2017 February

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February TBR Final 2017 Edition

February TBR- Final

I did much better than expected for February. It’s been a crazy month, it always is when Mardi Gras is involved. Funny thing– the holiday pushed me to read several local books. And I’m so glad that I did. I didn’t read everything that I’d planned to read. Actually, at some point, I totally forgot what I planned to read and just read what was at hand 🙂

  • Corroded by Carrie Dalby– Read and loved it. Wonderful YA book.
  • Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot that GripsReaders from Start to Finish by James Scott Bell.  Excellent. My copy is highlighted to death.
  • Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade by Patrick Denis- Nope. I read a few chapters and got distracted by Mardi Gras. Auntie Mame would understand that.
  • A Monster Calls by Parick Ness- Really good. Not sure if I want to see the movie. From the previews, I know the two are way different.
  • Fantastic Creatures by A Fellowship of Fantasy Authors– Nope. I am still reading it. A story at a time.

Other books I’ve read:

  • The Mardi Gras Chase (True Girls Book 1) by Maggie M. Larche- Loved it. Great short read using Mobile’s Mardi Gras as the backdrop.
  • The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan a disappointment.
  • The Mystery of Wragg Swamp by Jerrye Sumrall another local read using Mobile’s Mardi Gras as a backdrop.
  • The English Spy by Daniel Silva Wow! Smart and intense.

That is 7 books for the month giving me a total of 13 for the year out of my planned 80.

Hard to pick a favorite. It’s a tie between Corroded and A Monster Calls.  They are different kinds of books. Monster had me in tears. If you haven’t read these I suggest you locate a copy and give them a read.

What was your favorite read this month?
-CK

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2017 Row80 #7

Thank you for all the birthday wishes 🙂 It was nice to recieve them. Just proves Row80 is awesome.

Mardi Gras has descended on Mobile. Therefore, everything has come to a screeching halt. It’s usually this point in the year when resolutions are tossed out the window in favor of moon pies and king cake. I’ve had more than my fill of the latter 🙂 My goals took a hit this week.

If you are interested in playing along with Row80 click here. “Row80 is the Writing Challenge that knows you have a life.” Be sure to leave an encouraging word for the other rowers.

2017 Goals for Row80

www-ckrich-comRed means I did not reach my goal.

Blue means I made steady progress or reached my goal.

At the end of this round (March 22) I will reevaluate my goals and add new ones.

  • Write 200,000 words. This week I wrote 2,363 words. I’m making a weekly goal of 5,000 words to help reach my yearly goal. That total was all from yesterday. It rained all day, so I worked on my WIP. That gives me 8,068 words written this year.
  • Edit 600 pages.  No new progress. I am reading Camouflaged, making notes as I go. That’s the working title. I need a better one. When I finish this read through I can start edits. The yearly total is 247/600 pages.
  • Walk 2,600,000 steps.
    I walked 2.3 miles this week a total of 44,453 steps for the week and 262,712 /2.6 million for the year.  My goal is 50,000 steps a week. So close. I chased down wild moon pies this weekend and still didn’t reach my goal. I must say I was lazy. A little prideful over making my goal last week. See where pride gets you 😦 But on a happy note, my pants are not as tight!
  • Read 80 books. I finished The Hidden Oracle: The Trials of Apollo #1 by Rick Riordan. Sigh. I was very dissappointed, for many resaons. It didn’t live up to the previous books. I’ll leave it at that.  I also finished The Mystery of Wragg Swamp by Jerrye Sumrall. This was another local author. It was a quick, middle grade read. I just started reading The English Spy by Daniel Silva. This is #15 in the series but the first for me. So far so good. Very smart book. I hope to finish it before the end of the month.Completed 12/80 books this year.
  • Find the shipwreck at Ft. Morgan. This is a goal for summer so, check back later.

Time to get back on track.

How did your week go?

-CK

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2017 Goal Check #4

2017 Goal Check #4

A return to #row80. The link is back 🙂 Click here to link.

Hard to believe it is February. January went by in a blur. I spend most of my time editing Dead in the Water. I hope to have something grand to say about it soon. Fingers crossed. I’m taking a few days off from most writing related chores to focus on cleaning my house.  My family has been very understanding as I ignored most everything while I edited. I might do a little writing and planning.

www-ckrich-com

  • Write 200,000 words. On hold. I will pick this back up on the 6th.
  • Edit 600 pages. This week I edited 42 pages!  That brings the yearly total to 227/600 pages. I have several stories waiting in the wings. I just need to decide which to edit next. Novel or novella? Fantasy or Mystery? Tough decisions.
  • Walk 2,600,000 steps.
    I walked a puny 21,245 steps this week bringing the grand total to 114,280/2.6 million. I got a long way to go. After a month of just tracking my normal steps, it’s amazing I’m not heavier than I currently am. I’m a few steps shy of a slug. Not good. I am going for a walk in 15 minutes.:) My goal is 50,000 steps a week.
  • Read 80 books. I haven’t finished anything new since my last check-in. I’m reading Plot &Structure by James Scott Bell. I’m taking my time. As he suggests, this week I am working through the exercises on generating new ideas. Fun. Completed 6/80 books this year.
  • Find the shipwreck at Ft. Morgan. This is a goal for summer so, check back later.
  • Complete devotional.  I restarted this for February and I am on track. So far. 🙂

How did your week go?

-CK