July 9, 2007
July 9 —–Seventy Days of Sweat Continues!
First, the winner of Kidnapped! Now, I don’t have my copies yet, but as soon as I do, that book will go out to…
Julie S!
Please send me your snail mail at Joleigh AT Joleigh DOT com
Yay!
Okay, now on to THE CHALLENGE!
I got 6 pages done yesterday, and I did them early. It was great because I felt accomplished and happy for the rest of the day. I’m working hard at getting my pages in the first part of the day, not waiting and waiting and feeling guilty about not writing while doing other things and then promising myself I’d do them in a half hour, then another half hour. Yes. This is much better. But it’s STILL hard to get my act together, and I have to do little tricks to get myself there. Like not spending time on email and reading every blog in the known universe first. Like preparing my head to get into the work by reading what I finished yesterday to start today. I’ve been putting eucalyptus oil in a burner so it smells wonderful in the office. Listening to a focus tape (just music) that I’m using to condition my brain, like Pavlov’s dogs, to become creative when the headphones are put on.
Now, I know each of us doing the Seventy Days have different life situations to face, and writing our words will come in different forms. But I want to throw out that routine, discipline and habit are the most useful tools in the writer’s toolbox.
I’d like to hear from you guys – what habits work for you? What tricks to get yourself into the swing of your pages? Are you willing to try something new? What one change would make the most difference?
Let’s shout out and support each other.
if you haven’t already, go to Alison’s site for her Writing Tip of the Day
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Congrats on getting your pages done. I’m going to try the focus tape, great idea. Thanks for the tip. Best of luck to you on the challenge.
July 9th, 2007 at 11:43 amHappy writing!
AnneMarie Roberts
Lol. I still haven’t broken myself of the: ‘must read all email and every blog imaginable’ thing before I start writing either!!
July 9th, 2007 at 4:35 pmI did much better yesterday; spent most of it plugging away at my words. Today has been more of a “check e-mail, read every blog known to (wo)man, lather, rinse, repeat” kind of day. So here it is, 4:53 p.m. and I’ve only written 312 out of my 1,215 quota. Back to work. :)
July 9th, 2007 at 4:54 pmJust came across this post and thought I would comment because I know exactly what you mean. Yesterday I wrote 1500 words and the end of a story before I did anything else. I didn’t even turn my computer on. I just woke up, ate breakfast and put pen to paper. I was near euphoric for the rest of the day, and continued to be productive. You can read more about the experience on my blog site Impulse at impulsejournal.wordpress.com.
July 9th, 2007 at 4:58 pmHello :)
WOW! 70 days of Sweat!
I don’t need to do anything but sit outside to sweat :) it is very toasty out! 111 last friday!! But, I must confess…I am not at home in Idaho…I am in San Diego well La Jolla and it is considerably cooler here…only about 65.
So I am like WAY behind….I need to go back and read it seems :)
Hope you can keep going 6 pages sounds like a TON of writing too me!! Congrats :)
July 9th, 2007 at 8:18 pmOh and so I just read the go back and tell myself one thing…I know I don’t get the book :( boo hoo!!! but my one thing is…never forget where the truck is :)
July 9th, 2007 at 8:24 pmwtg julie s
July 9th, 2007 at 9:37 pmWhat works the best for me is to get up “dark and early” before anybody else. I work from home as a computer programmer, so I don’t have a commute to mess with. I start the EDJ at 6:30, so if I get up at 5:00, I can get a good hour in. If I really write and don’t check blogs, I can get 4 pages in that hour or more. Then whatever I get the rest of the day is gravy!
July 10th, 2007 at 5:34 amThanks AnneMarie! Let me know how it goes with the focus tape. :)
July 10th, 2007 at 6:31 amIt really works, Kerryn - try it once and see how it feels. The reading of the email and blogs after feels like a reward.
July 10th, 2007 at 6:32 amThat’s okay, Catherine. We all have to hit it when we can. I hope you made your word count!
July 10th, 2007 at 6:33 amThat’s terrific, Matthew. I read your post, and yep, we’re on the same page.
July 10th, 2007 at 6:33 amGlenice! How nice to hear from you. And man, I envy you La Jolla. I used to go down there a lot, especially for the La Jolla theater. Hope you’re having a wonderful time!
Oh, and about that truck? That sounds like one hell of a tale!
July 10th, 2007 at 6:34 amHi Kim!
July 10th, 2007 at 6:35 amJoely, I think it’s fabulous that you have the dedication and commitment to get up that early to work. Thanks for the inspiration!
July 10th, 2007 at 6:36 amHi Jo,
I have to program my mind back into work mode. I find music helps, so I’m busy working on my soundtracks for my 2 70 day projects (YA and a novella)
July 10th, 2007 at 3:31 pmI tried posting before but it went mia in cyberspace
I write at night, from ten in the evening to whenever. With the hot weather here, I expect to be writing for a couple more hours. When the house is quiet and the world is asleep, I find my creativity soars.
July 10th, 2007 at 11:24 pmLis, I used to do a lot more with music soundtracks, but lately I’ve been putting on the Brainsync focus CD. No words, just music that in theory gets you to relax and focus. I have no idea if it’s real or placebo, but then I don’t care because it seems to be working.
I say, whatever gets you through the page!
July 13th, 2007 at 12:02 pmI think that’s a wonderful way to approach your writing. If you can find those times when it works, then you’re several steps ahead. I use my nighttime writing for my 2nd project. That way, if I do the work on the main book in the morning, then spend several hours doing life stuff, I feel pretty fresh to work on book 2. That is, when I’m not being a lazy bum!
July 13th, 2007 at 12:04 pmWhat a cool challenge! I’m really impressed with you all that can write that much on command - way to go! I never seem to be able to get into the writing mode even though I can have a ton of ideas. I’ve actually been thinking of just tapeing me telling the story and later see if I can write it down.
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So I found your page today Jo, and I had to because I just finished Relentless yesterday - and what a book - and had to find out if you had written about Nate and Seth as well, and you had! *yay!* I’m from Sweden so Harlequin takes abit longer to release the books here - and for some reason changes the covers as well *hmmm* I guess it’s to make sure I’m still confused =P I started to read the book at 01.30 AM and finished at 04.45 AM - so I didn’t get much sleep this, well, morning :)
Thanks for a great reading experience! =)
July 14th, 2007 at 4:58 amAh, Maria, how wonderful of you to write and let me know about your experience with Relentless. I appreciate it so much! And don’t forget that the first book of the series is Closer…, although for some reason I still don’t quite understand, it’s not officially part of the In Too Deep series.
I think taping yourself is a great idea. I know lots of writers who do that. If you can get past listening to your own voice (it’s always so different than what we hear in our heads) then it’s a very viable option.
Again, thank you!
July 14th, 2007 at 8:29 amHi Jo, I’m glad that you responded so fast and nicely! Thanks! I didn’t know that Closer was a part of the series, and I’m not sure if it was released as a Blaze here in Sweden because I automatically get all Blaze books home and I haven’t gotten that one :/ Anyways I ordered it online, though it’s in English instead of Swedish - I just needed to have it! =P
I realized today that you’ve written one of my favourite Blaze books; Sensual Secrets. I’ve reread that one at least five times - so I thank you for giving me so many times of fun with your books! I’ve read more of your books but that one and Relentless are my faves so far :)
I hate hearing my own voice on tape, but as longs as I’m alone I think I can manage.
Thanks for everything!
Best Wishes, Maria (who’s eagerly awaiting Closer to arrive)
July 16th, 2007 at 1:45 pm