THE PROJECT is finished...

Thank God. At least the rough draft is done and sent to my friend who is editing the first draft. It's odd to know it's done. My first question to myself is, Okay, what next? But I'm going to save that for tomorrow. Tonight, I'm going to take a break.

Progress report...

I intend to finish THE PROJECT by the end of the month, at least the rough draft anyway. I'm well on my way to exactly that. I also worked on my completed manuscript and sent the first 300 words for a drawing to be critiqued. Whether or not it will be picked is anyone's guess, but the important thing is that I screwed my courage to the sticking place and sent it in. Interesting to realize that I think it's now much better because of the need to keep the entry so short. The manuscript needs a good overhaul, but THE PROJECT needs to be finished first.

I'm also reading books for the Golden Quill Contest, offered by Desert Rose, a chapter of Romance Writers of America. I've discovered some wonderful writers that I've added to my yes list, but it's tough with the stories I don't really like. I can't simply stop after the first chapter. I can only judge it fairly if I read the whole thing. I have several reward books lined up for finishing. :-)

THE PROJECT... what it is...

THE PROJECT is a self-help book, gathering in one place all the tools I wish I'd known about when I decided it was time to learn how to be healthy, instead of continuing the insanity I grew up in. I think I have all the chapters outlined now, and more than half of them are written, including the end. It's been a struggle deciding how much information to share. I hope to have this whole thing done by the end of the month.

Okay, God, now what....

Over the last few days, I've added several thousand words to THE PROJECT. I'm using the time being given me by my lack of PTBW. I'm now more than half way through, and I've written the end.

Accepting the opportunity...

With the PTBW changes, I decided to take advantage of the essentially free day. I read and worked on THE PROJECT. It's now half finished. I don't think I would have accomplished all that I did any other way. We'll see what the next little while brings.

Life is an adventure...

...and it's been a bit more adventurous than usual of late. PTBW has taken an unexpected turn. Where I'm headed, now, I do not know. I am taking it one day at a time. Everything, ultimately, is in God's capable Hands. I'm endeavoring to trust Him. In truth, I should have known this was coming.

My Christmas Gifts to myself, this coming year:
1. Physical Health
~more fresh foods
~fewer frozen dinners
~walk/move 30 minutes 5x a week
2. Writing
~finish the self-help book
~publish
~finish two novels (this isn't as spectacular as it sounds, since I have a completed manuscript that needs editing and a dozen other stories in varying stages of completeness)
3. God's Plan
~endeavor to trust and follow Him
4. Forgive myself
5. End negative tapes
~replace with counting my blessings
6. Continue Just-Because-It's Tuesday Presents
7. Use food storage.

So far, so good. I knew I was setting myself up for a bumpy ride with #3, but it's a non-negotiable. The only way to affect positive change is to allow God in, as all good things come from God.

Happy New Year!

Time to review the past year, reflecting on what was accomplished, and consider my plans for the coming year. Then, remind myself that God plans are always better than mine, and turn my life over to Him.