Note for new arrivals: The 10K Day starts on the morning of Thursday, October 15. Your exact starting time is up to you.
“I Brake for Squirrels” (and 10K Day nuts)
WELCOME TO ALL those plucky writers who are participating today!
This is the place to post your check-ins.
To learn more about this event, check the special 10K Day section (see blog menu above). If you develop a case of writer’s block—or you need some extra ideas on what to write—you’ll find plenty of inspiring resources in the Write NOW! section.
DON’T FORGET TO TAKE REGULAR BREAKS!
You’ll regret it later (when you’re feeling fried) if you don’t take regular breaks. Even if you’re on fire with your writing, take your scheduled breaks.
Every two hours is recommended. Breaks are also for posting check-ins.
WHAT SHOULD YOU POST FOR YOUR CHECK-INS?
Comment moderation will be turned off for the day so your posts should appear right away. If you don’t see yours, try refreshing your screen.
Keep check-ins fairly brief:
1. You can mention your word count if you want to. If you’d rather not, please provide a general comment about your progress thus far.
2. You can also describe what you’re working on.
3. Feel free to mention how you’re feeling and how the day is going for you.
4. It’s always fun to hear what people are drinking, snacking on or listening to.
5. Check-ins only. Please DO NOT post your writing! (The comment section will become unwieldy if writers try to post stories/chapters from their novel.)
DON’T FORGET TO log out of forums, Facebook, Twitter, email, etc.
Go gettum, Tigers! – Milli
It’s 5am & I’m just about to get started. Based on my usual routine, I can probably get at least 12-1500 done before I leave for school (6:15). Planning to write at lunch and during my prep period (all grading finished yesterday!).
Tonight is parent conferences until 5pm, and I have zero parents signed up. Will attempt about 1k then, and make up the rest when I get home tonight. I’m not going to shoot for the whole 10k–not realistic for me on a work day.
I’m working on memoir. I have about 45 pages already completed in the work and really want to add to it today 🙂
I don’t usually listen to music in the morning when I write but do later in the day.
Good luck to everyone!
Beth
Blah, I hate mice… and really my life in general. But hey, it’s time to write today.
Screenplay rewrite and Halloween project. Quite simple when I just sit here and say it. But I got quite a bit ahead of me today…
Just wrapped up 1580 words for the morning session. Off to teach listening skills to middle schoolers for the day, but will check back in as I rack up the words 🙂
Good luck to everyone today!
Beth
Twitter: pattistafford
I’m here. I haven’t lined out my day or started writing. Need more coffee!
Good Morning Everyone!
Way to go Beth!
Mornin’ everybody!
I’ll be in and out all day. Got tons to take care of besides trying to be a writer today. I wish y’all lots of luck and lot’s of fun! Catch ya later!
I got a late start. I’m getting the kiddos settled, grab a cup of coffee, and the jump in. I plan to work on a short story and my outline for NaNo.
I think I can…I think I can…
Happy Writing!
Twitter: pattistafford
Glad to see so many writers joining in.
Milli is not the early bird–or the night owl–she’s more of the afternoon cat, so I wanted to send out a big Welcome to everyone!
Break a pencil and have an Awesome day with your craft.
My word count is around 500 – I’m guessing. I have a lot of work related writing today, so the numbers will go up and down.
Write On!
Checking in late (for me) with a muddled brain and a wrist that is screaming “carpal tunnel, carpal tunnel” after an entire day of typing yesterday. Today I need to take it easy and baby it along, so my goal is whatever I can get done before my wrist starts acting up and my fingers go numb. Good luck to everyone! Write something wonderful!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Good Morning, Everyone.
I’ve been working crazy hours the past two weeks so I slept till almost 10 AM. Late start for a 10K Day, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Patti, thanks for welcoming everyone. 🙂
~ Milli
I’m not expecting huge numbers today. Going to be a busy one. But I do hope to get close to or surpass my previous month’s total.
I have multiple projects to work on today: catching up on writing assignments for Muse Online Writers Conference (going on this week), my contemporary fantasy WIP (hubby expecting next chapter), and prep for NaNoWriMo (antagonist character sheet, outline, etc).
I’ll be officially starting in an hour, after getting my kid to school, but hope to squeeze in a bit in the next half hour.
Good writing everyone!
I’m here to observe, more than participate. We’ll call this my pre-gaming 10k, and I’ll make sure I don’t have to go to work on the next one! I really can’t wait 🙂
I am going to try to write my little heart out until I have to call it quits… that gives me 2 hours :/ Gonna drink coffee, buckle down, and churn out the good stuff.
Good luck to all you participants, may your vocabulary never fail you and your fingers never falter!
Twitter: pattistafford
Jodi (Nataku), I’m glad you could make it.
I haven’t written since last check-in. I had some reading to do and a headache to contend with.
Milli, You’re most welcome! You know I love helping you out and you’ve had a heavy schedule lately.
I am off to write now.
Good Morning Lois! I don’t see you yet, but I know you’ll be by soon.
I finished another 1,059 words at lunch but since I don’t do math without a calculator, I’ll have to guesstimate my total…I think that brings me to around 2500 words for the day..so far…
I’ve got a planning period coming up (no grading to do!) so we’ll see what I can knock out then. What I don’t make in terms of 5k before I head home tonight after parent conferences, I’ll make up for when I get home.
Beth
Hahaha! Yes, Patti, I have finally shown up! 😀
I wanted to get email and blogging out of the way. Now that that’s done, I can work on some feedback, interspersed with short stories of my own.
The short stories I’ll be working on are part of an anthology: Sons of the Wild Frontier. These stories will be connected by their main characters, two halfbreed Cherokee men, Fox and Sawyer Redman.
I have a busy day today. I also have to go to the bank and post office at some point. I’ll be working into the night (hopfully I’ll have a lot done by 7:00, when I’ll have an important phone call).
My goal is 5K, but if I get more, I’ll be pleased as punch! 🙂
Glad to see you could make it, Ja’Nese. I know you’ll love it here! 😀
And I’m off to kick word count butt!
Lois
Hey Fey, I’m working on Muse Conference stuff too! Monsters and Mahyhem this morning and attend a couple of chats this afternoon in between writing.
Lois, I have great faith that you can reach the 5K mark with time to spare. 🙂
I’m currently typing from the library in town with the sound of little ones in the kids section for background music. My word count is at 726, despite having to leave the house early and try to get an estimate for bodywork on our car. (Still have to run by and see if they have it worked up.) Then it’ll be off to Wally World and back home for online conference chats and more writing before becoming Mom again.
Keep up the great work everyone!
Sorry, I really did get off to a late start. Had a couple of phone calls I had to take, etc. And now, after a mere 1500 words, my carpal tunnel is calling the shots. I may get back later if my fingers get their feeling back, or I may not. Good luck to everybody else! Sorry to be a writing wimp.
I’m finally getting started for the day. I had computer/technology/argh issues all morning, but it’s all sorted now. I’ve got my iced tea and dark chocolate M&Ms. Time to see how many words I can bash out today!
I’ve written and sent an e-mail. My word count is currently at 409, but I’m about to disconnect and get started on the feedback and my own writing. Then a trip into town for a bit.
Happy writing everyone!
Thanks for having faith in me, Maria. 🙂
Lois
Darn it! I forgot to get chocolate!
No sleep + no chocolate = Grumpy Maria
Having a lot more distractions than I’d like, and not as focused as I could be. Only have 1000 words. I have enjoyed what I’ve written though. The words weren’t pulled out like teeth.
I don’t have chocolate either. And I just wrote a scene that included chocolate cake…
Twitter: pattistafford
I’m not doing word counts today–it’s been an trying week for me, so today is revision day.
A friend pointed out something I had written last night, and if it wasn’t so off-the-wall, hilariously funny–I’d be extremely mad at myself. Luckily, no one will see it but the two of us.
Suffice to say, “I have given a whole new meaning to the term, “eccentric writer.” I’m just going to revel in that moment for awhile.
Happy Writing! Best of Luck!
I’m moving at a snail like pace over here. I have 1k and an obnoxious blinking cursor.
Onward…
I’ve only got 1,369 words at the moment. That’s two e-mails and two feedbacks.
Now I’m off to work on something of mine, a short story! 😀
I have chocolate, but I’m waiting until I reach 5K. I need incentives today!
Lois
I’ve added another 991 words to my word count, bringing my current total to 2,360. It’s slow going, but it’s going. 🙂
I’m working on a short story about Fox Redman’s time in Wyoming. It started out great, but his time there became a living nightmare! Right now, I’m at the part leading up to his move to Wyoming.
And now I need to take a shower. That will help revive me.
The sun has finally come out! Yaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy!!!!! *happy dance* That should go a long way toward reviving me, too!
And now, I’m outta here…but I’ll be back.
Keep up the great work, everyone!
Lois
I’m heading home after a long day of work…4243 words total to my credit. I’m almost done with the essay I’ve been working on, so I’m hoping a little attention tonight will take me to that 5k goal…
How is everyone else doing?
Beth
Trip to the VA office really threw me off track… But things are moving… so to speak.
I’m up to 2k. Only half what I wanted to accomplish. Maybe I can sneak more in later. Got a dentist appointment for my son in an hour, then my sister is coming up to spend a few days with us.
At least I made progress. And I’m happy with what I have written.
Twitter: fearofwriting
I’m working on a big, sprawling project, while fielding lots of interruptions (that need to be handled in a timely manner, 10K Day or not), so I’m not even trying to keep a word count this time.
Sounds like almost everyone is having a day full of interruptions . . . but at least we’re all still here and we’re all still writing!
I’m taking a breather. I have 2,200 words. I plan to work on a short story next.
Umm, I forgot to check in. I got off to a pretty early start, but ended up being in and out almost all day! Somehow, I’ve got a couple thousand words in (nobody is more surprised than me, haha). My night is looking pretty good, so I’m hoping to at least double it before bedtime.
I must be doing something seriously wrong, because being an at-home mom isn’t giving me the time I need to write or to laze around eating bonbons. Who needs a paying job when I can spend all my time running around for everybody else for free?
I know what you mean, Tracy! Just because we’re home doesn’t mean we’re available. But it’s hard to tell family that, and not feel guilty as all get out.
The evening is opening back up for me to hopefully get some more writing in. I’ve been interrupted most of the day and finally had to stop and take a nap (hadn’t slept since yesterday afternoon, so I guess I needed it). Now, supper’s about done, the kid’s at a ballgame, and the husband is watching TV and dinner. Look out keyboard, here I come!
Tracy and Maria, I agree with you both. I did some writing today, but I plan to get in most of my work tonight. I’ll start back up in an hour or so.
After counting up a rough drafted article, chat notes from the conference, and a story idea, I now have 1,779 words. Don’t know how much more I’ll get done–I’ll have to retrieve the youngin’ from the ballgame, get gasoline for the husband’s paper route and other such fun things. I guess it never stops, does it? But I’ve gotten much more done than I thought possible, so that’s a huge plus. And I’ve had fun hanging out with you guys today.
Congratulations to all who’ve participated today! Hope y’all have a great rest of the evening and see ya next time round! 🙂
Final count: 4243 words. Not bad for a work day. Would have been 5k or more with a bit more energy but brain is mushy!
Am off from teaching tomorrow so maybe I’ll follow this up with another couple thou words.
Thanks for keeping this up, Milli. Such a good boost!
Beth
I reached my goal. I finally reached 5K! I had an important phone call and that lasted more than an hour and a half, but I had less than 450 words left to reach my goal, so I got to it and finished with 5,114! 😀
Dark chocolate, here I come! 🙂
I worked on a Fox Redman short story. He has just met his future brother-in-law, the young Cheyenne warrior, É’etsénoonámas (Broken Wing).
Congrats to everyone for participating! Even if none of us reach 10K this time around, we’ve still written something and we can all be proud of that!
Have a great evening.
Lois
I queeped out at 5k, but since I had so much real-life stuff crop up to waste my time today, I feel pretty darn good at my wordcount. Maybe I’ll do another 5k on Saturday.
Awesome wordcounts, everyone!
What a day! I finished with a little over 4k. Not bad for one day. I didn’t move on to my short story. However, I’m nearly finished with my outline for NaNo.
Thanks!
JD
Way to go, everyone! See you next time! 😀
Twitter: pattistafford
Congratulations Everyone!
Sorry I didn’t make it back last night. Life doesn’t come with a “Hold” button, and if it did, I’m sure it’d eventually hang up on us.
I’m glad everyone had a great time. That’s an important aspect of these 10K Days and part of the reason Milli hosts them.
For those of you familiar with the Britcom, Are You Being Served, “You’ve all done very well.” LOL!
Happy Writing!