Plan, understand how you rewrite on the other side of your rough draft, then challenge yourself to WRITE! We’ve been talking writing craft all year here at HoWW, and drafting all month. And we’re thrilled with the hundreds of you who join our blogs each week. Last Wednesday, we launched the #weWRITE twitter hashtag and had a blast chatting writing craft all day (and ONLY writing craft–no promo, no links whatsoever).
We’ve kept the #weWRITE community and conversation going over there ever since. Now Jenni’s kicking us off this Wednesday with her HoWW post and #weWRITE questions, challenging you to commit to YOUR plan to complete your WIP.
We both believe in the value of NANOWRIMO and other writing challenges–but only after you’ve–
- planned as much of your plot and character arcs as you need to know what you’re going to write (or at least what direction you’re going to write in) each time sit own to work
- observed your writing and “other” world, and figured out the best place(s) and time(s) to draft each day, so you have a effective plan in place to consistency give yourself the time you need to work
Last week, I got specific about what blocks my drafting process and what I do to push past the fear. Today, Jenni’s talking about her plan over at her place.
But the gist of this month’s posts are–what’s your plan? What we see a lot of writers stumbling around with when they try to stay on a daily drafting schedule, is that there’s NO schedule. No plan in place that recognizes their personal challenges where drafting/writing daily and consistently is concerned and how they’re going to work through it.
The key to a daily writing routine is to get into the flow of your writing, your creativity, and not let yourself off the hook–each and every day. Write. Each day. No excuses. No procrastination. That’s what we’re talking about all day (and all week) over on #weWRITE, so check out Jenni’s final questions at the end of her post to see how we’re kicking the conversation off over there.
Then look for our #weWRITE writing challenge prompts on Twitter throughout the day and week. We’re going to ask the writers following the hashtag to lead, same as we have from the start. But we ARE going to begin pushing for those drafting goals and schedules and commitments. Whether it’s just 100 words a day or 1,000, we want you guys writing! And we’re dying to know how you’re getting those drafts done. That’s what we’re here for–to offer a place where writers can talk about their process and learn from others’.
If you don’t do Twitter, share your goals an strategies and schedules in the comments on either mine or Jenni’s blog. I’ll b back next week to wrap up drafting, while we’re planning some amazing surprizes to take How We Write into June!
Definitely a plan is a good thing. I believe that with all my heart. Daily writing is something I do, although not always on the same project. I find my mind enjoys jumping around too much!
However, with my newest novel 5 chapters deep, daily writing is becoming a must, and I really appreciate your insights here, Anna!
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would appreciate your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.