Always after a rousing writers meeting, I feel the need to take status of where I'm at with my writing.
Right now, I'm doing some line edits for a friend's book --she writes looooong ones so it will take awhile but I wanted to set some time aside to do it. So that's my first priority.
But it's hard not to write for myself in the meantime, so I also started a new WIP. YAY! At 1000 words but this time, I'm trying to do something different--- make myself outline the plot. A twist for me as I usually just write from the seat of my pants.
I've found that to get a good plot, I better plan it out. I have fought against doing it this way but am finding that the great story gets the attention--not the good structure. I just read a blog about it thanks to another blogger's post(Cindy) and thought--yup--that's me. Craft is okay but my story ideas need work.
Other than that, I've submitted a few short stories and I'm finally reading a book--Pecoult's newest one.
But you what I enjoy more than anything? Blogging. Wouldn't it be nice if we got paid for it?
There's my this and that report. Would love to hear yours!
21 comments:
This and that....All I want to do is stay at home in my bathrobe and veg reading blogs and working on posts and finishing a few WIP, but what I'm going to do is go to work and then go workout and then come home and cook dinner and then get my DD ready for spring break....and then and then and then........
Who knew the blogosphere could be such an inspiring community? I've met some of the most amazing people here.
This & that ... feeling better than I have for a week. Getting ready to bid farewell to youngest son today, and greet daughter tomorrow. We've got the revolving visitor door going. Work is crazy with Easter coming. My windows need washing, and I'm just about ready to begin anew an exercise regiman. Reading several books.
Have a blessed day, my friend!
Kathleen
You asked, so my this and that is:
Critiquing a crit-partners story, just like you, only this one writes short contemporary like me, so I have a feeling I'll be done before you :). House work, meal prep, and attempt to get my daily dose of a 1000 words into my own wip.
Terri, I'm a s.o.p. writer too, but with this latest wip I created a 1-page synopsis for the contest I entered the initial chapters into and that actually helped me form the basic plot in advance. Never done that before, but finding it's helping me write with intention, less wandering happening this round. I'd be interesting to hear how you find the plotting system once you finish. Many say you never go back once you start. A loose plot is better than no plot at all for keeping you on track. So far I'm tending to agree.
My T&T report is this: SSDD (Same Stuff, Different Day). :)
Eek. I didn't write anything yesterday. Gulp. Today I need to get my booty in gear.
Congrats on the wip! Is this a novel or a short story?
I found a way to get paid for blogging-I'm going to teach a community ed class on creative blogging. You sure learn lots when you teach. LOL!
Creative blogging? Is there any other kind?!
My THIS is blogging,
my THAT is every that stops my THIS!
Go you on the new WIP! Yay!
It amazes me how much alike we are. In the few meager attempts I have made at fiction, I have also resisted the outline method. Story lines dont come easy for me - lack of imagination I suppose. Im so glad you are moving forward despite your busy schedule. Good for you! Right now Im plugging away at article writing per your advise. I will send you one soon to get your opionion. Have a great week Terri.
I need to plot, too. I can't do the seat of the pants thing. It's gotten me into trouble too many times.
Enjoy your day!
If only we could get paid for doing this. I am just happy that they don't charge us. I will get back to my writing as soon as the urge hits me. Maybe I need to start on something really small. Maybe something like Nash.
Kids are home for Spring Break but the weather is not springy at all! We are trying to get the bathroom repainted and then hopefully move on to the kitchen, which has been the same ugly color since I bought this house 16 years ago.
Hope you are doing well and that things are looking up!
I love to edit and critique and like you usually write from the seat of my pants. Another great idea I got from another blog was to use 3x5 cards for ideas and then you can move them around as you plan the twists and turns. Great tool.
So glad to hear of all your progress. Wow, you certainly are a busy writin' fool! I desperately need to find a writer's group in my area, and there are a bunch of them...just need TIME in my schedule. Big TIME. :D
Terri, you are so right about blogging! I just told my husband that if I got paid for all this blogging and researching for marketing that I do, I'd definitely be able to support the family (or at least help out immensely). That's awesome you're working on something new. I really, really want to, but I am reading through an old manuscript to familiarize myself with it again before I hear from the editor. Then I have to read through manuscript #1, then #2 to edit it before I can work on manuscript #3 in the series. But I am sneaking notes here and there about manuscript #3 and I have a feeling it's all going to start spilling out if I don't sit down and work on it soon. Have a wonderful day!
Love my blog friends! They're great! I'm having so much fun and learning so much blogging that at times I don't want to do anything but blog away my days! LOL!
I've tried the outline thing and usually it starts out okay but then my outline gets wordy and I find myself writing away within the outline!
Now I just make a couple of quick notes, start writing and my characters take me away to wherever
I need to go!
7 sections done; 3 to edit, but I'm beginning to question a few things about the work. I think I'm just tired at this point.
Keep it up, Terri. Thanks for always spurring me along in the process of my writing.
peace~elaine
Hi Terri -
I'm with you. I LOVE blogging. :)
Right now, I need to go work on editing my book. Have a great day!
Blessings,
Susan
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