Musings of a Hopeful Author

I know I'm supposed to be writing (and I am!), but I wanted to give a quick update on my attempt to read FIFTY books this year.  As of right now, I have completed 47 books!  I am 13 books ahead of schedule and well on my way to not only meet my goal but beat it! That said, I do feel that I need to make a few stipulations.  First, 3 of those 47 were books on tape.  Unacceptable?  That's debatable, but I am going to try and read an extra three past 50 to make up for the difference so that I will have a clear conscience when it comes time to see the ultimate total.  Second, not all of these books have been classics or books that are known to improve your mind.  In fact, quite a lot of them are beach reads at the best of times, but I don't care!  I loved reading them!  I have found a new author that I really enjoy, and so I will continue to read (and reread) her books forever.  What is the purpose of being able to read if you can't rea...

In an attempt to be slightly more productive than I have in recent days/weeks/months, I have setup a type of incentive structure to help me keep my eye on the prize.  I am supposed to write at least one new chapter every week or two and send it to my friend Melanie.  She's been my main go to for feedback on my stuff in recent years, and has kindly agreed to help keep me honest in this effort.  She has a series of repercussions lined up for me in the event I get distracted and wander off the writing path again.  But more importantly (at least hopefully), is the fact that I have a deadline to shoot for and someone other than myself waiting for it.  I don't know if it's the trait of an only child or if it's based on personality or if it's just way more common than I realize, but I am loathe to do most things simply because they benefit me (sad I know).  However, if someone else is depending on me, I step up without question.  This was true regarding readi...