Comments on: Write…or Regret It

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:33:11 +0000

The biggest thing that helps me is remembering that I am allowed to put “add transition” tags and the like, rather than forcing myself to see how one scene flows into the next right away. Also, I save treats (peppermint patties during NaNo) for after I make my word goal.

I have done word wars before, and they help, and I think I will be trying a timer. However, Write or Die is not, I think, for me, because then when I copy & paste my work into Scrivener (which I also use and love) I have to go reformat everything.

By: Dita

Dita — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:09:59 +0000

Thanks for the tips everyone, will be sure to try out timing myself!

What I’ve done when I’ve found myself staring at a wip in the hopes of the thing miraculously writing itself is given myself the order (and permission!) to write something, meaning anything.

Not the perfect sentence or paragraph, not even something that would necessarily fit the wip. Anything, stream of consciousness. That is often enough to get me going, and then I’ll either kill those darlings or file them away.

By: Portia Da Costa

Portia Da Costa — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:58:53 +0000

I used to use a kitchen timer sometimes, to do timed writing sessions. I think I ought to use that technique again.

I know some people have success with writing on a different device ie. Alphasmart or something like that, which isn’t connected to the internet. But I need to be writing in my actual WIP document, as I easily forget what I’ve written and I constantly need to dance back and forth within the text to check things. And all my documents are on my lappie, which is connected. I have tried working on my Alphasmart, but it’s only good for notes really. My actual writing mojo is synched to my laptop somehow…

By: mikaela

mikaela — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:36:46 +0000

I always put on a timer when I write, since I focus better, and tends to procrastinate less. I usually get 200-300 words in 15 minutes with the timer function on my cellphone, without a timer I *might* get that in thirty minutes.. if I am lucky. So having a timer really helps me
Plus wordwars in FMchat, but… I tend to be more distracted then

By: Deb Mullins

Deb Mullins — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:48:41 +0000

Due to unexpected family things I was unable to write Wednesday and Thursday. But today I made myself work even when my eyes didn’t want to stay open. Four more pages, better than nothing!

By: Theo Lynne

Theo Lynne — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:29:05 +0000

I used Write or Die for the first time today. I love it. I couldn’t believe how easily I got through 500 words- 10 minutes! It sure does make word counts seem a lot easier to tackle. I’m actually very proud of myself, I am over 7,000 words which is high above my goal (something that never happens for me!)

By: Mark Henry

Mark Henry — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:01:54 +0000

My AIM is my email…

me@markhenry.us

I’d be open to a word war from 1:00 - 4:00 PST. M-F

By: Portia Da Costa

Portia Da Costa — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:40:00 +0000

Well, I managed to get my quota done today, but it took me until evening to get stuck in.

I think I’m going to have to join in someone’s word wars… when I did a few chat challenges at Romance Divas, I found them very helpful.

By: Mark Henry

Mark Henry — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:56:03 +0000

Hi Diana,

Jaye and Leah and I are doing word wars on AIM (I’m open to additional wars in our off times, by the way–hint). Lowest word count in thirty minutes must share embarrassing secret. Oh…the juiciness.

Mark

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:28:05 +0000

I do word sprints with the Endurance Writers group. Every Friday they have all day sprinting, but generally you can find someone to sprint with on other days as well. It’s all done over Yahoo IM. It’s nice to know you aren’t working alone and get that “water cooler” type break where you can chat. I enjoy it immensely.