Time to Write Week 9



Congratulations! You have been working for 2 months on your story. So before we move on to talk about chapter 10....let's talk about our writing time.

It is said that 19 times at something creates a habit. I hope by now you have made finding writing time a habit. That was one of our first goals and for some, that may be the hardest of things we are trying to accomplish here. So ask yourself again, am I getting that hour in a day or more now? Am I productive when I do? If your answers are not yes then why not fix it? Find the opt-out button for things that drag you away from what you most want to do. Let your family know again how important this is to you. Tell them the time you are taking as I promise they are not going to offer you the time to do so. You have to take it.

I probably sound a bit unrelenting but hey, I have a full-time demanding day job, a husband, 2 teen girls, and a dog and cat. I define the word busy 7 days a week, but I also as mentioned have some health issues that make it tough at times. If I am going to write, I have to spell out that time clearly to everyone including myself. I have to carve out that time but it is me who has to find my way to sitting down and writing. It's no good to have the time and not use it. And I can procrastinate or find some chore I think needs done first.

But schedule that time like a job or appointment that you MUST attend. Write it down and add that note to the fridge. Then everyone will know. Set things up ahead of time so when that hour hits all is ready. As I have mentioned I knock out chores 2 to 3 days prior so that I can have that time. Or when it is 7pm...for me it is time to write. ME TIME. BOOK TIME. I promise your family will survive. And it might even be that you are a happier person for your family because your story is moving forward and you are making progress.

So, we are on Chapter 10 for this coming week. So only this one chapter with a good look back at your outline to make sure you are following the plan. Take time to look at the outline from chapter 1 all the way to where you are with Chapter 9 complete. NO GOING BACK TO EDIT AT THIS TIME. Let it go TYPE A folks. We will get to that. Right now we are wanting to write as fast as possible. Editing will have its time later.

Go ahead to chapter 10 but double-check your story and character arcs. What are the goals and motivations? Is there conflict? Don't let everything come easy to your characters...make them struggle and work for things and the conflict should be as huge as mountains. Readers want to be sucked in and route for the hero/heroine to get there, but the more hoops the character has to struggle through the more the reader will clutch that story and keep reading.

So only chapter 10 this week with some tidying up of things in chapters 1 through 9 where needed. Use your outline notebook to jot down what changes, additions, and deletions that need to be done. IF big don't make them now. Just make a note. If small take care of them but do not get bogged down in what you have written....move forward.

If you are on a roll writing, then that is great. Don't let this blog stop you...go on to the next few chapters if it is happening.

I decided to do this type of blogging because Nano just isn't something that works for me with having a full-time job and all. But I can do one scene or one chapter a week. And I say scene because sometimes I do not label my chapters as I go and just use scene breaks and later decide where chapters end for my stories.

SO don't forget to follow my Facebook Auther Kim Turner. If you need an invite then let me know.

Also remember on this blog I have helpful hints posted on Thursdays to keep us all learning as we go. Let's help each other keep writing and moving ahead. How are things going for you. Let us know what helps and if you need helps ask.

WE ARE GONNA FINISH THAT BOOK!

Snagging Writing Time

 I am the queen of snagging a moment to write no matter where I am. It's true what they say that writers should have a notebook handy at all times. Seriously, put a notebook in handy places.

Purse
Car
Bathroom
Kitchen
Laundry Room
Nightstand
Work desk

It might not be overkill to have a notebook everywhere for some writers. Maybe one notebook you have small enough to keep it on your person. 

Everyone will have to develop their own way that works just like with anything else. 

When I first started writing I first wrote in a notebook and later typed it on my laptop....this was a huge waste of time and energy for me. It made the process long and tedious. For some writers though this works well. 

But what happens when you have no notebook and a big idea hits? I have been known to write a scene or thought on a napkin but also on a receipt standing in line to vote of all things. This is all right, don't you think? But the goal with random pieces of paper is to get them where they won't be lost. Back to your writing notebook or your writing room. I am not always organized but as my writing notebook proves...messy and crazy define the book in the end. 

But those random thoughts that hit you when you are not writing do not have to be jotted down on paper. For me my Galaxy Note Phone (sorry not an iPhone girl....not a Mac girl...I resist on purpose) is the best writing tool I own. 

I use my phone to keep those random thoughts that hit. I have used my phone to write scenes and full chapter that I later email to myself and then copy and past into my current WIP. (Work in progress)

This works for me and no matter where I am the story is gaining word count. Since I am a panster who plots a bit on a story board I know what scenes are needed and I have been known to write a small scene at lunch. Later I can merge the scene into my WIP and as I do I can fluff and edit a bit and make story progress. 

Laptops, tablets, phones...the possibilities are endless and you have to find out what works for you. 

I have been known to write on my laptop or phone at soccer practice, the doctors off, waiting in various lines, and my favorite place....the beach on a lounge chair poolside. I just keep a waterproof cover for my laptop when I am not using it. 

It is true thought that if you plan your writing time, make sure you have a consistent writing place that is comfortable you can train your brain to be ready to write. The words will come. Lessen distraction. Music if you like. A nice smelling candle or fun light can help. A place that is yours. Setting a timer helps some authors produce word count. But again everyone has to find their own nitch. 

Again having an outline (for me the storyboard I mentioned) really helps you know the story. You will know then what needs to be written scene by scene. 

I never write in order....ever. So there are times I know I need a scene that happens to connect to scenes and so I spend time with my storyboard to map things out. Some authors love Scrivner or like programs for the same thing. I like my story board and so I write things by hand there with sticky notes of what will happen....sticky notes let me change where something is located if needed. It makes it easy to move scenes. It also makes it easy to change up what happens when my characters write their own story....and...hey I didn't know that was gonna happen...but I like it. (Coming up I hope to do a post all about how I storyboard and various ways of doing that.)

Another things for me is I spend a lot of time on the road driving to and from the Nurse Job. So I try to use that time to plot in my head what scene I need to write that evening when I get home from work. Haggling through ideas of how something occurs or what is going to happen let's me better utilize my time when I do get to my laptop. Some of that planning winds up on my story board and or I write that scene and its done. 

The main thing is to snag those random ideas that hit you and get them into your story, so whether you use paper, your brain or a quick note on your phone, it will help you in your final goal of....FINISHING THE BOOK!

Time to Write Week 8

 

So chapter 9 is the focus this week. You should be finished with chapters 7 and 8. And the focus of chapter 9 is to be around the midpoint of your story. I know it sounds like we are repeating things for this month, but this is the way you are developing routine and moving that story forward.

Some authors work by beats. Some work by chapters. Some just keep writing. I think all are acceptable but you do have to define how long the novel may be or at least give it a focused guess by this point. Sometimes I get to the end of my novel thinking I need 2 more scenes but sometimes it take more or less to finish. Nope we are not at the finish but at the mid point of your novel you gotta be thinking what is coming and how in the heat of all these stuff that is about to happen, how are you gonna make sure to get to that wonderful ending that is running through your head and should be on the outline you are keeping. So for 2 months this is what we have. One more week to catch up and be done through chapter 9. Just a reminder while this blog is pacing what we need to do weekly. Some are following closely. Some are ahead and some behind. The pace if yours to set. No pressure other then an hour a day whatever that does for you and your story. This idea was give a push to those who cannot seem to finish a story timely or those who need a pass or a plan. And for the most part if you reached this week you may be halfway done with a rough draft for your novel. Week 8" 1). Focus on Chapters 7 through 9. You have spent three weeks on these 3 chapters and hope ther focus has helped you reach a mid point in your story without it having a saggy or slow middle. 2) view your outline...yes again. You should have fou d time to read quickly from the beginning now so you should add hints or things to fix or look at later in various chapters. Again no edits now. 3) take a look at what needs to happen in the next 3 chapters and jot down your ideas. Those ideas may have pieces in chapters 7 8 9...so tweak where needed. Share your idea related to your being a plotter or panster. What works for you? What doesn't? Any new craft books that are helping you? What about podcasts or other links you might share.

Writing Scenes...Writing Faster....

So what is the difference between a chapter verses a scene? Some authors make a scene a chapter and some chapters can have multiple scenes.

Everyone has their own style of writing, plotting out every detail or just grabbing a laptop and tossing an idea on the page. There is no right way but learning to write scenes can help you pull your story together faster and help to save the slow middle everyone has to refine. 

Scenes are Mini-happenings that link the story. Scenes have a beginning and middle and end. 

Chapters are clear large happenings which move the story forward and allowed for giving the reader order within the story.

One scene might actually complete a chapter while another chapter might have several scenes. 

I always say and I more a panster than a plotter but that isn't always the truth. I plot out a bit of my story in my head but I have never written a story in order. I know things that will happen and so often enough I write various scenes that I see occurring and later I add them to my WIP. (Work in Progress)

Once added to my WIP I might have to do several things. Once might be that I need to add another scene to connect the current scene into the story to make sure it is connected and what is happening flows. Other times I add the scene and then fluff more of what is happening and a short scene might grow into a full chapter by the time I am done. And lastly I may add rhe scene and realize while I love it...the story doesn't need it. (But I do save these scene in another file so I can keep them if they are not needed.)

It's important when merging scenes that they fit where they have the most impact. Scenes have to fall into the pacing of the story and character arc to make an impact which moves your story forward. 

A lot of times my stories are written in scenes with only scene breaks in between and no chapter headings. Once I have a rough draft I go back and decide how many scenes make each chapter as I work through the story Once more.

Writing in scenes can make a better flushed out story. Meaning scenes can be shorter and tighter...less word count and getting to the point. Thus a cleaner story when you finally have a first draft. This can make editing a bit easier. As you pull together scenes then you can focus on good chapter beginning and how a chapter ends...to make that reader keep reading and turn that page. 

When writing a scene it needs to bring a change or offer a push ahead on the story...not just be stuck there for filler. Something has ro change for the scene to be vital to the story. 

A scene should not be long descriptions of scenery and setting. And it shouldn't just be an idle scene of characters sitting around with no purpose. It shouldn't be random happenings that do not add to the story. And as we always know not to dump backstop or big info dumps...scenes should not do this either. 

Scenes need to add an active turning point. Something needs to happen to add conflict or cause a change for a character or for the overall story. A scene should provide a turning point at times...the character learns something new or realizes something important. Again something should change that impacts the story and reader. 

So whether you are a plotter or panster or write your story in order or not, you may benefit from writing strong scenes verses long chapters. Give it a try...

Remember to identify your scenes purpose. When and where does the scene take place and who is in the scene. Get quickly to the why this scene is needed. What is discovered? What changes? And does it push your story forward?So what is the difference between a chapter verses a scene? Some authors make a scene a chapter and some chapters can have multiple scenes.

Everyone has their own style of writing, plotting out every detail or just grabbing a laptop and tossing an idea on the page. There is no right way but learning to write scenes can help you pull your story together faster and help to save the slow middle everyone has to refine. 

Scenes are Mini-happenings that link the story. Scenes have a beginning and middle and end. 

Chapters are clear large happenings which move the story forward and allowed for giving the reader order within the story.

One scene might actually complete a chapter while another chapter might have several scenes. 

I always say and I more a panster than a plotter but that isn't always the truth. I plot out a bit of my story in my head but I have never written a story in order. I know things that will happen and so often enough I write various scenes that I see occurring and later I add them to my WIP. (Work in Progress)

Once added to my WIP I might have to do several things. Once might be that I need to add another scene to connect the current scene into the story to make sure it is connected and what is happening flows. Other times I add the scene and then fluff more of what is happening and a short scene might grow into a full chapter by the time I am done. And lastly I may add rhe scene and realize while I love it...the story doesn't need it. (But I do save these scene in another file so I can keep them if they are not needed.)

It's important when merging scenes that they fit where they have the most impact. Scenes have to fall into the pacing of the story and character arc to make an impact which moves your story forward. 

A lot of times my stories are written in scenes with only scene breaks in between and no chapter headings. Once I have a rough draft I go back and decide how many scenes make each chapter as I work through the story Once more.

Writing in scenes can make a better flushed out story. Meaning scenes can be shorter and tighter...less word count and getting to the point. Thus a cleaner story when you finally have a first draft. This can make editing a bit easier. As you pull together scenes then you can focus on good chapter beginning and how a chapter ends...to make that reader keep reading and turn that page. 

When writing a scene it needs to bring a change or offer a push ahead on the story...not just be stuck there for filler. Something has ro change for the scene to be vital to the story. 

A scene should not be long descriptions of scenery and setting. And it shouldn't just be an idle scene of characters sitting around with no purpose. It shouldn't be random happenings that do not add to the story. And as we always know not to dump backstop or big info dumps...scenes should not do this either. 

Scenes need to add an active turning point. Something needs to happen to add conflict or cause a change for a character or for the overall story. A scene should provide a turning point at times...the character learns something new or realizes something important. Again something should change that impacts the story and reader. 

So whether you are a plotter or panster or write your story in order or not, you may benefit from writing strong scenes verses long chapters. Give it a try...

Remember to identify your scenes purpose. When and where does the scene take place and who is in the scene. Get quickly to the why this scene is needed. What is discovered? What changes? And does it push your story forward?

A visit from Shelley White Author!

 Triumph Over Adversity (alt. title: just keep swimming)

By Shelley White

Struggle: verb def.2: to proceed with great difficulty or with great effort

noun def 2: a violent effort or exertion: an act of strongly motivated striving

It’s real y’all! As someone who hasn’t touched their WIP since November, I’m hardly qualified to offer advice on staying on track. I have numerous valid excuses and several less valid ones, but for me, it boils down to discipline. I’ve spent a lot of time beating myself up for not being able to pull it together and get BUSY. This has not been a productive use of my time.

Instead, I’m working on being incredibly proud of myself when I complete my to do list-even if it takes two days. I’m forcing myself to take satisfaction in completing smaller projects and I’m trying not to see my WIP as a looming boogeymonster. Keeping the negatives at bay is challenging.

I originally planned to write about critique groups and how they help keep me on task. I’m going to switch gears here then hopefully tie everything together nice and neat.

I’m part of a critique group with five other authors. We meet every other week and look at about fifteen to twenty pages from three members each time. So I need to have stuff to give them once a month. Sometimes, that is enough to keep me writing.

We write in a variety of fiction genres and all bring our own strengths to the table. I fondly call one of our members the Comma-dant. He’s a master of punctuation. We’re flexible and can opt out of our turn if we don’t have anything ready. Our meetings are relaxing and, in addition to critiquing, we spend time talking craft, marketing, and sharing ideas. We are all riding the same struggle bus in our own ways.

In our November meeting, someone submitted her poetry chapbook. She was already in the publication process but wanted our impressions. None of us write much poetry, and her stuff was pretty heavy. One poem in particular mentioned ashes. After some discussion and the meaning revealed, another member said she thought it was about vampires. It wasn’t, of course. No one expects vampires.

I told her I would write a vampire poem and dedicate it to her. We all laughed.

Then I woke up at 5:30 in the morning a few days later and wrote my first vampire poem.

It wasn’t a serious poem. I am not a serious poet. But they sure are entertaining to me and touch a warped part of my psyche that apparently needed some exercise to get the writing juices flowing again.

Six vampire poems later, my friend is disappointed that my vampires are snarky and not sexy. I’m working on it, but the muse wants what it wants.

I needed the mental break from the projects awaiting my attention, this one included. And the good news is, my WIP is poking its head out of the closet and speaking to me again.

So, my advice for you for 2023 is this; find your tribe. They will understand what you’re going through and can offer advice, support, commiseration, or a much needed laugh. The second is this, write anything. Write a poem, a scene, or something outside your genre. When it hits you, write it down, no matter what it is. Then, by golly, be proud of it. We’re not going to get out of our writing slumps by taking giant leaps. With motivated striving, just keep swimming.

https://www.facebook.com/shelleywhiteauthor

www.shelleywhitewrites.com

Time to Write Week 7

 

This week is a repeat of week 6 as you work on Chapters 7 8 9. Some may want to continue to work on one chapter a week and other may like the freedom to work it through chapter 9.

I would say if you are rolling along and even wish to go further keep going. Don't wait on thig blog to accomplish each week if you are gaining speed. 

But to keep us making positive progress. Use your outline to check your progress. Jot down notes and ideas of what needs to be fixed added or deleted. And if you have not done the read through of the entire novel do so but only a quick read to remind you of things that need to be tweaked. 

Why edits later? So the momentum of a chapter a week doesn't slow you down. Move that story. You should not give yourself the chance at all to sit and rewrite chapter 1 again and again and again. YOU CANNOT EDIT AN UNFINISHED STORY. Too many things may change to worry about rewrites right now. This whole blog is about the idea of completing a rough draft...that can then be edited!

Sure that first draft when you are done is going to be crap! And thats OK. It will be done crap! And now when we map out what to do for edits you will be ready!!!!

So week 7:
1) work on Chapters 7 through 9 with a focus on 8. Those who gain momentum move on. Those who are lagging think about why? Is something saggy in the middle? Do you have enough drama and conflict? Is suspense being pulled together? If you are board with your own story chances are readers will be too. But don't fret. KEEP WRITING!

2) do your full quick read if you didn't do it last week. Is your outline coming to life? Are things that need to happen coming together. Make notes on your outline of what is needed. I like to put little boxes by my outline of things to make sure I do later. And you know me being the nerd I like to check that box off when I get to the editing part of my story. 

3) thinking only about Chapters 7 8 9....are they meeting the mark of pulling the story together? If you are planning a twenty chapter novel you should be close or in the mid part of thr story. If not think about how you can move the story there quickly there. Now if you story is longer and you may have 40 chapters then you need to focus on what happens after chapter 9...what is coming and is your story taking the reader there? 

What has been the easy things about following this plan? What has not worked for you? While every writer does things differently my hope is this blog will just help everyone participating to make progress even if not all at the same time. 

Facebook handout: Author Kim Turner for more hints and support. 

One Hour Early or One Hour....

Wake up early for your writing time 1, 2, 3...hints

1. Set your clock early by 15 minute increments until you have an hour that is for your writing. If you choose to shower, make coffee, workout then plan that time prior to the one hour that will be your writing time. 

2. Plan things the night before. What can you do to make tomorrow morning have an hour for you and your story? Chores, shower, got to bed early and avoid napping as you work on this. Hey, set up the coffee maker so it is an easy push for the next day. Set the clock. Set up your writing space and keep it ready. Think about what part of your story you will work on and plan that out too. 

3. Morning of....DO NOT HIT SNOOZE....get out of bed after one yawn and a stretch. Head to the day you planned but Set a timer. One hour on that story is not optional. 

And once you have done this for a week reward yourself somehow...dessert, a walk, a book or movie...it's up to you. 

Habits are formed by doing something over 20 times...make this a habit if it works for you!!

Finish the book. Finish the book. Finish the book. YOU GOT THIS!

My thoughts on this...I have hypothyroid issues and mornings are tough due to chronic fatigue. So saying I will manage an hour early and I have tried I am not usually successful at it. 

So if morning isn't for you follow my ideas on this. I work Monday through Friday full time. I have a 35 minute ride to and again from work. That is when I listen to books. So when I get home it's supper, chores, kids, pets....and so I jump on what I can and when 8pm comes that hour is mine. Pajamas on. At my desk or where I write in bed. (By then I need my feet up and Jammies are comfortable for writing...but no sleeping.) 

8pm I begin. I work on the scene I had in mind but I do not go back and correct any scenes from the previous writing. We want to finish the book so you cannot edit an unfinished book. Think about that. 

So my routine of this has at times made it where this seems to be my best creative time when my brain now thinks story time. And a timer helps, music or TV on low....mostly I have found I need noise but I rarely pay attention to the TV. 

And as I write I really do not even correct typos or errors. I just work on story. Sometimes I don't even worry about quotation marks for speech. I just roll as fast as I can but I also work by writing scenes- out of order. I never pay attention to the number of pages I write or the word count I have reached. I have scenes that whirl in my head out of order and I write those and later work them in order. I then add scenes in between to bring a story together. 

It's an hour a day and you have to find your hour and what works for you. Now get to it!