Loved Fast Draft!

For two weeks from April 1 until April 14, I worked with a group of wonderful women from one of my local RWA chapters in doing a Fast Draft and let me tell you, it made a believer out of me.

Fast Draft is program set up and created by the wonderful Candace Havens to help plotters and pantsers alike get the first draft of a story started (or finished).  It was similar to Boot Camp for this Navy Veteran--but in a good way.  I learned just how far I could reach a goal.  Though I did keep up with the grueling 5,000 words a day for the first five days of the two week session, Easter weekend tripped me up but I still maintained a comfortable, approximately 2,000-4,500 words a day from there on.

At the end of the two weeks instead of having the 70,000 words intended (if you continue with 5k a day for two weeks), I still had a satisfying 45,000 words.  If you consider NaNoWriMo, the program in which you write 50,000 words in a month it--45k in two week is not too shabby at all.  (Yes, I've done two years of NaNoWriMo so I know 50k in a month can be done, too.)

But more importantly whether I made 'the' goal, I learned some valuable lessons. 

• I needed something to inspire me to just sit and write again (don't think-just write).
• I can set daily writing goals and achieve a good number of words a day.  Even a couple thousand words a day can get a story done.
• I can be like the great Nora Roberts and write for 6-8 hours a day and pump out 5,000 words --though she probably has a higher word count. (Just might not be able to do it all the time).  Love her and her stamina! She's my heroine!
• I learned my characters write the story--I'm just along for the ride.  (Which I hear is fabulous from some authors I've talked to lately.)
• It's okay to have your plot change a bit--just keep writing. Don't stop!  Make the changes and editions later. (Take notes as you go along.)
• Setting up 1,000 words in an hour (1k1h) sessions is fun for you and friends.  Take breaks in between to exercise, catch up on housework (change over that load of laundry), pick up the kids from school, prep dinner, etc.  MAKE SURE YOU STRETCH AND GET UP!  (Otherwise you will be sore and stiff.)

With these lessons in mind I realized even though I'm still pre-published, I CAN be the author I always dreamed of being.  I CAN get a first draft done in a month or less, I DO have time to write, I CAN still have a family life and my writing life.

Loved Fast Draft!

For two weeks from April 1 until April 14, I worked with a group of wonderful women from one of my local RWA chapters in doing a Fast Draft and let me tell you, it made a believer out of me.

Fast Draft is program set up and created by the wonderful Candace Havens to help plotters and pantsers alike get the first draft of a story started (or finished).  It was similar to Boot Camp for this Navy Veteran--but in a good way.  I learned just how far I could reach a goal.  Though I did keep up with the grueling 5,000 words a day for the first five days of the two week session, Easter weekend tripped me up but I still maintained a comfortable, approximately 2,000-4,500 words a day from there on.

At the end of the two weeks instead of having the 70,000 words intended (if you continue with 5k a day for two weeks), I still had a satisfying 45,000 words.  If you consider NaNoWriMo, the program in which you write 50,000 words in a month it--45k in two week is not too shabby at all.  (Yes, I've done two years of NaNoWriMo so I know 50k in a month can be done, too.)

But more importantly whether I made 'the' goal, I learned some valuable lessons. 

• I needed something to inspire me to just sit and write again (don't think-just write).
• I can set daily writing goals and achieve a good number of words a day.  Even a couple thousand words a day can get a story done.
• I can be like the great Nora Roberts and write for 6-8 hours a day and pump out 5,000 words --though she probably has a higher word count. (Just might not be able to do it all the time).  Love her and her stamina! She's my heroine!
• I learned my characters write the story--I'm just along for the ride.  (Which I hear is fabulous from some authors I've talked to lately.)
• It's okay to have your plot change a bit--just keep writing. Don't stop!  Make the changes and editions later. (Take notes as you go along.)
• Setting up 1,000 words in an hour (1k1h) sessions is fun for you and friends.  Take breaks in between to exercise, catch up on housework (change over that load of laundry), pick up the kids from school, prep dinner, etc.  MAKE SURE YOU STRETCH AND GET UP!  (Otherwise you will be sore and stiff.)

With these lessons in mind I realized even though I'm still pre-published, I CAN be the author I always dreamed of being.  I CAN get a first draft done in a month or less, I DO have time to write, I CAN still have a family life and my writing life.

Writing Healthy

Oh, the agony of sitting here writing and knowing the inches are not coming off as my Butt is In Chair and my Hands are On Keyboard (B.I.C.H.O.K).  But what is a writer to do?  Do I work on my novel all day or do I work out?  And lord forbid, I have a real life too!  When do I fit it all into a 24-hour time period--only to start all over again the next day?

Many blog sites and writing friends I have talked to share the same concerns lately.  There are those who have great suggestions and solutions--I just need to combine both a time to write and a time to exercise so my bottom doesn't look like the worlds biggest pancake. (I have what my family refers to as a blanket butt and sitting on it doesn't make it any more attractive.)

After much brainstorming, I've come to the conclusion that I need to see what I can do about both situations.  With a few free weeks to work on my program, I figure it is the
best time to make those changes.  Some experts say it takes 21 days to put a new way of life into plan and make it stick--we shall see how diligent I can be with 26 days.

But I don't want to go it alone.  I love having friends to motivate me.  The more friends, the more motivation.  Do you agree?

I want to start a healthy writing schedule in which I incorporate good health practice (eatting, exercising, etc.) into my writing schedule, without sacrificing time at my keyboard.  Finding the balance is what is going to  help me.  I am in the beginning of my new novel and want to make time to write and work out.  My goal is to finish my novel (first draft) in the same time it will take me to lose some pounds and inches.

This next week I am putting together a plan to blog about a healthier writing life-style but I would love to hear ideas from others to share, as I impliment a  four week challenge starting August 8 and running through September 2.  I would like to start a challenge to make the difference in my lifestyle as a writer, and hopefully in those who wish to join me on this journey.

During the time frame of July 28-August 7, 2011, I plan to put together the basis for the program. If you would like to share your ideas, (motivational ideas, recipes for healthy eating, snacking, exercise programs or anything focused on healthy living/writing), please send them to me at: lonilynne@gmail.com and put "Writing Healthy Blog Ideas" in the subject line, so they can be implimented into the month long program. I am looking for daily, tips to share on-line and comments in this blog, so the more the merrier.

Along with the healthy tips, I'll be setting up daily timed writing events to challenge a writer to sit and write at least one or two hours a day ( or more depending  on schedules) between the hours of 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. (EST).  Of couse you can write more after those hours and time will be considered in the planning if I have responses from those in other time zones who would like to join in.

If you would like to participate in the actual challenge--the challenge will be from Monday, August 8 until Friday, September 2 (right before Labor Day weekend).Sign up by emailing me at: lonilynne@gmail.com with  "Writing Healthy Challenger" in the subject line.  Include your email address in the body of your email for me to contact you and welcome you on board.

Right now, I am using personal gain (word gain) and loss (pounds/inches) as my goals.  ( You may consider treating yourself to something special when you reach your goals. I am treating myself to professional pictures where I don't have to worry about how many extra pounds a camera puts on me).
 
So can you lose while you gain?  I'm sure going to try!  I would love to hear from you!

Writing Healthy

Oh, the agony of sitting here writing and knowing the inches are not coming off as my Butt is In Chair and my Hands are On Keyboard (B.I.C.H.O.K).  But what is a writer to do?  Do I work on my novel all day or do I work out?  And lord forbid, I have a real life too!  When do I fit it all into a 24-hour time period--only to start all over again the next day?

Many blog sites and writing friends I have talked to share the same concerns lately.  There are those who have great suggestions and solutions--I just need to combine both a time to write and a time to exercise so my bottom doesn't look like the worlds biggest pancake. (I have what my family refers to as a blanket butt and sitting on it doesn't make it any more attractive.)

After much brainstorming, I've come to the conclusion that I need to see what I can do about both situations.  With a few free weeks to work on my program, I figure it is the
best time to make those changes.  Some experts say it takes 21 days to put a new way of life into plan and make it stick--we shall see how diligent I can be with 26 days.

But I don't want to go it alone.  I love having friends to motivate me.  The more friends, the more motivation.  Do you agree?

I want to start a healthy writing schedule in which I incorporate good health practice (eatting, exercising, etc.) into my writing schedule, without sacrificing time at my keyboard.  Finding the balance is what is going to  help me.  I am in the beginning of my new novel and want to make time to write and work out.  My goal is to finish my novel (first draft) in the same time it will take me to lose some pounds and inches.

This next week I am putting together a plan to blog about a healthier writing life-style but I would love to hear ideas from others to share, as I impliment a  four week challenge starting August 8 and running through September 2.  I would like to start a challenge to make the difference in my lifestyle as a writer, and hopefully in those who wish to join me on this journey.

During the time frame of July 28-August 7, 2011, I plan to put together the basis for the program. If you would like to share your ideas, (motivational ideas, recipes for healthy eating, snacking, exercise programs or anything focused on healthy living/writing), please send them to me at: lonilynne@gmail.com and put "Writing Healthy Blog Ideas" in the subject line, so they can be implimented into the month long program. I am looking for daily, tips to share on-line and comments in this blog, so the more the merrier.

Along with the healthy tips, I'll be setting up daily timed writing events to challenge a writer to sit and write at least one or two hours a day ( or more depending  on schedules) between the hours of 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. (EST).  Of couse you can write more after those hours and time will be considered in the planning if I have responses from those in other time zones who would like to join in.

If you would like to participate in the actual challenge--the challenge will be from Monday, August 8 until Friday, September 2 (right before Labor Day weekend).Sign up by emailing me at: lonilynne@gmail.com with  "Writing Healthy Challenger" in the subject line.  Include your email address in the body of your email for me to contact you and welcome you on board.

Right now, I am using personal gain (word gain) and loss (pounds/inches) as my goals.  ( You may consider treating yourself to something special when you reach your goals. I am treating myself to professional pictures where I don't have to worry about how many extra pounds a camera puts on me).
 
So can you lose while you gain?  I'm sure going to try!  I would love to hear from you!