“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, January 19 and/or Saturday, January 22.
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?
If you don’t see your comment right away after posting, 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
Checking in for the morning. Got a lot of extra stuff that landed on my plate in the last couple of days that I have to do today, so I wasn’t surprised that I woke 4 hours early. Gonna shoot for a good 2 hours of writing before the kids get up and the school rush begins.
2K in 2 hours. And now my body is asking for a brief nap before the kids get up.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Welcome, Kate. Thanks for kicking us off so early 😀 And congrats on the 2K already written. Hope you had a delicious nap. ~ Milli
Morning Kate! 🙂
I know the feeling. I was up too late (fighting w/insomnia these days *sigh*) and will likely have to nap sometime this afternoon–probably when I get that 2:30 feeling! But awesome job on the 2K all ready! 🙂
I’m going to be working on a short story series I’m doing for my publisher and if I finish that in time (it may not be 10K either) I’m switching over to the dozen+ blog posts I need to write for my upcoming blog tour in February. 🙂
The name of my series is: Delbert Dallas and the Dragon Diaries. My son (he’s 10) gave me a ton of fun info for this, so I’m excited to try my hand on comedic adventures for his age-range. Pretty cool!
Okay, off to work I go (in between getting the kids off.) Hope everyone has a fabulous day!!
Warmly,
Jenny:)
Twitter: fearofwriting
Goood Morning, Jenny-Bug. I love the name of your series. Sounds like you’ll be having fun today. 🙂
Good morning all!
It’s 6:20am PST and I’m having espresso and a hearty brekkie with my husband then when he goes off to work I’m diving in!
Good writing to everyone!
catherine 🙂
Twitter: fearofwriting
‘Morning, Catherine. Espresso and hearty brekkie sounds like the ticket. See you back here later, gator.
Morning Milli ~
Wishing you success with your goal today! I plan to continue on my mystery novel, finish a short story and post a blog today. 🙂
catherine
Twitter: fearofwriting
Greetings ~ Coffee in hand and about to get started.
My goal for today is to finish my latest screenplay treatment, do some journaling, write a blog post and put together some web site content.
First stop: my notebook.
Ended up blogging not napping.
The kids are off to school, so now it’s writing time again. Now I have a report to write for a meeting I have at lunch. It’s not the novel, but it’s words.
Well, I’m here – gym’ed, showered, fed and watered…but it’s now 3pm here (don’t ask – hubby’s fault) so goodness knows what I’ll manage to achieve within what’s left of the day. 🙁
Twitter: fearofwriting
Hey, Toyah! Glad you could make it. Hopefully you’ll still enjoy the writing, even though you would have liked to start sooner. 🙂
Twitter: fearofwriting
Finished my first two hours of writing. It was all journaling by hand so no word count. Just the satisfaction of working through various stuff in writing, such as planning baby steps for how to write more screenplays in 2011.
Off for a coffee break. Then on to my main project for the day.
Hi, Everyone!
My writing started at 9am. I have a little over 3k words. I have to stop to run an emergency errand and then I will be right back at it. LOVE this challenge!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Welcome, Brooks! Lovely to have you with us and congrats on the 3K words. Pleased to hear you’re loving the challenge. 🙂 ~ Milli
Hi y’all 🙂 I’m back–been a crazy morning. I think I got like 500 words or so, not much, but I’ve gotten started, so that’s the hard part over 😉
Gonna refresh my coffee and buckle down. Still a lot more hours in the day!
Wishing all of you the very best. Thanks Millikins, as always, for hosting these!
Hugs,
Jenny:)
I finished my short story – 1219 words in about an hour. I took a break. Now I’m going to dive into my novel. 🙂
Congrats everyone for progress so far!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Haven’t written a huge amount of words yet for my screenplay treatment – mostly just exploratory notes. I’ve been mulling my storyline for the end of the movie and I’m happy to say it’s finally all coming together in my mind and emotions. Now I can write it as I see it.
Oh, and lunch was yummy – comfort food – so that always helps. I feel warm and satisfied and ready to write on.
Twitter: danapittman
I am running late but I’m here. Yeah!!!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Dana, glad you made it. Hope you’re happy as a clam writing your stuff. 😀
I hope folks are having more success than I am. My after lunch meeting has taken me to pick-up time for the kids and I won’t get a chance to write again until 9:00pm.
So far, my word count is about 3K if I count the notes I took during the meeting. So, now I’m shooting for a 5K day.
That said, the meeting was important; it was just a shame that today was the only day we could schedule it.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Kate, 3K is still awesome and if you end up with 5K, that will be awesomesauce! Enjoy your late-night writing session.
I hope you can join us for another 10K Day sometime. We have them every month, always a Wednesday and a Saturday, and generally on the third week of the month.
Kate ~ I think 3K is really good – with meetings and kids to pick up you have done great! Hope you can meet your 5K goal by the time your day ends.
I’m only at 3,180 and it’s almost 2:00pm. I’m probably not going to make my 10K this time, but I’m happy as a clam because I got a short story written, a blog post done and I’m happily working away on my novel.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Yay! I finished my screenplay treatment and I love the ending. Now I can do my plan of starting script #2 during Saturday’s 10K Day.
Off for a tea break and then time to write a blog post.
Good show, Milli!
I’m off for a break too. My shoulders are stiff. I’m going to eat a sandwich, then go open the glass doors and lay in the sun in the back bedroom. The weather is like Spring here today, so it’s been tempting to just quit everything and hop on my bike. But I haven’t!
Good for you, sticking to it on a lovely day.
Take care of your body. The writing will still be there when you loosen up.
Kate
Woo Hoo! I’m doing a happy dance on your behalf. You go!
Well, with regret I must bow out now as it’s bedtime. It’s not been a great day – after my unexpected 3pm start I did an essay that’s due by Friday (500 words – doesn’t sound much but boy it was tough), had tea, did a blog post (just under 500 words) and that’s about it. Must. Try. Harder. 🙁
Twitter: fearofwriting
Toyah, don’t be too hard on yourself. Sometimes getting one thing written that was hard to write can be like doing 10K. I’m proudaya!! See you next time!
Toyah ~
I read and liked your blog post. Congrats on finishing your essay. Let that be good enough! You got it done!
Yipeeeee!!!
catherine
Just checking in to inspire myself to keep going til my evening writing session. Even if I only write for an hour, it will still be a great day for me.
I am sure I would have been less efficient this morning without a stretch goal. I’ll be back for another Wednesday even if I don’t write another word today.
I love the camaraderie.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Kate, I have a writing schedule where I do 1-3 hours M-T-Th-F and devote all day Wednesdays to my writing. (Knowing I have to carve out every Wednesday for writing makes me move my butt on the other days to get my non-writing stuff done.) If you ever want a writing bud on a non-10K Wednesday, we could do our updates on Twitter using each other’s Twitter IDs for companionship. Just say the word. 🙂
Count me in as a writing buddy too sometimes Milli!
I’m back after a lovely read and a snooze in the sun. Another hour for me and then I’ll probably quit for the day. I’m happy though and satisfied with where I’m at.
I love the camaraderie too Kate.
I’m at about 3k words so far. Lots and lots of distractions. Had a nap too, so I’m good to go for a while now. Just got to buckle down and do it. Having fun though, got to do the silly insults that kid’s use when they’re having a fight.
Anyway, gotta make dinner, then I’ll get back to work;)
Hope everyone is feeling very productive today 😉
Warmly,
Jenny:)
Way to go Jenny! Glad you took care of yourself. Hope the rest of your writing time goes well today!
🙂 catherine
Twitter: fearofwriting
Finished writing my blog post and then cheated by posting it. Hubby has dinner almost ready (I’m starving!) and then I’ll be back to write some content for a new website.
Yum, Spaghetti & meatballs. One of my favorite comfort foods.
What time is dinner? 🙂
Bon appetit!
Twitter: fearofwriting
OMG. It was so delicious. If there’s such a thing as gourmet spaghetti & meatballs, B. just pulled it off.
Well, I’m wrapping it up for the day – 4200. Not the 10K I desired, but I’m satisfied with what I’ve done and ready for a glass of wine and listening to jazz.
Cheers everyone and happy writing! I may join in on Sat. for awhile, if I am at home. 🙂
catherine
Twitter: fearofwriting
Well done on the 4200 words, Catherine. Glad to hear you’re satisfied with what you got written and, I hope you had fun with your mystery novel. Enjoy your wine & jazz.
Twitter: fearofwriting
I’m still here if anyone else can still come out to play. 😀 Just got back from dinner & cleaning up the kitchen. Now I’m ready to settle into writing some web content for a new website I’m excited about launching.
Calling it quits at about 3500. Still better than I would have done without having you all here. See you next month for sure.
And seriously considering those non-10K Wednesday buddy proposals. Sounds like a plan.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Goodonya for the 3500 words, Kate (especially with all the other stuff you were juggling). I’ve made a Note to Self to Tweet you on Tuesday re: Wednesday writing buddies if you can make it.
I should have checked in sooner. I don’t know how many words I wrote today. They got spread out over a few things. But I am ready for a break.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Hi Laura! Glad you could make it for a 10K check-in. I hope you enjoyed the writing you got done. Hope to see you in February. 🙂
Twitter: danapittman
Urgh… 🙂 I am progressing slowly. I’ve done some course planning and outlining. I have also worked on some ideas I’m pitching for work projects. Productive, yet low word count. Hum…
Twitter: fearofwriting
Low word count but productive is still the goods! Glad you showed up to do a check-in. I kept wondering where you cute face was.
Twitter: danapittman
Smile…(blink, blink). Aaaahhhh shucks, you have me blushing again. 🙂
I forgot to check-in here. At 7:45 I had 10,104 words. I am so proud of myself. I may not be able to join on Saturday like I had previously thought. This was really fun!
Good for you.
Thanks Kate.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Awesome, Brooks! I think you might have been our only 10K breaker yesterday. Congratulations and you deserve to be proud of yourself! So glad you had fun, and hope to see you in February. ~ Milli
Am I first today? It’s 2:30AM or so and I am up to 644. But, I do need to sleep. Awkward how that gets in the way of so many good things.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Wow, Laura, thanks for kicking us off at 2:30 a.m. I hope you got some sleep and I look forward to you rejoining us when you wake up, if you’re free to do so.
I am here. No words yet but I’m now on it!
Good morning,
Today I jumped out of bed ready for the writing marathon. I’m even wearing the t.shirt my friend bought me for Christmas that says ‘be careful or you’ll end up in my next novel.’
I’m timing sections to the washing machine spin cycle which is 2.04 hours long and I’ll be editing my novel and I also have three articles to write.
Good luck everybody
Twitter: fearofwriting
Love the sound of you wearing that funny and thematic T-shirt to the 10K Day. I’m starting script #2 today, so that calls for wearing my Hollywood shirt. (Luckily it has long sleeves as the weather is sunny but very cold, with several inches of snow on the ground.)
1500 words!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Congrats on the 1500 words! Go, Jet!!
6212 words edited, which includes around 1000 words of fresh material. I really want to get cracking on the next chapter but I have to get these SEO articles done.
I’m loving the 10k target day and surviving on Earl grey tea and pitta breads!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Wow, your day sounds productive so far. My husband would join you on the Earl Grey but I prefer Irish Breakfast.
I’m going to read your article as a warm-up to my own writing. I’m much better these days at just getting down to it, but some extra motivation never hurts!
That’s really good. I’ve now written 2500 words and been for a walk. I need to get cracking.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Getting a late start (10:15 a.m. here in Ohio) but feeling relaxed after long coffee time with hubby while reading a book about screenwriting.
Will kick off with some journaling, and then digest the first few pages of my screenplay treatment. After that I’ll be opening Movie Magic and starting script #2. Yoiks and awaaaaaayyyyyyy!
3,000 words. I’m not going to hit target but I’m almost at the end of my novel!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Whoo hoo! That’s exciting about nearing the end of your novel. 😀
Well done Jet!
I’m very nearly done with another chapter edited and one article down. Exhausted but I have 40 mins left to get another one finished. I love the 10k day as I’ve managed (with a bit of EFT) to sort out a tricky section of my novel.
Ok, head down for the last sprint of the writing marathon.
Twitter: fearofwriting
I know what you mean about exhausted. (This is my second 10K Day this week, so I let myself start around 10 a.m. today.) Your day sounds like it was amazingly productive and fulfilling and I’m so pleased to hear you love the 10K Day. 🙂
Twitter: fearofwriting
Two hours of journaling. I wasn’t planning to go that long but it kept turning up such great stuff! Feel new insights into myself + discovered some easy plans for how to accomplish various dreams this year. Feeling totally jazzed and ready to hit my script. But first a break to stretch and clear the mind.
You’re all doing so well. It’s almost dinner time here in the UK so I have to sort that out. Luckily it’s just the potatoes part of the meal, I’ve had a joint of meat sitting in the slow cooker all day.
Almost at the 4k mark, aim to get to 5k before I eat in 30mins!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Wrote the first five pages of script #2. I feel great! Off for a lunch break and then back to start the next scene.
7k ish done of my novel. Now onto final two scenes. There’s loads of tidying up to do but I’ve realised that it works perfectly to have one of my side characters turn out to be a bad guy. It’ll be a great twist.
Yay.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Awesome, Jet. Way to go on the 7K and finding a bonus twist in your story. 🙂
I’m back. I’ve got lasagna cooking. I’m almost ready to get started again.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Welcome back, Laura. There are a couple of us still here (just me and Jet right now, I think). Some of the people who wanted to be here today couldn’t make it. One writer who keeps night owl hours should be here later to join us.
Twitter: elementalmuse
Hoot, hoot! Here’s an owl checking in!
I ran downtown, picked up an annihilator from Dutch Brothers Coffee and also a California Pita for sustenance, so I’m set for the remainder of the night!
Twitter: fearofwriting
First 13 pages are done. Feeling pleased with my progress on Day 1 of the new script. I’m going to break for dinner and some reading and then do one more session this evening.
Twitter: elementalmuse
Way to GO, Milli! You are rockin’ it, girlfriend!
Hey, I forgot to tell you — my son, Jon, has a job interview with Lionsgate Films! *crossed fingers that he gets it*
Twitter: fearofwriting
Exciting about Jon getting an interview with Lionsgate. Let me know if he lands the fishy. 🙂
Twitter: elementalmuse
As usual, I got a late, late start because of my nocturnal work schedule (I was up working till early this morning and didn’t even get to sleep till about 9 a.m.), but what counts is that I’m participating — right? I’m calling my 10k day 24 hours one I begin — even if it’s past midnight! Ha ha! That way I get the whole day in and it fits w/ my schedule. 🙂
Twitter: fearofwriting
Hi Bev! Glad you could make it. How did your 10K Day turn out? Did you enjoy it? ~ Milli
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