Writing Journal- The First of Many

I'm writing a novel, and I thought it would do me some good to catalog the process. They say writing journals is always a good practice for a writer, and who am I to argue with the great and mighty THEY?

At this point, my novel is progressing, but a bit slower than I would like. (Isn't that always the case?) I'm not struggling, but I find myself mired down in getting my characters to their way points. I know what comes next in the story, but I will struggle to write the correct paragraphs or pages that will allow the story to proceed in a logical and natural way. I've tried just skipping to the next part, but it doesn't feel right to me, and I try to pay attention to those feelings. When I don't, I notice that the story doesn't seem right. Stephen King has referred to a story as a found thing, and the writer's job is to clear away as much of the surrounding rock that holds the fossil. I agree with that assessment more and more. Too often, I see that if I am trying to force my story in one direction, I realize I have been digging in the wrong area. It's better instead to follow the natural shape and make sure I get as much of it out of the ground as I can.

I would really like to have this finished by mid-September, but I will need to write 6-7 pages a day for that to happen. I don't foresee that pace working, but there's no harm in trying. My date in mind is so that I can give the completed manuscript to my wife as a birthday present. There are worse gifts one could receive. I would settle for a mostly completed book, and I think that is a strong possibility.

I think my new schedule is going to be an hour at lunch, and an hour or so each evening. I think that might just get me where I want to be.

Changes and some things never change.

If you're reading this, I'm a bit surprised. It's been at least 4 years since I blogged with any sort of regularity. I used to update like clockwork...and then I stopped. I can't even tell you why I am here tonight, other than having the sudden desire to put down words. Writing on a regular basis strikes me as a good thing to be doing, so there are certainly worse habits I could be picking up.

If you happen to be reading this, and you also happen to be a member of my old blog group of chums ("Chums?" Really?") then the following items are a bit of catch up. If you are reading this blog for the first time, it could serve as an introduction. Although, if we are being perfectly honest (and we really should be) you are probably better served in this time by doing something more productive, such as a load of laundry or flossing.

I have recently relocated to Phoenix. I have two kids, two dogs, two cats and one wife. I enjoy getting online and writing long and pointless blog posts.