I think I just discovered how to eliminate one scene and blend two others to shorten things and keep my word count from going over. I've worked out a schedule too so that I can have Brimstone finished by the 21st. Smooshing these scenes together and cutting the other will definitely help in this regard.Meanwhile, I'm having fun thinking up ideas for the NaNoWriMo story. I'm not making any detailed plans, just keeping things loose. I've developed the character backstories and had a few ideas of what can happen during the story but that's about it. I'm really excited to do this. I've wanted to for the past couple of years but this is the first time I wasn't actively working on something when November hit.
And speaking of NaNoWriMo, as I was thinking about I really liked the idea of writing the story flat out for a month and finding out who these characters were, I hit upon an idea. I've been trying to figure out a way to cut down on the number of drafts I do and also on the time I spend on each book. I want to do two books a year, not one, for obvious reasons. But part of my problem in the preplanning is that I spend all this time writing the first draft and then have to spend all this time fixing it because only by the end of Draft 1 do I know my characters well enough to really plan out their GMC, etc.
That's where the NaNo thing came in. Maybe I shouldn't be spending all this time on the first draft? Maybe I should just be spewing it out at top speed. So I gave this some thought, and then thought about how I could work the storyboarding into that, because I found that really helpful in the revision process.
Here's what I came up with:
3 weeks: Prep work - backstories, GMC (what I know so far), rough plot outline, any research I need to start.
5 weeks: Write first draft flat out and let characters/plot develop.
4 weeks: Use scene sheets/chart and storyboard to plot out scenes as is. Make revision notes and detail what changes are required. Revamp GMC as required.
12-16 weeks: Write revisions / final draft.
Voila - from start to finish in 6 (possibly 7) months. Now we'll see if that process actually works come December when I start Saving Grace. But I think it combines the best of both worlds.
In other news: Lost another pound so now just 6 left to go to reach my goal weight and laser eye surgery in just 3 days! Woo hoo!!
8 comments:
Wow, Kelly! That's a stroke of brilliance. I may even have a good look at your schedule and adapt it for myself. You should patent that. Take it on the road! You'll be the sold-out keynote speaker every time.
Congrats on being only 6 pounds away from your goal weight, too. And laser eye surgery - here she comes!
That is a very sound schedule. I find that if I have a plan like that I'm more likely to get the writing finished. That's why I work so well with these writing challenges.
And way to go on the weight loss!!! I'm still struggling with my ten pounds that I want to get rid of. That said, I'm not eating the way I should either. I'm my own worst enemy.
Got my fingers crossed for ya!
I'm always tweaking how I go about writing my books. I do know the push through, mind dump, write without stopping didn't work for me. I had such a mess, I never pulled myself out of it.
Hope the plan works for you. I'd sure like to speed up my writing but haven't found the magic formula yet.
I think I gained your lost pound!
I'm trying to plot my next book before I even write one true scene. I too want to write 2 books a year and I'm thinking if I plot it out BEFORE I start instead of figuring it out AFTER it might go faster. Hhhmmm. I guess we're both still trying to figure out what works best for us.
I'm so excited to hear about your eye surgery! I want to have it done so bad.
Congrats on the lost pound!
That sounds like a good plan. I love schedules. Just wish I could make them work for every book!
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