When I created my project timeline, I made it pretty intensive. It's a no-nonsense, stop screwing around and get serious, write as many days as you can sort of timeline. I admit, I was a little skeptical about whether I'd be able to keep up with it. The biggest challenge to that was whether or not I'd be able to finish writing Towers of Kansas--a book I've been writing on and off since 2012. I was starting to have my doubts it'd ever get done.
Well, it's finished. On the last day of June, I wrote "the end." Towers of Kansas is finally written.
Of course, when I say "finished," I do just mean written. It will need a great deal of editing work before I can even solicit the help of beta readers. But. Thanks to Brandon Sanderson, I've come to accept that I am a discovery writer. Even though I do plan a bit, a lot of stuff, like theme and underlying message, don't come to me until the very end of the book as I'm writing. So when I outline, I know I have to hit point, A, B, and C, but not sure how or why. I figure those things out as I write. Which sometimes adds extra time to projects because I sit and stare at the words for hours or rewrite a scene three or four times because it's not quite right.
All this means that when I rewrite, I go back and add a lot of things earlier in the book (and take out anything that contradicts what I'm trying to do) so that things at the end have a more inevitable, expected feeling. Makes the payoff better. Makes readers feel like, yeah, ok, I see where she was going in the beginning, and it only could have ended this way.
Brandon Sanderson's lectures have helped me identify a lot of the things I already do as a writer (not to mention advice on a lot of things I need to be better about), which means I can do those things with more intention instead of relying on instinct and happenstance.
At any rate. This month I've switched over to a novella, and it's been a breeze writing only about a thousand words a day instead of three thousand. I'm debating on whether I should throw another short story in to this month or if I should try to work on an editing project. Clearly I do not need a full month for these shorts. Although it might be good to include a bit of down time. I was feeling pretty fatigued after writing almost 45,000 words in June.
The project timeline is definitely a work-in-progress. But it's been a great motivator so far to actually get projects done. It feels good to be marking things off my list.
I even took a break over the weekend and participated in the Writers Weekly 24-hour short story contest. I never do summer. I always do fall. But. I'm super happy with my story. It's cute and fun and if it doesn't win money, I will be disappointed. Either way, I'll make sure to post it somewhere. Probably try to work it into a Cafe story (as a leftover at the very least).
That's been my one regret the past few months. I haven't made time to write Cafe stories. I've had ideas for the prompts, but one of them was a story within the world of my novel, so I decided to save it. The other I wrote a few beginnings for but then ended up writing a few hundred words in response to another story just for giggles. Luckily, the Cafe is continuing on without me. I still coordinate all the things, but we have enough other participants now that I don't have to feel like I have to write every month. It's equal parts sad and freeing.
I imagine I will feel the same about National Novel Writing Month in November. I officially resigned as ML for the Lawrence region. I think more and more I will have to stop doing things with and for the writing group as I focus more on my writing and publishing. It's both sad and exciting. The LFK Writers will always be my friends. I never would be the writer I am without them. They are my roots. But I am slowly pulling away from manager duties. Delegating things, letting more people take over things. It will always be the group I helped start. It will always be home. But I don't have to be in charge forever.
This entry took a sad turn.
I'm happy, though. I'm excited and anxious and motivated and ready.
Next month is WorldCon. I'm going for fun, but the husband is going to be on six panels. A few with famous people. I don't even know what to do with that. I'll probably talk more about it in next month's update. I just wanted to put that out there as something fun I was looking forward to.
This month...I'm going to try to read more. I've been slacking on reading lately. Now that I'm not trying to finish a novel, I have time to read. Yay reading! Because otherwise, what's the point of all this?
Monday, July 11, 2016
Monday, June 13, 2016
June Update: Convention Talk
Another ConQuesT behind me. I had a lot of fun, even if it didn't recharge my creative batteries as it usually does. The short version is that I drank too much (although Boulevard's raspberry chocolate ale is amazing) and that four panels in one day is to many.
I am an awesome moderator, though. I'm better designed for asking questions and prompting discussion and keeping people on task. It's what I do for the writing group, so it makes sense that I'd be good at it on panels. The NaNoWriMo panel was my favorite. It was a lot of fun. The LFK Writers panel was my second favorite. It was the first panel of the con, and we got a great turnout and people had great questions. The Writing Prompt panel was a bust, with only three people who showed up. The Publish Like the Pros panel was nice because it was the four of us from Bottle Cap talking about what we do. Lots of great questions there, too.
Then there were my two tough subject panels. The Creativity and Mental Health panel went about as well as it could have, although I regrettably didn't get much of a chance for audience participation. Everyone was very respectful and I think the audience really related to all of our panelists. The Creative Isolation panel was really tough. I didn't have many good questions for it, but it ended up generating some important, if difficult, conversations. Those panels were draining, but again, I feel like it's important to talk about those aspects of creativity.
I went to a few other panels, but found that I much prefer being on the speaking side. Maybe that would have been different if I had had a chance to see any of the guests speak. I think next year I am going to try volunteer behind the scenes rather than on panels, though. I've been toying with the idea of doing a literary festival in Lawrence sometime in the next five to ten years, so I'm trying to get involved in con planning so I know what to do.
Speaking of which, I have been pulled into planning the Midwest Reader Con with a lady I got to know at ConQuesT. This event is going to be HUGE. There's nothing really like it around here, so I am excited about it. But man, planning a con is a ton of work. I'm really glad my partner in crime, Kathleen Collins, is at the forefront, telling me what to do right now.
As if that wasn't enough, I still want to try to put out the vampire short story anthology (hopefully releasing it in time for the Reader con next year), and still keep up with the breakneck writing and editing pace I've set for myself.
Speaking of writing (since that's what this blog is actually supposed to be about), I am around the 85k mark for ToK, so that's coming along. Just gotta put some ducks in a row before I take off at full speed for the climax. I have two weeks left to finish before Camp Nano hits and I'm supposed to change projects. Dunno if I'll make it or not, but finishing this book is more important, so I'll keep at it until it's done.
My current plan is to write the final book at the end of this year, and then spend next year editing the last two books up. Having the completed trilogy before getting any of them published (whether traditional or self-published) will help a lot. I am never going to be able to write two books a year, so I have to rely on my back catalog, as it were, to sustain me once I start publishing.
I'm really doing this, friends. I still feel like I'm playing at this writer thing a lot of the time, but things are getting serious. I have a finished, polished novel. I have an almost completed sequel. I've freelance edited four novels and three collections. I have six short stories published (or will this fall). I'm involved in conventions. I'm starting my own publishing company.
I've come a long way in five years. I'm excited to see what the next five years brings.
I am an awesome moderator, though. I'm better designed for asking questions and prompting discussion and keeping people on task. It's what I do for the writing group, so it makes sense that I'd be good at it on panels. The NaNoWriMo panel was my favorite. It was a lot of fun. The LFK Writers panel was my second favorite. It was the first panel of the con, and we got a great turnout and people had great questions. The Writing Prompt panel was a bust, with only three people who showed up. The Publish Like the Pros panel was nice because it was the four of us from Bottle Cap talking about what we do. Lots of great questions there, too.
Then there were my two tough subject panels. The Creativity and Mental Health panel went about as well as it could have, although I regrettably didn't get much of a chance for audience participation. Everyone was very respectful and I think the audience really related to all of our panelists. The Creative Isolation panel was really tough. I didn't have many good questions for it, but it ended up generating some important, if difficult, conversations. Those panels were draining, but again, I feel like it's important to talk about those aspects of creativity.
I went to a few other panels, but found that I much prefer being on the speaking side. Maybe that would have been different if I had had a chance to see any of the guests speak. I think next year I am going to try volunteer behind the scenes rather than on panels, though. I've been toying with the idea of doing a literary festival in Lawrence sometime in the next five to ten years, so I'm trying to get involved in con planning so I know what to do.
Speaking of which, I have been pulled into planning the Midwest Reader Con with a lady I got to know at ConQuesT. This event is going to be HUGE. There's nothing really like it around here, so I am excited about it. But man, planning a con is a ton of work. I'm really glad my partner in crime, Kathleen Collins, is at the forefront, telling me what to do right now.
As if that wasn't enough, I still want to try to put out the vampire short story anthology (hopefully releasing it in time for the Reader con next year), and still keep up with the breakneck writing and editing pace I've set for myself.
Speaking of writing (since that's what this blog is actually supposed to be about), I am around the 85k mark for ToK, so that's coming along. Just gotta put some ducks in a row before I take off at full speed for the climax. I have two weeks left to finish before Camp Nano hits and I'm supposed to change projects. Dunno if I'll make it or not, but finishing this book is more important, so I'll keep at it until it's done.
My current plan is to write the final book at the end of this year, and then spend next year editing the last two books up. Having the completed trilogy before getting any of them published (whether traditional or self-published) will help a lot. I am never going to be able to write two books a year, so I have to rely on my back catalog, as it were, to sustain me once I start publishing.
I'm really doing this, friends. I still feel like I'm playing at this writer thing a lot of the time, but things are getting serious. I have a finished, polished novel. I have an almost completed sequel. I've freelance edited four novels and three collections. I have six short stories published (or will this fall). I'm involved in conventions. I'm starting my own publishing company.
I've come a long way in five years. I'm excited to see what the next five years brings.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
May Update: On Track and ConQuesT 47
All right, friends. All kinds of news to share. I really should start updating more often.
First, I won Camp Nano and finished the story I was working on. Second, I am back working on Towers of Kansas. The rest of the book is outlined and I'm making decent progress. Most days. This is exciting news because that means I am still on track with the huge project list I made. I'm optimistic that I will get ToK finished by the end of June. July is the second session of Camp Nano, and I have another nearly novella to write for that. I think I can do this. I really do.
Third, WE HAVE AN OFFICE. Jack and I went in with Kevin and Rachel and found a tiny office in a suite of offices downtown. It has a skylight and room enough for three or four workstations. There are bathrooms and a kitchen area and even a waiting room. It's pretty posh. We're doing a six-month lease as an experiment, see how much we use it and how productive it will make us. I am hoping many a novel and short story are written there. It's still in a state of partially furnished, but we're slowly working on getting desk and chairs and, y'know, internet up and working. We have a coffee pot in there. That's probably the most essential thing, right?
As a quick follow-up, I am still firm on my decision to retire as a freelance editor. I just finished what will probably be my last freelance project for awhile. It makes marketing myself weird, since my main website is still my freelance editing one, but I figure over the next year, I will make the transition from freelance editor to writer and editor for Bottle Cap Publishing.
Ok, ConQuesT 47! I will be there. I am moderating five panels. I will be doing a reading. I will probably go to a few panels for friends and colleagues, but also potentially spend lots of time at the bar.
If you are reading this blog and want to know where I will be when, here are my panel titles and times (and a couple lines about them):
Friday
3:00 PM - Writing Groups: This panel is hosted by the LFK Writers writing group and will discuss how to find the right writing group for you.
5:00 PM - Writing Prompts: This panel is also hosted by the LFK Writers, who contribute to the Confabulator Cafe, a website where we write fiction to a new prompt every month. We'll talk about all the different kinds of prompts there are and how to generate story ideas.
Saturday
10:00 AM - Publish Like the Pros: Bottle Cap Publishing will talk about how to self-publish your books.
1:00 PM - NaNoWriMo: A panel talking about the who/what/where/when/why/how of writing a novel in a month.
2:00 PM - Creativity and Mental Health: A common stereotype is that creative types all have some sort of mental illness. Sadly, there is a lot of truth to that. This panel is designed to raise awareness to reduce stigma and also talk about productive ways to work past those illnesses.
4:00 PM - Creative Isolation, Balancing Creativity and Relationships: This panel is designed to open up a dialogue between creative types and their loved ones to make sure everyone is getting what they need, whether it be time, space, or support.
Sunday
1:00 PM - Reading: Not gonna lie. This is my first time doing a reading in public. I am nervous. But. I will try to delight listeners with a short story from a recent publication, an excerpt from Monsters of Lawrence, and some of the ridiculous magnetic poetry I've written.
For a full schedule, check out the ConQuesT Sched website. There are lots of other interesting panels hosted by amazing people.
I shouldn't make promises, but I will try to post a wrap-up post-con when I get back. I am sure I will have lots of thoughts and feelings.
And hopefully more news as far as my writing!
First, I won Camp Nano and finished the story I was working on. Second, I am back working on Towers of Kansas. The rest of the book is outlined and I'm making decent progress. Most days. This is exciting news because that means I am still on track with the huge project list I made. I'm optimistic that I will get ToK finished by the end of June. July is the second session of Camp Nano, and I have another nearly novella to write for that. I think I can do this. I really do.
 |
| Only partially furnished at this point. |
As a quick follow-up, I am still firm on my decision to retire as a freelance editor. I just finished what will probably be my last freelance project for awhile. It makes marketing myself weird, since my main website is still my freelance editing one, but I figure over the next year, I will make the transition from freelance editor to writer and editor for Bottle Cap Publishing.
Ok, ConQuesT 47! I will be there. I am moderating five panels. I will be doing a reading. I will probably go to a few panels for friends and colleagues, but also potentially spend lots of time at the bar.
If you are reading this blog and want to know where I will be when, here are my panel titles and times (and a couple lines about them):
Friday
3:00 PM - Writing Groups: This panel is hosted by the LFK Writers writing group and will discuss how to find the right writing group for you.
5:00 PM - Writing Prompts: This panel is also hosted by the LFK Writers, who contribute to the Confabulator Cafe, a website where we write fiction to a new prompt every month. We'll talk about all the different kinds of prompts there are and how to generate story ideas.
Saturday
10:00 AM - Publish Like the Pros: Bottle Cap Publishing will talk about how to self-publish your books.
1:00 PM - NaNoWriMo: A panel talking about the who/what/where/when/why/how of writing a novel in a month.
2:00 PM - Creativity and Mental Health: A common stereotype is that creative types all have some sort of mental illness. Sadly, there is a lot of truth to that. This panel is designed to raise awareness to reduce stigma and also talk about productive ways to work past those illnesses.
4:00 PM - Creative Isolation, Balancing Creativity and Relationships: This panel is designed to open up a dialogue between creative types and their loved ones to make sure everyone is getting what they need, whether it be time, space, or support.
Sunday
1:00 PM - Reading: Not gonna lie. This is my first time doing a reading in public. I am nervous. But. I will try to delight listeners with a short story from a recent publication, an excerpt from Monsters of Lawrence, and some of the ridiculous magnetic poetry I've written.
For a full schedule, check out the ConQuesT Sched website. There are lots of other interesting panels hosted by amazing people.
I shouldn't make promises, but I will try to post a wrap-up post-con when I get back. I am sure I will have lots of thoughts and feelings.
And hopefully more news as far as my writing!
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