2,761

That's my word count for the writing challenge. Not very impressive for three days of writing. Gulp. I have some serious making up to do. I am flying to the left coast tomorrow so I can rev this up rather quickly with some free time coming up.

I'm mostly packed but that doesn't mean I'm not a complete mess. I risked hanging some clothes on the line tonight. When my sig oth asked if it was going to rain, I said - eh, I don't think so. Well, it's pouring and I run down the stairs and wrench open the door -- causing the alarm to go wild. Oopsies.

Now all that stuff is sucking down energy and belching out CO2.

I'll miss my doggie. He has an appointment with an orthopedic vet tomorrow that I'm going to miss. He is going to check out the doggie's ACL. We're hoping he didn't blow out his knee but he's favoring it.

I'm sweatin already...I swear!

So, I began an online writing challenge. My first day, I did 1,501 words. I feel like I should have done at least 2,000 so I'm going to have to pick up the pace. Day 1 wasn't easy and Day 2, well I'm just sitting down at 8:30 pm to get started. Let's hope that outline I did carries me through today's session.

I may have to start preparing a bit more for my sit-down-and-write time. I just can't be wingin' 2000 words on a daily basis for 70 straight days with no plan. I'm not that smart. There, I said it. Quote me.

Anyhow...no time for cleverness here. I have to save it for my characters!

Visualizing Success

What will the cover of my book look like? How will it look on my bookshelf next to my favorite authors? What font will will the designer use for my title and name? What about colors?

Lately, I've taken a bunch of motivational classes on how to set and achieve my goals and visualizing success is one of the most powerful things, in my opinion, that I've heard. And it's also extremely fun. So, today I was wondering what my book cover is going to look like. I think I'm going to take some time today and create a sketch and put my name in lights so to speak.

Ok, I'll meet my word count goals first!

And before anyone goes crazy and reminds me that I'll have no control whatsoever over the cover, relax! I know this. Making my cover will just be my own little exercise. And maybe if it's not too embarrassing, I'll post it here.

My Boy

I don't want to write in here right now. We just found out that our poor little dog has to have knee surgery and we're devastated. We know a few people who have had to go through this and we know that their dogs all turned out fine but it's just another blow for our happy-go-lucky guy.

Ever since we got him, it's been one thing or another. He's going on the DL for the next 8 weeks and we'll have to see him go through serious pain. My heart is sad and I can't write about writing.

Organic Girl Eschews Plan!

I've been thinking about my writing style -- not the style of my writing but rather, the way that I approach writing. While I'd like to say that I am 100% "on it" every day, I'm more like a 'do everything else then write' kinda gal. I want to change that.

So, toward that end, I joined an accountability group where I am supposed to report my accomplishments or lack-of, each month. But I'm finding that a hardcore procrastinator like myself needs way more frequent check-ins. So, I'm not sure that I should re-up for this next group.

So now for some public accounting of what I did accomplish: month 1 - met goal. Month 2 - did not meet goal. Month 3 - did not meet goal. Ouch! I owe some people some money.

I've read some writers describe their work as more "organic" in terms of approach and planning. That sounds charitable and forgiving. Too much so? It appeals to my lazy, unaccountable self though and I want that label.

I claim it. I own it.

To be honest, I have each chapter of my book fully outlined and a synopsis written of each chapter... blah, blah. And I am more or less still following the plan. It's just the rebel in me I 'spose. I just don't like plans, er, um sticking to them.

I've changed direction a couple of times on this project when I thought change would really benefit the work. Only time will tell but I'm happy when I hit these forks in the road of my boring ol' plan!

Even Good Dogs Get the Blues

I've had it! That's what I said to my poor dog after coming back from the vet with the cat, after working a long, long day for "the man." I just wanted to eat ice cream from the container. And that's what I did. Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia. Now I'm bloated and disgusting feeling.

Cup of coffee is at the ready because now I begin my night job of writing. And it's going well and feeling good. I've managed to turn the ship back to shore. I'm halfway to the end and I think (crosses fingers) that I know how to get there.

Here's the pup on a Monday morn. He knew there was a better way than rushing out the door. He's proving the theory of inertia. God Bless him!

Up and Away!

Baseball has a language all its own and one that I am still learning. I love all the man drama -- fighting over calls, talking stats, roster moves or reading signs. It's always a ride. Now that I am a fan (and I almost wasn't given my raising outside of Philly, nuf said), I can't find the game boring. Ok, there are duller moments but those only serve to make the exciting plays (suicide squeezes and whatnot) that much more thrilling.

Thank God it's baseball season! Deadlines be damned on game day. This week, instead of TV, I am going to 2 games to watch my fave team. One is a night game. I'll eat ice cream and salty pretzel instead of peanuts and crackerjacks. The other is a day game on the 4th of July. What better way to celebrate our freedom!

**Updated 7/1/07 @ 6:17pm**

We won the rubber game!