Forget the Resolutions! Enroll in the Novel Writers' (Mock) University

This is the time of year when I usually want to hide from the resolution chatter. Personally, I don't "do" resolutions, but it's hard not to think and dream about what I would like to happen. Like:

1. Finish my novel.

2. Submit my novel.

3. Sell my novel.

Okay, I usually skip to the third item.

Well, actually that's being harsh. Last year I made it to the second step, so 2 out of 3 of those "what I'd like to happen" items at the end of the year two years ago did happen. Follow me? I'm not sure I do, but I think I'm saying it's been a dry spell. For a while now, it's been hard to keep my writing a priority in the face of other obligations. It's been hard to keep the faith that writing is what I do; my identity and not just something I tried.

But...I did get a lot done this year and completed three semesters of college courses; spring, summer and fall. Quite a full year. Yep, I managed to follow my course syllabus and complete the assigned tasks. I had to do those things, but this is better than it sounds. Even though I might be the one paying, it was my job. That's better than it sounds, too. That's the thing about a JOB. Even though you might wonder -- why am I here in this job I didn't dream about -- there is the validation of knowing others aren't going to question the sense of why you do what you do every day. It's your job.

Writing without a paycheck (for now) isn't quite the same, which is why it's vitally important to make what we do have equal weight with what others see as a traditional job. Because no matter how thick our skin is, it won't be thick enough if we don't give that to ourselves.

So, for now my job is going to school, and being a mom (another poor paying job), but writing should not be moved down on the list of valid occupations. But how? If only I had a syllabus for writing my novel...that document that I can sneak in with the rest...

Hey! Why not? Actually this "light bulb moment" came to me recently, but after further thought, I put it aside as one of my "ideas" that wasn't coming together as workable. There were a few mind block obstacles to get past that meant I quickly shot it down.

First, there's the structure of a syllabus. Dates. Ick. And knowing exactly what goes with the dates. Uhm, I don't know exactly what goes with what until I get to it. A linear structure? -- read chapter one, two, three, etc. of the required text. Nah.

The syllabus idea lost its fizzle but not its appeal for reaching an objective. Not knowing where to go with it, I put it aside and came up with my "Scene by Scene Milestones Charted the Gin Rummy Way." No dates and flexible!

Little did I know, or admit it at the time (funny how last week seems longer ago!), but this was laying the groundwork for my syllabus. I simply fooled myself into collecting the data for my "lesson plan." But I also realized I needed dates. Without the dates, I would be like any other student who found themselves at finals week scrambling to play catch-up.

So, I drafted my syllabus -- with dates. I went with the standard 16 week semester of my University. My spring semester starts January 10 and ends April 29. Wow, that doesn't seem very long, does it? Just think how much can and will be accomplished!

Next, I tackled the linear aspect of a syllabus. I thought hard about this and decided a compromise could be working ahead, BUT the assigned tasks did have to be completed on due dates.

And what are the assigned tasks? They are each of the scenes on my Scene by Scene Milestones chart, broken up according to my estimate of length to complete according to rating. In a way, this is my "required text." Thinking of it that way, the Milestones are a pre-requisite or almost part of another course. And because I'm jumping into this class at a revision stage, I came up with some "mock" course names -- just for the fun of it.

Writing 1020: Novel Plot & Scene Framework

Writing 2020: Novel Revision I

Writing 3020: Novel Revision II & Submission for Publication

This spring semester I'm taking Writing 2020. (I already took Writing 1020, of course! It took a couple of years, but that's because I didn't follow the syllabus. LOL)

Next, some other syllabus items (for Writing 2020) got added, included a Course Objective, Required Texts, Class Time and Location. A time to report to class is important and attendance will be taken. (As for location, this class is held in building HB110 -- otherwise known as Home Base, first floor!)

Here is my filled in Syllabus. Yes, it is rather a "do it yourself" kind of University, but worth every penney! Really.

I "imagine" the Due for Discussion" assignment due dates as a "lab working session," such as with a critique group. Of course, there isn't one, but if there were, you'd want to be prepared!

I did give myself a bit of a head start with the work done on the beginning scenes, but this is the advantage of getting the syllabus in advance. Now on to the rest!

Oh, and of course this is a Five Credit class. That's why due dates are on Sundays, but psst! -- if you're done you don't have to do anything.

So, although I have 18 credits coming up for "real" classes this spring semester (added American Lit before 1865) this one seems pretty darn real too.

Next summer I will take the class Writing 3020. :)

So how about you? Feel like taking a class?

Scene by Scene Milestones Charted the Gin Rummy Way

I had a different post planned for today on "wish lists" that was more in line with the season. I'd picked out the appropriate Santa Claus image and everything to decorate, but it seemed too, well...wishful. I guess I played out my enthusiasm for "wishful." Ah, well, the colors are Christmasy!

But while in the general "wishful" mood over the past few days, I thought a lot about productivity for my goal of organizing my WIP through to completion, and, when that plan didn't come together - - played online Gin Rummy.

Yep, typical avoidance. I am on "vacation" but still, I would like something to show for my stories. However, when it comes to constructing a "plan," I don't really know where to start. One way or another, productivity advice boils down to: 1) Write it Down, and 2) Do it.

Now how enthused can someone be about that? It's just...boring.

Then I had an idea. Since I seem to want to play games rather than actually organize a plan for working on my novel, maybe I should make it a game. After all, just like for characters, there's nothing like being a little eccentric to maintain interest.

Plus, something else occurred to me. The sorting tasks of Gin Rummy are basic organization skills! Yes, the very thing I try so hard to avoid. Next thing I knew (all right, several hours later), I had my novel broken down with my "Scene by Scene Milestones Charted the Gin Rummy Way." Now, is that a snappy title or what?

If you'd like to try it, below is an image of my file that I think you can enlarge by double-clicking on it and also some "instructions." It might not work as a plan for everyone, but I found it fit my goal and my stage of the novel, which is with nearly all of the plot points fleshed out but in various stages of "polish." So I see this more for revision of a nearly complete, that is plotted, manuscript.

Benefits:

• I got a much clearer picture of my WIP as a whole and found I couldn't resist adding to the scenes as I identified them. Yes, one of the purposes is to break out and identify EACH scene. The scenes are the milestones.


• The Rating System -- the Gin Rummy Way -- shows me where I'm at in passing the milestone.


• Naming the scenes gives me a unified theme for the conflict and goal of each section and helps with judging the pace.


• It can be, but doesn't have to be, a linear process. I can sort and reshuffle my "cards."

First, the quick basics of Gin Rummy as a refresher which will hopefully help understand the system.

Gin Rummy Rules (simplified): By drawing and discarding, you sort your cards in groups (like three Aces or a run of the same suit: A, 2, 3 [Ace counting as #1]) and try to be the one left holding the lowest points, or none at all. You can either "knock" with low points to catch your opponent or call "Gin!" if none. (Note: I think the cards in the image above is a bridge hand and not Gin Rummy, but the idea is there.)

The System

I. Sort your "cards" which are your scenes. Make a table (Excel works nice or with Word) with the headings: "Chapter #," Scene #," "Scene Name," "Stage 1 Milestone (A, 2, 3)" and "Stage 2 Milestone (G)" Optional headings, which I added, could be "Characters Involved" and "Location" or other category you'd like to track.

II. Enter the data for each scene under the header and rate its completion status.

Rating System for the "Milestone" headings. Objective: Get all the Stage 1 Milestones to "A" before moving on to Stage 2. In Stage 2, get all the Milestones to "G."

A (Ace or #1) = "You're ready to "knock." This could be enough to win, but it needs another look before calling Gin! in Stage 2.

2 = It's solid with the plot, but needs to be revisited to smooth out rough edges.

3 = The scene fits with the plot, but the writing is sketchy at best with holes to fill. (I have lots of 3's! That's okay...time to whittle them down in points.)

G = Gin! This is only for Stage 2, the polishing stage and checking the details and continuity. Once you go Gin! for all scenes, the novel is officially finished! (Time for query letters and a synopsis.)

One thing notably absent is dates. Personally, I left this out, but it could be added. I may add it for Stage 2. I think the main thing is getting to know where I'm at and what I need to work on next. I think it's good to have direction, but there are many different interpretations of the advice: 1) write it down, 2) do it!

Have you customized your plan? What would you add to this one? Any other ways to turn your plan into a game?