Here is an update on how I am doing on my goals.
Writing: Three of Ivory, a fantasy series
- I got stuck trying to come up with names for my secondary characters. In my writers group we talked about not getting stuck on little things. So I moved on. I plan to fill in details for these characters as I go.
- I have written one characterization scene for one of my MCs. Then got stuck - after talking with my critique group and doing some thinking on the way into work today - I have worked out the block and am on track to finish them by the 4th.
- I have already finished the chapter by chapter/scene by scene outline for the first book. Way ahead of schedule! I allowed more room for flexibility with this outline because I wanted to see how it worked for me.
- I haven't started my first draft yet - but I am on track to have it started by the 14th of November. Yea!
- So far I have been able to keep up with the critique notes for all my crit partners.
- I still want to wait until all my crit partners are done reading it before I do my final edit. However, I did go through and do some mass edits because I did not like having hang over my head.
- I re-wrote my query letter (thanks to some great advice from Mindy) and plan to do one more revision. I also need an outline which is what I am going to focus on getting done next.
- Still a little nervous about taking the plunge into the query process - but I am starting to feel more confident.
- I finished reading Destruction from Twins and posted my critique on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.
- I am about half way through The Black Cauldron.
Other:
- I have actually been doing pretty good with my critique pages. I am often over my goal - which is a great feeling. I thought about adjusting the goal but I don't want to make myself feel any more overwhelmed then I already do.
I shift goals all the time, so there's nothing wrong with it. It's good to have goals and good luck accomplishing them. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, i do it a lot. I don't have much of a choice because life with a toddler is unpredictable. Also, some ideas get into your head and won't go away. They'll distract you if you don't get to them!
ReplyDeleteWow! Congrats on being so organized and for getting close to the query stage. That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteI've got one goal. Stay focused during nano and write the book by end of November. I'm a bit stuck on the outline so I've got a lot of work to do this weekend.
Goals!?! LOL! If you cannot role with the punches.... stay out of the ring. I see nothing wrong. ;D
ReplyDeleteGoals are awesome whether they change frequently or not-- it's all about the progress, and it sounds like you are making fabulous progress!
ReplyDeleteYou're making great progress, well done :-)
ReplyDeleteAs far as the problem with naming secondary characters, I have two suggestions:
ReplyDeleteThe first is my old method, which is simply to give exceptionally common names, like Bob, Tom, Bill, Sarah, Susan or Mary to any of your secondary characters that you don't have a name for. This allows you to keep writing and have something to fill in the blank, and then you can go back and change them later after you've thought up an actual name.
The second is my actual method, and that is to keep a list of names handy. I have three lists: Boy names, Girl names and Surnames. If I need a name for a girl, I go through the list and find a name that suits that character, then find a surname that goes with the first name. Unfortunately, the lists are usually names I really like, which means I usually only want to use them on main characters, a flaw in the system. But it still works for me.
Those are just the two that worked for me.