Shocking Update

I'm more surprised than you are by that number. The amount of time it took me to write that was ridiculously short and it is very frustrating that I didn't do more. I'm nearly done with the first draft and it is by now means "finished", meaning that it needs a lot of work, but it is going to be done soon.

The feeling is an odd one. I can do this in my sleep and there were times in the last month that I felt that is what I was doing. Some of the words suck but overall, I'm pleased with the outcome of the story. I know what to do now and the end is in sight.

In case you're wondering, it is the same feeling you get when you've driven for 800 miles with only potty breaks and fuel breaks. Yes, the very same one. I've done that kind of drive a few times and I know what I'm talking about.

When I write THE END, I will start on the next story I want to finish. If I can get the drafts all finished, I have something to actually work with. That's a goal, right?

To my friend, Doug, it won't be done by July 1 but it will be darn close. Then, I'm going out of town for a week.

My writing has been more sporadic but what I'm finding is that I have to have a prod. Someone has to poke me with a stick. Alice has done that for me on this story, virtually since I began it. She sort of slacked off for a couple of years but I think she got disgusted with me not writing. So, she's not stuck me as much as she used to. And she does, after all, have a life. She recently moved back to Florida and is working, so she's busy. Still, her sporadic pokes have kept me moving forward.

Now I'm going to have to find someone as demanding as Alice to fill in the gaps.

Most Abused Punctuation

You can find the original info graphic and link at Grammarcheck.net

Check out the Infographic Here!

A Good Day's Work

That's the number of words written today in Hidden in the Mist. Not a bad day's count and I think the words were pretty good ones for the most part. It actually took me less than 2 hrs to do it so it is really good work.

We're in the homestretch now. I should be done in less than 10k words, maybe 5K. That would be nice. I'm at 94,000 already. My original word count expectation was 100,000 words and I reduced it to 90,000 because I didn't think there would be that much but the story took a turn and now... well, I'm almost to my original count. And I'm almost DONE with this mess! The only real annoyance is that I'd rather be done with a novel I actually like.

I've not had a good month so far and it is shaping up to be a total disaster in many ways. The car is in the shop. The house insurance payment didn't go thru and they've canceled it. I have to get both those fixed tomorrow! That insurance thing I've been trying to get resolved since mid-May and I'm ticked because they did this to me last year! I will be changing insurance companies next time.

My pain level is about maybe a 3. That's tolerable. I didn't get enough sleep last night and was up before I actually started hurting this morning. Maybe that's the trick? Still, I feel tired, despite lying around dozing for several hours this morning. I don't like doing that because I get nothing done! I haven't touched the paint in two weeks! That will never do.

So now to try and get a few words in one of the other novels. Or maybe I'll just do the next chapter in the same one. I'm not usually so prolific so I have to make hay while the sun shines.

Speaking of... today is a gorgeous day. The temperature is 81 right now with a gentle breeze and bright blue skies. I'm on the back patio under the red umbrella and I don't want to leave anytime soon.

I hope you find your perfect spot today and can enjoy it. Try and write something new or work on something old.