Writing like crazy

I haven't written in a while because, surprise! I have been writing like crazy. I am writing freelance articles for an online site and it consumed my summer. The gig pays weekly and I just really need the money. At its worst it is a frustrating, maddening experience, but at its best it is nice to be able to get paid for something that I am good at, or think I am good at.

I missed my deadline for sending out my book by the end of summer, but I have been working on getting it together. According to all sources, I need a query letter and a synopsis of my novel to send out and I have begun work on these. My new goal is to have it sent out by the end of the year.

I am also going to do NaNoWriMo next month. I wrote a book in my head while running last summer and I would like to get it down on paper. It is a harmless little romance novel and why not?

I have also gotten interested in writing for television. I know that I mentioned my sitcom script that I sent out for a contest. I didn't win, but I would like to pursue TV writing. I am currently reading three books on the subject: How to Write for Television by Madeline DiMaggio, The TV Writer's Workbook by Ellen Sandler and Write to TV by Martie Cook. Of course I will keep you posted.

I used to despair that I never did any writing in my off time and now all I do is write. I have come to the conclusion that writing is not my problem, it is having confidence in the finished product that is troubling. I guess the constant feedback on my freelance job is helpful in that I find out how I can do better and get a "hide on me like an alligator" as my dad used to say, and not take criticism personally. All I can say is that it is a process, that is for sure.

Play

I just wrote a 15-page stage play (don't ask). It sucks I am sure, but it is gratifying to be able to pound out the pulp fiction.

Editing chapters

I finished chapter four and am working on chapter five. Like I said, I would like to finish by the end of the summer. I need a refresher from the self-editing book. I will have to make sure it is with me as I edit.

Sitcom screenplay

I finished my screenplay on the 7th and today I revised and sent it in. I have never entered a contest before and I am pretty excited. They are picking the winner at the end of September.

I have also been freelance writing 400 word articles for a website. I just received payment for them and that was pretty great. I have to travel for work this week, but when I get back, I am going to write more. It is a great, easy way to make money.

I also received an e-mail on writing informative books and was invited to send my resume in. Again, I don't have time at the moment because I have had to travel for work this past week and again next week. The pay is between $1,200 and $1,600 and the word count is 65,000 words. I will have to see on that one.

Besides the freelance writing, I am going to get to my book. My mom was just telling met that three people from my area just had romance novels published, so books are still being published. I would love to be able to send out my book by the end of the summer. Now there is a constant refrain!

Screenplay news

I finished a screenplay I was working on for a contest. I am very happy! I was worried I wouldn't get finished in time, but I did. I don't really have more to say. I am a little wiped out. Except for: YIPPPEEE!

Script frenzy winner!

What a long month this has been! It took me forever to finish this script and I am wildly unhappy with how it came out. When I started the month, I was trying to follow Sid Field's Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. But it was such slow going, that I was unable to. Writing a script is a lot harder than writing a novel. But I won! And it is over.


WOO HOO!

Script frenzy

It is Day 10 of Script Frenzy and I have 3.3 pages of script written. It seems my Script Frenzy is moving at the same speed my NaNoWriMo did. I am trapped in a pit of despair, unable to move forward and miserable because of it. I have entertained every distraction until I am no longer unable to distract myself because I can't stand it!

So enough! I have re-calculated my pages and I need 4.6 pages from here on out to reach 100 by 4/30. And so I will write my pages and stop being such a baby about it.

***Update***
That wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. I pounded out the 4.6 pages fairly quickly and worked ahead a little bit so I only have 3.5 to do tomorrow. I am not sure why I make writing into this horrible thing. I guess because I have no confidence in myself. I am not sure how I can gain confidence. I guess I will muddle through.