Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Slowly But Surely

I was very optimistic when I wrote my writing goals last week. I still am, but I've already had a few bumps in the new year. I'm almost to 56k, which means I've written over 10,000 new words, but I was hoping to already have reached 60k by now.

But, I'm ok with that.

I'm really happy with some of the new scenes I've added and I still have several big ones coming up. At first I went through the document and randomly picked what scene I wanted to work on, but now I'm going through chronologically. I added a new opening chapter and among other things, my MC gets stabbed, so now I have to make sure I incorporate his wound throughout the story. Just little details here and there, but it's a good way to also read through it once more.

We had family come to town yesterday so I was only able to work in the morning, then my dad arrives this Thursday (YAY!!!). That means I have today and tomorrow to really try to crank this out. I know I'll still be able to work once my dad is here, but I'll want to spend time with him, especially when he first arrives.

How are you doing with your goals now that we're almost a WEEK in 2009?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't discount the work you've done so far Mel. 10k words is a lot! Keep plugging away when you can and the book will be done before you know it. I'm sure you'll have a great time when your father visits.

Nadine said...

10k is awesome!! And I'm sure you'll get to 60k in no time.

My writing goals so far this year? - well, I'm just hoping today is a good writing day.

Have a wonderful time with your family!!

Spy Scribbler said...

Oh how exciting, Melanie! I hope you have fun with your family. And I love what you've done to the beginning!

My studio website crashed, and I had to come up with various things to get them in order again. It ended up being a good thing. They're doing a contest they seem to like, even the older ones, they like the newness of the new year, and it ends up being less work for me on a daily basis. More time to write!

All yays!

But I've only woken up at 5am once, and I've only written 3,000 words 3 times. I did three ideas, and one pitch paragraph, and am on my way with the first proposal (just for fun, not for something I've written).

So... that's that! Off to work! It's 11:30. I'm only 6.5 hours late!

Robin said...

That's a huge amount of writing, Melanie! Congrats! My goal for this year is to finish my novel and write Shrink Rap II. I've also got an essay percolating that I want to do first. It's about teaching our kids kindness and acceptance. I hate the sort of peer treatment my sicker patients get in the world. Where has kindness gone? We need to bring it back.

Anonymous said...

hmmmm, I am doing pretty good with my goal.
Yep, six days in and still alive, check.
Goal still holding.

I know, I set the bar to high, don't I.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks Aaron, I know you're right. I'm just bummed I couldn't stick with my previous schedule.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Nadine, I'll be writing later if you're online...

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Spy, that sounds like a lot of work (the website) but if it means you get more writing in, great. And you do realize that 3 sessions of 3000 words is 9000 words, right? That's a TON!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, those are great goals. I really think SW2 should include a section about pelicans.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Oh! And Robin, I'm glad someone like you is determined to bring back the kindness. You have a voice that I think (and hope) people will listen to.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Penguin, those sound like goals that are pretty hard to fail. Pretty smart in my book.

Anonymous said...

My goal is to write some goals. (Haven't done that yet.) :)

Janna Leadbetter said...

Good for you! You're still doing an amazing job.

Overachiever. :P

I've been doing excellent with my small projects! Have decided on some changes to make to my completed manuscript before I start marketing it again, and have been lining out details for the WIP. Haven't added much to its word count yet. Soon! Bwah ha ha ha...

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Janna, you might have a point. lol.

That's AWESOME about your writing. I'm sure it feels great knowing a new direction for BL (I'm assuming that's the one).

Anonymous said...

I'm still editing the first five hundred words. It's time to move on to word five hundred and one.

Allen said...

Melanie, great work. You need to give yourself credit when you deserve it.

My writing this year has taken a small vacation. After a small cancer scare and the subsequent tests needed to satiate my doctor's need for sadistic pleasures, I have decided to chronicle the event in a short story. Anyone wishing to read off-the-cuff writing can ask for a copy. Beware, it is full of anatomical parts, however.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

AC, I think it's time to move on... :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Allen, I hope you're doing ok now. I had a cancer scare shortly after arriving here and wrote several thousand words about it. Someday I'll try to do something with it.