tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post8020866948192394878..comments2023-05-24T08:06:43.882-04:00Comments on Romance Writer's Revenge: Getting Ready to WriteTerri Osburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176989488447450585noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-87508420994263805812011-11-15T19:27:35.000-05:002011-11-15T19:27:35.000-05:00May I add... Riding the Promotional Cruiser to the...May I add... Riding the Promotional Cruiser to the next stop. And the next. And the next. And the next. And the next. And the next. And the next. And the next. And the next...<br><br>It's the must promote the book that is out right now before working on the next book...<br><br>Or books.<br><br>I work hard at avoiding that one. I don't always win.2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-9198095710915524102011-11-15T23:22:34.000-05:002011-11-15T23:22:34.000-05:00That's good idea, to prepare for writing. I tr...That's good idea, to prepare for writing. I try to sprint with friends now. So we meet online at 8 pm, write 20 minutes, chat for 5 minutes and another 20 min etc. It's quite motivating.<br><br><a href="http://steamyfantasy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"> My Darcy Vibrates…</a>Enid Wilsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-81304378454031702872011-11-16T02:54:30.000-05:002011-11-16T02:54:30.000-05:00I think something that works for me is setting asi...I think something that works for me is setting aside a time during the day that I write. I don't have a lot of "alone time" so I designate an hour of that alone time to writing every day. It doesn't sound like a lot, but you can write 1000 words in an hour. Books can be written 1000 words (or 100 words) at a time, in a given hour every day. My hour is the one right after the kids go to bed. By the time I settle in, it's about 9 every day. <br><br>If I think of it like, "this is my writing time" when I'm not writing it's like when I think, "this is my time to shower" or "this is my time to clean the bathroom." I feel guilty. And, well, I was raised Catholic. I don't need anymore guilt, thankyouverymuch.Marnee Baileyhttp://marneebailey.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-56667309724954111902011-11-16T03:49:05.000-05:002011-11-16T03:49:05.000-05:00Loving this Donna. Especially "a girding of t...Loving this Donna. Especially "a girding of the mental loins"<br><br>My trick (and this only works because I'm a morning person) is to stumble to the coffee pot, then sit down, and immediately start writing. Before I'm fully awake, before I've opened email or facebook (cause once I open either, 30 minutes has elapsed and half my writing time is gone).<br><br>I'm like Marn - I have one hour a day I try to dedicate to straight-up writing. My hour is from 5:30 - 6:30 am, but that's just me :) What I really should do is look at it after the kiddo is in bed, and then sleep on it, because that way when I wake up, my subconscious has done all the hard work for me and I can just start typing!halnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-36336547440303077092011-11-16T03:53:11.000-05:002011-11-16T03:53:11.000-05:00I should have also said - one of the things that r...I should have also said - one of the things that really helps me is knowing there is an absolute end to my writing time. At 6:40, I must be moving to get ready to make it to work on time, so I find myself watching the clock and pushing to get in "just a few more sentences" before my time's up. If I had no firm end-time, I'd procrastinate forever!halnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-63807589831004676842011-11-16T04:20:10.000-05:002011-11-16T04:20:10.000-05:00Chance, I like the idea of a "Promotional Cru...Chance, I like the idea of a "Promotional Cruiser" -- if it's the kind that comes with a hot cop and blue and red sirens on it. :)<br><br>You're right that promotion can eat up the writing time. And it's not like you can NOT do it. It would be tempting, though, to do it and let a troublesome story (one that's not cooperating) slide for a bit. LOLDonnahttp://www.AllAboutTheWriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-81205265800107744542011-11-16T04:22:13.000-05:002011-11-16T04:22:13.000-05:00Enid, the online writing sprint works really well ...Enid, the online writing sprint works really well for me too. I do the #1k1hr with friends on Twitter, and it's great because of the time limit, AND the reporting back in at the end of the hour. (Not that they will do anything awful if I don't sit down and write, but still. LOL)<br><br>I think the socializing aspect of it is very important too. It's good to hang out with other writers, since they know what we're going through better than anyone else. :)Donnahttp://www.AllAboutTheWriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-12132423706241091322011-11-16T04:24:32.000-05:002011-11-16T04:24:32.000-05:00Marn, I agree with you in how much you can get don...Marn, I agree with you in how much you can get done in one hour of writing. That was one of the best lessons of previous NaNo experiences, realizing how little time I actually needed to get the word count done each day.<br><br>It sounds like your writing time is something to look forward to, and that's a good thing. We don't need any more guilt. There's enough of that swarming around us as it is. LOLDonnahttp://www.AllAboutTheWriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-39447501461064442522011-11-16T04:30:04.001-05:002011-11-16T04:30:04.001-05:00Hal, I love your trick! I try to follow it, but I&...Hal, I love your trick! I try to follow it, but I'm weak -- I always have to check my blog stats first. LOL I try to do my writing in the morning, since I usually don't have to leave REALLY early on most days. It's kind of a treat to sit with my coffee and tap away at the keyboard. And the day seems to go more smoothly when I know I've already gotten some word count in.<br><br>The other night I was falling asleep while brainstorming a new story, and it was fun to wake up and start writing down all the "and then this happened and that happened" things that my brain was shooting at me. LOL<br><br>I completely agree on the value of having a set "end time". We're contrary creatures, and there's nothing more motivating than saying "you can't do this anymore" and all of a sudden we need more of it! LOL I'm always pushing the time boundaries. I think it's good to leave our characters and stories in the midst of the action, so that we're both anxious to get back into it.Donnahttp://www.AllAboutTheWriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-77564368076928531282011-11-16T04:30:04.000-05:002011-11-16T04:30:04.000-05:00I'm infamous for not going to bed until the su...I'm infamous for not going to bed until the sun is coming up. I'm more of a night owl than an early bird. Hal, your hour sounds like a wonderful plan but not even four pots of coffee could get my fingers moving at 5:30am. But I do the same thing, opposite time of the day. My hour is after the house is quiet. Usually 11:30- 12:30 (1ish). I require little sleep and my brain seems to be creative late. Only problem is that I get sucked into writing and seem to lose track of time. <br><br>NaNo this year has taught me that I am capable of writing in large chunks. And I'm still capable of writing a story when I'm motivated to do so. And since I've had a schedule change and now the Undead Monkey gets home 2 hours earlier than he used to, I'm really forced into time slotted writing time. <br><br>This gives me time to think my next scene in my head before I go back to my office and start writing. Also gives me time to decompress and read for a couple of hours.Sinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-25166272833211042002011-11-16T04:41:22.000-05:002011-11-16T04:41:22.000-05:00Sin, I am a nightowl by nature too, and I would pr...Sin, I am a nightowl by nature too, and I would prefer to do some of my writing in those wee hours. I haven't been able to do it like that as much lately and I'm trying to figure out why. <br><br>NaNo was a revelation to me about being able to write 2k words in a short time frame, and now that's always the goal I strive for. The only thing I can't seem to do very well in short chunks of time is revising. That requires a longer time to keep all the continuity-type stuff straight in my head. But there are smaller bits of editing and revising that can be done in the shorter hours, something I have to remind myself of all the time. LOL<br><br>Hope NaNo is doing well for you! I couldn't squeeze it in this year, even though I thought I could. *sad face*Donnahttp://www.AllAboutTheWriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-66982544703930172822011-11-16T04:48:17.000-05:002011-11-16T04:48:17.000-05:00It's okay. NaNo is one of those things you can...It's okay. NaNo is one of those things you can ALWAYS do next year. <br><br>I'm doing the ship proud for NaNo. I'm projected to win by Sunday.Sinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-24118228974126787622011-11-16T04:50:19.000-05:002011-11-16T04:50:19.000-05:00Sin, you ARE doing us proud. Wow. Impressive!Sin, you ARE doing us proud. Wow. Impressive!Donnahttp://www.AllAboutTheWriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-64314590619666310522011-11-16T05:52:57.000-05:002011-11-16T05:52:57.000-05:00Sorry I'm late. Feel like doo-doo and contempl...Sorry I'm late. Feel like doo-doo and contemplating taking a sick day. No idea what this is (not a cold) but it's not fun.<br><br>I'm fortunate in that I don't have to work around a toddler's schedule or a spouse's schedule. I do have to work around the day job, but since writing in a cardboard box would be uncomfortable (and probably not have wifi) I deal with it.<br><br>Once I could see publication as a reality in my brain, the procrastination cut way back. I've been dreading deadlines for years and turns out I'm better when I have one. Who'd a thunk?<br><br>I write at night, generally from 7/8 to 10/11. I can turn out close to 2K on a good night or I might struggle to get 600 in that same period of time. But it's all progress, so I'll take it. Of course now I'm hitting the revision stage, no idea how to judge that. One chapter at a time, I guess.Bosunhttp://www.terriosburn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-61607609798815400962011-11-16T05:54:33.000-05:002011-11-16T05:54:33.000-05:00Sin is kicking NaNo ass, as usual. It's like s...Sin is kicking NaNo ass, as usual. It's like she has this down to a science!Bosunhttp://www.terriosburn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-77006284025416685432011-11-16T06:19:23.000-05:002011-11-16T06:19:23.000-05:00I envy people who can write in twenty-minute incre...I envy people who can write in twenty-minute increments. I do nothing but spin metaphoric wheels when I try that. I need at least an hour to write. Anything less and I suffer brain freeze.<br><br><br>I'm an owl too, and even though I can pretty much set my own schedule these days, I find that I'm most productive when I write through the wee hours and sleep in the next morning. Unfortunately right now I'm writing all day to meet a deadline for stuff that pays and this writing silences the voices that fuel the wee-hour, may-pay-someday writing.Janganoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-57070202478169755092011-11-16T06:25:38.000-05:002011-11-16T06:25:38.000-05:00I'm with Chance, in that the guilt that I'...I'm with Chance, in that the guilt that I'm not promoting enough, that I should be Tweeting and FBing, devours loads of writing momentum. The Internet is a horrible, evil distraction, addiction, even. Suggestion #1 is particularly useful to me.<br><br>But clutter? Dust bunnies? Lost socks? I'm a slob. Order makes me nervous and my dust bunnies have evolved into elephants.P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-3947856112224001532011-11-16T07:04:26.000-05:002011-11-16T07:04:26.000-05:00The science to NaNo: Never let yourself get stuck....The science to NaNo: Never let yourself get stuck. Always jump. Never over think.Sinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-78378783384381635162011-11-16T08:01:46.000-05:002011-11-16T08:01:46.000-05:00Pat - Yeah, that promotional stuff is a drag. And ...Pat - Yeah, that promotional stuff is a drag. And even when I'm not doing it, I spend way too much time brainstorming how to do it and what to do. Instead of writing.<br><br>Time to leave that behind and get back to the enjoyment of writing. Make peace with my sales numbers and look forward...<br><br>Seriously thinking of dropping most every yahoo group I belong to, I think that would be a great step for me to take. They depress me.2nd Chancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-2580102050352343212011-11-16T08:30:41.000-05:002011-11-16T08:30:41.000-05:00Terri, sorry to hear you're sick. There's ...Terri, sorry to hear you're sick. There's some weird bugs going around. I went to bed last night at 9 p.m. (unheard of for me -- that should have given me a clue! LOL) Then I woke up at 2 a.m. with the worst earache.<br><br>I've dreaded deadlines too, but then realized having that drop-dead place is good, since I'd just keep fiddling around or trying things instead of getting things done.<br><br>Revision has to be measured differently -- it takes longer to accomplish since it requires being more methodical, going word by word, etc. The end result is worth it though (especially when you can say "I'm done!" and move on to another project. LOL)Donnahttp://www.AllAboutTheWriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-4101187845647709582011-11-16T08:32:41.000-05:002011-11-16T08:32:41.000-05:00Janga, I sympathize with the "paying writing&...Janga, I sympathize with the "paying writing" silencing the other writing. I've always wondered if that would be the case, and you're right. So I'm kinda glad I have a different creative job, so that writing can stay more enjoyable.<br><br>The shorter writing spurts are good for getting down a scene that might be spinning around in my head (before it has a chance to spin away entirely). But I think an hour is the best.Donnahttp://www.AllAboutTheWriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-91382725526298653412011-11-16T08:35:30.001-05:002011-11-16T08:35:30.001-05:00Pat, we should open a dust zoo! So we can display ...Pat, we should open a dust zoo! So we can display all our dust bunnies and elephants and actually make them produce some income for us. LOL<br><br>It's tough to promote, that's for sure. Even those of us who aren't published yet have to make a name for ourselves, so that when we have something to sell, hopefully we've already built up some goodwill. Luckily it can be enjoyable, but it does take up a lot of time that used to be devoted simply to writing.Donnahttp://www.AllAboutTheWriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-27967236829090193602011-11-16T08:35:30.000-05:002011-11-16T08:35:30.000-05:00Sin, I agree about not overthinking. That's wh...Sin, I agree about not overthinking. That's why I enjoyed NaNo, and it's what I like about being a pantser. I can do the thinking later, after the story surprises me with its twists and turns.Donnahttp://www.AllAboutTheWriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-30956755405751250942011-11-16T08:36:40.000-05:002011-11-16T08:36:40.000-05:00Chance, I agree -- drop the things that aren't...Chance, I agree -- drop the things that aren't bringing you joy. There's only so many hours to devote to the internet, so make sure it's what makes you happy, or is worth the promotional time. You've got lots of stories to tell. Make that your focus. :)Donnahttp://www.AllAboutTheWriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-91073949288915867612011-11-16T08:53:19.001-05:002011-11-16T08:53:19.001-05:00Seriously thinking of dropping most every yahoo gr...<i>Seriously thinking of dropping most every yahoo group I belong to, I think that would be a great step for me to take. They depress me.</i><br><br>Yeah. It takes a lot of emotional energy. Thing is, the kind of promo I should do--chats, guest blogs, blog tours, giveaways--bore the crap out of me. (And honestly, I probably do next to none of my own book buying based on that kind of thing. So it's hard to get excited about it.) I do, however, love lurking and commenting at various blogs, FB and Twitter. But even those can suck up a lot of writing time.<br><br>Honestly, I've love to go silent for a couple of months. But I've got the new book coming out in January. Sigh.P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/noreply@blogger.com