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WOO-HOO!!! It’s the WINTER WRITING FESTIVAL WEEK ONE CHECK-IN!!!
 Posted by Elisa Beatty Jan 18 2012, 12:01 am
Yesterday, we completed our FIRST FULL WEEK, so this is our first Check-In Wednesday. If you’re reading this on the Festival website (the blue site), jump on over to the regular Ruby Slippered Sisterhood blog ( the ruby-colored site, at rubyslipperedsisterhood.com) and leave a quick comment about your experience with the Festival and your progress so far. (See info on SWAG you could win, below!!)
A few bits of business before we move on: 1. CHAT ROOM SPRINTS ARE FABULOUS! A reminder to those who haven’t jumped in with the writing sprints yet: our Chat Room http://www.rsswwf.com/ichat/ is open over at the rsswwf.com site. The sprints have helped MANY Festival participants make amazing progress! You don’t have to be in first-draft mode either: the sprints work just as well if you’re in the planning or revision stages too. It’s just a great way to get butt-in-chair and stay focused for a couple hours! If you’re still unsure, or feeling a little shy, check out Kim Law’s really helpful post about how the sprints work right here. 2. We’re at EIGHT POINTS! Remember, if you’ve made your goals all week, you should have earned EIGHT points as of the end of the day Tuesday (that includes the bonus point you got for signing up!). Some of you may even be ahead of that now. Good for you! If you made your goals, please add a line in your comment in all caps saying I MADE MY GOAL!!! (this will help me when awarding SWAG later today). If you’re a bit behind, NO WORRIES!! You can always double up on later dates, OR revise your goals is your original ones were a tad too ambitious. The point is to KEEP WORKING and MAKE PROGRESS!! The Festival is designed for YOU! 3. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO UPDATE YOUR POINT TOTAL!! Just login on the Festival site (rsswwf.com), click on EDIT PROFILE, and once on your profile page, scroll down til you see your progress bar. Just type in the NUMBER of points you’ve earned, and your progress bar will advance! (You can see everybody’s progress bars if you go under “About” on the Festival site, and pick PARTICIPANTS from the drop-down menu.) It’s fun and inspiring to see those numbers grow!! 4. Git yer red-hot Festival Participant Badge right here: If you didn’t get your badge up on your personal website yet, you can grab a copy right now. Just right-click on the badge below, choose “SAVE IMAGE AS” and save it to your computer. You can then upload it to your own website as you please!
AND NOW FOR THE SWAG:
Anyone who checks in at the Ruby blog will be entered in a random drawing to win one of five books by Ruby sisters:
VEGAS TWO-STEP, THE WAY TO TEXAS, A LITTLE TEXAS, A TASTE OF TEXAS, and A TOUCH OF SCARLET, These Harlequin Superromances are incredibly fun and charming, with great characters in a small-town setting that’ll make you want to pick up stakes and move down South. I LOVE the Oak Stand books, and hope there will be more…but as some of you may already know, Ms. Liz just signed a new EIGHT BOOK DEAL with Harlequin with some hot new series ideas, so it may be awhile till we’re back in Oak Stand. Sob. (I’m totally excited to read all the new ones anyway!!) You can check out some interviews with the lovely Liz here, here, and here.
If you haven’t read this yet, you’re missing out on a cultural phenomenon. This book is….I can’t even describe it. Just go read the wild, hilarious, sexy opening pages on Darynda’s site, and you’ll be hooked! SECOND GRAVE ON THE LEFT came out in August, and I am JUMPING UP AND DOWN IN MY CHAIR because THIRD GRAVE DEAD AHEAD will be out in just a couple weeks! WOOT!!!
I’m recommending LILY IN WONDERLAND: it’s smart (and smart-ass), sexy, funny, and (underneath all the delicious humor) very moving and very human. I absolutely loved this couple, and Kelly’s voice is a total joy!!! You MUST discover this awesome book with its wonderful love story—it’s the perfect escape from the winter blues!
THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE, THE DANGER OF DESIRE and A SENSE OF SIN. These terrific books are set in the rollicking, libertine, adventuresome days of the late Georgian Period with strong, fascinating heroes and heroines. The writing is very sensuous and very witty; fans of Joanna Bourne, Meredith Duran, and Sherry Thomas definitely need to check these out!
Hope’s LAST CHANCE books (which also include WELCOME TO LAST CHANCE, and, at the start of February, LAST CHANCE BEAUTY QUEEN have made a big splash: their bright, floral, small-town Main Street covers pop out on the bookstands against a sea of dark and murky Guy With Bare Chest covers, and what’s inside is just as fresh. LAST CHANCE is a great town full of fabulous, complicated, good-hearted characters, and Hope has an amazing way with storytelling! LAST CHANCE will make you feel good! BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE: For those who report in and say they met their goals for the week, you’re additionally eligible for the drawing for any of the following four excellent prizes:
Now it’s YOUR turn, Festival-goers!! How did the week go? Did you make your goals?? Share:
              
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178 Responses to “WOO-HOO!!! It’s the WINTER WRITING FESTIVAL WEEK ONE CHECK-IN!!!”Leave a Reply |
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This comment is actually from Melanie M.: (admin moved it here, when a technical glitch created a double post):
Checking in a little early. I met my goal of at least 100 words everyday. I also was finally able to participate in the sprints starting this weekend. Not only did I get over 60 pages edited, I may have found myself a new critique partner!! A friend of mine suggested a friend of hers and we both agreed! Didn’t expect that going into this. Want to say thanks to all the writers I’ve met so far in the sprints. You guys have been amazing with the encouragement. Can’t wait for the next one!
Melanie
P.S. Submitting this early. After reading a few articles, I may participate in the SOPA protest. Still reading though.
Good for you on all counts, Melanie!!
Wow, that’s great Melanie! I enjoyed sprinting with you the other evening.
Checking in early, too, right after finishing a sprint with Addison Fox. I MADE MY GOAL!! This first festival week I finished copy edits on my book and sent them to my editor, I got caught up with many many pages of minor edits on my wip, which has been sitting quietly in a corner waiting for me to get back to it, and I started writing new words on same. So … thank you, Rubies. This has been GREAT!
And, I’ll put in a plug for the sprints. Do not be shy–these are so much fun. Do it for the camaraderie if not for the high production value!
Hurray, Liz!!!!!
And, YES, REALLY, no one should be shy!! The sprints are easy, friendly, and SO SO productive!
I missed the first couple of days, but I’ve been diligent ever since. The festival helped me finish a revision that has been going on *forever*! Now to do a light revision on the start of another ms and continue writing that story.
I’m on six points and should make my seventh point in a few hours time…
Sounds like everyone’s having a ton of fun during the sprints!
Go, go, go, Vanessa!!
I’m checking in early too. Yes, I MADE MY GOAL!!!
Thanks to all the Rubies for hostessing such fantastic sprints and keeping me on track.
~Hugs~
Patti
Congrats on making your goal, Patti!!
Hey Patti, I’m so glad to hear you’re staying on Goal.
Thank you for suggesting this, I am having a blast keeping up to my goals.
Tiana
I made my goal every day! The sprints are super helpful, I just wish that more people were nocturnal odd-balls in my time zone so I could participate in more
(I like to write at 3am Alaska time. I don’t expect anyone else to be awake.)
You talk time zones and you confuse me, but I run sprints on Thu and Fri morns which start at 5 AM EST, which is 4 AM my time (CST) and would be…2 AM Alaska time? But we go for two hours so you should be able to join the last hour? I might be confused, if so, ignore this.
Note to self: check back after posting
5am EST would actually be 1am AKST. But yeah, that would totally work for me if I can get my stubborn night-owl son to go to sleep a little earlier. I never even considered looking at the morning times because I’m so violently opposed to anything that happens before 11am. I see 5am and I cringe and hide before my brain can calculate time zones.
I MADE MY GOAL!
Tough week for me. I got a flu-like illness on Fri, which kept me from opening my computer. But the first day I could stand looking at a screen again, I started making up for it.
Hopefully I’ll be able to join the sprints soon. They helped so much last year.
Good luck everyone!
Hurray, Kat! You made it despite the flu!
P.S. What amazing swag! I’ve read Kelly’s book and you’re so right about her voice. It kicks ass. And I love Liz Talley’s series. Haven’t read the others but I’ve heard such great things.
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
YES!!! Kelly’s voice is awesome! (I was even going to use the word kick-ass in my blurb, but I’d already said smart-ass….)
Everybody should read LILY IN WONDERLAND!!
You guys are so sweet.
I MADE MY GOAL, and even though I’m not eligible for the swag, it’s a great feeling!
Happy dancing for you, Ruby Sister!
I MADE MY GOAL!!
I am so happy I saw Darynda post about this on her FB, because it has been wonderful for me! My story is moving along and I’m actually enjoying writing again which I haven’t for several months. This may just have been the boost I needed to finish my first novel.
I popped in on a couple of sprints and really enjoyed them. Unfortunately there aren’t many that happen during my late night (central time) writing. I still plan to hop into the ones I can though.
Thanks Ruby Sisters!
PS- What incredible SWAG you’re offering.
Yeah!! there’s nothing like re-discovering the joy in writing!
Go, Stephanie, go!
Setting a ridiculously low daily target has the upside of making me want to exceed that target. Sadly, so far it hasn’t happened all that often.
I’ve been writing from the 11th until today (Wednesday), so that’s 8 points + 1 extra point for reporting in on the first day?
I MADE MY GOAL!
Woo-hoo, Eve! Don’t get down on yourself about whether or not your goals are too easy–you’re MAKING them, and that’s forward progress! The momentum will build!
I MADE MY GOAL!!! I’m in edit mode so I have been editing like crazy to get my current wip ready for submission by my self-set goal of February 1st.
Haven’t had a chance to actually get into a sprint yet and I need to do that. Those were my most productive times last year.
Fabulous, Emma Leigh!
Yes, yes, yes on the sprints! I can’t recommend them enough!
This frist week has been great. I MADE MY GOAL!!!!In fact I’ve gone above and beyond my 50 words a day. So glad to be doing this again this year.
Woot! So glad to hear it, Emily!
Fabulous news to all who have posted so far! I made my goal this week, too, one of which was to get my new book up on Amazon, which I did! Yay!
HURRAY! Can’t wait to read it!
To Diana–hurray on your new book!
I made my goal! I really enjoyed the sprint I was home–and awake!
for–and hope to do more in the next week.
Congrats. Gillian!!! That’s great!
Thanks, Gillian! And congrats on making your goal!
I MADE MY GOAL!
I find it easiest to get my hour of writing in early in the morning before the day’s chores beckon at me.
Seeing all the early check-ins in such a boost. And that’s some awesome SWAG there. Would it totally be unethical for me to sock puppet as a non-Ruby to try to snag some? *grins*
I know I’ve said this before (probably many times) but Jeannie, you’re amazing!!
I MADE MY GOAL – barely. Three hours a day of BICHOK on top of the day job is really kicking my ass, but I’m getting a lot done.
I’m laughing here, Jeannie, about sock-puppeting for swag.
Three hours BICHOK a day–that’s fantastic!
I made my goal, even though I had a fanastic chapter meeting last Saturday! It’s been a blast hosting the sprints. We have some real fast writers and those who are finding the right words to tweak their work. Keep going strong.
See you tonight at 7:30 EST.
Congrats, Autumn!
And, yeah, hosting is really fun…and it certainly ensures that you make it to the sprint!
Okay I’m here for all of the rest of you who DID NOT MAKE THEIR GOAL this week. I mean I didn’t make my goal in a spectacular fashion!!!!
Despite checking in to a couple of sprint sessions, I only managed to write for three hours on two days last week. I have a grand total of 4 points, because I get a bonus and I get an automatic 1 point for taking a day off.
Just suffice it to say that the Day Job from Hell pretty much took over this week. Looking ahead, I see another paltry collection of points next week too.
In fact at this time next week I’ll be in all-day business meetings, followed by a red-eye flight back home. So I’ll save myself the trouble of checking in next week to tell ya’ll that I DID NOT MAKE MY GOAL.
So for anyone else who fell way short of 8 points — don’t feel guilty. You have a chance to out perform me next week too.
Give yourself a break, Hope. You did write even if it wasn’t as much as planned. Sometimes the world doesn’t care about our plans…it has others for us. I’m betting you get back at warp speed soon. Best of luck getting through the day job – bet you’re busy this time of year because spring/summer conference season is upon you. Take care and stay well.
No shame in that, Hope! You’ve been SOOO productive over the last year.
And I hear you on the day job…it’s finals time, and I have a pile of grading that comes up at least to my hip. AAAARGH!!!!
I’m also either teaching or in meetings from 8 a.m. til 9:30 p.m. tonight, with just a couple tiny breaks, so I may not be in to the blog as often as I’d like today.
It’s hard to juggle everything–we definitely have to cut ourselves slack!
Thank you for this post, Hope. I was feeling pretty low—I am an underperformer (head hanging low in shame). It was great to see I’m not alone. And yes, I will endeavor to outperform you next week.
Thanks for the inspiration—and don’t let the DJFH get you down! You’re great. Kelley
I’m right there with you, Hope! I didn’t even come close. Hit a rut in the road, but I’m on my way now. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow! LOL. Okay, today. I’ll meet my goal today. Promise!
Sing it, Scarlett!!
Hope, we’re in the same boat.
Too much life-stuff interfering this week, but I am DETERMINED to make up for it this next week!! Even though I only scored 3 points, I am super-psyched about the new direction my manuscript is taking, and I think I’ll be able to generate some major wordage. So it was NOT an unproductive week. Sometimes goals change.
Absolutely! Getting a fresh and exciting new idea is GREAT progress!!
Points or no points, you get four stars!!
So I just got my KICK IN THE PANTS. The box containing my revisions just arrived. Guess I’ll be lugging them all the way to Seattle and back next week. Ya’ll may have to work to outperform me. Nothing like an editor to get your priorities back in line.
Thanks for this, Hope! I did not make my goal either. I fell short on a couple of days. But, it’s a new week, and I’m looking forward to the fresh start. Even with not making my goal, I still managed to move forward in the story, and at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.
I MADE MY GOAL!
Yes! Finished the revisions (worked like a dog on them) and sent them in Monday. So far i’ve done almost 4000 words of new writing. So I’m on track.
Been such a good motivator and I love meeting all the new people who are at one with me in accomlishing their goals. Oh, and thanks for the sweet words about my Oak Stand books, Elise. I do kinda miss that place. Maybe one day I’ll go back
Have an awesome day, all!
Congrats, Liz!!
And I’m hoping that “maybe” on Oak Stand will turn into a “definitely” when you finally have some time on your hands again!
I MADE MY GOAL!!!
So happy to report my WIP is now going in the right direction after seven restarts! My goal was to wrote 254 words per day and I wrote 4182!!!! Love it when my muse is cooperating.
Congrats to everyone who made their goals and don’t give up to those who may not have! You’ll get there!
Wow, Jennifer!!! Talk about exceeding expectations! That’s fantastic!
Wow. 4000 words… I have to go to a writing retreat (nothing to do but write!!!) to make those kinds of numbers.
I MADE MY GOAL! ~ & a little bit extra. I’ll echo the chorus of praise for the sprints. They have kept me focused and FAST! A wonderful first week. I love this festival!
Hurray, Christi!!
I didn’t make my goal either, Hope. The stomach flu hit my family hard this week, but I’m hoping to catch up this coming week despite my day job workload. Fingers crossed!
Ugh, flu!!
Sorry you got slammed.
Hopefully you’re on your feet again and get your energy back, and you can get writing again.
It really is perfectly fine to revise goals as you go. You can add “survive a day of the flu” as a way to get a point, and you’re all caught up!! LOL
Made my goals, although those goals kept changing. First goal, to edit at least one scene per day.
This went great until I had a convo w/ my agent and learned it was time to send in two new story ideas for next contract, so-
New goal, invented two stories and wrote up the ideas (did this on one day, thinking I should get double points for that)
Back to editing a scene a day, until
The next day, I got copy edits for my Aug 2012 release which needed to be taken care of. Got those done in two days (a record for me!)
Now, back to original goal today.
(Only goal I missed, was I forgot to add my points~going over there now.)
Woo-hoo! Way to be flexible, Connie! Sounds great!
good job, Connie!
I MADE MY GOAL! (forgot to do this in my earlier post)
Congrats, Connie!!
I’ve been working like a demon, but I never did get around to writing the 1 NEW page like I wanted to. I’m not slacking, though.
I believe you, Laurie! Keep going with the demon pace!
I know what you mean, Laurie!
I made my goal!!! So excited about that because most of last week the kiddo (3 year old) was out of school – so no AM writing time for me.. And I’ve found that those few hours are crucial for me. But I made it work. Very excited to start Week 2!!
Congrats to everyone who made their goal…and for those who are a little off – at least you wrote. At least you tried…it will come, I promise. Just keep pushing forward!!
Wow–meeting your goals with a 3-year-old home! My hat is definitely off to you!
Kristi -
I feel your pain about the out of school thing. And 7th grade homework is creating conflicts with my own writing time, but I figure teaching Smarty Boy how to write a decent essay will pay dividends in the long run!
Kels
I didn’t make my goal for the week but I did pretty well. I’m up to 5 points which for me is awesome! Having someone to account to, even in this informal setting, is definitely helping. Thanks guys!!
Five points is great, Charlotte! Just keep at it! Forward progress is the key!
And if you haven’t joined a sprint yet, I highly highly recommend it! Great way to get TONS done in a short time!
Charlotte,
You beat me! Way to go.
Good Morning Ladies!
I MADE MY GOAL! Okay, so I wanted to get the jumping up and down shouting out of the way first. In the past week I have summarily revised the first 37 pages of my WIP, added over 6000 new words to the WIP, wrote a new prologue for the WIP, and on the new business front, I have plotted, and sketched out the beginnings of characters for a new story during the days when I had life interfere.
I had a wonderful time at the sprints, I just need to remember the times are EST–in other words, quit missing them because I don’t pay attention to the time zones. It has been an awesome week in getting to know the ladies of the sisterhood, and reading some very inspirational posts.
Keep up the great work Ladies, because it’s nice to find great writers who are willing and able to help those of us who are struggling to get that first manuscript past the “I wrote it, now what” stage.
~Tiana
You’re a total star, Tiana!!
What great progress!!
Congratulations, Tiana (I’ve seen you in a few of the sprints)!
I MADE MY GOAL! (…and then some)
I’ve had such a great week and I’m loving this festival. My goal was to write a minimum of 500 words a day and I’ve been averaging about 2,000 or more words a day. I try to jump into the sprints when I can. When I started last week, my novel was at 65k words–and now I’m up to 83k. It’s almost DONE. Man, that’s exciting!
Congratulations to everyone who met their goals!
Wow, Colleen!! Fabulous progress! And how great that you’re nearing your goal!!
Hello All, and congrats to everyone who made their goals. I’m so impressed.
I fell a bit short. I edited 35 pages, entered one contest and watched an inordinate amount of football with my family including the excoriation of the Broncos by the Patriots (**sigh**) Total: 6 points. I also worked my heiney off coordinating my chapter’s contest but I specifically left that off my goals to try to focus on actual writing.
Will make it next week. Thanks for the inspiration. KB
BTW: Loved Liz’ post yesterday about the Ruby history.
Being Denver born and Bred, I admit I winced at their loss too Kelley, then cursed a bit at my Texans loss. I don’t normally follow football, but I decided to diversify and have a heroine who actually likes the game, so I’ve been watching it a bit more for research, so I can sympathize with the whole watching a lot of football this week. (Of course, I also cringed when my friend was all super-duper happy at the Giant’s Win)
Congrats on all that you did this week, that’s a lot to do.
Tiana
Love a heroine who can hang with the boys! Good luck with your story.
Still sounds like a good week to me, Kelley, and you’ll easily make up those couple of points in the next six weeks.
Keep at it!
Thanks, Elisa. I start tomorrow—or maybe I’ll catch a late night sprint tonight. Hope your goals are rising up to meet you. KB
Steelers fan here. I’ve been sad for ten days.
Beth, Me, too.
Love dem Stillers here in the Burgh. If it couldn’t be the Steelers, I was hoping for Tebow.
Next year.
I. MADE. MY. GOAL!
No new words, but lots of editing. Completing assignments in an online workshop helped as well.
Still a pitch virgin. Maybe this week. There’s a competition I want to enter. 1000 words. All I need is an idea
to get going.
Beautiful, Cia! Keep it going!
Best of luck in that competition.
I made my goal. Since I can’t write every single day, I set my goals for writing an average of 300 words per day OR editing an average of five pages per day. Hooray for ruby slippers. Am I in Kansas yet?
Great job, Jody!!
We’re not back in Kansas quite yet, but let’s link arms and keep skipping along…we’ll be there before we know it!
I MADE MY GOAL! This is such fun, I love how the small successes add up. Thank you Ruby Sisters;-)
Monique
Hurray, Monique!
It’s true, it’s true: it does all add up!
I’m on target to earn all of my points for the writing festival — so far. Just don’t ask me what my house looks like…
Oh, Lord–houses!
Lucky for me, my husband did some picking up over the long weekend, so we at least have clear paths along the floor so we can walk between rooms.
Let’s not even talk about what’s in my sink….
I haven’t had time to write a single word in the past four days, let alone my goal with school starting back up. I’m going to down size my definition of a chapter to whatever I can get done in an hour. It makes me sad that I haven’t been able to write but I’m going to try my hardest to squeeze it in where I can.
Tia–any progress is progress! Don’t be so hard on yourself–like Liz T said earlier–sometimes our other outside commitments don’t get that we really want/need to be in the sprints adding words! Hang in–you’ll get there. Congrat yourself of what you have done thus far! Hugs.
I think revising goals is a fine idea!
If you can protect an hour a day for writing, your progress will add up quick!
My life is crazy busy too, but even just a few minutes of writing time moves me forward. Just don’t give up!
Tia,
I am right there with you. My day job is down right boring from July to December but it gets nuts around here from January to June. I am, among other things, a meeting planner, and everyone does their meetings between March and June. And, of course, I have all this year end bookkeeping crap to do. So even with a professional writing deadline hanging over my head, I got almost nothing done last week. Just hang in there. I find that it’s easier to have a goal stated in time, rather than chapters or words. Sometimes you can sit in front a screen and produce thousands of words and sometimes not. It’s the time you put in that counts. So redefine your goals to 1 hour a day — or 1 hour three days a week. And don’t feel bad when life and work gets in the way. It does that sometimes.
I really needed this encouragement! I’m at 5 points and considering the week I’ve had I’m giving myself permission to be okay with that – setting goals in that area as well!
Aw, Tia, don’t beat yourself up, babe! One hour a day is an EXCELLENT goal with everything else you have going on. You can adjust your goals according to your schedule, as far as I know. You got a lot going on. No sad faces! You’re rocking along!
Ohmigawd. All of your encouraging words mean so much to me! Thank you all! I’m managing to get in bits of writing here and there during down time between classes or taking a break from homework. I got half a page done today which made me feel incredible
I MADE MY GOAL!
Although my first week goals were modest, I made them (by the skin of my teeth – which is a weird phrase because I don’t have skin on my teeth – LOL).
I’ve yet to participate in the sprints, I plan to do so this week or next.
Thanks again for hosting, Rubies. I love that this festival occurs after the holidays!
Kelsey
LOL, Kelsey!
Congrats on making your goals!
And, yes, JOIN THOSE SPRINTS!!
Your goals are all about you. Modest or not–if you make them, that’s an achievement.
I even have one goal that says “Read at least an hour.” THat is my fallback goal–and I’m proud of it.
Beth – that’s a great one. May have to adopt it!
K-
Hi, Liz and other Rubies –
I tried to send this through the contact form on the other site, but it wouldn’t send, saying I couldn’t leave my email blank even though I had it filled in.
For some reason my headshot won’t upload (and it’s only 74k or so) and I’m clueless about where people are entering their bios. I don’t seem to have a spot for that on my profile page.
Help!
Kelsey
PS – thanks so much for all your hard work on this festival!
Sorry about the continuing technical glitches, Kelsey!
We’re hoping to have them all solved soon.
Thanks! Just wanted someone to know in case others were having similar issues.
K-
Hey Kelsey,
I’ve been trying to upload a pic every day too (mine’s also sized at a/b 75kb) with no luck.
Good luck in the festival–maybe i’ll see you in a sprint soon. =0)
Thanks, Colleen. Maybe tomorrow. If not then, definitely next week on the sprints.
K-
Loving the sprints–the friendships and the word count adding up! I finally kicked off my new project with the WWF–something I’d needed to do for too long. So happy the sprints are helping me reach my goals again! Finally! Thanks Rubies!
Yay, Marian!!
So glad the Festival is helping you get your new baby off the ground! (Yeah, yeah, mixed metaphor…but you know what I mean.)
I MADE MY GOALS!
My goals are modest but (as this is the first manuscript I’ve ever written) the small daily goals of researching/writing/editing help me train myself to write everyday. I started this story during NaNoWriMo but didn’t even get close to finishing and the with the chaos of December…the story and writing time fell to the wayside. This writing festival, especially the sprints, have helped me get back on track. Here’s to getting this thing finished!
Fabulous, Delia!
How cool that you’re working on your first manuscript–ABSOLUTELY, learning to make (even small) daily progress is the key to becoming a “real” writer!! Go, go, go!!
Congratulations on meeting your goals and happy writing with your first manuscript.
I MADE MY GOALS!
I had set my goal at 1,000 new wds per day and was worried if I’d meet that. I usually struggle with NaNo which I always do on my own. However, I’d never sprinted before. Wow, talk about making a difference in my writing. Thank you Rubies for getting me started with sprinting. It’ll definitely become a very, very good habit. Since the festival began I’ve added 26,360 new wds to my ms. I’ve never been that productive…ever. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. Just wish the sprints could last year round.
26,360 words in a week?!!!
Jennifer, you are a goddess!!
It’s been amazing being in sprints with you–you write like a demon, and that book will be DONE before you know it!
We’ll see what we can do to keep some sprints going after the Festival! (I know I’d love it!!)
Like Hope I’m a big #1k1hr fan on twitter. But maybe after RSSWWF is over, we could have a #rubytwenty hashtag for the awesome 20 minute sprinters? Of course, I LOVE the chat room too! But I imagine moderating gets hard on you guys by the end!
26K Words in a week! OMG. I wish I could do that. And I’m always sprinting with friends on twitter at #1k1hr. I’m sooooooooo impressed.
I was sprinting with Jennifer yesterday, and she was kicking butt! I was very impressed!
Go, Jennifer! You’re inspiring me to work harder.
Aw, thanks Cynthia. I’m blushing.
I’m so glad that I was some sort of a help. I’m in love with this sprinting. I’ve told all of my writing friends. In fact one was so impressed she’s going to sign-up and join us.
Hope, this progress has totally amazed me too. I’m still in awe. Haven’t changed my goals because I keep thinking that this progress surely will slow down but so far I’m chugging right along. I don’t think I could be this productive on my own. But everyone is so supportive in there and encouraging. Now my draft has a lot of [NOTE:... that'll need filled in] but you can’t edit a blank page. *G*
I can already see the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I can’t wait to go back and see what I have to work with when I’m done. I’m excited! At this rate, I’ll get to work on another WIP before the end of the festival.
Thank you Rubies!!!!
Go, Jennifer! That’s great!
Jennifer, you are an inspiration! Way fun to sprint with, too!
I guess I should check in.
I MADE MY GOALS…but really only because I joined several sprints this weekend and piled up the progress.
Daily progress has been hit or miss, since this is the end of the semester (I’m a teacher), and the day job is CRAAAAAZY right now.
Also, it DOES take a little time to coordinate the Festival (LOL). But it’s so incredibly inspiring to be around all this good energy!
You are the WRF Goddess. You should get points just for breathing.
Elisa, that’s amazing that you made your goals while you’ve been so busy with the festival. Woohoo! Very impressed!!!
Hope to see you in some more sprints.
Way to go Elisa! What Hope said–you are WWF goddess! Thanks for all you do for the rest of us! Hugs!
Made my goals!
I was dragged into this kicking and screaming. And while my goals weren’t all that lofty at this point, my intent was to stay in the writing habit. Thanks to RSSWWF I’ve done that for this week. I did get to participate in several sprints — awesome energy.
Thanks for doing this!
So glad you’re participating. This is a fun way to stick with it.
I MADE MY GOALS!
Although this first week I’ve felt a little bit like I’m trying to dig a tunnel with a disposable plastic fork (and my word count is nothing to brag about), I did manage to put in the writing time and participate in a sprint. At least the first draft of my WIP is no longer a blank page and a blinking cursor
Thanks, Rubys!
Welcome.
Just getting started on a new WIP is a huge achievement. Don’t let up.
Hi, ladies. I’m popping in to say …
I MADE MY GOALS!
I’m right on track with my editing — and I even posted an extra blog post on the writing blog.
Now, back to work! It’s BICHOK time.
Hey girl, great job!!! Now we just have to arrange our schedules so we can meet up and sprint together. *G*
I just saw your 26K in a week … and I thought I was on fire.
Yes, we definitely need to sprint together. Maybe your productivity will rub off on me.
Awesome, Arlene!!
Way to go, Arlene!! Hope to see you in a sprint one of these days!
I am at 5 points, so a little behind the curve.
We can hang out behind the curve together.
I’m up to 6 now.
Although I commented earlier on Hope’s encouragement, this is my official check in for the week.
Week One: 5 points
Week One Lesson Learned: 5 points…be happy!
B.B.
Absolutely! Five points is great! that’s progress you might not have made earlier. Stick with it–it will add up!
I made my goal, plus a little. And that’s a good thing because I have to drive up north this weekend to receive my share of my mother’s guilt trip because my sister has had plenty of guilt piled on her. And I refuse to collect points for putting up with guilt! I will have to make up for my lack of productivity next week. Sigh. Woe is me. (I’m practicing for this weekend. The best defense is a good offense.)
LOL, Kate…and hugs!!
I MADE MY GOAL! I finished one book and turned it in to my editor and have just started the next one. I still want to participate in the sprints, though! I just need to adjust my schedule so I’m writing at the same time the sprints are in session.
So cool to see what others have done this week.
Way to go! Am really looking forward to your debut–I have it in my TBR!
Thanks Annabeth! Hope you like it!
I MADE MY GOAL! *bounce*
Woo hoo! 8 points and counting…
I made my goal and doubled up on a few of the days, so I’m at 12 points, which gives me some nice padding as my teaching load gets busier for the term. And I’m past the 40k mark in my WIP which makes me happy b/c it means my baby is now “officially” a novel. Also that much closer to being DONE.
I have loved the sprints–even the ones I’ve had to duck out early on with fussy toddlers. I try to make the ones that line up for West Coast me
I often do late-night West Coast time sprints. Always looking for more #1k1hr and #dirtythirty twitter sprint buddies as well!
Yay! You’ve got a novel!!!! Congrats, Annabeth! Go, go, go!
12 points! That’s fantastic, Annabeth! And yay on hitting that 40K mark. It’s always such a great feeling (and for me, it normally means I’m on the downhill slide, heading for The End).
I didn’t make my first week goal – but considering I was looking after my sister’s kids for 5 of the 7 days and two of them got the flu, I’m not gonna beat myself up about it. Just refocus and get it done this week. Time to really buckle down and revise my little heart out.
Wow, Vivi, that sounds like a crazy week!! I think I’m going to award you 479 points for getting through it, and for being such a great sister! Good luck carving out some time for revisions this week!
Ouch, Vivi! Busy, busy. Hope this week is less hectic for you! ~D~
You’re a sweet sister, Vivi! Yikes–lucky that you didn’t catch the flu too, since it has a way of going around. Tomorrow is another day!
I didn’t make my goal this past week, but I’m back in the saddle on my WIP after a bit of a slump, thanks to the Winter Writing Festival, and I’m determined to catch up!! Catching up commencing ……(wait for it…)…….NOW!!!
Go, Sally!!!!
I think I MET MY GOAL this week. I’ve revised the first 8 chapters, and my goal was 1,000 words or revise a scene. The word count is so much easier to see that I made my goal. I cut a couple of scenes not working, and ended up with a negative word count yesterday. It’s hard to convince myself that it’s actually progress.
Sounds like you made it to me, Kristina. And sometimes cutting those scenes IS forward progress, as strange as it may seem at the time. Way to go!
It’s been an awesome week. I MADE MY GOAL! Plus some
I think I’ve done easily over 5K in the last week which puts me that much closer to the end of this draft! I have about 9 chapters to go, so I’m getting there. 
And the sprints have helped me make this goal. Thanks for having them!
Hurray, Dara!!! So glad to hear all this!
I made my goal!! Most days, my two hours of BICHOK turned into four or sometimes six!!
Thanks for getting me back on track!
Yay, Lisa!!!! The Festival is all about getting us into a good working groove!
I MADE MY GOAL. It’s not been easy. Trying to balance a job that is normally part time and bounced to full time because the office is short staffed. So I’m coping with reduced writing hours and my muse is not happy.
But this has given me a good reason not to give up and ignore my real passion – writing. I’m pushing the envelope here, but I’m doing it. Now, back to writing.
Hugs to all who are making their goals. You can’t edit a blank page! Keep writing.
Woo-hoo!!! Pushing past all the other pressures of life to pursue that passion is what it’s all about!!!
I made my goal! Not every day has been easy, but I stuck to meeting the goal. The sprints have a tremendous help and inspiration. And now back to editing!
Hurray, Carol!!
I’m just so inspired reading all these comments!!!
Go, go, go!!!
I’m just back from a wall-to-wall workday: teaching from 8-3, then meetings from 3:30-9. Let’s just say I did NOT meet my personal writing goal today.
But I’m still so jazzed from all the great energy here! I know I’ll be back in the writing saddle tomorrow, even if I have to skip eating dinner or something.
I’ll also post the SWAG WINNERS tomorrow as soon as I get a chance! Sounds like EVERYBODY’S a winner today, no matter what!
Okay, the chances of me skipping dinner are pretty much nil.
But I’ll find something to skip so I can write….
This festival is one of the best things I’ve ever signed up for as a writer. I’m meeting my goals every day. It’s so much fun and I’m getting SO much done! Thank you for creating it and hosting it and I can’t wait to see how much I accomplish by the end.
Oh-and I would love to win Hope Ramsey’s Last Chance book. Read the first one in that series and loved it. Just sayin’.
I agree with Sophie! I didn’t quite make my target this week, but have done much better in a week than I did in the whole of December! The sprints are wonderful and really make me knuckle down and get the work done, instead of getting sidetracked by emails, blogs and ‘real life’ etc.(I don’t ‘play’ on the internet or do random surfing, but there always seems to be something ‘important’ I need to get there, unless I have motivation, like the sprints.
Thanks to the Ruby siterhood for all your hard work in organising this event, and especially to everyone who leads the Sprints!
Lyn,
I didn’t make my goals either (see my post a few spaces down), but I came close and I got a LOT done nevertheless. And I plan to catch up…
Forgot to check in… and I’ll update points when I get home, but I’ve made my daily goal each day!!! So excited I’m back in the swing of things. Now to just finish some items up and so I can play with the bright and shinys that are calling.
Nope. Didn’t hit goal every day but did for 4!
And that’s more than I would normally.
So Yay!
Terri
“more than I would normally…” That’s all the really matters, Terri! Congrats!!
Sorry for the delay in announcing the winners: here they are in order of random drawing (you will go in that order to choose which prize you prefer!):
BOOK WINNERS: Kristina Knight, Tiana, Lyn, Kali Robaina, Tia Ramirez
OTHER SWAG WINNERS: Emily Allen, Carol DeVaney, Krista Hall, Dara
I’ll be emailing you all tonight with the details!
Wow! What a lovely surprise! Never expected that! It will be hard to choose, but I’d just like to thank all the prize givers for their generosity!
Checking in WAY late, and sorry to say I didn’t meet my goal, but it was one of my crunch weeks and I still sat down to write 3 times (once for 3 hours!!). I’m working on revising a completed draft and I’ve made huge progress already. AND I hope to catch up with my points next week: If I sit down 4 times per week, I get 7 points for the week. I can make up a short week by sitting down more than 4 times in subsequent weeks. So I’m not out of the festival yet and I’m getting lots done. THANKS, RUBIES!