Crusades, Celebrations and Contests

- May 01, 2011

ery excited today! Thanks to Zan Marie, who's celebrating her 100th post and 200th follower, I just discovered that this is my 498th post. Wednesday will be 499 and Friday will see my 500th post! I'll be thinking of ways to celebrate all week, and yes there will be prizes!

Rachel recently posted her Writer's Code, which goes for me too. Besides working every day, and having patience - and not comparing myself to others - one other item I'd add to the list is: stop obsessing over time. It's only been a year since I've been writing and revising the current novel (though there was a year before that when I was halfheartedly drafting); no reason for me to rush the process or feel as though I'm falling behind some arbitrary line.

On that note, I'm seriously considering signing up for Barbara Rogan's Revising Fiction Course, starting in June and running all summer. I've only done a few hours of editing each day in the past few days, and that's still only on paper. All those changes have to be entered into the MS, the ending needs a major overhaul (at the moment it's... dare I say it... rather lame), and I think being part of a course will give me the added discipline I need to finish the novel and get ready to - gasp! - query in autumn.

Rach's Second Writer's Platform-building Crusade has ended. Join us for the next round in August!

Oh, in case you missed it... Here's Google's Doodle for the Royal Wedding:

Comments

Jill W. said…

Deniz,

Definitely agree about not rushing with time. Who cares how long it takes you, as long as you get the MS where you want it to be, quality wise?

I was really interested in Barbara's course -- too bad I don't have a completed MS. [g] Let us know how it goes if you decide to join in!

1 May 2011 at 13:30

Jenny Maloney said…

Man, that invisible line haunts all of us, doesn't it?

1 May 2011 at 13:33

Talli Roland said…

Oh, I missed that Google doodle. Cool!

1 May 2011 at 14:04

Nadja Notariani said…

Hi Deniz! You offer wisdom in your post. The biggest mistake we can make is to compare ourselves to others. We are each writing for our own reasons, and dealing with a different life, writing style, and set of ideals. Each day, we must focus on being the best we can be. That is success. Glad you reminded me .....
~Nadja

1 May 2011 at 14:27

J.L. Campbell said…

500 posts? Awesome! Thanks for the round up. Didn't see that Google pic before, so thanks.

I need to get back to my ms and remind myself to be patient in going through the process as well.

1 May 2011 at 16:37

S.P. Bowers said…

You're worried because it's been a year? It's been close to two years on my current WIP and I still have at least one more pass through after my current edit before it goes to beta readers. You're cruising. :)

1 May 2011 at 16:41

Deniz Bevan said…

Thanks Jill! I'm sorely tempted by Barbara's course - I just hope I can commit to it all summer.

I don't know why it bothers me so much Jenny. I just always feel like I'm never getting anywhere.

I'm glad it was helpful Nadja! I need constant reminders...

Had no idea I was up to 500, JL! I wouldn't have checked, but for Zan Marie.

Thanks Spesh! I shouldn't be surprised - Austin's story took over two years, so by that count (and if you don't count the year that I hardly did anything on Rosa's story, before Cherry Hill), one year is practically lightning speed!

1 May 2011 at 17:05

Deniz Bevan said…

They had another cute Doodle today, Talli - 160th anniversary of the first world's fair.

1 May 2011 at 17:06

Zan Marie said…

Deniz,
Only ONE year! I'd be thrilled to be as far along as you are and I'm starting my fourth year of Friendly Fire. We're not counting the two decade plus on Dawn and Lion. Good grief, girl! You're one of the speed demons.

Thanks for the link to my blogfest--You're in the drawing twice now. ; )

1 May 2011 at 17:50

Kate said…

That course sounds interesting. I DO tend to compare myself to others, but I try not to make it negative, as in, sure, they sell a 100 books a day, but look, I'm already up to 100 books a month. Go me! :)

1 May 2011 at 20:56

Nas said…

Thanks for this Google Doodle, seems I also missed it!

All the best!

2 May 2011 at 05:56

alberta ross said…

course sounds interesting good luck with that - I set deadlines now because people are waiting for next part of the story (memo to self don't write another series!!)

keep smiling

2 May 2011 at 06:00

M.K. Nissen said…

Congrats on almost having 500 posts! That's quite a number!

2 May 2011 at 12:15

Unknown said…

Yay, what an accomplishment. Congrats. I plan to join the crusades again.

2 May 2011 at 19:30

Deniz Bevan said…

Aww, thanks Zan Marie! Comparisons just don't pay [g]

Congratulations on 100 books a month, Kate!

Thank you, Nas! Off to visit your latest interview...

That's why I'm scared of writing a series, alberta - well, not that others are waiting, as yet, but that I'll keep pressuring myself...

Thanks Mary and Clarissa!

2 May 2011 at 21:13

Naina Gupta said…

I think I need to write my own code as well.

3 May 2011 at 09:03

Anonymous said…

I missed the doodle. It's awesome.

Wow @ how many posts you've done. You're a dedicated blogger.

I'm going to check out the writer's code to get some ideas. Sometimes I lapse and don't write as much as I should.

4 May 2011 at 00:32

Deniz Bevan said…

Thanks for coming by Naina and Medeia! The writer's code is great thing to keep in mind when you're feeling overwhelmed.

5 May 2011 at 19:47