THE WEEKEND PROGRESS REPORT 2005

[Birol]

Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray. :poke:

How much longer is this vacation of yours going to last? Hmmm????


Okay, part of a short story. But I see you didn't tell us how much of a part. ;)
600 words in CTN
Working on publicity stuff for TPB. But, again, no specifics. :)

Hmmm..... What to do, what to do, what to do.


*sigh* Okay. No zap. But no kudos either.

[Birol]

To get 5 pages of handwritten notes takes a great deal of research time. Plus two essays from it and 6 new lesson plans (I assume this was a freelancing gig?)

Here's your, ah, reward.

ZZzzzaappptt

[Birol]

Rich, my man, looking for eraser is not a report.

ZZZzzzapppttt

[Birol]

Mac, keeping track of Eraser is not a report.


ZZZZzzzaaaPPPPpppttttt

[Birol]

Thanks! It's addictive...it's the new bermuda triangle of my time. ick... but at least it's writing.

Natalia, I like your blog, too, but, ah, no.


ZZZzzzaaaPPPppptttt

[Birol]

Charlie, congratulations on getting published with Renee' and making so much progress with your editing. Keep up the good work on the column. Congrats.

:thankyou::thankyou::thankyou:

[Birol]

Ruth, you have good intentions, but... You have the notebook and the pen. You know the mantra: 10 minutes a day.

ZZZzzzaaaPPPtttt

Congrats on the job.

[Birol]

Okay, my report for last week went something like this:

TBWN


Reworked one scene, taking it from 5227 words to 3667.
Deleted 1933 words.
Wrote 163 words.
Struggled with POV Character #1's transitional scene. I knew I was doing something she didn't like, but she wouldn't tell me what she wanted to do instead. She's like that. If she doesn't like how things are going, she'll just cross her arms and legs and sit and stare at me. Or, worse, go flirt with characters from completely different stories. Finally, as I was drifting off to sleep on Thursday or Friday, she explained what she needed me to do. *Big sigh*
OTHER

Proofread and critiqued a friend's Master's thesis. Answered questions about a couple of my comments.
Read another writer's novel manuscript once through in preparation for critiquing that.
Logged three rejections.
Beyond that, I've been letting real life have too much of my writing time. I've been driving back and forth to the St. Louis airport, filling out paperwork for school (classes start next week), cleaning house, and things like that.

I deserve to be zapped. So:

ZZZzzzaaaPPPtttt

[Birol]

Nita's passed the 10K mark.

Woohoo!!!!!

:PartySmil:PartySmil

[MacAllister]

w00t!!! 10K!!! Way to GO, Nita!!!

:TheWave::hooray::TheWave:



(oh...and damn! A little harsh this week, Lori...)

[triceretops]

I'll second that! Go, Nita, go!

:Clap: :Jump: :Jump: :partyguy: :partyguy: :Trophy: :TheWave: :Cheer: :Cheers:

[Unique]

Thank you, oh great taser wielder, :Hail: thank you.


Now, if I can just escape the clutches of the dreaded *-ing*. gerards? geramonds? gerabaldis? whatever you call those things.

[batyler65]

CONGRATULATIONS ON 10K!!!

Nana dance!
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gif

[Natalia]

*shuffles in rubbing butt* ouch ouch ouch, that hurt!:flag:

YAAY Nita :banana::banana::banana: way to go!!!!! Woohoo!!!

[Birol]

(oh...and damn! A little harsh this week, Lori...)

You should see what I did to that engineering friend's thesis. Masochist. She loved it. I don't know why I was surprised, though. This is the same friend that enjoys driving through construction.


(Besides, I had to run the charge down on the taser before you got it. ;) )

[ChunkyC]

Dear Mac.
I thought Lori was quite even handed. Then again, she didn't zap me. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonwag.gif

CC

PS - Congrats on hitting 10K, Nita! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gif http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonbanana.gif

[scfirenice]

Yeah Nita!!!!!

[scfirenice]

ok. It's thursday. Time to put this thread back on the map. Who's got the tazer??? Come on spit it out.

[Birol]

I dropped it off at Mac's house.

[scfirenice]

Oh, Lori...Mac? man, she just HAD it.

[MacAllister]

...the unmistakeable smell of high-voltage ozone...
http://bestsmileys.com/storms/6.gifhttp://bestsmileys.com/storms/2.gifhttp://bestsmileys.com/storms/6.gif

http://bestsmileys.com/lights/3.gif


a mechanical voice: "charging...charging....charging...charging..."

[Unique]

ok. It's thursday. Time to put this thread back on the map. Who's got the tazer??? Come on spit it out.


You had to ask. Tsk. I hope you know this means we're all gonna get it. (well, probably not Tri. He's got so many points saved up he could probably join Barb on vacation.)
Oh, Lord. I stuck my foot in it that time, didn’t I?

You oughta Zap her first, Mac. She asked politely. I know we all want to be fair.

[msQTpi]

I had a heart attack Monday morning.

Yada yada yada...scared the bejesus outta everyone who cares about me, and really screwed up my whole day...or three, but I am OK....really!!

A little weaker, for now, and a little sore, but OK.

I have been put on meds that I will have to be on for the rest of my life...and have been told that I will regain my strength in a very short time, but I should take it a little easy for a few more days.

Now for the crazy stuff...

1...I do not have high blood pressure
2...I do not have high cholesterol
3...I do not have any plaquey buildup
4...I did not have crushing chest pains
5...My symptoms were as follows:

My hands hurt....bad
My left elbow felt like I had twisted it somehow and just couldn't remember doing it
My stomach did a few flip flops...like butterflies

PERIOD!!

Ladies do not have heart attacks like men do...their symptoms are often much different, but we are not told that by the same media that tells us what to look for. Heart attacks kill more women than men...and kill women more than any other single thing does...PERIOD!!

We have to be very aware of our bodies and what they are trying to tell us. If I hadn't really studied heart disease because of my husbands problems I would never known what was going on. AND NEITHER WOULD THE DOCTOR. My symptoms would very likely have lead to a misdiagnosis had I not walked into the emergency room saying flat out that I was having a heart attack!!

Take care of yourselves....no one else can do as good a job as you...and no one else has as much to loose.

Oh...and I have no word count to report other than the 670 on Saturday night and the 1,455 Sunday night...I took the rest of the week off

[maestrowork]

Renee! I'm glad you're okay! Wow. Take care of yourself. A friend of mine had a heart attack earlier this year and like you, he didn't have hbp, high cholesterol, etc... he even took aspirin every day; but boom, he got one.

[triceretops]

Please take care Renee and I hope you get better. Take your doc's advice, but, gosh, in this case, only if you can trust him. You appear to know more about diagnosis and theapy than he does. Bless your wonderful soul and keep in touch with us.

Now, as for me, I'm only trying to keep up with you younger sprouts and weed-hoppers. I've asked Alaskamatt to join us--this guy seriously whupps my fanny and I'd like to see him join our group.

Night all

Tri

[MacAllister]

Good god, Renee--I'm so glad you're all right. I guess a heart attack is a good enough reason for a tazer-pass, this week.

Everyone else?

Guess what! It's Friday morning! Time to start compiling those lists, or working on those excuses!

Extra credit given for rhyming reports, this week.

Sound off, people!

Whatcha doin' out there, writers? Where ya at with those goals?
Is that writing clear sailing, are you wrecked on the shoals
of adverbs and be verbs and gerund constructions,
are your characters quibbling, creating obstructions?

Come give your report, step up and hang tough!
Or else, failing that, at least try to bluff...

[Birol]

(((((Renee'))))) Do take care of yourself. Glad you are back home.



Not quite certain what to make of Mac this week.

[Unique]

Oh, man, Renee`- I'm glad you are all right. ( I don't have enough exclamation points, so I'll save 'em)

Please, please do take care of yourself. I wish there were something I could do for you. Have some cyber hugs....(((((BIG HUGS))))) I hope I didn't squish you...

[maestrowork]

Um... Mac... I have a doctor's note... I have chronic sitonmybuttdoingnothingtitis.

<shivering with fear as Mac smirks evilly with taser in hand>

- Column... it's a short one, 500 words, but I reviewed a lesbian movie! <like what does it have to do with anything?>

- CTN... 600 words.. It's progress, right?

- TPB... finished proofing the galley... sent galleys to BN Writers program... did some publicity related stuff...

- Misc.... submitted some poems

[ChunkyC]

RENEE!!!! Gasp! Thank goodness you are okay! That's three friends now in the past year or so that have had an attack. (the other two are also doing well)

Yikes yikes yikes....

Report to come in the next day or so
I hope it is satisfactory, though
if it is not
I will be shot
with the tazer, so off to write I go

[katiemac]

Renee, I'm glad to hear you're okay and are taking the time to care for yourself. (Think about all that relaxation... and all the great writing ideas you'll get without life's other distractions...)

And, thanks so much for the tips! Keep well.

[triceretops]

I better report before I fall asleep. Last week, 43,000. This week 57,275 for a 14,275 jump. I'll take it. Now I want to go play in the AW sandbox for awhile.

Tri

[Natalia]

R-

OMG. I am so glad you are OK. That's just such an odd thing. All of a sudden. No reasons. Ick...puts things in perspective! Take care and rest up.

xoxo

-N

[alaskamatt17]

Hi, I don't know if I'll belong here, but Triceratops invited me to this thread to report on the progress of my SF novel, Ashes of the Empire. Unfortunately, I won't have much longer to report on it, as I am three chapters from the end as of today.

Anyway, hi everyone.

Word count this morning: 181,000 words, more or less.

[triceretops]

Hi Matt, and welcome to our corner. This thread has actually nothing to do with humor writing, except for some of our little funny stories that we use to describe our progress or our out-right lies and ditching the truth. This place is really about goals and accomplishments and we report on the weekends, like you just did, then report again after a full weeks work. Or in your case, you might want to report every two or three days and keep a running log. Whatever you like, feel free to express or vent.

Tri

[ChunkyC]

Hiya, Matt. Welcome, welcome. Like Tri says, it doesn't matter what kind of writing you do. Barb (batyler) started this whole thing as a motivational exercise. She is now our Queen. She'll notice you soon enough, which can be either a good thing or a bad thing. She won't tell us how she decides.

This is the place where we push and prod and are pushed and prodded, and we always seem to end up laughing our silly butts off in the process. Every thursday or friday, Barb or her designated doppleganger will put the call out to report your progress for the week. If you haven't checked in by Monday ... well, we have no idea what she'll do if you don't file a report. No one is willing to be the guinea pig, least of all me. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Glad to have you with us, Matt. I hope you find it fun and productive.

[alaskamatt17]

Thanks for the welcome. I just typed another 2,000 words on the manuscript. Didn't finish that third to last chapter, but I might tonight, and I definitely will tomorrow.

[msQTpi]

Welcome Matt!

As long as you don't sneak off with our pudding, or break our crayons, you'll fit in just fine. :welcome:

Beware of Bud. :scared: He is someone's Muse...can't remember whose, and don't know if she/he still claims him after his bawdy behavior. He guards the pudding, and slings it every so often.

[Don't tell him I said so, but I think he breaks crayons, may even eat them...shhhhhh...:Ssh: he can't read what we write inside brackets]

[msQTpi]

Thanks for all the well wishes.

You guys make me feel all mushy...oh wait, that's the pudding :kiss:

[gina]

Hi everyone! I just learned about this thread on another thread on this forum, and I thought I would jump on in head first and say hi. Hi! My name is Gina in case my user name didn't give that away. I write both non fiction and fiction. My nonfiction is mostly reviews and recaps, with the occasional news piece thrown in for good measure. Sometimes something opinion based will pop up. My recaps and reviews have appeared on Gaywired, LesbiaNation, Romance Divas, and another book review site that is just opening this month, Erotic Romance Reviews for Women. I also write for Blogcritics. My fiction is mostly in the romance and erotica genres, mostly male/male, but I do write the occasional straight story still.

On a couple of other boards, I'm a member of they post weekly or monthly word count challenges, and I usually take part in those. So at the beginning of the month, I'll probably post my goals or challenge accepted for that month, and then follow my progress weekly and report on the weekends. Sounds good? Sounds great to me. I think that is how this place works.

This month I signed up to take part in a challenge to write ten thousand words of fiction in one month. My fiction is so hard to get out of me, but I've done quite well this month. I've written 7140 words between various WIP's, 2967 of those since Monday. I didn't even write 2000 fiction words last month total so I'm pleased. I'm hoping to keep it up.

On another board, I signed up to write up to a certain number of words total. My choice was ten thousand there as well, but I've already surpassed that. Total word count, between nonfiction and fiction for the month at this point is 18724. Nonfiction wise between two show recaps and two articles my word count for the week right now is 2872.

I think I've rambled long enough here!

[batyler65]

WELCOME Matt and Gina!!!! I'm sure you will like it here. I started this thread to keep myself motivated and found a lot of kindred spirits in the process. Currently, I'm on a break from WPR to spend extra time writing. We have a rotation of stand-ins who are doing a lovely job of keeping everything going. Take a bow Taser wielders. You are doing a great job!

Periodically, strange things happen around here. For instance, some weekends I (or a stand in) will start the report as a tandem story. Participants are encouraged to make their reports creatively while continuing the story. For a recent example, go back a few pages and catch the swashbuckler tale that Lori started.

I also toss out challenges from time to time. We currently have a rejection challenge going for this year. Our goal is to collect 1,500 rejections (see the rejection collection thread) before the end of the year. All additions welcome.

Oh, and just to clarify, Bud is my out of work, teamster muse. He is known for his affinity for thongs, pudding wrestling and alcohol. He carries a sign that says: "Will work for beer or nekkid women" and uses a blue font when he shows up. Whatever you do, don't feed him or let him sit on your lap. Oh, and don't suggest that he is imaginary. He has issues with that.


Once again, welcome!

Barb

[batyler65]

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteWha.gif
*singing loudly to the tune of On Top of Old Smokey*

On top of spa-ghe-tti
all covered in cheeze (cuz Renee' took the puddin')
I writ bout some meatballs
an' a sad pekingese.
I'd like a cold beer now
and my favorite thong
or give me nekkid wimmins
and you jes' can't go wrong.

(hic!!)
Bud

I http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonheart.gif WPR

[scfirenice]

:partyguy:

My baby turned one
that was great fun
We made a mess
of her party dress
and blew bubbles under the sun.

I finished the edits on Two
350 Pages (whew!)
With adverbs all gone
I now sing my song
and think how fast it flew.

So here I am deep in Three
recapturing trains that would flee
It's going a bit slow
but the thoughts they must flow
and soon I will have 100kb

One final note before sleep
One more then not a peep
with Unique's threat like a laser
Don't zap with your taser
I'll fall in line like a good sheep.

:flag:
S

ps-also have new idea for mag article, never done one, so we'll see.
pps-this counts as my second entry in the AW AW poetry contest.

[alaskamatt17]

To avoid the pain of tazer shock
Meant only to buzz out writers block
I post my progress in rhyme this time
Punctuation nonexistent its so sublime

All tallied the words come to one eight three one and eighteen
I churned them out like a writing machine
Not done with the work got some chapters to pound out
Listening to Blind Guardian they slam the sound out

Hard metal rock about The Silmarillion
Worth many dollars perhaps a million
For the night I do soon intend to retire
And read George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire

[ChunkyC]

I'm going to report a little earlier than usual this week....
*editorial note: I have written fewer poems than a sloth has toes*

Fear and Submission in WPR
A Po-em, by ChunkyC (picture Henry Gibson holding a daisy)

My weekly movie review column I've written
and this week with RED EYE I really am smitten
A plot filled with twists and turns and suspense
will entertain both the girls and the gents

My novel called HOME I'm currently tweaking
in hopes of that publishing contract I'm seeking
I've completed that pass from beginning to end
for the POV issue I needed to mend

So off I go now to smooth out the prose
of the changes I've made so that better it flows
And then it will be time for a query
to an agent or three -- of rejection I'm leery

Hold me, Bud.

*bows*

[msQTpi]

Since I got a pass this week ;) I thought I'd share the awful poem I wrote for the contest too...lol


How dare I breathe this air of yours

or tread upon your earth

How dare I look upon the moors

that you earned with your birth

How dare I try to have a life

when you are clearly IT

I'd rather die than be your wife

why don't you just eat sh*t

How dare you look at me that way

just turn your head you pig

It was the smell that made me sway

It's really not that big

Go wipe the dribble off your chin

and zip those trousers up

You won't be having me again

or I'll be throwing up

No I don't want that pretty ring

it's kinda big and shiny

You know I love it when you sing

here rub me on my hiny

You really don't smell all that bad

in fact your kinda cute

I didn't mean to get so mad

just warn me 'fore you poot





[hope that didn't just earn me a ZAP]

[katiemac]

Is it poetry week?
-------------------

For three weeks I couldn't write.
Empty pages were a terrible sight.
So I thought and I thank,
but oh! how it stank,
and all of my pages stayed blank.

But this week - oh, what a joy!
Words no longer played coy.
So I wrote and I wrought
as my characters fought,
and finally I straightened the plot!

My word count is smaller than norm,
and next week I go back to the dorm.
I'll lose this great fuse,
away goes my muse,
For essays I cannot refuse!

[Kida Adelyne]

*ack* Go away for a few days and ya miss everything so:

#1- (((((((Renee'))))))) I'm so glad you're ok!!!!! You take care of yourself and get lots of rest!!!!! ((((((hugs))))))

#2- Welcome to Matt and Gina! This is such a cool place. Just make sure you write every week. (it's very painfull if you don't *rubs burnt spot from last weeks tazer*)

#3-

I can't write poetry,
it is too hard.
All those rhyming words to find.
I'd write all day, I'd write all night,
to write some poetry.

Now that I have made my point, I shall report in the normal fasion.

As I mentioned in my report last week, I was at music camp all week. I did... *counts on fingers* six hours of cello playing a day, starting at 8am every morning. This left little energy for writing. Acctually, it left none. None. Zip. Zoodle. Macaroni. Cheese! Oh wait, sorry. Got distracted.

However, despite this, I managed to come up with a brilliant Idea for Lost ID, on tuesday, a major break through, somthing I had been puzzling for a month on, then becuase I was to tired to write it down, I forgot it.:Headbang:
But fear not, because I came up with a new idea on friday and managed to steal some pages from my mums notebook to scribble them down in. about two pages worth.

So, I beg your mercy *puppy eyes*

-Ally

[alaskamatt17]

I FINISHED!!!!! The book totaled out at 184,957 words--by far the longest thing I've ever written. I've got a lot of work to do on the rewrite, but I think I'll let it sit for a while. My next project has me all tied up in knots: on the one hand I know it's a great idea; on the other hand I also know I have at least two weeks' worth of heavy research to do before I start on it.

[triceretops]

Congradualtions Matt! You've been steaming along quite nicely on that big bugger for a long while. I'm glad to see you finally nailed. Yes, let it sit, because I know you're off on another marathon with the other idea.

Tri:Jump: :hooray: :tongue :partyguy: :Trophy:

[Kida Adelyne]

Congratulations Matt!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:


ps. Your not going to be another person like Trice who makes us all look bad are you?

[triceretops]

Kida, you're a doll face. But Matt makes scrambled eggs out of me. Seriously, I've never seen such a drive or push from anyone in here. He cruises along at mach three where I'm usually in the sub-sonic. There's really nothing better than seeing anyone in here succeed--whether its word count or publication. I'm truly astounded at the number of deals and sales that AW members have made whilst here. I think that speaks highly of this community. And of course, we're all winners.

Tri

[Kida Adelyne]

:wag:

[Unique]

So this is >poetry week< in the WPR.

Ahem….

Unique’s Rhyming Report Featuring Abysmal Progress

(please hold all fruit until I’m finished)


Two rotten poems did I write
I added to the poetry blight
One in contest, one in the house
They’re really rotten
Like spoiled meat souse.

But even worse I’m shamed to say
My essays still on the counter lay
Every time I go to write
I’m interrupted
I’ve lost this fight

I’ve given up, it’s not to be
It’s always them, it’s never me
So if I quit the writing game
I’m doomed to find another way
To make my outgo match my pay.



Hey, this one’s pretty rotten, too. I must be on a roll!

[alaskamatt17]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Triceratops, the next project isn't going to be quite so much of a marathon. It's most likely to end up as a novelette: the research is what's going to kill me.

[triceretops]

No prob, Matt. Just knock us dead with something like Alaskan hadrosaurs that can see in the dark. Hah!

[alaskamatt17]

Not far off. I actually did a research paper on Late Cretaceous Paleoenvironments of the North Slope last year, and I plan to incorporate some of what I learned into this story. I'm probably not going to post it in the Share Your Work board because I think it has a real chance of getting published, but if it does get accepted somewhere I'll be sure to let everyone know.

I plan to have it finished before Oct 1st, if possible.

[Birol]

No avoiding the taser
For me this week
I've been a slacker
And a bit of a geek.

Met a new character
Wrote 679 words
Other than that, err...
I've been a bit bored.

[msQTpi]

Congrats Matt!!!


:TheWave: :TheWave: :PartySmil :PartySmil :PartySmil :PartySmil

[Natalia]

I'm late, I know...don't point and laugh. :mad:

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana: Yaay MATT!!!!! I hope to be where you are someday soon. But I won't unless I do some damn writing.

:flag:OK I deserve the taser. I wrote on my blog and I did a little bit of editing. In the shape of an excuse...classes started today and I had a lot of stuff to prepare for my students :)

OK OK OK... fine... taser away :Shrug:

[Unique]

Natalia,

Your blog is a HOOT!

[Natalia]

Unique-

Thanks :)
It seems to be gaining popularity. It's funny because at times you can get published on a lit mag that gets read by a handful of people. My blog has been read by 790 people in two and a half weeks. Not bad. And I get immediate feedback. I like it. I think I'll keep it.

-N

[batyler65]

um... no poetry for me, I'm late enough as it is. (Bud made his contribution, though.)

Slogged through two batches of greeting cards and got them subbed. Researched and wrote two nonfiction pieces and did the preliminary research for two more.

This week I have a ton of deadlines hanging over me, so I'll be fairly swamped.

Barb

[ChunkyC]

Congrats on finishing that draft, Matt! As is somewhat traditional here, I will perform the WPR banana dance for you!

http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/fatguy1.JPG

Oops, wrong banana. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/redface.gif (for all you newcomers, that there is Bud, Barb's muse.)

Forget the banana. Here ya go, Matt.... http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gif http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gif http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gif http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gif

[scfirenice]

I just threw up.

[Yeshanu]

Deer Miz Tazer Ladee,

Last weak I tuk Ally to muzik institoot an she treated me like a chauf... um, a taxi driver and a pak mule. I fallod her around from class too class an I evin carreed my notbuk, az she haz sed abuv. (Page stealer! They're mine. My own. My precious... Oops. Wrong movie...)

I messed up fower pagis wryting a poim, the rezults which will soon be veewed in the awe-full poitry thread, but i think it peppermintly damidged my brane.

Anyhow, the funnest part of the weak waz watchin Alli try to recomember what she forgit...

Bwhahahaha!

Anyhoo, dont tzer me cuz I writ fower tims az much az I writ last weak!

Sinecurely,

Rooth

[Yeshanu]

((((Renee))))

Take care, Trailer Park Lady. And if you're into non-fiction, perhaps you could write about your experiences for a women's mag. Too many people are not aware that the "typical" signs and symptoms of a heart attack are "typical" only for one-half of the population!

Gina and Matt, welcome to the nuthouse. Ignore the background chorus of "Hotel California." I doesn't mean anything...

Ruth exits singing...

Plenty of room at the Hotel California... You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave..


(Sad... I had to put the tape on to remember the words.)

[allenparker]

There once was a writer from here
WHo prized his fat little rear.
He made up a rhyme
To save his behind
From the taser that loomed so near.

I wrote about 750 words in my WIP. I drug out an old work and reviewed the first 100 pages. After becoming ill from the writing, I began to rewrite the beginning and ending. Total of about 1500 words.

I also spent the Sat Night at the Movies. Rocky Horror Picture Show.
( I should get some points for introducing my son to this classic)


Chunky, where did you get that video of me? I rarely wear the thong when being filmed.

[Yeshanu]

Allen,

Total of about 1500 pages.

I think that's a record of some kind. :Jaw:

Unless you only wrote one word per page... :tongue

[Kida Adelyne]

I just threw up.

DOn't feel bad, the last time someone was introduced to bud, they lost thier eye sight.


(maybe why that's why kit hasn't shown up in a while. I should hunt her down.:rolleyes:)

[MacAllister]

Okey dokeys,
weekender-folkies!

I've heard all your reports,
Your excuses, and hopies (hey, it rhymes. Gimme a break)

Ray:Well you might shiver with fear, darn it! You didn't even TRY to rhyme.

But, okay. You wrote some. You hit your column deadline. And you came back from vacation.

I don't think it's going to be so easy on you next week, though!

Triceretops: I'd zap you for not rhyming....but you got so darned much done! Way to go, fella! You're an inspiration for all of us. :)

Gina: Welcome to WPR. We never zap anyone their first week. Besides, it sounds like you've set some fabulous goals for yourself! We'll look forward to hearing about your progress NEXT weekend! :)

Bud: Nice to have you back with us! Please put a towel or something on over that thong...

SCFirenice: You rock! You rhymed! You're fabulous! :D Also, you made progress! Shiny happy smiley faces for YOU!!!
http://bestsmileys.com/sparkle/1.gifhttp://bestsmileys.com/flashing/2.gif

alaskamatt: Holy crap! over 18K words? Wow. Happy faces for YOU, too!
(and he rhymed! Were you slackers paying attention?)
http://bestsmileys.com/flashing/1.gif

ChunkyC: Okay! Errr...the column, and continued editing. (Oh, and sixty-odd hours at the day job, if I know you...)

AND YOU RHYMED!!!!! Smiley happy benevolent faces for YOU, CC!
http://bestsmileys.com/flashing/4.gif

msQTpi: Renee--don't hurt yourself with the poetry, sweetie...heh--and don't hurt US, either. :D So glad you're alright, and we'll expect a report next week! In the meantime, you get a smiley for playing the rhyming game!

:Dhttp://bestsmileys.com/flashing/5.gif

katiemac: You oughtta get zapped
but you rhyme and you're charming,
I'll let you slide this time
with only a warning!

Ally, sweetie....you know this hurts me more than it hurts YOU, right? And you know that you tell your therapist every single instance that you ever heard those words, too, years from now...http://bestsmileys.com/storms/8.gif

Unique: Okay, you rhymed...you gotta suck it up and WRITE THE FRIGGIN' ESSAYS, though. :)

Sigh. I can't zap you until you show a little forward progress.

Well, maybe just a tiny zap. For the poem...http://bestsmileys.com/storms/7.gif

Lori: Oh dear. You rhymed. Of course, your sentences were, um, four syllables long, some of 'em.

*sigh*

http://bestsmileys.com/storms/5.gifhttp://bestsmileys.com/storms/8.gifhttp://bestsmileys.com/storms/3.gif

Natalia: (If ya'll aren't reading her blog (http://nataliacherjovsky.blogspot.com/), you're missing out. :) )
Since you didn't even TRY to rhyme, and you asked for it, especially...

GZZZZZZZZZzzaaaPPPPPTTT!!!!http://bestsmileys.com/storms/8.gif

Barb: At least you showed up. :) I hadda give everyone an extra day, so I'm not gonna count you as late. And no zaps. You moved. You're subbing stuff. Bud even gave us a little poem.

Um...by the way--I saw Bud amoking over in Office Party, in his blue thong, I think. You might wanna see if you can just catch him and cover him up a little...

Ruth, Ruth, Ruth... Okay. Twice as much as last week is something, I suppose. And you're carrying the notebook...

No zap. I'm gonna leave a post-it for the next-weekend Taser-Monster, though...

Allen: It sounds like you actually did pretty well, this week! Smiley faces for you! Are you related to a Teamster-Muse named Bud, by chance? Helluva resemblance...
http://bestsmileys.com/expressions/9.gif

And it's over and done, and that's all she wrote
For another weekend of drama and hope,
So off with yourselves, get busy, get crackin'!
Cuz whoever checks next will be TASER-packin'!

Have a great week, everyone, and good job! :)

[allenparker]

Allen,



I think that's a record of some kind. :Jaw:

Unless you only wrote one word per page... :tongue

How did you guess? Each page was only half inch by half inch, with quarter inch margins.

Allen

[Yeshanu]

Allen,

:roll:


Mac,

you dint rede rite. i writ fower times as much as last weak, not too.

an you can rede my poim hear:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17068&page=2

its a mistresspeace!

[MacAllister]

Ruth--I was deducting points for hyperbole...:D

Also, you've perhaps "peppermintly" damaged MY brain, as well...
Regardless, I didn't zap you, right?

[Yeshanu]

Regardless, I didn't zap you, right?

True 'nuff. You'll be glad to know that my severely brain damaged state seems to have been temporary. Now that the poem's out of my system, I'm back to 'normal', whatever that is. Until I start on my entry for Ray's purple prose contest, that is.

[MacAllister]

So according to Barb's carefully plotted schedule, the taser is supposed to pass to Katiemac for the next report. Katie, you got it handled? Or is your back-to-school schedule going to be trouble?

I bet we could find a willing volunteer, *cough, we could conscript scfirenice for example, cough* if you find yourself overbooked.

[scfirenice]

SCfireNIce rubs hands together and cackles....

[Birol]

I don't think it's a good sign that she's, you now, so eager.

[MacAllister]

Yeah. That's a little scary for me, too.

[Unique]

I hope she read the back thread to know what the job entails. It's not ALL zapping you know, SC. There's some other stuff, too.

Too bad we sunk the pirate ship . . .:wag:

[triceretops]

Arrrrhhg. But we can always sail a ghost galleon. Or set it in the Lost World. Or on Moon Station Alpha. Or in the wild and wooly west, by gum, by golly, yipie aye cye yea....ooohh!

Tri

[katiemac]

What? Me? Give up the taser? It will be exceptionally useful come move-in day! (That's right, that's my parking space! Get outta the elevator, scram!)

Besides, SC is scaring me.

[Unique]

Katiemac -

I miss your eyes.:cry:


(or are you *telling* us you have a new S.O.?)

[ChunkyC]

(or are you *telling* us you have a new S.O.?)
ooooooooooooooo!!! :popcorn:

[scfirenice]

I know the job entails alot. I back-read. I'm not over eager, really. I just *sniff* want to feel accepted by the thread, and what better way to show that than handing me the tazer. *sniff* (was that too much? Right.) Plus I had a really cool wild west thing I was working on. Maybe SOMEday.

[storygirl]

Not exactly new, but new to this thread.
Have some question, but the taser I dread.
When is this little progress report due?
Can it be rewriting, or just writing that's new?
Do you even take late-comers like me?
Or should I run away now, hide under a tree?
So if you could answer without an electric shot,
I would be ever grateful and thankful a lot.
I can't rhyme very well as you can see,
but I saw the punishment and thought, NOT ME!

[scfirenice]

Thread? You can't handle the thread. Ha ha It's fun here. Reports of your progress are due by sunday night, sometimes you don't get tazered if you post by monday, but it's better be good. Plus whomever as the tazer sets the guidelines for the report.

[storygirl]

Uh, I'm assuming you might be the one with the taser this time...

Ya know, hiding under that tree is starting to sound like a good idea. :)

[scfirenice]

I don't think they're going to give me tazer. They said I am 'scary and over eager' Humph.

[storygirl]

No, now where would they get an idea like that?

[ChunkyC]

Hiya storygirl! Nice to see you over here!

So, the rules, such as they are....

Whomever is in charge of the tazer ... charge -- tazer -- get it? http://bestsmileys.com/lol/17.gif Sorry. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/redface.gif Anyway, usually on Friday, whomever is in control of the tazer for the week (katiemac this week) calls for everyone to report on their writing progress for the week and sets the ground rules for the nature of the reports themselves (poem, tandem story, etc)

Progress can be anything writing-related, but you do tend to get extra points for nice new stuff. But editing is good, submitting is good, researching is good.

Okay, katie. We're ready!

[Unique]

Hiya storygirl! Nice to see you over here!

Okay, katie. We're ready!


No, we're not! Katiemac likes fire!

[Kida Adelyne]

I wouldn't suggest hiding under a tree this week: tree's are flammable.

:hi:Welcome storygirl.


-Ally

[Birol]

Maybe, just maybe, she used up all the fuel for the flamethrower blowing up cannons in the pirate story?

(One can always hope.)

[storygirl]

I wouldn't suggest hiding under a tree this week: tree's are flammable.

:hi:Welcome storygirl.


-Ally
Thanks for the tip and the welcome.

Um, we have flame throwers too?
Bomb shelter...would that be a better place to hide?
Oh, if only I had one to hide in.

[Birol]

KatieMac has a flamethrower. She bought it special, because she prefers it to the taser. Which is probably a good thing since her turn is right after Mac's and it takes us some time to undo whatever Mac does to the taser in her basement. That much juice is just not a good thing.

[triceretops]

How about we try a western theme in a little ole' dusty town called Progress. All the horses have AW brands, and the Sheriff is the taser-wielder, only that hog-leg six-gun of hers shoots a lightening bolt. Ride (write) on in and meet up with the town's folk, assume your own character, and seek out or hide from the sheriff. Belly up to the Share Your Work saloon and spill your guts (hopefully not by gunshot), or mosey around the town and take in the sites.

Just a thought

Tri

[jdkiggins]

I hope Katie ran out of fuel because I haven't written squat this week.

Come to think of it, maybe I'll buy her fuel to get my fire going. Someone hit me over the head, send a bolt through my computer, electrify me into getting my butt in the chair and writing. (While you're at it, power up the coffee pot--I need the caffeine to stay awake later. :D)

[katiemac]

Hey there kiddies!

I didn't forget about you all, I was just really busy yesterday trying to amp up the flamethrower. I got a little distracted... bwahahahaha.

Everyone line up, get in gear (your flame-retardant suits, that is), and sound off. How'd the writing week go?

[jdkiggins]

All this talk about flame throwers, torches and tasers enticed me to get some work done.

For the first time in a few weeks I stayed up until 3 am and wrote about 2,000 words. I didn't say they are good words, but at least I wrote something!

[Birol]

:gone:

I'll be back on Sunday. Hopefully I will have something to report by then.

[triceretops]

I'm a day late but I'll put down yesterday's total. Was sick with bladder infection--too much acid in this strong instant coffee, it's killing me.

Last week 57,000. This week 73,500. That's 16,500, so I'll take it.

Tri

[gina]

Well even with coming down with a bad cold bug this week, I've come in with an additional 4337 words. For a total of 23,061 for the month so far.

[msQTpi]

I wrote two shorts (flashes really) an essay, and edited two more stories to ready them for subbing "somewhere". I am still researching for Markets, but I think one will go to "one of the Trues".

I'm not sure of my word count, as I tried to take it easy this past week and didn't keep track. I needed the rest, (so I was told...:mad: ) but I kept busy by playing here in the forums.

I plan to start building the momentum back up Monday. :guns:

Two weeks is long enough. :Headbang:

[scfirenice]

Ok, so I thought I'd report early in hopes to score a few brownie points and redeem myself for being tazer greedy.

As of 1600 sunday, I have written 8750 words in book three of my series. I will no doubt get more done tonight after the baby goes to bed, I am on a bit of a roll. I revised my query, cover, and synopsis for book 1 and sent out a new future rejection to add to the 2005 rejection slip thread. I feel it is important to support all the threads here at AW. I went back and reread the first part of book three, and to my surprise, did not delete anything.

I also supported MaryJanice Davidson by buying and reading her new Betsy Tayler book.

That's all for now, I'll update before bed tonight.

fire away.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/new/8_22/15_3_27.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm824YYUS)

[Unique]

Oh, well. I needed a haircut anyway. (Can I keep my eyebrows, Katiemac?)


I know I wrote something, but I'll be danged if I remember what it was. The only thing I really remember writing is that purple thing in the contest Maestro started. Now if I could just rewrite it in black & white, I might have something worth submitting.

(Heat shields up. Fire away, Katiemac.)

[Birol]

No defenses, no excuses.

I haven't written a single word this week in anything.

I did receive three rejections this week and one request to keep my information on file for future assignments. None of these things were the result of any action I have taken this week. Also, a member of my writing group sent me the first three chapters of her WIP for review. I read those and touched base with her about them. (Charlie, I know I still owe you comments, too.)

Oh, and the opening of another novel using pre-existing characters appeared in my head as I was getting out of the shower today.

Other than that, I started classes, played on the internet and have generally been a pathetic slug. I deserve no mercy.

[akelsey333]

I outlined the plot for a possible YA novel. Other than that, I vegged :)

[scfirenice]

I added 1250 words to my above total and a scene I hadn't anticipated popped onto the pages. Stupid characters having their own minds...

[Natalia]

Ick...I saw InkFairy (who has my same icon I guess it's time to personalize mine) and I thought I had already posted. That's how busy I have been. TOO. MANY. BALLS. AIR.... ick


In other news...I blogged like crazy again this week. But since that doesn't seem to be enough for people (not naming names) I am also happy to report that I have finally finished both "The ward" (I am considering changing that name) and "Boxing Up Martin," which are the two short stories Ihave been messing around with for a few months now. I have set them aside and will look at them again mid-week for a last once-over before I submit them.

One of my pieces is coming out in Open Wide Magazine (UK) next week. Yippeee.

Okies, that's me...for now anyway.

[storygirl]

I'm new so...be gentle.
I can't see a 'theme' to report in, so I guess I'll just say it.

No new writing this week. I did revise/ rewrite ~ 6, 400 words (and cut almost 10% of it). Was sick this week so...um...hoping no huge punishment awaits me.

Uh, I also did 5 critques for other writers, which helps me imporve my writing (and maybe gives me brownie points???? yeah, I didn't think so).

[Kida Adelyne]

*shuffles in* Ummmmm... well I know I wrote somthing this week. I am absolutely sure that I wrote a few pages in a notebook. I think I did that on wednesday, but It's hard to be sure because I cannot remember what happened to tuesday. I was happily going along and then someone told me it was friday, not thursday, and then I realized I couldn't remember tuesday at all. :crazy:

Ok that aside, I did write. About five pages in the notesbook on various stories, and 300 words on the biggining of a short story about a mage who is sure the days of the week are out to get him.:rolleyes:

-Ally

[allenparker]

In this place where we tell and write
We have to tell ouyr lies just right.

Typed many words and erased them. Up to 10,000 words on my new WIP and added a few bolts to my old WIP.

Attended a birthday party for a friend and discovered the topic of my next novella WIP. (yes, alcohol was involved)

Totals: WIP was 8900, now 10,000 total..... 1100 Allen pages (see previous post)

Flame away!

Allen

[scfirenice]

Katiemac,

Storygirl was very ill this week and had several doctors appointments. Please do not blast her with the flamethrower.
SCFireNice RN, BSN


nurses notes can be purchased using rep points, thank you.

[batyler65]

Hmm... I'm wandering in here on Monday AGAIN.

I managed to crank out two newsletters for my ed. contract (approx 2k words) Wrote a single nonfiction piece for the reading project (500 additional words).

Still doing that daily job hunt, came up with two new query ideas that I need to research and unpacked another box or two. At this point, I'm really considering naming the boxes and drawing little faces on them.

Hope you are settling in at school, Katie.

~B

[ChunkyC]

I'm becoming a master of the Monday Morning Missive too, Barb.

Wrote my weekly column, on The Brother's Grimm. Let's just say I found it ... interesting.

Continued working on HOME, brainstormed a bit with two of my betas and an ongoing issue is slowing coming into sharper focus.

Had a neat idea for HOME AND AWAY (which is still sitting idle at roughly 10K since that first splurge of writing in July), regarding a religious sub-group and the mythos they've created around the historical figure they revere.

No appreciable gain in wordcount on anything. Tazer me, baby, I need the jolt.

[Yeshanu]

Well, no word count, but I did take my notebook every day this week, and managed to mess up seven pages. Luckily, they were a bit more coherent than last week. I even thought up a new comedy bit at work, and wrote down one that's been hanging around in my brain (but not on paper) for a few years now. I'm hoping that if the streak continues, all the stuff that's clogging up my brain will come out on paper and I can then think up new stuff...

[katiemac]

I'm all settled into the new room (ahh, air conditioning!) and things are finally put in their places, the computer's propped up, plugged in with internet (first thing I did), and we're raring to go. I even got some writing done before I got myself all packed up.

Just one thing... what did I do with that flamethrower? Hmmm...


Aha, found it! Prepare yourselves to be fried. :D

[Kida Adelyne]

*runs away*

[Unique]

Hell, I didn't need these eyebrows anyway...

[katiemac]

2,000 words? Okay, I'll count it as progress because you got yourself moving again. But it's just one day's work. This means next week you've got to pull through more than 2,000 -- try for at least two or three days, and build yourself up from there.

:Sun: :Sun::Sun:

[katiemac]

16,500, I'll take it, too. You always beat us all, even on your slowest weeks. Don't feel like this is a setback, though, writing is still writing and you've never cease to make progress. Take breaks when you need it, though, so you won't burn out!

:Sun::Sun::Sun:

[katiemac]

Wow, everyone's been sick this week (myself included)! But you're all still making progress, which is excellent news. At this rate, you could be finished the novel in another two months! That's fantastic. Keep on truckin' and don't lose sight of the advanced goal.

:Sun::Sun::Sun:

[katiemac]

You're allowed to take it easy, and you still made a great advances in your work. I know you had a big setback, and we're all glad to see you're doing well, so don't push yourself too hard. Building back up seems the smart way to go! Keep up the good work, but pace yourself.

:Sun::Sun::Sun:

[katiemac]

Hey, that's progress. Good work. I love the days when you know you'll have extra time to write, and you actually stick with it. Glad to see both of your reports, and you've added something postive each time. (Don't worry about being taser greedy, it happens to the best of us...)

:Sun::Sun::Sun:

[katiemac]

You asked for it....

http://community.the-underdogs.org/smiley/armed/flamethrower.gif

Purple prose contests can be fun to get the juices going, but the point of those contests is to prep you for more writing! ;)

[katiemac]

Ahh, classes. I hope they're going better than your writing. Try to keep a space open for the writing too (she says, I should take my own advice more often).

But... you and I both know what has to be done....

http://community.the-underdogs.org/smiley/armed/flamethrower.gif

[katiemac]

Lol, unforunately I won't count blogging either. So it's a good thing you've finished up those short stories to save you! Congratulations on the magazine piece, too, that's just fantastic news. It's great to know that the same pieces you finished up could be receiving magazine treatment soon! Let us know when you get those published.

:Sun:
:Sun:
:Sun:

[katiemac]

Another one ill, eh? There must be something going around AW...

Well, I hope you're feeling better. Revision is still progress in my book, so I won't flame you for that (SC's nurse note also hit my sympathetic side). And critiquing will help you in the long wrong, just remember to put those new skills to use on your own writing!

:Sun:
:Sun:
:Sun:

[katiemac]

Okay, I'll you slide this week, too, because you did write. Just make sure you're not spreading yourself too thin on all your projects. It's great to have to many ideas, but if you can't focus then you'll never be able to finish one. Keep up the work, though. If you don't write at all you've got nothing.

:Sun:
:Sun:
:Sun:

[katiemac]

Normally I wouldn't flame you, because technically you did make progress! 1,100 pages is definitely progress. But I get the feeling you're not too happy yourself with the amount of work... so maybe just a teeny tiny little jump to get you moving...

http://community.the-underdogs.org/smiley/armed/Torch_anim.gif

[katiemac]

Despite all your RL involvements, you still get the work done! I probably couldn't taser (or flame) you if you hadn't done anything...

I hope you get settled in soon! I was only here for two days with boxes everywhere, but it can be extremely stressful...
:Sun:
:Sun:
:Sun:

[katiemac]

A small jolt for you, too, because you asked for it.

http://community.the-underdogs.org/smiley/armed/Torch_anim.gif

You never fail to get your column in, so technically you always have some writing done every week. Keep up the work with Home --- I'm getting impatient to see it on my bookshelf! Don't worry too much about the sequel until you get the first one shaped up, unless you think it will help you get themes aligned.

[katiemac]

http://community.the-underdogs.org/smiley/armed/flamethrower.gif

Hey! Didn't I tell you I was going to start stalking you if you didn't write? I guess I didn't keep up my end of the bargain. WRITE WRITE WRITE! I want some more of those new pages... it's been a long time since I've had something of yours to read. Go! Now!

NOW!

[storygirl]

Another one ill, eh? There must be something going around AW...

Well, I hope you're feeling better. Revision is still progress in my book, so I won't flame you for that (SC's nurse note also hit my sympathetic side). And critiquing will help you in the long wrong, just remember to put those new skills to use on your own writing!


:Hail: Thank you oh kind and gracious Katiemac!

Phew, that was a close one...

[batyler65]

READY OR NOT, HERE I COME!!!

Ahem.

Hello, Weekenders!

Wow! Look at all the new faces. (Um, Allen, go put some clothes on, we have company.)

I just thought I'd pop in and let everyone know I will be returning to my post this weekend. Everyone should give a big round of applause to the folks who have acted as stand-ins while I had my breakdow--er, break.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteClap.gif


Friday is still a couple of days away, but I have a special request: When you report in this week, please give me a brief update on your goals and projects. I've tried to keep abreast of the happenings here, but I fear I've fallen a bit behind. If you've recently joined us, let me know what you're working on. You don't have to give away any trade secrets, a simple "Fantasy novel" or "Getting my own column" will do. If your project has a working "handle" let me know that, too. (Yes, I really want to know.)

A big, big thanks to everyone who helped this wheel keep on turning and making the newcomers welcome. You folks are the greatest! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonthankyou.gif


Now, who has my taser?

C'mon, hand it over.

*scans the crowd*

I KNOW somebody has it.

Let's see... Katiemac uses a flamethrower, so she doesn't have it... aha!

*gives Mac a stern look and snatches the Taser*

I don't EVEN want to know what this extra wire is all about. And why does it smell like gravy? No. Don't tell me.


ZZZZZzzzzttt!

*contented sigh*

It feels good to be home.

Barb






Okay. Show's over. Everybody back to work! These Wednesdays don't grow on trees you know!

[scfirenice]

*runs and hides*

[storygirl]

It's already Wednesday???? You're kidding right...oh no, I'll be in big trouble if I don't get my hiney in gear.

*pulling SC out of hiding spot and poking her with a stick*...must get work done!

[Kida Adelyne]

Three Cheers for the Return of Barb!!!!!


((right before my second turn too... *pout* Oh well, I'm to busy this weekend anyway.))

[Unique]

***YEA! Barb's Back!!***

***How amazing. I suddenly feel inspired to write something.****


(maybe it's fear...)

[ChunkyC]

Barberina!

I'll start with the goals, so that the newcomers will know what to chastize me about when I don't do it.


I write a weekly movie review column that appears in two area papers.
I'm working on a sci/fi series that covers a thousand years in the life of a colony of humans on a distant world.
HOME, currently in about the fifth round of revision, is actually book 2, but book 1 was the first novel I ever wrote and sucked big time. But it taught me a lot. HOME could easily be the first book of the series, since it is the first volume set on the colony world. The first book covers the events on Earth that led to the establishment of the colony, and could be rewritten someday and follow the other three as a 'prequel.'
I have started book 3, HOME AND AWAY and it currently sits at 10,000 words while I work out the bugs in HOME.
I have penned the basic story arc for book 4, HOMEWARD.
On the back burner is a fantasy story called FOR ALL THE LANDS, which is complete at 50,000 words. I want to get back to it when I finish the first draft of HOME AND AWAY and try to bring it up to novel length.
Once HOME is ready, I want to find an agent.

[msQTpi]

Woo-hoo!! Barb is Back!!
:TheWave:

My Goals:

1] Word count of 750 a night for next month, then work up to 1,000 a night after that.
2] Publish http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TRAILER_PARK_GAZETTE/ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TRAILER_PARK_GAZETTE/) twice a month for two more months, then once weekly after that.
3] Get a humor column in some newspaper this year.
4] Publish a compilation of my Trailer Park stories in the next two years.
5] Market the book by traveling with "The Blue Collar Tour" and either working with the guys, or selling them from the parking lot.
6] On a more personal note, I want to publish my story, "Green Beans and Sticks" in a major mag. while my grandmother can still appreciate it.
7] A lifetime goal of mine is to have Trish (my alter ego/pen name) be known as Dear Abby for Trailer Trash.

:poke: Pushing and prodding...appreciated
:Cheer: Cheering my little accomplishments...invaluable

:Smack: Putting up with my crap...priceless :Trophy:

[scfirenice]

Barb,

Glad you're back. ((really...uh...)) Okay and I want you to know, should you ever need a nurse's note for any future...um, breaks, I'm your girl.

Brown nosing aside

I write a paranormal suspense (with erotic elements) series, I am currently up to 94 pages in book three (untitled)
I am trying to find an agent for book one Cerridwen's Tears and two Healer; It does not go well. Which means I am rewriting my proposal package weekly.
I am also working on a nonfiction project that doesn't know what it wants to be when it grows up. It is trying to decide between a collection of true stories meant to be inspirational detailing the darker side of Labor and delivery, versus a series of articles.
I work full time as a nurse, mother (formerly a nursing mother), and wife.
My goals are to learn to spell, but considering I see lots of letters backwards, that will be a challenge; also to get a frikin agent and get my frikin books published.
I do not set daily word goals I tend to write three or four days a week and go in long spurts.
Boring, sorry. I know. That's the extent of it.

Welcome back!!
I mean it.

:PartySmil

[triceretops]

WELCOME BACK, BARBARELLA--DURAN DURAN IS GLAD TO SEE YOU ONCE AGAIN

:TheWave: :TheWave:

1. Have half a non-fiction book, Valley of the Mastodons, sitting on the back-burner. It needs a total narative rewrite. It's about the amazing discovery of giant Pleistocene animals in my home town. It's a record setter for the history books.

2. I write supernatural fiction, like I used to for Space & Time, and Amazing Stories. That's sci-fi, space opera, action/adventure, and futuristic tales.

3. Word Wars is 400-pages and finished, currently in the hands of one agent and four publishers. It's been 60 days and have not heard anything yet. It's similar to Farenheit 451, by the lovely Ray Bradbury.

4. I'm currently on Planet Janitor--Custodian of the Stars, and have 250 pages done on that, and hope it will be finished in three weeks. It's a cross between Star Ship Troopers and Pitch Black, and just as scary as Alien.

5. My goal is to continue the marathon writing, but editing as I go. Lately I've been hitting between 13,000 and 17,500 words a week, but I'm purposely slowing this down as it is becoming tireing. Since eight months ago joining AW I've written over 800 pages of manuscript for sale. So I'm very happy with the support here, crittering, and insufferable lecturing. LOL.

6. The two novels will be published, somewhere. I won't give up until I meet that end. My goal is to write four novels a year until that happens. I've been there before, so I know this road. I've published everything but a script and a novel. So I have my targeting computer (Luke S.) set on those ends.
7. Have a brilliant (so I think) kids book called Rainbow Warriors that I just outlined, and maybe one day, I'll actually try and script it.

8. And as crewman # 6 said in Galaxy Quest, "Hey, man, I'm just happy to be here."

Tri

[gina]

My goals and projects. I think I mentioned this when I joined this little party, but a review is never a bad thing. Especially since it is the first of the month.

My goal of the month, taken from a challenge on another board, is 500 words a day. Whether that be fiction or non-fiction or a combination doesn't matter. I'd like to push that and go for 750 a day because I averaged just a bit over 800 words a day this month, but I got burned out by the end of the month, so I'll be happy with at least 500 words a day.

Right now I write two columns recapping two different television shows for Blogcritics (http://blogcritics.org). One recapping the Real World: Austin on MTV and the other recapping So you think you can dance on FOX. Once the fall season starts up, I'll probably add recapping duties for another show or two. I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning towards Lost, and maybe one of the new shows that premiere. Still pondering that. Over the summer, I landed a paying column critiquing and recapping Queer as Folk for Gaywired, so I'm hoping one of my reviews is picked up again. My goal is to sometime in the future land a gig doing television recaps and reviews. I also do music reviews. I did apply for one position a couple of months ago with MSN, but they had filled the position right before I applied.

I also write book reviews for two romance novel review sites, Romance Divas and a site named Erotic Romance Review for Women. I've also been made assistant interviewer for that site.

As for my fiction, I'm working currently on two WIP's. I write mostly short fiction, short stories and novellas. I finished one short the weekend before this one, and I planned to submit that within the week. I just need to edit some things since I received back from my critique group. That one is titled For Hire.

The other two still in progress are a futuristic gay erotic romance and a paranormal gay erotic romance. Working title for the futuristic is Crash into me. The paranormal isn't titled yet. The way they are going they'll end up being short novellas. I have a contemporary gay erotic romance that is currently on hold, and that one is called Lonely Street. I don't write novel length at the moment. I just can't seem to write stories that long. It takes me so long to write fiction that a novel would take me forever to complete. I figure start off small and work my way up.

My fiction genre of choice is gay fiction. Mostly romance in nature. I still write the occasional fan fiction too, but these are usually short drabbles in nature of scenes that just pop into my head based on prompts.

I'm taking a few days off fiction wise to recuperate. I fried my brain with all I wrote in August. I'm still writing though. I'll report my word count as normal on the weekend. I ramble way too much in these things!

[allenparker]

Hello, Weekenders!

Wow! Look at all the new faces. (Um, Allen, go put some clothes on, we have company.)



Clothes? We need clothes?

<shuffles to closet, opens door to find only a pair of fishnet hose, a pink feather boa, and some purple spiked heel shoes.>

Guess I need to go to WalMart. Do they still sell those black silk boxer shorts?

Allen

[Kitahoshi]

Hello all. I've been away since... I don't remember. o.O But I've been working on that comic: Earth Guardian Eve. It's getting really good. Drawing the tomato is just plain silly fun. After all, a giant tomato is cool. XD

[MacAllister]

I'm continuing to slog through the rewrite of the first draft, word by word. Won't be done by this weekend, hopefully by next.

Kitahoshi!!! We MISSED you!!

[batyler65]

Friday, September 2, 2005

Golly Gee Willikers it is good to be back! (Sorry, had a sudden attack of Beaver Cleaveritus.)

We are finally in THE house. Most of the boxes have been unpacked and life is getting back to semi-normal (whatever that is).


Welcome to the first edition of WPR for the month of September. If you haven't already done so, please bring your list of goals to the report this week. I need to know what I'm zapping you for, after all.

This week I managed to send out a query, nail down two nonfiction pieces that were flapping around, finish the final draft of my December newsletter. Oh, and I wrote a prompt for this forum. I still have a column to knock out before Monday, a valentine's day greeting card deadline (also Monday) and a bunch of back burner stuff to deal with.

My big projects (both Monster and the Young Adult fantasy) are still waiting in the wings. One for a final rewrite and one for a second draft. Unfortunately, one of the things about doing this writing thing full time is that the projects that generate income always come first and if there is any energy left over at the end, that's when the other work gets done.

Okay, enough blathering on... I need to get to work. And so do the rest of you, come to think of it.

SOUND OFF!

Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly.

And if you've been MIA these past few weeks (you know who you are) don't make me come hunt you down. :)

Happy Writing!
Barb

[maestrowork]

Let me be the first (since I MIA'd last week... :shame:)

Progress:

- CTN... hmmm... 200 words, but I plan to write more over the holiday weekend, so I will probably edit this later...
- column, about 600 words
- started on a short story -- pretty good so far
- blogged (read it, dammit)


Goals for the rest of the year (Cripes, it's already September?):

- CTN: hope to crack 70,000 by December 31.
- column, should pass the 100 mark by the end of the year...
- get a few short stories submitted and published
- same with poems
- add more relevant content (writing orienting) to my site
- work on TPB's promotional stuff... help me spread the good words!
- hopefully get a freelance job at a local paper

2006 will be a very busy year for me, I believe. So I am kind of looking forward to getting my lazy butt out there...

[triceretops]

I'll chime in second. Well, this story has just taken off faster than I can keep up with it, which is a good thing, but I had to downshift a bit to actually ALLOW myself a break--too slow down, watch T.V., read a little, and generally take a self-inflicted mind-rest. Without guilt. I took a walk around the block for the first time in six months, and realized I was terribly out of breath and shape. Gak! So, a warning to others--pace yourself, remember your health.

Last week--73,500. This week--82,000 for a gain of 8,500. That's 250 pages. I see this manuscript hitting around 350, a bit shorter than I projected. Don't know yet. Thinking of an extra scene at the end to buff it up a little.

Oh, sent out three more sample chapters of Word Words. Still not hearing from Mundania, Psaltis agency, Hellbound books, Five Star Sci-Fi, and my old agent Richard Curtis. What's up with 70 days on these?

Tri

[Yeshanu]

Everyone should give a big round of applause to the folks who have acted as stand-ins while I had my breakdow--er, break.



I notice that nobody except Barb has done as she instructed. Instead, I note a lot of cheers (and more than a few sighs of relief) that Barb has returned. Who am I to buck the trend, especially since goal # 1 is to put out the fire that Katie started...

Goals for September:

1. Put out the fire that Katie started with her flamethrower last week. (Ah, well. At least I still have eyebrows...)

2. My perpetual WIP is a fantasy novel called A Time To Seek, or ATTS for short. It's been around almost as long as Ally has. First draft was finished years ago, but I didn't know until a few weeks ago exactly how to fix it. So my first task is to outline the story, reworking the plot as I go. By mid-September, I'd like that task to be finished, so I can start submitting a chapter a week to my rather impatient beta-readers, so long as one of them (she knows who she is) puts down the flamethrower first!

3. I need to outline books two and three in the series (A Time For War and A Time To Heal) before I forget what they're supposed to be about.

4. I also write the occasional piece of non-fiction. I'd like to get some of it into publishable form and sent out to markets.

5. I have a group of three non-fiction books I'd like to write. I need to start researching them.

That's about it. I also write poetry, but I tend to do it sporadically, and not by design. It just happens, so I don't set goals, but when it does happen, I'll report it.

[Birol]

Ahh, classes. I hope they're going better than your writing. Try to keep a space open for the writing too (she says, I should take my own advice more often).

Thanks, KatieMac. The sad thing was, I did have plenty of time to write. I just didn't do it.

I notice that nobody except Barb has done as she instructed. Instead, I note a lot of cheers (and more than a few sighs of relief) that Barb has returned. Who am I to buck the trend, especially since goal # 1 is to put out the fire that Katie started...

As one of the people who stepped in, let me add my own cheers and sighs of relief to the chorus welcoming Barb's return.


Goal List:

Finish TBWN and have it in my writing group's hands by September 30th.
Get all of the previously completed stuff that has recently been rejected resubmitted to markets that will accept it.
Work on writing non-fiction articles for publication.

[gina]

Stated my current goals a couple days ago here. (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=313143&postcount=1645)

New project just started on Thursday is my review blog found here (http://thecouchcritic.blogspot.com/). I write reviews for several sites, and I'm expanding those a bit to include shorter reviews as well. I wanted a central location for everything so I made a blog.

Taking it easy the last few days. August drained me a bit, but since my last check in I've written 3612 words. This was mostly nonfiction based, but I had some fiction earlier in the week. Wrote some articles and some stuff for my new review blog.

Good week. Once things settle with setting up the review site, I'll get back to work on the fiction. That's my goal for the weekend in fact.

[jdkiggins]

Welcome back, Barb!!!

Here’s the big round of applause for those stand-ins.

:Clap::Clap::Clap::Clap::Clap::Clap::Clap::Clap::C lap::Clap::Clap::Clap:

I'll list the things I’d like to get complete in the next decade. At the rate of speed I’m going, it may take that long. :)


Finish writing a book review and send it out to as many publications as possible.
Finish editing my horror novel ROADKILL.
Complete the edit on my co-authored romance UNFORGETTABLE JOURNRY.
Write my monthly column for AW.
Write at least 2,000+ words (my original daily writing goal) on my current WIP UNEARTHED.
Eventually pull out the old yellow manuscripts of TIME GOES ON, CAREGIVER and REVENGE to get them edited and write a query and proposal for all.
Send out queries for the 10 articles and 5 essays I have piled beside my computer.
Try to find homes for some of the stories I wrote for the Idol contest.
I’m finished. If I list anymore, Barb and the stand-ins will have way too many things to yell at me for not completing. :D But that's okay because I need all the poking and prodding I can get.

[Unique]

I tried to post my goals this morning. Cyberspace ate my homework.

Doesn't the word goals look a lot like the word gaols?

Ok. This year I will finish 'The Chicken Series'. I don't wanna, but I have to.

The dratted muse says I can't write nothin' else til I do. (Cursed winged barbarian)

[Natalia]

Good news...my piece came out this week... Issue #17 of Open Wide Magazine in the UK.

http://www.openwidemagazine.co.uk/news.htm (http://www.openwidemagazine.co.uk/news.htm)


Report:

Polished "Boxing up Martin," and "The Ward," which became "Complicity."
Subbed three pieces.
Blogged.
Started finishing and editing another short story.
Put up various excerpts up for critique.


Goals:

Finish all the short stories I started earlier this year by December.
Finish the novel by December.
Finish writing my prospectus and defend it.
Rewrite Butterfly...it needs it.
Sub everything that didn't get picked up.
Keep Blogging.
Redo my website.

I am sure I am missing stuff.

[katiemac]

Go ahead and hit me. I haven't written all week. Moved in, started classes, and didn't write. Still need to figure where it will work best in my new schedule, because I'm thinking writing before bed isn't going to fly with all these people around. (I'm in a suite.)

Goals:

1. Finish the dang thing already, preferably before Thanksgiving, because I'm way off my goal at this point.
2. Edit the dang thing already.
3. Beta the dang thing already.
4. Submit the dang thing already.

[scfirenice]

Sc sneaks around corner, looking right then left. It's monday morning and she's late. Not only that, the news is not good. Having posted her goals earlier in the week, she realizes now just how terribly short she has fallen. SHe thinks about her weekend and what she did.

"Why didn't I write more," she askes no one. "My baby was at her aunties, I had the time."

She thinks over what she did actually do: uping her post count by over 200, riding her horse and getting lost in the woods, and gernerally nothing. Convincing herself it isn't THAT bad she steps up to the platform and clears her throat.

"Uh hem. Hi Barb, this is my first report to the Tazer Master and I'm nervous. Ok Here goes. I added 2500 words to my third book. And, um, that's it."

Stepping down from the platform, she backs towards the nearest exit, butt first. As she reaches the door, she slams though it running for cover.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/new/8_22/18_1_37.gif

[storygirl]

This too is my first report to THE tazer master. First let me start by saying I was a closet writer for years and I have 5 manuscripts that need serious help. The two more recent ones (since I've come out of the closet) aren't so bad. I've had horrible writer's block for the first time, and I finally figured out why. I can't go forward until I go back. I've selceted two older MSs to revise (they need massive rewrites) and I think once I start getting my back log fixed a bit, I'll be able to move forward again. So even if it gets me the tazer, I won't be writing anything new until I can get through some of the old.

Now, for my progress report. Oh, not much to say. This week I only did about 18,000 words of rewrites and revisions. Tazer me if you must because I actually could easily revise/rewrite 50,000 words per week. But my lil' boy (6) was diagnosed with a kidney disease this week, so I've been mental and haven't gone back to the revisions since I heard the news. Next week will be crazy also, but hopefully after that, I will once again get my hiney in gear.

Oh, BTW, I write a mix of suspense, mystery, romance and my average MS is about 120,000 to 155,000 words long. I'm currently trying to snag an agent for my latest work and I need to get back in that game again too. I've been slacking, even before the medical problems.

Now, I'm going to back out the door real slowly, knowing I can run, but I can't hide.

[batyler65]

Okay, Weekenders, the moment of truth…

I don't know exactly what happened to the taser while I was gone, but every time I've tried to fire it up, it makes this funny humming sound (and I wind up with "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" playing in my head). So I'm going back to the tried and true whip. Besides, lashes last longer it seems.

We still seem to have some members missing… If you see them, herd them home.



CC: I am so glad to see you getting those goals in writing. Here lately you seem to have been showing up with little to report. Keep zapping those bugs. I'm sure an agent awaits… As for the first novel sucking big time, I seriously doubt… but I agree with you, the best way to learn to write a novel is to WRITE a novel. Sunny faces for you. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gif




RENEE': Darlin', I have been worried about you. Keep Trish truckin' but take care of yourself. Have you forged any inroads into the newspaper biz? I'll be watching that particular goal with interest. Um… I didn't see a progress report. I'm assuming you met your weekly goal? No lashes, YET. But I'm watching.



SCFIRENICE: Welcome, welcome, welcome! Why are you backing away like that? Come closer, I don't bite.

The brown-nosing doesn't help much around here. Chocolate is nice. Cash is better. (Bud is working on a new sport that involves bobbing for cash in a vat of chocolate puddin', but we won't talk about that.)

Wow, what a list of goals! I'm guessing you are aiming to compete with Laurell K. Hamilton. J Just remember to pace yourself. With varied goals it sometimes pays to choose one to focus on, get it out of the way and move on to the next. (Barb says like she doesn't have ADD when it comes to focusing on projects.)


I can't for the life of me figure out why you would think 2500 words is bad. All writing is good writing. It moves you forward. It can be frustrating to go slow sometimes, but we all can’t crank them out like Tri. ;) On the other hand, you did fritter away ALL of your free time. Balance. You need to find some balance. Just one sunny face for you. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gif







TRI: Man, oh man! If I could accomplish a fourth of what you get done every week… well, let's just say I'd be a heck of a lot more productive. I've looked over your goals and it really looks like I need to watch out for your health more than your writing. Sunny faces for the output… Now, let's see about scheduling a daily walk in there somewhere. Twenty minutes strolling around the neighborhood, your choice for time of day, but get out and do it. When I say all writing is good writing, I don't mean that writing is ALL you should do. Take care of yourself. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gif








GINA: Welcome to you! 500-750 words per day is an excellent goal. Keep getting the words down. J The columns sound like an excellent gig. I hope you get your reviews picked up again for the new season. Sunny faces for your 3612 words! That's more than 500 per day. Keep up the good work! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gif






ALLEN: What the heck are you doing out there? No Goals. No progress. No clothes. I hate to say it, pal, but I think it's the whip for you. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gif






KIT: I have MISSED you! I'm glad to have you back amongst us and reporting progress. How close to finished is Earth Guardian Eve? And I'd really love to know what you plan to work on next. Sunny faces for you.http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gif





MAC: I'm glad to know you did more than modify the taser while I was away. (Not that I'm not grateful or anything, and yes this gravy warmer is a wonderful attachment, but I'm not sure how it pertains to writing.) Let us know when that rewrite is done. I think A BIG SMILEY PARTY WILL BE IN ORDER. Sunny faces: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gif








RAY: You have got a busy schedule coming up. Just don't let it keep you from writing. 70 by the end of the year… I'm holding you to that. Time for some serious BIC time. I wish you the best with the newspaper job. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. I hope you wrote more than 200 words in CTN. I'll look for a bigger output next week. This time, I'm letting you squeak by with a sunny face. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gif







RUTH: Congrats on keeping your eyebrows. Katiemac DOES have a knack with that flamethrower. Now that you've listed the goals, turn off the SIMS and start making them happen. You are in control here. I know you want to do it. You wouldn't be here if you didn't. Start breaking those goals down into doable (isn't that a funky looking word?) chunks and dig in. You know the lecture. Make it happen. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gif








LORI: Progress? Was there progress? I see a list of three goals that I know you can accomplish. Like I said to Ruth, you know the lecture. Just DO IT. I think you honestly miss the whip. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gif







JOANNE: Yell? Us? Never. Not when we have this trusty whip around. That is one BIG list of goals. Of course you did list the timeframe as "next decade". Maybe you should narrow the list down into sections: Things to accomplish this month, things to accomplish by the end of the year and things to accomplish by, oh, say, next June. Get a handle on them now and I'm sure you will make great strides. Besides, we'll all be here cheering you on. I'm looking for an update come the weekend. Sunny face for you. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gif







UNIQUE: Okay. I have a goal. No progress, but a goal. How far do you have to go in The Chicken Series? What will it take to get you there? No progress/No whip, my little masochist. Let's work on making that goal concrete and setting up milestones for yourself. Discipline. You like discipline, remember?






NATALIA: CONGRATULATIONS!! May you see many more!

I love the title "Boxing Up Martin" btw. ;) as for your goals… I'm starting to sound like a broken record here, but I think it needs to be said: Make sure you are breaking those down into steps you can stay on top of. You've filled your plate pretty full for the rest of the year. Sunny faces for you! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteSun.gif






KATIEMAC: Give you a flamethrower, send you back to school and your discipline goes right out the window. (Thanks for letting Ruth keep her eyebrows, BTW.) We went through this last year. New schedule, new routine. It will work itself out in a couple of weeks. Take a deep breath and don't stress about it. Get the school routine down, THEN figure out where the writing schedule fits. It WILL fit. Somewhere. You get a pass this week.




ALLY: Oh, Ally? Where are you? Come out, come out wherever you are? Echo… echo… http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gif



Okay, gang! That's it for this weekend. If you are among the MIA's, drop back in next weekend, we will be glad to welcome you back. And if you're just lurking, feel free to join in.


Until next time, keep the words flowing.


Barb

[ChunkyC]

Quick Monday morning report:

Filed the column. Could have been three words long: Four Brothers sucks. But, I have a 500 word limit, and dammit, I'm gonna use as many of 'em as I can. So, it came in at 495.

Another five chapters tweaked and twiddled in HOME. Now that all the major renovating is done and I'm getting well into this 'smoothing' pass through the ms, it's finally starting to feel polished.

PS - Congrats on seeing your piece published, Nat!

[allenparker]

In an effort to make the returning lady's job easier, I have enumerated my report in chronological order.

Mon: Such a beatiful day, I decided to report my last week's progress and take a nap.

Tues: Mon worked out so well that I decided to repeat the project, but substituted writing three pages instead of the report. It seemed to redundant and redundant.

Wed: Revisited my old manuscript to make sure no one else had visited it presviously.

Thurs: Read the new prompt put out by our famous leader. Closed my eyes and did a virtual writing of the prompt. It was funny, too, but because of a fatal memory breakdown in brain 4.5 software, the story was lost.

Friday: Wrote my name on the back of my royalty check from PA. Also wrote a nice note on there to the tellers. I would have written a nice note to the publisher, but the check was just too small.

Sat: yeah. Right.

Sun: Sunday is a day of rest, so I rested.

Total count: 350 total Allen pages.

Sure hope that someone forgot to charge the taser.

Allen

[allenparker]

Okay, Weekenders, the moment of truth…

ALLEN: What the heck are you doing out there? No Goals. No progress. No clothes. I hate to say it, pal, but I think it's the whip for you. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gif


Well, the first goal is to avoid the whip while I am butt naked.

Goals for remainder of the year.

Complete BiblioHeroes by December.

Complete Angels Unaware's first draft by December.

Submit queries and etc on Nudist Guy and Yankee Gal each week.

Two short stories each month.

Revise Twin Verdicts.

To accomplish this goal,

I need to write 2000 Allen pages (words) a week.
I need to edit 750 Allen pages a week.
I need a net increase of Allen pages total each week.

I know, it looks corny, but pages looks so much better than words.

[Kida Adelyne]

ALLY: Oh, Ally? Where are you? Come out, come out wherever you are? Echo… echo… http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gif


he-he. Ummm *cough* Sorry *hides*:scared:
I did mean to report, honest, I just kinda ummm, didn't want to get tazered. *shuffles feet* So I deserved that whipping. I have come to the conclusion that school is good for me, if only so I procrastinate from it by writing.

Ok, Goals:

1. Participate in NaNoWriMo this year again. I'm making Kit do it too, and probably one of my other friends as well.

2. Get a uber good mark in my creative writing class.

3. Finish second draft of Lost ID. I need to completely rewrite it, and my muse is freaking out because, as he says, I already wrote it. I'll get him in line soon, promise.

4. One thing I dread doing is getting a job like the ones traditionally given to teens. So, I'm going to see what I can do with my writing to earn money. I don't have any specific goals with this yet, but it's a start.

Ok, I promise I'll start writing again now. I've been very bad, and I'm going to stop now, and get my gears in motion.

-Ally

[batyler65]

I need to write 2000 Allen pages (words) a week.
I need to edit 750 Allen pages a week.
I need a net increase of Allen pages total each week.

I know, it looks corny, but pages looks so much better than words.

Um... Allen, that's less than 300 words (Allen Pages) per day in a seven day week. If you don't manage that, I definitely will get some use out of my whip.

Carry on.

[batyler65]

Ally,
Those are good goals. I'm glad to see that you are prodding Kit into NanoWriMo. I'll be watching. ;)

[Natalia]

Yaay notaser for me.

And thanks for al the congrats... me happy.

[Yeshanu]

Um, I reported my goals but not my progress for this week, but it's okay, because September 5 is apparently "be late for something day," which is my kind of day, really.

I did write this week, but only about four pages, so I probably deserved that whip, especially since only one of them was on the novel. But I'm writing...

[msQTpi]

Okay, Weekenders, the moment of truth…

RENEE': Darlin', I have been worried about you. Keep Trish truckin' but take care of yourself. Have you forged any inroads into the newspaper biz? I'll be watching that particular goal with interest. Um… I didn't see a progress report. I'm assuming you met your weekly goal? No lashes, YET. But I'm watching.

Barb

I really haven't done as well as I had hoped to this past week. It's hard to write anything, much less funny crap, with your nose glued to CNN.

I have also gotten myself involved in crocheting afghans to offer as gifts to people who donate $100.00 or more to the Red Cross...ouchies my poor hand. I have four done so far.

Tonight I wrote over 800 words, and I promise to do better this week.

[batyler65]

Friday, September 9, 2005

Good morning, Weekenders!

To those of you returning, welcome back! To those of you thinking of joining, jump on in!

Another week has come and gone and for me, it has been fairly productive. I discovered early in the week that I didn't have all that much on my "have to do" list. No deadlines after Monday and a big blank week stretching away on my calendar. When I flipped the page forward, I found yet another blank week stretching away. I've been torn between scrambling to get new work and devoting the time to my final rewrite of Monster. I finally reached a compromise. I've been generating new work for the greeting card companies where I freelance, AND working on the final draft of MONSTER. So far, I've sent batches of humorous cards to two companies (three more waiting in the wings to get sent), added a prompt to this forum and rewritten/slashed/hacked away at 30 pages of manuscript. I need to do something like 200 pages between now and Monday to get back on track and make the most of my "free" time. Unfortunately, some little demon seems to know exactly when I have free time and sets out to wreak havoc in my Real Life. Nothing drastic, just minor things that need attention ( driver's license renewal and in-laws' birthdays for example). They all seem to be stacking up against me. *sigh* This too shall pass.

StoryGirl: We cross posted last weekend. Sorry I didn't get to respond to you! I hope you are still working on those old stories. I also hope that your son is doing okay. Keep us posted, okay?

SCFIRE: How goes your agent search? What have you done this week?

ALLY: Are you working on that rewrite of Lost ID? You better get a move on, November is coming and you certainly won't have time then. ;)

UNIQUE: The CHICKEN series? Yes? Writing many words? Are you going to earn your lashes this week?

CHARLIE: How is the Home series coming? Have you taken any steps this week in your hunt for an agent?

RENEE': My Trailer Queen, how are things? Sticking to that 750 word per day goal? More? Less? Any marketing ideas for Green Beans & Sticks?

TRI: I'm sure you will continue to overachieve this week. Did you get your walk each day as instructed? Have you decided to tackle that narrative rewrite of Mastadons?

GINA: How goes it in the land of short stories and novellas? I completely understand the not working on novels thing. I have to say, they are COMPLETELY different animals. Have you polished up For Hire and subbed it yet?

ALLEN: okay, pal. Got those 2k "allen pages" done this week? I want to hear some serious numbers. (BTW: Nice boxers).

KITAHOSHI: Is Earth Guardian Eve finished yet? I must admit to being intrigued by a giant tomato. What's the word?

MAC: Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Bud is waiting to party.


RAY: Confess. What is the current word count on CTN? Are you on track to meet that 70k goal? Are you still pursuing that freelance job?


RUTH: ATTS. Getting that chapter per week out to your Beta? (Please note, I have no control over flamethrower activity.)

LORI: *Poke* TBWN. Nearing completion? Should I send you to the corner until it is finished?

JOANNE: How's that goal to write 2k coming? Have you subbed any of those stories out yet? How about those queries?

NATALIA: Where does your novel stand? Do we have a word count to work with? Have you begun your prospectus?

KATIEMAC: Let's see, your goals basically boil down to one thing: Finish. The. Book. How is that going?


A REMINDER to everyone: Our 2005 goal is to collect 1500 rejection slips. We are falling woefully short. Get those subs in the mail and if you DO get rejected, come post in the rejection thread. Let's see how close we can get!

Barb

[scfirenice]

Barb, I will go and enter the total of all my rejections received before joining AW. That should bring us up to 1499.

[triceretops]

I'll cruise in here a little early. Doing a little exercise to Pump Tings Up. Feeling a little better.

Last Saturday morning my computer went zzzzzzzzztt snap, crackle kapop. The power unit went and took the mommie board with it. Needless to say, Planet Janitor was winding down and at the most exiting part, when this happened. Got it fixed by tuesday night. But, I refused to lay idle on this thing since the script was too hot to back off of. So I handwrote and transcribed Wed up until just now. Last week 82,000. This week 92,000 for a 10,000 gain. That really socked me in the wallet for the repairs--kinda screws up my submission process now. Oh, well.

Barb, Mastodons was enthusiastically received by five agents who want re-writes. But I refuse to do it. So it's bye-bye dinosaurs, unless I pull a Jean M. Auel with this thing and go totally fiction--Valley of the Mastodons, which is a true story anyway. Heh, whadda ya gonna do, eh?

Tri

[ChunkyC]

I'm gonna jump in early this week too.

Will be writing my column tomorrow.
Have made it through another 5 chapters on this pass thru HOME.
I found out who Anne McCaffrey's agency is, and I think I'll query them as soon as I get through this pass.
Wrote an 1,100 word first draft of a short story in less than an hour on my lunch break yesterday, for a possible submission to our Stories of Strength anthology. Today's chore will be to begin polishing it up. Hopefully I can get it ready to submit in a couple of days.
All in all, it felt like a pretty good week.

[allenparker]

Please take notice that I am reporting on Friday, instead of my normal tardy reports on Monday.

NGYG: Sent out full manuscript as requested.

Biblio: Net gain about 1100 words. 2200 written, 500 thrown back out. One whole chapter of the beginning had to be tossed also. (I hate it when a character lies to me! Told me he could fly!)

Angels: Net gain was just over 500. Some in, some out.

Asked my betas to review a few chapters of NGYG, again. Sent three different chapters to each.

Did my part with the betas and reviewed a manuscript.

Wrote, edited and subbed a short story. No word yet, but I emailed it over four minutes ago. May take a little longer with traffic and all.

Barb, you don't think the boxers are too much with the boa and heels? I could just go with the long white gloves.

Allen

[ChunkyC]

Barb, you don't think the boxers are too much with the boa and heels? I could just go with the long white gloves.
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonsscared.gif

[Kitahoshi]

Ally and I are here to report our work for the week.

Her idea, not mine. you should be glad about what I talked her out of.

Before we report, I should mention that this week was our re introduction into the wild: AKA school. We also took creative writing together so it's sapping me dry of creativity.

Mr. Bubbles is jumping at opertunities to write though. he's made me write TWO poems this week. Even though I swear they are trying to make us be purple prose writing monkeys.

I'm learning German now. It takes lots of study time. And about the class, I have written a total of three poems this week for class (technically two since one is a haiku). As for Earth Guardian Eve, the giant tomato is now dead. I kind of feel sorry for it even though it pulled a "King Kong".

Mmmmmmmm, tomato. *cough* Sorry. I also wrote a short fiction piece on a demonic toaster. Kita edited it for me. As well, I pulled out a story I wrote last year for english, and I'm thinking of editing it up to sub for Stories of Strength. One of the poems I wrote was also supposed to be for that, but it turned out to have a different message than I intended, so I have to write a new onehttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoticonfaint.gif

I got to read that poem too. I was the one who poked her about it. Thinking back, I feel bad for being so... hmmm... what's the word? Crude? Cruel? No, not really cruel but rather sharp.

You were about as sharp about it as a marshmallow.

... really? Anyway, Ally and I are donating blood tomorrow and babysitting my godson! So I was insisting to post a pic but Ally is bruising my arm right now with her abusive ways. *glare*

*whack* no picture!

That's all folks! *manical laughter fading away*

[gina]

Friday, September 9, 2005


GINA: How goes it in the land of short stories and novellas? I completely understand the not working on novels thing. I have to say, they are COMPLETELY different animals. Have you polished up For Hire and subbed it yet?

Barb

Hi, Barb. Still working on For Hire. Heard back from another writer in my critique group with some more helpful suggestions, so I went through it again. I hope to have it off sometime this month.

Fiction has not been a priority this week. Between some minor health problems, world events, some problems with an editor I'm having, and the work behind starting off my review site, One Couch Critic, I haven't found the time. With all my efforts though, I've already had over 800 hits to the site in the first week, which is small, but for a brand new site, I think its fairly good.

Most of my writing this week has been nonfiction in nature, but I'm keeping busy and writing. I'm also waiting to hear back on a position with another site for a paying gig, posting my reviews and helping run their new television forums. The site is fairly new, so it is taking a bit for them to set up everything.

All totaled up, I wrote 4,903 words this week. Mostly articles and reviews like I said. Good week. for the month, I set up a goal of 5,000 fiction words. That is included in my other goal of between 500-750 words a day. In order to do this, I'll have to write about 250 fiction words a day, which is doable for me. Even with how slow I write.

I can never complete a novel. Staying with a story that long, with as slow as I write fiction, it would take me years.

[Unique]

I wrote 2 new episodes in 'The Chicken Series'.

Have titles for 3 more episodes to work on this week.

Net gain: 1,500 words.

[storygirl]

Hello, I'm here...again with nothing substantial to report. I spent all week in a children's hospital with my son. He has a rare kidney disease and his kidneys all but shut down on him, so I was rather preoccupied. He's doing much better, and we're hoping he continues to imporve.

Goals for upcoming week:

~ rewrite/revise/edit 50,000 words of one of my old manuscripts that I'm currently in the midst of trying to bring back to life.

~ send out 5 queries for most recent MS (if I can dig up that many agents who haven't already rejected me and this MS)

~ remeber to post my most recent rejection on the rejection thread.

Now, next week, I'll have these specific goals to answer to...and I'm not even willing to consider that any other scary problems with my 6 yr. old's health will crop up. So, these are my goals, next week, if I don't deliever, shock some sense into me, k!

[Birol]

Goals for upcoming week:

~ rewrite/revise/edit 50,000 words of one of my old manuscripts that I'm currently in the midst of trying to bring back to life.



Storygirl, I'm sorry to hear about your son and I hope nothing else sends you back to the hospital this week. I'm a bit awed by your first goal. You really plan to edit a 50K manuscript in one week? And you're a mother?

I'm such a loser. :gone:

[scfirenice]

Hey there. Barb, thanks for the encouragement....it's appreciated.
Okay. As you can see, my agent finding efforts are, um, not so good. I am considering more drastic, and definitly more illegal ways of getting their attention....
I have five queries out, so I haven't sent any new ones this week.
I wrote 4000 words in book three. I used to bust out ten pages a day, but that has been really hard with this book. The scenes are more difficult this time, with lots of complicated stuff going on. O well. I would love to compete with LKH. My betas read both and think my stuff is good, if not better.(story telling wise) I think they are all pathetic liars. We shall see.
I wrote a 690 word essay for the Katrina anthology that I'm sure pretty much sucked. I've never written anything like that and it probably showed. O well. I was stretching my comfort zone. ** Mac, I am good at rejection...see the 2005 collectors thread if you don't believe me. I swear I won't do any of the things I am considering using on the agents. **

So that's that. I still haven't learned to spell or make my p,b,d,q, or b's behave.

[Natalia]

Ick... I know I am late...sowwy.

I am not gonna be much fun for a few weeks/months. I have to get done and finish my prospectus for the "El Ph.D.-O"

Speaking of which...I wrote a few thousand words, all PhD related.

I also did some writing on an older novel I had started a while ago. I think it can be rescued.

I think that's it...

;) be gentle...the Ph.D. is taser enough.

[storygirl]

Storygirl, I'm sorry to hear about your son and I hope nothing else sends you back to the hospital this week. I'm a bit awed by your first goal. You really plan to edit a 50K manuscript in one week? And you're a mother?

I'm such a loser. :gone:
LOL! No you're not. You have to realize I wake up at 4 a.m. and am at the comp by 5, plenty of time to do my work before kids wake up. Both my kids are school age, so I have time during the day between laundry, yard work, grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning...I also don't work outside the home anymore, which helps a great deal. Really, it's only rewriting 10K per weekday, and I can get almost half that done before the kiddos wake up. And even though my son won't be going to school this week, he is very self sufficient and doesn't enjoy being doted upon, so it's actually for his benefit that I keep myself busy. Besides, I've been slacking too long, and I need to get my hiney in gear...setting goals I'll actually be acountable for helps!

[batyler65]

TRI

Bummer about the mastadons. I guess sometimes you just have to know when to cut your losses.

Glad to see that you are still getting some exercise and not letting a pesky think like a dead computer keep you from writing. As usual, you score big in this game!

Keep up the good work!

:) :) :)

[batyler65]

CC:

Good for you on the SOS story. :)

Good luck with the agency. Let us know how that query goes. We'll be watching. BTW: What movie did you review this week?

:) :) :)

[batyler65]

ALLEN:

You must be one heck of a juggler, what with all those projects going at the same time. Good for you!!

You certainly had a productive week. Kudos!

:) :) :)

*Not wondering where on your person you would wear long white gloves. NOT wondering. LA-LA-LA I can't hear you!*

[batyler65]

KIT and ALLY
Hello my sharp marshmallows! That little tandem report was quite entertaining. You both seem to be making excellent progress and keeping up your writing even with the onset of a new school year. Fantastic Work!

Share some smilies!
:) :) :)

[batyler65]

GINA

Looks like you barely missed that 5k goal. Good work just the same! You've had a lot going on and it sounds like you are generating new gigs. That's a good enough excuse for me. ;)

:) :) :)

[batyler65]

UNIQUE

Good job my little masochist. Keep it up!
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gif


Just what exactly is the Chicken Series? Short stories, screenplays? Hint? ;)

[ChunkyC]

BTW: What movie did you review this week?
The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Surprisingly balanced and thought-provoking movie. A blend of court room drama and supernatural thriller. I heard rumours (unsubstantiated) that the church had funded its production and was expecting propaganda, but my fears were groundless. Mind you, the film was primarily from the POV of the priest charged with Emily's death and his attorney, but I thought the prosecution's case was also well represented.

[batyler65]

STORY GIRL:

As a mother, I know exactly how stressful it can be when your child is seriously ill. My thoughts are with you.

Good luck with your goals, but don't go too hard on yourself if some days they fall short. Stress can be a great motivator, but it can also drain all the creativity right out of you.
:) :) :)

[batyler65]

SCFIRE
4k is fabulous! Keep your chin up (you won't run into nearly so many walls that way). LKH lost me as a reader when she became more about sex and less about story, which I thought was a shame, because that gal had the suspense thing going on.

:) :) :)

[batyler65]

CC: Good to know. I've been wondering about that movie. It got lousy reviews here at home, but most of the movies that I've liked lately the critics have panned. go figger.

[ChunkyC]

It got lousy reviews here at home
I think a lot of that might depend on what they were expecting. This is not another 'Exorcist' horror movie. Neither is it a one sided commercial for the church. I do not believe in 'demonic possession', yet I found myself thinking long and hard about how easily we condemn someone like that priest, who was convinced because of his faith that what he was doing was the only thing he could do. Was it wrong? I personally think so. But after watching the movie, I found I could not 'despise' him for it.

I'll let you get back to your reports now. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

[katiemac]

I forgot to report. Which isn't really a loss, since I don't have anything to report. This semester may be a little rough. On top of my majors I've picked up French again, which I haven't taken in over two years, and I start tutoring at the writing center next week. Sometimes I think I do too much.

So, anyway, still working on that schedule. Haven't found a good place for writing yet (I can't say I've tried too hard, though) but being in classes again is giving me more to think about, which can relate to writing a lot.

Sigh. I have to run off to the bookstore before my lab starts. Can you believe it? I've been here more than two weeks and they're still assigning textbooks. I look forward to being broke again.

[Yeshanu]

*Ahem*

Large black-sailed ship approaches the docks. Massed orcs come to greet it and their leader says, "Late again, pirate scum!"

Yeshanu, resplendent in sexy elf costume, vaults over the railing and onto the pier. "An elf is never late, orcface. She arrives exactly when she means to..."

Okay, enough mixed metaphors. Now it's time for the morning report; I'll give you the long and the short... (Oops. Putting some Lion King in there is really mixing metaphors.)

I wrote six pages in my notebook, and for the first time in ages actually sat down at my computer and wrote, for an additional 800+ words. I'm still outlining ATTS, and if I'm not done by Friday, my long-suffering beta has my full permission to fire up the flamethrower. How's that for a deadline?

I also wrote most of my SOS submission. Like CC, I'll be polishing it later today, and hopefully have it and the poem away to Mac tonight or tomorrow.

As for the two clowns above, they actually did go and give blood. Then Ally came home and drank about 2 litres of orange juice to compensate. Then she stole my computer, and not to write...

[katiemac]

and if I'm not done by Friday, my long-suffering beta has my full permission to fire up the flamethrower. How's that for a deadline?

I'm perfectly okay with this plan. http://community.the-underdogs.org/smiley/angry/icon_devilish.gif

[Yeshanu]

I thought you might approve...

[Kitahoshi]

KIT and ALLY
Hello my sharp marshmallows! That little tandem report was quite entertaining. You both seem to be making excellent progress and keeping up your writing even with the onset of a new school year. Fantastic Work!

Share some smilies!
:) :) :)

*munches on one hungrily* Mmmm... smiley cookies! :D

[gina]

GINA

Looks like you barely missed that 5k goal. Good work just the same! You've had a lot going on and it sounds like you are generating new gigs. That's a good enough excuse for me. ;)

:) :) :)

Thanks!

I think there is a bit of confusion with the 5k. That isn't a weekly goal, but for the month, and that is just in regards to my fiction. I want to get in gear and write 5k of fiction the rest of this month. My daily goal is still 500-750 words a day, whether those be fiction, nonfiction, or a combination of the two. Just wanted to clear that up since it looked like you thought the 5k was a weekly goal.

Have a good week!

[amyfin]

This is a great board, and I think it's a great idea to post progress and goals. I've been kind of lurking and not posted much, but I've been feeling really stuck so maybe posting my goals and being accountable will help.

I took a year off school when my 3rd baby was born last Sep., and now I've returned, with my single most important goal being:

!!!!!!!!!!!! to finish my dang thesis I started over two years ago...what the heck's my problem? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Specifically, finish my draft by Sep. 20 ... that will be about 2500 -- 3000 words a day for the next week. Ok, I posted it, I guess I've got to do it...


Storygirl, my thoughts are with you and your son, hope he is doing well...

[batyler65]

WELCOME AMY!!! Good to see you.

Lessee. The 20th? That's seven days away! Get cracking and come check in with us on the weekend!

Good luck and happy writing!
Barb

[batyler65]

Thanks!

I think there is a bit of confusion with the 5k. That isn't a weekly goal, but for the month, and that is just in regards to my fiction.

*scribbles memo*

So... Tell me, Gina. How many fiction words HAVE you written this month? ;)

[gina]

I didn't work much on my fiction the first week of the month because I was focusing on getting things going with my new site. However, in the last few days since I set my 5k goal for the month, I've written 1305 words so far. I'll have more of an update this weekend.

[msQTpi]

We are moving. My days have blended so much that I missed an appointment, thinking it was for next week. I just realized that I didn't report in last week, and can't for the life of me remember what I did that should have been reported.

This week, I have written a million words in emails and to do lists, but nothing in the form of a true story. So, Zap away :scared:

Today will be the first night in the new home. This means that we are losing our net connection at 3:00 (EST) today. :Smack: We will be without until 911 comes out to assign our new home an address and I am then able to get Southern Bell to hook up the DSL. Since we were promised that would happen THIS week, and it still hasn't, that either means, today is the day, or they lied to us, and we are at their mercy. I will not be a happy camper if we don't have net access sometime next week, but fear that next week may be a pipe dream at this point.

Renee'

[batyler65]

Hang tough, Renee'. It will happen. *crosses fingers*

I know firsthand how disruptive a move can be, so you have my sympathy. No zaps... Yet.

[batyler65]

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2005

Hey, Gang.

This is my second attempt at this (the computer ate the last one). Argh! So frustrating. And I was SOOOO clever, too. You'll just have to take my word for it.

This week, two more greeting card companies became the recipients of my gems of wit (whether they wanted them or not. ;))

I've continued onward through the final draft of MONSTER. 216/406 done. But that doesn't say much because the page numbers change dramatically as I cut here and paste there. I really hoped to be closer to finished, but these things take time and energy. Next week it has to go back on the back burner again until I get another chunk of time. *sigh*

So, tell me, how are things in your neck of the woods? Who met goals? (Tri, put your hand down.) Who sent out subs this week?

I'm all ears.
(Well, not exactly. If I was ALL ears, I'd have no fingers and typing this would be impossible, but you know what I mean.)

Barb

[maestrowork]

I wrote over 5000 words this week. That's all I'm going to say. ;)

Oh, and my letter to Trish (sent by Remsey M.) was published in the latest Trailer Park Gazette! Thanks, Renee.

[batyler65]

Whoa, Ray! WAY TO GO!!!!!

:) :) :) :)

I guess that means CTN is moving again?

[triceretops]

Write on, Ray! Come and get me!

Tri

[ChunkyC]

Been sick all week.

Going to do the column tomorrow, after seeing 'Just Like Heaven' tonight.

Did manage to get through four more chapters in HOME. I now have about 12 of 38 left, then it's query time!

My submission for the SOS Anthology was accepted. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotesnoopy.gif I'll start working on the requested edits today.

[maestrowork]

Hmmmm, I haven't heard back from SOS (except Mac's email)... does that mean.... ? Agh! :)

[jdkiggins]

This is the POKE & PROD thread, right?

I can’t believe I missed an entire week! Suppose I’m lucky I realized today is Friday. :D

I did manage to get 10 more pages edited on my horror novel, ROADKILL.

Wrote my monthly columns, but still need to send them.

Total “new” words written on UNEARTHED…2,500.

Way to go on your writing, Ray!

I haven't heard anything on SOS other than Mac's e-mail. But Jenna said the editors have several pieces to read, so we still may have a chance. How's that for optimism. :D

[ChunkyC]

'zactly, Joanne. It all depends on when you sent it in, and who your assigned editor is and their particular workload. This is just my musings, but I'm thinking if Mac passed you in the first round, the odds are pretty good you'll make the final cut, barring a flood of extraordinary submissions before the deadline today. And that could bump anybody off the list, even those of us who've begun the editing stage.

[triceretops]

Well I have 11 hours left but I'll bounce in here. Last week 92,000, this week 107,000 for a total gain of 15,000. I'll take it. I'm actually trying to slam the brakes on this thing, cause it just took off. It doesn't have any subplots or chapter jumps or transitions to other scenes--It's a survival story on a planet--a Robinson Crusoe type deal that is very easy to write. I wonder if that is why is speeding along so fast. Don't understand it.

I've been trying to match pace with Unc Jim. It's impossible. It takes me 10 hours to do what he does in four. Ain't no magic in me. I'm at this blasted thing 14-hours every single day, seven days a week. My output is crap compared to the hours I put at the keyboard.

Tri

[Kitahoshi]

This week my teachers murdered me. Not only that, but I think I did badly on the quiz about Homo Habilis and all those hominids. I think I did pretty well on my german quiz though! In Media Art there's this menacing voice in the back of my head that says I should drop it. It says I should face the facts: I'm a writer, not an artist. Note the doing well in German - a language. Gah. Every day I get more confused about the darn art class. Our teacher is so puzzling!

And I say this in the depths of my soul searching that for the first time ever, THE Kitahoshi has only completed two quite long journal entries and about one quarter of a ballad for Creative writing. I've come to the conclusion I hate ballads. Kida is right. They are trying to make us into purple prose monkeys. *storm raining over her head* I think I'll update one of my stories to cheer me up. Better go get the inspirational music...

[Kida Adelyne]

Hello! :)

I had a good week. Not all of the goodness was writing related, but some of it was.

I have resisted the mind powers of my writing teacher, and his efforts to turn me into a purple prose monkey are so far unsucessful. If you want to know how bad it was, when we were 'learning' about similes, Kit accidentally put in three different 'literary' techniques (simile, personification, and alliteration) in a single sentance and he said good. He is encouraging this type of writing! I really don't know where he gets it from. *shakes head*

I think I wrote three poems this week. Maybe four. No wait, I started a fifth one. So four and a half. Two of the poems I am really proud of. One of them just came out good, and the other one became much better under the guidance of my magical editor (Kit) Her editing sharpness has now been upgraded from marshmallow to blunt pencil. I'm thinking with a bit more prompting she'll start telling me what she thinks should be changed without me telling her I know it's bad. Go me! :P

I also sent out my very first ever submission! W00t! I really don't expect to get in (it's for SOS and I almost entirely lost my nerve after the sample Jenna put up) but I'm happy! I made the goal I made back in January! ^.^

-Ally

[Kida Adelyne]

((notices that Kita posted right before her. :ROFL: ))

She forgot that she put up with me asking her what she thought of my poems every five minutes.:tongue

[batyler65]

WOOHOO! ALLY!

Congrats on sending out that first sub. Now, let's get cracking on sub #2. You can do it, I know you can. I'm thinking that somewhere there is a poetry market with your name on it. ;)

[Yeshanu]

I also sent out my very first ever submission!

http://bestsmileys.com/hugging/4.gif

I knew you could do it!

[Kida Adelyne]

WOOHOO! ALLY!

Congrats on sending out that first sub. Now, let's get cracking on sub #2. You can do it, I know you can. I'm thinking that somewhere there is a poetry market with your name on it. ;)

:Hail:Yes almighty ruler.:Hail:

[Kitahoshi]

((notices that Kita posted right before her. :ROFL: ))

She forgot that she put up with me asking her what she thought of my poems every five minutes.:tongue

Do I get points for this? After all, I am truly magical. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteJump.gif Yep. Kida will vouch for me. By the way, I just wrote 1500 words on a new chapter for HBU (How to befriend the undead, if you've forgotten). So technically I have now been cheered up by my happy vampire writing. It's almost eleven so I'm glad my parents aren't here or else my step-mom would kick me off. I've been given "the list" (it tells me what to do in the morning when I wake up, after school on weekdays and on weekends). I now have a boss. Did I mention Gina has been bothering me lately. She's a little soft on me for doing my editing duties (she also loves a good editing job!) but she prods me. I told her I'd write soon and stop being a monkey on my back- er... a spider on my bathroom wall anyway. So huzzah!

[gina]

Well I've had a busy week! I started my new gig this week. Set up lasted most of the week, but now I'm actually working. I'm a contributor to an up and coming media site that has news, forums and blogs. I'm helping run a few of the forums, and my blog should be up on the site within a few days. It amuses me I'm now getting paid to do something I do anyway, watch television and talk about it. I'm just talking to a much larger audience now. I'm excited, and I think it is a wonderful opportunity for me. If everything works out, the position will become a big chunk of my monthly income, which I can then supplement by other writing - fiction and nonfiction.

I've been writing up a storm this week, and my word count for the week is 5,244. I also wrote some more in fiction WIP this week, but that was by hand, and I haven't typed it in yet. My computer died early Thursday, and it took me a full day to get up and working again. It wouldn't even go past the start up screen. Didn't lose anything other than my bookmarks, but it put a bit of a pinch into getting things typed in this week. I have a few pages written though, so I'll work on getting those typed in over the weekend. I hope to anyway. I seem to be on a role writing things by hand, so I might continue that way for a bit.

[Kitahoshi]

Oh yes. I should mention Gina, that I was talking about my muse who happens to be coincedentally named Gina. Not that you were prodding me to write while I was in the shower. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteROFL.gif

[gina]

Oh yes. I should mention Gina, that I was talking about my muse who happens to be coincedentally named Gina. Not that you were prodding me to write while I was in the shower. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteROFL.gif

:ROFL: Hah I figured that, but I have been known to pull out the whip to get people writing. :whip:

[MacAllister]

I'm HERE! I'm HERE! Got all the way through the SOS submissions -- *looks around and makes note of familiar faces who did NOT send anything to Mac* -- I love this editing gig, the feeling of complete power is amazing! :D

Digging the rewrite back out tonight. Feeling fresh and ready to tackle the rest of the darn thing...

[Yeshanu]

I love this editing gig, the feeling of complete power is amazing!

Why am I not surprised?

Thanks, Mac, for all of your hard work. (It doesn't hurt that you sent both my subs on to Jenna...) :kiss:

[Kitahoshi]

I'm HERE! I'm HERE! Got all the way through the SOS submissions -- *looks around and makes note of familiar faces who did NOT send anything to Mac*

I'm sorry! I just didn;t have any time this week! I'm already running to keep up with my school work in Media Arts and Creative writing as it is! I was lucky to get my writing done this week, now that I think on it. Don't kill me! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/smileyflag.gif

[Kitahoshi]

:ROFL: Hah I figured that, but I have been known to pull out the whip to get people writing. :whip:

Hmmmm... I don't think that spiders can type.... http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif

[Natalia]

I think I got skipped in the round-up last week. Is it because I sucked?
Well in that case, I didn't get much else done this week. I mean, yes I blogged and I did research for my dissertation. I also graded almost 100 papers and various other assignments. I did manage to get editing done. But I think I need a motivational zap :(

[Kitahoshi]

I think I got skipped in the round-up last week. Is it because I sucked?
Well in that case, I didn't get much else done this week. I mean, yes I blogged and I did research for my dissertation. I also graded almost 100 papers and various other assignments. I did manage to get editing done. But I think I need a motivational zap :(

*Drops her homework in stacks on her* I know it's not a zap but I figure it's almost as dreadful.

[storygirl]

I actually got work done this week, and the lil' one stayed healthy. Yay!!!

Ok, now, I started this week rewriting one of my older manuscripts, which took a lot of time and effort and was dang near exhausting. I have to change SO much in it...so many mistakes. Anyway, I worked on that Mon-Thurs...pretty much all day and revised/rewrote:
46,522 words


Then I took a break from that ms and worked on one of my newer ones, and it was MUCH easier. As I said, I think I'm sort of blocked because this back log of material has been ignored for soooo long, that until I do something about it, I don't think my mind will really take hold of any new ideas (the kind that leap out of your mind and practically write themselves). So, I made a good dent in the back log and feel the pressure releasing with every page I get done. Anyway, on my newer ms, to show you how easy it really was, in one day, I rewrote/revised/edited (whatever you want to call it):
27,589 words.

For a grand total of:
74,111 words this week.

YAY!!! Ok, I now there's now new writing...so I shouldn't be so proud of myself, but I'm finally getting back into the swing of things...and it feels good.

Ok, here's my goals I wrote last week:
Goals for upcoming week:

~ rewrite/revise/edit 50,000 words of one of my old manuscripts that I'm currently in the midst of trying to bring back to life.

~ send out 5 queries for most recent MS (if I can dig up that many agents who haven't already rejected me and this MS)

~ remeber to post my most recent rejection on the rejection thread.

~I got the rewriting done.
~I sent out five queries.
~I remembered to post rejections.

Alright, that's it for me...when I come up with this week's goals, I'll be back to post them.

[allenparker]

Dragging in bleary eyed and half asleep.

Edited 30,000 words. Wrote 2800. Deleted several pages and rewrote most of a 75 page story for submittal.

Spent most of the week with back pain. My wife said that she spent most of the week with a pain in the back....

Between handfuls of aspirin and a Vicadin (spelled?) or two, not a bad week for writing.

ALlen

[batyler65]

Hugs, CC.

Sorry you haven't been well.

it sounds like you kept moving anyway. ;) Congrats on the SOS sub. Keep plugging along with HOME. You are almost... well... er... Home. ;)

:) :) :)

[batyler65]

AMYFIN:

Hello out there! How's the writing going? Tell us what you are doing your thesis on.

Sept. 20th is tomorrow!

Barb

[batyler65]

JOANNE

*poke* *prod*

Yep, the poke and prod thread. Or the whips and chains thread. or... no, let's not go there.

Glad you popped back in.

How much more editing does Roadkill need? I'm rewriting and editing and it seems to go on FOREVER.

Great job on cranking out 2.5k new words. If you have any extras, send them my way. I seem to be running short. ;)

:) :) :)

[batyler65]

RENEE'

How is that move coming? Are you getting ANY writing done? Make the time, even if it is only ten minutes each day.

Keep us posted.

[batyler65]

TRI:
Once again you astound me. Who cares if you keep up with UJ? Everybody has their own style and their own pace. I'd be happy just to keep up with you!

Output= crap? Nah. Just think of it as raw material that hasn't been through the refinery yet.

Are you still getting out and about? Exercise. Don't forget. ;)

:) :) :)

[batyler65]

This week my teachers murdered me.

For a murdered marshmallow, you seem to be quite active. ;)

Resist the pull of the purple prose monkey. Resist.

Hang in there Kit, starting a new school year is tough. Keep your balance and keep writing. (Journal pages still count.)

:)

[scfirenice]

Sc sneaks around corner...Good, barbs already posted muhahahahahaha.

Okay, I'll report anyway. I only wrote 1000 words. I did rewrite my synopsis completely and got out one new sub to replace my latest rejection. That's it. I hope to do better next week.

[batyler65]

ALLY
Tell me, you HAVE started thinking about subbing those other poems, right?

Continue to resist the pull of the purple prose monkey. It can lead to no good.

Keep writing!

:)

[batyler65]

GINA
Congrats on starting that new gig! New projects can be so exciting. Sounds like a cool job. And getting paid to do something you would be doing anyway? Excellent.

Sounds like you've been doing tons of writing. And with a dead computer no less. Keep up the good work!

:) :) :)

[batyler65]

MAC

Okay, we finally get the taser away from you and here you go off on another POWER TRIP. Have you considered therapy? ;)

I hope that rewrite is almost done, otherwise, well, there is a whip with your name on it.

:) :) :) for all your hard work on the SOS project. Now get back to writing.

[batyler65]

NATALIA
skipped? SKIPPED? ACK!! How horrible!

I guess I'm not as in the swing of things as I would like to be.

However I am prepared to remedy that with a few motivational lashes in your direction although I'm not entirely certain that you really need them.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gifhttp://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gif

There. Feel better?

Keep writing.

[batyler65]

STORYGIRL
Excellent news all the way around.

I agree that any type of rewriting can be exhausting. And having to change so many mistakes? That is actually a good sign. It means you have grown enough as a writer to recognize them. ;) Keep a positive outlook and I'm sure you will get through it.

74,111 words this week.

WOW!! You deserve a trophy!http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteTrophy.gif

[batyler65]

ALLEN

Sorry to hear that you are on the injured list.

You still managed quite a bit of writing. Did you get that rewritten story submitted? Hmm? Keep plugging along.

:) :) :)

[batyler65]

SCFIRENICE
ha! Thought you could sneak in, didn't you? Didn't work.

What is this ONLY 1k? 1,000 words is better than no words at all. Plus you rewrote a synopsis and made a new submission. All and all a pretty good week. So, now I'm torn. Do I give you lashes (because you obviously think you should have done more) or do I give you a smiley for effort?

Hmm. One of each, I think.

:) http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/Emotewhip.gif

[amyfin]

Ok, get out the whip, no wait , don't, already flogging myself...

2725 Yep, that's it. I keep deleting stuff. Lit theory will kill me yet.

I was going to blame my lack of writing on my kids, but Storygirl blew that excuse right out of the water since she is a mom too and somehow managed those 74,000+ words... WOWWWWWWWW

Ok, I better get writing so I can redeeem myself...

[batyler65]

2725 Yep, that's it. I keep deleting stuff. Lit theory will kill me yet.


2725 isn't a bad total for the week. Keep the faith!