I can see the finish line! As of Friday, I was 9163 words ahead of my goal. I took off from writing yesterday to do some power shopping with a friend (I was gone 11 hours!), and it was a much needed break. As of yesterday, then, I was 8663 ahead of my goal. And this is the cool thing. I only have a chapter or two left to go on my novella. Because of the writing pace I’m setting, I’m getting done a lot more quickly than I thought I would. That means I have more time for editing and getting this work out before round four starts. I may even have time to work on my short story.
And that’s another thing I found out about myself. One of my goals for this round was to work on my short story in between times of working on my main project. But I found out that I can’t work on two writing projects at the same time. Not actual writing. I can write one story and edit another. Or I can write one story and format another for print or E. But I just can’t focus on writing two stories at the same time. It’s too distracting, and I feel like it dilutes one or the other.
I may take one more day off from writing before writing those final scenes. I need to let things stew a little and think about what I really want to do. I know there’s going to be a pretty intense love scene (not necessarily a SEX scene) close to the end. I’ve got to figure out how I can end this novella satisfactorily and still leave it open for the final book in the trilogy. We shall see. 🙂
lauralynnelliott.com 
Congrats on being ahead of your goal!
Thanks! I’m almost done! 🙂
Sounds like great progress! Congrats….and you still had time for power shopping.
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Thanks, Laurel. It had been a long time since I got to shop like that. I had a blast. And I was really worn out.
I think I am the same…the idea of writing two projects at once and keeping track of all the characters etc. slightly terrifies me!
It is brilliant how far ahead of your goal you are! Keep up the good work!
ps. love the idea of ‘power shopping!’
Thanks, Em. I’m glad I’m not the only one that has problems with writing two things at once. I know authors that can work on multiple projects, but I like to focus on writing one story.
I had so much fun shopping. It had been awhile since I shopped that much. 🙂
Wow! Awesome job! I think part of my problem is too many projects at the same time in the same stages. How do you deal if you get a Shiny New Idea while working on a main project?
Thanks, Crystal. If I get a shiny new idea, I keep it in the back of my mind. If I get a lot of ideas about it, I write it down so I don’t forget. But, usually, I just sort of have a general idea of the next project. I don’t feel like I HAVE to start writing it as long as I know it’s there when it’s time. I know not everyone can do that. If you have to start writing it, then that’s the way it is. We all handle those things differently.
That is so great! Finishing early and getting on to your short story is going to make you feel on top of the world, I’m sure!
I agree about keeping to one writing project at a time. Even the juggle to publish one, edit another, and write a third is driving me a little nuts. But writing two might do permanent damage. 🙂
Thanks, J.R.! I can’t believe how much I got written in that short period of time. I know a lot of authors can write that many words a day with no problem, but I kept my goal small because I didn’t think I could. I guess it depends on how involved in your story you are.
The editing process can be a real pain. The formatting and publishing part doesn’t stress me much because I’m kind of geeky and love doing stuff like that. But when we try to take on too much at once, it can be overwhelming. I’m going to try to finish my short story between ROW80 rounds. I may start before that if I get my editing and publishing done before the round is over.
Powershopping, yes! *g*
But congrats too on being ahead of your goals. 🙂
Thanks, Ruth. Being ahead is what made me not feel guilty about shopping instead of writing. LOL
I can’t write two at once either – can plan a bit and write but not actually create two at once – you’re doing well – good luck for this week
I’m glad to know there are others that can’t write two stories at once. I was wondering if there was something wrong with me. LOL.
Thanks for the good wishes. I hope to be finished this week!
Whoa- those numbers are impressive! Power shop hours and word count! Looking like you’re having fun, keep it up. 🙂
Thanks, CM, I AM having fun! I hope to have the novella done this week. Then it will be editing time.