Thank god its Friday - reward time!

I'm pleased it's Friday because it's one day closer to the weekend when I can just give myself over to my story and my writing, become totally immersed and lose myself with my characters.

I've been setting a cracking pace so far but have slumped off the last few nights and days (daytime because I've been working the real job) - and nights because I've passed the fabulous sex and hit the heartache and that's confronting!

There are other fabulous writers in our group who have been sprinting hard, juggling housework, kidlets and jobs and still produced amazing word counts. If you're not one of these writers, then don't despair - the challenge is not yet over, and any word count is better than sitting on your butt and watching Australia's Got Talent.

I won't admit to juggling housework - with the man away, I've been ignoring all but the necessities (sometimes I even ignored the fact that I had to eat), which means that this weekend I will have to alternate between word sprints and housework because he's back on Monday night.

Now that we're almost halfway through the month, I want you to reward yourself for getting this far, no matter what your word count is. One of the reasons I haven't written tonight is that I did just that: my reward was an iTunes card (Big W are selling $50 cards for $30) and a shopping spree on iTunes. So I got myself 3 albums plus a few individual songs: a grand total of 47 songs. Ian Moss is serenading me right now.

I also bought a new Cyndi Lauper song called Same Old Story (although when she sings it, it has an extra adjective in there). I really hope that I'm not writing the same old story with my 50k effort but actually I don't believe I am. Instead of drawing events from my life in isolation and sticking them in a story, I've stolen the whole story and plot line from my life. The names and places have been changed to protect the guilty and I've added some extra characters. In a couple of days, I've going to blog about Helga (who appears as a character in my novel called The Harriet Chariot). Helga was my first car, a powder blue 1966 Volkswagon beetle, and she and I had lots of pizza delivery adventures together. That post will appear on Write on Track some time after the weekend, right after I've scanned her picture out of my 1986 diary. (Yeah, I loved my car - she was my ticket to independence)

So fellow writers, tell me how you are going to reward yourself for getting this far in 50ks and don't forget to post your total word count by 8pm on Sunday night so I can update your word meters.

Mid Week Blog; So How ya Going?

Hi All,

Well it’s Wednesday again, hump day, just three more days to the weekend YAY. First off I’d like to congratulate you all on a fantastic effort so far. You are all doing so well, especially the ones that have small children. Each and every one of you should give your selves a pat on the back for a job well done.

So how are things going? Are your characters playing nice? Is the story flowing as well as you had hoped it would? Are you finding new and exciting surprises each time you sit in front of your computer? If you have an answer to any of these questions come and tell us.

I’ve had no real surprises this week. I think my characters are just glad to be out of the holding pattern I’ve had them in for the last few months. I’ve learnt a few things about a couple of the secondary characters that are going to have their own stories which was interesting. The things you learn when you least expect it. Oh and I also found out that my heroines dead husband married her because he didn’t want her having what he couldn’t the hero. What a snot nose. So glad I got to kill him off. Anyway my aim this week is to finish this WIP, which will than give me three finished manuscripts ready for editing in July. With just another nine WIP to work on.
Now at the weekend I did a little blog hopping at the weekend and when I came to one of the blogs I was so impressed with just how much she had achieved during the week I told her she should be our pin-up girl for the week. So each Wednesday I’m going to announce who I think my pin-up girl is for putting in such a great effort during the challenge. So my first PIN-UP GIRL is… drum roll please… da-ta-ta-da NATALIE HUTCH. Natalie has worked so hard this week, (well everyone has worked hard) but Nat has twins, a three year old (by the sounds of it going on 33), teenagers (I think that’s right) a hubby not happy because the house was a mess (he did clean up for her so I’ll let the unhappy bit pass), plus she has kept us entertain from time to time with her witty emails and post. So there you have it that is why Nat got my nod this week, so nip over and visit her blog (just click on her name) say hi, and have a read of her first chapter (which I still have to do). But truthfully I think you are all pin-up girls.

Also at the weekend there was some discussion about the rules or the spirit of the challenge. Should we be sticking to the rules of the NaNo or do we do our own thing? This is how I see this challenge, while basically we are working at getting 50ks written in 30 days we have to remember that not everyone works to the mould of NaNo. Some are set in their ways they know what works for them and what doesn’t. If editing and fine turning their work as they go then that’s fine, if they only write 10k or 30k during the month but it is the first time they have ever written 10k or 30k in a month then they have achieved something. To my way of thinking this is about being there to support each other, to give a cheer when needed and a shoulder at other times, to help each of us do the best we can with our time.

The lovely Diane Curran will be updating the word meters this week, so please have your totals in by 8pm on Sunday night or you may miss out on having your word meter updated. Diane has a day job as well as taking the time to update the meters and fit her own writing in. Don’t forget we need your total for the WHOLE CHALLENGE.

Okay I’m off my soapbox now. Enjoy the rest of your week I hope you achieve whatever goal you have set yourself this week and happy writing.

Hugs
Sandie.

Mondays meter maid.

Well, I'm late posting this because I was hoping a few of you that haven't posted your updated word count would this morning. But, I guess life is busy or you're so engrossed in your writing that you've forgotten all about us!
Anyway, check out those meters!!! Don't they look fantastic?? I'm thrilled with mine, if I add up the actually time I spent in front of my computer I did really, really well. Some of you have exploded out of the starting blocks and I'm crossing my fingers that you can keep it up for the rest of the month. For those like me, who've decided slow and steady wins the race I've got a book for you; The Tortoise And The Hare. LOL
Everyone is doing great no matter what your word count. Let's face it, life often gets in the way. And as much as we'd love to say POQ to it all we can't, so we make do, do what we can and hope for the best. Every little bit helps, so even if you're only get 100 words while waiting for the bathroom it's 100 words you didn't have before. And yes, I've been known to get the note book out and scribble madly while waiting in line for the bathroom.
The big news this week that deserves a mention is Christina Phillips selling a short story to The Wild Rose Press. Well done KC!!!!!!
The Wild Rose Press have been picking up a heap of new authors over the last few months and I have to say us Aussie's are a large part of that number. Go Aussie's!!!!!
So, back to writing, or editing, or re-writing. LOL I've lost track of what everyone is doing.
Don't forget the sprints are happening regularly over at the group. They're going on as I type this, which reminds me, I'm supposed to be writing.
Catch you all during the week.
RC

Weekly check-in!

Apologise for being late, but I've done my back again and I'm now grounded, as in flat on my back in bed with the laptop. Not the best of ways to be productive but you take what you can get.
So my week has had ups and downs. I finished my first lot of re-write/edits as requested by the publisher. She got back to me on and ask I continue to weave the dropped out back-story into the first three chapters. She's loving the story but it needs just a little more tweekin' to fit in her line. I haven't got much of a word count because of all the re-write/edit activity and the stupid back medication, but I'm quite happy with my effort this week anyway.
How'd you all do this week? I know from watching the loop that there's a lot of you who've been very busy, some of you not so busy and others who've hit a road block. Fighting my own road blocks at the moment I can honestly say I know how you feel. The frustration just keeps piling up and then you seem to get stuck more, and well, unless there's some hunky policemen guarding that road block I'm over it. I will say this though, you're not alone.
Leave a comment with your word count total for the challenge and don't forget to put your name there to.
I'm looking forward to updating all the meters on Sunday night.
RC

Mid week pep talk.

Day four, how's everyone feeling? Have you looked at those word meters? Damn, ladies, when you add them all together that's some serious wordage! As the meters stand now we've done over 100,000 words collectively. Everybody pat yourself on the back, job well done. Whether you're one of the few with the large number or the ones, like me with a small one, makes no difference because it's the actual writing that we're after. Besides, every time I look at one of those large ones I get the tingly feeling in my tummy and I know I can do that too. Then the fingers get tapping and my total goes up.
I've been MIA, but I have seen some action, even with the drugs I was on for the pain I managed to get over 2,000 words done on Monday. It's just a shame I'm not writing a fantasy novel because I gotta tell ya, those drugs produced some interesting words. LOL The whole lot went in the trash bin Tuesday after I read it, laughed my ass off until I cried and tried really hard to work out what the hell I was thinking. Even though I've no intention of adding those words to my total they weren't a waste. They kept me going when the body wasn't so willing. I was going to say the mind was willing but I'm not so sure what the mind was willing to do. In fact one paragraph had me so confused I think the only way to pull it off is to not have a spine or maybe not even be human.
I've watched the sprints over the last few days and I'm happy to see everyone out supporting each other and having a chit chat, 'cause let's face it, the writers life is a very isolating one. If we know that while we're tapping away at the keyboard there's someone a few hundred miles away, or even a few thousand miles away doing the same thing it's a comfort. We don't feel so alone, and when we need to bitch about the bastard hero that just stripped the heroine naked in the hall and had his way with her three chapters ahead of your schedule then we're here to listen. Mine didn't have to do much stripping, she doesn't wear any underwear!
I'm loving all the excerpts that are popping up. Some are putting them on the loop just for us, others are getting really brave and putting them on their personal blogs. I for one will applaud that move, as that's how I managed to get my foot in the door with a publisher. Get yourself out there, be seen, be heard, but most of all, be writing!
It's good to see everyone letting others know their word count, whether on the loop or in the comments here, however to stop confusion and give myself, Sandie and Diane time to write our own stuff, we will only update the word meters once a week. Friday the check-in post will go up here on the blog, you'll have til Sunday to leave your word count in the comments section and one of us (whoever's on duty that week) will update Sunday night ready for the new week. I'd like to request one thing when you leave your count. Could you please leave your name, with everyone writing under one name and actually being know by another it kind of gets confusing. Stop pointing fingers at me, I know, I know, I can't talk. So this weekend is my weekend to update so I'm going to lead by example. When I post the check-in post I'll then leave a comment in the comments so you can see how to make sure I don't get confused and stuff up your word count. The other thing is leave your total for the WHOLE challenge, not just what you did since last check-in. For example; Rhian Cahill - 2,000.
Oh, and don't just leave your count, let us know how you got there. Did you need tweezers and a torch to drag them suckers out of hiding? Did your fingers barely touch the keys? Is your plot working like you thought or did someone take a detour? You get the idea.
It's still only early for me, and yes I'm blogging a few hours early but I figured that would give me all tomorrow to concentrate on making up those 2,000 words that I dumped in the bin.
May the Word Gods smile upon you all.
RC

Ladies, You Are All Fantastic!!!!

Well ladies we have had a great start to the challenge. Most of you have exceeded your daily goal. The numbers are looking good and the word counts are growing.

Just remember while you’re writing away each day, this month is about getting the story out there. You can always go back and edit next month. You can add more or take parts out later. Don’t stress if you come to a road block in a scene, move on to another scene and go back later. If you write something and you’re not sure it’s working but it in brackets and deal with it later.

Some of you will find that your character have minds of their own and will lead you on a merry chase. Let them you can always change or move things around at the end of the month. It really isn’t much use fighting with them because they are like children who just whinge and moon until they get their own way.

So we are heading into day two, some are just starting for those good luck, let us know how you’re day finishes up. For those writing for their second day, at least there are words on the paper to follow now.

Here’s a quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald:
‘You don’t write because you want to say something; you write because you’ve got something to say.’

Well I write because my characters won’t shut-up until I do write.

Happy writing everyone. May the Word Fairy sit on your shoulder whispering words of encouragement all day. And here’s hope Miss Procrastination stays locked in the cupboard for the month.

Don't forget next word count update is at the weekend, up to 8pm (EST) Sunday. RC will have a post for you to add your word totals in the comment section from Friday. She will also have a post on Wednesday if you want to drop by and have a whinge, brag or just say "hi" so drop by for that one.

Hugs
Sandie

Let The Challenge Begin

The starter’s gun has gone off and we’ll have thirty days to write 50,000 magical words. A novel, a creation of your own imagination. Your baby, a baby you will nurture and grow to love or hate at times. Characters that will become part of your life, at times invading your space wanting your attention and stopping at nothing until they get what they want. Yes we are in for a fun filled month of highs and lows, but through it all we will have each other. There will always be someone there to cheer you on or give you a cyber hug when you need it most.

I found an article the other day while I was tidying up around my work area. It was one written about Barbara Taylor Bradford in 1986. She was riding high on the release of her best seller ‘A Woman of Substance’ as a TV series. It was partly because of this article that I had originally started writing. Although I put it all on hold until the last couple of years. At some stage I’ll share with you a lot of what she said, but for now I want to give you her five D rules. This is what she wrote;

D for desire – the desire to want to write that novel more than to do anything else.

D for drive _ the drive to get started.

D for determination – the will to continue whatever the stumbling blocks and difficulties encountered on the way.

D for discipline – the discipline to write every day, whatever your mood.

D for dedication – to the project until the very last page is finished.

Finally there is the sixth D --- to AVOID!

This D is for distractions – perhaps the most important D of all, the enemy of all writers, whether would-be or proven.

So ladies at the end of the first day of our challenge call back and tell us how your day went. How much writing did you achieve? Were you happy with your day’s results? Are your characters playing nice or being pains in the butt?

I’ll update your word meters Monday morning; you will be surprised at just how much of a boost you’ll get from seeing a word tally under your name.

Don't forget to call into each others blogs from time to time and offer support and encouragement to your fellow challengers, a little support goes a long way.

Have fun, enjoy your month of writing and we’ll be here through the week to cheer you on, or give you that cyber hug you may need. The most important thing is HAVE FUN.

Hugs
Sandie