Here is a list of things that you can do each week as we work on our novels (suggestions welcomed).
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Looks like we had a slow week for novel writers last week. I hope everyone is doing well.
Last Week's Goals
I had some good brainstorming sessions for my outline last week. I'm still trying to get a good focus on a process for developing story ideas but I feel that I'm making progress at least.
My goals for next week:
I'm keeping the same primary goals from last week. However, I do need to find the discipline to work on those items more frequently during the week. Much of my excuse lately has been the Olympics. I've often gotten distracted in the evening watching TV. The Olympics are over soon so hopefully that will be one less distraction, maybe.
I will also help critique a fellow Hatracker. This will be good for me also because we all need practice at editing so that we can better analyze our own work, difficult as it may be to turn off our emotions regarding our own work.
What did I learn this week?
Just keep writing. What I *need* to learn is discipline. This will be the hardest aspect for me.
--William
I made up a revision list for TGS and started pounding away at it. Also revisited my query, researched synopsis writing, and made the plunge into researching agents. (My brain hurts.)
Goals for Next Week:
1) Pound out at least another 7 of my listed revisions on TGS.
2) Return to my poor neglected WotF entry.
3) Write 500 words for CI 2010.
DREAMER'S ROSE: Work on the revisions.
Yes. I've got three and a half new chapters at the beginning. I like this starting point much better. 
THE SHAMAN'S CURSE: Leave this one alone for a while.
Easy goal.
THE IGNORED PROPHECY: Make revisions as the chapter critiques come back.
Yes.
BLOOD WILL TELL: Work on the query and synopsis some more.
Nope. I was bad.
SEVEN STARS: Keep on writing. Don't let it lose momentum again.
Yes. This one is coming along, now. Just shy of 40K words.
OTHER: Update my new blog and try to keep it updated at least once a week.
Twice. Once with my story from the charcter challenge. Once with another blog post.
MISC. Try again to install the router so I won't have that kind of computer problem ever again.
Well, my shoulder is finally starting to feel better, but I didn't do this.
Next Week's Goals:
DREAMER'S ROSE:
Continue working on the new starting point and then work on revisions.
THE SHAMAN'S CURSE:
Continue to let this one rest a bit.
THE IGNORED PROPHECY:
I've got a chapter exchange going on this one. Make revisions as the chapter critiques come back. Think about how I want to change the beginning.
BLOOD WILL TELL:
Work on the query and synopsis some more. Prepare to submit it again--and again . . .
SEVEN STARS:
Keep on writing. Don't let it lose momentum again.
OTHER:
Update my new blog and try to keep it updated at least once a week.
MISC.
Try again to install the router so I won't have that kind of computer problem ever again.
Finish the rest of the prologue for Reaver.
Yay! I actually managed to do this!
Refine my query.
Sadly, no, I did not do this. For whatever reason I am strugglin through the query.
Run through a second edit of Reaver.
I started this, but I might be procrastinating since I've only got through three pages. Oops!
Post for the first time on Hatrack.
Yup, this one is done! And I'm glad because I think this is going to be just the help I need.
Next week's goals:
Finsih the second edit of Reaver. If that means making cuts (and I think it will--cringe!) then so be it.
Write five different versions of a query. Maybe that way it won't feel so intimidating.
Relpy to at least five other people's first 13.
I wish everyone luck with their week and I look forward to seeing how you all did!
I've been meeting my standing goals easily (except for days that I was sick or on a plane) so I am no longer mentioning them - they are assumed. (2K a day, crit and work on grammar.)
By next week I should have draft2 of SF sewn up and will probably put it to bed for a week and work on shorts for Wotf maybe? Or go back to the YA novel that I have begun and set aside when SF derailed in January.
What have I learned this week?
Microtension--the concept that each sentence has to have enough tension to pull the reader along. Stephen King, James Clavell, Dan Brown all masters of microtension. I'm re-reading Clavell's Asia series and am completely transported by them and also find it hard to find a single sentence where I can put the books down. Where I do not want to read the next one. THATS MICROTENSION!!! LOL.
I met my goals last week, just barely.
Next week. Finish another chapter, and work on critques.
Time, maybe? Chapters? What works well for y'all?
I thought joining would be a good way to set-up a system of accountability, i.e. making goals and reporting to others. I've been struggling with my Depression lately, so productivity has been very low. Just so you know, I am a newbie writer who has never published nor submitted. My goal this year is to change that (at least the submittal part).
Projects
Celebrity Farmer (SS - hoping to submit to WOTF)
Ding Dong, We're Dead (YA Novel)
Bordertown (Fantasy Novel)
None of the above are finished. They are in varying states of completion, but I think Farmer is the priority since I'd like to submit it to WOTF.
Goals
1500 words per day.
Finish a first draft of Farmer by Friday.
I'm getting psyched for the Superstars Writing Seminar...
quote:
I'm getting psyched for the Superstars Writing Seminar...
Don't forget to let us know how that goes. I really wanted to attend (it's within driving distance, even), but I just can't swing that kind of money right now.