How the heck did it get to be July so fast? As usual, I'm way behind on my goals. I wanted to be done with my third draft of UL by now and I'm still stuck on Chapter 11. I've been wanting to give myself a bit of a kick in the butt when it comes to editing, so I did something drastic.
On Friday night, pretty much at the last minute, I decided to sign up for Camp NaNoWriMo. I chose a revision project and set my goal for 60 hours of editing. I figured that was roughly 2 hours a day, which was way more than I've been doing but not so ridiculous that I didn't think I could do it. Now with four whole days under my belt, how have I been doing?
Well, uh, not so good actually. As usual, whenever I set a goal, I never seem to come close. The very first day I did absolutely nothing. I don't even know why. I didn't have work that day. I don't really have a good excuse. The next day, I did make a solid effort, but didn't even get over two hours, let alone to four to catch up. I set the stop watch on my phone while I edited and ended up with an hour and thirteen minutes.
Then I had to change things up. When you have your goal set as hours, the Camp NaNo site only accepts whole hours as counting toward the goal. So when I tried to put in that hour and thirteen, I was only credited for the hour (even when I tried 1.25 it just put in one...yes I know that was giving myself two extra minutes...shhh....). I wanted those extra minutes to count, so I changed my goal from hours to minutes.
So now it's 3600 minutes. How far have I gotten? As of writing this post (about 5PM on the 4th): 73. Yup, just that hour and thirteen from Sunday. I suck at this.
The good news is that the day is not over, so maybe by the time you read this, I'll have added some minutes. The even better news is that it's still really early in the month, so maybe somehow and with some kind of miracle occurring, I'll actually get to my goal.
I have no idea where 60 hours of editing will bring me in the story, but at least it will be further than when I started.
Do you think I can still achieve my editing goal? Anyone else doing Camp NaNoWriMo?
Of course you can achieve your editing goal if you want to--and major things you need to attend to in life don't get in the way. Good luck with the revisions. I love revising way more than writing a first draft because that's mostly what I've done in my writing.
ReplyDeleteIt's only July 5th! You've got plenty of time! :)
ReplyDeletei did camp nano, not the real one in november - who's got time to write in the best and one of the shortest months of the year and right before the holidays? well, a lot of people do, but not me - anyhoo, camp nano was much more laid back and i knew i'd have time, don't worry about the chart! if you go in spurts of loooong writing moments, you'll catch up easily. and if you drop out, who cares? it's just a nudge to get you writing, not a whip! ha ha
ReplyDeletegood luck!
Tara Tyler Talks
I'm brainstorming and outlining for a new novel. But it's also summer, so I'm setting a slower pace for myself. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI rarely achieve my writing goals. It doesn't work that way for me. The only time I meet my deadline is when I deliver something to my critique group, and that's only because I force myself to give them what I have, whether it's ready or not. Good thing I'm not depending on this writing stuff to feed my family.
ReplyDeleteI can relate. If I set goals for myself I'm bound to fail. However, if external deadlines are put on me from another source, I do very well and get things do.
ReplyDeleteJust keep counting those minutes. What if you hit thirty hours? That's still good!
ReplyDeleteYou can most definitely achieve your editing goal. There was one NaNoWriMo (the November event) where I didn't even start writing anything until ten days in. If I can make that work, you can do this. You'll catch up before you know it.
ReplyDeleteDo you have anyone with whom you can talk through the editing issues you've been having? I do that on occasion when I get stuck on some plot and/or character problem, and have found it helpful. Fresh eyes, and all that. (And if you need/want someone with whom to talk things through, feel free to drop me a line...)
I tend to keep a goal if I'm determined, but if life really gets in the way, then meh, I can adjust as need be. The important thing is we reach it, whether in the time frame we tried or longer.
ReplyDeletePlugging away at it is all you can do. I think you can make it. It's still early yet!
ReplyDeleteJust keep working on it. Make sure you put your butt in the chair. Don't allow yourself to procrastinate. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried Camp Nano, but the two Nanos I've completed have resulted in big chunks of first draft. There's nothing like daily BICFOKTAM to move us toward our goals.
ReplyDeleteGoals are meant to be reevaluated. If it's not working for you, that's okay. Try something that will. And on that note, these things take some building up to. If you've got the time set aside, allow yourself to build up daily until you're reaching a reasonable goal. That's what I do with word count when up against a deadline.
ReplyDeleteLOL - if I was participating, my count would be at zero. Unless I could count words edited.
ReplyDeleteI'm laying money on you, Sarah. You can do it.
ReplyDeleteDon't be too hard on yourself. If it gets you consistently editing or working than that's something, right?
ReplyDeleteAs a rule, I don't set writing goals to myself. Writing, especially fiction writing, is a creative and somewhat intuitive process for me. It comes when it comes. I can't create on demand, but some people can, and I admire them. If you're among those people, good luck with your goals.
ReplyDeleteIf we had been back in the States during July, I think I would have tried Camp NaNoWriMo. I like the idea that you can set editing goals, which is something I really need to focus on. All the best with the Camp, I bet it will be a helpful tool to keep you focused this month.
ReplyDeleteCheering for you. You can do it.
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
I totally feel you on failing at goals. It's a discouraging feeling.
ReplyDeletewww.ficklemillennial.com
You'll get through it, I'm sure. And just the fact that you're working towards a goal is impressive. I haven't tried Camp NaNoWriMo; in fact, I never heard of it until everyone started blogging about it. Sounds like fun though.
ReplyDelete