I have to say that writing everyday, or at the very least reading my WIP everyday does wonders for the creative mind.
I actually have stuff to add everyday. Instead of dreading working on the story, I’m excited. So long as I sit down every day.
I believe Nora Roberts was quoted as understanding the need to sit everyday in order to stay in touch with the story.
Well, it’s working for me. So far so good!

TILT: Stick with it everyday, good, bad or ugly. I’m pretty sure you’ll end up with more good. It’s statistics after all.

So I spent the last 2.5 weeks doing Fast Draft. I forced myself to write or edit 5 pages a day every single day. And I came pretty close to it. There were 2 days where I got nothing done, but I just doubled up the next day.
It’s fascinating to find that when you push yourself, even a little bit, how much you can get done. And I didn’t have to run myself into the ground doing it either.
So I’m going to try to keep up the pace. Five pages a day isn’t all that big of a time commitment. It’s about 1.5 hours sometimes less. I can do that. Actually I have to do that, or my story gets stale and I can’t keep the momentum going.
Right now the mythic story is coming along well. I have actually thought up premises for 2 other stories a prequel and a sequel. Yeah, I’m crazy like that.

TILT: If you really want to do something, make the time to do it.

I’m doing something called FAST DRAFT for the next 2 weeks. Each day I am accountable to a group on RomanceDivas.com to write my page goal of 5 pages each day. A total of 1250 words. True Fast Draft is done at 20 pages a day. That’s when your subconscious pretty much shows up ready to write for you every day. It’s awesome.

But with my time constraints I’ve relegated myself to 5 pages. And shockingly I’m able to do it. It makes me pretty proud. It takes me about an hour to do it. And it forces me to sit there and write drivel until I hit my 1250. The plan is that you can always edit later. The point is to get the words down on the page.
Seriously I think this is the only way I can write productively. I NEED that deadline at the end of the day. I NEED to be made accountable for my number. So by the end of 2 weeks I’ll have a short story written and ready to be edited.
Today I wrote a total of 1365 words a little over 5 pages. I’ve completed 10 pages of my WIP in just 2 days. It just makes me happy.

TILT: It’s kind of wonderful what you can accomplish when you push yourself to succeed.

For those of you interested in learning more about Fast Draft please view Candace Havens yahoo group Write Workshop.

Please join us at Romance Divas THIS WEEKEND!

Friday October 10th and Saturday October 11th, we will be joined by some huge names in fantasy and fantasy-romance for a workshop on what the difference really is between the two genres.

Nope, it’s not Easter yet, but I am on the bunny trail lately. My short story based loosely on the myth of Persephone is currently on hold. I woke up from a nap this past weekend with the complete story for a children’s picture book floating in my head.
I wrote it all down, longhand, directly after getting out of bed. Now I don’t know what do to with it. Anyone know a children’s publisher looking for a picture book based on flower people? Just kidding. Okay not really. I could use some advice.