Phew!
After noodling over the second draft for about three months, I finally got the darned thing done! I have my editor and alpha reader to thank for this: my editor, for reminding me that she has a ton of free time over the holidays to read it, so finish it already, and my alpha reader for promising to read it over this weekend if I could get it to him by noon today. Technically I got it to him at 12:15, but hopefully he’s willing to overlook the tardiness.
The first draft clocked in at 142,000 words, and I managed to get the second draft down to … drum roll … 110,000! There is still some chopping to be done, of course. I’d like to get it down into the 90,000 range, which is more reasonable for a quick-paced YA story, not to mention that forcing myself to get rid of ~15k words will make the story tighter and better. But I’m pretty proud of losing 30k words in one fell swoop. Hopefully I didn’t cut anything too important …
Anyway, draft 2 is off to my editor and alpha reader. I should hear back from my alpha reader by Monday (we’re doing lunch), but as for my editor … it could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. It’s difficult to say with her. It’s the off-season in the B&B world, so hopefully she’ll have lots of time to devote to tearing the manuscript apart. Fingers crossed!
In unrelated news, I’m still at my dad’s house for the holidays, hanging out with him and my brother and generally “chillaxing” as the young’uns like to say. We play a lot of Civ 5, go on walks in the frigid outdoors, and occasionally watch movies (just saw Jumanji yesterday — hilarious). I’ll be heading back to Nova Scotia this upcoming Tuesday, which hopefully will not be buried under a mountain of snow when I arrive.
Happy New Year to everyone! My resolution is to write every day. So far I’ve managed it, but we’ll see how that shapes up once I get into the busy B&B summer months. Maybe I should try getting up early and writing before I head downstairs to cook breakfast and clean. Then again, I’m so not a morning person, so maybe not.
Until next time!
Unrelated media of the day:
Every time I listen to this song, I want to conquer a foreign country. Possibly I’ve been playing too much Civ 5.
Michelle Proulx - Author 
Congrats on the successful end to the noodling.
Haha many thanks.
Congrats on finishing! You’re still way ahead of me. I haven’t finished anything yet. Not even the procrastinating.
Saw Jumanji too on the weekend. Jack Black as a girl in a middle aged man’s body was hilarious. And the peeing scene. I thought, are they going there? Yes… they are going there! Brilliant!
The beauty of procrastinating is that it never ends, so you don’t have to worry about finishing that. Acknowledging that victory is impossible is the first step to acceptance, which is, awkwardly, also the first step to victory.
Jumanji — yup, they totally went there. Jack Black was too funny; I spent a couple of scenes with my head buried in my hands because I couldn’t handle it (but I also loved it). I play various video games, so I liked the references they threw into them being in a video game world (NPCs, cut scenes, etc.).
Oh, good. That’s one load off my mind, re procrastination!
Yes, the game references were clever… i did pick them up, too, beng an avid gamer… Back in the 80’s…
I think I’m in the longest phase of procrastinating I’ve ever been in! Congrats for finishing the draft.Removing 32K is an impressive amount. Happy New Year!
I can’t tell if it’s impressive I managed to cut 32K, or it’s a worrying trend that I’m writing WAY too much nonsense that is easily chopped out, lol. On the other hand, what else is a first draft for, if not to let your thoughts flow onto the page and hope most of them are decent? Procrastination is my favorite state to be in, so you’re in good company 😀 I think I really need to start setting myself hard deadlines, because I don’t seem to be able to accomplish anything otherwise. I would never have gotten this draft done by last Friday if my alpha reader hadn’t sent me multiple messages reminding me to get it done, and threatening not to read it at all if I didn’t get it to him. I don’t think he was serious, but it was definitely motivational! Happy new year 🙂
I totally agree that first drafts are purging your thoughts onto the page. Organise them in future drafts.
Woo hoo – that’s exciting news!! Congrats on the slashfest! I’ll be looking forward to the finished product (it’s already on my wishlist and it’s not even finished yet!)
Yay! I am also looking forward to the finished project (lol). That feeling of holding a complete book in your hands, after years of effort … it really can’t be beat. I mean, I’m sure some things can beat it, but it’s definitely right up there 🙂
Nah, can’t think of anything beating it 😀
YAY!!!! Congratulations!