April NaNoWriMo update #2

Well, I’m way overdue for an update on my April NaNoWriMo word count!  As I started on April 2 today is my day 30 and my goal which changed around day 15 is now 30,000.

So my total word count today is: 27,584/30,000. I am hoping to reach my goal by Friday and then I will use the rest of May to get to my grand total of 50,000.

I’m still loving my writing space. I turn my heater on and cozy up with a cup of coffee and away I go. It has been so much fun to challenge myself and doing the pre-planning the week before helped me stay on task. Some things have changed, the characters did and said things I never imagined they’d do and voila! I’m quite happy with the way things have progressed.

I will definitely do this again. If not in November then next April. Anyone else interested? 🙂

April NaNoWriMo update

Well, I’m day 11 into my April NaNoWriMo and my total word count to date is:

10,031/50,000

I’m loving my new writing space. I find I can be very creative here and I enjoy it even better when the washer and dryer are running.

Finding the time has been hard, which I knew it would be, especially since I work full-time but I’ve managed to find 1-2 hours or more every day to work on scenes. I even took two days in which I completed a detailed plot sequence. I found this a great help as it showed me where I needed to take my characters next. True, it didn’t add to my word count, but it was a very important part of the process.

I will keep everyone up-to-date on my weekly word count.

If anyone else out there decided to take this April challenge, please let me know how you are doing. It’s also a good idea to be accountable – it keeps you motivated.

NaNoWriMo writing space 2

My NaNoWriMo writing space now has some rugs and furniture!!! Check it out.  I still need to add some pictures and my whiteboard. I’m still searching for a colorful funky curtain for my door – my theme – NOTHING MATCHES!!!

NaNoWriMo writing space

 

My NaNoWriMo writing space all clear of clutter. It looks way bigger when empty. I feel a little like Harry Potter with my little area under the stairs.

Corrections

When belonging to a critique group, one has to have a thick skin. You are passing your baby, your pride and joy, into someone else’s hands and letting them scribble all over it in red and blue pen making changes, or rather, suggestions, that they think will be helpful.
Take it just as that – suggestions!!!
When you get home and stare at all the crossed out words, add-ins and question marks, remember that they are just suggestions. You have the final say about what you decide to change or fix. You don’t HAVE to do anything you don’t want to – it’s your book after all.
But remember, these people who you have entrusted your manuscript to are trying to help, trying to get you that much closer to the finish line. And another set of eyes does wonders and catches things you missed.
I am very grateful for my critique group and love them to bits. I have learned so much and I will miss them over the Christmas holidays.
Merry Christmas guys. We’re back at it in the New Year.

Getting Closer

Well, I’m just about at the halfway point in my novel. I had to revise the first half and add more tension which I have now accomplished. Of course I now have to tie everything together with what is already there and make it work. Don’t worry I am up for the challenge!

Writing space

Well, I’ve finally had some free time where I can organize my writing space. I just finished reading a post about how important it is to have your own personal space to create. My space was a corner of the living room that seemed to collect everyone’s junk and became more of a decoration than an actual writing spot. All the distractions of a living room – TV, X-box, phone, etc., became too much.
So, yesterday I took on the project of cleaning our office (which is where my husband works) but I was able to carve out a little corner for myself and I must say it looks quite cozy. Of course, I won’t be working in there when he is, but as I do most of my writing at night it will work fine as he will be in the living room.
I haven’t sat down to see if it will actually inspire me, but I am more than willing to give it a try. 🙂

Schedule

Ok, I promised a schedule… so here it goes.
Ask yourself a few questions first, such as, what time of the day do you like to write? When do you feel the most inspired and creative? Do you have a quiet place to work? For me, it’s in the evenings. Now that life at my house has calmed down a bit, I can make some time and actually stick to it.

Monday – 7:00-9:00 (of course this doesn’t have to be a permanent time, but if something comes up hopefully you put some time in).
Tuesday – no, band practice.
Wednesday – 7:00-9:00
Thursday – 8:00-9:00
Friday – 7:00-9:00
Saturday/Sunday – at my own discretion, depending on what the family is doing. Again, later in the evening for me.

So sit down with your daily schedule and be very detailed about what you do on a regular day. That will be the only way to squeeze in the time needed to work on your creation – no more procrastination allowed! Even if it’s only one sentence, it’s better than nothing.

Be accountable to someone – even your husband/wife and kids. Tell them this is your time and make it a part of the family’s regular routine.

Problem solved?

So, what did I do about my dilemma you ask? I took a piece of paper, folded it in half, and wrote down as many ideas for both books that I could remember. Unfortunately (or maybe not) the book that I have put to rest since the Surrey’s Writers Conference in October is the one that is blooming with possibilities.

My List

I love lists, they keep me organized. Without them I would be lost. My current list involves my writing. As mentioned earlier, my writing group is catching up to where I have left off which is wonderful incentive to get my butt in gear and start writing. My characters are never far from my mind and I am always thinking of what predicament to put them in next. I also have to get my short story ready for the Surrey Writers Conference, and for my next newspaper/magazine effort.
A good spring cleaning of my writing desk and I’m off to the races.
It must be spring because I am really excited about this! 🙂