Progress Is Progress, No Matter How Small

Measuring progress as a writer is tricky. You can count words or time or pages. When revising a novel those measurements get trickier. Word counts are deceptive when you delete as many words as you add. So do you count pages? What about when you  have to go back 80 pages because of a plot hole you discovered? And it takes time to figure out how to fix the plot hole. Progress is progress, no matter how small. But it isn’t easy to quantify.

Making

Since I did not complete any of my April Intentions for Making, I could count this month as a failure.

I count words added, words deleted, and time spent. I also keep track of what chapter I’m working on and the book’s total word count. Most importantly, I look at all of those over time.

This month I found and solved a plot hole. That meant I had to revisit seven chapters I’d already revised.

Staying focused was more difficult this month so the blogging suffered. But I was able to put up something every week.

One of the new bits from If I Should Die: 

“It’ll be daylight by then.” Miranda chewed her lower lip and decided. “You, Karl, and Sean should leave now, while it’s still dark. I’ll stay here with Ethan.”

Managing

Lots of bits and pieces of things end up in the Managing category. 

I did much better on reading this month: Finished one fiction book, Started and finished a second fiction book.

I read and critiqued a friends novelette.

Maintained the website as far as updates and even added a new page.

Unfortunately, I discovered a problem on the backend of the website that is messing with my stats. Still working on resolving that one.

Marketing

Lo and behold, I met my marketing intentions this month. Still need more sales but…sigh. I’ll probably say that for the rest of my life.

Home

On April 14^th I started celebrating my immunity day (the day my COVID-19 vaccines reached maximum immunity). Things I did to celebrate included taking my grandson on two outings, meeting a friend for lunch inside a restaurant, and getting a haircut at a salon. That was the first time in 15 months that someone other than me cut my hair. And you can tell. 

I have times when I feel productive and almost normal. Several times a week—wham! A tornado of grief hits. Other times I’m in a fugue state where I have no energy or focus. Often the fugue state follows a grief tornado, but sometimes the fugue state hits without any apparent cause.

Events

I managed to attend a few of my online write-in events and a couple of webinars. 

Compared to Last Month & Last Year

Unsurprisingly, my production and time spent are significantly lower than last year. They are also lower than last month. That surprised me, but shouldn’t have. This month would have been my 28^th wedding anniversary. Naturally, that made this month harder emotionally.

What I Learned

I’m learning to be single again. And I’m learning to make decisions based on what makes me comfortable or happy as opposed to making decisions as part of a couple. It’s a journey. If you’re interested in my progress reports you may wish to read my quarterly report.

Going Forward

My intentions will continue to be smaller than I would do in the past. I am taking the time to honor the emotional journey I’m on. But I’m also trying to move back toward being more productive. So the tasks will be a little larger than in previous months. 

Time marches on and so will I. Progress is progress, no matter how small. Thanks to all of you who read my blog and my books. I appreciate each and everyone of you.