I'm just starting work on a new book.
I've been brainstorming, scribbling notes and plotting for the past week, and today I started writing.
3000 words later, I could have kept going, but wanted to save some energy and enthusiasm for tomorrow.
I'm just hoping I can keep it up. I know that I always write very short in a first draft, and that I always increase my word count by half in the second draft. With this in mind, if I can keep this up for twenty days, including three days off for my best friend's wedding, I can have a workable first draft.
Which would be immeasurably cool...
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Second Drafts
In between the feeding and the changing and the almost napping, I have actually managed to get some work done, usually when Simon takes Holly out for a walk at the weekend. So, it's slow progress, but the very fact that I have limited time to work on the book means that when the opportunity presents itself, I make the most of it, and tend to focus very well.
I also spend a lot of my time thinking about the book, even when I can't actually be writing. The very restricted pace of my work does mean that everything is well thought out, and I have the chance to really consider all my options before committing to a course of action.
I managed to get a revised version of the opening scene over to Lizzy a few weeks ago, mostly to check that we both agreed that the tone and feel were right - and they were. So I've now reworked the first section of the book up to a natural break longhand, and just have to type it all up... It's about 20k, and every page has major changes and new sections, so it might take a little while. But Simon's promised to get me some time this weekend to work on it, so we'll see how far I get.
Once I've typed in these changes I want to spend some time going through the section and refining character and description; I know the plot's there, it's just the detail that needs fleshing out and detailing.
Second drafts are always uplifting in a way that first drafts sometimes aren't, for me - I can actually feel the work getting better, and it makes me very happy.
Although I'll be happier when it's on Lizzy's desk again, rather than mine...
I also spend a lot of my time thinking about the book, even when I can't actually be writing. The very restricted pace of my work does mean that everything is well thought out, and I have the chance to really consider all my options before committing to a course of action.
I managed to get a revised version of the opening scene over to Lizzy a few weeks ago, mostly to check that we both agreed that the tone and feel were right - and they were. So I've now reworked the first section of the book up to a natural break longhand, and just have to type it all up... It's about 20k, and every page has major changes and new sections, so it might take a little while. But Simon's promised to get me some time this weekend to work on it, so we'll see how far I get.
Once I've typed in these changes I want to spend some time going through the section and refining character and description; I know the plot's there, it's just the detail that needs fleshing out and detailing.
Second drafts are always uplifting in a way that first drafts sometimes aren't, for me - I can actually feel the work getting better, and it makes me very happy.
Although I'll be happier when it's on Lizzy's desk again, rather than mine...
Friday, February 13, 2009
Miss Holly Elizabeth Watson
Miss Holly Elizabeth Watson, born Sunday 25th January at 11.59pm, weighing 6lb and 12oz.
Currently being taught the importance of naps...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Second Draft
Okay, now we're getting somewhere!
The polished first four chapters and synopsis (20k & 5k respectively) are now in the hands of my agent, and I can stop worrying about not getting it done before the baby comes!
For the interested, here's an expanded view of the book's premise, as sent over to Lizzy:
Saskia Ryan is returning home to Rosewood after two years away, determined to make amends for the mistakes that drove her to leave in the first place, and to prove that she’s changed. But home isn’t quite as she remembered…
For starters, there’s the new guy, Edward, who seems to have wormed his way into her family’s hearts and minds – even if Saskia can’t quite figure out what he’s doing there, other than looking attractive leaning against things. He’s supposed to be assisting her Grandfather, famous author Nathanial Drury, with his latest book. But Nathanial doesn’t seem to be writing anything.
There’s the fact that her big sister Ellie won’t even listen to Saskia’s apologies, and the rest of the family, including Edward, are conspiring to keep them apart.
Then there’s her other sister, ten year old Caroline, who has apparently found a ghost in the Rose Garden and a fairy wedding in the woods.
Add in the way that everyone is going crazy getting ready for her Grandparent’s Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration, and the place is in chaos. And that’s before Nathanial makes his big announcement at the party, to “add a little fire to the festivities” – he’s planning to publish his memoirs, every scandalous little detail.
And suddenly it becomes clear to Saskia that she’s not the only one with secrets she’d rather keep to herself – and not the only one who needs forgiveness.
So, now I'm at a bit of a loose end. Do I carry on editing through the second draft, knowing that Lizzy is bound to come back with changes that will negate some of the work I've done? Do I take time out from the book to think about what I'd like to write next? Do I get back to cleaning the kitchen with a toothbrush?
You know, this would be a lot easier if the baby would just come, now that I'm ready for it.
The polished first four chapters and synopsis (20k & 5k respectively) are now in the hands of my agent, and I can stop worrying about not getting it done before the baby comes!
For the interested, here's an expanded view of the book's premise, as sent over to Lizzy:
Saskia Ryan is returning home to Rosewood after two years away, determined to make amends for the mistakes that drove her to leave in the first place, and to prove that she’s changed. But home isn’t quite as she remembered…
For starters, there’s the new guy, Edward, who seems to have wormed his way into her family’s hearts and minds – even if Saskia can’t quite figure out what he’s doing there, other than looking attractive leaning against things. He’s supposed to be assisting her Grandfather, famous author Nathanial Drury, with his latest book. But Nathanial doesn’t seem to be writing anything.
There’s the fact that her big sister Ellie won’t even listen to Saskia’s apologies, and the rest of the family, including Edward, are conspiring to keep them apart.
Then there’s her other sister, ten year old Caroline, who has apparently found a ghost in the Rose Garden and a fairy wedding in the woods.
Add in the way that everyone is going crazy getting ready for her Grandparent’s Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration, and the place is in chaos. And that’s before Nathanial makes his big announcement at the party, to “add a little fire to the festivities” – he’s planning to publish his memoirs, every scandalous little detail.
And suddenly it becomes clear to Saskia that she’s not the only one with secrets she’d rather keep to herself – and not the only one who needs forgiveness.
So, now I'm at a bit of a loose end. Do I carry on editing through the second draft, knowing that Lizzy is bound to come back with changes that will negate some of the work I've done? Do I take time out from the book to think about what I'd like to write next? Do I get back to cleaning the kitchen with a toothbrush?
You know, this would be a lot easier if the baby would just come, now that I'm ready for it.
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