Finally I can say that I've actually to stuck to one my New Year's resolution. On 2nd January, I set myself the challenge of finishing the first draft of 'The Curse' (working title). I'd already pushed my way through December to 40k words, but the challenge was to finish the rest of the manuscript in 9 days. At an average of 5,000 words per day, I saw it as a tough but achievable challenge. After all, I have a demanding full time job as well as a family. Of course, I could have used that as an excuse, but I didn't.
As at 12.30am this morning, I have completed my challenge. I wrote for 9 consecutive days, and achieved during that time a wordcount of 36,473 words, averaging at just over 4,000 words a day. For those interested in the stats, this was how it went down:
Daily Wordcounts
Day 1 3,475
Day 2 630
Day 3 2,963
Day 4 3,435
Day 5 3,022
Day 6 3,819
Day 7 6,194
Day 8 6,175
Day 9 7,030
Total 36,743
Day 2 was my worst day. Not only did I realise that my plan was not as well thought out as I needed it to me, but I sensed a domestic on the horizon. But I really hit my stride from Sunday onwards, as I found all the elements coming together to make for a dramatic close.
I'm pleased that it's done, and that I set myself the challenge and saw it through, ending up with a total first draft of circa 77,000 words. I knew that this particular novel was going to be technically challenging what with multiple POVs, switching timeframes, and forensic aspects. And when I come to look at it again, it will need a lot of development in order to refine it into the manuscript that I think is worthy of the original essence of the story. But for now, it will go on the back burner.
I think a well deserved rest is in order, although I know that it will peppered with all the things that I've neglected to do and need to get on with. When was that tax return deadline?
I'll give myself a week, maybe two, and then what I really want to do is to pick up the Delve series again. My first manuscript is already out there. But I had an outline for another two, maybe three books in the series. And I almost can't wait to pick it up again, and start planning them out in detail.
Finally, thank you to everyone for your comments and support. They have really helped to spur me on.
Dear Lorraine, congratulations on your achievement! I wanted to finish the first draft of my novel by the end of last year ... my word count was around 40,000 in the middle of December ... sadly, my word count is still around 40,000 in the middle of January! Well done, I applaud you.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It wasn't easy but the idea for The Curse started years ago, and when I finally got round to putting it onto a paper I didn't want to drag it out any longer. It became something of a mission.
DeleteGood luck with your wip. Maybe you need to find a way to move it further on - plan out the next few scenes, set some targets, make time to write.
If you need a good support group, I'm host of the First Fast Draft group at Writewords.org.uk and it's a great little group for spurring each other on.
Keep writing, Lorraine x