December 2, 2015

Ain’t no party like an end of #WIPmo party!

Let's celebrate GIF

Hello #WIPmo crew! We’ve made it to the finish line. I don’t care how you got here or what you did, but we started from the bottom now we here.

Kudos to everyone who worked through the month whether you did the Nano thing or solely the Wipmo thing. I’m proud of us and I’m proud of me. Okay, I wish I was a little more proud of myself than I actually am but to be honest, I’m always a little hard on myself. I should/want/need to do more. Bleh. It’s the writer’s way!

This month I did edits, which included a little revision and a new chapter/scene, copy edits, and wrote an author’s note. Aaaaaand I did work on my WIP. I finished a scene-by-scene list from the whole ms which took a crap-ton of time. More than I’d expected. I wrote two short, new chapters for it as well. And I figured out the stuff I need to add and probably cut. I’m excited to revise it (again!) in December. Screw the holidays–I need to finishFINISHfinish this book!

How about you guys? Please comment below to celebrate and share your victories!

November 23, 2015

#WIPmo check in. One Week Left!

90210 thumbs up

Hey you! How are you? How’s work? The fam? Getting enough sleep? How’s life? How’s the book?

The book? Ohhhhh yeah, the book! Confession time, I’ve been doing other writerly things rather than working on my book. Yep, I’ve been putting it last on the list. I’d really love to have it complete. And sub-ready. I am SOCLOSE. But more things keep popping up to do (For Liars and Losers Like Us) and then I just *yawns* get so tired and decide I “deserve” the wind-down time, the chill time, etc etc. But here’s the deal, if I have time to lay in bed for an hour and scroll mindlessly through twitter, toggle back to Facebook, google a random question or two, read the latest Kardashian update, I HAVE TIME TO WORK ON MY WIP.

It’s so important to be working on the next thing. If you’ve been busting your ass to make your goals this month and exceeding them, I commend you! If you’ve been doing other stuff that is taxing and you’ve been feeling a bit rundown, I know this feel. I think adjusting your goal this last week to be a little more realistic (especially if you have an extra work load, holiday stuff, or other life stuff happening) THAT IS FINE. AHEM. BUT! BUT! BUT! Do not give up. Do not do the minimal. And I highly encourage you, if you are very close to making your goal, EXCEED IT. It’s okay to adjust your goals to make them a bit more realistic, but that doesn’t mean you need to abandon them. This is our last week. I’d love to see some extra work put in. An extra session on a night you were going to watch TV. A lunch/writing session. A night session with another #WIPmo or #Nano pal. Carve out that time. Finish strong!

One week left, y’all! Let work together to make this happen.

Check-in in the comments!

November 16, 2015

#WIPmo Murky Middle Check In!

Hey guys! It’s time for the middle-of-the-month #WIPmo check in. Who’s still writing, still revising, or editing? Or, if you’ve abandoned your Nano Goals or need an extra push this month, you can get started here. We’re chill, we’re laid back. No strict rules. Just Goals. Work. Write.

Just like the middle of your book can get murky, so can the middle of #WIPmo month. Maybe you’ve slacked off a little or have decided that your monthly goal was a little too lofty. Or maybe you’ve been distracted with life stuff and have been too tired to fit extra writing time into your schedule. Maybe you’re thinking of giving up the goal you had and just keeping things status quo as if it was any other month. NO!

This week, instead of just moving forward, let’s take it up a notch. This past week I was pretty tired out from the edits I’d done the week before so I did a lot more resting than I would have liked. This week, I’m working on copy edits but I really want to get some work on my WIP done. I need to work a little harder. I’m going to have to challenge myself. I’m not going to give up and just do the minimum and hand in what is expected of me. On a night when I am exhausted, the kids are in bed and I’m ready to lay around with my phone until I fall asleep…NO. NOPE. NO.

Let’s work harder this week. Let’s forge ahead. Push yourself. And yes, let’s support and push each other.

Have a great week everyone! Check-in in the comments and if you’re new, introduce yourself!

P.S. There are 13 of us, so all of our handles don’t fit into a tweet. Be sure to check and use the #WIPmo hashtag to see who else is writing and #WIPmo-ing!

November 9, 2015

#WIPmo Week 2 Check-in! Run Writers Run!

Hey #WIPmo crew! Today is our second check-in but our first check in to see how we’re doing with goals! And, as I’ve written before, we’re a fairly chill group, so even if you weren’t here last week, please jump in and get started with us!

This past week was really intense for me. I was finishing up edits for Liars and Losers Like Us and the deadline was Friday. Yes, I could’ve asked for a small extension, but I was determined to make it. And I did! But, I was exhausted. I think most non-writers would think “Writing? How does that make you tired? What?” Well, I’m not sure about you guys, but for me, when I’m doing some heavy edits/revising, it’s pretty emotionally taxing. There’s the work of MAKING EVERY SENTENCE THE BEST IT COULD BE because this is the home stretch. For me this time, I felt the pressure of knowing that “other people” are going to read these exact sentences. Not just my agent, CPs, and editor who can say “Oh maybe use this word!” Show this better!” Or “This is confusing, try something else!” So yeah, that’s a little stressful. But I loved it. I really did. Probably my favorite part of the process so far.

And then there’s the whole connecting with your characters thing. I tried to do most of my writing at B&N cafe, so on my 25 minute drive home, I’d use that time to “shake it off” but it was still intense. These edits had me immersed in my character’s feelings and journeys (I’m so method!) so my ride home was a little emotional. Some of my characters are on some tough paths, so it’s hard not to have the sads for them. Young-Adulting is hard!

That being said, although the last couple weeks have been tough, I am so, so grateful. You guys! We are so lucky. It feels good to be putting so much blood, sweat and tears into something I’m so passionate about. Writing balances me. I’m a better wife and parent (not housekeeper!) when I’m also doing something to nourish my creative side. And some of us did have a little bit of this convo on twitter the other day but I want to remind you (and definitely me) that we shouldn’t feel bad about taking and making writing time. Just because there is no big paycheck at the end of the week (not for me anyway) and just because some things get neglected (drinks with friends, toilets, Netflix with significant other, sinks, watching a movie with the kids) doesn’t mean that art is not important and necessary. It’s not just a hobby. Art is life! Without art we are slightly leveled-up zombies.

This week, let’s run like the wind. Let’s set aside time and even squeeze some in when we’re not feeling it, and go! Go!

Check in below in the comments! I’ll go first so you can follow my lead. Speaking of follow, be sure to check out the other #WIPmo writers so you can follow them on Twitter and find writing time buddies.

November 1, 2015

#WIPmo 2015! First Check-In!

It’s that time, writers! Everyone is doing Nanowrimo but for whatever reason, it’s not for you! Or, for some of you, you actually are Nano-ing but want to supplement it with something extra chill and fun. #WIPmo is here for you.

#WIPmo is pretty laid-back. It has no crazy goals that’ll have you drafting like a maniac with only time to eat one leftover piece of Halloween candy each day. With #WIPmo, you’ll have time to eat and if you want, shower. HOWEVER, you definitely want to make some goals for yourself. For instance, finish drafting your WIP! Revise your book and get it sub ready. Edit your ms and write a query! Get your ms sub ready! Push through an agent or editor revision! whatever you need to get done, let’s get it done. Make goals, be acceptable, and we’ll be here to support each other.

Another great thing about WIPmo is that we do do #WIPmo sessions together. Whether you’re drafting, revising, or editing, scheduled writing sessions help. For me, they help me get my kids to bed on time so I can pull up my laptop and get to work on evenings I may have considered Netflixing and chilling. Whenever you’re going to sit down and do some work, go ahead and use the hashtag to start up a #WIPmo session for some buddies–or if you’re trying to plan for later, check and see when one might be coming up. I usually do a session or two or three on evenings once my kids are asleep!

Each Monday is check in day. Check-in is also pretty laid-back because we don’t want anyone to drop out if they don’t check-in by 9am on a Monday. I’ll usually put the check-in post up on Sunday nights and then I’ll encourage everyone to start checking in. Try to get it done by Tuesday! If you miss a check-in, no worries. Just check-in and get back to work! Our last check-in will be the last day of November, Monday the 30th.

Everyone interested–#WIPmo is super inclusive–check in below in the comments! Feel free to ask Qs here or on the hashtag as well. I’ll check in first so you’ll see the format!

Happy Writing!

December 1, 2014

We got a Winner Here! Final #WIPmo Check-In 5/5

We won! You won! I won! And I’d like to thank…I’d like to thank you guys. Yeah, sure I didn’t write a 50K plus novel or revise a whole manuscript, but I did get lots of writerly stuff done and I’m so cool with that. And yes, I had a lot of distractions, being sick, Twitter, kids, being extra tired BUT YET. I pushed myself because I knew there’d be some #WIPmo accountability. There’s no way I would’ve set and met any of my November writing goals without the #WIPmo crew by my side. THAAAAAANK YOU!

How’d you do? Let me know in the comments:

1. Name & @ twitter handle if you have one

2. How your week/November went

3. What are your biggest writing distractions?

4. What you’re going to do writing wise, in December–the season of ALL THE DISTRACTIONS. But yay–lots of cookies!

xoAMI

November 24, 2014

#WIPmo Check-In 4/5 Self-Care Slackers Better Recognize

*sighs the longest sigh while shaking head* Geez you guys. I feel like this week was ThE wORsT for #WIPmo.

I was kind of sick, then pretty sick, then really sick. Anyone else have issues with self-care? I’m going to make this one of my biggest goals for 2015 but I’m going to start now. Anyway, I really hope you guys got more done than I did and I hope you’re taking care of yourselves in the process.

Writing is a passion, but the process now and definitely the publishing industry itself can entail stress and so much hard work.

Growing up, writing was an outlet for me. It was a way to relieve stress, a way to get my feelings and emotions out. So for me, sometimes I feel like since I’m doing this writing thing, THAT IS MY VICE. And my reward. Because I’m passionate about it. And yes, it is all of those things, but now I need to realize that it’s not solely my chill time, my rest time, my venting time, my emoting time. Because sometimes (lots of times) I’m putting off other things because I feel “Oh who cares about making that doctor appointment, healthy stuff, social stuff, or enough sleep because like well, at least I’m writing!” So taking better care of myself now, in 2015, and beyond is going to be something I take a LOT more seriously. So. Writing and then Yoga date anyone?

XOXOami

Check-in by answering the following questions in the comments section! Anyone writing whatever can check-in whether this is your fourth or first #WIPmo week!

1. Name/Twitter @ Handle if applicable

2. How did this past week go for you? Meet, exceed or “Wait, what goals?”

3. This week’s goals! (Don’t be scared of the holiday but don’t overextend yourself either.)

4. Other than writing, how do you relax/take the edge off/relieve stress/take care of yourself? What else are you doing for YOU? Anything you want to start doing more of?

November 16, 2014

WipMo Check-In 3/5 WhoaOH! We’re halfway there…WhoaOH! Living on (insert vice) & a prayer

Hey you. It’s me. I hope everyone is getting the writing and revising done that they’d hoped to get done so far. We’re about halfway through and I’m happy with where I’m at, even though I always feel I can do better. But sometimes when you’re living on candy, prayers, coffee, or pub dreams, (& there’s no Mary Poppins to take care of other life business) you can only squeak out so many words or hours in a day to write.

I was pretty busy this week (see my I Got A Book Deal post here) but somehow managed to get all my writing goals/work crammed into today. And I don’t feel like a loser about it. Yay! It wasn’t just me pounding out words just for the sake of words. I did timed writing sessions ( thanks to everyone who joined in and motivated). Even though I was timing my sessions, I didn’t put any pressure on myself for having a certain amount of words, so that helped. In a little over six hours, I got almost 5,000 words. And now with my left over writing time, I’m going to draft up this blog. Then, when my daughter is falling asleep tonight, I’ll sit in her room and work on that pitch for my WIP that I made a goal to do.

How did you guys do? Let me know in the comments and also, if you had a magic ONE HOUSEHOLD CHORE fairy for the week, what would that fairy do?

1. Name & Twitter Handle.

2. Did you meet your goals this past week? How’d it go?

3. This weeks goals are… (don’t be cheap, y’all)

4. If you had a magic fairy for the week, what would that fairy do so you’d have more writing time? (Cleaning? Cooking? Driving? Babysitting? Something else?)

HAPPY WRITING THIS WEEK YOU GUYS!

XOami

November 9, 2014

Where Your Words At?! #WIPmo Check-in 2/5

Hey you! Whether you are a crazy novel writing machine or whether you got 400 words in this week, what’s up? Did you meet the goals you set last week? Did you exceed them or fall a little short?

Make sure your goals are attainable but also something you’ll have to work for!

This week was a bit rough for me. I was sick, my husband was out of the country Mon-Fri, and…and…and. I did make my goal. (ok, I will! As I write this I’m a few hundred words short but I can get that before Monday). So, I did make my goal but I think I could’ve done more. There were times where my son was at school, daughter was occupied, and I just chose not to write. This is fine any other day, but I would like to come out of November with something more than status quo. So, I’m going to do more this week. Maybe my goal won’t be something insane, but those times when I just sit there scrolling Twitter feeds looking for a blog post to read or checking out pictures of your cat, I’m going to grab my laptop and just add a few words. Or jot down scene ideas. Something more!

So, thanks for joining us this past week and/or this coming week. Let’s get some words in and push ourselves even more this week.

Comment below with:
1. Your name/Twitter handle
2. How this past week went
3. This coming week’s writing goal(s). Is it to write every day? Increase word count? Amount of hours you’ll set aside? Pages revised? Specific scene rewrite? Whatever! You need to get done!
4. If you could take a solo, one week writer’s retreat, yes–just you, (friends & family happy to see you go alone, babysitter check, day job money compensated, airfare check!) where would you go?

November 2, 2014

All not dressed up & a place to write! #WIPmo Check-In 1/5

Not everyone is doing Nano, so here we are! Check this post & the comments to see why #WIPmo instead of Nano this year.

Hey everyone, take off your pants and write a while. And by take off your pants, I really just mean throw on your track pants, pjs, yoga pants, sweats, or whatever you write in. Then, it’s business time. Writing business, that is. Let’s get some books finished, started, edited, or revised.

This our first #WIPmo check-in out of five. Every Sunday, I’ll put up a post. You’ll have Sunday and/or Monday to swing by and update us on how you did for the previous week and what your goals this week will be. I’ll usually throw in an extra question or two as well and you’ll just post your answers in the comment section. It’ll take a minute or two.

~~Feel free to~~ Do use the #WIPmo hashtag throughout the week to call for writing/revising buddies or to let us know when you’ll be writing so we can join you. I’m usually writing sometime after the kids go to bed so expect some #WIPmo ~~writing sessions~~ parties after 9PM. *whoop whoops & tosses Halloween candy in the air like she just don’t care*

Ok. That’s it. Really!

Let’s Have a Great Week, Guys!

Post The Following In The Comments:

1. Your Twitter Handle (if you have one)

2. Your Writing Goal For The Week!

3. What you’re working on: Category/Genre & 1 sentence to describe your WIP.

4. Writing Where/Wear Of Choice: Where & What You Wear When You Write

Ami with an I

It's all write in here, except when it's not.

WIPMo