The Streak Begins
So the writing in shifts thing has been working out pretty good except for one tiny issue. I keep working on one thing. Despite my brain being fully capable and willing to write two (or ten) things, apparently once I get into my groove, it wants to finally settle down. That’s not a bad thing at all. I am learning my limitations, however. Like that it takes me realistically six weeks instead of four to write a novel because I like to goof off and procrastinate and do all manner of things that aren’t writing. Or that I don’t really like working more than 4 hours a day (some days, I do. Some days the words and flowing and I’m on a roll and don’t want to stop, so I don’t). Four hours (broken up into a couple shifts) of writing brand new fiction feels pretty good. I usually get 3-5k words done in those four hours, which is a totally acceptable pace for my goals.
So I’ve decided to start a streak, a writing streak. I’m going to write every day for at least 20 minutes. I find writing is like exercise, I don’t necessarily feel up to it instantly, but usually once I’m doing it I feel pretty good and want to keep going. I’m usually less focused and more distracted on weekends (weekends being when my husband and cat and stuff want my attention most). But I’m going to keep my streak up. Every day. Every. Day. 20 minutes minimum.
I’ve also decided what I’m going to do during my streak. I’m going to focus my efforts this year on the various novel series I already have going. I’ve set up a calendar of novels and deadlines because I work best to deadlines. Most of these books are already outlined. I intend to use weekends for short story writing so that my short story submissions don’t fall behind and because shorts are awesome. One and done. One day (sometimes two) and I’m finished. They are very satisfying. When stuck in the middle of a novel, it is nice to remember what finishing something feels like, so I like to do short stories to mix things up.
So here’s the rough deadline schedule:
Wrath (Pyrrh Considerable Crimes Division Book 2): March 19th
The Raven King (Cymru that Could Be: Book 2): April 29th
Delilah in Paradise: June 10th
Beyond Casimir (Lorian Archive: Book 2): July 22nd
Casimir Rising (Lorian Archive: Book 3): September 2nd
Hunger (Pyrrh Considerable Crimes Division Book 3): September 23rd
The City is Still Hungry (A Remy Pigeon mystery): November 4th
Vainglory (Pyrrh Considerable Crimes Division Book 4): November 25th
Delilah in Hell: December 30th
The Slow Beat Down (A Remy Pigeon mystery): February 10th, 2012
Sindra’s Storm (possibly a duology): March 23rd, 2012
So that’s the schedule. Unless, of course, a giant wrench gets thrown in it due to either success (like a contract or two) or disaster (but hey, I could still type in a hospital bed, so I’m good, right?). And of course keep the streak up and hopefully get 52 stories written and submitted. I’ve done two shorts so far this year. I’m a little behind.
Go go gadget streak writer *grin*