Week 2 took me all over the place, figuratively and literally. I started the week with a few good days in my WIP journal, working out the main character and some logistics of this new project. I think I have a name for her and some deep backstory details. I'm chipping away at the surface and digging deep.
The best and hardest part of my week took me on a journey north. All the way to Pennsylvania! Coming from southwest Georgia, that's quite a haul. But sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. My not-so-angsty teenage son and my tween daughter really needed a visit to our old home town outside Lancaster, PA. So a 15-hour drive on Thursday (starting at 3:00 am) got us there just in time to start spring break with the best friends who have never been replaced. Watching my kids shine with their old buddies totally made the 30+ hours of driving I've done in the last 4 days worth it. Plus, I got to take in some of my favorite natural sights, like this little gal up here. (I'm pretty sure it's a gal, considering the subsequent photo frames and the mystery dance her partner did with her!)
That's the WIP journey, too. Finding my way through research and soul-searching those characters and ideas will eventually uncover something golden.
So where has your WIP journey led you this week?
Sounds like a trip well worth the drive. Hope the kids enjoyed it as much as you.
ReplyDeleteWell, not this week, but... I started March's #Wipmadness near New Haven, CT. I flew to Winnipeg, MB, Canada for a funeral and from there to Calgary, AB, Canada for a second interview with my old company, Waste Management. After three weeks in Winnipeg, waiting for paperwork and then background check, I find myself living in Calgary, 2463 miles away.
Good to be working. Sad to be away from my wife, who is stuck in CT working out refinancing and potential sale of the house.
My WIP journey has been less adventurous, though I did spend a few hours this weekend, reacquainting myself with my ms.
At least, I can funnel the "missing my wife" into my novel because my MC is in a similar place.
Cheers,
@DavidJFortier
Wow, David! I can relate though. 3 years ago, I was in PA for 8 months without my husband because he had started the new job in GA and I stayed behind with the kids, waiting for the house to sell. It's hard!
DeleteChannel that all into your WIP and I wish you luck all the way around.
Awww...bird pic! There was an Oriole in my yard the other morning, but it kept flitting behind bushes as I followed it around with a camera.
ReplyDeleteI had an awesome start to April - 7,000 words down on my WIP already this month.
Have a great week, everyone!
Woohoo! Way to go, Jennifer! keep it up!
DeleteHi Mary, I kind of took a little break last week after WIPping myself half to death in March. I didn't do as much blogging, and I read a little of my completed WIP. This week, I'll pick up the pace in the blogging and complete the readthrough of the WIP. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been in that place too. Enjoy the readthrough and get inspired!
DeleteSo I wasn't the only one with a super busy week last week, eh? I didn't manage to accomplish much on the writing front, but I did make some brainstorming progress on the shiny new. I'm waiting for beta feedback on another WIP while I do some beta reading myself. And the sun is shining. This is BIG NEWS. Hope y'all have a fabulous week!
ReplyDeleteThat brainstorming is key. YAY for the sun! We have about 80ยบ here (back in GA). I did a little journaling while I was in PA, but I hope to get some real prep work done this week. Rock on, sista!
DeleteMy WIP journey hasn't really led me anywhere this week. Other than journalling, there's been very little writing. I *could* blame it on the distractions of Holy Week and Easter (we had special services every day), but the truth is more that I haven't been motivated to find the time. I finished a synopsis and submitted it for critique, but that's about all. Just admitting to that should provoke me to get back on track this week!
ReplyDeleteOoooh...sending good vibes and motivation your way... The synopsis is tough, and I found this time around that I end up in a very different place than I expected. A much better place! Good luck!
DeleteThat's quite a trip! But seeing old friends is always worth it.
ReplyDeleteI'm back after about 2 months off getting my life straightened out (for the time being). Moving, relationship change, job change... My WIP went away for a while.
I started a short story during the process, mostly as semi-autobiographical catharsis, but I think it has potential. This month, I want to finish it.
This morning I wrote 300 words. My goal for the week is to write at least every other day for at least an hour--starting off slow and taking it easy on myself.
And what a cutie your little red-hooded gal is!
You said it, Lora. Even if we had only 2 days for contact, it was worth it. You've had a lot going on! Catharsis through writing is good. Embrace it and good luck with the story!
DeleteI love catching woodpeckers in action. This is the home of my very dear friend, acres and acres of woods. And I was lucky enough to have some sun and find some bird activity. The subsequent pictures are quite entertaining...let's just say I stumbled into a little birdie porn... AH, SPRING!
This week was a good writing week for me. Having a few days off with Easter was heaven. I got my first full critique back on the WIP (which made me grin so big), I drafted a query (which didn't make me grin) and I wrote the first chapter of a new story.
ReplyDeleteI'll be beta-reading this week and I'm expecting the rest of my critiques back by the weekend, so I can do my big pre-revision read through. I'm actually looking forward to revisions. I'm not very good at 'resting' or 'waiting'. Working steadily is my natural state, and I hope getting back into things will calm my query anxieties a bit.
Such a beautiful bird!
Wow! Great week, indeed! I love those critiques that give you a big grin... I like revisions, too. I do need to give myself a little distance before diving in, but sometimes I get too antsy. Queries are tough and I advise several revisions on that. I'm amazed sometimes at what I put together the first time around and how much perspective a little distance gives me. Good luck with the query and the waiting!
DeleteNot much time to talk... I've written 20k on this new wip since april 1st and I'm not planning on slowing down until it's done.
ReplyDeleteWow! Love that...you go, girl!
DeleteOh geez, I missed the check-in. I'm glad you were able to take your kids on that trip knowing what that probably means to them. I just a read a book, Life, After by Sarah Darer Littman about a girl who move from Argentina to NY and how hard it is for her. Not as far for your kids, but it's something your daughter may relate to (including a character named Jon who shares some characteristics).
ReplyDeleteAs for me and writing, I've been having fun with the A-Z challenge, and I finished my book map. I also have revised my synopsis for my YA, Cast in Gold and am sending it and my long-revised manuscript to my agent with the hopes that the environment may be better for contemp. YA than for dystopian at the moment.
Glad to see everyone else here!
We're in re-entry mode now. Especially Ghost Son...this is when he has to face the fact that we actually live in GA now. It's hard. I'll have to check out that book!
DeleteWay to go on the book map! Good lock with your ms and the agent. Hope the word is a good one!
My week has lead me back to getting pages of my sekrit project ready for Joyce Sweeney to go over so she can help me figure out what's missing in this story. I went over my newer outline, taking out the dystopian part of the premise and trying to work in other things.
ReplyDeleteI also ended up reading the amazing book GRAVE MERCY. Hated that it ended.
Now just need to stay motivated. I was kind of bummed when I got an email from our regional SCBWI saying a local librarian was interested in having YA authors come and speak. What she really meant was big name YA authors with books with one of those big six publishers. That bugged me as I'm not considered that as I'm with a small press. I felt like saying not many of my YA friends with books are able to get into Barnes & Noble out here or even in the libraries due to budget cuts. So crazy.
I've heard great things about Joyce. Good luck with your reconfiguration. And I have to get GRAVE MERCY. It's getting raves.
DeleteI'm sorry about the library gig. I know how that feels, though not through publishing yet. I'm hoping this ms is the one that gets me on track finally. Hang in there! And kick that WIP-ass!
Ack, I completely missed this week's check-in, too. I plead Vegas (which is where my journey led me!)
ReplyDeleteI actually didn't get any reading done, or work on my WIP, but I *did* write a lot in my writing notebook while in Vegas. By the pool especially, and on the plane both ways. It was good. And maybe just what I needed.
Though (shh) the bride forgot her vows and asked me, the writer, to help her write new ones.
Also in Vegas, but not because of Vegas, I went partially blind in one eye. Optic Neuritis. This is an MS thing, likely stress-related, and it will likely go away again in a few weeks. Now I'm home again but on ordered rest. I still find myself writing a lot, because I can sit up in bed with my laptop and take breaks. And since something happened in Vegas to inspire me to get back to work on my WIP, I'm ready to do that now. I needed a break. Which I'm still taking but feel good about getting back to the story, finally. FINALLY.
Wow! You've had some wild times this week! I love journaling through my ideas and letting my book gel on paper a little before I actually start writing it. Make sure you get your rest. I'm glad you brought something home from Vegas instead of leaving it all there ;-). Ah...inspiration!
Delete