Don't Kill Yourself Over Numbers / Happenings In The Outhouse 14-Oct-2022

As times change, so do you.  You're getting older, life changes, and some things are just beyond your control.

There is an adage (blame this on the NaNoWriMo crowd) that you have to write 2,000 words a day, every single day, in order to be a successful writer.

But what if this isn't possible?  My writing career has its peaks and valleys, times when I was dealing with my late wife's health or something came up that I just couldn't put my butt in the chair to write a single word.

Give yourself grace.  Don't kill yourself over the number of words or pages you need to write.  Goals are arbitrary anyway.  Writing something is better than nothing.  And if you're dealing with a major life event, give yourself grace and take a break.  Even God rested after creating the universe, and there are many times in the Bible when Jesus rested.

So take writing advice for what it's worth.  Do what you need to do, even if it means taking a break.

Keep your goals visible (AKA My Next 5 Things) / Happenings In The Outhouse 13-Apr-2018

I'm embarking on a new venture, under a pseudonym.  I am roughly 5,000 words into a romance story, and it's going well.  It was slow going at first, but lately has ramped up.

I've preached before about the importance of goals.  I don't do New Year's resolutions.  Simply, they don't work.  I set goals year-around.

I also do not participate in NaNoWriMo (the National Novel Writing Month) which occurs every November.  Instead of writing in November, I write all the time--or mostly everyday.

I've had to revamp how I set my goals.  I have a two-year plan, but in the meantime what do I do?

Last week was the start of a new quarter.  I wrote down 5 things to accomplish.  I call it "My Next 5 Things."

I wrote down 5 things I want to accomplish in the second quarter.  It's a manageable list, and I see it everyday.

I have also set a weekly writing goal.  I have it broken down into a daily goal for 5 days (minus the weekends) as well as the full 7 days.

So far, it seems to be working.

What have you tried to accomplish your goals?  How about one goal a month?  It's okay to start small.

Cycling (in writing) / Happenings In The Outhouse 22-Sept-2017

Ever wonder how many successful writers publish all the time?  No, it's not because writing is all they do--although that may be true as well--but there is a secret to churning out story after story that I didn't discover until this earlier year.
It is called cycling.

Dean Wesley Smith talked about it on one of his blogs this past February.

Bestselling Christian author Jerry B. Jenkins (co-author of the Left Behind series) even talked about it last month on The Creative Penn podcast.

This is something I have also started incorporating in my writing--and it has boosted by overall productivity immensely.

Cycling.  It's not just for bicycles anymore.

In a nutshell, it works like this: write a few hundred words (this amount will vary with each author) until you get to a point where you either feel the need to stop or even after a certain period of time.  Then, take a small break and re-read what you had written.  Once you get to the end, keep writing.  As you re-read, fix what needs fixing, edit what needs editing, but using your creative mind to keep going.

To some, this may seem like a slow process.  Take, for example, NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month, which occurs every November.  The goal is to write 50,000 word in a single month, which equates to 1,667 words a day.  Many writers who write their 50,000 words in November for NaNoWriMo will then say the story is crap.  Why?  Using the cycling method--a method that bestselling authors use--may help not make the story crap.

In Smith's post, he states that using this cycling method will keep one in a creative mode.  This will keep the story fresh.  I have also found that it eliminates the needless editing passovers.  Don't get me wrong, stories still need editing, but cycling will boost your productivity and decrease the amount of time "working" on "fixing" your stories.
Give it a try on your next story.  It may take a bit to get your personal rhythm down, but cycling is worth trying out.

Happenings In The Outhouse 08-Nov-2013 / No NaNoWriMo for me

The month of November is NaNoWriMo.

"NaNo . . . what?  Rhino?"

No, silly.  NaNoWriMo - short for National Novel Writing Month.

"Oh, okay.  What's that?"

For the month of November, participants are committed to write 50,000 words of a new novel--this comes out to roughly 1,667 words a day.

Even though I'm in the process of editing a novel and writing the first draft of a new one, I'm still not participating.  Officially.  I do believe participting in NaNoWriMo is good for someone just starting out, who has never written a novel.  It's a good way to set a daily goal for yourself, to get in the habit of writing everyday.

Good luck to all NaNoWriMo'ers.

Happenings In The Outhouse 15-Feb-2013 / No more NaNoWriMo (for now)

Between last week, when I finished the novelette Guest of Honor, and this week, I've written roughly 5,000 new words to my new alternative military history novel.  When I first wrote the book, years ago, I stopped around chapter 9 and it had roughly 9,500 words.  This morning I just completed chapter 12 and have 14,500 words, which also includes the admission of a prologue.

So, how am I doing in my NaNoWriMo in February goal?  (this would be 50K words for the month)

I've quit.

And here's why.

When I first started charging back into writing the novel, I found myself struggling with the story.  I seemed to be more focused on writing more words and more words and more words . . . okay, you get the picture.  Anyway, I was more focused on words than I was constructing the story.  When I was in college at Bemidji State University, I wrote my first novel.  How did I do it?  I set a goal of one page a day.  Then, before too long, I increased it to two.  Then three.  I kept track of how many pages on a calendar and watched the number of pages written in a week increase over time.  The most I've ever written in a single day was 26!  Holy cow!  At roughly 250 words a page, this was 6,500 words.  But all along, I've been focused on the story and filling pages instead of constantly looking at the word count.

That being said, I've decided that NaNoWriMo may not be right for me.  Not to say that I can't write roughly 2,000 words a day, because I've proven that I can.  But right now, at least for this story, it's going a little slower--I know, all of you outliners are out there spouting off that this is another example of why I must outline.  It is not.  I have difficulty in putting together outlines (although I will force myself to when the time comes when a publishing company asks me for one in an upcoming novel or three).  I'd rather write the damn book.

And write it I will.  I'm still keeping track of the word count, just not as closely on a daily basis.  I'm writing roughly a chapter a day, which equates to a little over 1,000 words.  Dean Wesley Smith wrote a recent blog post regarding Goals and Dreams.  In the post, he says that writers should set a goal of 1,000 words a day.  As I get further along in this new novel, this number will increase, more than likely past the 1K mark.

Happenings In The Outhouse 08-Feb-2013 / NaNoWriMo in February

Two days ago, on the 6th of February, I finished writing the novelette titled Guest of Honor.  At a little over 11K words, I finished just shy of midnight.  Goal accomplished!

I'm still going to continue with what I've been calling my "NaNoWriMo in February".  Now I'm starting work on the first draft of a . . . alternative history/military fiction/thriller novel (holy crap, what a combination, but the writing industry loves their little tags and categories so there it is).  I wrote about nine chapters about 4-5 years ago, then stopped.  I stopped because I wanted to edit one of my completed novels for publication.

In re-reading the nine chapters, cleaning up some of the language and changing the date of the time period, I came to a conclusion: I need a prologue.

I've been listening to some podcast episodes lately on the use of prologues.  A pros and cons, so to speak.  Many are severely against it--one guy on a podcast even said he would NEVER read a novel that had a prologue.

I may write a blog post on this (okay, not may.  I will!) soon so watch out for it.

Prologues have their use.  If used properly.  Here's the way I see it: prologues are used to set up the story.  Movies do this.  In fact, I've been watching the DVD of John Carter (no, don't feel sorry for me . . . at least not yet) and the opening few minutes sets up the rest of the movie.  Even National Treasure and The Amazing Spiderman and . . . the list goes on and on.

The prologue in my new novel would be new.  I haven't written it yet.  But I have made a decision to do so.

Because it's needed.

Happenings In The Outhouse 01-Feb-2013 / Day one of NaNoWriMo in February

Today is what I call "Day One of NaNoWriMo in February."

"But, Mark, NaNoWriMo is in November, isn't it?"

Why, yes it is, my good fellow.  But last November was busy for me and I decided to put it farther out, when I could plan for it.  Hence, NaNoWriMo in February.

I'll keep this short, as I'm writing the first draft of Guest of Honor, a novelette--at least, it feels like a novelette in my head.  When it comes out on paper--or digital paper--my stories always seem to take on a life of its own.

Update on my January goals: I finished 5 out of the 10 short stories.  I don't consider it a failure, as those five a pretty-well polished.  One is offered for free on this blog ("Salute") and the other four I have to try find homes for.

Happenings In The Outhouse 25-Jan-2013 / Am I really an outliner, or still a discovery writer?

As I wind down on this month and my list of short stories (nope I probably won't get all 10 completed, which I am okay with), I'm also preparing to write my new novella titled Guest of Honor.  I'm going to treat this as a NaNoWriMo project, which means for the month of February I have to write a minimum of 1,786 words a day for the 28-day month--that comes to 50,008 words for all of you math geeks out there.

A strange thing happened when I started preparing a little for it.  When I wanted to write down the characters' names and a little about the story, I felt this inner tug in my brain to quit.  Not quit writing.  Quit outlining.

I'm not an outliner and I really didn't consider it outlining, but in a basis sense that's what I was doing.  So I quit outlining.  Let's see how it works.  I have five completed novels, none of which I outlined.  I have dozens of short stories (10 of which I've selected to be worked on this month) and not a one was outlined.

So why start now?

Oh, don't worry.  I won't.  I'll write it like I always do . . . and it'll turn out great.

One last note.  Remember (I believe it was last week but don't quote me on it) I talked about researching for a new book, based on the recent Iraq War?  Well, since I don't have the time to interview any vets, and even if I found some I probably wouldn't know what to say to them anyway except to let them talk, I found a few books.  I won't post them here, but feel free to go to my Goodreads site to see which ones they are.

Happenings In The Outhouse 14-Dec-2012 / The agent search revisited

My literary agent search is an interesting one.  With social media nowadays, how I've done agent searches several years ago is far different.  My research has even increased as I've come to the realization this time around that I need to spend some time finding out what agents want, whether or not they're open for submissions, and overall what their "platform" looks like.

One day, after I've signed with an agent and Beholder's Eye is published, I'll share the history of "how I found an agent."  Now, I'll just tell you that it's an interesting world and far more connected with the use of social media.

Before I go, I must share a literary agent database I stumbled upon while listening to a podcast.  It's called Agent Query.  It seems to be another resource one can use for finding an agent.

What else have I been up to?  Brainstorming and writing.

Not only do I have my ambitious 2013 goals set, I'm using my strategic strengths to plan for the immediate future.  First up are 10 short stories, all of which have been written and edited, but now they need a thorough polish and then . . . well, let's cross that bridge when we come to it.  I may decide to self-publish them or tack them into another self-publishing project I'm working on.

After that I have at least three more short stories I need to write, two science fiction short stories I need to edit, and then work on a novella--at least I think it's a novella.  It's called "Guest of Honor," something inspired by my recent viewing of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
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Before I forget, I said before that I was possibly going to do NaNoWriMo in the early part of 2013.  I still might do that, as November is typically a busy month for me.  I will keep you posted.

NaNoWriMo isn't just for November

I know, I know, the month of November is over and you're still hearing the throngs of NaNoWriMo--the National Novel Writing Month.  I promise, only a little more and then that's it . . . maybe.

What did you learn?

Did you accomplish your goal?

There are pros and cons to participating in NaNoWriMo, none which I will rehash here.  Instead, take what you've learned into the other eleven months of the year.  Keep writing.  Think as a professional and treat the end of the month as the deadline from your editor.

There are many lessons learned while participating in NaNoWriMo.  What did you uncover?  How will you use it to enhance your writing in the future?

Happenings In The Outhouse 19-Oct-2012 / On the homestretch

Yesterday morning, I finished editing chapters 55-57 of Beholder's Eye . . . and I am now down to the final four chapters--58 through 61.  I do have an Afterword, as well, but the last four chapters are now being worked on as we speak.

Yippee!

I know I said before that I'm going to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and I've also said that I'll probably still be working on Beholder's Eye in November, which is when NaNoWriMo is.  During these last few months, I've been saying that I'll be doing NaNoWriMo in a later month, like December or January.

That is still the case, even though I'll probably be done with the thriller Beholder's Eye by the time November rolls around.

I will participate in NaNoWriMo in January--and at that time I'll give daily reports on my progress.  I have a story in mind for it, so it'll be interesting to see that story take shape over the course of January 2013.

With me gearing down on the editing of Beholder's Eye I've also been giving thought as to what I'll work on next.  I have 4-5 projects coming down the pipe (one I am already working on, which is the weekly video blog Through The Outhouse Window), so I'll keep you informed as to my progress.

Happenings In The Outhouse 28-Sept-2012 / Agent or self-publish?

I have been a writing banshee.  Even with falling ill on Monday, I still managed to . . . drum roll please . . . finish chapters 48-51 of Beholder's Eye!

Thank you, thank you very much!

Okay, I am definitely on the home stretch in this thriller, and have even starting perusing the 2013 Guide To Literary Agents, which was just published--I got the Kindle version, thanks to an Amazon gift card I recieved for my birthday, and it's awesome!

That being said, I have decided to take the "look for an agent" route with this book.  I've been debating for a long time on whether to do the agent-thing or the self-publishing thing.  After gathering lots of information, I've decided to take this route.

At first.

However, that being said, if no agents decide to pick up on it, I'll self-publish it on the Kindle.

Two final notes: first, I noted a while back that I was starting to put together a podcast series.  I have not abandoned this.  I still very much want to do one.  I'm just focusing on finishing Beholder's Eye first.  Then, I'll start with putting the podcast together.  I've got the intro and ending completed, along with a little "commercial" for my ebook.  The only other "problem" I had was answered by Mur Lafferty (host of the highly-successful writing podcast called I Should Be Writing).  I was very honored she took the time to answer my e-mail.

The second note is NaNoWriMo.  I will be participating in NaNoWriMo, but it won't be in November when the rest of the universe will be doing it.  I may well finish the thriller before, but there's so much going on that month I will be putting it off until either December or January--haven't quite decided when yet.

Now, it's on to chapters 52-54.  Wish me luck!

Anyone else want to join me for NaNoWriMo in December or January?

Happenings In The Outhouse 21-Sept-2012 / No NaNoWriMo for me

Having finished chapters 43-47 over the past weekend, I am not well on my way into chapters 48-51 of Beholder's Eye.

The story is coming down to the wire.  I have only fifteen chapters left.  But go back and count how many chapters I've tackled since the beginning of the summer.  It still may take me until November at least to complete this thriller novel.

Speaking of November, that is the month for NaNoWriMo.  Looking at the novel now, I probably won't participate in NaNoWriMo in the month of November.  Instead, I'm shooting for either December or January.

I know, I know, NaNoWriMo is supposed to take place in November.  You're right.  But because I'm focusing so much on Beholder's Eye, I don't want to stop it for a month-long hiatus and then waste a week or more building up steam to finish it.

Instead, I'm changing it for me.

And if anyone wants to join me, they're more than willing to do so.

Happenings In The Outhouse 14-Sept-2012 / Changes to the editing process

I am drawing near to the completion of chapters 43-47 of Beholder's Eye.  By this weekend, however, I will have completed them.

I've been doing something a little different with my editing schedule--doing more work straight on the computer when compared with printing pages and making notes that way--and for the most part it seems to be working well.  There isn't a single chapter that hasn't been beefed up by a page or two.  Seen as though I had a literary agent once tell me this story was too short (it was, at 65,000 words) this time it is around 75,000 so far.

This past Wednesday was our tri-weekly writers' group meeting.  Only myself and Evelyn were present.  I shared a chapter from Beholder's Eye and afterwards we talked about blogging and the future of the publishing industry.  Evelyn is planning on starting up a blog very shortly (also on Blogger), and as she had 14+ years of articles written for the local paper alone, she has much to tell.  When it's up and running, I'll be sure to share her site with you all.

This wasn't one of my goals for the year, but in the past few months I've decided to write something for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) where one is committing themselves to write 50,000 words during the month of November.  I know that seems like a lot, but it's really 1,667 words on average a day.  The only drawback is that I'd like to complete Beholder's Eye first.  That's my main objective.  If I don't finish in time for November, I guess I'll do NaNoWriMo in December or January.

For an added inspiration, I'd like to share this video I discovered (thanks to Jon Acuff's recent blog post).

Then, check out the speaker behind the video: Eric Thomas AKA ET AKA the Hip Hop Preacher.