The Highway West: First Draft Complete

New words: 4,000 or so
Total words: 90,540

During my lunch break today, I finished the first complete draft of the Highway West. This book has been my personal Vietnam. I started trying to write it 15 years ago and made a couple of stabs at it since then.

I decided at the end of last year that I was going to win this story. And by that, I was going to finish this story.

I started writing at the end of December. It took giving up a table-top game to get my head in the game and missing out on a number of events.

My friends supported me and cheered me on when I neede it.

Granted, I still need to run through my polish pass for the last three chapters, but I finished. (Note: I tend to write three or so chapters at a time and then to break up the writing return back and polish the words. I know it goes against the grain for most writers but this works for me. I feel like I trick my mind into thinking I'm getting more done.)

The Highway West: First Draft Complete

New words: 4,000 or so
Total words: 90,540

During my lunch break today, I finished the first complete draft of the Highway West. This book has been my personal Vietnam. I started trying to write it 15 years ago and made a couple of stabs at it since then.

I decided at the end of last year that I was going to win this story. And by that, I was going to finish this story.

I started writing at the end of December. It took giving up a table-top game to get my head in the game and missing out on a number of events.

My friends supported me and cheered me on when I neede it.

Granted, I still need to run through my polish pass for the last three chapters, but I finished. (Note: I tend to write three or so chapters at a time and then to break up the writing return back and polish the words. I know it goes against the grain for most writers but this works for me. I feel like I trick my mind into thinking I'm getting more done.)

Things On the Writing List

The best part about writing a novel is the joy of writing an extended story and getting to know your characters.

The horrible part about writing a novel is that I've learned I have to put my head down and stick with it and writing nothing else. Plot bunnies become my enemies. I spent 3.5 months writing the first draft of the Highway West and now I have a long list of ideas.

I started running through the usual sites trying to generate a list of places to submit. I think I have three anthologies coming otu this month, which feels weird since I haven't submitted a short since December or so.\

I have a creepy, creepy idea for a future Lovecraftian story. It will take science research which is always a joy.

Things On the Writing List

The best part about writing a novel is the joy of writing an extended story and getting to know your characters.

The horrible part about writing a novel is that I've learned I have to put my head down and stick with it and writing nothing else. Plot bunnies become my enemies. I spent 3.5 months writing the first draft of the Highway West and now I have a long list of ideas.

I started running through the usual sites trying to generate a list of places to submit. I think I have three anthologies coming otu this month, which feels weird since I haven't submitted a short since December or so.\

I have a creepy, creepy idea for a future Lovecraftian story. It will take science research which is always a joy.