Monday, November 20, 2006

A Little Progress...

Well, I've hit the halfway mark with The Devil's Number so I think I'll finish the first draft ahead of schedule. It's surprising really that I haven't hit a real snag yet with the story, wondering where to go next with the plot line. What's different about this project is I know exactly how it's going to end. That's something I've never been able to do before and it allows me to stay focused and trigger key events that lead to that climax I have in my sights.

I have to admit I'm amazed that I've physically written 12,500 words. I didn't think it was possible. Although I can see that some of the exess wordage and repetition will have to go in subsequent drafts and I can already tell that once I reach 25,000 words, the easy part will be over. The hard part will be the extensive editing and re-writes. But once the first draft is complete, I plan on putting the manuscript away for no less than a month. Then I'll come back to it with a fresh eye and get out my trusty red pen.

Mmm...what's going to happen to Peter Vaughan next?

What I'm reading: Stephen King's The Cell

4 comments:

Brian G Ross said...

Chris, did you set out to write a 25,000 word story? I find that you put a word count on it before you even get off the mark and it never really holds. Still, it does give you something to aim for.

Christopher Elston said...

Yeah, I did because the editor I will be submitting the novella to wants between 20-30,000 words so I'm aiming mid-way.

I agree with you - it may go over the count or it may stop short of the target but I find setting a limit when you haven't written anything this long before provides focus and optimism of achieving that word count.

Christopher Elston said...

Hey, by the way - congratulations on your appointment to the AHWA committe - I know you and I both will make a difference...

Brian G Ross said...

Why thank-you kind sir!

I agree. We are just the right folk for the job...

:o)