Word of the Week: Catch-Up!

 

 

 

 

 

I'm planning for a catch-up week that might stretch to more like a month. LOL 

 

My desk "pile" (overflowing into a box now...) has gotten a bit "unruly" as of late. LOL In particular, a backlog of books and also some products to review, over at: My Real Life Reviews .

 

I'm also waiting on several book reviews pending for my two new poetry books and more review copies coming in the mail right now, so I know how frustrating it can be to wait. My apologies to anyone who's sent me a book that I haven't reviewed yet. It is NOT forgotten.

 

I'm also working on my novel. Still going great but every time I think I'm almost done, the plot "takes off" in another direction! I'll take it though. So much better than the blank screen/page/mind syndrome. ;<) We've all been there, right?

 

I have a gazillion projects on the go but I know so well that focusing and finishing one at a time, is always the best course of action, if at all possible. Or alternately, having a goal of a portion to complete, on any given day. That works too, especially for larger projects.

 

So, it's catch-up week here. I hope I've inspired you to work on your own pile of projects too. It's soooo satisfying to get them completed!

 

Happy Week, G :<)

I AM GOING FOR IT!

              

My novel/journal notebook (1st in a series) and Seven Year Pen

                                           

Isn't it wonderful when a post or comment that you read at one of your favorite blogs (in this case it was actually one of my blogs!) ends up inspiring/motivating you to do something you've always wanted to do? This has happily happened for me recently.

I wrote a book review post over at My Real Life Reviews about the book: Writing Fiction for Dummies, a few weeks ago. In the post, I mentioned my long-time dream/wish/aspiration to write and COMPLETE a novel.

A couple of my blog friends made the suggestion via comments to check out Julia Cameron's books, which I did. I actually read several of her books including: The Right to Write (my favorite so far) after that. A writing suggestion that Julia Cameron made again and again, jumped out at me. It was, to have a "writing time" every day and complete 3 pages. More is fine, less is not. Since the novel I am working on is a journal of sorts, this seemed to be something in terms of a plan for me that could actually work.

Well it is working, beautifully! I have been working on my novel, in small 3-5 page sessions (writing not typing) every week day (slight modification but I usually end up writing more than 3 pages each day) for about a month now. I am LOVING it! Inspired but not overwhelmed and progressing slowly but surely towards finally achieving my goal to complete a novel. I have over 60 pages written already! A rough draft of course but the "bones" of the story will be there. The polishing to follow.

This approach probably wouldn't be workable for every kind of book  but it seems to be a perfect fit for me and my current book project. When I have written short stories in the past, I have enjoyed it. When I write articles and posts, poetry etc, I enjoy those too. But when it came to facing the daunting task of a complete novel, I was always overwhelmed and it was so easy to give up. Not this time.

Perhaps this suggestion will be something that might also work for you. I hope I've passed along some novel-writing inspiration, if that happens to be one of your long-sought after goals too!


PS: Some other recent posts....

 If you have been searching for a really good natural lipstick for a long time (as I have been) you won't want to miss my new review of Just Pure Mineral lipsticks over at my review blog.

I've also been out and about taking photos of some of the gorgeous flowers now in full bloom in our area. With all the rain we've had recently, Mother Nature is once again looking so fine!

To celebrate some of that (fragrant) beauty, I wrote this Tau-Ku poem about the scent of the unmistakeable honeysuckle: Sweet Honeysuckle: A Tau-Ku Poem
               

A Happiness Reading List

                           

Speaking of  favorite summer book choices in this post last week...and please DO add your own personal favs to the list as a comment there, if you have any more "summer reads" to share. I'm a fast reader and go through a pile of  books very quickly! LOL  I also recently found this fairly extensive "happiness" reading list over at the Happiness Project hosted by Gretchen Rubin. I haven't had a chance to check out any of the books so far but some of them do look interesting. I hope you do too!

I also plan to review: The Happiness Project book by Gretchen Rubin, over at my review blog: My Real Life Reviews, in the near future. I just finished reading it.

When we fill our minds with happy thoughts, images and words we are happier. It may seem simple but it works! The opposite effect (negative thoughts, images...) also appears to be true.
                       

I'll pick happiness and good thoughts any day!


Happy Happiness Reading  :<)

                               
                                                               

And some new posts at my other blogs you might also enjoy:

                                        

•  My Poetic Path: A Rainy Wednesday

•  Veggies, Yarns & Tails: On the Menu for Supper

• My Real Life Reviews: Bolthouse Farms Yogurt Classic Ranch Dressing