I haven't done a word count since January, so I figured I'd check in again and run da numbers on the ol' "novel" :

121,908

And it's only 3/5 of the way even marginally drafted. Or something.

Each word a priceless GEM!

Woo.

I fucked up my back yesterday somehow so I am staying home today. But the nature of my injury requires movement to feel better and in fact just to feel comfortable, so I need to take a good strenuous walk soon.

It's definitely muscular rather than discular. I hope.

Tags: book, word count

Just did a word count.

94,854

I don't think there's any way I can not finish it now, and the scary part is that I feel like there so much left to write. So, that could double.

In the second draft, I will be making cuts, though right now I can't imagine where. But it needs to be lean and mean. The thing is, I think that what I have so far moves at a good pace, not too fast, not too slow. I don't know.

I still kinda don't know what I'm doing. But it's exciting.

I wrote for five hours this morning, put down seven brand new pages. It went quickly, probably because it was stuff that's been sitting in my head for months. I think this particular chapter is going to get done pretty fast. I am enjoying writing it. It's fun to write about having a sister. I don't have one myself, so I get to write about one who is totally imagined. I gave her the name of a girl I knew in high school, a girl who was very self-assured and brilliant and funny and beautiful. I both admired and feared her. Plus she had an unusual name: Regan.

Tags: book, word count

OMG! Part One of my novel is done* !

Part Two is still only really half done. Part Three doesn't really exist outside my imagination yet.









* and by "done" I mean I have completed four chapters that are now finished enough to be called a proper first draft and can be read from start to finish by trusted friends. By "done" I mean that I don't think I need to add any more scenes, and I feel like the characters are all introduced coherently and are drawn very clearly. Of course it still needs a lot of work, but the overall framework is complete and I think it's pretty tight. Word count: 19,055.

Tags: book, word count

Haven't done this in awhile -- current word count is: 58,415

That's a lot of words! It's still a first draft, and only a third done.

I have been writing a lot this week, making quite a few major revisions, all of which I am pleased with. I am learning a lot from my advisors. It helps so much to have a couple sets of critical eyes to look at what has become so much a part of me that sometimes I guess I don't see the things that are missing on the page.

Ok time to make the taco salad.

I was sick all week and did not make it to the gym once. I'm better now, but I have apparently passed it on to my husband.

Wish there was a way for the White Sox and Athletics to tie tonight. Ah well.

Tags: baseball, book, word count

First goal: To lose five pounds by August 1.

A lofty goal on a small frame like mine, but it will be a big difference on my body. I have spent too much of the past three weeks eating restaurant food and not enough time in the gym.

So: Working out at least four times each week, ideally five. Cutting out all sweets (except Brian's birthday dessert), and reducing all animal fats.

That's literally all I have to do. If I remember how simple it is, it won't be as daunting.

Another goal during this time period: Write five more chapters in the book. About 20,000 more words (I am now over 40,000 words). This too can be done, with perseverence.

Third goal this month: Have a ridiculous amount of crazy sex with husband for the next fourteen days. This one is easily achieved. I hope. It's up to him to avoid late Friday nights at work, which actually have been happening less often of late.

I know you all wanted to know that last one.

Tags: book, conception, fitness, word count

My "book" now has exactly 26,000 37,000 words.

Seems like a lot. And I feel like the story has only just now gotten started.

Also, Simon caught Sasha's cold. Cat colds are ridiculously contagious. Could have something to do with how they lick each other all day.

Tags: book, cats, word count