I fell behind schedule. After pushing out chapter 2, I thought I’d take a couple of days off to rest up for the climax and denouement of the first arc. And I did. And then I took two more. Oops.
But the last two days have been (too?) productive. I managed to get out more than 17 000 words over those two days, as I finished the draft of Chapter 3. I have just started in on Chapter 4, which promises to be much shorter, so I’m hoping i can get it out in another day or two.
One of the things that I have never heard established writers talk about, or at least very seldom, are the physical demands of writing. Sitting for hours at at time pushing words out of your fingertips is hard work, physically. My body is as tired as my brain right now!
However, Sam and his new associates are not satisfied to let me rest yet. Even after finishing yesterday’s marathon 13 hour writing spree, the characters inhabited my dreams, making sure I was that there was still more to the story, and wouldn’t I feel better if I just got up and finished it?
They’re right. I will.
Nevertheless I took this morning off to look up form my keyboard, do some laundry, and spend a little time on a new puzzle.
But now it’s back to writing. I’ll be posting the final two chapter soon soon soon! And I’m excited to have you all read them!
Given how long this first section has become, I am started to think about presenting this as a trilogy of books, rather than one book in three parts.
This first part is likely to come in around the 55 000 to 700 000 word range. This puts it nicely in the same range as many pulp detective paperbacks of the 20th century – a nice, pocket-sized paperback!
Also, I am now starting to get anxious to start the editing process – to make sure I’ve got the details right, to add some textural elements I rushed through to get the main plot down, and to make sure that the consistency and development I think I’ve written is actually there and not just in my own head.
So, when you read them, let me know what you think…will it stand on its own? Will you still want Books 2 and 3?
Stay posted! Let me know if you’ve read the first two chapters or if you’re waiting for more before starting! If you’re enjoying it, let me know what it is you’re enjoying!
And finally, the picture at the top of this post is of Parker Penguin, my constant writing companion. He always reminds me that I need to be writing more. I have also included a picture of his cousin Pat Penguin, who sits to my left.
Happy reading, all!
