Book Break: Writing Progress (Camp Nano)
Good Morning Bookworms,
I took a book break after finishing Animorphs #9 from yesterday into today. Like last time, it’s a little challenging to gauge my plotting progress, but I’ll certainly do my best to break it down.
Just as a refresher, I’m currently enrolled in Camp Nano.
My Camp Nano goal is to work 40 hours on my sequel to Reaper . I have been splitting that time between polishing my rough draft of the first act and plotting out my second act.
Right now I’m at 14 hours out of the 40 planned. I know, I’ve definitely dropped the ball, but I’ve had a very busy past few weekends. Luckily, this weekend I only have one event to attend, so I should be able to do some catch up.
So lately I’ve been focusing more on the plotting of the second act because I’m currently halfway through polishing Chapter 5 of the 8 chapters that I’ve written in the first act.
Also, for me the second act is the most difficult part of plotting. I mean, you have to tie everything together seamlessly and it has to be unique and captivating. No pressure!
Also ALSO, based on the events in my second book (Can’t tell you yet, sorry!) there is a TON of creation going on, so I’ve been handling that monstrosity as best I can. Things are coming to me, and in time I know it’ll all pan out.
Anywho, yesterday I was able to work on my plotting for an hour and a half. I came up with some great names for important locations, and made something of a breakthrough with the main plot in general.
I’ve been focusing on Chapter 9-11 a bit too much, trying to flesh them out more when I have so many other plot points to develop. So I tackled those plot points finally and broke things down as simply as I could.
If I keep things as simple as possible (which would probably be too simple if you ask me and doesn’t give me room to develop the characters enough), I’m looking at another 8 chapters minimum for the second act, but will probably end up doing around 10 if I’m being honest.
This would mean I could probably guesstimate my book to be around 200-250 pages long including the third act, maybe even more than that. It’s exciting that things are progressing and I’m beginning to see where things may end up, but my journey is far from over.
Wish me luck!
Well, that’s it for my book break progress with writing and Camp Nano. How about you other writers out there? Have you made any progress on your special projects? Tell me all about it!
Happy writing everyone!
Good luck on getting it done. I’m excited to read it! I’ve been trying to do some writing myself but I’m horrible at scheduling things lol.
Thanks! It’s been a lot harder than the first time around, but things are slowly shaping up.
I hear you. Time always seems to slip away for me too. Though I have specific times of day where I’m basically forced to sit down and write/read. It’s the only way I finish reading and writing anything.
I have three projects I’m working on right now — I wish I could say I’ve made some progress since last month, but I keep writing and then re-writing — not loving what I’m doing right now. So, I’ve decided to shelve two project for the rest of the month. Now, just focusing on this ONE. And that’s helped a bit. Congrats on the Nano-ing! Ha! I’m not sure I could do that — somehow all of that feels constraining to me even though it’s meant to excel the writing process… it’s just not my thing. Oh, but I’m so jealous that you’re doing it! 🙂
Oh wow, that’s super ambitious of you. Go you! Even if you have to shelve those other two projects now, at least you can pick them back up later. I bet it’ll help a bit to focus on just the one.
Myself, I can only focus on one book and reading project at a time, but I do know several people that love working on multiple things. It helps to have the option to hop between projects when one gets a little stale.
I feel ya on the Nano, and thanks! It’s definitely not for everyone, but for me I can push myself a little harder with it shadowing over me.
Aaahhhh, the life of a writer! We are so different. The “shadowing over me” part gave me chills (and not in a good way). But I hear you and I totally get it. So nice to be connected! Hugs and good luck to you too! 🙂
Hi, I stopped by because I wanted to thank you for becoming a follower of my blog.
Wow, you’re doing Camp Nano! I did it once, but it stresses me out more than it helps.
My current writing projects include my assignments where I am an interview/writer for Faith Filled Family Magazine. It only takes a day for me to do the necessary research and come up with good questions for the interviewee. Then I send it out and wait for its return. That’s when I add an introduction and conclusion to the article and send it to the editor.
In addition to that, I’m really trying to get some blog posts written ahead and scheduled because next month I begin homeschooling our youngest son for the new school year. That takes up some of my writing time, so I have to be able to do something in advance.
Finally, I am working on revising/editing my completed novel, which I will then attempt to find an agent for and try the traditional publishing route first.
Good luck with your Camp Nano project!
Thanks, and you’re welcome. 🙂 I am following a lot of book bloggers but am trying to get to know more writers like myself on WordPress.
Yeah, Nano isn’t for everyone. I’m usually spot on with my self-imposed goals, so I don’t have much need for it, but I figured, what do I have to lose?
Oh wow, that’s awesome! Congrats on writing for a magazine, that’s quite an accomplishment!
I hear you on the blog posts, especially if you’re homeschooling. My sister homeschools her children and she’s always got a full plate. There just isn’t enough time in the day sometimes!
Thanks, and good luck to you and your writing as well!