Hey guys! It’s time for the middle-of-the-month #WIPmo check in. Who’s still writing, still revising, or editing? Or, if you’ve abandoned your Nano Goals or need an extra push this month, you can get started here. We’re chill, we’re laid back. No strict rules. Just Goals. Work. Write.
Just like the middle of your book can get murky, so can the middle of #WIPmo month. Maybe you’ve slacked off a little or have decided that your monthly goal was a little too lofty. Or maybe you’ve been distracted with life stuff and have been too tired to fit extra writing time into your schedule. Maybe you’re thinking of giving up the goal you had and just keeping things status quo as if it was any other month. NO!
This week, instead of just moving forward, let’s take it up a notch. This past week I was pretty tired out from the edits I’d done the week before so I did a lot more resting than I would have liked. This week, I’m working on copy edits but I really want to get some work on my WIP done. I need to work a little harder. I’m going to have to challenge myself. I’m not going to give up and just do the minimum and hand in what is expected of me. On a night when I am exhausted, the kids are in bed and I’m ready to lay around with my phone until I fall asleep…NO. NOPE. NO.
Let’s work harder this week. Let’s forge ahead. Push yourself. And yes, let’s support and push each other.
Have a great week everyone! Check-in in the comments and if you’re new, introduce yourself!
P.S. There are 13 of us, so all of our handles don’t fit into a tweet. Be sure to check and use the #WIPmo hashtag to see who else is writing and #WIPmo-ing!
Ami with an I 
Name: Ami
Twitter Handle: @amilouiseallen
Where are you at with your monthly goal? Well, I turned in edits and then I was lazily working on WIP stuff. Then copy edits came in. So, I had to set aside some WIP work that I should’ve finished. I’m a little behind.
What is this week’s goal and how will you push yourself: This week I am going to finish copy edits and the work I should have finished already: the scene by scene work list and a character interview for my WIP. I’m going to push myself by working every night this week. Even if it’s just a 40 minute session.
What category and genre is the book you’re working on? YA contemporary
What’s one of your favorite non-writing/book related ways to unwind? The Walking Dead on Sunday nights. I love this show and also love that it’s on Sunday night. It’s nice to finally relax after a busy weekend and watch it with my husband and teenager.
Name: Rena
Twitter Handle: @originallyrena
Where are you at with your monthly goal? You know that video where they show the Earth and then how far it is from other planets and then how far it is in comparison to other galaxies? Yeah. I’m there.
What is this week’s goal and how will you push yourself: I am going to try to write every day this week, even if it’s just for a short time. It’s been a rough month outside of Book World, but I need to get this book finished, and the only way to do that is to write.
What category and genre is the book you’re working on? Adult psychological thriller
What’s one of your favorite non-writing/book related ways to unwind? Lately, Christmas movies on Hallmark. I might have a bit of an addiction.
An addiction after my own heart 🙂
I am SO the opposite. Christmas movies usually annoy me. Except Home Alone. *hides from Rena and Jody*
Hey Rena! Life Shtuff and Writing: You got this. I’m SO pumped to hear about your WIP. EEEK!!
Name: Eva
Twitter Handle: @EvaVBGibson
Where are you at with your monthly goal? I’m at 46k, which isn’t too bad, considering I got hung up on the Act Two crisis. I’ve been writing every day, though, so all progress is forward. Or something.
What is this week’s goal and how will you push yourself: I will continue to write every day, even if it’s just filler or notes. I will try to hit at least 50k.
What category and genre is the book you’re working on? YA dark contemporary
What’s one of your favorite non-writing/book related ways to unwind? Hanging out with the husband, whether it’s watching a show or movie, sitting on our porch, talking, brewing beer, whatever. He’s how I spend my time once the kids are in bed. Best.
Ahhhh that precious time once the kids are in bed. Those are the golden minutes. : )
It sounds like you’re doing great. YA dark contemp sounds awesome–keep going keep going!! And once you’re done, and have your query ready, feel free to DM me and I’ll take a look at it if you need another pair of eyes! : )
Thank you! I’d love to have another se of eyes. The query letter seems a long way away, but I’m moving toward it, at least. 🙂
Dark contemp is my favorite. It sets me free to be heavy on the angst.
Name: Rob
Twitter Handle: @RobertPolk2
Where are you at with your writing goal?: I’m woefully behind. Had some weighty family and personal baggage to deal with lately, but am getting my mind right this week.
This week’s goal: incorporate fantastic critique notes into my current revision. It’s a contemporary MG with mystery components. And danger. And a father in prison. Heavy stuff, but now rewriting major areas. I WILL WRITE/REVISE FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES EVERY NIGHT THIS WEEK!
You all rock!
Rob
This MG sounds awesome. I’m so intrigued buy MG that deals with heavy stuff. Corey Ann Haydu’s RULES FOR STEALING STARS is a contemp with fantasy elements/magical realism and the MCs mom is an alcoholic.It’s been on my TBR since I first heard about it. Anyway, excited for your book and sorry about life stuff–that really seems to be going around. But keep writing–especially if it helps as an outlet.
: )
Name: Kimberly
Twitter Handle: @Kymburleev
Where are you at with your monthly goal? I’m 1/3 of the way there. Hoped to be halfway by now, but I’m hoping to make up the difference this week.
What is this week’s goal and how will you push yourself: This week I want to get the whole manuscript into a cohesive state so I can spend the last week deepening and polishing. 🙂
What category and genre is the book you’re working on? YA Fantasy
What’s one of your favorite non-writing/book related ways to unwind? Netflix or Shomi binges. I carry my phone around the house with me and watch shows like Eureka or 30 Rock while I do menial household tasks. I add loads of stuff to my “Done List” while turning my brain down to a lower setting for a while.
I wonder if I carry my phone or iPad around, I could get household stuff done during the day too? I am going to try this! And hey, about your WIP, 1/3 of the way is pretty sweet. I’m proud of you! Keep it up!!
Name: Sandi
Twitter handle: @thethirdmother
Where are you on your monthly goal? I’m a little more than halfway to 10k. Two query letters sent and a handful more post-it notes on the plotting wall. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve set aside at least three writing sessions each week and hope to keep the momentum going.
What is this week’s goal and how will you push yourself? Add another 2.5k – maybe 3? Continue to pound the query pavement and try to finish the plot wall. I also need to dive in and beta read a story for a friend that I’ve had for way too long. Get my butt in the chair and just write! It’s been very helpful to have the accountability.
What category and genre is the book you’re working on? YA Historical Fiction
What’s one of your favorite non writing/book ways to unwind? I’ve been watching a lot of Veronica Mars lately and snuggling with my cat. Very relaxing. But if I find myself needing something more physical – I’ll blast some tunes and dance around!
Ugh. I still haven’t watched Veronica Mars yet. I hate my life choices sometimes.
2.5 words is a great, great goal! Mel @paintandwords had a 2K goal–you two should def keep an eye on each other!!
Name: Geni
Twitter Handle: @agenip
Where are you at with your monthly goal? Shockingly on target. I’ve managed editing about 60 pages per week and thanks to the holiday last week (yet another reason to be grateful to Veterans), I also got some CP stuff done that I hadn’t been as quick about as I usually am.
What is this week’s goal and how will you push yourself: This week I’m hoping to get through another 1/4 of the book for revisions, and *maybe* even sneak a little ahead so I can fix a few overall things I’ve noticed. I did, however, start the week with a 5 am flight to a business trip this morning, however, so I’m trying to be realistic.
What category and genre is the book you’re working on? YA contemporary with magic (maybe magical realism, maybe touch of fantasy, depends on how it turns out)
What’s one of your favorite non-writing/book related ways to unwind? Ummmmm…..
Probably running & hanging with the family (i.e. making a mess of 4 y.o. arts & crafts)
Made your goal and got CPing done. BADASS!! *fistful of confetti*
Keep going Geni and also get out of the house for a fun dinner or desert/drinks! Something out of the ordinary and non-bookish. : )
Name: Michelle
Twitter Handle: @michellehulse
Where are you at with your monthly goal? I hit the halfway point in my draft today, so right on track, despite a crappy week.
What is this week’s goal and how will you push yourself: Looking to draft about 1k/day. Easier week, shouldn’t be a problem, so I might push for more.
What category and genre is the book you’re working on? MG contemporary . . . um . . . it’s driven by Cajun folklore & there’s a loup garou (sort of like a werewolf), so fantasy-ish too? Not entirely sure where this is going yet!
What’s one of your favorite non-writing/book related ways to unwind? TV/movie with husband, or HTGAWM & wine if he’s at rehearsal!
Halfway point sounds fantastic. 1K/day–you are on fire but yeah, I say def push for more since you’ve mentioned it! WIP sounds intriguing–i think it’s fun that you don’t know how it’ll end up. I’m pretty much a pantser too. : )
Enjoy the week and the TV date nights–the best way to get those in there these days. : )
Name: Jody
Twitter Handle: @1prncs
Where are you at with your monthly goal? I’m at the point where I forget what my monthly goal was. If my goal was to just make it through every day and do a little bit of writing, I’m good. If it asked more of me than that, I’m behind.
What is this week’s goal and how will you push yourself: I’m going to keep going on my WIP. It actually is going well when I’m writing so maybe I’ll try to work in more time before it’s time to switch to report cards. I’m also going to try to remember I write as an outlet and because I love it.
What category and genre is the book you’re working on? Adult Contemporary Romance. It’s a series of three novellas that are linked together by the building in which all of the characters live.
What’s one of your favorite non-writing/book related ways to unwind? Watching TV with my kids and husband. Hanging out with them. Playing on Facebook and Twitter. Reading and online shopping. Clearly math isn’t my thing since you said one thing 🙂
Ooooh this WIP sounds super fun!! Can’t wait to hear more! Yes, keep writing for the love of the words…but also yes to carving out time between report cards. : )
Name: Meli
Twitter Handle: @paintandwords
Where are you at with your monthly goal? Well, with vague and terrible goals, I pretty much get the vague and terrible results I deserve! I’m going ok. I’m still moving forwards.
What is this week’s goal and how will you push yourself: This week I want to add words, 2000K maybe, not fart about changing what I’ve written. Maybe that’s too many, but I’m putting it out there.
What category and genre is the book you’re working on? MG dark fantasy
What’s one of your favorite non-writing/book related ways to unwind? The Voice, or Heroes Reborn, or Downton Abbey.
OKAY. 2K words. You got this. I am going to pay attention to how many you get this week. KEEP ON IT!! : )
I’m such a slacker this week!
Name: Sonia
Twitter Handle: @SoniaHartl1
Where are you at with your monthly goal? Ummmm, not exactly on track for my WIP… BUT I turned final line edits in to my agent (for last year’s WIPmo ms!), and we’re about to do the thing that writer’s don’t talk about, so that’s exciting!
What is this week’s goal and how will you push yourself: Full steam ahead on my WIP. I have a Pinterest board for it and everything, so it’s pretty serious now.
What category and genre is the book you’re working on? MG horror (my first MG, eep!)
What’s one of your favorite non-writing/book related ways to unwind? There are non-book related ways to unwind? I drink a lot. Probably enough to be considered a dedicated hobby. Does that count? I also hang with my kids, but not at the same time as I drink (most of the time) 😉
Oh man. Good luck to you on working on something while you are doing that thing you’re not supposed to talk about doing. WIPing is the best thing to do but OH THE DISTRACTIONS!! Crossing my fingers for you!