Comments on: MY FIRST-EVER CONTEST FOR CREATIVE TYPES: WEEK ONE ROUND-UP (updated)

By: Colleen Doran

Colleen Doran — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:32:16 +0000

Wow, made huge progress on my novel today, making up two days worth of shortfall, pulling almost 4000 words in one evening. Had a big story breakthrough. Feels really good. I think I’ll be able to put this together after all.

Massive, hideous rewrites required, but I am following the advice to just write and not worry about style or details. And when I hit a bad spot, I just write notes.

By: Colleen Doran

Colleen Doran — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:13:47 +0000

I was unable to write for a couple of days, but was ahead of schedule. My current word count is 10,988.

All is pretty terrible, and large sections of it are just notes, going back and forth with ideas, but nothing of publishable quality. At least I am FINALLY taking the time to work out these story problems.

I confess it is a little harder as it goes on, because I have a lot of work to do, and trying to cram this in is not always easy. And when i am tired form a day of drawing, too, hoo boy.

By: Sarah Beach

Sarah Beach — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:59:15 +0000

Well, I did a deal of running around three days this week (I mean, really running around: driving long distances over parts of Southern California), so my word count was considerably less than I wanted. By about half. I got 6,654 plus words done – three chapters. But it’s coming along, and I’m rather pleased with it so far. I feel that I’m getting down some good bones for a following re-write.

I got off to a slow start, because when I sat down to begin, I realized I needed to research a couple of things I’d overlooked. (And today, I realized I need to change the name of one character.) I’m hoping to catch up on my target word count.

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:38:03 +0000

I didn’t even realize that there was a number thing involved. I’m gonna think on that and put something down, but I’m also just about to start a new job so I’m not really sure how much time I’ll have. (Although, I did get three pages written at work today, so….)

By: Laurie Sutton

Laurie Sutton — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:24:49 +0000

But Bill, it was very informative blather. It let us know what your thoughts and processes were. Share.

By: Allan

Allan — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:32:22 +0000

I did think about joining in, but I know I’d not get anything done. I’m unable to write or draw just for pleasure, I can only do it when a serious deadline is involved. With this project, if I hadn’t done anything by the end of November, I’d not lose any money; I’d not be holding back publication of a magazine or book. It wouldn’t matter. So, ultimately, I have no incentive.

Bit of a shame really, as I did used to draw for pleasure all the time up to my mid-teens. Now it’s only when someone’s holding a gun to my head — and even then I’d probably ask for more time…

Good luck to you all. I salute you, and am profoundly jealous of your drive and ambition.

By: Laurie Sutton

Laurie Sutton — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:21:47 +0000

Like Colleen, none of what I’ve written so far has met my normal standards. And it’s killing me not to go back and rewrite. But the whole point is to move forward. No going back to correct a bit of logic that has strayed or edit the lousy sentence structure. I have to constantly remind myself that this is a RAW FIRST DRAFT. And it’s ALLOWED to be a raw first draft.

My word count is not even close to where I want it to be, but I’m not going to stress out about it. I’ll probably hit a fast streak somewhere along the line and make up for it. I’m not going to concentrate on the finish line. I’m concentrating on the NOW.