ; chapters 20 and 12 next weekend (3/25); chapters 10 and 11 on 3/30; 17 on 4/18; and 19 on 4/25. Complete manuscript by 4/30 including front material, and four appendicies.
Brittany 3/17/08
Last week’s goal:
1)Edit to chapter 30
2) Buckle down and write agent letter
Last week’s outcome:
1) Edited to chapter 19 1/2
2) Decided to put that off until book is edited all the way through.
This week’s goal:
1) Edit to chapter 30 and beyond if possible
Schedule for accomplishing this week’s goal: Naptime and any other time Adventuous Toddler sleeps.
Miranda 3/18/08
~Last week: Abstained!
~Last week’s outcome: Aim for nothing, and you’ll probably hit it.
~This week’s goal: Complete chapter 3 and move on–IF the fates allow. If not, so be it.
~Schedule: When possible. Be more open to small opportunities throughout the day–a la Christa and her PDA.
Miranda 3/24/08
~Last week: Complete chapter 3 and move on–IF the fates allow. If not, so be it.
~Last week’s outcome: I didn’t spend a lot of time on chapter 3, but I decided it was complete enough to send out for feedback. So that felt like something. Moved ahead to the next chapter.
~This week’s goal: Keep working on chapter 4 and whatever else comes along.
~Schedule: 10 minutes every day; more when it happens.
Lisa D. 3/24/08
I got so caught up last week that I never did my Monday post. I imagine that it won’t be the last time, but I’m back this week…
Last Week’s Goal: Read book for review. Complete publisher’s marketing questionnaire for history book. Work on novel.
Last Week’s Outcome: Caught up on readings ARCs and wrote book review articles on my blog and in Blogcritics Magazine.
This Week’s Goal: Read a friend’s book and provide critiques before she does her first agent pitch this weekend. Spend time rewriting first five chapters of novel before upcoming writers’ conference.
Schedule: Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Brittany 3/17/08
Last week’s goal:
1) Edit to chapter 30 and beyond if possible
Last week’s outcome:
1) Edited to about chapter 30, but since I’ve been consolidating chapters, it’s not really chapter 30 anymore.
This week’s goal:
1) Finish editing the book.
2) Send it to friends for another round of feedback.
3) Attempt to edit punctuation. Argh.
Schedule for accomplishing this week’s goal: Naptime and any other time Adventuous Toddler sleeps.
Miranda 3/31/08
~Last week’s goal: Keep working on chapter 4 and whatever else comes along.
~Last week’s outcome: I did work on chapter 4, and managed to write for at least 10 minutes a day for 5 days out of the 7. On two days I wrote for more than an hour. Since I manage my life via Outlook, I set up a daily repeating task of “write for 10 minutes”–so there’s no “forgetting.” The good news is that if I don’t get to it earlier in the day, I can knock off 10-15 minutes right after my 3-year-old’s evening bath, while Daddy is getting him ready for bed.
~This week’s goal: Switching gears to complete my book proposal. Shooting for Friday, which may be overly aggressive.
~Schedule: As much time as I can spend on it, every day.
Lisa D. 3/31/08
Last Week’s Goal: Read a friend’s book and provide critiques before her first agent pitch. Spend time rewriting first five chapters of novel before upcoming writers’ conference.
Last Week’s Outcome: Managed to read half the book, critique it, and coach a friend with her agent pitch. At the end, the agent told her, “That was an AWESOME pitch!” I also interviewed NY times bestselling author Kim Harrison, and she posted a link to the interview on her website. (It can also be found at my Damian Daily blog.)
This Week’s Goal: Write another chapter of my book. Interview authors Mittelmark and Newman, and write an article.
Schedule: Half days everyday.
Christa jumping back in on 3/31/08!
Last week’s goal: none
Last week’s outcome: I started back to work on the novella after a long hiatus.
This week’s goal: Finish Ch. 3, OR complete character work. I’m delving more deeply into the story and starting to flounder a little as I figure out how to develop it.
Schedule: The usual cobbling together of time.
Miranda 4/7/08
~Last week’s goal: “Complete my book proposal. Shooting for Friday, which may be overly aggressive.”
~Last week’s outcome: Did it, finished by Friday lunchtime. My mother gave me four hours of bonus babysitting time on Tuesday, and I used the better part of two work days to get it done.
~This week’s goal: Time to go back to the writing. Will chip away at chapter 4.
~Schedule: Ten minutes minimum, every day.
Suzanne 4/14
~This week’s goal: 2,000 words on my novel-in-progress
~Schedule - 350-500 words per day on five days as time permits
Miranda 4/14/08
~Last week’s goal: Chip away at chapter 4.
~Last week’s outcome: Didn’t touch chapter 4. Had many other creative ideas–some of which I plan to work on–but couldn’t bring myself to the book.
~This week’s goal: A little something creative every day, even if that isn’t working on the book. I think nesting is starting to kick in, so I’m feeling energetic–and like I’m on a mission.
~Schedule: Ten minutes minimum, every day.
Miranda 4/21/08
~Last week’s goal: “A little something creative every day, even if that isn’t working on the book.”
~Last week’s outcome: It certainly wasn’t daily, but I managed a bit of creativity–revised a short nonfiction piece I wrote last year and sent it to an online zine.
~This week’s goal: Totally free form. I have so little time left before anticipated hatching–what will be, will be.
~Schedule: Wherever the chips fall.
Miranda 4/28/08
~Last week’s goal: “Totally free form. I have so little time left before anticipated hatching–what will be, will be.”
~Last week’s outcome: Does washing the baby clothes count?
~This week’s goal: This week’s goal is to have no goal. I will pick up again on the other side.
~Schedule: Nothing specific.
Miranda 5/05/08
~Last week’s goal: “This week’s goal is to have no goal. I will pick up again on the other side.”
~Last week’s outcome: Not too bad. I had vicarious creative fun and felt creatively energized even though I don’t really have anything to show for it.
~This week’s goal: Seeing as I’ll probably be welcoming a new baby to the family before next Monday, my goal for the week is to find creativity where I least expect it, and enjoy these last moments before I relocate to Land of the Newborn.
~Schedule: Nothing specific.
J Bell - May 5, 2008
Last Week (No formal goals, but accomplished a lot: 2 puzzles completed, fertilized (organic) flower beds, took Buddy to Vets for annual check-up, gym twice, 2 trail walks.
This week: Build and finish 4 frames for completed paintings, varnish paintings, build frame for Hydrangea puzzle if buyer requests. Gym twice.
Schedule: Every day - all day (Sorry all you moms with young. This freedom will be yours too, one day.)
Miranda 5/28/08
It’s not Monday, but here I am anyway.
I’ve realized that haiku is the perfect length of poem for me to compose in my head. I discovered that this morning, as I was lying in bed, nursing, and thinking up a haiku for this week’s contest prompt, “the ocean.” I enjoyed the process at lot, and remembered the haiku verbatim when I went to write it down a few hours later. Decided that I want to write a haiku every day, at least while I’m not doing much else creatively. Perfect while nursing. So that’s my new goal. A haiku a day. Will see how the rest of this week goes!
Miranda 6/02/08
Last week I decided to write a haiku a day–and I’ve been loving it. I started writing the poems in a new sketchbook, as I plan to illustrate each page (multimedia) as soon as I have a little more bandwidth. Totally enjoying the process and I don’t need any reminders.
Goal for this week: More of same, a haiku a day.
Miranda 6/09/08
Still going strong with a haiku a day–and pleased with the outcome. Some poems are a reflection on the day’s events, others are random topics. Feels like just enough to keep my creative muscles alive while I’m sleep deprived and nursing a newborn. That said, I’ve been thinking about getting back into the nonfiction ms, but I don’t want to jump in prematurely.
I’m getting lonely over here on the Monday Page–hoping for some company soon!!!
Miranda 6/16/08
I’m still enjoying my daily haiku–will be writing today one for this week’s creativity contest prompt, “margaritas.”
I don’t know if it’s the considerable amount of time that I spend just sitting around nursing, or the post-partum hormone flux, but I have been AWASH in creative ideas. I started a list of all the various things I want to try–from nonfiction essays to multimedia projects–even textile design. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to half of these things, but I sure am enjoying the creative overflow. Hopefully I’ll still be feeling this way when my hands are free for long enough to make a few of these ideas into reality.
ha! in the same postpartum state, i have a zilion ideas, too. but not a lot of non-babe-in-arms moments quite long enough to really get all te laundry folded. i am winding up toward a month w/o my 2 older children, who are off to their da’s mid july. so brewing is the idea that i will devote those 4 weeks to finishing my young reader novel. in the meantime:
this week i will pay more attention to the deconstructing decorative gardens in the front and maintain momentum on veg gardens out back.
and step 2 in organizing old stacks by desk into more specific files and place in lonely cabinet, while jotting down anything interesting that springs up from the process.
open goals, but a start. oh and cook more creative meals than the short weekly rotations (3-4 day cycle). my kids are soooo sick of the usual.
Miranda 6/23/08
Last week’s goal: Daily haiku.
Outcome: Success! Wrote one poem almost every day.
This week’s goal: More of same. Perhaps this is too ambitious a goal, but I’d also like to spend at least one hour dipping back into my nonfiction manuscript. I’m stating that as a goal, but I won’t self-flagellate if my newborn pulls rank and the manuscript doesn’t happen.
re last week’s goal : weeded much of front gardens. and set a third 4×8x2 back veg garden border. half filled it with dirt. tough shovelling at 94F!
org’d desk, but didn’t open cabinets.
i started a blog for my creativity. and made up more new baby songs. that counts big time.
kissed reluctant 13yr old on head.
snuck kisses and hugs on 9.75, even tho he acts like lucy van pelt after a snoopy kiss. kissed hubby more, too. much needed in postpartum time. i think kisses add to creativity.
made pepper and onion quesadillas one night and soup another instead of spaghetti, tofu dogs, pizza, pasta fagioli, rotation. even had a date w/hubby, and 13yr old made “brinner” for 9.75 yr old on sat. 9.75yr developed new vocabulary for eggs and toast for dinner.
this week: more garden tending. more paper org. more writing and more kisses. observe more neighborhood bunnies backlit in early am sunlit dewy grass.
1. Jen 6/23/2008 Your name and the date
2 & 3 Just got here
4. I *will* get some of those children’s book ideas out of my head and on to the page!
5. After the kids are in bed, before I crash for the night. (Hopefully this timeframe will be more than 5 minutes long!)
Miranda 6/30/08
Last week’s goal: Daily haiku, plus working on book if possible.
Outcome: Wrote one poem almost every day; did not make it to the manuscript but I did several other creative things, so I’m feeling good.
This week’s goal: More haiku, some journalling, maybe the manuscript.
cathy 6/30
re last week goals:
slipped disc yeterday moving dirt. got last of seeds in veg gardens.
no paper organization. but i did write poem for contest and a blog.
this week’s goals: take care of back. tough while nursing. pay attention to self-care and surroundings for writing. no bending over! excuse self for paper org b/c of this. yay! do not run myself ragged w/extra errands this week: babynkids potrait, dog to vet, cat to vet, prep for 4th party m-i-l is throwing here.
writing goal: blog entry, poem, some form of journaling. think about youth novel planning. find outline?
taekwondo camp over for aspie 9.75yr old creates more sibling management at home. much creative thinking will be employed to keep from sending boys to separate corners for entire week.
um, yeah, main goal in all that rambling is to pay attention.
1. Jen 6/30/08
2. Last week’s goal: get some of the children’s book ideas on the page
3. Last week’s outcome: vague enough that the page of jottings I achieved allows me to say, “yup, did that!” at least a little bit
4. This week’s goal:
For writing — start on a draft of one of the many ideas on that page of jottings. Blogging as usual.
For crafting (realized after posting last week that I’d benefit from crafting goals, since most of my creativity goes there these days!) — work on inventory for upcoming trunk show. At least 3 pairs of earrings, 3 necklaces, 3 bracelets. Work on getting second Etsy shop up and running!
5. Schedule — same old, same old, after the kids are in bed.
I hear ya, Cathy, on the paying attention and the bad back. I’ve got a herniated disc that I’m nursing. Yuck! Here’s to happy back vibes for both of us.