This draft seems to be flying by now. Can't believe I've reached 61% but I hope the pace continues.
Last week I was worried about the size of the word count as it didn't seem to be shrinking. This week I have the opposite problem - I've cut huge chunks out at a time this week, sometimes up to 2,000 words at a time. If I carry on like this I'll end up with half a novel.
The total word count at the minute is 85,000 words so it's fine but I suspect I've got more cutting coming up. Let's hope it isn't too severe!
Before I started this draft I expected to hate Every Single Second of it as I did with the 2nd Draft of Book 1 but that hasn't happened (yet). And not because it hasn't been hard work. So far I've cut around 19,000 words (I really can write crap) but only lost 8,000 from the word count. I've had to add a prominent character, which means tinkering with the majority of scenes and I know I'm going to have to add quite a few new scenes very soon and completely change the ending.
But I'm enjoying it and actually look forward to starting a new chapter each evening - well, some evenings I'd rather relax in front of the telly (I'm not a saint) but once I've started I'm fine. I don't dread working on this draft and hope I don't in the next few weeks.
Good job on cutting out the un-needed words! It can be really hard to do, but it sounds like you're doing really well!
ReplyDeleteUn-needed is very kind. It's pure pap I'm cutting out! I'm brilliant at writing rubbish.
DeleteGood for you - especially writing in the evenings! I'm inspired by your tenacity and I hope you manage to find yourself an agent really soon - fingers crossed for you :-) Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm now following you!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thanks for following :-)
DeleteMy youngest will be starting nursery part time in September so I'll be able to do some writing during the day then. The tv will be mine again :-D
I remember pressing 'delete' and wiping out over 25k of my words when I was editing my first book. It was a little painful for a second. I love working on a novel and seeing it develop, although sometimes it can seem a little like wading through treacle.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely like wading through treacle with my last book - I ended up rewriting over 50,000 words. It's no wonder I found it hard going.
DeleteHI Mama J! Good on you for all that trimming. But yes I think we can get too trim happy sometimes and cut more than we need. I usually end up with stories around 60k words and then have to add in more. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't expect to end up with 93,000 words - I was aiming for 80,000 but must have waffled on a bit!
DeleteGlad you are enjoying this round. I had to do some huge cuts too and had similar word counts (and worries) as you. But then I too added a chapter. We get there in the end, however bumpy the ride.
ReplyDeleteHi Liza. You're right - we do get there in the end. I hope your book is coming along well.
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