2024 Writing Stats

As part of my review of 2024, which is mostly a personal thing, I took a look at some *writing stats for 2024 (a big improvement over 2023).

In terms of writing new stories and working on current ones, there wasn't a huge difference, but I had decided last year to be more proactive with my writing and be brave by actually sending out more stories and risking more rejections. After all, if I send out more stories, instead of waiting for conditions to be perfect and instead of letting self-doubt rule, I have a better chance of having more accepted. Zero stories out = zero chances at acceptances, or in the words of Wayne Gretzky, "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." It makes sense, but sometimes it can be hard to follow through.

So, here are my 2024 stats, along with the previous years (not all the years, just the last six) for comparison.

2024: I sent out 25 stories. I withdrew one, sold four, and am waiting to hear back on three others.

2023: I sent out one story, which was rejected.

2022: I sent out nine stories and sold one.

2021: I sent out six stories and sold zero.

2020: I sent out nine stories and sold one.

2019: I sent out one and sold one.

Hopefully, the number of stories sold this year will be greater than last, and maybe I'll be able to sell some to paying markets as well. That would be extremely helpful to me financially, but even if I don't, I won't stop writing. Whether I'm writing stories, letters, typing up a blog post, scribbling ideas on scraps of paper, making lists, or jotting thoughts in a journal, I am always putting pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard. It's been a constant since I was a child. I can't not write. Even if no one reads or enjoys what I write (and I hope that someone will), even if I'm the only one to read my words (as is often the case - writing only for myself), I won't stop. Writing can be difficult. It can feel like I'm just spitting out random letters and rooting around in them to form what I hope are sensical words. It can often resemble a bizarre word salad, but writing is a part of me. Writing = joy.

That said, fingers crossed 2025 shows even more progress. =)

*Writing, for the purpose of this post, refers to writing stories and submitting them in hopes of publication.

25 in 2025

My interpretation of 25 in 25 - a list of 25 things to accomplish this year. I did one for 2024, which was actually motivational for me and fun to keep track of. In any case, I like making lists so I made another one for this year. I completed five of the 2024 items and came close to completing a few others. Let's see if I can complete more this year!

A happy and healthy new year is wished for all! May this year be an improvement on the last 💗

1. Post 25 blog posts - self-explanatory but posts can be here, LJ, or other blog (6/25)
2. Watch 25 movies or tv series (new to me) - even one episode counts for tv series (16/25)
3. Read 25 (new to me) books (10/25)
4. Try 25 (new to me) foods (17/25)
5. Try 25 (new to me) restaurants/cafes/etc. (8/25)
6. Cook/Bake/Make 25 Meals/Desserts/Snacks - this will be a tough one because I don’t cook or bake - haha (4/25)
7. Visit 25 places (doesn’t have to be new to me) - (11/25)
8. Walk 25 miles - this should be the easiest of the list ✔
9. Write 25 stories of any length (1/25)
10. Edit/revise/finish 25 stories (3/25)
11. Submit 25 finished stories somewhere ✔
12. Post to Instagram 25 times ✔
13. Listen to 25 (new to me) songs and/or artists (4/25)
14. Write and mail 25 letters ✔
15. Try 25 craft projects/crafty things/art projects (doesn’t have to be new to me) (1/25)
16. Research 25 people/places/event in my genealogy (0/25)
17. Review 25 relatives I’ve added to me family tree to make sure everything (dates, etc.) add up (0/25)
18. Make a deposit 25 times to my savings account (17/25)
19. Skip sugar in my coffee 25 times (5/25)
20. Do 25 things for my self-care (4/25)
21. Solve 25 riddles/puzzles (0/25)
22. Make 25 fun things to include in letters to pen pals (0/25)
23. Do 25 of any Etsy shop related task: make, review, sell, post, inventory, freebies/thank you gifts (2/25)
24. Have 25 adventures (4/25)
25. Makes 25 ancestor/genealogy-related posts as part of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks (0/25)

Cat Gerlach's Indie Authors Advent Calendar 2024

2024 is the 10th anniversary of author Katharina Gerlach's Indie Authors Advent Calendar. If you're unfamiliar with the online advent calendar, it's a collection of flash fiction from indie authors shared on her website's calendar each day in December, which is next month! (How did December come so quickly? *sigh*) If you sign up for the advent calendar emails, you'll also receive bonus stories along with other bonus items like recipes and pictures. 

Three of my stories* were accepted for this year's calendar (yay!) and will appear in the bonus emails, so if you'd like to read them be sure to sign up for the email notifications. The emails go out to advent calendar subscribers during December only. It's not necessary to sign up for the emails, of course. You can simply visit the calendar each day to read a new story, but you miss out on the bonus material. This will also the last year Cat will be hosting the calendar so be sure to sign up if you'd like to be reminded to visit the site and read the stories. Once December has ended, the calendar is closed. The stories are not archived. 

Indie Authors Advent Calendar

Sign up for Advent Calendar Emails

*One of my stories in this year's advent calendar, "A Familiar Kind of Magic," first appeared on author Holly Lisle's Alone in a Room with Invisible People (AIARWIP) Halloween episode 2. The other two are brand new. I actually discovered Cat Gerlach through the forums on Holly Lisle's website. Holly, who passed away in August of this year, was not only an author of over 30 books and short stories but also a mentor to many writers and a wonderful teacher. She’ll be missed by her fans, her students, her friends, and her family.

101 in 1001: List Seven

 from Day Zero Project (aka "101 in 1001 Days") 

The Mission: 

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days. 

The Criteria: 

Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part). 

Why 1001 Days? 

Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities. 

Start Date: April 1, 2024 

End Date: December 28, 2026 

* Completed tasks will be crossed out. 

* Tasks in progress will be in bold (so I can keep track of them easily). 

* Incomplete tasks will be left as is. 

My 101 

1. Leave an inspirational note in a book for someone to find. 

2. Take a cruise. 

3. Complete the 2024 NaNoWriMo challenge. 

4. Complete the 2025 NaNoWriMo challenge. 

5. Complete the 2026 NaNoWriMo challenge. 

6. Finish a Work in Progress. 

7. Read 100 books (audiobooks count). (29/100)

8. Make a short film. 

9. Go apple picking. 

10. Renew my passport. 

11. Get my permit. 

12. Learn to cook something. 

13. Write about my aunt's need for a kidney.

14. Share the above (#13) in least three places. (0/3)

15. Take the MENSA test. 

16. Host a tea party. 

17. Visit 5 places in New England I've never been to before. (2/5) 

18. Attend a film festival. 

19. Get certified in CPR. 

20. Pay off one credit card. 

21. Make a medical family tree. 

22. Attend the Portuguese Festival (Madeira Fest) in New Bedford 

23. Publish an article in a magazine or newspaper. 

24. Spend 45 days without going online (doesn't have to be consecutive) (2/45) 

25. Visit the Peabody Essex Museum. 

26. Finish "Who Killed Robert Prentice?" by Dennis Wheatley. 

27. Complete 25 creative writing prompts from Toasted Cheese (0/25) 

28. Visit Coney Island. 

29. Visit Old Orchard Beach, ME. 

30. Donate 100 items to charity. (0/100) 

31. Post about my 101 in 1001 progress 5 times. (0/5)

32. Participate in an armchair treasure hunt. 

33. Do the Walk to Rivendell Challenge before my 101 in 1001 challenge ends. 

34. Write 30 blog posts. (8/30) 

35. Visit a city or town I've never been to. 

36. Get reacquainted with my local library. 

37. Host a Game Night. 

38. Make 5 things inspired by Pinterest (0/5) 

39. See 5 movies in the theater. (0/5) 

40. Watch 10 new-to-me movies (theater, at home via whatever method, etc.)

41. Try 20 new things no matter how small.

42. Visit Rockport again. 

43. Visit Canada. 

44. Try audiobook narration. 

45. Take a tour of the Boston Public Library 

46. Review at least 30 relatives in my family tree (to check for dates, etc.) (8/30)

47. Lose 25 lbs. (0/25) 

48. From Learning to Love You More Assignment #53: Give advice to yourself in the past. 

49. Post the result of something inspired by The Soul Food Café. 

50. Create 10 new items for my Etsy Shop.

51. Make a list of 101 quotes that inspire me (0/101). 

52. Identify 100 Things That Make Me Happy. 

53. Organize dad's photos into an album. 

54. Write a letter to myself to be opened when the 1001 days are over. 

55. Make a list of 50 places I'd like to visit in my lifetime. 

56. Be able to do 10 pushups. (0/10) 

57. Submit 50 stories - or 50 times. It doesn't have to be 50 individual stories. (47/50) 

58. Send a query to a literary agent. 

59. Make a bucket list (100 things I want to do before I die). 

60. Purchase a first aid kit for the house. 

61. Answer the "50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind" 

62. Finish the list of books I own (LibraryThing). 

63. Visit Plymouth by train.

64. Be an extra in a movie. 

65. Make a family history book. 

66. Go on a day hike. 

67. Do Escape the Room. 

68. Do 5 Wits. 

69. See a live flamenco performance. 

70. See a live show (play, musical, concert, comedy, etc.), in addition to the flamenco performance in #69.

71. Try foods from five different cultures or countries.

72. Take a surfing lesson. 

73. Go to a scifi con.

74. Introduce Beanie to Farscape and The X-Files. (0/2)

75. Make a will.

76. Sign up for life insurance.

77. Complete 10 on my The Ultimate Reading Challenge list on Day Zero Project.

78. Go to a show at the Norwood Theater. 

79. Visit with my dad at least 5 times.

80. Complete all the items on my 24 in 2024 list.

81. Participate in the 21 Day Challenge to becoming a better you. 

82. Create a nice looking pedigree chart for myself. 

83. Create a nice looking descendency chart from whichever family I choose. 

84. Research at least 4 generations back on Beanie's side. 

85. Participate in MoreLoveLetters.com 

86. Take the train to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry blossoms. 

87. Bake chocolate chip cookies. 

88. Make ice cream from scratch. 

89. Bake some scones. 

90. Take five continuing education courses (online or in person). (0/5) 

91. Learn a new skill. 

92. Finish visual phasing of my siblings and my DNA. 

93. Write 100 letters. (64/100) 

94. Complete the 52 Week Money Challenge. (39/52) 

95. Bring Beanie to NYC for a day trip. 

96. Day trip to Providence. 

97. Get ice cream at Taikyaki. 

98. Transcribe 10 genealogy records for my research. (0/10) 

99. Put $10 into my savings for every completed item on this list. (7/101) 

100. Finish writing another 101 things before the end of the 1001 days. 

101. Complete all the items on this list. (7/101) 

Tasks Remaining: 101 

** previous lists: 

list one 

list two 

list three 

list four

list five

list six

24 in 2024

 My interpretation of 24 in 24 - a list of 24 things to accomplish this year, and each item on the list has 24 items because I thought that'd be a fun little extra challenge for myself. I'd already completed one item before I'd posted this (see #8):

1. Post 24 blog posts - self-explanatory but posts can be here, LJ, or other blog (3/24)
2. Watch 24 movies or tv series (new to me) - even one episode counts for tv series (13/24)
3. Read 24 (new to me) books ✓
4. Try 24 (new to me) foods (22/24)
5. Try 24 (new to me) restaurants/cafes/etc. (12/24)
6. Cook/Bake/Make 24 Meals/Desserts/Snacks - this will be a tough one because I don’t cook or bake - haha - (5/24)
7. Visit 24 places (doesn’t have to be new to me) - (4/24)
8. Walk 24 miles - this should be the easiest of the list (and it was)   ✓
9. Write 24 stories of any length (5/24)
10. Edit/revise/finish 24 stories (11/24)
11. Submit 24 stories somewhere ✓
12. Post to Instagram 24 times (6/24)
13. Listen to 24 (new to me) songs and/or artists (8/24)
14. Write and mail 24 letters (18/24)
15. Try 24 craft projects/crafty things (doesn’t have to be new to me) (4/24)
16. Research 24 people/places/event in my genealogy (1/24)
17. Review 24 relatives I’ve added to me family tree to make sure everything (dates, etc.) add up (6/24)
18. Make a deposit 24 times to my savings account ✓
19. Skip sugar in my coffee 24 times ✓
20. Do 24 things for my self-care (9/24)
21. Solve 24 riddles (3/24)
22. Make 24 fun things to include in letters to pen pals ✓
23. Do 24 of any Etsy shop related task: make, review, sell, post, inventory, freebies/thank you gifts (2/24)
24. Have 24 adventures (5/24)

Write 30 Minutes a Day in May - Melanoma Monday

This May I'm participating in the  American Cancer Society Virtual Challenge Write 30 Minutes a Day in May. Fundraising is done on Facebook so, if you have a Facebook account, please head over to my fundraising page and support my efforts! Or sign up for this challenge. Every dollar counts. If you'd like to  donate, but don't have Facebook (or you don't want to donate through that site), here are some other ways to donate. (Just follow the hyperlinks.)

I'm participating in this challenge in honor of all my friends and family who have cancer, all of those who fought their battles and won, and all of those who lost. I'd intended to list everyone and their associated cancers, but as I started to list them, I realized the list was too long. Too many people. Too many cancers. It was a harsh reminder of how important support is for the families, for research, and for the American Cancer Society and for organizations like it.

American Cancer Society has a toll free number, available 24 hrs. a day - 7 days a week, to answer questions and provide resources to those recently diagnosed, to those receiving treatment, to caregivers, and to loved ones. They might be able to help with rides to appointments and lodging for treatments, among other things. The number for anyone who may need it is: 1-800-227-2345.

May is also Skin Cancer Awareness Month / National Melanoma Month, and the 1st of May happens to be called Melanoma Monday, as a way of generating awareness about melanoma. The American Cancer Society estimates about 98,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma, and almost 8,000 people are expected to die from it.

What are some of the risk factors? (this is not a full list - see this link for more risk factors: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html)

- Exposure to UV light, from sunlight or from tanning beds

- Moles, Fair Skin, Freckling

- Family History of Melanoma or a Personal History of Skin Cancers

What are some things you can do?

- Wear sunscreen. Avoid tanning beds. Cover up with wide brimmed hats in the sunshine and seek shade whenever possible.

- Check your skin regularly so you can notice any changes in existing moles or spot any abnormal growths.

- See your doctor or a dermatologist if you have any questions or concerns.

#MelanomaMonday #cancerawareness #30minutesadayinMay #AmericanCancerSociety #virtualchallenge

January Goals 2020

1. Cake

2. Tea Party

3. Game Day

4. Free Taste of Chocolate Festival in Harvard Square

5. Prep for the Month of Letter Writing Challenge

6. Submit something somewhere

7. Read two books

My “goals” for January. If I complete two, I’ll be happy. Three or more will leave me ecstatic. Notice how Cake is the #1 priority. (hee hee!) 

2019 Year in Review

As usual I fell behind on projects I wanted to accomplish this year, but that’s okay. There’s always next year. I did manage to tick a few things off my list, and I did pick up a reading habit again (even if the “reading” mostly consisted of audio books).
 

Here are a few of the things that happened in 2019, in no particular order:

1. Lots of letters received but not as many sent. I need to improve on that!
2. I went to the Downton Abbey Exhibit in Boston..
3. More genealogy and DNA cousin discoveries.
4. Read a fair amount of books but did not meet my Goodreads challenge goal of 50 books.
5. Reached out to some relatives and offered them an extra (free!) DNA kit and either never heard back or was told "no, thank you"
6. Funeral for my Uncle Manny who passed away 30 Sep 2018)
7. Took some courses online through Future Learn and managed to finish some but not all
8. Did not finish this year's NaNoWriMo effort
9. Tried NYC Midnight’s MicroFiction Challenge and received really good feedback
10. Submitted flash fiction to Alone in a Room with Invisible People's Halloween Podcast and was thrilled to have it read on the podcast! You can listen to my story, "Once in a Blue Moon," here on the Apple Podcast or Podbean at 19:14.
11. Saw my first Broadway play, Betrayal, in November, starring Tom Hiddleston, Zawe Ashton, and Charlie Cox, with special appearance by Eddie Arnold.
12.Took a bus to NYC for the first time
13. Rode the NYC subway by myself for the first time
14. Had lunch with Sharifa in NYC
15. Walk for Hunger in May
16. Took my niece to Harvard Square for the first time
17. Real ID adventures
18. Used Amtrak rewards points toward a free ticket (woo!)
19. Spent too much money
20. Saw some new shows on Netflix
21. Finally got to see the Avengers movies (;ast one / last two)
22. Played Monument Valley 1 and 2; also, Wizards United
23. Lost one pound (woo!)
24. Bean was concussed the weekend before her birthday.

25. Sick for the holidays and end of the year

101 in 1001: List Five

from Day Zero Project (aka "101 in 1001 Days")

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: September 20, 2018
End Date: June 17, 2021

* Completed tasks will be crossed out.
* Tasks in progress will be in bold (so I can keep track of them easily).
* Incomplete tasks will be left as is.

My 101
1. Leave an inspirational note inside a book for someone to find
2. Take a cruise
3. Start a genealogy blog
4. Bring my laptop in for repair (4/19/19)
5. Complete the 2018 NaNoWriMo challenge
6. Complete the 2019 NaNoWriMo challenge
7. Complete the 2020 NaNoWriMo challenge
8. Finish a Work in Progress
9. Read 50 books (audio books count)
10. Start an IRA
11. Make a short film
12. Go apple picking
13. Renew my passport
14. Get my permit
15. Take the MENSA test
16. Learn to cook something
17. Host a tea party
18. Meet 5 new people
19. Visit 5 places in New England I've never been to before (0/5)
20. Attend a film festival
21. Participate in a charity event
22. Get certified in CPR
23. Complete all the items on this list (11/101)
24. Pay off one credit card
25. Keep a diary for a year
26. Go on a road trip
27. Get an article published in a magazine or newspaper
28. Keep a journal for this Day Zero Project (journal started on 9/22/18)
29. Attend the Portuguese Festival (Madeira Fest) in New Bedford
30. Spend 45 days without going online (doesn't have to be consecutive) (0/45)
31. Visit the Peabody Essex Museum
32. Finish "Who Killed Robert Prentice?" by Dennis Wheatley
33. Do 10 Random Acts of Kindness (8/10)
34. Complete 25 creative writing prompts from Toasted Cheese (0/25)
35. Visit Coney Island
36. Visit Old Orchard Beach, ME
37. Donate 100 items to charity (43/100)
38. Participate in an armchair treasure hunt
39. Do the Walk to Rivendell Challenge within the timeframe of 1000 days
40. Attend the 2018 Boston Book Festival
41. Write 30 blogs posts (14/30)
42. Visit a city or town I've never been to
43. Get reacquainted with my local library
44. Host a game night
45. Make 5 things inspired by Pinterest (1/5)
46. See 5 movies in the theater (0/5)
47. Try 10 new things, no matter how small (10/10)
48. Visit LaSalette
49. Visit Canada
50. Visit Rockport again
51. Try audiobook narration
52. See one of Beanie's games or performances
53. Take a tour of the Boston Public Library
54. Take Beanie to Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
55. From Learning to Love You More Assignment #53: Give advice to yourself in the past
56. Post the result of something inspired by The Soul Food Café
57. Create 10 new items for my Etsy shop
58. Make a list of 101 quotes that inspire me (0/101)
59. Identify 100 Things That Make Me Happy
60. Organize dad's photos into an album
61. Lose 20 lbs (7/20)
62. Write a letter to myself to be opened when the 1001 days are over
63. Make a list of 50 places I'd like to visit in my lifetime
64. Be able to do 10 pushups
65. Send a query to a literary agent
66. Make a bucket list (100 things I want to do before I die)
67. Purchase a first aid kit for home
68. Answer the "50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind"
69. Finish writing another 101 things before the end of the 1001 days
70. Finish the list of books I own (LibraryThing)
71. Be an extra in a movie
72. Take Beanie on the ferry to Salem
73. Make a family history book
74. Go on a day hike
75. Do Escape the Room
76. Do 5 Wits
77. See a live flamenco performance again
78. Attend a formal dress event
79. Try foods from five different cultures or countries (0/5)
80. Take a surfing lesson
81. Go to a show at the Norwood Theater
82. Visit my dad at least 5 times (0/5)
83. Say "hello" to and/or smile at 20 strangers
84. Participate in the 21 Day Challenge to becoming a better you
85. Create a nice looking pedigree chart for myself
86. Create a nice looking descendency chart from whichever family I choose
87. Research at least 4 generations back on Beanie's side
88. Participate in MoreLoveLetters.com
89. Say "yes" to something I would not normally do
90. Take the train to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry blossoms
91. Bake chocolate chip cookies
92. Make ice cream from scratch
93. Bake some scones
94. Learn something new
95. Finish visual phasing of my siblings and my DNA
96. Go to a festival
97. Go to a concert
98. Learn calligraphy
9. Complete the 52 Week Money Challenge (52/52)
100. Put $10 into my savings for every completed item on this list (13/101)
101. Take 5 continuing education or enrichment courses (5/5)

Tasks Remaining: 89

** previous lists
list one
list two
list three
list four

101 in 1001: List Four

from Day Zero Project (aka "101 in 1001 days")

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: June 16, 2014
End Date: March 13, 2017

* Completed tasks will be crossed out.
* Tasks in process will be in bold (so I can keep track of them easily).
* Incomplete tasks will be left as is.

My 101

1. Put $10 into savings for every completed item on this list (1/101)
2. From Learning to Love You More assignment #53: Give advice to yourself in the past
3. Post the result of something inspired by The Soul Food Cafe
4. Make a list of 101 quotes that inspire me
5. Identify 100 things that make me happy
6. Write a letter to myself to be opened when the 1001 days is over
7. Make a list of 50 places I would like to visit in my lifetime
8. Leave an inspirational note inside a book for someone to find
9. Write a book
10. Donate my hair to Locks of Love
11. Send a card or flowers to someone going through a tough time
12. Get my driver's license
13. Take a cruise
14. Complete the 2014 NaNoWriMo challenge
15. Bring my laptop in for repair (completed 7/23/14)
16. Finish a Work in Progress
17. Read 30 books
18. Start an IRA
19. Make a short film
20. Complete two of the items on my 43 Things list
21. Go apple picking
22. Renew my passport
23. Make a bucket list (100 things I want to do before I die)
24. Purchase a first aid kit for home
25. Take the MENSA test
26. Learn to cook something
27. Meet five new people
28. Host a BBQ
29. Make a treasure map for my niece to follow
30. Visit 5 places in New England I've never been to before (1/5)
31. Don't log into Facebook for a week
32. Answer the "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind"
33. Attend a film festival
34. Participate in a charity event
35. Get certified in CPR
36. Make a list of 100 things about me
37. Make a list of my 50 favorite movies
38. Finish writing another 101 things list by the end of 1001 days
39. Complete all the items on this list
40. Take three continuing education or enrichment courses
41. Organize Ella photos
42. Finish the list of books I own
43. Pay off one credit card
44. Go kayaking
45. Keep a diary for a year
46. Go on a road trip
47. Get an article published in a magazine or newspaper
48. Keep a journal for this Day Zero Project
49. Attend the Portuguese Festival in New Bedford
50. Spend three days without going online
51. Visit the Peabody Essex Museum
52. Finish "Who Killed Robert Prentice?" by Dennis Wheatley
53. Do 10 random acts of kindness (2/10)
54. Complete 25 creative writing prompts from Toasted Cheese
55. Try contact lenses again
56. Be an extra in a movie
57. Try a new breakfast place
58. Go on a harbor cruise or take a ferry ride somewhere
59. Visit Coney Island
60. Donate 100 items to charity
61. Update my genealogy research
62. Plan a family reunion
63. Make a list of 100 books I would like to read
64. Go on a day hike
65. Participate in a scavenger hunt
66. See a live Flamenco performance
67. Participate in an armchair treasure hunt
68. Do the Walk for Rivendell Challenge
69. Attend the 2014 Boston Book Fesival
70. Attend a formal dress event
71. Write 10 blog posts
72. Dye my hair
73. Try foods from three different cultures
74. Visit a city I've never been to
75. Take a surfing lesson
76. Visit my Dad (completed 7/20/14)
77. Go to a show at the Norwood theater
78. Say "hello" to and/or smile at 20 strangers (4/20)
79. Get reacquainted with my library
80. Start a birthday calendar to help me remember when to mail cards
81. Have/host a game night
82. Start a Smash! book
83. Participate in the local film community
84. Make three things inspired by Pinterest (1/3)
85. Complete the 2015 NaNoWriMo challenge
86. Complete the 2016 NaNoWriMo challenge
87. Do a craft show
88. See 5 movies in the theater
89. Visit a bookstore
90. Take a day trip to NYC
91. Visit Canada
92. Have coffee or lunch with three friends I don't see often
93. Try 10 new things, no matter how small (3/10)
94. Buy a lottery ticket
95. Say "yes" to something I would not normally do
96. Participate in the 21 Day Challenge to becoming a better you
97. Visit La Salette
98. Go on a whale watch
99. Visit Rockport again
100. Send a message in a bottle
101. Participate in MoreLoveLetters.com

Tasks Remaining: 93

** previous lists
list 3
list 2
list 1

My 2011 Review - The Good, The Awesome, The Bad, The Ugly

In no particular order, here are some of 2011's highlights:

* major face failure in January; one year later, and I’m still haunted by the mystery person
* I took a chance. Twice. Both times it paid off in the short run but not the long run. I don’t regret taking either chance at all. :)
* I sold a lot (for me) on etsy. :) Unfortunately I didn’t make enough new items to sell. All my crafting/creating plans seemed doomed to remain .. unfinished.
* Walk for Hunger! :)
* reconnected with old friends :)
* made a new friend :)
* met new people :)
* attended a film screening for P7D :)
* said goodbye to NHS
* went hiking on Blue Hills :)
* realized I was falling into the old oubliette/limbo/holding patterns and tried unsuccessfully to break the patterns before it was too late
* spent too much time online
* my writing suffered; it was basically nonexistent for 2011
* got my copy of P7D! :)
* gave up coffee for awhile :) but drank too much coffee for the remainder of the year
* got into a Facebook habit in February because I had a reason to play on there
* long walks in the nice weather :)
* went on an actual date (go me!) :)
* failed NaNoWriMo
* enjoyed the beautiful weather as much as possible :)
* realized early on that my crush wasn’t crushing on me after all and that he was just being nice because he’s a nice person; of course, it didn’t make the realization any easier and so I lived in hope & denial for a while; “Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love.” (Charlie Brown)
* saw a movie at Legacy Place (holy cow! that place is big!)
* was disappointed to discover I wasn’t as high on someone’s friend list as I thought I had been and spent too much time trying to figure out if I was a friend, a sometimes friend or just an acquaintance
* was amazed to meet someone who was actually excited to spend time with me :)
* was called cute (yay!) :)
* Duck Tour! :)
* visited with family, including a visit with my Dad :)
* Found two pairs of pants that actually fit! :)
* Joined PostCrossing :)
* Got some pen pals! :)
* won a gift basket :)
* had a visit from Missy :)
* NYC! :)
* was beyond tired (exhausted!) in the beginning of the year and in the end of the year
* had lasagna (December) :)
* too many strange, random comments made to me than I can recall
* 101 in 1001 failure! but I made a new list so it’s all good
* cancer in the family .. again :(
* R.I.P. Ray LaPierre - December 23, 2011 - sad Christmas :(

I think that was pretty much it.

101 in 1001: List Three

from Day Zero (aka "101 in 1001 days")

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: Saturday, September 10, 2011
End Date: Saturday, June 7, 2014

* Completed tasks will be crossed out.
* Tasks in process will be in bold (so I can keep track of them easily).
* Incomplete tasks will be left as is.

My 101

1. Attend Dragon*Con.
2. Get my driver's permit.
3. Get my driver's license.
4. Take three continuing education or enrichment courses. (0/3)
5. Read 50 books. (4/50)
6. Start an IRA.
7. Try one new thing every month, no matter how small, for at least six months. (The months don’t have to be consecutive.) (6/6)
8. Take a cruise.
9. Complete the 2011 NaNoWriMo challenge. (Fail!)
10. Complete the 2012 NaNoWriMo challenge. (Fail!)
11. Complete the 2013 NaNoWriMo challenge.
12. Bring my laptop in for repair.
13. Submit one of my finished stories somewhere for publication.
14. Finish a WIP.
15. Make a short film.
16. Submit the film to at least three festivals. (0/3)
17. Participate in at least three projects/events in the local/New England film community. (0/3)
18. Organize Ella photos.
19. Finish the list of books I own.
20. Sell 10 items on ebay. (5/10)
21. Identify 100 things that make me happy.
22. Complete at least two things off my 43 Things list. (0/2)
23. Post the result of something inspired by The Soul Food Cafe.
24. Spend three days without once going online. (0/3)
25. Write 10 actual letters (not an email or a card). (10/10)
26. Go apple picking.
27. See five movies in the theater. (5/5)
28. From Learning to Love You More assignment #53: Give advice to yourself in the past.
29. From Learning to Love You More assignment #3: Make a documentary video about a small child.
30. Renew my passport.
31. Answer the "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind."
32. Dye my hair.
33. Make a bucket list (100 things I want to do before I die).
34. Travel to Nova Scotia.
35. Participate in a charity event (other than/in addition to The Walk for Hunger)
36. Attend the Portuguese Festival in New Bedford.
37. Go on a day hike. (10/8/11)
38. Try 10 new (to me) flavored teas. These 10 tea flavors do not count toward goal #7. (1/10)
39. Participate (unofficially) in the Walk to Rivendell challenge.
40. Visit the Cloisters in NYC.
41. Visit Coney Island.
42. Re-certify in CPR.
43. Purchase a first aid kit for home.
44. List 25 new items in my etsy shop. (25/25)
45. Get my hair cut.
46. Make a little "movie" with my niece.
47. Visit the Peabody Essex Museum.
48. Visit Rockport again.
49. Visit Martha's Vineyard again.
50. Visit Nantucket.
51. Visit Newburyport.
52. Visit P-Town again.
53. Visit Georges Island again.
54. Participate in the 26 Things meme.
55. Write an article (on any topic) and submit to at least one publication of some sort (online or off). (0/2)
56. Take the MENSA test. (I'd say "join MENSA," but that assumes I'll automatically pass the test. haha)
57. Learn to cook something.
58. Go without caffeine for 30 days (doesn't have to be consecutive). (30/30)
59. Meet five new people. (4/5)
60. Go on 3 dates. (real dates, not these casual hanging out things I usually do) (3/3)
61. Attend a film festival.
62. Attend an author event of some sort.
63. Make an appointment with my PCP.
64. Start an art journal and work on it at least three times. (0/4)
65. Write in diary/journal at least ten times. (0/10)
66. Post at least 20 times in one of my blogs/online journals. A blog entry elsewhere (guest blogger, etc.) is fine, too. (20/20)
67. Participate in at least three online memes (LJ, writing memes, photo memes, art memes, etc.) Facebook-only memes do not count. (0/3)
68. Add 10 items to my zazzle stores. (3/10)
69. Watch a film I haven't seen before which has won Best Picture.
70. Finish "Who Killed Robert Prentice?" by Dennis Wheatley.
71. Put $10 into savings for every completed item on this list. (3/101)
72. Go to a concert.
73. Make a treasure map for my niece to follow.
74. Do a craft project with my niece.
75. Buy a pedometer for my niece.
76. Participate in Book Crossing at least once.
77. Participate in PostCrossing at least once.
78. Get a pen pal. (I used to have several!)
79. See a play or musical.
80. Get a book agent.
81. Do 10 random acts of kindness. (1/10)
82. Send 10 postcards to 10 different people.
83. Take a tour of the Day House.
84. Do a good deed.
85. Have lunch with an old or new friend. (12/30/11)
86. Complete 20 creative writing prompts from Toasted Cheese. (0/20)
87. Go to Castle Island.
88. Visit 5 places in New England I've never been to before. (0/5)
89. Go on a picnic. (4/16/12)
90. Do 30 continuous sit-ups.
91. Attend a live music performance.
92. Try contact lenses again.
93. Take my niece on a carriage ride.
94. Go on a harbor cruise or take a ferry ride somewhere.
95. Try a new place for breakfast (eating out).
96. Don't log into Facebook for a week.
97. Attend a barbecue.
98. Visit La Salette.
99. Explore Bird Park.
100. Complete all the items on this list.
101. Start another 101 things to do when the 1001 days near their end.

Days Left: 282
Tasks Remaining: 79

** previous lists:
list 2
list 1

Today Was a Good Day

My glasses and I are a bit wet from our drizzly walk to the supermarket and back, but a few items were needed for tomorrow's "feast" so it had to be done. It's chilly, foggy and sprinkling, but it's nice out all the same. I know that sounds strange, especially considering I wouldn't normally describe an evening like this as nice. I think it must be the mood I'm in today. The fact that a branch leaped out and hit me in the face on my way home didn't sour my mood either, oddly enough. Okay, so it didn't come out of nowhere, but my glasses don't have windshield wipers, and I had no idea the branch was sticking out right there in front of my face; had I known I would've avoided the branch naturally. ;)

This weekend I was not in such a great mood. Two people I know had visits to the ER. Once was released the next day, and the other is still there at the hospital. Both are doing just fine, but both have fairly serious health issues if you think about it. So I'm not thinking about it.

I am seriously behind on my NaNoWriMo word count. I'm one-fifth of the way there with a little over five days to go. *headdesk* My own fault, but I still have hope for this coming weekend.

The beginning of the week was not so nice for me at work. Nothing bad happened, it's just that the paperwork is piling up, and there are no helpful hands. I've got piles and piles of stuff to do, and the hands that are supposed to be helpful simply give me more stuff before leaving early for the day so it appears that the hands have done their work, while not following through on anything I've passed along to those hands. Leaving me to do take care of that as well. And that's the most polite way to describe it. C'est la vie.

And I intended to have several Christmas ornaments made for the etsy shop by this weekend. That hasn't happened yet. I did start on one Saturday, but then I put it all aside when the Bean came over, and never picked it back up again.

Today, however, went really well. No one yelled at me at work. Not one person. This is always a good thing. :) Everyone was in a pleasant mood, at work, outside of work, at the post office, in the coffee shop. :) To top it all off, I received two lovely letters today. One from my Dad (yay!). The other from someone I hadn't expected to write me back so that was a real treat. Two lovely surprises from two lovely people, and tomorrow all the sisters will be here for Thanksgiving. So it's a good mood for me all around. All kinds of awesomeness.

Oh, and "The Philanthropist" will be released on DVD, January 5, 2010! In time for my birthday. :) (and yes, that's a hint!)

p.s. Thaer Abdallah, my friend Sheila's hubby, has another art show in December at the 1369 Coffee House in Inman Square if anyone's interested. Opening reception is this Monday, December 7, courtesy of Out of the Blue Art Gallery.

A Rainy Saturday

Thursday it was sunny and in the 70s. Yesterday, sunny but cooler (50s - 60s), and today, warmer than yesterday but rainy and gray. All I want to do is hibernate right now.

No Boston Book Festival or NaNoBoston Meet & Greet for me this weekend. There is so much to do this weekend that I really shouldn't be treating myself until I do it.

On the fun side ..
I'm plotting out my nanonovel for this year and need to work out some more "candy bar scenes". This year I'm working on a story I started over two years ago. I stalled during NaNoWriMo on this story before. Poor pre-planning, a lot of procrastination and the fact that my main characters' names were undecided were all part of the problem. I'm tackling the pre-plan/pre-plot right now and have figured out, from last year's "win," how to manage my procrastinating tendacies (for this one month anyway). Now it's the character names I need to tackle next. I've always believed naming to be important, especially in stories, and I've chosen a few names that have meaning to me and to the story for the characters, but I need now to make a decision. Sometimes there is only one possible name for a character, and other times, like in this particular case, there are many suitable choices.

In other news L. will be shooting her first music video, for a local musician, in three weeks. Very exciting although I don't think it'll meet my personal defintion of a music video so I'm glad I'm not the one doing it. The musician wants to shoot six videos at once. At first, he wanted to do one, then four, now six, and unfortunately, she didn't say NO. So now they'll be shooting six at night in some studio, and I'm afraid (as is she) that all six will look eerily similar, if not exactly the same. Basically it sounds like he wants professional recordings of his performance of certain songs. I suppose that would technically be a music video since many music videos are simply the musicians performing their songs, but when I hear "music video," I think "storytelling." The music video is a wonderful way to visually relate to your audience and tell the story of your song. Aren't songs simply sung stories? The singer is sharing a story, evoking certain emotions or moods and sometimes very particular images and associations. The video is a way to expand on that. At least, that's what I think. But hey, what do I know? Plus, L. has to keep the musician happy, and if he's happy with six videos of him performing six songs on stage and nothing more than that (except for varying camera angles and transitions), then it's all good. Maybe he wants it to play as a music video of a concert. Still ..

Regardless, I've been sending her clips of simple but effective music videos (in my opinion anyway) to give her ideas of angles, lighting and ways to make each video hopefully interesting and unique. She's been sending me some as well. In the end it'll be great experience for her and will look good on her resume.

And I'm hoping I'll actually get some reading done, in addition to writing. I can't believe I haven't read a brand new novel from beginning to end (or anything brand new from beginning to end) at all this year! Gone are the days of two to three new books every week. Geesh.

Crafty Things

Well, I didn't get much writing done the other night. Instead I worked on some Halloweeny keychains for the etsy shop.

The following photos aren't the greatest. I need to take some better pics of each keychain individually to use for the shop. For now, though, here's a preview.

one side:


the other side:


two more views of the same thing:
and

Click on any of the pictures to see a bigger version. Once I have taken the nice photos and am ready to post to EstellaDawn, I'll post a link.

I also made a few things with artwork from Lisa's Altered Art. I'm having fun experimenting with her stuff and will probably post some of what I made here for feedback if anyone wants to give me some. :)

What Remains Undone

When I got home Saturday after work, I'd planned to do the following:
1. have fun making keychains and ornaments
2. put some things up for sale on ebay
3. upload some things to etsy
4. revise and edit 2008 nanonovel (1st chapter)
5. work on Lesson 15 in Holly Lisle's HTTS course (one of the skipped lessons)
6. work on preplotting for a possible 2009 nanonovel (which I might just start on now & not wait until November)
7. come up with another 2009 nanonovel idea (assuming I start in on #6 above - which I really want to)
8. sift through some more clothes to add to the ever growing Goodwill bag
9. call Discover and let them know that I received my new card
10. call Verizon and finally get my sister's phone taken off my account
11. review supplies & see what needs to be reordered
12. finish a book I started in March
13. laundry
14. answer emails
15. write my Dad
and somewhere in there shopping with my mom because I promised

Instead this weekend I've
1. done my laundry
2. talked with sis
3. played with Bean
4. watched a Strawberry Shortcake movie with Bean
5. gone shopping with my mom

I'm going through emails, dumping many. I've yet to answer some. I'll write my Dad next then return to writing things. At least some of the items off the list can be checked off.

Is Big Foot Next? *g*

Just got home about 15 minutes ago. I thought Monday would be dreadful. Today was very, very long.

I'm still working on my spies, and I wanted to start planning for this year's NaNoWriMo. No writing for me tonight though. My eyes are sleepy so I won't get much accomplished. I just wanted to quickly point out this short little article I ran across: Chupacabra Found! I see or hear "chupacabra," and I think of The X-Files. Bees, oil, corn fields, the hantavirus, chupacabra and more .. all forever associated with X-Files. ;) Mulder would be pleased.

Oh! and Bean has enjoyed her first few days of K. :)

Must eat now.

Days Off Should Be Required Every Week

Thursday and Friday were days off for me. Yay for sanity! Boo for next week's pay check. ;) If only I could afford the sad paycheck, I would opt for sanity every time. Anyway, I finally got myself a new library card. (#32 of 101 in 1001? Check!) I did that Thursday after running errands and going for a nice walk but before the Bean was dropped off for a sleepover.

On Friday, we'd intended to attend St. Anthony's Festival in the North End, and Bean wanted to join us, but it turned out the festivities wouldn't start 'til 7pm. Much too late for Bean. So we had a little walk along the waterfront instead. Unfortunately, the Bean wasn't up to it so we couldn't do much. She did have a wonderful time, though, running up and down some stairs, admiring some yachts, watching one of the ferries turn around, gazing at the harbor seals and then riding the carousel. She also tried some chicken terriyaki and decided she wanted that for lunch instead of a hot dog. :) At one point my mom's hat flew off her head and made its way to the middle of Atlantic Ave. A very nice man went out to retrieve it for her. My mom commented that he was a gentleman, and the Bean agreed that he was kind before she decided my mom was in love with the gentleman and wanted him to be my mom's boyfriend. Beanie declared it was all very romantic. :)

Today Bean's at a playdate but should be returning soon. Later, after all the playing is done, I'll probably write a bit (working on those spies!) and continue with Halloween items (bookmarks, most likely) for Estella Dawn. One thing I won't be doing is thinking about work. Not openly anyway. Monday is going to be an awful mess in more ways than one. (Oh, yes! and one man commented to me today that my printing is smaller than a typewritten word. Yeah, somewhere in my adult life my penmanship went seriously downhill, and I often have to fit so much info. in small spaces on forms or in notebooks at work. I think my dad calls my writing "scritchy." *g*)

#29, Photo in the Fair .. Fail!

Well, my last post was a bit lengthy. lol

I need to get back into posting here and elsewhere more regularly. I also have to finish editing my nanonovel. Once thing I'm not completing this year is #29 in my 101 in 1001 list: Enter a photo or craft in the Marshfield Fair. I have one photo ready as an 8x10" print, Bell Tower, but unfortunately, I have no money nor any time (but especially no cash or credit) to get it framed or matted as per the Fair's requirements. *sigh* So this year, #29 is a big Fail. :(

But hey, there's always next year.

All the Things I've Yet to Post About

A month has past, and still I haven't posted what I meant to. I'd gone to NY the weekend of March 23 for filming of Passengers of 7D. I meant to post about that, both here and at Beanywood. I will post about it .. at some point.

I've also created a Second Life account and ventured in there a few times after reading about Michelle's adventures at Juiced on Writing. I haven't been there much, but I definitely want to post about what's happened so far. I also have some pictures, including one of me as a glowing blob. I spent the first two or three days in SL as a glowing blob. And then for awhile, after I was finally able to see myself, I discovered I was wearing a box. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of me wearing the box. ;)

Some day soon I'll post about that as well.

Currently I'm watching "A Little Princess," making bookmarks and wondering about getting a table for the yard sale & bake sale at the Day House. I'm also reading up on affiliates and trying to motivate myself to get back to editing my nanonovel. I'm still following the Think Sideways course, and I see so many things I need to rewrite. I have all the edit notes taken, but I want to follow the course in order and realized I skipped some things which require me to go back, do all the excercises. Every time I read through the lessons, I feel hopeful and excited. :)

And, of course, I'm almost at my goal for The Walk for Hunger on May 3 and must start fundraising for AIDS Walk Boston on June 7. :)