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2641 words today, not bad for a Monday. Especially a Monday that included a visit to a friend whose mother died over the weekend, a trip to the town 20 miles away to get some much-needed immunizations (tetanus was way overdue), some more set-up work on a computer (changing one suite of software for another–always SUCH fun.) And baking additional bread (but not making the dough today–thawing out the lumps of frozen dough from yesterday, because the larger loaf from yesterday went to the friend whose mother had died, along with a couple of quarts of homemade soup.)
The book crossed a landmark size today, large enough that its own density begins to shove the lesser bits to the margin where they’ll be easier to dump later. It also threw me another curve. (He’s going to do WHAT? He thinks X did that?) Secondary characters are throwing themselves onto center stage and acting like the contestants in the various talent shows on TV–busier, faster, louder…”Look at ME! See how GREAT I am? Pick ME!” Just offstage there are rows in the wings, which they of course hope I’ll notice and pay attention to.
This week’s goal is just the same as last week’s–pour another 10,000 words into the book and see what happens. 2641 down, and 7369 to go. For those interested in challenges, a writer friend (Terie Garrison) and I are “racing” in an interesting way. Because she has a day job and has family coming to stay for two weeks, her monthly goal is less than mine…so I’m handicapped (or she’d advantaged…her words/day count double. I was ahead last week on her 10 hour days of work (she works three and has four off) and over the weekend she passed me because I took Saturday and Sunday off.
You can follow this “race” if you want on SFF.net–you don’t have to be a member or install a newsreader; guests can read Webnews. I don’t know if a direct link will work, but let’s try: Terie Garrison’s newsgroup.
Comment by elizabeth — August 9, 2010 @ 11:00 pm
And lo–the link worked for me.
Comment by elizabeth — August 10, 2010 @ 9:15 am
And lo, there is good news (but can’t be told yet) ahead for Paks-friends.
No speculations, please. News will be given when it’s possible and speculations have been known to upset applecarts.
Comment by Adam Baker — August 10, 2010 @ 10:19 am
The link worked for me as well. That’s a pretty neat thing, racing another author like that.
Is this something that you’ve done in the past, and does it cause you to actually increase your output?
And Good Paks news is always great. Cant wait to hear what you have up your sleeve.
Comment by elizabeth — August 10, 2010 @ 10:50 am
I’ve never tried the challenge thing like this…usually my brain goes contrary. This time, because we were working toward different wordage goals, and neither of us is going to pull rank or lay guilt, it’s just being fun and a boost.
Though today I remembered I had to finish the handouts for the workshops I’ll be giving at CTC, and I think my morning total is a mere 70 words or so written before I remembered…Terie should swamp me today, unless I get the handouts done in the next hour. Busy….
Comment by Ron — August 10, 2010 @ 11:40 am
yessssssssssssssss.. I just found out accidentally on Amazon that you are back to Paks world, have one book out and another in the oven… woooot. Now I have to re-read to be able to keep up. Glad to see the return to a unique and excellent story.
Comment by elizabeth — August 10, 2010 @ 12:21 pm
Glad you’re glad, Ron, and hope you like the new ones as much.
Comment by Abigail Miller — August 10, 2010 @ 4:35 pm
He will, pretty much guaranteed.
Welcome, Ron! Buy these books! We’ve got to make the publisher happy, because it’s only a 3-book contract and the story has grown much longer and better than that.
Comment by PamelaL — August 11, 2010 @ 1:22 pm
I’m happy to replace my older books some are getting a little ragged. I’m still wondering about amazon preorders. Do they help?
Comment by Matthew Walker — August 11, 2010 @ 4:23 pm
I can’t speak with absolute authority, but a purchase is a purchase. Personally, if I was a publisher, I would count pre-orders extra, because they’re a sign of dedicated fans who are eager for the book.