Melissa:
Well, I had a goal of 20,000 words for the month. That seems to be my normal goal these days. The month started off slow for me. I didn't get to really sit down and write until Saturday 15th. And when I did I started off with over 5,000 words. Then Sunday I added another 1,700 words. The weekend was just shy of 7,000 words by 72. Shame. I should have sat down to get those 72 words. But that got me on a roll as I'm coming down the pike to the end of Christmas Spirit.
It's like an adrenaline rush when you are coming down those last words, even if it is about 22k. There is light at the end of the tunnel and it feels damn proud to be approaching it. All that work, hell ya! I'm sprinting toward it. I want to see those two little words typed on the page. The End.
The month closed with me totaling out words at.... 20,001!
Yes, I broke the 20k I wanted, barely. lol. The sweet thing, I got to write The End. However, the bad news, it was about 5k short of the 70k I wanted. It's okay. I know. It'll add up when I get to re-writes, but I was sort of hoping, and looking forward too, seeing 70k. But, it's done and shelved. I'll go back to it later and see how I feel about it.
I picked up Jayda's story. Ga! Is that a mess. I didn't realize how bad it was until now. But, started tearing it apart. I'm re-writing things to different areas. Important to remember, SHOW, not Tell. And I'm trying to fix that now.
Total words for March: 20,001
Christmas Spirit: 17,871
Jayda's story: 2,130
Jackie:
For me, March was about wrapping up my Creative Writing course and finally doing the re-writes as suggested by the teacher. I had gotten decent grades throughout the term, so I didn't want to mess with them too much. The last assignment was a portfolio to be handed in, worth 40% of my final mark but a second copy was needed to apply for entrance into the Creative Writing major or minor program. I've applied to add the CW minor to my degree but won't find out until late May/ early June if I'm accepted. Either way, I'm glad I actually applied. It forced another big step in the process of showing my work to others. All applicants are assessed by the members of the CW department, so it means more people seeing what I wrote and determining its worth. I have to admit, that's kind of scary. Whatever happens, at least I tried, right?
In pulling the portfolio together, it meant looking for any possible themes in my work or perhaps a recurring tone, etc. This was a bit eye opening for me because I mostly enjoy writing with a bit of humour but noticed that my school work tended to hit on human emotions and experiences. In fact, I think it all was a bit sad in the end though I believe the work wasn't totally without hope either. Still, I felt it wasn't a true reflection of what I'm capable of, particularly in light of my larger NaNo drafts, so I did manage to add in a couple of pieces that lightened the overall mood of my portfolio and added the levity I prefer to write with. It will be interesting to see what comments I receive back on these works and the portfolio as a whole, but I have to wait until the and of April. Cue the nail biting...
Now, it's time for me to get back to those first drafts I have and see if all that I've learned can make them into finished works worth sending out for query. That's my plan, at least where to start, going into April. Hopefully I can join Melissa in a word count celebration by the end of next month :)
Monday, April 21, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Writing Update - February
Melissa:
Another month past in 2014. ALREADY!?! Where is this year going? I wanted to be done with Christmas Spirit by now. Ha! I don't like dragging things out to long, I want a raw base on paper as I'm afraid I'll loose the grasp on where the characters are in feeling and where going. I've got to get my keister in gear!
I did have my International Pub Writing Day (IPWD) with Skyla Dawn. I was a tad nervous I wouldn't make it. We got a snow storm and my local area wasn't playing nice. They called it an Emergency Situation and we weren't to be driving. Well...I went out anyway. Hey, I took the kiddo to doctors and roads were clear as a bell and they Emergency was lifted. So I went to my local pub, had lunch, drank two Banana Bread beers, and wrote. What stinks, my laptop battery doesn't last any longer than about 45 minutes. So had to use dad's ipad to write in word. But I transferred over. For the day I came out with 4095 words! Woot!
Another thing that seems to be surfacing... my husband is accepting the book/writing/working as a real thing. That it's something I want to do. He's actually supporting it! Shocker. He used to pick on me, but now he's all supportive about it. He was completely supportive about IPWD too! Other than an excuse for me to drink beer. ;) This makes me happy and I relax a bit more knowing that he's not thinking I'm making this stuff up.
But back to words for February. In the group RaToJanNoWriMo group I pledged to write 20,000 words in February. Yes, it's less than January. I know there are less days in February and mundane life was starting to pile up, so things needed to get done. I cut back what I wanted for the month. How'd I do?
Total Word Count for February:
Christmas Spirit: 16,039
(coming to a grand total thus far... 47,014 words)
Christmas Spirit was the only project I worked on. I fell short for the month. Saddening to me. But that happens when life doesn't stop going.
For March in RaToJanNoWriMo I have pledged 20,000 words again. I'd *like* to finish out Christmas Spirit by the end of March. But that would be more than 20k in the month to do that. Then start into Jayda's world once again for April. Maybe even a short story for April to submit. Hmm...we'll see how March goes. ;) It's all totally doable, I just need to make it happen.
Jackie:
I missed out on the IPWD because of a holiday my daughter had the week before. I truly like the many benefits that IPWD was offering: beer, writing, a day off work. I'll be joining in for sure next time!
My month flew by in work, movies, essays, and poetry.
It's the last two things on the list there that really count towards actual writing, so I have a few thoughts on the subject of essays and poetry for this month. For essays, I have to admit, I always struggle here. I think I finally figured out why that is exactly: I don't like to have an opinion. That's not to say that I waiver and then to submit to prevailing ideas. It's more that I don't like to assert my opinion openly and really, that's what essays are. I had to write one for my film class with back up evidence to prove my point and I think I completely flailed despite having an initial, firm idea in mind. So, for March and the next essay I have due, I'm going to strive towards having a clearer idea of what I really think and prove it better, which I hope will solidify my writing as a result. Now, if I can only manage to accomplish this BEFORE the due date, it just might actually work. We'll see, I guess.
Poetry is a different ball game altogether and has been something I've avoided like the plague in the past. I do have a few favourite poets, like W.H. Auden and Robert Frost but true modern poetry escapes me for the most part. Naturally, having to write in either form (new or old) for someone who feels this way is rather intimidating or at least, I thought it would be. I have to admit that I'm really beginning to enjoy these challenges more and more. Poetry forces you to tell a story in a limited space with limited words; it requires a fine balance between implicit and explicit meaning.It also forces you to choose the right words to convey the meaning you are looking for. These can all be really scary things to think about but I'm truly hoping that writing with the...constraints?...of the poetic form will help me improve my skills overall. I now think of new poems I might like to write from ideas that flashes through my head. Before, a simple idea would just be the beginning of a potential story arc to pursue with a novel length work as the ultimate goal. I now understand that I have options when it comes to writing formats...lots of them :)
That wraps it up for our February progress and goals for March (and beyond). Happy writing to all of you out there.
Another month past in 2014. ALREADY!?! Where is this year going? I wanted to be done with Christmas Spirit by now. Ha! I don't like dragging things out to long, I want a raw base on paper as I'm afraid I'll loose the grasp on where the characters are in feeling and where going. I've got to get my keister in gear!
I did have my International Pub Writing Day (IPWD) with Skyla Dawn. I was a tad nervous I wouldn't make it. We got a snow storm and my local area wasn't playing nice. They called it an Emergency Situation and we weren't to be driving. Well...I went out anyway. Hey, I took the kiddo to doctors and roads were clear as a bell and they Emergency was lifted. So I went to my local pub, had lunch, drank two Banana Bread beers, and wrote. What stinks, my laptop battery doesn't last any longer than about 45 minutes. So had to use dad's ipad to write in word. But I transferred over. For the day I came out with 4095 words! Woot!
Another thing that seems to be surfacing... my husband is accepting the book/writing/working as a real thing. That it's something I want to do. He's actually supporting it! Shocker. He used to pick on me, but now he's all supportive about it. He was completely supportive about IPWD too! Other than an excuse for me to drink beer. ;) This makes me happy and I relax a bit more knowing that he's not thinking I'm making this stuff up.
But back to words for February. In the group RaToJanNoWriMo group I pledged to write 20,000 words in February. Yes, it's less than January. I know there are less days in February and mundane life was starting to pile up, so things needed to get done. I cut back what I wanted for the month. How'd I do?
Total Word Count for February:
Christmas Spirit: 16,039
(coming to a grand total thus far... 47,014 words)
Christmas Spirit was the only project I worked on. I fell short for the month. Saddening to me. But that happens when life doesn't stop going.
For March in RaToJanNoWriMo I have pledged 20,000 words again. I'd *like* to finish out Christmas Spirit by the end of March. But that would be more than 20k in the month to do that. Then start into Jayda's world once again for April. Maybe even a short story for April to submit. Hmm...we'll see how March goes. ;) It's all totally doable, I just need to make it happen.
Jackie:
I missed out on the IPWD because of a holiday my daughter had the week before. I truly like the many benefits that IPWD was offering: beer, writing, a day off work. I'll be joining in for sure next time!
My month flew by in work, movies, essays, and poetry.
It's the last two things on the list there that really count towards actual writing, so I have a few thoughts on the subject of essays and poetry for this month. For essays, I have to admit, I always struggle here. I think I finally figured out why that is exactly: I don't like to have an opinion. That's not to say that I waiver and then to submit to prevailing ideas. It's more that I don't like to assert my opinion openly and really, that's what essays are. I had to write one for my film class with back up evidence to prove my point and I think I completely flailed despite having an initial, firm idea in mind. So, for March and the next essay I have due, I'm going to strive towards having a clearer idea of what I really think and prove it better, which I hope will solidify my writing as a result. Now, if I can only manage to accomplish this BEFORE the due date, it just might actually work. We'll see, I guess.
Poetry is a different ball game altogether and has been something I've avoided like the plague in the past. I do have a few favourite poets, like W.H. Auden and Robert Frost but true modern poetry escapes me for the most part. Naturally, having to write in either form (new or old) for someone who feels this way is rather intimidating or at least, I thought it would be. I have to admit that I'm really beginning to enjoy these challenges more and more. Poetry forces you to tell a story in a limited space with limited words; it requires a fine balance between implicit and explicit meaning.It also forces you to choose the right words to convey the meaning you are looking for. These can all be really scary things to think about but I'm truly hoping that writing with the...constraints?...of the poetic form will help me improve my skills overall. I now think of new poems I might like to write from ideas that flashes through my head. Before, a simple idea would just be the beginning of a potential story arc to pursue with a novel length work as the ultimate goal. I now understand that I have options when it comes to writing formats...lots of them :)
That wraps it up for our February progress and goals for March (and beyond). Happy writing to all of you out there.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Writing Update - January
Melissa:
Well, I joined RoTaJanNoWriMo in an amazing writer group I'm part of on Facebook. These amazing people help push me along. I set a goal of 25,000 words in January. And I hit it! Woot, woot! *do a little dance* I actually went over by a few words. I rounded out January at 25,250 words!
Total word count for the month: 25,250
Words in Christmas Spirit: 23,597
Short SciFi Flash Fiction: 559
Short Fiction: 1,094
Awesome right!?! I'm excited. I was worried there at the end that I wouldn't hit 25k, but I pulled through. I do feel as if I'm not going to get finished with Christmas Spirit anytime soon though. I am at a total count of 30,948 at the moment. I'm looking to closing out at about 70k. It feels as if I've been trying to write this one forever now. But I'm not giving up. I'd love to close the book out by the end of February. Will it happen...I don't think so. I think too many words and a shorter month along with all sorts of family stuff (nothing bad, just normal parenting stuff) going on I won't get there. But it won't stop me from trying.
But...
*leaning in* I want to tell you a secret. *looks around* *whispering* I'm starting to feel a shift in what I'm wanting to do in the evenings. Shh. Don't tell anyone. I'm noticing I'm not wanting to blog as much as I use to. I want to write. Shh, sh, sh. *waves hand* But...don't tell anyone. Okay? That's our secret.
A big secret. I enjoy doing both, but I feel the shift of what I want to do with my time. Amazing. And I love it.
So, for February I've set a goal of 20k words for myself. I'm wanting to get a six-below draft done to let simmer and get back to Jayda's story. I'm in the mood for fantasy.
Jackie:
Wait...what? Did I just read that serious admission up there? I did! And I totally get it. Melissa and I talk about this often: the need for time to do all the things we want to accomplish and the utter lack of any extra to be squeezed in for writing, specifically. It's a large part of why I'd stepped back from daily or even weekly blogging quite some time ago. In the end, there's only a limited time available for soooo many tasks, it becomes about prioritizing the dreams :)
In furthering my own dreams, I'm back to school for the second term of my Creative Writing course, as well as an additional course that involves watching movies and writing about them, blog style, which is ironic now that I think of it :p
In CW, we had to hand in a ten page short story on our return to class, then we got to workshop the pieces with the entire class reading and commenting on them. This was a very cool experience, seeing what outsiders see about your story and what they notice that you might have completely overlooked. I had the desperate desire to get in there and red pen my fellow classmates' work (because I have a silly compulsion about grammar and spelling) but it was more about flow, content, rounded characters, and so on than it was getting the spelling right. I guess the idea is that there will be an editor down the road to fix those little details (if any of us become that lucky.)
After the workshop, we had to take our stories home and edit them accordingly. THIS was difficult. I got a decent grade on my first version but needed to add in some details about the characters. So how do you do this without screwing up the whole story? This is the biggest issue I've encountered in the NaNo projects to date, so it was a lesson I was anxious to learn. The simple answer to the question is: very carefully. That's not a lot of help, right? Well, it's a matter of reading and re-reading to make sure that the details are consistent and that the flow, tone, theme, etc. are maintained after stuff is added in. It isn't easy but it is rewarding when positive feedback is given by the re-readers. Now, I have to work on using that skill in much bigger projects...
So, while I haven't added anything to ANY of my WIP's, I have worked towards increasing my skills. In a funny twist, I thought the movie course would be a breezy elective that would up my GPA and help me get to my degree a little quicker. What it's ended up doing is making me pay attention to the fine details of filmmaking, what a scene conveys about the overall story, etc. I'm hoping this will actually translate to better details in my writing down the road, increasing my ability to add in descriptions and appropriate settings, that kind of thing. Cool, right?
In the meantime, I'll be virtually shaking pom-poms to help Melissa hit her word target over the next month.
Well, I joined RoTaJanNoWriMo in an amazing writer group I'm part of on Facebook. These amazing people help push me along. I set a goal of 25,000 words in January. And I hit it! Woot, woot! *do a little dance* I actually went over by a few words. I rounded out January at 25,250 words!
Total word count for the month: 25,250
Words in Christmas Spirit: 23,597
Short SciFi Flash Fiction: 559
Short Fiction: 1,094
Awesome right!?! I'm excited. I was worried there at the end that I wouldn't hit 25k, but I pulled through. I do feel as if I'm not going to get finished with Christmas Spirit anytime soon though. I am at a total count of 30,948 at the moment. I'm looking to closing out at about 70k. It feels as if I've been trying to write this one forever now. But I'm not giving up. I'd love to close the book out by the end of February. Will it happen...I don't think so. I think too many words and a shorter month along with all sorts of family stuff (nothing bad, just normal parenting stuff) going on I won't get there. But it won't stop me from trying.
But...
*leaning in* I want to tell you a secret. *looks around* *whispering* I'm starting to feel a shift in what I'm wanting to do in the evenings. Shh. Don't tell anyone. I'm noticing I'm not wanting to blog as much as I use to. I want to write. Shh, sh, sh. *waves hand* But...don't tell anyone. Okay? That's our secret.
A big secret. I enjoy doing both, but I feel the shift of what I want to do with my time. Amazing. And I love it.
So, for February I've set a goal of 20k words for myself. I'm wanting to get a six-below draft done to let simmer and get back to Jayda's story. I'm in the mood for fantasy.
Jackie:
Wait...what? Did I just read that serious admission up there? I did! And I totally get it. Melissa and I talk about this often: the need for time to do all the things we want to accomplish and the utter lack of any extra to be squeezed in for writing, specifically. It's a large part of why I'd stepped back from daily or even weekly blogging quite some time ago. In the end, there's only a limited time available for soooo many tasks, it becomes about prioritizing the dreams :)
In furthering my own dreams, I'm back to school for the second term of my Creative Writing course, as well as an additional course that involves watching movies and writing about them, blog style, which is ironic now that I think of it :p
In CW, we had to hand in a ten page short story on our return to class, then we got to workshop the pieces with the entire class reading and commenting on them. This was a very cool experience, seeing what outsiders see about your story and what they notice that you might have completely overlooked. I had the desperate desire to get in there and red pen my fellow classmates' work (because I have a silly compulsion about grammar and spelling) but it was more about flow, content, rounded characters, and so on than it was getting the spelling right. I guess the idea is that there will be an editor down the road to fix those little details (if any of us become that lucky.)
After the workshop, we had to take our stories home and edit them accordingly. THIS was difficult. I got a decent grade on my first version but needed to add in some details about the characters. So how do you do this without screwing up the whole story? This is the biggest issue I've encountered in the NaNo projects to date, so it was a lesson I was anxious to learn. The simple answer to the question is: very carefully. That's not a lot of help, right? Well, it's a matter of reading and re-reading to make sure that the details are consistent and that the flow, tone, theme, etc. are maintained after stuff is added in. It isn't easy but it is rewarding when positive feedback is given by the re-readers. Now, I have to work on using that skill in much bigger projects...
So, while I haven't added anything to ANY of my WIP's, I have worked towards increasing my skills. In a funny twist, I thought the movie course would be a breezy elective that would up my GPA and help me get to my degree a little quicker. What it's ended up doing is making me pay attention to the fine details of filmmaking, what a scene conveys about the overall story, etc. I'm hoping this will actually translate to better details in my writing down the road, increasing my ability to add in descriptions and appropriate settings, that kind of thing. Cool, right?
In the meantime, I'll be virtually shaking pom-poms to help Melissa hit her word target over the next month.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
2014 Plans...Er, Resolutions? Goals!
Melissa:
It's the new year. I'm planning on things going my way.
Ha ha ha!
Okay, now that I have that out of my system. Really. I am hoping for no big catastrophes this year. (Not that we ever plan them.) But as long as everyone keeps breathing and no major injuries along the way I think I can accomplish a few goals I want to in 2014. In writing anyway.
1.) Rough draft of Christmas Spirit. - I started this one in December 2013, but only got 7,300 or so words. I will get the first draft done early this year. I'm working on it now, and won't stop until I pass the final note card and type The End.
2.) Read and Re-write Jayda's 1st book. I had started re-writing it in 2013 when life got complicated with my dad and step-mom. But I need to start over in re-writing and add a whole leg to the story. Lots LOTS need fixed here. I want to get it to a ground zero I can work from. (have to a point where friends can tell me what I'm needing to fix up, add to, delete, etc.)
3.) Go back to Christmas Spirit and re-read/write it. I'd *like* to have this somewhere workable before end of 2014. Something I could share with a few friends and they can tell me what I'm doing wrong.
4.) It things go well, maybe I could start into The Steampunk novella series I started. I'd like that...maybe. Depends on the mood.
5.) As for NaNoWriMo 2014... well, I realized I don't do sequels too well so maybe I can start another idea? But I have to get lots of research done to move on with that one. As to when I can add research to the time schedule this year...I don't know.
To many these sound like easy tasks. For me, I know it's all going to be time consuming. I'm ready to put that time in, and I'll tell my family they need to work with me. But I'm slow about going through the processes, so it will take me a long while.
If I can get through the first three numbers here in 2014, I'll be ecstatic!
Although, I'd hate to skip out on NaNo as I love doing it...we'll see where I am by November. That is eleven months away, you know. ;)
Jackie:
I'm with Melissa: the word "resolution" has an air of fatality about it, most likely because of the number of failed resolutions I already have behind me from prior years. "Goals" is a much better way of putting things :)
For me, I fully intend to continue on with my studies, hoping to...someday...finish my Bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing. I'm almost halfway there, which is great, and gives me a starting point for my list of goals for the year:
1) Finish enough classes to be able to apply to the Creative Writing program, adding that subject into my degree program.
2) Work on/ complete my book 2, the one I started during the month of November but had to set aside during exam time.
3) Re-read book 1 in its entirety and get the word count up to 80k. Re-read and edit again.
4) Try to organize life/school stuff to enable me a better chance of fully participating in NaNoWriMo this year.
That's where I'm going to draw the line. I think it might be a bit much to get it all accomplished in 2014, especially because I take courses through the summer months as well, but if I have these set out in print, for all the world to see, there's a slightly better chance they'll be check marked as done by the end of the year.
Well, Jackie, I think we have some great realistic goals ahead of us. Maybe next year we can take a step further and look for more words. But, we will see how life treats us this year before we get there.
Cheers, Jackie, and to all that visits us here. Here's to a year full of words and much more.
As Jackie has joked, lets break some lead.
It's the new year. I'm planning on things going my way.
Ha ha ha!
Okay, now that I have that out of my system. Really. I am hoping for no big catastrophes this year. (Not that we ever plan them.) But as long as everyone keeps breathing and no major injuries along the way I think I can accomplish a few goals I want to in 2014. In writing anyway.
1.) Rough draft of Christmas Spirit. - I started this one in December 2013, but only got 7,300 or so words. I will get the first draft done early this year. I'm working on it now, and won't stop until I pass the final note card and type The End.
2.) Read and Re-write Jayda's 1st book. I had started re-writing it in 2013 when life got complicated with my dad and step-mom. But I need to start over in re-writing and add a whole leg to the story. Lots LOTS need fixed here. I want to get it to a ground zero I can work from. (have to a point where friends can tell me what I'm needing to fix up, add to, delete, etc.)
3.) Go back to Christmas Spirit and re-read/write it. I'd *like* to have this somewhere workable before end of 2014. Something I could share with a few friends and they can tell me what I'm doing wrong.
4.) It things go well, maybe I could start into The Steampunk novella series I started. I'd like that...maybe. Depends on the mood.
5.) As for NaNoWriMo 2014... well, I realized I don't do sequels too well so maybe I can start another idea? But I have to get lots of research done to move on with that one. As to when I can add research to the time schedule this year...I don't know.
To many these sound like easy tasks. For me, I know it's all going to be time consuming. I'm ready to put that time in, and I'll tell my family they need to work with me. But I'm slow about going through the processes, so it will take me a long while.
If I can get through the first three numbers here in 2014, I'll be ecstatic!
Although, I'd hate to skip out on NaNo as I love doing it...we'll see where I am by November. That is eleven months away, you know. ;)
Jackie:
I'm with Melissa: the word "resolution" has an air of fatality about it, most likely because of the number of failed resolutions I already have behind me from prior years. "Goals" is a much better way of putting things :)
For me, I fully intend to continue on with my studies, hoping to...someday...finish my Bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing. I'm almost halfway there, which is great, and gives me a starting point for my list of goals for the year:
1) Finish enough classes to be able to apply to the Creative Writing program, adding that subject into my degree program.
2) Work on/ complete my book 2, the one I started during the month of November but had to set aside during exam time.
3) Re-read book 1 in its entirety and get the word count up to 80k. Re-read and edit again.
4) Try to organize life/school stuff to enable me a better chance of fully participating in NaNoWriMo this year.
That's where I'm going to draw the line. I think it might be a bit much to get it all accomplished in 2014, especially because I take courses through the summer months as well, but if I have these set out in print, for all the world to see, there's a slightly better chance they'll be check marked as done by the end of the year.
Well, Jackie, I think we have some great realistic goals ahead of us. Maybe next year we can take a step further and look for more words. But, we will see how life treats us this year before we get there.
Cheers, Jackie, and to all that visits us here. Here's to a year full of words and much more.
As Jackie has joked, lets break some lead.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Writing Update - December
Melissa:
And, I'm late with the post once again. I'm telling you, CRAZY TIME!!
This is a crazy time of year with holiday...stuff. I'll say "stuff" as it includes everything from shopping to cooking to visiting. I started a new story idea that I had dictated into my phone and ipod for a few weeks in November. This story has a completely new aspect for me in how I've handled it. See I was doing NaNoWriMo and couldn't stop that project so I did something different...
I dictated into my phone and ipod recorders to remember what I was thinking. Then when done with NaNoWriMo I started writing out note cards of all these notes. It almost felt as I had written the story already. Well, the details of the days weren't there but the main bones of what was to happen were. It took me about a week of evenings to write up the note cards. Then I started writing the story.
It actually came easier for me this way. But then the holiday's happened. I was pulled away from anything and everything that was not Christmas. So for the month of December I clocked out with only 7,351 words in the new story.
But, now that January is here, I signed on to keep going with writing. I am part of a group of authors on Facebook where we help and support each other. RaToNoWriMo. We are doing our own goals for January and supporting each other with a group word count page. I signed on for 25k. I think with life and reading and blogging, I can do 25k in one month. That will bring me heavily into the current story as well. Heck, maybe even after I get back into writing daily I'll even surpass that count. (don't tell anyone but that's what I'm hoping for)
Jackie:
Coming into December, I had big plans to get writing done, knowing that I'd have a lengthy break from school over the holidays. I think we started out well, both Melissa and I, as she transcribed her dictations onto note cards (an idea I will totally be stealing!) and I continued to work on what I had started towards the end of my NaNo efforts.
Sadly, the holidays came up faster than expected, as they always seem to do, so while the first week or two went swimmingly, that's where it totally fizzled for me. But, I did manage to get some writing done and I do have in mind a chunk of what will come next in my story, so that had to count for something. I haven't actually made my note cards yet, so here's hoping that I'm not struck down with a case of short term memory loss (possibly caused by banging my head repeatedly on the desk as a result of writer's block) in the mean time and I get those thoughts typed out and ready to move on...which is the plan for the upcoming month, anyway :)
I have a short story due next week for my Creative Writing course, which has been my big focus, mentally anyway, over the last week or two. Funny thing about the NaNo format versus writing a short story with a set parameter for word count etc., is that it feels that much harder to accomplish, I think. My ideas seem to stretch into something that will surpass my quota, which in this case, is a bad thing. I haven't written much in the line of short stories, so this will be a good exercise for me in 1) writing in a concise, limited length, and 2) editing the work to the point that I can share it with people, like my professor and ALL of my classmates. Wish me luck!
At least both Melissa and I are working on our projects, so hopefully updates will have much better word count results moving forward into the year. As we try to make writing a daily, or routinely scheduled habit, it should help us both become more diligent workers...and better writers ;)
And, I'm late with the post once again. I'm telling you, CRAZY TIME!!
This is a crazy time of year with holiday...stuff. I'll say "stuff" as it includes everything from shopping to cooking to visiting. I started a new story idea that I had dictated into my phone and ipod for a few weeks in November. This story has a completely new aspect for me in how I've handled it. See I was doing NaNoWriMo and couldn't stop that project so I did something different...
I dictated into my phone and ipod recorders to remember what I was thinking. Then when done with NaNoWriMo I started writing out note cards of all these notes. It almost felt as I had written the story already. Well, the details of the days weren't there but the main bones of what was to happen were. It took me about a week of evenings to write up the note cards. Then I started writing the story.
It actually came easier for me this way. But then the holiday's happened. I was pulled away from anything and everything that was not Christmas. So for the month of December I clocked out with only 7,351 words in the new story.
But, now that January is here, I signed on to keep going with writing. I am part of a group of authors on Facebook where we help and support each other. RaToNoWriMo. We are doing our own goals for January and supporting each other with a group word count page. I signed on for 25k. I think with life and reading and blogging, I can do 25k in one month. That will bring me heavily into the current story as well. Heck, maybe even after I get back into writing daily I'll even surpass that count. (don't tell anyone but that's what I'm hoping for)
Jackie:
Coming into December, I had big plans to get writing done, knowing that I'd have a lengthy break from school over the holidays. I think we started out well, both Melissa and I, as she transcribed her dictations onto note cards (an idea I will totally be stealing!) and I continued to work on what I had started towards the end of my NaNo efforts.
Sadly, the holidays came up faster than expected, as they always seem to do, so while the first week or two went swimmingly, that's where it totally fizzled for me. But, I did manage to get some writing done and I do have in mind a chunk of what will come next in my story, so that had to count for something. I haven't actually made my note cards yet, so here's hoping that I'm not struck down with a case of short term memory loss (possibly caused by banging my head repeatedly on the desk as a result of writer's block) in the mean time and I get those thoughts typed out and ready to move on...which is the plan for the upcoming month, anyway :)
I have a short story due next week for my Creative Writing course, which has been my big focus, mentally anyway, over the last week or two. Funny thing about the NaNo format versus writing a short story with a set parameter for word count etc., is that it feels that much harder to accomplish, I think. My ideas seem to stretch into something that will surpass my quota, which in this case, is a bad thing. I haven't written much in the line of short stories, so this will be a good exercise for me in 1) writing in a concise, limited length, and 2) editing the work to the point that I can share it with people, like my professor and ALL of my classmates. Wish me luck!
At least both Melissa and I are working on our projects, so hopefully updates will have much better word count results moving forward into the year. As we try to make writing a daily, or routinely scheduled habit, it should help us both become more diligent workers...and better writers ;)
Friday, December 20, 2013
Why Write During Holiday Season?
 |
| My over-sized Christmas tree. |
So, I thought I'd come up with a count down.
Top 5: Why I Write During the Holiday?
#5
It's become a habit.
Especially on the heels of NaNoWriMo with ideas sparking away. Yes, I feel I need to write on a regular basis to keep it going. I want to keep going. I will write. I feel this is rather important, for me at least. I need to keep the juices flowing. Of course there are days that I run out of time, but my goal is to write daily.I am determined to fight through the chaos and keep at it. If I stop, as life did get over complicated earlier this year and I quite a lot of things, I very well may not get back to the habit.
I WILL FIGHT THROUGH. *huh* *Muscle flex* Ouch.
#4
I have a story idea...
...that is scratching at the inside of my brain to get out. It's so. The ideas don't take holidays off, they come anytime they hit. So, I HAVE to run with it! It seems the head is ready to explode with all the words wanting to come out.
#3
It can be an inspiring time.
Seeing all these people and the crazy things they do, yes, highly inspiring to people watch. Also, the holidays bring out different feelings as we go through the month. I want to use those feelings in writing.
To keep me sane.
Yes, sounds impossible but, it's true. In all the insanity around why not go to my happy place? The stress of dealing with gift shopping, crowds, wrapping, kids, cooking, family...yeah, you name it, it's all wrapped up in a tight little package that's ready to explode... I need that happy place!
#1
I get to kill people!
Ch, ch, ch... Ch, ch, ch...
Okay, so this current work for me doesn't leave a huge opening for death, but it does leave an opening to let them ache a bit. So, you know that woman that cut me off for the parking space? That teenage kid that ran right into me and didn't even have the courtesy to say 'excuse me' or 'sorry'. Yep. They all get written into my story and fall to a terrible tragedy...or slip on the sidewalk. Bahahaha....
 |
| Found on Lisa Kovanda's Facebook page |
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Writing Update - November
Melissa:
(and I had a whole post up and ready to go, and I accidentally deleted it. So, this is my best at coming up again with all the great words I had to share. Sorry late going live.)
I made it through NaNoWriMo. But it was work this year. Each year is a new process for me, no matter what or how many years I do it.
On the fourth day of November I felt I couldn't continue with the current project. It's a sequel novella and I felt I was fighting it to much. It wasn't evolving as I wanted it too. I don't think I can, at this point in my ability, can do sequels for NaNoWriMo. I think it's too much too fast for me. So I stopped and took a day off. Then Jackie suggested a short flash to get us moving. That helped GREATLY. I then had a small idea of Dragon Gods that I picked up the rest of the month with.
I had many great inspirations to help me through this year. First, Starla Huchton helped keep my friendly competitor alive. This helped keep me going when I was ready to throw in the towel. Plus, Starla keeps reminding me to "Write All The Things", just like Skyla and several others. Thank you Starla for throwing the pompoms at me, and taking the knives out first. ;P Jackie, yes the Jackie here with me. She was weighted down with school work, but she was a wonderful help and support to keep me going when I was about done. It was her idea that got me starting to let loose again. Thank you Jackie!
Now, I'd like to talk about two authors who have no idea they helped me. None. Because it's what they shared with us all that helped me when I found them. Lilith Saintcrow and Mur Lafferty.
First and foremost, Lilith Saintcrow. I read her new release: The Quill & The Crow (Kindle edition or Print edition). I agree with much that she said in her essays. The ones that don't fit for me, I adjusted to fit me. But what this book was for me...SUPPORT. Lilith seems firm in supporting writers. Even new writers. I felt like her essays were her speaking right to me as they were about how I was feeling. The down and out, ready to throw in the white towel. Lilith's book was about getting through to the end, keep going, you can do it, and last but not least - you are not alone (even seasoned authors feel this way). I love Lilith. Thank you.
Second we have Mur Lafferty. Mur did a daily NaNoWriMo podcast for us and her. She touched on a wide variety of topics that Nano-ers face as they go through the month. Also, she came up with different prompts and things to help with the story as you race to the end. It was rather cool hearing her process and trying to use some of her tips. The best part, the podcasts were short. They were quick to listen to, but influenced and made me think. Then on to the writing I went.
The Results:
Sleeping Beauty Laying Beneath: 8,612
Short Story: 1,671
Dragon Gods: 46,120
(And I even had 836 words that I added to first story that I forgot to add into the count at NaNoWriMo.)
I closed out NaNo with their count of: 56,322
Am I done? No. Fantasy reads usually count out around 90-100k. This is just the tip of the iceberg. But, I don't think Dragon Gods will go anywhere other than where it is. It was a story to get my mind flowing again. But, now that the ends closed, I came out with two more ideas I want to expand on.
Jackie:
I want to send out a big congrats to Melissa for making her target for the 3rd year in a row. She is awesome at staying on track, no matter how much she might deny it :)
As she mentioned, I was busy this year, taking two university courses (while also dealing with full-time work, mom duties, and the rest of real life.) One of the courses I'm taking is specifically for Creative Writing, so when NaNo time came around again, I really wanted to stick with it and try to attain my own three-fer. Sadly, it didn't happen, in large part because of the exam schedule smack dab in the middle of November and the insane workload of the other course I was taking (Marketing.)
BUT...I did manage about 10k words. I had started with one story but just couldn't get the words out. So, my big idea to light the spark under both mine and Melissa's butts to get working harder was to write a short story based on an image. Sometimes the visual just adds that extra bit of detail needed to make the words flow. I think this was a game changer for both of us. I decided after it to write a second novel in what I always knew would be a series from my first attempt at NaNo in 2011. The words were coming out like crazy until I had to start really cramming for the exams, putting an end to my NaNo project for the moment.
As Melissa mentioned above, there always seems to be a shift in how the work comes out as well. I did begin with a pre-established cast of characters, at least some of them, but in writing a second-in-a-series, there is the need for it to have the ability to be read as a stand alone, so tying in hints about the first story as well as making it mostly new content was a bit of a challenge. This was in large part due to my poor memory, to the point where I couldn't remember some of the names of people, etc.
It was this issue, as well as an idea of Melissa's, that got me thinking about organizing my stories on cue cards. I'm still trying to figure out where to fit some things into my first story, and I think this might be the way to achieve it: put what I have on the cards and the new elements, then try to rearrange the whole story in a logical order. I'm hoping over the holiday break to make this a reality, but we'll see.
I guess that having done any work in November was good for me because of the other commitments that chewed up my time, but I was more than a little disappointed at not being able to do more. Even when I had the extra time, it was partly plagued by just not knowing what to write or not liking what I'd already done. I think switching things up a bit was a good method to employ and will do that again if this issues arises in the future.
As for December, I know both Melissa and I are hoping to get into a routine of working, though we're both realistic enough to understand that juggling family celebrations will make this tricky. At least we're both willing to try :)
(and I had a whole post up and ready to go, and I accidentally deleted it. So, this is my best at coming up again with all the great words I had to share. Sorry late going live.)
I made it through NaNoWriMo. But it was work this year. Each year is a new process for me, no matter what or how many years I do it.
On the fourth day of November I felt I couldn't continue with the current project. It's a sequel novella and I felt I was fighting it to much. It wasn't evolving as I wanted it too. I don't think I can, at this point in my ability, can do sequels for NaNoWriMo. I think it's too much too fast for me. So I stopped and took a day off. Then Jackie suggested a short flash to get us moving. That helped GREATLY. I then had a small idea of Dragon Gods that I picked up the rest of the month with.
I had many great inspirations to help me through this year. First, Starla Huchton helped keep my friendly competitor alive. This helped keep me going when I was ready to throw in the towel. Plus, Starla keeps reminding me to "Write All The Things", just like Skyla and several others. Thank you Starla for throwing the pompoms at me, and taking the knives out first. ;P Jackie, yes the Jackie here with me. She was weighted down with school work, but she was a wonderful help and support to keep me going when I was about done. It was her idea that got me starting to let loose again. Thank you Jackie!
Now, I'd like to talk about two authors who have no idea they helped me. None. Because it's what they shared with us all that helped me when I found them. Lilith Saintcrow and Mur Lafferty.
First and foremost, Lilith Saintcrow. I read her new release: The Quill & The Crow (Kindle edition or Print edition). I agree with much that she said in her essays. The ones that don't fit for me, I adjusted to fit me. But what this book was for me...SUPPORT. Lilith seems firm in supporting writers. Even new writers. I felt like her essays were her speaking right to me as they were about how I was feeling. The down and out, ready to throw in the white towel. Lilith's book was about getting through to the end, keep going, you can do it, and last but not least - you are not alone (even seasoned authors feel this way). I love Lilith. Thank you.
Second we have Mur Lafferty. Mur did a daily NaNoWriMo podcast for us and her. She touched on a wide variety of topics that Nano-ers face as they go through the month. Also, she came up with different prompts and things to help with the story as you race to the end. It was rather cool hearing her process and trying to use some of her tips. The best part, the podcasts were short. They were quick to listen to, but influenced and made me think. Then on to the writing I went.
The Results:
Sleeping Beauty Laying Beneath: 8,612
Short Story: 1,671
Dragon Gods: 46,120
(And I even had 836 words that I added to first story that I forgot to add into the count at NaNoWriMo.)
I closed out NaNo with their count of: 56,322
Am I done? No. Fantasy reads usually count out around 90-100k. This is just the tip of the iceberg. But, I don't think Dragon Gods will go anywhere other than where it is. It was a story to get my mind flowing again. But, now that the ends closed, I came out with two more ideas I want to expand on.
Jackie:
I want to send out a big congrats to Melissa for making her target for the 3rd year in a row. She is awesome at staying on track, no matter how much she might deny it :)
As she mentioned, I was busy this year, taking two university courses (while also dealing with full-time work, mom duties, and the rest of real life.) One of the courses I'm taking is specifically for Creative Writing, so when NaNo time came around again, I really wanted to stick with it and try to attain my own three-fer. Sadly, it didn't happen, in large part because of the exam schedule smack dab in the middle of November and the insane workload of the other course I was taking (Marketing.)
BUT...I did manage about 10k words. I had started with one story but just couldn't get the words out. So, my big idea to light the spark under both mine and Melissa's butts to get working harder was to write a short story based on an image. Sometimes the visual just adds that extra bit of detail needed to make the words flow. I think this was a game changer for both of us. I decided after it to write a second novel in what I always knew would be a series from my first attempt at NaNo in 2011. The words were coming out like crazy until I had to start really cramming for the exams, putting an end to my NaNo project for the moment.
As Melissa mentioned above, there always seems to be a shift in how the work comes out as well. I did begin with a pre-established cast of characters, at least some of them, but in writing a second-in-a-series, there is the need for it to have the ability to be read as a stand alone, so tying in hints about the first story as well as making it mostly new content was a bit of a challenge. This was in large part due to my poor memory, to the point where I couldn't remember some of the names of people, etc.
It was this issue, as well as an idea of Melissa's, that got me thinking about organizing my stories on cue cards. I'm still trying to figure out where to fit some things into my first story, and I think this might be the way to achieve it: put what I have on the cards and the new elements, then try to rearrange the whole story in a logical order. I'm hoping over the holiday break to make this a reality, but we'll see.
I guess that having done any work in November was good for me because of the other commitments that chewed up my time, but I was more than a little disappointed at not being able to do more. Even when I had the extra time, it was partly plagued by just not knowing what to write or not liking what I'd already done. I think switching things up a bit was a good method to employ and will do that again if this issues arises in the future.
As for December, I know both Melissa and I are hoping to get into a routine of working, though we're both realistic enough to understand that juggling family celebrations will make this tricky. At least we're both willing to try :)
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