Sunday, January 31, 2010

Summary Sunday

Some writers I know write much faster than I do. Some writers I know write slower. Some writers I know write more hours a day than I do. Some writers I know write less. One thing I've learned. I cannot successfully complete a new book if I worry about comparing myself to others, therefore...I write the number of words a day that I write. I write the number of hours a week that I write. When my efforts feel so small that I sometimes wonder if it's worth it to continue, I take this verse as my mantra:

"Out of small things proceeds that which is great." (Doctrine & Covenants 64:33)

Today I begin a weekly summary of my often "small" writing efforts. And just for fun, I'm throwing in one "new" sentence a day from my daily writing. These sentences may or may not make the final editing cut when all is said and done, so enjoy them while you can!

Thanks for joining me on my journey!

Monday: 704 words

Sentence: "He flew out to rescue the 'distressed damsel' before I could stick out my foot to trip him, as I indeed sought to do."

Tuesday: 0 (not home)

Wednesday: 697 words

Sentence: He had been annoying and maddening and rattling of tongue, and a frightened, desperate part of her half-wished he'd been struck blind years ago before he'd ever juggled and tumbled and sung for the Earl of Gunthar in the halls of Pennault Castle.

Thursday: 873 words

Sentence: Joslin watched the fluid expression of guilt that flowed across Bricot's face, and wondered if Acelet's barb about the ink struck less deeply than knowing himself the cause of Acelet's wet, muddy morning, as well.

Friday: 996 words

Sentence: Even after a good hour by the fire, her heart still felt like ice, her emotions so angry, so bitter, so...so vengeful..that she suffered a wave of self-hatred almost as strong as the hatred she felt for the man who had ruined her life.

Saturday: 1270 words

Sentence (and a half): ...Acelet remained agoggle. She could hardly blame him as Bricot's increasing cadence betrayed his enthusiasm for his improvised tale.

If anyone would like to start a Summary Sunday on their own blog, you're welcome to share my idea. All I ask is that you link back to this specific blog link. Maybe we can start a new meme (rhymes with "cream") for working writers!

9 comments:

Becki said...

I think you are doing great!

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thanks, Becki! Someone on Facebook "statused" about writing 30,000 words in one day. Made me feel *this high*. But I'll never be a speed writer, and that's that. Still, as long as I get there in the end, I hope that's what matters!

Rachael Anderson said...

If it makes you feel any taller, you out-write me. Good luck with your current book!

Larry Hammersley said...

Hi Joyce: Sounds like you're making good progress. I started my novel Jan. 6 and now am up to 21042 words. I'm afraid I may not stretch this into novel status. Poor Leroy. Jody is going to transfer to another university a thousand miles away. He will be heart broken as she is still holding him at arms length. My last five days of January I've written 499, 651, 327, 945 and 640 words. Larry

Kellie said...

What a great idea! I bet the person who statused the 30,000 words didn't end up keeping half of what she wrote. I love how you include snippets of what you've been working on. I might have to do something like this on my blog. Would you mind if I copied you?

Joyce DiPastena said...

Good work, Larry! Keep pounding away and eventually, you and I will both have a new novel! Or at least a novella for Leroy and Jody. :-)

Joyce DiPastena said...

Kellie, you're welcome to start a Summary Sunday on your blog. If you don't mind, I'd appreciate a link back to my original Summary Sunday post. Maybe we can start a new Summary Sunday meme for writers. :-)

Rachelle Christensen said...

How fun! You're awesome. Having read your other two novels, I can't wait to read this book! Thanks for sharing and kudos on your word counts.

Taffy said...

I like it, Joyce. And good job getting your writing done! I look forward to reading another book by you.