Ready Set Write - Week 11

Ready Set Write is a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Jaime Morrow. Join us by posting your updated goals on your blog, and linking up with the widget on any of the hosts' blogs posted every Monday morning.

It's GO TIME! I'm writing this post in a rush because I have to be on the road in 50 minutes. I'm driving 5 hours to Virginia to stay with Jodi Meadows for three days of writing, cupcake eating, and nonsense. I have an outline and some character development and now I need a serious kick in the butt to start this manuscript. 

1. Last week's goals:

• Talk to CP Dana and nail this outline down. I'm reving my engine to start this MS, but don't want to skid off the track because I started to write too soon. √ Dana Elmendorf is amazing, btw. I have five pages of notes from our convo and she helped me make all the hard decisions and kept me from wandering down weird, rambley paths.
• Hit the gym 2X. Only once (sigh). 
• Go to 2 yoga classes. Only one (sigh).
• Head down to Maryland for some much-needed family time. √ And it was SO, so needed. My nan turned 86 and we always do a huge party for her. This year it was in her assisted living home and while it was a bit strange at first, everyone really came together
• Also, I think PitchWars submissions start soon so that means I'll be digging through slush at some point. √ YAAAAS! The submission window opened early and Stephanie Scott and I received some exciting entries. There are so many writers that we're falling in serious love with.  

2. My goal(s) for this week:

• It's all about writing this week. I want to get a serious first draft going. I hesitate to put any numerical goals around it. 
• I need to get to yoga this week (2X). My body is starting to feel it when I go without a class for a few days. 
• This weekend is my birthday party! So....eat cake? Can that be a goal?

I'll be around to comment later on the bloghop this afternoon. See ya next week! Eat cake, guys!

Ready Set Write - Week 10

Ready Set Write is a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Jaime Morrow. Join us by posting your updated goals on your blog, and linking up with the widget on any of the hosts' blogs posted every Monday morning.

First, can I just ask--how has it been ten weeks already?? What I love most about this writing intensive is how it keeps me on track of my time, even if I fail horribly (ahem...like, this week). Down to brass tacks (and by brass tacks, I mean, let me tell you how horribly I failed all my goals this week).

1. Last week's goals:

• Dive head first into this new manuscript. I have it plotted out pretty well so hopefully I won't hit many snags. I'll have to see if my agent has any major adjustments/comments. √ Except, my agent found a lot of things she wanted me to think about. I'm still muddling around and trying to nail down my outline.
• Go to the gym 3x. That elliptical is going to be my BFF this week. XX *shame*
• Go to 3 yoga classes. My typical class schedule is Monday, Wednesday, Sunday. XXX Ugh. I'm going to fix this this week.
• Get up with the alarm at 7AM. Due to night writing, I've been sleeping in too long and want to shake the habit. I'm still not where I want to be with this goal, but I have a lot going on this week so hopefully that will help.
• Check out the #PitchWars hashtag and convince everyone to submit to me and Stephanie Scott (wink, wink; nudge, nudge). √ √ √ ;)

2. My goal(s) for this week:

• Talk to CP Dana and nail this outline down. I'm reving my engine to start this MS, but don't want to skid off the track because I started to write too soon.
• Hit the gym 2X.
• Go to 2 yoga classes.
• Head down to Maryland for some much-needed family time.
• Also, I think PitchWars submissions start soon so that means I'll be digging through slush at some point.

3. The biggest challenge I faced this week: I felt like I was spinning my wheels all week. My agent asked me to think about some bigger issues with my WIP and I spent most of my week staring at the wall just...thinking. The easiest part of writing to skip over is that daydreamy-thinking stage. But it's so, so important even if it feels like we're "slacking" or "not doing anything."

4. Something I love about my WiP: that once I push through these holes, it's so, so solid. The most solid idea I've ever had.

Ready Set Write - Week 9

Ready Set Write is a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Jaime Morrow. Join us by posting your updated goals on your blog, and linking up with the widget on any of the hosts' blogs posted every Monday morning.

1. How I did on last week’s goals: 

• I want to keep the words a-flowing, so I'll aim for another 5-7K. √ >5K--I sent a 15 page outline to my agent.
• Hit the gym 3x (that seems to be my sweet spot). √ 
• Read 1 book--The Poisonwood Bible is on deck. I started it (it's a long book, guys).

2. My goal(s) for this week:

• Dive head first into this new manuscript. I have it plotted out pretty well so hopefully I won't hit many snags. I'll have to see if my agent has any major adjustments/comments.
• Go to the gym 3x. That elliptical is going to be my BFF this week.
• Go to 3 yoga classes. My typical class schedule is Monday, Wednesday, Sunday.
• Get up with the alarm at 7AM. Due to night writing, I've been sleeping in too long and want to shake the habit.
• Check out the #PitchWars hashtag and convince everyone to submit to me and Stephanie Scott (wink, wink; nudge, nudge).

3. The biggest challenge I faced this week: The sleeping in thing is becoming my number one problem. I'm going to combat it with earlier bedtimes and hitting the gym in the mornings.

4. Something I love about my WiP: that it makes me feel...

Ready Set Write - Week 8

Ready Set Write is a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Jaime Morrow. Join us by posting your updated goals on your blog, and linking up with the widget on any of the hosts' blogs posted every Monday morning.

1. How I did on last week’s goals: 

• Write 5K words. I'm super excited to start my new summer project! √ I wrote >7K.
• Hit the gym 4x. HAHAHA--turns away embarrassed.
• Attend 2 yoga classes. Only one, but it was my favorite class on Sunday night.
• Read Sarah Dessen's Saint Anything (I started over the weekend and it's sooo good). √ Plus I crushed two other books!

2. My goal(s) for this week:

• I want to keep the words a-flowing, so I'll aim for another 5-7K.
• Hit the gym 3x (that seems to be my sweet spot).
• Read 1 book--The Poisonwood Bible is on deck.

3. A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised: Right now I'm just outlining and drafting, but I can tell you that so far, this story is...

4. The biggest challenge I faced this week: Balancing other things--like friends and family and my gym schedule. I'm going to focus on evening it back out this week and setting more designated chunks of time aside to write.

5. Something I love about my WiP: that it's super weird and crazy and fun.

Ready Set Write - Week 7

Ready Set Write is a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Jaime Morrow. 

Join us by posting your updated goals on your blog, and linking up with the widget on any of the hosts' blogs posted every Monday morning.

1. How I did on last week’s goals: 

• Finish this revision. I'm ready to turn this puppy in. √ Done! *cheers*
• Hit the gym 4x this week. X - 3X
• Attend 2 yoga classes. √ - 3 classes!
• Read one book. I have The Boleyn Wife and The Poisonwood Bible on my stack--so either one of those. √ I finished the Boleyn Wife

2. My goal(s) for this week:

• Write 5K words. I'm super excited to start my new summer project!
• Hit the gym 4x.
• Attend 2 yoga classes.
• Read Sarah Dessen's Saint Anything (I started over the weekend and it's sooo good).

3. A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised: Finished! :D

4. The biggest challenge I faced this week: Continuing. There's something about finishing a huge revision or crossing a finish line that makes me want to collapse. For me, that's only going to make it harder to start back up again. I'm a fan of giving myself some breathing space before I dive back in, but not taking an actual "break."

5. Something I love about my WiP: That it's a fresh start. With the manuscript I just finished revising, I'd been working on it for a year and three months. As much as I love the story, I'm ready to go hang out with some new characters.

Read Set Write - Week 6

Ready Set Write is a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Jaime Morrow. 

Join us by posting your updated goals on your blog, and linking up with the widget on any of the hosts' blogs posted every Monday morning.

1. How I did on last week’s goals: 

• Spend every morning (M-F) working on my revision 9-12. √
• Set aside time every afternoon/evening for more writing time (TBD). √
• Hit the gym 5x this week.  √- 4x, but I'm okay with that.
• Attend 1 yoga class (my first!). √
• Finish reading Bone Gap. √

2. My goal(s) for this week:

• Finish this revision. I'm ready to turn this puppy in.
• Hit the gym 4x this week.
• Attend 2 yoga classes.
• Read one book. I have The Boleyn Wife and The Poisonwood Bible on my stack--so either one of those.

3. A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised: "Finish line"--this revision is almost there...almost there...almost there. 

4. The biggest challenge I faced this week: No big challenges. I've definitely found a groove and am working pretty steadily. I'm predicting that I'm going to basically stay in yoga clothes all week and eat cereal straight from the box so I can get this revision done.

5. Something I love about my WiP: That each revision makes the story deeper and richer. This is the hardest book I've ever written, but I my plotting skills have gotten tighter and my storytelling has definitely leveled up. 

Ready Set Write - Week 5

Ready Set Write is a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Jaime Morrow. 

Join us by posting your updated goals on your blog, and linking up with the widget on any of the hosts' blogs posted every Monday morning.

1. How I did on last week’s goals: One thing this writing intensive is teaching me is how to set attainable goals. I realize I've been setting my goals too broad and not really making as much progress as I want. Soooo....

2. My goal(s) for this week:

• Spend every morning (M-F) working on my revision 9-12.
• Set aside time every afternoon/evening for more writing time (TBD).
• Hit the gym 5x this week.
• Attend 1 yoga class (my first!).
• Finish reading Bone Gap.

3. A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised: Overall, I've been feeling like my progress is not enough. There's never enough time or I'm feeling spread too thin. I think these new goals are going to help, and I'm excited to see where I am next week.

Ready Set Write - Week 4

Ready Set Write is a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Jaime Morrow. 

Join us by posting your updated goals on your blog, and linking up with the widget on any of the hosts' blogs posted every Monday morning.

1. How I did on last week’s goals: I jumped in and started slicing and dicing up my manuscript. My agent gave me a list of things to go in and reevaluate, and once I started looking at I sent her an even longer list of things I'd like to cut and completely replace.

2. My goal(s) for this week: I'm almost done the first third (I break each manuscript into three acts), so I'd love to make some progress with the second third by next week. I took out a pretty major plotline and need to fill it in with something completely new. I'm still moving things around and trying to feel out what's supposed to be there instead.

3. A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised: “I told you,” she said. “I can always tell when someone’s lying. And I also know that  you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t meant to be.” She picked up my ratty paperback and tossed it at me. I caught it by the edge of its slick, glossy jacket.

“So study up,” Mackenzie said. “You’re not going anywhere.”

4. The biggest challenge I faced this week: settling into a new routine and switching gears from drafting/writing to revising/writing.

5. Something I love about my WiP: that this revision is focusing on the importance of friendships, and it makes my heart happy to write.

Ready Set Write - Week 2

Ready Set Write is a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Jaime Morrow.

Welp, it's week two and I have completely derailed myself. I thought I'd set a pretty easy goal of 3-5K a week, but then I had a more pressing issue pop up.

I have a big revision to do on another MS. It involves throwing out a good 15-20K words and rewriting a major piece of the story. I'm excited, because I love digging into a project and revising.

So...here's the weekly prompts:

1. How I did on last week’s goals: well... I haven't dug into my revision yet. I don't like to jump into cutting into a manuscript without thinking it out first. But, I'm feeling really confident with the plan and am ready to jump in this week.

2. My goal(s) for this week: to start my revision and get some (any?) work done.

3. A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised: I'll let you know next week.

4. The biggest challenge I faced this week: starting. Making that first cut.

5. Something I love about my WiP: that it's something I've been working on for so long and I'm not giving up on it yet.

Ready Set Write - Week 1

Ready Set Write is a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Jaime Morrow.

I'm so excited to jump in this time around. Every summer I find out about this writing group in the final weeks and miss out on all the fun.

So--down to brass tax. I'm starting a new project: a YA contemporary that is very summerish and thrillerish (that's all I'm sure about for now).  I want to take advantage of the summer vibes and capture a really cool beach setting. I'm thinking I want to write >3-5K a week--which means I should have a pretty good first draft by the end of the summer. As back up, I've made a mood board with a lot of cool pictures (like this one). 

So that's what I'm working on. I'm super excited to hear about everyone's projects and cheerlead. I write mostly at night and on weekends so if you're ever looking for a writing sprint partner, hit me up on Twitter (@ValerieColeYA).

Want to join in? Here are the headings we'll be using every week.

1. How I did on last week’s goals
2. My goal(s) for this week
3. A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised
4. The biggest challenge I faced this week (ex. finding time to write)
5. Something I love about my WiP