A Novel Update: Flowing

Cockatoo I chatted with in Australia.
See how happy she is?

I am on top of the world.

Sticking to this writing every day routine is doing wonderful things. I’m invested in my work and engaged by it. I look forward to it every day now, because most of the time it’s flowing. I’m sure that has a lot to do with my mental commitment to it.


The evening before last I actually found myself multitasking in a most extraordinary way: I was cooking dinner, Skype chatting with my mum, and writing furiously, all at the same time. That's when I know it's really flowing. Feels amazing.

And I did Something Really Big. I changed a major character’s name. It’s had a dramatic effect on him and on my story. I’ll share my thoughts about that soon.

2+ hours a day (or at least > one). 6+ days a week. It’s key.

Current word count: 31,007 (+4583)

Current state:

• solid short synopsis
• clear overarching plot in mind
• sketches for three illustrations
• solid beginning (with small gaps) and established voice…but this week it’s grown and changed. The beginning starts in a new place. It’s better.
• vastly messy middle with large gaps, clearer plot points, a growing number of characters, and various black holes but many fewer toward the end.
• and an ending! Even final a line!

Goal: A finished solid first draft by January 9th, 2013. 

Novel Update: The Key is Key!

http://www.allthingsdesigner.com.au/shop

One week ago told you I'd found the key. This week, further proof that the key works. It works, I’m telling you.

Actually sitting in front of a computer and making something go onto the screen every day—yeah, really every day even when you don’t really feel particularly like it but you know you’ve made apromise to do it and you’re accountable to a bunch of people who read your blog as well as yourself and let's face it you're a bit pig-headed about these things anyway so you do it except on your one day off which is at your discretion—actually produces results.

I know! Who would have thunk it? Astounding, but true.  

2+ hours a day (or > one). 6+ days a week. It’s key.

Current word count: 30,092 (+3668)

Current state:

• solid short synopsis
• clear overarching plot in mind
• sketches for two illustrations
• solid beginning (with small gaps) and established voice
• vastly messy middle with large gaps, clearer plot points, a growing number of characters, and various black holes but many fewer toward the end.
• and an ending! Even final a line!

Goal: A finished solid first draft by January 9th, 2013. 

A Novel Update

Image credit:
lifeparttwo.wordpress.com/2010/02/15/pileated-woodpecker

It's been one week, and I have easily kept to my new writing schedule, writing/drawing one or more (usually more) hours per day (except for my one evening off, which I spent working on paid work and wrapping birthday presents for my daughter!). It feels good, and it feels natural now I've made the mental commitment. 


Though progress seems slow in terms of word count, because I'm cutting and reworking as I go, it's gratifying to know I'm doing something every day to peck away at my goal. 

Current word count: 27,786  (+1362)

Current state: 

• solid short synopsis
• clear overarching plot in mind
• sketches for two illustrations (+1)
• solid beginning (with fewer gaps) and established voice
• vastly messy middle with large gaps, unclear plot points, too few characters, and various black holes 
• nebulous but forming ending. 

Goal: A finished solid first draft by January 9th, 2013. 

Please feel free to join me and post your word count or project state updates in the comments. We're all in this together. It'll be fun!