Showing posts with label Celebrations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celebrations. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

6 Ways to Celebrate Writing Milestones

This month's question posed to the writing community by The Insecure Writer's Support Group, is How do you celebrate when you achieve a writing goal or finish a story? A while ago I wrote an article for the group's website covering the 4 Reasons to Celebrate Your Writing Milestones. Today I will be talking about the ways.

1. A Special Beverage.
I have been known to crack open a bottle of champagne after finishing a novel's first draft. There is something momentous about finishing that first draft, getting past the doubts to get down the terrible words (and no longer having to chant the mantra, "The first draft doesn't have to be perfect. It's okay to have an ugly first draft.")
2. Chocolate.
Need I say more? Chocolate suits all occasions, but especially writing celebrations. 
3. Time to read just for the joy of it.
I don't know about you, but there are certain times when my writing is all consuming. When I complete a milestone, it's time to sit back and take a mini break. It's time to allow myself some me time. Reading is one of my favourite me times.
 
4. A Night Out.
I'm not what one would call a party animal. I like home. But occasionally, I love to go out and enjoy the city at night, a fine restaurant, the evening out. It's the kind of thing I do for a celebration.
 
5. A Walk through Nature.
There is something wonderfully revitalizing returning to nature, enjoying the fresh air, discovering everything it has to offer. It's awesome to get away from the computer for a while, and a great way to celebrate.
6. Write Something New.
Yep, sometimes I jump right into a whole new story. Often during a writing project, I'm bombarded by multiple ideas for other stories. So I don't lose focus, I write down the gist of the ideas then push them aside. When I finish a project, I finally have the freedom to explore those ideas that have been waiting not so patiently on the sidelines.


There are so many different styles of celebration. For example, spending quality time with loved ones, doing something I don't normally do, jumping up and down and shouting out to the world, sleeping in, playing a game. And the list goes on.

What do you do to celebrate a writing milestone?


Monday, December 2, 2013

Celebrating Milestones and NaNoWriMo

Today I'm posting 4 Reasons to Celebrate Your Writing Milestones on the Insecure Writer's Support Group website. I'd love to see you over there.

This Wednesday is also the first Wednesday of the month which means it's the Insecure Writer's Support Group day again when we post about our writing insecurities!!! If you'd love to be part of this supportive community, then please sign up here. We also have a thriving Facebook Group.

After a mad scramble at the end, I completed my NaNoWriMo challenge to finish 50k words in 30 days. I'm totally thrilled!! My hubby made me a chocolate cake to celebrate. Now all I have to do is write the rest of the novel and edit it within an inch of its life. Happy times!

Don't forget to visit me over at the Insecure Writer's Support Group website!


Saturday, April 30, 2011

Z is for Zero

I got nothing.

Congrats to everyone who finished the A-Z Challenge. It's been a fun journey and I've met so many wonderful people. I'll admit the last few letters were a struggle. I'm ready to get back to my regular schedule of posting three days a week. Plus I'm looking forward to having more time to write again. Yay!

Would I do it again? Absolutely!

Well done to Arlee Bird, the founder of the challenge and to the hosts:

Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out
Jeffrey Beesler at World of the Scribe
Alex J. Cavanaugh at Alex J. Cavanaugh
Jen Daiker at Unedited
Candace Ganger at The Misadventures in Candyland
Karen J Gowen at Coming Down the Mountain
Talli Roland at Talli Roland
Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs

You guys rock!

Whether you took part in the challenge or not, what did you enjoy most about A-Z April?

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Wonderful News

I had a different ‘W’ post lined up for today, but I wanted to share some fantastic news. Carol Riggs of Artsicarol Ramblings has signed with agent Kelly Sonnack of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency!

CONGRATULATIONS CAROL!

It couldn’t have happened to a more worthy writer.

Please pop on over to Carol’s blog to share the joy.


Note: This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. To learn more about the challenge click the image on my sidebar.

Friday, March 25, 2011

And the Winner is...

Thank you all for celebrating with me the amazing milestone of 500 followers. I went and found a shiny hat for the draw and dropped the names in of those who entered my giveaway (and got sparkles all over me). The prizes are a $20 Amazon gift card, a first chapter critique, and first 250 words critique. First place gets first choice of prize.

And the winners are...

First place: Alex J Cavanaugh

Second place: Rachna

Third place: Denise (L'Aussie)

Congratulations!!! (extra exclamation marks well earned). Please contact me with your preferences.

--
note: I will be taking a blogging break in preparation for the April A-Z Challenge. I'll be back on Friday 1st April

extra after-thought note:  After the discussions in my previous post about author photos, I caved and posted a recent pic of me in my "about me" tab... for the curious.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

500 Followers Giveaway

Nope, I'm not giving away 500 followers, I'm celebrating 500 followers! You guys are awesome. It's all of you who have kept me going. Thank you for your support and encouragement.

Please pour yourself some bubbly (or other beverage of choice) and come celebrate with me.

I will be giving away a prize to three lucky people (first place gets first choice of the prize).


An Amazon Gift Card worth $20,
a first chapter critique,
and a first 250 words critique.

The competition is open to all my followers (old or new). The more you spread the word, the more chances you get to win. I will draw and announce the winners on Friday 25th (Aussie time).

To enter: be a follower and leave a comment on this post with your email. If you want extra chances to win please also include the links where you've spread the word.

cheers, everyone.

Addition: I forgot to mention my new header. Dezzy created my wonderful header as a gift to celebrate my 500 followers. Please visit Dezz at HollywoodSpy because he is awesome!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Celebrations and Breaks

At last I’ve finished my first draft. I’m so excited and I wanted to share the good news with my blogging friends. Can you hear the celebrations?

I feel it has taken me too long: 3 months to write 89k words (If they were polished words I’d be stoked – Aussie slang for ‘more than thrilled’). But I slowed down three quarters of the way through and allowed doubts to get to me.

My plan now is to take 2 weeks off from the book before I start editing. This will give me the much needed distance to do the chop. I might write some short stories that have been whispering to me for a long time. Or I might draft up some ideas for another book. After that, I’ll begin the tortuous editing stage. I plan to rip my WIP apart and piece it back together again. I may need a mountain of dark chocolate for this stage.

How important are breaks for you as a writer? What are some things you do to take a break from your current projects? How often do you take a break?

*photo: Hong Kong Disneyland