It's that time of year again! It's always so amazing to see so many people cheering each other on - not a new phenomenon here at Stage32, but there's definitely an uptick in goals (which is so hard to do, in my opinion, because while autumn is lovely there's also dark/cold/rainy days, which makes me want to hibernate).
So, throwing my hat in the ring for goal-setting and a productive November, no matter what happens - even if things don't go quite the way I hope, I'll be further along than when I started, so there's really no "losing" here.
Goal #1: Major edits of a YA novel, co-written with a friend of mine. We've received feedback from a few trusted sources, and now we're rolling up our sleeves for the next draft.
Goal #2: Outlining a novelization of a screenplay of mine
-this one's a bit of a cheat since I started before November, but due to some non-writing events in life, I set it aside for a bit and this gave me the push to finish up.
Goal #3: Have a completed first draft, however rough it may be, of the solo-written novel.
I got stuck on starting it, and switched to a notebook and pen. Slower going, perhaps, but I find I can write for longer and aren't pulled away by other tabs on the screen, conversations, etc. I'll need to type it all up eventually, but for now, it's getting me writing and it's easier to take out a notebook and a pen when work is slow or I'm commuting than carrying a laptop around.
Best of luck to everyone participating! I'll be cheering you all on :)
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Hi, Dawn Prato ! These are great goals for November! I look forward to hearing how you progress on them. I too use pen and paper to write notes when I'm not near my computer, such as when I'm trying to fall asleep. During my daily walks I record ideas on my phone, and transcribe them later. A writer's creativity can strike at any time, right?
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Bravo, Dawn Prato. Your goals are fantastic, and I admire the care you put into them. Notebooks and pens are awesome. My screenplay is based on a notebook written in two years:) I am rooting for you, and I am confident that you can succeed! Happy NWC!
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"So, throwing my hat in the ring for goal-setting and a productive November, no matter what happens - even if things don't go quite the way I hope, I'll be further along than when I started, so there's really no "losing" here." Great attitude, Dawn Prato! We're all cheering you on!
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"and switched to a notebook and pen" - so you're writing some of it by hand Dawn Prato ? I wrote my first novel by hand. I think everyone should write at least one novel by hand to see how different it feels. Great goals Dawn! Cheering you on for sure!
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Solid goals for NWC, Dawn Prato. I'm pulling for their completion. A writer's method is different, unique to the writer, and hopefully effective to them. I often write down (pen and paper) thoughts about my scripts.
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Thank you for the kind words of encouragement, everyone!
Leonardo Ramirez I really like switching back and forth from physically writing to typing, I find when I type I start to edit a bit too soon, but is good for a quick glance while I type it up :)
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Go Dawn go. Score! Score!! & Score!!! again with that pad n pen. You’ve got my support but I was had, at pen and pad.
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Great plan Dawn Prato!
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It was great to see you on the Writer’s Room writing sprint Zoom today, Dawn Prato! I love your goals and I’m so glad that you’re using November Write Club to make that final push and accomplish as much as you can before the end of the year! You’ve got this!
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Go for it Dawn Prato, excellent goals list!
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Great to see you as well, Ashley Renee Smith! A bit envious of your ability to go outside - it's rainy and cold up here haha, but coffee and tea certainly help.
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Oh wow Dawn Prato. That's quite a commitment to the task by handwriting. Although when I've write books, I have random physical paper, notes with stories, then use another blank page and a roll of tape, cut and paste to organize before I put into the computer. I could never figure out how anyone can jump around digitally to organize, unless you put a chapter in a separate doc then cull them together. Anyway, carry on and kudos for sharing.
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Oh I'll probably switch to laptop again at some point, but right now this is working for me (far fewer distractions). As far as organization, I really like Scrivener as a program! It's pretty intuitive and has a great way to organize notes/links/references/etc
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Agreed, Dawn Prato - Scrivener is great. I've used it for books for years and love it. For screenplays, Final Draft works beautifully.