Your 2013 Writing Goals

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Alex Bleach

Finish my next short story, it's still in the draft ages and hasn't been fully written yet. Hopefully, I'll have a creative surge and finish the draft soon. That's my first goal, once it's finished and published I can take it from there.

Good Luck Alex!

[orlok]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I've got a couple of old bats you can borrow if needed, I'll want them back though.

I've got an old bat of my own, thanks, though she wouldn't thank me for calling her that .

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by orlok

I'm in two minds, when I get back to it, whether or not to read everything I have written so far before I continue (I've been away from it for 6 months or so). I'm afraid if I don't, I will drop thread strands and not resolve them, but I'm also afraid if I do then I'll end up spending all my time editing what I've already written rather than writing new stuff.

Would be interested in the views of anyone who has experienced something similar?

I would go back and do an first rough edit pass - but that is just me. By the time you done that you will be "back" in the story and know what you need to know.

Works for me at least...

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by orlok

I've got an old bat of my own, thanks, though she wouldn't thank me for calling her that .

Ah well, maybe should the need arise I'll borrow your bat.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

I would go back and do an first rough edit pass - but that is just me. By the time you done that you will be "back" in the story and know what you need to know.

Works for me at least...

I think that if I reread what I've done so far, I won't be able to avoid the temptation to edit, so that will probably happen anyway. Though I want to avoid using it as another reason to procrastinate .

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by orlok

I think that if I reread what I've done so far, I won't be able to avoid the temptation to edit, so that will probably happen anyway. Though I want to avoid using it as another reason to procrastinate .

Use the bat to avoid the temptation!

[orlok]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Use the bat to avoid the temptation!

I think I've come up with a way of avoiding editing - I have converted it to ePub and copied it over to my Kindle. That way, by not reading it via my editing software (Scrivener), there is less temptation to fiddle. Though I'll probably make notations if I spot anything that does need changing...

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by orlok

I think that if I reread what I've done so far, I won't be able to avoid the temptation to edit, so that will probably happen anyway. Though I want to avoid using it as another reason to procrastinate .

Editing is not procrastination - it is changing your work flow order. You will have to edit no matter what. I still say, re-read and edit. That is what I do.

But what ever works best for you is what works best for you.

[HappyMartin]

Originally Posted by Graham

Sounds like the sort of thing a lot of people, including both myself and my wife, would want to read.

Go for it.

Graham

Thanks for the support. It was easy to write the goal but now I've started and it is like wrestling an oily octopus.

I was going to just transcribe but I started by correcting a few things now it has become an entire rewrite already.

This is going to be more arduous than the actual trip.

If only the dogs would be quiet. Oh well, I started at least.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HappyMartin

....

This is going to be more arduous than the actual trip.

.....

Yep!

Damn Dogs!

You can do it though, one step at a time...

[HappyMartin]

I followed those links Kenny and found a book I would like to read. Thing is with my limited time I am afraid that I will use the reading as an excuse to not start the writing.

I am one of the trustees of a retreat centre just outside Johannesburg. They offer weekend retreats focussed on writing every now and again. I think I must attend one in the near future

[kennyc]

Yes, that's a trap I've found myself in many time, particularly those really good instructional books that dissect other stories or articles. In fact I continue to battle that....maybe we all do.

[kennyc]

Woo-Hoo! Just completed a full 1000 words this morning. I've been close most days but this is the first 2013 day I fully and completely hit the target.

Now if I can continue to do that EVERY day!

[HappyMartin]

Well done. This is very tough stuff.

[kennyc]

Thanks Martin I've been hitting 200-800 most days and very sporadic so this felt much better.