Over 500 writing days! February 2019 writing report (plus an update on our busted little yellow car)

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By the numbers, during February I wrote 40,040 words, at an average of 1,068 words per day. I wrote every day, which put my writing streak at…

Dum-dah-dah-dum…

501 days in a row as of Feb. 28!

I cracked the big 5-0-0! February’s scribbling puts me at 82,583 words for 2019—on track for 500,000 words for the year.

While February was a short month, it was an intense one. I’m building out some fiction ideas in tandem with my new websites (which are just about ready for you to see). I also had some usual suspects in the mix, of articles, exclusive posts to my patrons, and business writing for clients. But a lot of things have getting more and more focused on my fiction. Which I’m finding quite interesting.

Now to see what things look like at 1,000 writing days in a row…

A PS about our little yellow car

February’s recent snow, as you recall, did a number on the roof and back window of my and Jodie’s wee 2004 Toyota Matrix. Now, to be clear, this was our secondary vehicle; Jodie mainly drove it to and from her group teaching space. In a typical week, this car went 20, maybe 30 miles.

But.

The official word came recently from our insurance: The damage was so extensive, and the repair estimate so high, that the car had to be totaled.

So it’s bye-bye little yellow car. It was a wonderful car, and it did a lot of things for us, especially at a time when money was much tighter.

We are keeping positive though, and our insurance (Safeco, btw), has been great to work with.

What’s next?

Just to put this out there, we are interested in replacing the Matrix with a used Nissan Leaf. Especially since the car doesn’t get driven a lot, we’d like to have a wee electric.

Budget-wise we particularly like the 2015 Leaf, with 2013 as a close runner-up. 2011 and 2012 would be fine too.

If you know of anyone selling their Leaf, please feel free to send word my way 🙂

Here are some recent articles to check out

Reading: Shattered by Kevin Hearne. I will never, ever, ever think of the legends of yeti the same.

Watching: The Good Place. Jodie and I have been wanting to start on on this show for a while, and now we are just about through the first season. The dialogue is hilarious (especially the “fork” and “bullshirt” euphemisms, because as you know, I’m a feckin sucker for good swearing stand-ins). Ted Danson’s performance is brilliant, and I dig the diverse casting. It took a few episodes before I felt really invested in the characters, but now the plot is rolling beautifully. (Parks and Recreation’s Adam Scott as a cast as demon named Trevor is also well done.)

Listening: NPR’s Life Kit Podcasts. Update on these. Last mention I was about to start on them. Now I’ve listened to 4 of the 5 series, and I’m hooked. The money ones have validated choices Jodie and I have made, while also giving us some fresh ideas on further improving our business and family finances. The fitness and diet ones have been refreshing real talk, no-nonsense discussions about facts around fitness and diet. Next I’ll be listening to the parenting “tough questions” series, and am definitely looking forward to more Life Kits.

Asking: If I wrote an Instagram account as a Rucksack Universe character telling stories, would you be interested in following that?