Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Wednesday Work In Progres #5

IN THE NEWS: NYC chef creates breast milk cheese. Read more HERE.

Well, I'm been off to a steady start on my writing this past week, doing a little bit each day--even when I didn't feel like it.

As a result, my first chapter is completed and now I just started my chapter 2. I'm hoping to finish it by the end of this week. Woo-hoo!

Go, me. :)

4109 / 50000 words. 8% done!

Speaking of "go, me", I have some other progress news to report.

Running progress news.

I ran my first 5K yesterday! (That's a little over 3 miles.) I ran with the supportive hubby (who is in MUCH better shape than I am). He kept giving me inspiration by shouting out, "Only four blocks left", "your pace looks good" and "I think you can kick it up a notch for this last block".

Like my own personal fitness coach.

But you know what? I was able to do it because of him. (Quite easily I might add) :)

Amazing how much easier it is to run with someone than by doing it on my own!

My writing has been like that, too. My crit group has a weekly writing goal set up. After we write for the day, we all check in and post our progress. We'll slap each other into shape if we don't write as much, but we also cheer each other on if our progress was good.

I've been finding that I've been more disciplined with my writing routine (just like I've been with my exercise routine) if I know I'm accountable to someone other than myself. And this week, I've been hitting a good stride because of it.

What about you? Is anyone cheering you on when you sit down to write?
(Or exercise?) :)

27 comments:

Kristen Painter said...

I have a small circle of friends that serve as my support. Also, my father likes to harass me about my word count.

Maria Zannini said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Maria Zannini said...

Are you kidding? Even my dogs snicker at me. When I'm not looking they hide the mouse.

:grin:

I do have a couple of friends who harangue me with biting sarcasm and wet raspberries if I didn't do an honest week's worth of writing.

That's why they're my friends.

Chicki Brown said...

My crit partners are my only encouragers when it comes to my writing. I don't know what I'd do without them.

As far as exercise goes, I guess I'll need to hire somebody like Sergeant Harvey Walden (http://www.harveywalden.com/) to beat me into shape ...

Jennifer Shirk said...

Chicki: Jillian Michaels does a great workout. And even though she's on the TV, she still scares me. LOL

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I've wanted to run a 5K and even a half marathon. Go you with the writing and the running.

My mom is a huge cheerleader and my crit. partners.

~ Wendy

Tamika: said...

My mother! She calls me everyday and spurs me on. We even set dates to have dinner when I have completed a word count.

I thank God for her!

DL Hammons said...

My wife is my most loyal supporter, but beyond her I'm kinda on my own. I've not been able to find consistent critiquers, and where I live writing groups isn't much of an option. I'm still moving forward though.

Anonymous said...

My mall walking is so much easier with a friend..... keeps me going the extra lap. :O)

Good for you girl!

Joanne said...

Kudos to you on the 5K, I'll bet it feels great! I'm a walker rather than a runner. I walk anywhere and everywhere I can, mostly with my daughters and husband. They're my team, with my writing too :)

Susan R. Mills said...

I've got my mother, my daughter, my crit partners, and my internal deadline setter.

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Congrats on the 5k! That's awesome!

I agree--accountability is everything. I've asked certain friends of mine to kick me if I haven't entered a contest by this weekend. Great motivation!

Emily Ann Benedict said...

Congrats on your progress. :)
Honestly, I have people in my life who encourage me by telling me what they like about my work, but when it comes to actually sitting down and writing I'm so desperate for time to write I don't really need anyone to push me forward. :)

Unknown said...

I'm definitely more accountable when others are involved. Way to go on the word count and the 5K! I would love to run a 5k someday. Someday...

patti said...

Jennifer, whoo hoo! As a running freak, I delight in this post!!!

Sigh. My next race will be the Lake Run in May. But Laura the dog and I race every day. I always win because with the leash in hand, I can control her!!! LOL

God has so blessed me with soulmate writers/encouragers.

It REALLY helps!!! Plus that Holy Spirit is THE BEST!!!

Love this blog. You go, girl!!!

Tana said...

Congrats on the run! I'm so impressed! I wish I had more endurance. And yes, Go YOU!!! I'm cruising in my new WIP as well and loving every minute of it. Writing can be so self-indulgent. ;)

Kayeleen Hamblin said...

My husband is my number one cheerleader. He's followed by an old roommate from college who has great ideas and is a fabulous sounding board. It's great to have people who support us when it's such a lonely thing to be a writer.

Kara said...

Awesome job on the 5K! My husband is a great cheerleader when it comes to exercise, but with writing it is sort of off his radar for the most part. I rely on my friends and my mother-in-law for support in that area:)

Laura Pauling said...

That's great on the first 5K! You're right, it's so much easier with a cheering squad! And running and writing - it's all about habit. It takes 21 days to make or break a habit! That's it! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I do have a couple of online cheerleaders/crit buddies! They are really great :)

Renee said...

I have a great group of friends that encourage me. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't do what it is I need to do.

I just finished a 100 day challenge, and then I took a break. This week I'm back revising.

Congratulations on your run. I wish I could do that.

Kimberly Franklin said...

YAY! Go Jennifer!

If it weren't for my critique partners I would have no motivation to do anything but watch TV. Hehe. : )

Sarah Forgrave said...

I'm in limbo with crit groups, so my motivation comes from good ol' me. :-) Thankfully I'm a fairly self-motivated person, but I hope to find a group of other human beings who can urge me on and challenge me to be a better writer.

Jessica Nelson said...

Oh my gosh! I heard about the breast milk thing this morning! TOO funny.

As for my hubby, I refuse to work out with him. lol What he considers cheerleading I consider haranguing. Ha!

Walt Mussell said...

NYC chef creates breast milk cheese? PETA aparently wanted Ben & Jerry's to do the smae thing with their ice cream. I figured the first flavor would be gelato de laurentiis.

Terri Tiffany said...

I am so proud of you for running that race! WOW I'd love to be able to say that!
My husband cheers me on too but not as much as I need. I think it comes from inside me that I'm just going to do this no matter what.

Nishant said...

I've wanted to run a 5K and even a half marathon. Go you with the writing and the running.
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