What’s That Smell? Row 80 check-in
This week seemed to go by really quickly. I am amazed at how fast the new year is closing in. Excited by that. I had mixed results. I’ve gotten words in every day. Some days have absolutely been more productive than others on that front. I haven’t gotten back into novel analyzing yet. I suspect that I won’t get to it until the middle of the month. Or maybe I’m just stalling because I don’t want to go back to Undead and Unwed. *giggles* Okay, so I know that’s the case. I love/hate that I’m getting better at calling bullshit on myself. My excuses just don’t hold up like they used to. 
Yes, I’m busy, but not so busy that I can’t spend a half hour every other day or so on it. I just don’t relish the idea of sitting down to that book again. I know , however, that if I start on another book, I won’t go back to it at all. It’s too easy to just pick up another one. I did that in October just to hit the goal that I set for myself. I’m only doing one book this month. And that’s the one. Sigh. So, I’ll make sure to have something to report in that area on Wednesday. Maybe going back to it with fresh eyes will make all the difference. Here’s hoping. Until next check-in.
Posted on December 4, 2011, in Miscellany and tagged check-in, plot drill, Round 4, Row 80, writing goals, Yolanda Early. Bookmark the permalink. 14 Comments.
Yolanda Early's Blog 
Good job figuring out what the real problem was in your getting back to the book. That’s more than half the battle. I used not to stop reading a book, no matter what, but I have to admit that I do that often now.
Sometimes a break is what one needs, so try not to be hard on yourself. Have a great week 🙂
Thanks Elizabeth. I walk away from books too. Sometimes they just aren’t worth it. In this case, I’m focused on learning. So, figuring out what’s not working for me may prove invaluable.
LOL. Nice. As writers we can come up with some great excuses! Good for you for calling them out. I hope that you can get your grove back with Undead and Unwed. Good luck!
Thanks Ryan. And yes, we can come up with some good ones. I used to be able to talk myself into and out of just about anything. Now, if it doesn’t serve my goals, then it is clearly b.s. Nothing like constant correction to move you in the right direction. I can’t keep rebelling against my own cause and hope to accomplish much.
Good job calling yourself out like that. It’s hard sometimes but we just gotta do it!
Absolutely!
Love the bull-shit meter! C’mon, don’t you get a little kick out of Betsy? Good for you though on calling yourself out — love it. I think you’re doing great!
Thanks Amy! And yes, I do find Betsy entertaining. That isn’t the issue. I just didn’t care for Mary Janice Davidson’s writing style, at least in that book. It’s gets better as the series goes on. I probably should have chosen one of the later books to analyze, but I didn’t think about that until I was well into the first one.
I think we’ve all had books that we just can’t bring ourselves to finish. A common saying among my other writerly friends and I (possibly pilfered from someone more famous, I don’t know), is “Life’s too short to waste on bad books”. Love the bullshit meter lol
So true, Rebecca, so true.
wish I could do that – i find it almost impossible not to finiah a book – I think could count on five fingers those I have never managed to finish in 60+ years – the only reason not gone insane is that I am a very rapid reader so doesn’t wast hours of my time but still why do I read them if I don’t like them ? shaking head:)
all the best for coming week
I wish I was a faster reader, but I don’t know if that matters much for me. When books are bad, it’s like someone is cutting of my air supply. Time stands still. They drag on. When books are good, I curl up and disappear. When it’s over, I wonder how I read it so fast.
I think the great thing about ROW8O is that checking-in means I don’t want to have weak reasons for things. I want to write something positive and that does mean not giving bullshit reasons for things!
Hope you get some enthusiasm for that book and enjoy the rest of your week!
Exactly Em! Check-ins make me feel so exposed, but they keep me accountable to myself. I’m all for giving leeway when it’s necessary. This, however, is a suck it up and do it situation.