ROW80

Commitment & #ROW80

So TV expert and fab writer Tiffany A. White recently gave her television show recommendations by night of the week. Her pick for Wednesday was Revenge — an ABC show about a “young woman who is welcomed into a community filled with people who don’t know she’s only there to exact revenge on those who had destroyed her family” (from www.imdb.com). All of the episodes are currently available to watch on ABC’s website. Given that Tiffany has been spot on in her descriptions and suggestions thus far, I thought I’d give it a try.

I wasn’t sure that revenge was a topic I wanted a whole show on, though. After all, isn’t forgiveness so much better? But alas, this series is addictive! In fact, while I am in favor of forgiveness, there is a strong side of me that wants fairness and justice. Which makes me understand the desire for vengeance.
Of course, Emily Thorne (main character of Revenge) does not get revenge easily. She must pursue many less-than-admirable paths to achieve her eventual goal of bringing down those who betrayed her in childhood. Among the themes is her commitment: How far will she take it? Can she persevere even when things don’t go as planned? How committed will she be to exacting revenge?
Thank goodness I’m not exacting revenge on anyone. But I am asking myself how committed I am. How far will I take my writing? Can I persevere even when things don’t go as planned? Because this is the home stretch, people! One last week to kick it into gear and finish strong! Commitment to your goals can be the very thing that spurs you on to success.
So here’s this week’s report:

  • Finish editing Grace & Fire mystery novel and send to reader. Finished January 19.
  • Write 2,500 1,500 words per week on young adult novel, Sharing HunterIt was Spring Break, so my kids and hubby have been home. I wrote one day for a total of 1,013 words. I probably could have written more; however, I spent some time replotting the midsection of the novel.
  • Blog twice a week on Amaze-ing Words Wednesday and Deep-Fried Friday, and check-in with ROW80 updates twice a week. Posted If Twain Tweeted and Sarcastic Wednesday and ROW80 on Wednesday; posted Reading Habits on Friday.
  • Comment on at least 10 15 blogs per week (not counting ROW80 update comments). Commented 16 times by Wednesday; stopped counting.
  • Read one writing craft book. Finished On Writing by Stephen King.
  • Read five eight fiction books. I have read 11 books.
  • Exercise three times per week. Walk one mile three times per week. I went out twice and practiced a little hitting in preparation for my Going for a Guinness World Record game at the end of March.
  • Read through Writer’s Digest magazine issue. Finished.

Added goals for last week:

  • Research agents and select top choices for pitch session at the DFW Writers’ Conference. I have gone through the list twice — once eliminating a few agents, and the second time connecting with some agents and making a spreadsheet for information. I really must pick soon!
  • Write and enter a scene for Jenny Hansen’s More Cowbell Dirty Fighting Extravaganza. Went a little crazy and entered TWO scenes! I drafted one original concept and then wrote a climax scene for my YA novel, which is definitely a dirty-fighting moment.

How’s the last week of ROW80 going for you? Were you committed this last round? Do you hope to increase your commitment in the next round? (Do you watch Revenge?)

Julie Glover loves whimsy, wit, and what-ifs, but her stories also explore real-life experiences and deep-down emotions. She believes we're stronger than we think, laughter is a necessary survival skill, and you can never own too many pairs of boots.