by Margie Senechal
So, when I started this venture--a mere two weeks ago. I was sure I wasn't writing because I had too many characters running around in my head, too many stories to tell.
Or maybe I just had one that was being ignored because there is one that keeps coming up whenever I think about writing.
And that is Nobody Number Nine. I guess it kind of counts since there are ten viewpoint characters--apparently those were the many voices in my head. Or the ones who wanted their story told louder than any one else's.
This week I have written just short of 3,000 words on it over the course of a couple of days. My schedule got jacked up a bit at work, so I didn't even try to write on Sunday--Oscar night, hello? or Monday, because I got up at 4:30 and when I got home, I took a nap.
But, I'm excited about the direction that Nobody is taking. It's the story I fall asleep thinking about, the one that wakes me up, and stays with me through the day.
So, while I didn't write on the other projects---I did write 3,000 words this week. And that's a win in my book...for my book.
*Inspired by an Emily Dickenson poem, ten high-schoolers come together to create the Nobody Club. They all have different reasons for joining but when tragedy strikes one of their own, will the Nobody club survive?*
by Margie Senechal
I believe this first week was a success.
I know that I wrote more in the past week than I've written in the past few months. And that's something.
So, here are my stats:
Nobody Number Nine: 1400 words
Crysalis: 900 words
Mistletoe Madness:330 words
Accidental Terrorist:330 words
Genie: 0
Nobody Number Nine (NNN) got the most attention for the week as the story seemed to creep in even on off days. I think that may be a good thing, though. I'm pretty sure I know how it ends and I have a pseudo-plan as to how to get there.
While The Accidental Terrorist doesn't have the word count to show for it, I did get some major plot-pointing done on it--and sometimes that's almost as important as the word count.
Crysalis also saw some major plotting done for it.
I'm in a quandary over Genie. I'm not sure if I'll keep it in the rotation if I can't come up with another chapter. I couldn't even muster up to think about it when I was in plotting mode--I kept going back to NNN instead. I have another MG idea in the wings so if the Genie doesn't take off, I might have to ground him for a while and go with the Dinosaur idea.
But, all-in-all, it was a great writing week. And it's been a long time since I've felt that.
by Margie Senechal
I think that I have found a reason--err, excuse???--for not being a more productive writer.
I have too many stories rambling around in my head. I want to write them all but instead, I write nothing.
So, in the spirit of NOW--my word for 2016--I am going to write them all--one day at a time.
I will write a minimum of 1000 words every day--five days a week--each dedicated to a separate project. The sixth day will be spent on typing and editing. And the seventh day will be spent on the wonder project. More on that to follow.
My schedule at work has become mostly fixed in which I work early on Sunday, Mondays, and Thursdays. Late on Fridays and Saturdays. Off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
So, here's the the schedule:
Monday: Mistletoe Madness
Tuesday: Typing
Wednesday:Wonder
Thursday:Crysalis
Friday:Nobody Number Nine
Saturday:Middle Grade Project--I think I'll start with I Scream Of Genie
Sunday: The Accidental Terrorist
Each morning before work, I will read what I last wrote on that book to give my brain something to ruminate on while working.
On the days that I open, I will work 7:30-4 or 8-4:30. After work, I will take my notebook to Barnes and Noble and write until six--hopefully hitting my mark during that time. I will write even if it's crap. Crap can be fixed. Or so I hear.
On closing days, I will get up and at them--arriving at B&N or Panera before ten. Same rules apply--stay until 1000 words are done and the creative well is dry.
So, that is my plan. Wish me well.
