It truly seems like last week that I wrote my first blog post ever. Now it's time to sum up 2010 and plan for 2011. Which shouldn't take long. I didn't get much done in 2010. The same goals for the year can remain for 2011 with just a section title change.
Why didn't I get any of those goals done? Now there's a question.
Let's see--my workload increased dramatically, there were more house-related tasks that couldn't be put off any longer and I committed to making more craft items as gifts and such.
BUT, those aren't responsible for my not meeting my goals. The reason is that I was struggling with the process. I tried making some major changes to HM that might have been great suggestions, but that just didn't resonate with me. And that held me up. A lot. When I finally figured out what I really wanted to do with the story, I felt burned out on it. I needed to leave Sloan and Caleb and the gang for a while. I need to miss them just a touch more so when I do revisit them, it'll be a celebration.
So, what should my goals be for this year? I'm going to do something a little different. Agent Rachelle Gardner talked on her blog about how regular resolutions feel too much like another to-do list. She's opting for resolutions that are more about feeling rather than doing. She posted a list of adjectives. I like that.
Without further ado, my goals for 2011:
--Confident
--Healthy
--Peaceful
--Caring
--Funny
--Optimistic
Showing posts with label HM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HM. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Friday, December 3, 2010
December Goals
Deb just reminded me that I haven't updated my goals for December. Deb can be a real pain sometimes.
I've realized that I need to do some more research for HM. In particular, I need to know more about the history of mining in Colorado. But it's a made up town, you say? Well, yes, but I still want it to fit in with the real world. At least as much as I can.
Goals:
--Finish CWC critiques (1/1)
--Research CO mining history
--Play some more with story
What have you planned for December?
I've realized that I need to do some more research for HM. In particular, I need to know more about the history of mining in Colorado. But it's a made up town, you say? Well, yes, but I still want it to fit in with the real world. At least as much as I can.
Goals:
--Finish CWC critiques (1/1)
--Research CO mining history
--Play some more with story
What have you planned for December?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
NaNo Blues
I decided to skip National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) this year. I'm still working on revisions of HM, and didn't want to start a new project.
HM is largely the product of NaNo in 2008. I had already started writing it when the month started, so I was breaking the rule that you have to start a new novel. When I finished HM, I started D&D. I think working on two different projects is a no-no, too. But I loved writing that month. The flow of words onto the page--many of them handwritten so that there was a literal flow as well as a metaphorical one.
I have been struggling with the revisions of HM. Wondering if I'd ever get back into that kind of flow. And it hit me. Pretend it's NaNo. While I know that more care needs to be taken with revisions than with first drafts--otherwise, why bother--I can still have fun with it. Mix it up. Write some on the computer and some in a notebook. Or all in a notebook and retype. It's slower to hand write, but I haven't exactly been blazing along on the keypad.
So halfway through the month I'm jumping in. That would mean, if I were to stick to the rules, 25,000 words by the end of the month. Since we all know how well I do with rules, I'm just going to say that I'll write something every day. I won't guarantee that the writing will be in order. Could be a scene here and there. But I will write.
And that's what is needed at this time.
HM is largely the product of NaNo in 2008. I had already started writing it when the month started, so I was breaking the rule that you have to start a new novel. When I finished HM, I started D&D. I think working on two different projects is a no-no, too. But I loved writing that month. The flow of words onto the page--many of them handwritten so that there was a literal flow as well as a metaphorical one.
I have been struggling with the revisions of HM. Wondering if I'd ever get back into that kind of flow. And it hit me. Pretend it's NaNo. While I know that more care needs to be taken with revisions than with first drafts--otherwise, why bother--I can still have fun with it. Mix it up. Write some on the computer and some in a notebook. Or all in a notebook and retype. It's slower to hand write, but I haven't exactly been blazing along on the keypad.
So halfway through the month I'm jumping in. That would mean, if I were to stick to the rules, 25,000 words by the end of the month. Since we all know how well I do with rules, I'm just going to say that I'll write something every day. I won't guarantee that the writing will be in order. Could be a scene here and there. But I will write.
And that's what is needed at this time.
Friday, November 12, 2010
In Dreams
Way back when, the idea for HM came to me in a dream. Just pieces of it. The protagonist, his battered white pick-up, his daughter and his best friend. I also knew where it was happening. That was about it. But that was enough to get me started. And a first draft finished.
Jenny asked me, in jest, if I was going to write a series based on one of my hobbies. I really didn't think much about it. That was a couple months ago. Last night, I dreamt about the setting, who the protagonist will be, a few of the other people involved, and how it could spin from HM (I'd like any series I write to spin off from that). No murder victim, yet, but I didn't have one for HM right away either.
I've known a couple people who said they dreamed their novels, start to finish. Seems like a very long dream to me. Or a very short novel. Either way, it's not what has happened to me. An interesting character and setting is about it. I'll take it though.
How about you? Have you ever had a new character show up in a dream? Ever dream a whole story?
Jenny asked me, in jest, if I was going to write a series based on one of my hobbies. I really didn't think much about it. That was a couple months ago. Last night, I dreamt about the setting, who the protagonist will be, a few of the other people involved, and how it could spin from HM (I'd like any series I write to spin off from that). No murder victim, yet, but I didn't have one for HM right away either.
I've known a couple people who said they dreamed their novels, start to finish. Seems like a very long dream to me. Or a very short novel. Either way, it's not what has happened to me. An interesting character and setting is about it. I'll take it though.
How about you? Have you ever had a new character show up in a dream? Ever dream a whole story?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
September Goals
Monday night was my first official CWC meeting. Fun. And intimidating. I knew these people didn't hold back when critiquing. Seeing it firsthand was amazing.
I did end up with more than 4 pages to submit. 30 to be exact. Not quite what I'd wanted, but I think the logjam finally broke. A four-day weekend should help get the word count up. I'd really love to have the whole thing done before I get feedback. It should be very doable (as Deb says).
My goals for this month are simple: 1) critique Jenny's submission and 2) finish the revision of HM.
That will set me up to work on D&D through the end of the year. I'm looking forward to writing something new again.
I did end up with more than 4 pages to submit. 30 to be exact. Not quite what I'd wanted, but I think the logjam finally broke. A four-day weekend should help get the word count up. I'd really love to have the whole thing done before I get feedback. It should be very doable (as Deb says).
My goals for this month are simple: 1) critique Jenny's submission and 2) finish the revision of HM.
That will set me up to work on D&D through the end of the year. I'm looking forward to writing something new again.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Big Gunns
First: Congratulations to John for winning the 2-month writing contest and to all of the contestants. Great job, gang.
Deb always says, "Listen to your Tim Gunns." Meaning, when you ask for advice from experts, pay attention to it.
Over a year ago, I asked my local experts--the Pirates--to read HM and give feedback. Which they graciously did. I listened to the feedback, read the notes and thanked them.
A few months ago, Deb offered to let me take her spot in CWC while she concentrated on revising her book, MMG. She didn't have anything ready for submission and didn't want to stop revisions in order to write something new. So I agreed. I had 60 days to get at least 50 pages of HM revised. No problem, less than a page a day.
I jumped in and wrote index cards for each scene, with all the changes I wanted to make based on the critiques I'd received. Then I sat down at the computer with the original prinout and the cards. And I sat there. And sat there. Staring at everything, waiting for my fingers to start typing. But I wasn't feeling it. Not that I didn't feel like writing--I did. Not that I felt like being somewhere else doing something else--I didn't. But the words weren't coming.
Finally, I figured out why. I wasn't changing enough. Over time I slowly let go of almost all of the suggestions. And, I realized in the last week, the ones I chose to ignore were the ones that would involve the biggest changes. I had to age Shannon from 12 to 14. Two years doesn't sound like a lot, but it's huge with preteens/teens. I had to change some of Sloan's background and some of his personality. Big huge changes.
So now I have nothing to submit to the group this month. Last week was nuts at work, and I was helping out some friends in the evenings. This weekend was already booked solid. I feel horrible not making my first deadline with CWC. They've been very gracious to allow me to sit in for the next few months. And I've let them down.
Moreover, I've let myself down.
In my case I listened to my Tim Gunn's, but then I discounted what they had to say. At my own peril. My next opportunity to submit will be August 30. I WILL have my 50 pages plus. Because now I know where I'm going with the book.
And from now on I'll not only listen to my Tim Gunns, I'll make sure that if I choose to ignore some of their advice, it will be for very good reasons.
Deb always says, "Listen to your Tim Gunns." Meaning, when you ask for advice from experts, pay attention to it.
Over a year ago, I asked my local experts--the Pirates--to read HM and give feedback. Which they graciously did. I listened to the feedback, read the notes and thanked them.
A few months ago, Deb offered to let me take her spot in CWC while she concentrated on revising her book, MMG. She didn't have anything ready for submission and didn't want to stop revisions in order to write something new. So I agreed. I had 60 days to get at least 50 pages of HM revised. No problem, less than a page a day.
I jumped in and wrote index cards for each scene, with all the changes I wanted to make based on the critiques I'd received. Then I sat down at the computer with the original prinout and the cards. And I sat there. And sat there. Staring at everything, waiting for my fingers to start typing. But I wasn't feeling it. Not that I didn't feel like writing--I did. Not that I felt like being somewhere else doing something else--I didn't. But the words weren't coming.
Finally, I figured out why. I wasn't changing enough. Over time I slowly let go of almost all of the suggestions. And, I realized in the last week, the ones I chose to ignore were the ones that would involve the biggest changes. I had to age Shannon from 12 to 14. Two years doesn't sound like a lot, but it's huge with preteens/teens. I had to change some of Sloan's background and some of his personality. Big huge changes.
So now I have nothing to submit to the group this month. Last week was nuts at work, and I was helping out some friends in the evenings. This weekend was already booked solid. I feel horrible not making my first deadline with CWC. They've been very gracious to allow me to sit in for the next few months. And I've let them down.
Moreover, I've let myself down.
In my case I listened to my Tim Gunn's, but then I discounted what they had to say. At my own peril. My next opportunity to submit will be August 30. I WILL have my 50 pages plus. Because now I know where I'm going with the book.
And from now on I'll not only listen to my Tim Gunns, I'll make sure that if I choose to ignore some of their advice, it will be for very good reasons.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Playing Cards
All of the scenes from HM are now on index cards. I finished transferring from the manuscript to the cards over the weekend. It's interesting how the book changes when I move one or two cards around. I find it less intimidating to experiment with the cards than to cut and paste the actual manuscript.
It's also easier to play with new scenes. Write a few sentences to give an idea of what the scene will be and put the card in the mix. Then read through the cards. Does it feel like something's missing? Or that there's too much about a particular suspect/lead? Throw another one in or throw one out. Repeat.
The danger, I suspect, is getting too caught up in the shuffling process. As I said, it's easier to play with the cards. Eventually, though, the time comes to start the revisions themselves.
I believe I've reached that time. I have been invited to submit to Creek Writer's Council. I'll be submitting at the end of June. I want to have the revisions completed before I receive my critiques in July.
One more run through the cards. Then the rewrites begin in earnest.
Wish me luck.
It's also easier to play with new scenes. Write a few sentences to give an idea of what the scene will be and put the card in the mix. Then read through the cards. Does it feel like something's missing? Or that there's too much about a particular suspect/lead? Throw another one in or throw one out. Repeat.
The danger, I suspect, is getting too caught up in the shuffling process. As I said, it's easier to play with the cards. Eventually, though, the time comes to start the revisions themselves.
I believe I've reached that time. I have been invited to submit to Creek Writer's Council. I'll be submitting at the end of June. I want to have the revisions completed before I receive my critiques in July.
One more run through the cards. Then the rewrites begin in earnest.
Wish me luck.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Reading One's Own Work
It was an interesting exercise going back and reading HM after so long. There was a lot of it I'd forgotten. I think the pleasant surprises outweighed the cringes. In both cases I felt that moment of "Did I write that?" It is a strange experience.
I tried to read it without marking it, but could not help myself. I did keep the comments to a minimum. "More here" seemed to be the most used. I also made note where I wanted to move things or add things.
Deb uses index cards to write scenes on. Then she can easily move them around. I may try that. It seems less daunting then trying to keep track in the document itself.
I'm excited about HM again. I find myself thinking of things to add or how to fix a scene that isn't working.
It's a good feeling.
I tried to read it without marking it, but could not help myself. I did keep the comments to a minimum. "More here" seemed to be the most used. I also made note where I wanted to move things or add things.
Deb uses index cards to write scenes on. Then she can easily move them around. I may try that. It seems less daunting then trying to keep track in the document itself.
I'm excited about HM again. I find myself thinking of things to add or how to fix a scene that isn't working.
It's a good feeling.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
March Already
February seemed to fly by, even for a short month. I did manage to accomplish my two writing goals. Neither of which involved actual writing.
This month I plan to go through a "clean" copy of HM, adding in all the comments others have made. Then I'll start the rewrite process.
I know this is going to be a long process. Deb seems to be flying through her revisions. She pointed out to me this morning that "It's not my first rodeo." She has been tweaking MMG for a few years now. I don't know if that makes me feel better or not.
In any case, working on the book again feels good.
I'll take that.
This month I plan to go through a "clean" copy of HM, adding in all the comments others have made. Then I'll start the rewrite process.
I know this is going to be a long process. Deb seems to be flying through her revisions. She pointed out to me this morning that "It's not my first rodeo." She has been tweaking MMG for a few years now. I don't know if that makes me feel better or not.
In any case, working on the book again feels good.
I'll take that.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
I Think I'm Back
Hello.
My short hiatus turned into about a year and half away from writing. I read a lot of mysteries. I also read a lot of writing books. I read books from lots of different genres, including a lot of YA. Fleur had a big hand in that last endeavor.
Friends gave advice when asked and just listened when that's what I needed. There was also a lot of encouragement from everyone. The best part of the hiatus was realizing how many great friends I have.
I think it's time to dip my toe back in the water. Part of my problem before was trying to think about more than one project at a time. Deb may work best with lots of balls in the air, but I've found that I don't. I'm going to finish HM before I get back to D&D. I know they've waited a long time to tell their story, but a month or so more won't hurt them.
The first step is a read through of what I have now, followed by compiling all the comments I received in 2008 and reading those. I'll worry about the step after that when I get there.
I'm prepared for this to take some time. That's okay. I'll still get where I want to be.
My short hiatus turned into about a year and half away from writing. I read a lot of mysteries. I also read a lot of writing books. I read books from lots of different genres, including a lot of YA. Fleur had a big hand in that last endeavor.
Friends gave advice when asked and just listened when that's what I needed. There was also a lot of encouragement from everyone. The best part of the hiatus was realizing how many great friends I have.
I think it's time to dip my toe back in the water. Part of my problem before was trying to think about more than one project at a time. Deb may work best with lots of balls in the air, but I've found that I don't. I'm going to finish HM before I get back to D&D. I know they've waited a long time to tell their story, but a month or so more won't hurt them.
The first step is a read through of what I have now, followed by compiling all the comments I received in 2008 and reading those. I'll worry about the step after that when I get there.
I'm prepared for this to take some time. That's okay. I'll still get where I want to be.
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