• Yuwanda Black
  • Self-Publisher's Writing Tournament (Days 12, 13 & 14 Progress): Write. Get Published. Start Making...
Self-Publisher's Writing Tournament (Days 12, 13 & 14 Progress): Write. Get Published. Start Making Money.
Contributor
Written by
Yuwanda Black
November 2016
Contributor
Written by
Yuwanda Black
November 2016

This entry concludes the 2016 Self-Publisher's Writing Tournament held by Inkwell Editorial.com. Following is the final report I sent out to tournament participants.

FINAL UPDATE

Following is how our last few days went. At the end, I’ll provide some final thoughts – and tell you if there will be another tournament.

DAY 12 (THURSDAY, 10/27)

Participant #1 (Yuwanda). Daily Goal: 3750 words.

Today, I didn't get any official writing done. I finished reading the first novel in the series I plan to write a second installment of (Hooked!). I also started on an outline. 

I wrote this novella in May of last year, so had forgotten a lot of the details, which is why you have to go back and read previous installments and take notes when you write series. As I was reading it, I got engrossed; I was like, "Hmmm, this is a good little story!"

So I'm feeling psyched to get started on the second part. I'd already written a Part II preview, so have some great jumping off points, which is cool.

I had meant to start writing today, but got caught up in other duties, mainly more back and forth with my web designer, and some social media marketing. The days go so fast!

Believe it or not though, I still hope to finish this book up by the end of the tournament (Monday).My goal is 20,000 words. If I write for the next three days (and ignore my web designer), I can get it done.

My cold is about 90% better too, which means I have a LOT more energy, so fingers crossed.

FYI, I'll be sending out the round-up report sometime tomorrow. Rushing out to the pharmacist now for some sleeping meds, and to catch a little Thurs night football at my favorite hangout. Haven't socialized in almost a week; that's bad for the soul!

Hope your writing day went well.

Participant #2. Daily Goal: 500 words.

Thursday count: 780!

My feedback to this participant … Keep on killing it! :)

Participant #3. Daily Goal: 1600 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #4. Daily Goal: 1500 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #5. Daily Goal: 3,000 words.

Zero!

Participant #6. Daily Goal: 3500 words.Did not report in.

Participant #7. Daily Goal: 1,000 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #8. Daily Goal: 3000 words initially; changed that to 1500 after the first day.

Did not report in.

Participant #9. Daily Goal: 2200 words.

Did not report in.

DAY 13 (FRIDAY, 10/28)

Participant #1 (Yuwanda). Daily Goal: 3750 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #2. Daily Goal: 500 words.

Friday count: 602 words.

Participant #3. Daily Goal: 1600 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #4. Daily Goal: 1500 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #5. Daily Goal: 3,000 words.

Zero again!

Participant #6. Daily Goal: 3500 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #7. Daily Goal: 1,000 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #8. Daily Goal: 1500 after the first day.

Did not report in.

Participant #9. Daily Goal: 2200 words.

Did not report in.

DAY 14 (MONDAY, 10/31)

Participant #1 (Yuwanda). Daily Goal: 3750 words.

Hey You Guys:

This is the final report of MY progress, which covers Day 14 (last Friday), Day 15 (Today) and this past weekend. You have until midnight tonight to get me your final report, as today is the last day of the tournament, and I'll be doing a tournament wrap-up report tomorrow.

I haven't written one word. Today I was I MoBay (Montego Bay) on business all day, and I wound up working with my web designer this past weekend to get the newest version of InkwellEditorial.com live (I couldn't put him off any longer). Take a peek. I still have some tweaks to do, but I started this new design back in the spring and decided to just get it up and finish the minor stuff over the next few weeks.

I'll go into more detail in a post I'm in the middle of writing for tomorrow, as the new design was inspired in part by the new direction my freelance writing life has taken the last couple of years. So stay tuned for that.

Another writing tournament? Stay tuned for info about that in tomorrow's final wrap-up post.

Participant #2. Daily Goal: 500 words.

Monday word count: 783

Participant #3. Daily Goal: 1600 words.

Ugh, so my total is 23, 415 words. Not where I wanted to be but still SO MUCH BETTER than zero. In fact, Nanowrimo  kicks off tomorrow so a great chance to recommit to writing 2k each day. I missed a few days here in the last week due to a beyond booked schedule.

My feedback to this participant …

RE << SO MUCH BETTER than zero>>

And that was the whole point of the tournament – in case I haven’t said that enough throughout! :)

And as you’ve gotten into a “writing groove,” it’ll be easier to recommit to writing every day (or almost every day), instead of letting a manuscript sit in a drawer for six months untouched! Awesome progress. So happy for you, and can’t wait to read the book when it’s done.

I wish I could write Rom Com (romantic comedy). My stuff tends to be more serious, and the funny thing is, in real life, my friends tell me I’m a riot. But, I can’t write comedy to save my life. Oh well … work with the talent you have, no?

Participant #4. Daily Goal: 1500 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #5. Daily Goal: 3,000 words.

969

Participant #6. Daily Goal: 3500 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #7. Daily Goal: 1,000 words.

# 7 reporting in for the final word count.......drumroll please.....363 words :-)!

My feedback to this participant …

The point is, you wrote – and with your schedule, it’s amazing you manage to fit any writing at all in. Keep at it … even a few hundred words per day is better than nothing. Once you work writing into your life as a habit, you’ll have days where you’ll fire off a few thousand words. Then, before you know it, you’ll have a completed manuscript on your hands.

Good going!

Participant #8. Daily Goal: 1500 after the first day.

Did not report in.

Participant #9. Daily Goal: 2200 words.

Wow, do I owe you an explanation! I'm normally much more prompt and reliable.

At the beginning of the week I came down with about the worst cold I've ever had and just as I started to improve my son caught it. I've barely been able to stay upright this week. Last night I only got to sleep about 90 minutes before I got up with my son. I'm so close to the end of my outline but I'm so backed up with my day work that I know it will keep me busy for another week.

I can't say enough good things about the time I got to spend doing this activity. I intend to finish my current day job project and make finishing that book my #1 priority after that time. I can't wait to see both finished.

Sorry for the lack of contact. I really hope you do this again!

My feedback to this participant …

RE <>

Well now you’re just making me blush! Thank you.

I hope you and your son are feeling better by now. Remember, I had a cold too during this tournament and let me tell ya, it knocked me on my kister! So I know EXACTLY what you went through.

As for being more prompt and reliable, one of the things I like about doing exercises like this is that it forces you to see that there will always be something that stands ready to get in the way of your writing – or really any life goal you want to achieve.

That’s why focus is so important. And once you prioritize what you want, and make that your central focus, there’s practically nothing you can’t achieve. And that’s the win!

FYI, even with projects on tap, try to find time to fit in even a few hundred words per day (this is advice I’m giving myself too – because one thing this tournament taught me is that you don’t even have to ACTIVELY look for a reason not to write; like can kinda conspire to keep you from putting finger to keyboard.

So get back on the writing horse as soon as you can, ok?

You were one of the most consistent participants by the way. So congrats. I’m glad you had some breakthroughs and got over some of your writing fears. Would love to read your book when it’s done. Let me know where I can find it once it’s published. :)

FINAL WEEKEND (SAT / SUN 10/29 – 10/30)

Participant #1 (Yuwanda). Daily Goal: 3750 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #2. Daily Goal: 500 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #3. Daily Goal: 1600 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #4. Daily Goal: 1500 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #5. Daily Goal: 3,000 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #6. Daily Goal: 3500 words.

Did not report in.

Participant #7. Daily Goal: 1,000 words.

Hi Yuwanda,

#7 reporting in!

I have definitely been in the "falling off" group you referenced but I "fell back in" yesterday and wrote 652 words. It is said that "the devil is in the details". Well I will say for me "the devil is in the distractions". (Personal note: I no longer believe in the devil but distractions are REAL!!!)

Anyway, thankfully I am getting to the place where I recognize my distractions sooner than I used to. Truth be told, (note: and I came to know this truth through working with an excellent life coach) there are some things in my life that I have allowed "distractions" to keep me from dealing with for days, weeks, months and years. Anyway, I did write on yesterday and might do some more writing later when I get home from work but in case I don't I wanted to send my weekend update in now :-)!

On another note, I listened to your video about conserving water and your interview with Avery Breyer last night. Thanks for the reminder to conserve water. My 16 year old daughter is our water patrol at home and she is fierce, bless her heart. And thanks for sharing your experience and freelance writer tips in that interview. Definitely gleaned a bit from it!

Ok, bout time to get ready to hit my evening shift!

My feedback to this participant …

The main piece of advice I have for you is, you should definitely write comedy. If your emails to me are anything to go by, your writing is HILARIOUS! (eg, I have definitely been in the "falling off" group you referenced but I "fell back in" yesterday and wrote 652 words.) That cracked me up.

Writing that makes people laugh is definitely a skill, and I can see you putting it to good use in any number of ways, eg, parenting books, children’s books, relationship books. As I said to another participant, it’s a skill I so wish I had. So if you haven’t recognized this about yourself, it’s just something I wanted you to be aware of.

As for << I am getting to the place where I recognize my distractions sooner than I used to>>, I had the exact same revelation during this tournament. And that’s 90 percent of the writing battle in my opinion.

I know that if I don’t write first thing in the morning (make it my first activity), I’m MUCH less likely to do it at all and/or write fewer words. Usually though, if I don’t log onto the internet and just write as soon as I sit down to my computer, I’ll literally have to make myself stop. Normally, I have no problem hitting 2,000, 3,000 or 4,000 words when I work like this.

But, what do I do? I tell myself that I’m “just gonna check email” then log off and write. Before I know it, four or five hours have passed and writing is something I have to “get to.”

Because of this, I’ve made writing my first duty of the day. I’m training myself to not even think about other duties until at least noon or 1 pm. This way, I can fit in three, four or five hours of writing easily.

Normally though, I feel compelled to check email, just in case a client has gotten in touch, someone who ordered an ebook is having download problems, a new prospect wants a quote on a project, etc. But 90% of the time when I do check email, nothing that needs my immediate attention is waiting for me, so I realized that I’ve trained myself to be a slave to my email box (to really being online in general). Now, I’m retraining myself in the other direction.

So good for you for coming to this realization. Now, you can devise an effective solution – and finish a manuscript and treat the world to your great sense of humor.

And these days, boy do we need more laughter in the world, no?! :)

Participant #8. Daily Goal: 1500 after the first day.

Did not report in.

Participant #9. Daily Goal: 2200 words.

Did not report in.

CONCLUSIONS

I. Books Finished

One personfinished a book(me).

II. Breakthroughs Galore!

One participant (#3) added almost 25,000 words to a manuscript that had sat on her hard drive for six months.

Two had major writing breakthroughs. One (Participant #7) realized that she wasn’t “yet in the place in her life to write the book she’d planned, and her attempt to do so during this tournament exposed that truth.” This is a HUGE realization. Now, she can push that book that’s probably been rolling around her head for years to the side and focus on something she is ready to write.

One thing about feelings/truths, if/when they want to be told, they’ll let you know – and they’ll practically write themselves. So again, this was a major breakthrough.

Another participant (#6) came to the following realization during this tournament:

So here's the thing I just realized as I attempt the daily push to change my habits and my mindset regarding my writing: after mentally putting aside all those 'excuses' of not enough time, family obligations, too tired, etc. -- all of which are not true -- I saw that I am scared of what writing might confirm in my life: that I shouldn't be a writer.

Again, this is HUGE --- I’m talking big life realizations; the kind of stuff you pay shrinks $150/hour over a six-month period to discover.

Yet another participant (#9) had a breakthrough too, realizing that …

All of the small concerns that nag at me and usually keep me from writing (Will this format work? Could this book get me in legal trouble? Is it too obvious who I'm talking about?) are here in my mind and I'm just forcing myself to push through it and write. If I can write this book, I can find a safe, entertaining way to make it work, and if I can't use my experiences to entertain, they've effectively been wasted. It's become very important to me that I make this work.

III. Making Writing a Habit

More of us are making our writing a priority.

One participant (#3) says she’s committed to writing at least 2,000 words per day beyond this tournament.

I’ve reorganized my schedule to write first thing in the morning so that I can write every day (at least four days a week). This will keep my output consistent.

Next Writing Tournament?

First let me say, I had a ball doing this. This is the second writing tournament I’ve done and I have to say, if you wanna push something out, it’s an excellent way to keep your feet to the fire and get it done.

In both tournaments, I’ve finished books, self-published them (eg, Amazon), and sold copies. It’s an awesome feeling when you see your hard work pay off like this. Even one sale makes you feel more accomplished than you can imagine.

As for another writing tournament, right now, I’m not ready to commit to doing one simply because even when I try to keep things simple, it winds up being a lot of work and right now, my plate is just too full.

I’ll revisit this at the beginning of the year, once I get a few long-pressing projects off my desk and have ticked off as much of my freelance writing goals for this year as I can.

Thanks to all of you for your inspiration. I looked forward to each email to see what you guys were up to, how you worked around obstacles, what your writing plans are for the future, etc. Even though I faltered miserably this last week, I wouldn’t have had such a successful for week and a half had I not had you all to be accountable to.

So again. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And please, keep writing. Even 50 or 100 words per day is better than nothing. That’s my mantra moving forward.

Good luck, and if you become a best-selling novelist (and it’s in each of you), don’t forget to give Inkwell Editorial a plug, ok? :)

Have an awesome rest of the week!

Yuwanda, Author/Publisher
http://InkwellEditorialPublishing.com

P.S.: You can find all of my romance novellas  at http://InkwellEditorialPublishing.com

P.P.S.: Get these 5 romance novellas for 99 cents each! 
A Lover for Beth (http://dld.bz/d5Wd9);
Ruthless Love (http://dld.bz/dBGpT);
Priced Out of Love (http://dld.bz/d8UXH);
Return to Me (http://dld.bz/ecCqA); and
A Taste of Tara (http://dld.bz/fapMf).

Let's be friends

The Women Behind She Writes

519 articles
12 articles

Featured Members (7)

123 articles
392 articles
54 articles
60 articles

Featured Groups (7)

Trending Articles

Comments
No comments yet