Two Months In

[smallhobbit]

How am I getting on with the goals I set myself a couple of months ago?

Goal No 1 - Write all the things

Wordage wise I'm a little behind my aim for this year - so far only 69,500 words so a further 6,500 needed to bring me to the 75,000 I'm aiming for by the end of June, doable if I make an effort to write something more than drabbles.

Last month I wrote quite a lot for hp_may_madness  including Snape & Harry's Unexpected Adventure.  And this month I'm signed up for HD_BirthdayBash. It's the first fandom I've written in where I'm not invested in the characters, but it gives me an opportunity to explore a slightly different way of writing.

I took part in Exchange of Interest, a Person of Interest exchange.  Not one I shall repeat - I ended up having to moderate comments (which I don't generally do for anonymous exchanges).  It counts towards my goal of writing all the things, but that's as far as it will go.  I'm doing the Not Prime Time again - an exchange I normally enjoy.  I've also signed up for Fic_Corner, so I shall see how that goes.

On a positive note, someone found my Much/Guy (BBC Robin Hood) fics and has left kudos on a lot of them.


Goal No 2 - Continue with the art and craft work



The cross stitch is progressing well.  I need to do some more artwork - maybe this weekend.  Although I shall count the sketches I did of the Monet exhibition as part of my artwork.


Goal No 3 - Do something new each month

The something new this month will be my new job - lots to learn of course.  And today we went to visit Scrubditch Care Farm, which was a great trip out - and they had lots of cake.  So far most of my time has been spent in induction, next week I'll be starting to do things for myself.  I'll be writing more at the end of the month.

Comments

[badly_knitted]

Ooooh, you've go quit a bit more done! It's looking great! Very neat.

[smallhobbit]

I've been pleased with the way it's going. And you can't see the odd mistake at that distance ;)

[badly_knitted]

There are ALWAYS mistakes in cross stitch. As long as they're not too glaring you can get away with it ;)

[smallhobbit]

That's very true :)

[badly_knitted]

I guess it's the same with all crafts.

[corvidology]

I'm so sorry to read that you had a bad time with the Exchange of Interest.

It's really sad because I feel the fandom has always been very generous and welcoming on AO3 with comments or just scrolling by if it doesn't suit them. I wonder if some of the people who were cross about how it was set up decided to troll a few people.

I'd really been hoping to write some treats for it but time got away from me.

[smallhobbit]

It was one of those things.

It wasn't trolling as such, but more what I'd call 'Tumblr' behaviour, where the commenter decided to recommend all sorts of their own fics to the person who I was writing for, but not leaving any comment on my fic. I left the comment up for 24 hours and then deleted it, and they then left another (moderated comment) apologising and then explaining in great detail why they'd done it.

I saw on your blog you'd hoped to write some treats - I can see why you didn't manage it, sorry you're having to deal with so much at the moment. I did get a lovely treat, which was perfect for me.

[corvidology]

Ah, unfortunately I have seen that before and I really don't mind conversations being struck up in my comments but it's rude if they don't even comment on your story in the process.

One of the things I found very odd about the POI fandom is how many of its fans hadn't been involved in a fandom before. On the coms there was a lot of explaining how fandom works and rehashing of old chestnuts like "eeeeew, why would you write icky slash?"

I'm glad you did get two gifts at least. :D

[smallhobbit]

I don't mind if it's a conversation I can join in and it began with the commenter asking what the original prompt was, which was fine. What I objected to was the promotion of their own fics and the takeover of the thread.

[corvidology]

I didn't think you'd mind if it was a conversation. We used to have several wonderful conversations in the comments on stories in Life on Mars. As said, I'm in complete agreement about this sort of behaviour being unacceptable.

[vix_spes]

The cross-stitch is looking lovely and seems to be going well.

And your Much/Guy fics are well-worth kudos so I'm thrilled someone is discovering them!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much on both counts.

[alisanne]

I loved Snape and Harry's adventure, nice job with that!
Ooh, I'm excited to see what you do for the BD bash. :)

Pretty cross stitch is pretty!

Mmm, cake! *g*

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. You've been a great inspiration to me. I'm currently writing a drabble series.

[alisanne]

Hooray! And I'm happy to help. ;)

[margaret_r]

Good to see you're progressing with your goals, the crossstitching is looking good, I admire you patience with it!

Good luck with the new job, it seems to have started well and I hope that continues:)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - I do a little each day, so it grows without being conscious of making a great effort.

Job is going well, but having finished my week (I'm working four part-days) I'm mentally tired.

[ellieet]

Good for you for keeping a word-count. I've just been sitting down outlining all the fic I've got, half-finished and half-baked, on my computer and I've realised I need to start from the beginning; I'm taking the enjoyment out of it by stressing. I work a 40-hour week and I get lots of ideas on the floor, but once I'm home I'm too lazy (and lame) to write them down.

Hoorah for cross-stitch! I just finished my first one: Benedict Cumberbatch's face. ^_^

[smallhobbit]

I've been keeping a word count for the last few years, but took the deliberate decision to aim for a lower figure than I've managed the last couple of years - as you say, there's no point in stressing about something which is supposed to be fun. Working 40-hour weeks is quite enough for anyone, let alone writing masses.

Have you posted any pics of your cross-stitch?

[ellieet]

I need to do more of that. I've actually made headway with some fanfic issues that have been causing me great anxiety, so it's lovely to finally get a grip on them and start to figure things out. I can still look slightly ahead though, to finishing it - rather than enjoying the creative process.

I'll try and post a picture of my cross-stitch, if you'd like to see it! I'm working on another one now. :)

[smallhobbit]

I'd definitely like to see a picture of your cross-stitch. It's great seeing the crafty things others do. What is your current project?

[mafief]

Woo! I like it when someone randomly finds fics and either comments or kudos them. It’s nice to know it’s still appreciated.

The not-bookmark is coming along nicely – the greens blend really well together. I think the brown marks are indicating 10, but I keep going cross-eyed when I count. ;)

I took a look at the Scrubditch website and they have a nice variety of animals there. Did anyone get to hold a chick? At county fairs I’d get stuck next to sheep and I am now convinced that they do not say the sweet ‘baa’ that we all teach children. Oh, no, those breeds sound is like a combination of ‘blah’ and barfing.

[smallhobbit]

I'm pleased with the progress I'm making on the not-bookmark. The brown marks do indeed indicate every 10 stitches - makes the counting somewhat easier. I'll take that thread out when I've finished.

We didn't get to hold any animals, although we did see all the hens, the ducks and one of the sheep. Sheep can be quite noisy when they put their minds to it.