It’s been a quiet week as far as writing is concerned. I’m ashamed to say I don’t have much to update you on. I’d say for some inexplicable reason, but I really do think it’s because of the amount of work I put in over November and NaNoWriMo, that I have been completely wiped out.
What I have done is take a step back and read the NaNo project to see what state it is in and how I go about finishing it. I finished the read-through yesterday and as far as the story goes, it’s not too bad. There’s definitely some editing to do. Writing fast has meant it’s quite a messy first draft, but it’s nothing I can’t fix.
I did do some work on the editing project this week and I made some real leaps with it. I have added some depth to my character, which I think might have been lacking and now I have to “read” a couple of audiobooks to learn about a hobby my character has. Last night I sent the remainder of the manuscript to my kindle to read so I could figure out what is wrong with that section and I’m hoping I’m close to finishing this project. Another week and a half maybe.
The NaNo project, well, I have to finish writing it – it’s currently sitting at 61,000 words. I don’t have far to go, my novels usually sit in the 70+,000 area. Then I have to do my edits to tidy it up before I send it to my editor, who is expecting it sometime this month. So I need to pick up a bit now. I can’t have another slow week like I’ve had this past week. I need to pull my finger out now. I need to write the end of the NaNo novel and I need to edit the other project.
This is where my health interrupts my writing life though. This is where you see in real time how there are highs and lows. You saw the highs, you saw me doing NaNoWriMo and doing well, and now, this past week, you’ve seen I’ve barely progressed anything. My health really kicked me and laid me low. I didn’t have the energy to do anything. I couldn’t read, I couldn’t write, I couldn’t even listen to audiobooks without my eyes closing. I was utterly empty. There was nothing I could do to combat it. I just had to ride it out.
Here’s to a better week. Here’s to progressing with at least one of the projects. I was supposed to be close to finishing them both by now and I feel a world away.
Let me know what your week has been like…
After the pressure of Nano, I reckon you deserve some quiet time. The brain never stops though, does it? Sounds like it was worth it though…
Rebecca, I’d be interested to know how you work with your editor and the process of going through the manuscript until it’s finalised to both your satisfaction. Maybe you’ll write a post about it, thanks.
I’m really impressed you got through NaNo, Rebecca. Now is definitely the time to step back and take stock, so to speak. Then you can get to the editing, etc…
I’m sure NaNo would wipe out anyone so don’t feel bad about it. Instead, bask in the glow of satisfaction at having done it ????