So Far, So Good

Okay... I've been writing every day this week -- not a lot, but something. I'm only about 2000 words into my story, but I really do like it. The best part is that I can't stop thinking about it and have come up with some really fun ideas for scenes.

The "write every day" goal is a good one for me. If I had a word count goal (say ... 1000 words) and I only had a spare 10 minutes, I wouldn't bother to open the document and write, because I'd know I wouldn't make it. But, giving myself permission to write 5 words or 5,000 -- well, that works for me.

How's everyone else doing?

Checking in, but not checking out

Right up front I'm going to confess that just hours ago I was going to throw in the towel and say "see ya" to all of you. My total output this week was just about what my daily goal was, all due to family and personal issues beyond my control. I hate when things are beyond my control. And next week my dear sister in law is scheduled for a major surgery to correct another major surgery she underwent a year and a half ago. So, yeah, things aren't grand right now in my little world.

But just within the past hour I've decided not to give up. Today is only the 21st of March. That means I have 10 full days before the first of next month. I'm not sure how close I can still come to my goal--and I realize Monday may be a wash since everyone around me is going to be stressed even if I get a writing brainstorm--but progress will be progress. Just 1575 words this week is 1575 words closer to my goal.

It's a question of "how badly do I want it." Right?

So Far So Good

Okay, we're 3 days into the month (okay, barely 3 days) and I've found it a piece of cake to meet my measley goal of 500 words per day. I've been trying to get them done in the morning before work so when I get home I can plunge into editing. Problem is I find myself just wanting to continue writing. I guess I should go with that. But I really really want to get the editing through.

Which leads me to my next question. To submit to my crit group or not. It means critting 2 chapters for every one I submit. Not a big deal really, but I figure I have a good 25 chapters. I won't be done for ages. I do have a friend, a reader, who goes over the manuscript and critiques and asks a lot of good questions, calls me on anything that doesn't make sense or is out of place. Maybe I'll just rely on her. She never steers me wrong.

How do people feel about big crit groups? Worth it or not?

Happy writing!