Well, Round 4 is off to a slow start for me. Lots of appointments and a migraine slowed down my progress this week, but I am excited to have started a new story, my first attempt at a novel-length work in a while—and my first-ever attempt at writing steampunk. It’s a fairy-tale retelling set in a steampunk world, so it’s a fun new challenge for me.

Since I have two new-ish stories to work on, I’ve decided to spend some of the upcoming week less focused on word count and more focused on plotting, world-building, and character exercises. After that, I’m hoping to crank out some more work in the rest of the year. This has been a year of first drafts for me, so I’m hoping to add at least one more to that list before I close the books on 2014.

Before I go, I’d like to leave you with some words of wisdom about the power of imagination from Lewis Carroll:

made at quozio.com

Lastly, my ROW80 check-in…

Writing goals:

1.) Finish a first draft of novella/novelette “Haunted Kisses.” Wrote 1,197 words on this project and 1,904 on another, for a total of 3,101 words. The other is my first attempt at writing a steampunk story, so I’m pretty excited. Wish me luck!

2.) Finish a second draft of novelette “Called by Magic.” On hold until I finish goal No. 1.

3.) Do a read-through of “Good Old-Fashioned Magic,” make necessary edits, and send to critique partners. On hold until I finish goal No. 1.

4.) Read three books on the craft/business of writing. No progress on this goal.

Social media goals:

1.) Check in on Twitter or Facebook daily. Met for three of five days. Will have to do better this week!

2.) Blog twice a week. Target met.

3.) Comment on three to five blogs per day, Monday-Thursday. Met for all days except Monday.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is the writing challenge that knows you have a life. It’s also a blog hop! Click here to cheer on fellow participants.