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.I am so excited about the little writing retreat I'm going on this coming weekend. I can hardly stand it! I know it's going to be a lot of fun, but I also need to make the most of it. And that means preparing.
First, I've set some goals for myself.
1. Finish the first draft of King's Folly. I have all of Part Three to finish. This is the end of the book, so the chapters will likely be a bit shorter. Still, I'm guessing I'll need between 30,000 - 40,000 words to finish. *cracks knuckles*
2. Brainstorm my new Achan and Vrell novella. I have some plans, but I could use some group brainstorming time. I'm hoping to write out a descent plot outline for this book during our retreat.
3. Work on Broken Trust. If by some miracle I finish early (which would truly be a miracle) OR if I get completely stuck with King's Folly (which would annoy me to no end), I have already plotted out my next Spencer book, so I can always bounce over and work on it for a while if I must. And I might do this just to take a break from King's Folly, which is a beast right now.
With those goals in mind, I need to make sure I am as organized as possible. This means:
-Plot out those last 24 chapters. I've done this roughly, but I'm taking a closer look at them today. There are a few trouble spots, so I've made a list of those and I will try and brainstorm through them on the long drive to Tahoe. That way, when I sit down to write, I'll know what's going to happen and I'll have the best chance at being productive.
-I've got my plot charts ready for my Achan/Vrell novella. I've emailed Steph and Shan my plans so I won't have to explain the whole thing to them when we're there. This should save a little time, and give them the opportunity to think through this in advance, if they want.
-I've already plotted my Spencer book three, and I have my index cards all in a pile, ready to go. I put them in a folder with a bunch of important Spencer papers, so I have everything I need to be productive on Broken Trust if I get to it.
-I've made sure all my files are on my flash drive.
-I asked my son if I could borrow his laptop, since mine is old and busted.
-I have a bag of snacks to keep me munching that I can share with my writing pals.
-I have my water cup.
I AM READY TO RETREAT!
Are you ready? What do you need to prepare to write lots and lots of words?
Also, who's going to Word War with us?
When I start writing each day, I always make sure to have my binder with all of the character/world/plot details I need, as well as a couple of maps. If I don't have it, I end up needing it later. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm in for the word war!
Whoo hoo! See you on the front lines. Glad you'll be prepared. :-)
DeleteAN ACHAN AND VRELL NOVELLA?! *fangirls*
ReplyDeleteI'm a pantser, but sometimes I plot a little of what's gonna happen next. Kinda. Like I've written little excerpts from those scenes. And other times it's like "That was unexcpected." lol :)
I'm doing the word war! :D
Yay! I love unexpected things, though I outline a lot since I can write so much faster that way.
DeleteAnd, yes. Achan and Vrell are coming back. This time it's no April Fool's joke, either! Expect them next summer.
DeleteNEXT SUMMER?! *fangirls more* So close, yet so far.
DeleteMy brain stopped at your second goal, because ACHAN AND VRELL NOVELLA! YES YES YES YES YES! *happy dance*
ReplyDeleteGetting off that . . . I'm ready. Usually all I need is a general idea of where I'm going and a lot of writing music.
I have missed Achan and Vrell. It will be fun to see what they're up to.
DeleteCool! Cue up the music!
Ready for Word Wars! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! We shall write many words.
DeleteJill! You are amazing. My goals: To FINISH my detective story and get through one complete edit. I'm very excited and sort of wish we could take all our Go Teen Writer friends with us. Alas, they do not make hotel rooms that large.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a BIG hotel room.
DeleteWord war! Yes! I should PRETEND I'm doing a writing retreat and write as much as possible :P
ReplyDeleteYes, you should. Retreat with us cyberly. (I think I just made up a word!)
DeleteI'm just starting to plan a book, so I probably won't be ready for the word war. So far I have 2 characters mostly planned and a very basic plot line.
ReplyDeleteThat's good that you're planning things out. It'll keep you from getting lost somewhere in the tangle of chapters. :) That has happened to me before, when I haven't plotted thoroughly enough..
DeleteMrs. Morrill has mentioned possibly having a Word War next month, so maybe you can join in then!
Yay! I am SOOO doing this word war!!!
ReplyDeleteWhoo hoo!
DeleteI'm doing the Word War! And I'm super excited! My goal is to finish the draft of my retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
ReplyDeleteAnd, honestly, the thing on your list that makes me most excited is Broken Trust. I love your Mission League series! :D
Yay! We shall finish drafts together, Rachelle! And... You love Spencer? *smiles* Thank you.
Delete*grin* Sure do! My sister loves him, too. :) I've been incredibly impressed by your presentation of a teenage boy who's not keen on "church-people" but is surrounded by them. And his snark makes my day. :D
DeleteI'll be doing the Word War! :-D I might miss most of the tenth since that is my mom's birthday on the 11th Nana is coming but I'll try to do my best. :-)
ReplyDeleteEvery little bit helps, Mary!
Delete:O JILL YOU'RE SO READY HOW DO YOU DO THAT I'M IN AWE *flailing* You're all ready to write three different books from three different series (all of which I'm super excited about!!). Just. I don't know how you do the awesome things you do!
ReplyDeleteOhhhkay. I will try to join in on this word war. I'm soooo not ready though. I need to be plotting my NaNo novel and work on my 100for100 book and try to write a couple chapters of the book I'm reading at my writing club. All of that before NaNo hits. And my 100for100 is crawling along at the bare minimum because I haven't plotted this chapter or the next, so I need to untangle some plot threads before I can make big progress... And my writing club book has a big plot hole in this chapter that I need to fill before I can write it. Brainstorming! ...Not to mention I have two or three book reviews to write and blogposts and NaNo ML messages to prewrite. I didn't notice until now how much I have to do. O_O Wow. But hey, why not wordwar? Maybe it will help at least the writerly parts of that. ;)
Can't wait, and I hope everyone else is better prepared than I am! :D
I think it's called insanity... LOL
DeleteAll the words on those little things add up, Deborah. Maybe you can make yours a To Do war and get all those little things done?
Yeah, I might have to make mine a To Do war. :) Thanks Jill! Best of luck to you! (Because, you know, your success with writing helps all us obsessed Jill-fans as well. ;))
DeleteNaw, can't join in the Word War since I'm in plotting and concept art mode for my NaNo novel. :( But maybe next time, it sounds really fun. :D
ReplyDeleteIt is bad timing in regards to NaNo. It just happened to be the weekend the three of us could get together. We will have to do something to encourage all you NaNo peeps.
Delete:)
ReplyDelete