Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

September 13, 2019 · by John W. Howell · in TGIF · 78 Comments

“Love your collar, Twiggy.”
“Thanks, Dad. You think Lucy wants to play?”
“After the sun comes up, I’m sure.”

Another Friday is upon us. For whatever reason this week seemed to last a long time. I think maybe it’s because football began in earnest last weekend and I spent a lot of time looking at a few games. I can’t say any of the games had the outcomes that I wanted but, hey. As a fan, it was good to see the games back again.

I am still working on the first draft of my WIP. Last week I was at 68,000 words and this week I fell slightly short of the 1000 words a day at 74,500. (It was only 500 words short but short nonetheless.)

I had a lot of research to do and just got lost in it. I guess I could have gutted it out to make up the 500 words, but it seemed forced, so I didn’t do it.

This week’s JohnKu talks about missing goals. I hope you have a super weekend.

It happens sometimes,

A well-planned goal is not met . . .

Shake it off, keep on.

Tags: author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, fiction favorites, Friday, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, JohnKu, My GRL, Our Justice, TGIF, The Contract with Gwen Plano, thriller fiction

78 comments

Jill Weatherholt · September 13, 2019 - 4:05 am ·

I agree, this week seemed endless! I’m so looking forward to two days of no commuting. Loved your JohnKu…so true. Happy Friday, John!

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 8:34 am ·
  
  I hope your Friday is filled with joy, Jill.
  
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shoreacres · September 13, 2019 - 4:21 am ·

Your haiku-advice is good. I wonder how many people who couldn’t get home from work, get to the dentist, pick up their kids from school, or get to a meeting will be able to shake it off so easily after yesterday’s ‘protest’ on our Fred Hartman bridge shut everything down. Clearly, I need to do a little more shaking! Here’s to a better day!

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 8:34 am ·
  
  Let’s see. Over 7,000,000 folks earning a living in the fossil fuel industry. The US is now self-sufficient in terms of energy. Yeah, a good time to shut it all down. I hope today is a better day as well.
  
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Charles Yallowitz · September 13, 2019 - 4:53 am ·

This hasn’t been two weeks rolled into one?

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 8:28 am ·
  
  I think so.
  
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Gwen M. Plano · September 13, 2019 - 5:25 am ·

“It happens” more than I like, but folks like you keep me plugging along. 😀 Have a wonderful weekend, John. PS…I love the photo.

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 8:26 am ·
  
  Have a great weekend as well, Gwen. Yup. Shake it off and just keep going.
  
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Fictionophile · September 13, 2019 - 5:25 am ·

This week’s Johnku = words to live by. Well done!

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 8:25 am ·
  
  Thank you, Lynne.
  
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Liz Gauffreau · September 13, 2019 - 5:26 am ·

It was indeed a long, exhausting week. Here’s to a better one next week! Shaking it off, keeping on .

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 8:24 am ·
  
  There you go. Thanks, Liz.
  
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Jennie · September 13, 2019 - 5:39 am ·

Good advice, especially on a loooong week, like this one. Thanks, John.

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 8:24 am ·
  
  Yes. Why was this one so long? Who knows?
  
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  1. Jennie · September 13, 2019 - 1:24 pm ·
    
    I think because it was the week after Labor Day, a full back to work week
    
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    1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 5:51 pm ·
      
      I guess that’s it. But I don’t work so I didn’t take labor day off. (There is no good answer)
      
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    2. Jennie · September 14, 2019 - 7:00 am ·
      
      There was also a full moon. But you’re right, there’s no good answer.
      
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    3. John W. Howell · September 14, 2019 - 9:10 am ·
      
      It might be the moon after all.
      
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    4. Jennie · September 14, 2019 - 11:42 am ·
      
      😀
      
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Mae Clair · September 13, 2019 - 7:02 am ·

It is so easy to get caught up in research. I do it frequently, especially when the subject is enthralling.

Love Twiggy’s collar 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 8:22 am ·
  
  I actually got up early today and finished off the deficit. I just couldn’t stand it. Thanks, Mae.
  
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Billy Ray Chitwood · September 13, 2019 - 7:50 am ·

Excellent advice, good John. ♥♥

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 8:21 am ·
  
  Thank you, Billy Ray.
  
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John Hric · September 13, 2019 - 8:13 am ·

John – there is paws and there is pause. Or to quote from one of my favorite lexicons the IBM manual ‘This page left intentional blank’.

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 8:21 am ·
  
  Ha ha ha. Thank you, John
  
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Debbie · September 13, 2019 - 9:06 am ·

John, thank you for admitting you “fell short” in your 1,000-word-a-day goal. I was beginning to think you were SuperMan!! It’s nice to hear that you’re like the rest of us struggling writers, only perhaps more committed and certainly more productive. Don’t sweat it, my friend — you’ll be back on track next week, and I’m thinking this won’t set you back one bit! Tell Twiggy I love her collar — Dallas’s is all Fighting Irish!!

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 6:21 pm ·
  
  I’ll bet Dallas feels good in it.
  
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patriciaruthsusan · September 13, 2019 - 9:42 am ·

It doesn’t hurt to miss goals once in a while. You’re doing well, John. Have a great weekend. 🙂 — Suzanne

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 6:20 pm ·
  
  You as well, Suzanne.
  
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Dan Antion · September 13, 2019 - 9:44 am ·

Research can be a rabbit hole, John. But very often a fun journey. I’d say you did good. Nothing should be forced.

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 6:20 pm ·
  
  Thank you , Dan
  
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Sorryless · September 13, 2019 - 9:58 am ·

Better to be thorough. 🙂

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Victoria Ray NB · September 13, 2019 - 11:03 am ·

It’s so true, with research:) easy to get lost 😱 but you’ll find the way out & hey, already 68k 😎👍📚📚📚

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 5:58 pm ·
  
  I actually have 75,000 words. Picked up the 500 after all.
  
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  1. Victoria Ray NB · September 13, 2019 - 6:09 pm ·
    
    Well done! 75,000 wow 🙌👏👏 I still have to learn how to do it…😢
    But it will be less after revisions? I mean how BIG is the book ..🤪
    
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    1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 6:27 pm ·
      
      I go for 95,000 then it gets pared to 90,000
      
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    2. Victoria Ray NB · September 14, 2019 - 1:54 am ·
      
      😱😱 wow
      I hope one day I’ll write 90k too. Always stops for me in 45-50k 😢🤪
      
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    3. John W. Howell · September 14, 2019 - 9:23 am ·
      
      Yeah but you pack a lot in there.
      
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    4. Victoria Ray NB · September 14, 2019 - 9:44 am ·
      
      Yeah, otherwise I need to go into details (a lot). I prefer to skip it 🤓🤨🤪
      
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    5. John W. Howell · September 14, 2019 - 11:28 am ·
      
      Yeah, you don’t want to do that.
      
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coldhandboyack · September 13, 2019 - 11:43 am ·

Some days we hit the target, and some days we feel like the target. Research is always valuable, so it’s one of the better excuses. Hope you have a great weekend.

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 5:55 pm ·
  
  Yeah, research beats, “Didn’t want to get out of bed.” Might be the same activity but one has some legitimacy. Thanks, Craig
  
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  1. coldhandboyack · September 13, 2019 - 6:04 pm ·
    
    Combine research with being in bed. Best of both worlds.
    
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    1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 6:26 pm ·
      
      Serta tester.
      
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D.L. Finn, Author · September 13, 2019 - 12:04 pm ·

Research can get very distracting, I agree. I always feel its better to get something done even if it’s not what we had planned for. Happy weekend and hope you have better football outcomes this weekend. It was a good opening week in our house:)

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 6:22 pm ·
  
  I hope so too, Denise. Thank you.
  
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  1. D.L. Finn (@dlfinnauthor) · September 13, 2019 - 8:50 pm ·
    
    🙂
    
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GP Cox · September 13, 2019 - 12:58 pm ·

I wouldn’t force the issue. When you have all the proper research, you’ll just scoot right along and catch up easily. I have confidence in you, John.

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 5:52 pm ·
  
  Thank you, GP
  
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Vashti Q · September 13, 2019 - 3:07 pm ·

It’s okay to miss the target once in a while, John. For the most part, you’ve done great. I completely relate to getting lost in the research. Have a wonderful weekend! 😀 xo

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 5:50 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Vashti. You as well.
  
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morristownmemos by Ronnie Hammer · September 13, 2019 - 3:48 pm ·

Targets were established by psychiatrists to increase their patients’ reliance on their support. Don’t fall for the trick, John. Shake off the “have to’s” in your life…

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 5:49 pm ·
  
  Yes. I have very few have tos. 1. Pay my taxes 2. Take in nourishment 3 Keep writing
  
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Dale · September 13, 2019 - 4:24 pm ·

A goal is a fine thing; however, one must allow for unexpected happenings. And really, 500 is hardly worth a mention 😉
Happy Friday and have a fabulous weekend!

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 5:47 pm ·
  
  Yeah I couldn’t stand it and caught up to 75,000 words
  
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  1. Dale · September 13, 2019 - 5:58 pm ·
    
    Why am I not surprised?
    
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    1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 6:25 pm ·
      
      Nerd.🤓
      
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    2. Dale · September 13, 2019 - 6:52 pm ·
      
      But a cool one!
      
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    3. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 7:49 pm ·
      
      AW ❤️
      
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    4. Dale · September 13, 2019 - 7:57 pm ·
      
      💞
      
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    5. John W. Howell · September 14, 2019 - 9:37 am ·
      
      😊
      
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Luanne · September 13, 2019 - 7:42 pm ·

Do you like pro or college football? Just wondering. I’m not a huge fan, but I do prefer football over baseball and Sooner football. Now that Kyler is in the Cardinals (Phoenix!!!), I have a tiny bit more interest in pro football haha.

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1. John W. Howell · September 13, 2019 - 7:49 pm ·
  
  I like both. Notre Dame, Michigan State University, Baylor, and West Virginia University for college and Steelers for Pro.
  
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  1. Luanne · September 13, 2019 - 8:51 pm ·
    
    I wear my Spartans cap when they are doing well haha. You are a football diehard, like my future SIL.
    
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    1. John W. Howell · September 14, 2019 - 9:34 am ·
      
      The colleges are where we attended. The Steelers because Pittsburgh is my wife’s hometown. My hometown is Detroit. No need to explain further.
      
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    2. Luanne · September 14, 2019 - 5:09 pm ·
      
      There is usually a personal connection. But. My daughter and her boyfriend are Sooners, and I love that team. My son and DIL graduated from Arizona State. Just doesn’t do it for me like OU.
      
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    3. John W. Howell · September 14, 2019 - 5:18 pm ·
      
      OU is a good place. Big 12 and all
      
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    4. Luanne · September 15, 2019 - 12:58 am ·
      
      Big win tonight!
      
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Jan Sikes · September 13, 2019 - 9:01 pm ·

Absolutely! Shake it off! Any progress is good progress!

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1. John W. Howell · September 14, 2019 - 9:24 am ·
  
  I agree.
  
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circadianreflections · September 14, 2019 - 8:11 am ·

Research can be a Rabbit Hole, and quite interesting and engrossing when you least expect it.

Setbacks are the stepping stones to comebacks! Shake it off and keep on going. It’s a new day!

Twiggy’s new collar is awesome!

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1. John W. Howell · September 14, 2019 - 9:10 am ·
  
  I like this locker room pep talk, Deborah. Now let’s get out there and knock ’em dead.
  
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  1. circadianreflections · September 14, 2019 - 9:21 am ·
    
    LOL! Right! 🤣
    
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kethuprofumo · September 14, 2019 - 1:51 pm ·

Amazing collar! True Friday is on, it’s time to enjoy!

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1. John W. Howell · September 14, 2019 - 2:59 pm ·
  
  Yes, it is. Thanks, Mari.
  
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  1. kethuprofumo · September 14, 2019 - 3:33 pm ·
    
    🙂 🙂 🙂
    
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Teri Polen · September 16, 2019 - 8:04 am ·

Love Twiggy’s collar. Last week seemed short to me, but that was because I left on Thursday for the book fest.

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1. John W. Howell · September 16, 2019 - 8:32 am ·
  
  That would do it for sure.
  
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