Five Ways to Schedule Your Writing Time in 2015

This is the first of a fifteen post series, entitled "15 Days to Writerly Awesome in 2015."

Good Morning, pretty people! Get yourselves a cup of coffee and prepare for some valuable, writer lessons. It's the first Monday of the new year, and with that, the beginning of my first blog series called, "15 Days to Writerly Awesome in 2015." With several guest posts from my much cooler friends, we're going to write ourselves into awesomeness this year. Ready for it? Hooray!

I always start of the new year with a million good wishes, plans and strategies. Some of them stick, while some of them do not. Last year, I made this writing calendar, which turned out to be good in theory, but a bit difficult to keep up with consistently. However, I made a few concrete resolutions that I not only kept, but exceeded.

This year, I plan to publish my book. I couldn't have reached this point without a dedicated, conscious commitment to writing daily. There are a few ways to go about doing this. Let's walk through them together, shall we?

1. Set Time of Day

I can make this statement with utmost certainty: I will never be the type of writer who wakes up before work to get my writing time in for the day. It's just not going to happen. For some writers, scheduling a portion of the morning is a lifesaver. Recently, I've been writing on my lunch break, which has been a great strategy. For the most part, I'm a nighttime, before bed writer. Figuring out the best time of day for your writing schedule is essential to maintaining a consistent writing routine. (That sounded kind of fancy and high-horsey, but you get the gist.)

For me, it's easier to put myself to bed thirty minutes earlier than to pull myself out of it in the morning. It all comes down to what works for you.

2. Word Count Goal 

I've spoken about the magic of word sprinting before, and I've mentioned Jeff Goins' My 500 Words program. Word count seems to be the easiest way to measure your writing. Personally, I aimed for more than 500 words a day, but Jeff's program was a great way to ease into the process. I try to pen at least 1,000 words, because I know I'll end up trashing about half of them. (Did you realize how many words get cut in the book-making process? It's like alphabet soup over here, y'all.)

There are a few options for you: a weekly word goal, that lends itself to some flexibility. I'd say about 5,000 words a week at minimum. A daily word count goal is also a good thing to shoot for, but can be a bit more difficult to manage.

3. A Page a Day 

I'm not going to lie. This is about the bare minimum for writer people. A page is approximately 250 words double-spaced or 500 single-spaced. This is basically a journal entry. However, it's a good way to kickstart your routine, and also an opportunity to practice your longhand. (I happen to be a big believer in writing on paper.)

If you write a page a day, you could have a novel in a year. And chances are, when you get started writing, a page just won't be enough. You writer machine, you.

4. Time Increments (an hour, etc.) 

"I'm going to sit here and write for an hour and I'm not leaving this chair until I do." This kind of writer is a habitual person, and most likely pairs this with strategy #1. Kudos to you, my timely friend. This strategy works as long as you hold yourself accountable. The problem I find is that structuring your writing time around, well, time itself can make your word count fluctuate. Try your best to not squander your first thirty minutes staring at a blank screen.

I suggest pairing this strategy with the sprinting technique. "I will sit here and write as fast as I can for thirty minutes" is usually a much more effective method.

5. Deadlines 

Still with me? Did your forehead just fall on the keyboard? Deadlines are not a negative thing. They're simply a means to an end. "I plan to write three chapters in the next week and a half." It's an incredibly effective way to hold yourself accountable, especially if you tack on some kind of reward or consequence to it. "I will write 2,000 words by next Tuesday or I will have to go a week without coffee."

Yikes.

If that doesn't scare you, involve a friend. Have someone that expects your pages/chapters/words by that date, even if they're not actually going to read it. You feel a lot more pressure when there's someone waiting on the other side.

Discussion Time: How do you plan to make the most of your writing time in 2015? What's your favorite way to schedule your writing time?

A Lesson in Editing and A #TATM Update

This one goes out to all you post-NaNoers. And everyone else knee-deep in the thick of their own rambling, misspelled words. Last week, I talked a little bit about how I just recently merged my dual timelines, and now I'm all, "Holy Heck, this looks like a book." When I made this merge, I realized there were a few filler scenes that I needed to finish writing, before I could print out the dang thing and get a good look at it. I'm happy to say that I only have two more filler scenes + the final scene (which I am shaking in my boots just thinking about) until I can move forward with what I consider to be my second draft editing.

When people say that writing is hard work, I think they really mean editing is hard work. Dear Lord, is it tough. My second draft of These are the Moments is a mix of edited and non-edited chapters, that I am fully prepared to hack into with my pink pen (red's too creepy) once all of the writing is done, done, done. I have a strategy, I promise you. First step, write the book: check. Second step: merge the timelines: check. And for my editing plan? Well, it goes a little something like this (ten points if you caught that Aaron Carter reference):

An In-Depth Read-Through

This is what writer people like to call "macro edits." Big picture stuff. My first read-through isn't going to be a hey, I think you missed a comma there kind of reading. It's going to be a you gave that girl two different last names and a what happened to the cat kind of editing. Here's what to look for in this stage:

• Subplots: Do they each have enough "screen time," so to speak? Are they evolving? Is there a resolution? For example, my main character, Wendy, and her relationship with her sister Claudia is an integral subplot. They begin the novel a little distant, their age difference acting as a kind of barrier, and by the end, well…. you'll see.
• Themes: What's your story trying to say? And more importantly, how well is it communicating that message? I'm not a huge believer in the bold, HEY THIS IS THE THEME method. I think stories affect everyone in different ways. Example: one theme of TATM is the idea of growing up and dealing with that post-college phase of your life. This is communicated through her living at home again, getting used to a full-time job and trying to be self-sufficient. In the end, Wendy has to realize that she's an adult now. But it takes a while to get to that point!
• Transitions: This one is doubly important for me, as I'm basically making two stories fit to one. But in general, is your story fitting together? Can readers follow your zigs and zags? My story covers ten years of livin' so it's especially important for me to keep readers grounded in when things are happening. The last thing you want is for a reader to get confused. They'll most likely give up.

Keep notes from your first reading. In a notebook or in the margins of your print-out. Whatever you feel most comfortable with!

Review and Edit

Wow, what a whirlwind, huh? Okay, now's the part where you go back and check out all the crazy notes you made. Then make the changes. This might involve big edits, like reworking full scenes, or minor edits like cutting sentences or paragraphs. On the first round, try to focus on the big issues first, and then trickle your way down to the baby fixes. With TATM, I don't anticipate too many total scene reworkings. I conquered a good deal of that when I transferred my scenes from paper to computer.

Was that so bad? Yeah, it was. I'm not gonna lie to you. But guess what! It gets easier… I think. The next step is another read-through, with a narrower focus. Look for things like hey I use the word "look" a heck of a lot and okay, I need to vary those sentences a bit. Actually, now that I think about it, this step might be even tougher than the first. I tend to drive myself crazy over this kind of thing, over thinking it, when I should just leave well alone. Hey Jenny, nobody cares how many times you used the word blue. They just don't. Keep a little perspective, I'd say. After this round of edits, make the changes. Read, Edit, Repeat. More and more focused with each cycle. You get it.

END NOTE: This has nothing to do with anything in this post, but I'm currently reading a fantastic set of e-books on self-publishing, called The Indie Author Power Pack: How To Write, Publish, & Market Your Book. I highly recommend!

What's your best advice on the editing process? No, really. Help a sister out.

Writing Dual Timelines: A How To

So, you're writing a dual timeline? And you're thinking to yourself: hmm, how the heck is this going to work? You may be thinking: how do I balance these two or one storyline is more interesting than the other or why the heck is this so hard?

My novel, These are the Moments, spans ten years, flipping back and forth each chapter. There a few great ways to write this kind of narrative. I, however, have only done this once. So let me give you my version as well as some back-up plans, for those of you more structured folk.

A dual timeline is a novel/short story/what have you that takes place in… you guessed it, two periods of time. This could be historical fiction or contemporary or whatever you choose. My novel is a contemporary fiction, spanning high school into college and then post-college life. Here's how I did it:

Option One

Option One shall be known as "Jenny style," not because I have some sort of copyright on this, but just because I said so. If you read this post, you'll know that I started writing my novel on paper. I began with whatever scenes popped in my head at the time, not really concerning myself with plot points or the flow of the thing.

I saved that until I transferred it to my computer. In grouping my timelines, I decided to structure them separately, in "past" and "present" order. Yes, I waited until the stories could stand on their own before combining them into one, structured novel. The reason? I wanted to feel what it was like for each piece of each story to flow one after the other. I needed to make sure I didn't miss anything in each timeline before I sorted them together. 

Why this works: This helped me to group my scenes together. It gave me confidence that each story had its own arc, before I fit each of them into place. 

Why this doesn't work: Say you prefer writing your scenes in order. This method could potentially trip you up. Also, it's tricky to go over the transitions of the story this way. Maybe you have a certain idea for how the scenes should fall, but in combining them, it doesn't work.

Option Two

Option Two shall be known as the "Write Through the Dang Thing" method. If you're an excellent multi-tasker, and can envision the story each step of the way, then this is for you. In this method, you just write straight through both of the timelines, alternating back and forth each scene, if that's what you choose to do. 

It's important to give equal time to each timeline, as each is equally important. Remember: each story informs the other. Personally, I don't think I could master this method. I'm not very good at envisioning my story step-by-step, because I'm always coming up with new plot ideas that I need to weave into the existing story. 

Why this works:It allows you control over where both of your dual timelines are heading, and let's you keep a tight back-and-forth between them. 

Why this doesn't work: It's difficult to handle the progression of one story, let alone two. There's a greater chance of getting stuck.

Option Three

Let's call option three the "Cheater" method. Okay, it's not really cheating, but you'll get the idea. This is a method for a novel with flashbacks or a story within a story. This is a novel that doesn't give equal time to each timeline, but rather uses one of the time periods occasionally through the work. This could be in the form of a letter or a story or dreams. 

For this type of story, you'll need a strong example from the secondary timeline in order to really sell it. The purpose of the secondary timeline in this kind of novel is to shed some light that we might not otherwise see on the primary timelines. 

Why this works: It helps you to "show" rather than "tell," depending on the way you choose to write it. This pulls the reader out of the story for just a moment or two. 

Why this doesn't work: It can come off as gimmicky, if not done correctly. Try to be organic with using this tool, and think to yourself, "Can my story survive without this?"

Okay, so there you have it! A lesson in writing dual timelines. Have you ever written a story this way? If so, what's been your biggest challenge/success?

How to Write a First Draft

Hey there, writer! Are you stuck in first draft no man's land? Are you feeling that creative writing slump? You've come to the right place. 

A first draft is kind of like riding a horse: you hold on for dear life and see where it takes you. Maybe not a horse. Something less tame. Like a hippogriff. That'll work. In writing the start of a novel, you have to think big picture. Luckily, I've got a few tips to help you write a killer, super quick first draft:

What's my character's story?

A first draft is where you really get to know your characters. The more you write, the more you learn. Using creative, get-to-know-you character techniques will help you breeze through your draft.

One of a writer's toughest job is to make realistic characters. Especially secondary characters who don't get as much page-time.

Tips on writing kick-butt characters:

• Get informed! Head over here to learn more about creating believable characters.

• Test their settings. Allow your characters to interact with each other in a setting that makes sense. Then throw them into a setting that doesn't.

• Conversation. Write a conversation between your main characters, focusing only on their words. (Translation: ignore dialogue tags.)

What are my themes?

Theme is a bit tricky. It's never something you state outright in the book, but it's the essence of what your story is trying to say. You say it without saying it. That totally makes sense, right?

The way you get to the heart of this is by seeing how your main character reacts to the plot. How is your character interpreting what he/she is doing, events that are happening to him/her? I suggest not over-thinking theme at the start of your story. As you write your scenes, it just kind of starts to present itself.

My story has a lot of themes, but the overarching one is: do people ever really change? This comes in the form of a love story, through the experiences of my main character growing up, and through the mirrors of her friends, who are also just trying to figure the "adult" thing out. 

Tips on finding your theme:  

• Reread your scenes. Does any "message" keep popping up in your mind? What's the thread keeping your story together?

• Know your characters' motivations. Okay, we're back to characters again. What are their obstacles? What unites them?

• Keep a theme list! Keep a separate tab in your writing notebook specifically for theme ideas. What words/phrases resonate with you?

What's going on with my plot?

Everyone writes in his/her own way. Personally, I write scene-by-scene, rather than in chronological order. I write the scene that I feel like writing in that moment, and hope that one day, all of these scenes will come together.

Stories come in a range of frameworks. You've got your Hero's Journey set-up and your pillar structure and countless other ways.  Remember: there are always exceptions to the rules. As long as you keep true to your story and where it needs to go, you can keep the action/progression/build up. Also, editing helps.

What's that you say? You want more tips? But, of course!

• Outline that 'ish. Personally, I'm a pantser. I don't outline until the second draft, and even then, it's maybe only a page long. My friend Kristin's got great advice on outlining here.

• Brainstorm. The possibilities are endless! Brainstorm the directions your novel can take.

• Know your "why." Every chapter, every scene, every sentence has a purpose. Knowing why you are writing ______ can help determine where you're heading next.

HOW DO I FINISH THIS DRAFT?

Are you ready for a tough truth? Planning is the sneakiest form of procrastination. We tend to sit in the limbo of our first draft because anything past that seems scary.

We need to finish our first drafts, and we need to do it fast. How the heck does this happen?

Sign up for my free email series to learn how I wrote & published my books, all while working a full-time job!

Want even more tips? Check out these articles below:

• The #1 Secret to Writing Faster and Saving Your Time. Yep. Get on that.

• The 5 Best Ways to Start Your Novel. Basically, a continuation of this post.

• Why You Should Write Your Novel on Paper. Still my favorite post that I've written. Head over there and read all the fun comments!

Okay, so there's a lot to think about when it comes to this whole writing business. In your first draft stage, these should be at the back of your mind, but the writing part comes first. Get those words on the page. That's the most important thing.

Discussion time: What are your best first draft tips? Comment below! 

Beta Readers: Why They are Vital to Your Novel

Hello! This post is the first guest post on Blots & Plots, brought to you by my friend, Ashley R. Carlson. She was kind enough to interview me on her blog in July, and now I'm happy to have her here. So without further adieu… 

Ask any new writer or non-writer whether writing a book is something completed on one’s own, and you’ll most likely get this response: “no duh.” (Most likely accompanied by an irritated eyebrow-raise, sarcastic snicker, and/or any other facial expressions that fall along the lines of “might be the dumbest question I’ve heard all week.”)

Any seasoned writer on Earth would tell you the exact opposite—and I’m defining the term loosely; as in, anyone who has written something and realized they had no flippin’ clue whether it was Pulitzer Prize-winning material or akin to the dog turd sitting in their backyard.

That’s why beta readers are so important—nay, vital—to producing a successful, money-making book.  

Beta readers are individuals who agree to read your book before it’s ready for publication (or submission to agents/publishers if you are pursuing a traditional publishing contract). They may offer insight into plot holes/confusing scenes, opinions about character development, messy wording, and a plethora of other issues your manuscript probably contains in its current state. But don’t be discouraged—the first draft or two of any book is going to be riddled with those issues; that is why you are addressing them.

For this post I’m going to use my personal experiences writing “The Charismatics” (my debut fantasy novel, releasing December 13, 2014!) to discuss “all things beta”:

ROUND ONE OF BETAS

While I completed my first and second drafts, I comprised a list of friends met on Twitter and www.cpseek.com who stated they would like to beta read when it was completed. I chose only writer friends, for a number of reasons: they understand the multi-faceted pieces of building a cohesive plotline, they are usually avid readers, and they know what it’s like to receive edits. These will mostly likely be the people who give honest feedback while still keeping your fragile writer’s psyche in mind.

ROUND TWO OF BETAS

After receiving suggestions and criticisms from my first round of betas, I printed out their thoughts (easier to refer to in hard copy) and went through fixing/adjusting any issues that were reported—namely, areas that were confusing (my book is in an alternate universe, and needed a lot of detailed world-building to make better sense), and adding in some more character development. Then I posted on Facebook to my mostly “non-writer” friends and sent out my third draft to those interested.

ROUND THREE OF BETAS

Thoughts from Facebook friends were taken into account and utilized for my fourth draft; mostly continued clarification about the fantasy world and character development (my readers wanted to know more about some secondary characters). Then it was sent to my editor for copy-editing and final thoughts.

Tips For Beta Reader Success:

-I found that a great way to get tailored feedback was by providing a list of questions for my beta readers to keep in mind. Examples: Are the characters believable/likeable? What parts were boring/exciting? What confused you? What scenes, if any, did you find emotionally touching?

-If you are hiring an editor for your self-published book (which you should), then tell your beta readers they don’t need to worry about grammatical errors. Beta readers may be deterred if they feel like they need to “edit” your manuscript; just tell them to read it and enjoy!

-I would suggest noting a time limit; this gives people incentive to read. Make sure it is one that is feasible (not READ THIS IN 24 HOURS GO) but also not too abstract. I’d recommend a month or two, but that depends a lot on your own time table.

-Send your work in PDF format. This enables beta readers to see it on any device that has Adobe Reader, and increases your chances of feedback tremendously (at least, it did for me).

-Keep in mind that criticism is normal, and helpful. I know it can feel like someone is attacking your heart, your soul, but keep an open mind. It’s one person’s opinion; not everyone’s—and when there’s a consensus regarding something in your manuscript, it’s probably worth looking into and revising.

-And finally, remember: people are extremely busy, and are doing you a favor by taking time to read your work. Don’t be offended if people don’t respond, and be extremely grateful when they do. Reciprocate in any way you can, whether that be beta reading their own work, including them in your Acknowledgements page when the book is finished, or just a personalized email. Be gracious and grateful, and you’ll have a beta reader for life (and hopefully a reviewer on Amazon/Goodreads too!).

Ashley is a fantasy author, freelance editor, and editor/blog writer for Midnight Publishing. Ashley will be publishing her debut steampunk-fantasy novel, entitled “The Charismatics,” on December 13, 2014. This is her birthday, and it will be epic. Ashley grew up and currently lives in Scottsdale, and is the proud mother of three animals-a neurotic German shepherd that follows Ashley everywhere she goes, a serene mutt from Mexico, and a cat that gives new meaning to the word "bitchy." Ashley enjoys Yelping for local restaurants, fostering kittens from nearby shelters, and watching the Real Housewives of ... anywhere.

Read the first chapter of “The Charismatics” here, on Wattpad, and find her dilly-dallying at her blog and on Twitter@AshleyRCarlson1.