Monday, July 13, 2015

Ready. Set. Write! Update July 13


Ready. Set. Write! is a summer writing intensive that encourages goal-setting and accountability, and provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at with our writing projects—planning, drafting, revising, or polishing.  This year, your RSW hosts are Alison MillerJaime MorrowErin FunkElodie Nowodazkij, and Katy Upperman. All the details are HERE

Also check out #RSWrite on twitter.

Now it's time for GOALS and CHECK IN!



1.  How I did on last week’s goals:
  • Camp NaNoWriMo: Add 5-8k words. I have some after work stuff and weekend plans , so I may need to do adjusting. Slight chance I could be gone all day Saturday.
    • No; I added about 1k to the Camp Nano project. After I posted these goals last Monday, my agent sent me notes on another manuscript, so my priorities shifted! I have a checklist of edits that I'm roughly half-way through. Busy editing now rather than new words.
  • Send out chapter sample for critique group next week, read & critique work
    • Not yet; I plan to do this today after figuring out which section from my current edits to send. Will read critiques tomorrow for meeting on Wednesday!
  • Turn in workshop proposal for RWA Spring Fling (Chicago area May 2016)
    • Haha...nope. BUT I have the outline. I need to do a little more coordinating with the panelists first.
  • Read for fun 1/2 hr to 1 hour a day (either lunch or before bed)
    • Yes! I read every day except yesterday.
  • Gym 3 days, other exercise 2-3 days
    • I made it once and I walked one day. I got sick for a few days which threw off everything. This was a week of adjustments!
2.  My goal(s) for this week:
  • Make it at least 2/3 of the way through my edit checklist. Ideally, I'd like to finish edits, but I want to be realistic! 
  • Submit my critique chapter, read critiques prior to meeting Wednesday
  • Submit Spring Fling proposal
  • Get a jump on packing for RWA National Conference next week in NYC!
  • Gym 3 days, other exercise 1-2 days.
3.  A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised:

  • In edits: Too many named minor characters. As usual. Goodbye and delete!
4.  The biggest challenge I faced this week:
  • I didn't mind switching gears with different projects, but I didn't feel well for a couple days and I hate having to take it easy when I have stuff to do. Such is life.
5.  Something I love about my WiP:
  • I'm glad my agent sees promise in the MS she turned back to me. Her editorial notes are so helpful. I really needed a fresh perspective.
One more thing! Chat about summer reading on Twitter this Thursday 7/16 8pm EST with myself and fellow Bloomsbury Spark authors:



Please share what you've been writing, reading, or plan to do for the next week. Don't forget to check the other blogs linked above and provide support!

14 comments:

  1. So your goals shifted this week, but from the sounds of it, you're doing great checking off those edits! And still managed to draft some new words. Awesome! I can't imagine how great it would be to have fresh perspective on something you've been working on for a while. I don't know about you, but it all kind of becomes blurred, and I just can't see my WiP clearly after working on it for so long. I suppose that's where CPs and betas are also handy. Sounds like you have a busy week ahead of you. Good luck with all of your goals, Stephanie! :-)

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    1. Yes, the blur is a real thing. Ha! I have some focus on the edits since the agent gave me specific feedback. Now that I've done this a few times, I know when I'm facing "OMG I'm never going to see daylight" type edits or, this will take some work, but it's manageable.

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  2. Best of luck with the edits! I find edits or CP/beta notes always hit my inbox as soon as I hit my stride with a new project - such is life! Sounds like you've got a great mindset about it, so hopefully this week will be productive. :)

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  3. Ha--too many named minor characters. My problem is that I call my characters by too many names--last, first, first and last, Mr. last, etc. :) Good luck this week!

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    1. Ah the quirks other people bring to our attention :)

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  4. Sounds like you got a lot done in spite of having to shift focus. :) It's awesome that your agent's response was so helpful. Good luck this week and no more getting sick!

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  5. Sorry you were sick last week, but I hope you're feeling better now. Good luck on your revisions this week! :)

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  6. I can completely relate to having to switch gears once you get back an editorial letter from your agent! Hope the edits go quickly and easily for you :). Have fun at RWA!!

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  7. Switching gears can be SO HARD, but it still looks like you achieved a lot. Good luck this week and have a great time at the RWA conference next week.

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  8. I feel like we writers are so hard on ourselves when it comes to rest/break times -- like the only reason we should not be working is if our fingers have fallen off and we've lost the ability to type! (But then we'd probably turn to dictation, or finding some poor sucker to type for us...) It is hard to step away, but when you're sick, you're sick, and things are always better after the rest. You still managed to accomplish a lot even with being under the weather! Well, I hope you feel all better now and ready to kick those edits' ass :) I'm sure you will!

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    1. Yes, I am hardest on myself for sure. I network with many hardworking writers who have more going on outside of writing than I do, so that also adds motivation and sometimes pressure. My own pressure.

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  9. Life shifts, we shift--changing goals is necessary sometimes. And so is taking it easy even if we don't want to. I can't write when I'm sick. The brain just doesn't work, and there's no use arguing with it. Still, you got a lot done. And yay for edits!

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  10. Sounds like you adjusted to your shifting goals well this week, Stephanie! And congrats on the exciting editorial notes from your agent. It must feel great when an agent just clicks with your story like that. :) Have a great writing week!

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