Kat’s Den

See last post title. 43,400 words. The Novel (I’m starting to see it in capitals) started out as an ill-formed short story that grew. As a result, after re-reading what I have so far, I’m particularly happy with the last half; and cringing at the first. This will take some careful revision to make it flow correctly. I’m having to resist two urges: To re-edit what I’ve written over and over, so that I end up doing nothing but revising each time I sit down to write; and worrying too much about word count. I’m so paranoid that I won’t reach the magic “novel number”, 80,000+ words, that I become tempted to get too verbose. I need to let go of that idea and just write it like it should be written, and wherever the word count ends up, so be it.

I can also see the same old problems returning- not having enough time. As soon as I get comfortable with the world I’ve created, I’ve got to leave it to attend to such things as eating and attending my day job. I should probably schedule a “writing vacation”, but with my job, when would that be? There’s always too much to do. Speaking of which, it’s already past 11pm, and tomorrow’s Monday.

…at least for me.

My roommate recently started writing a novel of his own after reading some of my short stories, and it led me to re-read them after a long absence. Them, and the very much un-finished and un-polished novel I started, oh, 15 years ago. Ahem. I can still see running into the same problems I did then- not having enough time to stay in the world I created long enough to continue the same train of thought. But I find myself driven to try again.

My roommate also suggested trying to get the short stories published; although I’m not sure exactly where. Most of the submission guidelines stress “New and original treatments only!” How original is yet another werewolf story? Never mind that I don’t normally read books or magazines in this genre; so I’ve really no idea where to start.

The novel is currently hovering at 40,000 words, 181 pages.