Monday, September 8, 2014

Seasonal Writing & Goal Setting

As a teacher, I'm lucky enough to have 8 weeks off in the summer. For this summer, I set some goals with respect to writing.

Novel 1 in Series 1
  • Revise about a dozen scenes that felt off
  • Revise to eliminate 10 - 15k
  • Polish & edit
  • Send off to crit buddies

Novel 2 in Series 1
  • Revise to increase the tension - move a major revelation up from the 3/4 point of the novel to the first chapter (this involved a total rewrite after that point)
  • Change/tweak two aspects of the female MC's character
  • Read through the rewrite and make any needed improvements
  • Polish & edit
  • Send off to crit buddies

Novel 1 in Series 2

Start working on a website
  • figure out how this all works
  • get the basics in place
I'm thrilled to say I made most of my goals. The first 2 stories got through their rewrites. The 3rd one did as well, but it ended up being more of a bare bones story and I need to go in and flesh it out a bit. I've never done this before, but it's surprisingly fun and I'm about halfway through. Aiming to add another 5-10k and it'll be done and ready for a re-read too. I'm much happier with it now.

Unfortunately, my writing time will greatly diminish now that the school year has started, but I'm hoping my momentum will help me keep moving at a decent pace!

How about you? Are you a seasonal writer as well? Which time of year is your most productive?

25 comments:

Beth said...

Wow! I'm so impressed with your progress. I wouldn't describe my writing as being seasonal, but I try to set goals for myself all the time.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Glad your brain didn't explode!
I've written a manuscript during all four seasons, so I don't think it really matters.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Awesome you were so productive. My writing is in a no writing phase while I get through the season of being a swim captain mom. Hope you're having a great start to the school year.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Congratulations, Jemi!

My slower season is usually summer (with the kids being home). Opposite of yours!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats on a productive summer. My writing flows at any time, but then again, I don't have a JOB. (I'm self-employed - sometimes that's worse!)

Mason Canyon said...

Jemi, congrats on a successful summer. Having goals to work toward helps keep me focused. I usually don't get everything done on my list, but at least I have a direction to work toward.

JeffO said...

Cheers for meeting goals!

Seasonal-wise, I seem to start things well in winter, November-January, not sure why. Unless it's because that's when I am wrapping up one project and moving on to another. I did have a fantastic couple of weeks in August for short stories, though.

cleemckenzie said...

I might have to steal your goals. It's easier than writing my own, then being disappointed. I'm particularly fond of plotting without my head exploding.

klahanie said...

Greetings human, Jemi,

You see very organised for a human :) I'm thrilled you managed to achieve most of your goals. Well done and now it's back to school for you. Your adoring students are waiting.

I do know about momentum. My human has lost a lot of momentum lately due to a lot of upheaval.

I write any season! I'm pawductive a lot more than Gary. Must take him for a walk. Bye, my good human friend.

Pawsitive wishes,

Penny :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Beth - I'm generally not much of a goal setter, but it worked this time! :)

Alex - I'm always writing! But definitely more productive during the summer :)

Natalie - I bet! That's a big job! And it's been lots of fun so far :)

Elizabeth - I bet your summers are pretty hectic!

Diane - yes you do!!! And it's a busy one ... or 2! :)

Mason - I don't generally set goals, but this summer worked!

Jeff - yes, it sounds like your shorts will do well! :)

Lee - that plotting business is hard!! Not sure if I'll ever quite get there :)

Penny - I bet Gary will be his usual productive self once he recovers from the move. Have a great walk!! :)

Unknown said...

Can't believe how organized you are! But then again, you're a teacher so I guess you have to be.

And there's nothing seasonal about my writing. Anytime, anywhere. I'm also horribly unorganized. You'd hate it!

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Hi, Jemi!!! Been a long time, I've thought often of you during my hiatus and guess what? I'm back!!!

You know what I think? A writer's work is NEVER done!

♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥

Jemi Fraser said...

Wendy - too funny! I actually don't feel that organized most of the time!!

Elizabeth - yay!! Glad to see you again! And you're soooo right about that :)

Carol Kilgore said...

You are Super Writer plowing through all of that in only eight weeks. I'm totally impressed. Congratulations!
Sincerely,
Turtle Writer :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Carol - and now I join you back in the turtle writer ranks! :)

Kelly Steel said...

Wow! Great goals! All the best!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Kelly!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful goals and progress.

These past few summers, I've been able to work on 2-3 manuscripts. Many times I draft 2 during the summer. I use my vacation time wisely since once school starts, I still write but not as much.

Nas said...

Impressive goals! All the best!

Jemi Fraser said...

Medeia - thanks! I'm in the same boat - it's hard to find enough time during the school year

Eds - thanks!!

DMS said...

Congratulations on making so much progress on your writing goals. That is awesome! Normally I get more writing done in the summer, because the days are longer. But- this summer someone else left their job and my workload at my day job doubled (and I was doing a job I didn't know how to do). So- I got less writing done than normal. I hope to get back on track soon! (I told my boss I can't continue to do both jobs and work is getting better- thank goodness).

Hope your school year is off to a great start!
~Jess

Jemi Fraser said...

Jess - yikes! Sounds like an awfully busy summer for you!! Hope things continue to improve for you. And yes, the school year's been great so far :)

A said...

Wow, great progress!!! You're so disciplined, it's great!

Jemi Fraser said...

Agnes - some of the time, anyway!!! :)

Michelle Wallace said...

Am I a seasonal writer? Still trying to work that one out... don't think so...
Well done on meeting most of your goals!