This is the time of year when the calendar goes from “Is nobody celebrating the holidays this year?” to “Good lord, some notice would have been nice!” At least in my family that’s the way it goes. My hubby and I are big on family. We like to make it to as many events as possible (especially since the kids came along) and we both have big families, so there are a lot of events. Add in making sure we’re around when out of town folks visit, and it gets complicated. Ever since we got married, I’ve handled the holiday calendar. We have three sets of parents, and none of them plans well in advance. So I’m usually calling around in September to see what everyone’s thinking about holiday plans, and I end up helping everyone get organized. Damn it. I’m the planner, pure and simple. Except it isn’t simple when everyone around you flies by the seat of their pants, right onto your calendar, without notice!
Enough of my ranting. I started to go on…but no one wants to hear this. lol.
On to the writing! I’ve been at it all morning, in between snuggling/reading/playing with the kids. I love setting up my iPad (with keyboard) at the dining room table and fitting in ten to twenty minutes of writing at a time. So far in November that’s resulted in 1,050 words on Thursday, and just shy of 1,000 words so far today. This new book is flowing, and I already surprised myself, despite the detailed plan. Good stuff. And I’ll be home relaxing until early afternoon, so maybe I’ll get another 500 in today. I’m on track for my 500 a day average in November, but its always better when I get in at least 500 each day. That’s the goal, and that’s what I’ll be shooting for this next week. I’ll probably stick to just 500 each day, and focus any extra time on Queen Witch edits and a promotion — the Autumn’s Harvest Blog Hop — coming up on the 9th.
After nap time, I’m taking my girls to the Portland Children’s Museum. I think it’s time for a membership, because my three-year-old mentions this place just about every week. And with the rain in this city, varied indoor activities are a must for keeping the kids occupied all winter long. Hubby has taken them to this museum several times while I stayed home and wrote, so I know we’ll use the membership, and as long as we go four times a year, it’s a better deal to be a member.
Good luck with the coming week!
This is all great stuff, JR! It’s so funny – I usually get rather Scrooge-ish around the holidays (grr, turn that Christmas music off, it’s not even Thanksgiving!), but this year I am SO excited for all the family time.
Good job with all the writing! Have a wonderful week to come.
Don’t you love museum memberships!
And, just to say, rant all you want about pantsers be they writers or holiday. >grin<
One of the most stressful things about holidays is trying to fit everyone in. So far, we’ve done okay, even though the family has grown. I had to laugh at Lena’s comment about the Christmas music. I love holiday music, and it drives my boss’s son crazy. Give me a little Sleigh Ride and Winter Wonderland, and I’m a happy camper. And the holidays is the only time I like sappy movies. LOL
I’m glad your story is coming along so well. I can’t wait to read it!
What a great post! And I hear wonderful things about the Portland Children’s museum (assuming this is Portland, OR and not Portland, ME). 🙂
Hope you had a great day!
I have the damn hurricane so deep in my mind that I read the title of your post: Sandy update … seriously!
Way to go with the writing!
I’ve been thinking about getting a membership of the children’s museum over here too 😉
Have a great week!
Had to laugh about the holiday planning, my family is less complicated but struggles to pull together one event. I could plan it, but somehow I enjoy it more this way (grins).
Great job on the writing and nice use of the iPad. I just got one and haven’t fully set it up yet, so I’ll be looking into using it the way you are. Thanks for the insight!
Have a fantastic week 🙂
Sounds like you are working the writing in beautifully around your family life! As a Nursery teacher I spent a meeting after school sorting out our Christmas play with colleagues. Now the angels, sheep and even chickens are decided we can get started!! Hope you have a productive day and meet your 500 words a day target every day!!
Most of my family is pretty much the same. Oh, well. Good luck on your wordcount goals! Sounds like it’s coming along nicely.
You’ve started November well, I hope you will keep your wordcount goal! Have a lovely week 🙂