Daily Word Count Goals: A Tip and a Tracking System

I want to share this new Daily Word Count Goal Tracking System with the writers who read this blog. But, it would also work for journalkeepers to track if your journal each day--and if you want to do a minimum word count goal daily. 

I am always looking to streamline how I do things--regarding my writing and journaling. This includes how I keep track of my word count goals. Consequently, two weeks ago, I started a new system and it is one I like the most so far and, when I can write and am not trying to avoid getting really sick, I've found that I really like this new system and it inspires me. 

Now, you need to know that I started to write one version of my memoir and decided on a new angle, so I started to write the book over from the new angle. Therefore  I had to start all over with my word count goals. I still want to accomplish 1,000 words per day Monday-Friday of writing in 2013. Therefore  as of today, I have 14,000 words due that I need to write. I have 5,000. I am 9,000 words short, needless to day. And, it took me less than a minute to figure that all out because of my new word count goal tracking system. 

So, what is this new tracking system? 

I printed out on one page a 2013 calendar. At the top, I wrote, "Due: 1,000 words per day, Monday-Friday." Then, I wrote: "/ shows 1,000 words are due." Then, "X shows that 1,000 words were written. Meaning, I hand-write in a color ink one half of an "x" on the date that 1,000 words are due. I finish the X with another color of ink to designate that I got that word count goal done. 

Therefore, when I look at my calendar this morning, I can easily see that I have 9 days of writing I need to get done to get caught up. 

It's the easiest system I've found since I devoted myself to writing daily, Monday-Friday (at least) 11 years ago. I usually get about 1,000 words extra done on Saturday and Sunday as well, but I give myself two days a week to rest and if I get anything done, great. It's a bonus.  

I am sharing this with you because it is so easy and I cannot wait to watch as the days get more X's on it throughout the year. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Writer

NaNoWriMo Starts Tomorrow

National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo or NaNo, starts tomorrow. I am participating again and have since 2009. So, this is my 4th year.

I am a pantser, meaning I do not outline. I like to fly by the seat of my pants as I write. I've tried outlining and planning, but my ideas get stifled. I have a general idea as to where I am going, that way I do not get too off course, but that's it. I love the writing process and seeing where I am led by my muse (God). 

I, also, enjoy pushing myself--and NaNoWriMo sure does that! This year, my daily writing goal (Monday-Friday, excluding Thanksgiving and the day after) is 4,500 per day. 

The book I am writing is: 

THE CHRONICLER OF ROANOKE: 

THE FAMILY TREEZ OF THE USA SERIES, BOOK #1

I am using the program: Yarny to write this novel. (See http://yarny.me) 

ADVICE TO ANYONE TRYING NANOWRIMO

Cut yourself grace. NaNoWriMo is meant to push you with your writing. But, that does not mean you need to stress yourself out. 

Do NOT doubt. Have faith in yourself. You CAN do this. (Repeat that as often as necessary.)

NaNoWriMo is meant to be fun. So, make it fun. Make it memorable.

Experiment. Try something new.

Do not forget your other priorities as you write. Make sure you still spend time with God, family, and job. Do not lose the month of November with making memories. Your priorities are far more important than NaNoWriMo. (This also helps keep NaNoWriMo stress and anxiety lowered.)

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Writing Help--or Obstacles?

Here it is 10:24 a.m. and I am still in my pj's. (Gotta love the full-time writing thing!) I am trying to get a lot of writing done and do not want to stop for a bit to change. I am not even getting up for coffee--and that is saying something! 

Evidently, someone (Sinan the Terrible. Cat. Lol.) thought I was working too hard and decided to be cute (he's good at that!). 

"Whatcha doin?" Sinan asked as he hung from the back on desk chair--with me sitting in it (see the pink pj's). 

Me: "You're--not--helping!" I say in a high and cute voice he seems to like.

In the meanwhile... Zack Beagle is bored with my writing--as usual.

And you can see the shelf that needs organizing and the rice sock I threw to the floor when I got too hot (sore back). 

And, how do I get writing done with this handful? 

So, is he a helper or an obstacle? I think I am going to take his cue that I need to go get dressed and get coffee and then try another round of intense writing.

So, what do you do with writing obstacles? Do you allow them to be an obstacle--or do you turn it into a benefit and something positive? 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo is in 28 days: Writing Tips and Hints

NaNoWriMo is in 28 days.

Re-read that first sentence one more time.

Do you feel your heart race? I know I sure do. Is it nerves, excitement, fear of failure, or (YES!) all of the above? 

I ask again. Have you written 1667 words today? This is the first step to preparing for NaNoWriMo. You might as well get in the habit now. 

A writing tip I want to share with you is this:

DO NOT EDIT.

Allow massive amounts of typo's and spelling errors. Do not use spell check until you reach your goal. Then, do it all at once and use the "change all" option to save yourself time. The chances are if you repeat a typo and repeat the same word, you will repeat the typo. "Change all" will save you time in the end. 

Another writing tip:

Do you hit the delete key to go back and fix something and re-type what you just wrote. Instead, keep typing. You can fix it later. 

Start getting in these habits today--and it will help you with NaNoWriMo. 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo Practice

NaNoWriMo Writers,

For those who do not write 1667 words per day on a normal basis, have you been practicing and doing precisely that? If you start to establish the habit now, NaNoWriMo will be a great deal easier and more enjoyable for you.

Just a thought.

I talked about this in an earlier blog post. How is this practice going for you? 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Writing Etc. Etc. Etc.

One of the things I love most about writing is how it is something that can unite people--across the world--no matter the background, ethnicity, beliefs, shape, color, nation, etc. It is a great unifier. It is where one writer supports another and has the integrity to not steal one another's work (please!), but learn from one another. 

Writing unites us.

While we might disagree with one another, we can respect one another's craft.

That's pretty amazing.

(Photo Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

NaNoWriMo Preparation and Peptalk

NaNoWriMo Writers,

How is everyone's preparation going? Is this a first for you and something you've always wanted to do? Are you starting a new novel? Or are you adding word count to a novel you are already writing? 

I've participated in NaNoWriMo three years before now and look forward to this year. I'm writing in a new genre to me and am looking forward to see what adding 50,000 words to my current writing project will bring me this year. 

There is nothing like writing at mach-10, with my hair on fire, not carinnngggg (Oops. I mean--caring) about editing. It's magical. It's definitely an adventure. I think NaNoWriMo separates those serious about their writing and those who are too serious. If we cannot have fun writing, why write? If we are too busy trying to do everything perfect, it makes our writing a labor and not really worth doing. 

Here is a hint for any newbies in NaNoWriMo. I do not have much of a plan at all. I have a minor outline of half a page for my entire book, which will be 210,000 words when I am finished. So, I am a pantser, but know where I need to go. The rest is--allowing the muse (or God) to lead me wherever it takes me--as long as it fits in the outline. I don't have to come to NaNoWriMo with a plan--other than 1667 words per day for November 2012. I can allow my muse to make one for me. And, I refuse to stress. How does that help?

It's the editing that will make the novel great.

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Where to find me for NaNoWriMo

You can track my progress at this link during the month of November:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo 2012 Participant

For the month of November 2012, I am joining people all across the world to:

Write a novel of 50,000 words

In 30 days.

Actually, in my case, I will be adding 50,000 words to the book I am already writing. So, that means, I will keep 2 files of my book: ROANOKE 1584-1590: THE FAMILY TREEZ OF THE USA SERIES, BOOK 1.

~ I will keep one file of my entire book.

~ I will keep 1 file of just what I write in November 2012. 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

MY ECLECTIC WRITING STYLE #2

Writing is 50% mental + 30% editing + 10% skill + 10% continual education. All of those are components you can learn. Moreover, please note, writing is something you have to continually learn and relearn. 

Writing is a head game. It is what you think and how you think it. 

Writing is also very personal. It is even more true when it comes to style. (Your writing style is your voice, by the way.) 

If a writer has not found their voice in every type of writing they do, they face an uphill battle. It means they have not found themselves or their confidence. So, how do you find your voice and confidence in your writing? And did I find mine? 

A writer finds their voice through writing. And lots of it. 

I have found my voice through writing every day, at least Monday through Friday. I have done this for ten years now. However, it did not take ten years for me to find my voice. I found my voice in the first year. I worked full time, otherwise it would have been sooner. 

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Writing is a way of life

Writing is more than an action. It is far more than the act of writing. It is far more than what you think. It is a way of life.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)


Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Writing Etc. Etc. Etc.

Writing is a state of mind.
It is what you choose to think.
What do you think about your writing?
What kind of a writer do you think you are?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What do you think about your present writing project?
What do you think of your next writing project?

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

My Eclectic Writing Style #1

I have decided to do a blog post series of how I write. It is very uniquely me. I will call this series, "My Eclectic Writing Style."

Why am I writing it? 

In order to inspire other writers who are unique and are searching for their way of writing. And to share with you how I have made my dream come true over and over again. It's quite a blessing and I want to show how dreams can come true--through lots of prayer (particularly listening to the Lord), hard work, and a whole lotta faith. Anyone can make their dreams come true--repeatedly. 

I have a very unusual writing style. However, it is precisely that style which have led me to writing over 100 books in 10 years. (Yes. Novels of 80,000 words or more. Over 100.) I say this not to brag or impress, but as a fact so you know my style works--for me. 

Note: I said write. I did not say edit or publish. I have written over 100 books. (But, I have only had 27 ready for a publisher. The rest sit there--waiting for me to pick them up again one day, when and if the time is right.)

Another Note: I did not say how many books I stopped writing. There have been a couple hundred at least--not including the over 100 I just mentioned. I am not entirely sure of that number. 

So, what is My Eclectic Writing Style? How have I written so many books? How have I made my dream come true? 

MY ECLECTIC WRITING STYLE

Welcome to my story.

I will start with my present writing project, ROANOKE 1584-1590: THE FAMILY TREEZ OF THE USA SERIES, BOOK 1, and will tell you how I am writing it so you can get a feel. I will take you on the journey with me. I will also reflect on the past and share you what I have learned to do and not to do along the way. 

Every dream starts with a series of goals, which make the dream come true. The same is true with writing a novel.

Goal #1: My Main Goal

To write a story.

Goal #2:

To write the story God wants me to share, so He is given glory.

Goal #3:

To write a story and share it with others--in an effort to help them escape from the world for a little while.

Those are my three main goals. They really are that simple. 

Note: I did not say publish yet.

I never write with the intention of being published. Never. If it happens along the way, great. But, it is not my goal. Why? If it was, I would be prideful and think my writing deserved to be published. And, it becomes a matter of ME, MY writing, MY writing to be seen. No. That is not me at all. Rather, I write to bring God glory. This is my main intent. It is my main goal. 

If I write a story, I write to bring Him glory. If it does not get published, that is fine. It is about Him, not about me.

(Note: Please do not think for a moment I am criticizing anyone else who has published books. No. Not at all. It was their time and was part of their journey. Good for them! I also am not saying they are prideful. I was talking about me, myself, and I--no one else. I had no hidden meaning. Does this make sense?)

If I write a story, and it does not get published, it is the story I need to write as part of the process of preparing me to publish. I KNOW God wants me to be published. I have self-published a few books, but have let others go. The others were part of the process.

Every book I have written has brought me to today and the book I am writing now. This is always my focus. I would not be able to write the book today, if not for all the previous books. 

Goal 4:

Enjoy the process--and make memories.

Every time I write a book, I KNOW how blessed I am. There are so many whose dream is to write ONE. Hence, I make sure to enjoy the entire process of writing a book. It is a rare gem and I cherish and treasure the process. 

This is another reason why I am writing this book. I want to encourage the person who has never written one and wants to do so.

Also, I want to write this blog post series for the one who has written at least part of a book, or maybe several, but have not been published yet. 

So, what are your main goals? Why do you write?

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Ever have one of those days? What about weeks? What about months?: Writing with distractions

NOTE: This blog post is for readers and writers

Yeah... That's where I am at. The last 30 days have been something else. They have not been bad. I have just had a great deal on my plate and even more distractions.

I have a brand new schedule, which I must keep, if I plan on getting a novel of 210,000 words written, edited, and ready to publish for profit between now and 08 February 2013. That is when I am going to a writing conference. (No pressure, mind you.)

I do not know about you, but whenever I have a deadline, the distractions come pouring in and this month and week is no exception. My main distraction the last two weeks has been sleep. Or, maybe I should be more specific, the lack thereof. Some of it has been tossing and turning. Some of it has been my beagle waking and drinking a gallon of water so he then has to go outside because he drank too much, some of his has been prayer, some of it has been for worrying (then I remember that God's got whatever I am worrying about, some of it has been excitement over getting a new Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch 4G tablet, and some of it has been--I cannot get this book out of my mind.

Well, my distraction today has been a lack of sleep. Again. 

I just had to take a two hour nap so I can function, let alone write. (I keep wondering if God is trying to prepare my husband and I for when we have  a baby one day--at our ages!) 

So... How do I get caught up after missing four hours of writing? (2 hours were spent trying to battle it out and failing.) I start to write like a madwoman. I do so free writing and essentially write like I do for NaNoWriMo. 

Aye. I am STILL so sleepy! 

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Writing Etc. Etc. Etc.: Dream Writing: A Writing Prompt

Writers,

WRITING PROMPT

If you could write the perfect, ideal, closest book to your heart, what would it be?

Take some time to write about this in your writing notebook or journal. 

Be specific.

Dream big.

Take several days to write what the perfect writing piece/book would be. Use your imagination. Be creative. Be daring.

AFTERWARD/APPLICATION/DO IT

Then, write the book. This is what you are supposed to be writing. Are you?

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online )

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Writing Etc. Etc. Etc.: Blog Posts for Writers

Welcome to a blog post series, which will be never-ending, for the craft and art of writing.

I realize the phrase, "Etc. Etc. Etc." is redundant. However, this comes from my childhood and how I wrote a book called, Etc. Etc. Etc. This phrase now signifies to me anything regarding writing. Hence, this is a Writer's Corner. A Writing Page. Writing Advice. Writing Tips. Writing Thoughts. Writing Prompts. Writing Tidbits. Writing Suggestions. A Writing How-To. 

So, you see, Writing Etc. Etc. Etc. fits now--just like it did almost three decades ago. 

Are you a writer? Look for the "Writing Etc. Etc. Etc." in the labels, or put it in the search field on this blog, and find the rest of the blog posts in the series. This is the second blog post in the series. In time, I will turn these into a book so they are easier to read and find. I will put the book in my store.

I ask again, are you a writer? Do you want to be?

If you are, or dream of being, welcome.

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Writing Etc. Etc. Etc.: It's NaNoWriMo Planning Time

NaNoWriMo

I am planning on doing NaNoWriMo again this year, for the forth year in a row.

NaNoWriMo = National Novel Writing Month, by the way.

I use NaNoWriMo as a fun challenge for me to see if I can push it and get more done than normal, along with people all across the world. It is a wonderful way to close the year--as I stretch myself to do more than I have all year. Never mind how much I love the chats with other NaNo writers and

We are halfway through September and that means, we have 44 days until NaNoWriMo--including today.

Have you always wanted to write a novel?

NaNoWriMo is your chance.

If you are a fellow NaNo writer already, let me know. I would love to be in contact with you. If you are new to the NaNo thing, contact me as well. We are all in this together!

NaNoWriMo is in 45 days. Gulp. So, you know what time it is? It is time to:

1. Get signed-up for it here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/ and note. It is too early to put any of your novel information in the site. Just get familiar with it and be ready for it. On November 1st, you can put in all of your information. I will write instructions when the time is at hand.

2. Start planning what you are going to write. Are you going to start something new--or add 50,000 words to your project you are already working on?

(Photo Credit: Microsoft Image Online)

Stacy Duplease

Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

Pray Constantly for Writers in 365 Days: Day 1 Welcome

 

 

Blog Post Series and Book:

Pray Constantly for Writers in 365 Days

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which states: Pray continually.

Day 1: Welcome

Are you a writer? Welcome.

Do you want to write? Welcome. You will learn to be a writer over the next year.

Are you a Christian writer? Welcome.

Do you have a craft or hobby? Welcome.

Do you have a dream? Welcome.

While this book, and blog post series, is specifically for writers, you can use it no matter who you are--to help you to learn to pray without ceasing and follow your calling every day.

This book is to help Christian writers to follow their call from God and draw forever closer to him in the process. This is a book to help you to learn to pray constantly as you learn to hone your craft.

This is a daily devotional, a Bible study, a prayer guide, a prayer journal, writing guide, and book of encouragement to help you give your craft every day to the Lord.

The book you hold in your hands (literally or metaphorically) is something I have hunted for, and have not found, in over 10 years of searching. I decided to write it since I could not find anything like this on the market and I hope you will be blessed by it over the next 365 days. I also hope it will be an encouragement enough to help you pray constantly and live your calling every day, that you will re-read it every year.

I do not know about you, but I constantly pray that every word I write be the words God wants me to write. Then, I worry that I am writing my words and not his. The truth of the matter is if writing is an act of worship, and is how you pray constantly, and without stopping, then your writing will be of God. Period. End of story. It cannot be anything but.

So, how do you know if your writing is a hobby--and how do you know if it is a calling?

Answer: You pray about it.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

1 Thessalonians 5:17 gives us a simple command. It is to pray constantly. That means to pray without stopping, to pray always, to pray first and foremost, and to pray above all else. Lord, I want to learn how to do this literally. I do not want it to be a figurative expression in my life. I want to learn how to pray constantly as I live my life day by day, minute by minute. I recognize this is an act of worship. So, Lord, teach me to pray constantly, 24/7/365.

Abba, there is something else on my mind. I know you already know what I am about to confess before I even address it. And, I think you in advance for your answer. Lord... I keep experiencing a strong pull that leads me to want to write. Do you want me to write as a calling or as a hobby? That is my question.

And, if I am to write as a calling, as an act of worship, then is my current project (or the one I have planned or will plan) the one you want me to write?

Lord, use my pen. Make every word I write your own. I do not want any word to be mine, but every word to be yours alone. I want to write what you want me to write.

Guide me.

Instruct me.

Teach me.

Use me.

Give me understanding.

Help me to listen. Help me to hear. Help me to immediately respond.

Verses to Look-Up and Pray: 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 6:8-13; Psalm 19:14; Ephesians 1:7-9; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 1:9-10; 1 John 5:20.

(Image from Microsoft Iamges Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com and http://familytreezusa.tumblr.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction   

For Fiction Writers: Recommended Sites

Every now and then, I am going to put together a list for you of sites I recommend to help you/us write fiction novels, no matter the genre.

Writing 4 Success

http://writing4success.com/

My Comment: I've read most of the books out there over the last ten years on how to write a novel, how to write fiction, novel writing, writing fiction, and so on. These books are by far the best I have read. Period. Hands down. Why? They are simple, yet packed with material you can use today. They are powerful books. They are well worth every penny. I own every book she has published and will buy every book she publsihes from here. That is how much I believe in write 4 Success and Marg McAlister. Check her out. What a gem. Priceless. I cannot begin to tell you how much she has taught me about writing.

(Clipart/Photo Credit: Micorsoft Images Online)
 

Stacy Duplease
Geneaologist and Historical Fiction Writer

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez Etc

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezetc.blogspot.com

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