Repost: Make Your Wish Come True

I have been a part of the writing group on Skateboard since it was part of the old MSN forums back in 1996.  What a fantastic find it was been for me, from the first day I logged on. I found my best friend and all the support I needed to pursue the craft of creative writing.

This year quite a few of us joined forces to conquer NaNo, and we also decided we wanted to get that kind of momentum going more than just once a year, especially since NaNo falls at such a busy time.

So we have chosen February to be our WISH month: Writing Isn't So Hard. We're busy setting goals, and pushing forward with something we want to accomplish in February. Our plan is to put our goal in writing, and then cheer each other on, perhaps offering a hand up if the going gets tough.

This is a very supportive group. In the 10+ years I've been with them, even as people have come and gone during that time, the tone of this board is constant--support and encouragement. I have never ever been flamed, or received anything other than supportive encouragement regarding the writing I've posted there. Despite diverse backgrounds and different writing interests, we're committed to helping each other and at the same time enjoy the laughs and encouragement that can only come from other writers.

We also meet once a week for a workshop/open chat to discuss various aspects of writing or to get ideas and support from one another for our projects. Currently we meet at 1:30 PM Central Time on Wednesday. The link to the Chatroom, as well as our newsgroup, is available on Skateboard's main page, by clicking Writers & Poets on the left sidebar. If you have any trouble accessing either, let us know. We'll work till we get you where you want to be.

Let's make the most of this shortest and sometimes most difficult month of the year: join us in February, if it is your WISH to see you writing move forward. From setting a simple regular goal, to finishing the editing on a novel, we can provide the support to get you where you want to go.

This post on our newsgroup describes the WISH goal:

At workshop yesterday we talked a little bit about our goal for WISH in February. I think we decided two things:

• Writing Isn't So Hard when you aim for 500 words daily.
• If 500 words a day doesn't suit your circumstances, then Writing Isn't So Hard if you set a goal that will help you achieve what you want.

Willa mentioned that a daily goal is better for her than a monthly one because it eliminates the tendency to procrastinate. If you find this is true for you, and you choose a goal other than writing 500 words a day, you might consider breaking the goal down to daily or weekly tasks that will help you reach your overall goal by the end of February.

During the last week of this month, I'll [try to remember to] start a thread that will allow us to post our goals for February. Having a goal down in writing helps, and having the support and encouragement of your writing group can make all the difference when the going gets tough. Meanwhile give your goal some thought so you know exactly what you want February to be for you.

Here's to making our WISH come true....

~ Carolyn

"It is faith, finally, that saves us: faith that our words will matter enough--if only to ourselves alone....This is no small thing we do." ~Monica Wood

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Habits

My weekends are so twisted now; I don't know if I'll ever get used to Saturday being Sunday and vice versa.

Novel Shortcuts, Chapter 1, Part 1

A brief summary: To be able to write a solid draft quickly and well, it helps to have a good handle on the core of your story.

A basic story premise of a novel consists of the main character, the primary setting, and the overall problem.

Identifying these three components clearly will help move the draft along.

• If you know the character well, then you solve the issues of voice and perspective. You know what obstacles to use and where to place them and why, to keep tension high. The author also points out that a well-defined character is quick to draw the reader into the story, and editors/agents love a sympathetic main character.
  
  
• An effective setting will mold both the characters and the problem. An example the book gives is Romeo and Juliet. Think about how the place and time shapes both the people involved and the problem they face.
  
  
• Lastly the problem can't just be a goal. There has to be the *but* clause in there. "Character must do this" is not a problem. "Character must do this but this is in the way" constitutes the problem.

If something doesn't seem to be working with your draft, going back to each of these components and rethinking them could be key to keeping forward momentum going. The book is fantastic for giving ideas that help you address various aspects of each segment of the premise.

Let's Discuss

What are some tools you might use to

• Clearly define your character
• Choose and know your setting
• Make sure the overall problem will sustain an entire book

Study schedule for January

My plan through October contains two components. The first two weeks of the month are dedicated to honing craft in order to crank out a better first draft in November. The second two weeks will focus on revising a draft already written. I really think the first two weeks will also impact the revision process, which is why I put future before the past.

So beginning January 7th, I will be reading and implementing the first part of Chapter 1 from Novel Shortcuts by Laura Whitcomb. I am reading the first chapter through page 24 and working on whatever exercises are suggested. However, I will probably apply them to an existing novel rather than something new. Unless something new grabs my attention. Wouldn't hurt to plan for November, should the opportunity arrive.

Will share a tidbit or two here as I work through the focus of Chapter 1, which is clarifying the premise of your story and how doing so helps maintain enthusiasm for your story, leading to a faster, better draft. Interesting stuff.

Week beginning January 14, will finish this chapter.

Week beginning January 21st and 28th--Will begin to work through the book Novel Metamorphosis by Darcy Pattison. Details to follow.

Why do my weeks begin on Thursday? That's when our writing workshop is generally held. I was hoping to center discussions on these topics, but I'm having a miserable time getting back to my newsgroup to post the information. I may resort to posting on Facebook to get it done.

Planning the Plan

I've decided that I want to accomplish two things by the end of October, 2010 (November is NaNo and December is R & R = Regroup and Reassess).

1. I want to revise and edit a previous years' NaNo draft with a goal of submitting it.
2. I want to be ready to write a better first draft in November.

To help me accomplish the goals, I've decided to work from two different books.

1. Novel Metamorphosis: Uncommon Ways to Revise by Darcy Pattison
2. Novel Shortcuts: Ten Techniques that Ensure a Great First Draft by Laura Whitcomb

One of the most educational and rewarding writing events that I've been to was the Novel Revision Retreat Darcy headed up a couple years ago. I could pick apart a plot and build key scenes to write between; I had a plan for getting a novel on paper. But I never could quite hit on a plan for getting that draft polished. I came away from that one weekend with tools that I know I will always use. I'm looking forward to using her book to get me through the revision of another NaNo baby.

The Novel Shortcuts book is one that I've had on my shelf awhile. It intrigues me.

So join me, won't you? I'm planning to use these two books in the weekly writer's workshop I've been neglecting as well. I think I'll devote the first two weeks of a month to the Shortcuts book (hoping some of the information will carry over into revision) and the second two weeks on Novel Metamorphosis.

Sounds like a nice balance right?

According to the "experts" this resolve should last till the end of January, perhaps into February.

Let's prove the experts wrong!

If you're interested in my detailed monthly schedule, let me know in the comments and I'll e-mail it.

Plans

I think I became resistant to making plans because I love doing it, and all that potential progress looks so positive and pretty when settled like eggs in a nest. Hatching them is another story entirely. Failure is depressing.

Looking back over my writing or lack thereof, the years I got more done than just completing a rough draft in November, I had definite goals in mind. One year I joined a group that set monthly goals. That was awesome! Unfortunately it disbanded into the second year and my goals came tumbling down as well. Nothing has been built since.

I'm going to get back on track now. Writing is one of three main areas of my life that are getting major overhauls. The others...well they deserve blogs to themselves.

The encouraging part is that I wanted to build on November's momentum this time around. I took two weeks off after NaNo, considering I didn't start till almost the 15th of November and still managed to finish. I was worn out! I have been doing a morning page regularly since about mid-December; my new journal is 8 x 6, college ruled and one page was about all I could handle to start with.

The good news is characters are starting to visit! Most people try to get rid of the voices in their heads. In my insanity, I welcome the voices with open arms. I didn't realize how badly I'd been missing them. So far, I've met two new potential protagonists.

So once again I find it reaffirmed: when you come to the page, the rest comes to you. I have failed to come to the page, but the rest has never failed me yet. Just put down something. It doesn't have to be more than drivel. It all counts.

I have been learning from my unhatched plans too, so not all is lost. Don't attempt too much at once. Make the goals very specific. Start big and work down to what I can do right now. Very basic, I know, but I can't be a fast learner in everything.

This blog will be part of my plan for the year. I like the feel of accountability, and I'm going to do my best not to whine here. I want to be more constructive. Press those lemons and add plenty of sugar. Drink that lemonade, be refreshed and keep going.

I've never felt that writing has to be a chore. Like almost every other writer out there, I've let it become unwelcome from time to time, but the trouble is never with the writing. The writing always does me good. The trouble is generally my attitude toward the writing. If I can keep the attitude right, then the rest should be better. That's my theory anyway. Let's see how it works.

That's not to say I can't discuss problems. I just can't say, "I hate this plot, or this character, or this revision" without doing something to fix the problem. Find the problem and fix it. Don't stop! Celebrate the joys and the achievements, find the silver lining in failure and defeat. It can be done.

It must be done.

It will be done!

If You've Noticed a Change

Thank you!!!

I'm developing this idea.  Check back May-ish for a launch.  In the meantime, send good vibes.  :)  Please! 

~C