I have a novel
Apr. 5th, 2005 12:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pjthompsonLengthwise, anyway. I've finished chapter 17 of Night Warrior and am well-launched into chapter 18, so I did the "Official SMF Word Count" last night: 71,750 words.
How much more to go? I have no idea. I feel confident I'll be able to bring this one in under 130k. Mostly. I can feel the end coming together, tracks converging from all over the land, but I'm still not at that place where I feel the train start to pick up momentum while it speeds downhill.
I do believe I'm approaching the end of the saggy middle, but we'll have to see about that, too. My local readers are telling me it still feels like there's a lot of story left. There is, there is—but probably not as much as they think. Then again, I could be delusional.
And for a change of pace, here's my first Thomasina inspired haiku. First time I clicked the button, highly appropriate for this post:
How much more to go? I have no idea. I feel confident I'll be able to bring this one in under 130k. Mostly. I can feel the end coming together, tracks converging from all over the land, but I'm still not at that place where I feel the train start to pick up momentum while it speeds downhill.
I do believe I'm approaching the end of the saggy middle, but we'll have to see about that, too. My local readers are telling me it still feels like there's a lot of story left. There is, there is—but probably not as much as they think. Then again, I could be delusional.
And for a change of pace, here's my first Thomasina inspired haiku. First time I clicked the button, highly appropriate for this post:
no subject
Date: 2005-04-05 12:26 pm (UTC)My local readers are telling me it still feels like there's a lot of story left.
Just from reading one chapter, I definitely can say the story seems broad and deep, like there are plenty of themes and characters to explore. It feels expansive and epic. Maybe it's all the time you're covering and the fact that the main character has so much life experience. Oh well... good luck with the next 60K!
no subject
Date: 2005-04-05 02:01 pm (UTC)Thanks! The first draft of my last novel came in at just under 160k and I spent some painful months wacking it down (and not getting it under 130). I'd rather not repeat that so I'm soooo hoping I bring this one in under 130.
no subject
Date: 2005-04-05 12:49 pm (UTC)I'd best just get on with critting the chapters I have in hand then, hadn't I?
And would you care for a small wager on the 130K?
no subject
Date: 2005-04-05 02:02 pm (UTC)I know. This one feels like it's happening much faster. Maybe that's an illusion. I can remember where I was at the six month mark with SB.
Nooooooo. I don't think I'll make that bet. :-/