It’s been almost a month now since I quit working full-time to focus on my writing, and I have to say, I think I’m almost settled into my new work routine. It’s still totally surreal, and I usually feel guilty during the evening because, though I have gotten a lot of work done, it doesn’t feel like I have because I’ve mostly been doing things I enjoy, and it’s not “hard work” that I’m used to. It’s really strange. I like it, but, as someone who has been working service industry jobs steadily for the past thirteen years, it’s still just bizarre to me.
The last two days have been crazy-productive for me, which is great, because my weekend was the opposite of crazy-productive. This was even including Monday, when my roommate had the day off and usually, I can’t get any work done when she’s home because we just end up vegging with some Netflix marathons. But I did it! I got a lot of work done! And, with the exception of having no money in my bank account to back it up, I feel like I’m finally treating it just like a job.
Onto the goals!
Goal One: Soulless: Anyone else think it’s kind of funny that, as soon as I say, “I haven’t been able to edit a chapter a day, so I’m not going to worry about it, and just edit what I can,” I wind up editing a chapter per day, with some time to spare? World, you so silly. But I’m not complaining. Editing has been going great, I actually love some of the scenes, too, but the biggest challenge is going to be the pacing. I like what I’ve got, but not necessarily how I’ve strung it all together.
Let me throw out a quick question. Would you prefer a story that practically leaps right into the action, or would you prefer to have the world developed a little bit more before things get started? I’m trying to decide whether to stick with the pacing as currently written, or to slow down a little to immerse the reader in the world a bit more before getting on with things, and I’d love some perspective from you, dear readers, especially since you’re the ones who will be reading it.
Goal Two: Submitting Stories: “Shadow Wolves” has finally been finished and sent off to a journal (Beneath Ceaseless Skies, to be precise). I’m not sure if it’s a perfect fit for the journal, but that just reminds me of the great job I had in Traverse City, the one I wasn’t remotely qualified for but managed to get anyway, and did a great job and would have been kept on if it weren’t for my move to Illinois. Onto the next one! Hopefully, I can be a little more on track with finishing this one by the personal deadline.
My other daily goals, like working on some other projects or reading, have been put to the side a little to focus on these ones, and the focus works out, so I’m not bovvered. Today’s Wednesday, which means relaxing with the boyfriend, and we’ve decided to go see an early show of Captain America and grab some lunch, so that should be nice, and hopefully, I’ll squeeze in a wee bit of editing before the day is through. Then back to business on Thursday!
How’s everyone else doing? Don’t forget, you can see my fellow RoWers here! Find someone new and cheer them on.
Happy writing, ya’all!
L.S. Engler 
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