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I have a #Writegoal and I’m not afraid to use it!

by ashleyludwig 10 September 2009 7 Comments

Last spring, I set a twitter #writegoal – to have a full fledged novel in 3 months. 1,000 words a day. Times three months. That’s 90,000 words. Sounds good. I dove in. And, things were going GREAT!

Except for one little detail. I’ve basically taken the summer off from writing. As an author, that only means I haven’t been taking my daily/weekly/monthly writing goals seriously. Or, should I say — I’ve been SETTING them seriously. I have not, however, done much more than massage my current work in progress to pieces, and left my hero and heroine on a beautiful, Mexican shore. They’re off scuba diving and falling deeper in love. I’m agonizing on the sidelines about their plot, their future, and whether or not I can actually finish this book.

Oh, I talk about it all the time. I tell you all about my cast, my setting, my plot, my new super cool villain. But, have I done much of anything to get through the sagging middle of my current work in progress?

No.

There. Phew. Now that I’ve said it, owned up to it, I make this solemn pledge. I’m back to taking my writing goal seriously. I did the math earlier this year. 1,000 words a day, and in three months, you have a 90k word novel.

GREAT!

Well, that was until my plot went sideways. So, right around Memorial day, I stepped to the side of my forward progress, and have been tiptoeing around my characters, allowed my muse to hit the malls with her bright and shiny credit card, and I stood at the curb, waiting for her to return.

And now, it’s after Labor day. The vacation break is over. It’s time to get back to it, and started yesterday back on the 1k a day treadmill! With, unfortunately, all of the new obstacles that come along with it. Now, my daughter’s in school. I’ve got more to do at my day job. My husband actually wants to do stuff with me, and I’m dragging my feet.

I’ve found, the best way to keep myself honest is my daily Twitter #writegoal . The honest support of fellow authors who know the pitfalls and perils of #writegoals! this is what I need. And, just in case I didn’t mention it, this is 1k a day in my WIP! not blogging. Not editing. Or writing amusing anecdotes about the children on Facebook. Good old fashioned PLOT PROGRESSION!

I’ve left my hero and heroine lounging on the beach long enough. I have other works that are starting to sound more interesting than this one. Time to finish! who’s with me?!

oh, and by the way – I’m double booked today — come visit me at www.mamawriters.com — and say hello!

7 Comments »

Happenings in September « Words of Inspiration & Romance… said:

[...] September 10 [...]

# 10 September 2009 at 6:50 am

Silver James said:

I think you need to hit them with a tsunami. Or a hurricane. Or…an old girlfriend.

I hear you, though, on that #writegoal. But I’m in a sort of Twilight Zone. I’m waiting on edits/revisions instructions to come back from my editor on my second book. I’ve got a submission request and I really need to beef up one scene (though I need to read the whole book to get to that scene), cool the H/H’s jets on a love scene (it’s a tad…explicit *blush*) and then decided if I’m going to act on the epilogue or just leave it as is in a sort of Paul Harvey-Rest of the Story way.

I have new projects I want to start. I have a current WIP I want to finish. I…want to write but…but…but… Okay. Back to PROPHECY. I have an editor waiting, hopefully with bated breath, for it. Get writing!

# 10 September 2009 at 8:31 am

ashleyludwig (author) said:

OMG. Triple threat! How about all three!

Seriously – chills. Old boyfriend just washed up onshore.(not quite literally…hmmm…would that have been more interesting?) AND there’s a hurricane that just might shift course and hit them dead on! See. I’m already editing my scene instead of pushing forward!

That’s excellent news about your editor waiting. I’ve got one of those, too. AND, work to do… yada yada yada.

Thanks, Silver – for all your support. Keep writing, girl! We can do this!

# 10 September 2009 at 9:26 am

JK Coi said:

*Cracking whip*
Get back to it. Summer’s over. That’s what I told myself anyway. The first day of September began my new WIP and a daily goal for my writing. I also have a CP that has joined me and we’re doing a good job keeping each other motivated and — honest.

Good luck with it!

# 10 September 2009 at 8:27 pm

ashleyludwig (author) said:

JK – that’s what you need. Someone to keep you honest!

That’s what I need to. Right now, it’s the looming deadline I’m late for. Cramming through my edits, so I can get back to my labor of love.

Does the world have a place for a slightly paranormal, adventure romance? We’ll see! Good luck, stay focused. Nice to know we’re not alone!

~Ash

# 11 September 2009 at 7:30 am

Jeannie Ruesch said:

Ash, I’m late to respond (of course. LOL) However, since I imagine Fred is off lollygagging with Diva, I feel responsible to be someone to help you be accountable…and it has NOTHING to do with the fact that I need someone to help ME be accountable. Nothing, I tell ya.

I almost fell off my chair when I added my pages for this week up and counted THIRTY! Yessirree, Fred got major cheek smooches from me this week.

# 26 September 2009 at 2:41 am

Yvonne Walus said:

LOL, your characters should be grateful to you: months and months on a Mexican beach with nothing to do but diving! Please, please, please, can I be your next heroine?

# 16 December 2009 at 3:21 am