Summer!! Or Good Enough, At Least

FRIDAY FREE-FOR-ALL
I'll be honest.  I have no idea what I'm blogging about today.  I'm simply happy that school is out and summer vacation has officially begun today.

Taking a quick look out the window, it would be difficult to call it summer.  The sky is overcast, leftover from early morning storms, and the temperature, which reached into the low 90s yesterday, is just under 70.  I have no doubt that will quickly change by tomorrow.  But we need the rain here, and there's no reason not to welcome a cool day.  After all, we already passed 100 earlier this month.

Mallory, the youngest of my four, and I spent much of yesterday attending graduation ceremonies.  (Two of my grands, her nieces.)  The first was youngest granddaughter Payton's Pre-K.  The class presented parents and friends with songs they'd learned over this school year.  I especially liked the "Five Little Monkees Jumping On the Bed" song.  It reminded me of my own girls' days in Brownie and Girl Scouts.





The little guy on the left in the light blue shirt was a showman and such a cutie.  When one of the songs was over, he turned to his mom (blonde, in white shirt) and said, "Take a picture of me, Mom."  He was obviously proud, as well he should be.  They all should.  After all, they came away from the year with nifty songs, knowing their alphabet and able to count, and especially how to get along in a classroom of their peers.  A step in the right direction!







All the kids seemed to understand how special the day was for them and their families.  Smiles abounded, giggles and squeals filled the room.  These kids were excited!




A little over an hour later, we were back at the school for Payton's older sister's graduation from 5th grade.  While the Pre-Kers had been in a party mood, the older group understood what this day meant for them.  Grade school would be a memory, when the doors to middle school open in the fall.  Many of them had spent the past six years together, growing and learning.  A video presentation at the end of the ceremony of random shots of the students in classrooms and on the playground was followed by a beautiful rendition of Katie Perry's Roar filling the auditorium.  These kids understood that they're were stepping out of one stage of life into the next.

The last group of four to receive their diplomas stood patiently in line.  That's Allie, waiting her turn to get her Certificate of Promotion.

 It's hard to believe that it wasn't all that long ago that Allie was finishing Pre-K and then Kindergarten.  She's growing up into a fine young woman, and I hope she weathers middle school well.  From my own memories, it's the worst of all the stepping stones of education.

The graduates listened to a memorable speech by the Operations Division Director of the City schools, and he presented each one of them with a special gift:  A small, flat black stone, like the one he had carried throughout his own school years and still kept as a reminder of how far he'd come and the wonderful gifts in his life--his family.

And of course these are the years of giggling girls and selfies.  How lucky we are that technology has given us instant photos to keep that will remain as memories in our hearts for years.  Let's hope these girls all remember the good times they had in grade school as they walk, sail, and fly through their lives.

Then it was over.  Another year, another two graduations.  Last year it was oldest granddaughter Scarlett (our ice-skater) from 5th grade, and youngest grandson Jaxon's graduation from Kindergarten.  Next year will be another two.  Gavin from 5th and Payton from Kindergarten.  It's like stepping stones.  Before we know it, we'll have three 8th grade graduations in a row, and then will come high school.

The years go quickly.  Too quickly, most of us would say.  Each year brings new memories for us to treasure.  How lucky is that?

HAPPY SUMMER!

Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going. ~ Tennessee Williams

Almost There

MOTIVATION MONDAYS

Even my body is crying out today.  "Get it over with!  Finish it, would ya?"

I'm at the point in this book where I don't want to read another word of it.  You know, when the characters for a new story are buzzing around in your head, but you have to keep telling them to shush, because the current story needs one more pass with a fine-tooth comb.  It's in the last phase.  The final pass.  The polishing stage.

While it should be a time of celebration, it never is.  Just how long can it take to read one chapter, anyway?  Sure, it's red pencil time, but it's the third time through, so there shouldn't be a lot of changes.  Right?  With a 3-year-old coming into my office every fifteen minutes, it could take an eternity.  Add the fact that I've discovered several missing words, and I'm beginning to wonder if someone has been coming in during the wee hours of the morning and messing with this manuscript. One way or another, I'll meet that deadline.  But it isn't going to be painless.

Frankly, I'd rather be daydreaming.  I've been sitting so long, my left leg is screaming at me, and I'm sure my backside has gained a few inches in diameter.  The ibuprofen has finally kicked in, which is the only reason I'm here typing this, but there are eleven more chapters to polish, and I'd so hoped to be halfway through this before midnight tonight.  That might take a miracle.  I won't hold my breath.

Yes, the motivation is there.  The end of the writing of this book is in sight. I even took some time off from writing over the weekend, just to give my mind (and body) a rest before this final read-through.  Oh, well.  Nothing is perfect.

Being able to write an imaginary FINIS on the final page is motivation enough to sit and finish this.  Another 55,000+ words written, revised and done.  It will be wonderful not to have to think about that for a while.  At least that's what I tell myself.  I know that isn't the truth.  I can hear those new characters as I type this and wish for some silence.  Still, being this close does help with the motivation to finish.

So now we have one more motivation to add to our list.  That wonderful feeling of crossing off or checkmarking or X-ing or FINIS-ing can't be duplicated.  Is that why we look for goals?  That exhilaration when the goal is met?

YOU BET!!

Reward time is just around the corner.  I swear I can almost smell it.  (We're going to the Renaissance Fair this weekend, and I can already smell the turkey legs.)  But no reward quite yet, so I'd better get back to the polishing.  I'm almost there.  And "there" is where we all want to be. :)

“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.” - Zig Zigler

Refilling the Well

WRITING WEDNESDAYS

Whether we write or have a day job or are busy raising a family, we all need to take step back once in a while and give ourselves the gift of doing nothing.

Before going any further with this, let me state that "doing nothing" isn't necessarily what it sounds like.  There's a whole range of possibilities and each of us should take the time, now and then, to explore some of them.

For the past six months, I feel like I've been going non-stop.  That could be because I have, in a way.  The grandkids, who had been staying at home with their dad who'd lost his job several months before, returned only two weeks after I'd set deadlines for two new books.  I'd become accustomed to not having them around, except to pick them up from school and take them to their home.  I'd forgotten how crazy life can be with them around.  My schedule and goals took a beating, and it's been crazy, but somehow I've managed to stay on course...or close, anyway.

The time of meeting deadlines will ease soon.  I'm wrapping up the last of what's needed on A NANNY FOR THE COWBOY, out in March next year, and hope to have the last chapter of DESIGNS ON THE COWBOY, June 2013, written well before the upcoming holiday weekend is over.  That will ease the pressure, and we all know how important that is.

While I admire those who are like the Energizer Bunny and never seem to run out of steam, I have a deep, dark suspicion that what we see isn't what's really happening. Why?  Because everyone needs some time to refill the well.

I'd never heard that term before, until I heard Kathie DeNosky use it back in the late 90's, when we were both struggling to sell our first books.  Kathie had been at the writing game a few years longer than I had, so she became my guide in everything writing related.  She taught me about the need to stop the insanity and refill the well that empties without us noticing when we have our nose to the grindstone.  (How's that for mixed metaphors?)  I do have to say that she didn't have to explain what "refilling the well" meant.  I got the meaning immediately.  It was the "how" that had me stumped.

Reading has always been an integral part of my life, but once I began writing, the reading time began to shrink, little by little.  Now just reading a handful of books a year is difficult.  There are those deadlines and all the other things in life that need attending to.  I envy writers who have the time to read the work of others, while moving forward with their own writing career.  I wish I could do the same.

Because I can't pick up a book every week or two and devote time to immersing myself in the worlds of other writers, I have to remind myself that it's important to take a break, no matter how short, and do some reading.  Time for that break is coming up very soon.  By next week at this time, I hope I'm in the midst of it and enjoying it.  It's time to refill the well.

As that special time grows closer, I've been thinking more about it lately, and I realize that there are other things to enjoy, in addition to reading.  So here's a list I've come up with to try, just for me.

10 Things to Do to Refill the Well

• Find a quiet spot to think or just "be"
• Spend time with friends, both writing and non-writing, especially ones I don't see often
• Sleep or take a nap without interruption
• Go outside and watch the clouds drift by
• Find a place away from the street lights--away from the city--to once again enjoy the beauty of the night sky
• Take a leisurely walk in the park, not for exercise or any reason other than the sheer joy of it
• Go to the park and swing
• Sit by the water and listen to the sounds it makes
• Find a new and unusual shop and explore
• Watch favorite movies for a full day

That's my list. What's yours?

The ultimate in refilling my well:

Well it's not far back to sanity, at least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find serenity
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me. ~ Christopher Cross, "Sailing" Lyrics

Swift Kicks and Whatever It Takes

MOTIVATION MONDAYS

I'm going to start by being honest.  I can talk until I'm blue about motivation, but I'm as often UNmotivated as everyone else. As proof of this, I'm doing rewrites right now, mixing old with new, and I'm wondering if bamboo under the fingernails wouldn't be easier.

The funny thing about these rewrites is that I have a close writer friend who just finished a round of the same.  Hers weren't requested/suggested changes, but something she needed to do to get a long-ago idea up to par for the here and now.  The farther into it she got, the more she questioned her sanity.  I'm feeling that same insanity.  But when it comes to her book, I have no doubt it will be fabulous.  I also know for a fact that she survived and is back to her usual lovable loony self, working on a new and completely different book.

As for me, I worked all day yesterday, on and off, to rework one scene.  Yes, that's one scene.  Approximately 6-7 pages.  Actually, it was a combination of two scenes that originally were set on two different days.  It should have been a no-brainer.  It wasn't.  By late last night, I couldn't remember what I'd added, taken out, left as it was, changed a tad, changed a lot or even what the scene was about.  I finally quit, did some laundry, and watched The Network on HBO.  Only later, when my eyes were beginning to cross and the clothes tumbled in the dryer, was I able to read through and discover I just might have gotten it right.  A miracle!

Has this small glow of accomplishment spurred me on to continue?
Are you kidding?

Just the thought of doing this for not only the next two scenes to finish the chapter, but more than likely another 3 or 4 chapters makes me want to hide in a cave--and not the writing cave.  (My friend has no idea how much admiration I have for her at the moment.)

Why aren't I simply writing from scratch?

1. Because there were a few gems among the mundane words and phrases.  
2. Because I'm getting to know my characters better.  They'd somehow taken on personalities that weren't what I'd originally envisioned, and I'm trying to make them see that their headstrong ways are not appreciated.  Wrestling is slimming, right?  
3. Because I have faith in myself that I can make this better.  I wish that was enough motivation.

In the end, it's all going to come down to meeting the goals I've set.  They're not easy goals by any stretch.  60 pages every 2 weeks.  My average is usually 20 a week.  5-6 a day is pushing it for me.  (With 5 grandkids here every weekday, writing must wait until evening, when the brain has already slowed to a crawl.)  In times of extreme duress--aka racing to a deadline--I can push myself to extremes, but only for a short time.  Like one day.  Last month, I miraculously wrote 19 pages in a day.  I'm not sure I can survive that again.

But that's way too much about me.  What about you?

• Have you set goals for the week, whether writing or life?
• Are these goals part of a long term goal you're working toward?  Or simply a stand-alone goal for something special?  (Don't worry, it doesn't matter.  It only needs to be specified in your mind.)
• Have you chosen a reward for reaching a goal, whether a mini-goal that's part of a bigger one, or a single one?
• If this is a must-reach goal, have you alerted friends and family that you will be unreachable during specified times?
• Are you prepared to force yourself to work toward your goal, when every fiber of your being cries out, "I just want to have fun!"?  (Yes, this is here because of personal experience...every day.)

Oh, and for anyone who might be following my walking-each-day goal, I walked one day last week, and it was a shortened version.  (See me grimace in shame?)  However, I did walk this morning.  With temps continuing in the 100s this week, we'll see how that goes.  Maybe a goal to return my treadmill to an exercise machine, instead of a clothes rack would work?

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

The Name of the Game is Scheduling

MOTIVATION MONDAYS

Now don't start moaning and groaning.  Believe me, I understand the pain the word "schedule" can cause.  I've always been one of those people who likes to do things when I'm in the mood...or when I absolutely can't put them off any longer.  In fact, I still have some winter clothes to put away, but since I'm asleep most of the time when I'm in my bedroom, I'm only reminded twice a day.

The thing is, I've had to learn to at least rough out an idea of when I need to do things.  Book deadlines can do that, forcing a more non-conformist into something resembling a pretzel if the lesson isn't learned early.

But writing isn't the only thing in our lives that we sometimes need to fit into a schedule.  With four girls, leaving doing laundry until clean clothes were needed would have been a disaster.  Although my house wasn't always visitor-ready, there were times when I followed a stringent schedule.  Looking back, that schedule wasn't such a bad idea.

Schedules aren't just for getting things done.  They're also for giving us more time to enjoy the things in life we might otherwise not have time for...because we're doing those have-to and need-to things we didn't get done.  That usually happens because we've found some super ways to waste time.  Ouch!


According to ADHD experts, who really know a lot about being a space cadet or having trouble staying on task, there small things we can do to make our lives go a little more smoothly.  Those small things can quickly become our best time savers.

• Do you forget appointments or that you need to be somewhere?  Or do you lose track of time in the morning, causing you to have to rush or be late to work?  Set an alarm!  It's easy to get involved in something else so much that we lose track of time.  My daughters will be happy to share memories of the times that I was late picking them up from school.  Now that they're grown, there are the grandkids, and although the school is only a couple of minutes away, I need to get there early.  I also am easily distracted, so I've set an alarm on my phone for five minutes before I need to leave, allow myself one "snooze," and then I'm out the door on time.
• Are you feeling overwhelmed about a task?  Set a timer.  Oh, yeah, this one works.  There are times that the thought of having to sit and write X number of pages just makes me want to crawl in a corner.  I've learned that if I set a timer for ten minutes and actually start putting words on paper--whether they're good or not--by the time that timer goes off, I'm actually getting into a rhythm and don't want to stop.  On those occasions when that doesn't happen, at least I accomplished a little.  Eventually and in a much shorter period of time, I'll get it done.
• Is a big project--or even the thought of it--getting you down?  Break the project into smaller, more manageable goals.  Not only does this help make things easier to accomplish, the accomplishment itself can help keep you going.  A book isn't written in one day.  Even if you tried it, you'd find that life is going to demand your attention.  Even meals will need to be prepared/purchased and eaten.  A few pages a day, four or five days a week will do the trick and not take huge chunks of your time.  The trick is remembering that if you write 1 page a day without fail, in a year you'll have a 365 page novel.  And don't forget to reward yourself when each step--maybe a chapter?--is reached!
• Do you walk out of the house, forgetting the car keys, your cell phone or other important items?  That means using precious time to look for what's missing.  Instead, designate a spot near the door for the things you know you'll need.  I finally solved my problem of losing my keys.  I bought a coiled plastic chain that I've attached to my purse and the other has a hook for my keys.  It can tuck into my purse, and it's also long enough to reach the ignition when my purse is next to me on the seat.  Another plus is not worrying about locking my keys in the car.  It's much harder to miss my purse than it is to miss pulling the keys out of the ignition.  Oh, and I love purses with pockets--on the outside and inside--giving everything its own place.
• Do you lose track of time while playing games online, spending time on Facebook or Twitter or even reading blogs?  There's no reason to give up the things you enjoy, only because you've let those things take over your life and your time.  All you need to remember is "moderation in all things" and to set a timer or alarm.
• Are you overwhelmed by all the mundane tasks that are leaving you no room for others?  Ask for help.  Kids, husbands, roommates, anyone who resides with you or even near you is prime for being helpful.  Sometimes all that's need is to ask.  Other times it might require a little training time. Whether is kids folding laundry or hubby sharing cooking duty, there's always something that someone can help with that will free up a bit of your time.

Don't have a clue how to create a schedule?  Check out some online tips and tricks for created a schedule to suit your lifestyle, below, or do a search for others.

• How to Create a Daily Schedule (eHow) 
• Using EXCEL for Schedules and Planners
• Optimize Your Productivity with Daily, Weekly Routines (Zen Habits)

Remember, it may take some adjustments and extra time to find exactly what works best for you.  Even then, nothing is set in stone.  You can adjust your schedule whenever you feel it's needed or when major life changes demand it.  Just don't give up too early, if you feel overwhelmed and have over-scheduled yourself.  That's when a step back and reassessment is needed.

Thanks to iVillage.com for some ideas on the tips used in this blog post!

Moderation in all things. - Andria Terence, Roman comic dramatist (185 BC - 159 BC) 

Rewards

MOTIVATION MONDAYS

After another week that didn't net me with the page and word count I'd hope to have, I admit that I was feeling a little bummed last night.  The page count I set was unnaturally high, and I should have known that reaching the goal wouldn't be an easy task.  As it turned out, I have to sometimes learn the hard way.

But shouldn't have felt down, because I did make progress on writing projects.  Word count on blogs written was over 1500 words.  While I didn't reach the 36 pages I'd hoped for during my writing group's bi-weekly Book In A Week, I did manage 19 pages, which isn't half bad. Okay, it's a page over half good, with almost 5500 words.  So why should I feel bad?  After all, I accomplished something.

There's something inherent in far too many of us that we feel that success is only achieved by earning 100% or even more.  I don't know about the rest of you, but I wasn't all that sad with a grad of 98% in school.  And there were times when simply passing a certain test on a subject that gave me headaches to even think about (math) was something to smile about.

The thing is, any forward movement, any words added to word count, pages written, pounds lost, or whatever our goal might be is a good thing and something we should be proud of.  Instead of focusing on the negative (a goal not fully reached), why don't we focus on the positive of having worked toward that goal.

Not only should we feel more positive, but why can't we reward ourselves for progress?  Nothing big, necessarily, just something that will make us smile and acknowledge that, although we may not have done great, we did okay.

Rewarding ourselves for a job well done or a goal achieved or even for simply trying, goes a long way toward motivation.  Even in schools these days, teachers are using rewards to motivate their students.  Stickers, pretty pencils, a star by their names, or points toward a bigger prize encourages many of them to be on their best behavior, turn in their homework, or just have a good day.  There's no reason we can't do something small for ourselves, too.  A yummy strawberry, dripping with chocolate is one idea, or for those who want to add a little spring to the day, a small, inexpensive bouquet of flowers might do.

For several years, I would use a new book by author Susan Elizabeth Phillips as my reward for meeting a deadline.  While I might have purchased the book long before the goal was met, I set it aside to read when I was done.  It was a great incentive, and I might just have to revisit again.  A word of caution:  If you're in the midst of a large goal, reading a new book (or even re-reading an older one) might not be the best idea, unless the reading takes only a day.

If you're a movie fan like I am or have favorite TV shows you hate to miss, making them a part of your reward can be a great motivator.  You finished the chapter you needed to write?  Slip in a DVD, check you local cable company, or use a service like Netflix or Amazon Prime to watch a new movie or an old favorite.  Make it fun by adding popcorn or another snack, then sit back and enjoy.  Daily goals for those who have a special program to watch most days of the week on TV can use those as incentives.

Be creative.  Rewards and incentives are great motivators.  Just be sure to choose appropriate ones.  If you're dieting, a banana split may sound divine when you hit a target weight, but find something more appropriate.  New clothes, even something simple as a scarf, can be a reminder of your achievement each time you wear it or use it.

It's easy to beat ourselves up when we don't perform as well as we'd hoped.  But it doesn't do much good.  Instead, we need to stay positive and celebrate each goal met, no matter now larger or small.

Goals are dreams with deadlines. ~ Diana Scharf Hunt

The Path to the Finish Line - Motivation Mondays

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not good at using my time wisely.  I'm easily distracted and can be off on a new tangent in the blink of an eye.  Like Google, Twitter should be my friend.  Instead, I'll click on a link that looks interesting and, the next thing I know, I've just spent almost an hour on even more articles that caught my eye.  Guess why I don't have my Tweet Deck turned on and active all day long.

Yes, I'm learning.  The previous week and this weekend were definitely lessons in several things.  But instead of sharing those right now, I'm going to set the stage.

There are two writing related things going on in my life right now.  The first is my writing group's Word Count Challenge for the year.  As a group, we've pledged to write a combined 1,500,000+ words.  In fact, it's nearly a million and three-quarters.  There are fifteen of us involved, and our individual totals range from 20,000 (the minimum) to over 600,000 (from our most prolific member).  Mine is 120,000, and I'm happy (and relieved) to say that the word count of my blog posts can be included.  Whew!  (Watch my progress via the meter at the left.)  Nearly all of us broke our large goal into smaller goals, such as words-per-month, -per-week, and -per-day.  And that's the key.  Sticking to those goals is the other.

The second thing going on in my life is that I'll be writing two more books set in Desperation, OK, for Harlequin American Romance.  I gave myself plenty of time to write the books. I've set my deadlines, the gathering is done, and the uphill climb has begun.  At least I thought so.  And then the first week happened.

The gathering took longer than planned.  My website clients needed updates.  The two youngest grandkids were here for an afternoon.  My car broke down, sucking up most of one whole day and part of another, not to mention grounding me, which causes severe mental anguish.

So with ZERO words written by Saturday morning, I sat at my computer, praying that I could still write---which took complete advantage of my talent of being distracted.  I fought it and managed to write four pages.  Not bad, but not anything to brag about.  I was still four days behind.

Then came Sunday, devoid of any of the usual chores of life, and feeling a little more certain that I could actually string words together that made some sense, I wrote.  At the end of the day, I had fourteen more pages, and the chapter was finished.  I'd reached the first goal, and I felt good!

There are eight more chapters of this book to write, but just reaching that first goal, in spite of external and internal forces that were determined to keep me from it, proves to me that I can do it.  I am Writer, hear me ROAR!  Okay, squeak is more like it, but it's a success, in spite of being a small one.

And now to the LESSONS LEARNED:

1. If a goal is broken down into smaller goals, do them as planned.  If that isn't possible, don't think of it as failing, because unmet goals can eventually be met, if you simply try.
2. Allow yourself to feel good when you do reach a goal, however small.  As the Desiderata says, "Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans."
3. Give yourself the chance to succeed.

For me, both finish lines are many months away.  Success will mean I'll need to keep to my schedule and goals, and possibly even work when I hadn't planned to.  In setting my weekly goals, there's one thing I've done that I haven't always in the past.  I've tried to keep my weekends free.  We all need some time to sit back and breathe deeply, forgetting about what's waiting to be done in the immediate future.  Be sure to give yourself the gift of time whenever you can.

Motivate yourself and delight in the small goals you've worked to reach.

A goal without a plan is just a wish. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

That Little Extra

Mothers use it with their children; teachers use it with their students; credit card companies use it with their cardholders; banks and stores use it with their customers: businesses use it with their employees.

What is it?

This month over at Bits & Bytes, the WARA members have been blogging about the struggles they have with writing.  The list is varied and includes distractions, poor time management, and poor self-discipline.  Also mentioned were writing obstacles that include family, employment and health.  Plain old procrastination is a biggie, too.  Strange, but finding ideas hasn't been mentioned.  It seems we don't have any big problems with that.  Our imaginations seem to be working just fine, so it isn't that we aren't inspired.  It's just that we don't or can't do it...for all of the reasons listed and more.

What is it that all those people and entities listed up at the top do?  They use REWARDS.  They use INCENTIVES.  And that's something that writers don't always think of using.

The writing of a novel spans quite a lot of time, from the first tiny glimmer of an idea to the finished product.  There are characters to be created, research to be done, plotting, writing, revising, polishing, and finger crossing when the final product--our baby--is sent off to an editor, agent, or contest.  The act itself should be rewarding enough, right? Well, not necessarily.

We've learned that setting goals can sometimes work well in getting us motivated and moving.  And while reaching those goals brings satisfaction, there's usually still a long road ahead.  We often choose publication as the reward for all of our hard work.  But at the end of the road there may or may not be publication.  That's something we can't control.

So what's a writer to do?  Reward ourselves along the way.  Rewards don't have to be big things.  Small things work great!  So you wrote for 10 minutes today?  Super!  Give yourself a treat.  An ice cream cone or some yummy yogurt you've been wanting to try would be perfect.  You finished a chapter?  Congratulations!  Reward yourself with a long bubble bath or an evening with a friend.  That novel is finished and has been sent to an editor or agent?  Fantastic!  Pull out that book you've been dying to read and enjoy it or spend a day or several days doing what you want to do, such as a mini vacation, if it fits in the budget!

Rewards don't have to cost money.  Just calling a friend and sharing the news that you've reached a goal can be rewarding.  And that friend may give you the incentive you need to keep going.  A quiet evening watching a movie makes a good reward and can often offer inspiration or new ideas for your story, too.

My reward for reaching the goal of a finished manuscript used to be to read the latest Susan Elizabeth Phillips book.  I've forgotten to do that and am behind at least two reward books.  Maybe, if I write fast enough, I can get caught up soon!  Now that's my kind of reward!!

Any suggestions or ideas for rewards and incentives?  We can all use some fresh ones to keep us going on the road to reaching our goals, so feel free to share what works for you.