Check In - Day 12

[enemytosleep]

Hello, writers! Today is my last day hosting this month. It’s been a pleasure working with you all!

What have you been able to accomplish today toward your January goal?

— I wrote today!
— I planned and/or researched something.
— I sat down and did some editing.
— I sent things to my beta.
— I posted!
— I focused on something else today.

Writing question time: What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?

Comments

[enemytosleep]

I'm not sure how much writing I will get done today with the Other Stuff schedule, but if I do get a chance I will update later!

What would I give up? A paying job? HAHA I’ve contemplated a few times over the years whether to try my hand at original fiction, but the time and effort are not in the cards right now as I focus on other things. It’s a huge part of why I haven’t written fanfic in six years (my foot is broken at the moment so I’ve come back to it as I convalesce). My job is extremely physical and athletics-based, so there will come a time in the next ten years where I will have to change it up. I suppose I can pursue writing more fully at that time, when I’ve given up my current profession.

writethisfanfic

[voodoosgirl]

I plan on writing today. I need to finish the next chapter and hopefully post by Sunday night.

I've often contemplated finding a work from home job to cut down on drive time and therefore give me more time to write. Long days right now so it's hard to write after a twelve hour day of work and driving. I tend to cram it in on the weekends, not the best plan.

Thank you for your help this week!

Re: writethisfanfic

[enemytosleep]

Good luck drafting today! That was me late last night, trying to stick to my schedule of sending a chapter to beta on Friday.

Long days are so draining and totally can get in the way of fun, creative things. I used to have a job that involved a ton of driving (not commute driving, the actual job involved driving lots of different places each day) and I was constantly struggling to get things jotted into a notepad at stops. Would a speech-to-text program be helpful on the rides?

You're very welcome ♥

Re: writethisfanfic

[voodoosgirl]

I am going to look into a speech-to-text program. I have one on my phone but it's cumbersome especially while driving! I can't imagine driving for a living, I'd never get the writing done LOL.

Thanks again!

[enemytosleep]

So far today, no writing, much as I anticipated. I did make good headway on my Other Stuff though.

[yvannairie]

I got a little bit of writing done on the big sequel and it finally clicked for me why, despite a good outline, the fic doesn't seem to be going anywhere -- my narrator's voice is just too damn bland for how aggressively opinionated he usually is x'D Ah, well. Back to work, I guess.

And oh man, what wouldn't I -- I'm honestly a fairly good singer but I'd give that up if I could be an equivalent good at writing instead.

[enemytosleep]

D'oh! At least you know where to go now to get it working, even if it means a fair amount of overhaul. Good luck getting that started. :D

I'm a terrible singer, so that's cool that you have that talent haha.

[frogfarm]

This morning I unexpectedly did some work on a piece I haven't touched in at least five years. Reached the point in the screenplay one where polishing what's there is likely to do more bad than good, and certainly won't produce any new material, so it's time to put up or shut up with that one -- give it a few more days and if I can't brainstorm anything I like enough, move it to the middle burner. Of the other three main WIPs, two are going great guns, and I'll try to work on both today but already know which one will get more of my focus.

Honestly, I could probably in reality be a better writer if I gave up a few things, but pretty much all of them revolve around how I spend my time -- always our most infinitely precious and ultimately finite resource. (*)

(*) "The cost of anything is the foregone alternative." You can take the geek out of economics...

[enemytosleep]

You're To DO list is intimidating! I hope you are able to get something working for that screenplay, just for the fact that you've spent good time on it already.

I love that quote, and it's too true re: time and never having enough of it.

[frogfarm]

Just posted the one I knew would get more focus :)

[samuraiter]

Today became a day for gaming, napping, and reading (in that order), but recharging my batteries is good for pacing myself. I think I was pushing myself a little too hard to write during the week, so I am going to try easing off the throttle a little bit. That being said, today was also a day for planning, and I was thinking, in particular, of rereading and re-editing one of my old FFN stories for a repost here on Dreamwidth. Not the first time I have had that thought, but I need to stop procrastinating.

For the question: If never making money from writing means improving my craft as a writer in the long run, then yes, sign me up.

[enemytosleep]

I also did not write today on account of doing Other Stuff, but it was productive on that front. I'm glad that you got to enjoy your snow day!

[linaewen]

I did a final edit a new chapter today and posted it. That is two chapters written in the last two weeks! I haven't written that much since the old days when I had tons of free time. I am pleased with myself. ;-)

I have recently given up time usually devoted to internet work in order to establish a daily writing habit. It seems to be working so far, and I'm actually not missing the time so far, so that's good. I was probably not using my internet work time wisely anyway, so in the long wrong, my use of time has benefited in more ways than one.

[enemytosleep]

That's awesome!

And doubly great that the new habits are working out for you! I need to find a new balance myself as I am now back to work full-time again. I'll get there.

[lady_katana4544]

Today was mostly a research day, started slowly reading Circe, and doing some other chores.

For today's writing question, I'm not completely sure at the moment. I would have to think hard about this one I'm pretty sure

[enemytosleep]

Research is good, it's not always about adding more words. And yes, this was a hard question. First you have to weigh how important you consider writing, and then you have to balance that with the hypothetical loss. No worries if you don't come up with an answer!