Wednesday, March 3, 2010

WIP Wednesday

First, the important stuff. :) Last week I posted about a contest over on The Bookshelf Muse blog—enter the first two lines of your novel for a chance to win a 2, 5, or 10 page critique. Winners were announced on Monday and I won first place! And this is after getting second place in a similar contest on YA Highway in January. So, I think I finally have my hook set and solid. Now, if I could just get the rest of the story to fall in line, I’ll be perfect. ;)

In other news, I actually have some progress to report. Over the last few weeks I’ve managed to glue all my random scenes together into what is now the first 36 pages of my story. Plus, I added an additional 5000 words. Not as much as I would’ve liked, but progress is progress, right?

I read somewhere recently that people who are very busy are more likely to find time to write. I can’t remember where I saw it, but I’m finding that it’s so true. Never before have I had so much free time, and never before have I found so many ways to procrastinate. I should have no problem churning out 1000 words per day minimum. Just last night I sat down and pounded out 500 words in about 10 minutes. Granted, I’d been thinking about that part of the scene for an hour while I cleaned the kitchen, but 1000 words a day is not an unrealistic goal.

So that’s what I’m challenging myself with. That should give me close 30,000 more words by the end of the month, and 60,000 if I push myself to double that. That would put me very close to done, and done is something I’m definitely ready to be. I’m getting anxious to work on another project I have brewing.

What about all of you? Do you find that you seek out more writing time when you’re busy? Or does endless amounts of free time sound like writer’s heaven?

14 comments:

  1. I can divide my time better when I am super busy. It is a weird concept but it is true --at least for me. If I have too much time, I definately procrastinate.
    Good job on your progress! Keep going :)

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  2. Congrats on winning. That's great!

    Don't beat yourself up over the word count. It'll come. Obviously, you're still writing, even when you're not putting words to paper. Then, when you do have time to type away, you're ready. That's a lot better than devoting time to the computer only to find you haven't a clue what to write next. Then, stress sets in and so does writer's block.

    P.S. Check out the GMC game on my blog.

    Lynnette Labelle
    http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

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  3. Wow, congrats on all your wins! I feel good things in the air for you. :)

    And yes, the busier I am, the more I get done.

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  4. Congrats on the wins. That's fantastic. Nothing like a little validation. As far as writing time goes, I seem to be the same way. When I know I have extra time to spare, I spending roaming the blogging world (like now) instead of actually writing. I need to work on that. Great post.

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  5. I definitely work best when under pressure, either from a looming deadline or a pressing schedule. It's something I wish I could change about myself...but know I can't! LOL

    Visit my blog, when you have a chance! I've left you a little something there...

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  6. Congrats, Abby!! :D This is a portent of good things to come.

    I'm not sure if I get more done when I'm super busy. I think I'd like to try this "free time" and test the theory ;). I'm sure I'd find a ton of ways to procrastinate, though.

    Good luck in everything!

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  7. I think I write better when I'm busy too. Something about the crunch and pressure.

    Congratulations on winning! Your entry was really good. I love your opening line. =]

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  8. Congratulations on winning! I guess I'm not the squeeze it in type of writer. I need to know I have plenty of free time to have a productive writing session, because it takes me a while to warm up and get going. If I only have a few minutes, I find myself off visiting blogs and that sort of thing, like I’m doing now:)

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  9. Congratulations on winning! That's a great point about finding the time to write when you're busy. It's true - when I have lots of time, I find endless ways to procrastinate. Your writing goal sounds like a good idea!

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  10. Congrats on your wins! When I have a full day off, I always think I'll get so much writing done, but then I throw in a run, a shower, a nap, etc. and pretty soon it's all gone.

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  11. Congratulations on winning!

    Funnily enough, the less time I have to indulge in writing, the more productive I am. >.<

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  12. darn! when i saw WIP Wed. i thought you were going to post some of your WIP. i'm so bummed. glad you're writing, though.

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  13. Congrats, Abby! I loved your hook.

    I'm trying to write an outline for my newest project, but I'm having a hard time focusing on it. Too many other things going on. But I really want to nail it so that I can work on the first draft in a couple of weeks.

    Almost makes me want to be a panster kind of a girl. Almost.

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  14. *tossing confetti* That is so fabulous about your win. You are on the road, for sure.

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