September: 54.25 hrs
54.25. That's the number of hours I spent on research-related work in September. That's up from previous months. My monthly goal is to achieve about 55-60 hours (13.25 a week) until the book is out, but I often fall far short, since I do scholarship on top of a full-time job. This semester, I'm also teaching, so it's particularly difficult. Hence, I take this moment to pause, breathe deeply, and give myself a hearty "atta girl!"
Some writers track words, not hours. But my draft is already too long. I'm in the process of cutting out huge chunks and rewriting others. It's more time that I need, not words, and September gave me both time and a bit of momentum. . . vroom . . . zoom . . . I. can. keep. going. can't. I?
[The photo is from my July mountain climbing trip, and features Tom mid-way through an excruciating descent.]
