Tonight, I crossed the finish line of October Madness. I didn't miss a single day, even through being sick and having a root canal. (And that's saying something--dental work messes me up like there's no tomorrow.)
I now have thirty-one fresh, shiny story starts ready to be explored and expanded in November. I've decided that I am doing NaNoWriMo, although it's more of a NaShoStoWriMo, for me, as I'll be writing my 50,000 words on short stories instead of a novel. I'm energized and excited to dive in when tomorrow rolls around.
My word count for October came in at 19,585, less than half of what I intend to put out in November. That's okay. I can do it. I have faith in myself and belief in my work.
What a word rush!
Showing posts with label October Madness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label October Madness. Show all posts
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Check-In Number Two
October Madness is still going strong! I haven't missed a day. Some are harder than others, of course, but every time, I end up with new words and new ideas. And the amazing thing is that if someone who wasn't there looked at all the words, I don't think they'd be able to tell which ones were difficult and which were easy.
That's a bit of a revelation. Your readers can't see into your brain. They don't care if you sweated blood or were awash in creative seas. They just want good stories. And you can provide them.
Here's another thing I've realized. I need to treat writing as a job, with goals and deadlines. I've always been very good at accomplishing what is necessary at work while letting things sort of drift in other aspects of my life. If I want to make writing a part of my career--if I want to earn money--I can't just let it lie and hope that things happen. I have to put forth the effort.
As of today, I have written 6,430 words of new material in the month of October. That's more than I wrote in the last three month combined, I think. I did create on story in that time that I felt very confident about, and there was a good deal of editing, but I'm still floored when I look at the number for the first ten days of October.
I'll check back in again in a few days. Hoping for smooth sailing!
That's a bit of a revelation. Your readers can't see into your brain. They don't care if you sweated blood or were awash in creative seas. They just want good stories. And you can provide them.
Here's another thing I've realized. I need to treat writing as a job, with goals and deadlines. I've always been very good at accomplishing what is necessary at work while letting things sort of drift in other aspects of my life. If I want to make writing a part of my career--if I want to earn money--I can't just let it lie and hope that things happen. I have to put forth the effort.
As of today, I have written 6,430 words of new material in the month of October. That's more than I wrote in the last three month combined, I think. I did create on story in that time that I felt very confident about, and there was a good deal of editing, but I'm still floored when I look at the number for the first ten days of October.
I'll check back in again in a few days. Hoping for smooth sailing!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Check-In Number One
October Madness is off to a great start. I was so excited to get going that I actually did my first exercise on September 30th. 520 words before the month even started!
Today, the official Day One, I've already written 1,272 words. I got an image that resonated with me and fell into the beginning of what might be an actual story. Excitement! Not sure how much more I'll get done tonight, but I'm far enough in that I should be able to move on to Day Two, or even farther, and come back to pick up the thread again.
I'm excited to wake up in the morning and, let me assure you, that never happens.
I think I'm going to like this October. Might need to do this more often!
Today, the official Day One, I've already written 1,272 words. I got an image that resonated with me and fell into the beginning of what might be an actual story. Excitement! Not sure how much more I'll get done tonight, but I'm far enough in that I should be able to move on to Day Two, or even farther, and come back to pick up the thread again.
I'm excited to wake up in the morning and, let me assure you, that never happens.
I think I'm going to like this October. Might need to do this more often!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Preparations Complete! Launching October Madness in 3 ... 2 ...1 ...
Today I took myself to Barnes & Noble and picked up my writing-prompt source for the month of October. I know from experience that I work better with visual prompts than with word prompts, so I selected Spectrum 17: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art.
There are over 400 images inside, and I am exercising great restraint by not plowing right through. The plan is this--each day I will open to a random page, select one image, and start writing.
The good news is that I am so excited to get going that I'm actually going to take a practice run today. I've got the ammunition, might as well start shooting!
Again, I welcome anyone who would like to join in October Madness to jump right in. You select whatever you want to write (no need to use visual prompts if they aren't your thing), and aim to write a minimum of 500 words each day.
October Madness, starting in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...
There are over 400 images inside, and I am exercising great restraint by not plowing right through. The plan is this--each day I will open to a random page, select one image, and start writing.
The good news is that I am so excited to get going that I'm actually going to take a practice run today. I've got the ammunition, might as well start shooting!
Again, I welcome anyone who would like to join in October Madness to jump right in. You select whatever you want to write (no need to use visual prompts if they aren't your thing), and aim to write a minimum of 500 words each day.
October Madness, starting in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
October Madness
Usually at this time of year, I'm deep in planning out what I'm going to write for NaNoWriMo in November. I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to play in that ballpark this year or not, but I don't want to let October vanish in a haze of thinking and no actual writing. Hence, I've decided to set myself a challenge.
Every day in the month of October, I will find or create a writing prompt and write at least 500 words based on that prompt. These may be stories, or they may be exercises on using setting to develop character, or creating a dynamic action scene. I don't expect all of these exercises to create a story worth pursuing, but I do think that at least some of them will.
If I get very excited about something I've started, great! I can work on it more ... after I've accomplished my 500 minimum new words for the day.
I'll check back in as the month goes along with updates on my progress. Got to have a way to keep myself honest!
If anybody wants to join me in my October Madness, I'd welcome the company. Drop me a line and let me know!
Every day in the month of October, I will find or create a writing prompt and write at least 500 words based on that prompt. These may be stories, or they may be exercises on using setting to develop character, or creating a dynamic action scene. I don't expect all of these exercises to create a story worth pursuing, but I do think that at least some of them will.
If I get very excited about something I've started, great! I can work on it more ... after I've accomplished my 500 minimum new words for the day.
I'll check back in as the month goes along with updates on my progress. Got to have a way to keep myself honest!
If anybody wants to join me in my October Madness, I'd welcome the company. Drop me a line and let me know!
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