Tuesday? Are you Sure???

Tuesday’s come around very fast, when I don’t write everyday. If I’m doing what I know I need to do then not so much.

Needless to say, I didn’t accomplish all that I wanted last week. I still have around 10 pages to hit the end for the first pass. Some of you are probably asking, “Will she ever stop talking about the first pass?” The answer is yes, I promise. I’d better if I’m going to send this baby out there.

I am on chapter six of the second pass though and it is going much faster the second time around.

So, what did I do last week? Lot’s of stuff deleted, reworded, and some new words added. When the week was said and done, I had a total of 498 new words. I’m not really sure what the deleted count is. I don’t keep track of them. It’s hard enough to wipe out several pages of words to know actually have a count. :)

Annie’s book is itching to be written. She visits me several times a day and reminds me, she is waiting. Patiently waiting for now, but how long will she hold out? I did make her happy when I typed out a 5 page outline. Her book is darker than AT&B. Since she knows the outcome, she doesn’t seem to mind the things she’ll be very tempted to do and tells me she may just do a few of them whether I want her to or not. Gotta love it when the characters tell you what their going to do.

So, how was your week? Read anything new? Meet your goals this week, writing or others?

Remember to leave your comments all this week to be entered to win Roxanne St. Claire’s newest Bullet Catcher book, First You Run.

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Tuesday Checking In Time

How can it be time to check in again??? This past week has flown by and though I did manage to get some revisions done, I’m still 20 pages away from finishing this first pass.

I’ve already started the second pass through. Yay! I’m starting chapter five. Double Yay!!

In my spare time, (don’t laugh, I know there really isn’t anything such as spare time), I’m working on the query and synopsis. Okay, so I’m not really enjoying the synopsis writing. But this two shall pass. :D

So, how did you do this week? Did read anything new? Share, share!! How about your own writing goals? Or maybe you have other goals you’re working on that don’t include writing. How did you do on those?

Don’t forget about the contest. Each time you leave a comment you will be entered. Read yesterday’s post and then anyone of the excerpts and leave a comment about it.

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Tuesday Checking In

It seems like forever since I’ve checked in with writing updates and goals, even though I only missed a week.

Last week I cut words and added others with the total for the week being 413 new words. I have about 30 pages left to finish the first pass. Then it’s back through one more time. Hopefully, that one will be a bit quicker. :)

Since I’m considering entering a couple of contest, I spent most of the week going over the prologue and first three chapters.

Goals for next week: Finish the first pass. Yes, I will have it done by the next check in. Critique AM’s chapters and hopefully read “L’s” new beginning…hint, hint.

How about you? Did you write last week? Think about? Plot out the next book? Tell us what’s going on in your world.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Tuesday Checkin In - and The Plotmonkey Giveaway

I don't have much to report for last week. I did a few edits, but not much. Life was busy in the land of the desert.

This week, I'm back to the prologue and chapter one. Doing, what I hope will be the edits for those. I'm wanting to enter a couple of contest and need to tighten up the beginning as best as I possibly can.

If you didn't make it over to the Plotmonkey's yesterday, you can click here to read the prologue.

Today, Julie has Chapter One up and let me tell you, it just keeps getting better and better.

In case you missed yesterday's post, (by me), she's giving away a $20 Amazon gift card everyday this week. All you have to do is read it and leave a comment.

So, how was your week? Writing goals met? Did you just relax? Let us know.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Quick Check In and the Contest Winner

Hey, just a quick post here. I'm still in Scottsdale and having a great time. I did want to post the winner of last week's contest though.

Chasing the moon!!! WhooHoo, congrats! Email me at vickilanewrites@yahoo.com and let me know if you would like a book or the gift card. As soon as I'm back I'll get it sent out to you.

Hope everyone is having a great week. I didn't post anything on the writing goals this week since I'm not at home. I haven't written or edited much.

Lot's of great stuff to tell you later and some pictures of the festival when I'm back.

Next Monday I'll start a new contest so be sure and check back.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Words added: 221
Words deleted: Not as much this time, more moving things around
Chapter I’m currently editing: 18 – Still, I may have to split this chapter. It’s longer than I realized.
Chapters to go: 3

I didn’t do much in the manuscript this week. I know, shame on me. How am I going to finish this first pass so I can start the second one, if I don’t sit down every day? Wish I had the answer.

My goal, and trust me it’s a big one, is to have this first go through completed before I fly out at 7:00AM on Saturday morning to go visit Missy and Aaron. She and I are going to sit by the pool each morning before we start doing whatever it is we will do while I’m there, and work on the second pass. It’s nice to have a fresh pair of eyes, one that doesn’t really know the story to read it and let me know if anything is confusing or what not.

Don’t forget about this week’s contest. Leave your comments this week to be entered.

So, it’s your turn now. How was your week? Did you meet your writing goals or reading goals? If you’re not a writer, but a reader or scrapbooking, gardener, (sounds like: doctor, lawyer, or Indian chief from when I was a kid) or whatever, did you meet your goals? Let us know, besides, it’s one more entry into the contest. :D

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Tuesday Checking In

Words added: 330
Words deleted: a bunch this time around
Chapter I’m currently editing: 18
Chapters to go: 3

I’m actually in the part where I did the 2 day mega write to finish this book. Which means tons to fix, but it’s fun and exciting since I don’t really remember all of the scenes.

Goal for next week: Finish the first pass, print it out and start one more pass. Oh, and really start working on the synopsis.

Rhiannonjk please email me at vickilanewrite @ yahoo.com. I announced you as the winner for Diana’s book on Sunday. :)

Also, I haven’t heard from Flick from my contest for Stacey Kayne’s book Maverick Wild. If I don’t hear anything by the end of the week, I’ll choose other winner from that contest.

Your turn. How did your writing week go? Accomplish your goals or come close?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Tuesday Checking In - Pay It Forward (Ellie's) Winner Announced

Ellie's winner for her Pay It Forward contest is Jill James. Jill please email Ellie at sauble @ tennis.com
She will then coordinate your prize.

Also, I haven't heard from Flick yet. You won my contest last week. Email me with your info and I'll send your prize.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

This past weekend I worked at getting all the handwritten edits into the manuscript, which added another 1914 words. I swear I’m cutting words along the way as well. It just keeps growing.

I’m finding things that I mentioned once and either need to cut them out completely or add them again somewhere else.

My goal for next week is to have the remainder of the hardcopy edited. I’d like to have them entered or cut from the remainder of the manuscript, but with the day job that’s not likely to happen. At any rate, in two weeks, I should be through with this first pass. Then it’s print it out and start again. If I’m lucky the second pass through will be it and then it’s on to the synopsis, query letter and submitting.

I can’t wait for that first rejection. :) Sound weird? Yes, but it’s bound to happen and it means I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. Insert major props to my local chapter, TARA for teaching us that rejection happens, take 24 hours, and have a pity party if you need it and then pick yourself up and continue on. It’s the name of the game so to speak.

With my other manuscripts, I’ve never went all the way. I wrote them and stuck them under the proverbial bed. No query or synopsis. I knew they weren’t going anywhere. But this one…this ones different. I love to hate this book. Okay, I truly don’t hate it, but there are moments in the revision process that I think, ‘If I read that scene one more time—’ Then I get a grip and read it again.

How about you? Did you write this week? Delete scenes? What is the hardest or best part of the revisions for you?

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Tuesday Checking In

Yep, it’s that time again. Time to check in with the past weeks writing. I love this journey. Don’t get me wrong there are moments, especially during the edit process that I don’t like at all. When all I really want to do is open a new document and type Chapter One, hit the enter key and let my mind and fingers have fun. I just keep reminding myself this too shall pass and the new world is waiting for you.

I’m two-thirds completed with the revision process. One third left to go. At least for the first pass. Hopefully the second one will not be as brutal, since I’ve been pretty hard on it this go round.

I did add 1413 words to it this week. I was in a couple of major dialogue driven scenes which needed a little more depth sprinkled in.

And I entered the Bookends contest for paranormal, along with what I am sure will be half the world. It was already at 80 entries and the thing goes until tomorrow morning at 9:00 EST.

Next week I hope to have three or four more chapters completed. Synopsis??? Yeah, not so much. I’m thinking about it.

Little reminder: This week I’m giving away a copy of Stacey Kayne’s book, Maverick Wild and Ellie is running her Pay It Forward contest. Leave your comments to be entered.

So, how about you? Did you write this past week? Are you doing edits? Reading? If so, what are you reading right now that is blowing you away?

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Tuesday Check In

It’s time to check in. New words added 632, words deleted, I really don’t know. I start with the word count and work forward. What I end up with is either more words or less. What I do know is I am cutting words as well as adding some. That’s good, right? :)

Edits on hard copy, through chapter 13. Synopsis, still at 5 paragraphs. Query, hmmmm….just beginning to work on that.

Goals for this coming week. Since I have Monday off, I’m hoping to have all the line edits done on the hard copy and maybe on the screen as well. After that? The Query and Synopsis. Then it’s time to send the baby out into the world. Fingers crossed. Oh heck, fingers, toes, arms, legs, anything I can cross, I’m crossing with the exception of the eyes. Can’t write or read with them crossed.

Now for some fun. I honestly can’t remember whose site I saw this on, so if anyone knows, then put it in the comments so we can link back to it. Here’s my fairy name.

Your fairy is called Juniper Icetree
She is a bone chilling bringer of justice for the vulnerable.
She lives in clear-headed pine forests.
She is only seen when the first leaves fall from the trees.
She wears purple juniper colours. She has icy blue butterfly wings.
Get your free fairy name here!

Don’t forget to go to the Mavens. Only a couple of days left to read the story and vote. The line up of authors has been great!

Your turn. How was your week? Did you accomplish your goals? What are you doing this week and what’s your fairy name?

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Checking In and Trying to Get Back in the Swing of Things

The Pay It Forward contest is still going on. Leave a comment to be entered and on Feb. 8th I’ll pick two winners.

If you haven't been reading the Maven's blog, then you are missing the new CYOA. The line of authors writing each day's mini chapters is amazing and this is a fun story. Each day you read the new installment and then vote on what happens next. Fun, Fun!!! :D

I know it seems I have been MIA for the past week and in truth, I have. I've read/lurked, but my schedule has been way too crazy to post or even leave comments for the most part.

The retreat was great! Michael Hauge gave us much to work on in our current and future wip. His Identity to Essence is amazing. Funny thing is, I vacillated between my characters and myself.

If you have not heard him teach this, then his DVD is something I highly recommend. I was there, took tons of notes, and still bought them.

We had a full agenda starting with a TARA mixer on Friday night, which was so much fun. Having the time to talk with other members that you don't always have the chance to at the monthly meetings was fun. We learned things about each other and heard of new sells, (Yay Ellisa!!!). There was also some down time for those who did not want to participate in the Saturday afternoon functions. Time to walk on the beach or go shopping. A girls gotta love that. :)

Saturday night we had the pj party and watched the movie Sideways. Michael was speaking on it on Sunday morning. Most of us had not seen the movie, and truth be known, we couldn't really see this as a romantic comedy. Yes, there was laugh out loud moments, but the romance as we romance writers think of romance wasn't really there for most people.

Still, for me the movie was great. The dialogue was funny, yet there was depth to the words. More often than not with a much deeper and different meaning than what was actually said. Favorite part??? Okay, I'm with everyone else, when she hit the guy with the helmet, over and over again. He so deserved it.

Anyway, we had prizes, fun, food, drinks, and a great time. Hopefully this is something we will do again next year.

Now to check in. Not so much writing this past week. I did do edits on the hard copy. I'm in chapter 11 right now. The synopsis has 3 more paragraphs in it, all or most of which will probably be tossed, but I'm writing it. :)

The rest of last week was final prep for the retreat.

This week, finish edits on the hard copy and finish the first draft of the synopsis.

So, how was your week? Did you meet your writing goals, or come close? Oh, the new pic is from the retreat.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Tuesday Check In and The Quiz Answers

Time to check in with last week’s progress:

New words this week - 742
Words cut - not sure

Synopsis - working on POS, true POS

Revising on the hard copy - through chapter 10

Looking up the words, 'as he', as she' - too many to count and working on changing bunches of them

Retreat – making 75 workbooks, name badges (thank you so much Laurie K for helping with this), movie for movie night, emails, talking with the hotel, and more stuff that has to be done just before the retreat

Next week: Synopsis POS finished, hard copy revisions entered into the manuscript, oh and maybe going back to page one after Michael Hauge's workshops. ;)

Now for the answers to yesterday’s quiz. This is the quiz that I found over on Bruce’s blog.

1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

The correct answer is: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe, and close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do simple things in an overly complicated way.

2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?

Wrong Answer: Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant and close the refrigerator.
Correct Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the door. This tests your ability to think through the repercussions of your actions.

3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference. All the animals attend except one. Which animal does not attend?
Correct Answer: The Elephant. The Elephant is in the refrigerator. This tests your memory.

OK, even if you did not answer the first three questions correctly, you still have one more chance to show your abilities.

4. There is a river you must cross. But it is inhabited by crocodiles.How do you manage it?
Correct Answer: You swim across. All the Crocodiles are attending the Animal Meeting. This tests whether you learn quickly from your mistakes.

According to Andersen Consulting Worldwide, around 90% of the professionals they tested got all questions wrong. But many preschoolers got several correct answers. Anderson Consulting says this conclusively disproves the theory that most professionals have the brains of a four year old.

Your turn. Did you know the answers to these? How was your writing week? Plotting, thinking about it, actual words on the page or cut from the page? Or are you working on the synopsis? Submitting?

The Pay It Forward contest is still going on. Leave a comment to be entered and on Feb. 8th I’ll pick two winners.

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Tuesday Check In and a Plotmonkey Check Out

Leslie Kelly's husband, Bruce, is blogging over at The Plotmonkey's today and it is a great post. He has his own blog as well.

If you are a regular reader of the Plotmonkey's, you have no doubt read his comments here and there. He comes out of lurkdom once in a while.

Since most of us write romance and I believe all of us read it, today's post is fabulous.

I'm checking in with 476 new words, two chapters edited but not in the laptop yet, and two paragraphs written of the synopsis. I know, two paragraphs is not much, but hey, it's a start. :) This weekend I had plans to move far into the revision land. Didn't happen. I had TARA board things to do and there was not time for anything else. Next weekend, I will have three more chapters completed and maybe even the synopsis. Yes, Laurie K., I hear you drumming your fingers on the desk. I promise to do my very best to have the first POS of the synopsis done.

How's your week been? Did you make your goals? Have you set your goals? And last, but certainly not least, did you check the Plotmonkey's blog?

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Tuesday Check In

It’s time to check in with the week’s progress. It is not nearly as much as I would have liked it to be though.

Revised through chapter 8, cut words and added some more. According to my trusty spreadsheet the added words is 427, however, since I cut words as well it could be more.

My goal this week is to write my synopsis (thanks to the KITB from my CP, Laurie K.), revise at least one more chapter, and work on the upcoming TARA retreat.

If you aren’t already reading the Manuscript Mavens blog, check it out. This week they are blogging about workshops. Oh, and there is a poll where you can vote on the name of us who read the blog. Six days left to vote.

How did you do this past week? Meet your goals or come close?

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Tuesday Check In

Tuesday Check In

I know, I normally check in on Monday’s, but it is a new year. Since I check in on Tuesday’s with my TARA group, I thought it might be easier to do it on the same day here as well. The excel spreadsheet won’t be as pretty (yellow for Monday’s and pink for Tuesday’s), but it will be easier to keep track of. :)

I’m still in revision land and can I say that this is not my happy place. I like the changes I’m making; however, it’s long a tedious to get through them. Since I need to have the hard copy in front of me to write on, it takes twice as long. Write on the hard copy and then go to the computer and put in the changes.

So, here is the word count for the week. 582, yep, that is it. Which is okay, since I’ve cut words, rearranged some scenes. I finished with chapter six last night, actually putting it in the computer. I have chapter seven done on the hard copy and will work on it tonight.

My goal for this week: Finish four more chapters (7 – 11), work on the synopsis (yuck), and write the query letter. Oh, and also work on the upcoming writers retreat, my local chapter is having the first week in February and finish working on the by-laws. Yep, by-laws for our chapter according to the new ones sent out by RWA. We have to make sure ours reads accordingly.

Add that to changes happening at the day job and life is busy.

How about you? Have you started your goals for 2008? Did you write this past week? Think about it? Plot out your new book? Or are you in revision land as well?

In February I will start the contest again, so if there is a book you would like to see offered let me know.


Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

PS. Check out the Manuscript Mavens this week. They are doing tips for writers all week. Yesterday was Maven Erica and it was fabulous.

PSS. Over on Predators and Editors, Predpoll, they have poll and not only are the Mavens there, so am I. How cool is that. If you haven’t voted, go over and take a look and vote. :)