Writing schedules for those without time.

We've talked quite a bit about schedules for busy, working moms who also (crazily) attempt to throw in writing. There are lots of options that can help when it comes to finding time to write, but what do you do when you need a schedule in order to hit a deadline?

I am in that very situation right now. I tend to be a very organic writer. There are days that 5K + words is nothing. Other days I struggle to put 300 words on the page. I typically close my Air on those days, because I know even if I pull together a thousand words, they will all suck. But now I find myself in a situation where I need to keep myself on track in order to hit a few deadlines. Basically, I need to complete two books before January.

Yikes! you say.

I know.

There are some that have it worse, certainly, but with juggling two kids (one of which is an infant) and a day job, I find it necessary to set a schedule. So this is what I am looking at:

Book 1:

25% complete
Word count goal: 70K
Schedule: M-F 2,000 words a day, Sun 3-5K

By this schedule, I should have this novel complete by the first or middle of October. Not bad. If I keep to the schedule. ;o)

Book 2:

Practically from scratch.
Word count goal: 90K
Schedule: M-F 2,000 words a day, Sun 3-5K
Begin the middle of October

By this schedule, this novel will take roughly two months to write and then I want to spend another month revising.

What about you? Do you write to a schedule?

Comments

GRAVITY e-book is Now Available!

Exciting news!

GRAVITY did have a book birthday yesterday after all—well technically today. It is now available in both Kindle and Nook formats! And check out these amazing blurbs for the book: "A thrilling debut packed with action and mystery. Aliens never looked so good."
USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout.

"GRAVITY is a nonstop action thrill ride set in a richly imagined sci-fi version of earth, featuring a bold heroine who knows how to fight, just not who she should be fighting for. Start reading and you won't. Ever. Stop." Jennifer Bosworth, author of Struck (FSG/Macmillan)
~~~ The print version will be available online and in stores within a few weeks. But to celebrate the release of the e-book, I need your help to spread the word! And I have a few prizes available for participating.
Ways to play:
Tweet that the e-book is now available with links to GRAVITY’s Kindle and Nook e-books on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Must use hashtag #…

Pitch Wars 2017 Wishlist!

Hi! How are you? Excited? Nervous? Hating your MS? Loving your MS? Yep, I get it. Been there, have the wrinkles to prove it. But that's what retinoids are for, and besides--

Wait, let me back up and do this introduction thing properly. And, you know, by "properly" I mean Hart of Dixie style.

So, you're probably wondering who I am and why I think I'm a rockstar, when I'm just a brand new little newbie mentor. Well, here's the thing--I'm not really one of those "I think I'm a rockstar" kind of people, so we won't be going there. Sorry. BUT I can tell you who I am. Here goes.

OFFICIAL, PRETTY BIO:

USA TODAY bestselling author Melissa West is the author of more than fifteen novels, each set in the South and ready to steal a reader’s heart with Southern charm, sweet tea, and a whole mess of gossip. Her novels have received high praise and recognition from RT Book Reviews, Seventeen Magazine, Fresh Fiction, and Harlequin Junkie, among others…

Make your readers uncomfortable

I have this one scene in TWISTED ROOT that is…intense. It is so intense that I’ve had reactions all over the place from my CP’s and betas.

Let me start by saying I have a ton of people read my work. An 8 person crit group, 2 crit partners, and 2 that I would say are alpha readers—friends who read tons and have strong editing backgrounds.

So I receive crits all over the place, and this scene has created some interesting responses. One critter went crazy for it, loved it. Another referred to it as slightly icky. I loved that response. :) Another blushed when we discussed it in person. And all of the male critters I have thought it was awesome—go figure. Men have a much higher threshold for uncomfortable-ness, than most women. (JMHO!!!)

Now I’m not saying I don’t adore all my readers. I do. I couldn’t write without them. Each one makes my work stronger. But here’s the thing, I’m keeping the scene, as it is (for now). Wanna know why?

I think as a writer you should make your reader uncomfortab…

Melissa West

Search This Blog