Ready, Set, WRITE! is a summer writing challenge hosted by Erin L. Funk, Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Jaime Morrow and Elodie Nowodazkij as a way to encourage participants to get going on their projects and to help keep us accountable. We share brief updates every Monday so as not to interrupt writing time with blogging. You can find out more here or check out others' updates over at the hosts' blogs.
1. How I did on last week’s goal(s)
I had one simple goal (and one not so simple one): handwrite 2,000 words or more, and discover the plot. Considering how I failed before and how last week had more work hours than the one before it... I was pretty surprised to find last night I've written 5,681 words this week.
Still not discovered the plot, though I do know a bit of backstory now, so that's something.
Still not discovered the plot, though I do know a bit of backstory now, so that's something.
2. My goal(s) for this week
My working week is considerably freer than last week, which probably means I'll end up doing less writing. (It usually does.) So I'm going to set a slightly higher goal that matches the last few weeks: 3,000 words.
And I'd still like to discover the plot, or at least find out what the thing is and why it's needed.
And I'd still like to discover the plot, or at least find out what the thing is and why it's needed.
3. A favorite line from my story OR a word or phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised
“You really don’t listen, do you?” Ais had heard about voices cutting through things like knives, but this was the first time he’d experienced it. “Are you incapable of doing what you’re told?”“Yes.” Wait, this time, honesty was as likely to get him into trouble as dishonesty had with Lirio. “I mean, no, but I’m just trying to put right my mistake. You can’t blame me for it, can you?”The boss rubbed his temples between thumb and forefinger in a way that uncomfortably reminded Ais of Lirio. “No. I can’t blame you for it. I can, however, blame you for being stubborn and stupid, but perhaps that’s a side effect of the company you keep.”Ais glanced over his shoulder again, but instead of seeming angry even if he was masking it, Lirio seemed totally unfussed, like being called stupid was an everyday occurrence for him.Ais suddenly decided he didn’t much like the boss.
4. The biggest challenge I faced this week
Work, as ever. And the fact that the further through the week I got, the more tired I was, until I accidentally lost precious writing time on Friday by falling asleep in a chair in the conservatory...
The cat wasn't impressed: it was 'his' chair I fell asleep in.
The cat wasn't impressed: it was 'his' chair I fell asleep in.
5. Something I love about my WIP
Ais is a big dumb puppy and Lirio is a spiky little cat, and I didn't know that about either of them until I just sat down and started writing.
Oh, and I've been writing every day in different colour ink, so I've blocks of text in orange, blue, red, navy, green... It's the most cheerfully-coloured story I've ever written.
Oh, and I've been writing every day in different colour ink, so I've blocks of text in orange, blue, red, navy, green... It's the most cheerfully-coloured story I've ever written.
I don't blame him for not liking the boss!! (Maybe he has a heart of gold and everyone will grow to love him...?) Oh dear, you don't want to mess with the cat's favorite chair. They look cute and fluffy but they can sure hold a grudge :) Good luck finding the plot this week and well done on the words!!
ReplyDeleteHaha, the cat's been exercising his revenge by jumping onto the table where I'm working, right onto my notebook so it (and he) goes skidding away from me, smudging ink in the process. I think I'll be paying for my nap for a while yet at this rate...!
DeleteThank you! Good luck to you too. :)
Fantastic excerpt, Pax! I love what you said about discovering your story's plot. That's always such a challenge for me, too. I'm good at coming up with characters who have interesting backstories, as well as fun situations to put them in, but the actual plot and story arc... Yikes. Writing is hard! Best of luck nailing down your plot in the coming week. Rooting for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, I'm definitely in the same boat with characters and situations, particularly right now! I know there has to be a plot here somewhere though so I'll have to keep digging until it shows itself.
DeleteThank you, and good luck to you this week as well!
Work and writing can be a hard balance. Congrats on the writing progress. You will find the plot soon!
ReplyDeleteIt's a balance I've never had much luck with, but maybe one day! Thank you, and I do hope so!
DeleteGreat idea with the different colors of ink, and yay to getting so much writing done! I had to laugh at the 'less work+ more time=less writing'. That IS how it works. :)
ReplyDeleteOne of the joys (and perils) of being a stationery addict: I have several fountain pens, all with ink, that I've not been using so not only does it tell me which day I'm on (sort of), it gets me using my pens. :D ...though now I get to procrastinate about which colour ink I'm using instead!
DeleteI'm so glad it's not just me with the more time/less writing thing! Everyone around me is so productive when they have spare time, haha, and I'm so very not...
Love the excerpt you shared! And wow! You totally blew your word count goal out of the water this week. And by hand to boot. That's very impressive! You know, writing in a different colour of ink each day is a good way to track your progress for each day that you're writing. Smart idea! Hope this is another productive week!
ReplyDeleteI'm really not sure what happened this week, especially after the last week was so awful... I'm not complaining though! Whether I'll be able to keep it up is another matter though. Fingers crossed!
DeleteI have to admit, mostly the reason I use different inks, aside from making it easier to figure out where I started and stopped every day (Friday's is red and very small...), is because I have so many inked-up pens and they really do need use! Thank you, I hope your week goes smoothly too! :)
I commend you for handwriting, I prefer to type. Great job on your word count. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteOh I definitely prefer to type, and not just every letter in my handwriting runs together and even I can't understand what I wrote after a day or two... *grins* But I tend to collect fountain pens and ink, and I agreed (possibly foolishly) to handwrite it with a couple of similarly-minded stationery addicts and... let's just say this may not have been one of my better plans...
DeleteThank you, I'll definitely try! Good luck this week. :)
... *not just because
DeleteI do, however, tend to miss out fewer words when I handwrite, it has to be said.
All off the rainbow page.... :-D I like the excerpt all except for a bit of a 'voices in the air' sensation. But... that could be because I didn't see the scene setting early on.
ReplyDeleteYay for more words written than expected. Now... don't let yourself slide. Keep going!
Yes, I did cut a fair chunk away from the start of the scene that explains where Lirio and Ais are standing in relation to their boss, so I think that's where the feeling comes from. If I ever get around to neatening it up and I don't just run screaming from it at the end of the month, I'll go over it again and take a closer look.
DeleteI'm already having trouble with the "more free time = less writing" problem...!
Wow, great job on your goals! Hopefully you'll discover the plot soon. I find I learn more about my characters the more I write!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think the plot occasionally tries to break through, but it's not really trying hard enough right now. *grins* I am definitely discovering a lot about my characters though!
DeleteI liked what you learned about your characters! :) Great job meeting your word count!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :D
DeleteI liked what you learned about your characters! :) Great job meeting your word count!
ReplyDeletePhew! I'm getting finger cramps just THINKING about handwriting that many words. No judgment here for an afternoon catnap in a comfy chair in the conservatory. Sounds kind of wonderful, actually, despite the perturbed kitty. Good luck with your word count goal this week!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's getting easier the more I do it--with much less cramps! When I started I couldn't think how on earth I survived school. *grins* (And now I'm just wondering if my handwriting was that bad then, and if it was how I pity the examiners!)
DeleteThank you!