I know this isn't the writing workshop side of the house, but bear with me.
I was thinking, there have to be quite a few of us who are either actively engaged in writing something or toying with the idea and just don't know how to get started. I'm in the last group - I've had so many starts and stops, I am not sure how to proceed with getting any of my many ideas actually on paper.
Playing off the weight loss support thread, I propose a thread where we can do weekly check-ins on word counts and encourage each other.
Not to be confused with a writing group - I'm not suggesting we do critiques or anything, just a place to hold each other somewhat accountable, and a place to come and brag on our small successes like, "I wrote 150 words today."
If I posted a weekly check-in thread, would anybody besides me post in it?
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I would. I started one a few weeks ago. I have three pages. I had three pages a few weeks ago too.
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Count me in. Although Hatrack is usually what keeps me from firing up the word processor. Posted by Sharpie (Member # 482) on :
I would. I desperately need some accountability.
Posted by no. 6 (Member # 7753) on :
Neither. I'm working on a screenplay.
Posted by Cor (Member # 4295) on :
I would. I'm working on my second novel. I'd like to start sending it to agents this summer but haven't been able to get past chapter 11 or so. This would probably be very helpful. Good idea.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
K. Are Wednesdays all right? Or is another day better? Maybe Monday, to start off the week?
Any ideas on structure?
Way I see it - everyone sets their own goals. Each week, tell us what your goal for last week was, whether or not you made it, and what your plan and goal for this week is.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Sounds good.
Posted by Hammer (Member # 7528) on :
Good idea. I wrote a really short "clip" called "The Mirror" posted a couple of days ago and only had two "lookers".
Maybe you should get people to post stories which would encourage them to write them and then perhaps they could publish a collection of their short stories or use them as a basis for a novel.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
I want in, if that's alright. I could really use the outside motivation.
-Katarain
Posted by Cor (Member # 4295) on :
I think Mondays are good days for checking in. Of course, that's because I would do most of my writing on the weekend. People with different work schedules would probably disagree.
Personal Goal - about five pages a week
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
I think the 13-line rule like over on the writer's side should apply here, too. After all, it's only for our protection. If we wanted to, it'd be cool to email each other for critiques, though.
-Katarain
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I really don't think we should get involved in posting stories for critique - for one thing it can interfere with 1st pub. rights. For another, that's what writing workshops are for.
However, I don't think it would be a problem if people asked for anyone willing to do a critique, and then emailed the information.
Posted by no. 6 (Member # 7753) on :
Wow. Goals and such. Man, I'm still researching.
Novelists have it easy. Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Monday it is. And this is not a Belle thing - I mean, I just am throwing out the idea, so if it's Monday and somebody wants to post the weekly thread and I haven't yet, do so.
I'm going to take Cor's lead and go ahead and tell you what my goal is for the week - I am following the Snowflake method, and I've completed step 1 and 2, so my goal is to finish with step 3 and 4 by Monday.
I like the Snowflake method because it involves putting in a lot of effort in getting the overall structure of the story in place before beginning the first draft, and I need that help, being a un-organized person normally. My previous tries at writing a longer work always failed because there was no good underlying structure, and this process helps address my weaknesses.
If you don't know what it is, here's a link. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
My goal is to have the first chapter written by monday.
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
I should be writing some fiction about now. I told myself I'd enter the Misfits writing contest this year, and it's due May 14th. However, I don't know if I should start something new or finish something old, and I don't feel inspired... :/
Posted by Susie Derkins (Member # 7718) on :
I'm currently working on a novelish thing with no motivation. I find my best writing came out of the last 48 hours of NaNoWriMo, so if anyone can offer encouragement of that magnitude, it would be great. Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
I have a short story due on Tuesday in my Creative Writing class. I can't think of anything to write about except my Novel idea. So, I think I've decided to write the preface to that novel. It's standalone enough.
Now I just gotta figure out what happens during it.
I like the snowflake method. Thanks for sharing it!!
-Katarain
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Once all my papers are in (Monday, if everything goes according to plan) I'm in.
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
Belle, your timing is impeccable. I was just thinking that if I don't immediately get a job after graduation, I would dedicate more time to writing. This will be very helpful.
Posted by no. 6 (Member # 7753) on :
Wow. I'm already following the snowflake technique, and didn't know it.
Thanks for the link.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
My timing is heavily influenced by my school schedule. I've finished all my major projects for my current classes, I have an A in each of them, and only one big test left and it doesn't worry me at all. So, I'm now looking forward to the summer, where I'll be taking only a few classes, and without the level of commitment that I have during the year to my kids school and other activities, I wanted to have another project to motivate me along as well. No vacation this year, because of financial concerns, so I think now is a as good a time as any to finally finish something of length.
In the fall, I will be going to school full time, and I'll also be taking much higher level classes than the freshman-level core courses I'm finishing up now. I would love to finish my first draft before I start the fall class schedule.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Help me I have been haunted by the same story since 1999. It is now time for me to finish it. I have about 55 pages of gold and fertilizer (the organic kind.) I can't tell the difference between gold and fertilizer. I love the characters, but aspects of the plot might be lacking. Any help, even just a kick in the butt would help, such as asking me why the hell I keep watching stupid television shows like Dharma and Greg instead of working on it.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Syn, have you got some one to read it through. They might be able to help you do the sifting...
Posted by Susie Derkins (Member # 7718) on :
Is this thread a thinly veiled form of Uncle Orson baiting?
[ April 06, 2005, 03:12 PM: Message edited by: Susie Derkins ]
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
That didn't occur to me, and I hope he doesn't see it that way! I'm just not used to him posting.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Hehe.. We need to get OSC in this group so we can make him write more books! Yes more books!! MORE BOOKS!!
Posted by xnera (Member # 187) on :
Count me in!
There's a group that does week-long monthly writing challenges, much on a similar vein to what you're proposing. The idea is to just turn off the internal censor and get writing. People set their own goals, but they also have a friendly competition to see who can write the most in a week. The first time I tried it, I ended up writing about 68 pages.
I'm doing a fair amount of writing now, but it's just snippets of stuff here and there. There's some essays I've been meaning to write that I really want to finish, and then I want to really focus on fiction. So whenever we start, my first goal is to finish two essays in a week.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I totally need that. Someone who doesn't know me very well because I am not sure if it's good even though some SAY it's good.
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
My goal is to have a rough draft blocked out by Monday.
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
My writing sucks so bad I need no encouragement to squeeze my novel out. In fact, I need discouragement or I might actually try it.
I am the Antonio Salieri of the written word. Save me from my own mediocrity.
Pix
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Syn, if you want send it to the e-mail address in my profile I can read it and be objectively critical ( ) probably by Tuesday. I don't have any editing credentials but I do it a lot and I love to do it.
Anyway, you choose .
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
My goal is to start some character skecthes. Say, have one done by next week. I'm still doing soem background reading, so I can't start writing yet, and there's a couple points I need to straighten out first. But getting ANYTHING down on paper would be a victory. So, goal: one character sketch.
Posted by Bella Bee (Member # 7027) on :
Count me in. I want to get my first draft of Chapter 4 done by Monday. After that my schedule gets seriously hectic, so I'll need some encouragement to stay on track if I want to get the whole first draft done by November. Every year I try to do Nanowrimo and get about 10,000 words done, so I’m trying to give myself a reasonable target this time.
Posted by Choobak (Member # 7083) on :
I am with you. I love writing and i have an idea, that i work and re-work and again and again. The first time i bigan it is when i was 16. I am 25 now. I stopped it many time for long period. But i understand to be fluider i must work my poetry. I have just around 25. But since the bad end of my love story (you must know what i say : i wrote it here), i have just written four poems. I gave you one. And since that, nothing. I have idea, but no word. And i lost my pretty reader-girl.
So my aim is to write another for Monday. I hope manage it.
[ April 06, 2005, 07:07 PM: Message edited by: Choobak ]
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I'm working on a novel, and like others, I need structure. I have a terrible memory and have a difficult time holding things like time lines in my head, so plot outlines for me are a must. Like others here, I go with the snowflake method, which I highly recommend for anyone who's blocked, not sure what to do next, or needs help with outlining. I've modified it to suit my own purposes, of course, but I do that with everything, so why would this be the exception?
My goal is to have the first draft of this novel done this month. I have about 2000 words of about 100,000 already done, but I'll probably junk what I've got - it's pre-snowflake, and no longer really fits in with the outline I've got working now.
I also belong to two other writing groups. One is a Book In a Week Challenge, where, during the first full week of the month, you set goals to the list and write write write! The second is an offshoot of teh first, MAD Challenge, where we have goals and challenges ever week, every month.
I also have a goal of six more finished first drafts this year - there are a lot of stories in my head, all arguing to come out - so I need serious commitment!
Posted by Mabus (Member # 6320) on :
I'm not working on a novel, but I should be!
My writing collapsed in a heap after some personal problems a few years ago. Right now I'm trying to get started writing something--anything--and have currently managed to start a blog (see profile).
Prod me periodically and help me get started, please.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I'm attempting to write a novel. I had 5,000 words, but it was crap so I deleted all of it and am starting over at zero.
I did succed in writing a short story. I wrote 2,200 words in a half hour and then stopped because I had accomplished all I wanted from the story. I'm thinking about sending it in to a contest, but I haven't heard any news about a short story contest that can be about anything and has no word limit recently. I think its really good. My Comm. Arts and Advanced Reading teacher said it was wonderful, suspenseful, and had a suprising ending. They both loved it and that it was really good.
I'd be happy to part of a writing encouragement group though I doubt I'll accomplish my goal much. Maybe some Hatracker encouragement could get me going. Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
I'm in. I'm writing a book for kidlets. Probably aimed at age 8 - 12, and adventure-quest thingy. With a strong female protaganist.
I have an exam Tuesday, so my goal for this week is to simply write something. Even if it's only a sentance. Bigger goal next week.
***
Belle - I read the Snowflake website. I was intrigued by this:
quote:When you have finished this process, (and it may take a full month of solid effort to get here), you are ready to write a proposal and sell this novel. Do so.
Is this standard practice in America? That is, selling your novel before you have actually finished it?
Over here, that *never* happens for first time writers, and very rarely with second or third-timers also. Tony has been given an advance on a trilogy of which he has written the first book but that's only after having 5 other books published with the same publisher and winning a few prizes.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
I'm writing a textbook. Does that count?
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Hmmmm, I need to get back into writing. I have about two paragraphs of writing on my computer, thanks to a computer erasure a year ago. I used to have hundred and hundreds of pages of novels, short stories, and poems. Anyway, I sure need to get motivated again.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Imogen - my understanding of the publishing industry is that no, in fact, it doesn't work that way with new authors. The way it worked with Tony is pretty much how I've heard it working for everyone else.
MyrrdinFyre - no backups? That's gotta hurt! I'm so sorry for your loss.
EVERYONE - BACK UP YOUR DATA REGULARLY!!!!!
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
Yeah, our computer crashed the other day.
New harddrive was needed....
Luckily most things were backed up.
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
I'd be very interested in getting involved in this -- in fact, I followed your link, Belle, and I am very excited to try out the snowflake method.
Except that I'm already stuck on Step 1. My plot seems too complicated to condense to under 15 words...would anyone be willing to let me email them the synopsis and my current tries for a one-sentence summary, and help me think this one through?
[ April 06, 2005, 10:44 PM: Message edited by: Leonide ]
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I think it'll be easier over chat. I'm game. I think my contact info is all in my profile.
Posted by Choobak (Member # 7083) on :
About method, just a sentense for writing :
"Words call words." So start to write. Anything, but start. And words'll begin to go on the white sheat of paper. Thus the page doesn't stay white... Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
And if nothing else, start working on your entries for the Bulwer-Lytton contest. See just how bad you can write. And try to make it even worse. Write as badly as you possibly can.
There's something to be said for freeing up the creative self by creating horrible stuff. It may sound strange, but why not give it a try? After all, writing is supposed to be fun. . .
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
I'm happy to, Leonide.
Living with a full-time writer means I've had a *lot* of practice at reading drafts and the like!
Posted by AvidReader (Member # 6007) on :
I generally think in scenes and conversations. I'm not nearly as good at connecting the pieces, making it flow. So I'm giving the snowflake method a try.
Step 1: A cop must track her twin brother through alternate realities.
Step 2 only makes sense to me because I know what's going on. I'm going to revise it after I finish step 3.
My goal is to finish one character synopsis by this time next week.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
The snowflake method definitely isn't going to work for everyone.
No method does - everybody must find what works for them. I use parts of it, adapted to my own style, because I am so lacking in structure.
I had to laugh when Randy put in there "Now, sell the novel." Yeah. Easier said than done, my friend.
Of course textbooks count. Any writing counts. This is not a formal thing remember, just supposed to be a way of encouraging each other.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I'm not going to use the snowflake method. I just write. Any method I try to follow just distracts me. This weekend I think I'm going to sit and stare at the computer until I have at least 2,000 words, not much I realize. But if I do that every weekend for awhile I have a lot of writing done. So that is my goal, to have 2,000 words by Tuesday, not Monday because I'm still asleep then thus I consider it the weekend still.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Fahim just . . . writes. He has bits and pieces of dialogue and scenes occur to him, he writes them down, and somewhere in the back of the brain, it all organizes itself and it comes out fairly well formed. He doesn't need structure before he sits down to write. He just writes.
Yes, every writer will have their own methods that work for them. The important thing is that you, as a writer, find out what works for you.
Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
Okay, maybe I'm out. I just got a great job that I will be starting at just after graduation. Good luck, the rest of you!
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
I'm cooking several differnt stories in my head right now. My problem is that I think about the stories for a long time, try to work a lot of it out in my head, and never get any of it down on paper. Or if I do get it down on paper I realise how stupid it sounds and abandon the idea.
Posted by The Leadership (Member # 7766) on :
I call my book "Broken Universe". But it's not a novel but a group of short stories featuring a guy called Fraeyan Benarr.
So far I've got three of the stories done and I need encouragement on the fourth so count me in.
Does anyone want to read the stories?
The Leadership
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I'll read them. Just e-mail them to me, the address is in my profile.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
I would be game, but I don't know how active I would be in the writing department, at least at first. I would definitely do critiques though.
Maybe someone could create a private Yahoo or Google Group. Who ever creates the group could then invite anyone who has expressed interest in this thread. We could share files, and by keeping it private, we could restrict access. Would that be enough to protect copyright and publishing rights? Just a thought.
Hehehe.... forgot to answer the question. Well, I did manage to write 50,000 words for NANO last year (still not done). I also have a couple of ideas and a few paragraphs written for several short stories. My inability to get pass the whole "my writing sucks" phase usually keeps me from going any further though. *sigh*
[ April 08, 2005, 06:08 PM: Message edited by: larisse ]
Posted by kwsni (Member # 1831) on :
I'm still working on the novel that came out of the scene i wrote for the Romance Writers thread. I've got a ton of other stuff going on, though, and it's hard to focus. So I'm trying to get a page in every day.
Ni!
Posted by Lost Ashes (Member # 6745) on :
Getting ready to send my first novel out to sell before the end of the month, and getting cracking on finishing my second.
Posted by Choobak (Member # 7083) on :
Yes !!!! I did it !! I write another poem !! I am happy !! It's a poem about the beautiful Ireland. what a pleasure to make it and to finish it.
Now, I'll begin a new poem. I search the next topic. Monday, i'll describe my new goals.
Posted by FoolishTook (Member # 5358) on :
I can't cook a novel or short story idea in my head. For me, it has to be raw. I have to start writing as soon as the idea pops into my head, and then in the process of writing, I'll usually find a way to answer all the questions I have at the beginning.
So, yes, different things work for different people.
Started a novel--my second novel (first was no good)--on January 31 2005 and have written 74 pages so far. All very rough, mind.
I've also finished 6 new short stories in the last half a year. Of course, they seem like halfway decent stories now, but as soon as I start sending them out to magazines, they'll start looking worse and worse with every rejection letter I get back.
Ah well...perhaps we all need to be reminded on a weekly basis that our stories "just don't grab" anyone. Keeps our egos in check.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Among my various novel-length projects (which is the medium I prefer to work in) I have one I'd most like to actually make decent progress on. It needs re-writing, basically, as my originally idea, although good (in my humble opinion, of course) in story, character, premise, etc. was written so long ago that my writing has totally changed since then. So it's basically a revision.
And I'm going so slowly. Curses.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Alrighty then. I've created a Yahoo! group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hatrack-Writers/ so feel free to sign up. I've created it such that only members can read the archives. Also, I have to approve anyone who wants to join, so please provide your Hatrack name when you sign up so we know who's who.
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Oooo... cool, quid. Thanks. Just signed up.
/waits patiently to be assimil.... er... I mean accepted
Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
I think one of the best things about NaNoWriMo was not that in addition to giving you a finish line, it give you a starting line. I had a week and a half in which I was not allowed to actually write, so I just had to think and outline and plot. That was invaluable for me, so that when the serious butt-in-chair began, I had a roadmap for what to work on day by day.
This is providential for me, as I was just posting on my pen name livejournal that my goal of mailing this on my birthday is about 2 months off, and I haven't touched it since I finished NaNoEdMo (which only 115 other people finished I'll have you know) Also, if you go back to Late October, November, there may be some entries about the writing process. It really is my journal for my pen name, though I do range into misc personal stuff here and there.
Okay, GOAL: read through and mark it up, keeping in mind an audience of my neighbor/walking buddy.
[ April 09, 2005, 12:59 AM: Message edited by: mothertree ]
Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
I killed the thread.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Nah, ya didn't. I did. Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
So has anyone joined? I would join except that would involve going someplace else, and I'm already on the Hatrack Writers Workshop thingme. Man, my head is just spinning and I don't know why. It's probably the taxes.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
nobody killed the thread,we already had a monday check in thread. Be at peace.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Party]](graemlins/party.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
but I do that with everything, so why would this be the exception?![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)
I'll have you know) Also, if you go back to Late October, November, there may be some entries about the writing process. It really is my journal for my pen name, though I do range into misc personal stuff here and there.![[Cry]](graemlins/cry.gif)
I killed the thread.