GWW

THE END!  How can two short words, cause so much trouble for a writer?

Earlier in today, as I sat here on this snow day, I  was faced with a writing assignment that is due on Wednesday.  I was racking my brain on how to begin the ending paragraph/scene of my book.  This is impossible, I thought.  I don’t even know the ending, at least right now, because the more I write, the more things change, along with the ending.  I’ve come so far, (over 50,100 words), that what I thought would be my end, isn’t that way anymore.  Finally, after about two hours, I finally decided to go the “Internal Change” way, and wrote what I thought was a nice ending to my book.  It showed how my Heroine had grown up, and how though life threw in a few curve balls, life has a way of working out.

I’m curious, how have you/are you/did you write your ending to a book?

Happy Writing!

Last month, I was a little panicked!  2011 was coming SOON, and I had a deadline.  (Thank you, honey, for coming up with a great idea about a date change).  With a month full of obligations and celebrations — my dad’s birthday, my 1st wedding anniversary, family gatherings and Christmas, I honestly asked myself how this was going to get done.  With three days, of consistent writing, staring at the computer, deleting the word count option from Word, which allowed me to focus more on the story, and with a lot of inspiration from my husband,  I DID!  I started what will hopefully (cross your fingers), be my first book in March, and before midnight, on December 31st, 2010, I had written 50,120 words.

 

After finishing over fifty thousand words, I took a step back to think about what I AM going to accomplish this year.

1: Finish my book by March 18th, my 30th birthday!

2: Take better notes about my story, and maybe even begin to outline.

3: Finish the classes that are needed, and get my Gotham Writers’ Workshop Fiction Certificate!  (I have two more to take).

4: Begin looking for a possible agent by July 1st!

5: Start book number two!

6: Write more when I take vacations.

7: Try and write something, even just a page, every single day.

8: Remember to always click SAVE on the PC, and not to touch the “trashcan” on the iPad, AND to sync correctly!

9: Don’t stress!  Know that the story will come to how it’s supposed to be told.

10: On New Year’s Eve of this year, I will sit back and smile, knowing I’ve done my best!

 

Overall, I learned a lot in 2010, thanks to GWW and the friends that have helped me become a better writer.  (Y’all are all awesome, and I thank you).

What are your writing goals for 2011?

Happy Writing!

Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines!  All deadlines are meant for a reason, whether it be meant for work, school, or even for your personal gratification.  A lot of people do not like having deadlines, though a lot of people thrive on them, and I’m one of them.

When I’m trying to meet a writing deadline, I tend to work really hard at first, but then I get a little burnt out, so I take a day, two, or five off.  I give myself time to reevaluate the piece and think about the storyline, the characters, what should be changed, deleted, and added.  A couple of days before the deadline, I then begin writing my heart out until, very happily, I meet the goal.

I also must say, and this goes out to a few people who call me an “overachiever,” I’m not that at all.  I have been known to turn my work in early, but I would prefer to be ahead of schedule.  I (try to) keep a tight schedule, and not just follow it, but stay way in front of needs to get done.

My advice: (1) Make a schedule, and put writing time on your calendar.  (2) Take it day by day and page by page.  (3) Don’t stress.  (4) Try not to edit until you’re finished writing, because this can lead to distractions.  (5) Submit your work, and pat yourself on the back for doing a job well done!