Halfway Point! Yippee!

Yesterday, I reached the halfway point in my current WIP. Ahead of schedule! What a good feeling. I've been whipping along, since I've had a lot of alone time in the last couple of weeks. Amazing what a difference that makes.

I've also given myself the freedom to write garbage. I told myself, relax, this is only the first draft. Just let the words flow, write what comes into your head, there'll be time enough later to sort out the chaff from the wheat.

I've also realized with this manuscript number, let's see...14th (not all published) that this is the most special time of my story, when it's the first time for my characters & me. I used to think the 2nd or 3rd rewrite was the best time to enjoy my characters. Their most obvious flaws were being smoothed out by then. By the time I get the published book, my heart is into other characters and I've read their story once too often in final edits & proofings to enjoy it as I once did.

But with my current manuscript, I'm beginning to understand that this virgin territory I'm treading is the most special time. The hero & heroine's words are being spoken for the first time. Their angst is my angst. Ohhhh. Will he win her? Will she succeed in breaking down those emotional barriers he's built up???

Stay tuned.

Chugging Away

I'm finally getting over that first hurdle in writing the first draft of a new story...getting beyond the first 50 or so pages of the proposal. Now, I'm almost at the 'first turning point,' where something dramatic must happen between hero and heroine.

It means really beginning to dig into these characters and become a little consumed with them day and night.

On a good day, after writing 10 pages, I am a happy camper.

What kept me from moving faster along on this story was that I suddenly got an idea for another story. When that happens, I have to let it run its course, and write everything down while the inspiration is flowing. I may not get to this new story for another year or so, but if I don't develop it now, it'll be gone.

Scene ideas would come to me, dialogue, a story arc. In a few days, I had a whole story (minus those pesky details that involve research) mapped out and most of the key scenes written out longhand in a spiral notebook (a lot of them at midnight or 5:30 in the morning). Now, I can put it aside with a peaceful mind, knowing the essence of it is there whenever I can get back to it.

I can also go back to my original story and concentrate fully on those two characters waiting for me to continue their story.

It's a crisp fall day in the Netherlands and the leaves are turning, although they don't turn as dramatically here as in the northeastern United States.

I'm going on a walk through the fields and forest edging one end of Almere and continue mulling on my characters' story. What next...