Jul 15, 2011

The Writer's Hole


I've been hiding down a deep dark hole - and it's done my WIP wonders!

On Friday I took part in a group writing exercise on Facebook hosted by Queensland Writers Centre. The event was called The Rabbit Hole, and those lucky enough to be in Brisbane got to lock themselves into a room for the day with the intention of just writing and writing until your computer bleeds. The rest of us made do by logging into the Facebook event page and posting our progress. 

The actual goal was to reach 30,000 words in three days. Some people hit this target. I did not. Am I disappointed? No way. I hit over 15,000 words in 3 days and best of all... FINISHED my first draft of MY ZOMBIE DOG. 

I was so excited. I quickly put the draft onto everyone's kindle and iPad in my house using Scrivener to convert the file and Calibre to transfer it. Of course there's a few little things I can do to enhance the story and make it even funnier. But I love it and can't believe I got it finished so soon. 

So if you get the chance to lock the doors and commit to some serious writing time - DO IT! Better still, get a group together to keep you all honest (I have to admit to occasionally sneaking off to watch episodes of Chuck). And if you do organise a Facebook writing event? Please invite me! 

14 comments:

  1. mooderinoJuly 15, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    That's fantastic. Well done, Charmaine. Off to lock myself in a room and see what I can do.

    mood
    Moody Writing
    @mooderino

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  2. Rosalind AdamJuly 15, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Nooo. That sounds way too scary. Well done for going through with it but I'd rather write out in the open. *shame faced self-promotion coming up* I just blogged about my fave writing place at http://rosalindadam.blogspot.com

    And I've just bought a Kindle so I'm fascinated by the Scrivener etc info. Thanks, I must learn more about that.

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  3. JennyJuly 15, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    Well done! And I love the picture you chose. After summer is over, I'm digging myself a hole.

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  4. SuzeJuly 15, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    Charmaine, I'm impressed. Really. I'll have a beer for you, now!

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  5. The East CoasterJuly 15, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    That's freaking awesome. I think I may get a hotel room for a couple of days to do the same.

    I also wonder...hmmm...maybe I can convince some of my local writers to go in with me for a beach house writing weekend.

    Thanks for the idea!

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  6. shellyJuly 15, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    Fantabulous! I'm going to have to check this out, The Rabbit Hole...Facebook. I'd like to finish drafting my Dark Chocolate Vmapire Kisses series. That would be a great way to do it. Force oneself in a room with pens and keyboards. Three days is better than 30.

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  7. Julie FlandersJuly 16, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    How wonderful! Congratulations to you!!

    I love the picture you chose as well, a perfect fit.
    Have a great weekend!

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  8. Jemi FraserJuly 16, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    That's wild!! Good for you - that's a LOT of words - well done :)

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  9. JoanneJuly 17, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    WOW! what a feat! I wish I could do that! When I am blessed with time without interuptions I can do so much. but once that phone rings or I'm asked for the millionth time where something is I get really lost. Good for you!!!!
    Blessings, Joanne

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  10. Chronicles of IllusionsJuly 17, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Well done - that is huge to have done so well. :)

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  11. BookChookJuly 18, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Sounds like a great idea! I love Scrivener - it really helps me redraft.

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  12. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyJuly 19, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    That's fantastic progress!! And finishing your first draft. Woot!

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  13. DimbutNiceJuly 20, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    It was a great event. Thoroughly satisfying and sooooooooooooo productive on every level. I'm definately diving down dark holes in the future. Have you checked out the International Writing Spring on FB yet? Same type motivational mojo idea.

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  14. DimbutNiceJuly 20, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Make that SPRINT! Too much rabbitting going on in my mind :-)

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