One of the challenges of a writer is to track what he had write or not. In the perfect world, I wake up every morning and write for seven to eight hours of super productive and full attention. If I would be able to do that seven days a week this post most likely would have never come up; but that reality at least for me is that is not, if I don’t track my progress, life can get in the middle, and my writing to the side, faster than what I am ready to admit it, here o in private.
In January, the first month that I officially and with order begin tracking my writings I was happy with the number, I average over 1300 words per day, not incredible, but not bad, the problem is I was unhappy.
Took me some reflection to understand why I was unhappy with the number, well you see I am a fiction Writer, if I write 50,000 words of fiction I will be trill, if I write 0 I am not happy. I discover that the number I was seeing, regardless of how good may look, was mostly non fiction stuff, and wasn’t help me to get to the goal of wrote fiction, wasn’t putting me any closer.
In February therefore I begin tracking both, total words written and total fiction. The great thing with that was that I was able to push myself to write mor fiction, because I was seeing the numbers, and I could compare my writing that create distraction and the one that I am prying to accomplish.
In march I repeated the exercise, and even tough I had been unhappy in general with the amount of words, I can say, that I am happy with the tracking part, I am happy to be able to see that I am or not focusing enough in my fiction writing.
What are you trying to accomplish? Are you sure that keg measure you are using is good enough, if you are measuring the wrong factors, is hard to obtain the correct results.
Year: 2011
On writing too much detail
I love descriptions, but like everything in life, too much description gets to slow down your reading, and as a reader, as well as a writer gets annoying. I just finish reading The Marching Season by Daniel Silva. This is the second book on his Michael Osbourne Series. This book had the same problem I found with the first one, it takes forever to get to the action, after you get to the action the book is incredible. The problem is not research, the book has plenty of research. I like to get into the story, tell me the info, but help me get sooner into the adventure I am going to embark, and in the case of the two books on the series takes a long time. I was hoping, because this was the second book, this was going to be different, but wasnât.
Aside of that, of if you enjoy extensive descriptions, is a great book, especially after you get in the middle of the story, and the story begins to move.
I know first hand, how hard is sometime to let the story goes, I am living it right now, as I am working on my next book. I will love to spend days telling you about the character, Hannah, but after a lot of consideration I took the same route I took on the previous book, let me bring you a little into the story, and later on I will tell you more.
Mr. Silva, gives you all the detail and more, he shows how much research the book had. The problem, with this is the risk you take, the risk of loosing the reader. Giving long descriptions is an art, I am an adventurer writer, I want you to embark in the journey, I want you to discover more as we move along, and I will provide you with the information you need in order to enjoy the journey, but I try to avoid spend pages of pages describing something that will be cool to know in 100 more pages, I am a believer as a reader, and therefore as a writer that the faster you get my heart in the story, the more I want to know, give me the details, but capture my heart first. This book, works the other way around, gives you all the data, and later on capture your heart, but in general unless you are aware that it will capture your heart later on, most likely you will run before.
âThereâs no reason to have a Plan B because it distracts you from Plan A.â
When I was a teenager, I had a great Plan A, a Plan A that I was in love with. I was convinced that I was crazy, and I should have a Plan B. So I did went out and get a Plan B, and then a Master for the Plan B, and life went on.
It was Will Smith that said âThereâs no reason to have a Plan B because it distracts you from Plan A.â
I had fun playing with my Plan B, I learn about computers, software, sales, deals, good ones and bad ones. I learn a lot, but in the process of getting good on my Plan B, I leave my Plan A apart, I forgot about Plan A, I put it in the back burner and stop paying attention.
The good news is that I found the crumbles I left to my other me to find this Plan A, and the better news was that I found it. So I begin looking for more clues on that Plan A, and I begin working hard on that Plan, and in the process I re-discover the Writer inside! The more I found and remember about Plan A, the more resentful I got about Plan B, not because was a bad one, but because wasnât Plan A. I decided to follow Will Smith advice, and forgot about Plan B, and focus on my Plan A.
I begin tracking my daily word count per day, I did 17,931K words this January and finish my first (for the public eyes) novel. Even better, I am planning the next one, and will begin drafting on February first.
Being a Writer is one of those jobs that are hard, ungrateful and everyone think they can do. I quit on this job sometime ago, because was so ungrateful and I was afraid. I follow Plan B, succeed in other jobs, while I dreamed that someday I will be back to be a writer. I was living the Plan B, instead of killing myself in the Plan A.
Did you remember your Plan A? Are you living your Plan A or you settle for Plan B?
I regret only few things in my life, leaving Plan A behind is one of those. My plan here is to write, talk about writing, show my writings, and share the experience of bringing back my Plan A to live.
Why do you want to be a writer?
Because when I choose to be someone else, I wish to be a writer anyways. Because when I dreamed about do anything with my life, the only thing I want it to do was be a writer, because is the thing that creates the biggest fear in my life.
I when and study to be a lawyer, got my degree, and did the best I could not to write. Even then I want it to be a writer. Then I decided to participate in a research contest, that I tied on first place with someone else, and decide that I need it a radical change, so I donât write anymore.
I went and did an MBA, move to a different country, and learned a different language. By then I decided that in order to kill the urge to write I need to stop reading, since I didnât know how to do that, I begin to tell myself to be allowed only to read in English (that I didnât speak at the time).
I read âTom Sawyerâ, with a dictionary, word by word. Until made sense. So the next step was simple, I forbid myself for writing in Spanish. I didnât have enough domain of the English language to write, so I stopped writing, I stopped reading, and begin crafting a different life. I begin creating a business persona. Move myself from nothing to Sales Manager, and stop reading anything else than business books.
I miss fiction, but I learn as much as I could of business, business books, and more. It was a fun ride, and allow me to get to great places, I was proud, but I miss fiction, and I was afraid to open a fiction book, I knew that years before I leave that road, to never come back.
One day it happen, I read a book, and then another, and then another. Little by little, the dormant writer was waking up. This time, I knew, there was going to be hard to make the writer go away, it was going to be painful, and happiness was in play, my happiness.
So after admitting to myself, that I had choose to be someone else, I begin to do the only thing I want it to do, I begin to Write.
I just finish a novel, technically the first one I send to the world, I submitted to the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, and we are waiting.
After years of struggle, mostly internal struggle, I have decide to have the life I want, I am a writer.
So my original question was: Why do you want to be a writer?
In my case is simple, I Want to be a Writer, because I donât want to be anything else.
Book Mention: The Productive Writer
This is the first Book of 2011, and I enjoy it. It is an easy read full of great content.
From Amazon:
Editorial Review
“Poetic and practical, inspiring and hands-on, Sage Cohen writes like the good friend who actually wants you to succeed. Prepare to be inspired–and prepare to get to work. Whether you’re a new or seasoned writer, this book will push you to your potential.” –Ariel Gore,author of How to Become a Famous Writer Before You’re Dead
“Sage Cohen marries her lucid poet’s eye and her strategic business mind together in The Productive Writer, the most supportive book on writing productivity I’ve read in ages. Whether a fly-by-night creative or a ducks-in-a-row organizer, a brand newbie, or a stuck professional, every writer will find tools, templates and compassionate wisdom in this magnificently helpful read.” –Jordan Rosenfeld, author of Make a Scene: Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time
“This book is an essential tool for every writer. From those just starting out, to those on the bestseller list, Sage Cohen offers tools that will help you do what you do better. The Productive Writer may be the most practical writing guide out there. I have my copy. Now go buy yours.” –Chelsea Cain, New York Times Bestselling author
“While Sage offers tips on the nitty-gritty of productivity — everything from tracking your time to organizing your bookshelves — she goes way beyond that to address such important topics as how to build your platform, overcoming fear, and how to THINK more productively. I’m a productivity freak, and I came away from this book with a ton of actionable ideas. Even better, Sage’s writing style is delightful. I recommend The Productive Writer to everyone who wants to write, whether for a hobby or for a living.” –Linda Formichelli, author of The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success.
“The Productive Writer is one of those great books that is a compilation of advice that takes writers step by step through the process of becoming published, while at the same time teaching how to maintain balance in daily life as it lends courage to express something deep within you. More than a how-to-write book; this volume fills in the gaps of what you need to know about living as a writer. The book is chockfull of check lists and exercises and whiz-bang explanations that make writing feasible, fulfilling, and, dare I say, fun.” –Jessica Morrell, author of six books, including Thanks, but This Isn’t for Us, A (sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing is Being Rejected
“Sage Cohen marries her lucid poet’s eye and her strategic business mind together in The Productive Writer, the most supportive book on writing productivity I’ve read in ages. Whether a fly-by-night creative or a ducks-in-a-row organizer, a brand newbie, or a stuck professional, every writer will find tools, templates and compassionate wisdom in this magnificently helpful read.” –Jordan Rosenfeld, author of Make a Scene: Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time
“This book is an essential tool for every writer. From those just starting out, to those on the bestseller list, Sage Cohen offers tools that will help you do what you do better. The Productive Writer may be the most practical writing guide out there. I have my copy. Now go buy yours.” –Chelsea Cain, New York Times Bestselling author
“While Sage offers tips on the nitty-gritty of productivity — everything from tracking your time to organizing your bookshelves — she goes way beyond that to address such important topics as how to build your platform, overcoming fear, and how to THINK more productively. I’m a productivity freak, and I came away from this book with a ton of actionable ideas. Even better, Sage’s writing style is delightful. I recommend The Productive Writer to everyone who wants to write, whether for a hobby or for a living.” –Linda Formichelli, author of The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success.
“The Productive Writer is one of those great books that is a compilation of advice that takes writers step by step through the process of becoming published, while at the same time teaching how to maintain balance in daily life as it lends courage to express something deep within you. More than a how-to-write book; this volume fills in the gaps of what you need to know about living as a writer. The book is chockfull of check lists and exercises and whiz-bang explanations that make writing feasible, fulfilling, and, dare I say, fun.” –Jessica Morrell, author of six books, including Thanks, but This Isn’t for Us, A (sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing is Being Rejected
Product Description
The creative process can be treacherous, even for the most experienced writer. Facing the blank page, staying inspired, sustaining momentum, managing competing priorities and coping with rejection are just a few of the challenges writers face regularly.With this book, you’ll learn the systems, strategies and psychology that can help you transform possibilities into probabilities in your writing life. You’ll sharpen your productivity pencil by learning how to:
* Set clear goals – and achieve them * Create a writing schedule that really works * Discover what keeps you writing, revising, and submitting * Carve out writing time amidst the demands of work and family * Weed out habits and attitudes that are not serving you * Organize your thinking, workspace, papers and files * Increase your odds of publication and prosperity * Use social media to build an author platform * Get comfortable going public and promoting your writing * Create a sustainable writing rhythm and lifestyle * Accomplish what matters most to you.
If you’d like to have so much fun with your writing, publishing and promoting that you won’t want to stop, The Productive Writer is an ideal companion. If you are ready to create the writing life you most desire, The Productive Writer can help take you there.
* Set clear goals – and achieve them * Create a writing schedule that really works * Discover what keeps you writing, revising, and submitting * Carve out writing time amidst the demands of work and family * Weed out habits and attitudes that are not serving you * Organize your thinking, workspace, papers and files * Increase your odds of publication and prosperity * Use social media to build an author platform * Get comfortable going public and promoting your writing * Create a sustainable writing rhythm and lifestyle * Accomplish what matters most to you.
If you’d like to have so much fun with your writing, publishing and promoting that you won’t want to stop, The Productive Writer is an ideal companion. If you are ready to create the writing life you most desire, The Productive Writer can help take you there.
Reading is like gas to the writer engine
in 2007, I noticed that not only my writing career was in total abandonment, but one of the most important ingredients for a Writer, the ingredient that allow the engine to move, was also almost inexistent. I begin reading at a really early age, and read most of my life until decide to quit writing, there was no more reason to read, but honestly bother me that I was not reading, and after that begin bothering me that I was not writing.
So for my goals of 2008, I set a goal of 52 books. I didnât reach the goal, but was able to read 47 books. I decide to repeat that exercise and goal in 2009 and reach 55. I rinse and repeat for 2010 and celebrate my 52 in September and end up the year with 71. I am proud of that goal, and I believe it is a great routine, so for this year 2011, I am also setting my goal to 52 books.
I am a believer that if you want to write, you need to read, and if you want to write a lot, well, you need to read a lot. I am looking forward to 2011, for me is an important year, to bring my career as a writer forward, to present to my readers some new work, some novellas (I have one in final edition at this moment), short stories and tell about the Novel I am writing and plan to finish before the end of the year.
In the mean time, I will continue writing and feeding the engine with more reading. Feel free to recommend a book.
In case you are curious, this is the list of books I finish in 2010.
Books I have read in 2010
(71)
Kindle/eReader/iBook (53)
– Bird By Bird. Anne Lamonth
– The Simple Guide to a Minimalist Life. Leo Babauta
– The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin
– Linchpin. Seth Godin
– Insubordinate. Seth Godin
– From Idea to Book: Writing, self-publishing and print-on-demand…for your book. By: Joanna Penn
– Way of Aikido, The: Life Lessons from an American Sensei: Life Lessons from an American Sensei by George Burr Leonard
– Mojo. Marshall Goldsmith
– The Sales Leader Playbook. Nathan Jamall
– The Power of Full Engagement. Managing Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by James E. Loehr (Author)
– Rework by Jason Fried
– Harry Potter and the half blood Prince. JK Rolling
-The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. Robin S. Sharma (Author)
– My Name is David Cole. Jon Souza
– Write Good or Die. Varios Artist
– A Writer’s Coach: An Editor Guide to words that work. By Jack Hart
– Heroes for My Son By Brad Meltzer
– Your Money: The Missing Manual. J.D Roth
– Small is the new Big. Seth Godin
– The Promise Doctrine (a guidebook and system for consistently delivering on your promises!) (Volume 1)
by Craig P. Womack, Jason W. Womack
– Black Echo. Michael Conelly
– How to Write a Damn Good Thriller: A Step-by-Step Guide for Novelists and Screenwriters by James N. Frey
– The Book Thief by Markus
– Her Side. Mur Lafferty
– Get Paid For Who You Are. David Wood
– Retrato en Sepia. Isabel Allende
– Winning by lossing. Julian Michaels
– Black Ice. Michael Connelly
– Concrete Blonde. Michael Connelly
– Heat Wave. Richard Castle
– Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins
– Catching Fire.Suzanne Collins
– Mockingjay. Suzanne Collins
-A Million-Miles-in-a-Thousand-Years. Don Miller
– 279 Days to Overnight Success. Chris Guillebeau
– The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World. Chris Guillebeau
-Too soon Old, Too late Smart. Gordon Livingston
– The highly effective habits of 5 successful authors.
– The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life by Francine Jay (Author)
– WRITE NOW! How To Write. Francine Saint Marie
– focus : a simplicity manifesto in the age of distraction. By Leo Babauta
– Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach
– Snow Day. Billy Coffey
– The Mark of the assassin. Daniel Silva
– Creating Flow with Omnifocus. Kourosh Dini
– Vanished. Joseph Finder
– The 4 hour Body. Tim Ferris
– Mac at Work. David Sparky
– Daddy, Where’s Your Vagina? What I Learned As a Stay-at-Home Dad. by Joseph Schatz
– Watchlist. Various Authors
– Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows. JK Rolling
AudioBooks (12)
– The 30-Second Commute: A Non-Fiction Comedy about Writing and Working From Home by Stephanie Dickison
– The Legend of Bagger Vance: A Novel of Golf and the Game of Life by Steven Pressfield
– A whole new mind by Daniel Pink
– Drive by Daniel Pink
– The Dip. Seth Godin
– Stumbling on Happiness.Dan Gilbert
– Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk
– Tribes. Seth Godin
– Purple Cow. Seth Godin
– Switch. How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath, Dan Heath
– This Year I Will…: How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True. by M. J. Ryan (Author)
– Linchpin. Seth Godin
PaperBooks (6)
– Cuando ya no importe. Juan Carlos Onetti
– Las Luces de Septiembre. Carlos Ruiz Zafon
– A Parent’s guide to Ear Tubes. By Richard M. Rosenfeld
– Hilos de Esperanza. Rodrigo Lares
– Delivering Happiness. Tony Hsieh
– Cuentos para Principiantes. Maria E. Mayobre
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2011
2011 is here, and if you are like me, you are ready for a new year. I have spend a lot of time, thinking about this blog, as well as the other places that I write, my goals as a writer and as a person for 2011, and there is going to be a lot of changes here, the first one on the post and the kind of posts.
augustopinaud.com is the place that I am going to be talking about my writing journey, this is my Author page, so again Welcome!
I am a big fan of productivity and personal improvement, and most of the post on those topic are going to be posted on www.mindlikemonkey.com where I share with my great friends Dan and Tara.
I am sure some thing will cross post, but that it is something that will come later on.
The other goal, is to publish at least monday, Wednesday and Friday here about what I am learning as well as some short stories and more stuff, but I will be talking more about my goals for 2011 begining next week.
For now, enjoy 2011, get the best out of it, and I hope this get to be your best year yet!