So much going on....

First and foremost, The Miley Cyrus topless scandal. I am actually okay with Hannah Montana posing with satin sheets looking over her shoulder all come hither-like. What I find more disturbing is her posing with Billy Ray like this:

Think about posing like this with your dad? It just kind of freaks me out. I know it's an artsy picture and I shouldn't look at it like that, but the only person you'd pose like this with would be a boyfriend or significant other and that just makes me go EWW!

Anyways, Today marks a big milestone for my daughter. Today was the first day she went to daycare. I have stayed at home with her for two years and it has always just been me and baby girl. I have gotten more involved in my writing and have started to need some mommy time to write which I absolutely don't get with a 2 year-old in the mornings so Brian and I discussed it and have put her in daycare in the mornings so that I can get stuff done. I think it is harder on me then it is on her. She walked right in this morning to go play with the boys and watch Dora without a second glance at me while I went out to my care a broke down. It's the beginning of the end. She no longer needs me. I want her to be independent, but darn it, I want to be needed. It's a catch-22!

However, I am so freaking excited to be able to have these morning hours to myself. I feel like I am actually getting something accomplished and as stated above, it's been 2 years since I feel like I've gotten anything accomplished or had time for myself. I didn't realize how much I needed it.

Writing: I'm getting a lot done. I've plotted out most of it. I keep changing it and rearranging the scenes but for the most part everything is done and I have written the first half of it. I really have to get it done before July 30 when the RWA conference starts so that I have something to show the agents and editors so that is my goal. Even if it isn't completely done, I just want to have the outline flawless and the first half complete and revisions complete.

Plot gives me a headache

Well, I am really doing this. I really want to make this work. I don't know from where or why this obsession started, but I am determined to write this novel (I am a terrible speller so don't hold it against me). I am making some really good progress in my writing. It is definitely a process and not one that I am used to. When I started to do this, I would get embarrassed when I told people what I was doing. Saying that you are writing a book is kind of like telling people you are going to be a rock star, and people look at you with that look of doubt and amusement like "Yeah right! When are you going to get a real job?" I can honestly say that I am LOVING the one that I have. I used to write just to make me feel better, and now I am doing it in the hopes that other people might get a chance to read it some day and that just gets me beyond excited. I am in the process of writing my first novel, but I had an idea the other day and I was consumed by developing it so I spent the day writing the first chapter and I was really pleased with it so it is probably something I am going to continue with once I finish what I'm working on. I can't write them both at the same time no matter how much I want to, but my husband read it last night and when he was done he looked up and said, "So where's the next chapter?" That is how I know it is a pretty good idea. I also started a journal. I have never been a good journal writer, so I am trying to work on that along with being a pretty consistent blogger. I have just always had a problem with consistency, but I needed someplace to complain and vent so my journal is the perfect place and hopeful get some new ideas from it too.

I am starting something this week so I'll keep the blog updated weekly about my progress, but I think I am going to start each week with at least 3 goals for the week related to writing hopefully to keep myself accountable and to do something that is at least related to writing. That gives me something definitive to stay connected to writing even if it is just reading author blogs or reading book reviews. I know it is Wednesday, so I'll have to try my best to complete the goals in the short week. So here they are:

1) Write at least 2000 words for the rest of the week and write them before I even check my email.

2) Read May Romance Times book reviews so I can make me a to read list. There are a lot of books that I want to read that are coming out in May. Specifically, Gena Showalter's Lord's of the Underworld series and Kresley Cole's next book in her paranormal series. I am working on a contemporary romance, but I have recently become obsessed with paranormal romances.

3) Hopefully, plot out the next Act in my novel. I've got my ideas ready I just need to tweak them.

Hope everyone has a great day!