There's no word count photo to show this week.
What happened this week
Wednesday is my writing day - that one day a week which is MINE and completely MINE to do what I want with. (I'm a bit obsessed with it.) And I set out like always, to a coffee shop, with my netbook and my notebook and I felt great about being able to write, and totally tried to ignore the fact my eyes were tired and I had a heavy feeling on the side of my head which was probably to do with by the 13 hour day I did on Monday (of 'normal' work) and the very early start and long day of work I did on Tuesday too. I stayed there, in the coffee shop, for 3 hours (persistent) and managed a little editing, and a few notes on how to expand a story I have in my draft folder.
But the word count didn't do the thing I wanted it to do which was INCREASE by like, loads.
So I came home from the coffee shop and had some lunch and watched some TV and had a rest and then tried again but it didn't happen. I just didn't get the writing work done that day.
And, you know, I'm on a deadline with the Scott Prize. I need to have 6000 more words ready and added to my anthology in the next (something like, not counting, not counting in days) week and a half.
So I felt pretty rubbish. I looked ahead and saw that I only have one more Wednesday before the deadline (well, 2 if you include the day of the deadline, which I don't really want to). There are other opportunities in the week to write, the odd couple of hours before or after a shift.
I've just used a couple of those hours now to work on that story in the draft folder I mentionned before. And, that story has a 'sister story' (there are a few of these in the anthology, separate but related to each other stories) so I worked on that sister story too.
They're not ready to be added to the manuscript yet but they're nearly there, and I feel so much better about everything than I did 48 hours ago.
4 comments:
I know the deadline is looming, but doing bits here and there allows more thinking time, more editing, and the deadline offers focus. You will so get there!
Good luck! I also agree your brain is probably ticking all along and when the physical conditions are right it will move along swiftly. Best wishes, cat
Don't panic - breathe - and relax. It's never as lost as it seems. That - oh shit, nothing's coming right in time for the deadline - feeling is good (I've found, mostly in hindsight, it must be added!) - it's the cooking part of the process, after which, your writing will tumble like hot, satisfying soup (ah, had you going there for a sec, didn't I?), and all will be well in the world.
You're nearly there, Teresa, I'm rooting for you - which is just sick, frankly, because I've entered the same comp, but I can honestly and genuinely say, hand on heart with no crossed pinkeys, I'd love for you to win this x
Thank you all - what brilliant encouragement, support and wiseness there is here. (Yes, 'wiseness')
Hi Reb - really good point about the thinking time. Thanks so much for your encouraging words.
Hi Cat - thank you. You and Reb have reminded me that it's okay that I'm not writing for long periods a few times a week, and to go with the time I have. Thanks mucho.
Hi Rachel - you too, are a gem. I love the hot soup analogy while also being a bit scared of it. Your words are just what I needed. And you're rooting for me - you weirdo. Ha ha, no, really - thanks for that. I'm rooting for you and Dan Purdue as well cos he's entering. Thank you for being so supportive, as always.
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