What’s Ready. Set. WRITE!, you ask? It’s a summer-long writing intensive that encourages goal setting and accountability, and provides an opportunity for writers to cheer each other on at any point in the process—be it planning, drafting, revising, and/or polishing. The event is hosted by Alison Miller, Jaime Morrow, Erin Funk, and Katy Upperman.
I’ll be checking in weekly to share my progress, and if you’re contemplating joining the fun, there’s still time! Full event details HERE.
How I did on last week’s goals
Revise at least 10 chapters of VENGEANCE ROAD — I only got through nine chapters, but I’m pretty darn happy about this. I’m overhauling the character arcs for my MC and half the supporting cast, and while the plot isn’t changing much, tweaking emotional arcs pretty much required a complete rewrite of those nine chapters. So ~25k hacked apart and then stitched back together is a success in my book.
Finish reading HEIR OF FIRE — Success! This book was loooong (nearly 600p), and I had about half remaining (that’s like one average YA novel, right?). Either way, it was so, so good. I <3 heartless Manon (a new character) and totally adore Rowan (another new addition to the cast). Celeana is as complex and compelling as always. If you’re not reading this series, you should be! It just keeps getting better.
My goals for this week
- Revise another 10 chapters of VENGEANCE ROAD
- Read at least one contemporary YA (I’ve been on a fantasy kick, and it’s time to delve back in contemporary land)
A favorite line from my project OR a word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised
I love this bit of dialog between Kate (the MC), and Jesse (a cowboy who ends up riding with her even though she wants very much to be left alone). Their banter was so much fun to write…
“You always this chatty?” he says.
“Why should I bother talking? Yer jawing enough for the both of us.”
The biggest challenge I faced this week
Good weather. It’s been in the mid to high seventies all week here, with low humidity and blue skies. I want to be outside hiking or canoeing or even doing yard work. Anything but stuck at my desk.
Something I love about my WIP
I’ve already hinted at this above, but the complicated relationship between Kate and Jesse is such a joy to write. In fact, Kate’s relationship with the entire cast is something I love. She is very closed off and guarded when the novel begins, keeping everyone at a distance. How she opens up and learns to lean on different people throughout the novel has been a challenging thing to pace correctly, but also very rewarding.
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That’s all I’ve got til next check-in. How was your week of writing/revising?
