Jill Williamson is a chocolate loving, daydreaming, creator of kingdoms. She writes weird books for teens in lots of weird genres like, fantasy (Blood of Kings trilogy), science fiction (Replication), and dystopian (The Safe Lands trilogy). Find Jill on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or on her author website.
Good morning!
I feel good about this day! So good, I'm singing this song. I really wish I knew how to tap dance.
I know, it's early, but it's time to kick off day two of the Go Teen Writers Virtual Writing Retreat weekend! Whoo hoo! Yesterday was amazing, and today will be too. If you just found us, there are still two days left of the retreat in which we're posting questions and giveaways on the blog, but we've also created a Go Teen Writers email loop for further discussion. You can find it here:
I feel good about this day! So good, I'm singing this song. I really wish I knew how to tap dance.
I know, it's early, but it's time to kick off day two of the Go Teen Writers Virtual Writing Retreat weekend! Whoo hoo! Yesterday was amazing, and today will be too. If you just found us, there are still two days left of the retreat in which we're posting questions and giveaways on the blog, but we've also created a Go Teen Writers email loop for further discussion. You can find it here:
This morning we're talking word wars. A word war happens when two or more writers decide to race. They choose when to start and how long they'll write for, then they go for it. And the author who types the most words at the end of the allotted time, wins.
Have you ever participated in a word war? Do you find them helpful? Do you want to do a word war (or eight word wars) with me today? *grin* Let's do it!
Have you ever participated in a word war? Do you find them helpful? Do you want to do a word war (or eight word wars) with me today? *grin* Let's do it!
Here's how it will work. Below is the word war schedule that I'll be hosting. I posted the times in Central Time, since that's the time zone for the retreat. I will post "Ready, set, go!" posts on the email loop, the GTW Facebook group, and in the comments of THIS POST. Then, wherever you're commenting, when each tour ends, you can report your word counts. Also, keep track of your entire Saturday word count and we'll see who gets in the most words today.
I'm so excited! (Because I love doing this and because I'm behind on my current WIP!)
Please don't feel pressured to participate in these. And if you can only do one or two, that's cool too. And if you can't do them at all because of the times I chose, feel free to schedule your own word wars with others who might not be able to do these times. I'm especially thinking of you international writers.
I leave you with this quote from Stephen King: “When asked, 'How do you write?' I invariably answer, 'One word at a time,' and the answer is invariably dismissed. But that is all it is. It sounds too simple to be true, but consider the Great Wall of China, if you will: one stone at a time, man. That's all. One stone at a time.”
So let's do this thing today! One word at a time. See you at 9:00 a.m. central.
Enter to win the Fantasy Prize Pack!
A paperback copy of By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson and a paperback copy of Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore. (Click on the titles to read more about each book on Amazon.com. Also, these paperbacks are available for U.S. residents only due to the expense of international shipping, but we will work out an alternative for international winners.)
I'm going to be gone all day, but I might be able to participate in some wars this evening!
ReplyDeleteAnd in answer to the giveaway question, another thing I've done this past week is I started a new story in which I shall play with a new writing style, among other things. I feel kinda bad about taking that bit of time away from the story I'm editing, but perhaps writing in a new story will help me get through the "gah I hate editing" phases.
Answering the giveaway question, I've been doing some editing this week.
ReplyDeleteI love word wars! Even if you don't actually compete during them, they still give you focused time writing.
~Robyn Hoode
Oooh, word wars, I want to try to do one, definitely! :)
ReplyDeleteSadly, I won't be able to do many of these word wars, as I have a pretty busy day today. Hopefully I'll be able to do one or two, though.
ReplyDeleteEditing my story, or at least working toward my goal of finishing it. My friend is currently editing it for me and it just came back over e-mail, so now I need to look over it. Busy weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteCan't to get started on Chapter Eleven of my novel. Just might be able to compete in the last word war.
ReplyDeleteHooray for a fresh morning to write in! ;D
ReplyDeleteSomething I have done besides edit this week is send "part 1" of my book out to some friends - male and female so I'll get varied opinions, and my editor (a.k.a., Dad).
Yay! Looking forward to the word wars :)
ReplyDeleteThis week, I wrote another chapter and figured out a new twist in the plot that I'm really happy with.
It's time for the 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Word War! Ready, set, go!
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
ReplyDeleteI'm in!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! 'By Darkness Hid' is one of the books? :D Sorry, having a fangirl moment here, and I haven't even read the book yet... lol
ReplyDeleteI came too late for the first one, but I want in on the next! :)
Oh, and as for the question... Well, my family and I have had a crazy, rather traumatic week, so I haven't gotten much done on anything, but I *have* been writing whenever time, energy and cognitive ability allowed. And since writing is pretty much my dream, that's how I've worked towards it this week. Also getting ready to buckle down and do some editing........ *groooooaaaaannnnn* (I'll never be "ready" for that, I'm afraid... :P )
"The first one" being the first word war... Sorry, that seemed a little unclear.
Delete:-) Carrie, you're cute.
DeleteI suppose, one thing I have done is continue reading tips and such from this website blog and others on how to become a better writer and dos and don'ts of writing (which I know all those rules can be broken or tweaked, but it gives me a place to start). :)
ReplyDeleteI... ::drumroll, please:: got a laptop!!!! Well, to be specific, my sister-in-law's old laptop, and I don't have it yet, but I'm gonna! This has been the main thing that's been keeping me from writing - I have to borrow my mom's computer to get anything done! SO this is a huge deal for me =)
ReplyDeleteSTOP! The 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. word war is over. How'd you do? I got 750 words.
ReplyDeleteI hopped on near the middle of the time, but I got 230.
ReplyDeleteGood job, Olivia! :-)
DeleteWord wars! Fun! I might have to jump into one later today :)
ReplyDeleteTo answer the giveaway question: I've made myself sit down and write every day this week. Usually, I'll won't really have a schedule, so I might write a good bit one day, skip two days, write some more, etc. But I've plowed through this week.
Woo hoo! :D This sounds like fun! :D
ReplyDeleteIt's time for the 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Word War! Ready, set, go!
ReplyDeleteAugh! Okay, I'm a little late, but I'm joining...
DeleteI'm extremely late but I'm joining.
DeleteSTOP! The 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. word war is over. How'd you do? I got 670 this time.
Delete591 for me. Definitely not a record, but I'm happy I wrote more than a couple hundred with how my brain has been lately. :)
DeleteGood job, Carrie! :-)
DeleteWish I could take part! Hope you all have fun!x
ReplyDeleteI'd say taking part in this retreat is working toward my dream. I'll have to join in on one of the later wars. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun. :D
ReplyDeleteSTOP! The 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. word war is over. How'd you do? I got 670 this time.
ReplyDeleteWell, I only joined at 10:27 but I got 155 words and I also started my novel so I'm happy.
ReplyDelete-Jodie.
Whoo hoo! Every little bit helps!
DeleteI've never participated in a word war, but I'm looking forward to joining in in at least one of these word wars with you, Jill! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd for the giveaway question: This week I've written some of my WIP, and I'm going to try some new things (like a word war).
It's time for the one hour word war now. From 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Central Time.
ReplyDeleteReady, set, go!
Words Wars! Yay!
ReplyDeleteTo respect my dream this week I shared writing with friends (gulp) and I'm participating in this retreat! :)
Giveaway question answer: Last night I worked toward my dream to be a published author. I finished the first draft of my book, then, this morning, gave the final chapters to my eager brothers who finished it in an hour. THEN my mom gave me the critiques back from my first book's draft. Three point score!!!! I think that's working towards my dream. :D
ReplyDeleteSTOP! The 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. word war is over. How'd you do? I got 1342 words.
ReplyDelete1,498 words! :D I forgot how much I like Word Wars!
DeleteI got 1299 words! :)
DeleteGreat job, Jill!
Good job, you guys! That's awesome!
DeleteAlso... I LOVE SINGING IN THE RAIN.
ReplyDeleteMe too. :-)
DeleteI won't be doing the Word War, unfortunately, but I will be continuing the Writing Retreat, hoping to get 4,000 or more words down!
ReplyDeleteI've got a lot of writing to do. I hopefully I can participate in some of the late afternoon/evening word wars. I don't think I'll be working on much fiction, but instead on blog posts. I'm super behind, and I want to get a bunch written and scheduled before school starts up again. My current fictional WIP is still in the planning stages, and not really ready for actual writing yet.
ReplyDeleteCan't do the word war today. Still excited about this whole thing, though. :)
ReplyDeleteSTOP! The 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. word war is over. (I think I forgot to say go this time... My bad.)
ReplyDeleteHow'd you do? I got 949 words. I seem to write faster when there is romantic tension in the scene. *rolls eyes* I'm such a girl. :-)
Jill
I wrote 678 words. :)
DeleteNice, Micheila!
DeleteSweet! I haven't worked on my WIP all summer (I know, I was really bummed) so this is great to catch up on some words! Just wrote 613 words in the last half hour war. :D
ReplyDeleteYay! Nicely done!
DeleteI've been brainstorming a new idea, and Thursday, I wrote part of the opening scene. It's so weird. I haven't planned out my main character at all yet--she doesn't even have a name--but I feel like I already know her really well. :D :D
ReplyDeleteIt's time for the one hour word war from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. central time.
ReplyDeleteReady, set, go!
I can still comment and enter in the drawing, even though I'm not doing the word war, right?
ReplyDeleteBtw, this week I convinced my dad to fix a laptop up for me and my writing :D
DeleteYes, Lily. The word war is separate from the drawing.
DeleteSTOP! The 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. word war is over.
ReplyDeleteHow'd you do? I got only got 1250 words that time.
I got 1171 words. Less words than my other hour of writing, but still a good amount. :)
DeleteNice! It's a great amount. They're all adding up. I'm so happy!
DeleteBut best thing I have done toward working to my dream is that I think I am half way through my book!! But I never would have been able to do it without all of you guys!! :D
ReplyDeleteTw
It's time for the thirty minute word war from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
ReplyDeleteReady, set, go!
I love word wars!!!
ReplyDeleteSTOP! The 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. word war is over.
ReplyDeleteHow'd you do? I got 820 words.
Working toward one of my dreams, I did some work on my pantster novel for the first time in ages. This novel is different from my others, because I usually plan and outline heaps. It's a bit of a challenge, but the new style is interesting and good for me. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's time for the one hour word war from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
ReplyDeleteReady, set, go!
I won't be able to do the word wars but I do like them and find them very helpful
ReplyDeleteSTOP! The 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. word war is over.
ReplyDeleteHow'd you do? I got 1412 words.
I love word wars, but I am able to do any today because of work. I wish I could. I like how Wayne Thomas Batson will sometimes challenge readers of facebook to them and then give a price to the winner (usually an acknowledgement in his next book). He lets people pick any hour and and post the start, then the end. This way anyone can do it.
ReplyDeleteLoved the word wars.
ReplyDeleteIt's time for the TWO HOUR war from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This is the last official one of the day. You all are doing so good!
ReplyDeleteReady, set, go!
How I'm working toward one of my dreams... I just finished chapter 7 on one of my projects :)
ReplyDeleteI've done many word wars! Sadly, I can't really do those word wars today. . . *sigh* Are you doing any tomorrow afternoon? *blink blink*
ReplyDeleteI'm not planning to, Joy. My husband worked really hard to entertain the kids plus two of their friends all day. I owe him some rest! :-)
DeleteYou could ask someone on the Yahoo loop or on the FB page, though, and I bet you find someone.
DeleteSTOP! The 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. word war is over.
ReplyDeleteHow'd you do? I got 2255 words. I really slowed down there at the end. It's been a lllooonnngggg day and my brain was fried and dead of inspiration.
What was your grand total word count for the day?
Mine was 9691 words. I didn't quite make my goal of 10,000 words, but I was soooo close. Ah well. That puts my book at 31,865 words so far, so I still have a long way to go before I'm done with Captives book three. But this was such a great help today. Thanks so much for warring with me guys! I hope it helped you too.
Great job, Jill! You're so inspiring--my mind was dead yesterday after just over four thousand words! I can't imagine trying to write the ten thousand I had planned for three days in one! Scary.
DeleteI can't wait to read the rest of the Safe Lands trilogy!
i just finished my third draft!
ReplyDeleteLayla.
Yay, Layla!
DeleteI do get a lot more writing done when I do word wars--only thing is, I usually end up having to rewrite everything I accomplish. Still, they're handy for making me commit to a certain amount of time, and once I get started, I tend to keep going.
ReplyDelete