Where are you with your writing?

Gwyndolin · #**481** 07-30-2010, 06:38 PM

Oh, I hope it didn't seem like I was disparaging the writing of shorts.

Just for the record, I wish I had gone that way to begin with, but it's too late - I'm too engrossed in my novel now, which is about 70,000 words now, and growing with my edits as I flesh it out.

I wish I had started with shorts for the learning experience, and for the writing credits. I'm so nervous about my query letter because I have absolutely no experience, and my education consists of a GED and a real estate sales license, which is 90 hours in the classroom.

In fact, I've been toying with the idea of writing a few shorts while I work the query process with my novel - in case I can get published that way first and update my query letter. =)

I think what you did was a smart thing, JB. I'm sorry if it seemed like I was knocking it!

JBStone · #**482** 07-31-2010, 05:13 AM

You weren't, Gwyn, no worries!

My post was actually in response to Casper.

MJ Preston · #**483** 07-31-2010, 07:57 PM

Second draft of my novel. Chapter 16 of 21. Editing.

THE HORROR.........THE HORROR.............

Reddy Dean · #**484** 07-31-2010, 08:00 PM

I'm somewhere between "toilet water" and "dog poo."

MJ Preston · #**485** 07-31-2010, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by Reddy Dean

I'm somewhere between "toilet water" and "dog poo."

Too funny!

Writing.Geek. · #**486** 08-01-2010, 06:25 AM

You're a real comedian, Reddy.

lvcabbie · #**487** 08-01-2010, 09:32 AM

Well, just finished a major edit/revision of the first of my historical trilogy and am going to take a break from the drudge work and see what I can do with the third and final novel.

Titania · #**488** 08-01-2010, 03:47 PM

I just recently set aside something I've been working on forever; it's too much for me to handle right now. Too many subplots, too much going on, way too easy for me to get discouraged and feel like I'll never be able to finish. When I hit 60,000 words and realized I was only about 1/6 of the way through, I knew I was in trouble.

I'm starting over on something new and loving the chance to worldbuild again! I'm also determined to actually outline this time, which hopefully will prevent things from getting too out of hand (I swear I have a tendency to let my fantasy worlds run away with me). My new project is a sort of steampunk-fantasy YA novel and I'm aiming for about 80,000 words. I'm trying to let myself just relax and have fun with it.

Gwyndolin · #**489** 08-01-2010, 03:55 PM

Good luck, Titania! You'll do great, I'm sure! I'm glad you're enjoying it again.

Writing.Geek. · #**490** 08-01-2010, 05:46 PM

Good luck, Titania. I wish you the best with your novel! I look forward to seeing it on here (hopefully).

JBStone · #**491** 08-01-2010, 10:02 PM

I get the feeling YA would be very difficult. I've started several projects with perhaps the slightest inkling that they might be something YA, but I never know just where to aim the story, or what exactly would make it YA. I always fear that it would come off as pretentious, or even condescending.

RoryAnthony · #**492** 08-01-2010, 11:48 PM

With the inspiration of a goal from WeSeWriMo I've gotten back into the swing of things with my writing. I set up a goal of 75k words, at 2500 per day, I figure this gives me 1 day flexibility with 31 days in the month. This is my second attempt at a novel, first made it about 6 chapters.

So far I'm doing pretty good 2721 words for the first day, for sure will make tomorrows might even aim tomorrow to get a day or so ahead of schedule. I'm stoked to get out of the funk the comp frying did to my motivation.

My plans for the book is to serialize it after edits and post on my blog. Might even make an ebook of the whole thing for smashwords or something. Either way will be awesome to finally get some of this story out there, spent soo many years working on the backgrounds and such.

Chazzhart · #**493** 08-02-2010, 01:16 AM

I finally got some writing done today, probably only added up to about 2000 words or so. But I have managed to fix somethings and have gone from chapter 17 to 21. So I am happy with that progress.

Night Wanderer · #**494** 08-02-2010, 04:22 AM

Right now I'm in a "two-sentences-in-fifteen-minutes" low streak. >.<

JBStone · #**495** 08-02-2010, 05:13 AM

Originally Posted by Night Wanderer

Right now I'm in a "two-sentences-in-fifteen-minutes" low streak. >.<

Been there.

I'm on the other end of the spectrum this morning, though. I've added about 1,700 words to my latest short story. I'm very excited. I started it just to bide my time until I was ready to make the first revisions to the other story I just finished, but now this one's taking up all my time. But that's a good thing.

Writing.Geek. · #**496** 08-02-2010, 06:33 AM

I've been there too, Night Wanderer.

I've finally just broken my 'low' in writing, and now I feel like I'm back to my regular self-almost. I added about 2k- 2,100 words to my story this weekend. I can't even remember when I last did that.

JB, you were right. I started another story to see if it would help my 'creativity' and I think it did. I haven't went back to that story yet, but it seems like the words are coming to me easier now and I'm writing more. So, thanks for that tip. I really appreciate it.

JBStone · #**497** 08-02-2010, 07:07 AM

Great to hear, WG! I'm glad it worked.

Writing.Geek. · #**498** 08-02-2010, 08:02 AM

Me too. I was starting to get a little concerned about the lull.

JBStone · #**499** 08-02-2010, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Writing.Geek.

Me too. I was starting to get a little concerned about the lull.

Well, I've learned from experience that there are a million different things you can do to help get over the hump, but I think the main thing is to keep writing. If you stop writing--like I've done in the past--you just won't write. Ever. And then three months will go by and you'll wonder what the hell happened.

By the way, WG, what are you working on?

Writing.Geek. · #**500** 08-02-2010, 10:13 AM

I'm working on a YA novel. Well, at least I hope it'll turn into a novel. It might just be a novella. I'm not very far along, I'm still on my first draft of it. But I'm determined to finish it.

JBStone · #**501** 08-02-2010, 10:50 AM

Right on. And write on! haha.

Writing.Geek. · #**502** 08-02-2010, 10:54 AM

Haha, good joke.

Dragon King · #**503** 08-02-2010, 10:38 PM

I've decided that I'm okay at writing, but I'm utter crap at motivation. I've managed to write maybe 500 words in the last week. Hmf.

Chazzhart · #**504** 08-03-2010, 01:43 AM

Today I am motivated and ready to go.
I was sitting on 23,902 words yesterday when I started writing again for the week,now I'm sitting on 28,589.
Its currently 7:40pm in the land of Aus, and I am aiming for 30,000 by the end of the night.
Gonna put some Killers on the iphone and block out the sound my my husband and his gamer geek talk lol

JBStone · #**505** 08-03-2010, 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by Chazzhart

Today I am motivated and ready to go.
I was sitting on 23,902 words yesterday when I started writing again for the week,now I'm sitting on 28,589.
Its currently 7:40pm in the land of Aus, and I am aiming for 30,000 by the end of the night.
Gonna put some Killers on the iphone and block out the sound my my husband and his gamer geek talk lol

Go get it, Chazz!!

Chazzhart · #**506** 08-03-2010, 07:58 AM

Just to update, it is now 2am and I have just finished writing for the night with a word count of 31,755!

Now I have to get some sleep before my son wakes me up jumping on the bed asking me if Kinder is open yet (I expect that at around 6:30am)

Reddy Dean · #**507** 08-03-2010, 08:03 AM

Nice! How much did you write last night?

JBStone · #**508** 08-03-2010, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Chazzhart

Just to update, it is now 2am and I have just finished writing for the night with a word count of 31,755!

Now I have to get some sleep before my son wakes me up jumping on the bed asking me if Kinder is open yet (I expect that at around 6:30am)

That's beyond epic. Holy cow. Way to lace up your boots and get to work, Chazz!

And here I am having trouble even bothering to read one of my stories. You have set the standard for today.

Reddy Dean · #**509** 08-03-2010, 08:13 AM

JB, if you're having trouble and need someone to read something for you, I'll do it.

JBStone · #**510** 08-03-2010, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Reddy Dean

JB, if you're having trouble and need someone to read something for you, I'll do it.

I might take you up on that, Reddy. Thanks for the offer!