And just like that, we have now reached the halfway point of the year. Where has the time gone?! June was a month of ups and downs, but thankfully mostly ups. Here’s how I did.
Writing
Edit One Arc of Book 1
I didn’t quite edit a whole arc of book 1 like I wanted, but I did make some decent progress. I managed to finish 2 chapters this month and I have a solid plan for next month to keep the edits moving. Editing is different from writing, and I am giving the project the time it needs to be the best version of itself.
1000 Words of Summer
I wanted 1000 Words of Summer to be successful for the whole two weeks, but I fell off the productivity wagon toward the last few days. I did manage to finish one project I’ve been working on for the last 8 or so years, so that was a win. Attempting to get 1000 words a day in another project after finishing the other project was like pulling teeth. I do still plan on shooting for 1000 words a day in July. I guess it wasn’t a complete failure.
NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge
The NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge, the challenge that started it all in 2020, went well this year. I worked on a brand new project of 1000 words or less in a genre I don’t normally write in. I got to flex my writing muscles and get used to putting more work out there. I had fun doing it, especially because I got to subvert a fairytale in the best ways. Results come out at the end of next month, and I am already excited for round 2.
BONUS: NYC Midnight’s 100 Word Microfiction Contest
This goal is one I totally forgot about. The results came out for round 1 and I placed 1st!!! I went onto the next round, which was difficult with so few words, but I made a solid attempt. I’m not entirely sure when results come out for this round, but hopefully I will be more prepared if I go for the next round.
Personal
Exercise
Exercise in June has been hit or miss. Some weeks I’ve been on it and kicking butt. Others I barely exercised at all. I need to get back to it and be more consistent, if not to look better than to feel better mentally. I started an exercise regimen that I thought would be nice, but it was unorganized and messy. Hopefully I’ll get back into Yoga and walking again.
Journal
Journaling in June was fantastic. There was a day where I almost didn’t make it, because I left my journal at home. Instead of letting the habit go, I journaled on my computer. It wasn’t totally ideal, and I want to keep it all on paper if I can, but it works in a pinch. I hope to keep up the habit for as long as I can.
Word Count: 41,959
Whoa! Halfway Point Check-In!
Write Every Day of 2023
January: 100%
February: 100%
March: 100%
April: 100%
May: 100%
June: 100%
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR: Keep up the progress and keep writing something every day.
Edit Three Novels
Slowly making my way through edits on Book 1. At this point, I might not make 3 novels by the end of the year, but I am going to do the best I can.
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR: Keep editing and moving forward.
Edit Six short stories
- Congratulations- Written Jan 2015; Edited Jan 2023
- H-E- Double Hockey Sticks- Written and Edited Jan 2023
- Samson- Written 2014; Edited Feb 2023
- Thanks For the Hand- Written and Edited April 2023
- Mad With The Moon-written Feb 2021; edited June 2023
- Love Lines- written Jan 2014; edited June 2023
- The Way Out- Written August 2022; edited June 2023
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR: Goal update to 12 short stories this year. 5 to go!
Read Twelve Books
- Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olsen- finished January 2023
- All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban- Finished January 2023
- The Will and The Wild by Charlie N. Holmberg- Finished February 2023
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas- Finished March 2023
- A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas- Finished March 2023
- A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Mass- finished March 2023
- Queen of Ruin by K.F. Breene- finished June 2023
- Daisy Jones and the Six -finished June 2023
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR: Keep Reading. 4 to go!
Publish Something (Either Traditional or Indie)
EXCITING THINGS ARE COMING!
Participate in Most (If not all) NYC Midnight Writing Contests.
Short Story Challenge
Round 1: 5th place. Moved to round 2.
Round 2: Did not place in round 2.
Screenwriting Challenge
SKIPPED
Microfiction (100 words)
Round 1: Placed 1st! 🎉 Moved on to second round.
Round 2: Results pending
Flash Fiction
Round 1: Results pending
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR: Keep participating and enjoying the process.
Finished Projects
- Little Earthquakes 2016-2023
- Short Stories
Rocketman 2022-2023
Luka 2022-2023 - Various Fanfictions
Names That Bind 2023
You Don’t Need to Love Me 2023
Hidge Week 2018-2023 - Futures– 2015-2023
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR: Finish more projects as able.
Word Count: 217,132
July Goals
Camp NaNoWriMo
Once again it is time for Camp NaNoWriMo. This month, I hope to finish a project or two that have been languishing in my folders. For my goal, I would like to hit 40K. Realistically, I would like to get around 1000 words a day to keep the momentum up, in this project and a few odds and ends in other projects.
Edit 500 words of Book 1 Daily
For the last few weeks of June, with the 1000 word goal a fay, I attempted to get 500 words of edits. For the few days I was successful, it really helped move the novel along, especially through the boring middle bits. I hope with luck and practice and dedication, I can get through the edits with a bit more speed.
Edit One Short Story
I’ve had a lot of good luck editing short stories in June. I would like to keep the momentum up in July and keep getting short stories ready for the world.
NYC Flash Fiction Round 2
I enjoy this challenge as much as I do because there is an automatic second round. I’m excited to see how I do in round 1, and I’m excited to see the new prompt for round 2. 1000 words is the perfect amount to play with to write a short piece. I do enjoy long pieces, but a short piece now and then really helps me build my writing muscles.
Personal
Exercise
Exercising has been one of my wishy-washy habits over the last few months. I would like to make it a more steady habit and feel better about doing it. One of the first things that disappears when I’m stressed is exercise, as counterintuitive as that sounds. I would like to make it more permanent in July.
Journal
Journaling has really helped me over the last 6 months and I hope it continues to help me over the rest of the year and far beyond that. I’ve had to get creative with how I journal a few times over the last few months, with some days feeling like pulling teeth, but I still continue to make progress.
What about you? Any fun goals planned?
