goals and progress

 2,000 words a day has been the name of the game this week. Normally my word goal is more ambiguous and I just try to write as much as I can, which means I write anywhere from 100 - 3,000 words a day. Often leaning towards the 100 side of things. But with the gap in major holidays I decided to try and write as much as I could before the new year. 


I had had a specific goal of where I wanted to get in the story before the new year, but it quickly became clear it was out of my reach. I’d severely underestimated how much further I had to go before reaching that point. So I’ve pivoted to trying to hit a consistent world goal every writing day till the festivities kick off at full gear. 


So far so good! I’ve hit my goal for the last three days in a row. It’s an attainable goal, but still a challenge. That’s what I love about it. I love a challenge, (of the correct variety) and having a concrete goal to work towards has felt fun. 


Finally hitting my stride at full force again has felt great. The climbing word count, while satisfying to see the evidence of my progress, does unnerve me some days. The book is just getting longer and longer, which love, but I know not everyone loves a thick read. 


I’ve once again begun combining chapters in an attempt to keep the word count down. Not sure it’s really going to work but at least this time I’ve properly noted it so future me isn’t so confused. 


Beyond the stats of it all I’ve not much to report on. Smooth sailing means less talking I guess. 


On a complexly unrelated note, I experienced my first earthquake today. Until this year I’ve always lived on the East coast, where we don’t have tornados, seldom forest fires, and no earthquakes. But in April I moved out to the West coast and this-morning I was greeted by an earthquake. The best way I can describe it as a ground turbulence. Its the closest comparison I have to make, as I’ve flown quite a bit in my life. 


A totally unrelated tidbit of my life, but I will say one of my first thoughts was, this is great now I know how to describe it. Positively ridiculous I know, but its how I get through a lot of life that I find uncomfortable or unnerving, I just count it as research. 


It’s all quiet on the home front as they say, just typing away and making progress. It’s been a calm one. See you next week for more! 

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