Is everybody tired and shagged out following a prolonged squawk? (Sorry, a little Monty Python humor there). What I meant to say is how many of you are worn out after participating in the A-Z Challenge? Well, you know me, always looking forward -- and sure enough I have something planned for the end of the month that we need to start spreading the word about now.
Maybe I’m showing my age, but in 1980 there was a one-hit-wonder musical group called Devo that produced a song so catchy that it stuck in my craw for decades. The song was called WHIP IT, and now Elise Fallson and I are putting the song title…or rather a slightly altered version of it…to good use in the form of a blogfest.
Our idea is that on Friday, May 31st, we will provide a forum to allow anyone interested a chance to tell the blogosphere about their most recent [W]ork [I]n [P]rogress. We’ll guide you by providing a few prompts to answer in your own post, and even give you the opportunity to solicit CP’s (partners who exchange material for detail critique – usually chapter by chapter) or Beta Readers (test readers who read entire manuscripts and offer broad opinions) if you’re looking for that.
Here are the prompts we would like you to follow:
WIP Title:
Word Count (projected/actual so far):
Genre:
How long have you been working on it?:
Elevator Pitch (if you came across an agent in an elevator ride, what couple of lines would you use to summarize your book):
Brief Synopsis (250 words or less):
Are you looking for a Critique Partner?:
Are you looking for a Beta Reader?:
Who is working on that next best seller? Sign up on the Linky Tool below…circle May 31st on your calendar…and let’s WIP IT, WIP IT GOOD! Tell all of your friends...paste the badge above on your own page...and lets share.
DL, I'll have to think about this one although the thought is intriguing. I have all the elements you mentioned in place at this time including critique partners and betas. I know from experience to get these way in advance. I think I'm good.
ReplyDeleteDon, you never cease to come up with great ideas for the community. This sounds like an awesome idea from you and Elise. It's good timing for me as I just started a new WIP this very morning - 500 words so far, but let's see how far along I am by the 31st... and more CPs are always good! :)
ReplyDeleteIf I had one, I'd join you! But most of my answers would be blank.
ReplyDeleteCool idea! But alas at that point I'll be working on the sequel to my current WIP (which is almost finished), so it won't make sense talking about it when no one has read the first one (other than my CP and betas).
ReplyDeleteI'll have to think about whether I should jump into this one or not. It's most likely that I'll be working on the second book in my MG series -- the first of which won't be published until Summer 2014. I don't know think my publisher will want me giving away details about Book 2.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if I start something else between now and then (which I'd kind of like to do, just for a break from these characters), I'll sign up.
It'll be fun to read about everyone's work :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I can't sign up, though. *sadface* I am so backed up with interviews and reviews to post. I must get them in before I take my summer break. Can't wait to read the entries!
ReplyDeleteCool idea! Whip It is such a good song. You can't help but sing the words and dance to it!
ReplyDeleteHappy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
This sounds like an excellent opportunity for many writers out there.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea and I really want to participate, but I'm going to wait until the last minute to sign up (it looks like the list will be open to the very end. I will be out of town at that time and I may not be able to get the post ready,but I really, Really, REALLY want to participate, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything works out and I'll be there.
ReplyDeleteThis is just what I need - accountability! I've been stalling for far too long on this, and my plan for the summer is to really set aside some time to work on it. If I tell that to the whole world (or rather our section of it...) then I'll have to do it. I'm so in! Thanks DL, you always seem to get me moving!
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
I'm in, though I'm sure the length of my WIP so far, and the final projected length, will scare most people away!
ReplyDeleteHere's the thing...I have soooo many Quilting and Knitting WIP's. Do I need another 'Genre' of WIP's? Pffffft...like I haven't had some of them for years!
ReplyDeleteDoes my Blogged Family History Research and Stories meet the criteria for a Writer's Blogfest? It is my wish and intention to compile them into some sort of book. I think this event would be a great incentitive to do that, but I'm not sure it fits a category that anyone else would be interested in Reading.
What do ya'll think?
Sue CollectInTexasGal
I just finished one of my WIPs!
ReplyDeleteWorn out after the A to Z, no way I'm up for another.
ReplyDeleteLove this - I need deadlines, so this will hopefully help me move on with my writing :)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
It's going to be great sharing and reading about what people are working on. (:
ReplyDeleteYou're so creative! I signed up, though I don't know which WIP I'll be working on come May 31st.
ReplyDeleteOh man, this cracked me up! My dad was a Devo fan back in the eighties (I'm aging myself too) and we used to love it when he'd play their record--yes, record. Such a great name for a blogfest!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for a blogfest, and I love the name ;) Had to sign up! The only problem will be which story to choose?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWoot, woot! Let's do this thang. =D It's in ink now (on my handy-dandy and slightly frightening calendar), so no backing down. I'll blog about it one week from today too--and I'll even include the theme song in my post. Yeah!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Working on my very first novel and need all the feedback I can get. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great idea, but since I'm trying to launch a book between now and then, I doubt if I'll have much of anything done on the next W.I.P by then. (But if I DO, I'll definitely jump in with y'all.)
ReplyDeleteI have a couple projects in the works, but I have several willing CPs. This is an excellent idea however. Finding readers and CPs can be difficult. I may sign up later in the month though, as feedback is always welcome.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week Don.
........dhole
Good idea! I'll pass it along on one of my Wednesday posts.
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
Joined. Posted something about it today AND (and I am very excited about this!!!) I am going to use this day to also reveal my new cover for my WIP!!
ReplyDeleteYou the feeling you get when you get the cover for your new book and you KNOW it is perfect? That's me right now a 100 times over. I am hoping that my book can now live up to this cover and I can't wait to show everyone!
Tim
The Other Side, http://timbrannan.blogspot.com/
I have signed up and have just started three new WIP's. One, the third installment to The Protector Series, #2, a sci-fi, and the third, a new vampire novel. So, I will have plenty to choose from!
ReplyDeleteAnd of course one is always looking for CP's and Betas!
I always work better under pressure so here's my pportunity to "put up or shut up":)
ReplyDeleteRats! Wish I could join in but I'll be off line (at sea) the last week of May.
ReplyDeleteOh, cool! I'm definitely joining. I won't feature ELEGY (which you'll see soon, I SWEAR TO GOD - what happened was that I took a week off, re-read the thing, and ended up having to fix a major plot boo-boo that I nearly subjected you to, *phew*) but maybe this will be a chance to show off FOTL, which is next up to bat!
ReplyDeleteNot wishing to be controversial, but as a lifelong DEVO fan they are not one-hit wonders, but have made numerous great albums and are still going now ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's not to late...to whip it...whip it good. Oh, great, now guess what's going to be playing in my head the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteMy WIP isn't quite far enough along for me to share yet, but what a great idea for a fest!
Good plan, bro! It's NEVER too early to start developing your pitch / synopsis!
ReplyDeleteEven though I cannot be involved, you may have noted that I shared this posting via various social networks for Elise and your good self.
ReplyDeleteHave fun, dude. I'm going now.
Gary
Great idea! Even if it means I'm going to have that song stuck in my head for the rest of the day! :)
ReplyDeleteJust signed up for the Blogfest. Great, now I have that song in my head. Good thing I still like DEVO!
ReplyDeleteI'll put the badge on my side bar and make mention of it in the days to come.
This would be good if only I could settle on a WIP idea. I've come up with about 20 in the past year and gotten tired of them all in a couple of weeks. I've got a weird form of "It isn't good enough" writer's block. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping my my Monster Madness post! Yeah, I love "Them!" too. I didn't think anyone else would remember it. "The Thing" of 1951 was actually called "The Thing From Another World" and I didn't realize what it was when I looked at the list. I don't remember the 1951 version, but the 1982 version with Kurt Russell is my 3rd all-time favorite movie (after "Jaws" and "Aliens"). :-)
Sounds fun! Thanks for that Devo earworm-lol
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun, DL! Can't wait to read about everyone's WIP. Oh, and I remember that song well.
ReplyDeleteI agree; this does sound like fun but I'll have to think about it since I'm still working on my "what it's about" spiel not to mention the elevator pitch, lol.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great idea! I don't think I am ready to participate but good luck to everyone.
ReplyDeleteDenise at Organization and Inspiration for Fellow Writers
Denise Reashore on Facebook
I am being so superstitious about my current WIP (and I keep oscillating between two projects)that I really don't want to share, not yet... maybe I'll sign up in a couple of days' time... maybe :-)
ReplyDeleteOh dear lord, now I've got Whip it...whip it good, whip it into shape, stick in my head. As you can see I'm showing my age also and I am an 80's music kid. I remember this song well, and think this is an awesome & creative blogfest. I'm in.
ReplyDeleteSounds fun! It's such a fun song:) Though I'm really pretty terrible at blogfests these days. Maybe if I feel up for the marathon blog hopping I'll pop over :)
ReplyDeleteHow can I resist a DEVO related blogfest? You're not playing fair! Heading to linky land.
ReplyDeleteThis is so perfect: I just posted a reply on another blog about finishing a project. The third item (and the one thing I hadn't done yet) was to give yourself a deadline and tell people about it, so you'd have accountability. I put in the comments that I was going to do just that... and now I've joined this hop as another backup. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. I'm definitely in.
ReplyDeleteOh this is a great idea! I hope I have the energy for the blogfest... But I love hearing about others' stories!
ReplyDeleteLike many others I LOVE this idea and if I had the WIP to use I'd jump on the opportunity but at the moment I don't have anything near ready for beta readers or a critque. Maybe in the fall?
ReplyDeleteI'll be happy to promote it on my blog, though!
Hey Don, can you remove me from the list? I'm not going to be able to participate after all. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCount me in.
ReplyDeleteIn Medias Res
DL, this is s a great idea! Count me in.
ReplyDelete