write a novel

The story is now complete, finished and whole. Now, to fix and polish. I give myself 6 months for the final edits and rewrites, so I should be finished by June 2009.

I started on hopefully the last draft before I start querying just this morning.

I am loving this book more and more now. Let’s hope others will love it as much as I do :)

Yay! I finished the second draft last week. My daughter has been reading it, and marking some edits, so next week, I start with the edits and the next round of polishing.

The second draft is now 70% complete (possibly more). At current pace, with current word count targets, I should have second draft completed by the end of July, with agent submissions starting mid-August

The second draft of The Novel is coming along, in drips and drabs.
I have outlined the last couple of chapters (4 left), and have now set some shorter word count targets, making it easier to manage.
If I can write between 4k and 7k words a week, I should have the last couple of chapters finished in the next month. This gives me another month or so to polish and prepare for submitting to agents/editors/publishers.

I have made brief notes for 2 other novels, one related and one in a completely different storyverse, and I am eager to get to them, so i would like to complete current Novel soon. I also do not want to rush it too much, because then one stands the chance of delivering sloppy work.

I recently decided to read my novel, because I keep getting stuck on the first two chapters when I try and rewrite.

I made it past page 100 this afternoon, and it has been a therapeutic experience. The love for the story is back, and so is the love for the characters.
There is a lot of work ahead of me, which I am really looking forward to. It is going to take a bit longer than I would like, because I am also writing some exams in the near future.

If I can maintain a balance between work, family, studies and writing…

I always like to focus on one thing at a time.

No… I lie. I always have several things going at the same time. But, I promised myself that I will start focussing on one project at a time.

However, I have two stories floating around inside me right now. I am busy rewriting the first book (i am on chapter 7 already) and then, there is the other one.

the naughty child.

the story has been in my head for years, in bits and pieces, but has become more vivid recently. it wants to come out. except, i cannot get the starting point right, because it twists and turns and writhes like a snake.
it will come.

but the first novel… it is on track. and i think i am in love with one of the characters.

After reading On Writing (Stephen King), I am all motivated. My husband printed out the first draft for me, which makes making notes a little easier. I took myself away from my computer, and read the first chapter with pen in hand.
Then, I rewrote the first chapter from scratch. Saved it and walked away.

Rereading the new first chapter today, it was far better than first draft. Funnier, easier to read… if I didn’t write it, I would buy the book giggle

of course, I cannot take a day per chapter. I also realise that some chapters will take longer than a day to do, while I might be able to (especially over week-ends) do more than one chapter a day. The story, the framework, the threads are all there – it just needs a bit of polishing.

My first draft is complete. Onto reread and second draft