The latest first draft is going well. Almost too well. I’m at 25000 words, I don’t hate the thing, and the arc of the plot and characters is more or less on target for the overall length of the book.
Obviously I’m screwed.
But in reality this is encouraging. I haven’t felt this way on a book since, well, since the last book I actually finished. Three years ago.
Yes–after the first draft this version of me will go hide. The ugly side will come out and read the novel and scream and cut large swaths through the draft. As you do. As you should do. But that version needs to stay away for the time being. I’m in exactly the correct frame of mind to get this sucker done.
Damn it all if I don’t think this might work yet.
I’m about where you are (clocked in at 24K words yesterday, last attempt of a novel being more than a year ago). Let’s push each other. I’m aiming for mid-May for end of draft one, you?
Also, you might want to check on LitReactor’s Chuck Palahniuk essays. Great stuff when revision time will come. Very different from the typical writing stuff you find online.
Mid-May would be stellar, but I’m probably 2-3 months from finishing this draft.
And yeah–the Palahniuk stuff is awesome. Couple years ago I did 3 of the Cult’s writing classes–Max Barry taught one and Craig Clevenger did the other two. Mind-blowing feedback. Mind. Blowing.
Nice. Keep me updated, man.