After a day dealing with the worst damned migraine I've had in a very long time, I am happy to report the day's goal is met, but I'm still likely to add more before the midnight deadline.
1. How much did I write?
Currently have 652 words written today.
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
652 words so far in just over 45 minutes.
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
Current word count for Rogue Master is 12,647.
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
Have to admit I'm glad it's over. Not that I didn't enjoy the writing, it's just that today has been a heck of a day. I'm still analyzing what I've posted over the last week and coming to some really interesting realizations at the same time I'm exhausted by just how much the migraine took out of me today. I think I've been conscious a total of 5 hours today. And only in the last two hours, maybe three have I been actually able to eat any food without fear of it coming back up.
Physical impacts to my ability to write have surprised me, but I'm glad it happened so I could actually see whether I'm capable of meeting the goal for the day in spite of the way I feel.
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
I'm having a hard time remembering what I did this morning let alone what I did or how I felt yesterday about the writing. What I do know is that it took me time to get into the mood to even open the manuscript, but once I started it was good. Even better, I only have one more version of my old copies of the manuscript to go through to see if scenes can be revised and used in the new version. So far they're pretty much a maybe, but a lot of revision will be necessary to get them to fit. But I can do it. I'm a whiz at editing, that's for sure!
Did I enjoy it?
Yes, I actually did enjoy it. It was nice to calm my mind and let the story flow even if it was only a few hundred words. Progress is progress and the story is growing, that's all that matters.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
I'm looking forward to less pain and nausea tomorrow, which should allow me more time to play with old scenes and fill in new scenes.
My favorite line from today's writing:
TBD - to be determined. Going through what I wrote, there's not much I put down that strikes my fancy, but if something should crop up before the midnight deadline, I'll be happy to share it.
Until later!
Q
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Friday, July 15, 2016
Making Writing A Habit I Can't Kick - Day 7
Today is a double duty kinda day. Writing and reviewing. I'll be skimming through my old manuscripts to see if any of the scenes can be used in the new version of the story. Since I'm not sure how long it's going to take me to get through the various versions and scenes, I wanted to get today's post done as soon as I finished the little bit of progress I made.
1. How much did I write?
553 words
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
I was able to get into the notes I made rather quickly and added 553 words to Rogue Master. Even better is that I was able to get those 553 words in about 30 minutes. Woo Hoo!! Yay me!
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
Current word count of Rogue Master is 11, 995. I really tried to get those last 5 words that would push me into the 12k mark, but alas, I got nothin'.
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
After a really enlightening and thought provoking conversation with Claire last night, I got a head start on today's work around 2am. Then exhaustion hit and I crashed. Didn't get my behind out of bed until nearly 11, and made plans to meet a friend for lunch at 1:15. But I don't think I am quite in the write head space for free writing today. That's why I turned to the notes. Transcribing those showed me I'm making progress and that what I have coming together is really good. And much different that what I've written in the past. And that is a good thing.
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
Today's session was easier and the why for that will be part of an analysis I'll be posting on Saturday, after I've gone back and reread all my posts for this week and looked at the information I've gathered about the story and myself in this week's journey.
Suffice to say, I'm realizing Claire's favorite line - "It is what it is" - makes more sense to me now. And I'm actually willing to embrace that thought process rather than the one I've used as my default method all my life.
Did I enjoy it?
Enjoy isn't quite the right word. I liked what I did and I am okay with both how it happened and the results of the writing session. Then again, it's hard not to enjoy writing. I love playing with words and delving into character motivations. Although this session was a combination of exploring my characters motivations as well as being cognizant of my own actions and reactions.
Very interesting.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
What I'm looking forward to tomorrow is being able to spend time on Facebook since I've met my week's goal!! I'm also looking forward to sprinting via twitter with Claire, and helping my sister, Dane Waters, get herself set up to join Claire and I on the writing challenge. I'm also looking forward to the work I have to do today to go through the old versions of Rogue Master to see if any of the scenes can be revised and used in this version. Lots of work ahead, but I'm anticipating having fun...which is something I haven't associated with writing in a very long time.
My favorite line from today's writing:
Some of my favorite lines actually give away information in the book that I don't want revealed just yet, so I'll have to stick with:
“Apparently, grandparenting is becoming more appealing than dodging bullets.”
1. How much did I write?
553 words
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
I was able to get into the notes I made rather quickly and added 553 words to Rogue Master. Even better is that I was able to get those 553 words in about 30 minutes. Woo Hoo!! Yay me!
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
Current word count of Rogue Master is 11, 995. I really tried to get those last 5 words that would push me into the 12k mark, but alas, I got nothin'.
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
After a really enlightening and thought provoking conversation with Claire last night, I got a head start on today's work around 2am. Then exhaustion hit and I crashed. Didn't get my behind out of bed until nearly 11, and made plans to meet a friend for lunch at 1:15. But I don't think I am quite in the write head space for free writing today. That's why I turned to the notes. Transcribing those showed me I'm making progress and that what I have coming together is really good. And much different that what I've written in the past. And that is a good thing.
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
Today's session was easier and the why for that will be part of an analysis I'll be posting on Saturday, after I've gone back and reread all my posts for this week and looked at the information I've gathered about the story and myself in this week's journey.
Suffice to say, I'm realizing Claire's favorite line - "It is what it is" - makes more sense to me now. And I'm actually willing to embrace that thought process rather than the one I've used as my default method all my life.
Did I enjoy it?
Enjoy isn't quite the right word. I liked what I did and I am okay with both how it happened and the results of the writing session. Then again, it's hard not to enjoy writing. I love playing with words and delving into character motivations. Although this session was a combination of exploring my characters motivations as well as being cognizant of my own actions and reactions.
Very interesting.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
What I'm looking forward to tomorrow is being able to spend time on Facebook since I've met my week's goal!! I'm also looking forward to sprinting via twitter with Claire, and helping my sister, Dane Waters, get herself set up to join Claire and I on the writing challenge. I'm also looking forward to the work I have to do today to go through the old versions of Rogue Master to see if any of the scenes can be revised and used in this version. Lots of work ahead, but I'm anticipating having fun...which is something I haven't associated with writing in a very long time.
My favorite line from today's writing:
Some of my favorite lines actually give away information in the book that I don't want revealed just yet, so I'll have to stick with:
“Apparently, grandparenting is becoming more appealing than dodging bullets.”
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Making Writing A Habit I Can't Kick - Day 6 - Refleciton
And another writing session is done.
1. How much did I write?
701 words
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
I was able to get a total of 701 words done in roughly 90 minutes.
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
Current word count for Rogue Master is 11,443.
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
Today's writing session sucked. I'm not going to sugar coat it, I am not very happy with today's writing session, but I'm not going to dwell on it. Everyone has bad days. It is inevitable that I'll have a few sucky days. And since the majority of what I've written today is more notes about the story than actual story, it definitely identified the need for me to truly understand the story as I move forward.
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
Today was actually harder. I truly believe the difficulty in today's session lies in the issue I have with the internal and external plot of the story than actual lack of words. There are questions I still haven't answered and I have to do that before I can move forward. That was made particularly clear today as I slogged through the outline I've created.
Did I enjoy it?
Did I enjoy it? No. It was annoying and frustrating because it was all going in fits and starts. Admittedly I had to work at the day job from 7am to noon, but it wasn't the work that made the writing difficult, it was as I mentioned earlier, the fact that I had no clear direction to take the story.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
Tonight is a reset time. What I am looking forward to for tomorrow is having a real direction to move the story toward. Even if I begin moving from the end to the beginning. I'm actually hoping that the characters will have something to say. I'll be working through the outline -- hopefully I'll be able to still the voice in my head telling me that the first 4-6 scenes of the book will need to be eliminated because they slow the pacing of the story.
My favorite line from today's writing:
(From notes)
If your intent is to protect the Conclave, do so.
1. How much did I write?
701 words
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
I was able to get a total of 701 words done in roughly 90 minutes.
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
Current word count for Rogue Master is 11,443.
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
Today's writing session sucked. I'm not going to sugar coat it, I am not very happy with today's writing session, but I'm not going to dwell on it. Everyone has bad days. It is inevitable that I'll have a few sucky days. And since the majority of what I've written today is more notes about the story than actual story, it definitely identified the need for me to truly understand the story as I move forward.
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
Today was actually harder. I truly believe the difficulty in today's session lies in the issue I have with the internal and external plot of the story than actual lack of words. There are questions I still haven't answered and I have to do that before I can move forward. That was made particularly clear today as I slogged through the outline I've created.
Did I enjoy it?
Did I enjoy it? No. It was annoying and frustrating because it was all going in fits and starts. Admittedly I had to work at the day job from 7am to noon, but it wasn't the work that made the writing difficult, it was as I mentioned earlier, the fact that I had no clear direction to take the story.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
Tonight is a reset time. What I am looking forward to for tomorrow is having a real direction to move the story toward. Even if I begin moving from the end to the beginning. I'm actually hoping that the characters will have something to say. I'll be working through the outline -- hopefully I'll be able to still the voice in my head telling me that the first 4-6 scenes of the book will need to be eliminated because they slow the pacing of the story.
My favorite line from today's writing:
(From notes)
If your intent is to protect the Conclave, do so.
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Making Writing A Habit I Can't Kick - Day 5 - Reflection
And the writing continues. Unlike yesterday, I woke up to a phone call which connected me to the outside world much earlier than I wanted to. It was after 9 am, so I can't complain too much. Good thing is, it did get me up and out of bed and out to start my day.
So here comes the update...
1. How much did I write?
2,594
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
99.9% of all that I wrote today were notes transcribed from this morning. Considering I quit writing on the notes and began transcribing them around 2:15, I have been working on those 2,594 words since around 9:30 this morning. Which puts me at around 4 hours and 45 minutes of writing.
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
Word count for the WIP is 10,742. Which puts me about 10% into what I hope the final word count of the finished, publishable book will be.
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
I'm actually pretty darned impressed at how much I did. Why would I be impressed that nearly 5 hours of work only netted me close to 2,600 words (which divided out is around 520 words an hour)? Because I wasn't only working on my writing. I had two very long, drawn out text message conversations. One with my mom close to 10 am that lasted nearly an hour. Then a second with a student of mine who literally kept the conversation going for nearly 2.5 hours.
All the time I was responding to texts and reading through texts, I had the words I needed to put down on the page going through my head. I never lost the thread of the conversation with my characters.
That's a huge deal!! For me that's pure gold information.
I didn't try to dilly-dally getting started on the writing. Once I was up, I had the stack of papers and my fountain pens in hand and I was ready to go. And the interruptions from the conversations had little effect.
So, all in all, a great writing day...although I'm not sure I'm finished, I just wanted to make sure I got this posted.
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
In comparison to yesterday, it wasn't easier or harder getting started. I simply recognized what I had to do and I set forth to do it. In future I might actually set a goal for the number of scenes I want to get through, but getting through 3 and considering two were scenes with only the sketchiest of notes, I'm pretty darned proud of my progress. Especially considering the interruptions that could have derailed me. I could have decided to turn on the TV and watch Netflix after the first text conversation with my mom. I could have kept going in that direction when I started the second text conversation less than an hour later. Yet both times, I knew I had a goal and I stuck with it. I knew I had to write. I had to get words on the page.
And I did just that.
Yay Me!!
Did I enjoy it?
Actually I did enjoy it. It was nice to have that physical connection to the manuscript and be able to move through the scenes just letting the words drop onto the page. It's getting a little easier to trust myself to just let the words flow rather than try to direct the scene for the character. As a control freak, it's hard to let someone else take the wheel, but letting my characters do it, is getting much easier, because they actually know where they're going. I'm just along for the ride.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
I think tomorrow I want to set a goal for the number of scenes to get through. This strategy may be a bit premature and has the potential to derail me and my progress, since I'm not so great at keeping to my goals. Then there's the added issue that I have to go in to the day job to help out with some stuff early in the day.
It may mean that tomorrow will be a transcription day only, which is fine with me. As long as I'm adding to my word count. that's what really matters.
My favorite line from today's writing:
She had a war to plan.
So here comes the update...
1. How much did I write?
2,594
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
99.9% of all that I wrote today were notes transcribed from this morning. Considering I quit writing on the notes and began transcribing them around 2:15, I have been working on those 2,594 words since around 9:30 this morning. Which puts me at around 4 hours and 45 minutes of writing.
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
Word count for the WIP is 10,742. Which puts me about 10% into what I hope the final word count of the finished, publishable book will be.
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
I'm actually pretty darned impressed at how much I did. Why would I be impressed that nearly 5 hours of work only netted me close to 2,600 words (which divided out is around 520 words an hour)? Because I wasn't only working on my writing. I had two very long, drawn out text message conversations. One with my mom close to 10 am that lasted nearly an hour. Then a second with a student of mine who literally kept the conversation going for nearly 2.5 hours.
All the time I was responding to texts and reading through texts, I had the words I needed to put down on the page going through my head. I never lost the thread of the conversation with my characters.
That's a huge deal!! For me that's pure gold information.
I didn't try to dilly-dally getting started on the writing. Once I was up, I had the stack of papers and my fountain pens in hand and I was ready to go. And the interruptions from the conversations had little effect.
So, all in all, a great writing day...although I'm not sure I'm finished, I just wanted to make sure I got this posted.
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
In comparison to yesterday, it wasn't easier or harder getting started. I simply recognized what I had to do and I set forth to do it. In future I might actually set a goal for the number of scenes I want to get through, but getting through 3 and considering two were scenes with only the sketchiest of notes, I'm pretty darned proud of my progress. Especially considering the interruptions that could have derailed me. I could have decided to turn on the TV and watch Netflix after the first text conversation with my mom. I could have kept going in that direction when I started the second text conversation less than an hour later. Yet both times, I knew I had a goal and I stuck with it. I knew I had to write. I had to get words on the page.
And I did just that.
Yay Me!!
Did I enjoy it?
Actually I did enjoy it. It was nice to have that physical connection to the manuscript and be able to move through the scenes just letting the words drop onto the page. It's getting a little easier to trust myself to just let the words flow rather than try to direct the scene for the character. As a control freak, it's hard to let someone else take the wheel, but letting my characters do it, is getting much easier, because they actually know where they're going. I'm just along for the ride.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
I think tomorrow I want to set a goal for the number of scenes to get through. This strategy may be a bit premature and has the potential to derail me and my progress, since I'm not so great at keeping to my goals. Then there's the added issue that I have to go in to the day job to help out with some stuff early in the day.
It may mean that tomorrow will be a transcription day only, which is fine with me. As long as I'm adding to my word count. that's what really matters.
My favorite line from today's writing:
She had a war to plan.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Making Writing A Habit I Can't Kick - Day 4 - Reflection
I'm getting today's post done a little earlier than usual. And I actually completed my work before 2pm. Even better than that, I was actually able to finish the rough outline for the book and printed the pages out so I could begin working through my notes to flesh out the components for the different scenes.
Biggest issue I'm facing right now is, getting rid of the bloody migraine that's trying to burrow it's way behind my forehead because of the wonderful storm system moving through the area.
1. How much did I write?
3,649 (although about 1,200 of that may be duplicated due to the notes)
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
Taking away the 1,200 for structure, I was able to get a total of 2,449 words added to the book today.
I didn't really pay attention to time, but I know the majority of the work was done in nearly 2 hours.
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
Current word count for Rogue Master is 8,148. And yes, this is the 7th version of this particular book, but it'll be the last version.
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
I'm actually rather proud of myself today. I was up very late, as can be seen by my just before midnight posting for Day 3 of the Writing Challenge, so I slept in. I was up and parked on my sofa by 10:30 and deep into writing the notes by 11am.
I didn't turn on the TV or open my email at all. It's like, after the discussion with Claire on Sunday night or Monday night, I realized what the purpose of this challenge is all about and I made sure to focus on that. Not just the writing, but keeping myself from being distracted. On remaining disciplined.
And it wasn't like I hadn't turned on my internet. I did. I didn't take the easy way out. I knew I could turn on my email at any time. I knew I could turn on Netflix or Amazon Prime and watch any of the shows I want to. I even received multiple notifications of Facebook notifications and posts, yet I ignored them all in order to do the one thing I want most of all...to write.
I'm not saying everything I put down on the page is golden or that it'll last past the first ugly draft, but it's a beginning. Like Claire mentioned in a post on my Facebook page (or maybe it was on Twitter or a comment on my blog) "You can't edit nothing. You can't edit a blank page."
Well, now I don't have a blank page. I don't have "nothing".
My inner editor will remain on vacation -- forcibly bound and gagged and stuffed in a closet with the door chained and nailed shut until the ugly draft is done. She'll remain there until I send it off to my CP. After she bleeds all over it, then my inner editor can come out and play.
How do I feel about today's writing session? Fucking awesome!
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
It was actually easier today than it was yesterday. I don't know if it was because I got up and immediately moved into writing, or if it was because I simply felt focused on a goal for the day's writing, but in comparison to yesterday and the dilly-dallying avoidance crap, it was nice to get up and get started immediately.
Even better is to know that I have a plan for this evening. To go through my notes and add to them, sketch out what needs to happen and walk through the scenes. I like to hand write my notes and then transcribe them because the handwritten stuff is the kick off. I type much faster than I write, so the handwriting is just a means to priming the pump.
Did I enjoy it?
Yes, I did enjoy it. Bits and pieces are falling into place and with every section I moved through. It was great to realize that I had snippits of scenes already building in my head. Even better was to recognize how much faster things fall into place when you have the structure in place. The story makes more sense. The characters make more sense. All I need to do is get out of their way.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
I want to see if I can sustain this momentum. Claire and I have already discussed upping the ante on this little challenge beginning in Week 2. Week 1 is all about establishing the baseline.
My favorite line from today's writing:
Biggest issue I'm facing right now is, getting rid of the bloody migraine that's trying to burrow it's way behind my forehead because of the wonderful storm system moving through the area.
1. How much did I write?
3,649 (although about 1,200 of that may be duplicated due to the notes)
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
Taking away the 1,200 for structure, I was able to get a total of 2,449 words added to the book today.
I didn't really pay attention to time, but I know the majority of the work was done in nearly 2 hours.
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
Current word count for Rogue Master is 8,148. And yes, this is the 7th version of this particular book, but it'll be the last version.
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
I'm actually rather proud of myself today. I was up very late, as can be seen by my just before midnight posting for Day 3 of the Writing Challenge, so I slept in. I was up and parked on my sofa by 10:30 and deep into writing the notes by 11am.
I didn't turn on the TV or open my email at all. It's like, after the discussion with Claire on Sunday night or Monday night, I realized what the purpose of this challenge is all about and I made sure to focus on that. Not just the writing, but keeping myself from being distracted. On remaining disciplined.
And it wasn't like I hadn't turned on my internet. I did. I didn't take the easy way out. I knew I could turn on my email at any time. I knew I could turn on Netflix or Amazon Prime and watch any of the shows I want to. I even received multiple notifications of Facebook notifications and posts, yet I ignored them all in order to do the one thing I want most of all...to write.
I'm not saying everything I put down on the page is golden or that it'll last past the first ugly draft, but it's a beginning. Like Claire mentioned in a post on my Facebook page (or maybe it was on Twitter or a comment on my blog) "You can't edit nothing. You can't edit a blank page."
Well, now I don't have a blank page. I don't have "nothing".
My inner editor will remain on vacation -- forcibly bound and gagged and stuffed in a closet with the door chained and nailed shut until the ugly draft is done. She'll remain there until I send it off to my CP. After she bleeds all over it, then my inner editor can come out and play.
How do I feel about today's writing session? Fucking awesome!
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
It was actually easier today than it was yesterday. I don't know if it was because I got up and immediately moved into writing, or if it was because I simply felt focused on a goal for the day's writing, but in comparison to yesterday and the dilly-dallying avoidance crap, it was nice to get up and get started immediately.
Even better is to know that I have a plan for this evening. To go through my notes and add to them, sketch out what needs to happen and walk through the scenes. I like to hand write my notes and then transcribe them because the handwritten stuff is the kick off. I type much faster than I write, so the handwriting is just a means to priming the pump.
Did I enjoy it?
Yes, I did enjoy it. Bits and pieces are falling into place and with every section I moved through. It was great to realize that I had snippits of scenes already building in my head. Even better was to recognize how much faster things fall into place when you have the structure in place. The story makes more sense. The characters make more sense. All I need to do is get out of their way.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
I want to see if I can sustain this momentum. Claire and I have already discussed upping the ante on this little challenge beginning in Week 2. Week 1 is all about establishing the baseline.
My favorite line from today's writing:
“You don’t touch
what’s mine.”
Monday, July 11, 2016
Making Writing A Habit I Can't Kick - Day 3 - Reflection
1. How much did I write?
1,539
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
Word count for today is 1,539 (not including the updated page on my blog).
It took close to 2 hours, I wasn't really paying attention to time.
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
4,499
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
It's been a very interesting day. I'm very happy with the progress I made. To be honest I didn't think I'd get nearly as much as I did. I actually avoided writing for as long as possible today, but after an edifying discussion with Claire J. Monroe, things started to click. (I'll probably write a blog post about the discussion once I've processed through it and written up some notes.)
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
It was harder today than yesterday. It may be because I ended up doing another 648 words last night before midnight and a part of my brain tried to rationalize that "Hey, that's another writing session. So what if it wasn't AFTER midnight. It meets the criteria set forth of a writing session over 20 minutes long. I should use it."
But I didn't. It wasn't right to consider it a writing session for today.
Another reason it was harder was because I kept convincing myself to put other things ahead of the writing. That's where the discussion with CJM comes in. She walked me through some stuff and made me see the underlying cause for my avoidance, and she also identified what the true purpose of this challenge is about.
Discipline.
In some areas I am very disciplined, but with writing I am definitely not. That's why I need to develop the discipline necessary to make sure my writing career can be a long-lived one.
Did I enjoy it?
I have to say yes and no, with the emphasis leaning toward the "no" more than the yes. After I got into the actual writing components of the story, I had fun. Again it was the freedom to simply transcribe what the character tells me and move on. Considering I said "No", it may be construed that I don't like letting the characters take command.
I've read enough articles, books, and pamphlets to know that just about all the advice given to writers is to take control. To direct your characters where you want them to go. To force them into situations so they have to grow and change.
All well and good, but so not organic. And I'm talking "organic" to the characters, the setting, the story itself.
After the talk with CJM, I knew what I needed to do. I simply held off doing it for about 4 or 5 hours.
Yet, when it all came down to it, I got it done. And I got it done spectacularly.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
Tomorrow's session is looking better and better because I should be able to finish up the rough outline of notes for the book which will allow me to skim through the story and begin filling in the blanks. It's good to have a plan and some organization established before I get into the straight writing bit.
It's like I've prepped the playground with all the toys and tricks and treats I could and now I'm letting myself loose on the park. To have fun!
It's going to be fun, and it's going to be interesting, and while it's going to give me the words I need for the story, it's also going to give me something even better.
Discipline.
My favorite line from today's writing:
He didn’t dare trust a word out of the son of a bitch, but he needed answers.
Until tomorrow and the next session of writing to get done. Have a great night!!
Q
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Making Writing A Habit I Can't Kick - Day 2 - Reflection
Here's today's update...much earlier than yesterdays, which makes me happy...and I'm actually excited.
1. How much did I write?
2,023 words
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
Word count for the day of actual scenes and not notes is 1,960 words. I did a total of 2,023 words in 2 hours and 20 minutes.
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
WIP word count, including yesterday's writing is 2,248 words.
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
I feel like I want to get back to it. That itch under my skin that makes me want to delve deeper into the story and start digging the details out of my characters is beginning to prickle. I haven't felt it in a very long time and I'm actually enjoying it. I like the anticipation and the curiosity bubbling up inside me that has me wondering "what next?" I've missed that feeling, that sensation of elemental magic that every encounter with my characters used to bring about.
I want it to stay.
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
Today's session was easier than yesterdays, possibly because I decided to start my writing by creating a rough outline for the scenes that need to happen in the book. The fun part about doing that is that, often, when I'm making notes, the scene just evolves on the screen in front of me and I go along for the ride.
Did I enjoy it?
LOL, Damn straight I enjoyed it! I f'ing loved it. I decided to use a pomodoro app to time my writing sessions (25 minutes writing, 5 minute break). Only I didn't take the breaks. many times I didn't even remember to start the next session until I was several minutes into writing. I like the app because it gives me a limit for my frustration. If I hadn't gotten anything out of the session, I was free to take 5 minutes away from the computer to do something else. I didn't take that option, but that doesn't mean it won't happen on another day or another writing session.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
That depends. Tomorrow is going to be a little more difficult since I'm supposed to be doing some errands and completing some work for the day job tomorrow. Will depend on when I get up and get moving in the morning and how late I stay up tonight.
It'll be interesting to run a quick experiment to see if the early hours are still my best writing time. When I was first published and was writing all the time, I tended to use the early morning hours, before I had to go to work (usually between 4 am and 6 am), to write. If I can still do that, it would be great.
My goal is to get the full 80-90,000 word rough draft done in the 8 week challenge. To do that I need to write a total of between 1,468 and 1,607 words each day. (That's 1,468 - 1,607 words every day for 56 days) Completely doable based on today's results, but I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch.
I'll keep you posted.
My favorite line from today's writing:
And the time of dangling Becka Swinfield like a carrot before him was over.
Sunday, July 10th. 16:38 (4:38 pm EST)
Post Script! July 10th, 23:58 (11:58 pm EST)
Added another 648 words added after a plodding 2 more hours.
1. How much did I write?
2,023 words
Word count for the day and how long did it take me?
Word count for the day of actual scenes and not notes is 1,960 words. I did a total of 2,023 words in 2 hours and 20 minutes.
2. What is the current word count of my Work In Progress (WIP)?
WIP word count, including yesterday's writing is 2,248 words.
3. How do I feel about what/how I did today in the writing session?
I feel like I want to get back to it. That itch under my skin that makes me want to delve deeper into the story and start digging the details out of my characters is beginning to prickle. I haven't felt it in a very long time and I'm actually enjoying it. I like the anticipation and the curiosity bubbling up inside me that has me wondering "what next?" I've missed that feeling, that sensation of elemental magic that every encounter with my characters used to bring about.
I want it to stay.
4. Compare/Contrast today's session to yesterdays.
Was it easier/harder?
Today's session was easier than yesterdays, possibly because I decided to start my writing by creating a rough outline for the scenes that need to happen in the book. The fun part about doing that is that, often, when I'm making notes, the scene just evolves on the screen in front of me and I go along for the ride.
Did I enjoy it?
LOL, Damn straight I enjoyed it! I f'ing loved it. I decided to use a pomodoro app to time my writing sessions (25 minutes writing, 5 minute break). Only I didn't take the breaks. many times I didn't even remember to start the next session until I was several minutes into writing. I like the app because it gives me a limit for my frustration. If I hadn't gotten anything out of the session, I was free to take 5 minutes away from the computer to do something else. I didn't take that option, but that doesn't mean it won't happen on another day or another writing session.
5. What am I looking forward to in tomorrow's session?
That depends. Tomorrow is going to be a little more difficult since I'm supposed to be doing some errands and completing some work for the day job tomorrow. Will depend on when I get up and get moving in the morning and how late I stay up tonight.
It'll be interesting to run a quick experiment to see if the early hours are still my best writing time. When I was first published and was writing all the time, I tended to use the early morning hours, before I had to go to work (usually between 4 am and 6 am), to write. If I can still do that, it would be great.
My goal is to get the full 80-90,000 word rough draft done in the 8 week challenge. To do that I need to write a total of between 1,468 and 1,607 words each day. (That's 1,468 - 1,607 words every day for 56 days) Completely doable based on today's results, but I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch.
I'll keep you posted.
My favorite line from today's writing:
And the time of dangling Becka Swinfield like a carrot before him was over.
Sunday, July 10th. 16:38 (4:38 pm EST)
Post Script! July 10th, 23:58 (11:58 pm EST)
Added another 648 words added after a plodding 2 more hours.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)