The Finish Line....For Now....
It's official. I've just completed the first draft of the Devil's Number. Weighing in at 22,296 words and 78 pages, I managed to finish a little under a week ahead of schedule. I promised myself I'd have the draft finished by Christmas time and I've done it. I know I predicted a word count target of 25,000 words, but it was only a guide. I didn't quite make it but a successful author once told me that a story will find it's own length. By the time I re-work the novella it could be 35,000 words or it could be 18,000 words. It all depends on how many more scenes or flesh I add to the story or how much I cut out - who knows?
The self-imposed discipline paid off. And the reward? I now get to spend the Christmas break pounding out some short works that have been begging to be let out of that cage I call my subconcious, while my novella manuscript will be left alone for a good month or so before I attack it with my red pen - I can't wait! Rest assured, I'll keep you in the loop as to how it's going in the new year.
So let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and for fuck sake, drive carefully when you're travelling - you know what the road toll's like. Listen to me - I sound like your mother!
Seriously, everyone enjoy their break and I'll be back online again and refreshed after new year's. I think 2007 is going to be a huge year for us writers. There's going to be an absolute deluge of new stuff making its way into print.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
3 comments:
Well look at you... all finished and everythin'.
Great stuff. Now, if I don't see that name published in 2007 I'll know you've been slackin' off. No turkey for you. REDRAFT!
;o)
Thanks, Bri.
You know, I have a good relationship with the editor I'm sending it to. She runs a small publishing house and from time to time I donate articles to her. In return she has looked over some of my stories and critiqued them for free. She's looking forward to reading The Devil's Number, too so I reckon I've got a foot in the door. As they say, it's not what you know, it's who you know...
Gee Chris,
Getting all gushy with the editors now. Does your wife know about this???
But seriously it sounds like your becoming very savey in the world of spec fiction. Congrats on finishing the draft and have a great christmas break.
Post a Comment