All my brownie points go to Supe for today's word count.
She called and said we would be writing for the next four hours. She didn't ask. (Well, she kinda did.) But she didn't intend to let me out easily. She's even got my husband trained. When her phone number shows up on the TV screen, he resigns himself to the fact he's about to be abandoned.
Some days, you need someone to drag you, kicking and screaming, to your computer. Someone to threaten you if you get out of the chair. I wouldn't recommend handing this role to your spouse. Even the best of marriages don't weather nagging very well.
So find someone, if you haven't got one--someone who has the same writing goals as you, who has the same...intensity, for lack of a better word. Supe and I work well together because we are not good friends otherwise. When we get together, we talk writing, not shopping. We're in the same position in life, with grown kids and husbands who don't need their hands held too often. Neither of us are working traditional jobs. All I can suggest is that you find someone like you.
Today, she saved my writer-self-esteem. One of these days, I'm going to get her back--I mean pay her back--I mean do the same for her. But thanks to Supe, I was able to enjoy the rest of the days with the fam and not be consumed with guilt for watching a little TV.
Of course, the whole time I was watching that TV, I half expected her phone number to pop up, and my ring tone to turn into the shark music from Jaws.
So. Thanks to Supe, and four hours of writing on Dr. Wicked (with a few interruptions) I turned in a solid 3105 words!
Of course it's not so impressive when you look at my totals. But I think the moon phase had a little something to do with this past week, as I've mentioned before. According to some theories, this past week, (ECO week), that starts with the full moon, is the one week a month with both low focus and low energy. This coming week should bring high focus at least. I expect to get a lot of fine tuning done.
Totals:
Week: 8926 (I'm shocked it was that much)
Month to date: 51,106
What are the chances I can write 30k in the next four days while packing for a small vacation with 15 people? I don't know. The Dragon might be able to do miracles, right?
What are your totals this week, or this month, compared to the last? Are you headed in the right direction? Or do you think the moon sucked your will to do much.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013.
I'll be brief.
Yes, I bought a Dragon today. Can't wait to get started. From what we are reading, it might just double our wildest word count dreams. I hadn't considered that. Wouldn't that be uber cool?
I went walking twice. Blood sugar was a little better than yesterday, but a long way to go still.
Did all my writing sitting down. Got the bulk of that synopsis done. Still a little more tweaking to go. Hopefully tomorrow. I have to figure out a few things.
New words: 1397
Yes, I bought a Dragon today. Can't wait to get started. From what we are reading, it might just double our wildest word count dreams. I hadn't considered that. Wouldn't that be uber cool?
I went walking twice. Blood sugar was a little better than yesterday, but a long way to go still.
Did all my writing sitting down. Got the bulk of that synopsis done. Still a little more tweaking to go. Hopefully tomorrow. I have to figure out a few things.
New words: 1397
Friday, August 23, 2013
Friday, August 23, Dragons and such
After much research, including feedback from authors who use it, I have decided to buy the Dragon Naturally Speaking software. I'll get it tomorrow. (Today didn't go as planned.)
One man I spoke with estimated that it may take a month for me to get a handle on it, since I haven't used any kind of dictation before. A one-month-long learning curve is worth it to me only because I need to lose weight as desperately as I need to get these stories told. So. I'm doing it.
I did not, in fact, get up early to write with Dr. Supe. It sounds like she had a very productive day without my help, thank goodness. I hope you did well. I would hate to think my failure might encourage any slacking on your part. But then, I realize it might well do just that.
Do any of you follow Dean Wesley Smith's blog?
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com
I read it nearly every day. He's the one who inspired me to start this blog. He's doing a project called Writing in Public. Go read up on it. When I let you down, he won't. Between the two of us, you should be covered.
I take less than modest pleasure in the fact my monthly word count is kicking his arse right now. I'm sure he'll grind me into the floor by the 31st, but I'm not out of the race yet. I've got another week to get some big word counts on the table. And between typing and messing around with the dragon, I may just beat the man. His goal is 100k a month, and he usually hits his mark, even if he's 70k behind. What will surprise me most is if he DOES NOT meet his goal.
Here's my problem now.
I have two full manuscripts that need editing so I can send them off. At least one of them needs to be out of my hands by the end of the month. So why would I keep writing, cranking out another book to add to my to-be-edited pile?
Because writers write. If all I do is edit, I'm an editor. I need that habit of putting words to paper, or words to a digital recorder. (This brings to mind the scene in Roxanne, when the Christian character flubs up and says, "Because I'm afraid of worms, Roxanne." He was supposed to have said words.
Well, I guess I'm afraid of words too. But I'm more afraid of you people, reading this. So I will endeavor to persevere. Big brownie points to go anyone who can tell me in which movie we see an old Indian saying those three words.
I spent my day finding and booking a cabin for Labor Day Weekend for the family reunion. Not easy at this late notice. Tomorrow, I hope to remember that I can be a writer again. And tomorrow, I'll give you a taste of my evolving theory about productivity and moon phases. How have YOU been performing since the new moon two days ago? Hmm? Be honest. And leave it in the comments.
L
One man I spoke with estimated that it may take a month for me to get a handle on it, since I haven't used any kind of dictation before. A one-month-long learning curve is worth it to me only because I need to lose weight as desperately as I need to get these stories told. So. I'm doing it.
I did not, in fact, get up early to write with Dr. Supe. It sounds like she had a very productive day without my help, thank goodness. I hope you did well. I would hate to think my failure might encourage any slacking on your part. But then, I realize it might well do just that.
Do any of you follow Dean Wesley Smith's blog?
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com
I read it nearly every day. He's the one who inspired me to start this blog. He's doing a project called Writing in Public. Go read up on it. When I let you down, he won't. Between the two of us, you should be covered.
I take less than modest pleasure in the fact my monthly word count is kicking his arse right now. I'm sure he'll grind me into the floor by the 31st, but I'm not out of the race yet. I've got another week to get some big word counts on the table. And between typing and messing around with the dragon, I may just beat the man. His goal is 100k a month, and he usually hits his mark, even if he's 70k behind. What will surprise me most is if he DOES NOT meet his goal.
Here's my problem now.
I have two full manuscripts that need editing so I can send them off. At least one of them needs to be out of my hands by the end of the month. So why would I keep writing, cranking out another book to add to my to-be-edited pile?
Because writers write. If all I do is edit, I'm an editor. I need that habit of putting words to paper, or words to a digital recorder. (This brings to mind the scene in Roxanne, when the Christian character flubs up and says, "Because I'm afraid of worms, Roxanne." He was supposed to have said words.
Well, I guess I'm afraid of words too. But I'm more afraid of you people, reading this. So I will endeavor to persevere. Big brownie points to go anyone who can tell me in which movie we see an old Indian saying those three words.
I spent my day finding and booking a cabin for Labor Day Weekend for the family reunion. Not easy at this late notice. Tomorrow, I hope to remember that I can be a writer again. And tomorrow, I'll give you a taste of my evolving theory about productivity and moon phases. How have YOU been performing since the new moon two days ago? Hmm? Be honest. And leave it in the comments.
L
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
I have been reminded that I did indeed set a weight loss goal along with my word count goal, and in a [what I thought to be] brilliant bit of thinking, decided that the only way I can get 250 miles in before the Scotland trip in April would be to dictate all my writing.
That's right. I hunted down the best price for Dragon Naturally Speaking software and intended to purchase it. I figured it couldn't have much more of a learning curve than learning Scrivener, Dr. Wicked, or getting used to writing on my Alphasmart.
My husband suggested I do the trial thing. I hate to do the trial thing. It shows a definite lack of faith to do the trial thing and I was ready to commit. I imagined getting so caught up in my stories that I would walk 2 and three miles a day. I imagined Rock Jr. racing his bike around the walking path at the nearest city park that is conveniently a mile in diameter. I tried to remember what it was like to be much smaller than I am now.
I decided to wait until Payday to get the software. But in my excitement, I thought there was no time like the present to get warmed up, to get that training started. So I isolated myself, made sure no one would be listening in, then I opened my mouth and tried to tell a stupid little story. A 'Once upon a time' story that wasn't exciting at all. But the words did not flow off the end of my tongue like they do from the ends of my fingers.
There is a magic that happens when I type. I think a few words and they appear on the screen as I think them. Sometimes I wonder if they are not popping up there on their own and I'm only reading them as they appear. But that's silly. *ahem* Right?
Now. I've been accused, from time to time throughout my life, that I often speak before thinking. I suppose I was kind of counting on that paying off this week. But it seems as though I'm going to actually have to put a bit of effort into my writing if I'm going to make dictation work.
The scariest part? The fear of Speaker's Block. What if I open my mouth and nothing comes out? Since this is exactly what happened when I first tried to dictate a story, I'm terrified. I'm also terrified of my husband telling me "Didn't I suggest you get a trial copy first?" if I go ahead and buy it and force myself to try harder, only to fail.
Then I realized THIS is what keeps people from writing, even though they want desperately to write. THIS is what keeps some writers from turning in any word count at all. This is what keeps the ambitious from ever leaving the gate, keeps the What-if-I-can't-do-its from sitting down and daring to type crap.
And if we could give the What-if-I-can't-do-its our best advice? Wouldn't it be to forge ahead. Don't give up. It will get easier. Don't be afraid.
So. Here I go, talking myself into trying the dictation thing. I do want to lose the weight. I do want to be able to walk around Scotland--not hike, of course, but walking without the need of being buried overseas.
I'll let you know how it goes.
So. Here's my report for today.
Another human day. Spent 2 1/2 hours in the dentist's chair today. 2 1/2 freaking hours!
On the bright side, I did not waste time watching TV. The kitchen disaster did get cleaned, thanks to the Rock. But hey, it's done. And I didn't waste a lot of time on the internet.
Again, got no work done on the synopsis. I am pretty sure it's my way of putting off the next thing after that, which is to edit Isobelle. But even knowing that's why I'm doing it didn't help me get over it today.
However, Dr. Supe informs me that tomorrow is yet another day. I'm going to bed early so I can get up earlier than usual to get started. Gonna exercise and everything. And maybe I'll amble over to Office Max for a Dragon.
That's right. I hunted down the best price for Dragon Naturally Speaking software and intended to purchase it. I figured it couldn't have much more of a learning curve than learning Scrivener, Dr. Wicked, or getting used to writing on my Alphasmart.
My husband suggested I do the trial thing. I hate to do the trial thing. It shows a definite lack of faith to do the trial thing and I was ready to commit. I imagined getting so caught up in my stories that I would walk 2 and three miles a day. I imagined Rock Jr. racing his bike around the walking path at the nearest city park that is conveniently a mile in diameter. I tried to remember what it was like to be much smaller than I am now.
I decided to wait until Payday to get the software. But in my excitement, I thought there was no time like the present to get warmed up, to get that training started. So I isolated myself, made sure no one would be listening in, then I opened my mouth and tried to tell a stupid little story. A 'Once upon a time' story that wasn't exciting at all. But the words did not flow off the end of my tongue like they do from the ends of my fingers.
There is a magic that happens when I type. I think a few words and they appear on the screen as I think them. Sometimes I wonder if they are not popping up there on their own and I'm only reading them as they appear. But that's silly. *ahem* Right?
Now. I've been accused, from time to time throughout my life, that I often speak before thinking. I suppose I was kind of counting on that paying off this week. But it seems as though I'm going to actually have to put a bit of effort into my writing if I'm going to make dictation work.
The scariest part? The fear of Speaker's Block. What if I open my mouth and nothing comes out? Since this is exactly what happened when I first tried to dictate a story, I'm terrified. I'm also terrified of my husband telling me "Didn't I suggest you get a trial copy first?" if I go ahead and buy it and force myself to try harder, only to fail.
Then I realized THIS is what keeps people from writing, even though they want desperately to write. THIS is what keeps some writers from turning in any word count at all. This is what keeps the ambitious from ever leaving the gate, keeps the What-if-I-can't-do-its from sitting down and daring to type crap.
And if we could give the What-if-I-can't-do-its our best advice? Wouldn't it be to forge ahead. Don't give up. It will get easier. Don't be afraid.
So. Here I go, talking myself into trying the dictation thing. I do want to lose the weight. I do want to be able to walk around Scotland--not hike, of course, but walking without the need of being buried overseas.
I'll let you know how it goes.
So. Here's my report for today.
Another human day. Spent 2 1/2 hours in the dentist's chair today. 2 1/2 freaking hours!
On the bright side, I did not waste time watching TV. The kitchen disaster did get cleaned, thanks to the Rock. But hey, it's done. And I didn't waste a lot of time on the internet.
Again, got no work done on the synopsis. I am pretty sure it's my way of putting off the next thing after that, which is to edit Isobelle. But even knowing that's why I'm doing it didn't help me get over it today.
However, Dr. Supe informs me that tomorrow is yet another day. I'm going to bed early so I can get up earlier than usual to get started. Gonna exercise and everything. And maybe I'll amble over to Office Max for a Dragon.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
I had high hopes for today. Even after I learned I'd be babysitting for a couple of hours, I figured the rest of the day would be crazy with word count.
I was wrong.
I'm not complaining. I had a house full of family for the major portion of the day. After that, I was recovering from having a house full of family. I made meals. I actually cooked. And I'm sure the neighbors thought the house was on fire about seven o'clock tonight, but it wasn't.
And I can't complain about taking a nap with the newborn, now can I?
But the downsides are these:
My kitchen is a disaster.
My mind was far from the project at hand.
And I did not write the one short thing I needed to write today--a synopsis.
That's right, campers. Here it is, 3:30 in the morning, and I've wasted my evening watching yet another bad Ewan McGregor movie. Does he never make anything normal length? I mean, I think the movie started yesterday. And the worst part? I accidentally turned off the TV with only 15 minutes to go, AND I LEFT IT OFF! Why oh why could I not have accidentally turned it off three hours earlier?
(Okay, I guess I did have some complaining to do.)
I'm pathetic--and not because I didn't get any writing done. I'm pathetic for allowing other things to keep me from writing. It wasn't even a PERSON for hellsakes. It was a TV! It wasn't even FACEBOOK, where I could have been at least enjoying some interaction with friends.
Well, I'm not going to let the same thing happen tomorrow. I'm not going to turn on the bloody TV at all. And I'm going to block myself off the internet. The only nap I'm going to take will be in the dentist's chair, and hopefully, it will be brief. And my exercise will have to be hosing out the kitchen. (Pan frying steaks is messy business.)
So, I'm sorry for calling you all here today under false pretenses. There was nothing to report but my own lack of will. Next time you check in, there will be blood. (Love that line.) I mean, there will be an impressive word count. So help me.
And if I never said it before, thanks for coming.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
It's 3:10 am. I'm calling it quits at 3400 words.
I finished the early chapters of a Thriller proposal. Tomorrow I'll write the dreaded synopsis and send it off.
THEN I'll get back to the business of writing and editing on Thursday. I'm going to have to go back and add up what I've done so far this week, but I know already that I am behind schedule.
I will NOT be making up for low days. I think that's a punishment we can choose not to inflict upon ourselves in an industry where every word should be celebrated. Every word requires so much song and dance just to produce.
The song and dance: seeing the chair, avoiding the chair, sitting in the chair but doing things other than writing and editing. You know, the song and dance.
But the song and dance would be a lot easier if we could program ourselves to sit down, turn on the computer, and open up our current work file BEFORE we look at anything else. I suggest you try to build this habit, as I am trying. Some days it really works! And that, my friends, is worth trying.
Goodnight.
[Enter lullaby here.]
I finished the early chapters of a Thriller proposal. Tomorrow I'll write the dreaded synopsis and send it off.
THEN I'll get back to the business of writing and editing on Thursday. I'm going to have to go back and add up what I've done so far this week, but I know already that I am behind schedule.
I will NOT be making up for low days. I think that's a punishment we can choose not to inflict upon ourselves in an industry where every word should be celebrated. Every word requires so much song and dance just to produce.
The song and dance: seeing the chair, avoiding the chair, sitting in the chair but doing things other than writing and editing. You know, the song and dance.
But the song and dance would be a lot easier if we could program ourselves to sit down, turn on the computer, and open up our current work file BEFORE we look at anything else. I suggest you try to build this habit, as I am trying. Some days it really works! And that, my friends, is worth trying.
Goodnight.
[Enter lullaby here.]
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Hey Hey. I'm back.
Took Sunday off, as planned.
Writing five days a week is going to have to work if I'm going to have human time.
Today life interrupted as usual. I got to hold my new granddaughter for longer than I should have, but no one cried foul.
Today I edited 20 pages of the Thriller and wrote another ten.
Word count is way below goal: 2299. About half what I was hoping. It might prove to be a little tough to hit it hard after no words for two days. I don't know if I can do anything about that and still have human time, so I guess I'll just have to suck it up and do better.
Next Monday, I will try to anticipate a drag and try to get a lot of words in early, to make it easier to finish up with a nice number.
Dr. Supe and I are worried about getting our edits done on so many words. We're taking two different tacks. She's going to finish her book in progress and then edit it all before hitting the word count again. I'm going to try to edit one book while writing another. We'll see how things end up in a week or so and make adjustments as necessary. It is really hard to give up that word count, now we know that we can do it. But if we can't edit the same number of pages we're writing, we're going to end up with a warehouse full of unpublishable books.
But we're working on it.
I am determined to get at least 20k this week. Tomorrow is a day with nothing scheduled, so I'm blocking it out for writing and editing. Going to bed now, at 2 am, hoping to be up before ten and working. My only problem is I have a young man to keep entertained and his buddy won't be coming for him at all this week. There may have to be some location changes during the day. We'll see.
Hope you're pushing yourself to write, even when you don't want to. These books won't write themselves, right?
WRITE!
Took Sunday off, as planned.
Writing five days a week is going to have to work if I'm going to have human time.
Today life interrupted as usual. I got to hold my new granddaughter for longer than I should have, but no one cried foul.
Today I edited 20 pages of the Thriller and wrote another ten.
Word count is way below goal: 2299. About half what I was hoping. It might prove to be a little tough to hit it hard after no words for two days. I don't know if I can do anything about that and still have human time, so I guess I'll just have to suck it up and do better.
Next Monday, I will try to anticipate a drag and try to get a lot of words in early, to make it easier to finish up with a nice number.
Dr. Supe and I are worried about getting our edits done on so many words. We're taking two different tacks. She's going to finish her book in progress and then edit it all before hitting the word count again. I'm going to try to edit one book while writing another. We'll see how things end up in a week or so and make adjustments as necessary. It is really hard to give up that word count, now we know that we can do it. But if we can't edit the same number of pages we're writing, we're going to end up with a warehouse full of unpublishable books.
But we're working on it.
I am determined to get at least 20k this week. Tomorrow is a day with nothing scheduled, so I'm blocking it out for writing and editing. Going to bed now, at 2 am, hoping to be up before ten and working. My only problem is I have a young man to keep entertained and his buddy won't be coming for him at all this week. There may have to be some location changes during the day. We'll see.
Hope you're pushing yourself to write, even when you don't want to. These books won't write themselves, right?
WRITE!
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