Too long out of it

[innerslytherin]

In a lot of ways I feel like I've been in a several-months-long slump in productivity, life-wise. I've been managing to pay my bills mostly on time, but aside from that, very little has happened as far as accomplishing my personal life goals since NaNoWriMo in November.

Last week I started attacking the Room of Doom (the spare upstairs bedroom, aka our junk room) and have accomplished a LOT in terms of cleaning, sorting out books to sell, throwing away old papers and toys, filing financial information and book research, and pulling out clothes to donate.

Today I actually logged in to the USAJobs website and began updating my resume for the first time in a year and a half. My federal tax refund allowed me to start catching up on my student loan, which means I can start the FBI application process without feeling ashamed of myself (because one of the automatic disqualifiers is if you have defaulted on a Federally-insured loan, and while I wasn't in default, I was behind).

I also told astraea36 that I would have a brand new draft of Shaper, the first in my series of original urban fantasy novels, for her to read by the time we meet in Vegas this April. Y'all will note that April is not too far away. I've let her think I'm working away at that, when the truth is that I've only done a little bit of the work needed. At megburden's endorsement, I'm using Holly Lisle's One Pass Revision method, and I've completed Part One, which led me to discover a new subtheme to the novel that I'd barely hinted at, as well as made me realize I want to elaborate on the other subthemes a little. This weekend I am going to buckle down and get through at least the novel's Part One of the manuscript slog. No matter what.

Are there other things I want to accomplish? Well, I need to start brushing up on my Spanish. And I've really fallen off in submitting stories to magazines. Once I finish the novel revision, I need to start looking into representation for it. And the Room of Doom isn't clean yet. Not to mention while I was getting my foot worked on, I fell out of the Couch-to-5k program and will need to start that again in order to be able to pass the FBI's physical requirements.

All in all, I've got a ways to go. But at least I'm starting to recover the will to actually do it.

Comments

[slightlyjillian.livejournal.com]

Shaper = yes, this!!! :D

*cheers*

[innerslytherin]

Yes, I'm moving slowly through the manuscript slow now. It's painful and bloody, but I'm pleased so far.

I think we need a State of the Jillian report! How many manuscripts submitted where and when!?

[heyurs.livejournal.com]

It's been one hell of a slump period for many of us, lately, hon. I was ready to shed the doom and gloom of my funk a few weeks ago and decided to work on it. Hard. I also started thinking about my accomplishments. To be honest I haven't done much by way of me. The most of my life is centered around the boy and making sure he is decent and not a menace to society, that I stay in a constant state of, "Did I do?...When is that?...Did he remember his?...What permission slip?...WHEN?!...*heavy sigh* I'm hoping that my success can be measured on how well I raise my son. I haven't taken time to stop and think about me. :/
I am going to send you as much encouragement and strength with your accomplishments to do that I can. You're still young enough and have a good attitude. Attitude is one of the most important things. *hugs you* I guess I was just missing you and wanted to come by and let you know you are in my heart and that I am sending you love with this. I think you ROCK! with all of your talent. ;)

[innerslytherin]

*snuggles* Well, being a mom is definitely a full-time job, and I know that you are totally dedicated to that. I completely admire that about you, and I love how much you love your son and encourage him. :)

[heyurs.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Lovey. I appreciate you feeling the way you do. ♥

[faithharkness.livejournal.com]

I have something to help with the funk--just acquired The Godfather on audio book with Joe reading. PM your address to me if you want it (or just PM me and I can PM you my e-mail for your address).

[innerslytherin]

Gah, I am so remiss in answering comments! How did this happen?

Seriously, you want to share Joe with me? Mmmmm. Email is steph.cain @ gmail.com

[faithharkness.livejournal.com]

Hee! E-mail headed your way titled "Sharing Joe". And that kind of hotness must be shared.

[cindale.livejournal.com]

That one pass revision thing seems like a great tool!! How did it work out for you?

Yes, I'm stalking you a little because I haven't been around for months and wondered what you were up to. How've you been?

[innerslytherin]

OMG IT'S CINDY!!!!!

It's working out great when I can work up the nerve to sit down and do it. I actually enjoy it, and yet I procrastinate like crazy. So I'm only about 1/3 of the way through the novel... I need to get on that!

So what's going on with you these days? Are you buried under snow right now?

[cindale.livejournal.com]

The snow is melting fast. It was never that cold, but it accumulated because it snowed so hard. People were calling it a blizzard, which I found amusing since I've lived in Indiana and have actually seen one.

I'm doing well. I posted yesterday to sort of update everyone and say hi. I'm thinking I'll try to start posting on LJ again, but I don't want to get back into fandom stuff. It was WAY too big of an obsession for me.