I knew going into this month that it would be a challenge to write 50,000 words. What I forgot is how mentally draining it is. I am wiped out.
I started working out more regularly at the beginning of the month because I figured my body would need the release. It's been going well, and I keep waiting for the burst of energy I normally get, but so far, nothing.
Yesterday I sat down and did more complete character sketches for my main people, including everything that will happen to them for the rest of the story. Then I typed them up and merged them into a more complete outline. The result: an outline that should help me breeze through the rest of the story.
*snicker*
Well maybe not breeze, but at least I shouldn't get hung up on plot points. I was hoping to hit 24K last night, but after three hours of outlining I didn't have much left in me. I still wrote the minimum (1700) and I'm 5500 words ahead of schedule.
How's it going for you? Anyone reading anything good right now?
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19 comments:
Outlining takes a ton out of you, that's why I haven't redone it after I lost it. Yesterday was a wash, wrote a few words, but I feel good about today.
I'm on Sookie Stackhouse Book 5, among other things. What are you reading?
Well that explains it. :)
I'm still reading Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint and I'm so ready for it to be over so I can read a novel.
I'm reading an Emily Peabody mystery. It's so adorable. OK. I'm actually listening to it on my ipod, but that's even better, because the reader has a wonderful English accent. I'm learning how to copy it, and using it with the boys. You can say horrible things with an English accent and still sound OK. I'd do it for you now, but there's no audio.
Robin, I ADORE English accents. And all their slang. I'll have to start doing that to Ibis.
LOL - Robin, that is hilarious.
Mel, I completely understand about outlines and such. Just remember, you don't have to stick with it, and you can go in a different direction. I say this because I wrote an outline for my WIP#2 and couldn't finish the first draft. It was almost like the outline squashed my creativity. Now I want to start over again.
Oh.. and you know what I am reading! (wiggles eyebrows)
Turkey, I've become obsessed with Twilight and I haven't even read any of it. If I ever get my hands on it I think I might have to do what you are and tuck myself into a corner until I finish.
I hear you on the outline. The beauty of putting it together now is I'm already through the beginning. I'd only outlined the first 80 pages or so, and now is when I needed the rest. Does that make sense? I waited to see where the story is going before doing the rest of the outline.
Still, it sounds like you had an uber-productive day. Don't overwork yourself.
I finished a novel by one of my favorite mainstream authors (Barbara Delinsky) yesterday, and re-started Jane Austen's Emma.
I'm in a mode of panic to work on my WIP, and this is good (well, the panic part not so fun but..) when I get panicked, I produce like nobody's business. I hate how it comes about, but hey, whatever works!
Janna, I keep trying to remind myself that...
Colby, panic can be good if you use that energy productively. :)
I'm still sticking with The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I've been reading it when I'm tired and ready for bed, and I think that might not be the best thing with this particular book.
Outlining can be both a chore and a blessing, I think. I had to do that, too, to break through the sticky patch I was in. It really helped me clarify my thinking.
Trouble is, I'm going to have a much different novel on the rewrite! LOL
Keep plugging away, Mel, but don't push too hard. You're doing FAB, and you have a good sized cushion. :)
Wendy, that's what I've been doing with CE&V and I can't say I'm retaining everything, lol.
Jen, speaking of cushions... the cushions on my chairs SUCK! Ibis won't let me buy new ones so I wash them frequently to plump them up, but even then it only lasts a couple weeks.
So you do outline? Maybe its why I'm hitting a total wall. First timer, here, still learning a lot.
I'm reading Holidays on Ice, for the pure comic relief of it all. It's working.
Good luck with the writing!
Hey, why can't all those outlining words count on your total? (See why I don't participate? Already looking for ways to skirt the rules.) :)
Just finished Secret Life of Bees yesterday. Magnificent.
Rightonmom, welcome! When I first got back into writing in the summer of '07, I didn't think I would be an outliner. But here I am, outlining away. I think it's my anal nature. ;)
Angie, lol. I think that kind of defeats the purpose, although I'm sure there are people who use that. I have dropped notes in where I need to expand things and I AM counting those towards my total.
The Secret Lives of Bees was a wonderful book and it's been popping up a lot lately. I'm going to start a new one tonight and I'm so excited with all my possibilities.
What am I reading?
Well I am Reading a really cool blog.
And of course a real page turner "Routing TCP/IP".
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