why would you do this?

Day four.

On day four, I have mixed feelings. Because I'm working on two novels, rather than one, I'm around 7000 words short of where I need to be for the day. Oh, I'll knock out another couple thousand before I leave to go home, but I'm still aware of being behind.

I've identified a major problem in the first project, and in doing so, I think that it can be remedied. It's just a matter of taking out the emotion and relaying more of the facts. Some of that, of course, can be done in the re-write and editing process. I'm probably further along than I'm currently counting, as I have notes galore and thoughts to incorporate that I just... haven't yet. Day two was brilliant, and I was totally feeling it, but now... now it just isn't coming so easily. I think I have plans for a scene to work on, but we'll see when I get there.

Project two is a lot easier to write, and every day brings new discoveries of characters and players and plot twists and details that I'd not known before. I believe in this story, even if I know that I'm not currently writing at 100 percent. I know that I can go back later and flesh it out more, find the right words, do a little less meandering and add some extra personality.

The biggest problem that I have, I find, is that I'm trying to force out the words I want instead of just putting down the ones that are already there. Perhaps part of the novelling adventure is following the twists and turns that your characters and plotline provide for you. You know, giving up control and going with the flow. Kicking back, letting loose, and trusting that it will all come together in the end. If that's the case, November will be a month of long lessons, because I've never been too good at surrendering control...

posted by overeducated, underpaid @ 7:44 PM