Word Count: 1,208
Total Word Count: 1,208
Daily Word Goal: 1,667
Words Remaining: 48,792
Well, that was a lot harder than I remember. It's been months since I wrote, and the main thing I took away from this experience is that the hardest part about starting a new book, or starting writing at all, is that you not only have to think of what happens, but you also have to do so while wrestling with your self doubt.
The entire time that I was writing this I kept thinking to myself how much what I was writing sucked. And it does, it really does. I just never realized how much my internal editor was keeping me from writing. While I didn't meet my word count, I'm considering this a good start for being out of the daily writing game for months at a time.
I'm not really doing this to finish the whole book in a month, though it would be nice if I did. My real goal here is breaking past that barrier I haven't been able to break past. Namely the barrier where I'm so used to doing this that continuing is a lot easier to do than it was before breaking that barrier.
I actually noticeably hit that barrier while I was starting out podcasting. I got to a point where it just didn't feel worth it. But I had co-hosts that wanted to continue, and so I did, and I ended up not only enjoying myself, it's actually gotten easier to actually get the podcast done.
Of course editing it is a completely different matter...
I'm considering this first day a success, now I just need to get my writing done earlier in the day so I can feel more accomplished. When I'm not berating myself for how crap my writing is that is...
Showing posts with label Personal Update. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal Update. Show all posts
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
New Computer - Almost reached 40K
My laptop broke recently. I just got it replaced yesterday with a new MacBook Pro. They're about a thousand dollars at my campus store, so overall not a terrible deal. Especially when you count in the free printer and photoshop elements 9.
It's taking me a while to get used to Lion, so much has changed since what I'm used to. But it's a pretty sweet machine, here's hoping it lasts a few years.
I got a bit of writing done yesterday, but my productivity suffered from angry birds. Which is stupid because I'm about five hundred words away from breaking the 40K written for one book landmark. Just ten thousand more and I'll have reached the minimum word count for a middlegrade novel. Too bad it isn't halfway done, and it isn't really a middlegrade. But it's nice to know that I could start wrapping up and it would be long enough. It'd just suck.
I've written double what the first draft of this book was, but since it isn't done yet it doesn't feel like an accomplishment. Now that I look back at it, considering the first draft a finished book really didn't count. So I have yet to finish an actual book. This makes me feel like I haven't gotten anything done in the past few years. I've worked on several stories and books, but never finished anything. It will be nice to have finally finished an actual book.
The main thing I've learned from this experience is that the most important part of being able to finish a book is increasing the amount one writes per hour. If you can get more done in a day then your book will get done much faster. Just ask Nathan.
Anyway, today I'm going to break that barrier, after getting some homework done. I might go fishing, I'm not sure, I probably won't have time.
It's taking me a while to get used to Lion, so much has changed since what I'm used to. But it's a pretty sweet machine, here's hoping it lasts a few years.
I got a bit of writing done yesterday, but my productivity suffered from angry birds. Which is stupid because I'm about five hundred words away from breaking the 40K written for one book landmark. Just ten thousand more and I'll have reached the minimum word count for a middlegrade novel. Too bad it isn't halfway done, and it isn't really a middlegrade. But it's nice to know that I could start wrapping up and it would be long enough. It'd just suck.
I've written double what the first draft of this book was, but since it isn't done yet it doesn't feel like an accomplishment. Now that I look back at it, considering the first draft a finished book really didn't count. So I have yet to finish an actual book. This makes me feel like I haven't gotten anything done in the past few years. I've worked on several stories and books, but never finished anything. It will be nice to have finally finished an actual book.
The main thing I've learned from this experience is that the most important part of being able to finish a book is increasing the amount one writes per hour. If you can get more done in a day then your book will get done much faster. Just ask Nathan.
Anyway, today I'm going to break that barrier, after getting some homework done. I might go fishing, I'm not sure, I probably won't have time.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Threshold
There is a point during the writing process where everything start flowing smoothly. New ideas flow into your head, and the words to express them spill right onto the page. I refer to that point as the Threshold. It's the point at where writing switches from being a drag to being a true delight. Since everyone works differently the threshold is never in the same place, even for the same person. The more practice one gets, the sooner they can reach the threshold.
For example, the past few months my threshold has been far too high. It would take me several hundred, sometimes a thousand, words to reach it. Sometimes I never reached it at all. Recently, however, I've been able to reach the threshold in just a hundred words or so. I partially atribute this to this being my third day in a row of writing every day. I know this isn't a big accomplishment, but for me it's something. I've also been writing more frequently overall, so I can only assume that the practice is having an affect.
Practice alone does not decrease the threshold, however. What really breaks it down is pure enthusiasm. If you can reach the point where writing a book is as good as reading one, because you're discovering a new story, then you know you're where you want to be. It goes without say that you need to be enthusiastic about books to be able to reach this point in the first place.
For a good chunk of this book it's been a drag just because I was trying to get it done just so I could say I finished a book. But recently I've been able to think of a few new ideas, expanded on some characters, fleshed out the plot, and prepared some plot twists, that have me thinking this really is going to be a good book. I'm looking forward to finishing it because I know it's going to be good and people will enjoy it. Without that driving force I don't think I could finish this book.
I think every book needs a few ideas like that, something that makes you excited to write it. That's why it's important to always have your ending in mind. Start with a rough idea for the ending at least, and then start building the plot towards it. The ending will change as you think of new ideas, brought on by expanding the plot and characters. It's hard to write a plot twist for a character that doesn't even really exist yet.
And I guess you probably want to create your characters before plotting. My characters kinda pop into existence as I expand on the plot. They usually start out as something to fill in plot holes, and then grow to take on their own lives.
Anyway, I'll try to update this blog more often, but right now my book and other blog take priority.
For example, the past few months my threshold has been far too high. It would take me several hundred, sometimes a thousand, words to reach it. Sometimes I never reached it at all. Recently, however, I've been able to reach the threshold in just a hundred words or so. I partially atribute this to this being my third day in a row of writing every day. I know this isn't a big accomplishment, but for me it's something. I've also been writing more frequently overall, so I can only assume that the practice is having an affect.
Practice alone does not decrease the threshold, however. What really breaks it down is pure enthusiasm. If you can reach the point where writing a book is as good as reading one, because you're discovering a new story, then you know you're where you want to be. It goes without say that you need to be enthusiastic about books to be able to reach this point in the first place.
For a good chunk of this book it's been a drag just because I was trying to get it done just so I could say I finished a book. But recently I've been able to think of a few new ideas, expanded on some characters, fleshed out the plot, and prepared some plot twists, that have me thinking this really is going to be a good book. I'm looking forward to finishing it because I know it's going to be good and people will enjoy it. Without that driving force I don't think I could finish this book.
I think every book needs a few ideas like that, something that makes you excited to write it. That's why it's important to always have your ending in mind. Start with a rough idea for the ending at least, and then start building the plot towards it. The ending will change as you think of new ideas, brought on by expanding the plot and characters. It's hard to write a plot twist for a character that doesn't even really exist yet.
And I guess you probably want to create your characters before plotting. My characters kinda pop into existence as I expand on the plot. They usually start out as something to fill in plot holes, and then grow to take on their own lives.
Anyway, I'll try to update this blog more often, but right now my book and other blog take priority.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Word Counting Distracts Me
Well, I've decided that from now on I'm only going to bother about writing every day, and not worrying about word count. If I worry about that too much then it becomes a chore, and that's not what I want this to be. I want to be a professional writer, but I don't get enough written per day to do that. So I'm going to try and reach that stage Nathan is at, where going too long without writing drives one insane.
I won't be posting word count updates, because I need to trick my brain into thinking that this isn't a chore. And if I can get myself into the right groove every day, then eventually I will be churning out a ton of words every day. But only if I can get myself into the right groove.
There's a lot to consider when writing, and I'm no idiot when it comes to knowing technical facts about writing. But knowing all that is unimportant if I don't do what every writer should be doing, and that is write. Despite my professional aspirations, even beginners are currently better than me, because while what they write isn't even close to gold material, at least they are writing.
But don't be too smug for long beginners, I'm not going to let you beat me! I may not be the most hardworking guy out there, but as soon as I get over my natural laziness I will be a force to be reckoned with!! Or at least considered!
I know for a fact that I'm much better now than I was three or four years ago, but that does little good when I'm letting myself get bogged down with too much thinking or laziness. And I have most of the book planned, so I have no excuses to not be working on this. I do need to sit down and make some more detailed plans, but for now I need to use the planned first act to get some kind of grove together.
Really it's all just a matter of making it my priority. The earlier in the day I start, not only do I get more done, but I also feel like the day was well spent. I'm not about to ignore other responsibilities, such as working around the yard and keeping the house clean...ish, but I definitely need to make it a priority over everything else. Then I don't feel bad when I take some time to blog.
And yes, I've gotten some done today, just not very much, so I'll be getting right back to that.
I won't be posting word count updates, because I need to trick my brain into thinking that this isn't a chore. And if I can get myself into the right groove every day, then eventually I will be churning out a ton of words every day. But only if I can get myself into the right groove.
There's a lot to consider when writing, and I'm no idiot when it comes to knowing technical facts about writing. But knowing all that is unimportant if I don't do what every writer should be doing, and that is write. Despite my professional aspirations, even beginners are currently better than me, because while what they write isn't even close to gold material, at least they are writing.
But don't be too smug for long beginners, I'm not going to let you beat me! I may not be the most hardworking guy out there, but as soon as I get over my natural laziness I will be a force to be reckoned with!! Or at least considered!
I know for a fact that I'm much better now than I was three or four years ago, but that does little good when I'm letting myself get bogged down with too much thinking or laziness. And I have most of the book planned, so I have no excuses to not be working on this. I do need to sit down and make some more detailed plans, but for now I need to use the planned first act to get some kind of grove together.
Really it's all just a matter of making it my priority. The earlier in the day I start, not only do I get more done, but I also feel like the day was well spent. I'm not about to ignore other responsibilities, such as working around the yard and keeping the house clean...ish, but I definitely need to make it a priority over everything else. Then I don't feel bad when I take some time to blog.
And yes, I've gotten some done today, just not very much, so I'll be getting right back to that.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Back on the saddle
Well, I pretty much suck when it comes to actually having a schedule. But as of today I have my blogging somewhat under control. Not only are all my posts up to date, but I have made progress into writing future posts in advance. This is crucial since I'm so overly ambitious when it comes to blogging. But I've finally figured out that a new blog post a day isn't impossible, especially when I have them done in advance.
Now that I'm finally getting a semblance of order into my writing, I can finally force myself to actually regularly write. I know I keep saying that I will, and I flub it more often than not, but now I'm serious. This is the moment where I sit down and finish the rewrite for this book. I've got a clear idea of where it is going, and am going to try out a new method of writing. Namely I'll obsessively plan every little detail and then sit down to write it. Hopefully that will mean that when I write it won't be crap.
After finally finishing Dragon's Egg I intend to start work on Epic Heroes. Nathan is going to be self publishing his Paradise Seekers for the kindle, and since I'm one to follow the crowd I kind of feel like I should give that a shot myself. So I'm going to be getting that finished as quickly as possible.
At the same time I'm trying to look for work, and while blogging and writing for websites isn't exactly the best way to make a living, at least I'm seeing a minuscule amount of income. Eventually that is. So I figure getting some books out there on kindle would be really good because that's another possible source of income. And at this point I desperately need that.
Since the best way to keep myself honest with my writing is to find some way of being accountable, expect to see posts on this blog every day with a summary of how my writing went. It may be overkill, but I intend to post on this blog every day, with news that I did in fact write, and how much. Don't expect too much from the current updates, since I'm still in the planning stages of the rewrite.
But I've practically got the short chapter summaries done and the basic revised plot done. So now all I need to do is finish that and then write detailed chapter summaries. Here's hoping this works out for me. Expect another post later today, with an update about how much I got done.
Now that I'm finally getting a semblance of order into my writing, I can finally force myself to actually regularly write. I know I keep saying that I will, and I flub it more often than not, but now I'm serious. This is the moment where I sit down and finish the rewrite for this book. I've got a clear idea of where it is going, and am going to try out a new method of writing. Namely I'll obsessively plan every little detail and then sit down to write it. Hopefully that will mean that when I write it won't be crap.
After finally finishing Dragon's Egg I intend to start work on Epic Heroes. Nathan is going to be self publishing his Paradise Seekers for the kindle, and since I'm one to follow the crowd I kind of feel like I should give that a shot myself. So I'm going to be getting that finished as quickly as possible.
At the same time I'm trying to look for work, and while blogging and writing for websites isn't exactly the best way to make a living, at least I'm seeing a minuscule amount of income. Eventually that is. So I figure getting some books out there on kindle would be really good because that's another possible source of income. And at this point I desperately need that.
Since the best way to keep myself honest with my writing is to find some way of being accountable, expect to see posts on this blog every day with a summary of how my writing went. It may be overkill, but I intend to post on this blog every day, with news that I did in fact write, and how much. Don't expect too much from the current updates, since I'm still in the planning stages of the rewrite.
But I've practically got the short chapter summaries done and the basic revised plot done. So now all I need to do is finish that and then write detailed chapter summaries. Here's hoping this works out for me. Expect another post later today, with an update about how much I got done.
Monday, March 14, 2011
And Now For Phase Two - My Current Life, Career, and Academic Plans
I've started work editing and rewriting The Dragon's Egg. While it is in fact done the finished product really is more aptly described as a twenty thousand word outline. This peeves me a bit but so far my writing group is responding well to it and giving good advice on how to improve the book. So now we start the delightful editing process.
My first goal is to print off the manuscript, it's only a little over thirty pages long, and to go over it and decided where I can lengthen this book to the point of adding at least another thirty thousand words. My biggest weakness so far is easily the fact that my pacing is pretty terrible, which is accounted for by the fact that I rushed through this book in order to just finally have it done. But now that I've put it aside for a few weeks I feel ready to look over it again and focus on only the most important parts, namely fixing the pacing issues. Hopefully this will turn out a much better book.
A lot of writers talk about how they had to give something up in order to actually write. TV is usually the most common thing that writers give up, but I haven't really watched TV in a long time. But a talk with some of my friends made me realize that while I don't waste my time on TV as much as I once did, I have another time eater that has been threatening not only my writing, but my school work and blogging as well.
So until further notice - by which I mean I intend to keep this up indefinitely - I will eschew my main past time, namely goofing off on various internet sites. The way it works is that I don't get online during the week, and save everything I would have read for the weekend. Alongside that, if I can get all my work done during the day I can have an hour or less in the evening during which to apply myself to other entertainment. This will most likely take the form of blogging (considering how far behind I am) and working on The Dragon's Egg. Keep in mind that "blogging" will generally include time spent watching the shows I review on a theoretical weekly basis. Besides starting on editing this will be the focus of my daily evening hour of internet usage.
But since I don't want to choose between blogging and writing, I will also be dedicating at least an hour each evening, after I finish school work, to working on my current book. For now that will be writing extra scenes to flesh out The Dragon's Egg, but as soon as I get that done I'll restart work on The Incredible Life of Billy Brown, aka/ the book with the best title I've ever thought of.
As soon as I get everything sorted out I'll probably post a writing schedule of all the ideas I want to work on. Currently I have plenty of ideas for books, and other various projects, that I should have no problem finding something creative to do. I'll probably never be in the situation where I have nothing to write, because I have so many ideas, including the currently abandoned ideas, that I doubt I'll be able to work my way through all of them in just a year. And the chances of not thinking of a new idea during said year are slim as well. So by the time I finally write everything I've currently thought of I'll all ready have a myriad of brand new ideas ready to go. And so on, and so forth, until they find me dead at my key board with an unfinished first draft.
And then the fans will forever wonder what masterpiece I have left unfinished.
Hopefully this change in life style is exactly what I need, and I can finally beat the chronic laziness that is keeping me from getting as good as I should be. I know for a fact that I've gotten better over the past two or three years, but it's nowhere near as good as I would be if I had gotten myself to consistently write every day during that time. Well, here's for making up for lost time, and hopefully for balancing out my University career as well.
With that said, I have to confess that I find it hard not to slip up a little and check on the websites I once frequented. But I will remain strong and stay away from distractions cold turkey for the entire week. Eventually I might even be able to keep it up for an entire month, followed by a binge at the end where I read all the things that I've missed. Maybe I'll even just stop going online for leisure entirely, and instead read my manga when I buy the volumes. I know the publishers would prefer that, but first I would need to wean myself away from the desire to keep up to date on the stories. No idea how likely that is, but it's a possibility. My current ultimate goal is to avoid going online for leisure reading entirely during a whole semester and to see if that improves my academic standing. Granted just avoiding it for a week, or a month might be sufficient, but gaining that kind of self control would do me a world of good.
And with that I sign off, because I have a mid-term to take, but taking the time to write this has definitely helped calm me down, and provided a necessary little break from studying. I just have a few more papers to go over and then I'll go take the exam. After that the true test begins, and we see if I can stick to getting all my work done before any leisure.
My first goal is to print off the manuscript, it's only a little over thirty pages long, and to go over it and decided where I can lengthen this book to the point of adding at least another thirty thousand words. My biggest weakness so far is easily the fact that my pacing is pretty terrible, which is accounted for by the fact that I rushed through this book in order to just finally have it done. But now that I've put it aside for a few weeks I feel ready to look over it again and focus on only the most important parts, namely fixing the pacing issues. Hopefully this will turn out a much better book.
A lot of writers talk about how they had to give something up in order to actually write. TV is usually the most common thing that writers give up, but I haven't really watched TV in a long time. But a talk with some of my friends made me realize that while I don't waste my time on TV as much as I once did, I have another time eater that has been threatening not only my writing, but my school work and blogging as well.
So until further notice - by which I mean I intend to keep this up indefinitely - I will eschew my main past time, namely goofing off on various internet sites. The way it works is that I don't get online during the week, and save everything I would have read for the weekend. Alongside that, if I can get all my work done during the day I can have an hour or less in the evening during which to apply myself to other entertainment. This will most likely take the form of blogging (considering how far behind I am) and working on The Dragon's Egg. Keep in mind that "blogging" will generally include time spent watching the shows I review on a theoretical weekly basis. Besides starting on editing this will be the focus of my daily evening hour of internet usage.
But since I don't want to choose between blogging and writing, I will also be dedicating at least an hour each evening, after I finish school work, to working on my current book. For now that will be writing extra scenes to flesh out The Dragon's Egg, but as soon as I get that done I'll restart work on The Incredible Life of Billy Brown, aka/ the book with the best title I've ever thought of.
As soon as I get everything sorted out I'll probably post a writing schedule of all the ideas I want to work on. Currently I have plenty of ideas for books, and other various projects, that I should have no problem finding something creative to do. I'll probably never be in the situation where I have nothing to write, because I have so many ideas, including the currently abandoned ideas, that I doubt I'll be able to work my way through all of them in just a year. And the chances of not thinking of a new idea during said year are slim as well. So by the time I finally write everything I've currently thought of I'll all ready have a myriad of brand new ideas ready to go. And so on, and so forth, until they find me dead at my key board with an unfinished first draft.
And then the fans will forever wonder what masterpiece I have left unfinished.
Hopefully this change in life style is exactly what I need, and I can finally beat the chronic laziness that is keeping me from getting as good as I should be. I know for a fact that I've gotten better over the past two or three years, but it's nowhere near as good as I would be if I had gotten myself to consistently write every day during that time. Well, here's for making up for lost time, and hopefully for balancing out my University career as well.
With that said, I have to confess that I find it hard not to slip up a little and check on the websites I once frequented. But I will remain strong and stay away from distractions cold turkey for the entire week. Eventually I might even be able to keep it up for an entire month, followed by a binge at the end where I read all the things that I've missed. Maybe I'll even just stop going online for leisure entirely, and instead read my manga when I buy the volumes. I know the publishers would prefer that, but first I would need to wean myself away from the desire to keep up to date on the stories. No idea how likely that is, but it's a possibility. My current ultimate goal is to avoid going online for leisure reading entirely during a whole semester and to see if that improves my academic standing. Granted just avoiding it for a week, or a month might be sufficient, but gaining that kind of self control would do me a world of good.
And with that I sign off, because I have a mid-term to take, but taking the time to write this has definitely helped calm me down, and provided a necessary little break from studying. I just have a few more papers to go over and then I'll go take the exam. After that the true test begins, and we see if I can stick to getting all my work done before any leisure.
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