“I Brake for Squirrels” (and 10K Day nuts)
WELCOME TO ALL those plucky writers who are participating this week!
This is the place to post your check-ins for Wednesday, November 24 and/or Saturday, November 27.
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 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!
DON’T FORGET TO log out of forums, Facebook, Twitter, email, etc.
Go gettum, Tigers! – Milli
29 down, 9,971 to go.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Hi Dave! Loved your first check-in. 😀
Good morning writers!
It’s still a frosty one here on Fox Hill in Arkansas. Pretty soon, I’ll be out taking pictures on mornings like this one, but not today. I feel like writing and have time to do it without being interrupted. So here I am with my cup of hot tea, leftovers from last night’s supper for breakfast and one of my cats curled up nearby. I’ll be working on my NaNo novel and my blog throughout the day as well as cleaning my office and doing laundry in between. Those are interruptions you might say. If you knew how my schedule has been the past 4 months or so, you’d know better. I don’t have to be anywhere today. That’s a very good day. ;D
I’ll check back in a couple of hours with a progress update. Happy writing!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Hi Maria,
Wasn’t expecting you today so this is a pleasant surprise. I do understand the luxury you speak of—an uninterrupted day where even doing laundry seems like a bonus.
Have fun! ~ Milli
Twitter: pattistafford
I’m up. That’s a good thing. I haven’t made any real plans for the day yet, just have to see what I get in to. I did want to come by and cheer everyone on who’s shooting for a big writing day.
Best of Luck!
Patti
Twitter: fearofwriting
Hi Pattikins. Thanks for your cheers! Hope your Saturday is fun. 🙂
~ Milli
Twitter: pattistafford
It was rather pleasant. I reached my 250 words a day challenge and I’m going to bask in the glory of it because every word counts–until revisions come along and we rip them out. LMAO!
Read you had some little flurries today. Jealous!! I know Lois will be too when she reads that. We are so ready to go back to MO. It’s not the amount of snow you guys get but we did see some white stuff a few times per year. 🙂
Twitter: fearofwriting
OFFICIAL WELCOME 🙂
Hi everyone. Quick hostess report before I disappear for my first writing session.
We have with us already
~ Toyah from the UK (@ToyahTheWriter), Maria from Irish Lady Productions , Dave (@broncofashion) and myself.
We’re also expecting
~ Helene (@hkwong) and j (@jdistraction) from the West Coast, Jenn (@Jemmie211) from Hawai’i, Bev (@elementalmuse) from Colorado, Laura (@thatgrrl) from Ontario and Jenny (@JRTurner) from Wisconsin. Possibly also Dana (@danapittman) from Texas and Lois (@LMEighmy) from Arkansas.
Patti (@pattistafford) and Catherine from the West Coast will be here occasionally to cheer us on.
Any of you arriving while I’m off in my own little writing zone, what I’d like to say is
WELCOME! 😀 😀 😀
and remember to have fun. See you at the next check-in.
~ Milli
Hi Everyone!
My first 10K day!
Will be doing as much writing as I can between housework and kiddies 🙂 500 words so far! woot!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Welcome, Jen! 500 words is an excellent kick-off! So glad Jenny Turner recommended that you join us. 🙂
Howdy Toyah, Dave, Patti, Jen and Milli!
So far, the count is going slow–92 words. I’ve had a hard start to the day but trying to pick things up. I want to wish everyone well and as an ex-teacher always told me, drink lots of water. 🙂 Catch ya back in a couple of hours.
Hi Maria
It’s slow with me too…I’m blaming the weather, we had snow yesterday (the earliest it’s ever been) and the temperature is freezing – even indoors with my furry slippers, fingerless gloves, fleece hoody and everything on. And the fire going. And a blanket over my legs. My brain still seems to be all frozen up, I have struggled my way up to 800 words but it’s 4.30pm here so I haven’t really all that long left. Sigh. :o(
Twitter: fearofwriting
I agree, Toyah. It can be miserable trying to write when you’re cold. I’m about to break out the heater myself. We’ve had wisps of snow today too.
But, still. Anything we write is against the odds (knowing the struggles and fears of us writers) and should be considered a triumph!!
Toyah ~
You’re back! Good show. Do the best you can and think heat. Write about a flaming fire inside just to unfreeze your brain.
I know you can do it. Keep going.
Good luck,
Catherine 🙂
Twitter: fearofwriting
I’ve managed to claw out 572 words and that got me four character profiles. Now to start the story itself.
Okay. I’m here. I have three things that I want to finish. Word count is secondary. (And if I’m awesome, there are really five things I’d love to write.)
Metaphorically, so you can still type, cross you fingers for me.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Hi j!
My goals today are not about word count either (10,000 is too many for a screenplay treatment) so let’s go for it! Write like a MF, hey? 🙂
Hey J ~
You are doing it again today too! Have fun, meet your goals and smile.
I’m crossing my fingers for you!
Happy writing,
Catherine 🙂
One story down! Woo-hoo! Thank you Catherine! And, Milli, yes, writing like a MF. (I should put my t-shirt on… but it’s freezing here today.)
Okay, I finally made it here! I’ve been looking forward to today for two whole days, and wouldncha know it, but a friend needed a ride to the emergency room–and it turns out, after 4+ hours, she’s as healthy as a horse and only has a bruised pinky finger. Which, of course, I’m reminding myself to be thankful for 😉 Gotta love the holidays!
Today I’m gonna try to finish all but the very end of my novel. This puppy was hard to get off the ground and I think the first three chapters are probably far worse than anything I’ve written in the last five years–simply because I started changing things as I got more into the flow.
So here’s to everyone finding their flow and having a fabulous day writing and feeling productive.
Warmly,
Jen-bug 😉
Twitter: fearofwriting
J-Bug! I had been wondering where you were. Glad everything worked out with your friend’s emergency. And, yeah, I think “finding our flow” is the magic phrase for today. 🙂
Hey Jenny! Glad your friend is ok 🙂
happy writing! 🙂
Twitter: hkwong
2,231 words in 30 minutes. I am so uninspired though! I just want to finish this darn NaNoWriMo manuscript and…move on? I realize I need to focus more on editing/revising my previous novels instead of writing more new ones. =\
Holy smokes!! You are awesome! Hope you keep up that quick writing! 🙂 congrats!
That’s awesome Helene! I wish I could type/remember that many words in that short a period. 😀
Twitter: fearofwriting
That IS smokin’, Helene! It sounds like you have plenty of material to bring to completion . . . and that’s a great position for any writer to be in. 🙂
Wow Helene – you are at it again! So impressive.
You can do it. You got this far and stuck to it.
Go, go, go!
Catherine
All finished for the day. I switched gears after lunch and a nap and got my blog post drafted for a day-totoal of 1,875 words. I met both my goals for the day as well.
Congratulations to everyone here, it’s been a great day and lots of fun hanging out. Hope y’all have a great rest of the weekend and Write On!
Housework and kids disrupted me, however now up to 1k 🙂
This is fun! 😀
I am currently puttering at the first ch. of a new book. Trying to get the scene I have in my head down. I have a few other projects I may end up working on too. 🙂
back to writing!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Jen, so thrilled to hear you’re having fun!
It’s time for a break from this office chair. I’ve managed to get in 1,284 words on my novel, despite a slow start. That brings the grand total to almost 11K. It’s not going fast but at least it’s a going. 🙂
Twitter: fearofwriting
That’s great, Maria! Time for my break too.
Hi Maria ~
Keep up the good work. I know what you mean about the office chair. I bounced on my trampoline and danced to happy music my 10K day on Wed. and it really loosed up the body.
Keep on going steadily ~ you’ll do great…
Catherine 🙂
Twitter: fearofwriting
Since I don’t need 10K to write a screenplay treatment, I’ve decided not to count words today. But I’m pleased to report I’ve finished writing Act I. Time for lunch and then into the long haul of Act II.
Twitter: fearofwriting
I was really in the flow there for a while. Hope I can get back into it after this latest break for lunch.
You can do it Milli Vanilli ~
Go for that Act II and bust right through it. I know you are going to do so well.
Happy writing!
Catherine 🙂
Yay for Act 1! If you take the five things I want to do, and think Shakespearean, then I’ve written the first act too.
Heading back in.
Yay, chapter finished! Up to just over 2k 😀
Off to work on another project (while I think of what happens next in that story LOL) Yippee!!
Happy writing all! 😀
Twitter: fearofwriting
That’s terrific, Jen! See you a bit later after you percolate your story.
Congrats on getting your chapter done, Jen 🙂 That’s so very cool! 🙂 I can’t seem to work on 2 projects at the same time, so my hat is off to you! 🙂
Hugs,
Jenny:)
Actually I’m working on 3 writing projects right now, 2 books and a short 😛 My brain likes to run around in circles 🙂 But at least if I get stuck on one, I have something else to putter at 🙂
Hi all!
I just dropped in to give a big vote of confidence for all of you and to cheer you on!
You can do it! Congratulations on all your successes so far.
Good luck and have fun continuing on your 10K day…
Happy writing,
Catherine
Twitter: fearofwriting
Thanks, Catherine. Every vote of confidence is most appreciated! And congrats on *your* success of busting 10K on Wednesday. 🙂
Here for my first 2 hour break. I got 2980 written this first time around. Had to stop and eat some lunch, get a fresh cup of java. This cold is making it hard to keep my eyes open! The medicine makes me drowsy–but at least I can breathe through my nose now.
So cool to see everyone doing so awesome! Thank you Millikins, for hosting these awesome events!! 😉
Hugs,
Jen-bug 😉
You are doing awesome!
I love this, it’s helping me get back into writing- been so busy with edit type stuff lately I’ve gotten out of the groove 😛
You Two Jens ~
Go for it – you are both doing great. Pushing against envelopes.
Here’s me clapping for you both!
Go, go, go!
Catherine
Thanks Catherine!!! 😀
Got another 400 words – this time in the short story.. had to do some research though so that slowed me down. grr.. off to feed the monsters!
Thanks Catherine!! 🙂
Up to 5,510 words today. 4,590 to write in the next 8 & 1/2 hours. I think I’m going to make it.
Dave ~
Congratulations.
You ARE going to make it!
Catherine 🙂
Signing off…not a very good day for me, only managed 1184. It seems that I work better on Wednesdays than Saturdays! :/ So my NaNo total is up to 9260 – I’m hoping to get to 10k by the deadline (after all, it is my first time!).
I’ll see you next time 😉
Second break, I got 2918, which brings my total to 5898, almost 6K, I’m really gonna try for that last 4K tonight, but my headcold is starting to kick my butt as the sun sets. Maybe I can rally and pull it off in the next 2 hour writing block.
I’m gonna stretch my legs and refresh my coffee, see if that doesn’t help open my eyes up a little bit!
Everyone is doing so great. I’m so thrilled to be spending my Saturday with such wonderful and talented people! 🙂
Warmly,
Jenny:)
Twitter: fearofwriting
Act II, Scene I in the bag. Yes! Five fives to myself.
I logged back in to see that Catherine has been cheering everyone on as individuals. Thanks, Catherine! 😀 I’m going to take that as my cue to have a 10-minute break and then continue hot on the trail of my character’s seeming downfall and resurrection as the eventual hero.
Adding my cheers to Catherine’s for this amazing bunch of writers. Very glad to know you all. 🙂
Twitter: fearofwriting
High fives, I meant to say. LOL! But I guess five of them is good too.
Twitter: elementalmuse
Hi Milli! I’m here! Since I stay up really late working (to the tune of 5 a.m. or so), I sleep in later than most, but I wanted you to know I’m participating today and it feels SO good! Can’t thank you enough for these 10k days. SO glad they are back! I spend most of my time editing instead of writing these days, and I want to balance things out and get back to more writing!
By the way, usually I concentrate on nonfiction the most, but today I feel drawn to fiction, so I’m working on the beginnings of a new piece of women’s fiction. Wish me luck! Fiction is scarier for me than nonfiction *shudder*
Will check in later on! Woo hoo!
P.S. – I’m going to extend my writing jaunt into tomorrow as well. I deserve it!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Hey there, Bevarooni! So glad you made it. I figured you’d arrive later, according to sleep schedules. 🙂
Excited to hear you’re working on fiction today! I do understand the fear, after working almost exclusively on editing & non-fiction . . . but I bet once you dive in you’ll get hooked and the fear will vanish like ghosties 😀
Twitter: elementalmuse
Still at it, Milli! Really feeling good about what I’m working on. Interesting what the Muse comes up with when you just let go and let’er run, huh? Only at about 4k, and slow going, but that’s okay. My main goal was to write what I could today — so I’m going to keep at it!
Yep, and once I dove in, all was well and the apprehension faded away (as it usually does). 😉 It’s about 9:15 p.m. here, so I’m going to dive back in for now!
Just over 2500 today so far, kids etc keep distracting me 😛 They are to bed soon though so hope to jump back in for the night!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Awesome, Jen! I myself will be here till deep in the night, so I’m hoping for plenty of companions. 🙂
Twitter: pattistafford
Everyone is doing Awesome!
I met my word count for the day! Yay! And now that I’ve boasted about it I should tell you it’s only 250 words. I haven’t been writing on a regular schedule lately. Call it NaNo-itis, NaNo-terror—or just plain writer’s cramp. LOL
Maria and I got together and decided 250 words a day is doable and should be easy to knock out first thing in the morning. And taking Milli’s advice (although paraphrased) they can be fugly words. The point is to just write.
Yesterday I surpassed that and wrote 1300 words. Today I made it to 290, stopped and changed gears (web work.) And I’m very pleased. Tomorrow is an off day and we’ll be out of town, but first thing Monday I’ll work on the next 250 words. 🙂
Have an awesome rest of the weekend! 🙂
Patti Cakes
Twitter: fearofwriting
Patti Cakes ~ so proud of you!!!
Yay Patti!
Great idea to set manageable goals, I find always aim to high, then the day goes on and I just give up 🙁 I’m going to have to try that!
Twitter: pattistafford
@Jen, I’m really good at overwhelming myself and adding too much to my plate and it always backfires and I stop writing. So I decided a small word count each day would be an easy and doable challenge.
Most days you’ll go beyond the 250 count, but on the days you don’t you can walk away and be happy with yourself. 🙂
Give it a shot!
Here I come limping in 😉 My third check in for the day gave me 4161 words, despite getting super drowsy from the headcold medicine. I’ll have a lot of editing to do, but the story is shaping up really nice. I’ve hit my 10K for the day at 10,056 words. My Nano book is at 60,107 now, which means I’m near the end of the book.
Congratulations to everyone’s word counts so far. I think I’m gonna make myself a hot toddy and see if I want to do anything else for the night while hubby is here, or just lay down and try to feel better 😉
Hugs!
Jen-bug 😉
Twitter: fearofwriting
Awww, a limping Bug. So sorry you’ve got a cold. But you did fantastically and I’m amazed how fast you busted 10K, despite a late start. Enjoy that hot toddy and take care of your li’l self, now, ya’hear? 😀
P.S. Congrats on being almost done with your book!
You are a super writer!
Great job Jenny and I hope you are feeling better soon!!
((hugs))
Twitter: pattistafford
Conrats! Hope you feel better soon. 🙂
Hugs & Hot Toddy’s!
3200 words and kids in bed. Yay! I know I probably won’t make 10k but still super happy to get this much done! 😀
Happy writing!
Woot! 5k! Wow, I didn’t think I’d get that far! 😀 😀
Just finished a new short story I’d been working on, Ring Around the Rosie. Pretty much my version of what the song REALLY means. (and no it’s not any kind of plague) 😛
Thanks so much for this great writing day!! 😀
Twitter: hkwong
Total up to 4,578 words. Just wrote for 31-33 minutes and got in 2,347 words in that time.
Think I will only have one more writing period later tonight here on the West Coast..but that’s okay. I am 11K away from finishing NaNoWriMo 🙂
10,159 now. Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement!
@fearofwriting, thanks so much for putting this together; today got me back on track, and I finally think I will actually complete my nanowrimo on schedule. Unbelievable!
I may have another 1,000 or 1,500 words in me before the night’s over, but I need a rest for now. Good luck to everyone who’s still working to get to 10k today!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Finished my screenplay treatment. I’m bushed.
Today has been fantastic. Thanks to everyone who participated—and I know a few of you are still writing. You guys make it so worthwhile to host the 10K Days. (I’d insert some smiley faces here, but I don’t know how to do one that looks really, really tired but happy.)
‘Night, all. Hope to see you at one of both of the December 10K events.