What's everybody working on?

I'm working on two middle grade novels (ages 7-11). Also re-writing several picture book texts I'm 'tightening' up. A lot of people think writing for children is easy but it's not. I'm a 7 year full member (published) of SCBWI -- Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. The name is a little misleading since we also do magazine work. Sheryl

I spent the entire day doing nothing really interesting. Then I came upon this site. I've been a member of OH for over a year now, so the site isn't new to me, but this board is. Anyway, I've been sitting around brain dead all day long wondering what I am going to do with my time this summer--wondering what I could be doing today. I teach college composition, and today was my day off. There was so much I could have been doing. I just need to get to it. I've wanted to write a book my entire life, but I opted for teaching composition because I don't feel I have the motivation to be a writer. Stupid thing is, I have the motivation to do anything I want so what's with this writing thing? You ask what everybody is working on. Well, I'm working on getting started. It's kind of sad to think that I've wasted so much time trying to build the courage, motivation, and confidence to do this writing thing. I've spent years saying as soon as I can afford to take time off, as soon as the kids are older, as soon as I get a computer, as soon as I get my education, as soon as... Well, all those things are done. This will be the first summer that I don't have an as soon as, and I'm not going to make one either. Shoot. I've already got one. As soon as I come up with an idea. No seriously. I'm really thinking this one over. I'm working on getting started. Jeanna

if you wait for the time to do it -- it will never happen. Look for the little bits of time. Always have a small notebook and pens to scribble with nearby. Time sitting in traffic, sitting in the doc's office, if you look there ARE little pieces of time you can write in. Write as fast as you can. This is only the first draft -- you will re-write later. Nothing is a masterpiece the first time it's written. You can do it -- you're doing THIS, aren't you? Same thing. Get writing, girl. Sheryl

I'm not afraid of writing. Heck, I teach composition. I love to write. In fact, I tell my students if they see me sitting on the side of the road, don't stop. I'm just writing. What I am afraid of is the length of what I want to write. The thought of writing a novel is just so daunting. Even when I do try I easily get bored with what I am doing and quit after the first few chapters. Here I go talking myself out of it when I want to be boosting myself up. I can do this. I know I can. Thanks for the support. Jeanna

Yeah, the concept of a whole novel is daunting. However, what if you reframe your thinking. Do an outline and then start one chapter at a tome. time. I never thought I could write either, however a couple of weeks ago my honey and I were talking about some thoughts I was sharing on a subject. He turned to me and said "you need to write a book" So I am trying. But the only way I could even conceive starting was with an outline. My outline has been revised, which is ok, since it was just an idea. nd who knows where it will end. I do know that I am absolutely loving the process and the research. I am so glad I started, and pray I finish. And boy am I grateful for the internet. I can not imagine trying to do research where I live, the back back woods of Oregon. The other thing I try to do is work a set 5 hours a day. Research counts. So, whats your subject- what genre are you considering, do you have an idea even if you don't have the whole plot, do you have characters, or at least one character, to build on, Do you have a set time you can work a day? I am trying to have a dedicated time, where no one is around, and I don't have to turn off the telephone, cuz I'm on the internet while I type. That way I can go back and forth in my research......and sometimes I am lazy and would rather look up spelling on the internet than dig out the dictionary Good luck and keep us posted. Di

Right now I have nothing. No plot, no characters, no ideas. It's kind of scary. In fact, it's probably the first time in my life when I haven't had a novel idea in my head. But, on the other hand, I have a great deal of motivation and excitement. I'm on the road to getting started. I went to Starbucks today and just started writing. At first it was just about my current sadness. Then it went on to a list of all the things I want. Boy was that list long. But then it got really interesting. I latched on to a few men talking. I heard very little of what they were saying. The truth is I didn't want to hear much. Just a few words here and there. The only words I heard were, "insurance," "leadership," "six easy steps," and "I can teach you." Anyway, I was able to play with their characters and develop a bunch of "what if" ideas from them. It was fun. In fact so fun that I have decided to do it again tomorrow and the day after. I'm currently trying to figure out different places that I can go. I'm thinking a sports bar with my husband would be interesting. He can watch the game and I can watch the people. Right now I'm just playing with the idea of writing, but I do have a plan. I want to participate in the National Novel Writing Month, but the chosen month for that is November and November isn't really a great month for me. July is great (by the way, that is the original month). I will be out of school, the kids are going away to camp for a few days, and it's the first opportunity that I will have that isn't loaded with papers to grade and 4H events. So, in July I begin. I'm not holding it off until July, however. Rather I am preparing myself for a month of focused writing. I have next week off and am planning on using that week to set a practice writing schedule. I'm warming up my brain for the task ahead by writing a 10,000 word short story. Who cares if it's good. I can also use that prep time to do some research, create outlines, and gather ideas. Heck, if I can't help myself, I will start earlier. Until then, that is my plan. I just want to write. I'm excited to write. I haven't felt this good about it since, well, I can't remember the since, but I know I have felt this way before. I love to write, and I love the feeling it gives me. Anyone want to join me? I say we get this page a hopping. Jeanna

There's a Yahoo group called biw -- book in a week -- it gets everybody writing as much as they can everyday for 7 days and each day you post the # of pages you've done -- not the actual pages. It goes the first week of every month and I have really had a lot of writing success with it. You don't really write a book in a week -- but you can get down a great headstart on a first draft. SHeryl

I'm a little ashamed to admit this but currently I am writing a fan fiction. It's from Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice" and the periods before and sfter the book, only it is written by Kitty. It's very interesting, although I think Kitty is going places Jane did not intent her to go to, LOL!!

I have been writing for years. I currently have one science fiction novel (about 90,000 words) in the process of editing. It is a three book series. I have started another project - young teen reading - so I stay pretty busy in my extra time.

Writing comes naturally to me. I love to write and most of my family forgot I even wrote a book. I really don't expect to get rich - as I just love to write as a hobby.  I would love to see my book in print, so a self-publishing would benefit me.  If it leads to something bigger, fine with me. 

My novel has been like ten years in the making. Like I said, it is just a hobby for me so I am in no hurry - I just love to write.

I did some travel writing online - http://brianx.com/author/alee - and also had an article that was published in a deaf print magazine.  Also some articles on the Internet - http://www.useless-knowledge.com/articles/apr/135.html - and this is the one I had published - http://www.useless-knowledge.com/articles/apr/114.html.

So I've been around and just think, it's only a hobby.

If you love to write - then write whatever you want. It doesn't have to be a novel - short stories work wonders and can be placed into a novel. So if you can't get up the word count, write short stories and do it that way. Just don't stop writing if you love it.