Plans

more animals

I've decided to stop using The Plan. I gave Elizabeth Boyle's writing schedule (aka The Plan) a really good go on more than one book, but the same thing happened each time. Life is so crazy around here and unpredictable that I just kept getting more and more freaked out when I'd stare at my plan and see how behind I'd fallen. I'm sure it works great for many writers, just not me.

What I've realized works best to me is a daily page/word count five days a week. If I fall behind, I have two other days to catch up. That's my new plan and I'm hoping it does not go awry with the new book. So far so good though. I finished the synopsis last night!

What's on your agenda this weekend? I'm going to drive into Portland to see my friend Elizabeth mentioned above. She's in town for the Celebrate Romance conference. If you're local, you can see Elizabeth, Jane Porter and lots of other romance writers at a huge booksigning at the Cedar Hills Borders at 6:30 pm on Saturday, February 28th. Me? I'll be at a talent show watching my kids Irish dance!

A few things!

I've been busy writing! Hard to believe, I know, but the plan is working. I'm only one page behind where I should be. I managed four pages yesterday. Not bad for a manic Monday, but hubby was a total dear and did the driving yesterday afternoon so I could write.

What else has been going on around here besides laundry?

Well, my talented webmistress, Barb, just updated my website for my June release. Here's an excerpt if you're interested in taking a peek at SOS Marry Me. There's also some info on the News and Fun Stuff page, though if you read this blog, I'm sure you've heard it all before!

I also wanted to tell you about a new contest you should enter. Long and Short Reviews blog is giving away a book each day in April. Pretty cool! All you have to do is post a comment on the book you want to win. The only catch? You have to post the day the book is reviewed. Be sure bookmark the blog and check in daily!

On today's agenda, I'll be climbing at the rock gym and writing! What about you?

Thanks!

I really appreciate all those who went over to the Wedding Planners board yesterday. To show my gratitude, I'm going to count those comments and give you extra entries in tomorrow's free book contest here!

I wrote three new pages yesterday! I also set up The Plan. I put in everything I've got going on between now and June 16, including all Mondays. I adjusted my page output for those days when I won't have a lot of writing time. If I stick with the plan, I'll have a complete on June 7. That would give me nine extra days until the deadline. Doable? I hope so!

Just to make sure I figured I'd look for some ways to increase my luck and found this quiz.

Your Lucky Underwear is Blue

You are caring and extroverted. You've made relationships your number one focus, and your lucky blue underwear can bring some balance to them. You thrive in one-on-one situations. You are a good listener and a natural born therapist. Sometimes you let the concerns of others become too important in your life, leading to stress and worry. If you want more balance, put on your blue underpants. They'll help you take care of yourself first.

What Color Is Your Lucky Underwear?

Guess I'd better buy some blue underwear! What about you?

A Reprieve

Well, I'm not quite sure reprieve is the correct word, but it's close enough to what I felt yesterday when I opened an email from my editor and she said I could have until June 16th (the date I'd requested) to write the new manuscript (working title: Unexpectedly Right.)

Fifteen days might not seem like that much extra time, but let me tell you, it's huge. Two weeks can make a total difference when it comes to extra time to polish, proof and read the manuscript aloud. Granted, I will probably be writing until the last minute, but you never know.

I really am going to try my friend Elizabeth's plan again. I'm trying to figure out what I need to schedule into the plan. Things like my son's upcoming first communion. A dinner for eight we'd donated to the church. Irish dance feis. Skiing. Climbing. You get the idea!

It's funny that writing deadlines cause so much trouble for me because I am normally a planner. I live by my organizer and schedules. But somehow when it comes to my writing, my planning goes well, astray. But this time it will be different. At least I hope so!

Do you use a planner, spreadsheet or PDA to keep track of things? What have you found works best for you?