I’ve been reading Jenny Hansen’s blog, More Cowbell, and I’ve been considering joining the #Row80 participants (even though I really don’t know who any of them are 
). #Row80 is a writing challenge to help you maintain a specific set of public goals, checking in with the rest of the participants at a specific time.
To me, it sounds as though it’s a way of providing myself with some accountability. I mean, they’ll expect progress, right? And, right now, I feel like I need any type of accountability to someone other than myself.
So, voila! I’m joining #Row80 for the round starting January 3rd through March 24th.
Here are my set goals:
1. To finish the pre-planning of DISCONTINUITY this week. I want to develop the two main characters (at least) and then the basic plot line with a few “candy bar” scenes that I’m really looking forward to writing. I would like to finish this by next Saturday, so look for my check-in post next Sunday to say I’ve finished it.
2. Once that basic pre-planning is finished: to write 500 words a day, at least, of fiction towards completing either DISCONTINUITY or WHEN EVIL KNOCKS. I have to figure out which one I’m going to write first. Probably DISCONTINUITY since it’s the one closest to my heart.
3. Do my list of core-strengthening exercises to work on, yep, strengthening my core. There’s no reason I can’t do these AND write, at least, 500 words a day.
4. Walk around my neighborhood for 30 minutes a day, not including taking my daughter to school and back. I’ll also admit, if it’s really fricking cold out there, I may bundle up and go out to see if I like it and if I don’t, I may just figure out something else to do on those days.
Ok, and here I go. Tomorrow evening, I check in with a friend. I also need to write two emails to another.
So… here goes! 
{ 29 comments }
Great goals! And setting a 500 word per day goal is a great goal to set. That’s what I did, figuring if I could sit and concentrate long enough to get that many down, I could probably keep going. And I did. I’m sure you will, too. Good luck with the characters and plot! And the exercise.
(nods) I figured 500 words a day would be a great step forward from… um, only a few here and there?
Welcome to ROW80, I hope that it offers you the gentle push to get yourself on track. I’m really loving it! There’s no dragon breathing down you neck, neither is there some shame counter telling you that you suck because you’re not waaaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of the rest of the world. But, as you say, it gives you accountability. Particularly when you are adhering to the simple rules of posting updates.
It sounds like you have goals that you can reach even with having a life, so I wish you all the luck and I will see you at the next check in no doubt. XD
Happy writing (and walking)!
Yeah, I’ve needed the accountability. And the camaraderie
Thank you!
Welcome to #ROW80! by the time this round is over, you will be surrounded by many new writing friends, all cheering you on and reminding you “Naturally you will fulfill your goals! We know you will!” or “Don’t be hard on yourself… KEEP writing!”
I look forward to reading your posts and getting to know you better!
Julie Jordan Scott recently posted.. #ROW80 Sunday Check In #1 ~ Including an oldie but goodie "Odd to the Morning Page Police
Thank you!
Welcome to ROW80 – I’m sure you will love it, the accountability and support is great, but remember the key with ROW is it recognises you have a life and goals are flexible – in other words we don’t have to be too hard on ourselves for little slips, they are a learning curve too
Nice goals – Good luck!
Sharon
Sharon Howard recently posted.. ROW80 2012 – Versatile Blogger Award
Thank you! So far, the support is fantastic
OK, I must have missed something in the description of ROW80, because everyone else is listing goals above and beyond writing! Must go back and read the fine print now! (I think it’s a great idea, BTW)
Good luck with the next week of progress toward your goals!
Best,
Edward
http://read-write-listen.blogspot.com
Happily Ever After: http://amzn.to/uIjoa1
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Edward H. Carpenter recently posted.. A Round of Words Check-In, 1-8
Hee hee! There’s no reason we can’t list goals other than writing, is there?
And exercise should actually help my writing so in a way, it’s still all about writing 
Thanks for stopping by!
Congrats on joining ROW80! This is my fifth round and I don’t know what I would have done without this amazing group. And don’t worry, you’ll get to know everyone soon enough! I’ve met some of the best people who have become more than just ROW80 friends…
Your goals are great and don’t forget, even if you don’t always complete your goals, its OKAY! We do it all the time. You just aim for the next week
Or you can always readjust your goals.
Welcome!!
Sometimes I think it’s all about learning what your goals should be, meaning what you’re able to accomplish first and then you can push yourself, little by little
Thank you! 
‘Welcome to the ROW80 fold. Very few of us bite
The other great thing about ROW is that you can change your goals whenever you need to. Toiughen up on yourself one week or loosen the reins the next. It isn’t the goal itself that is important but the good practices that it instills.
Good luck!
Alex Laybourne recently posted.. ROW80: A Week’s End 07.01.2012
Haven’t met a biter yet
Like I mentioned in my reply to Claudia, it’s all about discovering what your goals ought to be 
Thank you!
Welcome to the Row80 challenge! Yes, it’s about accountability, but it’s also an amazing place to find support for your writing and life in general. Good luck on your goals!
Stacy Green recently posted.. Row80 Check In 1-8-12: Recharged!
Thank you! I’m always up for finding new friends
You soon will – know us all – we’re a friendly bunch of nutters – have to be a little crazy yes? to be writing.
All the best for this coming week
alberta ross recently posted.. Pleased with the 1st week: ROW80
Crazy? I think we all go a little mad sometimes…
Thank you for stopping by! 
Kari, great goals. I’m new to ROW80 too. So I hope we get to know eachother between here and Bob Mayer’s class. Let me know if you need anything. Let’s try to sit my eachother in class okay?
Again awesome start!
That’s simply awesome! We can do this. I think Bob’s class is going to be fantastic
I’m hoping to take Kristen’s Social Media class too. 
Thanks and I’ll save a seat for you!
Welcome to the challenge. This is my third round, though I dropped off for most of the last one. Doing better again, so we’ll see how it goes. Nice list of goals. And yes, better late than never. I just posted my goals today, too.
Glad to hear you’re doing better
Thanks! 
Welcome to Row 80! Great list of goals, and I’m sure you will be successful with all of them!
Thank you!!
Great goals, Kari! I look forward to hearing about your progress!
On days that might be too cold for walking outside, maybe see if the local middle/high school or college has an indoor track that allows people to walk on it during hours of operation. Just a thought…
Not a bad idea, Leah! I think we’re going to look into an elliptical machine sometime in the next few weeks… You might cross your fingers for me
Welcome to Row80! You have a great set of goals to work toward. Happy Writing!
Robin McCormack recently posted.. Sunday Salon: Pinch points and throughlines and subplots, Oh My!
Thank you!
These are great goals. Manageable and realistic! Have a great week!