Two minutes for a lifetime

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day and, although this is a writing blog, I wanted to pay tribute. After all, I have the freedom to write thanks to the sacrifice of others.

I’m an army brat. My dad was in the Canadian Air Force and we moved across Canada from base to base. I understand military life – not having a parent around because they are overseas, on courses, or peacekeeping missions – and you’re not sure if they will make it back.

We had to rely on letters or postcards, and if we were lucky, the occasional phone call -no such thing as video chats, emails and IM to keep in contact. Even though military families today are more “connected”, I can guarantee that scared, hollow feeling with each deployment is still the same. I wish no one had to experience it.

If you have a moment, here’s a great song/video we watch on Remembrance Day. The musician, Terry Kelly, was in a drug store one November 11th and was upset as a father with a young child ignored an announcement over the store’s PA system to observe two minutes of silence. He later recorded this song, A Pittance of Time:

1k-a-day Day 10

Here we are, into double digits. How did that happen? I feel like we just launched 1k-a-day and now we're already 1/3 into it! Congrats to week 1's winners! Now it's time to buckle up and focus on week 2. The deadline for week 2 word counts will be this Friday.

Tami's Day 9 WC: 0...but you can't blame me, I wasn't even near a computer.
Tami's overall WC for 1k-a-day: 30,868
Tami's overall ms WC: 30,868
Mindset: Okay, back from my jaunt to sunny LA! I need to get my crap together and write, write, write! I feel like I've been slacking, but life is getting in the way. Not a great excuse, but true. The rest of this week, I mean business!

Tami's Day 10 WC: 1,189

How did your Sunday go, Tracy? Did you wipe away the hang over? ;)

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Hey Tami - good to hear you had a fun trip and are refreshed for writing. I suffered on Saturday, yes I did. ;) But Sunday was a banner day for my writing. I was glued to the computer and in the zone. Loved it.

Tracy's Day 9 WC: 2294

Tracy's overall WC: 9981

Mindset: I'm keen to organize my notes today and plot my way through a sticky spot which, of course, came out of my writing spree yesterday. Sigh. We can only move forward this month, but I so want to edit, edit, edit.

Tracy's Day 10 WC: 1001 (and I had to work that extra word in)

Good luck today folks!

And the winners are...

Well, I'm back from my short out of town trip (which went WAY too fast) and am ready to announce the winners of week 1!

The top word count for week 1 goes to:

Denise Jaden with an INCREDIBLE 29,728!!!!

AND, because you all were awesome, the second free book of the week goes to:

Chick Lit gurrl with an awesome 19,072!!!

As a reminder, here are the awesome books to choose from this week.

How To Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier
ttyl by Lauren Myracle
Tithe by Holly Black
Valiant by Holly Black
Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti
Platinum by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
When Lightning Strikes by Meg Cabot

If both of you could Email Us with your name, address and your book choices I will send out your prizes this week.

Congrats! Remember, keep track of your word counts for week 2 to win free books! There will be books added to the list for the new week, so check back soon!

1k-a-day Day 9

So here we are at Day 9. Whew! We're starting to see our word counts grow and the pages add up. But there's no time to celebrate. Forge ahead, brave 1k-a-dayers!

And Tami, I sure hope you are having a blast on your trip...even if the weather is not very "fall" like. Did I mention we had our first snowfall? Should I try to mail you some? :)

Tracy's day 8 WC: 1602
Tracy's overall WC: 7687

Mindset: Other than a little planned jam session later this afternoon - the day is free for writing. So, I'm keen and will try not to look at the laundry piling up, and the dust bunnies in the corners. No cleaning until tomorrow! I have a book to birth.

Tracy's day 9 WC: 2294! Whoohooo most written in a day ever!

I hope we all use and abuse our laptops today....get writing!

1k-a-day Day 8

Okay everyone, it's a start of a new 1k-a-day week! The good news is, each week starts on a weekend. WOOHOO. The bad news, at least for me, is that I'm out of town this weekend. Make sure to still post your word counts. Tracy should be posting Day 9 tomorrow.

I checked out the great word counts for week 1. You guys rock! I was blown away. We will be announcing the winner when I get back into town Sunday evening. For those who win, all you have to do is email us at YAedge@yahoo.com (there's a link on the side bar to your right) and list your name and address. I'll do the rest! WOOHOO!

Have a great Day 8!


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Alright, fearless leader - enjoy your weekend!

I woke up this morning to a skiff of snow on the ground and a goal of 2k today to make up for my absolute lack of writing yesterday night. Sigh. Going out with friends is so much fun - but messes with my 1k-a-day schedule of no life - just write.

Tracy's Day 7 WC: 445
Tracy's overall WC: 6085

Mindset: Where's that coffee? Why do I have a headache? Oh, right. Gotta suck it up and crank out the words!

Tracy's Day 8 WC: 1602

Good luck everyone!

Keeping the Pace

As we all fight our way to the monthly goal, it’s important not only to have the 1,000 a day, 30,000, or 50,000 words in sight but to keep the pace of your story and writing. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my writing the past three Novembers and the fourth is no exception. For all of you who are new to word count challenges, or even just keeping a healthy pace the rest of the year, I thought I would share a few things I’ve found helpful.

1. I know it’s hard to do, but try not to focus on your word count. If you just let your fingers fly over the keys, you’ll find your mind will just get into the story. The more focused on the story, and not the words, you’ll be surprised how fast the word count climbs.
2. If you’re still having trouble, put on some music. I find headphones are better than speakers because it feels like I’m in my own little world.
3. If you must concentrate on word count, I suggest word wars. You can do word wars over email, IM or even Twitter. Find a friend, set a time to start writing and duration. I’ve written amazing amounts of words in a mere 5-10 minutes. You’re forced to just have a word purge.
4. Don’t focus on editing. I’m finding this is my main problem this year. Since I started this book when I wasn’t worried about word count, but about each little word, I’ve found it’s been hard to break that habit. It’s resulted in low word counts, but also stiff writing. I never seem to get move, get into the flow. Editing is what December is for.
5. If you have a few extra minutes waiting at the car wash, bank, etc. think about your next scene. Try to write it out in your head, or better yet jot it down in a notepad you keep with you. (You keep a pad of paper and pen handy, right? RIGHT?) I find that if I have pictured my character going through my next scene, when it comes down to writing it I just have to focus on the actual typing NOT what my characters are doing next.
6. This might be the most important rule. COMFORT. Comfort not only in what your character do or who they are, but the outcome of you story. You need to feel comfortable with the direction you’re taking your story. There will be bumps in the road, there will be unexpected characters and scenes, but you must feel comfortable with taking those directions. If you don’t feel comfortable with the story, your characters and readers won’t either.
7. Comfort again, but this time in your surroundings. Make sure you desk is clean, your seat is adjusted and your fingers/wrists feel comfortable while typing. Sitting in a chair in front of a computer is not healthy. Make sure you get up and take a break at least once an hour. Get a drink, play with a pet, read a chapter of your favorite book! Just make sure you find time to fit them in. Trust me, you will feel more refreshed when you get back and will help your overall word count. By the end of November, you won’t want to sit in your chair for weeks.

I hope this list helps you accomplish your goals this November!

1k-a-day Day 7

Okay everyone! Today is the big day. Don't forget to post your weekly word count by 11:59PM PST TONIGHT to be entered into this week's free books contest. We'll be giving a book to the top TWO word counts this week because YOU GUYS ROCK. Here are the books up for grabs this week. Winners get to choose!

Have a great day everyone! I look forward to seeing the amazing counts for week 1!

Tami's day 6 word count: 1,014
Tami's November word count: 6,176
Overall word count: 30,868
Cups of coffee drank: Okay, I've decided to change this since most of the Halloween candy is gone. BOOOOoo! I drank 2 cups of coffee and had chocolate covered coffee beans for dessert tonight. Do those count?
Music: Death Cab For Cutie...can never go wrong with these guys.
Mindset: I was pretty busy at work today and had plans tonight. Not a good mix. I also write my blog posts for Fridays on Thursdays (if only those words counted toward my goal!) So, enough with excuses. I'm ashamed I didn't do better today.
Tami's day 7 word count: will post my word count later
Tami's Week 1 word count: will post my weekly word count tonight!


Okay Tracy! How did you do yesterday?

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Well, we were both in a slump yesterday - but at least you met the goal, Tami. I didn't quite make it. Have fun this weekend, but try to write, too! This daylight savings thing makes me sleepy at 7pm. I hate it. Maybe I'll have to start fak'n'baking to get some sun in my life.

Tracy's Day 6 WC: 804
Tracy's overall WC: 5640

Mindset: This morning I've been writing since 5am and hopefully I'll sneak in some coherent words when I get home tonight. The weekend is mine to write, write, write and so I hope to get close to 2000k on Saturday and Sunday.

Tracy's Day 7 WC: 445