Round of Words Wrap Up

We've reached the end of another Round of the Round of Words in 80 Days writing challenge -- the challenge that knows you have a life. I've made more writing friends and continue to be impressed by the cumulative production of this group of writers. Telling others about our goals and then supporting each other as we push toward them, Kait Nolan had a brilliant idea here, and it really works. I've participated for two Rounds now, and I'll be back in January and throughout 2012. For me, the loose accountability of this challenge -- where we're free to change and update our goals, and celebrate what success we do achieve -- has made writing more fun. Gotta love that!

My initial goals for Round 4:

• Complete revisions, beta and publish Vessel, the second novella in my Children of the Sidhe paranormal romance series. I'd like to publish before Thanksgiving. 
• Finish the first draft of the urban fantasy Queen of Peace, with another 20-25k.
• Write the first draft of the third Children of the Sidhe novella, which will probably take about 25-30k.

Those goals were ambitious with my current family and work commitments, to put it mildly. With two kids under three, and a day job, writing is something I fit in through a sheer act of will. But I can't ignore my kids or my job, so there you go. I actually regretted the word count I'd set as a goal from the instant I posted my goals. That was not a good sign, so after a week or two I decided to scrap the third goal to take the pressure off a little. That was a good thing, because I just finished my draft of Queen Witch (title change!) this week. I added about 25,000 to it this Round, but it took a couple of odd directions these last couple of weeks, and I need some space from it at this point. I'm calling the first draft done, and I'll revisit it in 2012, after I write my next novella. I published Vessel the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I didn't realize I'd come that close to my initial goal, so I'm pleased with that! I'm actually pleased all around. I've accomplished a lot this year, and set myself up for success in 2012. 

How about you? Have you met your goals for this ROW80 round, or this year?

Now I'll take a ten day break before Round 1 of 2012 starts on January 3rd. Wishing all my writing and blogging buddies holidays filled with peace and joy!