I gave myself a deadline of having my first draft finished by the time I turn 40–June 1st. That’s about one month away.
ONE MONTH!
So–I have to make this blog entry short. No time to dilly dally or ramble on. I’ve got work to do!
BUT I did want to drop by here and let everyone know that I got over my little crisis (see my Tweets). A few days I ago I made the mistake of going back over my novel, re-reading parts–and I stumbled across (or fell into) numeorus pot holes…I mean PLOT holes. Naturally, I was horrified. I HAVE TO FIX THESE RIGHT NOW OR I CAN”T GO ON! I thought. A few days of angst ensued. Several helpful folks on Twitter gave me their reccomendations. The general consensus seemed to be to go on. Move on. Unless they are so horrible, so huge, the wholes story falls to pieces, don’t worry about them. Leave em for later.
So I’m going to.
I’m usually a very deliberate writer. I like to lay each scene down, tweak it as necessary so it fits fine, then move on to the next one.
But I don’t have time for that now. I’m going to pretend May is my #nanowrimo. I’m going to finish it in one month, writing, writing, writing, just seeing where the writing goes, just getting it done. I don’t care if it takes a strange turn, and all of a sudden my Regency heroine is an alien and she time travels with Brad Pitt to the 1930’s and has a shoot out with a gangster and dies in Brad’s arms quoting Latin.
Personally. I don’t think that ending is going to happen–I trust my vision–but if it does…I will fix it all later. LATER. Once its done.
So I’m settling into my cozy chair (see comic above) with my laptop and my cup of tea and in those times when I am not being a mom, or running/exercising (my other goal), or being a teacher, I am going to be writing my ass off, ‘write’ across the finish line.
“Get the serum to Nome. Get the Conestoga wagon to the Oregon Trail. Get the first version of your project done from A to Z as fast as you can. Don’t stop. Don’t look down. Don’t think.” From Do the Work by Stephen Pressfield.
Busy Writing 
Sorry Doll, you are supposed to run your ass off. Writing requires a slightly more cerebral technique than that.
But you are heading in the right direction. Unless the problem is in front of you, when in a first draft just keep writing. That’s why it’s called a first draft. The second draft is when you go back and fix the problems.
And in my experience (over 500 blog posts on my own site, and god knows how many articles elsewhere – and yes, I’m a dirty old pro now, I’m getting paid for my non-fiction work) that’s always the way you have to work. First time round you get the foundation, the structure, the framing, the roof, the plumbing, the plastering, the doors, the porch, etc.
In the second draft you fix minor details (is all the quarter round straight), and decorate. Hang the curtains, add furniture, carpets, stuff like that.
That’s the way I had it explained to me anyway, by someone who has had several novels published. You and I are at about the same place. Fighting our way through the first draft of the first novel. The hardest thing that we will ever do.
I don’t know if you’ve run into Kristen Lamb’s blog, if not, you should check it out. She’s got a lot of good, solid, common sense advice. She’s also on Twitter as KristenLambTX.
Anyway, I’m standing behind you, cheering you one.
Wayne
Gack – last sentence should read:
Anyway, I’m standing behind you, cheering you ON.
On. Not one.
Wayne
Thanks, Wayne! Appreciate your comment & your cheering!
Julie J.
And now I’m standing behind you going “Hum, didn’t she say first draft would be completed for her fortieth birthday?”
Hugs, Kisses, Fireworks, and all that stuff for reaching the big 40. I hope the other half treated you to something special.
But the important question. Did you finish the first draft?
Wayne
Thanks for the b day wishes! As to whether I’m done or not…um…not quite! I’m 12 scenes til the finish line! Which is why I haven’t written a blog post in awhile, I’ve been writing like crazy!
Julie J.
Is that “writing like crazy” or “crazy”
Had to ask because with us writer types it is so hard to tell. Usually a check around the room to see if there are spare body parts will suffice to tell 🙂
Wayne
ha ha!
Great reading youur blog