Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Wednesday WIP #1

MOOD STATUS: "Upbeat". Getting a lot of writing done.
Weekly Word Challenge: 5537 words


Well, it's time for another episode of Work in Progress Wednesday. (I'm back at #1 since it's a new story)

I also posted my weekly word challenge. (see above) One of my critique partners actually picks the word goal for the week for me. I have 1,393 toward it so far. But I have until Sunday and the week is young!

Some of you have asked what I'm working on. (Thanks for having an interest) I'm writing something COMPLETELY different. Oh, it'll still be light and fun, but it's not going to strictly be a romance. Actually, it's going to be a chick-lit with romantic elements.
(There HAS to be a better description than that.)

Anyhew... I've had this idea (along with a YA idea) that I've kept on the back burner for a while. It's been kind of nagging at me. And after I finished writing my last romance, I just felt a need to stretch my writing muscles a bit. I'm even writing in a different POV: first person, present tense. Eeep!

So we'll see how this goes. I'm not entirely sure this is really my voice. But I have to try! And now that I've finished the first chapter, I can let my critique partners in on my dirty little secret and see what they think. After I polish it up, anyway. :)

(I have to admit I'm a little scared)


Have you ever decided to change direction with your writing?

Did it work out for you?

35 comments:

Unknown said...

I am still in the beginning process of writing, but I am in the middle of researching different styles and forms or writing, and it's a lot of fun to change things up!

I have tried doing first person, and I really enjoyed doing a little something different, a little out of my comfort zone!

Jessica Nelson said...

Hmm. First incomplete novel was a first person, somewhat chick-litty story with women's fiction elements. Then I wrote a third person historical. Then third person contemporaries. I think it's fun and bet you'll do an awesome job. You have a great voice!

Unknown said...

I'm in the middle of my first series. I've only written two and a half books and they were both epic fantasy, but I just had an idea for an urban fantasy via dream. lol Does that can't as different enough? It seems really different to me.

Okay, this is going to sound like a dumb question probably, but what is chick lit? I kind of thought it was a form of romance...

Tamika: said...

I'm writing in first person, present tense- I love it! It feels like me.

I'm looking forward to passing along my work to a newly formed critique group for me, we are meeting next week! Yay!

Kimberly Franklin said...

Good luck! Aren't crit partners the best?

Happy Wednesday!

Hardygirl said...

Go! Go! Go!

I love switching things up. It keeps it fresh.

sf

storyqueen said...

I think the more you challenge yourself, the better the writing!

Good luck!

Shelley

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I've started two novels and left them b/c the characters didn't continue to resonate with me. I've learned to let them hang around in my head for at least a month to see if we can work together for years now.

Finished three where I still like working with the characters and am feeling strong about the fourth.

~ Wendy

Joanne said...

I definitely change directions, and find it really motivating. I go from fiction, to memoir, and even consider the blogging a change-up of writing. I think it keeps us on our toes to change it up, and there's always something to learn from each genre.

Tess said...

How great to feel your motivation .. it is inspiring to me.

And, I have always been drawn to historical fiction and am currently working on a contemporary piece. It's a challenge for me and I don't know if I can find my voice in it, but I'm really trying!

Kristen Painter said...

I'm working on something totally new right now. Jury is still out on how it's going.

Sarah Forgrave said...

First person intimidates me, so I've never ventured into that POV yet. Kudos to you for trying something new!

Chicki Brown said...

Jennifer, you know that when I changed to first person I wasn't sure I could swing it. But when my crit partners said they thought I'd found my voice, I decided to stick with it for the next two stories. One of these is the one that got agent attention.

We never know what we can do until we try. Can I read your opening chapter?

Linda Kage said...

Good luck on your new idea and this week's word count.

I tried something new and it did work out. Now, I'm going to be published as a YA romance author AND an adult romance author. It's very exciting.

Stephanie said...

I'm working on a paranormal now. WAAAAY outside my box. I guess we'll see how it goes!

Elana Johnson said...

I think I'm in the middle of a new direction. I haven't quite started yet, but I'm getting ready.

Good luck with your word count goals!

Laura Pauling said...

Definetly. And sometimes the new direction is just what I needed to grow as a writer, even if the manuscript itself won't get past my crit partners. :)

patti said...

Oh, my, yes! From first person to third. From frame story to regular back to frame. I'm always needing help from critiquers and my agent.

And VERY open to suggestions. Unfortunately, "they" usually prove to be right!!!

Great post!

Patti

Kristi said...

I'm in the middle of changing directions as well! From science fiction/paranormal elements to just plain literary fiction and a good emotional, inspiring story. I'm not sure yet how mine is working out yet either and I'm terrified. I'll find out during my next critique group...sound familiar???

By the way - I love the idea of your friend giving you a word count goal! Too cool! Great motivation.

Happy Wednesday!

Kristin Rae said...

When I want to play around with POVs and tenses, I'll write up a short story. It's a great exercise. One is first person past tense, one is third person present tense, one is actually second person (the "you" tense) and slightly comedic... one is so sad I cried when I wrote it, one is sci-fi (came out of NOWHERE), one is funny... just change it up. See what works, what doesnt. I like to test them in short stories so I don't have to go through 100 pages to change the POV (which I HAVE done...).
KristinCreative

Jill Kemerer said...

Great goal, Jennifer! And way to stretch. I have gone in different directions occasionally, and they always re-energize me. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Even if it's terrible, I'm still intrigued by your idea. Hope your crit partner likes it so you continue! :O)

Jen said...

Good luck with your new direction and new wip. It's always scary to branch out in a new direction but it's also very freeing! I enjoy playing with words in new ways.

Happy Wednesday,
Jen

Shannon O'Donnell said...

You go girl! Challenges are good and can bring some fun surprises. Keep pecking away at that word count. :-)

Jemi Fraser said...

Stretching your writing muscles is good! Trying something different can be so much fun :)

Katie Ganshert said...

I originally thought I was a women's fiction gal, but discovered I lean more toward contemp. romance. I think it's good to follow your muse. :)

Rebekah D. Hay said...

I'm in the end stages of my novel (a cross between chick lit and a cozy mystery), and I've just started a YA fantasy. I gotta say, I'm really liking the fantasy so much more than I thought I would, and definitely more than my cozy chick lit!

We'll see what happens:)

Katie said...

I'm actually redirecting right now, and I'm scared, as well. lol I've always gone down the sci-fi/fantasy road, but now I'm going more historical...though still kinda speculative. I can't get rid of it all. ;)

Renee said...

I'm totally writing outside of my box. Well, it's still historical, just a different era and different continent.

Good luck with your word count.

dolorah said...

I have no word count goals; I'd just depress myself when I miss them. But I am working on something totally out of my norm. Its a fantasy, sitting about 2300 words right now. I'm amazed I've gotten that far, so if it doesn't work out, I think I'll give myself a break for not finishing.

Good luck on your new direction, and the word goal.

......dhole

Tabitha Bird said...

I have been thinking about which direction to go when I have finished my memoir. I think the novel I am working on might turn out to be a YA... I was thinking of another idea for a MA book. We'll see.

Karen Lange said...

I'm sure you'll do just fine! I've changed directions at times, and I always come out on the other side having learned something new. (Don't grammar check that:) It's always a process and learning experience for me. Thanks for sharing!
Blessings:)
Karen

Stephanie McGee said...

Good luck! A bright shiny new idea and manuscript are always so exciting!

Walt Mussell said...

We're about equal on word count. My CP is kicking me onward, too.

Kara said...

Your projects sound great. I think switching it up a little is a good thing:)