Book in a Week began today
By Emma Clair on Sep 27, 2008 in Writing
I recently participated in April Kihlstrom’s wonderful online class on the topic of “Book in a Week”. Unfortunately, during the official week of writing I was unable to participate due to some work scheduling issues. So, I started my own Week today, along with my friend Michelle. Today’s output was less than stellar, but I had several interruptions in the schedule. Tomorrow I’ll be home free and plan to write my fingers to the bone. My goal is to have the rough draft of my manuscript completed by next Saturday.
If you’ve never done Book in a Week (BIAW) you may think I’m crazy. But this is actually my second time to do it and I find it to be an amazing way to write that junky first draft. Giving my characters a concentrated week to work out their issues and also focusing closely on the flow of my plot is really the answer for me. I’ve learned from my previous BIAW and from last year’s NaNoWriMo that I am definitely a “balls to the wall” kind of writer (pardon the expression). I write much better in concentrated blocks of time in one huge push. I know some people who can write a steady output of 5-10 pages a day and do wonderfully with that, but it doesn’t seem to work for me. I can’t maintain the flow as well, nor the motivation.
Now if I could only find a way to do Revisions in a Week!
I also participated in April’s BIAW class. Never having had any writing training I decided any training would be beneficial. I was completely thrilled with both the class and the results I achieved. I’ve taken other on-line classes, none of them as well prepared or as personally monitored as BIAW.
I too am a b…. no I better not say that :o)
I will say BIAW is helping me tremendously with the current ARWA Writer’s Challenge.
Thanks April
Gary Brandt | Sep 28, 2008 | Reply
Yes, thanks April - you’re a rock star. And thanks Gary for stopping by!
Emma Clair | Sep 28, 2008 | Reply