Wednesday, January 4, 2017

January #IWSG: Are We There Yet?

First Wed of Every Month
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I'm going to skip the question of the month, because I can't think of any writing rule I wish didn't exist. But I'm sure all of your answers will be very interesting to read.

Nine hours in a car with three kids takes patience and caffeine and earplugs. With my current work in progress, I keep asking myself the same question: are we there yet? And I am happy to report that I am almost there! Hopefully in the next few weeks I can add the last finishing touches and send it off to beta-readers and critique partners. I've never fallen out of love (yet) with this new, shiny manuscript. 

We made it to Michigan to spend Christmas with the in-laws. I spotted this cozy barn on the side of the road. My techie son could've photo shopped the power line. Oh well. This pic makes me want to get out the laptop and the coffee and get writing. Anyone else almost there yet with your latest manuscript?



39 comments:

  1. I'm almost there with the first draft of my manuscript, but I'm finding the last yards to be the hardest. Love the picture of the barn. I think it looks more interesting with the power line in it.

    Cheers - Ellen

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    1. The last half is always the hardest for me too. Thanks! You're the first person to say that;-)

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  2. Hi Jennifer I hope to finish my latest manuscript max by the first week of February! Love the picture. Belated Happy New Year!

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  3. I've got two manuscripts nearly done, but those last few touch-ups are always the hardest (and no fun) so I keep finding myself pulled away to other things. I need to buckle down and get back to work!

    IWSG January

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    1. I have another ms I started but put on hold to really get crackin' on this one. Now that the holidays are over, we all need to get back to writing!

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  4. Ugh. Hate long car rides. I always do the driving because my husband always slows down when he talks and he talks a lot. I always think my manuscript is nearly done and then I realize it needs tweaking.

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    1. They are the worst. I'm trying not to make that mistake with this one. I know it needs major tweaking. I will be very busy this month!

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  5. I've got 15 chapters to go in my latest one, but I got 4 that are almost there, just need some editing to spare.

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  6. I just started a new series of writing practices and, while they aren't meant to be novels, they are focused on several ideas that I've had over the past few years. I'm excited to see where they lead in the new year!

    Best of luck with your novel! Happy New Year!
    Jen

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    1. Good to see your excitement. The new year holds tons of promise!

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  7. Yay! for all your hard work in almost being there. You're giving me hope. We've driven - not once, but twice - from Maine to Florida and back with our four kids. Can you say gluttons for punishment? I feel your pain. 😂

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    1. We decided a few years back to only make the MI trip every other year. Hooray!

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  8. Good for you! Keep going! I'm not even close on mine, but there's a whole shiny new year stretching out before me.... :)

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    1. Yes, you do have a whole new year ahead of you! I felt the same way back in the fall.

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  9. Oh, that barn is lovely. I enjoy the portion of the drive to my daughter's campus where I turn off the big highway to cut across Indiana farm country, complete with cool barns and darling donkeys.

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    1. Thanks! Scenery is also important for developing stories. I take tons of pics to study later:)

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  10. Feel free to skip any question. It's not necessary to answer them. :)

    I am getting there with my latest manuscript. I finished the first draft. Now I have to begin editing and then send it out to beta readers.

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    1. It is nice to have those questions now! They really are helpful. I love editing. I'm weird.

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  11. Sweet! Keep going. I paused on my latest manuscript to handle the holidays, and now I have three of them battling for my attention. Each one is shouting, "Ooh, ooh! Pick me!" And it's getting rather deafening in this noggin of mine. Maybe that's the reason for the lack of progress? ;)

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  12. It was actually helpful to pause over the holidays. I wasn't sure if I'd still like it when I got back, but I do! I'm sure you'll pick the most promising one.

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    1. Or none at all. LOL. They're still clamoring. I'm still holding my head and begging for silence. ;) I hope you're making epic progress!

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  13. Glad it's almost done!
    Not sure I could handle that car ride though. Even to see snow.

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  14. Pleased to hear you are nearly there and still loving it! I am just starting a new manuscript but am feeling excited. Happy New Year!

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    1. It's a great feeling to be excited about writing.

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  15. Good luck with finishing your WIP! I am so not anywhere near done with the third draft of mine. Still only on Chapter 3. But progress is progress, I suppose.

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  16. No. Back in October I put away my MS (to be looked at again at a later date), and I haven't figured out what to work on next. Eventually I'll figure it out.

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    1. It's good to put that manuscript away for a time!

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  17. Glad you made it too Michigan. It wasn't too cold around Christmas, so I enjoyed the weather. In fact, it was a little foggy where I live, and that always gets me in the mood to write. Nine hours in a car would drive me crazy, kids or not.

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    1. I love fog. Way better than snow or ice or a wintry mix.

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  18. You should have waved as you came into Michigan. LOL I'm almost there on my WIP. Feels like I've been writing this book for almost a year. 80% done. Good luck with yours.

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    1. I know what you mean! Light at the end of the tunnel.

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  19. Congrats on being almost done with your WIP! Good luck with finishing soon. The barn looks romantic, but as one who once worked at a horse stable, I can tell you barns are freezing! A cozy house is much better... Have a great week, Jennifer!

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    1. It does feel good. I know what you mean by freezing barns. My sister-in-law has horses and barns. Brr! in the winter and eww! in the summer;-)

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  20. Hope you had a great Christmas. I know what you mean about the almost-there feeling - I'm there too and sometimes it can be the most frustrating part, but bittersweet because I enjoy writing more than editing. Hope yours goes well!

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  21. You should have waved as you came into Michigan. LOL I'm almost there on my WIP. Feels like I've been writing this book for almost a year. 80% done. Good luck with yours.

    goldenslot
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February #IWSG: Just Do It

                  Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs...