Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Starting Over

Last night I made some real progress on my WIP. I went from just over 7,000 words to a big fat ZERO in 2 seconds flat! Then I managed to type another massive 100 words before quitting for the night.

"Are you sure that's progress?" you may ask. Yes, because this time I have a better beginning. I changed the POV, and started in the middle of the action. Okay, so I didn't get far into that action, considering there are only 100 words on the paper, but I know where it's going from here.

This opening scene is pretty clear in my mind, and I want to get it down on paper. After finishing chapter one though, I'm done writing until I've done more research and outlining. This story is a historical fiction, and I'm only beginning to realize how much research will be involved.

It's overwhelming. So much so that it challenges me to give up. I don't know much about life in Nauvoo in the 1840's, so how can I write a book set in that time? The answer: one slow scene at a time, combined with lots and lots of studying.

I feel like I'm back in school.

10 comments:

Wendy Swore said...

That is very cool that you have the right perspective on word count.

In general, I plug along at a slower pace than many of my writing buddies. One of them regularly cranks out 2000+ words a day, and I'll get just 750 words on an average day. But it's still progress in the right direction. And when we take the time to really think about what we're writing, I think it makes for a better novel.

Good for you. :)

Melissa Cunningham said...

That's so how it is, isn't it? I really liked this post. It hit home for me too.

I have an English lit. teacher in my critique group and she told me all these things I need to do to make my futuristic YA novel believable and great. Like sitting down an writing out all the laws that apply to the time period on my story. Even if I don't put them all in, I need to know these things. I know that, but dang. Sigh. Yeah. Uh huh. I don't want to take all that time, dang it! LOL But do I want a fabulous novel? I guess so. blah! LOL

nephite blood spartan heart said...

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do-I'm sure it will be better for it.

Melanie Jacobson said...

I'm trying to trim 20,000 words out of my WIP and I have 15,000 left to go. It's amazing to me that ripping out all those words can actually feel so good.

Rebecca said...

I've done that to several of my chapters. I'm about to do it to another one. (Actually I keep throwing the same chapter out and rewriting it multiple times.)

Anyway, I've also gotten to a point where I need to do more research. I'm not writing historical fiction, but there is a lot of reference to history in it. It's a lot of work, but I'm enjoying it and learning a lot. I just wish I could write faster. With 5 kids, I will sometimes go over a week without writing a word. Then I'll sit down and ignore everything around me for a day before I write again. I really need to get into the rhythm of writing on a regular basis or I'll never get done.

amber_mtmc said...

I am right with you, Kim. Last night I kept on dreaming about my book and woke up this morning with a new beginning. Yes it does mean erasing what I have, but it will be better for it. This writing is a l-o-n-g process. : )

Okie said...

Wow...good on ya for being willing to take the "2 steps backwards" to make progress. Sometimes it's all you can do to really get going in the right direction again.

Best of luck.

Janet Johnson said...

Good luck! It's always hard to lose so many words. But yup. One page at a time. Keep at it!

Joanne said...

I've often found that research really helps to layer my writing. It helps to build my character traits with occupations and personality details, and can even help finetune the plot. It's a great tool for developing fiction.

Rachael Anderson said...

Yeah, Kim! I'm so excited for your story. I don't envy you the research, though, but it will be incredible when you're done!