For anyone else who wants to start/progress/finish writing a book in 2011

[artifarti]

As the title says really!

Me: After several years of dithering with short stories, I committed myself to Nanowrimo last month and managed to bash out a 50,000 first draft of an idea I've had for ages. There is some excrutiating crap in there but also the bare bones of a plot and some interesting characters. So I'd really like to spend 2011 trying to develop it into something better.

But I need some company so that we can mutually kick each other's arses when the temptation to watch Holby City is proving too great. Anyone else?

Scooting in to say thanks for the birthday wishes for DD .

1298 (!) . . . one of my best days ever.

Belle, I think a synopsis is the best way to handle it. Congratulations, BTW!!

Hope it's going well, DL.

I hope you're all well, thank you for the moral support I've written four words today, 'Goodnight, mum,' he whispered.

Hello, I'm back! DD's 3rd birthday was so much fun and the last of the guests has left this morning. I have the day off but I am not going to write at all today. Instead I'll clean up the house then relax with a book and a walk (if the weather holds up). I'm quite a loner and after a house filled with people since Friday, I need to be by myself for the day and recoup my mental energy. Bliss!

See you tomorrow when writing resumes.

words today 352. And I'm not happy with them, either.

Pah. Off to bed.

Hmmm, not feeling motivated to write at all today. Perhaps if I set myself a target of 100 words . Yes, that should be achievable during my lunch break. Logging off now. Will report back later.

Nothing accomplished writing-wise today except for some research needed for a scene, which actually is fine and I'll use it tomorrow when I hope to get some actual words down on the screen. Hope you all did better than me today!

You're allowed to have a day off Bssh.

I know Belle, it's just that I'm a hard taskmaster (especially on myself).

You can do it!!

Hmm. of the 30k+ words I wrote last month max 5k are usuable! having a complete rethink and structure now in place for a book that's going in a moderately different direction. I definitely have more confidence in what I am writing, although it's slower paced and more complicated than the last one. About to start today's effort and hopefully it will take my mind off all the grim office politics that are going on at work atm.
bb research is good! Sometimes you need time to mull over/round out ideas. Part of the pleasure of writing for me is the somewhat unpredictable rhythym of produce/disgest/revise.
mk writing that shouldn't see daylight is normal (I think?) see above - sometimes you need to just get it out of your system! it's all training, isn't it? that's the way I see it, anyway - writing crp is the only way to get better - cos if you're not writing at all, that can't happen.

The publisher's just asked me if I'd like to go and see them

oh brilliant belle! go go go! yippee!

Thank you xx

Oh so happy happy happy! Well done Belle! Isn't this all so exciting .

Thank you I'm excited and now have fingers/toes/arms/legs/hair crossed. I can't believe how far I've come in such a short space of time. I feel so lucky.

Belle .

My word count today: 0
Research: Loads!

1893 words today - the research paid off . But now it's the weekend and no more writing until next Monday. Have a good weekend all! Belle keep us posted!

Oh brilliant Bssh!

I have a new plot for them, the're going to hate love me!

Definitely talk about other ideas you have, belle so they know that you (potentially) have longevity, that you're not a one book wonder . And remember to think about how you'll pitch yourself as they have to see your marketability. I remember when I was back where you are (back in the early 90s!) the agent and the publisher spent alot of time talking to me about how they (and I) would market myself as well as the book - even the first meeting with the agent.

God, I've not thought of my marketability. Erm....

I have ideas, lots of them. I've almost finished my novel as well. Could be an issue if they want me to stick to one age group.

2240 words this morning and Chapter 16 is now complete, which means that Part 3 of the novel is now complete too. So, I am on the homeward stretch: the last part, Part 4 (5 chapters), is now left to write. Hurrah! Will start the "beginning of the end" tomorrow.

Total word count for novel so far: 88,024

I'm a long way now from my "cry for help" and "need a kick up the backside" first post on this thread on 17th March .

Okay, so plan for tomorrow is to get as close as I can to mapping out all the scenes for Part 4 of the novel (5 chapters). Will report back tomorrow night.

So, I have mapped out half the scenes for last section of book. Aim to complete mapping tomorrow.

well done bb, sounds like you are powering ahead
when's your meeting belle? really good luck with it, will be keeping everything crossed for you
I've been a distracted recently as I'm hoping to do gtp this September and been setting that up, bit scary in terms of juggling childcare etc but I went to visit a lovely school today, I'd love to work there if they'd have me! I've been writing, but haven't been able to get as absorbed in it as I normally do. I bet once the course actually starts it'll be even worse, so I'm setting aside this summer for a totally indulgent writing marathon