56K+

I haven't blogged in a few days, but I'm still plugging away on the novel. I hit over 56K today. I'm into Chapter 17. I need to start writing a synopsis soon, so I'll have something to shop around, though I want to finish the book before I seriously begin thinking about a market for it.

Made the 50K!!!

Ok, this is a milestone for me. It's the first project I've ever written 50K on. I think I had one module hit 40-42K, but that was the biggest thing to date I had written. I'm at 51,229 and counting. I've slowed down my pace a little after my two long weekends. I've got some gaming stuff I need to start working on, so I'm sure my pace will become even slower. I do hope to hit 55K over the weekend.

I've also got a game to plan for on Sunday. I haven't run anything in a few months. I'm not as gung-ho about GMing as I used to be, though I still like to play. Oh, well, guess I need to bite the bullet and give my GM a rest for a session or two. It's just hard to keep up the writing and editing when I know I've got a game to prep for.

48,000 and counting!

Wohoo, I'm nearing that 50K mark. My protagonists have had sex, and the words are still flowing! I should hit the 50K tonight. I've spent three-four hours over the last two nights writing. I have Monday off, so, maybe I'll hit 55K before my short vacation from work is over.

I meet with my writing friend this Wednesday for some critiquing. I like the feedback. I need the feedback to keep writing to the end of this story. I've already had ideas for two other character-related books--at least I know who their men are going to be. Sizzle.

40,000 words

I hit 40,000 words last night! I feel like I'm getting somewhere. Not sure where this puppy will be when it's complete. Maybe I'm half-way there. Maybe not.

I'm enjoying the process, though, and that's what's important to me right now.

My Writing Process

I've decided that my best bet in getting this book finished--since it's my first novel, and I haven't yet proven to myself that I can write a complete novel--is to write without stopping to edit. If something needs to be fixed in another chapter, then I'll just make a note to go back and fix it when I'm finished with the first draft. This way, I keep the momentum and don't start doubting myself along the way.

So far, this process is working for me. I'm working my way through the twelth chapter of the book at this time. Of course, it may not work for others. Luckily, I'm able to pass chapters off to my writing buddy, so I get some feedback along the way. This helps make writing less of a lonely process for me. It has sparked my production after a long drought between April to the end of July.

36,000 words and counting

I haven't hit the 150 pages I wanted yet, but I've written over 36,000 words so far. I'm getting there. I should at least hit 140 today if everything goes well. I have some errands to do and some bills to get ready, but I should have a good writing day today.

Fingers crossed.

30,000 Words!

I took a day off from work today to write. I just hit 30,000 words this afternoon. I'm not sure if this is going to be an 80,000-word book or a 100,000 one. Either way, it's still a drop in the bucket compared to what still lies ahead.

My goal this weekend: hit 140 pages in the manuscript. I'm at 110 right now. Let's see if I can do it.

What am I reading?

Well, I've been on a Deirdre Martin kick. I picked up Body Check on a whim, and I fell in love with the author's work. I then purchased and read Fair Play and Total Rush. Both were very satisfying reads---reads I'd recommend. Then, I started reading her Penalty Box, but I must admit that I'm having a hard time getting into the story. I'm not feeling the attraction between the characters. I ended up putting it down for a bit, and I started reading my first Christina Dodd book, Trouble in High Heels, a book I picked up based on a Romantic Times Book Club Top Pick! review. So far, so good.

Other books I've been impressed with lately: Susan Mallery's Irresistible and Delicious (can't wait for the next in the series), Susan Donovan's The Kept Woman (just purchased some more of her stuff on Ebay based on the good read), oh and Janet Evanovich's 12 Sharp (Love, Love, Love the Stephanie Plum books!).

101!

I hit 101 pages last night on my novel. This is a big deal for me. I feel like I'm getting somewhere, and I'm enjoying learning about the characters as I go along. Tonight, a writing friend and I are meeting to discuss our WIPs. This is only the second time we've met in quite a while. It's been helping me get back to the keyboard to know that I will be getting some feedback from someone. I don't like writing in a vaccuum.

Anyway, I'm on to Chapter 10!

Back to Writing

Not sure why, but I got hell bent into writing this novel I'm working on, and then all interest went out the window. I've recently started back regular meetings with a writing friend, so I've jumped back into the process. We've tentatively agreed on 8 pages of new material every two weeks. I've managed to jump my WIP from 68 pages to 97 over the last few days. I'm going to go back and look at my scene outlines to see where I need to be going, now that I think I'm a third of the way there.