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
Friday, June 6, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
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
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
Monday, June 2, 2008
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
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
Saturday, May 31, 2008
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
I'm writing a what????
Okay, I'm in warm-up mode...doing those star-jumps and stretches....getting ready for the main event starting tomorrow. (need to get an early night tonight so I can actually start before noon tomorrow).
As many of you know I am picking up the story that I wrote during my first attempt at Nanowrimo in 2004. I halfway succeeded so I have just over 25k of words. It's based on my pizza delivery days as a young innocent uni student. There's a bit of fiction thrown in there - the customers mainly - but everything else is based on real life, real people....gulp....my life! My sexual awakening. My education in sex, drugs and rock n roll.
Is it any wonder that I got cold feet and stopped writing at the end of November 2004? It was cutting too close to the bone and I was feeling way too vulnerable. Do I really want to reveal myself like this?
Yesterday, in between answering customer calls at work (it was rather quiet and there was long gaps between calls), I read a fair chunk of what I wrote all those years ago. Suddenly it got very hot in there. My own writing was making me blush and transporting me back into my first lover's arms.
I've got to face it now....I'm writing a sexual memoir. And like the 'characters' in the story, I need to go all the way. I need to keep writing when the writing becomes too difficult or too confronting. I need to be honest and I need to be completely vulnerable. I need to not only relive that ecstasy of first love, but also the pain of having it all ripped away. Because I know this story does not have a happy ending. But I survived. And grew.
Last night, in preparation, I pulled out an old journal. Some written during the time of that first love affair. Some in retrospect. Then a list of diary entries, snippets of conversation. I typed all this up and ended up with a timeline of 5 pages. I won't be deviating from the plot of the story because its mine. And it ended exactly as it was supposed to.
Years ago, I did a writing exercise where you write the words 'I remember...' and then finish the sentence with whatever first comes into your head. I filled a heap of notebook pages doing this. I found the notebook last night and typed up all the entries that were relevant to my pizza days. Another two pages of reminiscing. (BTW, I totally recommend this exercise)
This morning, I found my photo album of these days in my shed. I'm going to scan the pics and post them to my phanfare album so friends may see what we got up to. Curiously, I don't have a photo of me and my first lover together. All the photos were taken after the relationship imploded. I think I was too busy living and loving at the time to capture a Kodak moment.
With all this reading to get my head back into that time, all these thoughts about my first lover, I was prepared to dream about him last night. It didn't happen. Instead I dreamed of another lover in the interim, a lovely guy who set me on the right track when it came to relationships. It was a nice dream about recapturing friendship - however oddly in the dream he was the manager of a retail store, despite the fact that he is now a psychologist in real life. Perhaps the dream was a sign that I need to send him an email.
As many of you know I am picking up the story that I wrote during my first attempt at Nanowrimo in 2004. I halfway succeeded so I have just over 25k of words. It's based on my pizza delivery days as a young innocent uni student. There's a bit of fiction thrown in there - the customers mainly - but everything else is based on real life, real people....gulp....my life! My sexual awakening. My education in sex, drugs and rock n roll.
Is it any wonder that I got cold feet and stopped writing at the end of November 2004? It was cutting too close to the bone and I was feeling way too vulnerable. Do I really want to reveal myself like this?
Yesterday, in between answering customer calls at work (it was rather quiet and there was long gaps between calls), I read a fair chunk of what I wrote all those years ago. Suddenly it got very hot in there. My own writing was making me blush and transporting me back into my first lover's arms.
I've got to face it now....I'm writing a sexual memoir. And like the 'characters' in the story, I need to go all the way. I need to keep writing when the writing becomes too difficult or too confronting. I need to be honest and I need to be completely vulnerable. I need to not only relive that ecstasy of first love, but also the pain of having it all ripped away. Because I know this story does not have a happy ending. But I survived. And grew.
Last night, in preparation, I pulled out an old journal. Some written during the time of that first love affair. Some in retrospect. Then a list of diary entries, snippets of conversation. I typed all this up and ended up with a timeline of 5 pages. I won't be deviating from the plot of the story because its mine. And it ended exactly as it was supposed to.
Years ago, I did a writing exercise where you write the words 'I remember...' and then finish the sentence with whatever first comes into your head. I filled a heap of notebook pages doing this. I found the notebook last night and typed up all the entries that were relevant to my pizza days. Another two pages of reminiscing. (BTW, I totally recommend this exercise)
This morning, I found my photo album of these days in my shed. I'm going to scan the pics and post them to my phanfare album so friends may see what we got up to. Curiously, I don't have a photo of me and my first lover together. All the photos were taken after the relationship imploded. I think I was too busy living and loving at the time to capture a Kodak moment.
With all this reading to get my head back into that time, all these thoughts about my first lover, I was prepared to dream about him last night. It didn't happen. Instead I dreamed of another lover in the interim, a lovely guy who set me on the right track when it came to relationships. It was a nice dream about recapturing friendship - however oddly in the dream he was the manager of a retail store, despite the fact that he is now a psychologist in real life. Perhaps the dream was a sign that I need to send him an email.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Testing, testing... Is this thing on??
All right people, it's warm up time.
Welcome to the Friday post, every Friday one of the suckers, oops, I mean privileged will post about their week of writing and invite you to leave a comment with your word count so that your meter can be updated by Sunday evening. It'll go something like this;
Okay, check up time! How you doing? Me? Well, let's see.... the blood pressures up and I'm not sleeping... What? Oh, you want my writing check in, oh sorry about that, I'm just a little all over the place. Personality splits, full requests and damn characters that do whatever they want will do that to a person. This week I hit the starting blocks and forgot to check the date. Yep, I went early but that's okay, it's all about the writing no matter when you do it. I've been writing up a storm, in the last two days. We won't talk about the ones before that, nope, definitely not. They sucked! But sometime on Wednesday, or was it Thursday? Who knows, all I know is someone opened the dam and out it all came. Last night we hit some rocks, we're a little bruised but still moving down river and that's what counts. Speaking of counts, my word count for the week (and I'm soooo tempted to put it on my word count meter) is 6,782! Now I know it doesn't seem like much but it's just two days worth. I've still got today to go! woohoo
So, how'd you all go this week? I'm waiting to hear (I'm also lacing up my size 9 boots for those needing a kick in the butt), leave a comment and I'll do a cheer, hand you the tissues or kick you butt, whichever you need.
So, you see, it's not that scary. You've all left comments before so you know what to do. During June you'll have all weekend to leave your comment. The check in post will go up on Friday and we'll update all the word count meters by 8pm Sunday (that's Sydney time), won't matter because by Monday you'll be able to see how everyone is doing and lend a hand with the cheering, shoulder crying or butt kicking. Remember, we're all in this together!
Oh, and during the week we'll post a couple of inspirational posts for those needing to be inspired. Now if I could just work out how to post some pix of some hunks we'd be set.
See you Sunday for the starters gun!!
Welcome to the Friday post, every Friday one of the suckers, oops, I mean privileged will post about their week of writing and invite you to leave a comment with your word count so that your meter can be updated by Sunday evening. It'll go something like this;
Okay, check up time! How you doing? Me? Well, let's see.... the blood pressures up and I'm not sleeping... What? Oh, you want my writing check in, oh sorry about that, I'm just a little all over the place. Personality splits, full requests and damn characters that do whatever they want will do that to a person. This week I hit the starting blocks and forgot to check the date. Yep, I went early but that's okay, it's all about the writing no matter when you do it. I've been writing up a storm, in the last two days. We won't talk about the ones before that, nope, definitely not. They sucked! But sometime on Wednesday, or was it Thursday? Who knows, all I know is someone opened the dam and out it all came. Last night we hit some rocks, we're a little bruised but still moving down river and that's what counts. Speaking of counts, my word count for the week (and I'm soooo tempted to put it on my word count meter) is 6,782! Now I know it doesn't seem like much but it's just two days worth. I've still got today to go! woohoo
So, how'd you all go this week? I'm waiting to hear (I'm also lacing up my size 9 boots for those needing a kick in the butt), leave a comment and I'll do a cheer, hand you the tissues or kick you butt, whichever you need.
So, you see, it's not that scary. You've all left comments before so you know what to do. During June you'll have all weekend to leave your comment. The check in post will go up on Friday and we'll update all the word count meters by 8pm Sunday (that's Sydney time), won't matter because by Monday you'll be able to see how everyone is doing and lend a hand with the cheering, shoulder crying or butt kicking. Remember, we're all in this together!
Oh, and during the week we'll post a couple of inspirational posts for those needing to be inspired. Now if I could just work out how to post some pix of some hunks we'd be set.
See you Sunday for the starters gun!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Certificates and badges
I've been tinkering around with the Winners Certificate for our 50ks in 30 days challenge, and 50ks and 30 days are now added to the finishing line ribbon.
It was requested that we have a place for the name of the novel on the certificate so that has been added to this version, and winners of the challenge will be able to request either certificate with details completed.
So that we can recognise each other at the RWA Conference in Melbourne in August, I firstly came up with the following badges. But I don't know - I thought they were a bit ordinary.
So now I've put the exuberance of the racer reaching the finish line on the badge. I hope all 51 of us will feel this way at the end of June.
I will need to know how many people want the badges so that I can order them in plenty of time for the conference. The badge measures 2.2 inches and factoring in postage, I think they will cost approx $2 each.
It was requested that we have a place for the name of the novel on the certificate so that has been added to this version, and winners of the challenge will be able to request either certificate with details completed.
So that we can recognise each other at the RWA Conference in Melbourne in August, I firstly came up with the following badges. But I don't know - I thought they were a bit ordinary.
So now I've put the exuberance of the racer reaching the finish line on the badge. I hope all 51 of us will feel this way at the end of June.
I will need to know how many people want the badges so that I can order them in plenty of time for the conference. The badge measures 2.2 inches and factoring in postage, I think they will cost approx $2 each.
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