Yesterday marks the release of the newest Robert Jordan novel, The Gathering Storm.   Like an semi-conscious moth drawn to the flame, I felt the unshakable compulsion to stop in at the local Borders, and there was a whole display of them in a nice pile as I walked in the door.   This is the first Jordan novel in a long time where my good friend and old roomie Teresa didn't pick up a copy for me through B & T (when she worked there), or through other means she has, the devious librarian that she is.   I both knew, and forgot, that it was coming out yesterday.  That is, I've been getting reminders about it, emails, posts on blogs, etc, but work has been chaotic for the past two weeks, and honestly I'd completely forgotten that I needed to be keeping an eye out for it.  Buried deep in my subconscious, however, is a rabid Jordan fan, and it wouldn't let me forget.

So I'm now the proud owner of the latest book.  Only, I can't read it.  Rather, I could read it, but I shouldn't.  Because I've got too many other commitments going on at the moment, and this puppy weighs in at the typical Jordanesque heft, which means its going to take a good number of days to read.  Maybe a week or more with the pace I'm able to eke out these days.  So delving into this would probably require I put a halt on those other commitments.  I've instead decided to take the approach of using the new novel as a reward, to spur me on to make the goals, and commitments go even faster.   It's going to be a rather hectic month or so ahead.  I've got PhilCon coming up, the last regular GSHW meeting of the year with Literary Agent Cherry Weiner coming to talk with us.  A novel to finish, a short story to revise and polish, and possibly a new novel to jump in on if I decide that life isn't hard enough, and that NaNo is worth the effort.  (I sort of have a story in mind, and I'm toying around with plots, characters, etc.  I think it might qualify as either a Children's or a YA, not sure where it will fall just yet.)

Still, the excitement remains: new Jordan book!  Now if I can just keep myself from peeking.  Yes, that's it, just a peek, that couldn't hurt, could it?

So, do you do anything special to reward yourself when you hit your goals?  (Be they writerly type goals or other.)

And, as a public service announcement, I'll remind you all its: BACK IT UP WEDNESDAY!!!  So back up your current work in progress.

From: [identity profile] jongibbs.livejournal.com


I find I work best with 'Can't do X until' goals, rather than specific rewards. Currently, I can't pitch any short stories until I finish the rewrites for Waking up Jack Thunder, which needs to be ready for my critique group, which next meets after the next GSHW event.

PS: I'm looking forward to PhilCon, and Cherry Weiner is excellent!

From: [identity profile] temporus.livejournal.com


Yeah, in this case I've got that modified to: Can't read awesome book of awesomeness until you get your work done.

I'm looking forward to PhilCon as well. My nephew will be joining me, and it should be fun.

From: [identity profile] edhorch.livejournal.com


this puppy weighs in at the typical Jordanesque heft, which means its going to take a good number of days to read

What I wouldn't give to have enough free hours in "a good number of days" to read a Jordan-length book. It's the one drawback to successful migraine treatment. Back when I was down with them three or four times a week, that time after I was done wanting to die but before I was ready to face the world again made for great reading opportunities.

From: [identity profile] temporus.livejournal.com


Well, the first seven books came out when I was in college. So, reading times were pretty good, especially as my TV reception sucked, and my options therein were pretty poor. Also, you know, I could read straight through a holiday weekend and make it through most of a Jordan novel without much trouble.

Also, didn't have any children when any of the other books came out. Heck, wasn't even married when books 8 & 9 came out. Makes things a whole heap easier when you have practically no life and no responsibilities. On the other hand....I also had like no cash, so I could only afford a few books a year.

Oy, the travesty. When I had all the time I could want to read, I had no money to supply my habit. Now that I have (ostensibly) enough money, I have precious little time to read.
.

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