This April…will I finish 2nd Draft of Ever-bound?
March’s Goal: Complete Eren’s 2nd Draft
Goal Met? ✔
March’s Weekly Check-ins!
As previously mentioned, my friend Alex and I have been sharing our weekly check-ins to help keep writing on our mind, to inspire and keep each other accountable.
As a writer my whole life, this is something new to me - so remember: it’s never too late to try something different if it may help your progress or motivation!
March Highlights!
Finishing Eren’s second draft
Sitting in on an interview between author Liisa Eyerly and her publisher. She just published her historical Christian mystery novel Obedient Unto Death.
I also went to the library where she was selling her copies. Due to a little health stuff I wasn’t able to enjoy her reading from her book, or even speak to her in person (or even get a signed copy lol), but I did get my hands on a copy. And I expect I’ll be running into her again, so I’m not too let down.
I sent 2 different versions of 10 pages of Ever-bound to Courtney Turcotte-Bond and Jay Asher!
To Courtney I sent the true first 10 pages (mostly Naome POV followed by some Bethl).
To Jay I sent the first couple pages of each POV character, up to 10 pages.
I should be hearing back on their feedback within the next coming weeks. Both excited and very nervous.
But I will be honest - the longer I work on Ever-bound, the less it feels like a precious piece of china and the more it feels like an adult child whom I want to move out of my house. So… I’m ready to learn where I need to make changes. It’s time to let go.
I’m learning about the M.I.C.E. Quotient - Milieu (place), Inquiry, Character, Event. Learn about the MICE Quotient here!
The MICE Quotient is not a formula, but more like a way of thinking about the structure and intention of your story. It makes you ask: What is the main intention of your story: Is it to get a character from one place to another? Is it to solve a mystery? Is it for the main character to figure out who they are? The MICE Quotient explores the varying ways a story nests these various elements.
March Lessons (what I learned)
Having tangible, measurable goals such as “1 sand-timer flip daily” of writing time, is helpful for those days/moments where I have the Time and Space to write, and know that I “should” write - but I just don’t “feel up to it.” The measurable goal is a good butt-kicker.
Having a birds-eye goal such as “finish Eren’s POV in March” allows me the flexibility of writing days vs resting days. After a full day of work, exercising Beyla, fixing dinner and chilling with Ron, I just honestly do not have the mind for analytical processes (writing is analytical). The birds-eye goal keeps things realistic for me.
April Goals
Time for April. I’m getting closer to the 2nd draft of Ever-bound.
It’s starting to finally feel like I’m getting somewhere, after ** years.
Birds-eye goal for April: Overhaul Kabekka’s 2nd Draft POV.
I did not set my goal as “Complete Kabekka’s 2nd Draft POV” because 1. I have a lot going on this month. And 2. She has a lot of edits that I need to make. Like, a LOT. Changing her setting from a Keep to a Riverboat for starters….
Meet up with Alex to have a look at the MICE Quotient as it relates to our own stories!
I’d like to see where my stories fall, if my intentions are coming through, and where I need to adjust this or that thread.
Produce more ambient write-ins videos. Maybe try a live one.
That’s all for now!
I hope you’re taking care of yourself, and your writing.
mel (:
