Tuesday, July 3, 2018

IWSG: Hot July 2018

It is hot outside. This makes about a week straight with the heat index above 100. Whew. A good time to stay inside and visit a lot of blogs for this months IWSG blog hop. Hope you'll join this amazing group the first Wednesday (except Tuesday this month because of the 4th) of every month as we support each other in good times and bad. Find the entire list of participants here. And thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh, the brainchild behind this great idea.

Today's optional question:
What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?

I think most of us start in this business thinking we're going to published by one of the big publishing houses someday, go on a signing tour, and see our books in every brick and mortar store in the world. It didn't take me long to be disabused of that notion. This business is difficult. I'm happy with my romance publishing career even if I'm with a small press. I still have the goal of getting one of my fantasy novels with a big publisher. I'm not giving up that dream.

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." Steve Jobs

I have a guest post up over at The Whole Shebang Site where I talk about the science part of science fiction as it relates to my latest series, Survivors of the Apocalypse. I'm promoting the publication of the last book in that series, Exile's Savage Lady. I hope you'll stop by and leave a comment. I really want those ladies to have me back again sometime.

Speaking of promotion, I'm opening up my blog for my fellow writers to promote their work. Every Wednesday except for the first one of the month, I'll have a guest. If you're interested, please email me and I'll send you the details. sgourleyauthor at gmail.  I have dates into January of next year.

Some fun facts from The Old Farmer's Almanac;

A group of eagles is called a convocation. 

At 12:47 EDT on Thursday, Earth reaches aphelion, which is the point in its orbit farthest from the sun.  (Why is it so hot if we're far away?)

First two episodes of Salvation have been great. Somehow they keep making the stakes higher. Except for my other current favorite, The 100, TV is really barren of entertainment right now. 

Still keeping up my average of 1,000 words per day on my new WIP. Also, still keeping up with the elliptical at least four days per week. I'm trying to do two days in a row and then one day of rest. I keep cranking up the resistance. My legs feel sore but strong. I'd still rather jog, but my knees scream if I do.

Happy Fourth to my friends in the US of A. Hope you get to spend it cooking out with family and friends. Those are my plans.

Is it hot where you are or can you tell the sun is far away? Are your writing dreams still alive? Did you visit The Whole Shebang?






28 comments:

Pat Hatt said...

Yep, still hot even with the sun far away. Great you are keeping up indeed at your feed. Yeah, that notion of being some huge seller quickly fades haha TV is really barren indeed.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

It's that hot here.

Generous of you to open up your blog for guests.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Yes, I think many of us have had our goals change significantly over the years. Great that you are keeping up with your daily writing and exercising goals. Despite the heat, I'm trying to walk every day.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Good for you re the elliptical! I'm still trekking on the treadmill....

On Netflix, I really like GLOW - it's about women's wrestling in the 1980s. Love the first season, just started watching the second....

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

If only I had something to promote!
Hot doesn't even begin to describe it.

Jemi Fraser said...

I enjoy Salvation too! Waiting on Kill Joys to come back as well - love that one!

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
I like your attitude of being comfortable with where you are. I believe that's what it boils down to in writing. Some singers make it world wide, other singers only make it famous in their own region or their state where the live but if they are comfortable with where there are, they're happy.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Nick Wilford said...

We've been in a heatwave for over a week in the UK. Definitely not used to it in Scotland!

I think many of us will have a tale of starting with dreams of global stardom. There are many ways to define success though and we just have to do what feels right at each step.

Anonymous said...

The heat is crazy. The other day, my town reached 100! That's a rarity.

Crystal Collier said...

Happy 4th! See, Florida is hot, but never really into the 100's. How awesome that you're opening up your blog! I'll have to keep that in mind--for people who are looking for spots and when (not if) I ever get back into the game. =)

M.J. Fifield said...

It's amazing that you're averaging 1000 words a day on your new WIP. I'm not sure I do that in a month. Color me impressed!

Unknown said...

All good thoughts. Love what you do, and goals take care of themselves.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Happy 4th! Way to go with your 1k a day and the treadmill! That's awesome!

J E Oneil said...

I can't believe this heat. It almost makes me miss the cold. Great job with the writing and the exercise :)

Gwen Gardner said...

Well done on the word count and the elliptical! Especially when it's so hot. Happy 4th, Susan!

Loni Townsend said...

Happy 4th! It's going to be triple digits tomorrow, but today is a cool 70. I suppose that's Idaho for you. :)

Good job keeping at the exercise, and I hope you find great success with your books!

messymimi said...

It’s not the distance from the sun, it’s the tilt. Strange, isn’t it?

You are doing great keeping up with things, i hope you have a great Fourth tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

Good for you sticking with your goal of big publishing! It is beejeesus hot where I am, and tomorrow, I am getting frostbite from the AC inside. Have a great 4th of July!

betty said...

Its Phoenix and it summer, so of course it is hot, but our June was actually cooler than the last 2 Junes that we have been down here with temps in the mid 100s compared to many days over 110 the previous years. But its a dry heat, LOL :)

Good for you for keeping up your goal for writing the words you want to write. You never know if a novel might be picked up by a major publishing company, so keep dreaming :)

Happy 4th!

betty

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

You sound happy with where you are and that's the most important thing. It's great too that you haven't given up on your big dream too.

nashvillecats2 said...

Hi Susan, even here in England it's hot......too hot.
Enjoyed your post.

Yvonne.

Rachna Chhabria said...

My writing dreams are still alive, that's what keeps me going :)
Love this quote "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." Steve Jobs

Nicki Elson said...

Good job keeping up with your daily writing and elliptical goals! Staying true to those smaller goals is I'm sure what helps you achieve the bigger ones.

Happy 4th!

Juneta key said...

Great goals. Happy IWSG!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan - love the aphelion note - for us to be aware of. We haven't seen much sun up here - but was a little better - now the clouds have come back ... but we can all be creative ... even with a nap or two ... cheers Hilary

Cherie Reich said...

Good luck with your goals! I'm so glad Salvation is back. Love that show!

Liza said...

Love the Jobs quote. Heading over the The Whole Shebang now.

Chrys Fey said...

The heat is killing me.

Ha! Your description of how we all start in this business thinking is still me to this day. Those are my goals. lol I am with a small press, and I am grateful they've published my books, but they can't offer me what I want. That's something I really struggle with.

I'm looking forward to your upcoming guest post on my blog. :)