Baby steps...

So at the beginning of the year I wrote about taking small steps to make some changes. I’ve called them New Year’s Initiatives.

Well, we’re just a month into the New Year so I decided to report on my progress. 

My goal for January was more tea/less soda. I’ve done pretty well. I still love diet soda. That desire hans’t gone away but I'm doing better (pats herself on the back).  I’ve been drinking 1-2 cups of tea a day and my soda consumption has gone down (a wee bit). I typically drink four to five 20-oz bottles (not kidding).  I’m down to about two to three. I figure that’s got to be progress. I’m keeping this initiative going to see if I can improve.

My writing improvement plan for the year is to read a different book about the craft of writing every month.

In January, I read  Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder.

I know it’s been around for a while but the principles remained true (even if some of the examples were from older movies). I think the author offers a lot of good plotting advice. Based on the book, I’ve put a list of items I want to remember as I get deeper into a story.

I’ve picked up a different kind of writing book for February…Fire Up Your Writing Brain: How to Use Proven Neuroscience to Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Writer. It’s about writing and neuroscience and how you can train your brain to be more creative and more productive. Sounded interesting. I’ll let you know what I think.

For February, I have one new health initiative: I’m going to work out every day. Now, this may seem huge but I was already working out 4-5 times per week. Then I felt myself slipping back into 3-4 times and then it would be good if I made it to the gym 3 times a week. So, back to it, I work out every day. I figured out for me, I just say to myself “when am I working out tomorrow?” There’s no “if” involved.  

Have fun and happy reading!