Sunday 6 June 2010

The story so far: a slow start to 50k in 30 days


Sloth. Snail. Sunday driver. SLOW> That's me.

It's a week into the RWA equivalent of NaNoWriMo and I have written 3173 words of my new manuscript (ms).

My goal is to complete 30,000 words by the end of the month. According to the Excel spreadsheet, designed to help participants track their progress, I have some work to do.

I don't know if I'll make the word count, but just starting the story was a huge achievement. The opening scene of my book has been simmering inside my head for the past three months (geez, it's hot in there). But could I manage to sit down and write it? No.

It's that procrastination thing I've been telling you about. I'm useless.

I wasn't quite sure how to start the chapter, so I avoided writing anything down AT ALL. But the pressure of the 50k in 30 days challenge was enough to get me motivated, and I'm thrilled with the result so far.

I feel a good book coming on. Of course, it's early days and I'm not even sure what line I'm targetting yet. I'm just going to let my characters lead me by the hand.

This week I've got heaps to do at work, which is frustrating. Plus, an 18th birthday dinner on Tuesday night. And of course, we all know s@*! happens.

But with the Queen's Birthday long weekend coming up (one of the few advantages of living in a Commonwealth country), I plan to throw off my sloth and unleash my inner Tasmanian Devil. I will write like a WILD THING.

PS: But now it's off to watch the end of MasterChef and then Underbelly.

3 comments:

Eleni Konstantine said...

Great start to the June challenge. You are definitely faster than me this week :))

Glad this has kick started your writing this book down. Good luck this week!

AJ Blythe said...

Doing better than me too, Shayne.

Shayne said...

It's early days. I've done nothing this week and tonight it's a family do. LIFE.

You guys are legends considering what you both have to deal with -little kiddles (ANITA) and health challenges (ELENI).

GOOD LUCK>