The To Do List 17th to 23rd December

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I didn’t have a bad week last week, even with the stresses of Christmas fast approaching lol

1. Finish Beta reading BN’s piece. Unfortunately, nope 😦 My reading has sunk to an all time low and I don’t know why.

2. Faber homework. Done!

3. Continue with Nigel Watts book. Still doing!

4. Edit and prepare The Last Word Cafe Synopsis for Thursdays event. Done!

5. Continue making notes on The Last Word Cafe and do a section in 3rd person. Still Doing. I spent a couple of hours last week working on a timeline lol.

6. Go through Faber notes re The Last Word Cafe. Done!

I’m going to be very easy on myself this week (especially as today is the last Faber session until after Christmas) in the run up to 2 weeks off! 🙂 Not 2 weeks off of writing but 2 weeks off from having a list of goals.

Look at that clear diary! 😉

1. Continue with Beta Reading BN’s piece.

2. Continue with Nigel Watts book.

That’s it! Lol….I will make some notes on The Last Word Cafe if the mood takes me, but I’m not gunna beat myself up. This week is gunna be busy enough as it is, getting prepped for Christmas!!!! I still have a couple of pressies to buy, and some last minute bits of food. The plan is to be totally done by Saturday so that we can shut ourselves away in the warm until the 27th. Wish me luck!

So what are your plans for the week?

The To Do List 10th to 16th December

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I spent most of yesterday trying to catch up with all your blogs and e mails. I’m sorry, but I made much use of the “like” button lol 😉

I’m feeling a bit worn out at the moment. I think I’ve just been over doing it, so I’m looking forward to a break at Christmas.

Last weeks To Do List was more successful than I thought it would be now I’ve a tally gone through it again 🙂

1. Print out Sorrento Sunrise and file (for editing at a later date). Done!

2. Finish BN’s manuscript – Beta reading. Still reading 🙂

3. Faber homework. Done!

4. Do a review of Richard Skinners book and Start Nigel Watts one! Done!

5. Continue making notes on new version of But Not Forgotten. Need to decide on POV etc. if it goes well, make a start! Ive made a start. Written 500 words, the beginning, in 1st person POV….now, I just need to do the same piece in 3rd person and see which works better.

6. Print off and file Nano short stories. Done!

This weeks list looks like this…..

1. Finish Beta reading BN’s piece.

2. Faber homework.

3. Continue with Nigel Watts book.

4. Edit and prepare The Last Word Cafe Synopsis for Thursdays event.

5. Continue making notes on The Last Word Cafe and do a section in 3rd person.

6. Go through Faber notes re The Last Word Cafe.

I have a really busy week coming up…I’m out Monday night, Wednesday Night, Thursday night and then all day Saturday and most of Sunday….so wish me luck! Lol

What are your writing plans this week?

The To Do List 3rd To 9th December

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Firstly a huge thank you to Bridget Whelan for looking after my blog these last couple of days. I feel like I’ve had a mini holiday! Lol 😉

I hope you’ve found Bridget’s tips useful, I know I have. My advice is to print them off and stick them in your notebook, that’s what I’ll be doing 🙂

The 3rd and final part of Bridget’s Editing Series will be on her blog today. So do pop over to Bridget’s Blog to read the final part – Six Tips To Help You Get Your Nano Novel Ready For A Reader

Ok, now lets crack on….

It’s been a funny old week, I’ve found it hard to focus. Too much spinning round my head I guess from the Faber Critique last Monday. So the to do list was neglected 😦

1. Print out rest of Sorrento Sunrise and start padding. Nope! Didn’t touch it, but, to be fair, my printer cartridges only arrived on Friday lol

2. Read BN’s manuscript (a friends Nano story). Halfway through, I am a bad Beta reader 😦

3. Sort out notes from critique of But Not Forgotten. Ha ha ha, what notes? I didn’t make any!

4. Read next Faber critique piece. Done!

5. Continue with Richard Skinners book. Done!

6. Start an ideas notebook for But Not Forgotten. Done! I have made some notes, got some ideas, will share later 😉

7. Print off and file Nano short stories. Nope! Due to printer having no ink and being lazy lol

So not a very productive week this week 😦 My only excuse is not being mentally 100% with it. Which means there will be some stuff carried forward 😉

1. Print out Sorrento Sunrise and file (for editing at a later date).

2. Finish BN’s manuscript – Beta reading.

3. Faber homework.

4. Do a review of Richard Skinners book and Start Nigel Watts one!

5. Continue making notes on new version of But Not Forgotten. Need to decide on POV etc. if it goes well, make a start!

6. Print off and file Nano short stories.

Also, I’ll be going back to writing my daily prompts in my notebook, which I’m actually looking forward to 🙂

so what are you up to this week?

The To Do List 26th November to 2nd December

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’m sorry I’m so behind with reading and commenting on Blogs. Will try to catch up today.

Today I will be attending my Faber class, as I do every Monday, but, today, they will be critiquing the first 4,500 words of ‘But Not Forgotten’ *gulp* I will tell you all about it in a separate post. Think of me, I am so bloody nervous! Lol

Let’s get back to the list. Last week, this is what happened…

1. Finish Nano by Friday (23rd) Done! I finished on the 22nd 😉

2. Upload words to Nano. Done! And I have a purple line and certificate to prove it!

3. Print off Sorrento Sunrise and start padding lol. Hmmmm, I only managed to print out 25 pages….because….my printer ran out of ink. I’ve got some on order and it should arrive by Tuesday at the latest. It’s a real pain as I can’t even print off the piece they’ll be critiquing in class tonight…Grrrrr 😦

4. Start new book….an eBook. I did start something, but only got a little way in 😦

5. Continue reading Richard Skinners book. I’m still reading it lol

6. Print off But Not Forgotten and READ IT! Couldn’t do it, because of the printer 😦

So this weeks list:

1. Print out rest of Sorrento Sunrise and start padding.

2. Read BN’s manuscript (a friends Nano story).

3. Sort out notes from critique of But Not Forgotten.

4. Read next Faber critique piece.

5. Continue with Richard Skinners book.

6. Start an ideas notebook for But Not Forgotten.

7. Print off and file Nano short stories.

So what plans do you have for the week?

The To Do List 19th to 25th November

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’m exhausted! Lol…..what with Nano, Write In’s and Faber, it’s all beginning to take its toll….I’m constantly yawning! 😉

So how did I do last week?

1. Edit, the piece for Faber & hand in *gulp* Done! It will be handed out to my fellow students tonight!

2. Keep up with Nano word count – try to get ahead a bit more. Done! Not too bad. As of last night I’m at 40,019 so aiming for another 2000 today. Need to finish by Friday as I’ve got a heavy weekend coming up.

3. Finish current read – Don Delillo Done! gave it 2 stars.

4. Finish Richard Skinners book. Not done, will continue with it this week.

5. Print out and read Faber Guest Tutor stuff – FOR MONDAY! Done!

6. Clear inbox – which means catching up with all your blog posts from the weekend. Kind of done! Got it down to about 20, so if I owe you an e mail I WILL get to it over the next couple of days 🙂

So what’s on my list for this week?

1. Finish Nano by Friday (23rd)

2. upload words to Nano.

3. Print off Sorrento Sunrise and start padding lol.

4. Start new book….an eBook.

5. Continue reading Richard Skinners book.

6. Print off But Not Forgotten and READ IT!

That shouldn’t be too bad should it? 😉

So what are you up to this week?

The To Do List 12th to 18th November

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

What a fabulous end to the week, a writing retreat! I can’t really say much more lol. Great place, great food, great people…..I can’t wait to go back! 🙂

So how did I get on with last weeks list?

1. Faber homework (inc reading fellow students work). I haven’t had chance to read the handouts, and as I’m going today I think I better lol

2. Keep up with daily Nano word count. Done! And I’m actually ahead 😉

3. Catch up with prompts…..3 days behind *groan* Done, but on,y because I’m using them for Nano, don’t ask, see previous moaning lol

4. Write article for Faber *EXCITING* Done, and they liked it! 🙂

5. Print out and read But Not Forgotten extract (Faber sub) and take to West Dean for editing/fiddling.Done!

So now, for this weeks lists…..ooooo, it’s a busy one!

1. Edit, the piece for Faber & hand in *gulp*

2. Keep up with Nano word count – try to get ahead a bit more.

3. Finish current read – Don Delillo

4. Finish Richard Skinners book.

5. Print out and read Faber Guest Tutor stuff – FOR MONDAY!

6. Clear inbox – which means catching up with all your blog posts from the weekend. I’m so sorry I’m so behind 😦

I think that’s it 😉

What are your writing plans for the week?

The To Do List 29th October to 4th November

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’m not too sure how these “to do lists” will work during November, so I guess we’ll just have to see.

How did I do with last weeks list?

1. Continue with Faber homework. Done! Although I didn’t do the 5000 words, but more on that later.

2. Do synopsis for writing group. Ummmmm, pass…..I’m not sure you can do one if you don’t know how the story will end lol.

3. Change Faber piece from 1st person to 3rd person. Done! Still don’t like it! Lol

4. Finish current read. Nope, not read much fiction this week 😦

5. Make some decisions. Done! And feeling much calmer lol

So this week see’s the start of Nano *gulp* and I’m not exactly practising what I preach 😉 I’m still not 100% sure which WIP I’ll be working on lol. I don’t want to end up one of those writers who has a drawer (metaphorically) full of unfinished manuscripts, if you know what I mean lol.

So the options are:
A rewrite of But Not Forgotten
Continue with The View Outside
Start Sorrento Sunrise

I’ll probably decide the night before *snigger*

So on to this weeks list…..

1. Faber homework etc Always takes priority!

2. Look at But Not Forgotten and decide which 5,000 words to submit.

3. Start Christmas shopping. Yes, I know it’s not writing related, but the quicker I get it done the better 😉

4. Stock freezer for bad weather. Apparently, we’re due some major snow this year in the UK….great 😦 Let’s hope it doesn’t affect my retreat or my write ins!

Good luck to all my fellow Wrimo’s. I’m afraid, those of you not taking part might find this months blog a bit boring (lots of Nano talk). So I apologise in advance 🙂 I might get a bit behind with commenting on your blogs too….perhaps I can just give up sleeping 😉

Off to Faber tonight!

So what are your plans for the week?

6 NaNoWriMo Tips + #ROW80 and a NEW Twitter Handle (jennyhansenauthor.wordpress.com)

The To Do List 22nd to 28th October

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Last week was a stressful week. Have I ever said writing is easy? I hope not, because, trust me, it isn’t lol. I’m always as honest and open with my readers, so can I just say that this week sucked! lol.

I needed to start writing my piece for the Faber course, I asked everyone’s advice, made a start, got to 2321 words then had a major melt down 😦 I’ve written it in 1st person and I’m just not gelling with it. Perhaps I’m a 3rd person kind of girl? Perhaps it’s the wrong thing to write? Perhaps I’m over thinking? Lol. I dunno….but what I do know is that this writing malarkey is hard work! 🙂

So, how did I get on with last weeks list?

1. Faber homework. Well, I’ve made a start, but, it’s not going well 😦 I read all the handouts and made some notes. I’m beginning to wonder if starting a new novel from scratch was a big mistake.

2. Finish reading current book. Nope, in fact I haven’t done much reading at all this week 😦

3. Get out winter clothes and boots. Done! But I’ve not put the summer stuff away lol

This weeks list…

1. Continue with Faber homework. We’ll probably get more handouts tonight.

2. Do synopsis for writing group. For which novel? I seem to have 4 now lol

3. Change Faber piece from 1st person to 3rd person.

4. Finish current read.

5. Make some decisions. Yeah, my brain aches. I seem to have two WIPS, Nano looming, and it seems my tutor liked the piece I submitted to Faber in the first place.

Going tonight, so might have a chat to him, see what he thinks 🙂

What are your writing plans for the week?

The To Do List 15th to 21st October

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

At the time you’re reading this I shall probably be either on my way to Central London, or there already. I will probably leave mega early, because the thought of being late terrifies me! Lol

And if you’re reading this early on Monday morning, and I don’t respond it’s probably because I’m crouched in the corner of my bedroom whimpering 😉

So how did I do last week?

1. Check Nano forums 3 times a day on my days. Yep, done that, I’m keeping up well 🙂 it’s fairly busy, but will get busier….gawd, it’s not even November yet! Lol. Will remove this from the list now, I’ve got notes in my diary lol

2. Finish Mick Jacksons book. Done!

3. Finish at least one if the romance books. I think I opened one if them, but that was it lol. I’ve been reading Natalie Goldberg. What can I say, I’m easily distracted when it comes to lovely shiny book covers lol

4. Continue outlining Sorrento Sunrise, think about timeline. Done, but I’ve kind of given up now. I won’t be touching my notebook again until November. That’s unless I come up with something that needs adding of course 🙂

5. Sort out a donation tin for Nano. Done! Did you see it on FaceBook? No? Ok, here it is 🙂

6. Start new Ideas note book. Done! And I’ve already filled about 10 pages!

7. Make sure I’m all set for Faber *gulp* Done! I think….. I have a gorgeous Moleskine bag, 2 Moleskine notebooks, new pencil case, pens, umbrella and folder to put all the Faber info in 🙂

All I’ll need to add is my purse, phone and diary 🙂

Soooo, now onto this weeks list…….

Yeah, I know, it’s looking pathetic right?

I sat there last night and I thought, and I thought, and I thought…..blank! Lol. I think because I’m nervous about this evening I can’t seem to focus on anything else. So i gave up at point 3 lol

1. Faber homework. Yeah, there will be some, every week apparently. I had an e mail last week saying about critiquing each others work *gulp*

2. Finish reading current book. I’m having a break from reading the Faber tutors stuff. Reading one if the new Mills & Boon Rivas at the moment.

3. Get out winter clothes and boots. Ok, on first glance, not really writing related, but, it is when you have to trudge round the streets of London in the cold and wet. Hence the umbrella mentioned above 😉

So I’m being really easy on myself this week. I haven’t a clue about what is expected of us in the way of homework over the coming weeks….I guess time will tell 😉

I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow 🙂

what are your writing plans this week?

The To Do List 8th to 14th October

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Sorry if some of you received notification of a blank blog post yesterday evening. I’ve been trying to work on a new schedule for the blog, adding date reminders in the old drafts folder, and accidentally hit the publish button ha ha ha, whoops!

Anyways…..last week was a bit up and down to say the least lol. I had my major melt down on Wednesday about the Faber course (thank you so much for all your kind words), the Nano website launched (something I didn’t anticipate so early, so moderating the forums has kicked in already), and then at the end if the week I was feeling a bit poorly *all say ahhhhhh* 😉

On the plus side, I did achieve most of the stuff on my list!

1. Catch up with prompts. Done!

2. Finish one of the romance books. Ummmmm, nope 😦

3. Continue working on the Black Moment. Done! yay!!!! 🙂

4. Finish Sabrina Broadbents book. Done!

5. Outline some ideas I have for Blog Posts. Ummmmm, not done. I usually have a good 5 or 6 draft posts in my folder, but at the moment, I’m a complete blank! Lol

6. Check Nano forums…gear myself up! Done! Bit of a shock how early people started posting though lol

7. Do some more work on outlining Sorrento Sunrise (for the Writing Group). This weeks writing group meet was all about outlining. We discussed the different methods we use and I realised that I need to think more about my time line. Next week is about Characters, so I don’t really need to do any work on that in advance 🙂

Soooo, this weeks list…..

Ooooo, that’s an awful picture isn’t it! That’ll teach me to take it in the early morning lol