Once again, I fell into the same pattern of ignoring my website all for the sake of this novel I’ve been working on since 2013. However, a few weeks ago, after almost 12 years of writing, the first draft is finally complete.
Taking that break in December really helped me accomplish this milestone. If I had tried to finish by the end of 2024, I don’t think I could have done it. When I returned at the beginning of January, I still had roughly 3 or 4 chapters I still needed to write before it would be complete. I told myself I wanted to finish it by the end of that month. Last year, I averaged about 2 pages a day, roughly 1,000-1,500 each session. In January, I was pumping out 3 pages most days, with an average of about 1,500-2,000 words. Giving myself the space to clear my head absolutely attributed to finally completing it.
I feel relieved. A great weight has finally been lifted and I can finally breathe. Although, the hard part is just beginning: the revisions. I’ve already sat down and read the whole thing as a reader without taking notes to get a feel for the story. I was afraid it was going to be a complete mess given how much time has passed since I first started up until this point. It’s certainly a bit disjointed in some areas, but it’s not as bad as I expected it to be. The story is there, though it needs some attention. Some characters, including the two main characters, need to be fleshed out a bit more. I’ve already noted some areas that need improvement. Ideas are already starting to roll around in my head.
Next week, I am going to start the revisions in earnest. I have no idea how long it’s going to take, but I’d like to have a better version ready for my editor by the end of April, if at all possible.
That’s about all I’ve got for now. I’m also going to work harder to continue updating this website more often. Starting next week, I’m hoping to write 2 posts a week. I have a few ideas for some upcoming posts. I just need to start committing more. I might even start updating my progress on the revisions more often. Maybe every couple of weeks. I told myself I would write more this year, not just in my novel, but in other areas too. I’d also like to experiment with different content and not just reviews of books, movies or TV shows that I’ve experienced. Like everything in my life, it’s a work in progress.
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