A Not-So- WIPMarathon-Goodbye: WIPMarathon Check-In #9

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February 1, 2014 by IfeomaO

Whew! Can’t believe it’s February already.  I’m sad and happy at the same time. 😦 🙂

Sad this is coming to an end, but happy it’s not exactly coming to an end.

 

I didn’t achieve my goal for WIPMarathon but I came 1/4^th close to it, so that’s something, right? Keeping it half-empty. 😉

And I’d love to say thank you sooo much to all the WIPMarathon-ers for helping make this writing endeavor less lonely. I’m going to truly miss all of us. ❤

We could do another WIPMarathon in August, but it’s too far and it’d be nice if we can keep supporting each other until then. Actually, this idea was inspired by Cheyenne, Emma, Jessica and Suzanne. And I think it’s really a nice one.

The plan’s that we do a WIPMarathon report on the last Saturday of every month, until then. The next report would be on March 1st, if it’s okay with you, of course. 

 

Here’s the format for the monthly reports, which is almost similar to our weekly check-ins:

 

Blog Title: WIPMarathon Report #1 (or the succeeding number)

Last report wordcount + chapter count/scene count:

Current report WC + CC/ SC:

WIP Issues This Month:

Four things I learned this month in writing: One for each week 🙂

What distracted me this month while writing:

Goal for next month:

Last 200 words:

 

 

It’s pretty easy, yes?

Also, feel free to still use the #wipmarathon hashtag on Twitter while writing, and if you write any blog post before the report—any blog post that’s related to writing , you can always share it on the hashtag, so we won’t miss it on the Twitter feed.

 

Okay. *wipes tears* *all round hugs* *hearts and more*

 

This week’s check-in:

 

Last Word Count + Chapter Count:

38 109 words and up to chapter 14.

 

Current WC + CC (or SC):

23 061 words and done with chapter 9 (the end of my first act!)

 

WIP Issues this week:

My major issue—which accounted for me not writing for the most part of the week—was my climax.

I’ve been rewriting most of my first act, which involved removing a major subplot and everything was smooth-sailing until I realized I had all these little threads that could not be tied. Had to take a “mental health” break as Amanda called it, read a few books while my panic went into overdrive trying to brainstorm for a climax that would tie them all together. Finally, on Wednesday night, the muse struck. And I fell in love with my WIP again. 😀

 

What I learnt this week in writing: 

Anything can happen in a story when you’re rewriting, so don’t limit yourself or your characters. A character you thought would only be a minor character might turn out to play a bigger role.

I remember Veronica Roth said in one of her interviews, paraphrased, that if she could go back and change some things in her series, she would have kept some characters alive because killing them drove her a little into a spot. Sort of. I didn’t understand it then, but I think I do now.

The addition of this character to my climax made all the difference there is. On my outline, at least. 🙂

 

What distracted me this week while writing: 

Books. Amazon. Books. Goodreads. John Green.
 

 

Plans after this WIPMarathon:

I’d love to finish my second draft before next month’s report. Not sure I can do that, but my birthday is on the 28th of February and it’d be nice if I can finish this book before I turn a new year. But I almost always miss my writing deadlines, so we’d see how this one goes…

 

Last 200 words:

This is from chapter 2, a scene I edited. It’s a bit out of context but I hope it makes some sense.

As they walked out of the terrace, Pladdia repeated an earlier request to Niteo. “You can tell me the wish, I can say it all by myself.” Then I won’t have to waste your time and I won’t have to stand you.

“And I have told you. It works only when chanted with someone else.”

“Then I can chant it with Octavien or Kyara.”

“I meant someone else who knows how to say the wishes.”

She arched her eyebrow. “You make it sound like wishing requires more special skills than having a mouth and a brain. Say it and we’d learn it.”

“By that, I mean with someone who has used it before.”

“This seems like you’re making up some half-baked rules.”

“I prefer my meals fully baked. Or burned.” Niteo flashed her an easy smile that didn’t move her. “Joking aside, it is the truth. And if you doubt my motives, you can always ask your Sphera.”

This shut Pladdia up. She’d asked her Sphera about Niteo’s intentions over and over again.

Torr caught up with them, leading the way to patio at the back of the house where the legendary forest began.

 

Much love, everyone!! <3<3<3
 

Hope we see each other next month! In the blogosphere, that is, because there’s till Twitter.<3