Check in: day 31

[lilly_c]

The final check in of 2013!

A bit early today as I'm going to the Simple Minds Hogmanay concert in Stonehaven later on. Whatever your plans are for celebrating tonight, have fun and stay safe.

How is today going for you?

Poll #14791

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 6

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Today I have

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written
5 (83.3%)

edited
1 (16.7%)

posted
3 (50.0%)

sent to beta
0 (0.0%)

researched
2 (33.3%)

had a break
2 (33.3%)

dealt with life
2 (33.3%)

My progress is

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Mean: 7.40 Median: 7 Std. Dev 1.62

Terrible 1		0 (0.0%)
2		0 (0.0%)
3		0 (0.0%)
4		0 (0.0%)
5		1 (20.0%)
6		0 (0.0%)
7		2 (40.0%)
8		1 (20.0%)
9		0 (0.0%)
Fantastic 10		1 (20.0%)

Discussion: wip challenge. What have you gained from being a member of this community throughout the year? Are there any noticeable differences to your writing?

This is a tough one. I'm not certain about what I’ve gained but I definitely have more motivation when I approach my fic whether it's something that I’ve been working on for a while or something that was finished in a couple of hours. I've also gained a sense of belonging and knowing that I’m not alone especially when I’m having a bad day with the words and writing just isn't happening.

The noticeable differences to my writing are that I aren't rushing as much as I used to, my word counts are higher and my editing skills have improved, ideally I would like to improve on all of these areas some more. I also take my time when I'm writing for a prompt now because I spend a little longer thinking about the actual prompt and my own interpretation of it, and how I can make it fit with the fandom that I’ve chosen to write it for.

Comments

[linaewen]

I finished my Yulefic and posted it before the deadline, whoo hoo! It ended up being 1,329 words, so it was just about right for length. I struggled with it a bit, especially trying to end it, but I ended up being content with it enough that I was able to post it! It's not perhaps totally in tune with the recipient's original request, but I am hoping it will still be welcome. Sometimes the Muse just can't be directed in every detail!

I have definitely benefited from being involved in this community. This past year was not great as far as WIP writing went, so I needed the encouragement and sense of community I found here to keep me committed and feeling positive in spite of not being able to write as much. I feel I do better when there is a challenge out there to keep me going, and setting goals helps me focus -- even when I don't achieve the goals sometimes in a given month.

I think one difference in my writing over the year has been that I am not consumed with guilt if I can't write and post as often as I used to. I am well aware of my current limitations (especially with time) that affect my writing, and I am realizing that it's not a poor reflection on me as a person if I don't post regularly. I am learning to do what I can to be more organized in my use of time as it affects my writing, and when things get out of control, I am learning to let it go.

That said, I do have renewed goals going into the new year that involve writing more consistently and more often! :-)

[sperrywink]

Most of what I get from being a member of the community is a reminder to write every day. Otherwise I find excuses to put it off, particularly during the week when I am tired from work.

I also like the camaraderie that comes with the community. It works for me in ways that seasonal comms (NaNoWriMo, etc) don't necessarily. It makes writing more of a habit, than a special thing.

Writing-wise, I think I am better at crafting stories with all the year-long practice I get. Ipay more attention to the little details.