Barny

  • Daedalus posted an update in the group Group logo of December SloMoDecember SloMo 7 years, 5 months ago

    My SloMo has virtually been NoMo so far. Interrupted sleep patterns and disruption from house repairs, not to mention preparations for puppy, have just left me with little mental energy in the evenings. Nice to hear about and vicariously enjoy other people’s progress though!

    • Gah, @daedalus, that’s rough. But maybe trust that your writing brain will be whirring away in the background and when you have the time and energy again, the ideas will be there.

      • Thanks @philippaeast, I hope so. The other day I really wanted to just drop everything and start reading through my WIsortofP so that’s probably a good sign. I feel I should just read it through without making any notes, let alone editing, to try and read it as much like a reader might, and get a feel for what I might cut without overthinking it.…[Read more]

        • Do it Daeds.

        • @daedalus I’m pleased the impetus is there. That IS a good sign. And I think an “open-minded reader’s” read would be a great place to start. (Tip: If you’re like me, lock up the pencils / pens before you start. I find it so hard to resist marking stuff up and it always gets in the way of absorbing the story as a whole)

  • Squidge posted an update in the group Group logo of December SloMoDecember SloMo 7 years, 5 months ago

    My slomo so far has been to draft a Christmas newsletter (rather a Marmite thing, I’ve found, for the recipients), planned a few writing exercises for a group I’m talking to tonight (which I will also be using for NIBS next week), and about 150 words of something I like for Room with a View (although I have no idea where it’s heading or why I’ve…[Read more]

  • Raine posted an update in the group Group logo of December SloMoDecember SloMo 7 years, 5 months ago

    I’ve decided, in light of switching to editing, that I’m to spend 1-2 hours a (writing) day editing, and the rest working on short stories or transcribing. Should help me keep my editing focus, fingers crossed. Did my first two chapters yesterday…

    • I like the plan, @raine. Slow (SloMo) and steady. I’m also switching it up – spending a couple of hours mentally revising elements of book one and then an hour or so sketching ideas for book 2. I switch sides of the table in between!

      • Ps well done on the two chapters. What kind of editing are you doing?

        • Ta. x. Edit is a general tighten up to try to shrink the total. But I’ve also decided to cut out a character who just wasn’t quite pulling his weight. I’m hoping that helps the whole thing streamline, but it makes the whole thing very line-edit level. Tempting, like you say above, to just keep going when there’s time. But I don’t think that would…[Read more]

          • Oof that does sound hard. I know what you mean about changing one thing affecting everything. Sounds like you,are making brave decisions though with the tightening. I hope it is starting to feel more streamlined (streamlined is such a good word. That’s how we want stories to feel, I think. You know, a sort of organic elegance).

  • I see we have four new members who could use a vowel or two in their name. What’s that all about?
    Anyway, Wlcme!

  • Hope the launch was fun @hilary, and congratulations!

    And @elle, I’ve just been reading back thorough this thread and seen your other stories – absolutely stunning writing, no wonder you keep getting placed! Well done 🙂

  • Exciting about the antho launch Hil, have fun!

  • Thanks @hilary

    Have a great time tomorrow at the launch. Let us know how it all goes!

  • Oh, Elle – just read your flash piece. So sad and beautiful. Congratulations.

  • Tomorrow is the launch of the Bath Short Story Award anthology. Excited about reading a page or so from my story, and meeting other winners and shortlisters.

  • JaneShuff posted an update 7 years, 5 months ago

    Am bored. Am very bored. Hairdresser is running an hour late.

  • RichardB posted an update 7 years, 5 months ago

    One hundred members….

  • JaneShuff posted an update in the group Group logo of December SloMoDecember SloMo 7 years, 5 months ago

    Got my 500 words done. The first 500 words of a new WIP. Had to remind myself several time – Don’t get it right, get it written! Suspect it might show that I loved doing my research a bit much! Tomorrow’s target is the same – 500 words. Then I’m off to London for a big weekend so won’t get anything written until I get back. Hope you’re all doing…[Read more]

  • Daedalus posted an update in the group Group logo of December SloMoDecember SloMo 7 years, 5 months ago

    All I did today was trim 500 words from a short story so I could submit it to Barren magazine, which has an upper limit of 4000 words. It was worth doing as it tightened the prose a bit, and I spotted a few mistakes as well, which was unsettling as I’d submitted that version a couple of times. I’m pleased I did that much tbh, as it’s been a diffi…[Read more]

  • KazG posted an update in the group Group logo of December SloMoDecember SloMo 7 years, 5 months ago

    So I managed 203 words yesterday. That’s a little too Slo Mo for my liking. I think I need to embrace the theme of this group a little less enthusiastically.

    In my defence, it was the day after said music festival, kids had music performance of their own AND husband back in the house after a month away. So not a normal day…

    Have to get…[Read more]

  • Hilary posted an update in the group Group logo of December SloMoDecember SloMo 7 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry I’m late, but here now for mutual encouragement. I’m working on structural edit of novel, having done one and two-thirds drafts. Have been trying to hone and clarify main story arc and am now trying to work out how and where the subplots intersect/have an impact on the main plot. Like some of you, I am feeling the fear, mainly because it’s…[Read more]

    • Oh good luck! I feel your pain! Are you doing the splendid post it notes!?

    • Congrats on being a runner up, Hilary. I also feel I’m making progress then decide the opposite is true. It sounds as though you’re making v good headway. The structural stuff needs doing and you’re doing it. Congrats on that too, and pat yourself on the back.

      • Thank you, Libby and Raine. Yes, post-its have played a part; also multi-coloured highlighting in Word. It all helps.

        • I use a chapter plan in a separate word doc too. This can be changed as often as required but without it I’m lost.

          • Well done @hilary on pushing on. I know what you mean about the false summits, but keep,faith. It does just take that long. If it’s any consolation I’m on draft, er, 20 with at least another round of edits to go! And trust me: the agent will wait, there’s no rush. I took a whole year between the request for the full and sending it, and it was fine.

  • Libby posted an update in the group Group logo of December SloMoDecember SloMo 7 years, 5 months ago

    Thanks for setting up this group @raine. A great idea.

    I work slowly most of the time so every month is a SloMo. Printing out is definitely required for serious editing, as is reading aloud though that comes nearer the end of whatever section I’m working on. Until the reading out, I live with lots of clunky connections and sentences. And…[Read more]

    • Are you editing atm? If so, join the slightly panic stricken club!!

      • Yes, though my deadlines are self-imposed thank goodness. I’m behind at the moment. The 2016 SE group is very patiently waiting to critique my next instalment.
        Actually I think I’m always editing atm. If it’s not one thing it’s another 🙂

  • JaneShuff posted an update in the group Group logo of December SloMoDecember SloMo 7 years, 5 months ago

    I didn’t have a lot of time today but I think I have got the planning to the stage where I need to start writing. So that’s the plan for tomorrow. Although I won’t have a lot of time, so I’m going to do the background research for it tonight and set myself a gentle target of 500 words.

  • Squidge posted an update in the group Group logo of December SloMoDecember SloMo 7 years, 5 months ago

    Very late to this – two days gone already! – but I blame it on an overnight visit to Germany to see friends and celebrate Advent.

    SloMo… I jotted a few ideas down for Room with a View, then decided I didn’t like them and another idea popped into my head this morning. Not sure it’ll work, but might play around with it this afternoon. I shan’t…[Read more]

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