I’ve been doing Fast Draft for more than a week now and it’s making me feel very philosophical. And powerful. And a gajillion other things.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m doing Fast Draft with 12 (FREAKING AMAZING) people…or that it is changing my writing habits around, but my first Fast Draft session is having a positive effect on me.
Don’t get me wrong…this week has not been without its pitfalls.
- I’ve had an ear infection for awhile now and my eardrum exploded on Tuesday night.
- My day job has been fairly insane.
- I taught my first WANA International course this week.
It was Triberr and I loved it, but there’s been a lot of prep and behind-the-scenes work. Every bit of it was worth it, but it was a wild ride.
Still, with all that going on, I’ve written about fifteen thousand words in June.
Holy cowbell! Do you KNOW how long it’s been since I’ve written 15K on my WIP in a few weeks?? That would be exactly NEVER. And I’m expecting to come in at 30-40K for the month.
Without going for the 5K/day required in Fast Draft (and missing) I’d never even have believed that I could write 2K/day plus post to my blog 4-5 times a week.
Now that I’ve done that, I’m confident that I can easily work up to 3K/day and maybe even 4K. Plus I’m taking Kristen Lamb’s Blogging to Build a Brand class and learning about “high concept blogging.”
What an exciting week!
I’ve watched people I admire write 4-5K/day on their books when they were positive that they could NOT do it.
[Let’s all give a huge shout out to Kathy Owen for her amazing Fast Draft achievement of making her word target on multiple days. WOOT!!]
I’ve watched others who’ve been stalled for months jump in and get words on the page.
It’s been incredibly beautiful and moving to watch these warrior writers go boldly where they’ve never gone before. We’re making badges for our blogs, and starting to believe in ourselves and the process.
I can’t wait for Candace Havens’ official Fast Draft class in July. If our “practice” Fast Draft has been this amazing, what’s the “real” one going to be like?
It’s gonna be a phenomenal summer here at More Cowbell!
How are you feeling about your writing today? Are you in a place where you want a “do-over” or are you feeling strong? Do you have the support that you need to reach your goals or are you searching for it? Enquiring minds always want to know these things here at More Cowbell!
Here’s a quick toast to a strong finish for my ROW80 peeps!! If you’re not feeling it in this round, a new round begins on July 2nd so you can start planning your goals. Please do go encourage your teammates here.
Jenny
Jenny Hansen's Blog 
I know how motivating Kristen can be. She’s like a box of…what’s that stuff all the college students drink st 8 am? Red Bull? That! So I’m not surprised that with the combo of Fast Draft and Warrior Writers that you are getting it done. I tried to take your Triberr class. Couldn’t get on because of the Java requirement and spent 45 minutes on the phone with the folks at GTW. I was so bummed! I would love to see it because as you know, I love technology, but technology hates me. But seriously I’d love a better tool to control and track great posts. I was sorry to have missed it, and I hope it was a huge success. Hope your ear is okay. We need to make sure you can HEAR the cowbell! 😉
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Wow, Jenny, you guys are AMAZING!!! What you can do when you’re not afraid, huh? Well, really, it’s even bigger than that, because I’m sure you were all pee your titanium panties afraid.
Way to go!!!! I’ve got my admittedly too small cheerleading skirt on for you!
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Rockin it! I love it!! So your ear drum exploded, that sounds painful. Is it on the mend now? Are you all on the mend now? Hope so!!
I’m pleased with round 2, but I’m not all smiles either. Instead of a do over, I’m hoping to learn from the mistakes of round 2 and have my best round ever ahead of me.
Fingers crossed all around.
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You’re doing so great, Jenny! Especially with that ear problem …
I was going great with FastDraft, but got some edits back on Tuesday and I have to tackle that first because the editor is waiting for it … I should be back to FastDraft later this coming week, and hopefully, I’ll do well — I’m not fantasizing I’ll get super high word counts, but I’ll try 😉
Have a great week!
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Your enthusiasm is contagious … but hopefully not your ear infection! Get those meds kicking in! Fast Draft sounds like it is getting amazing results … I’ve been talking to Jess Witkins and she’s rocking it too. As you know, it was Kristen’s blogging course that brought so many of us WANALUMS together and has made such a difference in our lives in more ways than writing. What a fabulous community! With classes taught by people like you in WANA International, that community can only get even better. Thanks for all the cowbell, Jenny!
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Ooh! Ear infections really suck! I’m good for about one a year, and it always ends badly, but I don’t think I’ve actually busted an eardrum. Take care of yourself.
Well, you and everyone who’s been going on about Fast Draft made me curious, so I’m taking the one starting July 7. Sounds great: I’ve wanted to write a whole hell of a lot more, and this might be the way to start, anyway.
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so what is this Fast Draft then ?- is it like nano and juno? sounds interesting – I do hope your ear is alright that sounded really painful and despite that, you have been a busy, busy girl – well done you
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Woot, Jenny! And, I am thrilled this Fast Draft course is offered again in July. I’ll be on the road a couple of those days, then in Pennsylvania (where I can write during the day), then on to Toronto (yes…THE TORONTO…where Sherry lives). We will have writing time mixed with the mischief.
I’ll also want to take your Triberr class the next time it’s offered.
Nothing but good times ahead! (Recognize that line from Jenny Crusie’s Welcome to Temptation? She’s MEGA steps up the ladder from where I strive to be, but that’s the goal I’ve set for myself on my novels. Snark and steam — mixed with some Evanovich suspense.
I’m going to get myself prepped for July 1st. And (of course) keep writing until then. Yes, I’ll refer back to your post.
YIKES on the eardrum, but you are still rocking HOT!
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Aww, Jenny, thanks SO MUCH for the awesome shout-out! You never know what you can do until you try it, right? And I am AMAZED at how you could do all of your writing/teaching/blogging/eardrum exploding without going crazy, poor gal. Kudos to you! Hope you’re healing up.
Some of the difference for me was the deliberateness of it. I spent about a week just preparing for Fast Draft; writing menu plans, grocery shopping, laundering every dirty piece of clothing and putting it all away, grouting the tub (yeah, I know, not a pre-requisite for Fast Draft, LOL), filling prescriptions, writing multiple blog posts…just clearing the decks to make writing JOB #1 for the next 14 days. Hubster was on board for cooking that whole time, and the boys promised to be less annoying than usual, hahaha. I think all of it helped me be MENTALLY ready, too. Weird, huh?
There were some days when it took me 10 hours (with breaks) of chair/fanny time before I got 5K written. It was only when I ran out of plot outline at the end of the book that I slowed down to fewer pages per day.
There are still 3 more days, and more work to do – let’s get to it!
Good luck to all you Fast Drafters in July!
Kathy
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I agree, I agree, I agree! This Fast Draft process has been amazing to show me what I am capable of. And truly writing each day has been the most rewarding thing ever. To know even on a tough day I can hit 2K, and on a good day hit 7K is amazing! And like you said, Jenny, we’re doing that on top of everything else life deals us. For the first time, I feel I’ve shown myself I CAN BE A WRITER.
So proud of Kathy and her dedication! And huge thank you to all the twitter peeps who have kept me motivated, especially Nigel Blackwell!!! Thanks guys!
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I’m glad Fast Draft is working so well for you. I can tell you’re excited! 🙂
So sorry about your ear. I hope you’re better soon. You sure have done an amazing job of writing even with stuff like that going on!
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Pingback: Weekly Writer’s Round-Up: Week of June 11, 2012 | Chris Devlin's Blog
Congrats on the word counts! 🙂 I used Candy’s techniques for my latest novella (though didn’t tie myself to the 2 weeks), and I drafted AND revised a 40k novella in 6 weeks. That is way faster than my usual plodding pace, so I’m super excited too. 🙂
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WOOT WOOT that is AWESOMESAUCE!!!! Keep up the fahhhhbulous work!!!!!!
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It sounds like Fast Draft was just the ticket for you Jenny…go you! Your enthusiasm is contagious 🙂 So sorry about the ear. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
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Oh my goodness, the ear! My eardrum hurt just hearing that. Are you okay???
Meanwhile, I’m glad you’re knocking out the words. You Fast Drafters are inspiring! Meanwhile, I’m plugging away at edits and–come hell, highwater, and any other H-related disasters–getting out queries this week! I’d love to join you in July, but my summers are so hard for getting goals done. I wonder if Candace will have a fall class. That one, I would sign up for. Keep up the awesomeness, Jenny! I’m shaking my cowbell for ya!
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Hooray for the awesome word counts, Jenny! Not only your rocking the First Draft class, but you’re rocking the ROW80 with news like this. And with Life giving you its regular surfeit of doozies.
WOOT!
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Congrats on the rocking beginning for the Fast Draft. I hope you will get even more out of the actual class.
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