Insecure writer: despair and donuts

In pursuit of short term, fun writing goals this year, I've tried two different things so far, and I'm trying to come up with something different each month.  These different exercises/motivators are to A) keep me writing, of course and also B) help me fight the insecurity, the despair, the temptation to give up because the stories still need so much work. 

The first Wednesday of the month
 is time for Insecure Writers Support Group,
hosted by Alex Cavanaugh and his
excellent team. 

About my YA science fiction, Star Tripped, a couple agents have said "wonderful premise! But not connecting with the characters." (One of them even pointed out why, which I really appreciated). So I made some changes and presented it to my writer's group. Again, similar feedback along the lines of "hmmmn, this has potential, but we're not connecting." Played some more with the first chapter, sent it to a critique partner. She pointed out some of the characterization that didn't work (note to self:  avoid a lot of negativity in first chapters. Negativity is a turn-off)  (Negativity is a way to produce conflict, but maybe not the best way). 

So I've been sitting at my computer for the past few days, scratching my head, poking my character, annoyed at her. "Give us something we can connect to you with!" I get an idea; I toss it around; it doesn't click. I chew my fingernails until another idea comes. Another dud. Really, does this girl have any personality? Do I have any personality? (Yikes! This is where insecurity will lead you).

So then I pick up a really good book and read the first chapter. How did they do it? How did they get me to connect with this character? How did I get hooked? I marvel at the author's brilliance! And then I crawl into a mental corner and sulk because the brilliance does not conduct itself into my writing fingers via those lovely papery published pages. The ideas I have come up with so far are decidedly non-brilliant. 

After a while, I come out of the corner and stop sulking (because it's cramped, in corners; not much of view) and try some different things. Last month I tried writing in a notebook right by my bed the moment I woke up, when my head was still all foggy from sleep. It's surprisingly easy to do this, even for a very decidedly NOT morning person like myself, because it doesn't require any thinking. Really, no thinking. Just spewing. (Maybe our dreams, our subconscious, does all the work?)

I plan to keep doing the morning writing, but I also wanted to try something new for March, too. March is a long way from November and NaNoWriMo, but I think this month I'm going to start my writing days reading a NaNoWriMo pep talk (there are probably at least 50 pep talks archived now) and maybe try something that day's peptalker suggests.  For instance, Chuck Wendig suggests "write donuts in an empty field" You know, as in when you go out to an empty parking lot and drive donuts? (if you don't know, here's a wikipedia entry on it. Wait, Wikipedia doesn't really do it justice; just read Wendig's pep talk and you'll get the idea: it's basically just - go hog wild). 

So anyway, that's my plan for fighting my insecurities this month, and to keep writing. 

Insecure writer: straight from dreams to writing

 I don't do New Year's resolutions anymore because by March or April I'm all resolutioned out. And then the insecurity kicks in. I've failed with them way too many times. 

 But I do a little better with monthly goals. The great thing with monthly goals is you can reset them each month. Last month I tried a paperclip chain to motivate myself to write more days in a row, because I lose momentum if I let a few days go by without writing. I got to 9 paperclips (9 days) and then life got messy - a daughter with pneumonia, deadlines at work, etc. etc.

The first Wednesday of the month
 is time for Insecure Writers Support Group,
hosted by Alex Cavanaugh and his
excellent team. 

But now it's a new month and time to reset short term goals. No beating myself up because I didn't get a longer paperclip chain. It wasn't a long chain, but it helped for those days. I might try it again. 

This month I started out with something I've been wanting to do for years... but never remembered to actually do (or wasn't motivated enough to try).

Right before bed I read a chapter from Star Tripped, the story I've been querying and getting feedback from agents about needing more characterization. I left a pen and paper on my bed stand. 
When I woke up  I started writing while still in bed. While still half asleep! Right as I came out of a dream (which I couldn't remember, but no matter). Usually the first thing I do in the morning is get a cup of tea, but I even started writing before that. I read somewhere that the best free writing comes when you've just woken up. 

I wrote out a conversation between Cam and Lander on their greatest fears. It was so clunky to start with but then I filled 3 pages with ideas... I went way beyond fears. Those characters took me all over the place. The things in their heads!! (ha ha). I wrote until my hand hurt so bad (and I had to go to the bathroom so bad) I finally had to quit. Maybe only a few sentences of it will actually get used, but those few bits were completely worth it. 

I tried it again Monday morning and got some more suprising character developments. 

Let me emphasize, I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON.  This is not a comfortable exercise for me. I wasn't sure if it would even work with my usual morning brain fog. But in some mysterious way this writing exercise takes advantage of your brain fog... maybe because you aren't thinking clearly yet, you tap into more of your subconscious? Or left over dreams, even if you don't remember them?

However it works, it's a neat writing experience.

Insecure writer: trying not to break the chain

Last year for the January post for Insecure Writers I posted about how I don't do writing resolutions... or life resolutions... or any sort of resolutions, because by March or April I'm all resolutioned out. And then the insecurity kicks in. I've failed with them way too many times. (except my reading resolutions... because those are so easy; when life gets hard, I escape to books. When life is good, I escape to books).  

The first Wednesday of the month
 is time for Insecure Writers Support Group,
hosted by Alex Cavanaugh and his
excellent team. 

 But I do love monthly goals. So my writing goals this month are to try some writing motivational techniques. A writer friend told me about this simple technique: for each day you accomplish your writing goal, add a paper clip to your paper clip chain. If you miss a day, you have to start a new chain all over. I forgot to start this on January 1st, but I did start on the 3rd and I have a teeny little paperclip chain going now. Last night I didn't have any time to write till 9:15pm when I got the kids to bed, and I was so tired, I just wanted to stretch out with a good book; writing meant putting my brain back to work again. But that would mean starting the chain again, after only two days! So I got 45 minutes of writing in.

I'm actively looking for other writers to share short term goals with and keep each other motivated, by email or twitter or any method. Even if you're just popping by for the first time, don't be shy! I'd love to connect with you. A good way to battle writing insecurity is to be part of a motivational team. 

Ending this post now so I can go get my writing done early today, Here are a few of my favorite writing pins from last month for inspiration. 

An elusive refuge and a love list

After a strong finish to NaNoWriMo, I'm in a writing slump. Feeling discouraged, lack luster... not just with writing but can't even get myself motivated to decorate the Christmas tree - and Christmas time has always been a very special time for me, full of little traditions that this year, for some reason, just seem like more work to me instead of bringing delight.

That story that was so exciting to write in the last week of November... I'm re-reading it now and seeing all its flaws. It's about a hidden refuge, and for many years (on and off, as I've been working on this story on and off for a long, long, time) the story itself has been a refuge me, a place where I escape in my mind. But lately it hasn't been my refuge; it's been more my...nemesis. It's like this place has become too interwoven with years of dreams and imaginings that I can't capture it with words - at least not cohesively. Only bits and pieces. The spirit of the story is elusive... what I write is pale and awkward in comparison.

But I've been through enough ups and downs now with writing (and life!) that I know "this too shall pass" - inspiration will come around again. With patience and lots of word-smithing, the flaws that I can't see past right now can slowly be turned into something that lets the passion shine through.

I've learned a few tricks to help the inspiration along, thanks to other bloggers who have shared their own ups and downs. My favorite discovery this year was the story love list. I compiled a love list for my science fiction story back in September and hope if I put one together for this elusive refuge it might help my words get a little closer to the vision in my head.

It's set in Alaska because Alaska has so much remote wilderness I figured it would be a great setting for a bunch of mythical creatures trying to keep  themselves secret and hidden from the rest of the world.

Here's my list of things I love about this novel:

1. taiga - isn't that a neat word? it's a Russian word for the northern boreal forest

Nabsena road, Wrangell-St Elias National Park

2. old log cabins

3. campfires

4. picking blueberries

5. lofts you can only reach with a ladder

6. glaciers

7. eagles

8. dreamy late afternoon light slanting through a forest

9. northern lights

10. mythical creatures

11. sketchbooks

12. kerosene lanterns

13. pontoon planes

14. rainbows

15. a ghost fox

16, forget-me-not flowers

17. pieces of poems

But true love is a durable fire,
In the mind ever burning
Never sick, never old, never dead
From itself never turning

18. eighteen hours of sunshine a day

Insecure Writer: Pitch Wars and NaNoWriMo

Nothing like putting yourself out there to the whole world to light a match to insecurity. At least when you are querying, you are only putting yourself out to one or two at a time. When you enter an online contest you're out there for anyone to see whether you got agent requests or not.

The first Wednesday of the month
 is time for Insecure Writers Support Group,
hosted by Alex Cavanaugh and his
excellent team. 

So I'm going to be out there tomorrow, November 6, on the Pitch Wars alternate showcase on Dee Romito's I Write for Apples blog. (Well, it's my pitch and first page for Star Tripped that's out there, but my name is also out there, so it feels like I'm out there). Yesterday and today are the main Pitch Wars pitch showcases on Brenda Drake's blog, where I've been stalking and mentally cheering on my favorites. Some of my favorites are also agent favorites (4 or more requests!) and others haven't had an agent visit yet at all, which perplexes me. But then again, "favorites" is such a subjective thing.

We know that, right? (I have to keep telling myself this). Writers who have started putting themselves out there to see if they get any bites? There's going to be people who love our ideas or characters and think our writing has potential, and then there's going to be a LOT of people that skip on to the next offering, because your stuff doesn't click with them. And that is okay (I have to keep telling myself this!) We're allowed to be different and like different things. This is a good thing.

Still, I'm insecure, but I love that the timing of Pitch Wars coincides with NaNoWriMo, because that helps, and here's why:

1) because there's nothing like another new exciting writing project to get your mind off the other project that's getting the occasional nibble but not any solid bites.

2) I love the #LifeDuringNaNo Tumblr. Oh my gosh people, this gif!! Whenever I rediscover the Muppets' Beaker it's like rediscovering how to laugh like a little kid. It made me laugh for like five minutes. My teenager heard me laughing last night and actually got out of bed to come see what was so funny.

Plot holes 

3) I love the author pep talks for NaNo. This year, I've already been inspired by Chuck Wendig's donuts. Donuts!! Writer donuts! (these are the kind of donuts that are even better than sugary donuts)

4) NaNo makes me fall in love with all my little writer rituals again. Like how I want to take a picture of my writing recliner (I don't use a desk) and the fairy lights decorated around it and the bulletin board of inspiration and ideas on the wall next to it and an upended wooden box on the floor next to it that is just the perfect perch for a mug warmer and a mug of tea. (You know about mug warmers, right? Absolutely essential for writing. You might get inspired and write like crazy for a half hour, and then when you come up for air your tea or coffee has gone cold! You need a mug warmer!)

5) I love that we get a whole month that's labeled a special writing month, with lots of people participating in the madness (usually I feel very alone in my madness)

6)  Rainymood.com and Rainycafe.com (or your own personal writing playlist). In past years I've used Brandford Marsalis as my background music; this year I'm into gentle rainy white noise.

“A moderate level of noise enhances creativity compared to both low and high levels of noise. Moderate background noise induces distraction which encourages individuals to think at a higher, abstract level, and consequently exhibit higher creativity.”

7) NaNoWriMo reminds that my main reason for writing isn't to get published. Sure, that would be awesome (but I'm also aware that it's not ALL awesome. Goodreads reviewers scare the living daylights out of me). My main reason for writing is simply that I love making up stories and characters and places and events. It feeds my soul.

How about you?

Coming next: the things that I DON'T like about NaNoWriMo. (Thankfully, it's a shorter list!)

Also, no matter what happens with Pitch Wars, requests or not, I'm so thankful to my mentor, Veronica Bartles, and all the other mentors who donated so much time to help us revise and polish our stories and pitches, and cheered us on. Amazing people.

*Update: my pitch did get a few requests!

Family endures yet another year of NaNoWriMo

My family during NaNoWriMo:

Me during NaNoWriMo:

Even though I only wrote about 23,000 words in November this year, falling far short of the 50,000 word goal of NaNoWriMo, I'm still pumped, and I'm still a NaNo junkie. It truly is my favorite time of year. It's a time when I can put off all other things without feeling guilty: the one time of year when my writing comes first, guilt-free.

This was my 7th year, so my family is used to the drill. I don't think they like NaNo very much (probably because of that glazed look in my eyes: either from being sleepy because I was up too late writing, or glazed because I'm far off in novel land, conversing with my characters), but they know how important it is to me and they try to grin and bear it.

As always, the pep talks were inspiring (you can read them all here). Here's a few tidbits:

From Lev Grossman, author of the Magicians.

Let’s say you’re not a writer hard at work on your first novel. Let’s say you’re a Tribute who’s just been selected for the Hunger Games. You’re freaking out because you’re facing almost certain death in the Arena. And instead of a published author, I’m going to be that drunk guy who’s supposed to be telling you how to survive.

His analogies between writing and the Hunger Games were amusing and also a little scarily apt!

From Malinda Lo, author of Adaptation:

Inspiration is like that hot girl or guy you met at a party one time—and when you talked to him or her, it seemed like you totally clicked. There was eye contact; there was flirting; maybe there was even a bit of casual brushing of your hand over theirs, right? I know. I’ve been there. At the end of the night they asked for your number and said, “I’ll definitely call you. We should hang out." But then they never did, and you were left waiting for a call that never came, feeling increasingly like a fool. That’s what inspiration is. It’s seductive and thrilling, but you can’t depend on it to call you.

Oh, and this one, also from Malinda Lo:

How often am I filled with inspiration before I start writing? Pretty much never. Instead, I usually stare at my work-in-progress with a vague sense of doom.

I can so relate to that!

From Marie Lu, author of the Legend trilogy, some excellent tips:

Pull your favorite, tattered, dog-eared book off the shelves. Find a chapter that leaves you breathless. Start typing it out in a new document, word for word. Don’t just type blindly; think about what you’re writing. For me, something about this exercise helps me see the genius in the other writer’s storytelling, and will stimulate my own writing and thoughts. Be careful, of course, that you don’t end up plagiarizing it right into your novel… but there’s something to be said for drawing inspiration from another.

Write a long list of all your characters. Then, start drawing random lines connecting random characters to each other. Don’t think—just connect. Afterward, look down at your page. Try to figure out a connection between each of the two random characters you just linked—something scandalous, maybe, or something sweet. Something three-dimensional and unexpected. Some explosive scene that throws the two together.

From Rainbow Rowell, author of Eleanor and Park.

One of my challenges as an author is staying inside the fictional world I’m creating. I have to write in blocks (at least four hours at a time, at least four days in a row) to make any progress. During NaNoWriMo, I never left the world of the book long enough to lose momentum....I stayed immersed in the story all month long.

That's what I love about NaNoWriMo, the immersion into the story, staying so closely connected to it, day in and day out. Of course at times that means times of discomfort and disillusionment, but if you push past that, the story sweeps you away to amazing places.

How does your family handle your creative escapes?

Also, I'm excited that it’s time for the 3rd Annual YA Superlative Blogfest hosted by Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, Alison Miller, and Katy Upperman. A great way to highlight our favorite YA novels, covers, characters, and story elements. Coming December 16-19

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Cunning plan for NaNoWriMo

Actually it's more of a idiotic rebel's plan for NaNoWriMo.

There are only a few rules for National Novel Writing Month. Excerpted from  the official site:

• Write a 50,000-word (or longer!) novel, between November 1 and November 30.
• Start from scratch. None of your own previously written prose can be included in your NaNoWriMo draft (though outlines, character sketches, and research are all fine, as are citations from other people’s works).
• Write a novel. We define a novel as a lengthy work of fiction. If you consider the book you’re writing a novel, we consider it a novel too!
• Be the sole author of your novel. Apart from those citations mentioned two bullet-points up

See that "start from scratch" in there?

That's the rule I'm breaking. I'm re-writing my book from last year.

Yes, I confess I plan to cut and paste words from the previous version and all the faithful and true followers of NaNoWriMo howl, "that's not fair!" or "that's totally cheating on your word count!"

But it takes me TWICE as long to re-write as it does to first draft. Consistently. I swear. I've been re-writing for months now and it's the slowest, most painful process, like pulling hair and teeth and toenails and brain cells all at the same time.

I would actually much rather be first-drafting my idea for a new novel.

First drafting, you can throw your inner-editor out the door, and that is what makes November Writing Madness so much fun.  Here's a great example of what you normally do to your inner-editor during November:

If I attempt my cunning idiotic plan, this is what my inner-editor will do to me instead:

These animations are from the wonderful Tumblr  Life During NaNo. Go check it out. It will get you psyched for November. Even me got me rarin' to go, even knowing my dread inner editor will be on the loose.

I'd much rather be drafting my new idea but I'm idiotically hoping that I can use the great motivation that is 300,000 crazy writers and creeping word count bars to make at least 50,000 words of last year's novel shinier (Star Tripped) so it can be that much closer to publication.

I just discovered that if I proceed with my plan, I will officially be known as a NaNoWriMo Rebel and they even have their own forum. So there are other disreputable folks like me out there.

And, I have a backup plan. If re-writing for NaNo turns out to be a disaster, I still have my notes on that brand-new idea for a 5th novel...

Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year?

The bullet that kills writer's block

Here's a little tip that has helped me with writing lately. It may sound like I'm talking about an office job, but bear with me, I think this can also be used with fiction.

At work when I have to summarize information for a report, I've learned the best way to communicate summaries is with bullet lists. Are there four key points I need to share? I put them in a bullet list. Recently I've also learned that information in resumes and cover letters is also better "showcased" when it's set apart in bullets, rather than as complete sentences in a paragraph.

The other day when it was time to start a new scene in my story, I froze up because I didn't know how or where to start it.  I thought to myself, "if only I could make a bullet list like I do at work."

Eureka! Why not start out with bullets? So I listed three or four things that I wanted to happen in the scene. Then I added a couple more things to the list as reminders, like "what's her goal in this scene?" and "make sure to add sensory details".

And then, lo and behold, I was past my writer's block and happily writing that scene (with full sentences).

I think this may be the SHORTEST blog post I've ever written (I'm famous for long, rambling monstrosities of posts). But hopefully someone may find it useful.

What do you do to kick-start your writing?

Shifting and "Getting Things Done"

Shapeshifting and productivity tools make for exactly the strange combo of myth and reality I love. So the shapeshifting comes in with Bethany Wiggin's wonderful new YA novel, Shifting, which releases Sept. 27. Feel free to skip the "Getting Things Done" mumbo jumbo and scroll down to get more details on Shifting.
 
In my last post, in which I introduce myself to visiting Campaigners and reveal my worst writing weakness,  I lament on how my procrastination is so bad at times that I'll even procrastinate reading the helpful blog Procrastinating Writers to help me get motivated. I love to write, but revising is not so much fun, so I keep putting it off.

"Getting Things Done" by David Allen (also known as GTD) is a cult classic apparently on-par with the Atkins Diet as far as popularity, but I only just started learning about this productivity system (and with a lot of reservations. After all, the Atkins Diet didn't work for me).

But right away, as I started implementing GTD at my day job, I started thinking "hey, maybe this will help me with revising my novel, too." 

I am not a type A personality, so I have some concerns about using GTD for anything to do with writing - even revising. The thought of reducing my stories and dreams and creativity down to a bunch of lists seemed akin to dying a slow, crumbling death.

But here's David Allen's take on GTD and personality types:

From all my years of working with probably every type of reasonably healthy and effective person, I’ve noticed no particular bias of style that “favors GTD” more than any other.  Of course, the real question inside that:  What is GTD?  If you think it’s about organizing lists, then of course the left-brainers may fall in step. If you say, on the other hand, it’s really about the most effective way to produce and maintain clear psychic space, then the “creatives” will most resonate.  Eliminating static appeals to everyone, in his/her own way, and for his/her own reasons.... it opens vistas and catalyzes thinking. Could it be that GTD is truly on the nerve of the larger integration of yin/yang, creator/destroyer, right-brain/left-brain, linear/associative polarities?

Opens vistas and catalyzes thinking? - and claims to improve productivity? Sounds like something fiction writers could use. I actually did find a few blog posts from writers, like this one,  who have tried the GTD method, with what I'd call "reserved optimism."  I plan to give it a try.

Now, away with the ugly P words (procrastination and productivity) and on to pure fun with a dash of suspense:

Shifting, by Bethany Wiggins

Maggie Mae lost her family when she was six, and has been moved through dozens of foster homes, never lasting longer than a year at any place. Within a month of high school graduation, she's being forced to move yet again, with her only possessions in a single duffel bag, a few hand-me-own clothes.

But the kid's got spunk. At her first day of school, she meets Bridger - gorgeous, well-dressed, obviously rich - and he hesitates when asked to show her around the school. As she compares herself to him, she thinks: 

I wouldn't want to be seen with me either. "I don't need any help, Mrs Carpenter. I can show myself around," I said not taking my eyes from Bridger's. 

"I don't mind," Bridger said halfheartedly, running a hand through his hair.

"I don't want to be seen with you. It might tarnish my image," I replied, tucking my hair behind my ears. It was easier to go to school when everyone thought you were a loner because you chose to be, not because you were dirt poor and dressed all wrong. 

The book tempts you to think Maggie is going to experience a Cinderalla-like reversal in fortune. Her latest foster-mother, Mrs Carpenter, is eccentric but wonderfully kind and supportive. She even manages to accept Maggie's shapeshifting abilities without freaking out. 

And the girl can shift into a cheetah! - how cool is that? In fact, the cover for the ARC I got to borrow had a picture of a girl facing off with a cheetah, and I was a little sad to see it didn't make the final cut. The snake on the final cover is a bit misleading, I think - makes me think "Medusa" and Maggie is nothing like that at all.

The requisite hawt guy, Bridger, left a sour first impression, but then he switched gears. The thing I loved about this book is its twists and turns are always unexpected and it's always switching gears. This is no Cinderella story. Maggie's got a tough road to follow and no fairy godmother to help her (though there is a brief, hilarious fairy scene in the story. I wiiiiiiissssssshhhhh I could give you more details). 

Bridger is both Irish and Navajo (neat!) and he takes his turn playing a rich snob, a scoundrel, a player, and a friend. Sometimes you want to kill him but he and Maggie definitely keep you flipping through a pages at record speed to find out what's going on - between her secrets, and his.  

Another great thing about this story are the Navajo friends Maggie makes at school and at the  restaurant she works with. The references to Navajo culture add an interesting touch to this story. The story also involves an old abandoned mine that will truly send chills up your spine. Shifting definitely has some deliciously scary horror elements to it and one of the most horrifying high school scenes I've EVER read.

Thank you Elana Johnson for setting up the ARC tour for this wonderful book so I could get a sneak peek at it! Also, thank you Bethany Wiggins for being one of the first people to comment on my blog, back in April of 2010. I've never forgotten it - never discount the power of a comment.

What animal would you choose to shift to, if you had the choice? (depending on my mood, I'd pick an eagle, dolphin, or unicorn) (Yup, that's me, always coming back to mythical creatures). 

On the Campaign to overcome my greatest writing weakness

Welcome Campaigners! I love Rachel Harrie's idea for connecting writers together with other writers, and helping us build each others' platforms at the same time. I've had quite a few of you stop by already, and I'll be out visiting everyone in my three groups this week and next.

Yes, three groups!: YA/MG (all genres), Science Fiction, and Historical. My first novel was an MG fantasy, my second was women's fiction (didn't see a group for that), my third was a historical, and my fourth will be YA science fiction  (getting ready to start that one in November for NaNoWriMo).

I'm officially all over the place. I hope I don't have to write a novel in every genre before I finally settle down and find my niche! Does anyone else have this genre-hopping problem? I hope someday it will reveal itself as a strength, instead of a weakness - I'll inadvertently create my own new genre via cross-fertilization. (One can dream, right?).

I love this time of year when I officially give myself permission to start brainstorming ideas for a new novel, getting to know my characters and playing with outlines. One marathon month of writing the first draft in November is exhausting, but at the same time a thrill and a rush like no other.

In December I set aside my new novel for a month to let it marinate and catch up on my life and enjoy Christmas.

Then comes January 1st, with the requisite New Years Resolutions, usually one having to do with getting New Novel revised and polished. And then the long haul through our endless high altitude winter which lingers into May. And during this long winter I'm wrestling with demons, as one of my favorite writing quotes illustrates:

Revision is like wrestling with a demon, for almost anyone can write; but only writers know how to rewrite. It is this ability alone that turns the amateur into a professional  ~ William Knott

Now, if it isn't evidence enough that I'm an amateur by my genre-jumping, then my tendency to burn out with revisions after a few months definitely confirms this.

My biggest writing weakness isn't revision - once I get into it, I actually really like it. My biggest weakness is procrastinating the revisions. (The blog Procrastinating Writers sometimes helps, but sometimes I procrastinate reading Procrastinating Writers. It's a vicious cycle.)

I just kinda jokingly named this post "On the Campaign to overcome my greatest writing weakness" - because I wanted to talk about the Campaign and share a little bit about myself with fellow Campaigners and why not be just brutally honest up front and admit all my weaknesses? (Not sure if that's wise, but oh well).

At least once or twice a month I read a really amazing post on how to overcome procrastination and get motivated and stay motivated and productive. It's really puzzling that I never remember any of these tricks when I really need them - when I'm procrastinating. What works for me during NaNoWriMo is seeing my writing buddies' progress bars steadily moving. I don't want to get left behind, so I start to write, and at first it's brutally painful, but eventually the idea muscle gets back in shape, and then I get a rush (or writer's high) (reference to my running days when I'd get a runner's high when I really pushed myself).

So what are your tricks to keep procrastination at bay? Please share! Then I can re-read the comments on this post whenever I'm procrastinating.

Leaving you with a quote about the idea muscle that I linked to above, credit to the fascinating Altucher Confidential blog (delightfully and dangerously subtitled "Ideas for a world out of balance").

Every day I write down ideas. I write down so many ideas that it hurts my head to come up with one more. Then I try to write down five more. The other day I tried to write 100 alternatives kids can do other than go to college. I wrote down eight, which I wrote about here. I couldn’t come up with anymore. Then the next day I came up with another 40. It definitely stretched my head.... Need ideas for lists of ideas? Come up with 30 separate chapters for an “autobiography”. Try to think of 10 businesses you can start from home (and be realistic how you can execute them)? Give me 10 ideas of directions this blog can go in.  Think of 20 ways Obama can improve the country. List every productive thing you did yesterday (this improves memory also and gives you ideas for today).

The “idea muscle” atrophies within days if you don’t use it. Just like walking. If you don’t use your legs for a week, they atrophy. You need to exercise the idea muscle. It takes about 3-6 months to build up once it atrophies. Trust me on this.

p.s. I only post once a week and I only visit blogs for 1/2 hour a day now, because wow!!! the Internet is a great tool for procrastination. TV isn't a temptation, but good books certainly are. I've trimmed back my reading to 2 books a month.  I do have a almost full-time job, and oh yeah five kids to take care of (my stepdaughter is a recent addition - she decided to live with us for a year). But when they are all in bed by 8:30 (or at least contained in their rooms), technically I still have about an hour and half to recover procrastinate WRITE! 

Summer writing goals

Bess Weatherby at It's the World, Dear is holding her Second Summer in the City blogfest where we share our summer writing goals and encourage each other. Round of Words in 80 days (ROW80) is working well for me, but it ends June 23rd, so this is perfect timing to sign up with another great group of people to encourage each other through the lazy summer days.

I only have one goal: finish revising my YA historical fantasy. I'd like to have it polished to start querying in the fall. I'm about 1/3 of the way through revisions right now, which is behind schedule for my ROW80 goals - but definitely further along than if I hadn't set any goals at all.

For other Summer in the City blogfesters, something you should know about me: I love encouraging words, but stinging words motivate me a lot more. If you sniff and say, "ha, I don't think you have a fly under a fly swatter's chance of making that goal this summer", then by golly you can be sure I'll start busting keyboards.

Is it okay to participate in Summer in the City if I live approximately 2500 miles from NYC, in a city with population of 30,000? (that's considered BIG in Wyoming. We are big enough to actually have a Walmart). Surely my frequent visits to Weatherby's blog to enjoy her perspective of the city qualify me. Stop by and visit her, you will love NYC in new ways, I promise!

A bit of writing wisdom from Elana Johnson

The winner of the Possession ARC is Jill Hathaway! And I noticed she's having a giveaway right now for a another new release book, so head on over there.

More about Elana Johnson's writing wisdom here in a minute, but first, here's my Round of Words in 80 days progress report. I'm picking up momentum, finally. It's day 32 out of 80, or 40% of the way. I sure wish I was 40% of the way done with revisions on my novel (only about 10%), but my re-writes did total over 5000 words this week, and I'm famous for hunkering down on the keyboard and getting the work done when deadlines start breathing down my neck. So give me some heavy-duty breathing, okay?

Here's progress reports from my ROW80 friends, Susan Kaye Quinn, Sheri Larsen and C. Lee McKenzie.

Just a reminder: I'm on a blogging break for the month of May - except for my Tuesday progress reports - so ya'll can keep me accountable to my writing goals. I am really missing all my regular blog stops, but you guys know I'll BE BACK (said in my best Terminator voice).

Okay, on to the good stuff. I couldn't help but gush to Elana (on her blog) when I received the ARC of her beautiful book in the mail. I told her I would be doing a giveaway, and did she have anything to share? And of course she did - because she's Elana. #elanalove. Here it is:


5 most important things I've learned on the road to publication:


1. Patience is absolutely necessary.


2. There are some things you can't control. Give it up already. You'll be happier.


3. Find people you can confide in. Use them regularly.


4. Writing for publication is a lot different than just writing.


5. Be grateful for every step. Once you take it, you can't take it again.

I love how she mentions control in tip #2. Since her book is all about control issues, ya know.
She also shared her motto. It's from Galaxy Quest.
 
Never give up, never surrender.
 
My motto these days is from Finding Nemo - slightly modified:
 
Just keep writing. Just keep writing.
 
What's your motto?

Why you MUST read the Fire in Fiction

But first, the second round of Round of Words in 80 days (ROW80) is getting started and I'm joining (it runs from April 4 to June 23).

I accomplished my writing goals in January and February by coercing people into keeping me accountable (e.g. giveaways!) In March, I slacked off (though I did get a lot of planning/plot tightening done). So ROW80 is perfect timing to get motivated again. The link above gives the deets, but the gist is you set your own goals and then check in with your fellow ROW80 goal-setters.

My Jan/Feb goal was to get to 75k on my WIP. I've since realized, my WIP being YA historical fantasy (thank you more-knowledgeable-commenters and sharers-of-awesome links) that because of the world-building it's okay to go higher on the word count so I'm aiming for 90k.

So my goal for the 80 days:

1. Write another 15k or whatever I need to get the dang thing FINISHED! (by end of April)


2. AND AND AND AND!!! - the first revision (by June 23th, the 80th day)


You know what really motivates me? Hearing other writer's goals. I mean, I'm not competitive (except during word wars or when I have a bet going with my hubs). I just really love to read goals 'cause they get me going with my own.

So, what goals do you have? As a writer? Or maybe as a reader? Or life in general (so yeah, how is that new year's rez going for you after the first quarter?) (insert evil laugh)


And now. If you are a writer - why you MUST read the Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass.

My favorite writing book is Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott, but now Birdy will have to share the #1 spot. Bird by Bird and the Fire in Fiction are both about writing but cover completely different things. Bird is about the writing life, getting your first draft down, how to keep your butt in the chair, why you should aways keep paper and pen in your back pocket.

Fire is about specifics. You've got your first draft done. Even your second or third draft. But it's still not getting interest. The Fire in Fiction skips the basics, such as hook and point of view. It goes much deeper. It teaches you how to keep your readers reading after the hook.

Want to make your protagonist more memorable? Even harder, want to make your secondary characters more memorable? "Special-ness comes not from a character but from their impact on the protagonist. What are the details that measure their impact? How specific can you make them?"

The books that cover the basics teach you that your book is built on scenes and all scenes worth their weight need conflict and must move the plot forward. This book digs deeper and talks about inner and outer turning points in each scene. Maass uses the analogy about how action scenes in movies are planned and shot in detailed frames. He shows you how to rewind and fast-forward through the scenes and how to use oblique angles to heighten effect (and we are talking writing here, not just camera work).

Oh and the tornado effect - that's a powerful device. Sorry you'll have to read the book to find out what it is. Or bribe me with chocolate. I like Dove Bars. Or Reeses. Or, well, any chocolate will work.

The book provides excellent exercises, broken down step-by-step, for how to accomplish things like:

- Strip down dialogue to heighten conflict.
- Make setting become its own character.
- How to link details and emotions.
- Develop a character's voice. Experiment with narrative voice.
- The extra steps you can take (you MUST take) to make a real antagonist.
- Three different techniques to help your reader suspend disbelief (if you are writing fantasy, SF or thrillers).
- There's even a chapter on developing humor and satire

What you won't find: plot structure - the excellent three act structure or hero's journey structure. Save the Cat by Blake Snyder is next on my list for that. (I also recommend the Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler for this).

Here's an example of a step in an exercise that I just picked at random:
"Create three hints in this scene that your protagonist or point-of-view character will get what he wants. Build three reasons to believe that he won't get what he wants."

The last two chapters are the very best of all. What's the secret to unstoppable page turning? It's NOT action. What? No really. It's micro-tension. Don't know what that is exactly? Maybe you can guess what it is, and are curious about how to implement it? This is a MUST READ.

And the last chapter, simply titled "The fire in fiction". All the chapters give you fuel for a good hot fire, but this last chapter is the fire itself. This one blew me away. I'd love to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

It's that good.

Now tell me your goal(s)! (or why you'd like to kill ME after this way-too-long post. Will I never learn good blogging etiquette?)

Are you an "everydayer" or a "weekender"?

I've had it stuck my brain for years now that serious writers, e.g. writers that are serious about pursuing publication, are the ones that write every day, rain or shine, inspiration or not. They don't just "find" time, they "make" time. They treat their writing time like an important appointment in their calendar that they can't miss.

I really admire everyday writers and I've strived for years to achieve that. And I can, for short-term deadlines like NaNoWriMo. But I tell you, last year when I made a New Year's Resolution to write everyday, if only 200-300 words, I was never more miserable. Uninspired, I logged my 200-300 words a night, forcing out stuff mechanically. I soon gave up. It was too painful. And the words were awful.

I absolutely admire writers who write everyday. I think the world of you guys. But I'm not wired that way. I'm wondering how many others might not be wired that way either, and yet are still very serious about their writing? I have finally discovered my niche, and while it's not what I aspired for originally, I'm my happiest and most creative (and most productive) as a weekend writer.

Yup, it sounds lame. Weekend writer. Kind of like "fair weather friend." But I've been happily churning out roughly 3000 words each weekend so far this year. Turns out, the first hour that I sit down to write, nothing really good comes out. It takes me at least an hour, sometimes two (the hour or two that everydayers would be busily typing away during) to re-read, chew things over, frame a new scene in my mind, peck out a few words, stop and re-frame, and then finally FINALLY the words start to roll. So I need the time a weekend gives me - four or five hours minimum - to get any useful writing accomplished. I just don't work well in smaller increments of time, even though theoretically writing everyday keeps the mental wheels well-oiled and ready to write. (Might be different though if I didn't have a day job).

So how about you guys? Do you consider yourself a weekender or an everydayer or do you have a far more creative term for whatever type writer you are? I'd love to hear!

Another quick reminder, I have a giveaway open for a chance to win two books of your choice.

Kiss a Frog or Win Books

You want to add a comment to this post because:

a) you have a chance to win any two books you want (how does a $30 Amazon giftie sound?)

b) because it's much easier than kissing that frog, even if the frog has signed in blood that it really WILL turn into a Prince/Princess

c) your encouraging comment will inspire me to keep up with my writing goal of finishing my current WIP by March 1st 2011

d) your muses will be so proud of you for that clever comment that they will bless you with 2000 new fantastic words on your novel during your 30 minute lunch break tomorrow

See, I suck at New Year's Resolutions. I really suck. I've never kept them longer than February before. Yet, I keep trying.

This year, I'm trying two new strategies:

1) instead of making a New Year Resolution (which implies a resolution to last ALL YEAR) I am only making a resolution until March 1st. Write approx 25,000 words in two months. Hey, I did 50k in November, so it's theoretically possible. Only problem is, I don't have other writers competing participating with me and all the great pep talks to keep me motivated.

2) Which is where you guys and your wonderful comments come in! If I have a few people keeping my toes to to the task, I think it will help me stay motivated!

To enter to win, just leave me a comment letting me know what you think of my writing goal of 25,000 words to finish my book by March 1st (I'm currently at 50k, need to reach 75k). The contest is open through January 31st. Then in February I'll have another identical contest to help me get to my March 1st goal.

Check out my Writertopia progress bar (right below the blog title) to see how I'm doing. If it's January 20th, and I'm still at 50k, then your comment might be something like "get in gear, girl, turn off your internet and get your fingers moving on the keyboard".

You can get an extra entry each for 1) becoming a follower (or if you are already a follower, just let me know), spreading the word via a 2) sidebar link 3) Facebook post or 4) Twitter.

You can get 3 extra entries if you come back sometime between January 16th and January 31st, check my progress and leave another comment to keep me accountable.

Please leave your email or website in your comment(s) so I can find you if you win.

I'll use a random number of total entries to select a winner.


So what kind of perky/inspiring/annoying/motivational/kick ass comment are you going to leave? Dare you! Dare you!

Inspiring articles by Holly Black, John Green, Lemony Snicket and more

Seriously, it took me this long - almost two weeks! - to recover from thirty days and 50,300 words of writing during NaNoWriMo. This was the hardest NaNo of the four I've done so far. I have (what I feel) is a great book, great characters, a detailed outline to follow... and yet the older I get, the slower I write. I've heard a lot of other writers say when they get focused they can write upwards of 2000 words an hour. I wrote an average of 600 words an hour. So my progress was slow, and I built up a huge sleep deficit.

But I had a wonderful time! I love how NaNoWriMo allows me to immerse myself in my alternative worlds where I discover new things every day. I feel so ALIVE during this month, like I'm living to my fullest potential.

I have about 2/3 of my YA novel written... 1/3 to go. Problem is that Christmas season follows right on the heels of NaNoWriMo, and with four kids in various Christmas programs and concerts, not to mention Christmas cards and shopping and mandatory parties to attend (yeah, it's rough, MANDATORY parties) and I still have a day job with projects that didn't get proper attention during November so now I had to get them back up to speed.... the excuses pile up I haven't gotten any writing done since November ended.

And I miss all my blogging buddies! So I am going to wrap this up with links to some inspirational writing talks from authors that kept me going during NaNoWriMo. Then I'm visiting all my favorite blogs and see what ya'll have been up to since I disappeared!

Famous authors inspire NaNoWriMo participants:

Lemony Snicket - author of A Series of Unfortunate Events. This article will have you scratching your head with delighted confusion and reverse psychology


Holly Black's article - author of Tithe and co-author of the Spiderwick Chronicles

John Green's article - author of Looking for Alaska and co-author of Will Grayson, Will Grayson


Find other recent amazing author articles here and more from 2007-2009 here, with a stellar list of authors including Meg Cabot, Gail Carson Levine, Neil Gaiman, Garth Nix, Robin McKinley, Mercedes Lackey, Piers Anthony (REALLY! PIERS ANTHONY!), Tamora Pierce, Brian Jacques, Phillip Pullman, Jonathon Stroud, and more.

Flag day - and the awesome WriteOnCon

This photo surfaced in the media on Memorial Day, but I'm always at least a week behind in the news (because I'm a writer. News in my make-believe world comes first. Ahem. That's my excuse). So I decided to post this photo for Flag Day. The photo is three years old already, but really, it's timeless, isn't it? I don't think I'll ever forget this image.

John Moore recorded an image of Mary McHugh at the grave of her fiance Sgt. James John Regan (who was killed by an IED explosion in Iraq in February 2007) at Arlington National Cemetery, May 27, 2007.

At the writers' workshop I just attended, one of the presenters showed this photo and said, "This is why we write. This woman has a story to tell. Someone needs to write it."

Now that I have segued back to the topic of writing, if there is anyone in the kidlit blogosphere who hasn't heard the announcement this morning of a FREE, FREE, FREE, did you get that? FREE online writers' conference for kidlit (MC age limit 18 years), August 10-12 2010, then here's my humble announcement.

This is too good an opportunity to pass up. Thank you Elana Johnson, Shannon Messenger, Lisa and Laura Roecker, Jamie Harrington, and Casey McCormick for brainstorming this event and putting together an amazing list of participants - agents and authors galore. Not to mention all the giveaways they're also putting out.

Go to http://writeoncon.com and make sure you get the widget - see my sidebar.

Writing motivation and progress

Finding time to write often means sacrificing other things you'd like to do. I try to make time by unplugging my internet connection, turning off the TV, resisting the call of that great new book I just got from the library, avoiding cleaning, and bribing my oldest daughter to make dinner.

Nevertheless, I always need motivation. Sometimes chocolate isn't enough. Ever heard of word-wars? They are great motivators. Get together with a writing friend and set a time, see who writes the most words in that time. Or if you can't get together with your laptops you can call each other, set a word count, and see who makes it to the word count first (only thing is, she doesn't like it when I call her up at 2 am to tell her I made it). Another thing you might try is this killer website, Write or Die (pun intended).

How do you make time to write? I'd love to hear more tips

Here's a new thing I'm trying: posting my weekly writing goals here on my website, and then reporting my progress at the end of the week. I promise to be honest. Please heckle me if you see me falling short, I'm hoping that'll increase my motivation.

Week starting April 17: 2000 words, or 20 pages edited, or some combination thereof: met about 80% of goal.

Week starting April 25: editing/polishing up seven chapters, one chapter a day. Tying up loose ends, rooting out passive voice, spicing up settings/characterization/voice: well, ahem, um, so, I got through three chapters. Then a CP made me aware the first two had serious flaws. So then I gave up and swore off writing, forever.

Week starting May 2: so maybe I'm not swearing off writing forever. But my goal this week is very meagre. Going to try to keep cleaning up the next few chapters while I go back and try to re-invent the first two. Managed to get seriously flawed chapter #1 re-written. It's still flawed, but it's improved marginally.

Week starting May 10: get 2nd severly flawed chapter re-written. See how my goals are diminishing? I'm not in a good spot. I HATE re-writing. I wish it was time for NANOWRIMO already. Completely re-wrote 2nd chapter in first person (originally in 3rd person). Not sure if I'll keep it in first, but it was a good exercise.

Week starting May 17: forgot to set a goal and therefore, absolutely nothing accomplished. Arrggg!

Week starting May 24: re-write another chapter/character into first person. Actually, since I accomplished zero last week, I really need to get two chapters re-written this week. Thank goodness for motivation from Elana and from Jackee. Got one chapter re-written at least.

Week starting May 31: provide crits for partners and get third chapter re-written for Valley. Polish up first chapter for Raining for writer's retreat next week!

Why writing at high altitude gives me an edge

I live at 7,200 ft, on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. Our winters last approximately from November to May. When people visit us, they get altitude sickness or a nosebleed every time they walk up a flight of stairs. But it's a great place to write. Or at least, I've convinced myself that's true. For one thing, the long winters means more time indoors - sitting at my laptop.

Another thing: ever heard of altitude training? Athletes that spend significant amounts of time at high altitude have an advantage when they compete at low altitudes, because their bodies are thrilled about all the extra oxygen. I'm not sure exactly how this translates to writing, but I like to think it gives me an edge. One can always dream, right?

My journey as a writer

I can't go a more than a few days without writing something - whether its a new chapter, revisions, or venting on my blog about the joys of first drafts and the frustrations of revisions.

I've been journaling ever since I was 9 or 10 years old, and writing stories since about that age, too. I finished my first book in 2000, at which point I started to go to writer's conferences to see how I would go about trying to get it published.

Shortly thereafter I realized that my book had to be completely re-written - it wasn't anywhere near to being fit for publication.I signed up at several on-line writing workshops (one of them was critters.org) and started to get feedback on my writing, which has helped tremendously.

Right about the time I started to get serious about improving my writing, I also started a family. And the family grew. And I'm still trying to figure out how to balance my writing with my family. But thanks to NaNoWriMo I have three novels now in various stages of revision, and a fourth first draft. When I'm not writing, I'm generally either reading to my kids or reading on my own to analyze books for their writing craft.