It's been a while since I last posted. I had some big decisions to make concerning direction. I was trying to do too many things at once, work on the novel and attempt to get into every anthology going lol and every comp too. Then it hit me, I could have all the time in the world to do the shorts and the comps AFTER I got the novel done and had it doing it's month settle before re-writes. So that's where I've been and glad to say there's light at the end of the tunnel. The Osseous Box is running at 90k words and the end is in sight. I've a 2 week holiday coming up and have been granted full permission by the wife to bring the laptop along and 'get the damn thing finished' First draft is looking to run at about 110k, but by the time I've done the old wheat from the chaff bit and tore out everything that doesn't move the story along it'll land at about 85-90k.
I have to admit it's been more fun than I thought, expanding on the characters, bringing in new ones and making the whole Osseous Box world a lot bigger, more of an adventure, instead of the characters just turning up where they needed to be I've been able to walk with them, drive with them, like turning a black and white world to a colour one. Just looking forward to typing 'THE END'
Laters, Lee
Keep going, Lee. I know what you mean about loking forward to those two final words - but it's important not to rush it. Just because you know how it pans out, your reader has to be lead gently along, adding to the suspense.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing the jubilation when the final fullstop is in place!
(I'm cheering from the sidelines ;-) )
Good to hear you're still in the land of the living.
ReplyDeleteI admire the slog, Lee. It'll be worth it.
Good luck with getting it finished! It is tough, trying to find the time to write, and also to keep up blogs etc so as to make sure there are keen readers waiting for the finished product. it's tough being a writer...but it's worth it!
ReplyDeleteSue, I can promise it's not been rushed, it's been something that's been in the works for a long time on and off in various guises.
ReplyDeleteCheers Lil
90K? What in God's name is that? I'm lucky I just got over 15K of words!
ReplyDeleteAll joking aside, well done for getting that far and keep at it. That's a word count I can only dream of.
Pixie
Lee, glad to hear you are nearing the end...keep going, it will be well worth it in the end!!
ReplyDeleteHaving read the first dozen or so in the series, I'm confident someone will pick it up, fella (then throw it int bin! :)) Joking of course. It's pure quality - as gripping a read as TKnC has had. Well done on your word count, bud, n hats off to yer missus for letting you take the laptop away. She can party while you write lol.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you found your direction and stuck to it. And I'm with you on writing the long stuff: developing the characters, putting them in situations you can't always do in a short...it's a blast.
ReplyDeleteCongrats and good luck with the final draft.
Congrats Lee, and I look forward to you writing THE END too, cos that means its that much closer for me to read!
ReplyDeleteCheering you on, buddy. Let the words come freely and punish yourself later...on the editing. LOL
ReplyDeletePS>......this just in...HOWL is up for a COVEY COVER AWARD! http://thenewcoveyawards.blogspot.com/ It's posted as entry 25. I think everyone can vote, so lets put the word out folks.
ReplyDeleteGood luck dude! Sending best wishes as I type. Looking forward to seeing it on the shelves.
ReplyDeleteHi there! There's an award waiting for you at Randomities. :)
ReplyDeleteErr, hope you won't mind the color, heh.
http://bit.ly/plethora_award