Last month, my husband and I had a conversation regarding my recent workload. I'd just helped to launch the SPELLBOUND boxed set after five long months of intense effort.
"Think you're ready for a break?" he asked.
"Sure am!" was my immediate reply. And really, I was ready for a break. Any working writer--heck, any working anyone--will agree that all work and no play (no sleep/no rest) makes for a cranky kid.
So no one was more surprised than I was when I said..."Surprise! I'm not taking a break."
In fact, I'm taking the opposite of a break. I decided that it would be a good idea if I got back to work on releasing ANOTHER BOXED SET.
With a book I haven't written yet.
So...all the same work plus create a novel before mid-October.
Am I crazy? It's a possibility. But my crazy has always been what I like most about myself. My crazy brought about every other book I'd released. So, crazy isn't a bad thing, necessarily.
Am I driven? You bet! I've been percolating this story for YEARS. It's opening pages won a first place prize in a novel writing contest first in 2009, then again in 2012 (when it was judged by Hank Phillippi Ryan herself!) I pulled it out and got its bones lined up a few years ago at a Modern Baseball concert (because apparently I thought pop punk and writing went well together). I've loved this story for a long time. I can't wait to finally meet it!
Am I setting a lofty goal? Heck YES. This is, by far, the biggest challenge I've ever given myself. I usually spend a year or more on a book (which is why I usually have more than one project going at all times.) With this project, I have to put aside the novel I was working on as well as an accompanying shortish story, both in The Demon Whisperer series, to focus solely on TAKIN' IT BACK. I've never had a one-track mind.
Am I scared? A little, but in a good way. I can't fail. Contract signed. Twenty other authors counting on me to do my share, and a few who already know I can bust my hump to do my share well.
So, I guess a question...are you with me?
I hope you are. :) Send me your good thoughts and supportive karma because...vacation's over. The Summer Writing Challenge has begun.
PS Any writer who are interested in doing Twitter-based writing sprints, hmu at @Ashkrafton. I remember the summer a group of us did #fastdraft and can really use the team support again!
Showing posts with label #fastdraft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #fastdraft. Show all posts
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Friday, June 14, 2013
#FastDraft and The Journey to The End of This Book
Last week, I embarked on a huge buddy write project called #FastDraft. A group of writers get together on Twitter everyday for writing sprints, encouragement, and mild tomfoolery (because we are, after all, supposed to be writing.)
The purpose? To leave off with excuses. To get rid of the distractions. To get the words written.
This opportunity could not have come at a better time: my writing goal this month is to complete the first draft of Wolf's Bane (Demimonde #3). Thanks to #FastDraft, I might just do it.
Here's an update on my progress--hopefully it will inspire other writers to get their own word counts up.
First, I must add the inimitable Liv Rancourt @LivRancourt to the #FastDraft Pack. Be sure to follow her because she is fantastic.
Second, I made my daily goal of 1200 words every day, even writing ahead some days to compensate for the days I had to go to the day job.
I also did a hard look at the book, marking out the passage of time so that the story made sense. I researched lunar phase calendars, printed-and-Post It-ed the manuscript, and evaluated the overall project. It was something that had to be done for some time and, now that I did it, I have to say--the manuscript is right where I wanted it. Maybe even in a better place. It's no longer a series of scenes and sequences and poor transitions and clumps of plot.
It's a story now.
Since I started the #FastDraft on Saturday (five days ago) I accomplished a staggering 13,700 words worth of Wolf's Bane. I even passed the 70K mark!
Best part? Life went on. I went to work. I got laundry washed and dinners made. I went to Boy Scout and Girl Scout meetings and three karate classes. I got to do all my Real Life things and still got a ton of writing done.
And it wasn't just the manuscript--I also did guest posts and blog posts.
If this sounds like bragging, it's not--it's just amazing to list out everything that happened this week, thanks to the inspiration and the encouragement I received from #FastDraft. Those amazing authors are really helping me on my Journey to the End of This Book.
Since I got in nearly 2000 words today, I thought I'd take a break from the Were and the demivamps (sort of) and get my next newsletter out. This is the one I promised would have an exclusive first look at a prequel to The Books of the Demimonde. Just a little "thank you" to everyone who subscribed to my mailing list. Watch your inboxes!
If you haven't yet signed up, you can do so by using the form on the right-hand side of this blog page or by clicking here. Don't miss out on this and other shiny things that only newsletter readers will receive.
Thanks for your support...stop by Twitter and look for #FastDraft...and have a great weekend!
The purpose? To leave off with excuses. To get rid of the distractions. To get the words written.
This opportunity could not have come at a better time: my writing goal this month is to complete the first draft of Wolf's Bane (Demimonde #3). Thanks to #FastDraft, I might just do it.
Here's an update on my progress--hopefully it will inspire other writers to get their own word counts up.
First, I must add the inimitable Liv Rancourt @LivRancourt to the #FastDraft Pack. Be sure to follow her because she is fantastic.
Second, I made my daily goal of 1200 words every day, even writing ahead some days to compensate for the days I had to go to the day job.
I also did a hard look at the book, marking out the passage of time so that the story made sense. I researched lunar phase calendars, printed-and-Post It-ed the manuscript, and evaluated the overall project. It was something that had to be done for some time and, now that I did it, I have to say--the manuscript is right where I wanted it. Maybe even in a better place. It's no longer a series of scenes and sequences and poor transitions and clumps of plot.
It's a story now.
Since I started the #FastDraft on Saturday (five days ago) I accomplished a staggering 13,700 words worth of Wolf's Bane. I even passed the 70K mark!
Best part? Life went on. I went to work. I got laundry washed and dinners made. I went to Boy Scout and Girl Scout meetings and three karate classes. I got to do all my Real Life things and still got a ton of writing done.
And it wasn't just the manuscript--I also did guest posts and blog posts.
If this sounds like bragging, it's not--it's just amazing to list out everything that happened this week, thanks to the inspiration and the encouragement I received from #FastDraft. Those amazing authors are really helping me on my Journey to the End of This Book.
Since I got in nearly 2000 words today, I thought I'd take a break from the Were and the demivamps (sort of) and get my next newsletter out. This is the one I promised would have an exclusive first look at a prequel to The Books of the Demimonde. Just a little "thank you" to everyone who subscribed to my mailing list. Watch your inboxes!
If you haven't yet signed up, you can do so by using the form on the right-hand side of this blog page or by clicking here. Don't miss out on this and other shiny things that only newsletter readers will receive.
Thanks for your support...stop by Twitter and look for #FastDraft...and have a great weekend!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Getting the Job Done: Buddy-Writing with the #FastDraft Six Pack
I recently wrote about a buddy write event, one I was invited to join by my friend SK Falls.
The purpose of #FastDraft is to get the writing done, to cheer on our team mates, to have an excuse to sit down and put our stories first.
And I am loving every minute of it.
I wear a lot of hats--I have a full-time job outside the home, I have two kids, a husband, and a dog (okay, four kids), and I've been the household deity since we signed the deed. A part of me always feels a little guilty when I sit down to write because there is always other work waiting for me.
That's why it's all too easy to come up with an excuse to avoid writing. Unfortunately, however, it's not a hobby anymore. I have deadlines.
This #FastDraft project is writing time. It's inspiration. It's fun. And it's an excuse to get the words out of my head and into the document, where they belong. I'd never have gotten so much writing done, otherwise.
And...in case you are thinking What's with all the hashtagging? it's because we are all busy checking in on Twitter. We announce writing sprints, check in on each other's goals, and pretty much just pal around. The best part is that we are all doing this around the interruptions of our lives and our responsibilities. (For instance, I had to duck out today to perform litter detail/road clean-up with our local Boy Scout troop. Yesterday, I went to see Star Trek. My eyes are still tingling from the awesomeness.)
But these "interruptions" made it possible for me to see a new potential pattern for my writing. Usually, I opt for several hours when no one else is home, then enduring long writing black-outs when I go to work or when my family is home. But these little sprints showed me something else--I can write throughout the day in short bursts, getting a scene done here and there. My word counts don't have to freeze just because someone came home.
So, I'd like to introduce you to the #FastDraft writers. These are the gals who have been helping me get the job done.
If you are on Twitter, please follow these writers and even drop us a note of encouragement. Remember to use #FastDraft in your Tweet.
And if you are a writer, and we've encouraged you to get some writing done, join us in a sprint or two. The more the merrier! Make time for you and your story, one sprint at a time.
Hope you'll join us!
The purpose of #FastDraft is to get the writing done, to cheer on our team mates, to have an excuse to sit down and put our stories first.
And I am loving every minute of it.
I wear a lot of hats--I have a full-time job outside the home, I have two kids, a husband, and a dog (okay, four kids), and I've been the household deity since we signed the deed. A part of me always feels a little guilty when I sit down to write because there is always other work waiting for me.
That's why it's all too easy to come up with an excuse to avoid writing. Unfortunately, however, it's not a hobby anymore. I have deadlines.
This #FastDraft project is writing time. It's inspiration. It's fun. And it's an excuse to get the words out of my head and into the document, where they belong. I'd never have gotten so much writing done, otherwise.
And...in case you are thinking What's with all the hashtagging? it's because we are all busy checking in on Twitter. We announce writing sprints, check in on each other's goals, and pretty much just pal around. The best part is that we are all doing this around the interruptions of our lives and our responsibilities. (For instance, I had to duck out today to perform litter detail/road clean-up with our local Boy Scout troop. Yesterday, I went to see Star Trek. My eyes are still tingling from the awesomeness.)
But these "interruptions" made it possible for me to see a new potential pattern for my writing. Usually, I opt for several hours when no one else is home, then enduring long writing black-outs when I go to work or when my family is home. But these little sprints showed me something else--I can write throughout the day in short bursts, getting a scene done here and there. My word counts don't have to freeze just because someone came home.
So, I'd like to introduce you to the #FastDraft writers. These are the gals who have been helping me get the job done.
FAST DRAFT SIX-PACK:Adriana Ryan @skfallsscA.G. Henley @AG_HenleyAsh Krafton @ashkraftonJennah Scott @jennah_scottKristin McFarland @KayMcFarlandShauna Granger @dyingechoes
If you are on Twitter, please follow these writers and even drop us a note of encouragement. Remember to use #FastDraft in your Tweet.
And if you are a writer, and we've encouraged you to get some writing done, join us in a sprint or two. The more the merrier! Make time for you and your story, one sprint at a time.
Hope you'll join us!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)