Amy Jacobson's Blog - Posts Tagged "progress"
Deadline
The worst thing that can happen to a writer is the old "writer's block". The best thing, in my opinion, is a great writing day. Yesterday was one of those days.
I have a seriously bad habit of starting a story, and then putting it aside (only to forget about it). Months ago I had two characters pop in my head that I just could not forget about. I started putting their story on paper and made progress, but then I just stopped.
I let life get in the way. Unfortunately, for my two characters, I was getting in the way of their life. They have been nagging at me to get back to bringing them to life. Well, yesterday I dug up the writing I had thrown to the side (I am sorry Madison & Avery). Oh, yes, when I "write" I actually write. I was able to put on paper an entire chapter yesterday and really start bringing life into these two women.
I have set myself a deadline for my draft, February 28, 2014. Yes, I am quite aware that it is only 24 days away, but I tend to work best under pressure. It is not fair to myself, or my characters (Madison & Avery) to be put on a shelf and never thought about. Life needs to be breathed into these two and I plan to do that.
I will keep you up to date as I make more progress with the story. I am excited to see the finish work, and to share it with the world. This will be my first time leaving the world of short stories, and I am so glad I decided to use this tale to use as my plunge into the deep end.
I have a seriously bad habit of starting a story, and then putting it aside (only to forget about it). Months ago I had two characters pop in my head that I just could not forget about. I started putting their story on paper and made progress, but then I just stopped.
I let life get in the way. Unfortunately, for my two characters, I was getting in the way of their life. They have been nagging at me to get back to bringing them to life. Well, yesterday I dug up the writing I had thrown to the side (I am sorry Madison & Avery). Oh, yes, when I "write" I actually write. I was able to put on paper an entire chapter yesterday and really start bringing life into these two women.
I have set myself a deadline for my draft, February 28, 2014. Yes, I am quite aware that it is only 24 days away, but I tend to work best under pressure. It is not fair to myself, or my characters (Madison & Avery) to be put on a shelf and never thought about. Life needs to be breathed into these two and I plan to do that.
I will keep you up to date as I make more progress with the story. I am excited to see the finish work, and to share it with the world. This will be my first time leaving the world of short stories, and I am so glad I decided to use this tale to use as my plunge into the deep end.
Deadline, Part II
“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”
― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt
I find that quote perfectly fitting for my writing these days. I try to set deadlines, only to miss them in the end. Why do we writers do this to ourselves?
Lately I have been forced to look at things more realistically. Although I would love to have my novel (my first) finished sooner rather than later, I do not want this at the cost of the quality. I have been working very hard at getting as much writing in as possible and have even managed to make it through what will most likely be the biggest and most important scene in my story. Everything should be (hopefully) down hill from here.
I am now working a new job and this has greatly impacted the amount of writing time I have. That said, I have made sure to do at least an hour's worth of writing a day. I have also come up with a more realistic deadline (okay, okay, I know, but I must give myself a deadline) of June 17. I picked this date not only because it seems plausible task, but it is my 33rd birthday and it seems to me like there would be no better way to celebrate than with a finished manuscript.
Enough about me, any suggestions? How do you manage to make a deadline? Any routine you follow?
Thanks, Amy Jacobson
― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt
I find that quote perfectly fitting for my writing these days. I try to set deadlines, only to miss them in the end. Why do we writers do this to ourselves?
Lately I have been forced to look at things more realistically. Although I would love to have my novel (my first) finished sooner rather than later, I do not want this at the cost of the quality. I have been working very hard at getting as much writing in as possible and have even managed to make it through what will most likely be the biggest and most important scene in my story. Everything should be (hopefully) down hill from here.
I am now working a new job and this has greatly impacted the amount of writing time I have. That said, I have made sure to do at least an hour's worth of writing a day. I have also come up with a more realistic deadline (okay, okay, I know, but I must give myself a deadline) of June 17. I picked this date not only because it seems plausible task, but it is my 33rd birthday and it seems to me like there would be no better way to celebrate than with a finished manuscript.
Enough about me, any suggestions? How do you manage to make a deadline? Any routine you follow?
Thanks, Amy Jacobson
Wednesday Word Count
I am still working on my draft. To keep myself motivated and to have to account for my progress, I am officially making Wednesdays word count day. Every Wednesday, I will give an update on my progress in the form of a word count (proof that I am still working).
First Wednesday Word Count...
16,574
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
18,188 words
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
19,589 Words
Wednesday, 17 September 2014
27,438
First Wednesday Word Count...
16,574
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
18,188 words
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
19,589 Words
Wednesday, 17 September 2014
27,438
Word Count Wednesday, Round 2 (Last Update 5/13/15)
I started a new book on April 28. I have been working hard and getting a lot accomplished, so I think it's time to bring back Word Count Wednesday. What is that? Exactly what it sounds like. Every Wednesday I will give an update on where I am in my writing through my word count as a way to hold myself accountable and to keep me going. So here goes...
Wednesday, May 6, 2015: 7,026 Words
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Wednesday, 13 May 2015: 10,251 Words
It's been a buys week, and while I may not have completed as many words on the new novel as I'd liked, I've been productive. I added 3,225 words to my current novel in progress. I also got much brain storming and outlining completed, further molding the story. On top of that, on Friday night, I wrote a 836 word short story that's very promising. Well, more updates next week.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015: 7,026 Words
-----------------------------------------
Wednesday, 13 May 2015: 10,251 Words
It's been a buys week, and while I may not have completed as many words on the new novel as I'd liked, I've been productive. I added 3,225 words to my current novel in progress. I also got much brain storming and outlining completed, further molding the story. On top of that, on Friday night, I wrote a 836 word short story that's very promising. Well, more updates next week.
