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  • Writing a First Draft in Two Weeks: Part 1

    Posted on February 16th, 2010 jean 8 comments

    I am taking a writing class online through Orange County RWA called “Fast Draft and Revision Hell” with Candace Havens. Despite all those things that make life so busy, a bunch of us crazies writers are going to put down a first draft in two weeks. It’s day two. I have a story arc and uh…. I’d better get going!

    I need to write 20 pages (double spaced) every day for the next two weeks. That’s right, push everything aside and just fly!

    I’ll try and keep you all posted! I’ve got to run off to work, but I hope to write my twenty pages in that hour I have between work and supper tonight. (I’d better hit the grocery store for a pre-cooked BBQ chicken!) Can she write 20 pages in 1 hour? Only time will tell…

     

    8 responses to “Writing a First Draft in Two Weeks: Part 1” RSS icon

    • Good luck Jean – this sounds like a fun course – but I can’t believe you’re doing it when you just started a new job!!

      Make sure you manage to squeeze in some sleep :)

    • I signed up for the course a month ago, thinking I’d have plenty of time! Now I’m totally the slacker!

      I’ll try and get some sleep–thanks! Today was my first day with kids and I seriously woke up every fifteen minutes from 4 a.m. on going, “Is it morning yet, is it morning yet? Can I go to work?”

      :)

    • That’s CRAZY! But if anyone can do it, it would definitely be you! Best of luck!! Can’t wait to see how it all turns out.

    • You are too sweet, Calista.

      Yes, it is a little crazy! If I wasn’t working, I’m confident I could do it as it is a short novel that we are writing. However, it might take me a little longer than two weeks. But I’m still going to try!

    • You go girl!

      I’m rooting for you and all the smutty goodness that can come out of a fast and dirty rough draft.

      A very good writer friend of paranormal romance swears by sex scenes to pad word count. Give it a try if you get behind.

    • Fast and dirty sex scenes, huh? It’s a story set in a small town so I’m sure I could find some mud puddles or pig pens if need be. ;)

      There is definitely some whirlwind writing coming out. A few minutes here and there. The pressure is on! Everyone is emailing in their word counts to the group. A lot of people are hitting the 20 page goal. Some of us are struggling a little more. There is only so much fast food you can consume or how much speeding you can do to and from work to get in those extra minutes!

    • Good for you. I’ve been thinking about an online course, but then there’s the matter of time…. Can’t I follow you thru Google Connect?

    • Some online courses are a great kick in the motivational pants or fill in that missing piece in your skill set. Prices can range from $20 to hundreds of dollars. :) I’ve found the Orange County RWA ones are good. Affordable and good.

      I haven’t set up Google Connect for this site. WordPress doesn’t always like widgets and code in its side panels. I’ll look into it. Thanks! (I do have RSS feeds (button is in the top, right corner) and you can get feeds via an RSS reader or email, if that helps.)


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