Stephanie here. It's a little hard to believe, but it's the LAST day of our word war. Wow, it's been fun to see how much progress you guys have made. We will definitely have to do this again soon.
I'm taking Roseanna to the airport this morning, and while we've savored the time away from our normal routine to focus on doing something we love, we're both eager to see our families. Roseanna closed out the retreat with about 37,000 words written, and I finished with 30,740 which included the unexpected surprise of being able to type "The End."
And I just have to show this because it's way too cute not to. Roseanna and I stayed at my parents house while they were out of town. They've moved in the last few months, and my mother was clearly worried that I wouldn't be able to find my way around the kitchen:
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Sticky note labels :) |
They're pretty much the best.
Can't wait to see how you guys do today!
A word war is when you and another writer (or in this case, lots of other writers!) compete to see who can write the most in a designated period of time. This word war began Thursday and ends today. It's a come-and-go, write-when-you-can style of war, so it's not too late to join us!
The goal is to buckle down and focus on our manuscripts whenever we can, make good use of our writing time, and encourage each other as we do. Hopefully you'll be meeting new writers and deepening friendships as the weekend goes on!
Here's how you can connect with each other:
1. In the comments section of the blog. Something as simple as "Just wrote 1,000 words in the last hour!" is fine. There's strength in being able to encourage each other and in knowing that others are hard at work too.
2. On Twitter, using the hashtag #GTW or on the Go Teen Writers Facebook Group. (This is a closed group, so if you're not a member yet, apply to join and then shoot me an email telling me so that I can get you approved pronto.)
I'm glad you could write 'The End', Stephanie. :) Are you planning to publish it sometime? What's it about? I shot you an e-mail with a question about the 1000 word contest. I'd really appreciate it if you answered soon. For some reason I didn't get feedback for it. Thanks for your time and this word war (and this blog). :)
ReplyDeleteI was wondering.....I love the chance you gave us a the 1000 word contest, but what does it mean if you don't get any negative feedback?
DeleteSorry if I seem rude.
DeleteSofia, I just re-sent your feedback. My book is a 1920s YA mystery. I intend to pursue publication with it, so we'll see what happens :)
DeleteThat's not rude at all :) Sometimes there's nothing in an entry that we can't point to and say, "Fix this and it'll be better." It's kind of like with published books. You have favorite books that resonate with you for whatever reason, and then you have books you enjoy ... but just aren't your favorite. It's not that the author did something incorrect, it just didn't strike you as strongly. Make sense?
DeleteThanks for the feedback. Haven't read it yet, being kind of scared. :)
DeleteLooking forward to seeing your book in publication!
DeleteRead it. Thanks so much. I didn't think about the action being broken up into smaller paragraphs before.
DeleteThanks.
1920s YA mystery? I'd buy that!
DeleteThat's great you were able to do so much! Yesterday really killed me. We went out to lunch and the whole ordeal took around three hours. My Dad had us help with a tree he chopped down. It was brutal. Hope everyone else is doing better!
ReplyDeleteIt's the last day. I'm depressed. It's school too.....
ReplyDeleteI feel you, Robin Hood :)
DeleteWe have to make this last day count!!!!
ReplyDelete30,000+? *jaw drops* You guys are amazing!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you were able to finish!!! I just wrapped up two drafts of my own. Did you write most of the book on the retreat? Sorry if I'm pestering you.
ReplyDeleteLol! My Aunt left sticky notes for my grandfather once. That's really funny!
DeleteI remember when I did that to Peter....we'd been stepping on each others toes so I stuck a bunch of random notes in Peter's binder.....lol!
DeleteI'm keeping them in my blackmail folder for when were older. *Evil smile*
DeleteDidn't you misplace it?
DeleteI had already written about 40,000 words of the book. I thought I would get close to finishing (based on how many words I wrote last year during our retreat) but the book wrapped up quicker than I thought it would... I'm a little unsettled about that, but my first drafts always come in short and it works out okay :)
DeleteSchool, huh? I've already been done for a while. :) The perks of living in a different time zone... Well, there's the fact that I was getting ready for school while you were still writing last evening, but let's ignore that. :) Anyone at all able to word war?
ReplyDeleteI missed the last event too. My beginning stinks though....
DeleteI am if you see this, but it's going to have to be really soon. I'm actually at school right now, but homeroom hasn't started yet. Maybe for five minutes?
DeleteI can! I would like it to be less than 20 minutes if you wouldn't mind.
DeleteFive is fine! short and sweet! Let's just go five minutes and come back with results!
DeleteOkey dokey.
DeleteI got 218 words. How did you do?
DeleteI got 148!
DeleteGreat job!
DeleteAnd now I have to go to homeroom. Thanks for being my word war partner!
Delete94 words. Hope you have a good day at school, Belle.
DeleteGreat job! And thank you!
DeleteI could. I've just switched projects, but I need to get a move on anyway. You live in a different time zone? That's neat! I'm homeschooled so it's easier to find the time to type.
ReplyDeleteLucky!
DeleteYeah....my brother always watches TV at lunch so I sneak away and type for around an entire hour! Lol!
DeleteCongrats on your 30K! We've heard very little about your WIP, and I'm curios and excited to see what it's about! I rolled into 10K total last night. I'm still going to try for 15K, but with school today I'm not sure that's possible. (Plus, the most I've written in one day is 4,700 words and I'm not sure my brain is capable of much more than that.)
ReplyDeleteGood luck, everyone! I hope we make these word wars a two or three times a year thing.
~Sarah Faulkner
inklinedwriters.blogspot.com
Good luck to you too! And I hope we make these word wars a once-every-other-month kind of thing.
DeleteMe and Peter agree that would rock!!!!
DeleteHey! Even though its too late to do much I'm starting today! Everyone has done a lot!
DeleteSis?
DeleteI write as well Peter!
DeleteIt would be awesome if this was monthly!
DeleteI didn't know anyone else used fairy tale nicknames! Lol!
DeleteThat is an amazing amount of words, Sarah, especially considering that you had a road trip. I've written 4k since Saturday, which is the most I've ever done in the space of two days.
DeleteYou're right! All we need is Nottingham, the three bears, and captain Hook! Lol!
DeleteThat's a lot of words! What we writer's do!
DeleteOnce a month or every other one would be cool. Every other would be more realistic, but if you missed one you'd have to wait a while for the next. I'm voting for every month. :)
DeleteIt would, but every month would be so epic....
DeleteAgreed!
DeleteI vote once a month!!! PLEASE!
DeleteWay to go, Sarah! And yes, I've been rather quiet about this manuscript. No contract or anything so I'm trying to write with my door closed, so to speak.
DeleteSounds like you've done an AMAZING job. Way to go!
Glad everyone is enjoying the word war! Hosting them is pretty easy as far as events go, so we can definitely have them more frequently.
Yes, congratulations on all you were able to write during the retreat, Mrs. Morrill! That's awesome and totally amazing you got in over 30K! Thank you so much for hosting this Word War, and for all the pictures! It was neat seeing a glimpse of your retreat. :) :)
DeleteAw, how exciting about more frequent Word Wars! Thank you!!!
-Patience
Anyone up for a fifteen minute one in :35?
ReplyDeleteAt ;40, sorry!:)
DeleteNever mind. I have other things to do too. Anyone up for fifteen minutes in the next hour? Hope everyone has a great day!
DeleteI can do a 15 minute WW starting anytime in the next 30 minutes. :)
DeleteI take that back. :P
DeleteI'm probably not going to do it, having other things on my "to-do" list. Hope you find someone.
DeleteYay for commenting on your other comment and not seeing the next one. :)
DeleteAnyone want to word war at :50 for 10 minutes?
ReplyDeleteI'm on. :)
DeleteI got 364 words. :)
Delete162 give or take a couple words. Great job! How do you guys do that?
DeleteI got more than 1000 words in today!!!!!!!!! 1114 and that is absolutely and by far my record. Yay!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYay!!! :D That must be really exciting! :)
DeleteIt is! I probably won't write more today, because I have a lot to do, but it was GREAT.
DeleteCan anyone do the a WW starting :05 for 10 minutes?
ReplyDeleteI can do a WW in the next 20 minutes. :)
DeleteHow about a 10 minute one starting at :17?
DeleteHP
I'm up for it! :)
DeleteLOL, my sister said she wanted to do it and just write, 'In and out in and out in and out in and out' over and over and over. I was like, "Uh, no." :)
ReplyDeleteLOL. Or how about just writing "I I I I I I" That's even more. :)
DeleteLOL! Now that's just scary. ;)
DeleteRather quiet in here . . . :)
ReplyDeleteAnyone want to do 10 minute word war?
ReplyDeleteHP
Yes, how about :20? Or we can just write for ten minutes and come back with the scores.
DeleteWould anyone like to have a ten minute word war? I'm in school right now, but this is my break so I'll have to do it soon. Maybe at :20 for 10 minutes or :25 or 5 minutes?
ReplyDeleteHow about at :20?
DeleteHP
Okay, sounds good.
DeleteMay I join you? :)
DeleteOf course! Ready, go!
DeleteThanks!
Delete328 words. How did you guys do?
DeleteI got 259 how about ya'll?
DeleteHP
313 words. :) Great job!!! We were very close. :)
DeleteGreat job!!!
DeleteGood job!
DeleteHP
Great job you two!
DeleteThank you so much!
DeleteThanks Belle! You too. :)
DeleteHP
Getting into the zone now!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteWho's up for a 10 minute word war?
ReplyDeleteI can do one real quick. What time?
DeleteHP
I'm up for one. :)
DeleteAnyone want to do a 10 minute word war? :)
ReplyDeleteHP
I will!
DeleteSorry I took so long in answering, I had to leave the computer for a minute. When do you want to do it?
DeleteHP
His Princess, I love your blog!!! So cutely done. :) :) And your writing is awesome! So excited to see you're a Christian as well, and all the hobbies you're into. :) :)
Delete-Patience
Aww, thank you Patience, you just made my day! :)
DeleteHP
Aww, you're too sweet. :) Glad it came as a little ray of sunshine! What genre do you write?
DeleteBlessings,
Patience
:) I write romance and mysteries. My current WIP is a historical romance set in the Yukon Gold Rush era. How about you?
DeleteHP
Ooh! Very nice! :) I write Christian historical fiction, but the book I'm currently writing (set in 1908)does have - ahem ;) - some romance in it. :)
DeleteHow many years have you been writing?
Blessings,
Patience
Ohh yay! Someone that writes my genre! I love Christian romance. :)
DeleteI have only been writing earnestly for about a year now but i have been scribbling since I was little. How long have you been writing?
HP
:D You know, I was tempted to lean the other direction in romance, because of what I saw around me. But I read this article, and agreed with everything: http://www.literarylane.com/2014/03/sweeter-than-wine.html . Isn't that awesome? So very true!
DeleteThat's awesome! I've been writing for several years now - around six years, and played around with writing before that. :)
It's been fun writing you! Would you like to do a Word War together? :)
-Patience
Very awesome, indeed. It makes you stop and think too.
DeleteSix years? Thats wonderful!
If you are still on here then I would love to have a word war with you! :) At, say, :25?
HP
Agreed - it kept me thinking for awhile. :) Isn't historical lots of fun? Do you like history? :)
DeleteThank you!
That'd be wonderful! :D I'd greatly enjoy that. :) Sure, let's do the :25. :)
-Patience
How long are we going for? 10 minutes?
DeleteHP
Sure! :) I started at :25, and was like, "Okay, how long?" ;)
DeleteLOL. I had to leave for a bit during it but I got 143. How about you?
DeleteHP
Only made out with 232. :) How did you do? :)
DeleteI do enjoy history but I think that the Victorian era through the 1950s is my favorite period.
DeleteHP
And we posted at the exact time, so I didn't see your comment before I did mine. ;) Yes, I laughed at it, too. :) That's fine! Oh, you did very well, especially for taking a break in it! :D
DeleteYou love the Victorian era, too?! :D
DeleteThank you you did very good too.
DeleteYes, I do love the Victorian Era. Aren't the dresses simply splendid?
HP
Thank you. :)
DeleteYes, the dresses are very beautiful! I think it's a wonderful time period. :) My book's set in the Edwardian era, but not too far away from the Victorian. :)
I guess my book just barely squeezed into the last part of the Victorian era. :) My book starts in 1897.
DeleteHP
It surely did! :) Ooh, 1897. :D Why, your characters are still alive when mine are. ;) LOL!
DeleteWould you mind sharing the title of your novel?
Here's my Camp NaNo page, if you're interested in taking a peek at it :): http://campnanowrimo.org/campers/thededicatedpen
Blessings!
-Patience
Patience, I saw your profile and I loved your novel excerpt! Your writing is amazing and your characters are so believable.
DeleteMy book is about a 16 year old girl named Gladiola Bloom so I was thinking of something like Bloom, Gladiola Bloom.
DeleteVery cool NaNo page. I love goats too (we raise them on our farm). :) You are so pretty!
HP
Oh yes! That's the perfect title!
DeleteThanks Belle! :)
DeleteHP
Awww, you girls made my day! Thank you so very much!!! That is so sweet of you both!!! Thank you, Belle, for your kind words on my writing. :) :) And thank you, His Princess! :) You raise goats as well? :)
DeleteOoh, that's awesome about your novel! Totally agree - perfect title! :D
Hey girls, my email address is dedicatedpen AT calicoacres DOT com if you're interested. :D
Lovely chatting with you both!
What genre do you write, Belle? :D How long are you aiming for your novel to be, His Princess? :D
DeleteAgain, thank you for your kind words!!
Thank you Patience and Belle!
DeleteI plan on my book being a series of at least two-maybe three- books. Is that what you meant Patience? As for how many words I'm not entirely sure. I think the 50k-100k range.
HP
I really need to get my word count up. I've never done one before, but would anyone like to do a ten or fifteen minute word war?
ReplyDeleteI'll do one with you. :) I'm trying to write 2K today. :) When would you like to start?
DeleteI know you posted this a while ago... but I can!
DeleteCool, thanks! How about at :00? And for maybe ten minutes to start with?
DeleteSorry... I was on my author page... but my pen name is Patricia Rane.
DeleteOk! Sounds good!
DeleteSounds good to me! :)
DeleteI got 198. Not bad for a first go. I think anyway. What did you guys get?
DeleteI got 280. What did you guys get?
DeleteNice job, Kati! I was on a roll, lol. :D
DeleteWow! Good job. You write fast.
DeleteDo you want to do another word war?
DeleteSure, I'd love to! Maybe at :20?
DeleteI got 253. :) Great job, guys!! :D
DeleteWe're doing one down below. :)
DeleteEveryone's been busy this morning... Anyone up for a ten minute Word War?
ReplyDeleteI can!
DeleteWe can start at :20?
DeleteMe too! How about at :18?
DeleteThat sounds good. ^.^
DeleteOr that works, too, Petra. ;)
DeleteOk ;)
DeleteIf it's okay, I'll do this one too.
DeleteSo, :20, yes? *laughs*
Delete:20. Yes. *nods*
Delete308! Yay!
DeleteI got 232. What did you guys get?
DeleteI got 328. Well done!
DeleteI got 252 this time. Improvement! What about you guys?
DeleteGreat job, Bluebelle! You write super fast!
DeleteThanks, Petra! Awesome job, ya'll! It's so cool to see everyone getting a little bit faster over time!
DeleteAwww, you girls made my day! Thank you so very much!!! That is so sweet of you both!!! Thank you, Belle, for your kind words on my writing. :) :) And thank you, His Princess! :) You raise goats as well? :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, that's awesome about your novel! Totally agree - perfect title! :D
Hey girls, my email address is dedicatedpen AT calicoacres DOT com if you're interested. :D
Lovely chatting with you both!
Totally ignore that - my laptop messed something up with the order of comments. :/ Sorry about that!
DeleteIs anyone up for a word war?
ReplyDeleteI'd love to do one in about ten minutes. Would you be up for a longer one? Maybe half an hour?
DeleteI can do one!
DeleteI'll do one. These are awesome. How long and what time?
DeleteIt has to be a short one for right now, but I could probably do a long one after four :)
DeleteOkay, why don't you guys do a short one then, while I work on something else?
DeleteHow about a fifteen minute one at :45?
DeleteOr at :50?
DeleteOr at :55?
DeleteLol, I think y'all are hard at work! I'll just do a 10 minute one against myself, for now :D.
DeleteIf the offer's still good, I'll do one.
DeleteYo! Is anyone up for a word war in maybe five/ten minutes??
ReplyDeleteTW
And yo to you too! I can do one. How long?
DeleteFifteen minutes sound ok?
DeleteThat sounds good. At :07?
DeleteSure! =)
DeleteOkay. :-)
DeleteI'm joining one minute late! Hope that's ok!
DeleteI got 407 =)
DeleteI got 498. Good job, TW Wright! Petra, how did you do?
DeleteIt's fine, Petra, just saw this! =)
DeleteGood job, Athelas! That's a whole lotta' words!
DeleteI got 300... not very good for 15 min. Oh well. I hit a couple of blank moments :P. Great job, guys! Anybody up for another?
DeleteThanks. :-)
DeleteGood job, Petra! 300 isn't bad at all. I could do another. For ten minutes?
DeleteGood job, Petra! =)
DeleteI'm up for another! =)
I'd love to do another, but I need a couple minutes to do something...
DeleteSure! At :30?
Delete:30 sounds good!
DeleteI'm in. =) A minute late.=\
DeleteI got 439. What about y'all?
DeleteI got 296
DeleteI got 212. What did you get?
DeleteWow! Good job, guys!
DeleteGood job you guys!
DeleteIs anyone up for another. ;)
I am!
DeleteCould you do 15 minutes?
DeleteYeah! Starting at :47?
DeleteWonderful writing everyone!!!!!!!! I've been reading through the comments, and it amazes me how much you all have written! I'm almost at 4,000 words on a new project, but I sadly haven't had a lot of time for hard-core writing this weekend. :( I love hearing about how much you all are writing! It is truly inspiring! :D
ReplyDeleteCongrats on making headway on your new project, Emily! That's always exciting! I agree. It's been harder to squander the time. Surprisingly, today has been the most productive :P. And to think... it's Monday XD
DeleteAnyone up for a ten minute word war?
ReplyDeletePetra I think was open, and I am too. =)
Delete