Writing goals

[Lacy Duckwing]

Back to the character naming drawing board, my favourite place... not

I used to have a baby naming book that I would just skim through to find what fits my character. Then one day I got rid of it with the thought, 'Why will I ever need that again?'

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

I used to have a baby naming book that I would just skim through to find what fits my character. Then one day I got rid of it with the thought, 'Why will I ever need that again?'

Honestly. I might just steal names of people I know, wouldn't be the first time

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

So here is my most recent writing piece I've done if anyone wants to read it. It is starring two characters from book one of the book series that I have intentions of writing. This has nothing to do with the overall storyline as I was writing it for a prompt (technically two prompts), but it easy could be. For the re-writing of book one, there's some pieces I need to figure out, and I think if I was to use this, it might help. Anyway, here it is:

"But when all is said and done, you're the only thing I see, my love." I kissed her head, my arm wrapped around her frail body. "So tell me what you're looking for?"
She sighed, face still turned toward the window. "Maybe I just want the last man standing?"
Not again, my head met the back of the couch. "Darling-"
She pulled free from my grip and went to the window. "He wants you to leave."
"When has he not?"
She sighed. Again.
"Darling?"
"He's going to take legal action against you if you don't."
I threw my hands out. "Legal action against moi? Ha! I'd like to see him try! What could he possibly have against me?"
The clock ticked, but she didn't make a sound. She stood there firmer than the window still, arms held tight against her stomach like she was trying to keep the contents inside.
I slid to the edge of the couch. "Alexandria?"
"You touched it, didn't you?"
"What?"
She faced me, her eyes wet. "You touched it, didn't you? I know you did. Tell me!"
I leaned back, head shaking. He didn't. "I don't know what you're talking about."
She paced toward me. "Leave," her tears fell into my lap. "You have to! They'll kill you if you don't!"
My fingers dug into the couch cushion. I released it and pushed myself to her height. "They won't."
She turned her face away. "Life for life, Doug. That's what they do here."
I sank to the couch. "I can prove my innocence."
"Not if your fingerprints are the only ones on the gun," she stepped toward the cursed window.
I grabbed her arm, rising. "They're not. They can't be. Your brother can't be that clean. I'll prove it was him and I'll be fine." I pulled her toward me. "We'll be fine."
She shook her head slowly. "You don't know my brother," she whispered. "He won't stop until your name is carved on a tombstone. Please," she laid a hand over my heart. "Leave. I'd rather know you're alive somewhere than..."
Her shoulders shook, and she put a clenched fist to her mouth. I weaved my arms over her long hair and held her tightly.
"Fine," I whispered into her sobs. "I'll do it."

 

[Beau plus penny]

I know there's a few writing threads floating about but I kinda want a relaxed goal setting/tracking one.
So basically this is for anyone who writes and feels like sharing any ways they've made progress! Word count, chapters, scenes, whole stories, short stories, anything! You can make personal goals and share them if you like, or perhaps we try some group goals...?
Share any tips or ideas you have for meeting and sticking to your goals, they might help someone else!
We can also use each other for accountability cause I think many writers are world class procrastinators sometimes
You're not obligated to share anything you write, but you certainly can (for thread neatness, is probably a good idea to be sure you share them in a spoiler). If someone shares writing please be sure not to critique it unless they've specifically asked for that, this is for encouraging progress, not squashing it!


@Lacy Duckwing @Isabella7Storm5
Tag anyone else, cause idk who else to bother, kinda just hoping people find their way here...

i havent really begun the writing part rn im just planning the story buts its called paper heart and the main character is named cal and when he was 8 his best friend ran away cal is extremely traumatized by what his best friend had done and what had happened cal end ups with amnesias and has dilusions that his best friend is still by his side but in reality its just the trauma.

 

[MamaPoult]

I have this problem too
My draft haaaassss…6 chapters I think? Well almost. I’m finishing 6 up. And ~16k words
Usually I just pack as many POVs in there as I can whilst keeping the timeline as steady as possible and see where the plot takes me because my imagery is sparse and I underwrite.

If I see a chapter that just refuses to be longer I see if there’s any descriptive language I should have added first and go from there

That's great advice! It makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one lol. It's in the first person right now but I'm bouncing between his past self and his present self. Maybe I should incorporate more people's povs though, that's a great idea tysm!!

 

[MamaPoult]

As the most unprofessional person present...

I don't.


In fact I did away with chapters cause I hate 'em

That's awesome!!! Maybe I should just follow your lead . I just feel like when I go back to add stuff it doesn't flow.... it's like you can where I really had to try to add random stuff lol

 

[MamaPoult]

I had the skinny chapter issue when I started out with this draft.
The biggest culprit was that each chapter only amounted to an intro, singular scene, and an outro.
What helped me was packing more scenes into each chapter (‘more’ meaning three or so. Not going crazy).
Now my chapters average at about 3,500 or longer, depending on the content.

*another note is that chapter length depends wholly on the individual book’s pacing. Faster paced books are clearly better suited to short, snappy chapters. Good ‘ol plodders with deep, philosophical discussions or whatever give you the long-haul chapters. So do with that what you will, tailor your own experience. You’re the one writing it.

This makes a lot of sense and I will try my best to implement it. I guess perhaps I could just add more to the plot line. I feel like I get stuck and want it to be perfect on my first draft when that's never gonna happen . I've gotten several responses from all you guys that I really appreciate, thank you! And, congrats on solving you chapter issue I excited to take your advice and see where it goes!

 

[MamaPoult]

I also wanted to ask, how do you guys pick such awesome titles for your books??! I find it so difficult . Right now I just think of one word to describe my character and pick a name that means that and use the adjective as the title lol. Like for instance the story I'm working on is currently called Brave because that's what my main character's name means (his name is Yong).

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

I also wanted to ask, how do you guys pick such awesome titles for your books??! I find it so difficult . Right now I just think of one word to describe my character and pick a name that means that and use the adjective as the title lol. Like for instance the story I'm working on is currently called Brave because that's what my main character's name means (his name is Yong).

...
My story doesn't have a title and the document title rn was me having an inside joke with myself one night I was very bored

 

[MamaPoult]

...
My story doesn't have a title and the document title rn was me having an inside joke with myself one night I was very bored

That's hilarious ! It's legit the most challenging part for me lol