Monday, July 9, 2012

Did I Just Do That? and July #writemotivation update

Let me start you off with a picture. Take a good look. Let your eyes glaze over as you comprehend the truth behind it.

There are two things you should notice about this picture.
  1. The manuscript target:  60,485 of 57,000 words.  Yeah, you're not reading that backwards.
  2. The big "THE END"
See it? Yep, you do. That wasn't so hard.

This is what I saw when I wrote the last few words of my WIP, still titled "The Stone of Unity".  I can't remember exactly when I started officially writing it. I think I started seriously writing around February-ish.  So, four to five months, give or take a few weeks or so. Yes, the session target is blank. That is because I had already shut down the program before I decided to take the screen shot. You can whine, but I'm not going to listen. I originally wanted 60K for the first draft, but revised it down when I plotted then end. Then I got to the end and decided to add another chapter and an epilogue. So, I ended up over shooting the 57K by 3,500 words...I'm not complaining.

Now, as you writers out there will know, this is only the beginning. Yes, I finished (cue dancing, flailing, and various party affects). I finished the first draft. For those of you out there who are not writers, this means that I have a long way to go before this story is ready to be submitted. I have a lot of plot holes, character inconsistencies, stilted dialogue, tensing issues, and overall crap to clean up before people read it and are all like "Wow! Where did get that?" or "Man, he's such an awesome writer! I bet he wrote this in one sitting, he's that good."

Ok, fantasy moment over.

There are a lot of people who helped me get to this point and will help me get further. To them, I offer my heartfelt gratitude. I seriously couldn't have done this without you all (I would list names, but there are a LOT of you).  For the moment, though, I will take the advice of my friends. I will take a break from this story, wait a while, think of something else, and then come back to it with a fresh mind. I also have to wait for my wife to finish reading the first draft before I change everything.

So, here is my #writemotivation goal update.

  1. Finish first draft of WIP#1: DONE!!!! WOOOOOT!!!!! *happy dance*
  2. Choose which story I want to work on next: Now that WIP is done, I can start this...so many choices.
  3. Do Character sketches and basic world building for chosen story: See #2 above
  4. Blog once a week: Yep!
  5. Cheer everybody on!: Yes!
'Till next time
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Location: Alberta, Canada

32 comments:

  1. callmebecksJuly 9, 2012 at 11:50 AM

    One of our best cheerleaders ever, I must say. :)

    So, so awesome, dude. Well done.

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    Replies
    1. AndrewJuly 9, 2012 at 12:06 PM

      Thanks Becks. You and KT started me on this road. :D

      Delete
  2. Jamie Dement (LadyJai)July 9, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    YAY! *happy dance with stripping zombie dinosaur cheerleaders rolling around in pompoms and cookies and caffeine*

    So proud of you!! *hugs*

    Now, your title has me a bit worried. I've been writing my WIP#1, which is still title-less. But, Oh boy, your title sure does sound a lot like my story.....

    *flails*

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    Replies
    1. AndrewJuly 9, 2012 at 12:07 PM

      LOL. Seriously? I'm not sure the title will remain because there is very little about the Stone of Unity mentioned except at the beginning. I may have other titles that I might use actually.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJuly 9, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    woo! Major congratulations are in order. 60K in four or five months is pretty good going. Not a lot of people manage it. Finishing a novel is such a huge achievement - you should be proud of it. Also you're very brave letting your wife read your first draft - we don't let anybody read ours until it's been redrafted at least three times.
    Nobody writes a perfect first draft. We certainly don't, but we like to think of it as the skeleton and all the rewrites are adding the gooey bits, the muscles, tendons, flesh to the work. Then the editing is the sculpting to trim the excess padding.
    Now's the time to celebrate and give yourself a reward.

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    Replies
    1. AndrewJuly 9, 2012 at 12:10 PM

      Yes, I'm thinking some chocolate may be in order. :D Actually, my wife used to be an English teacher. My 10 year old ultimately gets it first, but the wife does some grammar fixes and occasionally comments on the characters/story after he's done. She's a little behind (chapter 12 of 26), so by the time she gets through it, I will have had enough time to let things settle before I tear it apart.

      Yes, the first draft is just the skeleton. Need to add some meat to those bones. :D

      And I am so not surprised that you used a skeleton for your analogy. :D

      Delete
  4. UnknownJuly 9, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    Awesome job Andrew! Don't you love that feeling of elation as you finish that FD? So liberating.
    Then you (or at least I) have a slight panic attack as you realize the repercussions of it. Now comes the challenging but even more rewarding part. Rewrites and edits. Good luck!

    Congrats man.

    London Cole

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    1. AndrewJuly 9, 2012 at 2:17 PM

      Thanks, London. Yeah, there is a part of me that's panicking a little, but I'm also really excited. :D

      Delete
  5. K.T. HannaJuly 9, 2012 at 12:40 PM

    I'm so farking proud of you :D

    I remember when you started this, and when you struggled, and when you just plain told it to listen and wrote. I knew you could do it.

    And I'm so glad you're taking a break haha. Let it stew and then rip it apart <3 You've got this! Here's to a FANTASTIC July!

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    Replies
    1. AndrewJuly 9, 2012 at 2:21 PM

      Yes, I'm taking a break to focus on all the plot bunnies that have been popping up the last couple months. But yes, I'm very happy. I want to just tear into it and make all the changes that are in my head, but I need to wait...and not go completely insane...waiting...*taps foot*

      As I told Becks earlier, I blame you and her for this. :-p *loves*

      Delete
  6. VikLitJuly 9, 2012 at 1:13 PM

    YAY to completing the draft, YAY! What an achievement! WOO time to celebrate! :) Go you!

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    1. AndrewJuly 9, 2012 at 2:23 PM

      Thanks! It's been a long road. #writemotivation has been a blessing in getting through the tough spots.

      Delete
  7. Katharina BrendelJuly 9, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    Congrats again! That moment when you get to write 'The End' was surely absolutely awesome :D Seems like you are doing really well with your goals this month! Good luck deciding on a new story :)

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    1. AndrewJuly 9, 2012 at 2:46 PM

      Thanks! I have several floating in my head. Have to decide which one I want to do. *ponders*

      Delete
  8. Tam LinseyJuly 9, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    How inspiring!! And starting a new project is the most exciting stage for me (well, other than wrapping a project up. The long haul through the middle is the least fun.)

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    1. AndrewJuly 9, 2012 at 2:48 PM

      Wow! Thanks! Never thought of anything I've done as inspiring. Thank you. I actually enjoy the whole process (even the middle). I'm really looking forward to rewrites, but I must wait. The all wise, KT and Becks, have decreed it. :D

      Delete
  9. MAJKJuly 9, 2012 at 1:55 PM

    Way to go!! The first draft is DONE! That is a huge thing even with all that is left to do beyond that. With all the encouragement you dish out it's exciting to see you achieving your goals! Here's to a Productive and Exciting JULY.

    *cue the dancing zombie Dinosaurs *
    *Hands you the Sparkly Top Hat of Awesomeness*

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    Replies
    1. AndrewJuly 9, 2012 at 2:49 PM

      LOL. Love the sparkly hat. I must get one and take a picture...hmmm...I think I have just one. :D I'll take a picture later...

      And thanks. I appreciate it. #writemotivation has been so helpful. :D You guys are so awesome. :D

      Delete
  10. CheyenneJuly 9, 2012 at 2:27 PM

    I'm so, so excited for you!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! What an amazing feat, and feeling!! You've definitely got these goals down for July....kicking butt & takin' names! You've got me motivated, that's for sure. Wooohooo!!

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    1. AndrewJuly 9, 2012 at 2:50 PM

      Thanks, Chy. :D I really appreciate it. There is a part of me that wants to sit down and cry. Not because I'm sad, but because I've accomplished something that I've always wanted to do.

      Delete
  11. AnonymousJuly 9, 2012 at 4:05 PM

    Congratulations! I'm so happy you got to type The End! It's always a wonderful feeling.

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    1. AndrewJuly 9, 2012 at 10:08 PM

      Yes, it is. I know it needs a lot of work (it is only the first draft), but I'm still excited. :D

      Delete
  12. AnonymousJuly 9, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    Congrats!!!!

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  13. AnonymousJuly 10, 2012 at 6:24 AM

    WOOHOO! congrats! That IS the best feeling, finishing that first one. You feel like you are a real writer - no matter what the voices in your head have been telling you. Not many people get this far. It's damn hard to make it through to those fantastic words, "THE END". Very proud of you! Now you know you can tackle any of the other challenges this writer's life will put in front of you, one step at a time. And we'll be there every step of the way, cheering you on.

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    1. AndrewJuly 10, 2012 at 8:05 AM

      Thank so much, Valerie. :D I really appreciate it. Luckily, the only thing the voices in my head have been telling me are "Don't stop!" Somehow, I managed to silence the doubt along the way. Some of it is probably all the support I've gotten through all of you guys out there. :D

      Delete
  14. Michael HaynesJuly 10, 2012 at 11:45 AM

    I said it on Twitter, but I'll say it here too.

    Congratulations on getting to The End!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Rebekah LoperJuly 10, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    I think I've told you on facebook and twitter so far, but I just need to say CONGRATS! again. I'm so proud of you :D

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    1. AndrewJuly 10, 2012 at 5:26 PM

      Thank you, Rebekah. :D You guys are so awesome. :D

      Delete
  16. Jocelyn RishJuly 13, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    Congrats! That's such an awesome feeling! Revel in it for a while before jumping into the whole new torture known as rewriting. :-)

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    1. AndrewJuly 13, 2012 at 9:49 PM

      Thanks, Jocelyn. :D It is an awesome feeling. I will revel for a while. :D

      Delete

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