My goal is to write an average of 500 words per day. So I have a spreadsheet that goes through the whole round and it shows what my progress is. When I was on vacation, I didn’t write for 8 days. When I left, I was 260 words ahead. So at the end of my vacation, I was behind by 3740 words. That seemed so overwhelming, and I wondered if I would ever get back on track. But, as of Saturday night, I was only 957 words behind. I’ve been making sure that I write more than the 500 words each day so I can gradually catch up. My lowest word count since vacation was 705 and the highest was 1466. So I’m really pleased with where I am right now. It looks like I should be about to get caught up completely in the next few days. Yay!
So how are the rest of you doing with your goals? Have you had to change your goals to make them more reasonable, or did you pick the right goals in the beginning? Is this your first round, or have you been with ROW80 for other rounds? I would love to hear from you.
lauralynnelliott.com 
way to go catching up that fast. I am currently on a hot streak. I’m 7500 ahead for the round (my target is 750 a day) so I’m happy. I haven’t had to change them yet, and if I can continue the pace I am on, I should be fine.
Good luck catching up the rest this week
Hi Alex. I got on a major hot streak in the last round, so I feel weird struggling a little this time. But I think I’ve got my rhythm going again.
I hope you keep up your hot streak!
Wow great catch up! Sometimes we need a little vacation even if it means working harder after. I’m doing pretty good on goals.
Crystal, the vacation was worth every bit of hard work I had to come back to. (Both writing and my day job.) I’m glad to hear you’re doing well.
Hi Lauralynn! It must feel great to get all caught up. I’m sure you’ll get the rest of the way there. Hope your vacation was a good one and keeps you fueled for the rest of the round. Good luck with this week!
Lauren, it does feel good getting closer to catching up with my goal. I was worried there for awhile because I wasn’t loving my WIP. But it’s getting better. I had a great vacation, and I can’t stop singing some of the songs I heard in Disney. Thankfully, I don’t have “It’s a Small World” in my head. LOL
Thanks! Now I do though. Glad you had a good trip. Good deal you are catching up. Look forward to catching up reading your new stuff.
Thanks, Jon. I hope to get some of your stuff done soon.
Smart plan with the spreadsheet and the catch up method. It is always best to approach things in “bite size”. The old axiom being: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time š
All the best for the coming week, Lauralynn. Keep rocking the ROW!
Gene, I’m all about the spreadsheet. Lol. I’ve always liked that one bite at a time thing. It’s so true!
This is my first round and I’m loving it. I’ve been more productive in this short (wait, 80 days is short?) time than I have been in a while. I’m really liking it. Right now, my goals are what they need to be. Next round, I’m bumping up the challenge a bit just to keep myself on my toes. You know, that whole get out of your comfort zone kind of thing. Awesome job on catching up! I have no doubt you’ll be caught up and ahead again in no time. Keep up the great work!
Hi, Ryan! I’m glad you are liking ROW80. I’m like you…I’ve gotten so more more accomplished with this challenge. Right now 500 words a day is working for me. As long as I have a full time job, that goal is big enough for me! Lol
Hi, Lauralynn! I’m back in ROW80 now that the books & the ezine are out! YAY!
Some days I can write 3700 words; some months I can’t write 500 total. Funny how the words come fast & hard at times, so much so your fingers can barely keep up with the thought as you try to capture it, and other times you have to wrench words from your brain, one agonizing word at a time. Oy. I’m sure you’ll catch up fast. š
Sharon, I’m glad you’re here! I know what you mean…some days, and some weeks, are much better than others. I can’t figure it out. Lol.
Glad to hear that you caught up! I’m impressed, actually. I’m sure I would have just gotten overwhelmed, but it sounds like you’re tackling it well. Good luck with the coming week – although it sounds like you don’t need it!
Annalise, I can ALWAYS use a little extra luck. LOL. I did feel a little overwhelmed at first, but I just kept slogging along. I’ll feel much better when I finally get caught up!
I knew you’d catch up fast. So committed! Can’t wait to read the third Libby Fox book!
Thanks, J.R.! I’m less than a day behind as of tonight.
I’m about 2/3 through the book, so I should have it ready for you to read by Thanksgiving. š
Wow, you’re catching up nicely! Way to go!
Thanks, Juliana! I hope I can keep it up.
This is awesome… the way you have caught up post vacation. Many kudos to you.
I’m doing respectably but was so busy this weekend I missed writing my blog update for ROW80. Argh!!
Thanks, Julie! I missed three check ins while I was at Disney World, but I had no computer access except my phone. Sometimes you have to take a break whether it’s a vacation or some kind of crisis.