Monthly Archives: October 2014

It’s another productive week here in Starcat land, and I’m very thankful. My NaNoWriMo novel outline is coming along great!

I’ve put quite a bit of time into it, and yesterday I got some input from a couple of beloveds. I’m still looking for a working title for the book. I think I only have a couple more hours of focused work on the outline, though, and I’ll be ready to go.

Well, I do have to type up all my notes and my outline, as my planning thus far has been on paper. I hope to get my laptop back this week (fingers crossed) so I’ll be able to use it for NaNoWriMo starting on Saturday. As I told BlackLion, I can write 2,000 words a day using pen and paper, but I prefer not to, as it adds the step of having to type it up at some point. Plus, it’s harder to do manual word counts. Heh heh.

My first blog post for the new inspirational women’s spirituality website, SoulFire Om, is up! I’m pretty pleased with it. I took the photo, too. The site’s founder, who is an online friend of mine, has posted several ideas for upcoming themes, so I’ve been jotting down ideas for my next contributions. That’s going well, and my own blogging is chugging along nicely, too.

I’ve also returned to my goal of creating a cozy work space for myself. Quester and I decided to give our bedroom a deep cleaning, and my desk space is fortunately part of that room. Motivation! I gathered a huge stack of Home Education magazines to donate to my homeschool co-op, sorted through a stack of recipe magazines (saving only the recipes I’m interested in), and did a bunch of filing. It’s getting there.

Progress is being made, fun is being had, and I’ll talk with you on the other side, in the magickal month of November. Good luck with all your goals!

I’m excited to report that the words have been pouring out of me this week. I’m planning my NaNo novel, using the system in Rock Your Plot by Cathy Yardley, and it’s working wonderfully. I also drafted up one of my big guest blog posts, and I’m quite pleased with it so far.

It’s rainy here this week, and although things are still pretty busy for me, I’m stealing away every chance I get to figure out some more cool stuff for my novel. Since my laptop is at the computer doctor, I’m writing it all down longhand in a notebook. I love that. My creativity is flowing. I finished the zentangle I was working on in my art journal. I’m finding cool links on sacred geometry. I started listening to an amazing new podcast, Remarkably Human Radio, and it’s sparking all kinds of amazing ideas (check out episode 2 in particular).

I was a bit worried about doing NaNoWriMo on my own (my partner and I collaborated on a novel last year), but not anymore. I can do this. I can hardly wait until November begins!

In the meantime, I’m creating like crazy. And it’s so much fun!

A relaxing scene to help you focus.

It’s strange but true. My productivity on any given day seems to increase the more relaxed I can be. I guess it’s not so very odd. When I’m feeling stressed out, I’m not going to do good work. I’ll be rushing around and not focusing on what I’m doing.

This week I’ve been purposely relaxing, despite a long to-do list, and things are going along well. I finished reading Rock Your Plot and have been thinking about my NaNoWriMo novel some more. I wrote the book review of Shamanic Awakening today, as well as a post for my blog that I’m really pleased with.

Got in some good drum practice time, and caught up with the online course I’m taking, the Conquer Summit (it’s pretty cool, and no-cost – check it out if you’re the entrepreneurial type). Did some marketing-type stuff for Feline Dreamers, and some prep work (mostly reading) for a new website that I’ll be contributing to starting next week.

I guess that’s all for now.

Next month’s writing will only be my second novel, and the first one I’ve written by myself. But I’m feeling good about it, and glad I have some good resources to utilize.

My check-in is a day late, but I wanted to keep on track this Round and make sure I do all my updates. I’m still in a busy season, which won’t really begin to subside until my teen son’s soccer season is done in a couple of weeks. Nonetheless, I’m continuing to take baby steps toward my goals.

This week I got back on track with blogging, and posted three times on my Starcat’s Corner website, which is my target. Woo hoo! I’m nearly halfway through reading Rock Your Plot, and I’ve been jotting down notes and indulging in daydreams about my NaNoWriMo novel. It’s percolating along in the background, and I’m pleased with the ideas that are developing thus far.

My daughter and I have been enjoying zentangling. We made a card for Quester’s birthday, and we both have pages in progress in our art journals. It’s a fun thing to do together.

I’ve also been taking time to be outdoors, go for walks, drum, and do other things that refresh my spirit. I’m feeling well overall.

Mini-goals for this week: finish my read-through of Rock Your Plot and begin doing the exercises. Write two guest blogs (one is a book review for which I’ve already read the book and made some notes), along with keeping up with my own blogs. And I want to keep up with exercising, too – hey, I’ve lost 8 pounds since I last checked! I’m pleased about that and want to keep up the good work.

Hi everyone! How was your summer? I feel like I’ve been away on extended leave, or something. But now I’m getting swept up in the creative surge of energy I often get in the fall. I’m refreshed and ready to roll with some updated and new writing and creating goals for Round 4!

Here they are:

2014 Row 80 Round 4 Goals

De-clutter and organize my work spaces. Clean my upstairs desk, bookshelves, and filing cabinets. Create beautiful, inviting, and user-friendly working spaces. Fix or replace my laptop.

Focus on blogging. Post to my Starcat’s Corner blog at least 3 times per week, Feline Dreamers at least 1 time per week, and on this blog at least 2 times per week. Write, edit, and submit guest blog posts for SoulFire Om, Kind Over Matter, Facing North, and Moon Books. Start and keep a running list of blog post ideas, drafts, and picture ideas.

Continue my craft learning. Watch all videos and complete all assignments for the Conquer Summit online course. Read more about ethical marketing and promotion. Keep notes on ideas to use, and begin implementing them.

Plan for and complete NaNoWriMo 2014. In October, use Rock Your Plot to complete an outline and character sketches. In November, write 2,000 words per day (on average) and complete NaNoWriMo.

Make inspiring art. Practice zentangling. Make at least 3 new pages in my art journal. Create winter holiday cards. Take nature photographs to use on my websites and blog posts.

Expand my spiritual awareness and the integration of all aspects of my life. Get caught up on all the assigned exercises in Evolutionary Witchcraft (a book I’m working through with my Full Moon circle). Pay more attention to my dreams and intuitions.

Enjoy my life and go with the flow. Do things I love: write in my journal, do yoga, drum, dance, and express my gratitude. Eat well and exercise. Get outdoors on a regular basis.