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Wednesday 10 December 2014

What's Up Wednesday



It's time for What's Up Wednesday, a weekly meme run by Erin L Funk and Jaime Morrow. Here's what I've been up to this past week!

What I'm reading


I started the Bartimeus trilogy, which I've heard good things about! The Amulet of Sarmakand is a great upper-MG read. I'm also rereading Harry Potter, because... just because. :D


What I'm writing


I finished the first draft of Shiny Book 3 at 77K words! Which means I've hit the halfway point of the series!

I also wrapped up the first (well, second, really) self-edit on Book 2, which is now 81K words.

My writing goal this week: Re-outline Books 4-6 and write Book 4. I've started it already, despite my attempts to take a break between drafts. I failed. :P

(I am a slave to this series. Send help. o.O)

What works for me

What works for me when writing a series is accepting my own organised-chaos approach. Scrivener is a lifesaver, because at any point when drafting, I'll think of other random details, and they can be about literally anything - background info, plot details for any of the six books, short stories and spinoffs, characters, monsters... et cetera. It'd be virtually impossible to keep all that in one notebook, because I'd never be able to find what I needed at the right time!

So: Scrivener! I have a "characters" folder; a "settings" folder; all the other book outlines and blurbs;  a folder for each alternative universe (did I mention this series is crazy-complicated?!); a master post (I've heard the term "series bible") with the general rules for magic and other... stuff; a general timeline for the series; a list of other miscellaneous ideas; and a List of Awesome (I made this for motivation during the first draft of the first book!). So... that's a lot of folders. And unfortunately, it wouldn't make any sense to anyone other than me, because even I don't understand the chaos of my own brain sometimes. :P

What else I've been up to

I finally watched Mockingjay Part 1! And the Hanging Tree song is still stuck in my head. I think it could have worked as one film, but it was a great adaptation, like the other two HG films.

Other than that, I've been up to my neck in freelance work, blog tour stuff, emails, and some exciting Shiny Things. My subscribers will be the first to find out my news in this week's newsletter (except my CP's and beta readers, who already know ;)) and the Official Announcement of Awesome will be up on the blog soon...

*bounces around manically*

31 comments:

  1. Six and a half drafts in a single year?! Whoa, impressive!

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    1. Thanks! I'm not sure how it happened, either. :P

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  2. You are my heroine of prolificness. Your writing goal for this week seems particularly huge, even by your standards. Congratulations on finishing yet another shiny draft!

    I think The Hanging Tree may be burned into my mind forever as well. Have a great week, and thanks so much for the help with the cover reveal!

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  3. Wow, wow, wow. You are an inspiration, Emma!

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  4. I keep trying to force Scrivener on me, but it isn't sticking! I'm just old school, I guess. I have Word and a notebook, lol.

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    1. It took me a while to adapt, but I found it fits well with my planning method - it's different for everyone, of course! :)

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  5. I haven't watched MOCKINGJAY yet but realllllly realllly want to :) Maybe next weekend...And WOW you're being awesomely productive :)

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  6. You are a drafting super star! Seriously -- I am so impressed, Emma! Enjoy your HP reread... I always get the urge to revisit that series during the holidays. Love it so much. <3 Have a great week, lady!

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    1. Thanks! :) I have to reread it every few months or so!

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  7. I really need to give Scrivener a try again, and soon. (Before I get too far into this WiP.) I've always been a Word girl, but Scrivener has so many features that I would probably find super useful. Gah! I should just add that to my list for the week lol.

    You are seriously a speedy drafter and I have to say I'm a bit envious. Your productivity is seriously inspiring. Have a wonderful week, Emma! :D

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  8. No one NEEDS a reason to reread HP! :D

    And yes to Scrivener... it's so amazingly helpful! And so are the people who made it! I sent a troubleshooting email to them once and someone responded in 15 minutes... I'm not used to such great customer service!

    Happy Drafting, Emma!

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  9. Sounds like we have the same organized chaos approach. So many little ideas and details for other chapters and scenes pop into my head while I'm working on my WIP that I have to have a second document open just to type them all down before I forget.

    BTW, I'm jealous you can read so much. These days, about the only time I get to read is when I go to bed at night.

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    1. I do struggle to fit reading time when I'm busy. It's helpful to kee things organised!

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  10. Holy Cow! You are the energizer bunny of drafters! Congrats!

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  11. Woot! Six drafts is awesome! Good job! Keep it up!

    I really like the background change on your blog. It's pretty.

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  12. Yes, Scrivener is a huge lifesaver! I always refer to it as my mini office. It wasn't until I started using it that I actually finished a novel. I can't believe how many books you've written this year! You're flying! Congrats on finishing book 3 in your series and good luck jumping into book 4! :)

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  13. Oh my god, drafting six and a half books? I'm so jealous. I wish I was that productive. Great job!

    My Blog

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  14. Congrats on making it halfway through your series. :)

    Have a great week and a great holiday season!

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  15. Whoa, you're like this writing super-woman! Congrats on getting so much done, and I'm really going to have to look into Scrivenger.
    Have a great week

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  16. Okay, you basically win the Most Awesome Drafter Award. *presents you with Major Award* (the award is made of chocolate)

    Hope you have a wonderful week!

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  17. As always, it sounds like you're very busy. Good luck with everything you've got on!

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