ellenmillion

July in review...and August goals

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 18:52:50 GMT

July was a mixed bag, as most of them are.

I wrote just a little over 25,000 words, spread out over seven short stories (mostly Shifting Sands and one for Green Valley) and four novels. Most of that was on Gryphon of Glass, but I also finished adding scenes to The Dragon Prince's Librarian, started The Dragon Prince's Bride, and Shifting Sands Academy (possibly to be The Bear in the Library...and then the Dragon in the Science Lab and the Gryphon in the Gym, etc).

It wasn't my 30k goal, but it was a lot of words, and a lot of things FINISHED. I finished my personal round of revisions on DPL. I also revised the entire Tropical Tails collection, and the Christmas collection for Shifting Sands. I also did edits on a short lesfic for an anthology and outlined another.

I also got all of the #Junicorn artwork orders filled and paid the Food Bank $621, which delights me.

I started working on #magicalpets art cards mid-month, and have completed five (I expect the two on my desk will be finished today, bringing my total to 7)! I'm not making this a specific challenge like #junicorn - if I do 30, that's awesome, but I probably won't. I'll close off commissions at the end of the month, or sooner if I get swamped. You are welcome to send me photos of a pet you'd like to see with wings or magical trappings, no obligation to buy the finished product, but you get first dibs. Requests and prompts welcome.

This is, obviously, one of my August goals, to do more Magical Pets.

Also: 20k in various words. I have the first two readers' notes for DPL, and I suspect a chunk of this will be two or three new scenes in this book. The rest will be in Gryphon of Glass, which I hope to finish/revise in September and release in October. If I have spare energy or need a break, I want to finish the first chapter of The Dragon Prince's Bride, and write a short Royal Dragons prequel story as a reader magnet.

And...that's it? I may release a book this month, or they may go out in September. It depends on how smoothly edits on DPL and Tropical Tails go, and what the rest of the Zoe schedule is, and what airplanes fall out of the sky on the house...oh, and how the start of school goes, too.

We're signed up for distance learning, and I have no real idea what that's going to look like, like 90% of the parenting world right now. I am doing my best to be zen about this!

I guess that's it! Do you have big plans for August? Any accomplishments from July you'd like to share?

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Looking at 2019...

Fri, 27 Dec 2019 18:47:00 GMT

2019 was a helluva creative year.

I wrote and published six novels and a collection of short stories. I was included in two anthologies. I hit the top 50 in all Amazon Kindle books with one of my books. (And a second one was CLOSE at 51.)

The coloring book I was commissioned to do featuring Native Alaskan animal name translations was finished and released and I feel like it's one of the best things I've ever done with my artwork.

I finished the hunky shifters coloring book. It only released as a digital download on Etsy and is no longer available, but it was still a thing!

I did 30 #junicorn cards, mostly in June. Some of them weren't quiiiite finished.

I painted probably 50 ornaments. Maybe fewer, but I bet it's close.

It was a helluva year in other ways, too.

I had LASIK surgery on my eyes and went from utterly helpless without glasses to able to drive without glasses, and it has completely changed my life. My daughter turned seven and started reading chapter books to herself and got a green belt in karate and learned to play piano. I got stung by wasps and traveled so much that the airline gave me MVP status.

I decided to close Portrait Adoption and EMG-Zine, which is a tremendous weight off my shoulders. I loved those projects, but at some point, they just aren’t worth keeping up. I ran twelve Sketch Fests.

There were successes, and there were failures, and there was so much learning, and so much love. I did things I never thought I could and said goodbye to things I once thought would be my future.

I can’t wait to see what 2020 brings.

(And yes, I realize I probably should have waited until next year for the eye surgery for maximum pun possibility. Alas.)

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February took me three tries to spell...

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 22:57:05 GMT

So, that was a month!

Let's see:

I published two books: Tropical Leopard's Longing and DandeLION Season.
I also deleted massive amounts of DandeLION Season and wrote about 9,000 new words before publication.
I did edits and formatting for both books.
I wrote approximately 10,000 on Tropical Lion's Legacy
I did NINE pieces of artwork for the NDA project that will not die. (SOON IT WILL BE REVEALED!)
I hosted a birthday party for a seven-year-old-to-be. And survived.
I finished another hunky shifter coloring page (Bastian, not yet posted)
I did sketches for Sketch Fest and Muse Fusion, and a few random other sketches. I am rusty.
I started outlining Fatemaker stuff.
I pretty much knocked my goals out of the park.

For March:

Finish Tropical Lion's Legacy. It's at 20k, so probably another 20k of writing. I'm aiming at 1000 a day and we'll see where we get.

Release Bastian's page on Etsy. Or maybe a 10 page collection, now that I have enough!

FINALLY gush about the NDA project.

Outline Bearly Tolerable so I'm ready to hit it hard in April.

Do some art

Outline first Fatemaker book and create character sheets.

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Looking over August's list...

Sat, 01 Sep 2018 19:42:01 GMT

I was fairly lax with my August goals, because I've been face-down in burnout and barely smart enough to recognize that I needed a little time off. I also traveled for a week to see my folks (GREAT visit), and school started for Guppy.

And I did okay with those goals! Girl Nest Door only didn't come out this month because of technical difficulties out of my control, and anyway, it's scheduled for this weekend so I'm counting it as a checkmark for August.

X Release Girl Nest Door - queued for Sept 2 release
X Release Shifting Sands Box Set 2
X 1 Torn World short story
X 1 shifter coloring page (finished and scanned, but not yet released)
o Finish NDA art stuff (caribou and 2 translation pages) - caribou is about 3/4 done
o 15000 words on Dandelion Spring - 12k
o 1 print volume of something
X Get Scarlet and the Christmas Kittens in for revisions
X Get #junicorn out

I'm wibbling about the print volume. I'm thinking maybe Rails, but it would be pretty much for vanity only - I wouldn't expect to make a lot on them. Maybe that's a good enough reason? I don't think I'll do anything fancy or include illustrations.

Goals for September to follow. It will include finishing Dandelion Spring. And the NDA art stuff. And some legwork for the 25th anniversary of EMG in October. Look for more on that topic soon!

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It's July! And has been for a while!

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 23:03:17 GMT

So, I've spent all of July without a laptop, until just yesterday, when I got a shiny new installation of Windows and my precious, precious machine back with all its data. I've been reinstalling ALL THE THINGS. (And I keep adding more to my list of things I regularly use. Good grief.)

Not having a laptop has made for an insanely productive writing schedule, though. Using my iPad, I was able to write 22,000 words in the first ten days of the month. I finished Fire Control, wrote 10,000 words on a short story called Better Half in three days, got Scarlet and the Christmas Kittens nearly finished, and even added a dribble to Girl Nest Door, which I think I finally unblocked on and hope to finish next week.

I'm getting a late start on the month, but here are my goals.

o 10 portraits. (I had originally hoped for 15, but... things.) 1/10
o Finish GND
o Logo revisions (ASAP)
o Shifting Sands Box set 2
o 1 print book for proofs
o Finish Scarlet and the Christmas Kittens (it's really close!)
o fulfill #junicorn - and drum up more sales if possible
o Sketch Fest #100
o Patreon rewards (asap)
o TNMT edits (Deadline: July 25)
o Finish 1 shifter coloring page
o 1 thing for Torn World (not picky what it is)

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June's List (now that it's almost July...)

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 19:45:21 GMT

X Finish EB short story and submit by June 15 - done and submitted! I don't hate it.
X 15k on Girl Nest Door - 15740/15000
X Patreon rewards before 10th - well, the 14th is close.
o Junicorn - 24/30
o Finish Caribou page, scan Wolverine, 2 Translation pages - 1 scanned, 1 sketched, waiting on approvals
o Finish 2 shifter coloring pages - 1/2
o One Torn World ebook
o 5k on Torn World novel
o Shifting Sands box set 2
o Print versions of Shifting Sands 1-3
o LD logo adjustments - well underway
o Finish and implement EMG email funnel - outlined and about 1/3 drafted.
o Warranties: printer, Gortex, pants - printer done, pants going out in today's mail.
x Estimated taxes
o Improve mobile browsing of 1 site

6 days left - CAN SHE DO IT?

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My list for the week.

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 18:28:36 GMT

I have Things To Do! I have broken my insurmountable feeling pile of things to do into bits and pieces to make them more palatable. This is my list for today only:

Finish tax paperwork thingy
Pack up coloring book order
~~Remove coloring book ordering from Amazon~~
~~Update new coloring book listings at EMG with colored pages~~
500 words on Christmas Stag
Back covers layout for Splendrix and GG3
Wording for Kickstarter

Wed

Massage
Mail coloring book order
Mail tax paperwork thingy
Remove coloring book ordering from EMG site
500 words on Christmas Stag
Inside front page layout for Splendrix and GG3
Graphics for Kickstarter
Order priority boxes and mailers

Thurs

Kick off Kickstarter launch party: reveal GG3 cover, 2 games with prizes
Coloring book counts
500 words
Inside back page layouts for Splendrix and GG3
One ad for TPP
CB announcement to VIP group

Fri

Launch party: reveal Splendrix cover, 2 games with prizes
Files to printer for proofs
Finishing touches to Kickstarter
500 words
One ad for TPP
Preview pages for both CBs

Sat

Launch party: share preview pages for GG3, 1 game
500 words
Any last minute Kickstarter things

Sun

Launch party: share preview pages for Splendrix, 1 game
500 words
Gaming
Upload book to Amazon, do not refresh the page 7 billion times to see if it's up.

Mon

Press go.
Cross fingers.

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List of Dooooooom

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 19:31:02 GMT

I have so much to do this week, I have to write it down:

*Sketch Fest payments
*Muse Fusion: https://www.tornworld.net/musefusion.php (I'll be doing a prompt fill for everyone!)
*TROPICAL PANTHER'S PENANCE edits
*Cover art for Splendrix
*Finish outlining DANCING BEARFOOT sequel
*Start Guilds flowchart
*Write-in Tues morning
*Contact TCC
*Scan 3 pieces for SCB
*Select work for Splendrix
*Tax paperwork
*Mail Sketch Fest sketch
*Mail coloring book orders
*Catch up on wholesale royalty input
*Tally existing CB stock for Kickstarter purposes
*Laundry

And probably more that I'm forgetting...

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Weekend Recap

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 21:22:18 GMT

I did taxes! (waves a little flag)

We also did home improvements, finally installing a handtowel rack in the bathroom because up until now people have to bring their drippy hands into the kitchen to dry them off, which is... seriously not a good hostess move. We also replaced the crooked toilet paper holder, installed a door hook, and fixed the door so it actually closes without wrestling it into place.

Aaaaand, I launched a new not-a-book. The usual rules apply - if you'd like to read it, swear to secrecy and I'll PM you information.

This week I plan to:

Write 500 words/day (1251 today so far)
Edit the next not-a-book
Draw 4 coloring book pages for a client
Promotion for new not-a-book
Obsessively refresh stats for not-a-book
Party planning

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Mon, 25 Sep 2017 19:24:28 GMT

Today's art:

Today's list:

~~Livestream~~
~~Laundry~~
~~Catbox/~~Vacuum~~/Dishes~~
~~Pack and mail up big order~~
~~Mail Patreon rewards~~
Muffins
Print behavior chart
~~Call hospital giftshop~~
~~Pay bills (Norway's final rites bill came today. OW. In so many ways.)~~
~~Write 500 words. 411~~ 600
~~Amazon removal order~~
~~Artist payments/accounts~~
~~Bellydance~~

It was a good weekend, we got some pre-winter things done, and played outside while we could. My next not-a-book is crawling forward, and crossed over 10k words. I want to finish it by the end of October, so I can do the NEXT book (which I am SUPER enthused about) as a NaNoWriMo. I REALLY wanted to get three books written this year. (My last one is still doing okay, too - not actually as well as the last one, but the other two books in the series are doing AMAZING, so my bottom line is really good.)

Guppy alternates between little terror and little angel, still loves Kindergarten, and got all her art supplies put downstairs because she keeps drawing on things she knows she shouldn't. (WHY?!)

Now, a snack and down to words.

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New toy, list for the day, amazing art offer

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 18:32:14 GMT

I have a new toy! I mean tool. I have a new tool!

Yesterday, I took it out on the town with me and I managed to go to the gym*, write 1200 words on my not-a-book, colorize a portrait, answer emails, go shopping*, and cook a roast.*

(*These items may or may not have been facilitated by the new ~~toy~~ tool.)

I flamed out badly on digital painting once before, but this is a whole new level of comfort and portability (my biggest prior complaint was that the separate tablet took a lot of setup and a big work surface, plus I was tethered to my computer...).

I am on a mission! I want to make my Apple Pencil viable, and I need some practice with it. I also want to whittle down my Portrait Adoption gallery a bit. SO! I am offering the DEAL OF A LIFETIME. I will color anything in my gallery - at NO EXTRA COST. That means, you could get a portrait colored to be your character for as little as $5. I'll even make minor tweaks at that time. (Very minor!) Use the site to 'request customization.'

$0 / $99.00 0% done!

In other news, we had a windy night, and now it looks like impending winter. Eep.

I will leave you with a list.

~Add a Torn World character
~~~Answer 10 emails~~
~Post something at Torn World
~~~Pizza dough.~~
~~~vacuum~~
~~~Clean off livingroom table~~
~~~2 loads of water - 1 down~~
~~~cook sausage~~
~500 words - 400.
~Finish Patreon physical rewards (oh man, they are awesome! And there's still barely time to get them!)
~Coloring book bulk order

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Keeping on with the lists...

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 18:45:21 GMT

We're getting a real fall! It's been relatively warm, and I'm so delighted that the leaves are staying on the trees. It feels like the last few years we got windstorms early in the autumn and went directly from just-changing to ugly-bare.

Today:

~Write 500 words
~Work on color logo for client
~Print rest of the Patreon physical reward
~~~catbox/dishes/vacuum~~
~~~Get email to 100.~~ OMG I DID IT!
~Coloristas catchup
~~~Get Sketch Fest set up~~
~Mail art order <3
~Artwork for Patreon patron
~1 Torn World Character added to database
~~~Post last Torn World article in series~~
~Art afternoon
~Second delivery to Woven Sylver
~Post office

My reward for finishing will be painting mini-totes for Sketch Fest and Gotham.

This week:

~~~Return library books~~
~~~Get email down to 100. (at 120!!)~~
~Start poking on potential project - poking initiated!
~Post rest of the articles at Torn World (3/4 posted)
~Finish color logo for client
~Finish anthology illustration
~~~Finish anthology revisions~~
~Write a total of 2500 words. (at 2252)
~Mail physical Patreon rewards.
~Finish and deliver Patreon reward story.
~Catch up on Coloristas
~Clean downstairs desk
~Update Woven Sylver!

I'm off to eat bonbons now and file my nails...

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More lists! Sketch Fest is tomorrow!

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 20:50:30 GMT

It's been a productive, busy week so far, and I'm loving it. It feels good to be (mostly) back up to speed.

MORE LISTS!

Today:

~~~Write 500 words~~
~Work on color logo for client
~Try another sketch for anthology
~Print part of the Patreon physical reward
~~~catbox/dishes/vacuum~~
~~~25 emails cleaned up.~~
~~~drop off work at Connie's~~
~Coloristas catchup
~~~Apple crisp~~

My reward for finishing will be painting mini-totes! I am out of Agents of Shield. :(

This week:

~~~Return library books~~
~Get email down to 100. (at 120!!)
~Start poking on potential project - poking initiated!
~Post rest of the articles at Torn World (3/4 posted)
~Finish color logo for client
~Finish anthology illustration
~~~Finish anthology revisions~~
~Write a total of 2500 words. (at 2252)
~Mail physical Patreon rewards.
~Finish and deliver Patreon reward story.
~Catch up on Coloristas
~Clean downstairs desk
~Update Woven Sylver!

All for now!

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More listses

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 17:48:43 GMT

Yesterday's list helped me focus greatly. So today gets one, too!

Today:

~~~Write 500 words~~
~~~Work on color logo for client~~
~Try another sketch for anthology
~~~Print part of the Patreon physical reward~~
~~~catbox/dishes/vacuum~~
~~~grocery shopping~~
~~~farm pickup~~
~~~75 emails cleaned up.~~
~~~Colorista files~~

My reward for finishing will be painting mini-totes and watching Agents of Shield. Woo!

This week:

~~~Return library books~~
~Get email down to 100. (at 145!!)
~Start poking on potential project - poking initiated!
~Post rest of the articles at Torn World (3/4 posted)
~Finish color logo for client
~Finish anthology illustration
~~~Finish anthology revisions~~
~Write a total of 2500 words. (at 2252)
~Mail physical Patreon rewards.
~Finish and deliver Patreon reward story.
~Catch up on Coloristas
~Clean downstairs desk
~Update Woven Sylver!

All for now!

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List for today...

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 18:28:50 GMT

I feel so behind! The last six weeks or so have felt like one setback after another, and lots of little things have gotten shoved aside. Time for a list!

Today I'd like to:

~~~Write 500 words. (1000 would be better)~~
~~~Get through 100 emails. (My inbox was up over 700 this weekend. I beat it back to 560.)~~
~~~Post next article at Torn World~~
~~~Shopping~~
~~~Catbox/dishes/vacuum~~
~~~Work on color logo for client~~
~~~Sketch for possible anthology illustration~~
~~~Next Patreon reward out (Sketch Tarot)~~
~~~Fold laundry (2 loads)~~
~~~Bellydance~~

This week:

~Get email down to 100.
~Start poking on potential project
~Post rest of the articles at Torn World
~Finish color logo for client
~Finish anthology illustration
~Write a total of 2500 words.
~Mail physical Patreon rewards.
~Finish and deliver Patreon reward story.

Guppy and I went cranberry picking on Saturday, and took a long walk in the autumn woods on Sunday. My purpose on the walk was to get her some exercise, and it wasn't very far before it hit me that this was my first time walking these paths without Norway, which was very hard. Guppy was effervescent and energetic, which really took the edge off, and the forest is gorgeous, going all gold and rust. In all, it was a lovely walk.

Nose to the grindstone now.

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Kindergerms!!

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 19:17:49 GMT

I hab a code. My on-and-off-again sore throat (which started this weekend) has gone away, to be replaced by a full head-stuffing snotfest, helpfully accompanied by a cough and a whole body nope.

My goals today are very minor: get Patreon digital rewards out for September. Finish a cover commission. (Just need to get the high-res images and do some minor cleanup.) Mail an order. Breathe.

This has been my fun project lately:

More later!

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