Unstructured is Ok - just an ultimate target?

This is already concentrating the mind wonderfully. In fact slight panic, which is good as I'm getting on with it. I will be very excited if I can get a substantial piece of writing done.



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Yes, Apsara, I'm going to be about the following week too, so maybe we could continue together into a second phase after the main group has ended on 2nd Jan.

I'm in! I was planning to write something over the fat and lazy period too as I haven't done much since finishing T&K.

I have 2 targets:

1. To write an opening chapter of my next novel - but it's going to be experimental and (hopefully) funny. I'm not going to have any aims of publication with this one, just pure fun.

2. To finish off at least 2 half-written songs (definitely want to get on to the music thing in a big way in '06).

Cath

I'd love to be in if I can get some paid work out of the way first (damn those bills!). If I can make it, my goal will be the first three chapters of my next children's novel...I've suffered from complete novel-paralysis since November and need a massive kick up the arse.

So call me a maybe for now. Ta.

Myrtle

Oooh yes, please join in, Cath and Myrtle (if you can - even bills have to be paid at this season)

This is really working for me, as I would be so embarrassed at not meeting the target, and have narrowed the words to do by 2,500 today. I would have stopped at 1000 without this public declaration. Quality not brilliant, but that's for the rewrite.

Issy, you're on. shall use the island break for thinking & planning & then get down to writing 1st to 7th. Output: a whole draft of the novel - at the moment I have substantial bits that need a revise & then some gaps that need filling in. I.e. something I can give someone to read & comment on. Have already had great help with a few chapters from uploading on Novel 2.
I'm off tomorrow so good luck everyone!

Wonderful Apsara - "see" you on your return - a lot of work from the sound of it but be fabulous to get it done.

I am so game for this. Count another WriteWorder in. I'll be writing on GMT-5(USA East Coast time), but I will definitely check in with fortunate progress. I have not been creative on the page in quite a while, but I have plotlines and information and words and ideals and passionate viewpoints just screaming to be burst out. No more bottling for me.

Here are my goals(December 25-January 1):

1. Complete 2-3 quality chapters on Memoir/Biography.
2. Research and fact check all information on biographical figure, as much as possible in that time frame.
3. Plan a detailed outline of what the first 3 chapters should include.
4. Plan/write rough draft of interview/query with biog figure.
5. Aim for 2500 words a day. Focus largely on alotting editing time on December 29, 31 and January 1st(Days off for me).

Good luck to us all and Happy holidays, y'all.

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I love doing things(especially writing) in binges, so this should be productive for me. Just remind me to keep at it.

Will do Silverelli, glad to have you in the Scribblers. Good long list, so here's to a productive week.

I see you'll be hitting the champagne breakfast well ahead of us one the other side of the pond.

Thanks, Issy. No longer I drinker, but I promise you I'll be on my eighth cup of coffee before you guys pop the cork in Sunny UK.

Welcome aboard, Silv. How long's the abstinence been now? A long time, I think. Respect is due!

Cath

I can't really decide what my target should be. I've been terribly busy and slightly depressed lately, a combination that doesn't do much good to one's writing -- in fact, for a week or so I have done no writing at all (apart from re-wording some sentences and adding a few perfunctory commas here and there, and then changing it all back). So I'm not sure whether I should take it easy and start writing again little by little, or whether I should dive straight in the deep end!

A part of me wants to set the target at 10,000 words minimum, but how can I be sure that part of me is to be trusted?

Fredegonde, why don’t you do what I've done, and set your target for 5,000-10,000 words. Or perhaps 500-1000 words a day? Promise yourself a treat for reaching the minimum target, another one for the midway point, and a big one if you hit the final target.

Alternatively, take a complete break and do a jigsaw puzzle. I think they’re great for decluttering the brain.

Dee

I often set myself time-targets rather than numbers of words, because that's in your control. The right words - or any words - may not happen, but you can make yourself sit there for a given length of time. I usually find then the words do happen in the end.

Emma

Good idea. Allowing ourselves the time to write may be more productive for some of us than setting a target.

Dee

I totally agree with you guys. 2-3 chapter(25 hundy words-a-day) is way too much pressure to put on myself. I'm going to shoot for 3 hours a day of quality writing time and 1.5 chapter completion. Sound do-able? I'm excited about this. Can I start sooner...oh no that would be cheating...Dee, I see you...put down your pen, it's not time yet.