Is anyone else getting excited about Christmas? I am! Last year, I lost my father on Thanksgiving day. Then, in mid-December, I found out I had diabetes…the same day the Sandy Hook shooting occurred. Not a great holiday season last year, huh? But it’s a new year, and I have my blood sugar under control with one insulin shot a day plus some pills. Not ideal, but life is good. I intend to ENJOY my holidays this year.
So onto the report.
Writing: I finished my WIP on November 30, and I didn’t touch it until yesterday. I edited five chapters yesterday. So far, so good. I only found a few little things where I thought I should word some things differently. The manuscript is actually 900+ words short of what I shot for. Also, though, I realized there was a scene that might work between the prologue and the current first chapter. I’m going to talk to my beta readers about it and get their input when I’m ready to send it to them.
Exercise: Mostly, this has gone well. I did my three days at the gym. I have an extra incentive not to skip workouts since my insurance will now pay for it if I go 12 times in a month. I skipped a couple of days on the treadmill because 1) I had to get up at 4:00 on Thursday, and 2) I overslept on Friday (probably because of #1).
FlyLady: I’ve done so-so on housekeeping and organization. Now that the last exporting class for work is over, my stress is now lower. I nailed our presentation at that class, by the way. WIN! 🙂 So I’m ready to embrace all three of my goals with gusto! The rest of December is going to be awesome!
Let’s all get excited together, okay? It can be contagious!
lauralynnelliott.com 
Well done on finishing the WIP and on starting the editing! I’m so glad that you’re feeling excited about Christmas. Are you planning to keep working on your editing until the 24th? Or will you take some time off?
I can’t believe it’s December already. Where has the year gone???! The weather is warming up here, so it doesn’t really feel like the traditional Christmas I used to know, but I’m looking forward to it nonethless. This year I am not going to stress. A few friends, a simple meal, and relax. Ahhhhh!
Thanks, Lisa! I WAS planning on having this published before Christmas, but I don’t know if I can get my first editing done and get to beta readers in time. I had forgotten how FAST Christmas comes once we hit December. 🙂
We’re getting cold and rainy weather right now. I would LOVE to have snow on the ground at Christmas, but that’s only happened once in the last few decades. That was three or four years ago.
HUGE congrats on finishing the WIP!! I love Christmas too. For many reasons last year’s Christmas was one of my worst, but this year it’ll be better! We’re keeping it simple and relaxed, much like Lisa. I hope your chat with your betas works out well. Good luck!
Thanks, Dawn! I really hope Christmas will be better this year for both of us. I have several little parties plus family stuff, so I’ll be busy, but not stressed. 🙂
I’m intrigued about the scene that might fit between the prologue and the first chapter. 😀
I think this will be a good Christmas. Yours is definitely a lot better this year than last. I almost didn’t exercise today but then thought about you and reminded myself that you keep going so I should too. You’re a huge positive influence in my life.
Ruth, you’ll be one of the first to see it! 😉 I’m going to probably go ahead and do it, then see what you and the other betas think…whether it should be there. I think it will tell more about the hero, get more into his head.
I’m really looking forward to Christmas. And I’m so glad that I can inspire you to exercise. It’s such an important part of keeping ourselves healthy. I have to say, you are also a positive influence in MY life. You’ve helped me in a lot of ways. Someday, I’m going to meet you in person. 🙂
Great news all around and it sounds like your WIP is clicking. May 2014 bring you much happiness, good exercise (and diabetes control), and lots of writing time!
Thanks so much for the positive comments. I’m really looking forward to Christmas and a great 2014!
Well done on the successful presentation and I hope you have a lovely Christmas this year! I am starting to feel a lot more Christmassy now that the tree and decorations are up.
Thanks, Emma!
I got our tree yesterday. We usually get a bigger one, but we just couldn’t afford one that big this year.It’s barely taller than me, but it’s still a tree! 🙂
I’m totally into the holiday season, mentally. However, this sinus cold I got totally kicks my butt physically. I’ve been napping once or twice a day. I want to get my jolly on! Anyways, 900 is a near miss. You’ll make it up in no time. Hope the holiday spirit keeps you peppy!
I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well. Maybe that cold will run its course soon! Because we don’t want anything to mess with our holiday! 🙂
I generally write fairly short novels, so I wanted it to at least be what’s considered novel length (50K). That extra scene would put it there, but I want to make sure my betas think it adds to the story.