June Update on 2022 Goals

  

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I posted in December 2021 some of my 2022 writing goals.

Six months into 2022, let's check my progress.

1. Unpack from the move. 

    Hooray! I have some boxes left to unpack. I am still figuring out how to organize my studio, and I have made significant progress in unpacking several stacks of boxes. Any tips on organizing paper? Marie Kondo and Clea and Joanna have been helpful, so I have been working through their systems to get myself organized. Labeling shoe boxes of art supplies was more satisfying than I anticipated. 

2. Get my writing office set up.

    Not exactly what I want my final set up to be, because making rainbow pen holders has been on the list for a while. It is nice to see my fountain pens again and get back into writing letters. It has been much too long.

3. Schedule bi-weekly write-ins with my people.

    Well, I have scheduled some write-ins with my people, but I was definitely not consistent. With the office set up, and adjusting to my new job hours, I hope to have more write-ins in the next three months.

4. Show up to scheduled write-ins.

    I showed up to the ones I scheduled. I have not been able to attend others that my friends have scheduled due to work schedule changes.

5. Sit down and plan what project I will tackle in the new year.

    I am definitely focused on working on my graphic novel project and a Beauty and the Beast retelling at some point this year. I am combing through my old NaNo projects to see what projects I would like to start rewriting and editing. The plan is to work on the graphic novel project during July Camp and then outline the Beauty and the Beast retelling, probably for November NaNo.

6. Plan my next NaNo novel. 

    In the works. My plan is to see what happens in July Camp, and start planning for my November NaNo project. I want to try Save the Cat, StoryGrid, and The Hero's Journey for July Camp, and then make a decision from there of how I will plan my November NaNo project.

7. (Maybe do Camp in April and July).

    Ok, I am going to be doing July Camp NaNo. So I will be working on my graphic novel. I did not participate in April due to switching jobs in April. 

8. Make writing a daily routine. 

    Not quite there yet. It will be easier to dig into a writing routine once unpacking and studio organization is more polished. In the meantime, I will write during the bi-weekly write-ins. 

What are your tips for organizing your writing spaces? Any special ways that you organize/sort/display paper, like writing drafts and rounds of edits?

Writing Spaces

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The general consensus in the writing world is that it's good to have a dedicated writing space. It doesn't have to be a whole room to yourself. It can be a favorite chair, or a spot at the kitchen table, or even in your car. Or it might not even be a space, but an object or ritual that tells your mind, "Hey, time to settle down and get to work." Like pouring yourself a beverage (maybe in your favorite cup), or putting on a certain type of music.

But, then again, there are never any real 'rules' in the game of writing. As much as having a dedicated space/object/ritual can help you get in the groove of things when it's time to put words on the screen/paper, so can sometimes shaking things up. Writing at a new locale (like a cafe or park) can help spark the brain and invigorate your writing if you find yourself in a rut.

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As for myself, I have two main writing spots: my couch and my kidlet's bed. The couch reclines and is super comfy (though that's not great when I'm feeling tired). As for the kidlet's bed, I'll often sit at the end of it while I'm waiting for him to go to sleep at night (I know, he's super spoiled) and can usually get in a few hundred words by the time Mr. Sandman arrives.

What about you all? Where do you find yourselves writing at most of the time?

My Office is Peaceful Once Again!

We recently replaced the flooring in our house, and I jumped on the opportunity to put tile in my office (an 11'x10' converted bedroom). The carpeting in there had a Crater of Doom worn into it from rolling my chair from desk to desk, and a more durable surface was overdue.

But as much as I love the new floor, I wasn't prepared for how disruptive renovations in my office would be to my work schedule. The office was supposed to be the priority for completion, but the contractor wasn't as familiar with the epoxy grout and that translated to several extra days of scrubbing to get the film off the tile (not scrubbing by me, mind you--but it's not how my hubby pictured his vacation).

The extra days meant I was sort of a vagabond in the meantime, sometimes working in the craft room, and sometimes in the travel trailer at the dinette. That latter spot wasn't too uncomfortable at first, but then we had 90+ degree days and I had to turn on the air conditioner out there. Which also meant ear plugs, because that sucker is loud.

But even with the "fun" of packing up and trying to find a place to settle, I was able to answer emails and tackle some other items on my to-do list--but not any actual writing. Which is when I got the email from my editor, asking for some blurbs and an elevator pitch on the Sekritt Project. Sigh.

One insight did come from all this turmoil; it hearkened back to my 20s, when I kept waiting for my life to "settle down" or "smooth out"--then I would be able to write. But I eventually had to realize that "settled" doesn't happen--or even if it is possible, you can't wait around for the perfect opportunity. You have to make those opportunities, at least if you're trying to be serious about creating some sentences.

So I'm returning to to book two of Crow's Rest (and those blurbs my editor wants) with a new determination. And because I know some people will be curious, here are a few before and after photos of the office flooring (yes, that is tile and not wood):

We also have some new reading chairs in our living room--plus another YA bookcase--and you can see those pics today over on Angelic Muse.

An Outdoor Room of My Own

There's a famous essay by Virginia Woolf about a woman needing "a room of her own" to write fiction, and for me that holds very true. For me to write new words (well, they're not entirely new--I merely put them in a certain order) in a draft, I need large blocks of uninterrupted time.

As I discovered when my husband was on sabbatical, having another person in the house doesn't lend itself to uninterrupted writing time. Even if he wasn't popping his head into my office to ask a question, I could often feel him not asking a question. Trying to wait until I took a break, but interrupting my concentration just the same. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have kids in that mix too! All you writing parents have my sincere admiration.

Anyway, my husband and I eventually came to an agreement that when my door was closed, that meant I was unavailable. But, my office is pretty small and sometimes it's cozy, and other times it feels confining. So I'm very glad that we were able to put up our gazebo kit and now I have this space to write in:

Can't wait to sit out there in a rainstorm! Plus, a touch of whimsy in the nearby garden art inspires me to be more playful and childlike.

What about you? Are you one of those writers who thrives on the chaos and noise in a busy coffee place? Do you wake up at odd hours just to have some peace and quiet?