Category Archives: Goals and Intentions

May22

Spending Time

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Kim

Today I’m doing a ROW80 check-in and a little bit of Wishcasting, too. The two seem to be walking hand-in-hand today, so it seemed right to do both.

Time is our currency for our creative dreams

This week, Jamie Ridler asks, “How do you wish to spend your days?” If money weren’t a consideration I would spend my days reading and writing, taking classes, making art, knitting, lounging with my cats. If money is back in the mix, then I would add in teaching others what I’ve learned and helping them find their dreams.

I want to remember that this is what I’m aiming at and that I can bring parts of this dream into my regular life even now, even though I have a day job. I can put all of these things in my life right now, but I need to remember that I want to do it.

That brings me to my ROW80 check-in. I am feeling a lot more focused about my writing. A few things have been coming together for me over the past week or so, and I have realized that while I have a lot of things I want to do and accomplish right now the main thing I want to give my attention to is my writing. My heart tells me this is where to turn my focus no matter what my head says, and I am going to do what I teach my students and clients–I am going to follow my intuition.

Once I acknowledged that what I really want is to give my writing my fullest, best effort and once I decided that I am going to go with that desire, my attitude shifted. I am more focused on my writing. I am not constantly hopping from one thing to another. I’m not even mooning and pouting over all of the cool classes that are always being touted and that I don’t have money for because now, even when the classes look especially good, there’s a quiet little voice in my head that says, “Yes, that looks good, but it would take away from the writing.” I hear that voice, and suddenly I don’t feel bad that I “can’t” take all the classes I want. Suddenly I am feeling good about choosing my writing over everything else.

Between now and Sunday I’m going to try to finish my read-through of my WIP so far. I say “try” because it is a little over 50,000 words, and I do have other things that I have to do between now and Sunday, so it may be a little out of reach. But I’m betting I can get close to finishing.

I’m going to set aside making any plot notes or any of that right now–thinking about doing that while doing the read-through has been stalling me. So for now I’m just going to read–my story and a book on plotting I picked up. Next week I can get down to the notes and plotting, after I remind myself what I’ve already written.

Small steps. It’s what I teach. Now it’s time to practice it myself.

May19

Re-Focused

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Kim

Re-Focused

Checking in for ROW80, and I actually even have things to report. Woo hoo!

After my weeks of resting and reading and mulling, I suddenly found myself thinking about my characters a lot, playing over some scenes from my story, basically getting pulled back in to my work. And then, as if to prove that it’s really time to get back to my writing, one of my fellow ROW80 writers mentioned JuNoWriMo and asked who was going to join her.

I’m in, and I’m excited! I am ready to write. And I am making a commitment to get to the end of this story.

That means a few pre-June goals:

Read over what I’ve already written
Break things down into scenes
Write an overview of what I want to happen in the second half of the story
Wriet up scene cards for what I will write in June

I am going back to writing by hand, and I’m feeling pretty excited about that, too. I do love the fancy, shiny, techy gadgets and things. But nothing is as wonderful as the feel of a smooth, fast pen in your hand sliding across crisp paper. So I’m going back. Of course I will use some sort of program, probably Scrivener, for the revisions (thanks for that idea, Lisa!). But for the first draft it’s going to be my thoughts directly onto paper.

It’s funny how relatively easy it is to help others come to these realizations in their lives when I’m coaching but how difficult it can be to get there on my own. Just one more reminder of why it’s good to talk to people, get advice, get support. And it’s really fabulous how much easier it is to connect with each other through the internet. I am feeling like a very lucky muse tonight. Thanks, ROW80 friends, for all the help while I was figuring all of this out. See you all Wednesday with more.

May8

Drifting

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Kim

Drifting

Checking in for ROW80 with some thoughts on downtime, resting, drifting.

Driftwood

I think my time of needing lots of rest is winding down. My body still needs rest (recuperating from a hip/leg injury now), but my mind is perking back up. It even gave me an answer about the writing software question I’ve been pondering.

As so many answers do, it started with asking the right question. The question wasn’t what features the software has or even whether I can use it on multiple computers or from my flash drive. The question was, “What do I want my writing time to be?”

The answers: I want it to be something I can do pretty much anywhere I am, on any computer. I want it to be easy to open up and get started on writing without a lot of setup. I want access to my notes and pictures I’ve saved while I’m writing. I want the mechanics to be something I don’t really have to think about.

I’m going to move my writing back to how I used to do things. A notebook, index cards, scraps and bits of paper clipped and tucked into my notebook, Word. I would still like to learn more about the writing software I’ve been looking at, but I’m making that something separate from my actual writing. I am not going to try to move my story into one of the programs to keep working on it. Sure, I may not be as organized as some writers who use the cool software. But I’m pretty sure by taking things back to my beloved, old fashioned pen and paper I will actually be writing.

Interestingly, I realized that while I want to move my story writing back to pen and paper, I want to do more journaling digitally. Not blogging–actual journaling. I used to keep a LiveJournal, and I am thinking about restarting that. I would like a place to write about my plans for my stories and my coaching and my life in general. This used to all go in my journal, but life is different now, my schedule is different now, and I don’t seem to manage to do nearly enough journaling to be useful. But I spend most of my day in front of this computer.

If I open up a journal page every morning and do a quick journal entry about what I hope to do during that day I think it would help me focus my mind. During September, 2011-June, 2012 I had about half an hour every morning while I waited for my work to arrive, and I used to make a quick to-do list for the day. I feel as if I got a lot more done during that time because I knew what I wanted to be working on. I don’t have that time anymore becaue that schedule has changed, but if I have a page open to jot down the things I want to do as they come to me, I can type them in amidst doing my work and then have a map for the rest of my day when the day job work is done. I’m going to give this a try and see what happens.

Plans for the rest of this week:

Get all Ordinary Girl notes and printouts in one place
Start a morning wish list practice
Check in on more ROW80 blogs

May5

Rest Stop

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Kim

Rest Stop

A quick ROW80 check-in just to keep in touch… I have been resting a lot the past couple of weeks. I kept telling myself I shouldn’t need all this downtime, that I should get back to doing things. And then I remembered that those are silly things to tell myself. We need as much downtime as we need. I’ve been sick and stressed out a lot this entire year. So why shouldn’t I need a lot of rest?

The main form my R&R is taking is reading. A lot of reading (currently I am devouring Seanan McGuire’s October Day books and loving them so much!). And you know what? It feels great! And it is reconnecting me with my writer self, reminding me why I write–because I love stories. So not only am I getting some good destressing, I am getting lots of ideas for my own work.

I am also working to set up a good writing system for myself. I write in multiple places on more than one computer, so it’s been a little hard to find a system that works for me.

I really want to love Scrivener–I may still end up loving it if I can find a good way to use it that doesn’t make it too easy to mix up which version of a story I’m on and that doesn’t make the program really sluggish.

I also have Liquid Story Binder. I tried it out a few years ago and liked it, but it’s really hard to see on my netbook which is currently the only computer I have at home.

I looked at a bunch of writing software over the past month, and I’ve narrowed it down to these two. I’ve been poking at both of these programs, and I think my next step is going to be to just load them both on my flash drive and work through the tutorials and then make my decision.

I haven’t been doing that much journaling, and I want to change that because I know my mind feels clearer and sharper and more settled when I fit it in. I have been looking around at various things in my life and gently noting things I would like to give attention to. I am remembering, finally, to use my coachign training on myself to do the things I want to do. It’s funny how easy it is to walk other people through ways to help themselves but how hard it is to do it for yourself.

That’s about it for this meandering check-in. I guess if you want some quick take-aways it’s these: let yourself need and want what you want and don’t throw a bunch of “shoulds” in there, and go slowly and gently so you can really figure out what you want and need and the ways to get it.

See you next time!

Apr24

Scattered

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Kim

Scattered

I missed Sunday’s ROW80 check-in because I was really sick over the weekend with some sort of stomach bug. I don’t really have much to report, but I don’t like to miss too many check-ins. I start feeling really off track and out-of-touch when I do.

Scattered Puzzle Pieces

I haven’t written anything, not even a quick journal entry on the back of a collage card (haven’t done any of those either) in a week. The end of last week was hectic and stressy for no reason I can pinpoint. Then, after being sick for three days and missing work on Monday, I returned to work yesterday only to have my clutch go out on my way home. I got home hours later than I should have, and my anticipated evening of journaling and relaxing was gone. And now I have no car.

My thoughts are scattered all over the place. I can’t settle down enough to think let alone write anything down today. Right now I feel so far away from my writing and any of my creative work that I can’t even remember what my goals were for this round. What a difference a week can make.

I have a plan, though. Tonight I’m going to make an art journal page to hold my goals, and I’m going to hang it above where I put on my makeup so I will look at it every morning. Then at least my goals will be back fresh in my mind.

I’m going to reinstall Scrivener and start getting to know it better so I can start using it well and know it well before NaNoWriMo hits. And I’m going to use it to get restarted on Ordinary Girl.

I’m going to sit down with my journal and write one page. Just one page. I don’t need anything more from myself. Just one page, just some words, just to get myself back.

What are you planning this week?

Apr10

Should I?

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Kim

Should I?

ROW80 check-in:

I feel like I should be writing more. Should. That word again, sneaking back in, causing trouble. I am going to burn that word in effigy! Besides, who says I should?

Journaling on the back of a collage card–it is enough.

I am continuing my re-read of Writing Down the Bones. And in one of those perfect timing situations, I got this message from Sarah Selecky in my inbox this week. All about why practice, specifically writing practice, is crucial.

“Your story is important. Finishing it is important. The workshop – the critique and feedback – this is important, too…But it is not of primary importance. Your finished work is simply the performance piece of your writing life… There is so much more to your writing than the finished piece…Practice. It’s actually how we learn how to do what we want to do.”

Yes, all of this. I am focusing on this and plan to write more about practice in the coming weeks. Focusing on practice, returning to creative practice over and over, is not as easy as I seem to think it should be. There are so many messages from all over the internet about getting thngs done, working faster, finishing your novel in 30 days, being more productive. It is hard to remember that practice is an essential part of my creative life. It is hard to pull back from the noise of “do more now!” and just practice. It is hard. I am doing it. I think that makes this a pretty good week.

Apr7

Words

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Kim

Words

Here we are, already at the end of the first week of ROW80, Round 2. I am liking where I’m going with this round, but I have been surprised to find that my simple, small goals are still difficult in some ways.

Writing

I’ve been doing some journaling and collaging some Found Intentions and a little bit of stretching and foot strengthening exercises. So basically I’m doing the things I’ve set out to do. This is all good stuff and all as planned, no surprises.

What is surprising is the loud voice in my head that keeps telling me that whatever writing I’m doing isn’t enough. Journaling on the back of a collage card isn’t enough. Two pages in my journal isn’t enough. Ten minutes of writing isn’t enough.

I am taking this voice as a sign that my small goals are just the right thing. They are helping me bring to light an inner voice that needs some comebacks. And it needs to be shown that what I’m doing is enough. Because it is. So this week, I will continue as planned. And talk back to that loudmouth in my head.

Apr3

Back to Basics

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Kim

Back to Basics

It was 1992. I was back in school getting a post-grad teaching certification and taking my first steps from being a storyteller and occasional poet to being a writer. I started taking some workshops. And I bought some books. And one of those books is still with me. It’s right here next to me as I type because I think it’s time for a re-read.

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

Re-reading this (and probably Wild Mind after) seems like the perfect accompaniment to this round of ROW80. Taking my goals back to the basics, simplifying, just focusing on the process of writing practice is what these books are all about. These books are where I first learned this stuff! It feels really good to be returning to this starting point.

I’ve been doing some very short journaling, mostly on the back of my collage cards, and it feels good to be connecting to my world with my words again. I know I’m on the right track for me, and I think that’s a pretty good check-in for right now.

Wishcasting

This week, Jamie asks, “What do you wish to believe in?” Here’s a little bit of freewriting to answer that:

Fairy 4

I wish to believe in magic. In fairies and miracles and bright, shining amazement floating in glittery bubbles of fairy dust. I wish to believe that there are secrets to the Universe, things I can catch glimpses of if I open myself up and look in the right directions. I wish to believe that I have magic inside me that I can bring out and share with the world if I keep trying. I wish to believe that there are ghosts and aliens and Bigfoot and wild, unknown things out there and that maybe I can see some of it while I’m here. I’m like Fox Mulder on the X-Files–I want to believe.

Mar27

That’s a Wrap

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Kim

That’s a Wrap

This is the last check-in of Round 1 of ROW80. I’m not sure I ever hit my stride for this round. And I’m not sure I know what I want to do for the next round. But time marches on, and whether I’m ready or not, we’re wrapping up this round.

How did the time fly by so quickly? I feel like most of it was taken up by being sick. And a bunch of personal difficulties that have kept me anxious and distracted this round. I didn’t get much writing done at all.

But that’s not really a good way to wrap things up. So, what did I do this round? I revamped my website, have started revising my blog posts, planned a new structure for my newsletters, launched an e-course, launched an in-person course, got a real start finally on the house organizing project, realized that I need to take my writing back to my roots of writing practice and journaling.

Okay, that’s a better way to bring things to a close. I did actually get a lot done this round even if it wasn’t what I’d originally planned. Now, time to get ready for Round 2.

Mar20

Epiphany. Repeat.

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Kim

Epiphany. Repeat.

Today I had an epiphany. I think I’ve had this one before. I think I will probably have it again. But today I thought, “Right where you are is where to start. No need to catch up or do anything else but take one step on the path.” And I knew it was true. There are things I’ve been feeling so behind on (for example, the Life Book 2013 class I’m taking that fell by the wayside when I got the flu/pneumonia/Plague of 2013 and that I am just this week getting back to). But today I realized that none of them are things that I have to do anything with except just start again, take the next step, just pick them back up and bring them back into my life.

I wrote my spring wish for Wishcasting on the back!

Some things I want to start/restart from right here:

Art journaling
Journal writing/writing practice
Drawing (taking Draw Happy with Jane Davenport and it’s great!)
House cleaning/organizing
Creative practice

I have some other things I want to do, but I haven’t worked out a nice, concise catch phrase for them to put into my bulleted list (such a shame–I love lists!). Maybe another list another time when I have a clearer picture.

I am planning some changes to this blog and my newsletter, and one of the changes involves me getting back into a regular creative practice which is why that phrase shows up there on my list. I’m not sure what that creative practice will look like just now. It will probably have something to do with art journaling, I think. It would have been easier if I had started this in January because then I could have done a “one year of such-and-such” sort of thing, but it’s not January so I don’t think that will be the thing. “Nine months of such-and-such” maybe? That could work out.

Meanwhile, I’m doing a little bit of Wishcasting Wednesday and a ROW80 check-in, and then I’m going back to organizing my blog reader to help me feed my soul and boost my inspiration and make connections to my creative peeps every day.

Wishcasting Wednesday:

Jamie asks, “What is your spring wish?” I wish to have more faith in myself and confidence in my abilities. I wish to believe in myself at least strongly enough to let me keep moving forward and not get mired in self-doubt and worry.

ROW80:

Mostly this week is still about figuring out where I am going with my writing and how all of the different sorts of writing I do can fit together comfortably. I had a huge breakthrough on the changes I want to make for my blog and newsletter, so this contemplation and giving myself some space is paying off. I’ve been writing in my journal and making lists and notes all over the place, and I feel things coming together and opening up for me.

One of the things I realized in the past few days is that I want to put a big focus on journaling and Natalie Goldberg style writing practice. I’m not sure this is something for a ROW80 goal for next round–I feel like I should be making goals about stories and blog writing. “Real” writing. But writing practice is real writing, too, and I know that it helps me reconnect with my storyteller self, so I know it’s important. It just feels a little weird to be putting it out in public as my main goal right now. But I know it’s the right thing to be doing right now, so I’m standing my ground and sticking with it, and if it’s weird, then I guess I’ll just be a happy, writing weirdo!

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Category Archives: Goals and Intentions

Spending Time

Re-Focused

Drifting

Rest Stop

Scattered

Should I?

Words