“Modern Problems require modern solutions.” Dave Chappelle

My commute has recently doubled as I changed positions. I’ve always listened to podcasts and an occasional audio book, but I have a lot more time on my hands this past week. As I listen to podcasts or books, I gain insights into my own writing or my current project.

“Hey, Siri. Take a note.”

My wondrous iPhone takes terrible dictation, but at least it is a place to start. Using Google Docs on my phone, I can copy the notes directly into my document. 🙂 I’m finally feeling like a modern writer… although I do love my analog journal and fountain pen.

This year, I discovered that I’m very goal-oriented. I think it comes from so many years of failing at every goal.

During my college years, I’d set goals and treat them like wishes. I’d write them down and never put forth any effort which ultimately led to disappointment.

With age and work experience, I know how to better set realistic goals and break them down into smaller, achievable milestones.

With the coming new year, I do the cliched reflection and goal-setting all the other nerds are doing this time of year. My theme is 20 for 20. I’ll set twenty goals for the coming year.

Goal number one: finish and publish another novel.

For “White Hell,” I read “Silence of the Lambs” as an example of a thriller: story line, pacing, creating tension and character development.

For this novel project, I’m researching Alfred Packer and reading “Man-Eater: The Life and Legend of an American Cannibal.”

Two different novels involve researching cannibals and neither of the books deal with cannibalism. I feel dirty.

I’m transitioning between two positions within my “real job,” so sneaking in writing time has been a struggle. As I’ve spent the last few days reconnecting with the story line, typing hasn’t been a productive mode of composition. Had to return to the fountain pen and page. Seems to be working since I’m writing mostly out of order. Notes on chapter two followed by the beginning of chapter seventeen.

At least I’m feeling reconnected with the characters. So much of my writing is about the characters that they become real to me. That’s good, right?

I found Written? Kitten! so useful for my morning pages and now it has disappeared! Can’t file a police report for a missing website, right?

My husband has resorted to showing me random photos of cats as I’m writing as an alternative. Seems like Write or Die isn’t working either or they want payment.

Guess I’ve got to learn to be more disciplined and avoid distractions. Fingers crossed.

Had to pull out my favorite fountain pen and Leuchttrum journal to take advantage of the drive to the in-laws yesterday. Knew I wouldn’t have time today to work on the novel and I want to stay on track.

Sometimes just a change of writing medium is all I need to get unstuck or figure out a difficult chapter. Such as writing a scene from the perspective of a moose 800 years ago. I hope it works.

Each morning I try to knock out about a 1000 words. Some days I fly through it, some days it is a total slog and only get 500 crap words and I’ve committed multiple literary atrocities. I struggle with the keyboard. We argue and I want to cry.

Can you tell this was one of those days? I hate you keyboard and fingers that type the letters out of order. Bwahhhh!