Farewell Round One - Onto the Next One

Farewell Round 1 - it has been an interesting ride.

Though the weather has been all over the place - storms, hail, thunder, lightning, hail, blinding sunshine, the course has been without the usual bumps. I leave Round 1 of ROW80 humbled and excited for the next round. I've done ROW80 a couple of times now and I waffled most weeks.

But I've always taken something away, a process or new shiny idea on how to better my time, strengthen my skills, improve my weaknesses, and also how to lick my wounds and get back on that iron horse. My dedication and resolve is too strong to allow setbacks to hinder me for long. As a lifelong student, it's okay if I don't get it right the first time - it's learning - I'm supposed to learn. And if I don't learn what isn't working, I can't fix it.

Anyhow, I always grieve a little at the end of something, but I've so many things to be grateful for so, maybe that will come later.

Thank you for all the wonderful support and budding friendships. Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. And thank you for reminding me that I'm not alone.

So onto the final progress report:

My goals this round:
1)Edit 8 pages per day - I've managed to be consistent here :)
2)Write for minimum of 30 minutes per day - Yes, even though it means starting many different stories. I need to get ideas out of my head and onto paper so I can keep focused on edits.
3)Write 1 new blog article - I'd like to bump this up to more activity. Ah, a new challenge for Round 2!
4)Stop by fellow author blogs - I've enjoyed this - I love to motivate others :)
5)Exercise 20 minutes minimum each day - I could improve here, and expect I will once the gloomy mornings are gone.
6)Get decent sleep - 4 to 5 hours is my prime sleeping amount. More than that and my brain takes longer to switch on. I find myself more alert and awake and creative with the shorter sleep. Less than 4 is unhealthy - not going there :)
7)Read - Oh my goodness yes! I've read so many good books, and have a huge TBR pile going on in my office. I don't know why I stopped making time to read before, but now that it's a priority, I'm so happy - it really keeps me balanced. I'm starting Incarceron on Friday - so can't wait!!

I look forward to creating Round 2 goals and seeing how I do. I'll also look forward to seeing everyone again :) Go team #ROW80!

And time to leave you with a couple bits of steampunkery coolness:

Yes, I'd happily sit here to create! Check out this swiveling desk laboratory. At the link you'll find many more pictures.

Beautiful clockwork by Aris Kafantaris

I look forward to seeing everyone in Round 2!

To find out all about ROW80, please click Here

Until next time,
Marie

Steady As She Goes

Despite torrential downpours and lashing winds, the airballoon has kept on its steady course. Or rather, I have kept on a steady course. Finding an action plan that works hasn't been easy. It has taken me many tries, often leaving me discouraged and pulling out my hair. But I don't give up easy, and it has paid off.

While I'm sorry this ROW80 round is soon coming to an end, I welcome the next round where I plan to continue on this balanced direction I've found, while adding a tiny tweak here and there. I know myself, and I need to give myself challenges for both personal and professional growth. The hope is that I can accomplish this without disrupting the balance.

So onto the ROW80 goal check-in:

My goals for this check in were:
1)Edit 8 pages per day - Yes
2)Write for minimum of 30 minutes per day - Yes
3)Write 1 new blog article - Done
4)Stop by fellow author blogs - Done though not as many as I'd like
5)Outline new story idea - done
6)Exercise 20 minutes minimum each day - Got in 4 days
7)Get decent sleep - 4 to 5 hours a night suits me fine
8)Read - Finished Wicked Lovely, continuing to read the Corsets and Clockwork Anthology, and just got a lovely copy of Incarceron, which I hope to start soon.

Good steady progress. I'm happy. Wishing the ROW80 crew continued success on their endeavors - always rooting for you!

And time to leave you with some steampunkery of coolness:

by Andrew Chase

by Ron Butcher

by Art Donovan

by Christopher Conte

by Jake von Slatt

As always, thank you for stopping by!

Marie

Forecast - Fine With Chance of Extra Sunshine

Back in the airballoon this week while the dirigible gets a good polish.

The forecast looks to be fine with some extra sunshine to boot. While I continue to edit and revise the novel, I've written out an outline for what I think will be an exciting YA steampunk book. I mean, you know, it's exciting to me. It's a big shiny present that I've just received and I'm itching to open it, play around with it, tear it apart, and make something out of it

Aside from feeling a bit off on Monday, due to the time change, it has continued to be smooth sailing in the goals department. Likely during the next ROW round, I will add a little something as a challenge to myself. It won't be anything major, but something to hopefully help keep me on my toes ;)

And onto the ROW80 goal check-in:

My goals for this check in were:
1)Edit 8 pages per day - Yeppers
2)Write for minimum of 30 minutes per day - Yes!
3)Write 1 new blog article - Done
4)Stop by fellow author blogs - Done
5)Revise short story - done
6)Exercise 20 minutes minimum each day - So far so good :) Though Monday morning I tried real hard to talk myself out of it.
7)Get decent sleep - my 4 to 5 hours a night is working fine, though it tends to be 4 more than 5. I figure my body will let me know when it needs more.
8)Read - Finished Changes, reading a YA called Wicked Lovely for fun, and just started the Corsets and Clockwork Anthology for review.

Good progress, hit my goals, and looking forward to bumping up my word count in the coming week. I hope the rest of the ROW80 crew is hitting their goals and finding personal success!

And time to leave you with some steampunkery of coolness:

Hubby and I make our own wine, usually a red though we made a fantastic Chardonnay one time. We enjoy a glass with dinner most nights. Now, you know those corks can be tricky...so check out this video of a super fantastic way to open a bottle - the steampunk way :)
The mechanism in the video stands 65" tall, and is made of gears, fish hooks, bells, and drills, all painted in bronze. It can uncork a wine bottle and pour liquor into a glass, but before it does, you first you need to kick-start its gears by cranking its handle like there's no tomorrow. *digs out my Monopoly money and waves it in the air* I want one!!

Awesome steampunk arc light - LOVE IT!

Steampunk steampipe light - these would look cool in the basement, or as hallway sconces!

And from the awesome series Castle - the from episode 304

Have I mentioned before how IMPRESSED I am by what people create!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! Mind the birds!!

Marie

Finding Serenity or Eye of the Storm

Waving hello from the dirigible. Clear skies, but if I look through my brass telescope, I see what may be clouds forming in the distance. Things have been going well, I've stayed productive, I'm getting a lot accomplished. I even worked out 4 days last week - the most since early November before holiday hooplah blew all that high octane energy right out of me.

But things are going well. So I get skeptical. I have to wonder if I've found a great system that works for me, or is something looming that I can't yet see. I don't know.

GOAL UPDATE:
My goals for this check in were:
1)Edit 8 pages per day - Did 10 pages on Wednesday and Thursday. Less on Friday and today - difficult scene that I worked, reworked, reworked again - slowed me down - but the scene rocks now so I can't be too upset. I'm still ahead of what I'd hoped to accomplish.
2)Write for minimum of 30 minutes per day - Yeppers!
3)Write 1 new blog article - Done
4)Stop by fellow author blogs - Done
6)Exercise 20 minutes minimum each day - I worked out everyday except Tuesday.
7)Read - finished Hostage by Robert Crais. Started and finished A Blue so Dark. And just started The Two Minute Rule by Robert Crais. So yes, I've been reading a lot!
8)Get plenty of sleep - yes

Another goal-busting week. I'm happy. Did I mention that I'm skeptical?

Steampunkery of coolness to share:

Steampunk Aperture portal gun is epic

To read more about its awesomeness, click Here

Steampunk Wall Switchplate I could use one of these in my office. Love it!

And there never seems to be enough time, but I wouldn't mind checking the time once in awhile if I had an ultra cool wall clock like this one here

If you're looking for an exciting book to read that blends western and steampunk, this is it: Dead Iron by Devon Monk. Seriously. Read it. So good! Review coming soon.


Okay, I think that's it for me this week. Hope everyone's kicking some booty with their goals!

Marie

Clear Skies Ahead

It's a beautiful day in this steampunk neighborhood - clear skies and a gentle breeze.

Though it has taken me many months and many tries, I've found my rhythm with my goals. I'm accomplishing what I need to each day, striking a balance, and not feeling rushed or behind. I hope it lasts!

My goals for this check in were:
1)Edit 8 pages per day - I'm averaging about 10 to 15
2)Write for minimum of 30 minutes per day - Yes! 4k since Sunday
3)Write 1 new blog article - Done
4)Stop by fellow author blogs - Done
5)Edit rough draft of short story - Done
6)Exercise 20 minutes minimum each day - I walked on Sunday. Did a workout on Monday morning. Did yoga Tuesday morning. Plan to workout every morning this week. I CAN do this!
7)Read - finished Jim Butcher's book Changes and am halfway through Hostage by Robert Crais. I love the tension in his books.
8)Get plenty of sleep - 4 hours each night since Sunday night - feels just right.

How did you do?

And it's time for some Steampunkery:

So exciting to see Emilie P. Bush's steampunk bedtime story Her Majesty's Explorer

at number one on the Amazon new release list! I used to read to my son every night for years. I miss it. He'd have loved this :)

Watched the very steampunk related movie Hugo Sunday night. Aside from a few disjointed scenes, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I'm a sucker for clockwork gears, and there were plenty to be seen. Also great homage to the magic of old movie making. Well acted by the always wonderful Christopher Lee, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Jude Law. But the young actors Asa Butterfield and Chloe Moretz stole the show. Highly recommended!

I've been collecting tarot cards for years. I find them intriguing, each picture telling a story. So I was thrilled to learn about these upcoming steampunk tarot cards. You can read a little more about them Here

Hope everyone has a fantastic and productive week!

Marie

Pleasantly Drifting and ROW80 Check-In

Ahoy from a borrowed dirigible! (the balloon is getting repaired)Since Wednesday I've been pleasantly drifting - meeting goals and staying productive. I'm not sure what has changed. Perhaps I've finally come up with the right goal plan. Something that is doable with a bit of challenge to keep up the motivation. I think also that I've embraced the idea of support. I tend to hole myself up and go all solitary - and I'm not sure that is healthy. Since joining forces with others, and really being open to the idea of support, it has given me a personal boost, and a creative boost.

So - the goals:

My goals for this check in were:
1)Edit 8 pages per day - Yes!
2)Write for minimum of 30 minutes per day - Yes! 5K since Wednesday (total is from two different stories)
3)Write 1 new blog article - Done
4)Stop by fellow author blogs - Done - though not nearly as many as I'd like.
5)Start book review for Dead Iron - hope to this weekend
6)Exercise 20 minutes minimum each day - I walked. Did 1 day of yoga - but I'm promising myself to do 4 days next week starting on Monday. I WILL do this!
7)Read - currently reading Jim Butcher's book Changes
8)Get plenty of sleep - Averaging about 4 hours a night - not great - but did get a full 8 hours last night, so I think I'm doing okay. Honestly I'm not someone who needs 8 hours every night. 5 is the right balance for me.


And for some steampunkery:

Steampunk digital artwork that blows me from Kazuhiko Nakamura, aka Almacan: you have to take a look Here

A nifty steampunk sonic rifle - gorgeous - found Here

A super cool steampunk bug cake. I don't know why but cakes are cool. It takes a lot of time and work and creativity.

This I'm super excited about (though I don't drink beer) - mainly because it's only about a 4 hour drive from me: The Ale Apothecary. Come this June, it will be a steampunk brewery. So despite the fact that I don't drink beer, I'm definitely going to pop in there to check it out.

Wishing everyone a great week of creativity and productivity!

Marie

March Madness

I find I work better with a swift kick in the butt every now and then. While I think I'm good at motivating myself, and I try to stay organized and keep lists and write down daily goals, I need that accountability motivation, too.

And my dear friend Angelina Hansen is always so pumped about #wipmadness.

So, I realize now is a good time to seek out that extra motivation.


My goals:

Wake up and write!
Continue edits on my steampunk novel
Write 1 blog article per week
Get caught up on my TBR pile
Write a review
Submit a short story

I'm looking forward to this extra boost!

To learn more about March Madness, visit Denise Jaden's blog Here

Marie