Falling Behind

Next week, I will be reviewing my goals for the first quarter of 2023.  I’m doing pretty good in most categories, except one, which is arguably the most important one.  My writing.  I should have finished chapter three of my second novel by now, but I’m still on chapter one.

Life is what happens when you make other plans.  In February, Kris and I attended Gallifrey One, the Dr. Who convention.  I anticipated that and allowed for that weekend to be lost for writing.  No regrets.  Fun, friends, Dr. Who stars and Baby’s Bad Ass Burgers.

But I didn’t anticipate catching a cold a week and a half later.  Nor did I anticipate the next Writer’s Conference would be virtual one weekend and evenings through Wednesday, and then in-person the following weekend.  Not complaining.  A lot to learn, just gets tiring after a while.  I came home and crashed the following Monday.

This also put me behind in my two critique groups.  My novel group met on the Saturday of the in-person conference.  I had to turn in one of the critiques a week later to one of the writers.  Now I have a screenwriting critique group meeting this Wednesday and I have only done one of two submissions.

So how am I going to catch up?  Well, I originally built in some leeway into my original goals.  I originally gave myself two weeks to write each chapter.  Remember, I’m writing my second steampunk novel from the screenplay that I completed.  So, I already have a 157-page outline with all the plot and character development worked out.  I just need to add the prose and P.O.V. that are not found in a screenplay.  I can also add or extend scenes to develop my characters further – that’s the fun part.

I have one critique to do for Wednesday and three that are due on Saturday, April 8^th.  Once I do those, I’ll have about three weeks clear of any other critiquing.  I can get a lot done in three clear weeks and weekends.

So that’s my plan.  I guess I’ll have to set some goals to get back on my goals.

Dennis

156th blog completed.

Second Steampunk novel: 783 words.  ß I have to get this number moving again.

Second Steampunk screenplay:  157 pages.

First Steampunk novel:  73,675 words.

First Steampunk screenplay:  Need to update with notes from the novelization.

Third Steampunk screenplay:  38 pages.

“It’s nice to know that Ralph’s provides for vegans who have been turned into vampires” – Vincent Reinhart