ROW80 Check In Jan. 30 |

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ROW80 Check In Jan. 30

January 30, 2011 by Lauralynn Elliott

As most of you know, I was out of town for three days and was out late every night. So I didn’t do any writing those three days. And I chose not to write on Friday because I was in the mood to play a computer game and knew I would be restless if I wrote instead of played. However, I’m only 388 words behind my culmulative goal, so I’m not worrying about it. I can make that up in a couple of days and I’ll be back on track. Have I mentioned that this is WAY better than doing NaNoWriMo? Sure I have. LOL

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged check in, ROW80, word count | 10 Comments

10 Responses

on January 30, 2011 at 11:55 pm | Reply Michelle DePaepe

A little break does a writer’s soul good from time to time. It recharges brain cells. I know you’ll be back into your writing game this week 🙂
- on January 31, 2011 at 1:55 am | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  Yes, I’ll get back into it. I’m not sure that’s going to happen tonight, though. We’ll see. I now have a new (used) desk in the same room our exercise equipment is in. I can close the door and have peace and quiet instead of being distracted by my husband’s TV shows. That’s helping a lot.
on January 31, 2011 at 1:48 am | Reply Cathryn Louis

I agree – knowing when to take a break is as important as sticking to writing. You’ll have a fresh perspective when you get back to it. Have a great week!
- on January 31, 2011 at 1:56 am | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  Yep, Cathryn, we need breaks sometimes. The important thing is to not beat yourself up when you fall behind. You just have to get back on track when you’re ready. Thanks!
on January 31, 2011 at 5:07 am | Reply Craig Hansen

I agree, Lauralynn. ROW80 is more of a sustainable “writer’s life” type of challenge, not a mad sprint.

It’s like the difference between trying to lose 20 pounds in two weeks, versus making it a goal to lose five pounds a month for a year.

Both are doable, but I’d argue the latter leaves one with a better post-diet lifestyle more likely to keep the weight off.

In the same way, ROW80 is something I could see myself continuing to do year-round, all four sessions each year, just to keep myself accountable and writing.

And I think the quality of manuscripts we all end up with by doing ROW 80 is probably superior.
- on January 31, 2011 at 4:48 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  I agree completely, Craig. And since I used to work for Weight Watchers, the weight loss comparison fits perfectly.
on January 31, 2011 at 5:45 am | Reply Claire Farrell

I’m totally playing a game instead of working later. Not even feeling slightly guilty. 😉

And hells yeah, it’s better than NaNo for me too.
- on January 31, 2011 at 4:35 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  Claire, those computer games can be addicting. I love Big Fish Games, with all their adventure and hidden object games.
on January 31, 2011 at 12:44 pm | Reply alberta ross

we all need breaks sometime – and I agree this ROW80 is very doable – I havn’t done the other challenges but could see this working for me all year – anyway well done you are reasonable close to your overall not to be panicing at this stage
- on January 31, 2011 at 4:38 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  Alberta, this is VERY doable. I did NaNo two years in a row, and I stayed stressed out the whole time. The word count was hard to keep up, and November is such a terrible time because of the holidays coming up. I’m not slamming NaNo…it may be right for a lot of people. It’s just too stressful for someone who works full time and actually has other things to do as well. :0)