Critiquing Manuscripts

Today’s mission after work is to find time to critique 5 manuscripts before setting off to the city for our Picture Book Meeting. It will be good to see all the classmates from the course that finished last month and I can’t wait to hear advice on my manuscript. Which was practically rewritten after it’s 1st critique – I changed the whole angle of the book and the idea behind the story.
I am really glad I did because it is a much better read with a wider market appeal.

Just remember writers… a good critique is as valuable as the writing and editing time! Just be sure you pick or pay people who know what they are talking about! 

Camp NaNoWriMo – Day 24 – An Adjustment!

 Repeating ‘I have NOT cheated’ to myself over and over right now.
I signed up for Camp in May and had no idea that my good friend who has been living in Australia for the past 4 years who I haven’t seen in all that time was back in Europe for a flying visit.

The first I knew of the plan was MOVING DAY when she phoned… and just over a week later we had our 1st house guest – we are still living in and out of boxes, finding spare, spare towels and bed linen has been a 2 day mission!

Anyway long story, short this wonderful week has given me plenty of happiness and laughs but not much in the way of writing space or time. I have managed a few 1000 words.
I hadn’t even logged into my cabin – seems we are all struggling – just one message left since mine last week!

I looked at my STATS and the expected finish date of SEPTEMBER.
I looked at current word count 11900 and thought of all I need to do over the next week… with the house, job applications, finishing the apartment and FINALLY (weeks after schedule) putting it on the market! etc. etc.
So I took advantage of the new TOOL – and ADJUSTED the word count to a more manageable 20,000 – still a way off – still a challenge in a week! But POSSIBLE, ACHIEVABLE and USEFUL.

It will mean I have nearly finished 2 stories. Which I can work on in August!

My STATS now look tons healthier
Average Words Per Day 646
Your Average Per Day 495
Words Written Today 8
Target Word Count 20,000
Total Words Written11,900
Words Remaining 8,100
Current Day 24
Days Remaining 8
At This Rate You Will Finish On August 10, 2013
Words Per Day To Finish On Time 1,013

I AM NOT QUITTING – Just adjusting the writing seat so that I can reach the pedals!

Stunt Writing Gratitude Journal 3 #

Gratitude 3#

I am grateful for modern technology. That on my last day of work my mum can send me such an encouraging message;

‘Bird FREED from cage, you will fly again!’