ROW80

ROW80 Check in August 31

Elizabeth Anne Mitchell

How can it be the last day of August?  Nothing makes me feel older than the supersonic speed with which days fly past.  I still have no laptop at home, so I apologize profusely to all the wonderful folks who have stopped by to comment, and have had no reply.  DH brought his work laptop home and kindly is letting me post my check-in while he indulges in playing Halo for a little while.

So, the goals.  A mixed week.  My book proposal was turned down; originally, they were going to choose 12 proposals, but cut back to 6.  I realize my odds, but it still stings.  I do have another idea, so I will start in on that tomorrow.  Sigh.

Also, my Weimaraner is having some reactions to the heartworm injections, so there have been a few late night emergency trips for him, which impact the early morning writing time.

It will be at least a couple of weeks before I will have a computer available at home, too.  I don’t mind writing by hand, but doing all internet on the phone or the iPod Touch is a pain, to be honest.

On the plus side, 1)     I have been working on writing for the two hours a day I had planned.

2)    I have written out some future posts.

3)   I have reorganized Google reader under my lapidaryprose gmail account, and

4)  I am reading very slowly and carefully through some of the writing resources.

I also took a deep breath and signed up for the third writer’s platform building campaign.  I know there are a few ROW80’ers that I saw in the lists, so I’m hoping that I can continue to support and get support from some of the folks I’ve already met, and learn from as well as help out other writers as well.

So, all in all, still learning to crawl, fall, and take baby steps.   How are all of you doing?  If you want to take a look and encourage each other, click here.

Published by Elizabeth Anne Mitchell

I am the youngest of four children, raised in the old-fashioned Irish-American way. I suspect my mother encouraged me to write from an early age to keep me out of her hair, although she may have regretted the decision when my teachers began to call about the controversial stories I was writing. Thus I began my career of butting heads with the good sisters at my Catholic elementary school, and ended it by leaving high school for college with no diploma. I wear my high-school dropout badge rebelliously and proudly. In college, I became fascinated with the Middle Ages, which was described as a “starry night” by one of my professors. So began a trek through languages and legends that informs my narrative non-fiction and historical fiction, as well as my blogs. I love feedback and enjoy discussing ideas. I have an accountability blog for the Round of Words in Eighty Days entitled Leavekeeping; I write a blog on literary history, intellectual history, and the history of words entitled Lapidary Prose. I'm on Twitter and Facebook; my email is lapidaryprose@gmail.com.

25 thoughts on “ROW80 Check in August 31”

  1. I am so incredibly envious of anyone who has the attention span to write for two hours. I consider myself lucky if I make it to half an hour uninterrupted or undistracted.

    Good luck on the next proposal. 12 to 6 is a huge cut! Man. But I know how one still can’t help feeling bummed about something like that.

    1. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, L.S. I appreciate the compliment, but I am an extremely slow writer, so I probably don’t write much more in two hours than you do in half an hour.

      Thank you also for the encouragement. I guess budget cuts are hitting everywhere, but realizing that doesn’t help as much as it should in the emotional reaction!

      I hope you have a great rest of the week.

  2. Well Elizabeth, I’d say you are doing great all things considered. I can’t imagine trying to keep up on my phone (I can’t even track Twitter on it that well, let alone blog or comment), I feel your pain.

    I hope the week improves for you and that you find success in all your endeavors. Have a great Labor Day weekend 🙂

    1. Thank you for coming by to comment, Gene. I am getting better on the phone, out of sheer necessity! I may have a computer soon, and I will be back to normal (or as normal as I ever get! 😀

      I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  3. I was recently without a computer for a couple of days. It actually helped me, because I finally got really into editing, which had to happen.

    Good luck for a productive week!

    1. That’s an interesting point, J.R. I do think that the screen encourages new words; actually, I cannot edit on-screen, Luddite that I am. I have to print things out and write all over the place. Thank you for coming by and being so encouraging. I hope you have a lovely weekend!

  4. Back in the day, I wrote in longhand and typed on a typewriter…but it was discouraging. And now that I’m used to the computer, my biggest fear is that the computer will crash! LOL

    You seem to be doing well, despite the inevitable disappointments that come with this life.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

    1. Thank you for your encouragement. It is definitely part of the writing life to be rejected–and dejected. It isn’t easy, but then there are very few things that are both worthwhile and easy.

      I had fun visiting your blog; thank you for coming by here!

  5. You’re doing awesome without a constant laptop at home! I know wouldn’t have the discipline to write longhand for very long! I do like to jot down notes on paper (while stuck in traffic), but that’s about it.

    1. Thank you for dropping by and commenting, Claudia. I am having laptop withdrawal, but I do enjoy the visceral feel of pen spilling ink on paper. I am unusual (read, “weird”) in that I always fountain pens, well not when writing notes in traffic–that’s a bit too messy 😀

  6. Sounds like you are doing great. This is a very encouraging post. Thank you for sharing. And I hope your puppy gets well soon. That can be a real blow to the muse.

    1. I’m so glad you found it encouraging, Wendy. And thank you so much for your kind thoughts for my dog. He has been doing better the last few days (knock on wood), which helps me sleep and therefore feel better. Thank you for coming by and commenting. I hope you have a lovely weekend!

  7. I hate not having a laptop, doing things on a phone seems to take so long and frustrates me. It sounds like you have had a very productive week. I really need to start reading some writing craft books.

    Have a great weekend.

  8. I can’t even imagine being without a computer anymore! I fear I’ve gotten to the point that I even take a computer with me on vacation now. 🙂

    Sorry to hear that the proposal was rejected. But that’s excellent that you’re maintaining a regular writing schedule!

    Have a great rest of the week. 🙂

    1. Ha, Ruth, I’m the same. I never go anywhere without a computer, so I am rather lost. I do love to write in longhand, and I am catching up on the reading I need to do, but I do miss it!

      Thank you for the kind words about the proposal; it helps. I hope you have a lovely rest of the week.

  9. Wow – look at you! You’re accomplishing so much even while life and personal stuff is looming. Great job! I’m sorry to hear about the proposal, but you’re already looking ahead and it shows a great attitude. Very impressive! Hope the rest of your week is gentle on you!

    Marie

    1. Thank you, Marie; your kind encouragement is very helpful. I hate getting rejected, but it’s certainly part of life 🙂 The rest of my week is going pretty well; I hope you have a lovely weekend!

  10. A mixed week indeed, but I’m glad to hear that there have been some bright spots in the midst of a few downers. Sorry to hear about the proposal, but I’m glad to hear that you’re got another idea in the works.

    Hope the rest of the week picks up for you!

    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Jamila. I read your excerpt, and can’t figure out why it didn’t win 😦 My week is going better; one just has to pick up and keep working, even when things are hard. Good grief, I sound like an inspirational poster! 😀 I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for coming by and commenting, both here and on the literary posts!

  11. Overall, it sounds like good progress. I, too, joined the Author Building Campaign but on the very last day so I’m playing quite a bit of catch-up. I’m looking forward to it, though. I’ve loved ROW80!

    Thanks for stopping by Depression Cookies this week!

    1. I’m playing catch-up on the Campaign, too, Tia. I have definitely learned so much from ROW80, and have had a great time. I’m glad I made it to Depression Cookies–I want to get around to more than just my assigned blogs, but can’t always do it. I’ve got your book on my TBR list–which is way longer than it should be, but I do want to read it. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      1. Would love to have you read DC and let me know what you think, but I so get it… my to-read pile is out of control. I love books, but I so underestimate time. 😉

  12. I do at least 50% of my blog, web and social media on my phone because i have a toddler. Working on the computer anytime but when she’s in bed has become a game of Mortal Kombat.

    Good for you for pushing forward, despite the obstacles. I’m interested in the Author Building Campaign…if it goes to multiple rounds, i might jump on in. I love my Team ROW80. 🙂

    1. Oh, I hear you, Jenny. My sons are 17 months apart, so I had no respite between them, just a long period of trying to get them to sleep so I could get things done! The funny thing is that my Standard Poodle has now decided that the best way to get my attention is to lay a paw over the keyboard. She has sent some interesting tweets. You made me laugh out loud at Mortal Kombat–it’s good I’m not at work in my veal-fattening pen!

      There are a few of us doing the platform building campaign, so you will probably be able to see from us whether you want to pursue it. I adore ROW80–it’s such a wonderful group of people! Thank you for dropping by and commenting; I hope you have a great weekend!

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