Friday 15 March 2019

Half-way through the Chapter Book Challenge #ChaBooCha

Image by Pexels from Pixabay
Half-way through the Chapter Book Challenge

Today is the 15th of March. This means we have already reached the half-way point in the challenge. I feel as though this month is racing past too fast, but as long as we are still putting some thought and some effort into our works-in-progress, then we will manage to end this month ahead of where we started the month.

How are you doing so far? Let me know in the comments. I hope that, wherever you are in the process of writing your book, you are ahead of where you were when this month began.

My month has been full of non-writing things, which means that I am a bit behind on my story-writing. I've had one child get sick with tonsillitis, one became sick with the stomach flu, I had surgery that removed one of my ovaries, tubes and a cyst that was on them, and I went to London for an appointment with a gastroenterologist who is going to have me back to London at another date for some tests and then, possibly, in for another surgery - this time on my throat. The child with tonsillitis finished his round of antibiotics and then had to go back to the doctor as he was still sick. And then other random appointments are coming up, for my kids and for me, to deal with various health issues. And none of this is how I wanted to spend my month.

I'm going to catch up on my writing this weekend though. If you are behind, I hope you can do the same this weekend.

When you get to the half-way point in writing your story, the writing can sometimes become more difficult. Sometimes, once you get through that first rush of putting a new idea down on paper, the inspiration starts to feel like it's drying up and, while getting from Point A in your story to Point B may have come easily, you might begin to struggle when you are trying to get from Point B to Point C.

The best advice I can give you at this point is to keep writing. Yes, it might be a struggle right now, but if you keep getting words down, eventually, your inspiration will return. Your muse might have been right beside you for the beginning, and now if feels like your muse is taking a little nap, but your muse will wake up and start whispering in your ear again only if you keep writing.

So keep writing.

And, as always,
Happy writing!




25 comments:

  1. I'm sorry for all the medical issues Karma bestowed on you this month, but hopefully everyone is on the road to recovery soon!

    I just found out last night that I will be pet/house sitting for the next week. I will use that time wisely and will create my own writing workshop/retreat atmosphere so I can concentrate on finishing up/editing Book One of my new chapter book series.

    Thanks for all that you do to inspire and challenge this writing community!

    Donna L Martin
    Story Catcher Publishing

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    1. Thanks and good luck with writing while pet-sitting. It should be easier than writing while babysitting would be!

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  2. Thank you for your motivation. My characters are set and developing. Plot is almost settled for the main characters. Writing is moving easily, thanks to my pre-set-up.

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    1. I'm glad to hear your writing is moving easily. :)

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  3. I started the challenge late and only have 689 words done but I've hit a wall. I needed your inspiring words today - thank you!

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    1. 689 words is still more progress than you started with, and just keep at it!

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  4. Yikes! I'm so sorry to hear about the health problems. We're going thru flu & stomach virus too. Alas, I'm not as far along on my book as I hoped to be, and it being St Patty's Day wkend, no writing will be taking place! :) However, I've been jotting lots of notes down & have an outline. My muse will be pulled out of bed in a few days. Hope everyone feels better soon!

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    1. Thanks. Sorry your house is going through the flu and stomach virus right now too. An outline is still progress!

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  5. I'm amazed with all your health challenges that you have a few minutes to blog. (Hugs) I'm pushing forward with my story thanks to yoga and my critique partners. Exercise + Deadlines

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    1. Thanks! I've even started a new blog (last month) that I'm adding to little by little (on anti-ageing products and procedures). Critique partners can be so helpful!

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  6. I hope your family gets well soon! I’m holding at chapter 4–getting easily distracted but by things I need to do, like prep for PB Party next week. I’m attending a literary festival tomorrow and hope it gets me re-inspired!

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    1. Good luck at the festival. Hope you have a great time and find lots of inspiration!

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  7. Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry to hear about your family's health challenges. You are going through so very much right now. I'm amazed that your are able to take time for this wonderful challenge. Will keep your family in prayer.

    I've been dipping in and out of ChaBooCha as I was involved in preparing one sheets and a proposal for a conference I attended from the 6th through the 10th and then post-conference follow-up. Thanks to a discussion with an editor where I was challenged to write an idea in BOTH picture book and chapter book format, I'm about 690 words into the story. I was even able to see where the end of the first chapter could land. Now to develop from there into the next chapters. Thanks for keeping us going with your encouraging words! :)

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    1. Thank you.

      It sounds like you are making some decent progress with your story!

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  8. I saw this challenge a few weeks ago and wasn't sure if it was happening this year -- so glad to see it is! (Just signed up late.) Wishing you quick recoveries from all the challenging things coming your way -- thank your for your honesty in sharing them, so that all excuses pale by comparison :)

    This is a totally new genre for me, and I truly appreciate the chance to link up with others doing the same thing. Finished book 1 in January/February (just over 6K words), and now March is for book 2, am at 2636 words (so that qualifies as "behind" I believe). Have not written for 2 days, so the inspiration in this blog I'm sure will set me to work tomorrow. Thanks so much!

    --Elisa

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    1. I'm glad you've joined us! You still have plenty of time to catch up with your story. Good luck!

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  9. Thanks so much for sharing about your month. I've had lots of non-writing activities going on and feeling guilty about not getting far with my CB like I had planned. But, Chapter Book Challenge has the effect of putting these works at the top of my list, so that they get finished eventually, even if not all in one month. Otherwise, I think they would fall to the bottom and never see the light of day. I'm thankful for this group and your words of encouragement and honesty. :-)

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    1. I'm glad ChaBooCha helps you write your stories! And any progress is still progress so good luck!

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  10. This has been an exciting month with lots of thoughts for the ChaBooCha challenge. I have my concept, premise and outline, but like the other chapter book writers, I can't seen to get my muse inspired. I'm determined not to give up because I'm excited about the storyline, knowing that when the right mood strikes it will take off. Fingers crossed it will happen soon. :)

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  11. Technically I have written three chapters and about 3000 words. So not half way, but a good start.

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  12. Thanks for all the inspiration and motivating words, Becky. Sending you and your family all positive and healing thoughts!

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  13. Reading this post later Becky so hoping you are feeling better! I’m moving along with my writing! Turtles pace but I’m writing at least! Love the motivational posts! Thank you for all you do!

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  14. Thank you for your post. When I read it in my email, I was feeling exactly that...my muse is taking a nap in the middle of my manuscript! I keep telling myself to just keep going.

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