Week 1 in the Book(s)

Hi all. I would like to start off by saying thank you to all who have given me words of encouragement. I knew going public would motivate me. I wrote over 1000 words on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I must admit there were times I thought perhaps I could take today off since I did go over my limit. But I didn’t. In fact, today I was nine words shy of 2000. The possible distraction of the internet, phone, and reading other books can be overwhelming when I find myself stuck. I battled through it and made myself a promise that I am not allowed to do anything until AFTER I have written my minimum.

I am taking the advice of a couple of authors. Both of them said just write and don’t be the editor until you have completed the first draft. This is not easy for a writer like me. I am soooooo dying to go back and read what I have written so I can ‘fix’ it. My wife has been, as Stephen King calls it, my IR (Ideal Reader), she has made some notes on areas of confusion or where I might have used the wrong word. Overall I think this plan of just writing is working well for me. It keeps me in the creative area instead of trying to jump from editor, to critic, to writer.

I must give mention a couple of books here that have been magical this week: Elizabeth Sims’, You’ve Got a Book in You, and The Emotions Thesaurus, by Ackerman and Puglisi. The ability to use this type of thesaurus has been invaluable. When I am looking to show what the character is feeling rather than just tell the reader this has been huge in getting those creative juices flowing. Sims book is just a good old fashion motivator. It reminds me of how I felt when reading King’s book On Writing minus feeling inadequate since I can’t pump out a bestseller every other week. Still, I love reading Stephen King and this is a must read for anyone who is a fan.

My workstation is not cluttered enough to leave you with a new picture of it. Even I can’t make that big of a mess in a week. I just love George Washington and leave you with one of my happy places, Mt. Rushmore.

I finished a new Chapter Four this week. My novel now consists of over 20,000 words. The scenes that take place in what was once Los Angeles are now complete. The main character and his new companions are entering unknown territory on the outskirts of the once great city. My wife read it and didn’t know what was coming – that made me feel good. It is so easy to fall into the trap of creating a plot that is predictable.

More to come, more to write…

God Bless