Monday, March 12, 2012

Motivational Trick: Partners

Getting back to writing after a break is tough. I've blogged about Restarting the Train (link) before.

If you're battling inertia, here's a great way to get moving: Find a Partner who's in the same boat and who'll hold your feet to the fire.

Accountability is such a great motivator. I joined a crit group in the SCBWI here, but also my great bleep Janet Johnson of the Hackey Sack Club (link) challenged me to write 30K in 30 days.

It's not a lot, but it's a great start. And the penalty for missing a day is posting something embarrassing on our blogs.

JRM was in New Orleans all last week, which left me plenty of time to write, but also to finish that huge revision from Agent Kate. I dug into that... and I missed not one, but TWO writing days.

Janet cracked the whip. She's right there with the shark.

Just kidding, she was going to let me off the hook, but I said No! That's the deal. The problem became what to post?

I was going to give you a shot of how long my leg hairs were by Saturday, but as I said, JRM was gone a week. I didn't think that would be a nice, wifey thing to do to him, so I shaved.

Instead, you get to see me (with help from the silly hat club) Juggle the Cat!

Not really. I saved the cat (*wink*), and instead tried to juggle three things at once. And failed.




Yep. It's been crazy-busy around here, which is why I've been somewhat M.I.A. I hope to be back around this week as I dig out.

And if you're having procrastination issues, do find a partner and make a dare. I'd love to see your video.

Have a great week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3



39 comments:

Matthew MacNish said...

Um. Wow. There are so many things I could say.

Instead, I'll only ask: what's with the helmet?

S.A. Larsenッ said...

You are too cute!

I hear you on life getting in the way. That's what I need: a CP who's not afraid to crack the whip.

Sarah said...

She needed the helmet to protect her cranium from all the flying objects!

Leigh, you are absolutely adorable. Now, get back to writing! Glad you found something that gets you going.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Funny. I'm hoping to find a critique group to keep me more motivated.

Pat Hatt said...

lol well at least the cat couldn't scratch your head or a ball hit you..haha

Stina said...

Doesn't editing count as writing????

You did a better job juggling than I would have. :D

Janet Johnson said...

NTM, you are amazing! You could join the circus or something. ;) Welcome to the Hacky Sack Club!

Our challenge has been the best thing for my writing since . . . geez, since the computer? Yup, sorry I had to crack the whip, but onward and upward! 19 more days left this month. :D

Old Kitty said...

Phew for the Cat! And hubby! LOL!

Awww is that you with your hair and hat!?!? Awwww how adorable!!

Take care
x

Adrienne said...

This is too funny! What a good incentive. I'll have to see if my crit partner is up for it...

Jennifer Shirk said...

Ha! A for effort!

Tracy Jo said...

Love it!! So fun to hear your voice! I am impressed with your juggling skills...I tried for the A to Z video and couldn't even do 2 things. Here's to a productive week!

Jessica Bell said...

LOLOL! Yes, what IS with the helmet? hehehe Very cute!

Bish Denham said...

I suppose, if you had juggled the cat and it had decided to land on your head in a hissing fit, the helmet would have protected you from claws being dug into scalp.

Too cute!

Carolyn Abiad said...

I'm glad you found an SCBWI group. They are sooo helpful to me. And maybe sometime we can meet up irl at a conference. Just wear the helmet, so I know who to look for -lol! hehehe. Couldn't help myself. ;)

Meredith said...

Haha, I love this! You're still a better juggler than I am. :) The accountability idea is awesome--I'll have to try that.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Leigh .. thank goodness it wasn't the cat as the 3rd item .. that would have been full of claws ..

Life is life isn't it - way too much going on .. so pleased you've tied in with Janet - should make life easier .. cheers Hilary

Anonymous said...

Haha!

So true, having someone to be accountable to always helps keep me on track.

Nice post!

Ella said...

You are so cute ;D Yeah, why the helmet?

DEZMOND said...

yep, what's with the helmet? Love the kitten :)

Lydia Kang said...

You may not be a good juggler, but you just got yourself some good cat karma!

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

I'm so sorry it took me SO LONG to get over here to see your hacky sack video!! I am SO PROUD OF YOU!! :) Actually, your juggling was spectacular. I am really impressed. I cannot juggle even two things.

LTM said...

@LBD--Thanks! I was surprised at how well it's helped me with keeping the ball rolling as well as getting people to let me to write. Hmm... thinking of what this means. :o) <3

Theresa Milstein said...

Your cat looks like my cat! I don't think she'd want to be juggled either.

30k in 30 days certainly sounds more doable than that 50k in 30 days thing that goes around in the fall. I think it's in the fall. What's that called again?

Think Positive, Be Positive said...

Melissa Sugar is a new follower to my blog and I discovered you were one of her winners of her blogfest...congrats! I am now a new follower of YOUR blog...;0)

Unknown said...

Crit partners are great!

I totally understand the not being around thing. I've been like that lately with a lot of writing and other commitments. But, I try to keep up with the blogs.

Lisa Gail Green said...

I really want to see you juggle a cat. I mean, saving the cat is cool, but juggling it? That'll keep me reading - er - I mean watching! :D

Anonymous said...

Can I choose truth?

Jolene Perry said...

I love either doing collabs with other people - because I always feel pushed forward, OR even just knowing that I'm writing a project at the same time as a friend.
Nothing like a little competition to get the wheels turning, lol

Melissa Sugar said...

Congratulations, Leigh. As you probably already know, you won a $50.00 gift certificate for the "Get Fired Up" blogfest. I meant to to give you a heads up yesterday before the post went up, but I lost track of time.

Cute video. I love putting a voice to a face. I really love your home,especially the fireplace and rug. When I first saw it, I thought it had to be a southern home in the historical district. I checked and you are a long way from the south. Anyway, I love the style (of your home & blog).

I have the same question as someone else. You don't count editing as writing? Well it is good you have someone to keep you on track. Accountability is my best motivator.

Alina Klein said...

That is a fantastic video and adorable helmet. I LOVE the idea of an accountabilibuddy. What a great idea!

Looking forward to our coffee date. ^_^

DL Hammons said...

Hey...I can juggle three balls! Want me to teach you how? :)

Anonymous said...

Juggling cats must be dangerous if you have to wear a helmet. Makes sense.

LTM said...

@Donna--Yay! and welcome to the silliness. That was really cool about Melissa's contest. She's a sweetie. :o)

@LGG--Flower bites. She wanted to bite me then. You can see by her swishy tail. :D <3

Hart Johnson said...

That's a great challenge! Love the video--and you have a totally respectably voice--totally a compliment. i sound like a whiny baby. But I expected your voice to be... perkier maybe. But instead you could do broadcast!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

lol, I love the helmet. And juggling is just impossible. Impossible I say! ;)

Talli Roland said...

Love the helmet. Very fetching!

I'm quite good at accountability but I do love me a good dare! And don't even talk to me about leg hair...

PK HREZO said...

lol... too cute! Glad to hear you're back in action. And that's so super cool Kate is so editorial and willing to work with you on your story. Hope it all works out well. And I'm looking forward to more silly videos... um, i mean, i'm sure there will be no more silly videos. ;)

Tracy said...

I typically do pretty well on my own but having a partner could definitley help at times...good idea. Hang in there Leigh!

LTM said...

@PK--eep! I've been a little nervous over here a few days, but see? That's the whole thing. It's like there's this *consequence* for me now if I don't do something. Even if it'll have to be fixed in revisions, it's something. And it might not need to be fixed! :o) <3