Novel in 30 Day Results and Weekly Status 8-12-12

Today, August 12, 2012, marks the 30th day of my personal Novel in 30 Days Challenge. After getting derailed due to health and travel issues, I accomplished only 60% of the 60,000 words in a month goal.

While I didn't accomplish the specific 30 day goal, I did accomplish the following:

• Finished writing the first draft of book in a series (started in June)
• Began plotting the second book in the series
• Wrote two plus scenes in the second book
• Placed the novella I was writing on hold
• Started fleshing out another story idea
• Chose and downloaded artwork for series covers
• Chose and downloaded artwork for cover for additional story idea

My current goals are:

• Finish plotting of 2nd series book
• Write an average of 2,000 words per day
• Go through finished draft of 1st book in series and arrange scenes and clean-up
• Send finished draft for high-level edit first week of September

1st Book in 1st Series:

2nd Book in 1st Series:

The 1st series has developed into a multi-book series instead of a trilogy, and I'm excited about all the aspects of the series (the plot, the characters, the story, the concept, etc.). This will be my first opportunity to receive a high-level edit, which includes feedback about plotting, characterization, pacing, structure, etc., so I'm thrilled about the possibility.

After my second month of writing full-time, I am pleased with my progress. I am on target with my overall goals of building a backlist of books, and I am thoroughly enjoying the journey. I've found and am living my life's dream -- this gal couldn't ask for more.

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Shhhh!

When I first started my personal Writing a Novel in 30 Days challenge, posting daily progress served as an accountability tool and bolstered me onward.

However, now that I've gotten behind due to travel and health issues, posting daily has become a negative instead of a positive. Simply put, when it comes to daily postings being encouraging, I'm choking instead. Big time.

So, until Monday, August 12, 2012, Day 30 of the 60,000 words in a month challenge, I won't be posting daily progress updates for the 30 Day challenge.

I'm still writing for the challenge, with the absolute intention of meeting the 30-day goal, so please keep your fingers crossed for me. For now, I'm going back to writing. Shhhh!

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 18

Day 18, due to long-distance driving, was a non-writing day.

As my health improves, my goal is to integrate writing into days like Day 18 as well.

So far, I'm behind schedule, however, with 12 days remaining, it's still feasible for me to catch up and meet the goal of writing 60,000 words in 30 days.

Today, had I stayed on schedule, I would be at the 36,000 word plus mark; however, I have thus far written 31,347 words and the goal is 52% complete

Taking on this challenge while having travel commitments and health issues might not have been the smartest or most advantageous move on my part; however, it has provided inspiration and accountability, so, for Day 19, I write.

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 17

For Writing a Novel in 30 Days, Day 17, I wrote 814 words. In between doctor's appointments and testing, I did manage to squeeze in 45 minutes worth of writing.

By Day 17, to be on schedule, I should have written 34,000 words. As of today, I've written 31,347 words and the goal is 52% complete.

Currently, I am 2,653 words behind schedule.

Tomorrow will be a travel day, so I'm not sure how much writing I will be able to do;  however, by Wednesday, I should be on a more realistic writing schedule.

The upcoming Friday and Saturday will be a tad busy, but if I focus on writing in the evening hours, I should be able to get back on schedule, at least by mid-week next week.

So that's the goal, to be back on schedule by mid-week next week.

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 16

Despite travel, I was able to write 850 words today; therefore on Day 16 of my personal Writing a Novel in 30 Days challenge, the overall word count total is 30,533 and the goal is 51% complete.



At the end of day 16, with a goal of averaging 2,000 words per day, I am 1,467 words behind schedule.

While I'd prefer to be ahead in word count, it is reasonable that I will be able to catch up with the daily goal; therefore, although I'm concerned about and frustrated with recurring health issues, I'm moving forward and onward!

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 15

As of Day 15, the half-way mark of my Novel in 30 Days attempt, I have written 29,683 words and the goal is 49% complete.

Due to travel/family circumstances, Day 15 was a non-writing day

Oddly, I am okay with the fact that I am now 1% behind on the goal  because the goal is still realistically reachable and attainable.

This evening, I will have some alone time, and I will write. Onward!

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 14

With good intentions and high aspirations, I set the clock for 4:00 AM. After a 9 hour drive yesterday, when the clock went off this morning, nothing doing. It wasn't happening -- no way, no how. I reset the diabolical clock for 6:00 AM. Once I was up and about, talk about being in writing slow motion.

Although a struggle, I did manage to write 784 words, which brings the Day 14 word count to 29,683 words, in other words the goal of writing 60,000 words in 30 days is 49% complete.

The flair of my health issue seems to be subsiding, so my game plan at this point is to write as much as realistically possible while I'm traveling, then drill down and write several 5,000-word days to catch up when I return home.

Thus far, assessing where I am on Day 14, meeting the Novel in 30 Days is still feasible and doable.

Onward!

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 13

Day 13, due to driving for a long road trip, was a non-writing day.

For the 60,000 words in 30 days challenge, I am still 2,899 words ahead in word count. (Total 28,899 words logged or 48% complete.)

Getting up early on Day 14 should keep me on schedule. All is good!

Onward!

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 12

Day 12 started off better because, thankfully, my energy level, concentration, and focus have improved somewhat.

In the early morning hours, I wrote 2,091 words in two hours. Considering that I've been struggling, I feel better about meeting my goal than I have for the last few days.

As of Day 12 of Writing a Novel in 30 Days, I have written a total of 28,899 words, with the goal being 48% complete.

With eighteen (18) days left of my personal challenge, despite struggling physically, I remain ahead of schedule on meeting the goal of writing 60,000 words in 30 Days.

Onward!

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 11

Day 11 turned out to be a day of struggle to get my writing going. That pesky health issue reared its ugly head in the last couple of days, but I'm dealing and coping, while still writing.

With my focus and stamina greatly affected, I managed to write only 787 words in my only one-hour stint of the day, which brings the word count total to 26,808 of 60,000 words, thus the goal of writing a Novel in 30 days is 45% complete.

I am still approximately 4,000 words ahead of schedule, and with the hope that my health improves soon, I continue on!

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 10

Day 10 of Writing a Novel in 30 Days was an off day for me. I felt like I was spinning my wheels; therefore, today, I only wrote, with difficulty, 1,662 words.

My word output toward a 30-day 60,000 word goal is, thankfully, still ahead of schedule. The 10-day total is 26,021 words and the goal is 43% complete.

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 9

Today is a non-writing day.

I looked at my overall progress status and have determined that the goal of writing 60,000 words (equal to a novel) in 30 days is 41% complete.
As of Day 9, I am 6,359 words ahead of schedule.

Barring any unforeseen glitches, I should finish writing a 60,000-word First Draft either on or ahead of schedule. (Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy Writer Dance!!!! Okay, I have NO rhythm, but at least it looks like dancing. Er, maybe not.)

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 8

Day 8 of Writing a Novel in 30 Days resulted in my writing 5,145 words today. (A 5,000-word day. Whoot!)

That brings my word count to 24,359 words out of a 60,000-word goal, which means in 8 days the goal is 41% complete.

Since I'm several thousand words ahead of schedule and in the name of balance, I'm designating tomorrow as a non-writing day. Onward!

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 7

One week ago, I started a personal 60,000 words in a month writing challenge.

Today, I wrote 2,063 words in 2 hours.

One week in, I have 19,214 words written and my goal of writing the First Draft of a Novel in 30 Days is 32% complete.

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 6

For a target of writing 60,000 words in a month, on Day 6, I wrote 3,085 words.

My word count is 17,151 words; therefore, on Day 6, my goal of writing a 60,000-word Novel in 30 Days is 29% complete.

Onward!

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 5

Day 5's word count total is 3,328 words in 3 hours.

In five (5) Days, I have written 14,066 words toward a goal of writing 60,000 words in 30 days. Currently, I am 4,066 words ahead of schedule.

A health issue or two have cropped up; therefore, no 5,000 word days of late, but I'm still writing and producing daily, so I'm one happy writer.

As of today, 5 days into Writing a Novel in 30 days, the goal is 23% complete.

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 3

Today, I wrote 2,608 words in 2.5 hours.

Our puppy has been away at doggy training boarding school for the past month, and he came home today.

In honor of balance, I puppy-proofed the house during the morning, wrote early- to mid-afternoon in short sprints, and then spent time with the puppy and Hubby late afternoon and evening.

As of Day 3 of the Novel in 30 Days challenge, I have completed a total of 7,137 words and have first drafted 12% of 60,000 words.

Thus far, finishing a Novel in a Month is on target!

Onward!

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 2

Day 2 of my Novel in 30 Days challenge brought, well, challenges.

Today I wrote slower, more detailed scenes. (You know, those scenes that sometimes take more time and focus to write.) I really had to drill down and concentrate on Making a Scene, or two, or three.

On Day 2, I wrote 2,498 words and my first draft is now 8% complete.

Writing a Novel in 30 Days - Day 1

60,000 words written in 30 days will result in a completed first draft of a book in a month.

Simple math tells me that to finish a novel in 30 days, I must average 2,000 words per day for 60 days.

Day 1, the 1st day of my quest, I wrote 2,031 words. (In finding balance, I took a break from writing and enjoyed a live-performance at a local theater of Gypsy with Hubby. (Dinner, a play, and good company!)

Please note that I have 60,000 words remaining of Project A (novella) and Project B (novel) combined; therefore, once I finish the 60,000 word goal, I will have finished the full equivalent of a book, yet will have actually completed two projects.

Day 1 of Writing a Novel in 30 Days is on target!

3% Complete.

Onward!