2012 - Off to a Good Start

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Yesterday not only marked the first day of 2012, it also marked day one of the #WIP500 challenge. A much more exciting prospect, Id say.

If you read my last couple posts, then you know I set myself the UnResolution to write at least 500 words every day in 2012. It's not so much the number of words that pose a challenge, but the task of writing every day.

With enthusiasm, I took to my laptop and typed out not just the 500 required words, but 4,133! Yes, day one of #WIP500 proved to be lucrative. It also proved to:

a) Ruin my back to the point where I resorted to over the counter drugs to ease the pain.

b) Ensure that the pesky cold I have been fighting for nearly a week remains firmly nestled in my chest.

c) Leave my eyes feeling as though someone had squeezed them to the point of bursting.

All in the name of writing. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say, it was absolutely worth it!

Sadly, today is the last day of my holidays before I head back to work. I'm trying to ignore the simple fact that writing 4,133 words a day is not something I'll be accomplishing often. Once the pressures of routine life hit, I'll be lucky to reach that daily 500 word target. But for now, I am going to bask in the sweet success that January 1st afforded and hope that January 2nd is equally as kind.

 Are you participating in #WIP500?

My Unresolutions for 2012

Like most, I've spent the last few days thinking about the ever popular, New Year's Resolutions. Should I make some? Should I avoid them? Everyone has their opinion and they all make valid points. Resolutions are often made in January and forgotten by February. It's like their M.O.

I read several blogs on the subject and a few really stuck with me. So with all my resolution knowledge, I am going forth with this...My Unresolutions.

They're sort of like resolutions, but different, think of them in the realm of Unbirthdays. Stick with me here, even I have no idea where I'm headed.

I'm not making the obvious resolutions - weightloss, more exercise, save money - nope, those never stick. This year My Unresolutions will be focused on the things I love, reading and writing. Before you start jumping down my throat, there are others things I love (hubby, friends and family included) but since these are MY unresolutions and MY blog, I plan on doing this MY way!
*steps down from soap box*

Now that we've cleared that up, let's continue.

My Unresolutions are a way to set some goals for the year, without the pesky pressure attached to Resolutions. In this way, I'm hoping to avoid the February failure.

So without further delay, My Unresolutions for 2012!

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1) Read 52 books. I've set this before and managed to come very close. I feel it is completely doable.

2) Finish my two outstanding works in progress. Again, this shouldn't be too hard since I wrote an entire novel in November, I can DO this!

3) Edit my NaNoWriMo novel. I've been letting it sit since November in hopes that my "fresh eyes" will see where my writing faults lie.

4) Write at least  500 words each day. This goal was already in the making, but signing up for #WIP500 will ensure I stick to it. (See previous post for more details on #WIP500)

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5) Edit the to-be-completed two WIPs. This will be a year of editing for me. Not sure how I feel about it, I tend to write and never edit. Therefore editing has become my nemesis. Kill the beast!


So that's it folks. Five Unresolutions that I hope to accomplish...no wait...that I will  accomplish! No more of this wishy-washiness (I'm just making up words now I realize, but again MY blog.)

I wish you all a wonderful 2012. I look forward to chatting with you, writing with you and sharing experiences. Thank you all for the support in 2011! Now let's go kick some ass in 2012!

What are your Unresolutions, Resolutions, Goals or Hopes for 2012?

500 Words per Day, 366 Days a Year - Oh My!

Defiantly Literate

Well, I've gone and done it again! I've signed myself up for another writing challenge. No, it's NaNoWriMo in January, it's #WIP500, silly.

In classic Write Me Happy fashion, I stumbled across this challenge by pure luck. And by pure luck, I mean Twitter. Oh Twitter, is there nothing you can't do?

#WIP500 is the brainchild of Cara Michaels and it works as follows:

1) Write 500 words per day, every day, in 2012.

2) See above.

Yes, it's just that simple. Every day I write 500 words on my work in progress (hence the WIP for those, like me, who are sometimes acronym challenged).  500 words isn't all that much for a daily total. I can usually crack that off in one #wordmongering #wordsprints #wordwar session, easy peasy!

It's the whole, every day part that seems a little more daunting. Cue dramatic music.

Over the Christmas holidays my resolve to write every day, got lost in the chaos. Instead I went an entire week <insert gasps here> without writing a single word on either of my WIPs. Okay, so I made notes in my trusty notebook, and blogged a few times, but nothing substantial.

On Wednesday, a week from my last writing session, I admitted to my fellow writer tweeps that I had been a bad girl. Suddenly, true to their amazing nature, my #wordwar buddies sounded the drum and we set off to write. That 30 minutes sparked a fire in my mind and I continued to write for the next 6 hours accomplishing 6,616 words. Some comeback, I'd say.

So with January 1st looming and two WIPs begging for my attention, I plan to call upon all my writing buddies to give me a push (or kick) towards my 500 word daily goal. Like me, I know that sometimes they will need that push or kick or a crack from my most famous whip (Yes, whip! Just ask a few writing buddies!) and I plan on delivering. While writing is an extremely individual sport (for the most part) cheerleading is not, and I plan to be the best damn cheerleader out there!

Tallyho Writers! Success in the form of 500 words per day.

Did I mention it's a leap year? Yeah, just my luck....