Back to NaNoWriMo Challenge

 It's been two months since the release of my last novel, Reunion of Familiar Strangers, the fifth book in the John Ross Boomer Lit series.

Now it's time to move on after spending time promoting the book, and frankly, taking a breather from writing. For those who follow this blog, you may have noticed this is my first post since Sept. 1.  

But while the creative writing was put on hold,  I've done some research in the interim as part of the preparation for my next novel in the series.

So tomorrow (Nov. 1), I'll take on the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge of writing a novel in 30 days. I've participated in four challenges since  2012, and each produced a published work.

The goal is to average 1,667 words a day for the entire month to reach 50,000 words. I've never written a 50k novel, so I continue until the first draft is completed. Sometimes that runs through December and into the first weeks of the new year. I usually end up with more than 75k words, and I add and subtract from that while going through several rewrites/revisions before the work is completed to my initial satisfaction.

What I like about the plunge is that it keeps me focused on writing each and every day. I've always been an early riser so that's what I'll turn my attention to every morning after I feed my dogs and get some coffee in my system to clear the cobwebs in my head.

Are any of you taking on the challenge?

Until the next time . . .

Seven Rewrites and Nearing the End

I met a self-imposed deadline for completing the seventh rewrite of my work in progress by June 30. 

But what I learned, in the end, is that I've got another rewrite or two before I can send the manuscript to my editor. I'm not sure if this is the agony of writing, making the necessary changes to improve the story, but it's the only way of getting things done.

As with the previous rewrites, I've added scenes and deleted scenes, added dialogue and deleted dialogue, tightened the narrative . . . well, you get the idea, just about everything.

I added about 5k words to the manuscript, and now it totals more than 78k. The first draft was only about 48k, so it's grown quite a bit over the past 11 months.

If all works out to plans (and it seldom does), I hope to finish the manuscript by the end of July. I see one more rewrite 

and then a fast read before I send this fourth installment of the "John  Ross Boomer Lit" series on the way to my publisher. 

I'll confess that it's never taken me this long to write a draft and get it ready for publication. It's usually about a six-month endeavor.

But because of the pandemic, and other things going on in my life, I found that I got more distracted than usual. I don't know if it's an age thing, or simply me, but my concentration levels aren't what they used to be. I guess it's a combination of the two since I'm certainly not getting any younger.

Furthermore, and most importantly, I wasn't pleased with where the story was going and had to make a few major changes. I hope it's smooth sailing the rest of the way (more wishful thinking on my part).

Until the next time

Still Plodding and Plotting Along on Manuscript

Taking longer than expected, I've completed a line edit on a printed copy of my work in progress. 

It took about six weeks, which was about six times longer than I thought it would. I have a bagful of excuses but will save them for another post if folks are interested. 

What I'll do now is make the red-marked changes to the manuscript along with other notations about transitional sentences and paragraphs, expanding passages, and filling some plot holes on the pages. 

I like a printed copy because it seems more like reading a book if that makes any sense. I have an author friend who also prints his manuscript, but with margins similar to a book page. I'm too lazy for that, plus I like to conserve on the paper.

I do hope to complete this next task in the next week unless unforeseen problems hamper my progress. I am staying semi-quarantined during the coronavirus pandemic so that should help me stay focused. Unless I get contract the disease.

So if all goes well, the fourth novel in my John Ross Boomer Lit series may see the light of day in 2020. 

Until the next time . . . 

WIP Update: On to the Editor

After seven rewrites and revisions, and a few last-minute tweaks and deletes, my manuscript was sent to my editor today.

I informed her yesterday that I'd be forwarding the 67k words to her. She replied that she was looking forward to a good read. I hope she's not disappointed. 

The first draft was 37k words, so it's grown another 30k in the past four months or so. I thought I would be able to finish it in three or four rewrites, but that was not to be. Every time I went through the manuscript, I added another layer to the story, be it a subplot, new character, or plot expansion.

I read an interview with chef Ina Garten, the "Barefoot Contessa," yesterday and she quoted noted journalist Bob Woodward as saying, "It's not that I ever finish a book, I just stop working on it."

I couldn't find the quote after a web search, but I understand the reasoning behind it. There comes a time when you have to say to yourself, "Enough is enough," and hand the manuscript over to your publisher. 

One of the great things about writing a series—this book is the third in the John Ross Boomer Lit Series—is that I can pick up where I left off. I've already written the first draft to the fourth book, and know what I plan to do in the fifth. 



I've got a title for the new novel but won't disclose that until the contract is signed and I'm working on her edits.

And if all goes to plan, the novel will be published in the first half of 2019. And perhaps the fourth book in the second half of the year. No pun intended, but time will tell if those goals come to fruition. 



At least the manuscript is out of my hands for a few weeks. It's time to take a break.

Until the next time . . .

WIP Update: Sixth Rewrite

Just a post to let everyone know that I'm alive and still working on my ninth novel. I'm about a fourth of the way into the manuscript, the sixth rewrite that I hope to complete by the end of next week.

It is my intention to be finished with it and send it on to my editor. If all goes well, and it seldom does, I'd like for it to be published next spring by Wings ePress. In a few weeks I'll let you know the title to the third installment in the John Ross Boomer Lit series.

There's not much to add about the process, other than tightening the narrative, fixing the dialogue, developing a few of the characters, revising a few passages, something that's addressed in every rewrite and revision. 

I wanted to have it in my editor's hands about a month ago, but life got in the way as it usually does. But I tried to minimize the distractions, when possible, and work daily on the manuscript except (don't you just love that word?) when I took a few days off between rewrites to give my tired eyes and burned-out brain a break. 

I think it's wise to take some time off before delving back into writing so that you can look at it with fresh eyes and renewed perspective. And daily naps help as well at my age.

And as I've noted before, if the manuscript doesn't read right or feel right, it'll go through another rewrite, or more, until I touch the send key.

Until the next time . . .  

WIP Update: Rewrite and Editing Software

I've been sitting on my work in progress for more than two weeks and haven't lifted a finger on the keyboard to give it a second look. 

I know some folks who have waited months, perhaps even a year or so, before going back to a first draft. The longest period for me was five months.

I'll probably venture back into the manuscript very soon. While I haven't looked at it, there has been some mental activity about the novel, the third book in my John Ross Boomer Lit series. And I have done some research as well, taking down a few notes so I can hit the manuscript running when the time comes to begin serious rewrite.

I've also looked into to some editing tools to supplement what's already installed on my computer. I'm giving serious thought to the Hemingway App program. It appears simple and easy to use, things that I find very attractive at this point in my life. And it's affordable at $19.99, which makes it even more attractive to my frugal eyes. If I decide to splurge, I'll let you know how it works out.

I've read about other programs but they seem to do more than what I want for my manuscript. I keep handwritten notecards and notebooks (even a few scribbles on Post-it notes) about characters, places, and other items that I can easily access. 

Furthermore, I don't like going back and forth within a program. It might be an age thing (you know, light on tech savvy) but I don't want all the bells and whistles. I did try a program a few years back that was more trouble than what it was worth (and it was free).

You can call me old fashion, and you'd probably be close to the mark. I get more that way as the weeks, months, and years fly by. 

Here are a couple sites that rate programs: Click here for a list of top 10 creative writing software programs and click here to see a top six list. 

Any recommendations out there?  

Until the next time . . . 

Progress Report -- Fourth Draft Completed

I've finished the fourth draft of my work in progress. I believe my self-imposed deadline of Jan. 31 is an achievable goal. 

The manuscript is nearly 92,000 words; an increase of about 5k after the third draft. Will it continue to grow? Possibly, but my focus in the fifth rewrite will be to trim excess narrative and dialogue, remove pointless subplots, correct typos, fix grammatical mistakes, and rewrite anything that hinders the flow of the story.

The first thing I did, after completing the latest draft, was to print it. Coming from a background in the news business, I like marking up hard copy (preferably with a red pen) and being able to physically flip pages, rather than going back and forth with pages on a computer screen, while editing. I sometimes lose a sense of direction on the computer, especially after several rewrites.

If things go well, and I'm crossing my fingers, I'll have two more reads on the copy before sending it to my editor.  

And if not, I'll continue to work on the manuscript until I'm completely satisfied that it's ready for an  editor's eyes. 

Until the next time. . . 

 

Progress Report -- Third Draft Completed

I've now completed three drafts of my manuscript. Please hold the applause because I'm only about halfway through the process of turning a story into a published novel.

The third rewrite added about 7,000 more words, bringing the total to about 87k. The first draft had about 70k words.  It grew because I've been filling in gaps and holes. As I've posted before (as well as countless other authors), the idea is to get your story down in the first draft, warts and all, then go back and clean and fix it up.


I'll be starting on the fourth draft a couple hours after I post this to my blog (and eat breakfast, play with the doggies, do a few chores, etc.). I can see the manuscript grow another 3k if scenes need to be expanded. I may even add more subplots and backstory along the way.

Or it could have fewer words after going through the chapters if I find passages that should be deleted or rewritten. Dialogue will also be scrutinized.


During the last rewrite, I took copious notes to help me navigate through the manuscript. I also made revisions and edits along the way. It's a time-consuming process but something that has to be done--by the writer.

My hope to is go over the manuscript one more time, followed by a deep read to make sure it flows (and makes sense), and then forward it to my editor, by the end of this month, for her edits and comments.


Until the next time. . .  

Progress Report -- Second Draft

I've started on the second draft of my work in progress, a sequel to "Old Ways and New Days."

The past few days have been spent rereading OWND, going over old notes, making new notes and reviewing research to make sure everything flows.

It will take me a week or so to go over the manuscript, then I will go over it again and again (probably eight more times). My goal is to have it completed and ready for the publisher by the first of the year.

My editor at Wings ePress will spend a week or so, maybe longer, going over the manuscript and return it to me for edits and perhaps a few suggestions to strengthen the story. The process takes several weeks, or longer.   

One incentive is to have it ready for the Southern Kentucky Book Fest, in Bowling Green, on April 22. A  week later, I'll be participating in the seventh annual Authors Fair in La Grange, Ky.  

I don't mind the rewrites other than getting tired of going over the manuscript an eighth or ninth time. At that point you read things you think are there and overlook other things you believe aren't there. That's when a good editor steps in and sees things that are there, should be there or shouldn't be there. 

Back to the manuscript. 

Until the next time....

Progress Report -- First Draft

I've cleared a big hurdle on my work in progress -- the first draft. 

My goal was to have it completed by Oct. 31, so I was only one day off the mark. I've written nearly 71,000 words in the sequel to "Old Ways and New Days," which was published October 2015.

I'll probably sit on it a few days before going back for the first of several rewrites. I hope to have it ready for my publisher by the end of the year. Let me repeat that. I hope to have it ready...

During the next few days I'll skim over my notes on OWND and the new work, and probably give OWND a quick read to make sure I have everything down -- timeline, characters, scenes, subplots -- to expand and extend the story. There will be a new set of note cards and reference sheets to guide me along the way. It's kind of like being in school again.

The manuscript will probably grow during the rewrites. In the past, I've generally added 20,000 or more words to an overall count although I do some trimming, sometimes extensive, along the way as well. I prefer shorter novels, in the 75k range, but in the end, it's the story that really dictates how long it will be when it's ready to be published.  

It's an interesting and time-consuming process. But it can get tedious as well, especially when going over the manuscript nine or 10 times before turning it over to an editor. I must admit that I get tired of reading the words after about the fifth or sixth time. That's when a good editor is invaluable because they see things that you don't see or that you think you see on the screen.  

That's all for now. I'll keep you posted along the way to publication and beyond.

Until the next time.... 

On the Road Again (To Mount Rushmore and More)

My wife and I just returned from a nine-day vacation that involved driving more than 3,800 miles, covering nine states and many stops along the way.

Mary and Michael at majestic Mount Rushmore

We had always wanted to see Mount Rushmore but didn't want to make that long trip there without taking in some other sites. I also had read about the statues of U.S. presidents in Rapid City, South Dakota, which I had read about in a magazine.

One thing led to another, and we planned our trip for October, knowing it was off season at many places and we could explore without dealing with heavy traffic and throngs of other vacationers. And we went to expected and unexpected sites, the serious and silly, the traditional and offbeat.

I'll be making brief posts about our trip over the next few weeks. If you're interested in reading and seeing about the various places in America's Midwest and West, then stay tuned (and share and subscribe to blog).

As for working on my novel, as mentioned in my last post, I didn't write a word but the long drive did help in mentally reviewing what I've already written and plan to write in the next two weeks. And I do intend to finish it by the end of the month.

So come along for the ride.

Until the next time.....

Progress Report

I realize it's been three weeks since my last post but I've been making great strides on my work in progress. 

I've written every day since Sept. 1, nearly 35,000 words. I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the first tunnel (draft). If everything goes as planned, I should be finished by the end of the month. Maybe sooner.

As mentioned in previous posts, this is a sequel to "Old Ways and New Days." I will say that while it follows the trials and tribulations of protagonist John Ross as he deals with life as a retiree, much of the focus is on his self-centered son Brody. 

And his mother-in-law enters the story, bringing her stinging criticism to the story. His daughter, Chloe, is beginning to unravel a bit -- like we all do from time to time -- and wife Sally is finding that being an anchor often means you can sink. 

A problem I have now is that I'm heading off on vacation in a few days. I hope to write every day, probably on a legal pad, so I can keep up the momentum. And I do plan to enjoy the vacation as well as my wife and I plan a road trip to various places in the Midwest that are on our bucket list. 

Until the next time...

On Again

My work in progress, a sequel to Old Ways and New Days, has been a real pain in the you know what. It's been on again, off again, on again, off again, and now it's back on again. 

I've been back in the writing groove the past few days, producing several thousand words as the story is becoming more clear in my head. By the way, I'm a panster and mental plotter.

I believe what jump started the process is reading a mystery novel. I got into the story from the get-go, and after several chapters, I went back and reviewed what I had written. 

Needless to say, I wasn't happy with what I read. It was sluggish, and to be honest, downright boring.  

So I rewrote the first chapter and everything has changed. I'm writing every day. 

Now to keep on keeping on.

Until the next time....

Back to the Manuscript: Part Eight

I completed the fifth rewrite of my work in progress and there's still more work to do before it's ready to submit to the publisher.

I made quite a few changes during the rewrite, specifically to a some subplots, several characters, and dialogue. I also had to do additional research on medical issues in the story.

There are still a couple subplots that need to be resolved or eliminated. I'm still unsure which direction to go. I hope that can be fixed on the sixth rewrite.

And the manuscript grew another 3,000 words despite cutting out several passages. Why the increase? Mainly because there is much more showing than telling now.

I'll begin working on the sixth rewrite later today. It'll probably take a week to get through it. 

Pardon the cliche, but the end is in sight. 

Under the next time....

Back to the Manuscript: Part Seven

I've completed the fourth rewrite of my manuscript and there's more work to be done to get it ready for publication. 

But the end is in sight.

As mentioned in my last post, I moved copy from the first third of the manuscript to the end. I'm satisfied with the change since it provides -- I hope -- a stronger emotional impact and ties everything together for a memorable ending. I know there will be a few tweaks but the foundation of beginning, middle and end is set.

Because of moving copy,  I had to rewrite other parts of the manuscript. Most of the writing now has to do with the timeline, which I will focus on when I go back to it -- today. There are still a few loose ends that need to be addressed but that's a standard part of the process. When I'm at this stage of editing, it's a daily process until it's transformed from a work in progress to a finished work.

I added nearly 4,000 words during the fourth rewrite that included deleting passages and tightening dialogue; I wouldn't be surprised if there will be another 4k or so when I'm finished, increasing the total to more than 75k.

I'll also give more attention to coming up with the right title for the novel. That's not easy. The working title has been "New Horizons," but after some thought, I'm not sure it reflects the essence of the story. Furthermore, there are several titles out there, fiction and nonfiction, with the similar or variations of horizon/horizons.

I want to come up with something that will make the book stand out among the thousands of titles out there. I hope to have one of those "voila" moments where it pops out and smacks me across the face -- a real knockout for a title. 

Now to work on the fifth rewrite.

Until the next time...

Back to the Manuscript: Part Six

I've completed the third rewrite of my work in progress. It needed more work than what I thought. 

When I returned to it this week I ended up moving two chapters from the first third of the manuscript to the end. I was never satisfied with how the story ended and this gives it a much stronger and compelling close. 

Of course, that means that I have to rework some other chapters but that's part of the process. I wish I could write a polished first draft that didn't need any work, but that's wishful thinking. 

I even deleted some extraneous passages to make it tighter and improve the flow. Any time you're involved in rewrites, you eliminate needless words, phrases, and cliches.

There were also some inconsistencies I hadn't noticed before that needed to be corrected. I keep a notebook and index cards on my desk to help me keep things straight. That saves time searching through the manuscript, which can be a time-killer. There's software that can help, but I'm afraid that I'd be so involved in inputting data that it'd take me away from writing. 

My tentative goal is to be finished with the rewrites by the end of the month, then submit the manuscript to my publisher. From there, it will get reviewed by a critical set of eyes, go through a few more (minor, I hope) changes, and evolve into a published work. 

Until the next time...

Back to the Manuscript -- Part Five

After taking a two-week break, I've returned to my work in progress. 

I must admit that it was nice to get away from the manuscript. Why? Because for 11 days I was vacationing in the European cities of London, Paris and Roma. (More about my travel adventure in later posts).

Agatha Christie memorial in London (sorry for the horizontal placement)

For me, there's nothing like going to another environment, atmosphere, or whatever you call it -- perhaps an escape -- to get reinvigorated. And what better places than London, Paris and Roma to re-energize the body and soul! 

Honore Balzac statue in Paris

While I tried to totally immerse myself into the rich culture of those cities, during down times I couldn't help but think about the manuscript, especially during the 10-hour flights to and from Europe.  I even discussed my work with several of my fellow travelers, which provided even more focus on what I'm trying to accomplish.

When I opened the manuscript file this morning, I found renewed energy to go full bore in reworking some passages, dialogue, descriptions and so forth.  I know it will be much better after this third rewrite -- which is the ultimate goal.

Until the next time....

Back to the Beginning

My current work in progress remains a work in progress, but I'm going back to the beginning of the manuscript.

As mentioned in previous posts, the storyline has drifted way off in a different direction from where it started. So my plan is to make this either a serial or two separate novels. It could even evolve into more than two. Time will tell.

The problem, if it is one, is that a subplot has developed into a major storyline. That's what happens, at least with me, when characters grow and develop. 

That being said, my other novels contain elements that could be developed into another novel. I've often been asked if I plan to do sequels to particular novels. That's always a possibility although I prefer to break ground with new stories.  

With this manuscript, I plan to go back to the beginning and start the edit and rewrite while continuing to work on the second storyline. 

Of course, I don't know how all this will end. I may have two novels or perhaps scrap one or both of the stories if I'm not satisfied with the end result(s).

You might even say it's the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning or new beginnings. Whatever, I'm looking forward to reaching the end.

Until the next time...

Crossing the Bridge

Back in 1979, German writer Michael Ende published the fantasy novel, "The Neverending Story," which was made into a movie five years later.

My current work-in-progress could be called the same at this point. It's not the same story as Mr. Ende's wonderful novel. It's that I've written about 70,000 words with no end in sight (maybe that should be the title -- "No End in Sight"). 

While watching a television program called "Kentucky Muse" on Kentucky Educational Television a few nights ago, there was a segment that featured author and friend Sheila Williams, of Newport, Ky.

Williams, who has written three popular novels, mentioned that a difficult part in the writing process is when you get to a certain point and needing a transition to finish the manuscript. She compared it to being on the edge of a canyon and needing a bridge to cross over to the other side.

That's the point I'm finding myself right now. I feel like I'm still stuck in the middle. I need to start finding something -- a bridge -- to turn the novel toward resolution. The only way to do that is to keep on writing until that I see that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

Bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver, who was raised in Kentucky, was quoted as saying that sometimes you don't find the beginning of a story until the 100th page of the manuscript. And that very well could be what has happened to me since I'm at a place miles away from where I started on Nov. 1. 

As noted in an earlier post, I can see this work becoming a two- or three-part series. I guess I'll find out...one of these days.

There was a movie released in 2000 called "Wonder Boys," based on Michael Chabon's 1995 novel of the same name, and starring Michael Douglas. Douglas played a writer, Grady Tripp, who couldn't finish his second novel for various and sundry reasons. 

I certainly don't want that to happen to me so I'll continue writing until I reach the end--wherever that may be.

 

Until the next time...

 

NaNoWriMo -- Week One

I survived the first week of National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo.

I've written 11,382 words in seven days, an average of 1,626 per day. The target is 1,667 a day, so I'm pretty much on course to reach 50,000 by Nov. 30. 

While I have stayed focused, writing several hours each morning, the work-in-progress should start picking up steam as I'm getting more into a groove with the story.

As noted before, this is a boomer-lit novel, dealing with issues facing older folks (they say to write what you know about). 

The story did drag on days 4 and 5, but I continued to let the words flow, regardless of the direction. That's always something to keep in mind when writing a first draft because you can always go back and rewrite or delete passages, quotes, or anything you heart desires. 

And it's not that painful because you realize that some of the things you're putting on the screen isn't very good. In fact, some of it is awful. 

But by continuing to write through the rough parts, you are knocking down writer's block and other mental obstacles that stand in your way. It's kind of empowering. 

I'll post something again next Friday to let you know how things are going. It will be interesting because I have a book signing tomorrow and a family event on Sunday, but I'll be up bright and early each day to write.

Until the next time...