I have to say, these weekly check-ins are very motivating!
The friends are rockin' their progress:
This week was the Week-of-Doing-Other-Things.
I love Sekrit Project - it seriously is on my mind all the time. But once you've got more than one story in the works, especially if one of them is already published, that slice of time devoted to writing gets more complicated. There's promotions to be done for the novel-that's-published. There's querying to be done for the novel-that's-ready-but-not-published. There's side projects, and shiny new ideas that crowd in and want their own bit of that time slice.
And that doesn't include the regular stuff: reading and writing blogs, critiquing for writer friends, and maybe even reading a novel or two (*gasp*).
I did finally make it to the end of Act I of Sekrit Project, so I'm happy about that. And the rest of this week has been allotted to Sekrit Project, so much writing will occur soon. Which is a good thing, since I've used half my time and only written 1/3 of the words!
Here's the weekly Word-o-Meter for Sekrit Project (increments are 5k):
Check back next Tuesday for our progress updates!
p.s. For those of you whose browsers dislike my Word-o-Meter, I've logged 15,869 words toward my 50-60k goal.
I hear ya on struggling the constant jumble of social media, writing and daily life. When you've figured out a schedule that is successful, let me know! Lol!
ReplyDeleteyay!!! i can finally see your o'meter!! whoohoo!
ReplyDeleteyou're doing excellent, susan! keep it up!
I'm trying to get into a more regular schedule of drafting while in the query process. For now, I'm sticking to Anne Lamott's 300 words a day minimum.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your progress so far!
@Lisa LOL! Yeah, my latest attempt is to try to stick to one thing each day (either marketing or drafting or querying). At least I feel less crazy.
ReplyDelete@aspiring I wonder what's different? #nothingIdid :)
@Laurel Whatever works! I do think it's great that you're drafting while querying though - takes your mind off it!
Posts like this make me thankful for where I am in the writing process- no pressure yet from anyone but me! :) As wonderful as it would be to have a published book, I realize that it adds a lot of pressure to your schedule and more juggling. I'm not even querying yet! (though goal is Sept.) Keep up the great work and take notes along the way so you can help me when I sprawl into that stage :)
ReplyDelete@Margo Yes! Enjoy the part you are in now, because it truly is one of the best parts. And best of luck with querying in the fall!!
ReplyDeleteYou are cruising, Susan! Keep it up. :-)
ReplyDelete@Shannon Thanks for the encouragement! :)
ReplyDeleteShiny New Idea is definitely crowding my space... pains in the arse... and Sekrit always makes me think of how Bill and Ted pronounced Socrates (So Crates)... oh, and, oh yeah, awkward hi after my long absence.... you are rockin' the blogwaves (among other SN activities). Nice.
ReplyDelete@Bane Welcome back, my friend! And congrats on your agenting! :)
ReplyDeleteJuggling is tough. I'm currently juggling being sick. Ugh...but that's okay. I'm still plugging away. :) I need to send you something soon, Sue. I'll email.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I just stopped by to check out your writing progress from #ninjachat. It looks like you have been very productive. Just reading your post motivates me to get busy with my own writing.
ReplyDeleteOne month?! Impressive. Too much pressure for me. Good luck with the rest of it!
ReplyDelete@Sheri I get so mad when I get sick, cuz I just can't get all the stuff done. Get better soon!
ReplyDelete@Susan I'm glad it was motivating! I need to check in with the ninjas!
@Theresa I tend to overschedule, it's true. But I don't put too much pressure on myself - I can only do what I can do.
Yay Susan!! I totally understand the distraction of 'stuff' - writing gets more complicated the longer we do it, it seems. I deliberately took a few days off from the Twitter and Facebook and even missed a blog post (gasp!) because I truly needed the 'silence' of life off-line (well, with 3 kids and a full-time job plus a reno going on, relative silence). It did help me focus more of the time on working on the wip from H*ll.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are chugging along so well!
Nelsa
Your blog is so pretty Susan. Sorry it's been a while since I last visited! And hey, we all know how quickly and easily time gets whittled away. You're doing awesome!
ReplyDelete@Nelsa Unplugging has serious merits - that's why I take a blogger vacation every once in a while. It really does reorient the brain! p.s. condolences on doing the renovation - I'm looking at doing some over the summer (with dread).
ReplyDelete@Ali Thanks for your sweet words! I just spiffed up here recently. :)
It's funny, I'm starting to think Sekrit Project might actually be a really good title...
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the name of your WIP. Sekrit Project. Awesome. I'm glad it's coming along. I need to do something like that and check in once a week. It would make me sit down and just write! I'm having a hard time staying motivated lately. Too much going on in my life right now. Which, isn't too exciting. :)
ReplyDelete@Bryan LOL! Yes it does have a ring to it. :)
ReplyDelete@Chantele You and Bryan are thinking alike! And feel free to join our weekly check-ins if you'd like - just post on Tuesday about your progress and I'll post a link to your blog. Easy peasy.
I love your word o meter and am glad that you continue to stay motivated every week. Best wishes.
ReplyDelete@Regina Thanks for stopping by! And best of luck to you with your writing!
ReplyDeleteSome people can switch between projects - others can't. But wearing more than one hat is the role of an author! :) That's great you have a finished project. :)
ReplyDelete@Laura It's funny - sometimes I switch easily, sometimes not. And sometimes I don't really get a choice. :)
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm only dealing with one project but I can see how challenging it must be to balance multiple. It sounds like you're doing a great job!
ReplyDelete@Ghenet I would rather do one project, believe me! I like having a one track mind. :)
ReplyDeleteLooking good. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteSusan, you've made a good case for everyone to have a house elf. I'm waving my pom poms at your Act 1 milestone. Yay.
ReplyDelete@Natasha Thanks!!
ReplyDelete@Leslie House Elfs for Everyone! :) Thanks for the encouragement!