Comments Gwynlyn MacKenzie says: Happy Birthday, Autumn! You’re entitled to a piece of cake. If it’s chocolate, I promise to be very jealous! (Add to the enjoyment!) I have already promised my dh I will NOT write during the month of December. And, had I thought about the demands for November (Thanksgiving comes with friends for me), might well have NOT done the challenge. However, I jumped in with both feet so will keep on keepin’ on. Lady, Gwyn. I’m in awe of you. I know today your taking a little breather. Great day to go to Tannersville and the outlets. Keep those holiday shopping safety tips I’d listed on my blog in mind. I want you safe. I’ll be posting the tips again tomorrow on THE PINK FUZZY SLIPPER WRITERS site. I hope some of you will stop by. send friends. We want the bad guys to have a terrible year. I’ll be thinking of you Gwyn while eating that cake. Yum. That’s a great plan! I have a goal to finish my first draft by the first of the new year. I’ll have 50K done by the end of November thanks to NaNo and then however more is needed after that (thinking about 30K or so to make a total of 80K) I’m not super organized at all and discipline is something I lack; however if I put a goal on a calendar and make sure others know about it (like hubby, family and friends) then I stick to it ’cause if I don’t they get on my case Good point, Dara. It in their face also. If you don’t make your goal on a day, I bet they’ll pitch in so you make up the difference the next day. Great point! Thanks for commenting. (((HUGS))  Elise Hayes says: Dara–You’re rockin’, girl! Keep going on that 50K goal for November AND the New Year’s goal of the full manuscript. It sounds like you’re doing great. (soundtrack: cheers, cheers, applause, applause) Excellent organizational tips to keep the writing flowing through the holidays. Happy Birthday, Autumn! Thanks, Vivi. It’s FREAKIN FRIDAY and it’s five in Vanessa world already. Let’s dance. (((hugs)) Cute post, Autumn. Happy B-day! DISCIPLINE is definitely the most important ingredient for success. You are so right, Laurie. Thanks for the b-day wishes. Rejoice in this sun shine. Keeping you in my thoughts. ((HUGS))  Liz Talley says: Happy, Happy Birthday!!! And, man, you’ve got it down to an art! I’m impressed. I don’t think I could do that. Seriously. I will write during the holidays as long as my kids are in school. When they’re out, no schedule, just write when I can. I’d say I’d try it out, but I won’t. I’m no good at scheduling. It’s day to day for me Yeah, I’ve been told I’m great at organizing. We all have our talents. It’s great that you have the self-will to make your goal in bits of time. I like Dara’s addition. Putting the calendar in the family’s face could make more time you. You only know if you try it. Thanks for the B-day wishes, sweetie. Elise Hayes says: Happy Birthday, Autumn! Love the holiday plan–both realistic (especially those two “floater” days for unexpected chores/emergencies/illnesses) and inspiring (get my butt in that chair). Thanks! Happy Birthday!!!!! I say delegate. My son is 20. I tell him if he wants a Christmas tree, he needs to put it up (I will decorate). I try to get hubby to buy gifts he is responsible for. Example: his mother and son, and if I’m lucky any guy presents I’m responsible for. Example: step father. Hubby will also do post office runs (I don’t do lines). I used to do everythiiiiiing, but I force everyone around me to acknowledge that writing is my second job (actually my third job) even if I don’t make money at it…yet. They have had to learn to pitch in or go without. Kelly, Excellent point! I love to delegate work. Putting that calendar up on the refrig will remind everyone you have a goal and mean to keep it. I sleep with the postman so I have that chore covered. (GRIN) Thanks for the Birthday wishes. (((HUGS)) Great idea, Kelly! This is a tough one for me. But I’m learning. I’ve told the hubby he has to buy presents for most of the men on our list. I’ve also enlisted the help of my mil to clean the house before a major party I’m hosting this year. Hopefully that will make the decorating/cleaning part of the holidays go much quicker.  Diana Layne says: Happy Birthday Autumn! Enjoy your day!!! As for the holidays, I’d just as soon skip them but I’m trying something new this year along Kelly’s lines. I’m outsourcing. If the older kids who STILL live here (I’m sure one day they’re gonna move, I know it), want holidays, they’re doing it. Cooking, trees, etc. Now this might sound mean cuz I still have two little ones but since the kid and his wife are living here who have the new baby–they’ll be wanting to make holidays special and voila–there are my workers! So I’ll be writing. I plan to try my hand at a website (hahaha–I figure I’ll be soon screaming for Liz) and a novella (another hahaha–me? write short! hahaha) Hey, di, writing, website and Novella. WOW! You have your goals planned. Good for you. I love goals. It sounds like you have a great bunch there. Let your family know what you mean to accomplish and I’m sure they’ll step up. Thanks for the B-day wishes. (((HUGS))  Shea Berkley says: Happy Birthday! Wow, I’m impressed. You are one organized lady. This is a great plan and it truly takes the pressure off when we’re running the holiday marathon. Great advice and inspiration, Autumn. Thanks, Shea. I think it’s the ARMY brat in me. (GRIN) My oldest (ARMY BRAT) is the same way. I’m sure you understand. Have a great day! Super post, as ever, Autumn! Hey, Beth, thanks for stopping over and for the compliment. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Pass the idea on to your friends if you like. ((HUGS)) AJ Surely a recipe for success!! Great blog.  Colleen says: Felicidades!!!! Que cumplas muchos anios mas! Don’t have squigglies and accent marks on this keyboard, but I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday from down here in Chile. Great post. . .as always! How do you come up with this stuff? Seriously. Thanks so much. I am going to read it again and see how to make it work. Especially since I have four birthdays (well, not ME–you know what I mean) in December. I am impressed with the way you continue to work and encourage. Thanks! Hey, my Chile friend. LOL. You scared me. My Spanish is very iffy. Now, you know how I do it if you read my first blog at http://www.autumnjordonsnotes.blogspot.com cursor.. cursor… And keep on going. And seriously, I treasure your friendship. Let me know if you want me to hold the whip over you. LOL. Thanks for the Birthday wishes. (((HUGS))) AJ Autumn, sweetie, you made me dizzy!!! Do we have to do all that to be as good as you? And my fridge is stainless steel. Nothing sticks on it. LOL But I have endless lists on my desk, and the main item is: Rx For Trust to be released on December 4th. I shouldn’t forget my book. I’m dizzy myself sometimes, Mona. Congrats on the release. I know your blogging today about your story, and I’ll be there after work. Peeking in here now between calls. ((HUGS)) Aj Autumn, happy birthday!!!!!!!! May you have a fun day and may you sell tons of books. Happy B’day! Love the holidays, but I always cut myself some slack during holiday time. I make up for it by doing double duty on days that I have free. Exactly, Caridad, you do need to relax and enjoy life too. That why the calendar idea might help some. Thank you so much for the B-day wishes. ((HUGS)) AJ And ladies, if you have a chance stop over to Cardid’s website. It’s beauitful and she is running a contest for her new release. SINS OF THE FLESH. Great cover too!  Donna Caubarreaux says: Happy Birthday to you… And you thought I couldn’t sing on a blog…LOL Have a happy one! Mark it down on your calendar. LOL, Donna. You sound so much better in Cyber space than I do. Thank you, and I do have dinner with DH marked on my calendar for tonight. Sweet guy brought me two seasons of 24. I can’t wait to watch Jack in action. ((HUGS)) AJ You were almost a Thanksgiving baby, Autumn. I’m sure lots of thanks were given on the day your were born. Eat, drink and be merry! Ah, Misty. You are too sweet. Thanks for stopping by the RSS blog again. (((HUGS)) Let me add my “happy birthday” to the chorus. As for writing through the holidays, I’m usually lucky to just make it through without gaining 10 pounds! However, this year, since I seem to have a fire lit under my rear end, I’m going to try to keep up. I, too, would like to have my first draft done by the New Year … currently have about 25,000 words to go, but I’m hoping I can do a big push via the NaNo this weekend. I’m off and I only have my NARWA meeting on Saturday morning, and Boyfriend time late Sunday … plenty of time to write! LOL. 10 pounds. I think we all have that goal. Kudos to you, Arlene on the word count. I hope my suggestion might be of help. You go girl! Thanks for the B-day wishes. AJ First of all, Happy Birthday, AJ! Hope it’s a marvelous day…and a fabulous year to come! Second, wonderful post. I’ve never actually tried to organize my time this way, but this makes such sense that I might give it a shot. I especially love the guilt-free time slotted for family/friends. Now all I need is a new writing goal and I’m all set… Warmly, Linda, I’m so glad I helped. Remember life happens, so if a day is missed or not as porductive as you had hoped no biggy. Every day is an opportunity to move forward. Please let me know how using this method works for you. My email addie is on my website. http://www.autumnjordon.com So happy you stopped by.  Shoshana Brown says: Happy birthday! Shoshana  Cathy N says: I love this blog. Hi, ya, Cathy N. I’m so happy to is a PLRW chaptermate. You are doing amazing work at NANO. Kudos. Thank you for the wishes and I’m glad the post inspired you. Check out the other posts by my RS sisters. They offer up great advice. ((((HUGS))) Autumn, Hey, Vicki. Thanks for stopping over. I truly believe the holidays are a great ime to people watch. There is so much emotion zipping around. Take the time to really watch people. And enjoy the love of your family. Thanks for the B-DAY wishes. Happy Birthday! Great recipe! Good idea about the people watching. I have a brother who loves to “Poke the bear, poke the bear, poke the bear” and see what happens. Not always pretty. LOL Happy writing and hopefully I can get some stuff done, too. This next week isn’t looking too good, though. LOL on poking the bear. I know a few people like that. Smack. smack. I’m glad you liked my recipe. It might not be for everyone, but then they’re some people who (GASP) don’t love chocolate. Remember alot can be done in little bits of time. Thanks for the wishes. Happy Birthday!!! I thought I was the only one who hated shopping! I would prefer to clean the house than go shopping. Nope, you’re not the only one, sweetie. With a passion. Get in. Get out is my motto. Now remember to take sometime for yourself this holiday season. A hot bubble bath or movie. You deserve it. Thanks for the B-Day wishes, dear. (((HUGS))) AJ  Anne W. says: Happy Birthday, Autumn!! It was a pretty day for a birthday here. I need more floating days than you do, I think. May your holidays be filled with joy and love. An elephant baster! LOL. Did you ever have an occassion to use it? I must say, I learn so much from doing blogs from commeters like yourself. LOL. You can have as many floater days as you think you need. Just set a reasonable goal for yourself. The idea is to keep moving forward, without stress and enjoy your family and friends over the holidays. Happy holidays to you too. Need this organization. Thanks, Autumn. And Big happy birthday wishes!! Thanks, Bev. Your smile makes me remember one of the happiest times I experienced this year. (((HUGS))) Love the organization! I intend to apply some of the tips…after I get out of the bed with this vicious cold! Ah, the best layed plans of mice and men hum?:) Happy birthday Autumn:) Oh, Loretta. You’re sick and you take the time to wish me happy birthday. OMGosh. ((((HUGS))) I hope you feel better real soon, so you can enjoy the upcoming holiday. (((HUGS))) AJ  rita says: I think you forgot the wine. Grin. LOL. Oh, but I didn’t forget the wine. Some with dinner and came home with a bottle. Thanks for the birthday wishes, hon. (((HUGS))) AJ What a great strategy, Autumn! I hope you’ve enjoyed your birthday. Why not let it stretch on into the weekend? Hey, Anne. I’, m glad you like my recipe. It works for me. And it so happens tomorrow while DH is working, I’m writing all day. Then tomorrow night my oldest is taking DH and I for dinner to celebrate. Sunday I’m working a church fundraiser, so I’ll be with my church family all day. So I’m looking forward to a great weekend. Thanks for wishing me a great day. (((HUGS)) AJ P.L., The holidays are just getting started. One day at a time. Thanks for the birthday wishes. AJ  Janice says: Cute–and committed! Thanks, Autumn! Janice Good morning all. I picked out of a crystal bowl my five winners and they are; Arlene Hittle Ladies, if you would email at autumnjordon@yahoo.com with your snail mail addies, I’ll get your prizes out this week. I like shopping, but with a lot of Dec. birthdays/anniversaries in the family and among friends, I start in October. Hey, Roni. Good to see you here. You’re starting early is good, but I always seem to need buy the bulk of my presents between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. So happy to hear from you. Happy Holidays to you and your family. Hey, Roni. Good to see you here. You’re starting early is good, but I always seem to need buy the bulk of my presents between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. So happy to hear from you. Happy Holidays to you and your family. Great post, Autumn! And a wonderful way to keep writing during December. I have been pondering this for a week or so, because I know my NaNo book won’t be done, and had just decided to treat December the same as any other month. Get my writing done first thing, if possible, then all the other holiday stuff later in the day. You plan has given me a great way to do that, guilt free! Thanks! Hope your birthday was a great one.  Darynda Jones says: Great tips! Thank you so much, Di!!!!
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Happy birthday, Autumn! And great post!
The combination of the Golden Heart deadline and NaNoWriMo has made November a VERY productive (if painfully overwhelming) month for me, and the urge to just collapse for December is powerful….
I’ll go with your calendar idea, and try to keep December productive, too. Thanks!
Oh, Elisa, I bet you’re brain is fried mush by now. Take a non-guilt filled day or two and breath. Remember when you set your goal for January 3rd, make it realisic.
Thanks for the birthday wishes. It’s FRIDAY. YEAH!