Nanowrimo Last Day

As I type this (after a great writing day yesterday that pushed my word count over 63,000 words), I am running a spell check on my entire draft.

Yep, that's right. I'm done with my book and with my Nanwrimo 50,000-word challenge! I wrote past 70,000 words and I'm 90% happy with it (yes, I'm a perfectionist, so sue me).

I did it!

I feel great. I even went to Amazon this morning to buy myself some books to read as a reward for a job well done and then found them all at the King Co library instead (20 holds so far). So when I get back from T-day, not only will I be reading my heart out, I will be starting the next phase of this book project: revision.

Stay tuned for more once I gorge myself on holiday food and spend time with family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Nanowrimo Home Stretch

Wrote another 6,000 words Monday and am now past 58,000 words. I only have 12,000 words left in this draft (I can go over if I want) because of the length constraints of this genre.

However, Stephen King is famous for his second draft rule of thumb: second draft = first draft - 10%. Thus, going over won't be the end of the world.

So we'll see.

Feeling good. Got a brainstorm yesterday for another YA title or two, so working with that. I have two very good fiction editors to interview for an editorial consultation in December/January. I'm preparing for a first quarter submission to my new very targeted agent list. And then hopefully after a few more revisions (or not), my new future agent will get my YA out on submission.

At least that's the plan, but best laid plans of mice and men . . .

Have a great day!

Nano Third Week

So I'm trying to finish up early, before Thanksgiving. I'm on the final stretch, last 18,000 words. Yes, you read that right. I wrote almost 35,000 words last week.

(yes, I'm tired)

It's not perfect (as Anne Lamott would say, definitely a shitty first draft), but the bones are on paper and the plot works. The description and characterization need some work, as does the dialogue, but I think the story really works. I used Blake Snyder's Save the Cat (screenplay book) for my plotting. He is amazing. Try it, you'll like it.

I couldn't sleep last night after finishing my word count for the day, so I sat up and plotted out the next three 6,000-word sections. Each of those sections encompasses three different storyboard cards (Bad Guys Close In, All Is Lost, Dark Night, etc.) and I know what will happen to finish the book, I just don't know what my final image will be. And that's okay. I've got the opening image, a great midpoint, break into 2 and break into 3, so we're set, but I'm excited to see what my final closing image (which is the synthesis of the opening image and midpoint image) will be.

It's been a great week. Not only did I finish my regular work with greater skill and speed, I've also been feeling so good after writing. It really does jumpstart a whole new part of the brain.

Wish me luck. I'm off to attack my next 6,000-word section today.

Playing on the iPod: Taking Chances (Celine Dion)