March 2020 Challenge - Write Every Day!

What a long, strange trip it's been...

Howdy! I'm back. Temporarily. I'm coming to you live from my car outside a Dunkin Donuts (the sit-down area's closed) to explain why I haven't check in. Bottom line: I couldn't. Here's what's been going on in Pennsylvania...

I've been semi-retired and working from home for the last four years or so. For financial reasons, I never got home Internet. I live close to a library and several fast-food joints where I could hang out and use their WiFi. Download stuff, head home, and work. If the library was closed, I could go to the truck stop or somewhere. Which is where I was the last time I checked in, downloading my latest assignment from the Dunkin Donuts due to the library being closed due to Covid-19. No sweat.

Then the governor of PA put us on lockdown and shut all the businesses that weren't life-sustaining. Literally overnight, I lost all Internet access. With an assignment due back the day before the library was supposed to reopen. Bummer.

For the past two weeks I've been working on the assignment while scrambling around trying to find a place where I could email it back to the publisher. I was going to bribe a computer place to let me use their WiFi for 15 minutes. The next day the governor ordered non-essential businesses closed. Scratch that. My cable TV provider said they could hook me up on March 24. The day before that they called back and said no, they have to wait two weeks. Health concerns, y'know. I got rescheduled to April 7. School closings have been extended an extra week, so I'll bet the library won't be open either. We're not on house arrest yet, but that could be coming.

Fortunately, the laptop battery I thought wasn't working does work, which is how I got my assignment out (huge sigh of relief) and how I'm talking to all of you now.

And it's not over yet. I was going to tell the publisher I wouldn't be available until April 7, but when I went to fill out my assignment sheet, I saw they'd already put me down for another one, to be sent to my inbox tomorrow (March 27). Well, the battery's working and Dunkin Donuts is still open and I need the money, soooooo....

I have been writing every day. In fact, yesterday while I was working on the assignment I suddenly flashed on the opening of Book 4 of my series. So I'm writing that now. Did about a page longhand this morning. Books 1 and 2 are still at a standstill so what the hell, just write another one. I was going to do that during my "hiatus" but now I'll be working over the weekend. Life is fun.

By the way, a judge ruled that apparently gun shops are essential, so the PA governor is allowing arms dealers to stay open. I can't get Internet so I can continue to earn a living at home, but I can go out and buy a gun. I live in one nutty country.

Layla: Sounds like you’re keeping busy (and woo 1/4 page!).

Patty: Wow! That’s brilliant—congratulations.

Keithy: Nothing modest about 1296.

Magnus: Yeah, trying not to worry about older relatives is hard. We’re all on lockdown now so I’m hoping they’ll stay safe. Take care.

You certainly do, Ptero! I’m sorry you’re in such a shitty situation. Great job writing every day though—and good luck with your assignments.

Took me an age to get my 2k, but I managed it, then ended up revising two chapters instead of one. Had a virtual catch-up with friends and there was loads of clapping in our street for the NHS. So, two nice things amidst the shit-storm. Hope everyone is staying safe and sane (and STAY AT HOME!).

Day 26: Decent bit; 3.5 miles; the lone wolf dies

Quick drop in--No words but I expected that and instead got some housework done including stripping a coffee table that was riddled with ring-stains. Oh, I also critiqued an excerpt for a virtual writers' meeting tomorrow.

I'm comfortable writing to a word count goal for the manuscript overall -- and feeling better, after yesterday, that I'll end well above 100,000 at least. So that's a relief. Still hoping to hit 120K but we'll see. None of the sustainability science has been worked in yet, and another hefty scene, and the end of yesterday's scene. I think it'll get there.

K--I'll look at your query tomorrow. The one thing I noticed was your closing paragraph implies the manuscript is necessarily part of a series, and last I heard it should be able to stand alone with series potential.

- Holey shirt, Patty! 5k!!!
- Nice work, Keithy
- Hi Magnus, good to see you. Yeah, I will be going through my day - a lot of things haven’t changed, but then I go for groceries and there it is - the new normal…
- KR - Whew - yah, like it’s not hard enough to write a book, then you have to go write a synopsis. Be brave!
- Ptero. It’s really good to see you. Hang in there.
- Congrats on making that 2k, April




Day 26
WIP - 1/4 page
R/SC - talked on the phone with a friend, filled in various forms on line for my job (almost forgot about it because I wanted to keep doing the apartment stuff)
BP/$$ — earning service

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Robert Donovan - good luck with that Query and synopsis
Pterofan - good to see you back. Back in the old days in the UK it was legal to buy porn magazines but not bibles on Sunday.
April - oh, another 2K from you. I'll have a go at that again in a few days time. Stay safe.
Patty - I like the sound of that sort of renovation. Good luck, hope it turns out right.
Layla - good work from you too (for some reason I keep forgetting you - sorry)

OK I managed 1390 words on "Fishy Tail" today, finishing off the "Intern" Chapter. Kaylee has started her investigation into the Admiral, and at the CIA guy's suggestion, has looked at pictures of Auschwitz. She was sickened by what she saw, but discovered that one of the camp guards had an interesting tattoo. After that she goes to the pool and does some tricks such as tail walking. Tomorrow she will investigate the meaning of the tattoo.

I might do a little on Dustworld tonight plot-wise but probably not.

non-writing

Mowed the front and back lawns for the first time since September. They need work.
Our new toaster arrived, yay.
Feeling worried about going out now. Shopping is the worst.

keep swimming!

Hey gang! Just letting you know I'm jumping back in next month and am still around.

Happy writing!

Another page complete. I've beaten Resistance. I think reading murder mysteries and thrillers is helping me in some way. Trying not to overwrite the story. This ain't The Grapes of Wrath​. Hopefully final manuscript won't be more than 100,000 at the most.

Got a break, more or less--the publisher rescheduled my assignments until I can get a more secure Internet source. With luck, that'll be April 7. So I lost some money on the deal, but it also cuts down on the stress. Now I can sit at home and write like mad. If the weather gets nice, I'll dig up the garden. I suppose I could clean the house...nahh.

This morning, while writing a scene about a vampire vs. cowboy shootout, it occurred to me how expensive manufacturing silver bullets must be. So one of my characters came up with an alternative using regular bullets--carve crosses into the bullet and then sprinkle it with holy water. Wreaks the same amount of havoc on a vampire's system, more or less, and it's more cost-effective than silver. Neither will kill a vampire, but it slows them down enough for a slayer to get close enough to stake them without exposing themselves to too much undo peril. Weird ideas pop into my head following morning caffeine.

Not sure when I'll be back. Stay hydrated and stay healthy.

- - - Updated - - -

Sorry, Friday drive-by here. Got 2k and revised a chapter. Another slog, but … it’s done.

I'm going to just stop in with a little cheerleading for everyone's progress.

(Zero words today, but got some good critique feedback and am sketching out a short story which is fun!)

Cheering you onward, one and all:

Daniel - good to see you.
Taylor - good going! I'm told that 100000 words is a lot. Depends what those words are.
Pterofan - what about water pistols filled with holy water?
April - another 2K! woow.
Patty - thanks for the cheerleading.

OK I did no words today. But I've been planning the next section of plot which will give me a framework for the middle section of Fishy Tail. I've invented a supranational enemy organization called "The Five" and it will be introduced in the next chapter "School". It's a question of how Kaylee finds stuff out about it and links it to her revenge; I can't have her doing it all alone.

Non-writing

Trimming the lawns, assessing them for repair/improvement.

It seems we are under house arrest here in Ireland. It's not going to make much difference but I'd like to think we could go somewhere other than exercise and food shopping. I'm considering digging a tunnel.



keep swimming/digging

Keithy, congrats on that 1390
Hey Daniel!
Taylor, congrats on that page
Ptero, fingers crossed!
Hi April congrats on the 2K and the revisions
w00t Patty!
Hope it was a good thinking day Keithy




Day 27




WIP - 1 page
R/SC - more work on the apartment (doing some painting )
BP/$$ - skip day

Thanks Patty!

Sometimes we need those planning days, Keithy. I feel you re the lockdown. Today was the first day I wished I could out to the cinema or for a wander around town. I go for my allocated exercise in the morning when it's quieter; downside is I then have the whole day indoors.

Layla: 1 page! Excellent.

Dragged myself to 1k today. Now, time for wine.

Pterofan—you are in your car? Looking for wi-fi??? Strange times indeed. Congrats on the paying gigs and also the new writings, though! (Love the bullet-jiggering. Very practical.)

April—I'm envious b/c I'm itching to edit more, although no doubt will be moaning once that starts. In the meantime CONGRATS on your new words and your edited better-words.

I assume your mileage is jogging, and congrats on that too! Good for mental health. As far as wine—it always buys me a few more words, even if it means paying the next day. I had wine this afternoon to push to the end of the scene and got another 800 words out of it.

Layla—Your consistency continues to impress me. Well done on the words and the balancing act. And well done on the full page, too.

Keithy—a toaster??? Like, the Cylon variety? Some of those are quite nice. What? Not the Cylon kind? Oh… (congrats on the progress!) As far as your lawn and improvement—Dethatching always seems to make our grass happy, in SoCal. FWIW. That and a nice top dressing of compost. But you've got an entirely different climate there, so... ? Good luck.

Daniel! See you in a few days.

Taylor—well done on the continued progress. I hope it keeps on keeping on.

Me—finished the scene I started a few days ago and logged 2600 words (plus outlined a short story). After two days of no writing this was welcome. The scene as a whole is about 8000 words (yes, really; total word count currently 98,140, woot) and I’ll need to massage it one way or another down the road but there are three different geographical locations and so that should be do-able.

This means the viewpoint rules in this novel will get shuffled around, but that’s OK.

Separately: If you want to contribute to a short story anthology check out this thread on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/sho...anthology?comment=206525337#comment_206525337 They can use more authors from anywhere.

It's Saturday clopen night so I'm driving by - did all the things

My wife and I celebrated 5 years today, and being the sweetie she is, she made sure puppy didn’t disturb me while I wrote another page and a half. Love her so much.

No new words today. Edited/polished up chapter 1 for this week's critique groups and ended up 378 words richer for it. And the chapter is better, which is a lovely feeling.

Bit of a driveby here - clock change has thrown me a bit.

But I have the next 2-3 chapters outlined for Fishy Tail. Lots happening, including revived secret Nazi experiments and deploying some of Kaylee's non-swimming abilities.

Taylor, that was real nice of your missus. Congrats on that page and a half.
Patty, congrats on the polishing
Keithy, congrats on that work




Day 29




WIP — 1/4 page
R/SC - moved in the new housemate
BP/$$— earning service

I had to shut down for a bit. I'll be back, likely to make Monday's report.

Hello one and all! Everyone congrats, on the words and the polishing and the onwardness of it all. And the living and embracing of life in these times.

1600+ words written today. It is a flashback scene of sorts, but with enough grief and death and reveals, and late enough in the story, that i think it will be a keeper. And I topped 100,000 today, to my relief.

There are eight more micro-scenes to write. I suspect they will range from 500 words to 2000 words over the next few days. That will round out the first complete rough draft. Then on to editing.

Patty: Miles are a mix of running and walking, but mostly walking! I agree, wine is an excellent stimulant Nice work scrubbing up Chap 1.

Ha, Taylor, she knows you well!

Happy outlining, Keithy.

Layla: Happy new housemate!

No revision today, but did get 3317. One day left to hit my March goals!

Cindy, good to see you. Take care & rest up good
Hello Patty, keep up the good work
April! 3317, go you!!

Day 30

WIP — 1/2 page
R/SC — cooking, and getting lunch ready for tomorrow, prepping to paint that chalkboard wall
BP/$$ — skip day

Layla - good work on that WIP.
Patty- nice 1600!
April - ooo that's a mighty total! well done - worshipful hat doffings sent your way.

Today's progress was 1894 words on Fishy Tail. Kaylee has gone to a high school to ask a young lad some questions. When she asks "please...", her voice is like Wonder Woman's lasso, the victim cannot refuse her. But it only works on young men. The lad in question has a GF who's a real Queen Bee, and she is shocked and angry at what Kaylee can do to her BF. Kaylee has two other boys drag her away and proceeds to question him about a squid tattoo and a secret society called "The Five".

Non-writing

Went and bought a few bits in a large food shop. They were rather "odd" about letting two related people in at once. I've not met this before.
We're going to be shopping for my wife's father and his son because they're self-isolating. So that's two big shopping trips a week. They're getting out even less than us.

I won at Scrabble on Sunday. More by tactics than anything else.

Day 30

Word Count 1016

Layla - Cool 1/2 page!