Next post, I’ll get back to what Ghostwriting Has Done For Me by talking about how taking on work-for-hire has legitimized my efforts to friends and family. But today, I’m doing a quick check-in because I’m smack in the middle of my Deadline Month of Doom (DMOD).
DMOD =
1 second draft of middle grade series
1 30k first draft of middle grade series
1 whole project due for YA series
…and all due the day I start work.
So far it’s going okay, I think. I completed the second draft of the middle grade series and turned it in. Of course, then I felt like I should have a four day vacation from writing, so I went back to feeling behind. I did recharge my batteries, though. I read a few books, did fun things with my friends, all that good stuff. On Sunday, I went to Book People and bought a book by an author I’m working for right now, so I’m looking forward to digging into that. Then, the best part was I saw the middle grade series I write for shelved there! This was very exciting because it’s actually a UK series and until recently had only been sold in the US through Scholastic Book Fairs. But of course I had to do my little sweep of the MG shelves and lo and behold, there it was!
I’ve started reading the Amazon and Goodreads reviews of the series and have found it’s really motivating. I love these reviews by little girls talking about how much they love the series. It helps my mood a thousand percent when I start to feel that writing these books is a bit of a grind. Kids and their parents love these characters and their stories and that alone is enough to get me back in my chair working!
That said, I am back to my YA series for now. I have a mini-check-in deadline on September 12. About 45 pages to get through. In between I’m trying to knock out 1k of the MG daily. As much as I’m sure I’ll be ready to have DMOD done and over with, I hope I’ll look back at it and be proud of all I accomplished in such a short span of time. After all, at the end of all this madness I’ll have 4 books to hold in my hands and that, I figure, will be pretty darn cool.
Source: google.com via Mary on Pinterest
Is the YA series a ghostwriting project like the middle grade one, or is that the YA project listed in your list of projects? I read the other posts, it’s not that I’m not following
but you have A LOT of projects and I’m getting a little mixed-up!
Hi Sarah! The YA series is a ghostwriting project as well. I haven’t added it to my projects page yet! It’s actually a lot more hush-hush in terms of what I can talk about than the MG series. I generally don’t name the MG series just because, but my name is actually on the first page of each book, so I think it’s a little less of a secret maybe. I know I need to come up with real nicknames for the projects or something because it’s very confusing–even for me!!!
I was curious if you would write a post about your writing schedule, and how you fit it in between your day job (and before that law school and the bar). I’m still struggling to balance writing w/ a full time job and other commitments, but you seem to have uncanny time-management skills! Would love if you could share some tips.
Hi Phil, I’d love to! Thanks so much for the suggestion–always appreciated since I’m constantly running out of things to blog about. I warn you that you’ll probably be less-than-impressed with my actual time management skills (it ain’t pretty)–but I’ll try to be honest regardless.
I’ve always been curious on how with all of these various writing projects going on, how do you manage to keep all the various plot lines separate and in synch w/o any of them bleeding into each other?
G, what’s up, my friend? Good to hear from you.
Honestly, I tend to work on one project at a time with a lot of intensity. I have an extremely difficult time when I have to jump around. It’s a lot easier to get started each day when working on the same project consistently. This is the first time that I HAVE to work on two projects each day. So, it’s a learning experience for me. I can’t say I’m quite in the swing of things. I have really detailed synopses for the plots to follow, but the tough part for me seems to be voice and character and making sure the right nuances are going in the right places.
I’m not sure how you do it all!
I’ve spent a good part of my morning trying to get caught up in here. I’ve been as neglectful about reading blogs as I have been about writing on mine this summer. I’m curious…have you already moved? And if so, have you found any great writer groups in the area?
Hey! Oh my goodness, have you seen how behind I’ve been on this blog!? I’m right there with you. I’ve moved. But! I’m staying in Austin until I start work on September 26th. So, I’ll be there more full-tim until then. I don’t know of any writers groups besides DFW Writers Con which is in Euless. I went there for awhile and it was a really professional, good group. We’ll have to meet up when I get there! Maybe we can find our own writer peeps.
I will certainly want to meet up, and finding writer peeps is just what I need. Thanks for the tips!
Your blog is always so positive…and I loved the Ray Bradbury quote. Keep it up.
Chaya
Thanks, Chaya!! Much appreciated.
Chandler, that will be darn cool! I’m just so, so, SO excited for you. Not everyone could make it work. It’s pretty awesome to see you pushing through!
-Mandy