The month of May is closing and I had high hopes of completing Penderrown's first draft during this month. I lost the plot - literally - several times during the month but managed to pull myself back on course. Now as the month disappears I have written 23,000 new words. Not bad I confess but no where near reaching the end. Things have conspired against me on this and now with new plot complication continually flashing in front of me I have more work than ever.I am also thinking that as I have grown as a writer I have slowed down because I can see the holes as I work and I want to go back and fix them. I want to add more description in at this stage which slows things down a lot. At this point in the book the season is almost exactly the same now. As I drive the lanes I am trying imprint the sharp pink exclamation marks of the foxgloves punctuating the blue sky in to my brain with the smell of the wisteria and honeysuckle accompied by the birdsong. This is not the best way to drive in Cornwall during half term week with visitors filling the lanes you need to do more that automatic driving while your brain writes!
I'm leaving Cornwall today and travel to Dubai on Monday. I'm back again shortly which consoles me.
13 comments:
It'll come when it needs to come. Safe trip.
You've written a lot of words Liz, but I agree that as we learn more about this funny business, we slow down. Errors, over writing, lack of sensory details - all that stuff - burn so brightly, we have no choice but to deal with them there and then.
I know we're members of the Novel Racers but this really isn't a race. Think how you've grown as a writer. That's the most important thing.
Look forward to seeing you in June, Liz! And writing is all about learning, isn't it?
Oh Liz, I do that too while I'm in Kent: listen and look so carefully so that I can remember every detail.
Safe travelling and can't wait to meet you at last in June.
That's a lot of words you've got down - well done!
I try not to stop to edit as I go when I write but it's v hard. I stick at it, though because finishing that first draft is such a lovely feeling :-)
That's a goodly lot of words, Liz.
'Penderrown' is a very image-y title, I like it a lot.
Sweetie, you are writing at the right pace for this book. Don't beat yourself up. Listen to your inner metronome. It knows its stuff.
Sounds like you're making good progress - and storing up lots of sensory detail for later.
I think 23k words is fantastic progress, and I, too, love the title and each time I see it, my mind conjours up a picture.
Safe journey.
I hate to think of your carbon footprint. Probably envy. I find getting the outline down first is most important - I get out the Polyfilla to plug the holes for the rewrite plus the wallpaper to decorate the whole.
But loads of words written, so congratulations!
That's a lot of words, given all the traveling and computer glitches you've had! Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. I don't know where May went. I keep thinking it should still be March. Someone please tell me it's not June already!
Not sure I would find returning to Uk shortly consoling! If writing is an art then perhaps it pays to step back and view the whole image and try not to become too intranced by the brush strokes? You seem to have written a great deal of words and be progressing well and somethings will nto be hurried.
23,000 words sounds pretty impressive to me!
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