Okay, so it's been a few months, but I'm back.
Back, and writing another WIP. This one is actually more than 150-200 pages in, but it's in pieces and chapters and fragments, and there's actually enough here and in the little noggin of mine to maybe make a trilogy. We'll see.
For now, I think I've finally nailed the beginning (again). It's been challenging finding where to begin. I keep going back, and back, and back. But this is a good problem to have, as the novel has been progressing in its regression, and the textures and voices have really shown themselves.
So in the past few months, plus the excerpts and chapters and pieces before this, there've been at least 40,000 words, but let's just start with what I think is the beginning, and go on from there, though I may find a spot where I see it's a good place to drop this chapter there, and this piece needs to go there, and this fragment works really well there...so I'll just add those as I go.
So for now, the last few days...10 pages...
2,787 words
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Saturday, August 22, 2015
It's Good to Be Back
It's been a long time...
Let's see. I'm going to combine the totals of my writing of the past couple days. Consider them an accumulation of daily entries here over the past few days that I didn't press PUBLISH for.
617 words today for a blog entry I've staggered until a few days. 600 more for one written and published a day or two ago. I forgot if I was counting blog entries or not.
1,446 for a piece I hope to finish in a couple of days and sell to a local publication. I'm typing out the second part now, so...
Okay, 698 words. Not bad.
So, over the past 2-3 days, about 3,361 words.
And I found all of the fragments--ranging from a page or two, to about 75 or 80 pages--of my next novel-in-progress, written in spurts over the years. I printed all of it out, and it took an entire ream of paper, and much of a printer cartridge. Overall, over 100,000 words. That's the one I think I've got a trilogy-amount of.
I'm going to try to outline all of that stuff. Outlines will definitely count here. And Part 3 will conclude the piece I'm writing, so that'll get done tomorrow, hopefully, and I'll send that out.
It's good to be back.
Let's see. I'm going to combine the totals of my writing of the past couple days. Consider them an accumulation of daily entries here over the past few days that I didn't press PUBLISH for.
617 words today for a blog entry I've staggered until a few days. 600 more for one written and published a day or two ago. I forgot if I was counting blog entries or not.
1,446 for a piece I hope to finish in a couple of days and sell to a local publication. I'm typing out the second part now, so...
Okay, 698 words. Not bad.
So, over the past 2-3 days, about 3,361 words.
And I found all of the fragments--ranging from a page or two, to about 75 or 80 pages--of my next novel-in-progress, written in spurts over the years. I printed all of it out, and it took an entire ream of paper, and much of a printer cartridge. Overall, over 100,000 words. That's the one I think I've got a trilogy-amount of.
I'm going to try to outline all of that stuff. Outlines will definitely count here. And Part 3 will conclude the piece I'm writing, so that'll get done tomorrow, hopefully, and I'll send that out.
It's good to be back.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
WIP No Longer IP -- It's Done
It's done.
The manuscript is finally done.
At 1:57 a.m. on July 1, 2015, I finished the entire novel.
May all my edits be small.
And make a publisher tell me to make them.
The manuscript is finally done.
At 1:57 a.m. on July 1, 2015, I finished the entire novel.
May all my edits be small.
And make a publisher tell me to make them.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Week Ending Sunday, June 29, 2015
Whoa, sorry about skipping last week.
Major things due at the job and now I'm on vacation for awhile.
And I'm just a few chapters away from giving the whole thing to my beta-readers! Very cool!
So...about 2,500 words.
How's everyone been?
Major things due at the job and now I'm on vacation for awhile.
And I'm just a few chapters away from giving the whole thing to my beta-readers! Very cool!
So...about 2,500 words.
How's everyone been?
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Week Ending Sunday, June 14, 2015
Whoa! Looks like we both backed away on this! With my building closing, the end of the job upon me, and sending out my chapters to my beta-readers (and what a formatting nightmare that has turned out to be!), plus some other added ridiculousness...Just kinda got lost in the shuffle there.
Sorry about that, especially since I'm the one who called this meeting to order.
How's the wrist? Feeling better?
Editing and query letters this week: About 2,000 words. Actually, not bad for me, considering all the above.
Sorry about that, especially since I'm the one who called this meeting to order.
How's the wrist? Feeling better?
Editing and query letters this week: About 2,000 words. Actually, not bad for me, considering all the above.
Monday, May 25, 2015
Week Ending Sunday, May 24, 2015 -- Beta-readers
Editing red pen comments over last manuscript and lining up my beta-readers and sending the work to them via email or snail-mail, so I haven't kept track of my word count. I'm going to guess...1,500 words. Paving over a manuscript by the red pen comments in the manuscript is as much a tedious process as it is a productive one. I got sick again, too, with a sinus infection / virus situation that made my head quite swimming. Exhausted, too, really early in the day. Really hard to write, edit, and save correctly that way!
So, yeah, 1,500. Sorry for the whining.
By the way, I have 7 beta-readers lined up, and I would love 10, and I haven't asked any of my e-friends yet. I mean, haven't we all been buried by people asking us to read their books and manuscripts? And I especially feel bad because I haven't had the time to read and comment on too many of anyone else's work lately.
But if you're an e-friend of mine, and you wouldn't mind being a beta-reader, please let me know by Wednesday the 27th. My email is on this page somewhere.
Please and thank-you!
So, yeah, 1,500. Sorry for the whining.
By the way, I have 7 beta-readers lined up, and I would love 10, and I haven't asked any of my e-friends yet. I mean, haven't we all been buried by people asking us to read their books and manuscripts? And I especially feel bad because I haven't had the time to read and comment on too many of anyone else's work lately.
But if you're an e-friend of mine, and you wouldn't mind being a beta-reader, please let me know by Wednesday the 27th. My email is on this page somewhere.
Please and thank-you!
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Week Ending Sunday, May 17, 2015
Chapter 67
1,504 words.
Chapter 68
921 words.
Lots of query emails to my beta-readers.
So let's say...3,000 words.
Spent much of the week getting my beta-reader email packages together, plus calling a few people so I didn't have to send them emails.
Why?
Because the 37th novel-length edit of the book is done!!! That's right--37!!! This week I'll send out my beta-reader queries and work on the next book. This weekend I'll spend one day incorporating all of the red comments in this last manuscript edit, save it all to one long document, and back it all up.
Then, out go the agent queries as I work on the next book, tidy up and send out a few stories, and take a look at the new book my zombie story is in. And, please, wish me luck!!!
1,504 words.
Chapter 68
921 words.
Lots of query emails to my beta-readers.
So let's say...3,000 words.
Spent much of the week getting my beta-reader email packages together, plus calling a few people so I didn't have to send them emails.
Why?
Because the 37th novel-length edit of the book is done!!! That's right--37!!! This week I'll send out my beta-reader queries and work on the next book. This weekend I'll spend one day incorporating all of the red comments in this last manuscript edit, save it all to one long document, and back it all up.
Then, out go the agent queries as I work on the next book, tidy up and send out a few stories, and take a look at the new book my zombie story is in. And, please, wish me luck!!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Monday, May 11, 2015
Week ending Sunday, May 10, 2015
Chapter 63.
628 words.
I'd do Chapter 64 now, but it's past 1 a.m. and I have to go to work in a few hours.
So...
Chapter 58--612 words.
Chapter 59--542 words.
Chapter 60--1,194 words.
Chapter 61 (1st half)--1,221 words.
Chapter 61 (2nd half)--793 words.
Chapter 62--2,168 words.
Chapter 63--628 words.
For the week: 7,158 words. And during a workweek! For me, that's not bad at all.
628 words.
I'd do Chapter 64 now, but it's past 1 a.m. and I have to go to work in a few hours.
So...
Chapter 58--612 words.
Chapter 59--542 words.
Chapter 60--1,194 words.
Chapter 61 (1st half)--1,221 words.
Chapter 61 (2nd half)--793 words.
Chapter 62--2,168 words.
Chapter 63--628 words.
For the week: 7,158 words. And during a workweek! For me, that's not bad at all.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Thursday, May 7, 2015
About half of Chapter 61.
1,221 words.
A thousand words a day, every day, means a completed novel manuscript in just three months.
1,221 words.
A thousand words a day, every day, means a completed novel manuscript in just three months.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Chapter 58--612 words.
Chapter 59--542 words.
Chapter 60--1,194 words.
So, the total for today: 2,348 words today. From about 5:15 pm to about 11:30 pm, with about an hour and a half off for dinner and a couple of other minor things.
Why more today during the workweek?
--I was more awake, though I was exhausted. (I can't explain this.)
--I kept making small rewards for myself. Like, I couldn't open my most recent T206s until I finished these three chapters.
--These were the last three chapters before the big explosive denouement chapter, plus the wrap-up chapters.
--I'm about four or five total chapters from typing THE END.
--The Red Sox suck right now. Painfully.
Chapter 59--542 words.
Chapter 60--1,194 words.
So, the total for today: 2,348 words today. From about 5:15 pm to about 11:30 pm, with about an hour and a half off for dinner and a couple of other minor things.
Why more today during the workweek?
--I was more awake, though I was exhausted. (I can't explain this.)
--I kept making small rewards for myself. Like, I couldn't open my most recent T206s until I finished these three chapters.
--These were the last three chapters before the big explosive denouement chapter, plus the wrap-up chapters.
--I'm about four or five total chapters from typing THE END.
--The Red Sox suck right now. Painfully.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Week Ending Sunday, May 3, 2015
Well, not quite 9,000 words this week. But I knew that was gonna happen. Just barely 2,000 words.
Time to face that I'm a weekend writer during the workweek. It is what it is.
Time to face that I'm a weekend writer during the workweek. It is what it is.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Week Ending Sunday, April 26, 2015
Chapter 53.
949 words.
More to come today, but it's 2:41 a.m., so I should probably sleep.
...Okay, did that.
Chapter 54.
2,105 words.
So over 3,000 for this day so far.
I hope to finish Chapter 55 tonight.
So exhausted I'm making silly mistakes and the words aren't coming like they do. I even made some saving errors, which is really bad. But...
For the week (drumroll, please):
Chapter 49 = 689 words.
Chapter 50 = 372 words.
Chapter 51 = 3,002 words.
Chapter 52 = 803 words.
Query letters = 224 words.
Chapter 53 = 949 words.
Chapter 54 = 2,105 words.
Chapter 55 = 396 words.
Chapter 56 = 509 words.
Chapter 57 = 79 words.
9,128 words! YES!!! I can't tell you how great this feels. And it even felt great doing it.
And now vacation ends. I really, really hope I can produce even half this much during a workweek.
949 words.
More to come today, but it's 2:41 a.m., so I should probably sleep.
...Okay, did that.
Chapter 54.
2,105 words.
So over 3,000 for this day so far.
I hope to finish Chapter 55 tonight.
So exhausted I'm making silly mistakes and the words aren't coming like they do. I even made some saving errors, which is really bad. But...
For the week (drumroll, please):
Chapter 49 = 689 words.
Chapter 50 = 372 words.
Chapter 51 = 3,002 words.
Chapter 52 = 803 words.
Query letters = 224 words.
Chapter 53 = 949 words.
Chapter 54 = 2,105 words.
Chapter 55 = 396 words.
Chapter 56 = 509 words.
Chapter 57 = 79 words.
9,128 words! YES!!! I can't tell you how great this feels. And it even felt great doing it.
And now vacation ends. I really, really hope I can produce even half this much during a workweek.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Chapter 52.
803 words.
A query letter for a story, which got an okay, so a query submission. Another 224, since the first query was 112 words, and the second seemed almost exactly similar.
We'll call it an even thousand words even.
1061 + 3002 + 1000 = 5,063 words.
Not awesome, but I'll take it. One more day left of vacation. I won't finish before I go back to work, but I'm getting there...
803 words.
A query letter for a story, which got an okay, so a query submission. Another 224, since the first query was 112 words, and the second seemed almost exactly similar.
We'll call it an even thousand words even.
1061 + 3002 + 1000 = 5,063 words.
Not awesome, but I'll take it. One more day left of vacation. I won't finish before I go back to work, but I'm getting there...
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Chapter 51 is done.
3,002 words, to be exact.
I'm so exhilarated by my output lately, I could cry.
I hope to finish Chapter 52 tonight.
3,002 words, to be exact.
I'm so exhilarated by my output lately, I could cry.
I hope to finish Chapter 52 tonight.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Finished Chapter 49.
689 words.
Doing Chapter 50 now. Hoping to finish it tonight.
Chapter 50 done.
372 words.
By God, this feels good.
1,061 words so far today. Have to break for dinner and a few other things, which I hate to do right now.
I hope to finish Chapter 51 tonight.
689 words.
Doing Chapter 50 now. Hoping to finish it tonight.
Chapter 50 done.
372 words.
By God, this feels good.
1,061 words so far today. Have to break for dinner and a few other things, which I hate to do right now.
I hope to finish Chapter 51 tonight.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Week Ending Sunday, April 19th, 2015
Let's see...
--An honest-to-God letter sent out today to someone I don't frequently communicate with, but who's been an important influence upon me. My sixth-grade teacher, if you can believe it. I'm still at least minorly-acquainted with my sixth-grade teacher, my tenth-grade homeroom teacher, my eleventh-grade writing teacher, and my twelfth-grade Spanish teacher. What can I say? Teachers rock!
--Query letters, chapter fragments and small pieces of essays and poems.
--All of this since just yesterday, because a major project was due for work Friday, and it took up my week. But now I'm on vacation, so stand back!!!
I'll estimate...about 1,500 words. This will at least quadruple for next Sunday.
--An honest-to-God letter sent out today to someone I don't frequently communicate with, but who's been an important influence upon me. My sixth-grade teacher, if you can believe it. I'm still at least minorly-acquainted with my sixth-grade teacher, my tenth-grade homeroom teacher, my eleventh-grade writing teacher, and my twelfth-grade Spanish teacher. What can I say? Teachers rock!
--Query letters, chapter fragments and small pieces of essays and poems.
--All of this since just yesterday, because a major project was due for work Friday, and it took up my week. But now I'm on vacation, so stand back!!!
I'll estimate...about 1,500 words. This will at least quadruple for next Sunday.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Week Ending Sunday, April 12, 2015
Work this week had to mostly intrude...
With the words from earlier this week, and the last couple of days, I'll estimate at about 2,500 words, same as last week.
But the work is good and the end of my novel-in-progress is in sight.
And I go on vacation this Friday evening.
The goal is to finish this novel manuscript by the end of this upcoming vacation.
I believe I can do it.
With the words from earlier this week, and the last couple of days, I'll estimate at about 2,500 words, same as last week.
But the work is good and the end of my novel-in-progress is in sight.
And I go on vacation this Friday evening.
The goal is to finish this novel manuscript by the end of this upcoming vacation.
I believe I can do it.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Week Ending Sunday April 5, 2015
With Wednesday's production and bits throughout the week, I'll approximate my total word count as 2,500 for the week.
Not great, but minorly productive, and better than last week. Baby steps.
I've also borrowed the weekly schedule from The Productive Writer by Sage Cohen. I like how the upcoming week is scheduled out. Not set in stone, but organized.
Hope everyone had a nice holiday and long weekend.
Not great, but minorly productive, and better than last week. Baby steps.
I've also borrowed the weekly schedule from The Productive Writer by Sage Cohen. I like how the upcoming week is scheduled out. Not set in stone, but organized.
Hope everyone had a nice holiday and long weekend.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Spent about three hours re-writing, editing, and polishing (such as it is) 29 poems I'd written in various guises over the past 17 years. I wanted to see which ones were good enough to send out.
More than I thought, is the answer.
About 2,456 total words, my word count says. With all of the writing, re-writing, editing and polishing, I'll say...
Approximately 1,200 words.
And I've got some good poems to send out, too.
More than I thought, is the answer.
About 2,456 total words, my word count says. With all of the writing, re-writing, editing and polishing, I'll say...
Approximately 1,200 words.
And I've got some good poems to send out, too.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Spent about four hours making a flyer about my published stories, including my two that are free in online magazines.
App. 500 words. Looks good.
App. 500 words. Looks good.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Week ending Sunday, March 29, 2015
Today I finalized 617 words of a so-far three-page poem that I think could be something special.
I've always liked writing poems and I've been paid for a couple, but I've only sent out those two. But as I've been researching markets for my stuff--which is what I've been doing most of the week, besides working at home at my job that pays The Man--I've seen a ton of places to send out my many poems. I won't send them all out, maybe, but...
Well, not much this week, so I'm sure I'll get my butt kicked again. Very, very frustrating week.
1,000 words earlier this week + 617 words of this poem + about 350 words, just a couple of pages of the next chapter of my almost-finished book. ::sigh::
So let's just call it an even 2,000 words again this week. I thought there'd be more.
Next week there will be.
I've always liked writing poems and I've been paid for a couple, but I've only sent out those two. But as I've been researching markets for my stuff--which is what I've been doing most of the week, besides working at home at my job that pays The Man--I've seen a ton of places to send out my many poems. I won't send them all out, maybe, but...
Well, not much this week, so I'm sure I'll get my butt kicked again. Very, very frustrating week.
1,000 words earlier this week + 617 words of this poem + about 350 words, just a couple of pages of the next chapter of my almost-finished book. ::sigh::
So let's just call it an even 2,000 words again this week. I thought there'd be more.
Next week there will be.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Tuesday March 24, 2015
Spent most of the afternoon and night writing and sending out query letters to different publications. I had a backlog of pieces to send out, so I had a business day of research and writing. Very stressful.
Approximately one thousand (1,000) words.
But at least it's done.
Now, back to the actual writing...
Approximately one thousand (1,000) words.
But at least it's done.
Now, back to the actual writing...
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Week Ending March 22, 2015
One poem today: 246 words.
1,345 words on Wednesday.
1,345 + 246 = 1,591.
Assorted almost-sent query letters would round it up to 2,000 words for the week.
Not very good, but considering the week I had, especially at work...
I'm not feeling bad about it.
One finished short story, and one finished poem, and a few finished query letters.
Really not bad for the week I had, and I've done much worse than this.
I'll do better. I must do better.
But I'll definitely take 2,000 words for this week, and those finished pieces.
1,345 words on Wednesday.
1,345 + 246 = 1,591.
Assorted almost-sent query letters would round it up to 2,000 words for the week.
Not very good, but considering the week I had, especially at work...
I'm not feeling bad about it.
One finished short story, and one finished poem, and a few finished query letters.
Really not bad for the week I had, and I've done much worse than this.
I'll do better. I must do better.
But I'll definitely take 2,000 words for this week, and those finished pieces.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
March 18, 2015
Spent 7 hours editing, re-editing, and partially re-writing a short story. But I turned an okay one into a really good one, I think, with a much better Voice and flow. I'd always been a bit disappointed in this one, and now I'm not.
3,350 words, at first.
Then, 3,240 words.
Finally, 2,690 words.
When you take out that many words, but still show and say the same thing, it's got to be better.
Since the ultimate goal here is to produce marketable writing, I'll make a guesstimate about the number of new words for today, and then send out the story.
I'll say...half of the final total.
So...1,345 words.
I hope to announce, soon, on another blog, http://stevespublishedwork.blogspot.com/, that this story has sold somewhere. Wish it luck!
3,350 words, at first.
Then, 3,240 words.
Finally, 2,690 words.
When you take out that many words, but still show and say the same thing, it's got to be better.
Since the ultimate goal here is to produce marketable writing, I'll make a guesstimate about the number of new words for today, and then send out the story.
I'll say...half of the final total.
So...1,345 words.
I hope to announce, soon, on another blog, http://stevespublishedwork.blogspot.com/, that this story has sold somewhere. Wish it luck!
Monday, March 9, 2015
March 9, 2015
Very exciting. New short story I started today, after reading John Cheever's very good--and very strange--"Torch Song." Give it a read.
I have no idea why reading Cheever's work compels me to start a short story that only just barely, maybe, resembles something of his. This is the third time; the other two--non-genre pieces--have sold. (Knock on wood.) Anyway, one does not question what stirs awake the Muse. Or tunes in to my antenna. Or whatever.
You take it and you run with it.
I ran with it.
Short story, tentatively named "Tito's." 2,179 words.
That's over 2,500 words in the past 24 hours.
If only that could always be the way.
But...why can't it?
I have no idea why reading Cheever's work compels me to start a short story that only just barely, maybe, resembles something of his. This is the third time; the other two--non-genre pieces--have sold. (Knock on wood.) Anyway, one does not question what stirs awake the Muse. Or tunes in to my antenna. Or whatever.
You take it and you run with it.
I ran with it.
Short story, tentatively named "Tito's." 2,179 words.
That's over 2,500 words in the past 24 hours.
If only that could always be the way.
But...why can't it?
March 8, 2015
Been sick with severe inflammation, seemingly everywhere. I know I'm supposed to write when I'm sick. I know, I know...
Chapter 47. Very short chapter. 439 words.
BTW, should blog entries count? If they do, I've done a few thousand more words in the past few days.
Chapter 47. Very short chapter. 439 words.
BTW, should blog entries count? If they do, I've done a few thousand more words in the past few days.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
February 28, 2015
I've found, to my dismay, that I'm more of a weekend writer when the career is in full swing during the week. Like it was this week, when it seemed I had 27 heads and 300 arms, and it all still wasn't enough to do what I had to do. But at least I'm still writing.
Chapter 46. 2,023 words.
This chapter I'd feared for a week, but when I sat my butt down, it was smooth-sailing, very visual, and fun. I don't know why I get anxious, still, but I do. Maybe it's a good thing--shows I care, right?
Chapter 46. 2,023 words.
This chapter I'd feared for a week, but when I sat my butt down, it was smooth-sailing, very visual, and fun. I don't know why I get anxious, still, but I do. Maybe it's a good thing--shows I care, right?
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
February 23, 2015
1,305 words of a baseball piece, about how Jason Bay became terrified in my presence at Fenway Park, at the 2009 Boston Red Sox Picnic in the Park. About half-done.
P.S.--I wasn't the one who terrified him, in case you were wondering.
P.S.--I wasn't the one who terrified him, in case you were wondering.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
February 15, 2015
Well, it's been almost a year. I've written a lot since then: four or five short stories, almost twenty chapters of my WIP, countless other things...but it still felt a bit slow to me, and I languished at this like I feel I have at my writing, though people tell me I'm being more productive than I think I am.
Common, life-long curse.
I've been on a roll lately, though, and writers are loathe to break whatever's working well. But I came across this blog again, and I felt I needed to either use it or lose it. I'm not ready, for some reason, to lose it, so...
Chapter 42. 880 words.
Common, life-long curse.
I've been on a roll lately, though, and writers are loathe to break whatever's working well. But I came across this blog again, and I felt I needed to either use it or lose it. I'm not ready, for some reason, to lose it, so...
Chapter 42. 880 words.
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