Archive for ‘WIP’

November 2nd, 2012

NaNo Check-In #1

by Holly Dodson

So guys, NaNo has officially begun!  Two days in, how are you faring?  What are you writing?  Did you plot and plan or are you flying by the seat of your pants?

 

 

I am 6,048 words into my own WIP at this point (remember I started prior to NaNo).  As far as planning, I wrote a synopsis back in March or so that I’m working from, but I have not done a detailed chapter by chapter plot sheet this time.  Which is surprisingly freeing.

Something that has been a nice surprise is how much fun I’m having writing this story. (I feel like I’m going to jinx myself by saying this out loud! lol)  It’s exciting and makes me happy to sit down to it.  At the end of a scene or chapter, the next bit appears in my head as if a gift from my MC telling me where she’s supposed to go next.  I mean, I know where she’s going in a general (I do have that synopsis, so I’ve got the bones), but the how she gets there is what’s in the air.  Which has given my writing a fresh breath of life.

The hardest part at the moment is making the time to write.  But I knew that’d be an issue from the start, which is why I’m *not* trying to hit 50k this month.

My goal by next Thursday night is to be at 10,000 words.  We’ll see how I do with that.  It’s a pretty ambitious goal with my current schedule.  Will you guys hold me to it?  ;)

What are your goals for the next week?  Has anything positive surprised you in the first couple days?

CategoryNaNoWriMo, WIP, Writing | Comment1 Comment »

July 23rd, 2012

Devil in the Detail

by Holly Dodson

Over the weekend I did a lot of writing on my new WIP.  It’s that time of year where I’ve set a goal date to get this thing out, and I’ve devised a spreadsheet with daily and weekly goals to meet along the way.  (Oy, I sound a mite ridiculous with all that.  I couldn’t do it any other way though.)  I’ve got a little over 30k words left to add to this MS to get it (basically) finished.  (Yay!  Let’s get this thing done already!)

This is actually my second start on this MS.  My first attempt was okay, but it had a very wrong voice, and I have to say I’m very glad I let go of those (thousands of) words.  The story is much better for it.

The amount of planning and forethought I put into this particular story overwhelms me sometimes.  I’ve got a workbook full of spreadsheets, a synopsis, and a document full of brainstorming ideas. (Mostly because this story intimidates the heck out of me.)  And still managed a false start.

 

 

It’s just one of those moments where I sat down and realized that there is a huge part of writing a new character and world that you can’t plan — the voice.  Which, let’s face it, is one of the most important parts of writing a book to begin with.  So if writing a few thousand words that have to be thrown out is what helps find my character’s voice, well, so be it.

Another thing I’m learning this go-round is a simple way to control my internal editor.  I know we all struggle with that from time to time.  For me, I’ve completely stalled out on writing because my editor would grab hold with a point that needed to be fixed before I could move on. So instead of giving in, I bought a new notebook…one I can use for multiple things (it has sections)…and I started writing notes for every change I thought of along the way.

So as I write and realize a scene needs to be tweaked to add something, or take something away, I make a note and move on.  That way I know it won’t be forgotten, but I also don’t have to get caught up in having a perfect first draft.  I can keep my momentum going, and know that when I start revising, I’ll know exactly where to start.

Seems simple and a little silly, but it works for me.

And I want to thank ALL the ladies of Weekend of Awesome, because I was seriously doubting this story as a whole until you guys showed such enthusiasm over the concept.  Thanks for being so awesome.  :)

Categoryplanning, processes, WIP, Writing | Comment2 Comments »

July 2nd, 2012

Waiting for Yourself

by Holly Dodson

Lately I’ve been more tinkering with my WIP than writing, it seems.  Not that I’m not writing, because I am.  It just is going very, very slow right now, and I’m used to blazing through first drafts.  I keep reminding myself that it’s not a race, and that I don’t have to keep blasting out first drafts in a month.  It’s okay to take my time.

I think this is one of those patience-learning moments.  You know, patience isn’t all about waiting on other people.  It’s also about allowing yourself the time necessary to do your story justice.  Whether that’s writing it, rewriting it, revising it, or whatever.

I’m not really ready to talk about what my new WIP is about yet.  It’s a big story, and it’s going to take a lot of time and effort for me to get it right.  And I’ve (for the most part) accepted that. 

It’s funny though how taking my time with this manuscript has opened me up to all sorts of new feelings about my writing.  See, not long ago I was pulled out of drafting for a couple weeks to deal with another project.  Which was fine, it gave me some needed space to sort through a plot issue on the WIP anyway. 

Thing is, when I came back I was cringing the whole time.  That feeling that omg this is going to suck even worse than I remembered, and why do I even try…  I’m guessing I’m not the only one around here who gets that way.  But then I read what I had written, and lo and behold, but it doesn’t suck!  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not anything fantastic, but it isn’t nearly as bad as my mind had convinced me it would be.

And this is a rambly post witout much of a point other than not to rush yourself.  Especially when you’re in this zone of freedom where deadlines are only of your own making.  If the story feels too big, give your brain time to wrap around it and turn it into something manageable.  It helps, believe it or not.

Categoryprocesses, WIP, Writing | Comment1 Comment »

October 10th, 2011

The Beta Returns

by Holly Dodson

Just for fun, I thought I’d share with you the range of emotion I experienced last night as I checked my email to find my crit notes from my Super Awesome Beta.

Now, I opened my email unsuspecting, thinking maybe there’d be some spam, but that’s about it.  Then my eyes sorta bugged out:

Holy spamoley that was fast!  And suddenly my brain morphs into OMGSHEHATEDIT mode, and I looked more like this:
Once I got my wits about me enough to open the email, things started to look up. AKA the time where my brain goes ohthankGODshemightstilltalktome.  (My brain is very dramatic, but you all know this by now. lol)   So that looked more like this:
Then I got really brave and opened the file to see the in-line comments.  That’s when I got a little…um…this…

Lots of work still to do, my friends, but I know I’m headed in the right direction now!  EEEEE!!

Tell me, do you go through the same sorts of thoughts and emotions when you get feedback?

Categoryfunny, WIP, Writing | CommentNo Comments »

September 19th, 2011

MyNoWriMo Update

by Holly Dodson

Yesterday, exactly 18 days into my MyNoWriMo, I completed the first draft of my WIP.

My face looked something like this when I typed the last line (Which I’ve known exactly what I wanted it to say from the beginning, and that’s crazy weird for me.):

Then it morphed into something like this:
The WIP still needs loads of work, obviously.  The first draft came in quite slim on the word count, but mine always do.  I’m not worried.  Quite the opposite, I’m crazy excited.
Guys!  I get to revise now!!
Happy Dance!!

CategoryMyNoWriMo, WIP, Writing | CommentNo Comments »

September 15th, 2011

The Legendary Forest

by Holly Dodson

Okay, so I decided after all the interest in the legend I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I think I will share it with you.  Don’t you feel lucky?  You should.

This legend has haunted me my whole life.  My dad probably told me the story the first time as a toddler, and I’m sure I’ve made him repeat it four hundred thousand times since then.  So it should be no surprise that the idea of the legend inspires me.  It has actually inspired the premise behind my WIP!

Well, the legend and my step mom’s facebook status one day, which said, “We’re going camping in Tate’s Hell, if you don’t hear from us in a week, send a search party!”

Tate’s Hell is a real place, and this is Tate’s story:

Everyone tells the legend differently, but this is how my dad always told it.

Back in those days, panthers roamed the forests of Florida.  Cebe Tate, a farmer, kept losing livestock to a panther, so he set out into the forest with nothing but a shotgun and his hunting dogs in search of the beast.  The forests around here are easy to get turned around in.  They’re full of swamps and poisonous snakes, and any number of other predators.

Old Cebe got lost out in the swamp.  He wandered out in the forest for seven days and seven nights.  His dogs killed off one by one, Cebe was all alone.  They say he was bitten by a rattle snake, and sure to die out there, nobody ever knowing what happened to him.  But Cebe found a source of fresh water in those woods — a waterfall out in the swampy flat lands of Florida.

Dad says somehow the waterfall kept him alive despite the venom racing through his system.  But determined to escape the forest, Cebe left the fall to find his way out.  On that seventh day, Cebe stumbled out of the forest into a small community and lived only long enough to mutter the words, “My name is Cebe Tate, and I just came from Hell.”

There are a lot of local stories of people going into the forest and never coming out again.  And as you can imagine, nobody has ever found this legendary waterfall, yet locals still insist it exists.

So there you have it, a local legend, and the inspiration for my WIP.

Do you guys have any local legends you’d like to share?  I’d love to hear them!

Categorylegend, WIP, Writing | CommentNo Comments »

September 6th, 2011

WIP Mashup

by Holly Dodson

I’m totally snatching this idea from Pam, Quita, and Alicia.

Since I’m MyNoWriMo-ing it up this month, I thought maybe I should share a little glimpse into what’s consuming my brain.

Pictures!

 

Total word count so far:  7,741
Excitement level: Through the roof.

CategoryMyNoWriMo, WIP, Writing | CommentNo Comments »

August 15th, 2011

Character Q&A

by Holly Dodson

We somehow survived the zombie virus that infected our house last week.  It was a close call though.  ;)   I suppose that means Super Spawn and I will be among the last standing survivors for the new world?  Yes?

Or maybe I live in books too much.  lol

Anyway, while I was nursing poor Super Spawn, before I became infected, I was working on something new for me: a character worksheet.  I know, this whole planning things is going to my head.  But I found it kind of fun.

It felt more like I was sitting down interviewing my characters one by one and getting to know them before we get into the thick of our adventure together.  NEWS FLASH: this is good.  (Well, it’s good for me.)

I asked them things like what their favorite past-time was, who they hated the most at school.  Then, since this is a group of friends that have known each other forever, I asked them to give one word descriptions of each other.  That was a very telling experience and I got a good feel for their mannerisms and how they interacted with that exercise.

And I sound super NUTS like I’m sitting in a circle chatting with these invisible teens.  I SWEAR I’M NOT CRAZY.  Er, not that crazy.  I was really just filling out a spreadsheet, I promise.

What about you guys, do you spend quality time with your characters before you ever start writing, half-way through, or do you get to know them as you go?  And most importantly, do you feel it helps or hinders you?

I’ve always been a get to know them as I go girl, but again with this whole outline take on things — I’m feeling like getting to know them better early on is going to help with voice and such, which means less revisions later.

Categorycharacters, WIP, Writing | CommentNo Comments »

July 6th, 2011

Road Trip Wednesday — Picture This

by Holly Dodson

The topic on the YA Highway this week is:

Share some images that inspire your WIP(s). 

I have two projects I’m in love with right now, so I’ll include pictures for each.  I haven’t told many about my newest WIP, so you’ll get a tiny taste of what it could be about.  :)

My new WIP, which I’m calling (right now) Once Before a Time:

Happily Never After:

Categoryinspiration, RTW, WIP, YAHighway | CommentNo Comments »

June 14th, 2011

Writing and Acting

by Holly Dodson

As I’ve been working on my newest draft of the WIP, I’ve noticed something.  I draw on my past theater experience a lot.  Like, a lot a lot.

Any time I start a new scene in my head, the setting begins to materialize.  It’s like everything is on a stage and the backstage crew pulls it on piece by piece as I decide it’s needed.  Once the room is set, my characters waltz in, or stomp or prance, depending on their mood and personality.

Then as they interact and go about the scene, I put myself in their heads — if I were on stage trying to portray this emotion, what would I do?  How would I move my face, my hands?  Where would I walk?

And that’s pretty much how I think through every single scene I write.  (And the rule of the 4th wall is super helpful.)  For the first draft.

So in the first draft, my scenes are nothing but a little setting, thoughts and movements, etc.

My second draft is where it really fills out — I go back in and take my stage setting and deepen it, defining it further.  Like, what it smells like, if there’s a breeze rustling the drying leaves still clinging to branches, that kind of thing.  Just like you would if you were portraying a character on stage.  We used to fill out character worksheets and spend hours mapping out our character’s lives and interests.  Not different at all than defining a character for a novel.

What about all of you?  What kind of process do you have for visualizing scenes?  Have you ever taken acting classes?  Has anything in your past contributed to your writing in this kind of manner?

CategoryWIP, Writing | CommentNo Comments »

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