Writer Problems

What are some of the biggest challenges you face while writing?

I think most would agree that TIME is a big factor. We carve it out, steal it, sacrifice it, the works. All in a desperate attempt to make something with words.

This week, I invested more time in my kiddos than in my writing. I'm pretty proud of that, not because I swapped out being Awesome Mom for Working Writer, but because I know that time is a precious gift, our greatest commodity, something we can give and something we never get back.

I also invested in a writing workshop on Saturday. There's nothing like meeting and connecting with writers. We are an interesting bunch. I learned a lot, survived accidentally going down a one way street the wrong way (isn't writing like that sometimes?), and endured some harsh but needed feedback on a chapter.

Even so, I made progress on my WIP.

Word Count: 13, 321

The First Week

Needless to say, the first week of writing the new book didn't go as planned, but then I'm not sure exactly what that 'plan' was, other than to write. It's a good reminder, though, that when it comes to putting words on the page, you have to MAKE the time, or take the time away from your ordinary activities.

Like most writers, I'm trying to juggle several things (writing-wise) and hoping to do a good job at all of them. Is that possible?

But after starting the novel last week, I have over 6k words. Respectable, on some levels. However, my goal is to hit 10k by Monday night.

Who's with me on meeting their own particular goal?

Day One--The New Novel

I did it. Despite the fear that gripped me, distracted me, made me doubt. I'm keeping another personal log (on paper) so I'll have a place to vent and cry when needed. My first entry? 'I'm scared. Scared to start, scared to commit, scared I won't finish, scared it will be a dud.' I took a deep breath and started anyway. Then later tonight, I saw this quote..... (Thanks again to Lisa Keyes for sharing.)

#amwriting #newnovel #icandothis! #fearless

The Goal

I'm not sure anyone will ever read this blog. That's fine. This blog is for me. My intention? To keep a record of what it's like to write a book, from start to finish. As of today, I haven't written a word but I have a decent 'outline' and notes for getting started.

I plan to write updates, every Sunday, on the progress, setbacks, and so forth. Plus, I hope this keeps me accountable to my work.

My goal with this new project is to have a rough draft in 6-8 weeks, then spend the summer working on revisions, and *hopefully* publish this book by September / October.

This is scary. But a good scary.

Let's see how my plan unfolds, how it turns out in reality.

#amwriting #writerslife #thewritingprocess