I feel good about myself so far, though, because I've managed to write this week. Around 800 words a day, not that I'm really counting. I have about 45 minutes to an hour I make for writing, so it's how much I can get in that time. I'm averaging less than I did in the summer, but I'm still writing, which I consider a victory. I'm incredibly jealous of people who can write a lot in a short amount of time, but I can't. Everyone writes differently. I'm pretty slow. But I will get done, eventually. Eventually. Can you believe I've been working on this same novel since January? Not the same draft, of course, but still. I've never consistently worked on something for that long. My fanfiction novel took two years, but I wrote intermittently in bursts, not every day the way I do now.
Hopefully, this summer, I'm aiming to go for a six-week study abroad program to Greece. I have decided that to successfully understand the culture and setting of my novel (and its future companion novel), I should at least try to visit Athens. The trip costs over $7,000, so it kind of depends on how the scholarship situation pans out. My parents, no doubt, can afford the program if I ask, but I don't think it's fair for them to pay for it. They are already financing my entire tuition (minus the National Merit money I get), room and board, and they're going to pay for three years of law school too. So I'm going to try to cut the price of the trip in half (that's my goal anyway), and if I can, then I'll go.
I'm not, however, very psyched at the idea of adding several scholarship essays to my workload. But as you all know from the theme of my blog, I would love the opportunity to see Greece in person. Therefore, I will try.
I've been breaking my rule lately of not going back until the end. I'm rewriting the most recent three chapters, because they're so awful I can't even handle it. Plus, I changed the plot some.
So. Share your thoughts about how your summer is transitioning to fall. Or whatever. I know for some of you, summer and fall schedules are pretty much the same. You could also share some craft book suggestions. I would appreciate it. :-)
Hope everything works out with traveling to Greek. I wish I can travel to Venice (the setting of my novel Mystica).
ReplyDeleteSchool starts next Tuesday for me, so I am still on summer schedule. That, however, hasn't been very productive recently. I did read a lot more than usual though, since I am still trying to find a way to edit.
About craft books... I have seen quiet a few recently, but it depends on the topic/technique. Let me know the specifics and I'll suggest some ^^
Do whatever you can to get to Greece! Even if it means putting your WIP on hold. Whatever it takes. I studied abroad in college and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Make it happen!! You are so talented I have no doubt you can write a killer essay and win scholarships. Sorry for being bossy, but it's what I do best.
ReplyDeleteAs for craft, you're doing everything right. Read, write, critique, repeat.
I am so freaking jealous of the progress you're making! But I'm super happy you're finally finding time to squeeze in some writing. :D
ReplyDeleteThere is some serious envy brewing over your possible Greece trip as well, just so you know haha. It sounds like an amazing opportunity and if you can I'd say go for it.
As far as my fall goes I'm busy, busy, busy! I've only managed to get 600 words and the ending outlined so as soon as I get a nice chunk of free time I'm goin' at it hardcore!
But congrats on the nice wordcount! Don't stop writing. You can do it! :D
Fall will be manic at work when students return (last week of Sept). 10 weeks of total chaos which I've never endured because I've had a slight change of jobs. It could be...interesting. Writing may not happen if I'm shattered after work.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I may get more writing time because very shortly, thanks to clocks changing, I won't be going to the library after work, or having coffee. I can't drive in the dark, so shorter evenings = 3-4 months of the year where I remain at home for the rest of the day. Yay! I'm looking on the bright side - more time for reading, writing and reviewing!
First of all, I think you know I write intensely slow, as well. It's something I've had to learn to accept, and just do. If I keep comparing myself to the fast writers, I'll just curl up in a ball and cry.
ReplyDeleteI used to tell myself not to go back to the beginning of the story and rework things. But guess what? My drafts turn out better if I DO. Writing, for me, is an organic, growing process. If I don't allow myself the freedom to move around and change things and rework and rewrite things as I go, I just end up with a weaker story. I may have written it faster, but so what? I'll just have to go back and do all that again anyway, and it will be harder later, anyway. Just how I work.
As for Greece, go if you can! I went to Europe when I was 16, and it's one of the best things I ever did. You'll get more out of it than just research for your book. Guaranteed.
Good luck!
So, I'm just going to put everything everyone before me has said, and say that you should do whatever you can to get to Greece because that would just be incredibly awesome--P.S. scholarships or no scholarships.
ReplyDeleteDon't ever be said that you are a slow writer either. It gives you the opportunity to cherish every word whereas I have to go back and put things together all over again. Clean up big messes. They.are.not.fun. :)
SMILE. Hope the paper's going well as are classes.
I WISH I was getting as much done as you are. I'm getting *drum roll* nothing done on my WIP. Like literally. I'm at a literal standstill. I can't figure out what to write next. Sure, I've outlined it, but I don't know how I want it to happen. It pretty much sucks. lol
ReplyDeleteThat's cool you're the copyeditor at your newspaper; I'm one at my school. I love editing. :)