by Alena Wendall, @alenawendall
Has your writing been lagging? Not motivated to finish or keep going?
How about a challenge? You game?
I’m going to write a book during the month of August.
Last week I realized summer is almost over and I’m behind on my writing goals, embarrassingly so.
Yes, I’m busy. We all are, right? I was moaning to a friend last week, but then she checked me. She didn’t tell me to quit whining; she simply shared her schedule. My friend works two jobs during the day and writes in the evenings. She only has two hours an evening to write. Did I mention she is on deadline?
Yikes!
I’ve challenged myself, excuses aside to get ‘er done.
Wanna join me?
But first how?
Planning Work:
For this plotter, I need my pre-work complete.
- Story Equation (SEQ)
- Lindy Hop
- Synopsis
A completed Story Equation (SEQ), Lindy Hop and Synopsis will make the fast draft easier to finish. Notice I did not say easy. Because we all know it won’t be. It will take prayer, planning and focus.
Word Count/Math
You must know your goal. If your trying to write a 55,000-word book in 30 days,
- Ask yourself, how many days do you have to write?
- How many hours do you have to write?
Then do the math. Once you figure that out then, it’s a matter of setting aside the time to get ‘er done.
Once you have your pre-work complete and your schedule mapped out. It’s time to write.
Sometimes I think the empty page with that blinking curser is mocking me. How about you? Here are five tips to help the words flow once you sit down to write.
- Sharpen it up!
Okay, that was corny, but you know what I mean. At the beginning of your chapter list out S.H.A.R.P. This will give you a starting point to write from.
- Ask Yourself
“What is your character thinking right now?”
- Say No To Distractions:
- Silence your phone
- Turn off your internet connection
- Hide (Coffee shop, closet…whatever it takes.)
- No Editing
Look, this version isn’t supposed to come out all pretty and ready to publish. That is what re-writes are for. Focus on getting words on the page. You can edit later.
- Make Notes
At the end of each writing stint make notes for the next scene so you can dive back in.
It’s doable. I’m challenging myself to finish my fast draft by August 31.
Let’s do it!
Writing as Alena Wendall, Alena Tauriainen pens contemporary Christian romance novels that always end with a happily ever after. By day, she partners with her lifelong mate Clyde, to run the family HVAC business. She manages both business and family life with four lovable but crazy kids. She is the Retreats Coordinator for My Book Therapy. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner with Books & Such Literary Management. Visit her at alenawendall.com.