Writing Check In #3: This Week in Writing

The backstory (feel free to skip if you’ve read before!)

I’m playing along with other picture book writers
on this blog,
setting some goals for the week
and reflecting on how I did.

I really wanted to do this because I’ve sort of been in a writing slump.

I AM writing, but not as consistently as I want to be.
I’m taking a step back
from doing writing prompts
and trying to grow my social media following
and instead
investing that time
in my manuscripts
and posts that will further my writing goals.

Don’t worry, I’ll still be doing prompts,
but for now,
I’m changing it up a bit.

Session goals (over the course of 8 weeks)
I mainly want to set a goal each week for my writing!
Right now it’s sort of hit or miss whether I work on it.
I’d like to revise a manuscript each week,
and maybe draft some new ones up.
My agent wants to see some new stuff, and I’d
REALLY like to knock her socks off.

I’d also like to work on building content for my blog/podcast
that I’m going to be relaunching this June,
featuring thoughts on books and actionable tips
for writers to improve their writing and presentations.

BACKSTORY OVER!   

Third week goals:

I want to write that last actionable post, and read through them all out loud, making edits as I go. This may sound like a lot, but I LOVE the reading aloud part!

I want to write up a post on Indie bookstore Day, and write a list of posts I want to write (I have many author/illustrator presentations I want to write about!)

I want to page out a few stories (Story Bot, Friendship Bracelets, and UniCorn) to see if that jumpstarts some more revision.

How did I do?

Not so great.
I don’t know what it was about this past week;
I was really tired and felt like I was just surviving.
I also traveled down to LA for a staff meeting,
which ALWAYS throws off my game.
So let’s see how each goal went.

Write the last actionable post?

Did it.
It was nice to see all 12 of them done as rough drafts!

Read all of the posts (12) aloud and edit them?

Did that too!
It’s fun to do that as well;
it shows me that my writing and speaking voice
are actually really connected and in sync.
I didn’t have to do much editing,
and it got me REALLY excited about the podcast when it actually comes to be (soon, SOON!)

Posts on Indie Bookstore Day and a list of posts?

Epic fail.
The only thing I did was delete excess photos on my phone from Indie Bookstore Day!
I made no headway on writing up posts that I wanted to share either.

Pagination on those picture books?

Nope and NOPE.
Didn’t even open up that file this week.

The big question: Am I mad at myself?

Yes, I am.
I wish I would have made time for these things this week.
But I spent my time on other things;
sending out encouraging notes and gifts to friends,
reading a resting a ton,
and encouraging a writer friend on her blog.

Other things too of course,
but I was so happy I made the time for those things.

These goals I didn’t get to this week?
I can get to them next week.
I took what I needed and did what I needed to make it through this past week, so I’m proud of myself for that.

It’s all about being flexible.

So what about this week?

I want to paginate those books (Story Bot, Friendship Bracelets, and UniCorn)

I want to write that Indie Bookstore post!

I want to write up a new picture book idea
and start a Scrivener file for the YA that is dancing around in my head (I know; ME? YA? Just maybe!)

I’ll check in with you guys next week to tell you how it went!

I hope this is bringing some more insight into
what a writer’s week looks like,
and a little bit of behind the scenes into my process.

Thanks for following along and keeping me virtually accountable!

Bye for now,
Kathy Ellen