March 11, 2012

Heading to the Finish: ROW80 (plus #writemotivation)

Pardon my constant writing as a race analogy. Blame my half marathon training, but I see such a connection between the two. Today, I ran an 8K in DC. It was a gorgeous day, and I have been training. But no matter how much I train, there is some point during a race that I want to quit.

Ready to Run... St. Patrick's Day 8K
Today I didn't. I ran the whole way, not allowing any excuse to sideline me. Uphill. You can't stop me. Pain in a part of my body I don't recognize. You can't stop me. It was a wonderful feeling. Now, I need to apply that mental focus to writing (and hope for all the stars to align as they did today).

Before the tempting world of social media and friendly writers was opened up to me, I faced down my writing pains. But now, there are so many good excuses to avoid it when it gets hard. I'm building my author platform, I tell myself. While an author platform is certainly important, it's meant to uplift your writing---not take the place of it.

Julie Glover wrote an excellent post this week: I Know I Should Follow Your Blog But . . . A brief excerpt: "I have learned so much in the past year from writer groups, conferences, craft books, and blogs. I’ve discovered excellent tools and software for plotting and writing. Thankfully, this book won’t have 23 drafts to get it right. I know something about an author’s platform. I have researched publishing options and agents. My knowledge base is better now. All good stuff. But I am writing far fewer hours than when it was lonely me and my laptop.

I agree. Now I just need to apply something else I've learned from running. If you don't run, and run often, you really won't get better. It won't matter how much research you do about running plans, you have to hit the pavement. Same is true for writing.

I've been better about putting writing first. It's a step in the right direction. I just have to continue my writer training and not give up, or let myself be sidelined by other activites.

Now for my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update...

Writing: Every single day. Not all of it was on my WIP, but I did work on it every day (except today - today was family day!) for more than an hour. I'm also keeping note cards on my other piece.

Blogging: Every day but Saturday. I like taking a weekend day off. I posted a flash fiction piece on Friday that I'm quite proud of, and I reviewed Jessican Therrien's Oppression on Mom in Love with Fiction.

Editing: In a wonderful groove, and reading some wonderful material. Few things make me as happy as seeing a writer get it right.

Social Media: If I was grading myself, I'd give it a C. I don't like Cs. But something had to give. I owe people some comments, and I have a lot of flash fiction reading to do. Please accept my apologies. I'll get around. Tomorrow is catch up day. (Let's hope the universe didn't just hear me say that!)

Diet & Exercise: Exercise. Check. Diet. Well, let's hope the exercise is making up for it somewhat.

I hope my ROW80 friends are heading into the finish strong! Only 11 more days to go in this round.

Now my #writemotivation update (which is also my "test mile" for ROW80):

1. Work on my WIP for an hour every day, except Sunday. --- DONE+
2. Do client editing work an hour a day, except Sunday. --- DONE + Sunday
3. Read and review a book every 10 days, minimum. --- DONE


I am also behind in checking out my fellow #writemotivation writers. I look forward to catching up! 

12 comments:

Andrew said...

Good job finishing the 8K without stopping! That is awesome! Good job on your writing goals! You are right, if you don't do it every day, you won't get any better. #writemotivation all the way! :D

K.T. Hanna said...

You're doing so well :D You can keep it up. Be proud of yourself!

Sarah Tokeley said...

Congratulations on your run!

Looks like you're kicking butt with your goals too, well done :-)

Alessa Hinlo said...

It's true. I unplugged from social media myself this weekend, and I felt way more productive on the writing front. Finding that balance is so hard sometimes.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing, Tia. I needed that reminder--platform building should not replace the writing. :)

Eloise said...

Woo hoo! 8K! With no wishes to quit. Isn't it great when the brain and body cooperate? I used to run, before certain joints went awry, so now I'm on the exercise bike every day for an hour. That's when I get my reading done. But endorphins are bliss - that point of exhaustion when it all comes together. Congrats!!

Re: writing, and doing it every day. Or whatever, and doing it on a regular basis. So true. Julie's blog reflects my thoughts exactly. Will add it to my list 'o blogs to read.

Tia Bach said...

Thanks, everyone! I'm feeling good about writing and running. Let's hope I can keep it up! Off to check on my fellow writers.

Natalie Hartford said...

Ahhhmazing week Tia!! You are doing great and making huge progress on the training and writing. I loved the analogy you made - totally hit home for me on how important it is for me to write more often to hone my craft.
I hear you on the C on social media - that'd be about my score as well but sometimes we gotta step back and focus on other things, right?!?! Give yourself an A+ girl - you rocked it!

Tia Bach said...

Thanks, Natalie. I need to make time for writing, because we all know time doesn't just get handed to you on a silver platter. ;-)

Eden Mabee said...

I'm amazed whenever I read a post like yours, Tia, with all these successes and know how little I am actually getting done.... How do you manage it all? And an 8K? Wonderful! There is something so empowering about pushing all the way to the end.

alberta ross said...

running! running uphill!!! all I can do is stagger:( well done on last week all the best for this and keep on smiling

Tia Bach said...

Eden, Thanks. My husband would say I never sleep. I do, but I could use quite a bit more. ;-)

Alberta, Thanks. It's so nice to have you stop by. I've missed you!