Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I didn't make much progress on my revisions of Garrett's story. I found a major plot issue that is going to require major rewriting. I'm torn between leaving it for now and doing the other edits first or doing the edits until I get to the area that will need the complete rewrite then going on to finish the rest of the edits. I'm worried if I do the other things first, then the major rewrite, that the rewrite might cause other things to have to be changed or rewritten as well. I'll have to think about it for a bit, but honestly, it makes more sense to do the big rewrite first then fix/edit anything that comes after that.

Motivational Quote:  "Even if we are busy, we have time for what matters. And when we focus on what matters, we can build the lives we want in the time we've got." ~ Laura Vanderkam (American speaker)

What I'm Reading:  I started reading The Summer that Changed Everything by Brenda Novak on Friday. It wasn't a book I had on my To Be Read list, but I saw it at the library and the cover caught my eye so I added it to the small stack of books I was already going to borrow.  

Random Things:  I came across the motivational quote above in mid-December. It almost seemed as though the Universe was trying to tell me something as I had been complaining to a friend how I never seem to have time to do everything I want to do or need to do without feeling like I'm always falling behind in something. As I mentioned in last week's post, I'm trying to be more intentional in how I spend my time. It's too early to tell if the changes I've made are working as it's only been about 2 weeks, but I am feeling less stressed. 

Random Photo:

I didn't get a chance to post photos of the coffee cup I bought to use in the month of December so I thought I'd post it this week before I put it in the back of the cupboard until next December.

 

Monday Check In

 Welcome to my first Monday Check In of 2026. 

Last week...

Writing Related:  I spent the last week reading through the draft of Garrett's story and making a lot of notes. Leaving it alone for about a month really helped me see what needs fixing. There are some plot holes that need filling, some areas that need fleshing out in terms of description and emotion, a sub-plot that kind of meandered off into nothing, and of course way too many uses of the word "just." It seems to be one of my favorite words to use in my writing. I'm not sure how much time I'll get to work on revisions this week as both my mom and I have doctor appointments, I have a four hour class, and we'll be having family visiting on Thursday that may take up most of the day. 

Motivational Quote:  "We have to believe that we are never too old, never too jaded, and never too broken to take our first steps toward change. We wake up every single day with the ability to start fresh - it is never too late to take advantage of that." ~ Bianca Sparacino (Canadian writer)

What I'm Reading:  I started reading Beyond What is Given by Rebecca Yarros yesterday afternoon. It's the third book in her Flight & Glory series. 

Random Things:  I really want to make good use of my time this year so I'm trying a new to me way of scheduling my day. I'm hoping it'll help keep me on track not only with my writing career goals, but with some projects around the house I'd like to have checked off by June. I'm going to follow the new process for the 1st quarter of the year and see how it goes. It'll be hard to see if the process is working this month as my family has a lot going in January. No slow start to the new year for us but things will slow down drastically in February and March which I'm pretty happy about. Those are the worst of the winter months where I live so I'm fine with not having a million things to do outside the house during that time. 

Random Photo

One of my sisters gave me this coffee cup as a gift. I think applies to reading and when I'm writing and have to stop for one reason or another while the words are flowing. 
 

 

Monday Check In (Sort Of)

Happy New Year!

I'm doing a short post this week as I didn't get anything writing related done last week. I spent most of last week celebrating Christmas with various family members and their families. I have five siblings and twenty-three nieces and nephews so it's impossible to see everyone on Christmas day or even the few days afterward.  

Now that the multiple Christmas celebrations are over, I'll be getting back to my usual routines which will include writing and editing/revising so next Monday's check in post will be back to normal. 

I hope you have a good week

Katherine  

 

Happy New Year

 

I'm a few days early but I'm eagerly looking forward to the new year. I hope you and your families have a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2026. 

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah

                                                    Merry Christmas

                                                              and

                                                     Happy Hanukkah

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Nothing writing related last week since I finished the first draft of Garrett's story at the end of November. I'm letting it rest so to speak and will start the editing and revision process in January.

Motivational Quote:  "Fear has a very concrete power of keeping us from doing and saying the things thar are our purpose." ~ Luvvie Ajayi

What I'm Reading:  I'll finish reading He Falls First by Jill Shalvis this evening. This is the first book in her new Colburn Brothers series. 

Random Things:  I still have packages for gifts I ordered online that haven't been delivered yet, but all of the gift shopping is done except to pick up a couple of gift cards which I'm doing this morning. I'm hoping to start wrapping the things that have been delivered sometime this week. I have about 40 gifts that will need to be wrapped plus I help my mom wrap her gifts as well so getting an early start is crucial to ensure everything is wrapped or gift bagged by December 21st when we'll celebrate Christmas with two of my nephews and their families. 

Random Photo:

Mrs. Green also thinks it's the most wonderful time of the year since boxes are arriving almost daily for her to take over sometimes before I can even get the items that were delivered out of the boxes.