Pic from FreelanceWritingBusiness.com
Y’all might remember that we did a “practice” round of Fast Draft last month…
(I can hear several of my Fast Draft pals yelling, “PRACTICE?! What do you mean ‘practice?” We worked our tails off and it felt QUITE real.)
However, today is the start of Candace Havens’ official Fast Draft/Revision Hell course for July and I am going for it.
My goal is to finish the first draft of my high-risk pregnancy memoir.
Do you remember me telling you about Candace’s course at the DFW Writer’s Conference? That gal is RUGGED. She passed out from illness in the first 10 minutes of class and, after four women picked her up and slid her into a chair, she kept teaching. (I told you she was rugged.)
Her motto is: The only excuse for not completing your pages is death or a coma.
That means the fact that I’m on vacation doesn’t count as an excuse. I’ve got a goal of 20 pages per day for the next two weeks – including today, tomorrow and Monday (when I fly home). I have great expectations for the next two weeks!
Incidentally, we’ve been having a great time up in the San Juan Islands. Two highlights of the trip so far:
Seeing the lovely Angela Orlowski-Peart
I’ll put up a better picture later but can’t you just see the WANA love flying?!
and all of the magnificent art to be found here in the Northwest…
The above is a video of Anthony Howe‘s kinetic sculpture garden. Individual videos of each sculpture found here.
Who else is participating in the July 7 Fast Draft? How do you do with these sorts of writing challenges? Do you love ’em or hate ’em? Did my American friends have a memorable July 4th holiday? Enquiring minds LOVE to know these things here at More Cowbell!
p.s. Regular blogging will resume here at More Cowbell on Tuesday, July 10th. I’ve sure missed y’all!
Jenny
Jenny Hansen's Blog 
Miss you like crazy Jenny. Hurry home safe! Kick some Fast Draft a$$!
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I’m in. I’m late (thanks to an over-active spam filter). I’ll be writing my little fingers off, yay!
Great to be in with you Jen – go team 🙂
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Go for it, Jenny! Fast Drafting sounds like something I may be interested in one day. Can’t wait to hear about your successes.
I’m more of the ploddingly slow writer who writes fewer drafts before final copy. I’m hoping to increase my speed as I hone my story structure and outlining skills before I sit down to write first draft. I’m nowhere close to a pantser!
Safe travels!
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I’m in!
I’ll be able to write for 2 hours today, then 4 hours Monday, and Tuesday I’ll be able to really dive in.
Good luck to us!
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I’m doing it as well, but then, you knew that… Nothing like a good writing challenge to get my ass in the chair and spitting up words. Otherwise, I’m like, nah, don’t wanna do that. I know, can’t be doin’ that. That’s why the writing challenges are so good: they force me to do something. I still need that external pressure, although I’m getting better at it. The Fourth was hotter than the hinges of Hades, so I stayed in air-conditioned comfort. Thankfully, it rained, quieting the amateur pyrotechnicians in the neighborhood. I have visions of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow…
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“…hinges of Hades…” Love it. And I agree about Mrs. O’leary’s cow too, I kept thinking we’d all burst into flames.
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Oddly enough, I’m using Fast Draft to complete a memoir about living on a tiny island off the grid with a population of 7 people up in the San Juans! Such a beautiful part of our world. 🙂 Have fun and happy fast drafting to ya! ~Tui
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Well, it wasn’t death or coma, but the manuscript that has been ‘finished’ for one heck of a long time dwelled in revision purgatory for an awfully long time. After 2 weeks of intense attention, I am 43% through this final polish before the queries, and my next WIP, begins. It’s about bleeping time, too.
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Have at it, Miss Jenny!! I think if I added fast-track to my plate I’d lose the few marbles I have left, but I’m cheering you and Ginger and all the other fast-trackers on!!
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I just signed up today! I write super slow, but I’m gonna give it a shot. I’m not sure how to access the class though. It’s nice to know that someone else is taking the plunge with me. My brain still hasn’t processed the idea of 20 pages a day.
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I am not doing fast draft, but will happily cheer you on!!!
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Candace is really walking the walk of her own motto. Have a great vacation and good luck with the Fast Draft. I’m going for NaNoWriMo write speed in September when I finish my school projects.
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Woot! Woot! Cheering on you Fast Drafters. Meanwhile, I’m working my way through Margie Lawson’s DEEP Edits on my novel, not to mention Tiffany Lawson Inman’s fabulous YA course. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of the better novel!
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Writing through your vacation–you’re an inspiration! 🙂 Go team Fast Draft! 😀 I’m in the class, too.
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Go Jenny! I’m just working on my row80 goals this month and being a sponsor. But I’ll be rooting for you all the way! Have a great writing event!
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I so need to Fast Draft, but Kristen’s Blogging class is kicking my butt. 🙂 Have a great time!
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You go, girl! What fun that you and Angela O-P got together!
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I LOVE the idea of Fast Drafting, and I am watching everyone’s progress quite eagerly. Maybe I might (big, huge might) be able to attempt it next month for CampNaNo, but for July I need to stick with dissertation prep and research. Have an AWESOME vacay!
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Amazing that Candace passed out, then kept on teaching after that! Wow!
How awesome that you’re fast drafting even while on vacation! Go, Jenny, go! I bet those kinetic sculptures are quite inspiring! And getting together with Angela! I bet you two are a hoot to hang out with! Looks like you’re having a blast.
Had a great 4th of July. We just walked out front and were able to see a super cool fireworks show. Have a safe trip home.
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I’m in the middle of Candy’s comprehensive class, which includes a round of Fast Draft. I believe fast draft really works, but my life has a way of pushing back when I try to “clear the decks” as Candy would say, LOL! I got 20 pages yesterday, but that was exceptional.
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I’m terrified and impressed. LOL. I know you can do it.
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