THE WEEKEND PROGRESS REPORT 2005

[Yeshanu]

Uh. I can't believe it's sunday. I didn't do anything. Nothing. Not one thing. I could lay out a thousand excuses, but I not gonna.

SC, I think you have three excuses, and that's all you need.

As for me, I didn't do any writing this past week, either. But I did get all my shopping done before the 24th, and the dishes got mostly done, and the house got cleaned up a little bit...

This coming week I'm off work, so I'll be hoping to get more done, and think seriously about my goals for the coming year.

And Tri:

http://bestsmileys.com/dancing/4.gif

Way to go!

Another thing--I go against the grain. While I submitted to agents, I sent queries to about 18 very tiny publishing houses just to get feedback. I used them to garner comments. Didn't get much, but enough to know how to fix some things. I knew that if I did get an agent, I wouldn't have to tell them that I sent it to the large houses and nixed those deals. I always start at the bottom first and work my way up, because I make revisions on the way up by using the small publisher comments. I know this works in direct violation of what you hear in AW. Just ask Uncle Jim. His students start at the top. I don't and leave those prime sources for an agent. I USE the tiny houses as an editing service to polish and change for the big boys. I'm not suggesting you do this, it only works well for me this way.


I don't see you as going against Uncle Jim's advice here, as you still wanted to publish with one of the major publishing houses, but were just looking for editorial feedback, which you obviously used to good effect...

[batyler65]

FRIDAY, THE LAST WEEKEND PROGRESS REPORT FOR 2005



Hello, Fellow Word Warriors!
Thanks to all who carried on here in spite of my MIA status last weekend. My plate has been very full and I've been sick to boot! I'm coming out of the cold-induced fog and am already making plans for next year.

First order of business:
Shall we continue to report in the coming year? Who's with me?

Next:
My list of accomplishments is rather short this week.

1. Subbed a newsletter for deadline
2. Wrote two travel capsules that I researched last week.
3. Sent out a batch of greeting cards that were rejected in 24 hours. :)

I did make a sale this week, and inadvertantly got a toe in the door to write freelance for the local medical university. It's funny how jobs seem to find me sometimes. At any rate, next week, I will be tweaking my intro letter in the hopes to land some more steady freelance work. Part of me is torn, knowing that if I take on more steady work I will have less time to write fiction. The other part of me (the part that likes regular meals and a roof over my head) is a bit more excited. Wish me luck.

That brings us to the interactive portion of our program. Step up to the microphone, state your name and tell us what you did this week. You can sing if you like, but the karaoke machine is broken at the moment and all it will play is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. So if you report in song, please set your words to that tune. ;)

Happy New Year to each and every one of you. Here's to success in the coming year.

Barb

[Unique]

You can sing if you like, but the karaoke machine is broken at the moment and all it will play is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. So if you report in song, please set your words to that tune. ;)

Happy New Year to each and every one of you. Here's to success in the coming year.

Barb

How could you know I can't resist mutilating a Christmas song??? <fiendish, I say, fiendish>

Unique, the coldnosed writer
had some very funny prose
And if you ever read it
Even you would say, 'that's hosed'.

All of the other writers
used to laugh and call her names
They never let poor Unique
join their literary games.

Then one sunny April day
Joanne came to say:
Unique with your prose so tight
You oughta hang at Absolute Write

Then all the writers razzed her
as they blew a raz-berr-eee
Unique, you cold nosed writer
who said you're only half crazee?

i can't help it! it's an obsession i tell you!

Okay - I'll tell the truth. I didn't write much this week. I'm lazy, contrary, willful, and disobedient. I can't promise I'll be any better in 2006, but if you fling a song title out for me every once in a while, at least I'll write that much. (you can beat me now)

[gina]

Good week for me. Received my first paycheck from the paying gig. Nice little sum too. Slow week writing wise. I took it easy cause I know starting next week work for the paying gig will start picking up again, and I'll be once again swamped. Might as well take it easy while I have the chance. Did manage just over 4,600 words this week. Did find out one of my non-paying gigs has decided to close down for a personal crisis until April. It just put my focus on reviewing elsewhere for the time being.Happy New Year everyone. I'd love to keep this going in 2006. I belong to a few other boards that do similar threads, but this is one of the only ones I've stuck with. Everyone is so supportive here and the one other place I track my writing and goals. I'd hate to lose that.

[MacAllister]

My trusty laptop, which I love, is in the shop.

I'm writing longhand, in a notebook, for the duration.

I have the desktop, but the notebook seems to be working well, actually. :)

Did just under 2K new words, this week--not counting the 40 pages or so of tweaking and fiddling with old words.
Pondering a new short story.

[Yeshanu]

First order of business:
Shall we continue to report in the coming year? Who's with me?



Me, me, me, me, me!!!!!! (Did ya get all those exclamation points?)

You can sing if you like, but the karaoke machine is broken at the moment and all it will play is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. So if you report in song, please set your words to that tune.

You asked for it...

I'm not a red nosed writer,
But I did some words this week,
And if you ever saw them,
You might say they're not that bleak.
All of my friends and family
Mock my high ambition to
Finish my endless novel.
I admit it's got me feeling blue!

But this week I read a book
By a Donald Maas
That shows me how I should proceed
And I'm going with all speed.

Someday ATTS will be finished
And the others all will see
Ruth, the intrepid writer,
Will make publishing history!


So :wag:

Did nine pages this week. My goal for next year is to do one page (minimum) every day. That's not seven pages per week (all written fifteen minutes before I report) but at least one page per day. Hand written or typed on computer, big or small, grocery lists, non-fiction or ATTS, doesn't matter. But something every day.

[katiemac]

Okay, kids. I'm playing again.

I started writing again. Not a lot, because my computer's currently functioning as a door stop. Long hand is hard -- I've been having hand trouble lately, and that's not helping. I tried working with my email service, sending copies of my daily work to myself, and that's actually worked pretty well. I have a record of all my work, I don't have to worry about backing up, and Gmail saves the draft every couple of minutes automatically.

I wrote about 1000 words in the draft, and then just for kicks I wrote a query letter, around another 250. So, not bad for getting back in the game.

I'm serious this time. SERIOUS! ;)

[ChunkyC]

Um -- wrote my column as usual. But, since my last report, I've written another 1,674 words in Home & Away. Not amazing, but not bad. Added a fair bit of backstory as well, plus fleshed out a couple of the character bios and the added to the outline, and I think I'm getting a solid grip (finally) on the details of the climax, something I think I need so that I can continue to move forward with the story itself. Total word count now at 14,231

Onward!

[scfirenice]

Unfortunately I have the same success to report this week. None. No news from the agent, no new words. I keep thinking I'll do better, then I get sick. ARGH.

[Birol]

First order of business:
Shall we continue to report in the coming year? Who's with me?


Is this a rhetorical question? You ask it like we have a choice in the matter? :)

For the last week of 2005 I:

Wrote 3540 words in TBWN.
Outlined (3 1/2 pages longhand) what will become the first half of the last part of TBWN.
Contacted two potential markets and applied for one writing job.
Contacted an expert about some information I need to complete a query. They're on vacation right now, but promised to call me next week.
Happy New Year, My Fellow Weekenders.

[triceretops]

Okay, gosh. Am doing total rewrite via agent's instructions to prepare Planet Janitor for market.

Corrected over 200 gramatical errors in script and added 100 words that were left out.

Tied up seven plot threads and inconsistentcies.

Rewrote over a thousand words throughout the text for correct word choice and clarity.

Added small amounts of characterization to boost minor characters.

In short, edited 830 pages.

Began printing book six pages at a time and ran out of damn ink 30 pages shy of the end.

Hunting for a big shoe box, trading in plastic bottles, so I can afford to send this book again, for the last and final time.

Got bored and went back to first completed book with the intention of re-editing it also, because he wants to see that one too, and also the non-fiction book, Valley of the Mastodons.

Sheesh!

Tri

[Good Word]

December was horrible for my writing--which sucked after getting some good momentum with the 1k 2day challenge. I am still hovering at a little over 30k, and am setting my sights on that 50k mark.

Go, Tri!

[batyler65]

Welcome to 2006!



LAZY WILLFUL AND DISOBEDIENT UNIQUE (Not to mention contrary)

You should know by now that I refuse to beat you unless you do your work. December is a tough time for everyone. But, guess what? It's January now. Time to stretch those writing muscles. This week, write something for fun. Then I can beat you NEXT week. Bwaaahahahaaaaaaa!





GINA

Ooh. A paycheck! Money is good. Taking it easy at 4,600 words? I think you need to redefine your terms, there. Here's to continued success in the new year, and more of those nifty paychecks. :) :) :) :)





MAC

Confess. You killed the laptop because it knew too much, didn't you?


It's amazing how productive a change in routine can be, isn't it? I always switch to longhand if I'm truly stuck and it usually jars things loose. Of course, my version of longhand includes doodles and odd notes in the margins and lots of crisscrossing arrows and scribbles, none of which you can do on a computer.

Put the shiny new short story down. Finish. The. Book. Then ponder the short story. :) :) :) :)





RUTH

Yay! You can stop bouncing and waving your hand in the air. I've written your name down on the list. I will be expecting you to show up every week. Do Not Make Me Resort To PM.

Nine pages is an acceptable accomplishment. I will be looking for seven next week. :) :) :) :)


P.S. What happened to Kit and Ally?





KATIEMAC!!!!!!


I thought perhaps you had tunneled underground and were eating rats to stay alive. It is SO good to see you back.

Sorry that your computer is acting all lumpish. It sounds like you've hit upon a temporary solution that is working for you. Keep it coming! 2006 is going to be a great, productive year! :) :) :) :)







CC

WOOHOO! Sounds like you are getting back in the swing of things and that story is moving forward. I've missed seeing you around here. Have you set a deadline for completing H&A? I've found that having a tangible deadline (even if it is far, far in the future) helps keep things moving forward and keeps me from goofing around too much.

Next stop, 20k! :) :) :) :)






SC

*Big hugs* You know what? Maybe you should just try journaling for a little while. You've got some big changes going on, and not feeling up to snuff certainly doesn't help. The nice thing about the journaling is you have no fixed length, you don't have to follow a storyline, and if all you feel like doing is writing a long whine it is perfectly allowed. PLUS, years from now, (think fourteen) when you have a houseful of surly teens, you can use the material for maternal guilt purposes. Trust me. Get a cheapo notebook, try to write an entry every single day. It will keep the writing muscles limber. :)







LORI

Is it done yet? It is a brand new year, you know. It does sound like you are moving forward and I certainly can't whip you when you've written more than 3.5k. Well, I could, but I just wouldn't enjoy it as much, so what is the point? :) :) :) :)






TRI

WOW! *Calls over shoulder:: Anybody got a tranquilizer dart?*

Slow down a bit. Take a deep breath. It sounds like the world is moving WAY TOO FAST there.


I'm so excited for you, Tri. You've worked hard for it. Now, take care of yourself. Take a walk. Get some fresh air. The exercise will do you good, and maybe, just maybe, you'll find money on the sidewalk. *crosses fingers* I suspect 2006 is going to be a whirlwind for you. :) :) :) :)





LISA-LISA

Don't worry, December is really tough on everyone. I know you will get to 50k this year, probably before April. Have you given yourself a deadline? You probably should. Treat it like a paying gig. You're serious about writing it, right? Attach butt to chair. Add words to WIP. It WILL happen. :)

[MacAllister]

Put the shiny new short story down. Finish. The. Book. Then ponder the short story.

Pot.

Kettle.

[Good Word]

Pot.

Kettle.

Cranky.

Are you quitting smoking or something?

[MacAllister]

:e2teeth:

So far, so good.

[maestrowork]

I am giving up sex... so hold me. Yeah, hold me really tight... yeah baby...

I'm going to disappear for a while from WPR because -- honestly, I won't have much to report on. I will be knee deep in my book release activities, marketing, etc. I plan to resume working on the book after the book launch, but don't hold me to it. My New Year's resolution is to finish CTN this year, and judging from my last two years' resolutions, I have a good track record. Anyway, wish me luck.

[batyler65]

Pot.

Kettle.

ROFLMAO!


Um. I don't suppose poking you with the fact that I'm getting ready to start book THREE (and have index cards to that effect) would do anything to endear me?

*looks innocent*

[Yeshanu]

P.S. What happened to Kit and Ally?


Kit, unfortunately, does not have internet access any more, so the only time she can report is at school (which she isn't at this week) or when she comes over here.

Ally has been over at Kit's place (see above) quite a bit this week (think New Year's Eve party that lasted until five in the morning...) but she's home now. Ally, oh, Ally...

And Ray, we'll miss you, but I'm looking forward to reading the book. :Hug2:

[Kida Adelyne]

P.S. What happened to Kit and Ally?
Eaten by sharks, or rather, two of them. I had the wonderous joy of going to the afore mentioned party, staying up until five, sleeping on the floor, then coming home at noon to be attacked by sharks. Then they came over today. And their coming back on wednesday.:cry:(The sharks in question are two... rambunctious(sp?) girls age 9 and 14, the younger one bites. I love them to bits.)

Ok, report I guess. I didn't write this week, but last week I did a spaz edit of Picats Rebellion because our familys gift to my grandparents was an anthology of everyones writing. So though it may not be fit for reading by normal humans, it passes grandparent standard. :tongue

Goals for 2006:
500 words a day
5 published works by the end of the year
Picats Rebellion at 50k


A new work will get in there somewhere. *shurg* Now if you don't mind, I hear the sounds of Pirates of the Carribean being played on the LCD progector in the basement.

-Ally

[Jaycinth]

Got Query letter re-written and ready to go.

Drank beer. Watched football. (Tight Bu**s who can resist young men with........) anyway. . .

Worked on first chapter of book three again. I think I like it this time, but I'm not going to count it yet. ( I want to read it again, tonite, then if I like it, I'll say I wrote 3,500 words. If I don't, I will delete it, rendering the wordcount nil.)

I re-wrote 4 paragraphs at the end of chapter 11..book the one. ( Doesn't count.)

Resisted all urges to fool with book the two. BUT I intend to pull it out this weekend and start editing and then I will post the first chapter for critique.

So basically I have been a slug. I plan to yoink it up a few notches soon, so by this weekend I'll post my goals and what I plan to do to keep them.

[batyler65]

Okay, ALLY, sharks or no sharks, I'm holding you to those goals. I MEAN IT.

[batyler65]

Got Query letter re-written and ready to go.

Worked on first chapter of book three again. I think I like it this time, but I'm not going to count it yet. ( I want to read it again, tonite, then if I like it, I'll say I wrote 3,500 words. If I don't, I will delete it, rendering the wordcount nil.)

I re-wrote 4 paragraphs at the end of chapter 11..book the one. ( Doesn't count.)


WHOA! STOP THE BUS! What do you mean "not going to count it" and "doesn't count"? EXCUSE ME?!?

You took the time, you yanked the words out of the ether and whether or not you like them has little bearing on whether or not you WROTE them. Writing is writing. You can zap them into nothing tomorrow if you like, but you still WROTE them. Don't sell yourself short.

ZZZZzzzzzttttt!!! Penalty for unnecessary roughness.

[ChunkyC]

Um ... I just queried HOME to John Richard Parker of the MBA Literary Agency (http://www.mbalit.co.uk/) in England.

Have you set a deadline for completing H&A? I've found that having a tangible deadline (even if it is far, far in the future) helps keep things moving forward and keeps me from goofing around too much.

Next stop, 20k!
That's basically the plan, keep moving toward the next target. Though I'd like to have the first draft done by spring.

Ray buddy: you go, bro! TPB is gonna kick serious butt!

[MacAllister]

Charlie said: Um ... I just queried HOME to John Richard Parker of the MBA Literary Agency (http://www.mbalit.co.uk/) in England.

WooHOO! CC!!! You da MAN! Way to start sending it out! That's the only way anything ever sells.

:D

(Thought I'd help CC out, since he was apparently feeling a little bit shy.)

[jdkiggins]

Congratulations to all on their accomplishments in 2005.

:gone: I don't know how many weeks I missed reporting, but I didn't have anything to report anyway. :)

Good news is...I'm still here and Mom's still here. So, I'm making my sorry butt get out of bed before six in the morning in order to have at least three hours to edit my manuscript and/or work on my current WIP before I wake up Mom. In the event that doesn't work, I'll stay up until 3 AM to get the three hours a day in.

One way or another, my horror book will be submitted to a publisher before the end of 2006. That's my goal! Now, darn it, hold me to it!

[batyler65]

Time to lock up 2005 and move on to 2006. Come join us in the brand spanking NEW thread. :)