Early Bird--Day 4 update

It's day four since I decided to become an early bird. Surely I passed the test. I'm definitely still in the game. I plan to be waking up earlier only Mondays to Fridays.

I'll use weekends to catch up on sleep or else I'll end being a zombie. Sort of like a little reward.

Tomorrow I'll try to squeeze in a few extra hours of shut eye. I say try, because it usually happens that on days that I'm actually allowed to sleep longer, that's when my eyes force themselves open early in the morning and it's hard to get back to sleep.

When I have to get up early for work or anything else that requires me getting up early, that's when sleep is simply irresistible. I think it's like that for some people.

That's why I have a backup plan. If I happen to wake up early, I'll read a nice novel. I might start The Beach House by Jane Green. I read it already, but I love it, so why not again?

I'm also a digital scrapbooker, so I might cook up some designs. The point is to do something that's different and inspiring.
I'll do my editing at night on Saturday and Sunday. Monday, I turn into an early bird again.

What do you think of my plan?

Liz

Early bird update 3

The alarm rang and I got up-no grumbling, no staring at the ceiling, no discussion. I just slipped out of bed, wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and walked calmly to my work space, ignoring my heavy eyelids. Five minutes later, I was editing furiously and actually loving it. I didn't get much done, but I got enough done. That's still a great way to start the day. Later in the morning before I left for work, the satisfaction I had felt after editing crumbled. I burned three dresses while ironing (one after the other), ripped a zip off a pair of jeans and spent half an hour looking for my phone and my keys. Needless to say, I arrived late at work but my calm is back.
It's a beautiful sunny day and I intend to enjoy it. Maybe I'll start a good novel tonight. It's been a while since I had the time to read for pleasure.

In a nutshell, my morning started off well, deteriorated and brightened up again. But the important thing is, it's the third day and I'm still sticking to my schedule, still moving forward.

Hope your day started off right.
Liz

Early bird update

Sleep was incredibly delicious this morning, even more than yesterday. But I did get up and got a lot of editing done. I edited two chapters and am pleased with the results.

I have learned one thing, though.
Before going to bed I should always figure out what it is I will be working on the next day and know where all my notes are. This morning I spent almost fifteen minutes searching the apartment for one of my notebooks (with valuable information). When one only has a limited amount of time to write/edit, fifteen minutes is a long time.

I did find the notebook and in the end, I was pleased with what I had accomplished. I look forward to the end of the week when I review my progress.

If I keep going this strong, I'll easily make it by my birthday.

Happy writing

Liz

Waking up early...Day one

I did it. I woke up shortly before six a.m. (two hours before I usually do) and got a lot of editing done. I have to admit that it was not easy and when the alarm went off, I was tempted to change my mind.
As my eyes refused to open, I played with the idea of starting the new schedule tomorrow instead of today. But then I thought that if I didn't do it today, I never will.

I finally dragged myself out of bed and to the living room table, wishing I were a coffee person (that will never happen). I switched on the computer, surrounded myself with my reference books, and tuned into an online radio. Then I just dived in without wasting too much thinking about it. It worked.

When I resurfaced, I had reached my goal for the day and was so proud of myself. I even squeezed in a few minutes of exercise before leaving for the office.

I must say, I actually love this. I feel fantastic and energetic. I can imagine myself becoming a morning person after all. I love the feeling of having accomplished so much before my day begins.

Thanks for the encouragement, dear friends.

First Novel Advances

I just want to share a link i found on Average First Novel Advances. I know I'm not far enough to think about advances yet, but the information might be helpful to someone.
Here's the link:

http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2004/12/24/average-first-novel-advances/

Editing blues and writer's block

I'm kind of lost at the moment. I'm practically done writing Chocolate Aftertaste. All that's left are some edit finishing touches and I'm finding it so hard. I wrote an 80 000 word manuscript. How did that happen when I'm finding it so hard to get through this editing? I hate editing, I hate it like the pest.

Sorry for venting out loud. I needed to let out some steam. Editing is pushing me into writer's block. It has to stop. It has to stop now.
An hour ago I made a decision. I'm going to create a fixed writing schedule. I'm not a morning person, at least that's what I'd been telling myself for as long as I can remember. I've decided to check if that is actually true.

Lately there just don't seem to be enough hours in my day. There are so many things vying for my attention. When I get back from work, cook, eat,study etc., my day melts away like an ice cube in warm water. I try to squeeze in a few hours a week to edit, but I still don't feel like I'm getting anywhere.

What I need is a fixed writing schedule and that's what I'm about to create. From tomorrow morning, I'm going to be waking up earlier so I can write/edit for two hours before leaving for work. I know it probably won't be that easy. You have no idea how much I love my morning sleep. I do hope it gets easier with each day. I'll keep my eyes fixed on the goal. I want to start searching for agents by my 30th birthday in June-my present to myself. I hope that keeps me keeping on.

Almost there

 Hello friends,

I'm so proud of myself.  I'm knackered right now because I went to bed at 2am but it doesn't matter. I finally managed to complete the ending to Chocolate Aftertaste. I've rewritten it so many times, but I'm finally there, finally happy. I've also reached the targeted word count for my novel. My next steps are to edit the scenes I have rewritten and then rewrite the dreaded query letter and synopsis. I plan to sent out some queries by my birthday in June.

I hope you're all on track with your own writing. If not (even if you are, actually), here are some tips:

Time management
http://www.urbanmusewriter.com/2011/03/10-time-management-tips-for-writers.html
http://michellerafter.com/2011/02/28/best-time-management-tips-for-writers/

Crashing writers' block
http://grammar.about.com/od/yourwriting/a/wblockquotes.htm
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/block.html
http://www.dailyblogtips.com/4-amazing-tips-for-overcoming-a-writer%E2%80%99s-block/

Happy writing.
Liz