-
RichardB posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 7 months agoNice post, @kazg, and one that resonates with me. I’ve always worked by chipping away, little by little. I don’t set myself targets, and I try not to think about how far I still have to go, in case I get discouraged, something I’m far too prone to. The night driving analogy puts it in a nutshell. Surprising how those few metres at a time mount up.…[Read more]
-
Raine posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 7 months agoI’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).
-
-
-
-
-
Hilary replied to the topic Short Story Publication/Competition in the forum Podium 7 years, 7 months ago
Oh, Elle – just read your flash piece. So sad and beautiful. Congratulations.
-
Hilary replied to the topic Short Story Publication/Competition in the forum Podium 7 years, 7 months ago
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, 7 months ago
Am bored. Am very bored. Hairdresser is running an hour late.
-
-
JaneShuff posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 7 months agoGot 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]
-
Good stuff. Every 500 words adds up
-
Good going! Starting new wip is definitely something to be pleased with.
-
Oh well done! Any words on a new WIP is great. And that research all counts too.
-
-
-
-
Hilary posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 7 months agoSorry 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.
-
-
-
-
-
-
JaneShuff posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 8 months agoI 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.
-
Raine posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 8 months agoGoal of 1k words today have mutated into a goal of just getting through the day in one piece. And possibly printing out an MS. I’ve been told I need to trim it back by 10-15k. Which is a little daunting, and like @philippaeast with her more esoteric edits, I need to make sure I am doing this in short enough bursts that I am genuinely paying…[Read more]
-
I have had to do major trimming in the past, Raine, and actually found it quite liberating once I had got into the right frame of mind.
-
Hi @raine. I feel your pain! Is that comment about trimming one that you have only just received? If so, then it might need a little time to digest. Is it a change that you are, in principle, in accord with? Do you think it’s a case of losing some scenes / a subplot line, or more a case of just tightening everything and trimming words throughout?…[Read more]
-
-
JaneShuff posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 8 months agoI am loving redaing what you’re all planning to do in December.
Having spent yesterday and today running and manning the local twinning committee’s ‘sell English products to the French’ Christmas stall in between dodging the Gilets Jaunes to take my OH to the airport, my aim tonight is to do enough RL work to free up tomorrow morning for a bit…[Read more]
-
*reading
-
That would be a very good end of year @janeshuff. I hope you are all ok over there. Awful to read about all the anger and destruction x
-
Thanks @kazg. Luckily we are far from the mayhem of Paris and the gilets jaunes here were peacable enough. However they’ve started blockading the Port du Commerce which means no petrol deliveries and there was a spate of panic buying over the weekend which means the pumps have run dry!
-
Oh yikes! Hope the blockade lifts soon, although I have to admire their protest power! Good luck for the writing today – and without the OH to interrupt!
-
Oh no, hope you don’t get stuck! yes, the French know how to get protesting, don’t they? Phlegmatic they are not. Good luck with the writing @janeshuff
-
-
-
-
-
RichardB posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 8 months agoA good last few days. This weekend I have sorted two probs with my revived MS, the ghost story A Record of Sin.
The first was the paragraph formatting. which was in a mess inherited from the days when I didn’t know how to do it properly. I’ve been through the whole MS and put it right.
The second was a last, rather tricky POV change. Tricky…[Read more]
-
Well deserved G&T, I reckon!
-
-
Raine posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 8 months agoSo my aim for today was to post this month’s challenge and get the shopping done. And I have just done both. So now I am covered in cats and physically unable to get myself more tea. *weeps*
Tmrw, I am hoping for 1000 words…
-
Good stuff, @raine! I sometimes refer to those kinds of tasks as “clearing the decks” work. Like, getting that pesky stuff done so that I have a clear run of time in which to get my head down. “Clearing the decks” work is important work, not procrastination, because it’s a means to the end of getting the creative work done successfully. AT least,…[Read more]
-
-
Raine started the topic Monthly comp – December 2018 in the forum Monthly Competition 7 years, 8 months ago
Ok, so I’m going all seasonal because how could I not? Below are two lists, one of seasonal events/moments, one of items/beings. Pick one from each and do what you like with them. 400 words. Have at it, my lovelies.
Events:
– Lighting the first menorah candle.
– a Christmas eve midnight church service.
– Longest night.
– the hour before dawn on…[Read more] -
RichardB posted an update in the group
December SloMo 7 years, 8 months agoThis has got to be my spiritual home. I do everything in slow motion. Ask MrsB.
-
Tony Lyttle replied to the topic Monthly competition – Nov 2018 in the forum Monthly Competition 7 years, 8 months ago
Well done Raine, and thank you Daed for giving such good feedback on all the entries. Good comp.
-
Raine replied to the topic Monthly competition – Nov 2018 in the forum Monthly Competition 7 years, 8 months ago
Oh crikey, thank you so much jonathon! I wasn’t expecting that at all! There was so much to love in all the others. I actually, despite your concerns, absolutely loved your list of prompts!
I’m (still) on a train so will mull on a theme and kick off December tmrw. Thank you again. 🙂
-
-
- Load More
Skip to content
Thanks @richardb 🙂 And yes, there is so much truth in that ‘one step at a time’ adage. Really it’s the only way anything ever happens, regardless of the pace. One little task at a time. Congrats on finishing the rewrite, and enjoy the read! Always an exciting point 🙂
It is a good analogy. Another one someone gave me during my MA was ‘you’re looking at the whole mountain and you just need to look at the next rock’
Congratulations Richard. I hope you are taking a moment to pat yourself on the back.
Yay for finishing the edit, @richardb! That’s fantastic. Hope the read through goes ok. HOw do you do this bit? On paper or screen? My final read is on my kindle as it looks totally different compared to paper or laptop – so I spot things I didn’t before. But earlier not-strictly-editing reads are mostly from laptop.
I do it on my kindle, for exactly the reasons you state, @raine . But I like to do it sitting by my computer, so I can make the changes as soon as I spot the need to. Speaking of which, I still stick with a desktop for the actual writing because I like to have a ‘proper’ full-size keyboard. My daughter gave me a rather upmarket keyboard…[Read more]
@richardb, I used to sit on the sofa with my laptop and lots of cushions, but I finally set up a desk, so now have the laptop on one of those stands that lift the screen, and a proper keyboard attached. Best of both worlds, and I’ve been surprised (horrified) by how much it’s improved my concentration. :-O I read my wip-on-kindle in bed! Just…[Read more]