There have been some very interesting blog entries as of late around the web. They’ve run the gamut when it comes to writing and reading. My personal favorite was the interview with Nora Roberts in the RWR. That article has been quoted on a number of blogs. I believe mainly because Nora doesn’t put up with BS excuses of why you can’t write. I’ve never met the lady, but just from her attitude, I do believe we’d get along very well. (wg)
I have actually enjoyed reading the blogs as of late. (Always do, when I learn something new.) But once again, I find myself wasting hours of time that could be spent taking notes, writing or charting out scenes. Why am I bringing this up now? Because I have friends coming into town for a visit on the 15th of Sept. They’ll be here for ten days, which is terrific, but that’s ten days I won’t get any writing done. That means I have to get the writing in before they arrive. You see where I’m going with this, don’t you?
I have exactly one month to get a rough draft down on paper. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but it does need to be there. Why the hurry? After our friends leave, my in-laws arrive a week later. They’ll be staying for a month, which means if I don’t get that rough draft done I probably won’t get to work on the book consistently until November. That doesn’t work for me. I’m not good with the start and stop method of writing a book. Seriously. I figure if I can at least get a rough draft done by the middle of next month I can allow the manuscript to sit while our friends are here for their visit. When they leave, I’ll have exactly a week to edit the book. This is a good thing. The book still might not be ready to send to my agent, but it’ll be a whole lot closer than if I wait until November to write it.
What does this all mean? INTERNET DIET ALERT. Yep, that’s right. I’m going to have to redefine the word ’scarce’. I will be checking in, but ONLY if I have a productive day. Otherwise, I’m not allowed to play on the computer and that means no blogging, no blog reading, no Luxor (whimper), and no IM. I will still pick up my email, but only a few times a day. It’s going to be painful, but it has to be done. What have you been putting off that you should’ve been working on?
August 20th, 2006
You can do it, Jordan!! Get the rough draft down, and then enjoy your family and friends.
We’ll be here when you come back
by Sasha August 20th, 2006 at 9:21 pmIt’s fun to write a book in a month! Yeah, I’m there too. I have things to finish, including That Book.
by Charlene August 21st, 2006 at 6:05 amEek, Jordan!That’s nice to have company, but writing hell. Good luck with your writing!!! As far as my procrastination–I always toss aside mail and stuff and ignore it until I finish a ms. I am *so* bad!
by Cheyenne McCray August 21st, 2006 at 7:42 amDamn you people are disciplined…sigh…
Things I’ve been putting off? Lessee–maybe the four stories I’ve started and not finished, or the one I’ve finished and not tweaked?? :-O
by raine August 21st, 2006 at 7:59 amWowee!! I admire your determination so much. (I wish I could be more like you when I grow up…
I’m going to use you as inspiration over the next 2 weeks, during which I have 2 friends visiting from LA for 5 days but have to get 2 mss. revised and sent to my agent.
GOOD LUCK getting your stuff done.
by Catherine Morris August 21st, 2006 at 8:53 amThanks Sasha!
by Jordan August 21st, 2006 at 9:45 amCharlene, I wouldn’t exactly call it fun, but it is a necessity. (wg)
by Jordan August 21st, 2006 at 9:46 amChey, Actually, that’s the smart thing to do.
by Jordan August 21st, 2006 at 9:46 amRaine, Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy.
by Jordan August 21st, 2006 at 9:47 amCatherine, Good luck to you, too.
by Jordan August 21st, 2006 at 9:47 amWent through a terrible writing slump–felt I had to giv eup fiction to do my non fiction, all of it suffered. Am re-energized, and allocating REGULAR HOURS to both. GOOD LUCK with your projects.
Blog- hopping is so much fun.. but I am definitely putting some limits on my internet fun in the mext few months!
by Maddie August 21st, 2006 at 10:43 amGood for you, Maddie. Hope the passion stays strong.
by Jordan August 21st, 2006 at 11:23 amAh, I see… So coming to the internet is going to be your reward for having a good productive writing day. Hmmm… Interesting concept! *wg* I’ll have to try it instead of going for the Oreo cookies.
by Tempest August 21st, 2006 at 5:47 pmTempest, Yep, it’s my reward.
by Jordan August 21st, 2006 at 8:28 pmEverything!
by Candice Gilmer August 22nd, 2006 at 11:41 amCandice, *ggg*
by Jordan August 22nd, 2006 at 12:10 pm