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| No. 9 Mine in Lansford, PA |
Today is the last day of my summer vacation. Tomorrow will be my first day of teacher in-service, and next Monday, students arrive for their first day. It has been an unusually long summer, because we had no snow days to make up in June. Iām satisfied with my rejuvenating break and ready to return to work.
So, how did I make out on my summer goals?
1. Finish the first draft of my WIP, GRUNSDAY. Not only did I finish the first draft, I finished the second draft and sent the manuscript off to beta-readers. Iām pretty excited about my progress on this story!
2. Take a mine tour up in the Pocono Mountains. I did do this, in early July. The trip was related to a shelved manuscript. I found the tour fascinating, but this little jaunt was eclipsed by the tour of Teotihuacan and the climbing of The Sun Pyramid as part of my research for GRUNSDAY, which became the highlight of my summer.
3. Determine the fate of PORTAL. This manuscript will stay shelved for now. The mine tour failed to re-awaken my interest in the topic or suggest solutions to the problems of plot, pacing, and character.
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| The Pyramid of the Sun, Mexico |
4. Get some exercise. I did this. I swam, I walked the dog, and I even took up bike riding with my husband and daughters. (Before this summer the last time I rode a bike was when I was twelve.) And of course, climbing to the top of that pyramid was a bit of a feat, too!
5. Refuse to ride the emotional roller coaster. Sigh. This one is hard. Let’s face it. Our writing is so near and dear to us, it’s hard not to fret, berate ourselves, jump every time we see Inbox (1), and occasionally dissolve into a puddle of insecurity. But I’m working on it … and maybe getting a little better.
So, what did you do this summer?
You’ve gotten so much done this summer! I’m glad it’s been a good one–I know the year is draining for you, but I hope the summer is a harbinger of more rejuvenating times ahead!
As for me, it’s been a pretty awesome summer, now that I think about it. Got a new deal, wrote a new book. My fall is going to be kind of crazy, so my goal for the rest of the year is to … stay calm. As you say–I want to let the emotional roller coaster pass me by!
Look at you go!! I can’t wait to hear about your trip to Mexico. I didn’t get as much done with my writing as I wanted to. But school is coming and that’s when I can get more done.
I’ll see you at PAYA this weekend. š
Wow! You did a fantastic job with your goals, and had fun doing it. I’d call that a successful summer. š
Sounds like a productive summer š I didn’t accomplish my goal of finishing a rewrite but I hope that the extra month of September will remedy that. Good luck as you head back into the school year! And yay for more biking š
So happy for you that you made a ton of progress on your WIP! Congrats on your productivity š I beefed up my query letter and started another WIP, so I’m still working at making my summer productive too.
Dianne, I enjoyed this post and I admire you for number three.
WOW! Good for you. It’s mostly been a good summer for us, too, except for losing my MIL, but I didn’t accomplish any mind-boggling goals like you did. I mean, you climbed to the top of a pyramid in Mexico; I climbed a bazillion crumbly stone steps up the side of a hill at an old fort in Maryland to see what we could see up there. (Nothing. Just severely overgrown woods.)
Diane, you got so much done! I hope you hear some good news via your inbox soon!
You did well, Dianne. But I understand about riding that emotional roller coaster. No matter how much we accomplish, it never feels like enough. Be proud; you not only met, but you exceeded your goals. š
you’ve done very well in achieving your goals (and I can attest to the success of Grunsday cuz I can’t wait to see buy it off the shelves!). Too bad about Portal but sometimes this happens. I always feel a little sad about it, like I’m putting my characters into some sort of limbo.
#5 Yup. That’s a hard one. I’m working on it š
You DID get a lot done! I wish I could get motivated to exercise. I blame winter. š
Too bad about shelving your manuscript. That hurts. And you know I’m feeling you regarding the inbox. Just seeing that Inbox(1) in your post made my stomach flip! I think it’s time I stepped away from the computer … š
Good for you. Long summers must be nice. The kids are not ready to go back to school in my house.
Sounds like a great summer š
I know the feeling of trying to save a shelved story. As I put the final polish on my WIP and kick the little birdie out of the nest, I’m deciding whether to re-plot an old ms or think up new idea.
It’s wonderful your Mexican trip inspired you. Good luck with the story! š