{as i #amwriting.} Ready. Set. Write.

Back into the fray, that’s our Kaye!

(No one has ever said this about me. But maybe one day, someone will. And it rhymes, right?)

If you can remember back to my participation in the YA Buccaneers’ Spring Writing Bootcamp (and before that, Writer Recharge), I started out strong but did a little of a “I don’t want to post!” downward spiral at the end. Overall, though, it was a nice experience and I had a lovely team alongside me, and if there is one thing I need, it is accountability.

So, when I saw a few friends discussing a new online summer intensive in the same vein as the boot camp, I had to take a look.

Organized by the same group of ladies behind Writer Recharge, Ready. Set. Write. is meant to provide accountability while being easy-breezy with the updates. Considering last time, the idea of writing paragraphs of updates for each section got me down, I like the idea of quickly dropping in what I’m up to, and then moving on.

In any case, it sounds like a lovely idea, and I’m gladly hopping in. If you want more information, check out Jaime Morrow’s post (where I started) or look up the other hosts!

{as i #amwriting} Bootcamp Update #4...and #5

Just...I know.

Don't look at me that way.

{as i #amwriting} Bootcamp Update #3

Mara is making me eat humble pie today, because she said that if I kept updating late, I would enter a loop and slog hopelessly behind the rest of the team every week.

Well, this is me admitting it: Mara was right.

But I'm going to make sure she isn't next week.

{as i #amwriting} Bootcamp Update #2

 
Last week it was Tuesday, this week it's Wednesday...

What can I say, guys. Genius just can't be rushed.

(Or maybe I just wasn't sure if I'd have enough interesting things to pad this with.)

Moving on...

{as i #amwriting} Bootcamp Update #1

So apparently accountability is a bit too heavy of a magic word for me, in some circumstances. Yesterday, I was so desperate to be able to post some concrete updates that I missed posting on Monday entirely!

So, this post is late. I have no good excuses for that, except my own neurotic tendencies.

In any case, though, updates are updates, and I have quite a few!

{as i #amwriting} YA Buccaneers Spring Writing Bootcamp

From one writing challenge to another, it seems!

I am grateful to keep catching news of these awesome events. Yesterday, my friend Dahlia posted about the YA Buccaneers Spring Writing Bootcamp she was planning to join in. I checked it out and decided, "Hey, why not?"

I didn't finish Writer Recharge at my personal writing best, but hey, I didn't crash and burn, either. And if you know me, you know that there is one thing I need when I'm writing:

A - C - C - O - U - N - T - A - B - I - L - I - T - Y.

(Yes, I probably didn't need to spell it out. But when have you expected me not to add a little pizazz to a otherwise boring PSA?)

Like Dahlia did - since this challenge spans three months instead of just one, I'm going to try and put down an approximation of what goals I'd like to knock out per month.

Inspirational GIF at the ready...

{as i #amwriting} Writer Recharge Update [3]

Want to know what Writer Recharge is about? Click here to look back at my initial post. 

Wow...are we really on our last week of updates? February, I think you are too short for your own good.


And too busy.


And too snowy.


And it wasn't even a leap year to toss us for a loop.


But, I shouldn't complain. I still like 2014 a lot more than 2013.


So, my final updates for this challenge...


I was not able to write every day last week. Homework...is homework. I made so many excuses about this last week, but the truth is that being a college student isn't often good for the word count. Technically, I did write here and there - snippets of dialogue and setting notes in the good ol' story notebook - so I guess I shouldn't count myself completely out of things. Still, I managed to get enough out of the way that this week looks very promising - so I'm chugging on!


I have not finished this draft, and that's okay. I'm nearly there, which to me, is all that matters. In addition, my lovely critique partner Amparo (also known as PURE UNADULTERATED AWESOME) sent me an e-mail of encouragement, pointing out that there is a reason why I don't want to part from this protagonist, and reasons why I feel like this draft is not ready to be over.


I'm taking it one day at a time and letting the story weave its way to the ending as peacefully as possible for the both of us. I've found in the past that trying to force an abrupt end leads to unhappiness (mine) and stubborn unmoving wordless blankness (the document).


We still have a few days left in February, and I'm planning to reward myself tomorrow by putting writing first, and homework later.


I am still working out this new WIP. This story has many tangled roads and different voices all clamoring in my head to be heard - but the protagonist herself is very tight-lipped about most things. Still, I am fortunate to have a lot of support behind me, and I'm determined to get through this!

How was your week of writing? Any updates to share?

{as i #amwriting} Writer Recharge Update [2]

Want to know what Writer Recharge is about? Click here to look back at my initial post. 

Update #2, here we are! It feels like I've hardly had a chance to properly breathe over the weekend, with outside classes, homework obligations and just a muddled mind trying to figure out where to even start on my growing to-do list.


Well, let's see how I scored this time.


I did not get to write every day, but I tried my best to. I cannot get to sleep if I feel that I didn't write anything at all, so even if it was a few plot notes in my notebook, I got that down and out of the way.


Fortunately, this week is already off to a more promising start - my WIP draft is actually open today! Ironic that it's a Monday and I feel productive and energized.


I did not finish that draft yet. Please don't look at me. Endings are awful for me, particularly when I really like the voice I'm writing and, possibly in my subconscious, don't want to part from it. But, then again, there's always editing to look forward to, right?


I started the new WIP - that is not so new - on the 12th, as planned. This WIP is an adventure on its own. Remember how I mentioned crossing swords with it the last time around? So far, it's still in a fighting mood and has gotten a few scrapes in - but don't worry, they are only flesh wounds. I'm doing my best to keep an open mind and ignore the mistakes in the previous draft.


On Twitter earlier, Blair Thornburgh mentioned a recent approach to fresh drafting she learned: delete your old draft and start again, and you'll be sure to remember only what's important. It sounds scary, but also effective. Maybe I should try that.

How was your week of writing? Any updates to share?

{as i #amwriting} Writer Recharge Update [1]

Want to know what Writer Recharge is about? Click here to look back at my initial post.

So, we've come to our first update day in the Writer Recharge challenge! I was hoping to steam right into this date like the Little Engine That Could. Well, I have chugged up to the pit stop, but not with streamers and garlands tossed around my neck.

But, it isn't over until it's over, and the 28th is still some ways away.

I have definitely written every day. Since I'm a college student and have other obligations, sometimes - well, most times - it's around the 100-500 mark. The past few days have been particularly dismal in their word count, but as long as I've opened my draft at some point in the day and tossed something in, I don't feel like a complete failure.

I also started up a new notebook for my upcoming WIP, and write a few notes down about it every night - whatever comes to mind and might seem useful later on while I'm elbow-deep in the draft!

I...have still not finished this draft. I am super unhappy about this, particularly as I've passed by my second deadline on this monster. However, like I said before, February isn't over yet, so I'm keeping myself cheerful and just working toward that finish line. I think my protagonist is as fatigued as I am.

But, taking a page from Sara's example, I'm going to indulge everyone with a tiny snippet of what I managed to get in there this week:

If there’s something you should know about the quilting bees, it is that it is very exclusive. You are part of the quilting bee? You are the very inside circle of the gossip mill. Everyone else gets the quilting bee’s leftovers, unless they can help it.
 

Everyone else looks at whatever house a meeting’s being held in, and salivates in the hopes of getting a royal, gold-inked invitation to talk about others – and not be talked about themselves.

And, save for a few sycophantic daughters I doubt were missed, it seemed like the usual round was all present and accounted for.

I am still planning to start my WIP on the 12th. That is Wednesday, I believe. The notebook, near-complete playlist and bursting-at-the-seams Pinterest is really helping to keep my spirits up and make everything feel very fresh and official. This idea and I have crossed swords before, but I'm hoping we are preparing to meet on better terms, and all this good mojo around it this time is assuring me that we will!

How was your week of writing? Any updates to share?

{as i #amwriting} Writer Recharge Challenge

I was fortunate to be on Twitter yesterday in time to catch a tweet from Katy Upperman, in which she described a group challenge for writers that she and a friend would be hosting through February. Pretty much, Writer Recharge is an amazing, month-long motivational event, featuring set goals, accountability and social connections.

That's nothing I can complain about. Often, I feel that writing is a very lonely and solitary business. At heart, that is what it should be - you are bringing the words to the page, and no one else - but it's nice to have company while you do it, right?

That being said, here are my goals for this February:

* Write every day. I want to make 1K my daily minimum. Even if I'm away from the computer, I'll cart a notebook with me and get a head start on those words.

* Finish the current first draft I'm still carting behind me from 2013. I have ten chapters left, as I write this post.

* Start my next WIP by February 12. (I chose that date because it sounds like a pleasant one, for February, at least.)

I'll be posting every Monday, along with the rest of the Rechargers (is that a thing?), up until the 28th. If you're part of the challenge, or just want to hear what I'm up to, I love it when people check up on my writing and keep me accountable.

What are your writing goals this February? Care to share?