Date is Tuesday, December 3, 2002.

Time’s 16:06:31.

At the coffeeshop.

Yes, I’m back here despite my little accident. My knee is stiff and feels a little, but I’m hoping to recover by week’s end. I won’t do any workout until I fully recover, though, especially cardio. And that’s one of my favorite parts of working out. As for the non-affected parts...well, expert say rest is always good for a person when injured .

Time’s 16:08:33. I’ll start to work on my WIP at 16:30. I’m aiming for three pages (750 words) as per my December goal. But I’ll note it as one page (250 words) on my spreadsheet since I wrote two pages (500 words) yesterday.

Hmmm. Time’s 16:14:17. What shall I write about today?

I may be able to finish the chapter today. Or maybe not. I am debating about increasing it, adding more material to one section of the scene. Oh! I have been neglecting my fiction reading again. I must read at least a chapter a night for a fiction book–any book–to keep “fueled up” for my own writing efforts. Another chapter in Hobb’s Golden Fool would be good. Or maybe reread two of the most recent chapters in Flewelling’s Bone Doll’s Twin. I skimmed those chapters a couple of days ago.

Few people in the coffeeshop. This apparently is one of the best times to come down. People have either not yet left work or have just left. And though most high school students are out by this time, many elect not to hang around. They probably have afternoon activities. I do know the evening hours will be busy but by then I should be gone.

I see a couple of regulars.

Time’s 16:21:23. Can’t believe I can’t think of much more to say.

Shall I immediately start work on my novel? Hmmm. Maybe some light edit work would warm me up. Nah. How about concentrating on each word I type as I mentally “mouth” them in my head. I skim when I write fast like when I read a scene from a novel. Thus, I lose words and don’t see awkward sentence constructs.
Hah! That’s it. Also, such concentration helps me when there is noise or other distractions about me. Like right now. The music from above has lyrics; we’ve discovered it’s very easy to be distracted by them while one is writing.

People are beginning to filter in, though few are staying. I can’t tell from where I am sitting, but I suspect the drive-through is picking up in business.

Feeling sleepy. I’m glad I purchased a café mocha. I will need the caffeine.

Time’s 16:29:35. Gonna write!

17:45:15.

Back.

Word counts an additional 509 words. Yes! But it’s been a struggle. Took an hour and 15 minutes to get those words. I’ve made today’s modified minimum quota (one page) due to yesterday’s session but want to see if I can make the minimum session quota of three (750 words) pages. Besides, it’s a cool scene.

But it’s time for a break. Time’s 17:50:11.

18:43:37.

Back.

Yeah! 757 words. That’s over three pages (750 words). And it was a struggle getting down that last paragraph.

Didn’t finish the scene today. Think I will be able to finish it by week’s end (Saturday night).
Me happy!








Friday, December 6, 2002

Time’s 21:57:48.

Wow. I’ve written 11 pages this week and 12 is my weekly goal for the month of December. If I write my session minimum of three pages tonight, I will be ahead of my goal. Yeah!

Time to warm up. Time’s 22:06:43. Will assume work on my WIP at 2230. (2245 if I don’t feel ready.)

Hrrr. What shall I write about? The coffeeshop? Work? Definitely not the latter. Had enough of it this week. Wednesday’s news shook all of us; I finally felt the shock on Thursday. But I’m feeling much better now. I’ve have accepted what will be happening after January 31st next year. I have begun my searches and am even considering attending a job fair at a nearby hotel next week.

I am also giving serious consideration of relaxing a bit during February. I’ve earned six weeks of pay as part of my severance package. Currently I am looking for the perfect job: equivalent to my pay (good luck !), within Orange County; reasonable distance to drive; I have the skillset, etc.)

I will also apply for unemployment after the 31st. Apparently one can receive it with any severance package.

I have not determined when I’ll hit the temp track again. Shall I wait until mid-February? Maybe after Valentine’s Day? And what time of assignments shall I accept? At the moment, I’m thinking short-term, easy, ones since they’re plentiful but low-paying. I’d like to make at least 40k.

Time’s 22:30:14. Sinuses are hitting me hard and the sudafed™ has not kicked in yet. I will continue to write in this my journal until I feel comfortable. (And, yes, I know all about going after the Muse with a club and all that jazz. Well, I feel miserable at the moment.) I’m aiming to start work on my WIP at 2300. If I’m still feeling miserable by that time, I may decide to close up for the night. At least I warmed up for the Saturday session. I know I’ll easily meet the weekly goal in the Saturday session.

22:35:29. Meds are kicking in. However, it seems to be stuffing up one of my sinuses. I have to tilt my head to the right to “loosen” enough material so I can effectively blow my nose. Ugh.

Time’s 22:39:42. I can write normally two pages in an hour. If I do so tonight, that will put me at 13 pages, one page over my weekly goal. Yeah! And the week doesn’t end until Saturday night at 23:59.

Oh! I want to reserve time for WIP-related but non-MS material. That is, world-building, histories, character sketches, etc. Let’s take a look at next week’s schedule:

Sunday:
Probably one of the best days. I usually allocate four hours(!) to writing my WIP. Hrrr. How about the following? If I make my minimum of three pages within the time frame, I’ll reserve the rest of the time to working on non-WIP material.

Monday:
Work out in the afternoon. Write in the evening between 2100 to 2300.

Tuesday:
Write in the afternoon. 1300-1500? Cardio in the evening.

Wednesday:
Weight training in the afternoon or evening. Write in the evening if the former; write in the afternoon if the latter.

Thursday:
Take evening off from writing.

Friday:
Weight training and cardio in the afternoon. Take evening off from writing unless I miss one (or more!) sessions from Sunday - Wednesday.

Saturday:
Exercise is optional and usually is cardio. Write mid-afternoon.

Time’s 22:56:05. Sinuses are nearly clear. I should be able to start work on my manuscript (MS) soon.

Time’s 23:00:39. Time to write!

23:45:53.
Back. Wrote for 45 minutes and wrote 394 words. Yeah! While less than my session minimum (750 words), the scene is new and quite a surprise. I should be able to finish it tomorrow. I’m looking at finishing the chapter probably mid-next week.

I’m amazed at the scene. It’s a cool flashback. Will see what I can do with it in the second and subsequent draft. But I’m quite pleased where this chapter is going. I continue to progress.

My “gift” is the ability to come up with a lot of ideas rapidly. This includes general as well as the specific. I’m glad my outline is broad enough to give direction to my novel but flexible with more specific scenes (like this flashback.) I didn’t even think about such a scene until I started to work on my WIP.

Me happy !








Date’s Saturday, December 7, 2002.

Time’s 15:20:33.

At the coffeeshop.

I normally plan to write on the weekend from 1500 to 1900. But I usually arrive much later. Today is the closet I have arrived to the designated time.

Currently 15:21:34. Plan to start writing around 1545.

While reviewing next week’s schedule, I realized I had forgotten to include time to clean the house. Thus, for next week, plans are:


Sunday:
I will try to work out (early morning) and write if I can. (Get at least a page.) Need to do some light household chores (wash clothes) for the week.

Monday:
Weight train in the afternoon (two hours).
Household chores between 1930 to 2100. Get three pages.
Write between 2100 to 2300.

Tuesday:
Write in the afternoon (two hours).
Cardio in the evening. Additional writing time is optional. If have time, write a minimum of one page but strive for three.

Wednesday:
Weight train in the afternoon (two hours).
Household chores between 1930 to 2100.
Write between 2100 to 2300. Minimum is three pages.

Thursday:


Friday:
Weight train and cardio in the afternoon (two hours).
Writing is optional. Strive for a minimum of a page.

Saturday:
Work out is optional and would be cardio.
Write in the early afternoon for at least a couple hours. Meet twelve page weekly goal or, if already met, write a minimum of three pages.
NOTE: Possible holiday event this weekend.

No activations planned for next week.

Time’s 15:31:38. Less than 15 minutes to warm up before working on current WIP.

There are a fair number of people in the coffeeshop. Numbers are not overwhelming; I would say 75% and higher of the chairs have been taken. Majority of customers are socializing: 60% and higher. The rest are either students or, like myself, working on projects. One guy is reading the newspaper, for example.

Coffee’s kicking in. Yeah!

Time’s 15:37:25. If I make the three page minimum today, I will work on non-WIP but related pages until dinner time. That includes world-building, character sketches, etc.

Time’s 15:41:06. Don’t feel ready. Start writing at 1600.

Time’s 15:43:56. Nah. Work on WIP.

Time’s 16:13:13.

Break. Wrote 266 new words so far in the half hour. Yeah! And finished the flashback. Now back at the present and starting the end scene of the chapter. Maybe I can finish the chapter today? Bit optimistic but one never knows. But I should be able to get down a significant chunk down today.

Will take a 15 minute break. Need to stretch.

Time’s 16:29:51. Feeling very sleepy. Body’s heading to downtime. Let’s see if working on my WIP will shake me up a bit. If not, at least I can get a few more words in.

Time’s 16:59:46. Word count at 601 words total so far today. Yeah! That’s more than two pages (500 words). Less than 250 words to make today’s quota. Yeah!

Time’s 17:26:23.

Wrote 863 words. Yeah! That’s more than three pages (750). And I see the end of the scene and the chapter. And it’s exciting. Editing will definitely make the chapter more clear.

I could actually finish the chapter. But this is a good place to stop. I wrote of what was to happen next and to close the chapter. Besides, I’m beginning to feel hungry.

Wow. Wrote for an hour and 45 minutes. Actually, when you include the break, I wrote for an hour and a half.

Hrrr. At this point in my writing career, I’m use the wordcount and page number method of tracking my progress. Writing by time helped at the beginning of my apprenticeship in keeping me in front of the computer. Numbers (in either words or pages) keep me motivated to show that I am making progress in my work.

Hmmm.







Date’s Sunday, December 8, 2002.
Time’s 19:39:09.
At the coffeeshop.

I am debating if I want to write today. If I don’t, what shall my schedule be? Here’s my tentative plan:


Monday:
Weight train in the afternoon (two hours).
Household chores between 1930 to 2100. Get three pages.
Write between 2100 to 2300.

Tuesday:
Write in the afternoon (two hours).
Cardio in the evening. Additional writing time is optional. If have time, write a minimum of one page but strive for three.

Wednesday:
Weight train in the afternoon (two hours).
Household chores between 1930 to 2100.
Write between 2100 to 2300. Minimum is three pages.

Thursday:


Friday:
Weight train and cardio in the afternoon (two hours).
Writing is optional. Strive for a minimum of a page.

Saturday:
Work out is optional and would be cardio.
Write in the early afternoon for at least a couple hours. Meet twelve page weekly goal or, if already met, write a minimum of three pages.
NOTE: Book signing at 1430 down in San Diego. Holiday event at 1900.


Why don’t I want to write? Time? Nah. We probably won’t be leaving here until 2100.

Ack. Enough. Today is the beginning of my new weekly writing period. 12 pages. To reduce the page count, I’ll write at least a page tonight. Then I’ll indulge in journal writing or reading my comic books.

Time’s 19:47:41. I’ll start at 2000. Instead of continuing the current WIP, I may look at a prior chapter and add another layer or expansion of a current scene. NO major edit jobs! That would be too time-consuming.

Time’s 20:18:38. Wrote 291 words, more than a page (250 words). In a little over half an hour. Me happy!

Wow. One really sees the writing flaws in one’s work when reading out loud. That’s fine. I’ll work on the editing flaws in subsequent drafts.

Time’s 20:23:06. I’ll probably shut down and pick up one of my books or comic books to read before closing up for the evening.

Time’s 20:28:32. I just spoke with a couple of staff members. They suggest Monday and Tuesday nights at relatively “quiet” night to come into the coffeeshop to write. I will schedule appropriately:


Monday:
Weight train in the afternoon (two hours).
Household chores between 1930 to 2100. Get three pages.
Write between 2100 to 2300 at the coffeeshop.

Tuesday:
Write in the afternoon (two hours).
Cardio in the evening. Additional writing time is optional. If have time, write a minimum of one page but strive for three. Coffeeshop from 2100 to 2300. Again, strive for three pages.

Wednesday:
Weight train in the afternoon (two hours).
Household chores between 1930 to 2100.
Write between 2100 to 2300. Minimum is three pages.

Thursday:
Write in the afternoon (two hours).

Friday:
Weight train and cardio in the afternoon (two hours).
Writing is optional. Strive for a minimum of a page.

Saturday:
Work out is optional and would be cardio.
Write in the early afternoon for at least a couple hours. Meet twelve page weekly goal or, if already met, write a minimum of three pages.
NOTE: Book signing at 1430 down in San Diego. Holiday event at 1900.


Hmmm. The schedule looks good.






Date’s Monday, December 9, 2002.
Time’s 16:26:10.

At the coffeeshop.

Skipped lunch early today so I could leave to get to the shop and find a writing spot. My favorite spot was open. Yeah.

Time’s 16:27:49. Will start work on my WIP around 1700. Goal is a minimum of three pages. I may try for four pages if the writing is flowing. Again, cut in the 12 page weekly goal. I have eleven pages to go this week since I wrote a page yesterday (Sunday).

At work, I allowed one of my co-workers to convince me to cancel virtually all my vacation days this month. Instead, I would cash out the money. However, I talked to our HR person who is currently researching the policy with the company. According to state law, I should be getting all my vacation time as pay. However, corporate policy states otherwise. The company better figure out what to do soon or California will be breathing down their necks.

Moving on....

Better figure out my schedule this week. There’s more than writing and working out:


Monday:
Write starting at 1700 at the coffeeshop. Get three pages. Strive for four pages?
Weight train in the evening (two hours).

Tuesday:
Pick up holiday cards from Target in the afternoon.
Cardio in the evening. Additional writing time is optional. If have time, write a minimum of one page but strive for three. Coffeeshop from 2100 to 2300. Again, strive for three pages.

Wednesday:
Work on holiday cards. Give out or mail if possible.
Weight train in the afternoon (two hours).
Household chores between 1930 to 2100.
Write between 2100 to 2300. Minimum is three pages.

Thursday:
Write in the afternoon (two hours). There’s a possibility the day will be shortened due to holiday party in the afternoon.
Household

Friday:
Weight train and cardio in the afternoon (two hours).
Writing is optional. Strive for a minimum of a page.

Saturday:
Work out is optional and would be cardio.
Write in the early afternoon for at least a couple hours. Meet twelve page weekly goal or, if already met, write a minimum of three pages.
NOTE: Book signing at 1430 down in San Diego. Holiday event at 1900.


Ugh. I see I won’t be able to get to gift shopping until next week. Well, I know whom I purchasing gifts for (immediate family) and what they would like for the most part.

Time’s 17:01:27.

Ack. What do I write about? Well, more customers are entering the shop. I’d say half settle down and stay, sipping their beverage while staring into the air or conversing with a friend. The other half are here to work. I see many students reading a book, writing, or reviewing what they had written. I see a smattering of “suits” going over their workload. Interestingly enough, I have the only laptop set up.

Time’s 17:14:58. Ack. Still not feeling ready. Will start at 17:30.

Time’s 17:27:28. Oh, my! By finishing this scene, I finish the chapter and simultaneously complete those chapters I had extensively outlined in Outline II.rtf. I will have to outline the next five chapters before I return to the WIP.

That changes everything. I’ll may put a moratorium on the wordcount until I complete the outline even moving it to resume in January 2003.

It’s 17:30:49. Ack! Time to write!

Time’s 18:00:13. Wrote 279 words. That’s over a page (250 words) in half an hour. Yeah!

Will have to modify this week’s goal slightly. I’ll see if I can still make the 50 page deadline on the 31st.

Time’s 18:20:33. Shall I work on the outline tonight? Or finish for the day?

Let’s work on the outline and see how far I can get tonight. Aim to have at least one chapter (chapter six) ready. I can then start work on it tomorrow as planned.





Date’s Wednesday, December 11, 2002. Time’s 21:38:47. At the coffeeshop.

Will be starting at 2200. Don’t really have much time to warm up and, after, to write in my WIP. Fortunately I was able to come up a decent outline for Chapter Six. I should be at least able to get a page today.

Schedule for the rest of the week:


Wednesday:
Write with aim of at least one page (250 words).

Thursday:
Drop off clothes at the dry-cleaners, especially clothing for Saturday’s event.
Take care of RLI’s state corp cert. via telephone.
Write in the afternoon. Aim for at least three pages. Write a minimum of two hours. (If released from work early due to luncheon, leave and write!)
Get 9th anniversary card. Yeah !
Housework. Get a couple of dishwashes and laundry started.
Watch DVD. Something short.

Friday:
Work out at noon. Cardio only.
Write in the evening. Aim for at least three pages. Write for a minimum of two hours, preferably more.

Saturday:
Write an aim to complete the total of twelve pages this week. Write crap if you have to !






There’s so much going on next week that I better write it out, too:


Sunday:
Celebrate 9th anniversary. Yeah!
Housework.
Write for at least two hours. Aim for three pages (preferably more.)

Monday:
Weight train in the afternoon. Chest, shoulders, triceps, abs.
Write for at least two hours. Aim for three pages.

Tuesday:
Write for at least two hours. Aim for three pages.
Work out (cardio) in the evening. If have energy, write for a couple of hours.

Wednesday:


Thursday:


Friday:
OFF from work.
Meet with John, Jim and his kids, for lunch(?)

Saturday:



Time’s 21:59:52. Time to start writing!

Time’s 22:30:24. Wrote 318 words. More than a page (250). And within a half hour.

Grrr. But now I seem to be stuck.

Time’s 22:41:04. Gonna stop here. Wrote total of 430 words. Goal today was 750 words. I’m definitely behind this week. I need to finish a little over seven pages (1773 words) by 2359 on Saturday night. >From my calculation, I need to write three pages tomorrow (Thursday), on Friday, and finish up on Saturday.
I’ve written enough in my outline on Chapter Six to guide me in writing this chapter. But it’s an absolutely new chapter with much of unplanned in previous incarnations.

I could cancel or severely modify my December goal of writing fifty pages. But I think I will not. I’ll finish it and set January aside to work the outline more thoroughly.

Whew! So many goals–little steps–and it’s not the new year yet. But I’m moving forward. As the Robert Frost poem: “And that made all the difference.”

Time’s 22:54:04. Not much time left to write in my journal. Night!


Date’s Thursday, December 12, 2002. Time’s 20:45:56. At the coffeeshop.

I am torn if I want to work on my outline or my WIP tonight. My goal this month was to write 50 pages and to achieve that goal, I must write 12 pages this week. I have nearly eight pages still to go even after modifying the week goal to adjust working on the outline for chapter six.

I have enough material for chapter six. I’ll write tonight on it aiming for the three page minimum for each session. Time’s 20:49:17. I’ll start work on the WIP at 2115.

Having to rely on battery power tonight. Three out of the four choice spots have been taken by–of course–non-outlet users. This time, it looks like all students. I’m not going to concern myself about it. I’m coming back tomorrow (Friday) night and will mostly likely find a spot to plug in and recharge the battery.

Battery’s at 89% at the moment. I can drop pretty low before having to be concerned.

Time’s 20:52:52. Let’s look at this week’s and next week’s schedule:


Thursday:
Write in the evening. Aim for at least three pages. Write a minimum of two hours.

Friday:
Work out at noon. Cardio only.
Get 9th anniversary card. Yeah !
Pick up antibiotics.
Write in the evening. Aim for at least three pages. Write for a minimum of two hours, preferably more.

Saturday:
Write an aim to complete the total of nine pages this week. Three pages are to be transferred to next week. Write crap if you have to !
Pick up clothes at drycleaners.
Attend book-signing event down in San Diego.
Attend A/PC holiday party.




Sunday:
Celebrate 9th anniversary. Yeah!
Shop for gifts.
Housework.
Write for at least two hours. New goal is 15 pages this week. Aim for three pages (preferably more. 5-6 pages would be preferable.)

Monday:
Weight train in the afternoon. Chest, shoulders, triceps, abs.
Write for at least two hours. Aim for three pages, preferably higher.

Tuesday:
Write for at least two hours in the afternoon. Aim for three pages, preferably higher.
Work out (cardio) in the evening. If have energy, write for a couple of hours.

Wednesday:
Weight train in the afternoon. Back, biceps, abs.
Write for at least two hours. Aim for three pages, preferably higher.

Thursday:
Write in the afternoon. Aim for at least three pages, preferably higher.

Friday:
OFF from work.
Work out in the morning. Cardio class.
Meet with John, Jim and his kids, for lunch(?).
Writing is optional unless missed one of the previous days this week.

Saturday:
Write in the afternoon. Aim is to finish 15 pages total (weekly 12 plus 3 from the prior week.)
Attend holiday party at Gerry and Patrick’s residence in the evening.


Hmmm. Looking over next week’s schedule, I realize I have another option. I could work on the outline tonight. Plan out chapters 6-10. I can aim for nine pages this week and move the three additional pages to next week (see above).

There. I’ve made the necessary changes.

Time’s 22:17:33. Was just told that the coffeeshop was closing early today.

Worked on the outline. Finished outline for chapter six and started to developed much of chapter seven. Very pleased.


Date’s Friday, December 13, 2002. Time’s 21:09:50. At the coffeeshop.

Yeah! Virtually no one is here. I only recognize one regular: the guy who plays on-line games. Now that I think about it, I didn’t see him here yesterday.

I have a lot to write tonight. And tomorrow. To make my wordcount, I will need to write 750 words each day. That’s a minimum of three pages each day. Otherwise, I will transfer any “missed” pages to next week. And I’m already aiming to write 15 pages next week to get back on track.

Time’s 21:13:54. I’ll start work on my WIP at between 2130 - 2145. I hope the grande soy vanilla latte and its caffeine will kick in.

Wow. I just looked at the page count of my journal. Nearly 300 pages! I imagine there’s a significant amount of blank pages. Still, “talking on paper” a few hours a week cumulates quickly.

Interesting. I sense a part of me that fears I will not be able to meet my minimum goal tonight. I’ve encountered this feeling before. I know it’s irrational. But it’s also one of the reasons that I created my outline for my novel. I feel comforted with such a “fallback” in case I feel I have run out of ideas.

Schedule for this week:


Friday:
Work out at noon. Cardio only.
Write in the evening. Aim for at least three pages. Write for a minimum of two hours, preferably more.

Saturday:
Write an aim to complete the total of nine pages this week. Three pages are to be transferred to next week. Write crap if you have to !
Pick up clothes at drycleaners.
Get 9th anniversary card. Yeah !
Pick up antibiotics.
Schedule meeting with notary public for Monday.
Attend book-signing event down in San Diego.
Attend A/PC holiday party.

And next week’s schedule:


Sunday:
Celebrate 9th anniversary. Yeah! Out for brunch and spend time together. CIMA followed by tour of the Huntington Library?
Shop for gifts.
Housework.
Write for at least two hours. New goal is 15 pages this week. Aim for three pages (preferably more. 5-6 pages would be preferable.)

Monday:
Weight train in the afternoon. Chest, shoulders, triceps, abs.
Write for at least two hours in the evening. Aim for three pages, preferably higher.

Tuesday:
Write for at least two hours in the afternoon. Aim for three pages, preferably higher.
Work out (cardio) in the evening. If have energy, write for a couple of hours.

Wednesday:
Weight train in the afternoon. Back, biceps, abs.
Write for at least two hours. Aim for three pages, preferably higher.

Thursday:
Write in the afternoon. Aim for at least three pages, preferably higher.

Friday:
OFF from work.
Work out in the morning. Cardio class.
Meet with John, Jim and his kids, for lunch(?).
Writing is optional unless missed one of the previous days this week.

Saturday:
Write in the afternoon. Aim is to finish 15 pages total (weekly 12 plus 3 from the prior week.)
Attend holiday party at Gerry and Patrick’s residence in the evening.


And for Christmas week:


Sunday:
Workout (cardio) at Irvine gym.
Write for at least two hours aiming for four pages. (Increase wordcount from 750 to 1000 on the weekend.)

Monday:

Weight train chest and abs. Cardio is optional due to Sunday’s workout. Check Tuesday’s classes.

Tuesday:
Work half day.
Weight train back and abs. Cardio is optional (see Sunday and Monday).
Write for at least two hours aiming for at least three pages.

Wednesday:
CHRISTMAS
OFF from work.
Writing is optional.
Workout is optional and confined to workouts outside the gym (e.g., walking.)
Read and watch DVDs.

Thursday:
Weight train shoulders and abs.
Write at least two hours aiming for at least three pages.

Friday:
Weight train legs and abs. Cardio.
Writing is optional unless miss one a previously scheduled day.

Saturday:
Work out is optional (cardio).
Write for at least two hours and aim for four pages.


Looks like a good schedule. Hmmm. I wonder if I should reschedule any missed workout to Saturday like I do for writing on Friday.

Time’s 21:39:58. Will start work on my WIP in five minutes.

I just calculated that I need to write approximately 887 words tonight and tomorrow. That’s more than three and a half pages each night. Ack! Time to get busy.

Time’s 21:44:25. Starting now.

Time’s 22:35:17. Back.

Grrr. Written 397 words in 45 minutes. That’s more than a page (250 words) but I have 490 words to go. Nearly two more pages.

Sigh. Take a break to get my energy levels up. Resume between 2245 to 2300.

REM: Write ANY scene in either chapter six or seven. Can fill in between later. Get that wordcount up!

Time’s 23:08:34.
Back.

I cheated. I added my Outline II notes to my WIP and included it in the wordcount. Bad, Joel, bad.
But it’s not as though I have not done such before. And still do.

Before, I would write the notes to assist me where I was going in the next session. This time, though, I plan to take each note line and rearrange it as scenes within the chapter. I can then write around them.

Yeah. I like that. I’ll never run out of writing material that way. And I can connect them later or in the subsequent drafts.

Damn. Well, there goes my excuse for writer’s block .


Date’s Monday, December 16, 2002. Time’s 20:37:36. At the coffeeshop.

As I feared, the shop is full of people. All the electric outlet spots are occupied by people who are not using them of course. All the tables are occupied: we were leaving when I noticed a student leaving a couch and two tables. I was able to claim the spot. Whew!

Time’s 20:40:43. I’ll start work on my WIP at 21:00.

I’m debating if I want to continue with the work in progress (WIP) for the rest of the month; work on the outline; work on other projects; edit (not rewrite) previously written material; or take a vacation.

My goal for December was to write 50 pages. I’ve thought of cutting the amount to 25. I have so many options!

Let’s do some planning:

Monday: 12/16
TODAY
Complete final refi paperwork. Complete by Friday, 12/20th.
Determine what projects to work on and schedule.

Tuesday: 12/17
Review finances and pay bills.
Write in the afternoon or leave early.
Work out back, biceps, and abs in the evening. Cardio at 1900.
Visit Clark?

Wednesday: 12/18
Leave early from work due to activation in the evening (?)
Work out chest, shoulders, triceps and abs during lunch.
Write for at least two hours.
Housework for at least an hour.

Thursday: 12/19

Write or workout in the afternoon.

Friday: 12/20
OFF from work.
Payday. Yeah!
Lunch with Jim and his kids and John (?)
Write either in the afternoon or in the evening for at least two hours.
Housework for at least an hour.

Saturday: 12/21
Work out is optional.
Write for at least two hours.
Attend Gerry and Patrick’s holiday party. Bring plant or wine as gift.

Sunday: 12/22
Cardio down at the Irvine gym at 09:00.
Housework for at least an hour.
Prepare financial statements for BPI and RLI. Complete by Friday, 12/27th to give to accountant.
Write at least two hours.

Monday: 12/23
Complete finances and bills.
Work out chest, abs. Cardio at 16:30.

Housework for at least an hour.
Write in the evening.

Tuesday: 12/24

Half-day at work due to holiday.
Work out back, abs.
Housework for at least an hour.
Write for at least two hours.


Wednesday: 12/25
OFF from work due to holiday.
Visit the Campbells for the holidays.
Housework for at least an hour.
Write for at least two hours.

Thursday: 12/26
Work out shoulders, biceps, triceps in the afternoon.

Writing is optional.
Friday: 12/27
Complete finances and bills.
Work out legs, abs. Cardio at 12:00.
Housework for at least an hour.
Write for at least two hours.

Saturday: 12/28
Work out is optional unless miss scheduled workout early in week.
Write for at least two hours.

Sunday: 12/29
Work out is optional unless miss scheduled workout early in week.
Housework for at least an hour.
Write for at least two hours.

Monday: 12/30
Complete finances and bills.
Work out back, abs. Cardio at 16:30.
Housework for at least an hour.
Write for at least two hours.

Tuesday: 12/31
Half day at work due to holiday.
Work out for chest, abs.
Write for at least two hours.


Time’s 20:59:53. Cancel writing at 21:00. As seen from the above schedule, I’m determining the course of my projects for the rest of the month.

Time’s 21:40:30. Well, I’ve written up a fairly thorough schedule for the rest of the month. Whew! So busy.

I’m going to take a break and take a look at the outline at 22:00.

Time’s 21:59:06.
Back. Will start working on my outline (Outline II.rtf.)