Diving In

So, I guess I’m back now, and hopefully getting ready to dive into a new round. That sounds really tentative, I know. For those who read here regularly (and I thank you for that), my friend with terminal cancer who I was helping in hospice passed away on September 24th. I was there, along with her family and other friends, and it was a peaceful passing. Still, the grief is pretty intense.

Along with grieving, perhaps because she was my age, I’m feeling a renewed determination to pursue my callings. Which of course means writing. So I decided not to sit out this round, though the idea of a break was tempting.

I haven’t been writing much of late, but music has been keeping my creativity simmering along. My troupe has a set of important gigs coming up this weekend, so I’ve been drumming a lot, and collaborating on some new numbers, which feels good. I’ve been doing a lot of yoga, which was a goal I hadn’t quite gotten to from last round. And I’ve also been pondering my new set of goals, so without further ado, here they are.

Creating

Successfully participate in my first-ever NaNoWriMo, completing the first draft of a novel. I’ll be doing this in collaboration with my partner BlackLion.

• October: Prepare for NaNoWriMo. Create outlines and capture other useful story ideas, read tips from other writers who’ve done it, and sign up for the challenge.
• November: Write at least 2,000 words per day.
• December: Begin editing and revising the new novel!

Post to my Starcat’s Corner blog at least 3 times per week, and on this blog at least 2 times per week.

Write and edit at least 3 guest blog posts and have them posted.

Learning and Sharing

Invite people to purchase our Feline Dreamers wares and my books. Do it with joy and from a place of feeling positive and confident. As part of this process, learn more about effective, ethical promotion techniques.

Learn to use Amazon’s indie author resources to promote and sell my Cultivating Self Love e-book.

Promote and sell my Starcat’s Corner: Essays on Pagan Living book.

Explore creating a hard-copy version of Cultivating Self-Love.

Practicing Wellness

Continue my daily practice of writing morning pages and affirmations in my journal (4 pages each day).

Do at least 20 minutes each day of dancing.

Practice drumming at least 3 times per week, plus the weekly troupe practice.

Do yoga at least 3 times per week.

Eat well. This means eating healthy vegan foods, avoiding sugar and junk foods, and drinking plenty of water.

Spend more time outdoors. Walk, hike, and meditate. Relax and enjoy the autumn weather.