#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

4 months ago

A water-filled rain overflow basin or sump, framed by eucalyptus trees. Small brown leaves are covering part of the water’s surface, while the other reflects a bluish SoCal sky. Cream-white box in the middle says: October Update: Beta stage … Pic: me Template: Canva

Reading “Fable for the End of the World” (alone), and “Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole,” “Last Chance Academy,” + “Stick Dog” with my kids while my MS is in the hands of the best CPs a writer could hope for.

Still: scary to put yourself out there, right?

#FallofWords
#WritingSky
#ReadingSky

Jennifer Luce

@jenniferluce.bsky.social

5 months ago

I haven't gotten as much writing on my WIP as I'd like for this month, but I've been reading a ton of writing craft books 🖤

#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Image of a small-leafed, green grass plant breaking through gray asphalt. Off-white box in the middle says: October update Almost halfway through the month. How are you doing?

It’s still #FallofWords, maybe now more than ever as we’re getting closer to the month we all remember as THE writing month.

How are you doing? Did you get any writing done? Editing? Reading? Querying? Submission rounds? Or even sales?

Whatever you’re up to, I hope this month is treating you well.

Jennifer Luce

@jenniferluce.bsky.social

5 months ago

I'm so ready for spooky season!

My goal for this month is to work on my gothic horror WIP! And read some spooky books! 🥀👻🖤

#OctoberGoals #amwriting #writingcommunity #horror #FallofWords

kj is ✨writing✨

@kjsilver.bsky.social

5 months ago

September was a rollercoaster (super unproductive month) for me, so I'm VERY much looking forward to October!

#FallofWords

zilla

@zillawrites.bsky.social

5 months ago

#FallofWords! #FallofWords! #FallofWords! #FallofWords!

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Hazy image of a slender branch with filigree leaves. Greens and browns. Backdrop is grass with brown spots of dirt. Off-white / beige box in middle: Hello October What are your goals this month? Template: Canva Pic: me

It’s October! Already.

Will you be working on anything?

I’ll need to finish a read-through of what I worked on in September (👀), then maybe dive into more writing, all while querying.

Always keep swimming! But don’t forget to come up for air if you need to.

#OctoberGoals
#AmWriting
#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Pomegranate tree with a light pink and orangey fruit hanging to the side and green foliage. Backdrop is a light gray wall White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 30 One month of writing done! I hope you got some done, too, and fall isn’t over either. We got plenty of time. Every word counts Pic: me Template: Canva

#FallofWords update: September is in the books!

Did you write? Edit? Read?

Will you be doing any of those in October?

I got words in. Way more than I thought I ever would again. So I’m calling this a win.

Thanks for bearing with me as I put myself out there on socials. 🧡

#AmWriting

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Vibrant green ivy leaves White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 29 It takes as long as it takes to write a story, and to edit it, and edit it again, and again, and … Every word counts Pic: me Template: Canva

The month is almost over and you’ll soon be free of me posting every day for accountability 😅

#FallofWords
#AmWriting
#AmEditing

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

A green citrus fruit (likely a lemon) on a green-leafed citrus tree branch with hazy foliage in the background too White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 28 Underwriters, overwriters, just-right-writers: we’re all writers! Every word counts Pic: me Template: Canva

What kind of writer are you?

#FallofWords
#AmWriting

Side note: I grew this little citrus tree from seed. A labor of love and dedication and perseverance, just like writing. (Actually a scary accurate comparison. lol. It takes years for trees to bear fruits …)

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Brown-hued image of Gingko leaves on branches in golden fall light. White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 27 That moment you notice you wrote the same phrase twice in close succession … Every word counts Pic: me Template: Canva

Does this ever happen to you? Especially in edits, I’ll put in a sentence that I think fits super well, only to then read almost the exact same one a couple paragraphs later.

Whoops?

#FallofWords September is almost over. Gearing up for October!

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

A pomegranate tree with two red fruits visible and lots of green leaves. White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 26 Writing can be scary, especially when we put ourselves out there and bring it in front of fresh eyes. But it’s exciting, too, to get that outside feedback, and editing is writing too! Every word counts. Pic: me Template: Canva

What’s some beta or critique partner feedback you’ve received that really stayed with you?

Some of mine: “Your writing is sparse and dry.”

“The names [all northern Frisian] sound too similar.”

And in a good way: that Narcos waiting meme (iykyk) @christiecurry25.bsky.social

#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

A beautiful deep-blue sky with bands of puffy clouds going from bright white at the top to darker gray at the bottom. White box on bottom left: Fall of Words - Day 25 Some days, we fight to write a single word. Other days, the words keep flowing as if of their own accord. Every word counts Pic: me Template: Canva

How are your words doing? Putting up a fight? Or flowing out of you?

It’s a mixed bag over here.

#FallofWords
#AmWriting

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Twirly tree roots on a ground strewn with brown and yellow and green leaves. White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 24 Words! I am writing them! Hope you’re getting some in, too. I’m rooting for you. Every word counts Pic: me Template: Canva

#FallofWords September is slowly coming to an end.

Still so many words to write.

I hope you’re also writing or gearing up for you own writing event. No matter what you’ll be doing (and taking a break from writing to rest your brain counts too), I’m rooting for you.

#AmWriting

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Close up of a wine leaf in vibrant red with yellowed veins. White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 23 The best feeling when writing: when you’re having fun and just flying through your words. Every word counts Pic: me Template: Canva

Sometimes it’s hard to keep going and remember to have fun when all you get is rejections.

If you’re struggling, writing friends: I see you! I’ve been there.

But writing IS fun when we do it for our audience of one (aka ourselves.)

What was the last thing you enjoyed writing?

#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Dark brown earth and a handful of muted red gum tree leaves fanned out. White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 22 We learn and we grow, even if not always in a linear way. So what if this project might be worse than the one before? Doesn’t matter, at least I am having fun with it. Every word counts. Pic: me Template: Canva

Has your writing journey been linear?

Do you feel like every project is better than the last?

I definitely don’t, but I still think we learn something with and from each and every one.

Also, finishing a draft is always a win.

#FallofWords
#AmWriting

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Blue California sky with clouds and a handful of tall palm trees. White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 21 Sometimes, we write a bunch of words only to realize they don’t fit—and we delete them. But even those words count, because they showed us something. Every word counts Pic: me Template: Canva

Do you check your word count while drafting? Or your page count?

Do you celebrate small goals along the way?

I’m writing my #FallofWords WIP “in the dark” and a tiny bit nervous to find out the word count once it’s done. (If it gets done …)

#AmWriting

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Image of vibrant pink bougainvillea surrounded by green leaves. White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 20 The day is almost over and I still need to write. I better get to sprinting. Every word counts Image: me Template: Canva

Gotta hit my self-imposed goal for this month and do a sprint for #FallofWords

The day was just too busy for writing - but now my brain is tired.

If you need a writing buddy, come join me. Twenty minutes starting … NOW.

#AmWriting

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Pic of fallen leaves, some crunchy and brown and dry, others still green. Some brown needles too. Text in white box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 19 At the end of the day, words are just words. Sometimes, other things take priority. Writing will wait. Every word counts. Pic: me Template: Canva

Random school-free day and the kids have colds (‘tis the season), so there wasn’t as much time to write - but we finished our book and started the next one.

Plus: extra cuddles!

(Already the 19th? This month is moving fast!)

What did you read today?
Did you write?

#FallofWords
#AmWriting

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Image of crunchy-looking brown fall leaves and some tiny red berries lying on the ground. White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 18 It’s easy to compare ourselves to others, and hard to keep our eyes on our own paper. But your words are yours. Every word counts. Pic: me Template: Canva

Have you ever compared your journey with that of others?

I’ve found it’s true what they say: comparison can be the thief of joy, and still I can’t always stop myself.

But for now, I’m doing my best to enjoy writing my silly little story and keeping my eyes on my own paper.

#FallofWords
#AmWriting

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Wine leaves - most are still read but two are already turning a very bright red. White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 17 We all have our own speed. Every word counts Pic: me Template: Canva

Are you a fast or a slow drafter?

How long does it take you to finish a first draft?

I’m a little all over the place, and I’m not sure yet how fast I’ll be drafting this one. But I’m still going, so I count that as a win.

All writing speeds are okay. Writing is not a race.

#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

5 months ago

Grass with a single soap bubble sitting right in the middle, it’s some iridescent and fragile. Text in white box in bottom left corner: Fall of words - Day 16 Some days, we write pages upon pages and are deep in the flow. Others, we have to pry each word from our brains and manage maybe a sentence. That, too, is writing. Every word counts Image: me Template: Canva

I had a good #FallofWords day today. Got more than one sprint in, which is always a good thing.

I’ve had days where I did a lot of staring at words, too, though, and had to drag the sentences out into the open by sheer force.

How is your writing going?

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

6 months ago

Picture from above of a red poppy in a field of green. White box in bottom left corner: Fall of words - day 15 Another day, another sprint. Words are slowly accumulating, maybe even shaping into something, but what? Every word counts Pic: me Template: Canva

Why did I start this daily posting for September? Maybe to hold myself accountable?

Sometimes I have regrets coz I don’t know what to write. I guess that’s just “typical writer things” too, though.

What are you working on? Do you know what it’s going to be when it grows up?

#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

6 months ago

Green vines growing up a wall light-gray wall, with the bottom very green and the top showing the “spikes” of where the vines are still crawling. Text in white box on bottom left: Fall of words - Day 14 When the words are elusive, it’s okay to step back and do something else for a while. Sometimes, that “while” can even last months. And that’s okay too. Every word counts Pic: me Template: Canva

What’s one of those words or expressions you use in each and every one of your stories?

One of mine is “shoot a glance.”

(I always have to cull about a gazillion.)

#FallofWords

#AmWriting

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

6 months ago

A bunch of pretty fall leaves, all piled up. Brown and reddish and crunchy, and all a little subdued. When you step on them, they smell like lemon (coz some of them are lemon-scented gum tree leaves) White box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 13 And sometimes, writing means deleting a bunch of words … Every word counts

Have you ever had to delete a slew of words in order to keep going? Or because you realized you don’t understand the logic of your own “rules?”

Just happened to me,
so my sprint didn’t feel very productive. But knowing when to cut is an art, too.

And tomorrow is another day.

#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

6 months ago

Illuminated Gingko tree branch at night with green leaves that are slowly browning on the outside corners. White box in bottom left corner says: Fall of words - day 12 There is no writing police, so if you miss a day, that’s okay too. Every word counts. Pic: me Template: Canva

Today was so busy I didn’t get to post - though I did manage to do my September-daily sprint.

But sometimes, we miss a goal, and that’s fine. No need to drop the game only because we dropped the ball once.

Have you dropped the ball on writing recently? Did you pick it back up?

#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

6 months ago

Photo of a forest with lots of green foliage and a few tree trinks visible along a path that shows splotches of sunlight. Text in white box in bottom left corner: Fall of Words - Day 11 Writing is: telling yourself a story. Every word counts. It’s a happy, sunny atmosphere. Photo: me Template: Canva

I am currently “telling” myself a story.

I don’t know where it’ll lead and where it’ll end—but I’m cautiously happy to be writing at all, because querying can steal the joy of creating stories.

It’s okay to just write for ourselves sometimes, be our only readers.

#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

6 months ago

Image of a Gingko branch with lightly golden-green fall colors that look very bright and happy. White box on the bottom left says: Fall of Words - Day 10 Sometimes it can help to have a “body-double” to write. Writing doesn’t have to be a lonely activity. Every words counts. Pic: me Template: Canva

What helps you to write?

Knowing someone else is writing with me helps me focus better and get words done.

I’ve been sprinting with one of my CPs lately: they edit, I draft. I get so much more than than when I try to do it by my lonesome.

#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

6 months ago

Gorgeously vibrant pink wine leaves with light yellow centers. White box on the bottom left says: Fall of Words - Day 9 Reading also counts for Fall of Words. So does editing. And thinking about words. Every word counts. Pic: me Template: Canva

Have you read anything you really loved lately?

Anything intriguing you’re reading right now?

I started Mary Robinette Kowal’s newest and am reading a cute MG with my kids: The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines by Mo Netz. (With disability rep. Coz everyone can have adventures. 🥰)

#FallofWords

Katrin

@nordlichtinla.bsky.social

6 months ago

Picture of green grass with brown decaying scattered over it, most of them Eukalyptus leaves. White box in the left corner says: Fall of Words - Day 8 Sprinting can be a fun way to get words in without thinking too hard about quality. Every word counts. Pic: me Template: Canva

Anyone else sprinting to get in words?

(Not that long ago, I’d never heard of “sprinting” meaning anything other than running in short bursts.

The things we learn along the way …)

#FallofWords