By the Light of the Moon

In keeping track of how much I produce when, I am discovering that evening and nights are most prolific, productive writing times.

Yesterday I wrote 3,000+ words, a majority of those words, minus 600 or so, were written between 6:00 pm and 11:00 pm, with a one-hour break for dinner.

Perhaps I could consider my days, mine and my family's, while evening hours will be set aside for writing, with a power nap in between. Or I could take a break as evening approaches, power nap, and visualize the upcoming scene(s), THEN write.

Oh, yeah, this night owl gal likes the idea of writing by the light of the moon. Arrooooo!

Yesterday's Progress Status - 9/16/12

Yesterday, I focused on writing three (3) scenes. Two (2) scenes are drafted, with the beginning of one (1) scene written.

With five (5) out of 75 (seventy-five) scenes drafted, seventy (70) scenes remain to be written.

For a goal of 75,000 words, with 6,633 words written so far, the First Draft, of Book #2 of Series #1 is 9% complete.

Scene By Scene

Although I track my daily writing progress by word count, I write by scene. (Which leads me to question why I track by word count instead of number of completed scenes. Hmm. Perhaps because the tracking App that I use tracks by logging in word count. Something to think about and consider.)

For Book #2, Series #1, there are seventy-five (75) total scenes planned.

My goal is to write three (3) scenes per day, every day, with the intention of banking extra scenes along the way just in case something comes up and which is more than likely inevitable, to derail my writing for a day.

With the Goal, Motivation, Conflict, and Disaster (GMCD) noted for each scene, subject to change of course, I focus on the one single scene before me.

For Book #1, Scene #, I addressed the GMCD for each scene just prior to the scene without pre-planning, which in looking back tended to slow down my writing; therefore, this time around I have constructed the GMCD for each scene in advance, so that all that remains in front of me is the fast drafting of the actual scene.

Whose scene is it? Who is the Point of View (POV) character? Keeping in mind the GMCD for the scene, what would that POV character do? What happens then?

For me, the First Draft is diving in and telling of the story, scene by scene.

What Stands Between - Creating Conflict

Conflict occurs when a character faces what stands between the character and their goal.

I have stalled in my writing of Book #2 of Series #1.

The reason for my stall is two-fold: 1) I did not plot out far enough ahead, and 2) I did not list the potential sources of conflict.

Character HERE----ROADBLOCK----ROADBLOCK----ROADBLOCK----Goal HERE

To get unstalled, I need to make a list of potential roadblocks and/or potential bad things happening to keep the character from reaching her goal.

She just wants to be free. She wants to go home, but, then again, home isn't really home anymore. What stands in her way?

Alexa's To-Do List:

1. Create list of potential Roadblocks/Conflicts.
2. Arrange in order of severity so that the roadblocks/conflicts escalate from bad to worse.
3. Get out those index cards and fine-point Sharpie marker.
4. Write short descriptions of upcoming scenes.
5. Sit butt in chair and write scenes.

So, what stands between your character reaching her goal?

Therein lies the conflict, and the magic of story-telling.

Progress Status - Weekly Check-In 8-19-12

Even with celebrating hubby's and my anniversary this week and the travel involved (fun, fun, fun!), I was able to get back on track once we returned home. This week, I wrote 11,688 words on Book #2 of Series #1.

Thus far, I've written a total of 15,588 words and have completed 26% of Book #2's first draft.

Book #2, Series #1



This upcoming week, my goals are to:

• Average first-drafting 2,000 Words per day.
• Plot additional scenes/chapters for Book #2.

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 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!

Lightning Drafting

Short on time? Feel like if you don't get that book out of your head or your head is going to pop? [Please note, Lightning Drafting has a downside in that extensive revision is required and is no longer a recommended process.]

While I've been Fast Drafting, I learned from Cathy Yardley's Savvy Author's Course, Writing Your Lightning Draft with Cathy Yardley, that there is an even faster way to draft.

While Lightning Drafting, you flat out get the book out.

If loves scenes slow you down you type in your text, [INSERT LOVE SCENE HERE], then keep on going.

You don't edit, you don't slow down, and you don't let research, more challenging scenes, etc., hinder your speed.

For research, you make a note in the text, such as [RESEARCH POISON DOSAGES], and continue on.

If you decide to make a change to something earlier on, you insert something like [CHANGE PARTNER TO FEMALE COP], then from here on out, he's a she. Later, when the first draft is out, you go back and expand and fill-in during your second draft. 

Cathy Yardley has an upcoming Lightning Draft course this fall, starting September 3rd and running through December 3. In the class, you get the benefit of her Rock Your Plot experience, as well.

Here's the Savvy Author course description: 

In three months, Cathy Yardley can help you plot and write a novel… and give you the tools you need to repeat the process.

If you want to be a full time writer, especially in today’s publishing climate, you’re going to find that productivity is crucial. “More books” equals “more sales” as both traditional and indie publishing learn that new books boost the numbers of previous ones.

If you want to increase your productivity (and teach your muse to show up when you do) this course will help you: 

1. Set up for writing a “lightning” draft: build a foundation for your characters and make sure your plot points are in good shape before diving into the draft. 
2.  Learn to create a “container” of space, time and attitude to ensure you’re writing at a regular rate, and creating a support network to ensure you keep you on target. 
3. Get the motivation you need to keep going as well as guidance to help you get through the “stuck” parts.
4. Identify and negotiate any fears or self-sabotage that crop up, as well as identifying your writing process.

 In three months, you’ll have the rough draft of a genre novel completed and ready to revise.

After years of struggling to get books out, I would highly recommend this route. So, if your considering getting a book out, Lightning Drafting might just be the way to go! [After lightning drafting an entire series, I have concluded that getting the book out, with a stronger draft, is MUCH more preferred. Otherwise time-intensive revision is required. Thus, I cannot recommend lightning drafting.]

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.