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The Summer Writer's Club Progress Report
Brandi Larsen
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 12:00 AM
Joined: 6/18/2012
Posts: 228


This is the thread for The Summer Writer's Club progress report.

If you've joined us in a writing commitment of 500 (or 250) words each day, this is the spot to tell us how many words you've written each day. Together, we'll celebrate when we hit our goal of 53,000 words on September 2.

There's also a thread where you can show off excerpts from your work-in-progress and a hangout.

Want to learn more? Here are all of the details: http://www.bookcountry.com/Industry/Article.aspx?articleId=141661.
Sagana
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 7:06 AM
Joined: 5/15/2013
Posts: 10


I guess someone has to have the first post in here. Might as well be me as I do morning stuff

1098 new words this morning, editing a part that was in third into first, and finding a whole lot more details that way. As I knew what it was supposed to say, it wasn't so hard, but I'm still very happy with progress today. Sometimes editing drives me insane

Brandi Larsen
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 8:10 AM
Joined: 6/18/2012
Posts: 228


Sagana, congrats on doubling your word count! Thanks for being the first to post.

I'm happy to report I nailed mine as well. 660 words of my contemporary romance. Felt wonderful. Just left my heroine dangling from a fence at 3am because she believes a thief is cutting down her tree.

I'm now ready to start my day helping writers.


LilySea
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 10:56 AM
Joined: 5/12/2011
Posts: 240


Okay. I'm in. I just found out this morning and this starts today, so...whew. Fortunately I have a little child-free time slotted for the afternoon, so I'll see what I can do to knock out those 500 words.

I am working on a novel-length project right now (in fact, it's a reboot of the long-abandoned one you can see here at BookCountry).

HOWEVER. I also have a couple of short-stories I NEED to write for promotional purposes re: my novel coming out in September.

Can I cheat and produce those 500 words for more than one project this summer?


Brandi Larsen
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 11:03 AM
Joined: 6/18/2012
Posts: 228


Not considered cheating. You can write anything you wish as long as you sit down and do it. Welcome to the Club!



MariAdkins
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 11:06 AM
I vow to finish this YA project during this summer group. I want to move on to something else!

Alexandra Hartley
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 1:42 PM
Joined: 4/30/2013
Posts: 12


571 words written today! I'm so happy! I'm this close to finishing my chapter. Yay.

Atthys Gage
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 1:52 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


300 plus this morning.  This, believe it or not, is a fair day for me.  Probably do more later but other duties call.  

I'll be happy with a consistent 2000 words a week this summer.  Two books – one new, one ancient.   Hoping to finish the ancient one, and establish a beachhead in the other (but I'm only counting words in the old one.) 

Keep up the good work, all.  
Timothy Maguire
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 2:12 PM
Joined: 8/13/2011
Posts: 272


Clocked 266 today. Feels like more as I rewrote the same piece of dialogue over and over again. Far, far too much exposition to burn through.
LilySea
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 7:19 PM
Joined: 5/12/2011
Posts: 240


655 words and a completed new scene for my short story today.

Chrysan
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 7:48 PM
Joined: 5/19/2013
Posts: 2


314 words, meeting my 250 goal!
Gwenyffer
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 10:42 PM
Joined: 3/16/2011
Posts: 27


565 words for day one. And way later in the evening than I had planned. Back tomorrow to check out everyone else's progress.
happy writing!
NoellePierce
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 11:07 PM
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 226


Whew. Just under the wire, but 574 for me! 
Atthys Gage
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 11:22 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


501.  I kid you not.   Of course one of my characters said 'like' and 'very' a lot. 

Kidding.  She didn't say either one. 

See you tomorrow. 


Nevena Georgieva
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 11:37 PM
Joined: 2/9/2012
Posts: 427


Clocked in 259 words! Baby steps. Started a short story about this couple that's going to break up somehow. Not sure how it's going to turn out. 

*High fives all around.*
Geralyn M
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 11:41 PM
Joined: 5/14/2013
Posts: 2


258 words in a journal entry.  I plan on struggling through until June 8, when my classroom work takes a summer break.

Alexandria Brim
Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 11:59 PM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Day One: 305 words added to "The Conference House." Off to a good start, I believe!
Tori Schindler
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:12 AM
Joined: 3/12/2011
Posts: 40


515 words since I found out about this. I'm not sure how many I wrote this morning, I was trying to break the habit of being anal about my word count (but it's so much fun!) I need to let my OCD side go . . . sometime after September. Then pick it up again in November . . .
Ben Nemec
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:58 AM
Joined: 1/21/2013
Posts: 47


Got my ~500 in for today, which puts me at 48k overall.

Neelie Finn
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 1:50 AM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 78


500 words, check. Done for the day.

John J Walsh IV
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:20 AM
Joined: 5/13/2013
Posts: 2


522 words well-composed over a pot of tea and two fingers of Kraken rum, with not a single tooth lost. Hopefully tomorrow's push will continue this wonderful lack of the compulsory pull.
Allison Sobczak
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:58 AM
Joined: 5/21/2013
Posts: 12


I'm only doing the 250 words a day, which I know isn't much, but I need to get a better writing system and I think starting out with baby steps will help.

I was running around all day today and literally didn't get a chance to write until about 11:20 PM. I managed to squeeze in 279 words right before midnight, but I'm happy that I at least got something down. I'll try to do a little bit more tomorrow.




Brandi Larsen
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 7:42 AM
Joined: 6/18/2012
Posts: 228


523 words this morning.

I struggled with focus as I sat down, eating away some of my writing time with "research" on the legality of chopping down banyan trees in South Florida. That meant I didn't get to the part of the scene I really wanted to write before I had to take a shower and scoot into the office.

I need to remember that the internet is a procrastination tool that steals away my fixed writing time. Must keep that in mind when I sit down to write either later tonight or tomorrow.

Still, I'm glad I got up this morning to get my words onto the page.


Laura Dwyer
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:03 PM
Joined: 1/10/2012
Posts: 192


HI everyone. Sorry for the late report, but I did 261 words last night (I'm setting my goal at 250 because I have trouble finding time to write every day). Some of it was rewriting, which I hope counts, but I actually FINALLY plowed through a rough spot in my new Ch 1, and that makes me sew heppy! Hoping I can keep the roll going tonight. Looks like everyone's doing great!!
Timothy Maguire
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:34 PM
Joined: 8/13/2011
Posts: 272


The joys of insomnia propelled me to an additional 1183 words, so I'm ahead of where I expected to be. The really good news? I know what I'm doing with the rest of the chapter, so things should continue in a good way.
NoellePierce
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 3:46 PM
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 226


503! And the best news is that I was testing my new bluetooth keyboard with my new phone/tablet (and they worked!!), so I got my words in during the 30 minutes between picking up my son and waiting for the bus with my daughter (yes, I was parked the whole time...and thank goodness for technology to occupy the boy while I wrote). Being able to type while waiting in a car or office is going to be a HUGE productivity boost. 
Atthys Gage
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 3:58 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


Writing in cars and parks and doctor's waiting-rooms has always been a big help with young children in tow.  (In lieu of tablets and keyboards, btw, spiral-bound notebooks and ball-point pens work okay.)  
NoellePierce
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 4:18 PM
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 226


I've done the handwriting thing, but prefer to type if possible. My hand cramps trying to keep up with my brain. (The story I'm working on, for example, ONLY wanted to be handwritten until one scene ago, when the characters FINALLY took pity on me and started talking to me when my fingers were poised above a keyboard). I still keep a small journal and some notecards in my purse for plotting and for times when a scene comes to me.
Neelie Finn
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 4:41 PM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 78


Just over 500 words completed for day. I use Text Edit which doesn't have word count, which is frustrating but I am able to recognize when I've hit at least 500 words.

Atthys Gage
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 5:12 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


I wrote my first book all out longhand.  Since then I've usually gone straight into a word-processor.  But sometimes a notebook does work better for me, particularly if I'm bogged down.  Maybe it's just the change in pace, although I suspect it's more about being free of the temptations of the World Wide Web.  
NoellePierce
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 6:12 PM
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 226


Ah, the evil temptations of the World Wide Web. I succumb more often than not. 
LilySea
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 10:14 PM
Joined: 5/12/2011
Posts: 240


Kids in bed, snoring. 640 words written. And I was sure I wasn't going to make it today. I got stalled at 390, but pushed on.

Alexandra Hartley
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 10:15 PM
Joined: 4/30/2013
Posts: 12


Yes! I clocked 658 words today, that's 58 more than my original goal of 600. Also, so far I have 1,229 words for chapter twelve in total. I'm so ecstatic. I' this much closer to finishing up my goal of 3,000-4,000 this week. 
Ben Nemec
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 11:10 PM
Joined: 1/21/2013
Posts: 47


Day 2, another 500 words down.

Atthys Gage
Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 11:35 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


622.  In your face, writer's block.  
Alexandria Brim
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 12:05 AM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Got distracted by frozen yogurt and the Dancing with the Stars finale, but I finished with 272 words for Day 2!
Allison Sobczak
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 12:30 AM
Joined: 5/21/2013
Posts: 12


Got another late start. 295 words, and I really had to push myself. I'm hoping it'll get easier as the days go.

Chris L Terry
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 8:59 AM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 7


593! Getting up 1/2 an hour earlier helped.
MariAdkins
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 12:15 PM
Just when I got into the writing groove yesterday, a transformer blew on our block, and our electric was out for five hours. I tried writing by candlelight, but my sight is too poor.

Gwenyffer
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 12:57 PM
Joined: 3/16/2011
Posts: 27


time management continues to be a struggle for me. Lost time somewhere yesterday and didn't get as far as I'd like. Managed 560ish handwritten words before I had to get some sleep. Hoping for better progress today.
Laura Dwyer
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 2:55 PM
Joined: 1/10/2012
Posts: 192


I only had about an hour last night to write, but managed to get in 266 new words, which I consider a small victory. I do long for the days when I can devote hours on end to being creative like this. Maybe someday?
Alexandra Hartley
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 4:23 PM
Joined: 4/30/2013
Posts: 12


I clocked in 877 words. I know the writing must not be up to snuff, but I'm glad I got the words out there because they needed to be written badly. That means so far in this week, I have written 2,106 words! Not too shabby.  
Robert Hobson
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 9:32 PM
Joined: 5/16/2013
Posts: 16


Wow, I rocked today; 1,815 words. I am writing chapter 18. Joseph has decided he needs a car if he is going to pursue the answers to what he is. He finds the garage and is stopped from entering by a Guardgoyle perched on the roof. Joseph tries the code Christian, his former captor gave him, but almost receives third degree burns for the attempt. He figures out what to do to gain entry and does so. Before he is in the building his new ‘sight’ warns him that something is wrong. Joe follows the sight’s lead and sees that someone is placing an item in the wheel well of his brand new, Dodge Challenger. That’s it.
I am stopping now because the scene is not done yet. This way when I do comeback I am in mid-stride of a conflict and am forced to find a resolution; hopefully my subconscious will come up with the answer while I sleep. See you on the high ground.

Atthys Gage
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 10:11 PM
Joined: 6/7/2011
Posts: 467


Admirable, Robert.  Sounds like you're in the groove.  It's always better to start off the new day with a problem to resolve, isn't it?  Gets the juices flowing.

Me:  744 words.  

Not bad.  But even better than that:  I am having fun.  
NoellePierce
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 10:54 PM
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 226


Only 272 today. Was derailed by the hour of arguing and debating with the auto service department, kids' last day of school activities, and then FIVE hours spent at the dealership, haggling over the price of a new car. Will make up the lost words tomorrow. If I try now, who knows what I'll end up writing with half-closed eyes.
Brandi Larsen
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 11:02 PM
Joined: 6/18/2012
Posts: 228


516 words that took me to the end of the first chapter.
Then another 91 words in pre-writing for tomorrow.
Yay.


Allison Sobczak
Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 11:48 PM
Joined: 5/21/2013
Posts: 12


Just finished up 1,983 words, although it was for an essay and not related to SWC material. Still, it was writing. It was while I was writing the essay that I got another rejection, so I'm going to push the discouragement and disappointment aside and use it to push myself to write more tomorrow.

Neelie Finn
Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2013 12:28 AM
Joined: 5/20/2013
Posts: 78


500 check

Geralyn M
Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2013 12:44 AM
Joined: 5/14/2013
Posts: 2


Well, it may sound strange, but I've got 250+ words about rain.  Since there's bound to be rain in my stories, I took my memory from yesterday's downpour and created a paragraph.  Then I used those descriptions to sketch a scene for a short story idea, where a child appears in the rain near a set of train tracks.  With this rain-thing rolling, I went back to the never-ending novel draft and reworked a chapter where the characters flooded.  I'm glad I stayed up to write (and I got it in before midnight!).

Alexandria Brim
Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2013 1:50 AM
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 350


Day 3: 258 words!
 

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