L.G. Kelso
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What's Up Wednesday

10/15/2014

13 Comments

 
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WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY is hosted by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. Check out their pages to learn more about it and the other meme participants! 

Hi guys! Sorry for the coding issues in this post- I won't be able to fix it until after work, sorry!

What I am reading.

I cannot believe I'm saying this...but nothing this week. It's been a busy week, and when I had free time, writing was my priority. I'm also kind of in a reading slump...so, suggestions are welcome! I haven't finished the past few contemporaries I've picked up, and I have not found any fantasy (my favorite) that's really knocked my socks off lately. That being said, I do have a few books in my TBR pile but I'm waiting to get them in paperback verse ebook. 

What I am writing. 
I have been working on my YA fantasy and my NA contemporary (the next novel for the Whatever It Takes Series). I also worked a little bit on my novella, but decided to set that aside for now. 
The YA is a "revision", but it's pretty much a rewrite. 

What works for me.
I am a by-the-seats-of-my-pants writer. A friend introduced me to the term
discovery writer, and I love it. I'm OCD and a planner in every other aspect of my life (big time), but when it comes to writing, I just can't do it. 
While this isn't usually an issue, I'm kind of on some deadlines, so I've felt a little overwhelmed. Sometimes, since I'm a panster, that first draft takes some time, and then I know will require big edits, usually in regards to structure and pacing. Since I want two books done in a short time frame, it's a little daunting, especially when there are only a few days a week when I can write. 
To handle this, I've made an "outline". I say "outline" very broadly because I'm not outlining the book, I've just created a document (in a notebook, on paper) that looks like this:
-chapter one
-chapter two
-chapter three
and so on. I have a few areas marked just to help keep me on track with structure. No, I don't know what will happen at that specific turning point, but it helps me just by knowing 'something' should happen there. Pretty much, I made a plan as far as word count goes (overall goal, and broke it up per chapter), and am hoping that seeing it as a sort of to-do list may actually alleviate some of my apprehension by marking those chapters off as a complete them. I'm also attempting to go at this project with chapter goals versus word count goals, because telling myself "I need to write one chapter after work" is less frenzy-inducing than "I need to write 2000 words after spending nine plus hours on the computer at work." I'm trying to squeeze these in on my non-gym days, since I have a little of time after work, but I'm not sure how it will work yet. 
For the "revision" (I like quotations today, apparently), I've made myself a similar outline but it also has some more structural info in it, so that I know around chapter x I need to be hitting my first turning point etc. I'm hoping it will speed the process up a bit, and since it's a rewrite I won't have such huge edits, even though I am making drastic plot changes. 



What else I've been up to. 
I'm trying a new fight gym, which is seriously a process that makes me a nutcase. I feel like I don't know what to expect when I walk into a new gym. I've had good experiences and bad experiences, and you never know what you'll get.  I'm also really close to my gymmates, so not working with them is going to be rough. 
What else...It actually has felt like fall the past few days, but we've had some beautiful (and some not so beautiful) weather, and my horse and I have gotten to take advantage of a few of those beautiful days.

Look forward to catching up with everyone! Just FYI, I'll be trying to get around to all the posts, but due to my work schedule today, it may be kind of late.

Happy writing and reading!

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13 Comments
Bailey Knight link
10/15/2014 01:50:21 am

I had been in such a reading slump, and then I read four books on vacation or something. All mediocre, actually, but very easy reads. So if you do stumble across anything good, let me know. I need some really gripping fiction, too. & good luck with the new fight gym. I hope it's what you need!

Reply
L.G. Kelso
10/15/2014 01:56:31 am

I think I'm going to reread a book I read years back, and then order two books I've been wanting to read... Hopefully they get me out of the slump! I'll let you know if I find anything good.

Reply
Niki Lenz link
10/15/2014 05:07:59 am

It's funny that you are a "planner" in life and a "pantser" when you write! How very therapeutic!

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L.G. Kelso
10/15/2014 05:11:50 am

Lol, right! It definitely surprised me when I finally realized that it's possible for me to 'plan' my writing too much.

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Jaime Morrow link
10/15/2014 05:28:49 am

I've read some good YA fantasy in recent weeks. Nothing that totally blew my mind, but enjoyable all the same: THE WINNER'S CURSE by Marie Rutkoski and THE KISS OF DECEPTION by Mary E. Pearson. I don't know if this one would be considered fantasy at all (there is an element of fantasy, I suppose), but I really enjoyed REVOLUTION by Jennifer Donnelly.

I like your approach for tackling drafting. The to-do list approach and the chapter goal vs. word count goal are both great ideas. Thanks for the tips!

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Miss Cole link
10/15/2014 05:29:51 am

Best of luck with the rewrite :D High-five, fellow Pantser. I like "Discovery Writer" too. Sounds very exciting.

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L.G. Kelso
10/15/2014 05:48:43 am

Thank you!

Reply
L.G. Kelso
10/15/2014 05:50:02 am

I'll check those out- I need something, even if it isn't mind blowing, to get me out of this funk! Thanks!
I don't know that it will help or not, but it definitely makes it more manageable (or seemingly so).

Reply
L.G. Kelso
10/15/2014 08:08:15 am

L.G. Kelso10/15/2014 12:50pm
I'll check those out- I need something, even if it isn't mind blowing, to get me out of this funk! Thanks!
I don't know that it will help or not, but it definitely makes it more manageable (or seemingly so).
REPLY

Reply
Alison Miller
10/15/2014 01:10:23 pm

I LOVE the label Discovery Writer! That is me completely. And good luck with the writing this week - I know it can get overwhelming, even when facing a self-imposed deadline. Good luck!

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L.G. Kelso
10/15/2014 01:45:44 pm

I like it as well! I think it's interesting how differently we all tackle writing and yet how similarly in other ways. Thanks for reading!

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Fida link
10/16/2014 02:16:17 am

Good luck with your reading slump!

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Chris Kelworth link
10/16/2014 09:40:09 am

Hi, nice to meet you, and good luck with your outlining process! I know very well the angst of having to rewrite instead of revise. Luckily with my latest revision I've got a lot of funny stuff I'm pretty sure I'll be able to keep.

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