Day 6 Chapter 8 Book 1

Well, found quite a bit of time before Thursday to get some work done on chapter 8. I just finished correcting and it was fairly easy going. There were things that needed to be changed obviously, but there wasn't much of anything too major to worry about. I think it's a pretty solid chapter, especially after this last look over. I do still recall the very early stages of writing this chapter and my first time correcting it a couple years ago. There were some big flaws in it that I think I've remedied very well over time.

When I had first written this chapter there were these four characters, soldiers, that were in it, but were nameless, uncharacteristic props basically. After reading it over a couple times I felt like there was something that just wasn't working with the chapter and I couldn't figure out what it was. Then I decided that I could get more out of the plot line if I changed the unnamed soldiers into four characters, each with a bit of their own motives and attitudes and it really seemed to change this chapter and the few that follow it dramatically. I guess it was just one of those choices I'm very glad I made.

Well, I should still have free time on Thursday so I'll try and get chapter 9 finished, or at least a good deal of it done then. Until next post then.

Day 5 Chapter 7 Book 1

I finished going over chapter 7 the other day and I must say that it was a hassle. I went over the first page of the chapter many, many times and I'm still not completely happy with it. Granted it's much better than it was before I ripped into it, but I'm just feeling a bit down about it. Although, after I forced myself to move on from the first page things seemed to pick up. I had to fix a few little things here and there, but it was basically in great shape. There were a few odd misspellings that I can't believe I didn't find until this time through, but I guess that's sort of the whole reason for a third draft.

I'd like to work on chapter 8 now, but I have to go to work soon. It'll be so nice when writing can be a full time job. Anyways I don't think I'll have time to work on more corrections for a while, there's a possible window tomorrow, but I'm not sure if I'll actually get the free time. Otherwise I think thursday will be the next day that I don't work. Oh, well, I'll type back later.

Day 4 Chapter 6 Book 1

I just finished going over chapter 6 and I'm very pleased with it. The chapter was in good shape as it was, but I felt like I was in the perfect writing mood tonight. I was able fix so much in this chapter that I haven't since I first wrote it. There were certain descriptive passages that I haven't been happy with. Things that were meant to describe a places that the characters visit and it was a jumbled, icky mess before. But tonight it was like I could just see clearly for the first time. I was able to completely deconstruct what was written and just put down what I envisioned and do it in a way that feels very fluid.

Sorry, I don't mean to toot my own horn, but it feels really good to be in the zone since I haven't been there for a very long time.

Well, I guess this is all I have to say about this chapter. I'm not sure when I'll have time to go onto chapter 7, I'm thinking Monday...I don't like the fact that I don't have free time this weekend. Oh well. Until Monday.

Day 3 Chapters 4 & 5 Book 1

I put my energy to good use yesterday and finished two more chapters. Surprisingly they didn't seem to be in too bad of shape. They need the usual grammar tweaks and a bit of rewording, but overall the flow of both of them was pretty fluid. I added a bit the certain descriptions and such, but nothing major, I felt the content expressed what needed to be expressed as is. Also, after printing them and numbering them I'm now up to just over 40 pages. 40 pages in 5 chapters. I think that's pretty good.

I'm not sure if I'll have time to work on any chapters tomorrow. Wednesdays are always hard for me to get stuff done on. But I'll definitely try and do chapter 6 on Thursday.

Day 2 Chapters 2 & 3 Book 1

Sorry for the gap in posts, things have been kind of busy lately and I've been finding it hard to find time to work on the book, but I have done two more chapters. I think these chapters have come a long way, especially since their initial type up. They're much more fleshed out now and a lot of the wording has been tweaked to make them sound smoother. I added about a page to chapter 3 and I think it has helped flesh out the chapter better. I added some character development and a lot more description to things that felt awkward or flat. I've also read over bits and pieces of all 3 chapters since I've printed them out and I've been finding it easier to spot and fix things with the hard copy.

I feel like things have gotten very difficult with this book lately. I'm constantly doubting myself as I read it and then I find me praising myself when I figure out a great way to combine two sentences or find a terrific way to reword something. Then I usually start fretting that I've over looked things and the book will feel very uneven. So working on these corrections takes me on an emotional roller coaster that makes me hesitant to come back it. I'm also starting to feel pressed for time with the deadline I've set for myself. November is coming up awfully quick and it feels like there's still so much left to do.

Even though I'm being a bit beaten about by this whole process, my mind is still set on pushing through and finishing the book. I've done too much work on it to just stop and it still means so much to me to finish. This is where my career in writing will begin and I'm not going to let these emotional speed bumps slow me down.

Okay! Now that I've charged myself up I'm off to go use this energy to work on chapter 4.