A ROW80 Re-Shuffle is in Order…

Savvy Sunday Salutations: 

I have some exciting new developments to share with you with regards to the guest blogger feature we will have here on yikici.  As you may/may not be aware, Sunday’s feature will focus on bloggers who I feel fits in with what my idea of ‘Savvy’ is (my definitions vary to some extent, but overall people with a fresh outlook and those who are very engaging get my savvy-vote-of-approval).  I have asked these (watch this space) fabulous souls to write/create a post which they enjoy writing/creating, following this, there will be a short burst of questions and answer sessions -just so we can get to know them all that better –isn’t that just cool?

Resident Blogger, Patrick Tulley, will kick it off this coming Sunday, 23^rd October 2011, (the next guest blogger will feature a fortnight after); if you are intrigued and want to find out what Patrick likes to write/create etc, please feel free to pop by then and check out his savvy post.  For the time being, let’s get back to my ROW80 check-in.

ROW80 Check-in with a dilemma…

An update I promised, an update I am-A-writing.  From the way this round is going, I do not think I will be able to keep to the initial goals I have set for myself; therefore, a reshuffle is in order…

Many of you will know that I have had family over and for this reason my writing took second place to spending time with them (which I am not complaining about, as I love my family to bits).  Since their arrival, I have been made aware of some family matters & plans that will require my absence from (actively) writing here on the blog, my WIP and my social presence on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ etc…  The time in question will be from 1^st November 2011 through to 15^th December 2011.  During this time, I may not have access to the internet as much as I would like to.  Therefore, I am in the process of writing and scheduling posts so the blog can tick over by itself (hopefully you will not notice a drastic silence; though responses to the fabulous comments I receive etc may lack at times but I hope I will be able to respond at some point, be it immediately or after 15^th December).

Therefore, with all this in mind, I think; sensible, achievable goals will be better than those that are likely to cause me stress and upset (my determination, high-standards and promises to myself will no doubt add unnecessary pressure and when I fail to achieve those targets I will become stressed then in turn I will be upset).  I am disheartened that I will not make the most out of ROW80 Round 4 this year; but I have decided family comes first –as well as my wellbeing; therefore, I will take this opportunity (with the exceptionally great ROW80 spirit) to be easy on myself, relax and enjoy the forthcoming weeks.

Since my last update, I have managed to keep blogging at least three times a week, comment on at least one blog a day and reading plenty –so that’s all positive!

Amended Goals:

• Stick to at least three posts a week (making sure they are scheduled before my disappearance).
• Try and respond to any comments left by super-duper readers/visitors of the blog.
• Catch-up on my to be read list of books.
• Finish my beta-reading project and provide feedback before 1^st November 2011.
• If I have not done so already; write blog/short stories project/WIP in long-hand and then type it into my laptop when I have the chance to do so.
• Spend quality time with my family and enjoy the moment.
• ROW80 updates I will try and do once a week (if I do not, know I have no access to the internet).
• To create a ROW80 Round 4 page like I did for ROW80 Round 3.
• Try and compete the classes with Tiffany Lawson (I’m seriously lacking at the moment).
• My lovely critique pals; lets have a email/group talk or something so we can work in sensible timeframes for this period (apologies for not being as active as I would have liked to).
• To Review and amend my ROW80 goals when I’m back from 15th December 2011.

NaNoWriMo:

This does mean I will not be able to join in with NaNoWriMo this year (double phooey to that) –if I can think around it I will make sure you hear about it; but currently I cannot see how I can make it work.  I have toyed with the idea of writing it long-hand then typing it up (like my plans for the blog posts/WIP’s etc); but I sense I will fail that miserably –so the question is, do I really want to put myself through that?  I’m not sure if I can put myself through that –let alone take that pressure…  So, maybe I’ll just try and watch fellow NaNoWriMo’ progress and cheer them (you) along.  Having said that, I will set up a NaNo account for future reference (and cheering purposes), in order to do so I have put a vote to what my username should be.

The Vote:  The two names in question are ‘yikici’ (for obvious reasons) and ‘doodllz’ (my nickname and fun penname –see here for the reasons being); yikici is wining so far 7 votes to 4.5 –if you have a preference please leave a comment below and I will take it all into consideration and open an account accordingly.

yikici & Social Media:

So, what does that mean for my presence on the many social media?  Well, this will likely mean no real interactions from me from 1^st Nov-15^th Dec –not even on Twitter/Facebook & Google+.  Please do not think I have deserted you all, I will do my best to pop by your blogs whilst I have the chance; but in the meantime know that yikici (aka Oz) will take a backseat until further notice (minus the schedules posts and possible tweets).  *cries huge crocodile tears*

Has life thrown you a wobbly too?  Do you feel you need to take a step back and put other priorities back into your life?  How are you managing to make your goals for ROW80 & NaNo work for you?  Any tips/advice you would like to share?  Would love to hear from you.

This is me for now, I’ll be back tomorrow with a Monday’s Meandering Muse, until then have a wondrous weekend.

Want to read more?  Here’s a selection for you:

Just in time for Halloween, a short haunting tale (prose) to read:   Challenge Taken: Sarahann’s Warning

Love challenges -particularly Flash Fictions?  Take this month’s challenge (there’s a prize to win too in celebration of post 100):  *Sings* “Celebrate 100 Posts -Come On!”

Want to know how the game is developing -pop by and have a peak… A Fun Game – In Your Head (Part Three)

Copyright © Ozlem Yikici 2011 & Copyright © doodllz™ 2011. All Rights Reserved.

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As you already know, thoughts and comments are encouraged as always -even if it is just a word -as ‘all good discussions start with just one word‘.

If there is a topic you would like me to look into and explore in my own yikici-kind-of-way then please feel free to leave a suggestion in the comment box below or for those of you who are a wee bit shy drop me a line via my contact page or email me at admin[at]yikici[dot]co[dot]uk

Care to join me for some collaborative work or want to be a guest blogger?  If so, email me at the above address.

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About the author: Creative from the word go, an artist at heart – writer, poet, photographer, blogger... I am currently working on my first novel Becoming – Mystical Realisations and I have also started some research for my novella (currently does not have a title). Read more from this author

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