We’re entering the final weeks of ROW80 and I’ve decided I want to participate in Round 4. I was unsure at the beginning of this whether I’d continue or do this as a one-off experience to be tried.
You know what keeps me coming back? The camaraderie and the incredible community. After watching a round or two from the sidelines, I’d heard about it. But you’ve got to be IN the Row, checking in and checking on your peeps to really get how many comments, tweets and visits are flying back and forth.
You’ve got ROWBros, Gene Lempp and Kerry Meacham, keeping things lively at all times. Our pal, Sonia G. Madeiros, is back in action at her lovely blog. Plus, I gain tremendous joy keeping up with friends I found at the beginning of this ROW80 round – Jamila Jamison and Nicole Basaraba.
The most recent additions to my ROW80 posse are our fearless leader, Kait Nolan, Elizabeth Anne Mitchell, L.S. Engler and Ozlem Yikici – all are full of fun and encouragement. Oh, before I forget…Oz, I’m dying to know how you got the progress bars that are tracking your progress. I want some of those for the next round!
Row 80 Check-in
- I walked at least 10 miles this week. The incentive of walking to a meal continues to work! Plus, when the baby is on board, you’re pushing about 40 pounds schlepping her and her gear around. That counts for extra work-out points, right?
- Blogging continues to go well with about 5 posts a week.
- I have mixed my writing goals with my blogging goals in an effort to push the progress forward on the high-risk pregnancy memoir. Two weeks ago, Risky Baby Business (my new Saturday feature) was born. Not only am I enjoying it, the comments are giving me some new direction for the book, which is a win-win to me.
- I’m trying to go on vacation this month with all my blogs posted, both here and at Writers In The Storm, where it’s my turn to be blog mistress. I’ll let you know how that goes.
If you wish to encourage any of the other Team ROW80 members, Click here.
Did any of you see Laura Drake issue the challenge on Linear vs. Non-Linear Writing over at Writers In The Storm? Today, I am answering her challenge with a post called Non-Linear Writing – Focus On Your Story’s DNA.
Last but not least, thank you to everyone who entered the Dirty Fighting Contest! I’ll be sending my 5 favorites to Tiffany Lawson Inman – NakedEditor and she will pick the final THREE Grand Prize winners. Tiffany’s edit and analysis will be posted here on September 20th. For a sneak peek at what a NakedEditor make-over means, click here.
Have a great rest of your week. Keep trucking with those goals! Remember, this is Life List Club Friday and I will be over at David N. Walker’s blog, writing about achieving your dreams. Emily Moir will be guest posting here. There’s a big Life List Club milestone party happening on September 23rd…stay tuned for more details!
What are you working to accomplish this week? Do you have any exciting things that you’d like to share? If you’re in ROW80, do you plan to participate in Round 4? Enquiring minds always want to know here at More Cowbell!
Jenny Hansen's Blog 
Woo-hoo! Go, Jenny!
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Hey there…you know I get energy from the amazing More Cowbell posse members (like you)! It helps more than you can imagine to get to interact while I’m pushing toward goals. 🙂
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I want in on ROW 80, Round 4, Jenny. Hope you send an ALERT! WEE-AAAW! ALERT! when it’s about to begin. My task schedule needs revamped. In my imaginary world, “revamped” is a synonym for “birthed.” I love my imaginary world.
Can’t wait for the WITS blog. Yes, I remember you were counter-point today.
Laura confirmed her left brain FRZZZTed when she read my process for gathering all interations and free-floating-in-brain ideas necessary to complete my first draft by September 30th. It involves scissors, tape, stapler, and a 3-ring binder. And, in the words of Forrest, “That’s all I have to say about that.”
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Gloria,
The site is http://aroundofwordsin80days.wordpress.com/. I know Round 3 ends on 9/22 and there isn’t usually a long delay in between. I will be sure to post an update when the next round starts. I do NaNoWriMo each year too and I have a feeling ROW80 will cross over that. You can also hang out at #ROW80 on Twitter, which will help you stay up to date. 🙂
The non-linear throwdown is UP…can’t wait to see your comment on it. You’re right – your comment on Monday’s post nearly fried Laura’s circuits.
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This was my first ROW too and I plan to be back next round! I made so much progress and really enjoy the support and friends. It’s nice to have that when writing is so solitary.
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Exactly, C.M. I’m a people person so all these community challenges REALLY help me. See you in Round 4!
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Awww, thanks Jen. We love you too 🙂
By the way, I’m back in for Round 4 as well. Already starting to look at goals and apply all the great lessons I learned in this round.
Keep up the great work!
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Back atcha, Gene! I got a really good understanding of my goals and where my strengths and weaknesses lie. I’ll be applying that to the next round. 🙂
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When does Round 4 start? I kept my goals fairly easy for this round and have met them, but I need to get motivated again. Have been a bit lazy the last few days.
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Stacy, I am not even sure when it starts, but figuring they will end before the holidays, it’s got to start pretty quickly.
You, lazy? Pfft! I don’t believe it…
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Hi Jenny.
Looks like you’re having a great week so far. You must be one organized lady to write for two blogs and your other projects in addition to your non-wriitng life. Lately, I’ve been finding it hard to balance blogging AND my WIP. I find either I spend an evening preparing a blog or on my WIP. Can’t seem to fit in both. I guess that’s where time scheduling comes in….
I need to check when ROW80 round 4 starts too. I’m in, but maybe I will set an easier goal for the next round….
Have a great rest of the week,
Nicole
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Nicole,
I don’t know that I’m all that organized…I usually take the time away from sleep, which has its own drawbacks. A good thing to do is to try to get your blogs out in the in between moments – while you wait to do something else, over morning coffee, during TV time. Then, when you sit down to your WIP, you can focus on that.
The way I do it, I work on the WIP all weekend and blog during the week. It’s working right now to give me about the same number of pages I would have had and I’m getting a little more sleep.
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Ditto my ROWbro’s sentiments. I’m going headlong into ROWnd #4. Can’t wait to see what everyone’s going to do.
Great job on goals. Vacation with ALL those blogs pre-done. You’re the man….er woman…whatever, you ROCK Jenny. Keep it going. Out
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Thanks, Kerry! Don’t congratulate me yet, I don’t have them all done! But I’m working on it. I’d like to have a vacation doing nothing but responding to comments and working on the WIP when the mood strikes me. 🙂
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Jenny, I totally wimped out the last few weeks — still writing (sort of) — but feel renewed after reading some of the other ROW80-ers. I think I will do #4 as well — I need some kind of motivation. But, I think you do great no matter what!
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Amy, I think “wimped out” is a bit harsh…you took a Summer Siesta for a few weeks. A “hiatus” perhaps…:-)
You can jump right back in any Sunday or Wednesday, you know.
Thanks for encouraging me! That’s part of ROW80 too. 🙂
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Jenny, your updates always motivate me! Like to get in more walking, which I got away from a bit this summer. As for Row80, I’ve watched from the sidelines. Can new folks join round 4 or should we wait for the next full start?
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I’m telling you, Barbara, the carrot/stick approach works. Mindless walking to nowhere gets old. But walking to food? That’s working for me! My honey and I went to a restaurant in Balboa (4.1 miles away) partly to get our walking goals met. 🙂
You can jump into ROW80 any Wed and Sun by posting your goals publicly in a blog, then checking in with it at the site (referenced above).
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Hey Jenny. I’ve been eyeing ROW 80 and checked out the preliminaries a couple of weeks ago. I’m going to sign up for Round 4.
Congrats with all that you’ve accomplished in the past few months!
Even though I’m beyond the child bearing years I really enjoyed your post about high risk pregnancy. It is something I would have read back then and something I’d suggest to a pregnant young friend or daughter now. Between your humor and your eye for factual detail — you’ll have a winner when you write your book.
When vacation rolls around, have fun and relax. You deserve it.
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Thanks, Kate! We’ll have so much fun rocking the ROW together for Round 4…I’m glad you’re signing up.
The high risk pregnancy blogs are the only ones that make me quake a little when I post them. (See how dreams are!) I’m so glad you’re enjoying them – it helps to hear it because they are a big departure from what I do the rest of the week.
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Heya Jenny 😀 *whispers* I have a secret to tell; I’m not one of the ROW80 leaders -just one of the regular gang.
As for those progress bars (scribometer), they are plugins, the one I’m using is called Whizmatronic and by a chap called David. I’m not sure if it is compatible with the free wordpress sites, but it’s worth checking out -maybe even query it with David -he seems pretty responsive to queries. (I have posted a comment on David’s blog, pop over in a few days time and see if he has responded -if I get a response I’ll pop by too (all things not being too hectic). If all fails, Crystal (C.M. Cipriani) has manage to source a different kind of progress bars, maybe that’ll do for now?
I’ve babbled far too much! Jenny, it’s fab to have you on board, I believe we will have like a break for a week and a half after round 3 finishes and then round 4 will start -if I am mistaken please give us a shout. 🙂 Thank you for your kind words, have a great week.
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Oz,
That’s funny! I went up and looked…way to leave the word “plus” out in my late-night posting. Thanks for the catch, I know you’re one of the gang (and you’re doing a great job!).
I’ll go chase down David and Crystal for the next round. You rock!!
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lol! You know, I read and re-read that line thinking I was not reading it right (my 6th sense must be telling me something 😛 ) -now that you say its missing the word plus; it suddenly becomes very clear 🙂 -you are very welcome (not that I was trying to catch you out), and thank you!
I’m really miffed I missed the competition Tiffany had on your blog -oh well next-time eh 😉
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Tiffany has already agreed to a next time, so I’ll hold you to entering. 🙂
There’s a rumor that the word limit for the next one will be 250 words!
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Jenny, got feedback from David, he says
As for the contest; sure, if I know in advance, I’ll do my best to take part 🙂
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THANK YOU, Oz! I appreciate you checking on that and coming back to let me know!
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You are very welcome, it was a pleasure -when my memory does not fail me I have my uses 😛
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You’re doiing so well, Jenny! I had a tough summer and didn’t accomplish nearly as much as I’d hoped, but I’m in for round 4. Our Milestone Party will be awesome and I hope everyone we all know drops in for some cocktails and prizes!
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Hey, Marcia! The last virtual party I attended had Terrell Mims and I table dancing while Kristen Lamb belted out “Highway To Hell” on the karaoke machine. Piper Bayard was passing out deviled eggs and there were James Rollins jello shots all around. It was a little wild. I expect the Life List Club celebration to be a little more decorous. 🙂
Looking forward to doing Round 4 together!
p.s. I’m very sorry to hear you had a hard summer…
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Whoo-hoo, you’re doing so well! Thanks for the shout-out, and I totally agree — the community is what makes me want to come back for more. I’m already planning my goals for Round 4. *rubs hands together and laughs wickedly* It’s going to be awesome!
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See, and here I am worrying because I’ve had to fight tooth and nail for every smidgen of work on my WIP. I’m at about 50% of that original goal and I’ve had to just accept that this is the way it’s supposed to be and that I’ll have a better book for putting in the extra planning time. Thanks for the encouragement!!
Can’t wait to Rock the Row with y’all for Round 4. 🙂
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I love the community here. I never would’ve guessed that I would meet so many fantastic folks when I started blogging. 😀 And ROW80 is one more wonderful way to keep us going. Congrats on the new feature too!!
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Agreed, Sonia! And it is soooo nice to have you back. 🙂
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First, thank you so much for including me in your posse, Jenny. You’ve always been so encouraging to me when I’ve been feeling down or uninspired. I’m very glad that your new topic is doing so well, and giving you help on your book *high five*
Have a fantastic weekend, and lots of cowbell!
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Thanks for the high five! Love to get one of those across the virtual miles. 🙂
Back atcha about the encouragement, Elizabeth. I’m glad to be able to return the favor.
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Great check-in. I will definitely be doing Round 4 of ROW 80. One, I want to set clearer goals. Two, because I’ve learned so much from this community. But, most of all, like you… the support. It’s been amazing. Looking forward to seeing you in Round 4!
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