WIP Update
Posted by annastan on August 28th, 2009. Filed under: WIP, Writing Rants.My work-in-progress (code name Lightning) is still a long way from being done, but I’m slowly making some progress. Usually when I set a writing goal for myself, I try as hard as I can to stick to it, but this time my goal of a 50,000 word first draft by September 1st was a little bit unrealistic. So, I’ve pushed the date back to September 15th which will hopefully be more attainable. Here is how I’m doing so far:
Just over 17,000 words might not sound like a lot, but being “35% done” is pretty encouraging! It really is all in how you word it sometimes.
The main thing about my WIP that’s been holding me back is figuring out where the story will go next. I tend to focus on story in the first draft and work on developing characters in subsequent drafts. Some writers have their characters come to them fully-formed, but I get to know my characters by putting them into different situations and seeing how they react. So far this has worked for me, but it also means I have to spend a lot of time asking “and then what happened?” With the current book, events that I thought wouldn’t occur until the end have suddenly popped up on page 60. Surprise! Writing without a larger plan can be very unpredictable, which is sometimes frustrating, but it also makes the process a lot of fun.
Okay, enough about me. All you writers out there, how are your WIPs coming along?
August 28th, 2009 at 6:40 am
Way to go on the progress, Anna! I’ve been doing great this week, too, and should hit my September 11th first draft done goal.
August 28th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Yay PJ! Here’s to a productive September!
August 28th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Hi Anna!
I think 35% is pretty good if you ask me!
All this summer I’ve been working on a draft and after 12 weeks, I have about 60K. It’s been really rough though. And I won’t dare show it to anyone yet, LOL. The next step is revisions–which ironically is the best part for me. I hate drafts–it’s like pulling teeth for me.
But I’m like you. During the draft I look for the storyline first and then develop my characters more during the revisions.
Looks like a lot of us writers will be doing revisions soon!
August 28th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Hi Karen! You’re not alone – revision is my favorite part too. Once I have a draft and know what my story is about, then I can start working on actually making it good! Good luck!
August 28th, 2009 at 11:47 am
35% is terrific! I write sort of like you do, too. I don’t use outlines, but sometimes I jot down general notes. The characters tend to reveal themselves in situations. Isn’t it weird how many approaches there are to writing? A good friend of mine uses color-coded index cards —
My WIP is languishing until the school bus roars down the street on September 9. I’ve got two pages. Sigh.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Hi Anne. I can’t imagine writing with color-coded index cards, but maybe I should try it sometime. I tend not to outline until after I have a couple of drafts done – then my outline helps me figure out what I have in my story, and what I still need.
Two pages may not seem like much, but it’s better than no pages at all! Happy writing in September!
August 29th, 2009 at 1:21 am
Hi Anna,
What an interesting post, and congrats on the 35% done (you’re right, for some reason that DOES sound better than just over 17,000 words).
To answer your question, I’m in a happy WIP place now. Finally finished all my outlining and rethinking on my first draft and now I finally get to start writing again. But of course, all the old anxieties that I’m just not that good a writer are flaring up again now.
August 29th, 2009 at 4:45 am
Hi Anne! It sounds like you’re in great shape with your WIP. The trick now is to write so quickly that your doubts won’t be able to catch up!
August 29th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Hah, I love it! Outwrite my doubts. What a great thought!