Progress and a Brain of Mush

[katiefoolery]

I have until midnight tonight to produce one thousand words, or my “Ten thousand words in Ten Weeks” fails after only two successful weeks.  Should this happen, I know in exactly which direction to look in order to cast blame.  It will rest squarely at the feet of that the story that was bugging me the other day, as it has suddenly developed an obsessive interest in Black Fiddle and keeps telling me it’d rather be part of that than stand on its own.

Damned co-dependent stories.  Why can’t you just stand on your own and serve my purposes?  Also, when did stories get the idea that they could dictate the way things go?

I don’t approve.

On the editing front, things are looking a lot more promising (I don’t know what particular part of my brain wanted to type “confusing” instead of “promising” there, but I don’t appreciate it.  I shall now glare at said part of brain.  This, I am sure you will all appreciate, is Not Easy.).  But, as I was saying, before my brain so maliciously interrupted me, the editing is going well.  At the moment, I’m involved in writing a scene breakdown of the novel, which is slowly turning my brain to mush.  The other night, I managed to condense a chapter of three and a half thousand words into a summary of 136 words.  This was hailed as both a miraculous achievement and a event little short of sacrilege.  How can the essence of three thousands words be boiled down to little over one hundred?  It’s a bit depressing, really.

But I’m a quarter of the way through it and it’s giving me a real sense of purpose.  Instead of sitting around, vaguely thinking I should work on that second draft, I’m actually doing something about it!  It feels weirdly empowering, to be honest.  I’m still retaining that sense of glee that I felt the other night and even though the Scene Breakdown of Brain Mushening is hard work, I know that it’ll be worth it when I’m finally done.

Before I go, I’d like to thank everyone for responding so favourably to the excerpts I posted the other night.  Your responses are the encouragement I need to keep going forward with this second draft.  Thank-you muchly.

Comments

[snarkymonkey.livejournal.com]

I've given up on stories listening to my careful plans. They haven't done that since day one. Stories do as they wish and I just hope that I can keep up with them. XD

But yay for the editing process. I'm glad you're having such fun. =3

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Yes, this is quite true. Usually, I just hope the story in question will behave itself to a reasonable degree. But I've never had a story decide it didn't want to be on its own, before. That's definitely a new one on me. "No, I'm too scared to be on my own! I want to be in there." Ah well. What choice do I have?

[elfie-chan.livejournal.com]

I will read those excerpts when I am done with my paper, in order to reward myself. *nods firmly*

Silly Brain. It is not your job to dictate what Buneater thinks! Or something. If you do not behave, I shall poke you. Poke.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I do love the idea of your reading my writing as a reward. That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. *hugs*

Hopefully, my brain has received your message loud and clear.

[elfie-chan.livejournal.com]

*snugs back* Hee hee...your angry chicken says that I need to do my paper. And reading fun stuff is a reward! I've been looking forward to reading more Black Fiddle. The idea of magical musical instruments (particularly Irish fiddles!) makes me feel happy.

*gives your brain a Look, complete with Threatening Eyebrow* I hope so.

[devinjay.livejournal.com]

I have until midnight tonight to produce one thousand words, or my “Ten thousand words in Ten Weeks” fails after only two successful weeks.

Actually, if you didn't manage to write the thousand words, you'd just have to write two thousand before next week. You wouldn't fail, really, you'd just miss one of your targets.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Oh, I do like that way of looking at things. :D

[sarsalot.livejournal.com]

Or you could even follow my philosophy and bugger round until the ninth week, then try and write eight thousand over two nights.


...hey, I never said it was a good philosophy. *sideways glare at unfinished stuff due tomorrow*

[gravityslave.livejournal.com]

Not necessarily a good philosophy, no, but one that many of us live by. :-D
I have an exam this evening that I haven't begun to study for yet.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Ah, but if you leave the study 'til the last minute, surely it's more fresh in your mind? Well, that'd be my justification, at least. Good luck for the exam!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid that's the sort of philosophy I might fall into, if I start thinking that way. I've a procrastination streak that's so wide, I need three maps, a canoe and a really good guide with a machete to reach the other side. Hmmm... did I just stretch an analogy a little too far there?

Good luck with your unfinished stuff. Heed my icon! :P

[sarsalot.livejournal.com]

I rather liked that analogy. Weighty. Nice emphasis. Perhaps a bit overworked, but then, we're all entitled to a little hyperbole.
Your icon is so mean. Here I am, taking a little break after writing the majestic sum of 366 words, and it glares at me!

[devinjay.livejournal.com]

It does mean double work for you next week, though.

[flippyfrog.livejournal.com]

Yay for purpose! Yay for getting close!

Yay for left shoes!

I'm going to finish this pointless comment about here.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Aww! I was just getting into it...

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

P.S. Chickens!

[flippyfrog.livejournal.com]

Ah! Chickens! Go forth oh mighty chickens of chickens!

Okay, i'm only rambling here because 1. i'm bored and 2. you were one post off 20, and i felt i had to fix that up for you. No, i'm not suffering from OCD in the slightest :P

[sirgallivant.livejournal.com]

Congrats on your progress, good Buneater. I found your excerpts to be decidedly marvellous!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Thank-you muchly, good knight!

[blackswans.livejournal.com]

I just love your writerly updates! They get me all inspired.

Keep 'em coming!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Why, thank-you muchly. I shall most certainly do that.

[naelany.livejournal.com]

Even if you don't make the 1000 words by tonight, don't beat yourself over the head over it. For all you know, you might have a stroke of brilliance tomorrow and write 1000 more then you need to ^_~

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

I hope so! I have something in mind to write (and I'm on holidays, too), so I hope I can catch up.

[naelany.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you will, as long as your muse is cooperative lol. Enjoy your holidays!