We’ve all talked about how we handle the whole writing process.  Sean in particular has talked about setting up a routine to crank out 1,000 words per day, by hook or by crook.  To be perfectly honest, other than setting myself a daily writing target (especially during Nanowrimo) I haven’t been overly conscious of routine in my writing. At least, until now. Like many people, I am naturally a procrastinator deep down.  When things are going well, it’s easy to sit down every night and write.  But when uncertainty sets in… watch out.  I have very little trouble  putting off what I “should be doing” for whatever catches my fancy at the moment. Case in point was the past ten days.  […]

By now, you all have probably heard that I finished my 50,000 word novel a week ago Monday.  It was with an intense sigh of relief that I “Officially” was declared a winner on the 25th.  I’ve now got the certificate and everything to prove it.  You’ve also heard that my first submission was not the success I had hoped for.  So what have I done in the intervening days? Well… I actually spent some time with my family, which was great.  They put up with me disappearing for hours on end (well, minutes, anyway) to write on the Nano project.  I still spent time with them, but not as much some days as I would have liked.  A re-evaluated […]

It has really been a rollercoaster ride this week.  I managed to (dare I say it?) break the 50,000 word mark and finish my Nano book.  That was a HUGE relief!  Literally within minutes of finishing my Nano book, I got a Fedex.  From DAW Books. For those of you don’t know, I had submitted my first manuscript to DAW back in October.  So, with a great deal of trepidation, I opened the package.  Yup, there was my manuscript and there was a note from DAW. Unfortunately, the manuscript wasn’t accepted this time.  But you know what?  I’m actually OK with it.  Yes, I am a bit disappointed, but, after all, it WAS only the first time I had sent it out.  […]

It has indeed been an interesting week.  I have both made great strides and had some challenges.  But then, so has everyone else on the team too, I’m sure. I’ve been managing a pretty brisk pace; I think I’m currently averaging about 2,600 words per day.  Is the story perfect?  Not even remotely, but as has been said before, that’s not really the point.  I know I plan to put the story away for a couple months before I come back to it to decide if it warrants editing and submission.  I think it will, but that distance will be necessary to make a (relatively) unbiased decision. Still, I have had the occasion where I struggled a bit to get the words […]