ROW80 - End of Round 2

Have you ever written so many characters into one story you confused yourself and backed yourself into a corner?  That is exactly what I did with my paranormal WIP.  I completed my read through and realized I have way too many characters and plots.  I think I finally understand why I have been struggling so much with this particular piece of work. I need to separate out the two main couples because they are strong enough to have their own standalone story; however, there’s a major problem: they are all connected to one of the major plots. Oh, did I mention I have two major plots? 

My next steps are figuring out how to proceed.  I wish it was as simple as separating the storylines but they are just too connected.  Which couple will get this particular plot?  Can I work it so they can both still be involved while not overshadowing the main hero and heroine?  A more advanced writer may be able to pull this off, but I think I still need to build some writing chops.  There’s also a third couple that I absolutely love and believe there’s a special story there, but they don’t overshadow anything and are nicely tied in as secondary characters for either plot.  Yey!

I need to deconstruct the entire thing!  Part of me wants to just start something new and part of me is ready to tackle what is going to be a huge job.

As Round 2 of ROW80 comes to a close, I am so glad I jumped in for the last four weeks.  This is what is so awesome about ROW80 and it’s creator, Kait Nolan; it’s designed for real people with real lives and you work it around your schedule.  Aside from everyone being so busy, we all know how life changes and throws us for a loop! 

In the words of General Dodonna, “May the force be with you.”  The “Writing Force,” that is.

Holy Rainfall, Batman!

It rained so hard and fast that a flood formed outside my job's main gate right at quittin' time today.  My coworkers and I watched from the safety of our 5th floor window as cars courageously (or stupidly) pushed through the foot of rain. Accidents were missed by a hair and four cars stalled out.  One car actually floated backwards.  Scary stuff!  The torrent continued for what seemed like forever but finally stopped around 6:30.  My job offered us rides to our cars because it wasn't possible to walk to the parking lot.  There were a fearless few that waded through the water; I was not one of them.  I say, "Don't mess with nature, she will win every time."

ROW80 6-12 Check-In (A day late.)

Busy, busy, week.  I didn't finish reading through my MS, I made it to pg 155.  I have 40 pages to go.  I only got partway through the writing exercise.  Even though I did not reach my goals for this week, I still made great progress with my story.  I have a better understanding of where I want the story to go and the main plot points that need to happen.  I think my initial goal of completing the read through my first week of Round 2 was a bit lofty.  My MS is a lot messier than I realized and I've learned quite a bit about myself and what I want to write since I've worked on it.  There's going to be some major overhauling going on.

My ROW80 goals for this week are to finish the read through and begin my plot outline.

Tomorrow I'm getting an electromyogram (EMG), basically a nerve test, on my wrists to confirm and see the severity of my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).  I am so not looking forward to it. However, it is getting to the point where it's interfering with daily activities, so I have to suck it up and just do it.  Blah.

Stealing Time

Anyone who works full-time and/or has a million things on their "To Do" list knows how important it is to manage your time.  I admit, I'm not always the best at this, but I'm working on it.  Today I went over to the cafeteria with some friends and grabbed a salad and brought it back to my desk and snuck in 15 minutes to work on my MS! Yey!  I know it doesn't sound like much, but I think every bit counts and it all adds up at the end of the week.

"Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much can be done if we are always doing."     

~ Thomas Jefferson

ROW80 Sunday Check-In

I've made it through 74 out of 195 pgs of my MS, thus far. It's taking a bit longer than I anticipated because I keep making changes.  I know I'm supposed to just do a read through to get my plot points down, but I can't help but edit along the way.  I also got slammed with a crushing migraine for two days.

The plan is to finish the read through by next Sunday.  I'm also adding a writing exercise that's in Writing the Paranormal Novel by Steven Harper to my goals for this week.  It's the first exercise that appears in the book and contains five great, challenging questions.  I need to work my writing muscle while I'm getting my head around plotting out my novel.

Happy June!