Image courtesy ivelin and Stockfresh
WELCOME TO ALL those plucky writers who are participating this week!
This is the place to post your check-ins for Wed, Jan 22 and/or Saturday, Jan 25.
If you’re participating from overseas, feel free to start according to your own time zone. This check-in page is posted the day before the event so you can. 🙂
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?
TIP: If you don’t see your comment right away after posting, try refreshing your screen.
1. You can mention your word count if you want to. If you’d rather not, please 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.
DON’T FORGET TO log out of forums, Facebook, Twitter, email, etc.
Go gettum, Tigers! – Milli
Twitter: lorigg
I got an early start at my journal writing for the day. I sit at about 750 words for the day already as I break to have breakfast. I hope to do a little more before it is time to take the girls to school.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Good Morning, Lori,
Thanks for kicking us off with the first 750 words. I hope the day is not too horribly cold in your part of the world.
Milli
Twitter: lorigg
It is cold (nearing -40). That makes it a good day to be inside writing.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Good grief, Lori. That temperature you’ve reported is frightening! I agree: a good day to be inside writing.
Twitter: cjtreggett
Good morning, ladies 🙂
Well, I’ve been delayed in getting to my journal writing this morning. Two cars wouldn’t start as it’s -22 fahrenheit here today. Then a friend contacted me who needed some attention. She just lost her job…again (third one in two years)
I’m bound and determined to get a decent chunk of the draft of my novel written today. I’ll grab some breakfast and then off to the races with my pen and notebook in hand. Hope everyone has an awesome writing experience today, whatever the word count turns out to be 🙂
Twitter: fearofwriting
Good Morning, Carole,
-22 fahrenheit? OMG is all I can say. I hope you won’t have to be out and about much today. Your plan to get a chunk of your novel draft written sounds wonderful.
xoxo
Twitter: fearofwriting
Good Morning 🙂
About to make cappuccino on Brian’s new machine, then for some journaling. After that my day will be spent working on the 3rd edition of Fear of Writing, so no word count per se. Looking forward to it.
Twitter: lorigg
Took a break to swim some laps at the local pool and clear my foggy brain. Back at the writing with about 500 more words. Next up I plan to work on creating a few new characters for a project that is lingering in my brain.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Just finished 3 pages of journaling in my Moon Goddess journal writing with a purple gel pen. Not much in the way of word count but heavy on the kinds of feelings I want to have today: writing is magical, writing is fun, writing is an expression of who I am. 🙂
I’m off to have some breakfast and grab a shower.
Twitter: cjtreggett
Hey, good on you for all that journaling. I love purple pens too 🙂 Oh, and thanks for sharing those wonderful writerly affirmations, Milli!
I’m finally here! 😀
Today, I’m going to work on my novel. I’m shooting for 5K, but I wouldn’t balk at a higher word count. 😉
I’m not eating or drinking anything at the moment, but my studio is chilly, so I’m about to heat up some water and have a Mystic Chai spiced chai latte. Yummy. 🙂
~Lois
Twitter: cjtreggett
Hiya, I’m checking in. I managed to get 2,330 words written so far today, despite my hands and nose freezing lol. I’m sleep-deprived so going slow, but my spacey/dreamy state is helping me feel more relaxed in general with the work today.
Now off to have a break and warm myself up and have a steaming bowl of this cream of broccoli homemade soup I made.
Twitter: lorigg
Hopefully you are able to warm up, the soup sounds like a tasty choice.
Twitter: cjtreggett
Thanks. It’s just crazy cold this winter, eh? At least you guys get drier summers than us over here in the eastern land of high humidity. So we suffer all seasons hehe. The soup turned out really delish, if I do say so myself!
Twitter: lorigg
Yes, usually our summers are dry. We have had a few that are unusually humid recently. Our humditiy if it happens is short lived compared to yours.
Twitter: lorigg
Checking in after a lunch break. I have added another 1250 words to bring my count up to about 2500. I have an interesting character introducing herself to me and am intrigued to work out more of her story. slowly moving from the why am I doing this to writing is fun thoughts which is the direction I am aiming for.
Checking in with a word count of 2,053. That’s one more chapter down. I’ll start on the next one shortly.
In the meantime, I’m having a small bowl of miso with seaweed and some chicken and rice. And I’ll fix myself a small pot of genmai-cha tea soon, too. 🙂
So, back to work…
~L
And my final check-in for the day brings me to 5,073 words. My goal was 5K, so I’m happy. 🙂
And this also brings my weekly total to 10,452 words. I’m not sure when was the last time I reached 10K in a week, so I’m doubly happy! 😀
So, my novel’s word count is currently 82,180 with about 19 chapters left. Yay! *happy dance*
Good luck, everyone. Have fun!
~L
Twitter: lorigg
Congrats on meeting your goal.
Thanks! Congrats on your 4K!:D
Twitter: fearofwriting
Lois, awesome on meeting your goal, and congrats on busting 10 for the week! I loved the *happy dance*!
Thank you! 😀
Everything’s I use “*happy dance,*” I think of Balki and Larry’s “dance of joy.” (Perfect Strangers) Haha!
I meant “every time.” I’m on my tablet and didn’t notice the funky auto correct until it was too late. 😛
Twitter: cjtreggett
Almost supper time here and I’m still pretty happy about my writing experience today, even if my word count isn’t smashing any world records 😀 Been working on finishing this particular chapter that has been dragging. I got another 785 words in since last I popped in here, bringing my total to 3,115. Hope you guys are enjoying your day as well. Hugs!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Carole, that’s marrrrvelous newz! 3,115. Whoo hoo! the best thing is being happy with your writing experience, and making progress with your novel.
XO
Twitter: lorigg
Last check in of the day for me. Total word count is around 4000. Lots of character development putting them in situations and watching how they respond. Prepared a few articles for upcoming blog posts — just have to remember to type them in and edit them instead of leaving them languish.
Good luck to all who are writing on Saturday. I will be at training all day.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Lori, great stuff on the 4K and lots of character development. Very happy for you! Sounds fun: watching your characters respond to the situations you cooked up for them. We’re so lucky to be writers!
Have a good training on Saturday and we’ll see you here next month.
Hey all. Looks like a lot of productive people here. I probably won’t reach 10K today but you never know. I am writing a testimonial for Milli 🙂 And I have an assignment from Milli that I will be starting today so we’ll see. The one story I need to write, about my adventure with Ravens, I began to think it over in my mind and actually writing it down may take 10K Yikes! I’ll check in later. Good luck everyone!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Hey, Peache! Great to have you among us again.
I’m chuckling when you said it might take 10,000 words to write down what’s in your mind about Raven. That was my evil intent when I set the assignment. To grab your brain and make it pour forth! 😀
Oh you are a wicked woman. 🙂
I got so distracted today. Business stuff and a friend lost her horse in Tasmania by a snake bite. Her world has been rocked and mine too because I have been corresponding with her and her horse, whose name was Lyric BTW, for two years. It’s like I knew this horse. So tragic. I got some thoughts put down and and out line.
The weather is going to be really lousy here tomorrow so I’m going to work tomorrow on my ideas and my story. Think I’ll pop in here Saturday and try again. Plenty of things to write about, thank you Milli.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Marilyn, I’m so very sorry to hear about Lyric. I hope the writing tomorrow (or on Saturday) will feel therapeutic.
I’m sorry to have missed the fun on Wednesday — but can’t wait to join in tomorrow!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Hurrah!!! Happy to see your post. See you here tomorrow. xo
Twitter: fearofwriting
* * * * * SATURDAY’S 10K DAY STARTS HERE * * * * *
Hi Everybody! Hope your 10K Day starts off with a bang.
See you when I see you (I’ll be starting late).
Milli 🙂
Hey there everyone,
I’m off to a somewhat early start. Thought I’d be able to sleep in a bit, but after needing to get up at 8:30 every morning this week, I couldn’t sleep anymore.
However, this doesn’t mean that I’m fully awake yet, so I’ll be having breakfast now, a cup of Pumpkin Spice Latte and reading e-mails/comments and write up a short to-be-written plan for today.
Still being tired from a week of training for a new job, I might not be going for the set word count today, but I am really glad to take the day and focus on writing as much as possible.
Hope you all have a great start of your 10K Day, see you a bit later 😉
Well, this was quick. Some 1K words later, I’ve come to the conclusion that I might fall asleep at my desk. So this is me done for the day…
Will try and see how much writing I can get done tomorrow instead.
Happy writing to all who will be doing today’s 10K Day!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Estrella, glad you could make it even for 1K and then falling asleep at your desk. I know this week has been pretty huge for you!
XOXO
Thanks for the understanding comment, it made me feel less bad about having no real progress for yesterday, especially as I had the day off to do what I liked.
Luckily, today I managed to sleep until 11:30 am, so was rested enough for today.
Not kicking myself, I decided to at least get e-mails out of my way, and have succeeded: my inbox is empty!
I have added 5988 words to yesterday’s (+ this comment :P). Gosh, it’s hard to believe most of that was e-mail replies and only a little of it my blog post for tomorrow 😉
Twitter: fearofwriting
So pleased you got to have that good sleep in. Makes all the difference after a long week!
I’m glad you feel better about your 10K Day. Sounds to me like you’re doing greeeeat, considering the new job.
My 10K Day yesterday was not about writing new stuff so I don’t have a word count. I’m getting the 3rd edition of Fear of Writing ready for publication. I’ve set myself a deadline for it, which is fast approaching.
I’ll be here working on it today, and then the first part of my week will be slammed with coaching clients. Sadly, I will have to leave MT stuff until later in the week; probably Thursday. But thank you for the emails and for the excellent work of uploading videos and getting two stories ready! I hope to catch up with you soon . . . and I think we can publish Lisa’s story on Friday as you have proposed. I just have to edit the text and add her Shrimp & Grits recipe to the foodie page. But I’ll be in touch with you by Wed or Thurs to compare notes.
XOXO
Oh yes, rest is definitely making a huge difference after packed weeks.
Glad to hear you’re making progress with the revisions to getting the 3rd edition of FoW ready – hope you managed to keep the momentum!
Looking forward to comparing notes on the MT articles!
xoxo
Twitter: fearofwriting
Worked late last night so I slept in. Didn’t want to be tired for this important day. I’ll be trying to finalize the 3rd edition of Fear of Writing today.
About to make cappuccino on Brian’s space-age machine and then I’ll get started.
Having coffee, taking care of business and clearing the rest of the day for tap-tap-tapping away at my short story. I’ll be getting started this afternoon after Mateo goes to work. I will be writing my story from the very beginning and I’m excited to see what’s going to happen!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Having coffee: first order of business for any self-respecting 10K day. 😀 I’m excited to see your first check-in, and the Gravatar avatar looks great!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Very happy with the progress during this first marathon session. In my obsession I worked past the point of hunger, but the rest should be downhill from here. Still many hours of work to go, but a good feeling to be at this point.
Now I must have some brunch before my stomach decides to get a new owner!! 😀
Yay, Milli! Glad to hear you are up on the ridge preparing for the downhill run. Swoosh!
I’ve been finding myself actually getting dizzy from writing. I get so focused and absorbed and then realize I’m woozy and starving. Who knew writing would burn so many brain calories?
Hope you’ve got some protein in you now. I made breakfast burritos for Mattski y yo. Fueled up, I’ll be delving in within the hour.
Twitter: fearofwriting
I know what you mean! The glucose gets sucked out of my brain by intense creativity. “Woozy” is a great word for it.
I had some scrambled eggs and a piece of toast with my beloved Vegemite on it (that Brian refers to as “sludgeemite” – hmmph) and I just finished making 2nd coffee. Ready to dive back in. And, bonus: during my break I stumbled on a solution to one place in the book that wasn’t quite right yet.
Those burritos sounds good! I might have to score one of those some day, Made by Leigh. 😀
Just broke 1000 words and am deep in another world. This is my first 10K day and I’m thrilled with it. I may have not had the discipline to start this story – which frankly has been/is a challenge to figure out – had it not been for the motivation of the 10K. Whether or not I reach 10,000 words today isn’t important. Sitting down to write and feeling the pleasure of the story beginning to come together…well that is!
Twitter: fearofwriting
I’m lovin’ this update!! ♥ ♥ ♥
Twitter: fearofwriting
Once again, all the glucose has been sucked out of my brain and into the manuscript I’m working on. Very, very happy with my progress but I’m so in need of another protein injection I feel like a rag doll.
I’m also still in my jammies at almost 5 o’clock! I’m going to eat something, have a shower and get dressed. I know after that I’ll be rarin’ to go again.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Had a snack and a break. Then a shower. Then Brian came home and heated up the pot of chili I made the other night. Feeling better.
I’m back at it, getting down to the nitty-gritty.
Twitter: fearofwriting
I’m still here. I’m wondering what happened to Leigh. . . .
Still here, dear! I took a break to feed the wolves and make dinner for myself. Then sat on the couch shoveling beef curry into my gob, wondering where this story is going. I realize a lot of writing, at least for me, consists of staring off into space for long stretches. I’m back at it now and just passed 3,300 words. I will be pleased if I make it to 5,000 tonight. I’m enjoying the story, but it’s tricksy precious. Probably one of the most challenging stories I’ve written. How are things going in your Creative Empire? Love to you, compatriot, and love to A. Brian!
Twitter: fearofwriting
I’m thrilled to hear you’re rising to the challenge of this tricksy precious story. And pleased to hear you’re enjoying it. xo
I’m still battling away with the 3rd edition. It’s going very well, I’ve just reached the slooow part. And I’m feeling tired. A. Brian has agreed to make me a decaf crappuccino (as our favorite waitress from the old Bravo! was fond of terming it) so hopefully that will give me an extra spark.
I’m nowhere near ready to quit yet. So keep in touch. 🙂
PS — I’m glad he came home and fed you 🙂
I’ll be here until Mateo gets home, at least another hour. Then it will be time to stretch my back and pour the wine.
Battle away, fair lady, with your crappuccino in hand. I am also feeling tired, but want to keep going, feel the burn, so to say.
Nice to know you’re out there!
xo
Twitter: fearofwriting
Likewise! I missed you when you went off-site for so many hours and was burning with curiosity to hear your writing news. 🙂
I know, I got caught in a time warp! One moment it was 5:00 and then it was 9:00! Beam me up, Scotty, or put a fork in me. Leigh is toast.
But I’m still writing, crispy though I am, spurred on with inspiration cuz Milli is out there burning the midnight oil, too.
OK, back to the dragon.
<3
Well Mattski has returned from the war, and it’s time to sign off for the night. At just over 4,000 words, I feel good about today!
Thank you, Milli, for hosting the 10K day. That goal was the impetus I needed to wrangle with this tricksy story, and I feel like it’s coming together. There were moments of doubt, but now I feel like this is something I can do. Tomorrow my plan is to get it finished or nearly so.
Milli, sending you love and hugs tonight! Do get some good rest and talk soon.
xoxo
Twitter: fearofwriting
Over 4K. That’s awesome, Leigh!
I had faith all along that you can write this story . . . but if you had continued to have self-doubt I had a plan for how to help you. I’m pleased to hear you feel it’s coming together and tomorrow you’ll be working towards the finish.
I will be doing my final stretch tomorrow with the 3rd edition, so how about we use this 10K page to continuing checking in with one another?
Good night & sweet dreams. To Mattski as well.
Twitter: fearofwriting
Leigh –
If you’re out there at all (I know you’ll probably surface later, after your hero in white has left for the front), just wanted to let you know I’m here, ready to dive in again for the day.
I worked till 2 a.m. last night, but I did get a great night’s sleep and slept in till 10:30. So I’m feeling rested and ready to tackle my final stretch.
A. Brian is in the kitchen making Pillsbury Doughboy cinnamon swirls to go with brunch. What a guy!!
Hi Milli! Cinnamon swirls, yum yum. A. Brian is definitely coming to lunch.
We were also up until two, but we were watching Saturday Night Live on DVR. I woke up early to feed the dogs, give them their pills and spritz Milla with ACV. Then went back to bed and managed to sleep for another couple of hours. Feeling good.
The reason I had a hard time getting back to sleep this morning was I couldn’t stop thinking about the story.
So I’m going to get some lunch together for Mattski and me and then I’ll be sinking back into the story for the rest of the day.
Good luck with the final stretch of the 3rd edition! xo
Twitter: fearofwriting
The reason I had a hard time getting back to sleep this morning was I couldn’t stop thinking about the story.
I love it!!!
(Not the fact that you missed some sleep, of course. I’m excited because I know you have found this story to be a challenge.)
Twitter: fearofwriting
Groan. Just finished another big section. Feeling hungry, sweaty and unwashed. Going to have a shower and grab a bite. As well as 2nd coffee.
How are you doing over there, QL?
I’ve just reached 5K. It’s slow and careful going, with a lot of sitting and thinking. It dawned on me today that this story is a challenge for many reasons, among them simply that I have never attempted anything like this before. There are at least two distinct storylines/settings/main characters that are also linked. One of the storylines is very genre heavy, and in a sort of fantasy genre I’ve never delved into. I have to be so careful not to fall into cliche or start speaking in the voice of another author (I’ve read a lot of fantasy!) And keeping track of the two narratives also takes some measure of concentration.
All that said, it is really great to be challenged like this, and to persevere. I am liking the result and think the finished draft will be worth the effort.
I just made first coffee (a break and a treat!) and am also feeling a bit, er, ripe. I have sworn to myself that I will take a break later to bathe!
Big kudos to you on finishing another section!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Sounds fascinating!! You’ve got me all curious.
I don’t know how you waited so horribly long for 1st coffee. For that matter, I don’t know how I’ve lasted till 5 pm for 2nd coffee. Must go make it right NOW!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Brian made us an Easy Button dinner so I’ve had a break. Feeling not too bad, and I’m nearing the home stretch.
Any news from your end, Leigh?
I’m keeping on! Just passed 6K a little while ago. Oh Lord, this might be more of a novella than a short story. There’s still a long way to go.
I had leftover curry and a tortilla. I will write until 8:30, then shower, then back to writing.
I thanked my husband profusely today for his support for me pursuing my writing. He said as long his gets the occasional clean underwear and hot meal, then I should go for it. Lovely man and lovely sentiment. But looking around at the dust bunnies, I’m guessing it might take a bit more than that!
So psyched to hear you are nearing the home stretch!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Ha! Just as I suspected. When you said last night you’d be finishing your story today, I thought that might not happen. I’m not surprised you think it might be a novella [insert wicked Coachy smile].
I will thank Matt profusely myself when I see him. That is just so lovely and supportive. Of course, you thoroughly deserve this chance, but still. Husbands who support us when they might not always understand the lure of writing are priceless.
Dust bunnies? You should see my place. Try fossilized lint and dust with assorted hairballs thrown in for good measure. My kitchen floor is . . . shudder. I won’t describe it.
Enjoy your shower!
Twitter: fearofwriting
Whew. Done.
There are still some steps before I can upload it, but the manuscript for the 3rd edition is done. What a relief. I’m burned out. Supposed to read some student assignments before a packed day of coaching tomorrow but I don’t think I can do it justice.
Time for a therapeutic shower and my comfy jammies.
How did you end up doing over there, Leigh?
Whoo whoo! The MS for the 3rd edition is complete! When you are recovered, we must celebrate! I hope you are feeling pretty proud of yourself and your Herculean efforts getting to the finish, QM. I sure am.
I set myself the goal today of finishing a particular part of the story, a part of the narrative that is critical but also emotionally wrenching to write. I achieved the goal and feel like completing it was a major milestone in this tale. There is still a way to go, but it’s exciting to see what has come out on the page so far.
I hope you will leave the assignments, if you can, until you are replenished. I also know how driven you are! So enjoy those comfy jammies and rest well tonight. xo
Twitter: fearofwriting
Loved hearing about the goal you set for yourself and the milestone reached!! Double celebrations are in order.
XOXO