It has been an interesting week writing-wise. This week I’ve challenged myself to write 2,000 words per day. It worked yesterday and Monday—2,921 words on Monday and 2,325 words on Tuesday. But today a headache derailed me, so I doubt I’ll reach 2K today. But there’s always tomorrow.
The novella I started, tentatively called “At Rainbow’s End,” is turning into a novelette. I reached the 10K mark and realized I was way past the halfway point in the story. So it’s probably going to be more like 15K instead of 20. But that’s just the nature of stories and how they evolve. I tend to be more of a put-in than take-out kind of person when it comes to revising, so the final draft might be longer.
This is also my first attempt at writing in first person instead of third. I’m considering this manuscript to be an experiment, one I’m just having fun with and seeing where the road leads. Since it’s such a short work, it gives me time to really dig in and play with character development, theme, tension, imagery, and so on, since the structure is fairly straightforward.
Since I’m writing full time, I’m tempted to look at my work and ask, “How close is this to polished and publishable?” With this story, I’m trying to learn patience. I still have a way to go, and the process can’t be rushed.
Have you ever written something just for fun? How have you learned to develop patience in your life?
ROW80 check-in
Writing:
- Finish a second draft of my novella “Good Old-Fashioned Magic.” Wrote a new scene that came in at 876 words.
- Write a first draft of another novella. Okay, at this point, it’s more in the novelette territory. Wrote 4,370 words so far, including a synopsis.
- Read a minimum of four books on the business or craft of writing. Three of four books read. Finished reading “How I Write” by Janet Evanovich.
Social media:
- Check in on Twitter or Facebook daily. On track to meet this goal.
- Blog two times per week. On track to meet this goal.
- Comment on three to five blogs per day, Monday-Thursday. On track to meet this goal.
A Round of Words in 80 Days is the writing challenge that knows you have a life. Click here to cheer on fellow participants.
Denise D. Young 
Okay, I subscribed. Thank you so much for reaching out to me on Twitter today! I lost, not just yours, but other blogger’s feeds. I’m not the only one. Something went catawampus. Anywho, glad to reconnect. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Karen. It’s great to keep in touch with fellow WANA folks. 🙂
2k is a “very good” day for me. 1K is acceptable.
And writing for fun? Absolutely! Not everything that comes from my keyboard has to be marketable. It’s important to do a little bit of frivolous writing here and there, as long as it doesn’t get in the way of the WIP.
1K is my normal daily word count, but I’m trying to push myself a little harder. So far, I’ve managed 2K or more two out of three days this week. I feel like 2K is where I should be, at least most days, and I like the satisfaction I get when I see my word counts adding up so quickly.
Even if we write something just for fun, we’re still growing as writers. And I have another WIP in the revision stage, so I’ve given myself permission to play.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, AmyBeth!
I think it’s a good idea to go with the flow with word count. You just got to write until the story is finished and not worry if it meets word counts.
Sounds like you’re making great progress! 😀
You’re right. It’s hard to know when we first start a story how long it will be. Apparently this story wants to be shorter–at least for now.
Thanks, Mishka!
Wow, amazing daily word counts, Denise! Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Ruth! 🙂