The Friday List (nice things you’ve done for yourself this week)
Nice thing I did for myself this week? After months of steady work, weeks of sitting at this computer more hours than I can say, and this last week in particular thinking and dreaming of only these characters and this story to the point where I was constantly talking to myself, running through their scenes out loud night and day–finally last night at ten o’clock I typed those sweet two words, THE END.
Which isn’t the end end, of course, because now I need to look back over the whole thing today and make sure it all hangs together. Then I’ll send it off to my trusty first readers whose job it is to tell me where it doesn’t hang together, and then if I’ll fix whatever they’re complaining about, and then it goes off to my agent on Monday, and she gets to say what does and doesn’t work, and then I’ll fix those things, too, and then finally it will go to my editor, who–you guessed it–gets a fresh crack at telling me where I’ve gone wrong.
But I don’t care. I finished my new book! And I happen to love it. So there.
At least until people start pointing out where I got it wrong. Oh, well–I’m going to enjoy it while I can. And right now I am very, very satisfied.
How about you guys? What sweetness have you inflicted on yourselves this week? Tell.
Technorati Tags: Writing, Publishing, Writers, Books, The Friday List, Self-Pampering, Self-Kindness
January 11th, 2008 at 5:27 am
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Whoo-hoo! That’s terrific, Robin. Not only did you meet your deadline, but you did it with satisfaction. That’s great.
Last night, when I needed to work on a huge Bible commentary I’m supposed to be editing, because it’s due next week, I got all spontaneous. My best friend called inviting me to a last-minute movie, and I caved. We saw Juno and loved it. Sharp acting, amazing dialogue, and a not-so-typical depiction of a scene that’s all too familiar–a pregnant teen trying to deal with her situation. I highly recommend it. Nice thing for me!
January 11th, 2008 at 6:01 am
I’ve set a writing goal for myself and I am NOT telling anyone what it is. Maybe the secrecy and it being just for me will make the accomplishment more meaningful?
At this point, I’ll try anything.
January 11th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Yay, Robin!! What a wonderful thing, writing those two words “The End.”
This has been a great week for good things for me:
1) I’ve dedicated this week and last to cleaning up my manuscript that got a “The End” on it in Dec. It’s taken focused work, but is going well. (WAY more holes than I thought
)
2) I’ve taken control of my e-mail thanks to HWMama’s challenge. Yay! I hate when it gets out of control, makes me depressed, and then gets even more out of control so I can’t dig out.
Anyway, I’m so happy you finished your book. My daughter finds so much comfort in “Evolution.” As the child of an atheist mother who lives in a community crazy full of fundamentalist Christians, your book gives her lots of comfort in finding her own way in the spiritual world. So, thanks
(I certainly don’t want to force my ideas on her.)
January 11th, 2008 at 7:15 am
I don’t know if there was anything specific, like say, picking about 45 oranges off my orange tree and juicing a few to put in my breakfast smoothies or geeking out and creating a webserver
or that it is simply strange that I have been home since 12/20 and haven’t travelled at all or that I’ve been telling people what Heather’s writing goal is, but I think it has been a good week in general.
January 11th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Kelly - what’s the point in having children if we can’t force our ideas on them?
January 11th, 2008 at 7:29 am
You bring up a great point, Patrick, but if there’s anything more annoying than an evangelical atheist, I don’t know it. (I try to live unobtrusively in this regard.)
Now, be nice to Heather, you hear, Patrick?
January 11th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Yay, Robin, glad you got your writiing goal accomplished and met your deadline.
This week I went for a much needed massage and tody I get to go to accupuncture, ahhhh! I got to see Gray’s Anatomy last night.
Have a wonderful weekend.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Congratulations!
Along those same lines, this week I decided to stop tweaking my latest script (for now) and commit to shooting dates (the first two weekends in April). On one hand, it’s adding a bit of stress, but on the other, this means I’m actually moving forward with my largest-scale short film to date (28 pages)! It’s no longer just words on a page, but on its way to becoming a movie.
Daunting, but exciting.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Great lists this week, you guys!
First of all, congratulations to you, Kelly, for your own The End–that’s huge. And thanks for your kind words about Evolution–I always appreciate that! And congrats on getting on top of your e-mail–it so nerve-wracking when it’s out of control.
Heather, secret deadlines are so cool! Will you let us know when you finish?
Kelley, you know I approve of ditching work to see a movie–especially a funny one. I still have to go see that! Next week.
Patrick, having mad computer skillz will get you friends all over the world. Geek out to your heart’s content–we all know who to come to with questions now.
Jone, I’m all about the massage, but I’ve still never tried accupunture. Do you love it? Can you feel any change?
Bill, YAY! I love it when you make movies! So glad you’re getting off the page and onto the camera. You do such good work!
January 11th, 2008 at 10:52 am
A BIG WHOO HOO to you! Now you can officially do the happy dance! I was very sick all week and didn’t go to work for the majority of the week, so I guess I can count that as being nice to myself.
January 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I have been going for accuouncture for ovr 10 years. It is marvelous. I do feel different. Sometimes I find it more relaxing than massage. My daughter would go just before a nursing exam to clear her head. she always talked about the”drool” from being so relaxed.
January 11th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Yay, Robin! That’s wonderful news. I hope you can bask in the glow of “the end” all week.
My nice thing was that even though I had lots of other things that I should have been doing, I seized the opportunity of having received great inputs from the Kidlitosphere, and prioritized writing an article about struggling readers for part of my PBS Parents gig. It ended up taking quite a bit of time, but I am highly satisfied with the result. I’ve had great feedback, too, from blog friends and from PBS. It’s nowhere near on the level of finishing a BOOK, like some of you have accomplished lately. But it still pleases me to have put together something substantive. Of course I couldn’t have done it without the wonderful help that I received from the Yahoo group originally started by you, Robin. Thanks!
January 11th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Nice thing, nice thing. Hmmm. I think I owe myself some sushi tonight. My yoga class was canceled this morning, but instead of going home, I pulled my boxing bag out of the van and hit the heavy bag for awhile. Yoga, boxing, same diff, right?
January 11th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I didn’t really do too much this week. I’ve been recovering from a cold. I have enjoyed celebrating some new episodes of my favorite tv shows (television is most boring with only repeats) and putting my Netflix account to good use by getting House DVDs in the mail. I love that show!
January 11th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Shai and Katie Sis, what’s up with the sickness? That’s not right–so sorry! But I’m glad to hear you’re both taking care of yourselves, staying home, vegging out, etc. Hope you both feel better soon!
Jen, glad you’re feeling better this week (I’m assuming, considering all you got done this week!). I’m so glad you did that PBS Parents article! You’re an excellent writer, and you always bring so much information to everyone’s attention–your blog is an amazing resource. Glad to see you branching out and getting even more attention!
Sara, you are the most versatile woman. What a hoot. Did you feel the same as after a yoga class, or even calmer?
January 11th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I’m doing my happy dance! Whoot-Whoot! Good Job Robin!
January 11th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Thanks, Robin!! You are too kind. And thanks, I am much better. Still coughing and stuffed up, believe it or not, but my brain seems to be finally back in gear.
Looking forward to the time of reading that next book of yours.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Yes, getting sick sucks, but it gives you a great excuse to watch old movies, eat lots of carbs, and not feel one ounce of guilt.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Congratulations, Robin!
Congratulations, Kelly!
Best wishes with the film, Bill.
Feel better, Shai.
You are rocking it, Jen.
I always have trouble with these lists, because they are supposed to be about things I do for myself, and I can’t think of many things that qualify.
I worked.
I read.
I recommended books.
I attempted to set up auditions.
I wished people would be more forthcoming and more honest.
I posted a great deal at my blog.
I walked a great deal last weekend, and plan on doing so this weekend.
This week went by a little faster than last week.
January 12th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Little Willow, I know what you mean about having a hard time coming up with nice things you’ve done for yourself–that’s one of the reasons I have this list. I want all of us (including me) to have a reason to be conscious of treating ourselves at least as well as we treat other people. It’s so easy to always pamper others, go out of our way for others–and I want to see that happening on our own behalfs, at least once a week.
Thank you, Kathy!
January 12th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Robin, Wahoo! Hope you gave yourself a big reward!
Yay, Kelly and Jen!
Sara, Wow. Boxing, too?
LW, I still don’t know how you manage to do all you do.
I finally pushed back on my family and told them I was not their servant. I should have done this when my eldest was younger, but I’ve finally had it, and made up some rules. Wish me luck!
January 12th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
That’s terrific Robin! Congrats! ^^ Well I got to see some friends this week and hang out and have a cute boy write on my hand! What more could a girl want?!?! XD also started a new book I’m writing and I started from the begining and it’s in third person and so far it’s going good! much easier then then my other one though I havn’t had much time to work on it… =/
January 12th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Robin, Vivian: Well, my hand hurts today, so I guess yoga’s healthier. But I’m so glad someone taught me how to hit a bag. I always carry an extra set of wraps and gloves and if a woman looks interested, I show her how. It’s super fun. I do the speed bag, too. Great for your shoulders.
January 12th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Sara, you’re so burly.
Vivian, um, don’t you think your comment deserves all caps? YOU TOLD YOUR FAMILY YOU ARE NOT THEIR SERVANT. That is pretty amazing and huge. BRAVO!
Dylan, I am all for having a cute boy write on your hand. And for you working on your book, of course, but the cute boy . . . sigh.
January 12th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Vivian, it’s all about multi-tasking.
Robin, smiles.
January 13th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I treated myself with the the sweetness that is Target’s 90% off sale on leftover Christmas stuff. I probably have more wrapping paper and silver bows now then I technically need, but there’s something about 90% off that makes you feel so good inside. My Christmas cards for next year? An indecent $.49 a box.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
XD I know twas great! rather lengthy too…. XD ^_^ But he was like right infrotnt of me and I was just like laying down in heaven! XD