- Fast drafting I finally figured out my WIP after allowing myself to stop thinking and just start typing. Now I'm fast drafting and I'm totally in love with this manuscript.
- February Jitters Yes, I know it's January, but next month is going to be crazy. School visit, two book signings, and edits on Touch of Death. Eek!
- Taxes Ugh, I have to figure out how much money I made last year versus how much I spent on writing related things. I really hate doing math.
- Writing notebooks I'm on my last notebook! I fill those things up fast. I can't seem to stop writing, even when I'm not writing. (Did you understand that?)
- Parent/Teacher conferences I just found out my daughter has parent/teacher conferences this month. Too cute. She's in pre-K.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
Hi Kelly, Finally stepping back from my day job, though it will be a process. Just not taking on any new clients to give me more time for writing. So I can walk the walk and get some sleep!
ReplyDeleteMy mishmash for this week-
ReplyDeleteFinish Nightshade City by Hilary Wagner, and read more than two books a month, in general.
Find YA anything I find entertaining, and feel I can write myself, and the latter is even harder to find than the former.
I'm still working on the "Next Book" and while I don't have blues about it anymore, it's slow going, and I'm trying not to jinx myself by being too impatient.
I'm facing my fear and hatred of query letters head on by crafting queries for books I haven't even written, but eventually will, as I keep hearing how that being more clear about the book's focus will make the drafting later less of a pain, and while I'm still a bit skeptical, at this point I'm desperate to try ANYTHING that can help.
I need more books completed and as polished as my only completed novel right now, or I'll have nothing to query when all markets suitable for the last novel played out, and the places for that book are limited to begin with.
I'm currently making up a new list of markets for my last completed MG novel, the one that's had a decade of work, but not much interest, except for you, Kelly, and our fellow allies, they know who they are. Thanks for doing what you could as I go through a disheartening phase in my life, of which only half is writing related, and it's the kind of agony I wish on no one, even those who drive me bonkers.
Ciao for now,
Taurean
Jodi, sounds like a good plan. :)
ReplyDeleteTaurean, it looks like you have a lot going on. I've tried writing the query synopsis before drafting and it did help me, so maybe it will work for you, too. I'm all for trying new things to discover what works best. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy those pre-K Parent/teacher conferences. It gets more serious later on...
ReplyDeleteAnnette, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to take heed to your 'fast-drafting.' Did you go cold turkey, no outlining at all?? I need to take that leap and just write my current WIP. I can't seem to get passed the third chapter.
ReplyDeleteSheri, I did do an outline first. I need to have some sort of idea where the story is going before I jump in. But once I start drafting I turn my brain off and just listen to my characters.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Kelly! Fast drafting sounds great :) I'm nowhere near a new manuscript, though. Still working on the one I wrote for Nano. And THAT is what's on my mind this morning ;D
ReplyDeleteKatie, good luck with your NaNo novel!
ReplyDeleteBack to teaching college lit twice a week, so I'll have to really schedule in my writing time! Have fun with that parent-teacher conference. They are so cute at that age.
ReplyDeleteI agree...taxes...ugh. Not looking forward to that either. Goodluck with your busy Feb!
ReplyDeleteI love fast drafting. Planning on starting a new one today once the kiddos are off to school and that's what's on my mind today.
ReplyDeleteI'm still reeling from my recent contract. It doesn't seem quite real yet.
ReplyDeleteI just started a new WIP that I'm really excited about. It's another YA novel. I'm having a little trouble with the beginning, but once that's pounded out I think the rest will come easily.
Parent teacher conferences are so sweet at the Pre-k level. Enjoy every second of it. They grow up way too fast. :)
Catherine, schedules can be good though. I write more when I schedule my time. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Allyn!
ReplyDeleteI'm only working on my blog
ReplyDeleteAngelia, have fun with your fast drafting. :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you should still be riding your contract high. Enjoy the feeling. :) My current WIP tripped me up after the first chapter, but once I got past that point I was good. Good luck!
ReplyDeletemsdiamondhill, blogs can be a lot of work sometimes. Are you redesigning it or writing posts?
ReplyDeleteUgh, taxes. Not looking forward to that either.
ReplyDeleteHave fun on your first conferences. :)
"I can't seem to stop writing, even when I'm not writing."
ReplyDeleteKelly, I love this!
Lady Kelly
ReplyDeleteAnd like a Bad Penny - the Idiot returns :-P.
1: Fast drafting. "I finally figured out my WIP after allowing myself to stop thinking and just start typing."
Er - you mean we have to _think_ as well as type? Or even before typing? Heresy! Of course, I'm Pansterius Typius :-).
2: February Jitters. Heck, my psyche's still shivering from November. I was figuring if I could get caught up to December, I'd be ahead of the game. And you're in February! I'm a wimp. Sigh... :-P.
3: Taxes. Lordy - I _dream_ of being able to deduct writing activity elements. As it is - taxes are next month's joy. Well, as soon as everybody's sent me all the official looking papers they get to scare me with :-(.
4: Writing notebooks. Heh. If I said 'dictaphone', would you write it down? :-).
5: Parent/Teacher conferences. Well, my wife and I have two kids. As in, she has me, and I have her. So the conferences are easy :-).
As to me - well, yes. I do have something on my mind. Getting Personal...
http://www.graeme-smith.net/content/writers-platform-getting-personal
The Desert Rocks, :)
ReplyDeleteGraeme, LOL. I always say I have two kids, my daughter and my husband. :) I do have a digital voice recorder I use in addition to my notebooks, but sometimes I feel silly talking my thoughts when I'm in a room full of people.
ReplyDeleteLady Kelly
ReplyDeleteWell, these days - we _are_ the crazy people. After all, in tides past you crossed the road if you saw someone coming towards you shouting to themselves. Now you figure they've just got a really tiny earipiece and they're having a tense telecon on their cell :-), no?
The Idiot
or
UNSCM
Graeme, very true! Ever wonder how many of those people are using the tiny earpiece for shouting at the voices in their heads? LOL
ReplyDeleteYou did have to mention the T word! Ugh. Now I have to start thinking in numbers. This is very dangerous.
ReplyDeleteI've been noticing lots of ads for tax preparers. I'm with cleemckenzie... the t-word makes me shudder.
ReplyDeleteFast drafting is great. Sometimes you just have to let it flow, then look at it later and figure out what you've got. Glad the WIP is racing along now, and you're enjoying it.
I SHOULD have early jitters, but I'm resolved to wait till February for mine. You are much more organized, Kelly. Even your jitters are ahead of schedule!
ReplyDeleteSorry, Lee!
ReplyDeleteAnne, I find it so funny that I write better when I don't think to much. I just let my characters tell me their story. They're better writers than I am. ;)
ReplyDeleteMirka, LOL. Yeah, I plan everything, even being nervous. ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL You wore me out in five easy steps. I sure wish you hadn't mentioned taxes though.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts today include wishing there were more hours in the day and wondering if I'm taking the right direction for my new WIP.
Sorry, Marja. My mind is always full on Monday.
ReplyDeleteStopping by to remind you of my MLK blogfest next Monday - http://bit.ly/tg29TE - EVERYBODY is welcome to join in, I'll have the linky post up at midnight (California time) on 1/16/11.
ReplyDeleteTaxes, yes, almost have mine done, and they tell a sad story... I need to make more money from writing so I can afford the books I buy to learn about writing, 'tis a vicious circle.
Another confession, I use your Monday list as a reminder to set my list for the week. Something about reading what's on your mind reminds me what I have on mine.. and what I have ahead of me. Teacher conferences are so fun and illuminating. Enjoy them.. On my mind is all the things I have going on, and how amazingly, I am staying focused and on schedule. Have a good day!
ReplyDeleteBeverly, I hear you. Every time I think I'm making good money with my writing, I realize I'm spending most of it on writing related expenses. It is a vicious cycle.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info on your blogfest. I'll check it out.
Brenda, yay for staying focused and on schedule. I'm glad my mishmash of Monday thoughts helps you plan your weekly to do list. :)
ReplyDeleteFast drafting is great! I love when it works and the ideas just flow. I am with you- I hate math and don't like to do taxes at all. I usually put them off- so good for you for getting down to business. Don't worry about February yet! Or if you must- just make youself a schedule to prepare what you need to prepare and then you won't have to worry so much. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/
Taxes... Urgh! I'm so glad hot hubby takes care of mine.
ReplyDeleteVery cute.. Conf.
Jess, we usually do our taxes in February, but I have to get all my profits and losses together since I'm self-employed. My other things will hopefully be all scheduled by the end of the week.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, lucky you. We don't prepare our taxes ourselves, but we both have our own things to gather and bring with us to good old H&R Block. My prep work is just more in-depth than my husbands.
ReplyDeleteYou write in a notebook? Wow!!!
ReplyDeleteMy handwriting is so horrible, I can't write things out, I HAVE to type. But I sure do miss my handwriting when it was prettier! :)
Diane, I scribble notes and bits of dialogue in my notebook--very messily, too! I type when I sit down to write, but when I'm doing other things or I'm not home, I use my notebook or digital voice recorder.
ReplyDeleteI need to try fast drafting. I always get stuck or stop to ponder.
ReplyDeleteI have shelves of blank notebooks. I wish I could use them up at the same pace that I buy them.
Medeia, when I get stuck, I allow myself to write a different scene from later in the story. Then I go back and piece things together later. I used to never write that way. I couldn't even imagine it, but it's freeing. I love it now.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are going to be quite busy. I'd be jittery with a schedule like that! Good luck on the book signings.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you fast draft even in your notebooks since you use them up so fast. It is great when we can let the words flow.
ReplyDeleteHave a fun February, and parent teacher conference.
Oh, yeah, taxes. Never fun.
Rick, LOL. I never looked at it that way but I guess you're right. :)
ReplyDeleteI fill up alot of notebooks as well.I currently had to purchase a new one because the other one was filled to capacity.Good luck to you in 2012!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cassandra. I hope you fill up that new one quickly. :)
ReplyDeleteYou do have a busy schedule coming up! Very excited for you on the book signings, and I know what you mean about the notebooks. I'm always reaching for mine. Sometimes I think I should draft the whole book that way, but I'm too lazy ... and my hand isn't strong enough, lol. Glad you figured out the WIP!
ReplyDeleteStacy, thanks! I couldn't imagining writing an 80K novel by hand. Ouch!
ReplyDelete