Quick Update
I know, I know. I've been neglecting the blog of late.
It's not that I don't have anything to say... it's that I'm trying to finish the novel and get that draft to Jeff by the first of next month. And to that end, I've been writing diligently.
In fact, this evening I passed the 100,000 word mark.
Now, with only slightly more than two chapters left to write, it stands at 361 manuscript pages and 100,125 words. And it's only taken about 14.5 years! (Well, not ALL, or even MOST of that time actually was devoted to writing. I'm not THAT pokey.)
Of course, once it is finished, I have to show it to people.
And that's scarier than writing it could ever be.
Don't worry--I'll let you know when it's done!
It's not that I don't have anything to say... it's that I'm trying to finish the novel and get that draft to Jeff by the first of next month. And to that end, I've been writing diligently.
In fact, this evening I passed the 100,000 word mark.
Now, with only slightly more than two chapters left to write, it stands at 361 manuscript pages and 100,125 words. And it's only taken about 14.5 years! (Well, not ALL, or even MOST of that time actually was devoted to writing. I'm not THAT pokey.)
Of course, once it is finished, I have to show it to people.
And that's scarier than writing it could ever be.
Don't worry--I'll let you know when it's done!
Labels: writing
posted by Cathy VanPatten at 10:11 PM
7 Comments:
Oh, relax! I've read an excerpt and it's fine! Finish it up, take a deep breath, acknowledge it's a first draft* (no matter how many times you've re-written certain portions) and will have flaws and blemishes and plot holes and awkward dialog and a fair amount of just plain crap, all of which will disappear during the editing process. Accept that you'll be editing the HELL out of it for some time to come and this is most easily done with the (semi-)objective input of others, who will see things you no longer can.
You KNOW this.
Besides, you've got free access to other writers who know what's what and will be happy to help you with and through the process.
Bottom line: I'm excited for ya!
*And, as a general rule, first drafts suck. They're supposed to suck. They're the cobbled skeleton and dangly fleshy bits of the creature you're creating.
Thanks for the good word! Of course, in the normal course of a day, I deal with the cobbled skeletons and dangly fleshy bits of other people's writing (and by the time it gets to me, it's supposed to be a FINAL draft!)--so that probably is what is making me so nervous about showing it around.
I'm happy about how it's wrapping up, though. At the moment.
Yay, Cath!!! The homestretch!! :)
Beth
Thanks, Beth!
It really is the homestretch! It's now at nearly 103,000 words. I'm about halfway through the next-to-last chapter. I don't think it's going to hit 400 ms pages, but it might come close!
Yikes!
Hey Cath!
I'm writing from Beth's laptop. We're at the beach for the week, doing storytelling assemblies and stuff. Wish you were here...we'd have a ball!
Good about all the writing you've been doing!
Check ya,
Barb
Barb! Hey!
Did you bring the Florence CD? I finally gave in and bought one for myself--I don't think I've laughed so hard in ages!
I'm SO close! I think it might be too ambitious to try to finish it tonight, but I think maybe tomorrow. Friday? Fingers crossed but I think yeah.
Hahoo!
Forgot the Florence CD, but wish we'd had it along. It's the best!!
SO.....did ya finish today?? We're listening for the cheer from Chicago!
Beth 'n" Barb
Post a Comment
<< Home