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Monday, July 13, 2009

Weekly Summer Writing Goals. Wanna Play???


It's back... Summer Goals. If any of you would like to join in with me to keep each other motivated, inspired, and on-track, please join in in the comments section.

What are Summer Goals? Exactly what it sounds like. Every week you will set your writer's goal for the week. Maybe it's a word count. Maybe a revision. Maybe you need to cut words, etc. Whatever your goal, just state it and then tell us if you were able to accomplish last week's goal, why or why not.

My turn...
Novel Title: OWE
Novel Draft: 1.6
Date: 7-13 -09

What I Accomplished Last Week:
Well, I posted my goals late (via email to fellow Summer Goals Writers) so I knew it was a lot to tackle in a short amount of time and so I am not surprised to admit that I did not reach my goal. I see now though, that my goal will remain my goal probably for many weeks, most likely the rest of July. I did read chapter 12 and saw it was laden with problems and so I began rewriting. I know, I know. I wasn't supposed to do that but it's better now and I feel better about that chapter. I noticed chapter 13 was far too long and so I divided it up into chapter 13 and my now chapter 14. I also really like my new chapter 13. This is where I stopped working due to a very busy and full weekend.

Downside:
Didn’t reach my goal. BLECH! It was really hard to flex my writing muscles after many months away from my novel. It was slow going at first to get in touch with my writing-self. I felt very low and overwhelmed like I will never, never, ever complete this novel. *whine* When life takes you away from your desired goal and you come back to it after months away, the task feels HUGE and unobtainable. I do feel better now and I know if I just keep at it, I will eventually, sooner or later (hopefully sooner) finish my novel. But it is so hard to get back on track after a long hiatus. It truly is like exercising. (Speaking of… yeah, I should begin doing that again too!) *Sigh*

Upside:
Once I did get in touch with the writer-part of myself, it felt very good. And even though I shouldn't have been writing new pages (according to last week's goal), it was good to be writing anyway. I feel chapters 12 and 13 are exciting and move the story forward. It felt so good to write again.

Goal for this week:

  • Re-familiarize myself with my outline; add, delete, change accordingly
  • Continue to re-familiarize myself with my story by reading current pages from chapter 14 on
  • Edit as little as possible (if possible)
  • Try to keep chapters to 5 - 6 pages each. Divide chapters where necessary

12 comments:

Unknown said...

My weekly goals:
-Finish critique for friend
-Get to page 200 in revision notes

...I am finding it impossible to do anything this summer without having weekly goals!!

Rebecca Gomez said...

How about an easy goal. Write five more pages in my novel-in-verse.

Sheri Perl-Oshins said...

Well, then Beth, this is the place. I will be posting and talking about goals each week throughout the summer so please participate. Get to page 200 in revision notes - is that for your own work? Best of luck, Beth! You can do it!

Becky, obtainable goals are the way to go! You want to feel successful so you keep going. Hope you come back next Monday and tell us if you met your goals and post some new ones!

Good Luck everyone!

Clementine said...

Oh Sheri, that's so hard in the summer time, I admire you! I'm still trying to clean up my desk from the mess I made back in May!

Susan R. Mills said...

Yikes! I can't even think about setting a writing goal this week. Maybe I'll join in next week. I do need to set some goals.

Kelly H-Y said...

Good idea ... thanks for the encouragement and inspiration!

Sheri Perl-Oshins said...

Amy,
How funny, And I must also add that another one of my undisclosed goals is to read your pages. Sorry. I have not forgotten. Life has only just loosened it's grip on me. But enough of my guilt... cleaning your desk and organizing can be a writer's goal... just saying... no pressure... but wanted to throw that out there!

Lazy Writer... first, welcome. Second, with a name like that you HAVE to join us! I am sure you're not really a lazy writer and I should perhaps steal your name. I talk the talk, but can I walk the walk??? Well, that is what summer goals is about to force you to do what you say. How's it working for me this week, you ask??? Ah... yeah, I'll get back to you on Monday. Let's just say, there'll be a whole lot of cramming going on... !

Sheri Perl-Oshins said...

Does that mean you'll play, Kelly?

Chris Eldin said...

OMG--Rebecca's avatar is freaking me out!
:-)

I have to make my goals into two categories--daily and weekly. I've always admired you for having a good structure!! You're very dedicated and serious, and that should help move you along much faster to your ultimate goal!!

Sheri Perl-Oshins said...

Hey Chris! I am so glad to "see" you again! I know, Becky, you're avatar scares me a little too. And I have to say, it really freaks out my younger daughter. But back to Chris... I really struggle with structure. I want to finish my novel and become a published author but it is so hard to do all the work required. It is a realy push and pull, believe me! THis week... I have not been very successful reaching my goals, but there are still 4 more days.

AND... I am all fired up after just seeing Harry Potter. RUN, don't walk! OMG, JK Rowling, you are my idol!!!! And can I just say, I have a little book-crush on Harry. I just love him so much. He is the ultimate example of a hero's journey. Bravo! Grand Slam! Home Run, JK! You did it again!

Ame Dyckman said...

I'll play!

Goals for this week: Finish a rough draft of any of my half-completed PBs OR revise a completed but sucky complete rough draft of another PB. And do revisions for Scott if he asks for them. And come up with one completely new idea seed.

Goals for next week: Any overflow from above, and dust-off/begin anew the research for "Al's Book" so he'll quit bugging me about it!

What I got accomplished this week: Sent new PB to Scott. Kept up with blog.

What I didn't get accomplished this week: More writing. More reading.

Good idea, Sheri!

Sheri Perl-Oshins said...

Yay, Amy! I am so glad you will be joining us in our summer goals. And sounds like you are off to a very good, very full start. You go, girl! Embrace your stories, live as a writer, go be merry, and eat lots of PB! XO!

“Personal limitation exists only in our ideas of who we are. Give up all notions of who you are and your limitations will vanish.”

- Anonymous