In three sentences, detail what you are writing this summer
List your goal word count per week to get your project done
Share your most significant challenge/obstacle in hitting your goal (here is where you help each other. Commiserate, make suggestions, or offer a tip).
š¦āā¬ Jenniferās āSampleā Answers:
Iām writing a historical novel set in WWI Italy titled The Man Born with Seven Shirts, the story of faith lost and restored in a time of abundance and war. It is the story of a particular place and a particular family, but is also the larger human story taking place now, before, and tomorrow, and how all of us come from one source and exist in varying states of grace.
My goal is 12000 words per week starting July 1.
The other demands in my life: Family. Income based work. Also, why the heck am I writing this? Does anyone give a damn? (š Yeah, yeah, I know thatās twoā¦)
Some additional suggestions:
Bookmark this page and watch our comment thread.
Each time you come on, comment under the most recent TOP PINNED post (this makes it easier than scrolling all the way through).
š¦āā¬š¦āā¬š¦āā¬ Week Five July 29 Update:
Hi all and thank you for your patience as I figure out how to stay up-to-date when we have 256 comments! The advice is so simple: Start a new thread each week!
Week Three Update: Hi Flyers...we are kickin' it and I know for a fact others are on board with us, just not posting (because, come on! It's kind of hard TO post in this spaghetti of confusion knows as the comments section). No matter...we're here and we keep on keeping on. I click on "newest first" to keep up now.
To help us all get a little extra fire, a Zoom Meet Up @ 3:30 p.m. PST today.
Can't wait to see the video. I'm on the train back to Paris. Getting ready to write maybe 500 words. I get very distracted on trains: people, Americans who talk too loud (we really do talk loud!!), countryside flying by. When we reach Bordeaux, we will stop being a slowish train and be the famous fast trains, TGV, going up to 180 miles an hour!! Then Paris where metro stops are closed, traffic is horrendous all because of the Olympics so a 15 min trip will probably take me 45 minutes. Working up some acceptance that it is what it is. And now I'll write!!
Trains can be distracting but also very conducive to writing. Hope you find inspiration, Sara. I will be in Paris this summer to visit my daughter but AFTER the Olympics mayhem.
Iām writing a historical novel set in WWI Italy titled The Man Born with Seven Shirts, the story of faith lost and restored in a time of abundance and war. It is the story of a particular place and a particular family, but is also the larger human story taking place now, before, and tomorrow, and how all of us come from one source and exist (while here) in varying states of grace.
My goal is 12000 words per week starting July 1.
The other demands in my life: Family. Income based work. Also, why the heck am I writing this? Does anyone give a damn? (š Yeah, yeah, I know thatās twoā¦)
Oh Jennifer, Oh Jennifer!!! I cannot believe you STILL worry about the "Why" and if "anyone gives a damn." YOU give a damn. That's what matters.
We've had this conversation 1000x1000 times.
Grab your Rilke off the shelf right now. Letters to a Young Poet, pg. 18:
"Go into yourself. Search for the reason that bids you write; find out whether it is spreading out its roots in the deepest places of your heart, acknowledge to yourself whether you would have to die if it were denied you to write. This above all--ask yourself in the stillest hour of your night: Must I write? Delve into yourself for a deep answer. And if this should be affirmative, if you may meet this earnest question with a strong and simple "I must," then build your life according to this necessity; your life even into its most indifferent and slightest hour must be a sign of this urge and testimony to it."
This is your measuring stick, always. And look, you now have situated yourself closer to nature as Rilke advises. Trust, trust, trust.
Now go write your daily words and trust your calling.
Signed: The higher and better Jennifer talking to the lower and mostly worried Jennifer!
Day 3: 2524 and yes, hit the word count but now things get a little hairy. Spent a lot longer working than I expected, had to stop when eyes were getting blurry. The hairy part is centered on plot-more specifically, inner and outer arc. The people are the same, the motivations different, so I have to clarify the latter to push the story forward. This required going back to day 1, re-writing to the arcs I worked through on my walk last night and in journaling this AM. Of course, that means every word must get a slight adjustment. So, writing but also doing the construction job. That's what slows me down but because you guys and this challenge, I refused to give myself a pass. So...hit 2000+. Write or die trying. That's my motto these ten weeks. Ok, maybe not die, but you get the point...
Day 4: 2755. Hard won. Wrote longer than I wanted (started later too...talking on the phone with kids, doing other things I should put off until later)...but got there.
Day 5 update: 2489. And, came up with a realization that after I hit my 12,000 I will print and read on the off day (Sunday). If I am now starting revisions on those 12,000 words, those revisions come AFTER new words toward my goal.
Me too! My commitment to this community doing this "Get It Done" challenge got me to 3000 words today. I don't like it when I want to go back and revise, at least not yet. But.....if I share something with my writing group and they have good feedback, I want to attend to it asap. I'm sure I'll figure it out as the days pass.
And please don't die trying!! We good writers want to become great writers and we need you! :-)
I love this! Thanks for sharing your Rilke with us. Letters to a Young Poet has been on my list for summer reading (I haven't read it since I was 19) and it seems today is the day I must read it, every word.
Day 25 Update: AM-Sitting down, ready to go, tea at my side, phone off. Let's do this...2702 or BUST!
PM: Okay, so this is one of those writing days I simply detest and fill me with a sense of failure. Two hours wasted meaning a late start, but fine...then I get lost in a revision of a previous chapter. By the time I get to the addition of words I am fried and only get 1600 done. This is 1100 short of my goal. Again, so so so frustrating. Less so knowing I can tell you all about it, and start a new tomorrow. At least I wrote. That's something!
It's all about showing up. There will be days that flow and days that challenge us. Thank you for letting us see into your process, the struggle and the triumph.
Week II, July 10: We are going strong but also waning in our participation, which is expected. First, this comment section is hard to organize and track. Note that the way I'm managing is to scroll through from the oldest to the newest comments and catch everyone's add-ons, try to speak to the new comments, and then post this...the daily update from my side of things. Your comments below this daily update are great. Keep those going.
To gather up the momentum, I'm hosting a Zoom Meeting on Monday, July 15 @ 3:30 p.m. PST for you to do the following:
1) See each other! š Yay. You're real people.
2) Read aloud the summary of your project
3) Read a sample of your work. 500 words max.
* If you can make it. Let me know HERE in the reply and I'll email you the link/password directly.
**If you cannot make it, please still email me at jclauck@gmail.com the summary of your project and a sample. I'll read BOTH for you in your stead.
***This meeting will be posted on Flight School in its fullness (edited) as a teaching because I'm going to add a prompt! Fun!
Week II/Day 2: Finally, finally, FINALLY, went to bed early and woke up at 5:30.
I want to do this, always, but stay up a tad too late. Post prayers and killing slugs in the garden and all around other parts, I sat down and got those 2000 in by 9:15 which is, again, heaven. I'm my very best first thing in the morning. So this honoring of time is essential. Plus, the quiet in the world allows far more depth in the line-to-line attention between my characters.
Below a 600 word excerpt that shows such deepening which had to do with language between people from different regions.
What you need to know: This is 1917 Italy, a man from the Piedmont region is on a journey to rescue a wounded son on the front lines. Vincenzo Montanari is a simple farmer, and very much against the war which has conscripted five of his seven sons. He is living in a time of iron fisted rule, too. The people are allowed zero dissent against the war and are expected to sacrifice everything, land, family, money.
Here goes:
Next to him, the Major shifts in his seat, reaches inside his overcoat.
Up to now, Vincenzo's been able to keep to his own business but cannot help his eyes from watching the man pull out a thin case of dull brass with the insignia of a lion on the front. He snaps the top open and as if knowing that Vincenzo watches, holds it up to him. Within, a row of cigarettes, all lined up perfectly. These, he knows about because of his sons who are (or used to be) always up on the latest big city trends.
āNo. No,ā Vincenzo says, going hot in the face for not minding his own business.
āPlease,ā the man says.
He almost says no again, that he is more a pipe man, but to be agreeable pinches one from the case and flips the little stick this way and that. Itās odd between his fingers. Fragile.
The Major lifts another out for himself, snaps the case closed, stows it away, then flicks a match. Head bowed forward before the flame, inhaling, inhaling, he tilts his head back and exhales a narrow plumb of smoke toward the ceiling. Itās all ratherā¦crude, Vincenzo thinks. A certain lack of dignity. But when in Rome. With the insecurity of the novice, Vincenzo mimics the manās actions. Soon, both men are haloed by smoke.
āWhere are we?ā Vincenzo finally asks, voice roughened by the chaffing smoke.
The Major picks a bit of tobacco from his tongue and flicks it away.
āOutside Brescia,ā he says. āVerona just ahead.ā He looks over at Vincenzo and lifts his chin. āPiedmont?ā
A momentary rush of spiky fear down his spine. āHow did you know?ā
āMy mother came from the Province of Asti,ā he says, the mild smile of a good natured man on his face. āA comune called Ghemme.ā
āIncisa,ā Vincenzo says, so relieved he pats his own chest as if place is person, āa few meters beyond Nissa dla Paja.ā
The man offers a meaty, strong hand full of enviable strength. āRoberto Corzini,ā he says.
Careful of his own cigarette, Vincenzo shakes back. āMontanari,ā he says. āI donāt know Ghemme.ā
The Major tugs at his trousers, crosses his legs at the knee. āBeautiful place,ā he says. āBefore the war, she went back often. Sheās close to her people. Iām comfortable using that dialect, if that is agreeable.ā
āVery,ā Vincenzo says. āMersƬ.ā
This use of "thank you" makes both men smile and once it is agreed they will dedicated themselves to the beautiful Piedmontese heās known nearly all his life, Vincenzo isnāt sure what to say. Language is something taken for granted when surrounded by others who speak as you do, but on this journey, as short as it has been to this point, Vincenzo has noted a constriction with each of the young people heās spoken, a dullness in communication as a result, and equal delay in response. Vincenzo studies the burning ember that eats at the tobacco, then peers over at Major Corzini shyly. What was the last thing the man had said? The mention of his wife, and her closeness to her people?
Corzini lifts his heavy brows higher on his forehead, as if amused by Vincenzoās pondering, tips the long ash from the end of his cigarette to the floor where it lands and remains intact. āSeems you might be leaving your own behind,ā Corzini says.
āTrue enough,ā Vincenzo says, tapping off his own ash and then holding his hand to his chest. āWhich is hard on the heart. I leave land that needs tending and only the women and young ones to do the work.ā
āPer qual motivo?ā Corsini asks, meaning: For what reason?
Once more, a swelling sense of gratitude and any worry he had about this man being a spy or an enemy vanishes despite Corsini clearly being in power in this military that has taken almost all his sons from him and made his life at home a living hell these two years. They are simply two men talking now.
Day 6 Update: I tumbled off the wagon and have lots of excuses; stayed up late finishing a sweater I was knitting, then couldn't get to sleep, then overslept, then...then..then...and now am on the Sarah Faye Cohort learning how Substack is shifting into a video modes and what that means to writers seeking to write.
So...how do I deal with the tumble?
Well...I'm going to give myself a ton of grace and think less emotionally and more practically: I've written 11,472. That means I'm short of my goal by 528 which I can burn out in about an hour. That's the plan then. Write first. Hit the weekly count. Then print and read, edit, and plan next week. When I start again on Monday, I WILL NOT go back and edit. I will save that for after the new words are laid down. So that's my priority. But it's realistic to revise, move sections around etc. So, I'll do that with my spare time (ha ha). If you don't have spare time, I suggest you use "tired time" for revision and edits because your best time is better for creative work and building up the muscle of word count. This is why it matters to have the weekly goal. I hope this is helpful! Write, write, write!
Day 26 Update: AM 8:13 a.m. sitting in chair, going to catch up today! 3000 words...sending you all the biggest wave of prayers. May we all get the work done. And here is a small excerpt...what you need to know...Vincenzo is the protagonist and this is the backstory running in tandem with front of his adult self going to the Italian front, near Udine, in 1917, to help his son and nephew get released. What we have here is Vincenzo after learning he now has a home after running away from a violent home in which is father--in a drunken rage--broke Vincenzo's leg and lamed him for life:
"āHome,ā Maria told him a few days earlier. A particular saddness in her tone. A resignation. āThis is our home now.ā
āWeāre staying then? Forever?ā he asked.
His sister laughed but it wasnāt a happy sound. More like a cough followed by an eyeroll. āI donāt know about forever, Cenzo,ā she said, then did that thing she used to do back at homeāin Versa. She tossled his hair and then finger combed it into place again. āBut at least until you grow up and find your way into your life.ā
Find your way, he thinks now, standing on the top step, the cool of the morning all around.
Before him, the paved courtyard of wide, flat stones enclosed within a tall iron fence. At the center, in an open circle of dirt, his oak shoot grows straight and true. Not like the oak back home, split in half and holding together a crumbling church. This oneā¦his oakā¦is tall, strong, and destined to rise.
Thatās how Vincenzo sees himself now, too. Yes, still lame, but the limp is more of a wobble thanks to Dr. Carta.
Down the steps, Vincenzo crosses the patio and tugs weeds free of the soft dirt, picks out the dry leaves, tosses all this aside. He had worried that if Auntie had been found, heād have to dig up the sprout and pack into a pot, or a span of canvas (no way was he leaving it behind), but now it is home, too, free to keep growing like he can keep growing. Tree and boy. Safe and sound.
PM: Great joy! I've caught up and hit my weekly goal, once again with a day to spare. 12,000 words, and now sitting pretty at 47,000 words, giving me time to go back and stitch a few of these scenes together tighter. How about you?
š¦āā¬š¦āā¬š¦āā¬ July 20 UPDATE PM: Got it done. Up to 39500 words which buys me time off Monday and Tuesday. I'll be checking in with you guys, of course. Keep up the great work.
Today is Saturday and I've got my 36,000 words done but now am putting in time today to get some words "ahead" while I take a couple days with my son and to travel over to Mt. Angel for some much needed spiritual direction. Hoping for 2500 today, which will take care of Monday and set me back about 1500 as of Tuesday but then I'll have the rest of the week to catch up on those words which I'll tack to the core goal of 12,000.
Yesterday, while making tea, or coffee, or walking...I don't even know...I had a thought about this process: Adding words each day is tough business. It is. It might even seem slightly maniacal but it's not (at least for me). This routine is how I've written (and published) five books, all my published essays, and written several more that are unpublished (all my fiction...š„ø...which has been, in a word, BAD). People ask, "how do you do it? How do you get so much done?" Daily work count is my secret. Set a goal, be realistic, and then show up. Writing is writing. It's a muscle. You have to work it. šŖš¼
Yes. Yes. Yes. Life happens. I get busy, my clothes dryer crashes (Friday), my kids need my help (M/T/W/TH/F), I'm tired (all the time), some crisis in a relationship takes place that turns me inside out (May 29 to right now, thus the need for spiritual direction in order to find some grace amidst the struggle)...fine. But I always come back to my word count goal which is the solid ground of my agreement with myself. Do I honor my desire to be a writer and to finish or not? The answer, so far, has been an unqualified YES. So, I pick up the pieces of whatever has happened, deal with the issues as best I can, and start back on my goal.
This was so lovely and you're so right. I've heard it before and now that I am actually trying it, it miraculously works even when I come to the page completely deflated and empty and have no idea how to go on. One sentence creates another and so on. A very powerful lesson for me.
Day 16 Update: š On a bright note, I met at 8 a.m. (5 p.m. Italian time š®š¹) with my long time Incisa Scappacino contact (where my book is set: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incisa_Scapaccino), who I met eleven years ago when in that comune and researching. She is as patient as a saint with me, and so kind/generous. I adore her. Maddalena.
Spent an hour catching up and she's totally jazzed that I'm still writing this novel (translation: Haven't given up. She cannot believe such a thing would take so long but...alas...when you have a life, it does). No matter, she is there to help with any translations I need, or photos of the comune. What a light.
Otherwise, a grizzly day š» (thinking of Amy in MT when I write this) of admin work which knocked me clean out my schedule from creative work at the top of day to the end of it. I'm not sure I'll get there at all today, may just bag it and catch up tomorrow, but it happens to the best of us. We have lives. We have to attend to them. And my school definitely chipped away at me today. https://blackbirdstudiopdx.com/.
Send well wishes for my digging out walk once more in the creative light. š
How great to have the insights of your friend to rely on, Jennifer. I consider that working on the book, too, because it's still on your mind and in your conversation.
š¦āā¬š¦āā¬Saturday, July 13 Check-in: Hi all, new and those who've been here since the start. I've sent an email about meeting in a Zoom to jazz us up for week three! Thanks to all getting back. Those who've missed this, check spam/junk. More soon.
As I write yesterday, I've hit my 24,000 words and now sit to read/make notes the remainder of the day. It's a joy to see the work flowing and I credit this challenge and the energy here on Flight School. Thank you all. Even the tiniest check-in means the world. You are not alone in this work. You have your fellow flyers darting in and out.
Keep the check-in's going, share a little passage that jazzed you up, and tell how the writing flows/blocks/flows once more. š¦āā¬
1. I am writing a memoir on my decade of working on natural history programs for National Geographic Television. Everyone seems to love a good bear story, and a few of us go gaga over pika, as well! I truly have no specific direction on how I want this to flow, but I suppose once I start creating the scenes, a path with present itself.
2. To keep this at a realistic pace, I'm shooting for 2500-3000 words per week.
3. My greatest challenge is summer in Montana, which, as you know, is when we do all the things! I live for my hikes, along with camping adventures with the boys. Beyond that, I have a Bozeman book due on September 1 so I'm still traveling for that project, and need to keep up with article assignments and growing my Substack page.
I would have gotten on here sooner to say, "YAY! You're here," but I was writing! Ha! Just got my 2000 in, hit 2069. Yes.
So let me say it now, "YAY, you're here." I'm so glad. Tell me about the Bozeman book, seriously, all about it. And, I don't have huge insights about getting outside other than, take your laptop with you and sit under a tree, darn it!
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
I am very impressed with the 2069 words for the day. Bravo!
Oh, the Bozeman book is one that is fun, but does not require a deep well of thought. The title is "100 Things to Do in Bozeman Before You Die" for Reedy Press (they're doing a nationwide series). Bozeman is such a vibrant area that I could easily write "100 Places to Eat" there, and my greatest challenge is winnowing the entries. Next week I'm going to Big Sky to see what they have going at the big resort since I really do need to include them, as well. The greatest challenge is having to hike even more because the food is so good there! Thankfully, I'm 95 percent done roughing out the book, so now it's a matter of refinement and photos.
I figure I'll just have to make a point of some early mornings to work in my time to write. My pack already weighs 30 pounds on a typical day hike (because I am the mother hen and bring extras in case someone forgets something), and it grows heavier the higher we go! Thank you so much for the encouragement and motivation!
The Montana of my past cannot imagine 100 places to eat in Bozeman, let alone good places to eat. Amazing. Great work having it nearly done. Keep us posted on your word counts. Don't be too impressed, I've written this book about ten times in that many years. š¤š¼ this is the true final!
Those were definitely the days of iceberg lettuce salads with ranch dressing -- blue cheese if you were fancy. Now there are places there with a $52 pork chop. It blows my mind every time I visit.
I hear you! I am sitting in the car while John is taking piano lessons. It's a good time to work on the Bozeman book so I reached out to a fly fishing company about photos next week, and will knock out an entry or two. I'll write when I can actually think later this afternoon. Onward! Have a great day!
How do you feel out of the loop? I think that if any of us hit a speed bump, Jennifer will jump in with some suggestions. Iām pretty sure she wants us all to succeed š
Oh, it's all me! I have just been running with the boys (my youngest got his driver's learner's permit... eek!) and other projects for the past couple of days, and haven't been checking the thread. Thankfully, I have been doing pretty well with my projected word count goal.
Anything at all (this conversation included) is better than nothing. You're here for a blip. That's all that matters. It's a little like charging your battery on your phone (just enough) to get back out there. Check in on the challenge community and go!
First try at this, I may want to rewrite it more specifically down the road.
1--I am writing a memoir in essay form about the past fifteen years of my life, much of it spent in Paris. These essays will discuss my new second chance life after about forty-five years of alcoholism and food addiction. The essays are not to be consecutive but each will refer to a way of being or bad decisions pre-recovery and how I have righted this person who was headed towards oblivion.
2--My goal word count in July is 3000-5000 words a week as I'm traveling and 5000 words a week in August (and up until Studio starts)
3--People pleasing: I'm traveling on vacation with a friend and feeling a duty to spend a lot of time with her.
Day 1 and 3: Monday I did lotsāall day, probably close to 4000 words. Today, Iām revising the essay on my sister and me. I wonder how revision is counted. At least 1000 new words and more to come this evening. You go girls š§ what a posse!!!!
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
I wrote 3000 words. Had to break it up but the commitment caused me to get a lot done. I wrote 3 book reviews for Netgalley, a long letter that I had been putting off a long time, and then started a new essay which, with a lot of work could be interesting!
Gees, I am such a dork. I'm writing as if I'd committed to writing 3000 words A DAY not a week. I suddenly realized that tonight as I got to 2000 and thought "wait a minute, what am I doing?" Well if nothing else, I know I can write 1000 words a day!!!
That's great. Well done. Yes, we get ourselves 'over loaded' but it's actually good because the more words you add, the more you can see yourself getting stronger. We grow as writers via writing. Period. And it takes a long time so the more words you write, the stronger you get. Once you see you can write 2500 words a day, you are empowered...
Love love LOVE people pleasing...what a hell of torment that is. Suggestion: When you go to take your designated writing time, or just before bed when you have time to yourself (or when you wake up) put this prompt down and write, write, write to it: The First Moment I Performed for Another. Maybe make it a scene. Yes, writing this counts as words for the day because they might belong in your book. BONUS: You're breaking the projection and getting your life back.
Day 1 and 3: Monday I did lotsāall day, probably close to 4000 words. Today, Iām revising the essay on my sister and me. I wonder how revision is counted. At least 1000 new words and more to come this evening. You go girls š§ what a posse!!!!
1. I'm herding my historical fiction manuscript toward a 9/1 developmental editing date. This is the culmination of an idea I had in 1993 and finally started researching in 2012. It's amazing to see it finally taking shape.
2. No word count - just gotta get it to a sufficient condition so editor can make sense of it. Many hours with rear in chair.
3. Challenges: I bit off more than I can chew--but I always do that. And, I haven't painted in 9 years and that bug is buzzing loudly. Soon but not yet...
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
Confession: I spent some time this morning on the text but then went to breakfast w/hubs and spent the morning making a big dent in the chaos that was supposed to be my art studio but turned into a storage space. It's been 13 years since I've been able to paint (life!), but I also have a good excuse - I need maps for me book! There will be maps! Anyway, back to the manuscript for the afternoon.
Hammering away even now. Running ahead of my 30-page-per-day review minimum but knowing that it will be slower as I go. Today's challenge = black cat demanding attention.
Day 19, I think. LOL! Totally overwhelmed by this thread. So: I have another 100 printed pages of manuscript left in this read through. Whew. Aiming for Sunday finish. Monday to start some trouble-shooting with only 5 weeks left before my deadline for developmental editor. Let's finish these 10-year historical fiction projects!
Set in 7th Century Damascus just as the Saracens surround the city. 14 year old Alex must first endure the siege, then rescue his sister as she is dragged off to Sassanid Persia. Whew. The research has been intense. LOL! Thankfully, I have few new words to write at this point, mostly looking at the story continuity to make sure it all makes sense and is readable for the editor.
Elevator speech, right? That's what writing up a description is like and it's so hard but this sounds great. Now that I'm 4000 words in, I am working on "what am I writing again? What is the thru-line??" No matter...this is compelling. Well done.
1- Writing a middle grade fiction book about a family struggling with the mother's mental illness. Some of the book is based on my experiences growing up. I have been writing a memoir on the same topic for years, but writing this as fiction lets me add some fun things. I plan to get back to the memoir after I complete the middle grade book. No title yet.
2-Goal is 5000 words a week now. I need a swift kick in the pants to stick to this. I have the story in my head and a great start and I am excited to keep going.
3-Procrastination is my most significant challenge. I keep thinking everything else should be done before I write and I know that's not true or helpful. Also, distraction: take the dogs out for a few minutes. Oh, pick a few tomatoes. Gotta fill the bird feeder. Need to water the pots on the porch.....And reading! Once I start a great book, I am addicted and will read for an hour until I realize it.
Welcome welcome Angela: Consider this thread a swift kick. Bookmark this page so you can come back and catch up with what all the people are saying. This is going to run for 10 weeks. Tons of insights and teachings.
Make a deal with yourself: My words for the day first. And write your calls to the world on a to-do list you position next to your desk then, turn and go back to your words. Butt in chair, hands on keyboard. Get those words done then go...pick š , fill the bird feeder, water those pots and read that book in the āļø knowing you've words are done!
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
Yay, but you came here, you checked in and you know people have your back. That's what matters. Sending "issue-clearing" vibes. We have to ask..."give me time to write," the universe will help with this if it is truly necessary to your life and evolution.
Hi Angela, your middle grade novel sounds like important if difficult subject matter. I wrote a middle grade novel several years ago now and now write adult fiction. Would you like to buddy up, as Jennifer suggests? Feel free to direct message me on Substack and we can help keep each other accountable to our goals. P.S. As long as we get our own writing done, reading is also a writer's work, I firmly believe.
Day 26: With a quick and intense business trip to D.C. and now intense packing for two months away in Europe, leaving Sunday, work on my new novel in terms of writing up scenes is faltering but I am showing myself tons of compassion because self-criticism never gets anything (good) done. I have been thinking about the novel and today roughed out about 800 words of scene structure for one of my characters. And that still meets my quota of 500 words/day (and a reminder to self that I am 30k into the new novel so my recent progress thanks to this challenge has exceeded my expectations). Once I leave on my trip Sunday I will have more time to return to the world of my novel. August looks to have plenty of breathing space for more leisurely writing time, inspired by the new settings in which I am lucky enough to be visiting: Stockholm, Paris and Barcelona.
Managed 600 words today. I feel like the turtle, slowly moving along. I am writing about my first husband and how we got together while I was still in the call girl life. Crazy right?
July 14: Despite a persistent headache today, wrote about 800 words in which I explored what each of the women in this novel enters the novel wanting and why.
YES! Well done. Even in pain. Sending you healing prayers. š¤šš¼ (Mom-ing you for a moment, I get those when bug is sneaking up. Antivirals + garlic when I remember). XO
I suspect there was an emotional aspect to my headache. Yesterday was 3 months since my mother died. In the immediate days following her death I had many similar physical symptoms, headaches and stomach aches. The body often know before the brain or even the heart does.
Hello All! It has been a struggle this week to work on the memoir, although I've worked on my other projects - book project and Substack posts - along with traveling a bit. I'm seriously hoping to have a better handle on the book this week so I can dive back into the memoir, which has been rattling about in my brain every spare moment I have.
Amy, I'm told that even when you aren't writing, you are thinking. And if you are thinking about the book, you are working on it. And who knows what your unconscious or conscious will surprise you with this week!!!!
I think today is Day 13, Wrote 1000 words today so I've reached my weekly total! I can do some revision on one of my little stories I wrote so that I can read it if I make it to the Zoom meeting Monday. Cheering everyone on. Haven't had any big insights or breakthroughs - just the experiential knowledge that the more you write, the easier it is to write. And the more you include others, like doing this challenge or Jamie Attenberg's #1000 Words of Summer, the more inspired I get. Look forward to meeting you. Sara from Paris--that international writer gumming up the works!!!
Day 3 of Week 2. About 2000 words this week (while on vacation mind you!!!) Wrote a long Substack yesterday and that took up quite a chunk of my commitment.
I feel you! This is why I am breaking the day into two chunks. AM write. PM business. AND, want to point out that right now, I'm doing business rather than writing so it's down to discipline. "Write, Jennifer, write."
July 10: 1,675 words, first thinking of the scene as I swam in the pool, then capturing it longhand in my notebook, then typed up on the computer once home. This process seems to be working like magic. A pivotal childhood scene drafted for one of my main characters.
July 8: 973 words done and dusted. Still first draft, still getting to know these characters and their stories but the more I get to know them, the more fascinated and intrigued I find myself becoming. I want to find out what happens to them. I already care about them, a lot. Which is a good thing, since they are going to be part of my life for the next year, or two, or three (judging from past novels).
My project for this summer is to get what I hope will be the final edit/rewrite completed on my inaugural novel. It is about a man's quest to prove to himself what he saw in the forest is not a Sasquatch, because he believes Sasquatch doesn't exist. The quest for truth and understanding reveals greater truths about himself and about his place in his life.
The draft is done and the project should come in around 70k words, give or take. My goal is to get through a chapter a day editing and rewriting, average 3-5k words.
Of course, there's the constant self-critique and that "It's not good enough" voice whispering in my ear, but I must push to a conclusion and discover what comes next in this process. I suspect it will include agent search, shopping my work, and dealing with more harsh criticism and rejection...like I need more. Ha! Tips, commisserations and suggestions solicited and welcomed! Thanks JL
Welcome in, Andy! To be honest, that voice saying it's not good enough is a good one to listen to. It probably isn't. I don't say that to be harsh but because you have great taste but need more time to grow your craft. You've been studying craft at the Studio for what? Two minutes? The best thing is to do something for the anxiety and set it aside to keep growing which only happens by writing A LOT. Check out this video, it seriously puts things into perspective: https://vimeo.com/24715531
Hi...and here we are on day 9. How's the writing going? AND...Two minutes is a kind of tongue in cheek way to say you've just gotten started. I know you feel old but that point is time is what it takes to get better at this art form. Time/work. So...I hope that's helpful.
I know it, I don't feel it. I have stalled out, perhaps dissatisfied with what I have and where I am. I have gone back, looking at new opening chapter(s)? It's a speed bump, necessary but unwelcome. Back to it today.
That's a great prompt: Free write on the first moment you remember being dissatisfied with where you were. Do the mental download for a few minutes, letting the hand flow out the memory and then, when you land on a solid moment in time, write a scene that holds the story. Let me know how it goes!
15 minute free write...a couple of good things came out. Ego gets in the way, gotta tamp that down. I'm not trying to write War and Peace, I know my voice, my audience. I want to tell a good story well. Both have to be true to me, and I have to clear my own hurdle. Oh, and Write!!!
It is 6:15 am, the alarm is set for 7:00, we leave at 8:00 to see friends at the coast. I've been awake since 5:15, old bodies don't behave the same way young ones do. My first thought is of writing (adjectives deleted) so here I sit. I hear the hot water click so I break long enough to get my tea, ignore my arriving emails, and get back to {work}. I dislike the word, I am retired, I don't "work", but this need to bang on keys is a need that won't be quieted. So, back to work...
Up early again today, skipping the pool to polish what I will take to writing group today. My dog, Mattie, is still drugged from the meds I had to give her last night. She is terrified of loud noises, so I have learned to dislike July 4, Dec 31. Ugh, She's asleep beneath my desk, keeping my toes warm this morning. God love a dog. 1755 words before 9:00, and off to Monmouth. Good day, good start.
Your feedback is spot on, and taken to heart in the spirit intended. But, the kicker here is that I am old. I don't have the luxury of time. I want to compress time, and get good now! So, there's that. I will write, and press myself, but I doubt patience is among the virtues I will practice... Yes, 2 minutes...You're saying that's not enough?
I know it, I don't feel it. I have stalled out, perhaps dissatisfied with what I have and where I am. I have gone back, looking at new opening chapter(s)? It's a speed bump, necessary but unwelcome. Back to it today.
1. I am writing a contemporary work of literary fiction tentatively titled The Sobriety Sisters about five (or three? four?) midlife women from different parts of the country/world (or maybe they discover they are in the same city/town for the benefit of the narrative) who are put together by an algorithm in an online sobriety program. Eventually, they all discover they live in the same town and decide to meet in person. Over the course of a tumultuous year for each of them, they discover that their connection goes far beyond the desire for sobriety that initially brought them together.
2. 500-1000 words per day of scene and character sketching/rough drafts, working towards a blueprint (with the Story Genius as my guide).
3. Most significant challenge: I have written three completed novels so why doesn't getting started on a new novel get any easier? This is the bare bones of a novel for which I've yet to put a single word on the page. My biggest obstacles are two--1. Writing a novel with multiple protagonists: I have attempted this before, in an unpublished YA novel but it's been years since I flexed my writing muscles in this direction. I have read in Story Genius that even with multiple protagonists there is always one alpha protagonist, the woman around whom the story really revolves. Mulling that over. 2. Getting started--TODAY--and to keep going during a summer of a lot of travel (on the road August-September, including two weeks walking the Camino de Santiago where I'll give myself a vacation from everything:-)
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
Welcome in, Amy. Super happy to have you here. I'll be excited to hear your progress on the multiple POV's, so many great examples of how that's done out there. Maybe everyone reading can suggest examples (if you wanted them, Amy).
I definitely want them, thanks! Recently read Mary Alice Monroeās The Book Club, a very satisfying multiple POV read. And I am thoroughly enjoying Karen Joy Fowlerās The Jane Austen Book Club (can you tell I love book clubās & novels about them?). They show me how a club or similar initiative (like a sobriety group) can forge deep connections beyond the activity that brought these women together.
I'm seeing no ideas here but loving your ideas. Multiple POV's are tricky because they are kind of like character sketches, yes? Books I'm thinking of: American Marriage by T. Jones, The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman, and The Most Dangerous Place on Earth by Lindsey Lee Johnson (former student). Interestingly, I did this novel I'm working on now, in multiple POV's and couldn't pull it off. Every editor who rejected it said the same thing: Love her writing but...I'm lost. None had ideas how to fix it. That was in 2021 and so, here I am trying to fix it. Wishing both of us luck! š
Thanks Jennifer for chiming in on the multiple POV. Thanks for those suggestions, I will have a look. Courtney Maum, on her Substack, suggested Liane Moriarity's Nine Perfect Strangers as a novel she studies for handling multiple POV, so will look into that, too. Regarding your novel you're working on now, did you decide then to have single POV from your main protagonist? Curious. I know I am challenging myself with the multiple POVs but I'm up for it.
No, I still have multiple POV's but they are more fluid, like I've seen done in Lonesome Dove. It takes a certain amount of skill/confidence, but I'm doing it. And yes, I have one primary character who is my hero...so that helps, too.
1. I am writing a memoir called Forgiving Amy that explores the price of ambition that is fueled by unmet childhood needs and what we are willing to lose or risk in the blind pursuit of achievement at any cost. <-- did it in one long run on sentence!
2. 6000 a week
3. I think I can do this by getting up early. My biggest obstacles is not waking up.
Welcome!!! Sleep. Right? We need it AND we need to get the work done. Tell your husband to text you awake, or ask the kids to be on a wake-me-up rotation ( with coffee in hand to help you out). Involving the family in your goals is very important so you have that back up support.āļø
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
Oops I missed this. I have been consistently waking up at 4:55am every weekday. I find this to be such a miraculous feet. I haven't been tracking the word count exactly. I'm paying more attention to the fact that I'm now writing almost every day. This weekend I'll be taking some extra time to myself to write since I have to drive the girls up to Portland. I'm going to stay at my brothers and do nothing but eat, write and read.
Go girl. Go. Just start at the top of the page and post your update on a fresh comment! It's kind of hard to keep this whole series of comments straight so that's my strategy. Put the date, or day of challenge in the opening. Day 16/Day 17 or whatever. XO XO XO
Yes! See...here we go. 21 days makes a pattern. You've got this. There are two kinds of writers...those who talk about writing and those who WRITE. No complaints. Just words on the page. : )
1. I'm writing a novel about a woman who is searching for a new beginning in her forties and stumbles upon a dream clinic in search of a great dreamer to herd others afflicted with loss of dreams. Things go crazy from there. It's a project I kind of stumbled upon after realising I'm trying and failing to research a novel I've been thinking about for more than a decade. So I went with: write something for the sheer fun of it, without any research necessary and see what happens.
2. I'm not trying to go too fast because I know I can't, so around 2000, 3000 words a week would be great if I can achieve it.
3. I've got two huge ones, a chronic illness that takes everything out of me some days, leaving me unable to do anything other than work which brings money in, and construction work in my apartment that will probably last all summer.
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
I'm 150 words shy of being on track, which I'll knock out this morning before I start cooking for the day's festivities. I read some of what I had written at an online writers' group last night. It was very helpful to aid in editing!
I managed about 200 words today as well and if it weren't that late I'd have done more, but it was a really long day. At this point I feel like I'm just adding fluff. The next scene introduces a lot of characters and I'm apprehensive about it. I don't know these characters and now all of them are just going to crash the party, so to speak. The thought of this whole story seems so silly whenever I get stuck š . But it's my first time writing a novel and maybe this is how it all works.
Day 5. I managed 500 words. Trying to not let rambunctious thoughts hold me back. This exercise is teaching me to trust being present and writing even one sentence at a time.
Loving that...trust being present and writing even one sentence at a time. Truly, you are alone in this work (we all are alone as we write), but knowing others are out there and you can check in is so helpful. The trick is a bit of structure and you have it. Think of writing like working out. Each day you do it, you get a little stronger. And you are.
Yes, this is such a great analogy. The exercise also keeps doubts away. I'm focusing on the process and not the results and I've written consistently more since I started this challenge than the rest of the year put together.
Even if you wrote, "I don't know what to write, I don't know what to write, I don't know what to write," you are doing your job. Words-on-page. Don't worry about fluff. We cannot analyze while we create. And we cannot judge the strengthening of the muscle (word counts) while doing our reps. Great work adding words.
Yesterday got away from me. Too many construction related trips and such, but I tried to make up for it today with around 400 words. I'm satiafied and I'm advancing and that's what matters.
This thing is working. Had two really hard work days and still I wrote. It wasn't much around 300 words yesterday and the same today. I knew you'd ask and couldn't just ignore the notebook š . In general these would have been days with nothing written, maybe not even a thought about the story. But I couldn't show up empty handed. Thank you.
See! Yes! That's how it goes. One is none...two is ten. The community energy fuels us (as long as we remain focused vs. falling into too much socialization/stalling/projecting). Go girl, GO!
Welcome in and I'm so happy to have you with us. UGH! Illness and construction. That is the double whammy of obstacles. Seriously. What is your plan? How are you instituting a sustainable writing schedule?
I try to write a little without setting big goals. If I can write for 10 min I will. I'm constantly telling myself that it is the first draft and all sentences at this point are good sentences. My daily goal is 30 minutes in front of this draft. If I can do that every day I'm going to advance. Any number of words is bettter than none in the end.
Days 6 and 7 - 6 got away from me, too many other things to do in my non writing life, but today, the 7th managed 600. It's not huge progress, but it's consistent. I'm writing a bit forced because I'm not sure what I want to happen in this scene, but I'm allowing my subcoscious to guide me. I've been pleasantly surprised before when a line pushed the whole story in a direction I hadn't expected and opened up new possibilities.
Week IV day 1- 200 words. I've been scared of just going at it without time to ponder where things are going and I'm surprised every time when I start writing with an empty head and yet the story continues in ways I'd have never expected. I've been writing almost every day, except days when I wasn't home physically, there have been a couple of those. Yet so much progress while in the past once I took a day off it was so hard to come back to it.
Day 8 was really bad physically and sad and nothing worked, then in the evening a story I had sent out got rejected. So a day of failure. But day 9 saw marked improvements. Had more energy and managed 1000 words to also make up for the previous day. I keep writing even if I'm constantly visited by intrusive thoughts about how silly this story is and how my sentences aren't pretty or valuable. I think it's valuable that I'm able to ignore them and to just finish the draft.
I still do not get 'Newest comments' anywhere. I've clicked every button there is to click. Can you tell me again, please? It's incredibly frustrating. I cant even find the post I did two and half hours ago.
Hi hi: Sorry for the frustration and I totally agree. I'm pinning the daily update to the top of the page and asking folks to update that way...hope that's helpful. Here's the cut and paste of the updated directions. And thank you for your patience as we run this challenge. It's tricky business. I'm going to ask Sarah for tips, too.
"Some additional suggestions:
Bookmark this page and watch our comment thread.
Each time you come on, comment under the most recent TOP PINNED post (this makes it easier than scrolling all the way through)."
This is at the top of the thread in the intro section...
Week 5/Day 29: I didn't meet my goal last week (week4) and it's ok, With Paris a bit crazy until Opening Night was over, being in a new part of Paris I don't know very well, finding veggie stores, etc, I'm glad I got as much done as I did.
Today is a new day, a new week. I got some good feedback on my story The Quiz that had Jennifer laughing on Zoom. I have expanded it and written 1100 words today. It's one of those things where it is funny but not a laughing matter so I had my work cut out for me!!!
I hope others are still at it. Amy G. writes at least 2 Substacks a week which is really impressive!
Other Amy is on her way to Europe and I hope to see her in Paris! We have much in common.
And more chapters of Jennifer's book came this weekend.
I apologize for not finishing the 10-week "Get it Done" Challenge through to the end. Here is the critical thing I learned: I need to focus on one thing at a time. It is fun to jump into short programs like Jenniferās 10-Week Challenge and I always learn new things, but right now, these programs lure me away from what I feel I should focus on. Currently, I am in a good place with my middle-grade novel and have ideas and strategies to keep going. My brain needs to be in this place for now.Ā
Several short-term writing challenges have popped up and my first thought is to sign up! Woohoo! But realistically, I know now that I need to stay on the path I am on.Ā
Jennifer, I read all your books and loved them all. Your positivity and humor are a boost! Amy, thank you for reaching out with the offer to keep each other accountable. I dropped the ball and apologize for that.Ā
Angela...keep your eye where you need it and there are no apologies necessary. We write, we share, we fall, we get up and start again...pulling for you 1000% š And right here when you are ready to step in.
I managed to hit over 1200 words today on my upcoming Substack post, along with several entries for the book project, but nothing on the memoir. The book deadline is approaching, and I really hope to feel like that load lift once it's submitted.
Boom! Good job and yes, you have to serve the other calls in your life too. I know. Instead of writing, I just spent an hour on the phone with my kid. āļø Time...vanishing...but okay, hands to keyboard NOW...I'm going to do my best today. āļø
BTW, I don't get a message that says Newest Comments. Nothing is in any particular order for me and I can't tell if people are posting updates. Any suggestions?
Great Question Sara: This function is Ia drop down menu where Comments begins and at the very top. Tap it and you should be able to pick three options. Newest, oldest, and I most recent I believe.
Day 2 of Week 4: I wrote a long Substack on Biden, 1000 words, couldn't contain it. Now to get back to my book and writing my essays. Aiming for another 3000 words this week. Am housesitting a friend's studio apartment and with a few exceptions staying clear of Olympic craziness. Lots of time to write!!!
Writing is writing. Another voice to add to the ocean of debate, reaction, conversation about Biden. Question (or prompt): A moment you overheard your parents having strong reactions to the politics of their day. How are you the same? Different! Go...
Okay, I have momentarily changed focus. But not really. I have spent the last couple of writing sessions revising for tomorrows Summer Studio, it is the piece I sent out to Jennifer last week that she put the spotlight on. Thank you again for that Jenniferš¤Also working on the book summary for the upcoming Summer Retreat. So does this count for the writing challenge? I hope so!
July 22: another 1,000 words of scene sketching, deepening the characters' misbeliefs. It is a busy day as I prepare for business travel Tues-Wed but I will continue to spend some time with the novel in progress even while away so as not to lose momentum.
July 21: Got another 1,700 word scene written this morning, which means 29,000 words of a first draft completed on this new novel. It is coming along with surprising energy and aliveness. I plan to keep up the momentum.
Still Day 21--I just listened to the video recording of last Monday's author challenge Get It Done. Nice to meet both Amys. One is going to visit me in Paris and the other is my partner in crime to kick each other's butts!! What a great video. I wish I could have been there. Maybe the next one will be earlier in the day and I can come before I go to sleep.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful writing. I truly look forward to hearing more.
End of Week 3, Day 21/Sunday. Back in Paris five days, it is HOT! Catching up on so many things and the lovely didn't have to work for it, inspiration was unavailable this week since I've been home. So I fell back on the old reliable--wrote my Substack. And then saw a prompt from another Substack I subscribe to and that got me going. I will squeak in at 3000 words this week. That was my minimum.
I'm sure I have 10,000 words about what it's like in Paris right now--what they probably aren't showing you on TV in the States--policemen, lots, on every corner. I didn't think they were going to let me go to my doctor's appt on Thursday. Tourists will love this but for everyday life, it is incredibly disruptive and hard to know from day to day what's going on.
I'll be housesitting for a friend starting Tuesday and will hole myself up and hopefully write.
I would LOVE it if we could start another thread. I'm completely lost now as to new posts. I don't know how to keep up with anyone. :-(
A lockdown of a different sort! I'm so sorry but Paris is kind of...tiny and challenging the best of days. So, you'll have lots to write about for sure. Frustration after frustration. Go girl go!
July 19: another 1,422 turning point scene drafted in its first draft rawness, but there's good stuff there to shape into a sharper scene. Right now I am just throwing clay on the pot, not ready to shape it to its final form just yet. How is everyone else doing this Friday?
And an update on obstacles: Last time I posted I said nothing could get in my way and God apparently heard me and was like, "Yeah? You wanna test that hypothesis?" And it's been one major thing after the other these past few weeks. I mean, I'm still on track but, I tell you what: one day I'm gonna learn to keep my mouth shut. :P
Is that God? Or something else? If you are on track...that's the most important thing. Right? That is letting "nothing get in your way." Just sayin' š
386 words this morning. Oh dear. I had some crying to do. Had to tell some things first, then go back and make a scene which I could only begin after I cleared. Oh but don't you know there is more....
July 17: Another 1, 165 words drafted in a new scene for one of my protagonists. I am chipping away, scene by scene. I am getting to know them more each day and I am looking forward to spending months with them as I do justice to their stories. This is so key--for the long haul of writing a novel, I have to be in love with these characters and the world I am creating for them, I have to really care about the stakes I'm planting to test them along the way. Happy writing, everyone!
July 16: Another 1,742 words done, a turning point scene for one of my characters, a scene from her past, a scene where she struggles between her desire and misbelief, with ongoing ramifications for the trajectory of her story. I am not sure where the scene will appear once I start putting the novel together, but that doesn't matter now. I'm still in the process of getting to know these characters.
Week 3--Day 15: I will miss seeing and meeting everyone on Zoom. I will be with you in spirit. Jennifer has kindly offered to read some of my writing from last week. And I will definitely watch the recording. You are my sisters and brothers in Challenge!!
Today is my last day in Pay Basque in the south of France. Back to Paris tomorrow. It's raining (it's been raining a lot) so after a long walk, I will be able to write this afternoon.
July 13: Another 1,000 words of first draft scene writing. Feels like it's flowing more freely, this process of thinking through the scene in my head, writing it down by hand and then typing it up. It's the raw material from which I can build tighter scenes. Feeling it in my body before I let my brain take over.
š¦āā¬š¦āā¬š¦āā¬ Week Five July 29 Update:
Hi all and thank you for your patience as I figure out how to stay up-to-date when we have 256 comments! The advice is so simple: Start a new thread each week!
Done. Go to: https://open.substack.com/pub/jenniferlauck/p/week-five-get-it-done-challenge?r=fjvlj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueš¦āā¬
See you over at Week Five!
Again, here's that link: https://open.substack.com/pub/jenniferlauck/p/week-five-get-it-done-challenge?r=fjvlj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Week Three Update: Hi Flyers...we are kickin' it and I know for a fact others are on board with us, just not posting (because, come on! It's kind of hard TO post in this spaghetti of confusion knows as the comments section). No matter...we're here and we keep on keeping on. I click on "newest first" to keep up now.
To help us all get a little extra fire, a Zoom Meet Up @ 3:30 p.m. PST today.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83541808359
Meeting ID: 835 4180 8359
What weāll do:
1) Say hi to real people who are cheering you one and are being cheered on by you!
2) Share the elevator pitch of your project
3) Share a favorite passage from the first two weeks: 300-500 words max.
If you cannot attend:
Send a favorite passage and Iāll share it for you. Send it by noon tomorrow, Monday, July 15th.
Keep writing, keep posting. I'm off to get my 2000W in!
So great to see the three who showed up and read from the work of others! Editing the video now. Keep going guys! Write. Write. Write.
Can't wait to see the video. I'm on the train back to Paris. Getting ready to write maybe 500 words. I get very distracted on trains: people, Americans who talk too loud (we really do talk loud!!), countryside flying by. When we reach Bordeaux, we will stop being a slowish train and be the famous fast trains, TGV, going up to 180 miles an hour!! Then Paris where metro stops are closed, traffic is horrendous all because of the Olympics so a 15 min trip will probably take me 45 minutes. Working up some acceptance that it is what it is. And now I'll write!!
Trains can be distracting but also very conducive to writing. Hope you find inspiration, Sara. I will be in Paris this summer to visit my daughter but AFTER the Olympics mayhem.
You better look me up!!!!
I would be delighted to; letās exchange details in DM; I want to know all about how you came to live in Paris.
It will be up (post editing and the add of a teaching) on Friday (I hope)
Sorry Jennifer--for some reason, I thought it was coming by e-mail. I found it and listened to it. I wanted to hear a snippet of your work!!!
Ha ha! Didn't read one. LOL!
How is the video coming, Jennifer. I'd love to see it and think it might be a good kickstarter to get me back on track!!!
Hopefully you watched: https://jenniferlauck.substack.com/p/get-your-creative-writing-done?r=fjvlj
Looking forward to it. I got 1,667 words written today, a first draft of a scene but one with good bones. I'm pleased with it.
Iām writing a historical novel set in WWI Italy titled The Man Born with Seven Shirts, the story of faith lost and restored in a time of abundance and war. It is the story of a particular place and a particular family, but is also the larger human story taking place now, before, and tomorrow, and how all of us come from one source and exist (while here) in varying states of grace.
My goal is 12000 words per week starting July 1.
The other demands in my life: Family. Income based work. Also, why the heck am I writing this? Does anyone give a damn? (š Yeah, yeah, I know thatās twoā¦)
Oh Jennifer, Oh Jennifer!!! I cannot believe you STILL worry about the "Why" and if "anyone gives a damn." YOU give a damn. That's what matters.
We've had this conversation 1000x1000 times.
Grab your Rilke off the shelf right now. Letters to a Young Poet, pg. 18:
"Go into yourself. Search for the reason that bids you write; find out whether it is spreading out its roots in the deepest places of your heart, acknowledge to yourself whether you would have to die if it were denied you to write. This above all--ask yourself in the stillest hour of your night: Must I write? Delve into yourself for a deep answer. And if this should be affirmative, if you may meet this earnest question with a strong and simple "I must," then build your life according to this necessity; your life even into its most indifferent and slightest hour must be a sign of this urge and testimony to it."
This is your measuring stick, always. And look, you now have situated yourself closer to nature as Rilke advises. Trust, trust, trust.
Now go write your daily words and trust your calling.
Signed: The higher and better Jennifer talking to the lower and mostly worried Jennifer!
Me checking in with me...day 1: 2097. day 2: let's go!
Day 2: 2202. Eyes rolling back in head. But done.
Day 3: 2524 and yes, hit the word count but now things get a little hairy. Spent a lot longer working than I expected, had to stop when eyes were getting blurry. The hairy part is centered on plot-more specifically, inner and outer arc. The people are the same, the motivations different, so I have to clarify the latter to push the story forward. This required going back to day 1, re-writing to the arcs I worked through on my walk last night and in journaling this AM. Of course, that means every word must get a slight adjustment. So, writing but also doing the construction job. That's what slows me down but because you guys and this challenge, I refused to give myself a pass. So...hit 2000+. Write or die trying. That's my motto these ten weeks. Ok, maybe not die, but you get the point...
Day 4: 2755. Hard won. Wrote longer than I wanted (started later too...talking on the phone with kids, doing other things I should put off until later)...but got there.
So happy you managed. There are always so many things that keep us from writing. Important things for sure, but I'm glad you made the time.
Day 5 update: 2489. And, came up with a realization that after I hit my 12,000 I will print and read on the off day (Sunday). If I am now starting revisions on those 12,000 words, those revisions come AFTER new words toward my goal.
Me too! My commitment to this community doing this "Get It Done" challenge got me to 3000 words today. I don't like it when I want to go back and revise, at least not yet. But.....if I share something with my writing group and they have good feedback, I want to attend to it asap. I'm sure I'll figure it out as the days pass.
And please don't die trying!! We good writers want to become great writers and we need you! :-)
Ha ha. Okay. I'll live.
"Now go write your daily words and trust your calling."
Perfect!
I love this! Thanks for sharing your Rilke with us. Letters to a Young Poet has been on my list for summer reading (I haven't read it since I was 19) and it seems today is the day I must read it, every word.
ADORE this particular book, my Bible as a writer, about how to live this life!
Day 25 Update: AM-Sitting down, ready to go, tea at my side, phone off. Let's do this...2702 or BUST!
PM: Okay, so this is one of those writing days I simply detest and fill me with a sense of failure. Two hours wasted meaning a late start, but fine...then I get lost in a revision of a previous chapter. By the time I get to the addition of words I am fried and only get 1600 done. This is 1100 short of my goal. Again, so so so frustrating. Less so knowing I can tell you all about it, and start a new tomorrow. At least I wrote. That's something!
It's all about showing up. There will be days that flow and days that challenge us. Thank you for letting us see into your process, the struggle and the triumph.
Back at you, my friend!
Week II, July 10: We are going strong but also waning in our participation, which is expected. First, this comment section is hard to organize and track. Note that the way I'm managing is to scroll through from the oldest to the newest comments and catch everyone's add-ons, try to speak to the new comments, and then post this...the daily update from my side of things. Your comments below this daily update are great. Keep those going.
To gather up the momentum, I'm hosting a Zoom Meeting on Monday, July 15 @ 3:30 p.m. PST for you to do the following:
1) See each other! š Yay. You're real people.
2) Read aloud the summary of your project
3) Read a sample of your work. 500 words max.
* If you can make it. Let me know HERE in the reply and I'll email you the link/password directly.
**If you cannot make it, please still email me at jclauck@gmail.com the summary of your project and a sample. I'll read BOTH for you in your stead.
***This meeting will be posted on Flight School in its fullness (edited) as a teaching because I'm going to add a prompt! Fun!
What a great idea, Jennifer. I am in. This will get me to succinctly summarize this still nascent new novel. Love prompts, too.
Week II/Day 2: Finally, finally, FINALLY, went to bed early and woke up at 5:30.
I want to do this, always, but stay up a tad too late. Post prayers and killing slugs in the garden and all around other parts, I sat down and got those 2000 in by 9:15 which is, again, heaven. I'm my very best first thing in the morning. So this honoring of time is essential. Plus, the quiet in the world allows far more depth in the line-to-line attention between my characters.
Below a 600 word excerpt that shows such deepening which had to do with language between people from different regions.
What you need to know: This is 1917 Italy, a man from the Piedmont region is on a journey to rescue a wounded son on the front lines. Vincenzo Montanari is a simple farmer, and very much against the war which has conscripted five of his seven sons. He is living in a time of iron fisted rule, too. The people are allowed zero dissent against the war and are expected to sacrifice everything, land, family, money.
Here goes:
Next to him, the Major shifts in his seat, reaches inside his overcoat.
Up to now, Vincenzo's been able to keep to his own business but cannot help his eyes from watching the man pull out a thin case of dull brass with the insignia of a lion on the front. He snaps the top open and as if knowing that Vincenzo watches, holds it up to him. Within, a row of cigarettes, all lined up perfectly. These, he knows about because of his sons who are (or used to be) always up on the latest big city trends.
āNo. No,ā Vincenzo says, going hot in the face for not minding his own business.
āPlease,ā the man says.
He almost says no again, that he is more a pipe man, but to be agreeable pinches one from the case and flips the little stick this way and that. Itās odd between his fingers. Fragile.
The Major lifts another out for himself, snaps the case closed, stows it away, then flicks a match. Head bowed forward before the flame, inhaling, inhaling, he tilts his head back and exhales a narrow plumb of smoke toward the ceiling. Itās all ratherā¦crude, Vincenzo thinks. A certain lack of dignity. But when in Rome. With the insecurity of the novice, Vincenzo mimics the manās actions. Soon, both men are haloed by smoke.
āWhere are we?ā Vincenzo finally asks, voice roughened by the chaffing smoke.
The Major picks a bit of tobacco from his tongue and flicks it away.
āOutside Brescia,ā he says. āVerona just ahead.ā He looks over at Vincenzo and lifts his chin. āPiedmont?ā
A momentary rush of spiky fear down his spine. āHow did you know?ā
āMy mother came from the Province of Asti,ā he says, the mild smile of a good natured man on his face. āA comune called Ghemme.ā
āIncisa,ā Vincenzo says, so relieved he pats his own chest as if place is person, āa few meters beyond Nissa dla Paja.ā
The man offers a meaty, strong hand full of enviable strength. āRoberto Corzini,ā he says.
Careful of his own cigarette, Vincenzo shakes back. āMontanari,ā he says. āI donāt know Ghemme.ā
The Major tugs at his trousers, crosses his legs at the knee. āBeautiful place,ā he says. āBefore the war, she went back often. Sheās close to her people. Iām comfortable using that dialect, if that is agreeable.ā
āVery,ā Vincenzo says. āMersƬ.ā
This use of "thank you" makes both men smile and once it is agreed they will dedicated themselves to the beautiful Piedmontese heās known nearly all his life, Vincenzo isnāt sure what to say. Language is something taken for granted when surrounded by others who speak as you do, but on this journey, as short as it has been to this point, Vincenzo has noted a constriction with each of the young people heās spoken, a dullness in communication as a result, and equal delay in response. Vincenzo studies the burning ember that eats at the tobacco, then peers over at Major Corzini shyly. What was the last thing the man had said? The mention of his wife, and her closeness to her people?
āFamily,ā Vincenzo finally says. āVery important.ā
Corzini lifts his heavy brows higher on his forehead, as if amused by Vincenzoās pondering, tips the long ash from the end of his cigarette to the floor where it lands and remains intact. āSeems you might be leaving your own behind,ā Corzini says.
āTrue enough,ā Vincenzo says, tapping off his own ash and then holding his hand to his chest. āWhich is hard on the heart. I leave land that needs tending and only the women and young ones to do the work.ā
āPer qual motivo?ā Corsini asks, meaning: For what reason?
Once more, a swelling sense of gratitude and any worry he had about this man being a spy or an enemy vanishes despite Corsini clearly being in power in this military that has taken almost all his sons from him and made his life at home a living hell these two years. They are simply two men talking now.
Hi Flyer's:
Day 6 Update: I tumbled off the wagon and have lots of excuses; stayed up late finishing a sweater I was knitting, then couldn't get to sleep, then overslept, then...then..then...and now am on the Sarah Faye Cohort learning how Substack is shifting into a video modes and what that means to writers seeking to write.
So...how do I deal with the tumble?
Well...I'm going to give myself a ton of grace and think less emotionally and more practically: I've written 11,472. That means I'm short of my goal by 528 which I can burn out in about an hour. That's the plan then. Write first. Hit the weekly count. Then print and read, edit, and plan next week. When I start again on Monday, I WILL NOT go back and edit. I will save that for after the new words are laid down. So that's my priority. But it's realistic to revise, move sections around etc. So, I'll do that with my spare time (ha ha). If you don't have spare time, I suggest you use "tired time" for revision and edits because your best time is better for creative work and building up the muscle of word count. This is why it matters to have the weekly goal. I hope this is helpful! Write, write, write!
Day 26 Update: AM 8:13 a.m. sitting in chair, going to catch up today! 3000 words...sending you all the biggest wave of prayers. May we all get the work done. And here is a small excerpt...what you need to know...Vincenzo is the protagonist and this is the backstory running in tandem with front of his adult self going to the Italian front, near Udine, in 1917, to help his son and nephew get released. What we have here is Vincenzo after learning he now has a home after running away from a violent home in which is father--in a drunken rage--broke Vincenzo's leg and lamed him for life:
"āHome,ā Maria told him a few days earlier. A particular saddness in her tone. A resignation. āThis is our home now.ā
āWeāre staying then? Forever?ā he asked.
His sister laughed but it wasnāt a happy sound. More like a cough followed by an eyeroll. āI donāt know about forever, Cenzo,ā she said, then did that thing she used to do back at homeāin Versa. She tossled his hair and then finger combed it into place again. āBut at least until you grow up and find your way into your life.ā
Find your way, he thinks now, standing on the top step, the cool of the morning all around.
Before him, the paved courtyard of wide, flat stones enclosed within a tall iron fence. At the center, in an open circle of dirt, his oak shoot grows straight and true. Not like the oak back home, split in half and holding together a crumbling church. This oneā¦his oakā¦is tall, strong, and destined to rise.
Thatās how Vincenzo sees himself now, too. Yes, still lame, but the limp is more of a wobble thanks to Dr. Carta.
Down the steps, Vincenzo crosses the patio and tugs weeds free of the soft dirt, picks out the dry leaves, tosses all this aside. He had worried that if Auntie had been found, heād have to dig up the sprout and pack into a pot, or a span of canvas (no way was he leaving it behind), but now it is home, too, free to keep growing like he can keep growing. Tree and boy. Safe and sound.
PM: Great joy! I've caught up and hit my weekly goal, once again with a day to spare. 12,000 words, and now sitting pretty at 47,000 words, giving me time to go back and stitch a few of these scenes together tighter. How about you?
š¦āā¬š¦āā¬š¦āā¬ July 20 UPDATE PM: Got it done. Up to 39500 words which buys me time off Monday and Tuesday. I'll be checking in with you guys, of course. Keep up the great work.
July 20 Update AM: First, a shout out to Amy G on Notes. Read. Comment. Restack. Great work being at the meet up, Amy! https://substack.com/profile/26121655-jennifer-lauck/note/c-62688885
Today is Saturday and I've got my 36,000 words done but now am putting in time today to get some words "ahead" while I take a couple days with my son and to travel over to Mt. Angel for some much needed spiritual direction. Hoping for 2500 today, which will take care of Monday and set me back about 1500 as of Tuesday but then I'll have the rest of the week to catch up on those words which I'll tack to the core goal of 12,000.
Yesterday, while making tea, or coffee, or walking...I don't even know...I had a thought about this process: Adding words each day is tough business. It is. It might even seem slightly maniacal but it's not (at least for me). This routine is how I've written (and published) five books, all my published essays, and written several more that are unpublished (all my fiction...š„ø...which has been, in a word, BAD). People ask, "how do you do it? How do you get so much done?" Daily work count is my secret. Set a goal, be realistic, and then show up. Writing is writing. It's a muscle. You have to work it. šŖš¼
Yes. Yes. Yes. Life happens. I get busy, my clothes dryer crashes (Friday), my kids need my help (M/T/W/TH/F), I'm tired (all the time), some crisis in a relationship takes place that turns me inside out (May 29 to right now, thus the need for spiritual direction in order to find some grace amidst the struggle)...fine. But I always come back to my word count goal which is the solid ground of my agreement with myself. Do I honor my desire to be a writer and to finish or not? The answer, so far, has been an unqualified YES. So, I pick up the pieces of whatever has happened, deal with the issues as best I can, and start back on my goal.
So...here we go-> Write on.
This was so lovely and you're so right. I've heard it before and now that I am actually trying it, it miraculously works even when I come to the page completely deflated and empty and have no idea how to go on. One sentence creates another and so on. A very powerful lesson for me.
Exactly!! Momentum...
Day 16 Update: š On a bright note, I met at 8 a.m. (5 p.m. Italian time š®š¹) with my long time Incisa Scappacino contact (where my book is set: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incisa_Scapaccino), who I met eleven years ago when in that comune and researching. She is as patient as a saint with me, and so kind/generous. I adore her. Maddalena.
Spent an hour catching up and she's totally jazzed that I'm still writing this novel (translation: Haven't given up. She cannot believe such a thing would take so long but...alas...when you have a life, it does). No matter, she is there to help with any translations I need, or photos of the comune. What a light.
Otherwise, a grizzly day š» (thinking of Amy in MT when I write this) of admin work which knocked me clean out my schedule from creative work at the top of day to the end of it. I'm not sure I'll get there at all today, may just bag it and catch up tomorrow, but it happens to the best of us. We have lives. We have to attend to them. And my school definitely chipped away at me today. https://blackbirdstudiopdx.com/.
Send well wishes for my digging out walk once more in the creative light. š
How great to have the insights of your friend to rely on, Jennifer. I consider that working on the book, too, because it's still on your mind and in your conversation.
Shovel in hand...digging...digging! : )
š¦āā¬š¦āā¬Saturday, July 13 Check-in: Hi all, new and those who've been here since the start. I've sent an email about meeting in a Zoom to jazz us up for week three! Thanks to all getting back. Those who've missed this, check spam/junk. More soon.
As I write yesterday, I've hit my 24,000 words and now sit to read/make notes the remainder of the day. It's a joy to see the work flowing and I credit this challenge and the energy here on Flight School. Thank you all. Even the tiniest check-in means the world. You are not alone in this work. You have your fellow flyers darting in and out.
Keep the check-in's going, share a little passage that jazzed you up, and tell how the writing flows/blocks/flows once more. š¦āā¬
Oh, what a wonderful challenge!
1. I am writing a memoir on my decade of working on natural history programs for National Geographic Television. Everyone seems to love a good bear story, and a few of us go gaga over pika, as well! I truly have no specific direction on how I want this to flow, but I suppose once I start creating the scenes, a path with present itself.
2. To keep this at a realistic pace, I'm shooting for 2500-3000 words per week.
3. My greatest challenge is summer in Montana, which, as you know, is when we do all the things! I live for my hikes, along with camping adventures with the boys. Beyond that, I have a Bozeman book due on September 1 so I'm still traveling for that project, and need to keep up with article assignments and growing my Substack page.
Day 5 check-in: How you doing? What's the big snag or success or both?
I would have gotten on here sooner to say, "YAY! You're here," but I was writing! Ha! Just got my 2000 in, hit 2069. Yes.
So let me say it now, "YAY, you're here." I'm so glad. Tell me about the Bozeman book, seriously, all about it. And, I don't have huge insights about getting outside other than, take your laptop with you and sit under a tree, darn it!
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
I am very impressed with the 2069 words for the day. Bravo!
Oh, the Bozeman book is one that is fun, but does not require a deep well of thought. The title is "100 Things to Do in Bozeman Before You Die" for Reedy Press (they're doing a nationwide series). Bozeman is such a vibrant area that I could easily write "100 Places to Eat" there, and my greatest challenge is winnowing the entries. Next week I'm going to Big Sky to see what they have going at the big resort since I really do need to include them, as well. The greatest challenge is having to hike even more because the food is so good there! Thankfully, I'm 95 percent done roughing out the book, so now it's a matter of refinement and photos.
I figure I'll just have to make a point of some early mornings to work in my time to write. My pack already weighs 30 pounds on a typical day hike (because I am the mother hen and bring extras in case someone forgets something), and it grows heavier the higher we go! Thank you so much for the encouragement and motivation!
The Montana of my past cannot imagine 100 places to eat in Bozeman, let alone good places to eat. Amazing. Great work having it nearly done. Keep us posted on your word counts. Don't be too impressed, I've written this book about ten times in that many years. š¤š¼ this is the true final!
Those were definitely the days of iceberg lettuce salads with ranch dressing -- blue cheese if you were fancy. Now there are places there with a $52 pork chop. It blows my mind every time I visit.
Now I'm feeling crazy old...but hey, look, it's time to sit and write. 2000 words to go! What's your plan today?
I hear you! I am sitting in the car while John is taking piano lessons. It's a good time to work on the Bozeman book so I reached out to a fly fishing company about photos next week, and will knock out an entry or two. I'll write when I can actually think later this afternoon. Onward! Have a great day!
Hey Amyā-Jennifer suggests we pal up for cheerleading, feedback, etc. Will you be my Get It Done writing pal????
Sure, Sara! I feel like I'm out of the loop a bit, but that sounds like a dandy plan.
How do you feel out of the loop? I think that if any of us hit a speed bump, Jennifer will jump in with some suggestions. Iām pretty sure she wants us all to succeed š
Oh, it's all me! I have just been running with the boys (my youngest got his driver's learner's permit... eek!) and other projects for the past couple of days, and haven't been checking the thread. Thankfully, I have been doing pretty well with my projected word count goal.
Anything at all (this conversation included) is better than nothing. You're here for a blip. That's all that matters. It's a little like charging your battery on your phone (just enough) to get back out there. Check in on the challenge community and go!
First try at this, I may want to rewrite it more specifically down the road.
1--I am writing a memoir in essay form about the past fifteen years of my life, much of it spent in Paris. These essays will discuss my new second chance life after about forty-five years of alcoholism and food addiction. The essays are not to be consecutive but each will refer to a way of being or bad decisions pre-recovery and how I have righted this person who was headed towards oblivion.
2--My goal word count in July is 3000-5000 words a week as I'm traveling and 5000 words a week in August (and up until Studio starts)
3--People pleasing: I'm traveling on vacation with a friend and feeling a duty to spend a lot of time with her.
Wrote this in the wrong place :-)
Day 1 and 3: Monday I did lotsāall day, probably close to 4000 words. Today, Iām revising the essay on my sister and me. I wonder how revision is counted. At least 1000 new words and more to come this evening. You go girls š§ what a posse!!!!
Great work. Truly. And for me, I count "new words," which means new words moving me toward my completed project. But that's me. Each writer comes up with her own system. And I need to give myself a little grace for days like yesterday where plot was the queen of the day: https://open.substack.com/pub/jenniferlauck/p/the-get-it-done-summer-challenge?r=fjvlj&utm_campaign=comment-list-share-cta&utm_medium=web&comments=true&commentId=60934584
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
I wrote 3000 words. Had to break it up but the commitment caused me to get a lot done. I wrote 3 book reviews for Netgalley, a long letter that I had been putting off a long time, and then started a new essay which, with a lot of work could be interesting!
Look at you go, go, go. Well done, Sara.
Gees, I am such a dork. I'm writing as if I'd committed to writing 3000 words A DAY not a week. I suddenly realized that tonight as I got to 2000 and thought "wait a minute, what am I doing?" Well if nothing else, I know I can write 1000 words a day!!!
That's great. Well done. Yes, we get ourselves 'over loaded' but it's actually good because the more words you add, the more you can see yourself getting stronger. We grow as writers via writing. Period. And it takes a long time so the more words you write, the stronger you get. Once you see you can write 2500 words a day, you are empowered...
š¦āā¬ Day 3 of challenge question: How are you doing? Word count? Anything else you want to share?
Day 2 of challenge: How did you do on Day 1, what's your plan today?
Love love LOVE people pleasing...what a hell of torment that is. Suggestion: When you go to take your designated writing time, or just before bed when you have time to yourself (or when you wake up) put this prompt down and write, write, write to it: The First Moment I Performed for Another. Maybe make it a scene. Yes, writing this counts as words for the day because they might belong in your book. BONUS: You're breaking the projection and getting your life back.
Day 1 and 3: Monday I did lotsāall day, probably close to 4000 words. Today, Iām revising the essay on my sister and me. I wonder how revision is counted. At least 1000 new words and more to come this evening. You go girls š§ what a posse!!!!
1. I'm herding my historical fiction manuscript toward a 9/1 developmental editing date. This is the culmination of an idea I had in 1993 and finally started researching in 2012. It's amazing to see it finally taking shape.
2. No word count - just gotta get it to a sufficient condition so editor can make sense of it. Many hours with rear in chair.
3. Challenges: I bit off more than I can chew--but I always do that. And, I haven't painted in 9 years and that bug is buzzing loudly. Soon but not yet...
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
š¦āā¬ Day 3 of challenge question: How are you doing? Word count? Anything else you want to share?
Confession: I spent some time this morning on the text but then went to breakfast w/hubs and spent the morning making a big dent in the chaos that was supposed to be my art studio but turned into a storage space. It's been 13 years since I've been able to paint (life!), but I also have a good excuse - I need maps for me book! There will be maps! Anyway, back to the manuscript for the afternoon.
It happens! I get it. Tomorrow...tomorrow...tomorrow is just a day away...
Day 2 of challenge: How did you do on Day 1, what's your plan today?
Hammering away even now. Running ahead of my 30-page-per-day review minimum but knowing that it will be slower as I go. Today's challenge = black cat demanding attention.
Thank you for the update (was so tripped out by working yesterday, just got to this...) Pray tell more about šāā¬!! That sounds serious.
Bagheera is 18 pounds of solid grouch who thinks I'm Mommy. I must attend to him or else.
Meow! Cats. Lol. They actually jump on keyboard. I had one that opened a closed door. I wish you well!
Welcome Lausanne...love to see what you end up writing each week. Share the word counts. Share a little more about the actual book? What is it about?
Day 5 check-in: How you doing? What's the big snag or success or both?
Day 19, I think. LOL! Totally overwhelmed by this thread. So: I have another 100 printed pages of manuscript left in this read through. Whew. Aiming for Sunday finish. Monday to start some trouble-shooting with only 5 weeks left before my deadline for developmental editor. Let's finish these 10-year historical fiction projects!
Go girl go!
Set in 7th Century Damascus just as the Saracens surround the city. 14 year old Alex must first endure the siege, then rescue his sister as she is dragged off to Sassanid Persia. Whew. The research has been intense. LOL! Thankfully, I have few new words to write at this point, mostly looking at the story continuity to make sure it all makes sense and is readable for the editor.
Elevator speech, right? That's what writing up a description is like and it's so hard but this sounds great. Now that I'm 4000 words in, I am working on "what am I writing again? What is the thru-line??" No matter...this is compelling. Well done.
4K words is super! Especially for HistFic! That's some great momentum.
1- Writing a middle grade fiction book about a family struggling with the mother's mental illness. Some of the book is based on my experiences growing up. I have been writing a memoir on the same topic for years, but writing this as fiction lets me add some fun things. I plan to get back to the memoir after I complete the middle grade book. No title yet.
2-Goal is 5000 words a week now. I need a swift kick in the pants to stick to this. I have the story in my head and a great start and I am excited to keep going.
3-Procrastination is my most significant challenge. I keep thinking everything else should be done before I write and I know that's not true or helpful. Also, distraction: take the dogs out for a few minutes. Oh, pick a few tomatoes. Gotta fill the bird feeder. Need to water the pots on the porch.....And reading! Once I start a great book, I am addicted and will read for an hour until I realize it.
Welcome welcome Angela: Consider this thread a swift kick. Bookmark this page so you can come back and catch up with what all the people are saying. This is going to run for 10 weeks. Tons of insights and teachings.
Make a deal with yourself: My words for the day first. And write your calls to the world on a to-do list you position next to your desk then, turn and go back to your words. Butt in chair, hands on keyboard. Get those words done then go...pick š , fill the bird feeder, water those pots and read that book in the āļø knowing you've words are done!
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
Jennifer, I have been doing okay on my progress. Not as fast as I would like, but working out some issues before continuing to write.
Yay, but you came here, you checked in and you know people have your back. That's what matters. Sending "issue-clearing" vibes. We have to ask..."give me time to write," the universe will help with this if it is truly necessary to your life and evolution.
Thanks for the kick! Looking forward to this!
Hi Angela, your middle grade novel sounds like important if difficult subject matter. I wrote a middle grade novel several years ago now and now write adult fiction. Would you like to buddy up, as Jennifer suggests? Feel free to direct message me on Substack and we can help keep each other accountable to our goals. P.S. As long as we get our own writing done, reading is also a writer's work, I firmly believe.
Day 26: With a quick and intense business trip to D.C. and now intense packing for two months away in Europe, leaving Sunday, work on my new novel in terms of writing up scenes is faltering but I am showing myself tons of compassion because self-criticism never gets anything (good) done. I have been thinking about the novel and today roughed out about 800 words of scene structure for one of my characters. And that still meets my quota of 500 words/day (and a reminder to self that I am 30k into the new novel so my recent progress thanks to this challenge has exceeded my expectations). Once I leave on my trip Sunday I will have more time to return to the world of my novel. August looks to have plenty of breathing space for more leisurely writing time, inspired by the new settings in which I am lucky enough to be visiting: Stockholm, Paris and Barcelona.
Managed 600 words today. I feel like the turtle, slowly moving along. I am writing about my first husband and how we got together while I was still in the call girl life. Crazy right?
Crazy real!
Well done.
600 works.
600 is progress
July 14: Despite a persistent headache today, wrote about 800 words in which I explored what each of the women in this novel enters the novel wanting and why.
YES! Well done. Even in pain. Sending you healing prayers. š¤šš¼ (Mom-ing you for a moment, I get those when bug is sneaking up. Antivirals + garlic when I remember). XO
I suspect there was an emotional aspect to my headache. Yesterday was 3 months since my mother died. In the immediate days following her death I had many similar physical symptoms, headaches and stomach aches. The body often know before the brain or even the heart does.
There you go. So much love to you during this intense time. Powerful transition.
Hello All! It has been a struggle this week to work on the memoir, although I've worked on my other projects - book project and Substack posts - along with traveling a bit. I'm seriously hoping to have a better handle on the book this week so I can dive back into the memoir, which has been rattling about in my brain every spare moment I have.
Yes. Showing up is 3/4 of the battle and writing is writing. An honor to have you here and sharing the truth. āļø
Amy, I'm told that even when you aren't writing, you are thinking. And if you are thinking about the book, you are working on it. And who knows what your unconscious or conscious will surprise you with this week!!!!
So true. So true!
I think today is Day 13, Wrote 1000 words today so I've reached my weekly total! I can do some revision on one of my little stories I wrote so that I can read it if I make it to the Zoom meeting Monday. Cheering everyone on. Haven't had any big insights or breakthroughs - just the experiential knowledge that the more you write, the easier it is to write. And the more you include others, like doing this challenge or Jamie Attenberg's #1000 Words of Summer, the more inspired I get. Look forward to meeting you. Sara from Paris--that international writer gumming up the works!!!
Boo-yah, baby! Well done.
"The more you write, the easier it is to write." Printing t-shirts!
Day 3 of Week 2. About 2000 words this week (while on vacation mind you!!!) Wrote a long Substack yesterday and that took up quite a chunk of my commitment.
Way to go, Sara!
I feel you! This is why I am breaking the day into two chunks. AM write. PM business. AND, want to point out that right now, I'm doing business rather than writing so it's down to discipline. "Write, Jennifer, write."
Nice work!
July 10: 1,675 words, first thinking of the scene as I swam in the pool, then capturing it longhand in my notebook, then typed up on the computer once home. This process seems to be working like magic. A pivotal childhood scene drafted for one of my main characters.
Well done. A great add to the conversation. Any tid-bit updating us is great.
Nice process, Amy. Especially swimming in the pool. I'm on my way over :-)
July 8: 973 words done and dusted. Still first draft, still getting to know these characters and their stories but the more I get to know them, the more fascinated and intrigued I find myself becoming. I want to find out what happens to them. I already care about them, a lot. Which is a good thing, since they are going to be part of my life for the next year, or two, or three (judging from past novels).
Nice! Done and dusted. Great term!
The story sounds really interesting to me. I wish you luck in connecting all the dots and getting it ready for showing off to an agent.
My project for this summer is to get what I hope will be the final edit/rewrite completed on my inaugural novel. It is about a man's quest to prove to himself what he saw in the forest is not a Sasquatch, because he believes Sasquatch doesn't exist. The quest for truth and understanding reveals greater truths about himself and about his place in his life.
The draft is done and the project should come in around 70k words, give or take. My goal is to get through a chapter a day editing and rewriting, average 3-5k words.
Of course, there's the constant self-critique and that "It's not good enough" voice whispering in my ear, but I must push to a conclusion and discover what comes next in this process. I suspect it will include agent search, shopping my work, and dealing with more harsh criticism and rejection...like I need more. Ha! Tips, commisserations and suggestions solicited and welcomed! Thanks JL
Welcome in, Andy! To be honest, that voice saying it's not good enough is a good one to listen to. It probably isn't. I don't say that to be harsh but because you have great taste but need more time to grow your craft. You've been studying craft at the Studio for what? Two minutes? The best thing is to do something for the anxiety and set it aside to keep growing which only happens by writing A LOT. Check out this video, it seriously puts things into perspective: https://vimeo.com/24715531
Hi...and here we are on day 9. How's the writing going? AND...Two minutes is a kind of tongue in cheek way to say you've just gotten started. I know you feel old but that point is time is what it takes to get better at this art form. Time/work. So...I hope that's helpful.
I know it, I don't feel it. I have stalled out, perhaps dissatisfied with what I have and where I am. I have gone back, looking at new opening chapter(s)? It's a speed bump, necessary but unwelcome. Back to it today.
That's a great prompt: Free write on the first moment you remember being dissatisfied with where you were. Do the mental download for a few minutes, letting the hand flow out the memory and then, when you land on a solid moment in time, write a scene that holds the story. Let me know how it goes!
15 minute free write...a couple of good things came out. Ego gets in the way, gotta tamp that down. I'm not trying to write War and Peace, I know my voice, my audience. I want to tell a good story well. Both have to be true to me, and I have to clear my own hurdle. Oh, and Write!!!
Go man go!
It is 6:15 am, the alarm is set for 7:00, we leave at 8:00 to see friends at the coast. I've been awake since 5:15, old bodies don't behave the same way young ones do. My first thought is of writing (adjectives deleted) so here I sit. I hear the hot water click so I break long enough to get my tea, ignore my arriving emails, and get back to {work}. I dislike the word, I am retired, I don't "work", but this need to bang on keys is a need that won't be quieted. So, back to work...
There you go! Day four update!
Up early again today, skipping the pool to polish what I will take to writing group today. My dog, Mattie, is still drugged from the meds I had to give her last night. She is terrified of loud noises, so I have learned to dislike July 4, Dec 31. Ugh, She's asleep beneath my desk, keeping my toes warm this morning. God love a dog. 1755 words before 9:00, and off to Monmouth. Good day, good start.
Your feedback is spot on, and taken to heart in the spirit intended. But, the kicker here is that I am old. I don't have the luxury of time. I want to compress time, and get good now! So, there's that. I will write, and press myself, but I doubt patience is among the virtues I will practice... Yes, 2 minutes...You're saying that's not enough?
I know it, I don't feel it. I have stalled out, perhaps dissatisfied with what I have and where I am. I have gone back, looking at new opening chapter(s)? It's a speed bump, necessary but unwelcome. Back to it today.
1. I am writing a contemporary work of literary fiction tentatively titled The Sobriety Sisters about five (or three? four?) midlife women from different parts of the country/world (or maybe they discover they are in the same city/town for the benefit of the narrative) who are put together by an algorithm in an online sobriety program. Eventually, they all discover they live in the same town and decide to meet in person. Over the course of a tumultuous year for each of them, they discover that their connection goes far beyond the desire for sobriety that initially brought them together.
2. 500-1000 words per day of scene and character sketching/rough drafts, working towards a blueprint (with the Story Genius as my guide).
3. Most significant challenge: I have written three completed novels so why doesn't getting started on a new novel get any easier? This is the bare bones of a novel for which I've yet to put a single word on the page. My biggest obstacles are two--1. Writing a novel with multiple protagonists: I have attempted this before, in an unpublished YA novel but it's been years since I flexed my writing muscles in this direction. I have read in Story Genius that even with multiple protagonists there is always one alpha protagonist, the woman around whom the story really revolves. Mulling that over. 2. Getting started--TODAY--and to keep going during a summer of a lot of travel (on the road August-September, including two weeks walking the Camino de Santiago where I'll give myself a vacation from everything:-)
Thanks for this, Jennifer!
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
Welcome in, Amy. Super happy to have you here. I'll be excited to hear your progress on the multiple POV's, so many great examples of how that's done out there. Maybe everyone reading can suggest examples (if you wanted them, Amy).
I definitely want them, thanks! Recently read Mary Alice Monroeās The Book Club, a very satisfying multiple POV read. And I am thoroughly enjoying Karen Joy Fowlerās The Jane Austen Book Club (can you tell I love book clubās & novels about them?). They show me how a club or similar initiative (like a sobriety group) can forge deep connections beyond the activity that brought these women together.
Okay, you guys, give her some ideas...
I'm seeing no ideas here but loving your ideas. Multiple POV's are tricky because they are kind of like character sketches, yes? Books I'm thinking of: American Marriage by T. Jones, The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman, and The Most Dangerous Place on Earth by Lindsey Lee Johnson (former student). Interestingly, I did this novel I'm working on now, in multiple POV's and couldn't pull it off. Every editor who rejected it said the same thing: Love her writing but...I'm lost. None had ideas how to fix it. That was in 2021 and so, here I am trying to fix it. Wishing both of us luck! š
Thanks Jennifer for chiming in on the multiple POV. Thanks for those suggestions, I will have a look. Courtney Maum, on her Substack, suggested Liane Moriarity's Nine Perfect Strangers as a novel she studies for handling multiple POV, so will look into that, too. Regarding your novel you're working on now, did you decide then to have single POV from your main protagonist? Curious. I know I am challenging myself with the multiple POVs but I'm up for it.
No, I still have multiple POV's but they are more fluid, like I've seen done in Lonesome Dove. It takes a certain amount of skill/confidence, but I'm doing it. And yes, I have one primary character who is my hero...so that helps, too.
š¦āā¬ Day 3 of challenge question: How are you doing? Word count? Anything else you want to share?
Day 2 of challenge: How did you do on Day 1? What's your plan today?
1. I am writing a memoir called Forgiving Amy that explores the price of ambition that is fueled by unmet childhood needs and what we are willing to lose or risk in the blind pursuit of achievement at any cost. <-- did it in one long run on sentence!
2. 6000 a week
3. I think I can do this by getting up early. My biggest obstacles is not waking up.
Welcome!!! Sleep. Right? We need it AND we need to get the work done. Tell your husband to text you awake, or ask the kids to be on a wake-me-up rotation ( with coffee in hand to help you out). Involving the family in your goals is very important so you have that back up support.āļø
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
Oops I missed this. I have been consistently waking up at 4:55am every weekday. I find this to be such a miraculous feet. I haven't been tracking the word count exactly. I'm paying more attention to the fact that I'm now writing almost every day. This weekend I'll be taking some extra time to myself to write since I have to drive the girls up to Portland. I'm going to stay at my brothers and do nothing but eat, write and read.
Go girl. Go. Just start at the top of the page and post your update on a fresh comment! It's kind of hard to keep this whole series of comments straight so that's my strategy. Put the date, or day of challenge in the opening. Day 16/Day 17 or whatever. XO XO XO
Day 2 of challenge: How did you do on Day 1? What's your plan today?
I woke up at 5! Worked in the book!
There you go! Hey...the flowers of f&*#ing stunning. TY TY TY.
Woke up again at 5 today! Woot!
Yes! See...here we go. 21 days makes a pattern. You've got this. There are two kinds of writers...those who talk about writing and those who WRITE. No complaints. Just words on the page. : )
Love that. I got up today and get my words in. Starting feel more like a habit already.
Thank you for this fun challenge.
1. I'm writing a novel about a woman who is searching for a new beginning in her forties and stumbles upon a dream clinic in search of a great dreamer to herd others afflicted with loss of dreams. Things go crazy from there. It's a project I kind of stumbled upon after realising I'm trying and failing to research a novel I've been thinking about for more than a decade. So I went with: write something for the sheer fun of it, without any research necessary and see what happens.
2. I'm not trying to go too fast because I know I can't, so around 2000, 3000 words a week would be great if I can achieve it.
3. I've got two huge ones, a chronic illness that takes everything out of me some days, leaving me unable to do anything other than work which brings money in, and construction work in my apartment that will probably last all summer.
Happy Fourth Day 4 š¦āā¬ Check-in: How's it going? Give an update...
Above, on my thread, I updated my own process and higher up, on the main list, added a #4 invite for everyone to find a pal here, one person you can get behind, check in with, cheer on...
Good morning to all!
I'm 150 words shy of being on track, which I'll knock out this morning before I start cooking for the day's festivities. I read some of what I had written at an online writers' group last night. It was very helpful to aid in editing!
I managed about 200 words today as well and if it weren't that late I'd have done more, but it was a really long day. At this point I feel like I'm just adding fluff. The next scene introduces a lot of characters and I'm apprehensive about it. I don't know these characters and now all of them are just going to crash the party, so to speak. The thought of this whole story seems so silly whenever I get stuck š . But it's my first time writing a novel and maybe this is how it all works.
Day 5. I managed 500 words. Trying to not let rambunctious thoughts hold me back. This exercise is teaching me to trust being present and writing even one sentence at a time.
Loving that...trust being present and writing even one sentence at a time. Truly, you are alone in this work (we all are alone as we write), but knowing others are out there and you can check in is so helpful. The trick is a bit of structure and you have it. Think of writing like working out. Each day you do it, you get a little stronger. And you are.
Yes, this is such a great analogy. The exercise also keeps doubts away. I'm focusing on the process and not the results and I've written consistently more since I started this challenge than the rest of the year put together.
Yes. That is music to my ears. š¶
Even if you wrote, "I don't know what to write, I don't know what to write, I don't know what to write," you are doing your job. Words-on-page. Don't worry about fluff. We cannot analyze while we create. And we cannot judge the strengthening of the muscle (word counts) while doing our reps. Great work adding words.
Thank you for this. It' unbelievable how soothing it is to hear it from someone else.
š¦āā¬ Day 3 of challenge question: How are you doing? Word count? Anything else you want to share?
Yesterday got away from me. Too many construction related trips and such, but I tried to make up for it today with around 400 words. I'm satiafied and I'm advancing and that's what matters.
400 is a HUGE accomplishment when you are so busy. Well done. Celebrate you.
This thing is working. Had two really hard work days and still I wrote. It wasn't much around 300 words yesterday and the same today. I knew you'd ask and couldn't just ignore the notebook š . In general these would have been days with nothing written, maybe not even a thought about the story. But I couldn't show up empty handed. Thank you.
See! Yes! That's how it goes. One is none...two is ten. The community energy fuels us (as long as we remain focused vs. falling into too much socialization/stalling/projecting). Go girl, GO!
Welcome in and I'm so happy to have you with us. UGH! Illness and construction. That is the double whammy of obstacles. Seriously. What is your plan? How are you instituting a sustainable writing schedule?
I try to write a little without setting big goals. If I can write for 10 min I will. I'm constantly telling myself that it is the first draft and all sentences at this point are good sentences. My daily goal is 30 minutes in front of this draft. If I can do that every day I'm going to advance. Any number of words is bettter than none in the end.
You've got this!
Days 6 and 7 - 6 got away from me, too many other things to do in my non writing life, but today, the 7th managed 600. It's not huge progress, but it's consistent. I'm writing a bit forced because I'm not sure what I want to happen in this scene, but I'm allowing my subcoscious to guide me. I've been pleasantly surprised before when a line pushed the whole story in a direction I hadn't expected and opened up new possibilities.
Great.
Work.
You show up to the page.
That's all that matters.
Week IV day 1- 200 words. I've been scared of just going at it without time to ponder where things are going and I'm surprised every time when I start writing with an empty head and yet the story continues in ways I'd have never expected. I've been writing almost every day, except days when I wasn't home physically, there have been a couple of those. Yet so much progress while in the past once I took a day off it was so hard to come back to it.
Day 10 Managed 500 words on a day that felt really destabilising emotionally. I even liked some of the sentences.
Day 8 was really bad physically and sad and nothing worked, then in the evening a story I had sent out got rejected. So a day of failure. But day 9 saw marked improvements. Had more energy and managed 1000 words to also make up for the previous day. I keep writing even if I'm constantly visited by intrusive thoughts about how silly this story is and how my sentences aren't pretty or valuable. I think it's valuable that I'm able to ignore them and to just finish the draft.
I still do not get 'Newest comments' anywhere. I've clicked every button there is to click. Can you tell me again, please? It's incredibly frustrating. I cant even find the post I did two and half hours ago.
Hi hi: Sorry for the frustration and I totally agree. I'm pinning the daily update to the top of the page and asking folks to update that way...hope that's helpful. Here's the cut and paste of the updated directions. And thank you for your patience as we run this challenge. It's tricky business. I'm going to ask Sarah for tips, too.
"Some additional suggestions:
Bookmark this page and watch our comment thread.
Each time you come on, comment under the most recent TOP PINNED post (this makes it easier than scrolling all the way through)."
This is at the top of the thread in the intro section...
Week 5/Day 29: I didn't meet my goal last week (week4) and it's ok, With Paris a bit crazy until Opening Night was over, being in a new part of Paris I don't know very well, finding veggie stores, etc, I'm glad I got as much done as I did.
Today is a new day, a new week. I got some good feedback on my story The Quiz that had Jennifer laughing on Zoom. I have expanded it and written 1100 words today. It's one of those things where it is funny but not a laughing matter so I had my work cut out for me!!!
I hope others are still at it. Amy G. writes at least 2 Substacks a week which is really impressive!
Other Amy is on her way to Europe and I hope to see her in Paris! We have much in common.
And more chapters of Jennifer's book came this weekend.
We are almost halfway!
Best to all,
Sara in Paris
Still wrestling the final, final scenes of my book into shape. Can't avoid them any longer...
Oh I hope you will cut and paste a little excerpt. This far into the challenge and we are all cheering you on. Final scene and all.
Dear Jennifer and Amy Brown,
I apologize for not finishing the 10-week "Get it Done" Challenge through to the end. Here is the critical thing I learned: I need to focus on one thing at a time. It is fun to jump into short programs like Jenniferās 10-Week Challenge and I always learn new things, but right now, these programs lure me away from what I feel I should focus on. Currently, I am in a good place with my middle-grade novel and have ideas and strategies to keep going. My brain needs to be in this place for now.Ā
Several short-term writing challenges have popped up and my first thought is to sign up! Woohoo! But realistically, I know now that I need to stay on the path I am on.Ā
Jennifer, I read all your books and loved them all. Your positivity and humor are a boost! Amy, thank you for reaching out with the offer to keep each other accountable. I dropped the ball and apologize for that.Ā
Angela
Angela...keep your eye where you need it and there are no apologies necessary. We write, we share, we fall, we get up and start again...pulling for you 1000% š And right here when you are ready to step in.
Thank you!
I managed to hit over 1200 words today on my upcoming Substack post, along with several entries for the book project, but nothing on the memoir. The book deadline is approaching, and I really hope to feel like that load lift once it's submitted.
Boom! Good job and yes, you have to serve the other calls in your life too. I know. Instead of writing, I just spent an hour on the phone with my kid. āļø Time...vanishing...but okay, hands to keyboard NOW...I'm going to do my best today. āļø
BTW, I don't get a message that says Newest Comments. Nothing is in any particular order for me and I can't tell if people are posting updates. Any suggestions?
Great Question Sara: This function is Ia drop down menu where Comments begins and at the very top. Tap it and you should be able to pick three options. Newest, oldest, and I most recent I believe.
Day 2 of Week 4: I wrote a long Substack on Biden, 1000 words, couldn't contain it. Now to get back to my book and writing my essays. Aiming for another 3000 words this week. Am housesitting a friend's studio apartment and with a few exceptions staying clear of Olympic craziness. Lots of time to write!!!
Writing is writing. Another voice to add to the ocean of debate, reaction, conversation about Biden. Question (or prompt): A moment you overheard your parents having strong reactions to the politics of their day. How are you the same? Different! Go...
Okay, I have momentarily changed focus. But not really. I have spent the last couple of writing sessions revising for tomorrows Summer Studio, it is the piece I sent out to Jennifer last week that she put the spotlight on. Thank you again for that Jenniferš¤Also working on the book summary for the upcoming Summer Retreat. So does this count for the writing challenge? I hope so!
July 22: another 1,000 words of scene sketching, deepening the characters' misbeliefs. It is a busy day as I prepare for business travel Tues-Wed but I will continue to spend some time with the novel in progress even while away so as not to lose momentum.
Well done, Amy.
July 21: Got another 1,700 word scene written this morning, which means 29,000 words of a first draft completed on this new novel. It is coming along with surprising energy and aliveness. I plan to keep up the momentum.
Still Day 21--I just listened to the video recording of last Monday's author challenge Get It Done. Nice to meet both Amys. One is going to visit me in Paris and the other is my partner in crime to kick each other's butts!! What a great video. I wish I could have been there. Maybe the next one will be earlier in the day and I can come before I go to sleep.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful writing. I truly look forward to hearing more.
End of Week 3, Day 21/Sunday. Back in Paris five days, it is HOT! Catching up on so many things and the lovely didn't have to work for it, inspiration was unavailable this week since I've been home. So I fell back on the old reliable--wrote my Substack. And then saw a prompt from another Substack I subscribe to and that got me going. I will squeak in at 3000 words this week. That was my minimum.
I'm sure I have 10,000 words about what it's like in Paris right now--what they probably aren't showing you on TV in the States--policemen, lots, on every corner. I didn't think they were going to let me go to my doctor's appt on Thursday. Tourists will love this but for everyday life, it is incredibly disruptive and hard to know from day to day what's going on.
I'll be housesitting for a friend starting Tuesday and will hole myself up and hopefully write.
I would LOVE it if we could start another thread. I'm completely lost now as to new posts. I don't know how to keep up with anyone. :-(
Happy writing!!!
A lockdown of a different sort! I'm so sorry but Paris is kind of...tiny and challenging the best of days. So, you'll have lots to write about for sure. Frustration after frustration. Go girl go!
July 20: Today another 1,560 words written as the novel continues to take shape. Determined to keep showing up for the work.
This is great. The novel continues to take shape. So happy.
July 19: another 1,422 turning point scene drafted in its first draft rawness, but there's good stuff there to shape into a sharper scene. Right now I am just throwing clay on the pot, not ready to shape it to its final form just yet. How is everyone else doing this Friday?
Nice job, Amy! Love that..."clay on the pot."
July 18: 1,458 word scene. It's coming along.
Fist pump! Well done.
I'm still on track:
5.5k words on week 1
5k words on week 2
on track to hit 5k for week 3
And an update on obstacles: Last time I posted I said nothing could get in my way and God apparently heard me and was like, "Yeah? You wanna test that hypothesis?" And it's been one major thing after the other these past few weeks. I mean, I'm still on track but, I tell you what: one day I'm gonna learn to keep my mouth shut. :P
Is that God? Or something else? If you are on track...that's the most important thing. Right? That is letting "nothing get in your way." Just sayin' š
386 words this morning. Oh dear. I had some crying to do. Had to tell some things first, then go back and make a scene which I could only begin after I cleared. Oh but don't you know there is more....
No tears for the writer, no tears for the readers...Frost, I believe. Hold steady. You've got this.
July 17: Another 1, 165 words drafted in a new scene for one of my protagonists. I am chipping away, scene by scene. I am getting to know them more each day and I am looking forward to spending months with them as I do justice to their stories. This is so key--for the long haul of writing a novel, I have to be in love with these characters and the world I am creating for them, I have to really care about the stakes I'm planting to test them along the way. Happy writing, everyone!
Great insight: "I have to be in love with these characters and the world I am creating for them."
July 16: Another 1,742 words done, a turning point scene for one of my characters, a scene from her past, a scene where she struggles between her desire and misbelief, with ongoing ramifications for the trajectory of her story. I am not sure where the scene will appear once I start putting the novel together, but that doesn't matter now. I'm still in the process of getting to know these characters.
So great to see this and have your face/voice in my head. Good work.
Week 3--Day 15: I will miss seeing and meeting everyone on Zoom. I will be with you in spirit. Jennifer has kindly offered to read some of my writing from last week. And I will definitely watch the recording. You are my sisters and brothers in Challenge!!
Today is my last day in Pay Basque in the south of France. Back to Paris tomorrow. It's raining (it's been raining a lot) so after a long walk, I will be able to write this afternoon.
Bon courage cet aprĆØs-midi!
Back just in time for the Olympics. Gak! Be safe, friend, write on the train. XO
July 13: Another 1,000 words of first draft scene writing. Feels like it's flowing more freely, this process of thinking through the scene in my head, writing it down by hand and then typing it up. It's the raw material from which I can build tighter scenes. Feeling it in my body before I let my brain take over.
I love that, writing by hand. I do this for prayers, and contemplation. How I wish I had the patience for it with a book. Good on you!