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The Summer Writer's Club Progress Report
Tori Schindler
Posted: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 12:18 AM
Joined: 3/12/2011
Posts: 40


I don't check in every day (sorry). To be honest, the last few days, I've been editing and formatting instead of writing. Yesterday, I was still in writing mode, so my word count was -146. Yeah, not exactly what I was looking for. I wrote, but. . . (Argh! My elipses points are on two lines!)  
Anyway, 1886 so far tonight, still going. That brings me to 16,079 added to this project and a feeling this book will be split in two. That's fine. 

@Atthys - everyone has their own process, I spent hours today doing research I couldn't write without, but some details you might be able to mark and look up later if you need to write now while the ideas are coming. (Is the fish in season and what's it served with? Can you fill that in later?) I'd just hate to see you spend time on details now only to cut the scene later in a revision, or lose a great idea in your head because you're on the internet looking up what wine they would choose with dinner. Good luck.

(This coming from the woman who spent hours researching the Miss America pageant and now wants to gouge out her eyes.)
Alexandria Brim
Posted: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 12:41 AM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Day 23: 328 words added today. Inching closer to the end of the book's first section.
Atthys Gage
Posted: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 10:36 AM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


Tori.  Yes.  I do try to do precisely what you said, but I get so caught up in the drama of research (also known as procrastination) that sometimes I can't help myself.  I must find out now the dimensions of the fresco at Agrotini.  It is vital!

Yeah.
JenniferMickow
Posted: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 11:12 AM
Joined: 5/18/2013
Posts: 2


I just finished the first section of my novel and am moving the characters from 1919 Atlanta, Georgia to early Hollywood. It's hard because I feel like I haven't done enough research for the next part to really take off, so I'm switching to handwriting it because it feels less formal and encourages many mistakes,  drawing pictures, and skipping over little bits.
Neelie Finn
Posted: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 12:14 PM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 78


Forgot to log in yesterday. 980 was the count. Now we'll see how today goes.

Atthys Gage
Posted: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 11:58 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


654.  A long day, with not a lot to show for it.  But hey.  I'll take it.  It's so much better than "Zero.  But I watched a lot of videos on Amazon prime."

Cheers, all.  Now I have to go clean the kitchen.  
Alexandria Brim
Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 12:43 AM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Day 24: 228 words yesterday. Fell a bit short. Just gotta pick myself back up again.
LilySea
Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 9:56 AM
Joined: 5/12/2011
Posts: 240


I don't know whether to say I have fallen off the new words wagon or made immense editing progress on already written words. Both things are true....

Tori Schindler
Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 11:35 AM
Joined: 3/12/2011
Posts: 40


3811 yesterday. Um, apparently researching the Miss America pageant was a good thing. Of course now I'm going to get sued because my Miss Illinois is of, how shall I put this? Questionable character? If the Board of Directors for Miss Illinois doesn't get me, the Board for Miss America will. And if isn't for round one of how I portray her, it'll be round two. She's a gem. So naturally it won't be the Miss America thing it'll be something else. But Miss USA is already real and how much can you change Miss Illinois? Miss North America? Canada's pretty overlooked, I can incorporate them. She needs to be from Chicago though. Sigh. That's a problem for revisions. 

@Atthys - see what I did there? problem for revisions? Yeah. My MS is littered with @Notes and I have a page-long list of bolded/highlighted "FIX THIS" notes. At this point anything NOT highlighted stands out more. It's absurd. 

And my word count might by even higher if I included research and 'fix this' notes. Sad. Today is all the laundry I didn't do yesterday, and my blog, so probably not much on my MS. We'll see. I left her hanging. She kind of deserves it. B*tch.  (I bet the real Miss Illinois is nice though. Don't read anything into this.)


Neelie Finn
Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 12:30 PM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 78


Oh, forgot to log back in yesterday with the count for the day. 346. Seems like I wrote more but maybe I deleted something? Can't tell. Oh well.

Timothy Maguire
Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 5:58 PM
Joined: 8/13/2011
Posts: 272


Did around the 500 mark today. I'm not sure where this is going, but I'm liking what I've got so far.
Neelie Finn
Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 11:27 PM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 78


I wrote three pages longhand today so that's probably about 750.

Atthys Gage
Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 11:42 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


601.   Probably done for the day. 

Writing is hard. 


Alexandria Brim
Posted: Friday, June 14, 2013 2:23 AM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Day 25: 188 words. But I did spend several hours keeping my grandmother company in the hospital (she's doing better and I was there when the doctor gave her the okay to leave come the morning).
Brandi Larsen
Posted: Friday, June 14, 2013 9:34 AM
Joined: 6/18/2012
Posts: 228


I've continued to be impressed with everyone. Keep up the good work!

As head Book Country elf, I've been writing a lot for the new site. Sadly, none of it has been for my novel. My plan is to kick things into gear this weekend.

Atthys Gage
Posted: Friday, June 14, 2013 11:53 AM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


Keep with us Brandi.  It ain't the same without you.

Neelie Finn
Posted: Friday, June 14, 2013 3:02 PM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 78


654 for today.

Timothy Maguire
Posted: Friday, June 14, 2013 9:29 PM
Joined: 8/13/2011
Posts: 272


500 words for the day.
Atthys Gage
Posted: Saturday, June 15, 2013 2:03 AM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


528 today.  Pretty good stuff, though.  I think I have the next two days planned out which ought to take me to the end of another chapter.  

Going to be a busy weekend though.  School is out, alas.  The kids are home and the wife is out of town.  Summer is not my season.  
Alexandria Brim
Posted: Saturday, June 15, 2013 3:45 AM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Day 26: 131. I hit a bit of a wall, especially as I got an idea for my main character in the shower the other day. Just trying to figure out how to proceed.
Timothy Maguire
Posted: Saturday, June 15, 2013 6:34 AM
Joined: 8/13/2011
Posts: 272


Got my 500 words done early today. Actually getting up early is surprisingly effective.
Gwenyffer
Posted: Saturday, June 15, 2013 2:56 PM
Joined: 3/16/2011
Posts: 27


Fell off plan there for a while, but I'm back! I'm determined to get this draft finished by the end of summer and I'm getting there 500(plus) words at a time : )  Topped 800 yesterday and knuckling down to make good progress today. Here's wishing good progress to all!
Atthys Gage
Posted: Saturday, June 15, 2013 4:37 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


1034 today.  Exciting stuff.  Found a way to reinforce an unlikely connection between two characters who hate each other.  Adds an interesting wrinkle.  

Over 75,000 words already.   This thing could go 125,000 but I hope not.  Hoping for less than 110 after revisions.  God, there's a lot of work ahead!  
Alexandria Brim
Posted: Sunday, June 16, 2013 4:08 AM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Day 27: 62 words yesterday, but my sleep schedule is all out of whack. I need to fix that or else I would've had time before my friend's birthday celebration to get some writing in.
Gwenyffer
Posted: Sunday, June 16, 2013 1:24 PM
Joined: 3/16/2011
Posts: 27


+529 yesterday -- I stopped counting after I hit the 500 mark. Today's task is revising/smoothing the next scene (lifted from 1st draft). Nearly there. Then, decisions for the next scene -- which at least I can ponder while I sneak in some house work. If anyone figures out how to get more hours into a day, please let me know!


Brandi Larsen
Posted: Sunday, June 16, 2013 5:31 PM
Joined: 6/18/2012
Posts: 228


1967 over today and yesterday. Just passed 14K after a little break. Feeling awesome and happy.

I'm so proud of and inspired by everyone here.


Timothy Maguire
Posted: Sunday, June 16, 2013 7:33 PM
Joined: 8/13/2011
Posts: 272


500 words today, pushing me past the 5k limit for this chapter. Hoping to get it finished in the next day or two.
Atthys Gage
Posted: Sunday, June 16, 2013 8:38 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


Wrote a lot sitting in my car.  Have to transcribe it to make it official but I should be close to 5K for the week.  I can't imagine not feeling good about a 5000 word week.  
Neelie Finn
Posted: Sunday, June 16, 2013 11:22 PM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 78


eek-363 for the weekend-need to make up for it tomorrow!

Alexandria Brim
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 1:36 AM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Day 28: Got myself somewhat back on track with 238 words. Brings the week total to 1478 words.
Atthys Gage
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:22 AM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


707.  

 A few words short of five thousand, but overall, a good week.  A good three weeks actually.  

Tired, now.
Atthys Gage
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 12:42 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


Report from the Front.
Monthly productivity:  18,489 words.
      79  pages
Ave. per day:      660 words
Quality:      Acceptable

Yes.  It's been a month (or four weeks).  I realize this is little more than a fair to middling day for Becca Blain, but for me that's progress.  That is, no exaggeration, more new words than I'd written in the year prior.  

Quality?  Good in places, iffy in others, but none of that matters.  I know I can go back and make it shine.  That's never been a big problem. The problem was trying to revise pages that didn't exist.  

I'm going to keep on keeping on.  Being summer, with kids home and all, I doubt I'll be able to maintain the discipline, but I aim to try.  Even if the pace falls off, I don't want to lose my forward momentum.  

That is all.  I hope you all feel good about your progress as well.  


LilySea
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 12:55 PM
Joined: 5/12/2011
Posts: 240


I'm counting a 1000+ word blog post because...Hey, it was words.

Atthys Gage
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 5:42 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


Congratulations on your book deal, Lily.  I liked your interview.
Steve Yudewitz
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 8:20 PM
Joined: 4/28/2011
Posts: 24


Over 2200 words over the last 7 days.  Still plugging away.

Timothy Maguire
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 9:38 PM
Joined: 8/13/2011
Posts: 272


Got my 500 words in finally. Going to count up the different projects I'm counting for this to see what I've done. I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised.
Gwenyffer
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:15 PM
Joined: 3/16/2011
Posts: 27


wow - so great seeing everyone's progress! everyone's really sticking with it!
Got my pages revised yesterday and +500 for today. I have a little more work to go in this scene before I call it a day and finish tomorrow...but I'm being terribly distracted by this hockey game.  In a strange way, I'm looking forward to end of season so I can really knuckle down : )
Meanwhile, happy writing everyone!
Neelie Finn
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 11:37 PM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 78


426 today-

Alexandria Brim
Posted: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 12:25 AM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Day 29: 400 words. Much better than the weekend.
Neelie Finn
Posted: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 2:31 PM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 78


Just wrote 1155. Trying to make up for a low word count weekend!

Timothy Maguire
Posted: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 6:04 PM
Joined: 8/13/2011
Posts: 272


Got my 500 words in for the day. Should finish the chapter tomorrow (when I work out how)
Atthys Gage
Posted: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 7:24 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


Didn't check in yesterday because my total (197) was nothing to crow about.  It was a rough day and I was trying to effect a successful merge between declarative discourse and interrogative without resorting to the existential there...

Alright, I was just kind of goofing around a lot.  But I made up for it today with 951 words, so I'm back on track.  Also a new chapter.  Also a new character (well, one that has been out of the picture for the last 150 pages.  A welcome return.)  
TPNiedermann
Posted: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 11:21 PM
Joined: 2/21/2013
Posts: 40


I'm tardy to join this group. I am writing a new book  I know (don't we all) will do well. My goal is 1000 to 2000 words a day, which I can do easily if nobody interrupts me. Aye, there's the rub! Not just people, but life itself is against me (us). I spend over two hours two days consecutively at the DMV, have relatives visit, do errands for people out of the generosity of my soft heart, and  . . . well the best laid plans of mice and writers go to Hell. I have 7500 words in June, basically 400 a day. OK but not stellar--I'm writing a thriller, not a book for literary parties. Less than 100,000 words and all you get are yawns. Know any cheap writers' colonies, anyone?
Alexandria Brim
Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 12:24 AM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Day 30: 315 words written. To quote the great London Tipton, "Yay me!"
Atthys Gage
Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 12:55 AM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


Welcome to the group, TP.  Personally, 1 to 2 K per day is a way higher average than I've ever managed but anyone can join and more power to you!   I'm about 80,000 words into a rough draft that could easily go 120, so still a long way to go, but it's been working for me so far.  

Cheers
Atthys Gage
Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 8:12 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


749 words today.  I'm nearing one of those crucial scenes that I have been picturing since the book's conception.  Two more days, maybe.   I don't know whether to push harder to get to it or slow down and keep it at arm's length.  

I'll let you know. 
Timothy Maguire
Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 8:34 PM
Joined: 8/13/2011
Posts: 272


600 words today. A little extra effort today got me to the end of the chapter, which is nice. Now I can go back to Dyson University and look at it with fresh eyes.
Alexandria Brim
Posted: Thursday, June 20, 2013 12:19 AM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Day 31: 293 words written. Stalled a little looking for paintings of the Howe brothers in order to describe them accurately.
Andrea Matthews
Posted: Thursday, June 20, 2013 2:14 AM
Joined: 6/8/2013
Posts: 25


I just started revising the second chapter of Thunder on the Moor and completed 686 words.  I do so hate this stage of the writing process, but I know it has to be done, so thanks for making it more interesting.

Neelie Finn
Posted: Thursday, June 20, 2013 6:42 PM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 78


Forgot to log in yesterday with my 283 words. Need to make up for that today!

 

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