ROW80 Update – Squished Valentine Chocolate
Did you ever squish your valentine chocolate pieces to see what flavor each one was? My sister and I used to do that with our chocolate and then secretly plant the icky ones in our brother’s box (who unwisely never went snooping for Valentine treats).
While smooshing chocolates was an effective way to see what we were about to eat, it also ruined the appeal of the chocolate piece for anyone else.
So, when I read the we are entering our sixth week of ROW80 (via Marcia Richards) my first reaction was to squish those first six weeks so I could analyze each one and see what did or didn’t happen.
But exactly how helpful is that at this point? Poking a hole through each week is useful when it’s time to review, but now? Knowing my bad habits, I’ll focus only on what I haven’t accomplished, not what I have.
So instead, I’m leaving my chocolate pieces intact and accept that I have a box of chocolates. (And, let’s face it, it’s all about the heart shaped box anyway.)
So Happy Valentine’s week! No one has to look at a bunch of squished chocolate pieces today. :)
Goal 1 – fiction – complete first draft of manuscript
Thank you, thank you for all the encouragement and advice you offered about whether or not to pursue a short story. I took the leap last week and wrote a first draft of the short story. My main character is from my WIP, so the work complements the manuscript. Although technically, I have not made progress on this specific goal, I do count the short story work as being part of the WIP so I call it almost good. :)
Goal 2 – freelance – maintain current projects
Slipped up this week with the freelance work. I’m struggling to finish one and begin another one. Although I had a very busy week (non-writing responsibilities) I DID have the time to address my freelance work but just didn’t. This is an area that I will be addressing this coming week.
Goal 3 – social media – maintain current relationships and strive for posting consistency
Uh-oh. I had trouble here this week. I posted only 1 out of 3 times this past week and was spotty with my blog visits to others. I will be experimenting some more so I believe this week will be better with social media.
I hope you will savor your accomplishments – big or small – this week!
I’ve never squished V-day chocolates, but the See’s chocolates I get during the holidays have been subject to a slice with a knife so I could see what was inside.
It’s easy to focus on what you haven’t accomplished, but remember, tomorrow’s a brand new day!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks Jen! Happy Valentine’s day to you too!
Thanks for the mention, Bridgette, but I may have been mistaken. I think the coming week is Week 7, according to some other bloggers. :( Sorry about that. However, you’re right, don’t go back to see what you didn’t do, focusing on doing in the future.
With your blogging, did you miss days because you’re schedule was overloaded or because you didn’t know what to write? Either issue can be rectified but I was just curious.
Congrats on beginning a short story! Can’t to read it when you’re done!
Have a happy Valentine’s Day with your family. Then only try to adjust one thing this week, don’t tackle everything you think needs fixing. :)
Marcia Richards recently posted..ROW80 – 2/12/12 – Charging Ahead!
Ah, well, then I guess I better go change my post. LOL. Your posts are always upbeat so I’d like to follow your example. Thanks for the encouragement. As for the schedule — I had the topics but just didn’t plan my week well enough. It was crammed full with non-writing activities (children being carted from point a to point b to point c.)
I hope to do a lot better this week!!
I was a chocolate squishier too. I’m so happy you finished your first draft of the short story. Don’t worry whether it means you’re off target or not because you are writing and you are writing with a purpose. I don ‘t think you’re ever in danger of chasing a rabbit that leads to no where. You are doing a great job.
Was the lack of social media and blogging for the reasons we
ve discussed or did something else get in your way? Was the trip to Louisiana emergency or family visits?
Ali Dent recently posted..Adrift and Finding My Fiction North
Thanks Ali. The week was too full. I had the chance to get the work done, but I just didn’t. No excuses. Just didn’t get it done.
Appreciate your encouragement.
Well an all around great week Bridgette. I am super pumped to hear you are doing the short story. I think it will be a wonderful addition to the overall WIP so I’d absolutely count it towards your full length WIP!
As far as freelancing and social media – here’s to a fab week ahead!!!
Natalie Hartford recently posted..ROW80 – Round 1 – Check-in #12
Thanks Natalie! Yes, I am hoping that this coming week will be much better. :)
I never, ever squish chocolate to see what is in it. I simply bite it and leave the rest! :) I’m not sure what’s worse though. As for your goals, any movement is good movement. You are still going forward and that’s all that matters. Good job!
Diana Murdock recently posted..A Nasty That Can’t Be Cured With Penicillin
Ha! Well, if I bite it I feel an obligation to eat it. Weird, I know. Thanks for the encouragement, Diana. :)
someone (my mom maybe) taught me to poke holes in valentine’s chocolate with a toothpick. still might be off putting for some – but saves you from the ick cherry fillings ;)
congrats on your goals! i’ve heard folks like donald maas and james scott bell encourage writers to go off on tangents with their main characters. your short story will help overall in the long run, i bet!
happy v-day, and happy writing!
gina
Gina recently posted..Pinterest Boards for Book Lovers
Okay, so your idea of using a toothpick is soooo much neater. LOL. Happy v-day to you too. :)
I wish I had thought of that ingenious way to devise sifting through the chocs I love and hate –would have saved so many unpleasant taste sessions. :) Goals wise, you are doing well (any achievement is good); I’d advise you to not fully discard what you are doing well, you need to keep them in check so you don’t fall into the ‘I’m not doing great –these goals are difficult to achieve’. Sometimes concentrating on the stuff you aren’t doing well on is great –as long as you don’t start to be too tough on yourself that you become detrimental to yourself and your progress. Stay positive, you’ll get there. :)
yikici recently posted..Challenge Taken: Fated to Love a Recycled War-Hero
I wish I had thought of that ingenious way to devise sifting through the chocs I love and hate –would have saved so many unpleasant taste sessions. :) Goals wise, you are doing well (any achievement is good); I’d advise you to not fully discard what you are doing well, you need to keep them in check so you don’t fall into the ‘I’m not doing great –these goals are difficult to achieve’. Sometimes concentrating on the stuff you aren’t doing well on is great –as long as you don’t start to be too tough on yourself that you become detrimental to yourself and your progress. Stay positive, you’ll get there. :)
Social Media is a tough one to master -it’s too vast & time-consuming -so it needs to be limited somewhat.
Thanks for the encouragement!!!
Ha! Yes, squishing those creme-filled chocolates was ONE way to test them out. LOL.
Thanks for the encouragement. I agree about social media. It’s such a monster.
Bridgette Booth recently posted..Souled by Diana Murdock
Wow a toothpick, great idea, but poke the bottom of the chocolate and no one will ever know! Social media can be tough and yet sometimes you just can’t seem to stay away from it and be productive on your writing, so I have the option of using my old laptop to write with, that way I am not enticed into getting on the social media sites.
karensdifferentcorners recently posted..I’m a Reader too!
Hmmm. . . an old laptop? Now, that’s an idea. Thanks!
I was such a chocolate squisher!! I would squish them and then try to put them back together as best I cold to put ‘em back in the box with the other unviolated chocolates. :)
Good job on your goals and keep at it!!
Darlene Steelman recently posted..Talk About It Tuesday – Penguins, Wine & Peanut Butter
LOL! Did you really? I thought I was the only one who tried to cover the evidence like that. Thanks for the encouragement!!!
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