I was beginning to think that the end would never come, but I've finally reached it - before deadline, too! It's short, but I know it'll grow when I realise all the stuff I've skipped over in this draft.
So, all I need to do now is print the thing off, shove it in a folder for a while, until I can bear to look at it again to think about revising it, and tidy up the absolute chaos that has descended on my study, all in time to start something new on the 1st August.
But more details on that when I've cleared up, and done a small victory dance.
Yay me!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Melting at 58,000
Oh God, this heat is unbearable. And it's still only 09.45. It's only going to get hotter.
I've caved, and am wearing shorts. I don't intend to inflict this sight on anyone outside my house, so I won't be going anywhere today.
Still, got 1000 words so far. Going to go and do some housework before it gets too much hotter, then I'll plot out the next couple of scenes, I think.
Roll on autumn.
I've caved, and am wearing shorts. I don't intend to inflict this sight on anyone outside my house, so I won't be going anywhere today.
Still, got 1000 words so far. Going to go and do some housework before it gets too much hotter, then I'll plot out the next couple of scenes, I think.
Roll on autumn.
57,000
I think that this thing is going to run way short - at the moment it's looking to finish at about 65,000.
On the other hand, I know there's stuff missing - in some cases big, wordy stuff. I just don't know how best to fit it all in until the basics are finished and I start revising.
Also, there's little to no description in most scenes. I guess it could be quite a bit longer after the rewrite.
I'm at home today, and for most days until mid-August. I'm choosing to describe this time as 'garden-leave'. Technically, though, I'm working from home. Except this is only because there's nothing for me to do in the office, so it's not exactly labour intensive.
Anyway, I have a schedule for the next few weeks, which also includes trips to North Wales, Manchester and London for a variety of reasons, and high hopes that I may get some serious writing done during this time.
So. On current outline, only 8,000 words until the first draft is finished.
So very nearly there...
On the other hand, I know there's stuff missing - in some cases big, wordy stuff. I just don't know how best to fit it all in until the basics are finished and I start revising.
Also, there's little to no description in most scenes. I guess it could be quite a bit longer after the rewrite.
I'm at home today, and for most days until mid-August. I'm choosing to describe this time as 'garden-leave'. Technically, though, I'm working from home. Except this is only because there's nothing for me to do in the office, so it's not exactly labour intensive.
Anyway, I have a schedule for the next few weeks, which also includes trips to North Wales, Manchester and London for a variety of reasons, and high hopes that I may get some serious writing done during this time.
So. On current outline, only 8,000 words until the first draft is finished.
So very nearly there...
Thursday, July 13, 2006
55,000
This thing is really starting to move!
Got an appointment with an agency tomorrow, and already been recommended for two jobs, both considerably more local than my current one. Pay cut inevitable, but quality of life should go up!
Boss took the resignation well, which is fantastic.
Off to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2 tonight in celebration.
And may have a very large drink.
What a day.
Got an appointment with an agency tomorrow, and already been recommended for two jobs, both considerably more local than my current one. Pay cut inevitable, but quality of life should go up!
Boss took the resignation well, which is fantastic.
Off to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2 tonight in celebration.
And may have a very large drink.
What a day.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
52,000
I'm starting to actually believe that the ending is in sight. Just 18k to go, and I'm writing every day. I may actually make my August 1st deadline.
I've been working in a slightly new way for this novel than for anything else I've written for a while, but now I come to post about it, I'm noticing some similarities to a system I used a few years ago for the first lengthy story I wrote (novella, rather than novel, though).
When I started writing Making the News (and, Oh God, please somebody send me a better title) I'd just had a bad experience with full plotting before writing the novel. So I thought I'd try something different.
For the first few thousand words, I knew the basic set up, had a vague idea of some scenes I wanted to include, and, as it was a romance, knew that the hero and heroine would end up together. I decided to figure out the rest as I went along.
The only problem with that plan was that I get nervous when I don't know where I'm going, and that tends to block me up a bit.
So, about 10000 words in, I compromised.
I created a spreadsheet where I could put in the main turning points I knew, with blank spaces for the other scenes, which I filled in as and when they came to me. It meant I spent a lot of time jiggling things around, but it seems to be working okay. Completed scenes are in black, with wordcount, scenes still to write are in green. It got a bit more complicated as time progressed, and includes chapter breakdowns and wordcounts and all sorts. And it means I can see exactly where I am and where I need to go next, and how long it should take me to get there.
Now, there are just 10 more scenes to go, and I can see exactly how much I've already achieved. It's really very motivating.
But I'm still trying something new for the next one!
I've been working in a slightly new way for this novel than for anything else I've written for a while, but now I come to post about it, I'm noticing some similarities to a system I used a few years ago for the first lengthy story I wrote (novella, rather than novel, though).
When I started writing Making the News (and, Oh God, please somebody send me a better title) I'd just had a bad experience with full plotting before writing the novel. So I thought I'd try something different.
For the first few thousand words, I knew the basic set up, had a vague idea of some scenes I wanted to include, and, as it was a romance, knew that the hero and heroine would end up together. I decided to figure out the rest as I went along.
The only problem with that plan was that I get nervous when I don't know where I'm going, and that tends to block me up a bit.
So, about 10000 words in, I compromised.
I created a spreadsheet where I could put in the main turning points I knew, with blank spaces for the other scenes, which I filled in as and when they came to me. It meant I spent a lot of time jiggling things around, but it seems to be working okay. Completed scenes are in black, with wordcount, scenes still to write are in green. It got a bit more complicated as time progressed, and includes chapter breakdowns and wordcounts and all sorts. And it means I can see exactly where I am and where I need to go next, and how long it should take me to get there.
Now, there are just 10 more scenes to go, and I can see exactly how much I've already achieved. It's really very motivating.
But I'm still trying something new for the next one!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
50,000
Now we're talking!
Had a great weekend back up in Wales - ordered wedding dress, sorted out bridesmaid's dress, had a lovely lunch with Mum and Dad at Moules-a-go-go.
My Uncle's 60th birthday party was fantastic - great food, wine, singing and company. Went on until 3am, though, so I wasn't good for much on Sunday!
It is, however, impossible to write when I'm at Mum and Dad's. People keep coming to talk to me, wherever I am. And I don't have my 'Preifet' sign ('Private' in Welsh) to hang on the door to keep people out. That works a treat at home.
Still, have now broken 50,000 - just another 20K to go!
Had a great weekend back up in Wales - ordered wedding dress, sorted out bridesmaid's dress, had a lovely lunch with Mum and Dad at Moules-a-go-go.
My Uncle's 60th birthday party was fantastic - great food, wine, singing and company. Went on until 3am, though, so I wasn't good for much on Sunday!
It is, however, impossible to write when I'm at Mum and Dad's. People keep coming to talk to me, wherever I am. And I don't have my 'Preifet' sign ('Private' in Welsh) to hang on the door to keep people out. That works a treat at home.
Still, have now broken 50,000 - just another 20K to go!
Friday, July 07, 2006
48,000
Making progress here!
Just as well, really. Chances are that my output may go down over the weekend - too much other fun to be having.
Just as well, really. Chances are that my output may go down over the weekend - too much other fun to be having.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
45,000
Step by step, people.
My Dad swung by last night on his way from London back home to North Wales, and stopped for dinner and stayed the night. Simon cooked Thai Green Curry, we opened the good red wine, and Dad collected my brother's French Horn that I had to pick up from Cambridge a few weeks ago.
I'm heading home myself tomorrow, for the weekend, and must make sure I keep up this writing schedule while I'm there, however hard it is to get even a moment alone!
The plan for the weekend is shopping with Chester with my Mum on Saturday - where I will hopefully buy a wedding dress (eek) and maybe even some shoes (I want blue ones).
Then Saturday night is my uncle's 60th birthday party, which will be a lot of fun. Lots of family and friends there, and there will be music and singing and food and wine.
Back down south again on Sunday, and back to work on Monday.
Sounds quite exhausting when I write it out like that!
My Dad swung by last night on his way from London back home to North Wales, and stopped for dinner and stayed the night. Simon cooked Thai Green Curry, we opened the good red wine, and Dad collected my brother's French Horn that I had to pick up from Cambridge a few weeks ago.
I'm heading home myself tomorrow, for the weekend, and must make sure I keep up this writing schedule while I'm there, however hard it is to get even a moment alone!
The plan for the weekend is shopping with Chester with my Mum on Saturday - where I will hopefully buy a wedding dress (eek) and maybe even some shoes (I want blue ones).
Then Saturday night is my uncle's 60th birthday party, which will be a lot of fun. Lots of family and friends there, and there will be music and singing and food and wine.
Back down south again on Sunday, and back to work on Monday.
Sounds quite exhausting when I write it out like that!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Book Review - Angel With Attitude, by Michelle Rowen
I read Michelle Rowen’s first novel, Bitten and Smitten, during what would have otherwise been a very long, very boring train journey from Cambridge to Durham. Instead, the time flew by, and I missed all the beautiful countryside I could have been watching outside the windows, because I was completely entertained by the antics, character and comedy of the main character, Sarah.
Needless to say, I was looking forward to getting my hands on Michelle’s latest book, Angel with Attitude, released earlier this week. I’m glad to report that I wasn’t disappointed.
Valerie is a fallen angel – stuck in Niagara Falls with a head cold and a determination to get back where she belongs – Heaven.
Of course, it’s never that easy. But with the help of a nine year old prima donna psychic, a fry cook witch demon summoner, a love-rat who’s currently an actual rat, and her very own Tempter Demon, Val’s certainly going to give it a try.
Once she’s finished saving the world, anyway.
What I really enjoyed in this book was the humour with which the matters of life, death and one or two in between states were handled. The characters were wise-cracking, if not always wise, but also contained the sort of emotion that made them real to me.
I loved the corruption of cliché and deviation from traditional stereotypes – for everything from angels and demons to faeries and McDonalds staff members. And I really appreciated that nothing was ever quite what it seemed; Valerie has to trust her heart and not her eyes to stay alive and figure out what’s going on.
I’d certainly recommend Angel with Attitude to anyone looking for a light hearted romp through the underworld, or anyone with a perfect lazy summer afternoon to while away in the pursuit of Heaven. Or truly gorgeous Tempter Demons.
Needless to say, I was looking forward to getting my hands on Michelle’s latest book, Angel with Attitude, released earlier this week. I’m glad to report that I wasn’t disappointed.
Valerie is a fallen angel – stuck in Niagara Falls with a head cold and a determination to get back where she belongs – Heaven.
Of course, it’s never that easy. But with the help of a nine year old prima donna psychic, a fry cook witch demon summoner, a love-rat who’s currently an actual rat, and her very own Tempter Demon, Val’s certainly going to give it a try.
Once she’s finished saving the world, anyway.
What I really enjoyed in this book was the humour with which the matters of life, death and one or two in between states were handled. The characters were wise-cracking, if not always wise, but also contained the sort of emotion that made them real to me.
I loved the corruption of cliché and deviation from traditional stereotypes – for everything from angels and demons to faeries and McDonalds staff members. And I really appreciated that nothing was ever quite what it seemed; Valerie has to trust her heart and not her eyes to stay alive and figure out what’s going on.
I’d certainly recommend Angel with Attitude to anyone looking for a light hearted romp through the underworld, or anyone with a perfect lazy summer afternoon to while away in the pursuit of Heaven. Or truly gorgeous Tempter Demons.
43,000
Made myself get up early and write again this morning, and I'm so glad I did.
The scene I just wrote really starts the action that leads towards the end, even if the characters don't know it yet. It was fun to write, it flowed, and I can just feel the story coming together.
I know that this is because I've been writing on this story every day for the last week or so. I just can't seem to keep the feel of the thing in my head if I'm away from it for more than 24 hours.
So, I've said it before, but I'll say it again to make sure it is fully drummed into my head:
I have to write 1000 words of this story every day in order to meet my deadline.
Maybe I should get it tattooed somewhere... temporary, of course. Just enough to last out the month.
The scene I just wrote really starts the action that leads towards the end, even if the characters don't know it yet. It was fun to write, it flowed, and I can just feel the story coming together.
I know that this is because I've been writing on this story every day for the last week or so. I just can't seem to keep the feel of the thing in my head if I'm away from it for more than 24 hours.
So, I've said it before, but I'll say it again to make sure it is fully drummed into my head:
I have to write 1000 words of this story every day in order to meet my deadline.
Maybe I should get it tattooed somewhere... temporary, of course. Just enough to last out the month.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Getting There
I have just spent the most wonderful week at the seaside, exploring ruins and castles, shopping in craft shops, eating at fantastic restaurants, paddling in the sea, and writing. I'll try and post some pics later.
I got reasonable work done on the WIP, purely by getting up every morning and sitting down to write while having my first cup of coffee. The lack of internet access obviously helped.
I know that to finish my first draft on deadline for the Write-Ons (July 31st), I need to write 1000 words every day. It'll be a short first draft, as usual, but I know there's more detail to add in - I just can't see what until I have a finished draft!
So this morning, I got up early like I used to before life went crazy, made coffee, disabled the internet access at my study computer for the morning, and wrote 1181 words in 40 minutes.
I just hope the rest of the month is that easy!
Other news; the story I want to write next is set in Tenby in South Wales, my favourite holiday spot, so while we were there last week I took the opportunity to finish the plotting and research for that too. Simon took lots and lots of photos for me, that I hope will jog my memory about layouts and colours and details when I sit down to write it next month.
Wedding invitations are out, and lovely responses are coming in. One or two problems with family on Simon's side, but hopefully we'll get all that sorted out.
And at some point this week I need to discuss resigning with my boss...
I got reasonable work done on the WIP, purely by getting up every morning and sitting down to write while having my first cup of coffee. The lack of internet access obviously helped.
I know that to finish my first draft on deadline for the Write-Ons (July 31st), I need to write 1000 words every day. It'll be a short first draft, as usual, but I know there's more detail to add in - I just can't see what until I have a finished draft!
So this morning, I got up early like I used to before life went crazy, made coffee, disabled the internet access at my study computer for the morning, and wrote 1181 words in 40 minutes.
I just hope the rest of the month is that easy!
Other news; the story I want to write next is set in Tenby in South Wales, my favourite holiday spot, so while we were there last week I took the opportunity to finish the plotting and research for that too. Simon took lots and lots of photos for me, that I hope will jog my memory about layouts and colours and details when I sit down to write it next month.
Wedding invitations are out, and lovely responses are coming in. One or two problems with family on Simon's side, but hopefully we'll get all that sorted out.
And at some point this week I need to discuss resigning with my boss...
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