First Week Shock and First Success

As if you could ask for a better example of the unexpected things that can put a stick in the spokes of progress, a relative died this week. Sad yes, but a release from the non-life they had been living.

Despite this final chapter, I can report that I have made some progress. I've just written the final sentence of my chapter 11.

"11 chapters in a week!" I hear you call.

Lest you feel inadequate about my speed writing, let me confess. It has actually taken me in excess of two years to write those first 10 chapters (please don't do the math; it's depressing). Hence the blog.

A few weeks ago, I re-read the first 10 chapters and discovered that as they were written with such alarming gaps in between, there were inconsistencies that would make a Cabinet Minister blush.

So I decided to write the novel in a more orderly fashion over 1 year. Yes, it means I have a slight head start. But let's face it, they're all going to have to be re-written as characters' names change more often than my wife's shoes (and if you know my wife, that's often; and if you do know my wife, how the bloody hell do you know her? Is that why she keeps telling me she's working late? You cad.)

It must be said it is a tad optimistic to think this will continue (a chapter a week, not death of relatives); so I will be using hints from Kate Mosse (her of the Labyrinth fame). On her blog, she has 52 hints for writers - 1 a week. This surely is Kismet, so I will be using one a week and letting you know how it goes.

Here's the link: http://www.mosselabyrinth.co.uk/advice/intro.asp

Week one was, "write every day". Simple, yes; but also effective. One night when it seemed I wasn't going to do as much as turn on the computer, I decided to jot down a particularly nice piece of dialogue that I had overheard, and would you believe it, 500 words were the result. The motivation of writing even a little every day, really helps. I recommend it.

Week 2 is Carry a notebook. Again, sounds simple, but we'll give it a go and hopefully this week will be slightly less dramatic.

Of course it had its compensations: despite the hurdle that is mortality, I have completed a chapter in a week. Hurrah!

Welcome to the 12 month Novel Blog.

Hi & welcome to the dawn of my novel blog.

My name is Jimmy Mac and this is the first posting in what will be a weekly blog based around my progress in writing my novel.

First things first: that’s novel as in “a fictitious prose narrative”, not as in “new or unusual”. Although it might be that too. Well, at least new. Kind of...

Basically, this is the plan.

Over a 12 month period, I will write two drafts and then a final version of the novel finishing on 20 September 2008. I am looking for around 75,000 words which will be divided into roughly 30 chapters.

I will do this while holding down a full time job and attempting not to descend into hermit-like weirdness or developing a cavalier attitude towards personal hygiene.

That’s about it. I will keep you updated with my (lack of) progress and share the trials and tribulations of being a budding author (Note to self - avoid clichés like the plague.). Bugger.

Hopefully, those in a similar place will take solace (but not plot twists) for their own efforts and will be able to offer their own tips, encouragement or constructive abuse over the following months.

Over the first weeks, I will tell you a little about myself just so you can understand my situation better without boring the David Copperfield out of you.

Until then, feel free to email me with comments etc. at jimmymac53@googlemail.com

Jimmy Mac
Current Status: a pile of notes, loads of ideas, and a blank white screen...