tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post8515480858547726909..comments2024-03-07T09:26:21.305-05:00Comments on My Hogwarts Sabbatical: The Insecure Writer and Doing the MathChemist Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-27442855456837368162016-04-18T16:08:53.995-04:002016-04-18T16:08:53.995-04:00Yeah, I know how you feel. It'd take even long...Yeah, I know how you feel. It'd take even longer to go through it with my critique group. My goal is just to get the first draft of book 2 done before November. It isn't looking so great for that...Loni Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05126958230703180761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-27223278275108379102016-04-09T13:44:54.575-04:002016-04-09T13:44:54.575-04:00That's why I have a few trusted critique partn...That's why I have a few trusted critique partners to go over my manuscripts as a whole. It takes a LONG time to get through a manuscript with a critique group, especially if it's only a few pages a month. But taking time with your first few manuscripts isn't a bad thing. That's when you're learning. You get one debut. Don't rush it. :)Cherie Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16663147386014122939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-60274647985361321052016-04-08T11:42:54.669-04:002016-04-08T11:42:54.669-04:00Write at your own pace. If it's what works bes...Write at your own pace. If it's what works best for you, don't knock it.<br />I've struggled with my writing pace because I don't seem to have one. I mean I have my "never a day without a line" but that can mean that some days, like yesterday, I barely write a sentence in my journal, and then other days, like on Wednesday, I manage 3,500 words - but not all on one project. I'm a roller coaster writer, but I just keep trying to move forward. Mostly, I know that works for me so I'm okay with it. Other times, I wish I could just do a steady 500 words a day and not have projects in varying states of disarray. Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-2536166714888105422016-04-08T03:41:04.739-04:002016-04-08T03:41:04.739-04:00You should write at your own pace, but I don't...You should write at your own pace, but I don't see why you can't just write more pages each month if you want to. Maybe those crit people won't read it until the next month, but that doesn't mean you have to wait to write it, right?Cathy Keatonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18356112948372149785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-82599390700396357332016-04-07T13:57:26.682-04:002016-04-07T13:57:26.682-04:00It's moving forward, which is better than what...It's moving forward, which is better than what I'm doing right now. Besides, two different sets of eyeballs on your work is a good thing.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-26569672831141527922016-04-07T13:43:32.835-04:002016-04-07T13:43:32.835-04:00Write in your own pace. If ten pages a month is wh...Write in your own pace. If ten pages a month is what you can do then stick to it. Don't rush. Do what works for you. :)Chrys Feyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955009490266358041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-2749104493670934912016-04-07T13:43:27.373-04:002016-04-07T13:43:27.373-04:00Write in your own pace. If ten pages a month is wh...Write in your own pace. If ten pages a month is what you can do then stick to it. Don't rush. Do what works for you. :)Chrys Feyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955009490266358041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-28396884750085348452016-04-07T10:20:22.117-04:002016-04-07T10:20:22.117-04:00The progress is right for you and that's what ...The progress is right for you and that's what matters. I agree with Crystal, enjoy the stage that you're at because it's the best. Just keep enjoying putting your story together and the rest will come. Julie Flandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003737491313673214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-86454936925189433942016-04-07T09:20:39.759-04:002016-04-07T09:20:39.759-04:00No. I'm not satisfied at all. I want to write ...No. I'm not satisfied at all. I want to write first drafts faster.<br /><br />My critique group is small. We allow 7500 words per month. Even at that pace, I know that my book will be long done and (hopefully) in the hands of my agent before my critique group sees all of it. Still, it's good to hear the feedback because heaven knows, if the book sells -- or doesn't -- there's still lots more revising to be done.Dianne K. Salernihttp://diannesalerni.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-19157452610653402002016-04-07T01:48:57.571-04:002016-04-07T01:48:57.571-04:00See, and I write in fits and starts. Either it'...See, and I write in fits and starts. Either it's flowing or it's frozen; I have no in between. So sometimes I'm very pleased with my progress, but just as often I'm not at all.Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13464393340517511305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-58543079354465936762016-04-07T01:27:22.791-04:002016-04-07T01:27:22.791-04:00I remember doing that math and later drowning in s...I remember doing that math and later drowning in self-pity and insecurity. I managed to get myself out of this pity party mode and decided to write the first draft super fast, so that I atleast have the story and the words out.<br /><br />Rachna Chhabria<br />Co-host IWSG <br /><a href="http://rachnachhabria.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Rachna's Scriptorium</a><br />Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-66772558880137993122016-04-06T20:49:12.885-04:002016-04-06T20:49:12.885-04:00Everyone who has CP groups has this problem. You h...Everyone who has CP groups has this problem. You have to balance the quality of feedback you get with the desire to be read in a timely manner. As long as it's good feedback and you're learning something, don't worry about the time. If you start getting really ahead of the group, then look for betas, or make side deals with your CPs, and privately send them large chunks in doc files and they can crit using track changes. Good luck! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735576044552810103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-29170158800340281292016-04-06T20:26:11.792-04:002016-04-06T20:26:11.792-04:00I remember doing that math. There's no way to ...I remember doing that math. There's no way to rely on critique groups for detailed editing. I take their suggestions as overarching and try to apply to to the span of the story. That kinda works. Kinda.Computer Tutorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00938856237984732342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-44198128651589609402016-04-06T18:40:18.594-04:002016-04-06T18:40:18.594-04:00You're writing and enjoying yourself, that is ...You're writing and enjoying yourself, that is what is important. And who knows, you may get on a role and double or triple the pages you write some months. Keep going!!Cherie Colyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13205065477147957455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-5909511595372625532016-04-06T16:56:34.278-04:002016-04-06T16:56:34.278-04:00Not lately, no. I haven't written much adjusti...Not lately, no. I haven't written much adjusting to some big life changes. The limit of pages in crit is why I hire someone. I let my crit group help me at the start then reserve the rest for my editor.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-35030076661789645142016-04-06T13:58:41.068-04:002016-04-06T13:58:41.068-04:00Right now, I'm at a full stop. So you are doin...Right now, I'm at a full stop. So you are doing much better than I am. See it's not all bad. hehehe<br /><br /><a href="https://emaginette.wordpress.com/2016/04/05/iwsg-24-facing-facts" rel="nofollow"> Anna from elements of emaginette</a>emaginettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324981140248692448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-68172552100118261792016-04-06T13:22:01.210-04:002016-04-06T13:22:01.210-04:00If you want fame and fortune, I'd strongly urg...If you want fame and fortune, I'd strongly urge you to seek employment in the government with Hilary or on Wall Street with Hilary. Set aside that pen. :-)cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-56133058769383549212016-04-06T12:17:02.329-04:002016-04-06T12:17:02.329-04:00It's still progress! Don't focus on the pa...It's still progress! Don't focus on the pages or how many. Just keep The End in sight.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-20858230756823324042016-04-06T10:30:48.732-04:002016-04-06T10:30:48.732-04:00Hi Ken
I completely understand. I was in an in per...Hi Ken<br />I completely understand. I was in an in person critique group for over twenty years. In that time I only read from one story. That was how I learned everything a writer must know to produce and excellent book. Now, I have an online group. We post two chapters at a time and before we reach the end that way, we post the entire ms. Works out much better.<br /><br />I wish you all the best.<br />NancyN. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-6756658816390056992016-04-06T10:18:10.766-04:002016-04-06T10:18:10.766-04:00You're moving along at what's right for yo...You're moving along at what's right for you, even though it can be agonizing at times. I always feel like I'm not writing fast enough, but I know when I'm in the groove, I write pretty darn fast! Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-25139074791432301782016-04-06T09:13:09.052-04:002016-04-06T09:13:09.052-04:00I do worry about the time when writing becomes mor...I do worry about the time when writing becomes more of a chore than a fun way to spend a few hours. Right now though, it's all good... well except when I agonize over how much longer this book will take.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-71088867150425544752016-04-06T09:11:05.429-04:002016-04-06T09:11:05.429-04:00Their suggestions are definitely making the book b...Their suggestions are definitely making the book better, it just scares me how long it's taking.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-77184125681961042812016-04-06T08:57:17.759-04:002016-04-06T08:57:17.759-04:00You know, I think you're in the best stage of ...You know, I think you're in the best stage of the writing game. It's true. You get to write purely for the love of it, and while you agonize over the one-day of publication, don't. Seriously. Love your stage. It's the best.<br /><br /><a href="http://crystalcollier.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Crystal Collier</a>Crystal Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912469552483168148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-84131147713094286532016-04-06T08:12:35.204-04:002016-04-06T08:12:35.204-04:00At least your book will be in great shape by the e...At least your book will be in great shape by the end of the process! Sounds as if they've got good suggestions.<br /><br />Usually I *am* happy with my pace. But I'm 2 weeks behind this year on a book that should have been coming out this month. Sometimes these setbacks happen, but it's good to handle each day like a fresh slate. Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.com