So, last week when I wrote up my intentions to post three times a week, I said I’d talk about what I did on the weekends every Monday – I kind of forgot that this weekend just gone – all I’d be doing is writing. Or wanting to write.
First things first though. Months ago I planned to go to the KC Ren Faire with my friend, Kate. I had a fantastic day. Got some awesome NeNe Thomas art, a beautiful new top, and found an amazing piece of artwork that looks exactly like one of my main characters does in my head. The day was just perfect and I had a lot of fun. Definitely planning on going back next year, but maybe for a whole weekend this time.
The bad thing about the weekend was Book 3. I left for the Faire with twenty-four thousand words left in my target for the third book. I tried to write when I got home, but could only manage a couple of thousand words.
Now to understand why this is such a bad thing for me, you need to realize I get very obsessive about what I write. At least, ever since I figured out how to plot my butt off – I get very OCD about finishing what I start to write. And the more time it takes for me to finish, the more I stress.
So, even though I had a great time with my friend at the Faire, once I got home, all I wanted to do was write. And on Sunday I did just that – wrote until I started confusing where what character was supposed to be.
Today, I took a day off work so I could finish what I thought was the last two chapters. My goal was 90k, I hit 94. It ended up being the last three chapters. But I did it.
In 122 days I wrote 274500 words. The first draft of my trilogy is done. I know that’s just the beginning, but at least I now have the whole story to revise.
The thing is, I binge write. What’s that you ask? I do my outlining and my plotting process. And once I start that first draft, once I start the actual writing – I can’t stop. I get grumpy and moody, angry at anything and everything that comes between me and my writing for those precious two weeks.
And when I’m finished with the draft, I take a break and don’t write at all for a couple of weeks. So far, I’ve only been able to binge on one project at a time.
Now I’m faced with the prospect of revising my trilogy. It feels strange not to be jumping back into outlining and plotting. And I have yet to find out what I’m like when I revise. Maybe I’m also a binge reviser – who knows.
But I’m looking forward to finding out.
How do you write? Do you write in huge, do nothing else binges? Or just a little at a time? Do you work on more than one thing at once? Or multiples?
Don’t forget to check out Rach’s 2nd Campaign challenge entries! Vote for the ones  you like. I’m #17 if you haven’t read it yet.
That’s awesome that you wrote so much! I wish I could write without interruption, but with two kids thats’ just not possible. Good for you!
Thank you! Yeah, I don’t have children. I have two dogs and a husband. We don’t count the cat, she’s pretty self-sufficient. So when I want to shut myself away and write, I just tell the hubby and he’s pretty good about it
Congratulations on getting the first draft completed, that’s a huge achievement.
As for me, let’s say weekly targets suit me better than daily ones 🙂
Thank you! Yeah, I find this way works for me. I can do the weekly or daily targets, but I don’t do as well with them
I try to write in consistent batches–generally anywhere from 3k to 5k. I hate to divvy my time with more than one project at a time. I prefer to focus on one thing to completion, but that’s just me. We need to embrace how we work best.
I agree. I think some people may think I work weirdly, but it definitely works on me. And one project at a time is so much easier to work on.
I think it is amazing how much you can write. I’m also glad you got your trilogy finished! Congrats! 🙂 When I write, I try to get at least 2,000 words written. Depending on mood or how the story is carrying, I write more. Best of luck on revision!
Thank you. I’m not sure if it’s amazing yet – I’ll let you know when I go back and read how coherent it all is lol. Yeah the trilogy is a huge step. Now I just need to edit.
2k is a great goal to aim for.
Thanks again!
I only work on one thing at a time (otherwise I’ll go crazy 😉 and I write little bits at a time throughout the day. It helps keep me moving forward even when I don’t have a lot of time!
wow, you are my idol.. I wish I could write that much that fast.. sigh… but little children get in the way.. alright, it’s not all their fault.. I too, get in my own way.
good luck with revisions 🙂
Thank you 😀 Yeah, I just sacrifice everything else. I’m lucky I have friends and an awesome hubby who let me make it up to them later.
You are incredibly awesome and very inspiring. I wish I had your “problem”. Mine is the complete opposite. I want to write, really, I do. But it seems my life sure does get in the way most of the time. And the fact that writing a novel scares the hell out of me, especially since I don’t know the first thing about it. Maybe I need baby steps. 🙂 But, you truly are my hero! I’m proud of you and admire you! Now, gimme some of your juju hehe!
I’ve read a couple of examples of your work now. I’m so sure you could write whatever you put your mind to.
If I can do anything to help you figure out your process, let me know *hugs* I’m so glad I’ve met you through this campaign.
I wish I could just sit and pound out that many words. Well done with that.
I try and write at least 1000 words a day, it’s my minimum. My target is to always write more than that anyway, 2k + if possible. I’m a pantser through and through so I can’t wait to get to the end to see what happens, it makes the 1k target not that hard to reach.
I never thought I could do it. I didn’t even try with the first book. It just all came pouring out after I outlined it. I guess I’m lucky I can get the draft down so fast. I’ll let you know how I go with revisions lol.
Congratulations on finishing the first draft! Unfortunately, I have to write in chronological order. I’m learning to sprint write now: write without stopping now and then to check for mistakes or resarch.
When the Ghost Intervenes
Thank you!
Yeah I need to write in order too, or I get all confused. Hope you can keep the sprint writing up!