Category: Writer’s Goal

What are your goals for 2021?

On By SCLMRoseIn #amblogging, #amwriting, #Author's Life, #beinggrateful, #Inspirational, #PositiveThinking, New Year, Writer's Goal2 Comments

I am grateful 2020 is over, gone and done. The New Year comes with an opportunity to reinvent, refresh, renew, and brings us better luck. It’s up to each of us to make plans for a better YOU.

2020 was a very stressful year for the whole country. We lost loved ones, the economy started going south, unemployment shot up, and with the lockdown caused by Covid-19, the entire world went into a spin. We got isolated from our loved ones, got restrictions to enjoy life, even going to church was forbidden. I hope with the coming of the vaccine, 2021 will be a lot better.

I need life to go back to normal. I’m tired of what is going on in the country. The election, the politics, divisiveness, the riot, the life restriction are not the life I envision in America. I long to return to the old days before Covid. I want to see my friends and be able to travel again and be free again.

To cure my loneliness, I found out music is good therapy. I find myself playing music most of the time. I play Filipino Kundiman to keep me connected to the Philippines. I want to go home and visit my parents’ grave. I missed Mom’s funeral, and it saddens me to no end.

What are your goals for 2021? I call it goals because it seems that resolutions do not work anymore. Studies show that resolutions seem to be out the window by the end of January or early February.

So forget about resolution. Instead, set some goals for a better YOU. 

With some determination, you can accomplish a lot if you set your mind to it.

Did you accomplish anything about your goals in 2020? I accomplished a lot but not all.

Interestingly enough, diet or losing weight was not one of my goals. I lost a lot of weight last year without going on a diet or even thinking of losing weight. I think the fact that I had to go up and down the stairs at least 20 times a day (17 steps to the second floor) to attend to my sick husband made me lose weight. I did not follow any of those diet fads. If I do, I’m sure I will gain weight. I’m slowly getting back to my normal weight while maintaining a good eating habit.

I tried to learn a new language last year. That did not go too well because I lost motivation to do anything after my husband died. Grief took hold of me, and I could not function. I will try again this year.

One of my goals last year was to learn how to play the piano. I bought a piano a week before 2020, and I started teaching myself how to play the piano again. I play to distract myself from things I don’t want to think about. It’s for my enjoyment only and an exercise for my fingers to thwart arthritic pain.

I will continue to downsize my garden to a sustainable level. I’m planting more shrubs and vegetables and cutting down on roses which need more care. Since we don’t have a rose show anymore, I’m opting for easy-care roses.

Regarding books, I was able to spend less on books last year. This year, I’ll try to cut more on book purchases. I have enough books to read in my lifetime. Last year, I only read 12 books. I plan to read more this year.

And write more. Last year, I edited one of my manuscripts, and with the help of a friend who is reading it will try to finalize it this year. Then on to the next one. I have plenty of ideas percolating in my head, but in 2020, I felt overwhelmed after losing my husband and could not get back to the swing of things. I hope 2021 will be a better year. I need to stay focused.  

One last thing I plan to do this year is to continue organizing my home, although I can’t find stuff after I get organized. Right now, I know where things are. Every year I said it is time to organize, but life gets in my way.

One important thing I found comforting, despite the pandemic. My true friends came to my rescue when I needed it most. They called and emailed me to comfort me, and we reconnected again after so many years of disconnection. I am very grateful to all of them. After the pandemic, we plan to get together and have a blast.

For a change, I plan to do things for myself. Charity begins at home!

So that’s my plan for this year. I hope 2021 to be a wonderful year for all of us!

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!!

What are your plans for 2021? Share and comment below.

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Traveling the World through Reading

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, #BeautifulPlaces, #Books, #mustreadbooks, #PlacesToSee, #SummerReads, Blogging, Good Writing, Goodreads, Historical Fiction, Literature, World History, Writer's Goal2 Comments

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Reading takes you places. As Dr. Suess said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Where in the world will your next book take you?

When I was young, I dreamt of seeing the world. Coming from the back country of the Philippines, I was curious to know what other places look like. I did not get out of Batangas, my home province till I went to college in Manila. I always had that nagging feeling to go abroad and widen my horizon.

When I went to college, I thought of majoring in Foreign Service or Journalism so I could get out of the country. But Dad got a different idea and I ended up in Accounting. He needed an accountant in the family. But that did not thwart my dream of going abroad. I pursued my dream and in 1966. in spite of my fear of flying, I left the Philippines on my first trip abroad when I went to Hongkong and then Japan. There’s an interesting story about that trip which should be an interesting post for later. A year later, in 1967, I left for New York.

While working in the business world, I had no time to read. So fast forward to 2011 when I retired to South Carolina. I started reading in earnest. Here are a few of the books I read which took me to interesting places:

1.      Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd – United Kingdom

2.     Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett – 12th Century Feudal England

3.     A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford – England

4.    At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen – Scotland

5.     A Monk Swimming by Malachy McCourt – Ireland

6.    Helen of Sparta by Amalia Carosella – Paris and Troy

7.     The Bells by Richard Harvell – Switzerland, Austria, Italy

8.    Raised from the Ground by Jose Saramago – Portugal

9.    Winter of the World by Ken Follett – Germany, England, Russia and Washington DC.

10.  The Amber Keeper by Freda Lightfoot – England Lake District and Russia

11.  One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn – Russia Federation, Soviet Union

12. The Archimedes Codex – Constantinople, Greece, England and New York

13. The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly – England, Africa

14.Through a Glass Darkly – Karleen Koen – England, France

15. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carre – England, East Germany

16.Hawaii by James Mitchener – Hawaii, Bora-Bora

17. Day of Infamy by Walter Lord – Pearl Harbor

18.   The Good Earth by Pearl S Buck – China

19.The Fall of Japan by William Craig – Okinawa and Tokyo, Japan

20.   Rescue at Los Baños by Bruce Henderson – WWII Philippines

21. Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder – Peru

22.  The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers – Iraq

23.    The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini – Afghanistan

24.    Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande – India and New York

25.   Don’t Fall off the Mountain by Shirley Maclaine – Virginia, New York, California Africa, India and the Himalayas.

26.   Inside the Dream Palace: The Life and Times of New York’s Legendary Chelsea Hotel by Sherill Tippins – New York

27.   Brooklyn by Colm Toibin – New York and Ireland

28.   A Wilder Rose by Susan Wittig Albert – Wisconsin, Kansas and New York

29.   The March by E.L. Doctorow – Georgia to the sea and up the Carolinas (Civil War)

30.  The Only Way to Cross: The Golden Era of the Great Atlantic Liners – From the Mauretania to the France and the Queen Elizabeth 2 by John Maxtone-Graham. – Atlantic Ocean Voyage

 

There you have them – 30 of my most memorable books that I read and travelled worldwide. I hate plane rides and ocean voyages but I have travelled the world through books, experiencing new authors and cultures along the way. I will keep on reading because as Irwin Shaw said, “There are too many books I haven’t read, too many places I haven’t seen, too many memories I haven’t kept long enough.”

 

Until next time. Stop and Smell the Roses.

Rosalinda

 

 

Doing New Year’s resolutions anyone?

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #ThursdayThoughts, Author's Life, Blogging, Inspirational, New Year, Writer's Goal2 Comments

new years resolution 

Is it that time of year again when everyone is thinking of making resolutions for the new year? How did you make out in 2017? Did you accomplish what you resolved to do?

I accomplished a lot but not all.

I sometimes wonder what’s the big idea behind this resolution thing. Most resolutions are about going on a diet. By the end of January, everything seems to be out the window. I look at those diet menus at some of the weight loss programs. It’s laughable. If I eat those things, I’ll throw up and be so fat, you won’t recognize me. I eat half the food of what’s on the menus. That’s why there are so many obese people in America. Even their diet menus are too much.  

So losing weight is not one of my New Year’s resolutions.

But I don’t want to resolve anything so I’ll call mine my goals for 2018.  

Maybe I can learn a new language. That would be awesome. I’ll try Spanish since I know a few words already. Then I can talk to the landscapers in my neighborhood. They usually gave me a blank stare when I talked to them about what to do. 

I want to learn how to play the piano. But I have no room for a piano unless I get rid of one of my bookshelves. Is that a good idea? Not sure. I need a bigger house. Tell that to my husband and he’ll tell you NO. He’ll tell you I need a smaller house.

What else?

Redo the garden and stop buying more plants which is hard to do. I have too many plants but little space for them. When I was in New York, I wished some roses would die in winter so I could buy new ones.

Stop buying more books and read only whatever I have. My mother told me once to stop buying books since I could not possibly read more than I have now. I think I have about 3,000 volumes in my house. I’m running out of bookshelves.

How about my writing? I plan to edit and finish a couple of my manuscripts. There are too many things I want to write and I get overwhelmed sometimes. I need to concentrate and stay focused. I can do it. I know I can.

Be more organized which is not good because I can’t find things after I get organized. Right now, I know where things are. Every year I said it is time to organize but life gets on my way. I have cut down on my charity work which leaves me more time to organize and do things for myself for a change. I feel liberated.

Looking forward to 2018! Wishing everyone a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!! Cheers!!!

 

Stop and Smell the Roses.

Rosalinda 

 

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Veterans’ Honor Rose growing in my garden

 

 

 

 

NaNoWriMo Update – Day 10

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, #PoweredByIndie, Blogging, Inspirational, NaNoWriMo, Writer's Goal, Writing Challenge2 Comments

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It’s Day 10 on my 2017 NaNoWriMo challenge. I’m a third of the way to the finish line. So far so good.

The story is moving along at a steady pace. Since I started on Day 1, I have a faint idea of what I wanted to write. Unlike my previous books which are all historical fiction, this time, I’m doing a crime fiction. Not murder mystery but white collar crime.

I’m doing more than my daily goal of 1,667 words. My average words per day is 2,213 words. I’m very happy with that.

I finished today at 22,136 words which was 5,466 more than my goal of 16,670 as of today. Not bad at all. On Day 7, that is a week after I started, I have done 15,893 words. My first week goal was 11,669, so after a week, I was ahead by 4,227 words.

If I keep at the same pace, I will reach my goal on November 23, 2017. That might not happen because of the Thanksgiving holiday. But, I will try my best to push myself to stay on goal.

Do I keep writing all day? The answer is No.

I take a break every so often otherwise I get stiff neck staring at the computer. My back also aches if I sit on one spot too long. I have to keep moving. It’s weird because when I garden I can go on for hours without a break. I am probably one of the few gardeners who can squat for hours weeding. I don’t use the kneeler while working in the garden.

I find having breaks keep me more energized when I return to my computer.

So on to Day 11 tomorrow.

 

Until Next time. Stop and Smell the Roses.

Rosalinda R Morgan

Author & Garden Writer

 

NANOWRIMO, HERE I COME

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, #PositiveThinking, #PoweredByIndie, Blogging, Good Writing, Writer's Goal, Writing Challenge2 Comments

NaNoWriMo Logo
NaNoWriMo Logo

As a follow up to my blog of Oct. 12 when I was on the fence whether to take the NaNoWriMo challenge this year or not, I came up with my decision at the last minute, last night at midnight.

With three newsletters to write, I didn’t think I could manage to finish them before Oct. 31. With my imposed deadline, I worked diligently and focused to make it happen.

I did.

I actually work better on a tight schedule. All the time. 

I finished the Carolina Rosarian, a 16-page quarterly newsletter for the Carolina District of the American Rose Society.

I followed that with The Charleston Rose, an 8-page monthly newsletter of the Charleston Lowcountry Rose Society which includes a revision to the Charleston Lowcountry Rose Society Constitution and ByLaws. 

Yesterday, I finished Whitney Lake Gazette, a 12-page quarterly newsletter full of useful information for residents of Whitney Lake in Johns Island. I sent it out at midnight last night to all Whitney Lake residents.

I am the editor of all three newsletters, President of the Charleston Lowcountry Rose Society and Board Member of Whitney Lake Homeowners Association.

There were other things I had to do and I managed to squeeze them with my tight schedule. 

So,

I’m back on my computer, typing away towards my 5th NaNoWriMo Challenge which journey I began in 2013.

Today, I did 2090 words so I’m on my way.

Again.

 

 Until Next time. Stop and Smell the Roses.

Rosalinda R Morgan

Author & Garden Writer

 

TEN WORDS TO IMPROVE YOUR VOCABULARY THIS MONTH

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, #Books, Blogging, Word Usage, Writer's GoalLeave a comment

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English is not my native language but I am curious enough to learn a new word all the time. When I read a book and come upon a new word, I have a habit of checking it in my Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary. I have been doing this since I was in high school. It’s a great way to enlarge your vocabulary.

Do you know that studies have shown that your income and wealth are directly related to the size and depth of your vocabulary? I’m still working on this and working hard at it I must say.

Here are this month’s words, so you can impress your friends and colleagues, and maybe even fatten your wallet!

 

1.       abatis – (noun) – a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy

2.      cockade – (noun) – an ornament (as a rosette) worn on the hat as a badge

3.      comestible – (noun) – food usually used in plural.

4.      corduroyed – (verb) – to build a road of logs laid side by side transversely

5.      espiègle – (adjective) – frolicsome, roguish

6.      feint – (noun) – a mock blow or attack on or toward one part in order to distract attention from the point one really intends to attack

7.      integument – (noun) – something that covers or encloses

8.     meerschaum – (noun) – a tobacco pipe of a fine light clayey mineral that is a hydrous magnesium silicate found chiefly in Asia Minor.

9.      orgulous – (adjective) – meaning proud, haughty

10.  suppurate – (verb) – to form or discharge pus

 

Have you encountered a new word this month? Share it on the comments section.

 

Until Next time. Keep on reading.

Rosalinda R Morgan

Author & Garden Writer

Final Report on my 12-week Challenge

On By SCLMRoseIn #Author's Life, #Inspirational, #PoweredByIndie, Blogging, Good Writing, Goodreads, Motivation, NaNoWriMo, Writer's Goal, Writing ChallengeLeave a comment

Here is my 12th and final report for my twelve weeks challenge:

 

1. I made my reading goal for my 12-week challenge. I finished two books this week which means I’m also on track with my Books To Read in 2016 Challenge for Goodreads.

2. However, I did not make my marketing goal of 70 items this week. I only make 34 marketing promotions this week. But I did something important this week. I redesigned my website. I like the new design. Take a look at www.rosalindarmorgan.com and tell me what you think. My Giveaways post on Goodreads have 768 total so far, a gain of 414 entries this week alone. “To Read List” has 308 entries to date, a gain of 172 entries this week alone. The Goodreads Giveaways end tomorrow, Nov. 3 at 11:59 pm. Enter to win one of three signed copies of The Wentworth Legacy.

3. I did not make my word count challenge. I tried but I finished the challenge at 48,506 words. I’m happy I made it this far. But yesterday I decided to do the NaNoWriMo, the National November Writing Month challenge. I have done it the last three years and was able to publish two of my NaNoWriMo novels, The Iron Butterfly published in 2015 and The Wentworth Legacy published in 2016. All are available at www.amazon.com.

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

 Rosalinda Morgan, The Rose Lady

 Author of “The Wentworth Legacy”

 www.rosalindarmorgan.com

 

My 11th report for my 12-week challenge

On By SCLMRoseIn #Author's Life, #PoweredByIndie, Blogging, Good Writing, Goodreads, Motivation, Writer's Goal, Writing ChallengeLeave a comment

I’m getting near the end of the challenge. One more week to go. Here is what I did during the 11th week of the challenge:

 

  1. I finished one book this week and I’m still one book behind on my book-to-read goal. I started another book today and I have to finish reading these two books next week to end my reading goal for my 12-week challenge.
  2. I did not make my marketing goal of 70 items this week. I only make 56 total this week. The Giveaways post on Goodreads have 354 total so far, a gain of 30 entries this week. “To Read List” has 136 entries to date, a gain of 12 entries this week. I’m been posting too much on social media the last 10 weeks. It might be construed as hard-core spamming so I have to tone it down a bit for one week. Next week, I have to do it again in earnest since my Goodreads Giveaways are ending on Nov. 2.

1 posts on Social Media

54 Press Releases

1 Giveaways post on Goodreads

3. I’m still trying to catch up on my word count challenge. I’m only at 44,355 words. I only have a week to catch up. This will be a tough order but I just keep on plugging along. My mind has been preparing for the NANOWRIMO in November so I’m not concentrating on this one. We’ll see what happens next week.

 

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

Rosalinda Morgan, The Rose Lady

Author of “The Wentworth Legacy”

www.rosalindarmorgan.com

My tenth report for my 12-week challenge

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, Blogging, Good Writing, Motivation, Writer's Goal, Writing ChallengeLeave a comment

Here is my 10th report on my 12-week challenge:

  • I’m one book behind on my book-to-read goal although I started another book to read. Right now, I am reading two books simultaneously. I have to finish reading 3 books in 2 weeks to make my reading goal for my 12-week challenge. This is a big challenge since I don’t do speed reading.
  • I exceeded my marketing goal of 70 items this week. The Giveaways post on Goodreads have 324 total so far. “To Read List” has 124 entries to date.

6  posts on Social Media

71 Press Releases

1 Giveaways post on Goodreads

  • I’m still trying to catch up on my word count challenge. I’m only at 43,639 words. I only have two weeks to catch up. This will be a tough order but I just keep on typing along.

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

Rosalinda Morgan, The Rose Lady

Author of “The Wentworth Legacy”

www.rosalindarmorgan.com

My 9th report for my 12-week challenge

On By SCLMRoseIn #Author's Life, #CharlestonSC, Blogging, Book Promotion, Motivation, Writer's Goal, Writing ChallengeLeave a comment

Here is my ninth report for my twelve weeks challenge:

 

  1. My book to read goal is still on target. I finish one book this week. I have to finish reading 3 more books in 3 weeks to make my reading goal for my 12-week challenge.
  2. I did not make my marketing goals this week. With Hurricane Matthew on the way to Charleston, I was busy preparing the house for the hurricane. That was the most important thing this week. With all the flooding in the Charleston area, we were very lucky we did not get flood in our area. We lost power for 29 ½ hours so it was not so bad. Water was on all this time.

 

I reached up to some friends from the groups that I belong to and asked to share my posts. I received two great feedbacks from people who bought my books. They love the book! The Giveaways post on Goodreads have 316 total so far. “To Read List” has 121 entries.

 

  • 2 posts on Social Media.
  • 40 Press Releases
  • 1 Giveaways post on Goodreads

 

  1. I’m still trying to catch up on my word count challenge. I’m only at 39,041 words. I only have three weeks to catch up. I better get going fast.

 

If you missed the Kindle Countdown Deal on Amazon.com, you have another chance. My next book promotion is going to be at www.amazon.co.uk beginning on Oct. 14, 2016 at 8:00 am GMT to Oct. 17 at 8:00 am GMT. The price will go down to £0.99 for 3 days only.  Check it out.

 

 

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

 

Rosalinda Morgan, The Rose Lady

 

Author of “The Wentworth Legacy”

 

www.rosalindarmorgan.com