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October Goals end-of-month check-in

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#1 of 23 Posted Nov-1 6:57 PM

From Rachel W Posts 2258 Last Nov-21
To All [Msg # 65692.1 ]

Hi All,

Well, I can say that I nearly met my goal for October; I wrote nearly every day. And those days I didn't were filled with the type of family and kid-related busyness you just can't say no to (watching the kids' school sports day, taking them to podiatrist/eye specialist/hair cut appointments etc, helping out in my daughter's classroom), so I don't feel too bad about that.

How about everyone else? I bet you Surrey-attendees had an awesome time; I'd love to hear about any conference high-lights. And from the mid-month check-ins, it sounds like a couple of you were close to finishing WIPs this month - did you do it? <g>

Check in and let us know how you fared in October!

Rachel

Kathy Burdette
Well, rewrites are chugging along. I'm redoing substantial portions of the WIP, so let's go with a goal of 1,000 new words a day (for the brand-new sections) or about an hour and a half of cobbling/hacking/remodeling existing scenes.
And since you mentioned the rest of the year, I'm going with a larger goal of being well into rewrites by the end of December and, with luck, being done recasting the novel by February at the latest. Polishing will follow.

Mid-month: So far so good. I am either hitting the 1,000-word mark each morning or I'm spending the time hashing out plot questions or looking things up. Mostly, though, I go for words on the page. (How do people do those little word-count meters? I should put up one of those so I feel like I'm making progress.)

ZanMarie
You would think October will be better than September...not. My mother needs cataract surgery in a hospital not the doc's office. She also has glaucoma and another complication. With all her appointments and mine, I'll be at a doctor's office or hospital 8 days of the 31. I do have goals though.
Get An Easter Walk to the printer.
Blog four times
Newsletter
Write on WIP fifteen minutes a day--hope it gets longer as I go.
Wish me luck!

Mid-month: As I said--Yucky October so far. <sigh>
Here's the goals with the follow through:
Get An Easter Walk to the printer. The printer needed a redo of the cover. I've got it ready to go tomorrow thanks to a buddy who is a graphic artist/writer. The galley should be here by the end of the week and books by the first of November. <cheering wildly>
Blog four times--Only once so far, but I have tomorrow's planned and ideas for two more. Keep your fingers crossed.
Newsletter--Half done <g> I've written up the first October meeting.
Write on WIP fifteen minutes a day--hope it gets longer as I go.--NOT! So far I've worked only a few days on this. It will get better as the other goals finish up--I mean that!!
On a positive note, I've worked on some aspect of writing every day so far. That's an accomplishment of major proportions. <bg>

Ron
The more things change, the more things remain the same. I wrote a new synopsis for my novel Dark Matters in September, and it has become my Guiding Light. I am now measuring progress in terms of chapters, not words, and for October I would like to have 10 chapters, most likely at the front, done, put to bed, fini.
This will involve a combination of integrating existing material that must be tweaked for the new synopsis, and a couple of new chapters.

Mid-month: First thing: substitute 'scene' for chapter. <g> Otherwise I'm going to sink on my goals for October quite badly! (I'll be shocked if there are 10 chapters, as a matter of fact. Each chapter has 5-6 scenes, and scenes run from 1k to 6k words each.)
The job has gone well, though it's not finished at mid month. I was really sweating it - the missing pieces had to do some heavy lifting, and I've had a lot of family stuff to deal with the second week of the month.
The sweat came because of what was missing up front: scenes that establish the stakes for the protagonist and the antagonist. Duh. That took a lot of thinking, multiple drafts, several dead ends, and so on. As of yesterday I had a weak but promising draft for the antogonist, and as of today I have a reasonably strong draft for the protagonist.
Those are two very big jobs that I was really worried about getting done right. With the weekend breakthrough, it looks good for meeting my goal. In fact, I'd really like to have those 10 scenes wrapped up as 'best effort' before I leave for Surrey on Thursday morning.

Deniz
"So. For me, that means pulling out all stops this month to make time to write, every, single, day. No matter how much or how little time, no matter whether I'm fully rested or running on only a few hours sleep. I MUST DO THIS!"
This is a great idea, and something I already pledged to. It fits in quite well - if I keep writing all of October, then I can take part in NaNoWriMo by typing up all those scenes and editing and adding as I go. By the end of December I ought to have a complete SFD, right? How many times have you heard that before...............

Mid-month: I've been trying to keep up with Kait's (http://kaitnolan.com/) 250 words a day challenge and on days when I don't write, I try to make up for it the next day.
I love writing longhand but I'm piling up pages and pages of the stuff and what if it's not worth squat when I come to type it up?
:-)

Laura Taylor
Well, SiWC aside (eeeeeee, can't wait!), I'm still editing SOTS. (I will stop referring to it as The Novel Formerly Known As A Year And A Day -- too much of a mouthful.) It's been a good process and I find as the year turns back to autumn, I'm suddenly in Writing Mode again and I don't feel bad about it. This hasn't been without its downs -- namely, giving up on most TV shows except Castle and cutting back on a few games I play -- but I feel good. And productive again, at last.
So in other words, my goals are carried over from September: 1) finish SOTS edits, and 2) complete my three pages for the blue pencil session. Ideally all of this before the conference. Well, mostly #2, and we'll see what happens with #1. I think this month I can finally do it. And then at last hand it over for someone else to read.

Mid-month: Well, I just barely got the 3 pages written in time for my Blue Pencil, but the Blue Pencil went wonderfully.
As for finishing SOTS edits, I am so close, and hopefully not so far. The ending is giving me some trouble but I hope to tackle it this week and be done with the darn thing.

Esme
I'm keeping my goals tiny again this month since still battling with Chronic Fatique which interferes with everything, not too speak about concentration spans, but I am hoping to work at (and hopefully finish) 1 chapter for my WIP "Sabine Godelin" and one for "Catriona". And off course do the Oct

...[Message truncated]

Blogging at Paris Empire
and All the World's Our Page with Kristen Callihan, Jennifer Hendren and Claire G

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#2 of 23 Posted Nov-1 9:15 PM

From Kathy Burdette Posts 325 Last Nov-17
To Rachel W [Msg # 65692.2 65692.1 ]

Well, I seem to have been sidetracked by unanswered plot questions and a need to do more research. But it's a good thing. I am at least making progress each day, and I think the plot is working better. Here's to a productive November.

Kathy B.

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#3 of 23 Posted Nov-1 9:55 PM

From rwodaski Posts 1689 Last Nov-21
To Rachel W [Msg # 65692.3 65692.1 ]

Given that Surrey happened in October, there is no way that it could have been a bad month, even if I had not written much. <g>

But I did get a lot of writing done, so it's like a double win.

I terms of the specific goal of getting that opening section put together:

* The first chapter has been completely drafted. That was the chapter that had the 'heavy lifting' scenes in it, that took a lot of time and effort to complete. I had very little that I could just drop in, and what I did drop in required fairly major modification. It really would have been, as it turns out, a very ambitious goal just to get this first chapter completed. I now have 16k words that are pretty solid. Not done, but very solid. (Don Maass chuckled quite a few times while reading my prologue, which fortunately was an appropriate response!) That is seven of the 10 scenes I had wanted to solidify.

* I solidified an eighth scene as well. It is short, but I handled the integration issues with the new plot.

* I started work on a ninth scene, but did not complete it.

So that means 9.5 out of 10, and really, I had grossly underestimated the amount of work, so I am extremely happy with the results.

And, as a bonus, I rewrote a complete scene at Surrey and got halfway through another, so all in all, a very solid month.

Ron Wodaski
Dark Matters

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#4 of 23 Posted Nov-2 8:45 AM

From denizb33 Posts 2870 Last Nov-21
To Rachel W [Msg # 65692.4 65692.1 ]

Congrats on writing every day Rachel! I hope family time doesn't count, cos those were my excuses for not writing - though on some of those days I managed to write a couple hundred words longhand, yet I'm feeling more and more guilty about that because now I've got 20,000+ words sitting in a notebook, and have barely typed about 6000 of them...

I signed up for NaNo so I'd better stick to the writing every day!

:-)

Deniz

http://thegirdleofmelian.blogspot.com/ and http://simplescarf.blogspot.com/

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#5 of 23 Posted Nov-2 9:03 AM

From ZanMarie Posts 1717 Last Nov-21
To Rachel W [Msg # 65692.5 65692.1 ]

Rachel,

I didn't do as badly as I thought at mid month. <s>

I did do some writing 26 of the 31 days, did the newsletter (on time!), two blog posts, and did the Oct X that really is helping with the WIP. But best of all, An Easter Walk was perfect and the printing is taking place as I type. I should have books in my hands by Nov. 13 in time to sell for Christmas gifts. At the rate people are saying they will buy, I'll be printing more before Christmas and it's an Easter devotional. I'm proud of it. I did the full formatting and design from front cover to back. It's not a vanity press thing, but a full creative effort of my own. <s> So, I think we can call October a good month indeed. <g>

Zan Marie =^..^=

blogging at: www.intheshadeofthecherrytree.blogspot.com

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#6 of 23 Posted Nov-2 5:15 PM

From Esmeann Posts 1022 Last Nov-21
To Rachel W [Msg # 65692.6 65692.1 ]

Hi Rachel,

considering everything else which has been going on I think I did quite well. I did finish 1 chapter for Sabine Godelin, and incidentally the beginning of the novel which eluded me for some time <s>. It was especially great since that fit the October X perfectly. Catriona has to wait for November, however.

Esmé

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#7 of 23 Posted Nov-3 2:45 AM

From jillmccaw Posts 999 Last Nov-21
To Rachel W [Msg # 65692.7 65692.1 ]

Hi Rachel, well done for writing most days. That's really hard with a young family.
It's been a real interesting month for me but not with my writing. In fact that part of my life stalled, a bit too much other stuff happening and no free head space.

I said I would: Finish the scene I'm working on with Jack visiting Harry after his attack
Write the police procedural scene I've been putting off since forever
Finish the 1st time threesome scene that everyone is waiting to read.

One out of three ain't bad - did finish the first scene and am quite please with it. I have been working on a piece of fanfic that I've had hanging for months. That's going well. Have also been writing a log on my gliding course I went on last week and will eventually turn that into an article. It's got a bit personal.

Jill
McCaw Media

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#8 of 23 Posted Nov-3 9:21 AM

From annievanamberg Posts 99 Last Nov-17
To Rachel W [Msg # 65692.8 65692.1 ]

Otober was an okay month for me. My writing also had to take a back seat to my family's needs, but I did manage a few really good days of pounding out like mad on my computer. I was very pleased with a particular scene--four thousand plus words in one day and very little revising needed. It was a difficult scene (a slave market in Charleston) and it made tears come to the eyes of one of my friends. Very satisfying! I spent the last few days doing some much needed research and am now about a third of a way through my wip!

Annie Van Amberg

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#9 of 23 Posted Nov-5 5:25 AM

From Rachel W Posts 2258 Last Nov-21
To Kathy Burdette [Msg # 65692.9 65692.2 ] (Unread)

Hi Kathy,

>>>I am at least making progress each day, and I think the plot is working better. Here's to a productive November.<<

That is fantastic to hear. <g> And I'm right there with you in hoping November will be a busy writing month.

Good luck!

Rachel
Blogging at Paris Empire
and All the World's Our Page with Kristen Callihan, Jennifer Hendren and Claire G

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#10 of 23 Posted Nov-5 5:32 AM

From Rachel W Posts 2258 Last Nov-21
To rwodaski [Msg # 65692.10 65692.3 ]

Hi Ron,

Well, I'm breaking out my gold stars, because you certainly earned yourself a big shiny one with all that amazing work last month - on top of attending Surrey *and* making Don Maass laugh! <g> Just the latter achievement on its own is worthy of a Smiley stamp on the hand! LOL.

Fantastic work, Ron!

Rachel
Blogging at Paris Empire
and All the World's Our Page with Kristen Callihan, Jennifer Hendren and Claire G

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#11 of 23 Posted Nov-5 5:36 AM

From Rachel W Posts 2258 Last Nov-21
To denizb33 [Msg # 65692.11 65692.4 ] (Unread)

Hi Deniz,

Thanks for the congrats. :-)

And 20K of words is just great, whether typed up or not. You sound like you're on a roll with this WIP; keep it up!

Rachel
Blogging at Paris Empire
and All the World's Our Page with Kristen Callihan, Jennifer Hendren and Claire G

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#12 of 23 Posted Nov-5 5:42 AM

From Rachel W Posts 2258 Last Nov-21
To ZanMarie [Msg # 65692.12 65692.5 ]

Hi ZanMarie,

Your book sounds wonderful - champagne all round, I say! <s>

Congratulations on the imminent arrival of your new baby, and on a very successful month all round!

Rachel

Blogging at Paris Empire
and All the World's Our Page with Kristen Callihan, Jennifer Hendren and Claire G

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#13 of 23 Posted Nov-5 5:45 AM

From Rachel W Posts 2258 Last Nov-21
To Esmeann [Msg # 65692.13 65692.6 ]

Hi Esme,

You've done brilliantly. <s> Must have been something in the air in October, because everyone seems to have met, if not blitzed, their goals. Just fabulous.

Good luck this month!

Rachel
Blogging at Paris Empire
and All the World's Our Page with Kristen Callihan, Jennifer Hendren and Claire G

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#14 of 23 Posted Nov-5 5:47 AM

From Rachel W Posts 2258 Last Nov-21
To jillmccaw [Msg # 65692.14 65692.7 ]

Hi Jill,

I agree - one out of three isn't bad at all, especially when you've got Life happening, filling up your headspace.

I hope things calm down for you this month. Good luck!

Rachel
Blogging at Paris Empire
and All the World's Our Page with Kristen Callihan, Jennifer Hendren and Claire G

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#15 of 23 Posted Nov-5 5:51 AM

From Rachel W Posts 2258 Last Nov-21
To annievanamberg [Msg # 65692.15 65692.8 ]

Hi Annie,

4000 words in a day? You're on fire! <g> Sounds like you've found your groove with this manuscript; I hope it all continues to flow for you in November.

Well done!

Rachel
Blogging at Paris Empire
and All the World's Our Page with Kristen Callihan, Jennifer Hendren and Claire G

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#16 of 23 Posted Nov-5 6:11 PM

From Rose Posts 163 Last Nov-21
To Rachel W [Msg # 65692.16 65692.1 ]

Good for you Rachel. And you did it with kids and all! I find that humbling. I don't know how anyone gets anything so personal done with children in the house. While I do have a school full of them (including my wonderful staff :0)), I have the luxury of sending them home at the end of the day! And still, I flounder in focus!

I did write one scene. One night on the treadmill it started and I couldn't get off of the metal beast fast enough to get it down. It wasn't the scene that has been swirling in the haze but an entirely different one. I think it may be my ending. It feels like it is. Something horrific and climactic has happened and my characters have evolved and demonstrate some self reflection. I am only half way through my tale and really am not sure what precedes this scene. Hopefully something riveting! :0)

So, bottom line, I wrote my scene...just not the one I thought I would!

Rose

"A ship in harbor is safe — but that is not what ships are for."
- John A. Shedd

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#17 of 23 Posted Nov-6 3:56 PM

From ZanMarie Posts 1717 Last Nov-21
To Rachel W [Msg # 65692.17 65692.12 ]

Rachel,

On my dining room table, there are 100 copies of my first published book--An Easter Walk. <vb silly g> I'm flipping through them for errors and we are relatively free at the moment. I'm beside myself and all the usual excited, silly reactions to really good news. <g>

Zan Marie =^..^=

blogging at: www.intheshadeofthecherrytree.blogspot.com

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#18 of 23 Posted Nov-7 8:27 AM

From Rose Posts 163 Last Nov-21
To ZanMarie [Msg # 65692.18 65692.17 ]

Congratulations! How very exciting! I find myself grinning along with you. These success stories that I watch (read?) unfold keep me coming back in here time and again for comfort and motivation.

Rose

"A ship in harbor is safe — but that is not what ships are for."
- John A. Shedd

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#19 of 23 Posted Nov-7 8:50 AM

From ZanMarie Posts 1717 Last Nov-21
To Rose [Msg # 65692.19 65692.18 ]

Rose,

Thanks. I'm thrilled and I realize that it's a small title, unlike the things so many of the forum members do, but it's mine--all mine--I designed the cover and formatted the pages so it is my vision. It will only be sold to a few, but it is a start and that's all that matters. Once you start on this writing job, you're hooked. <bg>

Zan Marie =^..^=

blogging at: www.intheshadeofthecherrytree.blogspot.com

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