September WIP Challenge Check-In, Day 21

[soldierwitch]

 

 

Hello, writers! It's day 21 of this challenge which means we're headed into the final stretches of working on our WIPs for September. With just 10 days left before the month comes to a close how are y'all doing? Let's talk about where we want to be in our work by the end of September!

Here are our discussion prompts:

-Are you on track to meet your goal for this month's challenge? If not are you going to adjust your goal or stick with it?

-What do you want to accomplish with your WIP(s) before the challenge is over?

-Did you set a realistic goal or was it too lofty? If the latter, how will you re-tool your goal setting moving forward?

-Repeated question from last check-in: Would you like Saturday's check-in to be a writing sprint? If yes, please state whether morning, afternoon, or evening Eastern Standard Time works for you and if you'd prefer a 30 minute sprint or an hour. If there's interest, we can start working out time intervals for at least three opportunities to write together.

Comments

[soldierwitch]

I am not on track with my goal for this month's challenge. By the end of September I'm supposed to have 5K of my WIP written. That's likely not going to happen, but I'm not stressing about it. I learned something important this go around, and it's that outlining a whole fic takes time and comes with its own set of challenges.

I've never plotted out a fic like I have this one. I used to be a pantser, there was no outlining behind snatches of thoughts and ideas to be found. Like, sure, I'd do one for a chapter sometimes but a whole fic? Nah. I've found that outlining has been immensely helpful for me, so I don't feel lost in the mechanics of my own story with no clear direction beyond the emotion I want to convey.

This, of course, doesn't mean that I always stick with my outline but it's there to help me, and I like that.

By the end of the challenge, I want to at least have 2.5K of my WIP written that way I've at least gotten half of my goal achieved. Right now I'm sitting at 332 words.

[frogfarm]

The outline is your friend! Glad to hear it's working out for you. And with how well it's worked for me on this trilogy, I'll probably be using outlines more often and trying to write more long stories.

[soldierwitch]

It truly is! Ooh, love that the outline has inspired you to want to write more long stories. I feel like once you start outlining that's where the creative tends to run. Longer and better stories.

[frogfarm]

I know I hit at least one of my goals. If I can post another chapter before the challenge is over, that would be wonderful. I've never been too specific in goal setting, especially as busy as life is for me right now, but this month felt great.

Biggest thing: Started the next chapter. Because that's how you get it done!

[soldierwitch]

Yes! One goal down and another on the rise. You've really been rolling with Book 3 frogfarm despite being busy. Congrats!

[athaia]

I'm on track with my exchange assignment, meaning that I got the draft in before the deadline, and am not editing. As for my other exchange assignment, I'm staring at it, hopeful that inspiration will strike in time. Maybe I'm too burned out from the first exchange, since they're running almost parallel to each other. If I don't get any ideas by the end of the week, I'll probably have to default :(

I need to have both stories complete (i.e. edited) by the end of this month. I'm positive that I'll reach that goal for fic #1, but fic #2? No idea.

Lesson learned - don't write more than one fic at a time, at least not when both have a deadline.

[soldierwitch]

Sorry to hear this has been a mixed bag for you in terms of inspiration, but at least you'll have the one fic done. And you learned a lesson though lol why does it seem like biting off more you can chew is one that never quite sticks? I struggle with that all the time.

[lea_hazel]

I have a WIP chapter ready for posting on Friday that only needs some cursory proofreading for typos and the like. I think I'm on track, at last.

[soldierwitch]

[peachpai]

Already met my WIP goal! I would like to get one more part posted as a bonus before the month is out, but I'm not bothered if that doesn't happen. I'd rather just be sure I'm rebuilding a consistent writing habit, regardless of the project. I'd definitely say the goals I set were realistic.

As much as I'd love to do a sprint with everyone here, Saturdays don't work for me. :(

[soldierwitch]

Ah, yes! Congrats on meeting your WIP goal! Also, great mindset on rebuilding a consistent writing habit. That's always the key because inspiration is fickle, and if we waited for it to strike, nothing would ever get done.

Oh no. Okay, next time I host the check-ins, I'll do a poll for what days are best for everyone in the challenge that way a sprint or two can be a part of the check-ins when I'm hosting.

[xmarksthespotwhereistand]

No writing happened but tracking it regardless according to my goal.

[soldierwitch]

You're staying on track then!

One of the things I like about linaewen's check-in posts when she hosts is that she often leaves a question asking if you've thought about your fic. I love that because it takes into account the achievement of allotting the time to have a moment to think about your fic. It can be passive or active but the point is that your mind was on it. It's a reminder see that as important and worthy as well not just words on the page.

I see this part of your goal as analogous in a way.