When I signed up for the Page a Day challenge I knew I wasn't going to be working on just one novel or even just on pages for the novel. I didn't realize I'd end up working on three different novels at the same time! That's usually more than my pobre brain can handle!
Work-in-Progress
I did four pages of free writing on my current WIP. When I free write I sit in front of a blank screen, type in the name of a character and write down everything I know about that person and how they relate to the other people in the novel. I love doing this. It helps me see the conflict between characters and figure out motivations for each person.
Additional pages written on WIP:
Rewrote three pages.
Wrote a whole new chapter (7 pages)
Wrote two more pages that I then turned around and cut.
"Finished" Novel
Is a finished novel ever really done? I went back to the novel I've been querying and made changes from a beta reader, then started submitting the pages to RLGL. Then before turning in the pages for the Sudden Death round, I rewrote big chunks of story, that combined came to about three pages of new writing. It paid off. I won!! Lucky #102 :)
From the Shelf
Then on a whim I decided to enter the Sourcebooks promo with an older book that has me stumped. I'm not sure what to do to make it better so I figured I should submit it for the critique. But when I read the opening chapter, it was clear why people rejected it. So I rewrote the first chapter to the tune of four completely new pages. (By the way, if you haven't already entered this one, you should follow this link to check it out. It looks like they've extended the deadline to July 30. Everyone who enters gets feedback on their pages.)
Total number of pages on Day 23 of the challenge: 23 pages
I'm happy. I've been writing pages, not every day, but equal to a page a day. I'm moving forward and I can see my writing improving.
And did I mention that I won RLGL? Sweet!! :)
If you haven't left a comment for your chance to win the Basket of Luck, make sure you do before midnight on Thursday. I'll be announcing the winner on Friday. I can't wait to send some good luck to one of my "lucky" readers!
23 comments:
Congrats on the win. :-) I'm going to have to try that free writing thing you do. It might help me with my WIP.
Good for you with all that writing. I've been rewriting one of my older ms. and it's slow going. Last night I had a breakthrough with my current WIP (which I haven't looked at in a month) so I plan on getting into that today. Progress is progress no matter what you write.
Congrats on the win. Good for you!
Congratulations!
Isn't it funny how time is the best revision tool there is? I mean, you could see right away what you needed to do to revise the older piece of writing.
I love when I give myself the time to really see tings in a new way.
Great post...and congratulations again!
Shelley
Woo-hoo! How cool to win RLGL! I learned about that contest from your blog. It's an extraordinary thing that Cynthea Liu does. Yay, you!
I will check out Sourcebooks promo.
I'm inspired by all your hard work and good results.
Awesome Sherrie! congrats.
You WON! I didn't know--congratulations!
Congrats on the win! I'm checking out the contest now, I'd love some constructive feedback (since I'm still trying to find betas). Thanks for the link!
Wow, Sherrie! You are rocking the house. Way to go.
Wow, congrats on all your progress and to answer your question- I don't think a finish ms is ever really finished...
Congrats on all the progress!! :)
Congratulations on your win! Sounds like you've been prolific. Hope the streak continues.
Yeah! Keep going!
Congratulations, #102!
;-)
Whoo! Congrats on the win. =)
I love pulling out my old ms and seeing what's wrong. It's amazing what time will tell me. =)
Congrats Sherrie. Like the sound of your free writing approach - i'm off to try it.
Mary: Thanks! And I hope you like the free writing. It's a great exercise for me.
Piedmont: Thanks! Good to hear you're moving forward, too. You gotta love when you have those breakthroughs!
Shelley: Time away really does help you see things in a new light. And thank you, but I swear it was the work of the luck basket!!
Tricia: Thanks! I'm amazed by Cynthea's generosity. The Sourcebooks one looks like a great opportunity as well to get some solid feedback.
Laura: Thank you!
Becky: Thanks! I'm so excited :)
JEM: The great thing about the Sourcebooks promo is that the feedback is coming from an agent or publisher so it should be very valuable.
PJ: Thank you!
Katie: A writer who has published many books told me that when she does readings of her books, she's still changing things in the margins as she reads! So no, I guess it's never done!
Amanda: Thanks!
Theresa: I hope it continues, too! Thank you!
Diane: Thanks -- I will!!
Kathryn: I think I'll add 102 to my lucky number list :)
Carolyn: Time away always helps.
Earth Gipsy: Let me know how you like the free writing. It's been a great tool for me.
Nice. Lots of movement on lots of fronts! And a win!
You go!
Oh, wow, you've been busy!
I do the same free writing exercise with my novel, too. I find it really helps.
Congrats on the win. I'm going to check out the link tonight. :D
My wip is out with betas, so I worked on a scene for my new outline. Unfortunately I didn't have much time to finish it. Maybe tomorrow.
Congratulations on accomplishing so much! I do the same thing with my characters...I also have pages of phrases and regional/historically used words. And pages of scene starters...
cONGRATS on the win! I'm off to check out. But before I do, congrats especially on writing, moving forward, and achieving your dreams.
Good job, Sherrie!
Wow!! I'm dizzy just reading about all the different things you're working on.
Go Sherrie! Go!!
sf
Awesome production!! That is so great to hear. I'm jealous. I need to get my butt in gear. ;)
Congrats on the win.
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