What’s that whooshing sound?

As Douglas Adams once said: “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.”

Well, I love deadlines too, for their motivational power. I have eleventy billion things to get done between now and the end of the year, so no whooshing sounds allowed. Writing down my goals helps me get my procrastinating butt into gear, so here are the big ones:

  1. October: Finish drafting Moonborn. Plan the revision of the second Fairytale Curse book and decide on its title. Incorporate beta readers’ feedback into Twiceborn Endgame.
  2. November: Nanowrimo time, yay! Draft a new novel. Incorporate editor’s feedback into Twiceborn Endgame, publish it and organise promo. Liaise with the cover designer for the second Fairytale Curse book.
  3. December: Collapse in a heap once Nano’s over. Revise Moonborn. Possibly even publish it, but most likely Christmas madness will intervene.

To help keep myself accountable, I’m joining in the final Round of Words in 80 Days, the writing challenge that knows you have a life. That will encourage me to blog more than once a month, too.

Lots to do, and we’re running out of year! All the usual end-of-year things will start soon, including Baby Duck’s graduation from primary school. I can’t believe my baby will be in high school next year! It will be the end of an era for our family, with no one left in primary school. Next year will also be Drama Duck’s last year in high school, so more big adventures are on the horizon.

And some kind soul pointed out to me on the weekend that it’s only nine weeks until Christmas. Aargh!

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12 Responses to What’s that whooshing sound?

  1. I’ll also be participating in NaNoWriMo again. Allbest with all your goals. I agree about Christmas. When December hits there will be a major overhaul with my goals with family coming around, etc.

  2. Esme Took says:

    Wow, a book a month? Here I thought I was doing good with a goal of two books every 18 months!

    Is this your first ROW80? It’s mine. I’ve done NaNo before (won a few times), but not this year.

    Good luck with your goals!

    • Marina says:

      Hey, welcome to your first ROW80! I’ve only done it once before, but it’s fun and I found it helpful. Hope it helps you achieve your goals!

  3. Tammy Rizzo says:

    Nine weeks? That’s all? GAAAAAH!

    Your titles sound intriguing. I’ll need to look up those books. In the meanwhile, keep on keeping on with your goals! 😀

    • Marina says:

      Nine weeks! I know!!! GAAAH is right. Christmas is great once you get there, but getting there’s a lot of work. Good luck with your goals too. Hope we both manage to get everything done before the Christmas freight train hits!

  4. I know that whooshing sound!!!
    And it doesn’t help that I keep adding irons to the fire. Good, useful, productive irons, but still…

    I have 2 meatloaves and a pan of enchiladas in the freezer ready for NaNoWriMo. Tomorrow, I ramp up the pace and start warm-up writing.

    • Marina says:

      You sound very prepared for Nano! If you want a buddy I’m emeraldfin over there. Good luck with it!

  5. Erin Z. says:

    Those titles are very intriguing.

    Good luck with your goals. ZOMG 9 weeks till Christmas? Where did this year even go?

    I am doing Nano, but unofficially, as I have wrist issues. I usually aim for 30k which is a nice chunk of a book.

    • Marina says:

      Sorry to hear about your wrist problems–the bane of a writer’s life! But 30k is still a very nice chunk of a book, so good luck with it.

  6. Cindy says:

    Oh Christmas, it is an impatient holiday.

    I also feel that I running out of year and still have much to do. Keep on chugging, because it’s what we do. Right? 🙂

    Another NaNo-er, yes!! I will be there. Working on get prepped. How you have a great week!!