This is how I’m learning to finish a novel and to be consistent with exercise and to keep the dishes washed and just about any other thing I feel compelled or constrained to do: I just ask myself “what do I really want?” Would I really rather watch tv or finish a novel? Would I really rather take a nap or lose 5 pounds? Would I really rather wake up to a clean kitchen or do it in the morning? “What do I really want?”
And sometimes, I choose tv. Or the nap. Or waiting until morning. But lately 9 times out of 10, I choose to do now what could wait until later. Especially when it comes to writing. Because I don’t want it to be this time next year when I wake up and realize I’ve watched this same episode of Oprah three times now, but I still haven’t finished my novel.
Kristy Dempsey 
It’s your birthday, so I’m thinking you should do whatever you want today. Happy Birthday!!
Good for you! And Happy Birthday again!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTY! 🙂
Great advice, and timely for me as well. Thanks!
Happy birthday!
Good points! I’m fairly good at doing stuff now…but sometimes I have to offer myself a reward, he-he.
Happy Birthday!
Excellent advice.
It’s hard to stay on track…
Happy Birthday!!
I hope you have a very happy birthday!
How much more of the novel do you have to write? Having both long term and short term goals helps me the most. I usually know what I want to accomplish each day/week/month. If I have a conference critique coming up, I always push myself to finish at least the rough draft and polish as much as possible…just in case. It really has lit a fire under me! (Of course, I gave up exercising for more writing time, but I’m slowly working the exercise back in). If only we could add another 4 or so hours each day. 🙂
Oh, I hope your birthday was beautiful. I think it’s perfectly okay to write in little bursts.