The final week is here. Writer In Motion is done and boy has it been a trip. Seven weeks of nerve-wracking, bang my head against the wall, fun. While there were frustrations (darn those extraneous words I had to figure out where to cut), there was an incredible amount of fun. And nerves. Lots of those. But I’m a worry-wort, so no surprises for me there! It has been exciting to see how one picture prompt has taken shape in the minds of twenty-four people. All of the stories are rich with unique takes on what each writer sees. I loved it. I loved so much about this project and look forward to it coming back someday.
I may not take part in the same fashion next time, but if nothing else I’ll cheerlead the hell out of those who are. If I participate again, I’ll have to really consider when I look at the prompt and when I write it. As mentioned way back in my post on June 11th, I don’t normally have a lot of time between when I get a prompt and when I get the words on the page. This time I did. I think it made for a much more polished first draft because it allowed for some mulling, but there was a drawback. The idea of diving in with no preparation is exciting for me, especially for prompts because I never know where I’ll end up. That said, NOWHERE was still very entertaining to write. I still had space to learn about the Trickster from one draft to the next since I was under the word count with the first one. Getting to know the characters, seeing how their own adventure unfolds, is what I enjoy most about writing. I like discovering; I like the little secrets the characters reveal or the tangents they take me on that add an entirely new element (like the beholder cards, did not have that planned with draft one).
Hopefully, this project was helpful for you too, reader. Maybe it helped with reassuring you that first drafts are raw, rough, and in need of some serious TLC. Maybe it demonstrated the impact critique partners or editors can have. Or maybe it highlighted the fact that each writer has something new to bring to the world, even if they are looking at the same thing.
Before the closing, I wanted to announce Kassie Lamro as the winner of my query + 5 page critique! To connect with Melissa, contact her on Twitter @writingbubbly.
And the winner of K. J. Harrowick’s 5 page positivity pass is Pelham Hern! To connect with K.J., contact her on Twitter @KJHarrowick.
Thanks for following the adventure, it’s been one hell of a ride.