Monday, November 12, 2007

Let Me Repeat Myself While I Meander

I sat down the other day and realized I had 21,000 words left and I still had oodles of plot points yet to be written and very little word count left to fit them all in. Hmm. Now this sounds like a dilemma I'm familiar with.

But then a stroke of brilliance hit me. Actually the brilliance came from someone else, and it basically hit me in the form of her notes on my manuscript (thank you Julianne!), but I'll take credit for at least realizing the truth of it and nodding my head in agreement. I have a tendency to repeat myself, and to take too long to get from Plot Point A to Plot Point B. I need to stop blathering on, pick up the pace, and get on with the story. Granted, Julianne said this in a much more constructive manner, but I'm paraphrasing because I like to kick myself in the butt every chance I get. Keeps me from wallowing in one place for too long. Seems I need to do this with my characters and plot points as well.

And it also made me realize I needed to do the same thing with Salvation Falls. Granted this is a slap-dash breakneck speed first draft, but the way I see it - if you're aware of these things going in, hopefully you'll plan better to avoid the eventuality of making the same mistake over and over again.

Note to self: Plan for this with the next manuscript. Write out the major plot points and then roughly script how to get there, what needs to join them, how to keep the manuscript tense and the reader hanging on to every word. Repeating those words ad nauseam...not the way to do it.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch - some of my NaNo RWAC buddies and I did a write in at Starbucks on Sunday from 2 pm to 5:30 pm. We wrote for 30 minutes (no talking, no pee breaks, no getting drinks), then we took a 10 minute break. We kept to this schedule and by the end of the afternoon and after one chai latte, a ginger tea and a regular coffee, one big cookie and way too large brownie that nearly sent me into sugar shock, I had 3,980 words. I think we're planning another write-in for next weekend. I may lay off the brownie next time.

So, starting this week my schedule changes up a bit. My morning writing time will be dedicated to Brimstone so I can get my revisions done in time to send it off for the GH. Lunches and a little evening time will go to NaNo. If I can manage 1,000 words a day I should be able to stay on track and finish with 50,000 words.

11 comments:

Melissa Amateis said...

Oh, a write-in! That sounds like such a great idea!

And wow, you're kicking butt with your word count. Way to go!

Julia Phillips Smith said...

You're doing so well, I can't imagine that you need to kick yourself in the butt. 'Whatever gets you through the night, alright, alright...'

Unknown said...

Do you think all that caffeine and sugar had something to do with all those words?

Lexi said...

Wow, that write in sounds AWESOME! I'll have to try that.

Lexi said...

PS-keep up the good work!

Unknown said...

I wish I could have been there for the write in. I think the next time you do one, I'm going to take my laptop to the nearest Starbucks and participate. That way at least I can email you guys and feel a part of it.

And way to go on both the realization and the word count. You are kicking ass!

Anonymous said...

I definitely think we should do another write-in. But I'm with you -- I'm going to consume a little less sugar next time!

Bailey Stewart said...

The write-in sounds like fun.

You are kicking butt with that word count - great going!

Dixie Belle said...

I was doing great and I just seem to run out of steam or it is the weather change. LOL! Anyway, you are doing terrific!!

Tess said...

The write-in sounds like so much fun! That's really what I miss about Ottawa - my circle of writing friends with whom I could try this :(

Congrats on your wordcount.

I'm pretty much stalled right now - too much other stuff to do - grrrrr.

Toni Anderson said...

You are doing great!! I love the sound of the write in. Oh, they just built (not open yet) a Starbucks a block away :) I don't drink coffee, but everything else looks good :)