So here we are at the halfway mark, the midpoint, if you will, of our November writerly effort.
Remember when we were told that writing is a marathon, not a sprint? Nothing was truer than when drafting Act Two. That’s not to say I’m in SlumpsVille. I think once I got the action going, it allowed me to explore each character’s motivations at that particular moment in the story and whether or not those motivations were worthy to be showcased. Subplots aplenty.
WRITING:
And now we’re diving into Week Two of NaNoWriMo & Entangled Smackdown over at SavvyAuthors.
As of last night, I’m about 45% of the way through the draft, though not without some changes to the game plan. I have a boatload of notes on stuff I want to change while I keep writing forward. I’ve done my best not to go back and edit as I draft. I don’t want to taint the established word counts and I know it will also leave me piddling around when I should be producing more story.
It’s nice to get the words out with more ease again. There were a few days last week when the digits (phalangeal, not word count) wouldn’t budge or when they did, they were uncooperative. That sensation is gone and I’m chugging ahead.
Whoa, Nelly!
One week in and I’ve already surprised myself with my characters–twice. That’s a good thing, but it also means I have to rework my outline. I found an interesting way of revealing my killer in the story and it’s definitely not the person I originally intended for the part. Oooh, I love whodunits, especially if I, as the author, am still trying to figure that out myself!
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Here we are in the third quarter of 2013. I can’t believe how fast this year’s flown by, though my carpal tunnel issues and back pain are constant reminders.
WRITING:
1) A couple writing challenges: WRITE YOUR NOVEL THIS SUMMER began on June 21st and runs until September 21st. Updates will be posted in my FRIDAY FORAGE series. AugNoWriMo is alive and kicking. Due to recent plot and game changing events with my WIP, I thought to skip this WriMo but am happy to learn that the flexible word counts are conducive to my new plans. At least I can continue my train of successful WriMos this year. 🙂
I’ll be working on the first 50 pages of my revised, revamped WIP, Aaralyn’s Song. Of course, I’ll keep writing beyond the first 50, but that’s my bare minimum goal for August. Writing 12,500 words is doable given my recent word count figures.
2) Polish & submit two short story pieces by August 31st. They’re complete and have both been workshopped. I’ll do final pass as it’s been awhile since I last read them.
3) Review old contest submissions of novelette and novella lengths. While I’m working on my Fractured Tales Series, I might as well shop these completed manuscripts so I can officially take part in the industry’s infamous Waiting Game. 🙂
READING:
Given my relentless schedule these past couple of months, I’m pleased to say I’ve read thirteen books since June 23rd. Not too shabby. This month, my reading will also include Beta Reading a fellow writer’s MS, critiquing fellow SCBWI member’s WIPs, as well some Advanced Reader’s Copies (ARCs) from NetGalley. I’m pleased to have received an ARC of K.M. Weiland’s forthcoming Structuring Your Novel. Read more about it here. The timing’s perfect to go with my writerly revamp.
NETWORKING [formerly known as SOCIAL MEDIA-ING 
(formerly known as BLOGGING)]:
I love the writing community and it continues to grow. Sometimes, it also feels like a small world because a bunch of us run in the same circles. Either way, I love the support and accountability with people who know exactly what I go through on a daily basis.
For August, the lovely Candilynn Fite will host #wipmadness for us every Monday on her blog. The #ROW80 check-ins will continue each Sunday and Wednesday.
Another bit of fortunate timing came in a new Twitter follower today. I followed back @nownovel which brought me to their site. It’s an online writing hub for fiction manuscripts from conceptualization to drafting. I’m going to give the free version a whirl but from the look of the three paid options, it’s likely I’ll make the eventual upgrade. It’s worth having a lookiloo.
LEARNING (formerly known as OTHERS):
Rather than change it just for yesterday’s post, I think it makes perfect sense to tell it like it is. All the other things I’d be doing aside from the three categories above naturally fall under the LEARNING category.
It goes without saying that I’m a huge supporter of perpetual education and I’m happy to be a SavvyAuthors member. Check out their snazzy new site. These workshops and the bonds I’ve formed with my fellow writers keep me inspired. I’ve also taken workshops through many RWA chapters, and while the genres might not be the same, the fundamentals are universal when crafting good fiction.
Here’s a rundown of what I want to learn and utilize this month (and beyond):
– Dr. John Yeoman’s Writers’ Village
– Ali Luke’s Writers’ Huddle
– Holly Lisle’s many courses, of which I have all but have not gone through yet. *tsk tsk*
– Udemy courses I’ve purchased (some on sale, some free, all pretty nifty)
Those were courses, workshops, and lessons. I’ve also severely neglected the following amazing resources of which I’m a member:
– Children’s Book Insider – The CBI Clubhouse has lessons, vids, and other services all put together in a great community.
– Writer’s Digest VIP Program – This includes great discounts (that I did take advantage of) but also access to WritersMarket.com
– Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators – Got an email today. Free webinars and other great critiquing opportunities!
– Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators & Performers
– Canadian Authors Association
Again, this list is by no means exhaustive, but it goes to show just how many things we have at our fingertips that may get overlooked in the blur that is life.
These are all writerly, but I must include an oldie that needs to make a comeback, mi amigo Duolingo. Aside from learning a new language, I want to continue something I learned MANY moons ago, how to play the guitar. I’ll start late because my only access to a guitar is on weekends but I’ll be perusing the online course with Jamorama.
I think doing other creative activities will be a nice change of pace, especially if bogged down by all the words. At least this way, I can continue to flex my creative muscles and the inspiration continues.
If you made it all the way down here, congrats! You get a cyber cookie. This might seem like a lot for August. Keep in mind, I wanted to gush here and there about different things I’ve discovered. In the LEARNING category alone, I’ve got enough resources to last a year. I’ll pick and choose accordingly. Rest assured, my top priorities are the Reading and Writing Goals that are still quite reasonable given my previous months. I suppose it’s time I give myself a little leeway, don’t you think?
Here’s to August! May the words flow more than the potential tears from the tasks ahead. 🙂
WRITING:
Camp NaNoWriMo and JulNoWriMo. Tweeting updates with @JulNoWriMo and #CampNaNoWriMo. Every Friday until September 21st, I’ll be writing update posts for WRITE YOUR NOVEL THIS SUMMER.
Fractured Tales Series Word Running Total for July: 73,138 words
Totals from April, June, and July: 236,997 words
My revised outline is much stronger. It’s important not to get too attached to a story idea. There are new twists to twists I’d previously made but I like the new developments. Things are shaping up nicely for my August redraft. No pressure to get all these words and set them aside while I try to get all the best bits and weave them together. Lowballing 12,500 words makes it an attainable goal. I can already see myself doubling that number. Of course, I’ll just keep at it and hope for the best.
I also have my Fast Draft WIP in the works. That’s off to a good start but I’m not quite in the fast lane, just yet. I think I’ll split up the 20 pages into manageable writing chunks throughout the day–if The Keysmashing Tots cooperate. They’re growing up way too fast and are making it trickier to slip away. Their acrobatics and their burgeoning sibling rivalry requires a constant referee/observer. Only the younger one takes naps–short naps– in the afternoon, and they’re sleeping late.
Who needs official writing challenges when these two challenge my writing time every day?! 😉
READING:
Currently reading:
Next up:
(Although, I have read a few pages of each to get a taste of what’s to come.)
Total books read since June 23rd:
Fiction: 9
Non-Fiction: 3
I didn’t read as much this week, so I’m still in the middle of my books. I don’t feel bad, however, because my writing’s flourished. Nice trade off.
SOCIAL MEDIA-ING (formerly known as BLOGGING):
A final July check-in on Angelina C. Hansen’s blog for #wipmadness. I wonder who’s hosting for August? I’ve joined up in a handful of communities already that have overlapping check-ins that I have constant accountability for my writing goals. It’s a great motivator. Four Sunday #ROW80 check-ins and four Mid-Week Check-Ins, so far.
OTHERS:
There is no reason you can’t find time to write. Case in point, the waiting room at a dentist’s office. I used to be able to lug my laptop or iPad around, but my back injury is acting up so I didn’t to take anything heavy on the commute. Enter the trusty notebook and pen. I managed to squeeze over four pages (after I transcribed them) while waiting. It was highly satisfying. When I got home, I tried the same thing and the elder Tot grabbed the pen and now I have some artistic additions to my notes.
So, Keysmashing or Notebook-taking, at least the kiddies are into creativity, as well. It’s good to get them started early. 🙂
The weather makes for lazy days but I’ll sit and sweat more bullets as I continue to write.
Textploits of the Writerly Persuasion 