30-Day Writer's Boot Camp, Uncategorized

Writer’s Boot Camp: Day 1

Laura

For those of you who haven’t read the previous post, I’m beginning a 30-day writer’s boot camp. Each day for the next 30 days will have some form of writing from me regarding this boot camp. I’m a little nervous, but I’m putting myself out there anyway.

Girl writes in a notebook on a wooden desk with a cup of coffee and laptop

Day 1: My Dream Writing Life

The directions for this day say that a supposed to describe my dream writing life.

My dream writing life is being able to work anywhere, but I picture myself at a Starbucks with a notebook and computer in front of me. I’m sipping on an iced chai tea latte and pondering how best to write the next sentence. The writing flows smoothly, there’s no hesitation, and I have many breakthroughs.

I have two successful blogs, one for health and the other for education, both of which I’m able to make money from. I have two young adult novels another my belt. The third is a trilogy based on vampires. No Twilight, I promise.

Writing

It’s Been Too Long

Laura

It’s been a long time since I’ve published anything to this blog. I recently purchased a couple of books to get me back into writing: Writer’s Boot Camp by Rachel Federman (which I can’t seem to find online anymore) and Complete the Story which you can find at Barnes and Noble. The goal is to immerse myself in writing for the next 30 days and post it here.

I’m a little worried about this because we have 17 more days left a school which means that I’m going to be really busy trying to get papers graded and fit in any curriculum that needs to be completed. Waiting for summer is a viable option, but I was hoping to be writing in full force before summer came so I could use summer vacation effectively. It would also be a shame to wait for summer, work a writing regimen into my schedule, then have to create a new regimen all over again when school starts back up in September. It may be tough now, but it will be worth it if I can pull it off.

I will be posting for the next 30 days as part of this boot camp. If I miss a single day, I’m not reaching my goal. Wish me luck.

Uncategorized

The secret to writing 50,000 words in 30 days

Laura

Matthew Wright's avatarMatthew Wright

Want to know how to write 50,000 words fast? Throw some of them away.

Wright_Whitcoulls3I’m not joking. The essence of writing 50,000 words in a month for National Novel Writing Month – or of writing 2000 words to a features editor deadline, or indeed of writing anything to time, is not getting stuck. And the biggest trap for writers – the biggest sink-hole for productivity – is when you end up wrestling with a recalcitrant passage. It just doesn’t flow right and nothing you do seems to unsnag it. But it’s a thousand words and that’s part of your word count.

My advice – throw the duff text away and start again. You won’t regret it. One of the biggest traps when re-casting is revising older text. It always frames and shapes what you are trying to do. Better to re-start with a blank page. An hour spent writing fresh…

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Fiction, Writing, Writing Ideas

NaNoWriMo

Laura

Screen Shot 2013-11-02 at 5.21.19 PMIt’s here! National Novel Writing Month. This year I’ve signed up as a participant, and I’m very excited. Originally I was going to meet with my writing club every Saturday during the month of November, but I got scheduled to work so I’m on my own. This really stinks because it’s the 3rd, and I haven’t written any words yet. The goal is 2000 a day. I’ve never attempted anything like this, but I think that it will force me to put fingers to keyboard and get this book written that I’ve thought about doing for almost three years. And thinking is about all I’ve done for it. I’m excited and nervous at the same time because it is so easy to just think about doing it. So much easier than actually sitting down and making myself do it. However, that time has come and gone. It’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty, shed my fears, and just do it. Wish me luck!

If you’re interested in signing up, here is the link: National Novel Writing Month

Good luck to you too if you take the challenge!

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Story-Starter Sunday

Laura

ink pen and parchment on woodHere is another installment of Story-Starter Sunday. Again, I’m watching my Steelers play the Ravens. I love the month of October with the NFL support of breast cancer awareness. I think they should devote every month to a certain type of cancer and build money for research. But back to our story-starter for today.

Story-Starter: He sat in his car, unable to get out, knowing that the decision to step out would change his life forever.

Have fun, and happy writing!

Story-Starter Sunday, Writing, Writing Ideas

Story-Starter Sunday

Laura

magic pen (series C)Sunday!!! I’m in the process of watching my Steelers playing the Jets, but there is a commercial on, so I’m getting ready to post Story-Starter Sunday. I love this day. It’s always fun to think up different ideas for you. I hope you have as much fun using the story starters as I have writing them.

Story Starter: No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t break through to him.

Happy writing!!!