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Gettin’ It Done #IWSG

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Loni Townsend

My #1 goal in writing this year is to finish Murder Most Fowl. Actually, it’d been my goal to publish it last year. Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure out how to get from one place to the next in the story. Well, throw in an explosion, change the time of day, remove a character from the scene, and I’m finally getting past it. It’s still iffy quality, but I can work on that later. Therefore, I don’t have much insecurity when it comes to writing this month, because hey! I’ve made progress. If only I can get about 6K more done, then I’ll be in the golden next-draft phase.

P.S. What do you think of my latest sketch of Cera, colored via my Snapseed phone app?

Question of the month: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?

Does it count that the only story that I’ve been forever reworking is an old one? Thanmir War started as a completely different story (which you’ll be able to find out more next week, if you so desire), and Isto was supposed to be a history about Derek’s mother (though it wasn’t titled that back then). Yeah… that’s totally not what it is anymore. Regardless, yes, revamping my old story has worked out thus far. Worked out for me anyway. I’m not so sure Derek appreciates it.

About Insecure Writer’s Support Group
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You can find the sign up for the IWSG here. We owe Alex J Cavanaugh a huge thank you for thinking this blog hop up.

Have you ever gone to extremes to get past a scene? What did you end up doing? If you’ve reworked an old story, have things gotten worse for your characters?

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32 thoughts on “Gettin’ It Done #IWSG”

  1. Arlee Bird says:
    March 1, 2017 at 8:58 AM

    Explosions are always cool. I vote for an explosion.

    Nice sketch. She looks exotic with an edge of intimidation and mystery.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    Reply
  2. CD says:
    March 1, 2017 at 9:27 AM

    Explosions fix everything. No matter what the genre or situation. Fifty Shades would have been improved exponentially with more explosions.

    And the sketch is very cool! Nice job!

    Reply
  3. M.J. Fifield says:
    March 1, 2017 at 9:30 AM

    My fantasy series went thought a similar evolution. When I think of where it started, and where it ended up, I have to laugh because they’re nowhere near the same.

    Glad you found a way to get over that hump and are making progress. And yesโ€”don’t worry about iffy quality right now. That’s what the next edit’s for, right?

    I love that sketch of Cera. I’m so impressed that it was done on a phone app! Wow!

    Reply
  4. chemistken says:
    March 1, 2017 at 9:38 AM

    Ha! I find it funny that one of your characters is upset with your rewrite.

    Nice sketch. I am totally without artistic ability, so that sketch is so far beyond what I could ever hope to do it’s not even funny. Thank goodness my income doesn’t rely on drawing.

    Reply
  5. Patsy says:
    March 1, 2017 at 10:05 AM

    Well done for making progress – and the explosive method! You’re right that this is the important part as once it’s written you can work on it until it’s just as you want it, whereas editing an empty page gets you nowhere.

    Reply
  6. Crystal Collier says:
    March 1, 2017 at 10:11 AM

    Tell the characters to shove it. If it works, it works. Yay for breaking through the block! (With a boom.)

    Awesome sketch. I think sometimes drawing is the best way to break through writer’s block. =)

    Reply
  7. Anna says:
    March 1, 2017 at 10:52 AM

    Love the new artwork and your dedication to the mystery. I’d love to beta when it’s ready to go. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    Reply
  8. Madeline Mora-Summonte says:
    March 1, 2017 at 11:03 AM

    Yeh for progress! And I still love the title of your novel. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  9. Julie Flanders says:
    March 1, 2017 at 11:41 AM

    Hooray! So glad to read you’re making progress. That has to be a great feeling. Congratulations! And I love the sketch of Cera . The colors are so vivid!

    Reply
  10. Alex J. Cavanaugh says:
    March 1, 2017 at 12:09 PM

    Derek will get over it.
    Glad you are moving forward again!

    Reply
  11. L. Diane Wolfe says:
    March 1, 2017 at 12:43 PM

    Blowing it up is always an option. LOL

    Reply
  12. Chrys Fey says:
    March 1, 2017 at 1:25 PM

    That totally counts.

    And you are such a talented artist. I’m jealous! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  13. Misha says:
    March 1, 2017 at 1:31 PM

    I really like the sketch.

    Sometimes, it’s just necessary to try anything in order to get past a scene you’re stuck on.

    All the best with your writing!

    Misha

    Reply
  14. Aldrea Alien says:
    March 1, 2017 at 1:59 PM

    That picture is gorgeous.

    I can’t imagine what my characters think of the things I put them through. Especially my older ones.

    Reply
  15. Erika Beebe says:
    March 1, 2017 at 4:02 PM

    Hi Loni. The image is beautiful! I love the lips. And yes, action helps me too. I hope the story ends well for you. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  16. Sarah says:
    March 1, 2017 at 4:10 PM

    Very happy to hear this news. ๐Ÿ™‚ Love the sketch of Cera. I wish I could draw something other than a stick figure. Am looking forward to hearing more about your productive writing and waiting (patiently) for MMF.

    Reply
  17. C.G.Coppola says:
    March 1, 2017 at 4:30 PM

    I hate those scenes that you can’t get past. When I’m stuck, I leave them for a day or two and then come back and just push my way through it. I don’t care about syntax or flow, but get the key points down. So, yeah, I feel ya. But yay for you for pushing through too! What a relief, right?

    Cera is gorgeous by the way. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  18. Olga Godim says:
    March 1, 2017 at 4:45 PM

    Love your illustration, colorful and vibrant.

    Reply
  19. Susan Gourley says:
    March 1, 2017 at 6:24 PM

    I’ve heard when you get stuck you need to kill someone but surely an explosion counts.

    Reply
  20. Juneta says:
    March 1, 2017 at 9:49 PM

    Your art is awesome. You got talent. Love the eyes.
    Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit

    Reply
  21. J.C. Jackson says:
    March 1, 2017 at 9:52 PM

    *thumbs up all around*

    Explosions are fun…

    Reply
  22. Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says:
    March 2, 2017 at 6:01 AM

    I love that sketch! I didn’t think you could do things like that on a phone. Of course, it probably helps if you have some artistic talent, like you do.

    Reply
  23. Melissa Maygrove says:
    March 2, 2017 at 1:49 PM

    Woohoo! Blast through that block!
    Love the artwork!

    Question of the month: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it?
    Yes. Two of them. I’m working on those right now. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Did it work out?
    Ha! The jury’s still out on that.

    Reply
  24. Michelle Athy says:
    March 2, 2017 at 3:06 PM

    Explosions are awesome. Or killing someone off. I’m starting the thing I’m drafting now with a death, which probably isn’t the way to start what’s supposed to be romance, but whatevs.

    Reply
  25. Lexa Cain says:
    March 2, 2017 at 5:03 PM

    Scene troubles can shut me down from writing for weeks. Summer 2015, I came to a big action scene in Bloodwalker, but it didn’t feel right. Every time I changed it, it still didn’t feel right. I finally realized my MC’s motivation was unrealistic – but what *was* realistic motivation? Four weeks later I figure it out and started writing again. Take your time, be sure things feel right, and it’ll make you proud in the end! Love the pic – so brilliantly colored! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  26. Jeri says:
    March 3, 2017 at 5:56 PM

    Little by little we all travel far. Have you looked into grant funds from the Alexa Rose Foundation? The deadline is March 10.

    Reply
  27. Mason T. Matchak says:
    March 4, 2017 at 8:06 AM

    I’ve learned that pretty much nothing about writing turns out the way we want or plan it to. It’s not always a bad thing, but it’s hard to accept sometimes. >_< But I'm glad you're figuring your way through the story, and I hope it continues to go well.

    Reply
  28. J.H. Moncrieff says:
    March 4, 2017 at 9:11 PM

    Congrats on your progress! You’re doing amazingly well. Glad to hear February was an insecurity-free month for you. We need those now and then.

    Reply
  29. The Happy Whisk says:
    March 5, 2017 at 1:18 PM

    Here’s to staying focused and hitting your goal!

    Reply
  30. H.R. Sinclair says:
    March 6, 2017 at 6:31 AM

    Great sketch – and yes explosions help most everything (in writing).

    Reply
  31. Elizabeth Otten says:
    March 6, 2017 at 10:14 PM

    That is a lovely sketch! I like the colors. I used a sudden flash of light to move a scene forward in my recent short story. Good to hear you are making progress in your story ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  32. Tamara Narayan says:
    March 10, 2017 at 9:57 AM

    I’ve reworked a story so many times and for so many years, that yes, it can be considered old. And I’m still tinkering with it.

    Reply

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Welcome to my blog. I post here on Wednesdays most of the time, but you can find me on social media any day of the week. My topics include my stories and writing, life at the Town's End, creating and tinkering with graphics, things I learn and think might be helpful to others, and the occasional amateur photo. Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you around.

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